The year-end approached, and Ji Zhixiu became visibly busier.
Jiang Mian, on the other hand, was the most idle, spending her days at home petting her cat, occasionally going live to promote her work, living a life of ease.
Kyoto's winters were very cold, at least that’s what Jiang Mian thought. A winter without snow was no different than a tease, and Jiang Mian was too lazy to go out.
The filming for "Nine Heavens Immortal" had also wrapped up long ago.
The crew's editing and post-production were swift; Jiang Mian guessed Zhao Xinxin must have heavily invested her resources. The show was expected to premiere after the Lunar New Year.
This series was a satellite TV broadcast drama, given significant importance.
The original script for this drama was quite lengthy, but due to new regulations from the State Administration of Radio and Television this year, Xianxia dramas were not allowed to be too long, so several episodes were cut.
Jiang Mian’s guest appearance amounted to only four or five episodes at most.
However, this was Jiang Mian's first Xianxia drama, and she was quite looking forward to it. It was said that the production team spent four hundred million yuan on special effects alone.
In late December, Kyoto experienced its first snowfall.
Sister Ning had been waiting for this snow. On the day it snowed, Jiang Mian was taken out by her to shoot a photoshoot.
The location was Jiang Mian's university.
By this time, the school had already started its winter break, with only a few academics still around.
It was quiet and beautiful; the scenery of Kyoto University was truly second to none.
It stood out among numerous universities not just for its programs but for all aspects, a legendary "school of others."
Jiang Mian managed to get into the school by virtue of being an outstanding alumna.
She had walked this boulevard of erudition countless times during her school days.
Today, for the photoshoot, she was wearing a JK uniform with a blue overcoat. Her long, black hair was a killer in the campus setting, drawing eager glances from many younger students passing by.
Li Zhuyi handed her a hand warmer, and Jiang Mian easily placed two inside her boots.
#The Secret to Female Celebrities' Warmth#
"Look up, at me. A little bit to the left," the photographer instructed.
Jiang Mian's nose was red from the cold as she followed the instructions and looked at the camera.
Li Zhuyi rubbed her palms together. So beautiful, so beautiful, she couldn't help but be struck by Jiang Mian's beauty every time she saw her.
Jiang Mian's beauty wasn't aggressive; her features weren't overly striking. But when put together, they were exceptionally captivating.
In a crowd, she was undoubtedly the most radiant one.
Coupled with her naturally calm and gentle demeanor.
And today’s makeup, done by a styling team Sister Ning had hired at great expense.
She was undoubtedly the most beautiful scenery on campus.
Some passersby even secretly took photos of Jiang Mian with their phones.
Jiang Mian focused on the poses, undisturbed.
The benefit of photographing a beautiful woman was undoubtedly a high shot-to-completion rate; she looked good in every shot.
Because it was taken at the school, the overall atmosphere was quite pure and clean.
Jiang Mian held a prop umbrella as snowflakes fell all around. She extended her palm, catching a snowflake that quickly disappeared.
The atmosphere was perfectly captured, both innocent and charming.
As soon as the photographer said "ok," Jiang Mian quickly dropped the umbrella.
Li Zhuyi immediately handed her a cup of hot water, "Drink some quickly to warm up."
Feeling the warmth, Jiang Mian sighed contentedly.
"Shoot's done, sis, we're free."
Jiang Mian sniffled, "What about you for Lunar New Year? Just you and your mother?"
Li Zhuyi nodded, "Yes, we don't have many relatives. The ones from before aren't necessary to keep in touch with, so it's just my mom and me, comfortable. Last time I met Xiang Long's parents, they were very nice. They invited me over for the holiday, but I felt a bit awkward."
Jiang Mian was happy for her, "If you decide, let me know. I'll give you a big red envelope."
Li Zhuyi blushed, "Xiang Long said we'll get engaged during Lunar New Year."
"That's good. You're still young. Getting married a bit later is fine."
After the photoshoot, Jiang Mian returned to Xiushui Mountain Villa.
The finished photos from today had already been sent to her phone.
There were dozens of them, each beautiful. Jiang Mian selected a few and posted a nine-grid collage.
By evening, Jiang Mian's Weibo post had aggressively climbed to the trending list.
There were even two related hashtags.
#JiangMianWinterSnowSceneCheckIn#
#CelebrityWinterSnowSceneAdaptability#
Jiang Mian initially thought Sister Ning had bought her trending topics. But upon clicking, she realized it was because she had posted a snow scene check-in on Weibo.
Zhao Xinxin followed suit, posting a selfie to check in with the snow scene.
Then came Ling He, followed by Chang Min, and a host of other celebrities.
And Ji Lanruo.
Ji Lanruo, being a wealthy heiress, often posted vlogs of her dining and entertainment on Weibo, amassing over five million followers.
She had also interacted with Jiang Mian frequently on Weibo in the past. Her participation wasn't surprising. What was unusual was that practically half the entertainment industry joined in.
This was truly a feast for fans; some fans hadn't seen their idols actively posting in a long time.
Suddenly having this opportunity to admire their visuals, they flocked to Jiang Mian's Weibo.
Jiang Mian's initial set of photos had truly gone viral.
They were so good that even the candid shots taken by Kyoto University students trended, and were then reposted by the official Kyoto University Weibo account.
The official confirmation declared her the former campus belle.
Jiang Mian blinked, dazed, and thought, it seemed there was indeed such a thing.
Once, Ji Lanruo had told her that a poll for campus belles had appeared on the school forum.
