Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

After two hours, Ning Jing finished her shoot and came after removing the makeup and changing into some designer clothes.

"I am sorry Miss Li." Ning Jing apologized to Li Juan.

"The shoot went longer than I expected."

"It is alright." Li Juan said while smiling. "Professor wants me to give an idea about the pros and cons of the expedition."

"So can you brief me?" Ning Jing was curious.

Li Juan took a deep breath and got ready to explain.

"We are searching for a city which is almost non-existent in history. No one has seen it, no one has heard about it and only a few people read about it.

From the data and information we've collected, we have managed to draw a route map. So we will be following that." Li Juan switched on her "work mode"

"Yes, I have heard it from grandpa Tang." Ning Jing agreed to her.

"Mainly we need to discuss four things." Li Juan pointed out

"Time, transport, housing and other facilities and safety."

"As per our calculations, a minimum of 20 days will be required for the whole expedition-at least for you. But depending upon the environmental conditions the chances for extending the journey will be high."

"Time duration is fine." Ning Jing replied with a smile. "Since I am getting married, I have cleared my schedule for the next three months."

"Oh, okay," Li Juan went blank for a moment and picked up her momentum.

She must not mix her personal life with her profession- Li Juan reminded herself.

"And regarding the transportation facilities, she continued,

"Our first base camp will be in Xi city. We stay there for three days since we need to recruit the excavation workers from there. Plus we need to check an air route."

"We will be using air crafts?" Ning Jing asked her.

"Yes, but we cannot entirely depend upon air transport. once we get into the forest we have no other choices than walking." Li Juan explained everything in detail.

"I understood,"

"Housing and other facilities- I am sorry," Li Juan apologized before handily."It is completely limited."

"We will be staying in tents and once we enter the forest, the chances of having a proper meal are relatively low. But don't worry, you won't be eating wild berries and fruits. We will bring a cook and basic cooking necessities with us." Li Juan smiled.

"That is not a problem, I actually came across with these kinds of issues whenever we shoot outdoors. So it is fine for me." Ning Jing was all positive about the journey.

"Since both of us are the only women in the team- it might be difficult for us to adjust with others in the team." Li Juan shared the painful truth. "When we get a call from nature, we just have to step into nature- that's it."

"Yeah, I understood the degree of the difficulties we may come across as a woman.

Miss Li I am planning to bring my people with me." Ning Jing asked without any hesitation. "Is it okay for you?"

"Yeah," Li Juan stopped for a moment. "Is she planning to bring her entire team of personal assistants?"

"Miss Li," Ning Jing called Li Juan who appeared zoned out.

"Ah, More the merrier, we just need to make sure that we don't become a burden for others." Li Juan didn't try to sugarcoat her words.

"Yeah, I will make sure of that."

"And Finally, safety." Li Juan let out a sigh.

"As I have mentioned earlier, we are going to a place which has remained untouched by humans for centuries. We only have some cooked up data regarding the place.

To be honest, we have zero knowledge of what is actually in there."

Li Juan shared her most worrisome concern.

"We have to cross a mountain, a forest and deserted barren land to reach there.

As a team, we can protect each other, but we must take care of ourselves and stay safe during the entire expedition."

"Are we allowed to use firearms?" Ning Jing suddenly asked her.

"Only if it is a death threatening situation." Li Juan said with a serious tone.

"Hypothetically speaking, If we come across something dangerous other than animals, we are allowed to seek help from the nearest military base."

"If you think, you can adjust with these, then we can go ahead." Li Juan concluded and waited for Ning Jing's reply.

"There is nothing to rethink and I am ready for it." Ning Jing immediately declared.

"Hmm, then make sure to get a fitness check-up and consult a physician about your medical conditions."

"Do you follow the same procedure?" Ning Jing asked Li Juan.

"Yes, everyone must go through fitness check and produce a certificate that they are eligible to go for the expedition."

"When are we going to Xi city?"

"We are planning to leave on next Friday."

"Okay, so when do I have to submit the fitness report?"

"Before Friday, we will have another round of fitness check-up in Xi city as well."

"Oh anyway, thank you so much for sharing all these."

"I am glad that I could help you. If you don't mind can I ask you what made you interested in joining the expedition?" Li Juan asked.

