ATLAS TRANSLATES

The entire process of filming the milk commercial went smoothly, only taking one day of my time. But after filming, I was quite conflicted, because the content of the commercial made me constantly wonder what kind of expression Fu Junyan would have after seeing it? Because that line of commercial voiceover was really too sensitive, sigh…

Recently, the movie “Shadow” that Fu Junyan is starring in has started large-scale promotions. All major cinemas are plastered with warm-up posters. Occasionally when I’m waiting at a red light, I can see the trailer for “Shadow” playing repeatedly on the advertisement screen of a building, and of course there’s no lack of giant posters on the outer walls of certain buildings. But Fu Junyan is still as composed as ever, not minding at all that only a side profile of him is on the posters. All along, Fu Junyan hasn’t attended a single movie promotion event. Compared to those in the same industry fighting tooth and nail for a shot, he’s calmer by who knows how many times.

Once I couldn’t help asking him, “You’re not going to any promotions for this movie either?”

He shook his head and answered plainly, “I’m just a supporting role.” Those words were said so naturally and purely without any color, yet suddenly had a lofty and dignified air of seeing all things as fleeting clouds. I suddenly felt I was a worldly person, a very worldly kind at that. At least I wouldn’t be as calm as him. At least I would hope for everyone to talk about me, hope for my face to be more visible on the posters. But he truly didn’t have those thoughts.

Although I had already seen “Shadow” in my past life, I was still full of enthusiasm for Fu Junyan’s part in this movie. Fu Junyan’s footage in the trailer was only a mere two seconds. It was a man’s back view, a firm and upright back view, leaving a long shadow under the dim bridge, carrying endless sorrow and indifference that couldn’t be fully expressed.

Perhaps it was due to my past life’s memories, but I immediately spotted Fu Junyan when watching the promotional video. So I quickly pressed pause, hugged the computer and ran in front of him, tilting my head as if asking for praise, “Fu Junyan, this is you, right?”

He glanced at the screen and smiled, praising me with a pat on my hair. At that moment, I suddenly felt so content, as if I had the whole world…

After Dad came back from the auction and assessed little Gu An’s piano skills, he was very satisfied. Then he disdainfully told me, “If you and An’an learned piano at the same time, you wouldn’t catch up to An’an even if you rode on a broom.” I instantly felt indignant. I really didn’t have the heart to tell him, it’s because An’an also has Fu Junyan as a patient teacher. When Fu Junyan accompanies An’an to practice piano, he doesn’t just listen with ears perked up while doing other things. He even spends hours just focusing on An’an’s posture and hand position, strict and professional. And I, as a dutiful sister, also accompany An’an in memorizing the sheet music over and over…

Of course, these things can’t be said. I still very flatteringly said, “It’s all because Dad teaches well!” It made the old man beam with joy.

With An’an being so good at the violin, Dad also looked much more kindly at Xiao Qi. In his happiness, he packaged the two little ones together, one boy one dog, and took them with him to Vienna, under the pretext of having the kids go experience the soul of music. I looked at Xiao Qi a bit gloomily, truly worried it would start singing as soon as it came back…

After Dad took An’an and Xiao Qi away, Fu Junyan did something. One day, he had people knock down a wall. In an instant, our two homes became one.

That day when I returned home, I was quite shocked at the mysteriously missing wall. Pointing with a trembling finger, I asked the man cooking in the kitchen, “Fu Junyan, can you tell me what’s going on?”

But he very composedly said, “Knocking down the wall creates too much dust. It’s not good for the child to inhale the dust. It just so happened An’an went to Vienna, so I took the opportunity to have people do the construction work.” Then he pulled my hand and pointed at the new long-haired carpet he replaced in the living room, asking me, “Do you like it?”

I replied, “Oh, yeah.” Seeing that the color of the long-haired carpet was really nice, I sat on it, feeling it left and right in a daze, forgetting everything else.