Her name was consistently high on the list.
But Jiang Mian hadn't paid much attention at the time.
Kyoto University, as a national first-class institution, had many brilliant students and many beautiful women.
Jiang Mian truly didn't dare to consider herself the most beautiful, the mere thought made her feel quite embarrassed.
Jiang Mian blinked again. Was this what it was? Not becoming popular for her acting, but for her beauty first?
So, Jiang Mian seized the opportunity and posted another Weibo.
Jiang Mian v: [See you in the cinema on Lunar New Year's Day.]
She also attached a poster for "Class Three High School."
HuLaQuanTianTianQuan: [ [Eating melon] It’s clear that my wife is really working hard to promote it.]
DidYouMissMeToday: [Must watch! Not only will I watch, but I'll also go with my classmates!]
YouDoNotUnderstandAquarius: [I'm really laughing, I never expected that after trending, the first thing sis would do is promote her work.]
Zhao Xinxin v: Come watch on Lunar New Year's Day too // Jiang Mian v: See you in the cinema on Lunar New Year's Day.
Many friends forwarded the Weibo to promote it.
Jiang Mian refreshed Song Xingjia's Weibo. The last post from the esteemed actor Song was a statement during promotions. It hadn't been updated since.
Jiang Mian kept refreshing persistently, but there was no change.
She closed her phone, wondering how the esteemed actor Song was doing.
Hong Kong.
Song Xingjia sat in his office chair.
During this period, Song Xingzhi had fallen ill. The company was now entirely under his management.
Song Xingjia was different from Song Xingzhi; he was meticulous and couldn't tolerate any flaws. If there was even the slightest issue, he would find it and correct it until it was flawless.
The mess left behind was too great, making it no exaggeration to say Song Xingjia was overwhelmed.
"Young Mr. Song, the school called. They said the young master didn't attend class today..." the assistant said softly.
Song Xingjia rubbed his temples, revealing a hint of exhaustion, and said, "Go home and bring him here."
Song Yin reluctantly followed the assistant to Song Xingjia's office.
He had been to this place many times before.
Later, when he got bored, and after he had played pranks on all the secretaries on this floor, he found it uninteresting and stopped visiting the company.
Seeing him, Song Xingjia ignored the fingers he was fiddling with behind his back.
As usual, he asked, "Have you eaten?"
His sister-in-law was taking care of his elder brother in the hospital. Although there were maids at home, they weren't as attentive.
Song Yin's eyes darted around, and he said obediently, "No."
Song Xingjia glanced at him with a half-smile, then turned and called out, "Go bring him some food."
Song Yin quickly chimed in, "I want roast pigeon, mantis shrimp, superior broth baby cabbage, and beef offal stew!"
The assistant glanced at Song Xingjia.
Song Xingjia said sternly, "Bring it according to this list."
Half an hour later, Song Yin looked at the half-eaten meal on the table.
"There's too much, I can't finish it. Uncle, do you want some?" he looked up at Song Xingjia with pleading eyes.
"The portion of each dish isn't large, how could you not finish it? Didn't you say you hadn't eaten?" Song Xingjia stared at him, a smile playing on his lips.
He had clearly already eaten but was trying to be clever to stall for time.
Song Xingjia sighed inwardly. It seemed too late to teach him now.
Song Yin knew he had been seen through by his uncle, so he stopped pretending. He put down his chopsticks, "Uncle, what exactly do you want me here for?"
"Why didn't you go to class? The teacher already called me. She said that recently you not only haven't been paying attention in class but have also encouraged other students not to."
Song Yin retorted righteously, "I don't want to listen."
"Since you don't want to listen, then you don't need to go to school anymore."
"Really?" Song Yin's eyes lit up. Going to school was far less fun than playing at home.
"I'll arrange for teachers to come to the house to tutor you."
Song Yin's joyful expression vanished instantly, like a frosted eggplant.
"I don't want to go to class!"
Song Xingjia looked at him, "At your age, you haven't even completed nine years of compulsory education. You don't want to attend classes, what do you want to do? Just play?"
Seeing his obstinate attitude, Song Xingjia frowned, "Fine. Since you're unwilling to attend classes, from now on, you'll be with me."
As long as he could avoid school, Song Yin would do anything.
Hearing this, he became energetic and nodded repeatedly, "Okay, I'll listen to Uncle."
"At the company, don't call me Uncle. You are now just an employee of our company," Song Xingjia said. "Song Yan, find that proposal and have Song Yin make a PowerPoint for it. I want to see it tonight."
Song Yin spent the entire afternoon studying the PowerPoint. Initially, he was confident, but later he was so anxious he was scratching his head.
Fortunately, with Song Yan's guidance, he finally managed to complete it. Song Yin breathed a sigh of relief.
When he handed it to Song Xingjia for review that evening, he was holding his breath. "Please review, Young Mr. Song," Song Yin said awkwardly.
Song Xingjia only glanced at it twice before handing it back, "The font is wrong, our company doesn't use this font. The content is all copy-pasted, lacking any originality."
Song Yin hadn't expected his afternoon's work to be dismissed in just a few sentences by Song Xingjia.
His young face turned displeased, "You're making things difficult for me! I don't know how to make PowerPoints, and you're making me do it!"
Song Xingjia said unhurriedly, "You don't know how, but didn't Song Yan teach you? You have the right to refuse, but you chose to stay instead of going back to school. Isn't this me fulfilling your wish?"
Song Yin's temper flared, and he blurted out recklessly, "I'm not doing it anymore!"