Chapter 11: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not
Autumn in Beihai City was long, the seemingly gentle warm sun was actually a crisp, bright light.
Dong Ling returned the bank cards to Dong Nuo and successfully secured an investment.
Dong Ling was a very efficient person. Once she decided to do something, she would immediately take action.
First finalize the script, then assemble the crew, choose a location, and then prepare for filming.
Dong Ling didn’t have a particularly discerning eye for scripts, so she chose to leave this matter to professionals. Zuo Zhen handed the shortlisted scripts to Dong Ling, who then let Song Mingzhi choose.
Among the many scripts selected, Song Mingzhi chose a suspense-mystery script called “A Mysterious Person’s Funeral.”
Dong Ling was quite pleasantly surprised by Song Mingzhi’s choice, because among all the scripts, she also liked this one the most. Almost as soon as she read the words, she had already pictured Song Mingzhi in the corresponding role.
The story took place on a rainy night. The protagonist, sitting at home, heard a rapid knock on the door. After opening the door, there was no one outside, only an invitation quietly placed on the floor.
It was a funeral invitation, with no signature, only the location. The writer addressed the protagonist as an old friend and sincerely invited her to attend.
The protagonist was a police detective who had just been suspended from duty. Out of professional instinct, she went to the location of the funeral.
It was a manor, and twelve other guests were also invited.
The deceased being mourned was a stranger to all thirteen guests. Some wanted to leave but found the manor locked, and the blocked signals made people restless. After a few deaths occurred, someone angrily opened the coffin, only to find no body inside, just a pistol.
This was a typical locked-room mystery. With one death after another, certain intentions gradually surfaced, even connected to the protagonist’s suspension. The protagonist was caught in the middle, both prey and hunter.
Dong Ling was not only interested in the story, but also found it convenient. Precisely because it was a closed-circle mystery, the basic plot took place entirely within the manor, there was no need to spend extra money renting other locations, which would save on filming costs.
More importantly, Dong Ling could use the manor for free, because it belonged to her family. Her father bought it in the north more than ten years ago, originally for summer retreats, but later, with the shift in his work focus, she only went there occasionally during the summer.
Dong Ling felt a little sad thinking about it. Compared to the lavish productions, big directors, and star-studded casts in the original novel, she was really being stingy.
As for the cast, Dong Ling could be said to have brought in the entire company, although the company only had three actors: Song Mingzhi, Tang Nuo, and Peng Ke, a newcomer signed from a film academy.
Before their departure, Dong Nuo insisted on throwing a farewell party for her good friend. Since she was one of the investors, and the other two investors would also be there for drinks, Dong Ling went, and at their insistence, brought Song Mingzhi along as well.
“It’s just a small gathering, don’t worry, it won’t be too noisy. You saw them when you came to pick me up last time. They’re all investors in this movie.”
To prevent Song Mingzhi from feeling constrained, Dong Ling explained the situation in advance, although she seemed even more nervous than Song Mingzhi.
Because she felt a little guilty, after all, the sisters sitting there were all part of her crowdfunding scheme, she felt truly pathetic compared to a real domineering CEO.
“Okay.”
Song Mingzhi nodded, leaned back in her chair, and casually looked out the window, occasionally mesmerized by the glint of Dong Ling’s earrings.
So she simply turned her head to look at Dong Ling’s earrings. Red and blue intertwined within the star-shaped crystals, like a dazzling nebula visible even in daylight.
Dong Ling felt Song Mingzhi’s gaze, took off her right earring, and held it in her hand, letting it catch the sunlight.
“It’s very pretty, isn’t it? I liked it the moment I saw it.”
Song Mingzhi praised: “It’s very unique, like the M27 nebula.”
“Huh? Really? I don’t know much about stars, but I imagine it must be very beautiful.”
Dong Ling became interested in Song Mingzhi’s words and unconsciously leaned closer.
“It is indeed beautiful. The M27 nebula is located in the constellation Vulpecula, 1227 light-years from Earth. It’s the first planetary nebula ever observed by humans, and also one of the brightest. I’ve photographed it before.”
Song Mingzhi mentioned the past with a relaxed and happy expression.
“Can I see it?”
Dong Ling’s eyes widened slightly, intrigued by this beautiful existence she had never encountered before. She didn’t expect Song Mingzhi to be an astronomy enthusiast.
Unconsciously, another layer was added to the filter through which she viewed Song Mingzhi.
“Of course.”
Song Mingzhi opened her photo album and clicked on the nebula category.
Dong Ling leaned closer and looked down at the photos on Song Mingzhi’s phone.
Probably no one could remain unmoved by the vastness of the universe. Every gaze evoked a sense of immensity. The nebula at the center of the bright stars shifted and changed. Dong Ling’s fingertips gently swiped the screen, her face filled with unconcealed wonder.
Song Mingzhi didn’t look at the photos she had admired for a long time, her gaze fixed on Dong Ling’s fair earlobe, the pink cartilage visible under the sunlight.
“You can see it with your own eyes if you have the chance, it’s far more beautiful than in photos. It’s quite bright, you can observe it with binoculars, but you can see it more clearly with better equipment. If you don’t mind, you can use mine when the time comes, although it’s not in Beihai at the moment.”
Song Mingzhi said slowly, her gaze fixed on the small ear piercing.
Dong Ling readily agreed: “Okay.”
She put the earring back on, her pale pink nail polish gleaming under the light.
