“Mm, that’s a good idea. Staying in the spotlight all the time isn’t ideal. The current film and television industry is far too harsh on actors’ bodies. Now that you’re moving behind the scenes, make sure you take care of yourself,” Grandma Shi said. She hadn’t forgotten how Zhao Xunyin had slimmed down excessively due to her dedication—so much so that she developed anorexia. At her lowest, she weighed just thirty-four kilograms. Talking about it still made Grandma Shi frown. Maybe it was her age, but her generation always believed that no matter how important work is, health comes first. If you neglect your body when young, illness will inevitably catch up in old age.
“Oh, by the way, I haven’t asked—how’s it been getting along with that girl?” Grandma Shi asked as she sorted vegetables.
Introducing Shi Nanbei to Zhao Xunyin wasn’t a whim. Grandma Shi knew Shi Nanbei better than anyone. At best, Nanbei was easygoing; at worst, a bit clueless. If she was paired with someone her own age, it probably wouldn’t take long for Nanbei to drive them crazy. After thinking it over, Grandma Shi decided it was better to find someone a little older—someone mature, composed, and understanding of both warmth and cold. Nanbei needed a partner like that.
Among the people Grandma Shi knew, the only reliable and satisfactory choice was Zhao Xunyin. Hence, the story began with that very first arranged meeting.
“It’s been fine,” Zhao Xunyin said, a smile naturally creeping onto her face whenever she mentioned Shi Nanbei. She paused for a moment, then spoke honestly to Grandma Shi, “Actually, a few days ago, Nanbei and I went to register our marriage. It was sudden, so we didn’t get a chance to tell you.”
The sudden news made even Grandma Shi—who had weathered many storms—startle. The knife in her hand snapped the vegetables in two. She looked up at Zhao Xunyin in shock.
After a long pause, Grandma Shi couldn’t help but ask, “Did Nanbei force you into this?”
“No,” Zhao Xunyin replied with a bright smile. “She’s adorable. I really like her.”
Grandma Shi, perhaps recalling something from her own experience, sighed. “She is adorable, yes, but she can be a handful.”
“I’ll take good care of her,” Zhao Xunyin promised.
Grandma Shi nodded. “I trust you. But Nanbei is still young and a bit blunt. If she argues with you, be gentle with her. And if it gets out of hand, just call me—I’ll deal with her.”
“Don’t worry, Grandma. I love Nanbei,” Zhao Xunyin said, looking Grandma Shi in the eyes with sincerity. “I’ll always, always be gentle with her.”
Hearing this, Grandma Shi laughed. “I believe you.”
Grandma Shi cooked lunch herself, while Zhao Xunyin helped with the prep. During the meal, Grandma Shi asked when Nanbei planned to tell her unreliable parents about the marriage.
“After a while,” Nanbei said, tilting her head to glance at Zhao Xunyin. “Maybe after my final exams.”
Zhao Xunyin added, “In a few days, I’ll start filming. This time is just a short guest role for a friend—less than a month. By the time I finish, Nanbei’s finals will be over. I’ll go with her to meet her parents then.”
Granda Shi trusted Zhao Xunyin completely, but when it came to her scatterbrained granddaughter, her tone became more serious. “You need to rein in your temper. You’re married now, and Xunyin is busy. Don’t cling to her all the time, understand?”
Nanbei, having been disciplined by Grandma Shi since childhood, obediently nodded. “I understand, Grandma.”
Satisfied for the moment, Grandma Shi relaxed a little. But before Nanbei left, Grandma Shi pulled her aside for a few whispered words. Nanbei’s heart ached as she muttered, “Grandma, I’m really your good granddaughter!”
Grandma Shi, expressionless, replied, “If you aggravate me a few more times, I might reconsider whether you’re really my ‘good granddaughter.’”
Nanbei: “Okay, noted!”
After lunch, Grandma Shi suggested that Nanbei show Zhao Xunyin around her room. Nanbei didn’t understand the point. “She’s been here before—what’s so special?”
Grandma Shi nearly lost her temper. “Can’t she see your room once more?”
Nanbei asked innocently, “There’s nothing special in my room, though.”
Before Grandma Shi could scold her further, Zhao Xunyin, concerned for her wife, immediately grabbed Nanbei’s hand. “I’d actually like to see it. Come on!”
