The Secret of Second Marriage

This is the first time I've filmed in an unfamiliar city all by myself without an assistant.

My suitcase contained clothes, some personal items, a hairdryer, and pajamas.

I bought a high-speed rail ticket that goes directly to Hangzhou. I know what I need to do now. I need to work hard and film well. I can't keep relying on President Jiang.

A woman needs to be successful for a man to even look at her!

If I can make a good film this time, even if the pay is low, it can be a stepping stone into the entertainment industry.

People in the entertainment industry are very realistic. If you don't have representative works, roles, fame, or popularity, you won't even get the lowest-level supporting roles.

My collaboration with Director Chen, if this film can be released, will mark a pivotal turning point in my career.

I don't ask for anything else, I just want to have a little bit of fame in the entertainment industry, so that I can get into some big, reputable production crews and play some roles.

My salary will also increase, and perhaps my life will become more stable.

Sitting on the train to Hangzhou, I said to myself for the first time: "Keep trying, Man! ... Don't let anyone look down on you again!"

After I arrived in Hangzhou, I contacted the crew's logistics staff and took a taxi to the crew's hotel, where the staff helped me check in.

I was so busy that I didn't even have lunch. It wasn't until after 3 p.m. that I finished unpacking my luggage in the hotel room. I went out and randomly went to a stir-fry restaurant in an alley across from the hotel and had a bowl of egg fried rice.

After I finished eating, I returned to my hotel room. A notification was sent in the group chat that the movie was about to officially start filming and that a press conference would be held. I heard that I had to go to the makeup room at 5 a.m. tomorrow for makeup and styling.

The director also picked an auspicious time, around 10 a.m., to hold the opening ceremony at a location here. There were red envelopes, cakes, flowers, and many directors, crew members, and actors would attend.

I saw the message in the group, replied, and said "Received".

I stayed in my room constantly memorizing my lines, wanting to be mentally prepared so that I wouldn't forget them when filming started and get scolded by the director, which would be very embarrassing.

I made myself a cup of coffee, sat in my hotel room, and used a marker to take notes on the thick script, writing down the lines I needed to memorize.

Director Zhang Zhiwei suddenly sent me a message on WeChat.

She said, "Man, keep it up! I heard you got into Director Chen's film crew based on your own abilities."

I'm so happy for you! I could tell at first glance that you have a talent for acting and that you're suited for this career!

Oh, by the way. Do you know Xia Weiwei? She stole your role last time. That short drama was filmed in less than 20 days, but she couldn't handle the hardship. She only used a stunt double for the action scenes, and her lines were very awkward, all modern people's lines.

But she was playing an ancient female general, and her acting was bad, her lines were bad, and her physical movements were bad too!

She entered the entertainment industry because her family is rich and famous. I don't think she'll make any waves even after that movie is over.

Although you two look very similar, you don't need to worry. In the entertainment industry, acting skills are ultimately what matter!

Not everyone is destined for fame, but you're different; you're definitely going to become famous!

I said, "Sis, Xia Weiwei stole that role from me last time. I told myself not to be disappointed. So what if she took it? I don't believe she can take all the roles. As long as I have even the slightest chance, I will do my best."

I'm different from her. She's a rich, beautiful woman from a wealthy family, while I'm just a divorced woman with a daughter.

She has a backup plan, with her family backing her up, but I don't... No matter what, I will seize this opportunity to make a movie, and no matter how tired or difficult it is, I will play this leading role well!

"Okay, Man, focus on your acting! My original plan for you was to make short dramas, because this industry has low barriers to entry, short production cycles, and can generate more viewership!"

Judging from your current perspective, you have the potential to make movies. As a newcomer, you've already been able to participate in a film by a renowned director. Who knows, you might become a movie queen in the future.

You focus on your filming, I won't bother you anymore.

Director Zhang Zhiwei encouraged me and then sent a bye-bye emoji.

I also sent her a goodbye emoji.

I memorized my lines for a while, drank a cup of coffee, and then sat by the hotel window, watching the sunset gently bathe the pedestrian street across the way. Hangzhou's pedestrian street is quaint and charming.

The cherry blossoms were in bloom by early April.

Pink, pink, the flowers spread like clouds on the street. I thought it was very beautiful, so I took a picture and sent it to President Jiang.

I said, "President Jiang, the scenery where I'm filming is beautiful."

Mr. Jiang was probably in a meeting. After a while, he replied to me, saying, "Man, focus on filming. Your wife is amazing!"

Holding my phone, I saw the message from President Jiang, and felt a little bit of sweetness.

I shared that cherry blossom picture on my WeChat Moments as a memento of what I looked like on my first day on set.

I stayed in my hotel room memorizing lines and practicing my expressions and acting in front of the mirror until dusk.

My phone suddenly received a message from Shen Xing. He said, "Sis, you've arrived in Hangzhou? I just finished filming all day in Hengdian and am now at my hotel in Hangzhou."

I saw your post on WeChat Moments. It seems you're in the same film crew as me and staying at the same hotel.

Want to go out for dinner tonight? My treat!

I didn't really want to go, because I felt that the relationship between Shen Xing and me was similar to that of a close male friend.

I know he has feelings for me, but I'm old enough to be his aunt.

Other women might feel a great sense of accomplishment having such a handsome younger man secretly in love with them.

But I don't think that way, because after going through a marriage, I feel that my thinking has become much more mature, and I won't have any unrealistic dreams.

Shen Xing and I are not a good match. Since I can't give her a future, I don't want to give her false hope, lest things get out of hand.

I didn't reply to his message, but after a while, he sent me another message: "Sis, I'm waiting for you at the hotel entrance. In this unfamiliar city, you're the only friend I've made here."

I know it's impossible for us; you have a boyfriend now, and I wish you happiness. But I still want to see you. Shall we have a meal together?

"Okay."

I thought about it and realized that we'll still be filming together in the future, so I don't want to make things too awkward. Besides, Shen Xing has helped me a lot.

Just treat him like my younger brother.

As the sun set, I put on a hat, braided my hair, wore a light pink trench coat and blue jeans, and carried a bag to the hotel entrance. Just as I stepped out of the hotel, I saw a young man sitting in the lobby listening to music...

He was wearing a black overcoat, had clean black hair, milk-white skin, delicate features, and a tall stature; he looked exceptionally handsome.

He glanced at me, smiled, and said, "Man, I'm so glad to finally meet you!"