"It's just kids playing around, no need to pay too much attention to it ah." Dad Qi's words spread rapidly on the internet like a virus.
【Damn it, he's playing others!!】
In a short amount of time, Qi Corporation became quite popular on the Internet.
Thanks to the Qi Group's usually low-key and friendly image, whenever there were earthquakes, mudslides and other natural disasters in the country, the Qi Group could always be seen there, so Dad Qi's words did not provoke any public resentment against the rich.
On the contrary, some people started digging into how much the less-than-19-year-old Qi Zhi was worth now.
A few netizens claiming to be professionals came out to analyze that after the acquisition of Jiaxin Pictures, Qi Zhi's personal value was close to 10 billion.
It was truly awe-inspiring, to be worth billions at just eighteen years old.
【The Young Master Qi is still acting, with such business acumen, why not just go home and inherit the family business】someone teased.
【I announce Qi Zhi is my new husband】
【Handsome and young, with such business acumen, what woman wouldn't love a man like this?】
In a short time, online opinion on Qi Zhi was completely skewed, all the discussion was about his net worth.
【I know Xiao Qi is rich, but didn't realize he was this rich. Woo woo, no wonder he never accepts gifts from fans.】 Some of Qi Zhi's fans commented like this.
*
In early February, everyone was celebrating the New Year amidst the sound of firecrackers. However, the cast and crew of 'Full Moon 2' were still at the tail end of the intense filming.
The movie had been shooting for over 4 months now, and this day was the last scene for the male and female leads.
The crew got to work early in the morning, everyone was looking forward to finishing shooting early today, and then going home for the new year.
Qi Zhi and Li Mengfu were ready, and as soon as the director shouted 'action', Qi Zhi instantly took on a sad look, exuding Yusheng's melancholy aura.
'Jingyue' was half-lying on 'Yusheng', looking like an ordinary couple snuggling together. Jingyue gave a listless yawn:
"It feels a bit cold, it's obviously the height of summer in August."
Although it was early February now, in the storyline it was August.
Yusheng's fingers gently caressed her hair. He pursed his lips, his eyes were full of sorrow as he was nostalgic for Jingyue's bright smile in the past.
"Hmm." Yusheng took a moment to respond to Jingyue.
"Yusheng, days have their lengths, the moon waxes and wanes."
Jingyue suddenly turned and buried her face in his arms, exerting all her strength just to hug him: "I... I'm a little tired, I want to sleep a little longer."
Yusheng held Jingyue in his arms, resting his chin on her neck, supporting her increasingly limp body.
His right hand silently patted Jingyue's back, a single tear fell from Yusheng's damp, reddened eyes, trailing down his cheek onto his shirt.
The handsome young man choked up, "Go to sleep, my Jingyue."
He knew she would never wake up again.
The camera slowly zoomed in on the two of them. Qi Zhi's arms tightened around Li Mengfu, he closed his eyes to hide the sadness in his eyes, and the silent grief on his body infected everyone present.
Until this moment, the entire scene was considered complete.
However, Director Wu did not call for a 'cut'.
Qi Zhi was still immersed in the world of Yusheng and Jingyue.
His Jingyue had finally left him.
After about a few seconds, Qi Zhi opened his eyes. The emotions contained within his tear-soaked eyes were heartbreaking.
He raised his head, tilting it back slightly.
A kiss landed on Li Mengfu's forehead, then he hugged Li Mengfu like before.
In the cold early February weather, Qi Zhi and Li Mengfu in short sleeves could clearly feel the warmth emanating from each other's bodies.
Li Mengfu heard Qi Zhi whisper in her ear: "The moon in the water is the moon in the sky, the person before my eyes is the one in my heart."
Suddenly, Li Mengfu's heart skipped a beat.
This was not a line in the script. Was he saying it to Jingyue? Or to her?
"Cut!" The director yelled excitedly.
The atmosphere on set instantly livened up, the crew starting making rustling sounds as they packed up the props, and occasional whispers could be heard.