Nanbei: ?
Since Zhao Xunyin wanted to see it, Nanbei, inheriting the famously docile trait of Sichuan and Chongqing men (a funny nod to her obedient side), obediently led her to the room.
At first, Zhao Xunyin had only intended to check Nanbei’s desk area, not caring about the rest of the “kid’s room.” But once Nanbei opened the door, her curiosity was fully piqued. The walls were plastered with anime and gaming posters.
Zhao Xunyin couldn’t resist asking, “Did you spend all your school days following anime?”
“Not really,” Nanbei replied, closing the door. “I played games too.”
Zhao Xunyin: “Of course you did. No wonder your grandma constantly threatened to break your legs.”
This was her first time in her wife’s room. At a glance, it didn’t look like a typical girl’s room at all. Besides the gaming computer and discs, there were skateboards, boxing gloves, and bookshelves mostly filled with web novels and romance stories like My Movie Star Husband, The CEO’s Little Wife, The Men I Chased Back Then, My Neighbor Is a Beautiful CEO Wife.
Zhao Xunyin: “Am I sure I didn’t enter a boy’s room?”
“Your hobbies are this neutral?” Zhao Xunyin asked.
Nanbei didn’t think anything was wrong. “Isn’t everyone like this?”
Zhao Xunyin: “Nope, not me.”
It wasn’t that Zhao Xunyin had a gender bias—Nanbei’s appearance made it hard to imagine her liking these things. She seemed like a quiet, obedient girl, maybe into dolls or musical instruments, not this chaotic mix of interests.
Zhao Xunyin persisted. “You don’t have any girly stuff in here?”
“Of course I do!” Nanbei, realizing Zhao Xunyin was teasing, snapped open her wardrobe, revealing a collection of Hanfu and Lolita dresses, nearly blowing Zhao Xunyin’s mind. “This is all my collection! Are they not pretty?”
Zhao Xunyin looked at the bold, daring styles and paused. “…”
She realized she didn’t know her wife at all. Outwardly innocent, but inside, wild?
“I guess I’m ignorant,” Zhao Xunyin said, finally letting it go. She leaned against the bookshelf, looking at the shelves of romance novels and comics. “How did you study while reading all this—and still get into university?”
Sichuan University, West China Medical School, eight-year program.
Nanbei looked puzzled. “What does reading novels and comics have to do with getting into university?”
Zhao Xunyin, a former poor student, fell silent again.
“Oh! Wait!” Nanbei suddenly remembered something. “I want to show you something!” She rummaged under the bookshelf. “Found it!”
Before Zhao Xunyin could react, Nanbei handed her a notebook that seemed vaguely familiar.
“This?” Zhao Xunyin asked.
“Open it!” Nanbei beamed. “You’ll never guess—I used to be your fan! Grandma promised that if I did well in school, you’d sign it and write me a reply. I finally topped my class, and my grandma got tricked!”
Zhao Xunyin opened the notebook and saw her own squiggly signature.
Nanbei explained, frustrated, “Grandma never chased stars herself—she probably got your signature from a scalper. But the scalper was dishonest! Not only did I get a fake signature, it was ugly and obviously not yours. Can you believe it?”
Even after almost ten years, Nanbei was still angry—not at Grandma Shi, but at the scalper for cheating her innocent self.
Zhao Xunyin glanced at the notebook, then at Nanbei’s scowling face, and smiled. “Actually, this really is my signature.”
Nanbei froze. “Huh?”
Zhao Xunyin opened the notebook fully, pointing to the signature and letter. “When I was filming, I broke my right hand. Your granny told me you liked me and wanted my signature and encouragement. So, after hanging up, I used my assistant’s new notebook and signed it with my left hand.”
“See? The assistant’s name is on the next page.”
Nanbei looked closer—indeed it was true! She had really received Zhao Xunyin’s autograph.
“Really signed by you?” Nanbei asked.
Zhao Xunyin raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”
Nanbei’s expression shifted from ecstatic to disappointed. “Then I missed the chance to show off to my classmates!”
Zhao Xunyin laughed, tugging Nanbei’s ear affectionately. “You’ll have plenty of chances to show off—plenty.”
“Why?” Nanbei asked, a bit clueless.
“Because you married me,” Zhao Xunyin said gently. “The champion among millions.”