Finally, filming for “Black Cinderella” began. This drama is being filmed and broadcast simultaneously, so the script isn’t fully completed either. The screenwriter Liu Wennuan has to constantly look at the audience’s reactions, then continue writing the story and make slight changes. But the overall outline of the story won’t change. At the same time, “Black Cinderella” is also the vigorously promoted new drama for CBS TV’s golden time slot.

On the other side, Fu Junyan also entered filming. The name of his movie is “White Feather of Heaven”, also being filmed and broadcast simultaneously. It’s the vigorously promoted new drama for MBS TV’s golden time slot. CBS and MBS have always been competitors, and our shows are airing in the same time slot, so to put it simply, my and Fu Junyan’s shows are actually competing against each other…

I entered filming later, only finding out after arriving that the filming locations for these two shows are just separated by one street, sharing the same parking lot. And we’re even staying at the same hotel in the movie and TV city. Their crew booked the second floor while our crew booked the third floor.

Because we’re adversaries competing against each other, the staff on both sides appear especially vigilant. The crews have also repeatedly emphasized that everyone must strictly guard against leaking inside information. Both sides seem to be putting in extra effort too. Even passing by each other in the hotel, they hold back their vigor. The media is also very persistent about this. As soon as the cast list was made public when the two TV shows started filming, their headline was: “Fang Dingyue Teams Up with Gu Baobei to Vie Against Fu Junyan and Ji Jie’er!” I instantly felt like a flood drowning the Dragon King’s temple. This situation is serious enough! And seeing Fu Junyan’s name together with Ji Jie’er makes me so unhappy, so unhappy!

On my first day at the set, I took advantage of a break in filming to send Fu Junyan a text message. I said, “Fu Junyan, I’ve entered the set! Right next to you, did you know!”

Not long after, he simply and clearly replied with two words: “I know.”

In “Black Cinderella”, the actress playing Bai Yan’s older sister Bai Xiao is Xu Ruofan who debuted several years ago. Her acting is top-notch and she’s a good person too. When I first arrived at the set, I was alone in the dressing room, stuck in a predicament with the black contact lenses. I tried for a long time but no matter what, I couldn’t put them in. Instead, my eyes were rubbed red. I really felt like crying.

But as soon as Xu Ruofan walked in, even though she didn’t know me, she very naturally pulled out a chair to sit down and said, “Xiao’ai, you’re not putting them in correctly!” Then she actually lowered her head, took out contact lens solution from her own bag, removed her own contact lenses in front of me and put them back in again, personally demonstrating for me to see.

I immediately felt Xu Ruofan was truly warm-hearted and sincere. So I also said without reservations, “Ruofan-jie, you’re so nice.”

Hearing that, she just nodded as if it was a given, then said, “Didn’t Taozi tell you? She’s my sister-in-law. My mom likes you. How could I not be nice to you?”

“Ah!” The image of a beaming old lady affectionately holding my hands and rubbing them left and right instantly appeared in my mind. So I very hesitantly said, “Ruofan-jie, auntie really likes me? Then… should I sign an autograph for her…”

Xu Ruofan was also taken aback for a moment, then said, “That would be great. My mom will be so happy today.”

At this time, laughter could be heard from the entrance of the dressing room. Fang Dingyue walked over with a handsome boy. Both of them looked at me with a hint of a smile. I found that boy next to Dingyue-ge quite familiar, but couldn’t recall who he was. Just as I was pondering where I had seen him before, that boy had already taken a step forward, extended his hand, and very straightforwardly said to me, “Hello, Gu Baobei. I’m Shu Shuang.” This boy was quite good-looking and handsome, but why was his voice like this when he spoke?

I reached out my hand and politely shook his, but my eyes were fixed on him, staring intently. This guy! Hmm, his Adam’s apple is so small… I think my expression must have been too obvious. Fang Dingyue seemed to see through my confusion. He walked over, patted my shoulder with a smile and said, “Xiao’ai, don’t think too much. Shu Shuang is a girl.”