With the director's call to cut, Qi Zhi's aura instantly changed, and he returned to his usual self.
Qi Zhi let go of Li Mengfu, his gaze was filled with warmth as he smiled and said, "Congratulations on the wrap."
Thump——!
With just that one look, the gentleness in Qi Zhi's eyes completely crashed into Li Mengfu's heart.
Li Mengfu scrambled off of him, and the agent hurriedly draped down jackets over them. After wearing it, Li Mengfu blew into her hands to warm them up, while murmuring: "You too."
"Xiao Qi and Mengmeng have worked hard!" The director called out to them: "Come quickly for the wrap up photo!"
After the wrap-up photo was taken, there was still a wrap-up banquet.
Since it was close to the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), many crew members lived far from Beijing and were eager to go home for the New Year, so the director didn't make them stay. He just gave out red packets and laughingly urged them to hurry home.
"Thank you, Director Wu." Even the extras received red envelopes.
Director Wu laughed loudly: "What're you thanking me for? It's all arranged by Xiao Qi."
"Thank you, Mr. Qi. Happy New Year, Mr. Qi!" The extras waved to Qi Zhi.
Hearing the director sell him out, Qi Zhi smiled helplessly, putting down his water cup, he also wished them a "Happy New Year" in return.
After most of the people left, the wrap-up banquet finally began.
During the banquet, Qi Zhi carried tea to Director Wu and Teacher Guan, politely asking: "Happy New Year to both of you. I wanted to ask if you're free on the 27th of February?"
Director Wu and Teacher Guan exchanged glances, as the 27th was just after the New Year, and they weren't sure if they had any plans.
Teacher Guan smiled, "We don't have any scheduled events at the moment. Is there something going on that day?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Zhi's brows relaxed, "It's Mengfu's birthday that day, and I want to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for her."
Hearing her own name, Li Mengfu paused while chewing her food. She blinked at the three people, and when she realized her manners were improper, she immediately swallowed.
Seeing her little actions, Qi Zhi smiled and explained: "Mengmeng will have a traditional coming-of-age ceremony. Both the teachers have been very kind to us, and if you don't mind, I hope you can attend."
"Ai." Director Wu understood: "We've watched Mengmeng grow up, it's only natural."
Hearing the elders agreeing to him, Qi Zhi respectfully toasted them a cup of tea in place of wine.
*
The matter of holding a coming-of-age ceremony for Li Mengfu was something Qi Zhi and his manager had decided on months ago when Li Mengfu was attacked for being 'underage'.
Qi Zhi wanted to use the ceremony to tell everyone that Li Mengfu had become an adult, to help rid her of the label of underage child star in one go.
The coming-of-age ceremony was chosen to be held at a scenic area known for its elegance and charm, once favored by ancient literati. Now it had become a 5-star scenic area, so Qi Zhi could only rent out the scenic area for a few days.
News of Qi Zhi's grand spending power was exposed and became trending instantly.
【Wow! Renting a whole scenic area for a coming-of-age ceremony? Rich people sure know how to play】
【Ahhh Mengmeng is finally going to be an adult.】
【The coming-of-age ceremony will be live-streamed, everyone is welcome to witness it together~】
When fans received the news, they began publicizing it online. and by February 26th, they had already created quite a buzz for it.
Anyone who had even a slight impression of Li Mengfu on the internet knew that the "national sweetheart" had grown up.
On the day of the ceremony, the snow had just melted, and the spring waters reflected the flowers. The scenery of the scenic area was breathtaking, eliciting screams of praises in the live chat.
【Last year when I went there, it was autumn, and it was a bit withered. I didn’t expect it would be so beautiful in the spring. I must go for an outing some day! 】
Qi Zhi and Li Mengfu got up early and busied themselves. Qi Zhi checked the venue and the proceedings repeatedly, and also had the system monitor everything to ensure no mistakes.