Song Mingzhi’s gaze shifted from Dong Ling’s earlobe to her nails, a hint of puzzlement in her eyes.
She still had doubts about Dong Ling’s motives because of some of her actions and that contract, but from another perspective, she felt Dong Ling was straight.
Song Mingzhi thought perhaps she had overlooked a possibility, that precisely because Dong Ling was straight, she didn’t think her actions would arouse suspicion, because she herself didn’t think so.
Still at the same club as last time, Dong Nuo, Tang Qianxi, and Chen Shang Shang looked at Song Mingzhi who walked in with surprised expressions.
“Ling Ling, if you hadn’t told me, I would have thought she was some young lady from our circle.”
Chen Shang Shang said bluntly. She thought Song Mingzhi’s temperament wasn’t like that of a celebrity at all, but more like someone from the upper echelons of their circle.
Hearing her sister praise her person, Dong Ling’s expression became even more proud. She introduced them to each other.
Song Mingzhi was a good conversationalist, and a good listener when others were talking, so the atmosphere was particularly harmonious.
“Wishing you a smooth filming process, a box office hit, and may we all make money together!”
Tang Qianxi raised her glass, and everyone else raised their glasses as well. The clinking of glasses in the air produced a crisp and pleasant sound.
Dong Ling smiled and nodded, looking at Song Mingzhi.
Song Mingzhi also happened to look at her at this moment. Their eyes met, and they smiled knowingly.
They ate and drank. Knowing that the film crew would be leaving tomorrow, Dong Nuo and the others didn’t pressure them to drink too much, and the dinner party ended at eight o’clock.
Dong Nuo didn’t leave, she had another party to attend.
As Dong Ling and the others left the club, they happened to pass by a few people entering.
Chen Shang Shang’s expression stiffened for a moment when she saw the person walking in front, and subconsciously looked at Dong Ling, but Dong Ling seemed indifferent and didn’t stop.
“Dong Ling, after so many years, you’re not even willing to say hello?”
A slightly hoarse female voice came from behind, causing Dong Ling to turn around. Song Mingzhi also stopped and looked at the woman who spoke.
It was a woman who looked very aggressive, with dyed white hair, tanned skin, Western-style makeup, tall and wild.
Dong Ling replied indifferently: “No need.”
Song Mingzhi raised an eyebrow slightly, her heart stirring at seeing this cold and aggressive side of the girl.
This did have a bit of a Vampire Queen aura, making her usual demeanor in front of her seem even more adorable by comparison.
The woman chuckled: “Our little princess is becoming more and more arrogant. After all these years, still so aloof. I thought you would stay abroad, too afraid to come back and face people.”
“Xuan Du, she didn’t go abroad to avoid you, don’t be so nasty!”
Chen Shang Shang couldn’t help but speak up. Dong Ling went abroad to study and avoid those with ulterior motives.
“Who are you to speak?”
Xuan Du glanced at Chen Shang Shang disdainfully. Six years ago, she was just Dong Ling’s little follower. Even if her family’s business was doing well now, she wasn’t qualified to shout at her.
“Did someone write your name on this place? Only you’re allowed to yap?”
Seeing Chen Shang Shang clenching her fists in anger, Tang Qianxi immediately retorted sarcastically.
She didn’t know this person, although she could sense from her reaction that this woman’s identity wasn’t simple, but so what?
Dong Ling didn’t want the conflict to involve her friends because of her, so she looked at the other party and said: “I have nothing to be afraid of facing people for. The person who did something wrong isn’t ashamed of their past mistakes. Xuan Du, are you proud of that incident?”
Dong Ling slightly raised her chin, her clear eyes looking at her as if she was an insignificant person.
Xuan Du stared at Dong Ling for a long time, then sighed with an ambiguous tone: “Dong Ling, you’re so heartless.”
Dong Ling smiled politely: “Not as much as you.”
Song Mingzhi became even more interested. Compared to a gentle rabbit, she appreciated a cat with sharp claws more.
When Dong Ling reached the entrance, the car just arrived. Song Mingzhi opened the door for her, she waved goodbye to her two sisters, and got in the car with Song Mingzhi.
Tang Qianxi watched the car drive away, then looked at Chen Shang Shang, who seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief, and said in confusion: “Who was that? Do you have to be so cowardly?”
“The mayor’s daughter.”
Tang Qianxi was silent, then asked: “How did Ling Ling get involved with her?”
Chen Shang Shang shook her head and said: “I don’t know. They used to be very close, but one day Xuan Du suddenly disappeared. Some said she went abroad. Not long after, Ling Ling also went abroad. I asked Ling Ling at the time, she only said they had a falling out and refused to say anything else.”
In the steadily moving Maybach, Dong Ling’s expression was slightly tense.
“Mingzhi, that person just now is the Beihai mayor’s daughter. I have some history with her. Stay away from her in the future.”
Dong Ling knew Xuan Du would return eventually, but didn’t expect it to be at this time.
She was busy supporting her woman and saving the world, and hoped Xuan Du wouldn’t cause trouble and get in her way.
Song Mingzhi was a little surprised: “How did you get involved with her?”
“She was involved in drug use, I called the police and sent her to rehab.” Dong Ling said lightly, and seeing Song Mingzhi’s expression, she spread her hands, “Isn’t that what every upstanding citizen should do?”
Actually, it wasn’t that simple, but this simple summary was fine, and it emphasized that she was an upstanding and serious person!
Song Mingzhi couldn’t help but laugh.
She found Dong Ling even more adorable.
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