I was dumbfounded. After a long while, I stiffly moved my eyelids and lips, saying, “Shu Shuang, you look so handsome…”

Ruofan-jie had already packed up her bag and stood up at this point. She suddenly poked her head out and winked at Fang Dingyue, saying, “Dingyue, you were right. She’s just a milk baby.”

I…

The very handsome Shu Shuang plays my good friend Amo in the show. Amo is a very loyal girl in the drama. After Bai Yan’s mother died, she was ignored and neglected by her father and brother. At that time, the only one by her side was this friend Amo. And after a few days of interacting, I found that Shu Shuang’s straightforward personality in real life is really similar to her role in the show.

However, despite Ruofan-jie’s kind demonstration with the contact lenses, it was to no avail. I still couldn’t put in the color contacts. But seeing that it was almost time for me to start filming, I really didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. In the end, it was Shu Shuang who pulled my hand, sat me upright and said, “Forget it, Gu Baobei. I’ll wash my hands and help you put them in.”

Then, without another word, she took action. I was so scared that I didn’t even dare blink, just rigidly staring at her like that. As a result, she actually managed to put them in…

When I entered the studio to start filming, everyone paused for a moment. Ruofan-jie walked over and poked me, saying, “Xiao’ai, what your fans said is right! Your true colors are showing…” I rubbed my head, knowing that her mom was indeed my die-hard fan. She definitely knew everything that was rumored about me too. So I just smiled and waved at her.

In “Black Cinderella”, time flies by. Bai Yan is now grown up. She walks along the mountain path. Worn jeans, faded cloth shoes, a simple ponytail. An old small bag on her shoulders.

Finally, the luxurious villa appears before her. But even though it’s her home, she doesn’t feel relaxed at all. She just lowers her head. Her eyes darken for a moment. After a while, she lifts her head again, but her eyes are already calm and waveless. She slowly walks up the steps, step by step. In front of her is the grand door that clashes with her outfit. She hears elegant music from inside, along with the lively chatter and applause of the guests.

Then, she sees her father holding her stepmother’s hand, with her own brother Bai Zimo and stepsister Bai Xiao following behind. She hears her father say, “Zaijun, you’re finally back from America. Come quick, look. This is my daughter Bai Xiao.” Such a proud tone. “This is my daughter Bai Xiao…” Bai Yan’s mind is all rumbling with this sentence. In an instant, a sharp pain slices across her heart. But she only blinks, hiding all the desolation under her long lashes, no longer to be found.

Then, she sees that refined man step forward, wearing a straight and handsome suit. With just a slight lift of his head, his cold and refined aura is fully displayed. She watches him hook his lips in a smile, holding her stepsister’s hand. Han Zaijun! This prince who was always by her side when she was little. She would obediently sit next to him, hugging her Barbie doll, watching this little gentleman’s fingers dance across the black and white keys of the piano, playing beautiful melodies that sounded like the music of heaven. He would hold her hand and say, “Yanyan, walk slower. Don’t trip.” “Yanyan, this is the candy I saved for you to eat.”

But now, the daughter of the Bai family has become Bai Xiao.

Bai Yan tightens her grasp on her backpack. She just watches with open eyes as he slowly leads her stepsister into the dance floor, so well-matched, so harmonious. Everyone inside is beautiful and glamorous. Only she, the true princess of the Bai family, is shut outside the door, so out of place. She has endured for so many years, stayed silent for so long. But seeing him arrive, seeing even her childhood hope about to be snatched away, in this moment, Bai Yan finally no longer wishes to quietly turn and leave like before. Although, even she herself doesn’t know why.

Finally, she breaks the calm. She straightens her back and pushes open the door to enter. The sound of the door surprises everyone. The guests all turn their heads in astonishment. Then, they see this girl appearing here, so incompatible, her back stiff and straight. Seeing her shabby appearance, they can’t help furrowing their brows. Whispers gradually start. Finally, when she just stands like this at the front door, unmoving, even the people dancing stop and turn to look at her. The music in the hall also stops along with it.

