Cesare did not send any more messages. In the evening, the news about him was mixed in with a bunch of Yao Xiang's overwhelming news. He returned to Italy and did not say goodbye to Jiang Se before leaving. It was obvious that he was not satisfied with the uproar caused by his trip to China.
The role in "The Lost City" that was originally agreed upon with Jiang Se naturally came to nothing.
Perhaps not scolding was just a gentlemanly gesture by the Italian director. Jiang Se guessed that the young director might have some complaints about her. Sometimes silent ignoring was more disturbing than loud scolding.
Xia Chaoqun called in the evening to ask if Cesare had said goodbye to Jiang Se before leaving. After learning that Cesare had not said anything, she was silent for a long time before she asked:
"Then the internship in the archaeology department at the college..."
Both of them knew that the role of "Lost City" would be difficult to obtain. If there was a result, Cesare would not leave in a hurry. Xia Chaoqun's voice was a little cold:
"I checked. Cesare's original return flight was for two days later. He changed the date at the last minute."
Cesare's attitude can be seen from the change of flight tickets.
Jiang Se was originally planning to join the archaeological internship in the first semester of her junior year at the First University because Cesare mentioned that there was a role in "The Lost City" that was very suitable for her. Now that the opportunity has been lost, Xia Chaoqun naturally plans to turn down the spot he got for Jiang Se:
"Luo Ao called me today and told me that the chairman said that there are currently two movie scripts with very likable characters. One of the directors is Ning Zhanping."
On the phone, Xia Chaoqun's voice paused:
"Ning Zhanping's style is very popular among old-school artists. His works have won many awards at the China Film Festival in the past. I have communicated with the company today, and I have also taken a rough look at the script. If you work with him, you have a great chance of winning the Best Actress award at the next China Film Festival."
She was pragmatic. Once Cesare had confirmed that there was no chance, she quickly thought of a way that would be more beneficial to Jiang Se:
"Getting this award will be a great help to you. I will bring the script to you tomorrow to read."
"Let's stick to the original plan. I plan to go to school for internship and won't accept scripts for the time being."
Jiang Se rejected Xia Chaoqun's proposal, and her words made Xia Chaoqun on the phone pause.
It was nearly ten o'clock. Xia Chaoqun heard the rustling sound when she turned over. There was no disappointment in her tone, but what she said surprised Xia Chaoqun:
"Sese, don't you need me to comfort you?"
"Of course not." Jiang Se laughed and replied:
"Sister Chaoqun, do you think I am too willful to make such a decision?"
"Isn't it?"
Xia Chaoqun raised her eyebrows. She never liked to say extra words to comfort people. In fact, Jiang Se should not be someone who needs her comfort.
She should be as ambitious and full of fighting spirit as himself to attract Xia Chaoqun.
But thinking of Jiang Se's age and the ups and downs she had experienced today, Xia Chaoqun rarely spoke a few words to comfort her:
"I think you should understand that since you lost The Lost City, you should focus on making movies and consolidate your popularity in China. Acting recklessly will not do you any good except for a moment of pleasure. I think you should understand the trade-offs."
"Of course I understand."
There was a smile in Jiang Se's voice, with some indifference. The environment on her side was quiet. Xia Chaoqun could even hear the slight sound of her closing the book through the telephone receiver:
"But Sister Chaoqun, do you really think that I've missed my chance?"
"Isn't it?"
Xia Chaoqun asked again. She realized that she had said the same thing twice in a row. She felt like she was being led by Jiang Se in the conversation. Just as she was about to speak again, Jiang Se laughed:
"Of course not."
Her tone was gentle, but her voice was firm:
"Why do I feel like this opportunity has just arrived?"
She held "The Prisoner" in her arms. As she was not very familiar with Italian, Jiang Se needed to translate the novel when reading it. Therefore, in more than an hour after taking a shower and going to bed, she only read a few pages.
"I once heard from Cesare's assistant that Cesare liked the novel "Prisoners" very much. He also mentioned this when I met Cesare this time. Cooperating with Bojier Company and signing a contract to shoot "The Lost City" is just an exchange of interests so that Bojier Company can invest in the shooting of "Prisoners" in the future." Jiang Se's calm tone made Xia Chaoqun, who was about to speak, change the words on his lips to:
"Go on."
"If it was just a normal investment, I think with Cesare's fame, he wouldn't have needed to make this request at all, so I guess the exchange condition between Cesare and the Bogir Company is Cesare's complete control over Prisoners."
Jiang Se's methodical analysis:
“It’s a shame to lose the opportunity to work on The Lost City, but I think this is another test and opportunity for me.”
Cesare's temporary dislike for her at this moment does not mean that there will be no chance of encounter between the two in the future.
His original copy of "Prisoners" is still in Jiang Se's hands. In the future, Jiang Se can at least take the opportunity to return the book to deal with Cesare again.
But the reason why she won Cesare's favor was that she mentioned his favorite book intentionally or unintentionally, and that she had read the novel "Prisoners" by chance and mentioned the content of the book.
What could she rely on to make Cesare, who was full of dislike for her, look at her differently the next time they met
Jiang Se felt that in addition to the content of the novel, there was also her determination and her behavior of keeping her word.
She had mentioned to Cesare that she was willing to join the internship of the Archaeology Department in the first semester of her junior year in order to play a guest role in "The Lost City". She had made it clear that the internship would last about half a year.
In other words, once Jiang Se decides to do an internship, she will be out of work for half a year and will devote herself wholeheartedly to preparing for this role.
Now everyone knows that she has lost the important opportunity of "The Lost City", but she still joins the archaeological internship as she promised Cesare
She gave up her job in the entertainment industry to do something she had promised Cesare, even though after doing this, she did not get the opportunity to film "The Lost City" as she wished.
Jiang Se is not stupid, but is retreating to advance.
When Cesare misunderstood her, it would be better to take action instead of trying to explain it.
"Sister Chaoqun, I'm not giving up, nor am I being willful and reckless. It's just that I want this opportunity more, so I'm trying my best to fight for it." (To be continued)