In a garden of the scenic area, Li Mengfu changed into an ancient-style red brocade dress embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. Looking at her rosy reflection in the mirror, she pursed her lips: "Qi Zhi, I'm a bit nervous."
Even though they had rehearsed yesterday, it was done so grandly that Li Mengfu was afraid she might make mistakes.
After all, this was her eighteenth birthday.
Li Mengfu wanted to leave behind a beautiful memory.
"No need to be nervous." Qi Zhi gently smiled at her.
Seeing his smile, Li Mengfu suddenly felt at ease. Her brows relaxed and she smiled along with him: "Okay."
After half a year of growing out her hair, Li Mengfu's hair had grown much longer now, reaching her nape. But the stylist had tried coiling it up twice with hairpins, and still couldn't manage to coil it all completely.
Li Mengfu touched her hair and mumbled: "My hair is still a bit short, it's not easy to style."
"Let me do it." Qi Zhi's mind stirred, and he took the hairpin from the stylist's hand.
He turned Li Mengfu's little head straight, smiling at her. Then he skillfully started coiling up her dark hair.
Watching his movements in the mirror, Li Mengfu blushed. It's no wonder ancient people said that husbands doing their wives' hair is a boudoir affair.
"You even know how to do hair?" Li Mengfu blinked awkwardly, breaking the slightly ambiguous atmosphere between them.
"My mother likes to style hair, I often saw her doing it, so I naturally learned it."
He had disguised himself as a princess for 17 years in an ancient plane before, so he had some skills in hair styling.
Qi Zhi took the opportunity to secure a few strands of Li Mengfu's short hair with black clips at the back of her head.
They were close to each other. Qi Zhi's expression was so focused that he looked like he was sculpting a work of art. After a while, he nodded in satisfaction.
Finally, Li Mengfu put on the exquisitely crafted embroidered shoes. She took a deep breath and walked out, lifting the slightly longer hem of her skirt.
【Ahhh Mengmeng looks so beautiful today!】
【My precious baby has grown up!】
【Happy birthday!】
As soon as Li Mengfu appeared on the live stream, the barrage erupted into frantic screams, and the number of viewers in the livestream skyrocketed to millions.
In recent years, there has been a surge in the trend of ancient style. Qi Zhi and Li Mengfu's actions not only conveyed the signal of her coming of age to the public, but also promoted traditional Chinese culture.
As Li Mengfu took steps towards her parents and teachers, the live streaming camera slowly zoomed in.
【Wow, it's Director Wu and Teacher Guan!】
【The two teachers really dote on Mengmeng, they actually came in person.】
Qi Zhi, as a friend, stood on the right side of the guest seating area.
Today, he wore a long ink-white robe embroidered with a detailed and delicate landscape of lush bamboo, resembling an ink painting. Qi Zhi exuded the elegant temperament of a scholar from the Republican era.
【Xiao Qi is so handsome today】 What kind of gentle as jade young master is this?
【Everyone, look at how Xiao Qi is looking at Mengmeng aahhh!!!】 CP fans screamed crazily.
She swore in the name of their CP fans, Xiao Qi definitely loves Mengmeng, definitely!
【Can CP fans not spam at an occasion like this...】
【Can the GN in front calm down!?】
Li Mengfu couldn't see the barrage of comments. She stopped three meters away from her parents.
Qi Zhi stood on her right side, and Li Mengfu could catch a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye.
Their eyes met, and Li Mengfu suddenly smiled radiantly. Her eyes were like starry skies, and the dimples on her cheeks were enchanting.
Li Mengfu didn't realize that her ears, which were usually covered by her short hair, turned crimson from shyness and were in full view of the public.
Seeing her blushing ears, fans who were familiar with Li Mengfu immediately exploded!
——
Author's note:
The quote 'there are short and long days; the moon also has its periods of waning and waxing' is from Sun Tzu's Art of War.
The source of 'The moon in the water is the moon in the sky, the person before my eyes is the one in my heart' is unknown, not original work.
Have a nice Thursday everyone~ [heart]