Bai Yan is like an intruder, disrupting the beauty and harmony here. This undoubtedly angers her father. Sure enough, her father displeasedly turns around, glaring straight at her like looking at a stranger. People also start openly gossiping: “How did they let a servant in?” “Where did this pauper come from?”

But Bai Yan is just indifferent. She lifts her face and grips her trembling hands, gaze falling on her own brother who is watching and mocking her, and her furious father. She knows, she has long known, that even when beating a dog, you have to consider its owner. But this family has long ceased to have her, long ceased to have Bai Yan. Ever since her mother passed away, no matter how others bullied or insulted her, they never helped her. Then, Bai Yan lifts her head to look at the princess holding the prince’s hand, her noble and beautiful stepsister Bai Xiao, and her poised and luxurious stepmother. This Bai family…

Thinking and thinking, Bai Yan laughs mockingly, so powerlessly.

Then, she slowly turns her face again. This time, she resolutely walks straight towards the center of the dance floor. She meets the gaze of that cold and indifferent man, curling her lips in a lovely smile. She’s too nervous, she even forgets her own voice. She says, “Zaijun gege, I’m Yanyan.”

Then, she hears her father roughly interrupt her, even reaching out to give her a hard shove. He says, “Enough!”

She staggers back a few steps but fortunately doesn’t fall. She slowly lifts her head like this, tilting her head to size up the people in front of her. The pain in her eyes is hidden behind a mocking gaze.

Then Bai Yan hears her own brother Bai Zimo scoff and say, “Yanyan? Didn’t you hear Father say Bai Xiao is his daughter? What are you? Bai Yan, wherever you are becomes gloomy and foul. The Bai family is most unwilling to see you. Scram back to your rear courtyard!” Then Bai Zimo turns around, incomparably gently pulling Bai Xiao’s hand, eyes filled with only adoration and distress. He says, “Xiaoxiao, the dance was interrupted. Let Zaijun dance with you again later. Don’t be scared?”

Then, he provocatively glances at Bai Yan, lifting his chin before loudly announcing, “While we’re at it, Zimo wants to announce a piece of good news to everyone. A month from now will be my sister Bai Xiao’s engagement banquet with Han Zaijun. Welcome, everyone, to attend the banquet.” Then, Bai Zimo’s icy gaze falls on Bai Yan once more. He says, “Why haven’t you scrammed yet? Bai Yan, do you want me to chase you out?” That gaze is like thorns, as if she, Bai Yan, is the most filthy and despicable thing in this world.

Bai Yan is powerless. When she lifts her head again, she unintentionally sees Han Zaijun imperceptibly furrowing his brows. And she, for some reason, fearfully shrinks back a step. Bai Yan is afraid in her heart. Could it be that even Zaijun gege despises her now? In fact, it’s as if even she herself is starting to detest herself.

Bai Yan shakes her head and laughs lightly. But this one smile is devastatingly charming, even the glory of the sun and moon cannot compare to the enchanting allure of her smile. She says, “I understand, gege.” Then, without any hesitation, she turns and leaves.

This girl, in worn jeans, faded cloth shoes, a simple ponytail, an old small bag. Like an abandoned child, she walks out of this glamorous world that appears warm, all alone. But her hand tightly, tightly grasps her backpack, as if clinging to it with a resolve to hold on until death, unwilling to let go. Because inside, it holds that doll that fell into the water with her, carrying all her joyful childhood memories and pain. And as she passes through that grand door, a drop of blood slowly drips from her fingertip, falling silently onto the beige marble floor.

Bai Yan knows that in this world, there is no longer anyone who cares about her pain. So, she foolishly hurt herself like an idiot, yet couldn’t shed a single tear.

“Okay! That’s a wrap!”

Hearing the director’s cue, I exhaled and shook out my hands before putting down the backpack and handing it to the costume artist beside me. Turning around, I ran to the side to drink some hot tea. Covering my mouth, I let out a small yawn.