"Oh, it is simple, I just wanted to spend some alone time with my fiancee."

Li Juan almost choked upon hearing that, is she going to endure all these difficulties only to be with Tang Wei Sheng?

"Just keep this secret among ourselves, I don't want to burden Wei Sheng." Ning Jing asked with an angelic smile.

"Jing Jing, we need to leave now, it is getting late for the party." Ning Jing's manager reminded them.

"Is there anything else Miss Li?" Ning Jing asked Li Juan in a hurried tone.

"Nothing, if you have any doubts, feel free to contact us." Li Juan offered her help.

"Yeah, definitely.Thank you so much, Miss Li, for coming here and talking me in person.

I am really sorry I need to leave now, my manager will contact you."

"Yeah sure." Li Juan stood up from the seat.

Ning Jing thanked her and immediately walked outside. She was running late for a party arranged by her friends.

When Li Juan left the film set it was around 8 pm in the night. Since the shooting location was far away from the city, she couldn't find any taxi. Li Juan walked towards the bus stop in order to get back to the city.

Suddenly, a matte black idol van stopped beside her. The window shield in the back seat rolled down and Ye Ling's pretty face popped out with a smile.

"Hey pretty girl, why are still here? There is no bus service in this place after eight."

Li Juan looked at him with a startled expression.

"If you don't mind do you want me to give you a trip to the city?"

Ye Ling was considered as a playboy in the industry. So Li Juan couldn't entirely believe his offer. Why is he offering a ride for a random girl?

"I thought you went with Ning Jing. It is no safe to stay here alone." Ye Ling sounded concerned.

Li Juan was speechless.

"Bro Ling," Zhang Zhi Jun's voice rang in the car.

Jeez, It is Zhang Zhi Jun.

Is this a dream? Zhang Zhi Jun is offering ride?

"Then, I will be sorry for disturbing your journey." Li Juan said politely.

"Please get in."

Li Juan hopped into the front seat of the car. "Thank you so much for the ride."

"Hey, it is no problem." Ye Ling replied.

The car started moving and only Ye Ling's jovial voice was heard in the car. He was having a conversation with Zhang Zhi Jun who replied with "Hmm"

Suddenly Li Juan's mobile rang, and unfortunately, her ringtone was a song sung by Zhang Zhi Jun.

She immediately silenced her phone.

"Haha, it seems like you are a diehard fan of Zhi Jun." Ye ling chuckled.

"I am sorry sir!"

"Why are you saying sorry girl?" Ye Ling asked her.

Before Li Juan can reply, her mobile rang again.

"Pretty girl, please attend the call," Ye Ling suggested her to attend the call. "It will be some emergency."

"I am sorry sir," Li Juan excused herself and took the call, it was Cheng Tao.

"WHY DID YOU CUT MY CALL??????" Cheng Tao screamed from the other side that Li Juan moved the phone call from her ear.

"WHY?????"

"Senior Cheng listen, listen," Li Juan tried to speak in a low tone.

"Someone is crying here because he misses his NOONA. Aye, don't throw books at me, you idiot."

"Are you guys fighting there?" Li Juan let out a low chuckle.

"You are the one who fought with your little bro and now he is throwing a tantrum here."

"Pass the mobile to him, let me talk to him."

"Take," Cheng Tao gave the mobile to Tae Min. "Nah, your baby is not taking the mobile."

"Senior Cheng put it on speaker mode."

"Tae Min ah," Li Juan called him sweetly, "Noona was wrong yesterday. Noona didn't mean to hurt you. Please don't be mad." Li Juan tried to coax him in the K language. Due to the clash between Tang Wei Sheng, Lee Tae Min was upset with Li Juan and was giving her a silent treatment all day.

A chuckle was heard from the other side. It was at Lee Tae Min.

"I can't talk right now, once I reach home, I will call you and explain? Okay?"

"Hmm, Okay bye," Lee Tae Min's replied in a sulky voice.

"Bye." She ended the call and apologized to Ye Ling.

"Do you know the K language?" Ye Ling who was listening to her conversation asked Li Juan.

"No, I only know a few words."

"Ah, I thought you are a foreigner. Where are you from?" Ye Ling tried to initiate a conversation.

"I'm from here only," Li Juan replied with a confused face.

