The two of them left the community and found a breakfast shop.
After Xu Tingyu sat down, she had little appetite looking at the dazzling array of food.
To be precise, she hadn't eaten anything since yesterday and didn't feel hungry.
But since Qi Ye was right in front of her, she didn't want him to worry. Finally, she ordered a bowl of green vegetable congee.
"You're eating too little. I've noticed you've lost a lot of weight recently."
Qi Ye saw the prominent bones on her shoulders and a look of worry flashed across his eyes.
But she just shook her head indifferently. "It's okay."
As she said this, her eyes were fixed on the bustling traffic outside.
After the continuous heavy rain, the skyscrapers and streets in the city were washed clean.
The air was filled with the faint fragrance of osmanthus.
It was as if the world was starting anew.
She should do the same.
Qi Ye observed her imperceptibly.
He saw her expression change from a bit blank and at a loss to gradually becoming relieved and cheerful.
Her already outstanding eyebrows and eyes relaxed, looking so beautiful that it was almost blinding, as if it could burn into someone's heart.
There weren't many people in the breakfast shop, but both men and women couldn't help but take a few more glances at her.
She was completely unaware. In the fragrance of osmanthus, her mood gradually relaxed.
When the congee was served, the aroma filled the air, and even her appetite seemed to improve.
"I heard you're looking for a job opportunity?"
Halfway through the meal, Qi Ye suddenly asked as if in casual conversation.
She didn't try to hide it. Anyway, the Qi family would know sooner or later.
"Yes. Big brother, if you have any suitable opportunities, could you give me an internal referral?"
Qi Ye also graduated from an art college.
He was even a somewhat well - known painter in the circle.
He must have more connections than her.
She wasn't that proud. She had even begged her former agency. So, asking Qi Ye to keep an eye out didn't require much mental struggle.
Moreover, since Qi Ye asked her this, it was obvious that he had something else to say.
However, to her surprise, he didn't ask if she was short of money.
He also didn't ask her why she didn't seek help from Qi Shifeng.
He just looked at her with a gentle smile, his eyes full of appreciation.
"Sure. A friend of mine asked me before if you had any intention of making a comeback."
"For many people, it's a pity that you gave up your dance career."
He didn't mention the Qi family at all, nor Qi Shifeng.
Xu Tingyu paused for a moment and then understood—presumably, the whole Qi family knew about their impending divorce.
She ignored the bitterness in her heart and didn't dare to show any signs of disappointment, for fear of being looked down upon.
"Then I'll have to trouble big brother to put in a good word for me. I'll definitely work hard and won't let everyone down."
She tried to put a smile in her tone.
But the smile on her lips was forced. She had to lower her head to drink the congee to hide it.
Fortunately, Qi Ye didn't notice. He still nodded gently. "Okay... Do you want to add an egg?"
The breakfast was very harmonious.
Xu Tingyu hadn't eaten for a day and a night. She was afraid that if she ate too fast, she would vomit. So she ate slowly while chatting with him.
Since she had asked him for an internal referral, she also talked about her career plan.
"With so many new talents emerging, there aren't many opportunities for exposure. So I'm thinking of opening a training class to recruit students."
There were too many outstanding people, and there were only so many opportunities on stage.
She had been away from this circle for too long, so she had to be more practical.
Qi Ye analyzed the pros and cons for her.
"The approval for opening a class may not come through quickly, and you'll be very busy."
"However, if it goes well, it will be a stable job."
"Okay, I'll ask around in the circle to see if anyone is looking for a partner. It'll save you some trouble."
This naturally made Xu Tingyu extremely grateful.
Whether this thing would succeed or not, Qi Ye really wanted to help her.
She thanked him sincerely.
The two parted ways at the entrance of the breakfast shop.
Xu Tingyu walked briskly towards the dance studio.
She thought that finding a new job would take time, but unexpectedly, Qi Ye brought her good news that evening.
The two made another dinner appointment, still at a restaurant outside the community.
Xu Tingyu felt a bit sorry. "I'm sorry, big brother. I'm making you compromise and eat at this small restaurant."
It wasn't that she was picky, but the Qi family, an old - money family, was very particular about every aspect of life.
Qi Ye had been in poor health since childhood and was even more delicate about his diet.
She originally wanted to make an appointment at another place, but Qi Ye said that she had been tired all day and didn't need to go through the trouble. Just eat something casually.
"It's not like that. I've been here before. I'm not compromising for you."
"The food here tastes quite good, and the kitchen is clean. If you live here and no one cooks for you, you can come here."
Qi Ye helped her scald the bowls and dishes. His movements were very skillful.
For some reason, she thought of Qi Shifeng again.
That man rarely went out to eat with her.
He had his own circle and fixed entertainment places.
She couldn't fit in, and he didn't want to take her to fit in either.
"By the way, back to the job. I have a friend who is a quite famous director. She's currently preparing to shoot a period movie."
"The leading actress plays a courtesan who became famous all over the country for her dancing skills."
"My friend is quite strict. She had the leading actress start practicing dancing six months in advance, but she still wasn't satisfied."
"So she started looking for a professional dance double actress some time ago. I asked today, and they still haven't found a suitable one, so I recommended you."
"She's very interested and urged me to confirm with you. If it's okay, go for an audition tomorrow."
If Qi Ye had said he was recommending her for the role of the leading actress, Xu Tingyu would definitely have thought it was inappropriate.
But a double actress made perfect sense.
So she immediately agreed.
However, after learning about the salary, she was a bit confused. "Are the salaries of double actresses so high now?"
Because of Chen Chunyao, she had some understanding of the salaries in the circle.
She had only heard of double actresses being paid a few thousand yuan a month, not hundreds of thousands of yuan a day.
Hundreds of thousands of yuan a day. Was it still a double actress?
Before Qi Ye could speak, she couldn't help but ask again. "Do I need to take my clothes off?"
After all, it was a courtesan.
Qi Ye saw her trying to act as if nothing had happened, but actually her eyes were full of shock. He looked at her and smiled for a while.
"Of course not. She's a proper courtesan."
"However, I heard it's very difficult. The leading actress is also from a dance major, and the director is still not satisfied. That's why they're offering a high price for a double."
After a pause, he added, "Don't worry, big brother won't let you down. No matter what happens between you and Shifeng, you're still the family I recognize."
He was born with a handsome and noble appearance, and his whole person was extraordinary.
Now that he smiled, he was so charming and trustworthy.
But there was just the right amount of distance, not overwhelming, but enough to make people trust him.
Xu Tingyu was silent for a few seconds and finally nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I'll go for the audition. Thank you, big brother."
Actually, since her father's accident, she had been very guarded.
However, if Qi Ye really wanted to help Qi Shifeng humiliate her, he wouldn't play tricks on this kind of thing.
After all, if it got out, the Qi family would also lose face.
Moreover, in the three years of her marriage, as far as she could see, the relationship between the two brothers didn't seem to be that good.