"Sorry, with your features I thought you are a foreign model." Ye Ling explained.

"I am a research scholar in Jing University." Li Juan clarified.

Jing University! There was a sparkle in Zhang Zhi Jun's eyes.

"I thought you are one of the trainees whom Ning Jing mentors."

Li Juan looked at him with a stunned expression.

"What happened?"

"No, I came to run an errand for Miss Ning." Li Juan was dumbfounded by Ye Ling's comment. How can he assume that she is a trainee at one of the top entertainment agency in the C country?

"You are really pretty, why don't try to join my agency?" Ye Ling was trying to elaborate the conversation.

Li Juan looked at him helplessly. Really you are going this far? Li Juan thought in her mind.

"Bro Ling, why are teasing that girl?" Zhang Zhi Jun who was silent till the moment opened his mouth, "let her do what she wanted to do."

"Aye, don't you think that we need some new faces in the industry?" Ye Ling made a relevant point. "Who knows that after marriage, Ning Jing is going to continue her career?"

"Do you think Ning Jing will continue in the entertainment industry?" Ye Ling asked Li Juan for her opinion.

Li Juan looked at Ye Ling with confusion. "I don't know."

"What do you think, Wen?" Ye Ling asked Bing Wen, who was Zhang Zhi Jun's manager.

"Her boyfriend used to be the CEO of an entertainment agency, so chances of quitting the field are less. But who knows once she becomes the daughter in law of Tang Family, she may become the lady boss of Tang Corporations." Bing Wen shared his thoughts.

"That is also a possibility." Ye Ling agreed with that and looked at Li Juan.

"Whom do you ship Zhang Zhi Jun with?"

"He is perfect with everyone." Li Juan said honestly. Even if he acts with a stone, it will look pretty- Li Juan wanted to tell him, but she didn't dare to open her mouth again.

"Even with you?" Ye Ling was not ready to end the conversation.

Li Juan looked at him with confusion. What is wrong with him?

"You looked good with Zhi Jun's standee." Ye Ling praised her, "Just think how good you will look together in real.

Why don't you come and join starlight? I will recommend, you."

"Ah, no thanks." Li Juan immediately replied.

"You don't want it?" Ye Ling was actually surprised. He thought she is a diehard fan of Zhang Zhi Jun and wanted to tease her. But this girl is reserved and quiet.

"You will be acting with your idol?"

"Bro Ling you should stop teasing her." Zhang Zhi Jun warned him. He could clearly detect Li Juan's helplessness.

"Look, he even started speaking for you." Ye Ling tried to tease her again.

"I am sorry sir, but I will be happy to see my idol acting onscreen rather than acting with him." Li Juan said with a determined voice.

"Can you please pull over here?" Li Juan asked the driver.

"Thank you so much for the ride. It was nice meeting you."

"You don't want an autograph from him?" Ye Ling asked her,

"I already have one." Li Juan smiled and bowed.

"How about his phone number?"

"Ye Ling!!!" Zhang Zhi Jun called his name.

"I am just joking." Ye Ling laughed out, "Bye-bye, see you somewhere."

"Thanks again." Li Juan got down from the car.

"Pretty girl, if you ever change your mind, come and find Bing Wen in starlight entertainments."

"Huh, stop it already." Zhang Zhi Jun was annoyed with Ye Ling's teasings." Good night, get home safely." Zhang Zhi Jun told Li Juan.

"You too, I will be rooting for you." Li Juan replied with a smile.

The car was started and Li Juan stood there looking at the car that is moving away from her.

"She is still standing there looking at us." Ye Ling looked back.

"What is wrong with you, brother?"

"Didn't you say that she looked familiar?"

"It is the same person," Zhang Zhi Jun said with a sunken voice.

"Then Why didn't you talk to her?" Ye Ling was curious.

"We met years ago, I don't know she still remembers me or not."

"You should've asked her, you sloth-like a person" Ye Ling was annoyed with Zhang Zhi Jun's attitude. Only he knows that the so-called Nation's husband Zhang Zhi Jun is too slow when it comes to expressing his love in real life.

"You just needed to ask her one question,

Li Juan, do you remember me?"

"What if she doesn't remember me?" Zhang Zhi Jun refuted back.

"I am just happy to know that she is doing well."