“They’ve sent it to a lot of actresses. This role requires an audition—they don’t care about your status, only whether you’re a good fit,” Xiao Zhao said. “It’s probably tailor-made for some big shot, but the script is genuinely excellent. You’ll see once you take a look.”
Wen Shiqing flipped to the first page. There were no character names for the leads—everything was labeled simply as Female Lead, Male Lead, Second Female Lead, and Second Male Lead.
So mysterious. It definitely piqued Wen Shiqing’s interest.
Just then, Xiao Zhao spoke up. “Sis, it’s about that time. Why don’t we head downstairs and grab a bite first?”
Wen Shiqing thought for a moment. “Let me finish reading this first.”
“Alright. The hotpot place probably has a waitlist at this hour anyway. I’ll go down and order first—come down when you’re done.” Xiao Zhao had everything arranged in no time.
Wen Shiqing just flashed her an OK sign before diving straight back into the script.
Xiao Zhao hadn’t been wrong—the quality of this script was surprisingly excellent.
After finishing the story in her hands, she still wanted more, almost wishing she could devour the entire script in one sitting.
Just then, Xiao Zhao texted to ask if she was done—she’d already ordered.
By the time Wen Shiqing arrived at the hotpot restaurant Xiao Zhao had mentioned, the dishes had just been served in full. The place specialized in authentic C-City cuisine.
Xiao Zhao had already prepared her a low-calorie dipping sauce, so she could sit down and eat right away.
Even on a weekday, the restaurant was packed.
“Sis, try it—does it taste like home?” Xiao Zhao asked.
Wen Shiqing was from C City, a city that lived and breathed spice. But Zhou Langxing had a sensitive stomach and couldn’t handle spicy food.
After they got together, Zhou Langxing had accompanied her for two meals of it, but both times he’d turned pale from the pain. Wen Shiqing’s heart ached seeing him like that, and over time, she’d simply adjusted to his palate.
On top of that, being an actress meant watching what she ate. It had been a long time since she’d had hotpot this fragrant and spicy.
She took a bite. “Delicious!”
Xiao Zhao’s eyes curved into a smile. “Sister Jin said you’re allowed to indulge today, so eat up!”
Wen Shiqing hummed in agreement. Xiao Zhao added, “Oh, right, Sis—those things you asked me to send back to C City last time, I’ve already mailed them.”
Wen Shiqing’s hand paused slightly. “Mm, good. Thank you.”
Xiao Zhao shook her head. She knew they were for Wen Shiqing’s parents.
Wen Shiqing’s parents had never approved of her entering the entertainment industry. Over the years, she’d rarely gone back—even when she returned to C City, she’d only stay a few days in her own apartment before coming back.
Noticing Wen Shiqing’s mood shift, Xiao Zhao thoughtfully steered the conversation elsewhere. “Oh, Sis, did you finish reading that script?”
Wen Shiqing smiled and nodded. “Yes, I finished it. It’s wonderful. You and Sister Jin have great taste.”
As Xiao Zhao had said, it was a rare gem of a script—and a film script at that.
If she landed this role through the audition, her status would definitely climb another rung, and she’d likely receive even more film offers afterward.
But everything else they’d said was true too.
The film was an art-house piece. The general premise was that the male and female leads were childhood sweethearts who had loved each other from a young age but were forced apart by various real-world circumstances. When they reunited as adults, their feelings for each other were impossible to hide, and in the end, they spent their lives together.
The script that was sent over was only a few pages long, but the childhood sweethearts already had three kissing scenes.
She loved the opening scene where the two reunited in the rain—the emotion, the pressure, all released in that moment.
Wen Shiqing let out a sigh. In the content that followed, there would definitely be even more intimate scenes.
Xiao Zhao seemed to read her mind and finally voiced what she had been holding back. She said, “Sister, look at all the couples and married pairs in this industry—everything they should film and shouldn’t film, they’ve all filmed it. Sister Jin and I both think it’s such a shame. Because of your rule about not taking intimate scenes, how many good scripts have you missed out on? The actresses who started at the same time as you are all scrambling to climb up, but you won’t even fight for a chance.”
She put down her chopsticks. “Sister Jin actually talked to me before she left, and we both think this role fits you perfectly.”
The female lead’s image was gentle and elegant, and after being hit by reality, her calm aura and that stubborn streak were practically cut from the same mold as Wen Shiqing.
Xiao Zhao urged, “Sister, why not just give it a try? Forget about whether you’ll get the role—at least you’ll have tried, and there won’t be any regrets.”
Wen Shiqing just chewed her food and said, “Let me think about it.”
Seeing this, Xiao Zhao nodded. “Alright, the audition notice hasn’t come out yet. I figure you still have some time to decide, so take your time.”
Wen Shiqing gave a vague “mm,” though it was unclear whether she had really taken it in.
In the blink of an eye, it was already the week of Wen Shiqing’s birthday.
On Weibo, her fans had long since started preparing birthday gifts for her, and the company was piled high with gifts fans had mailed in.
There was barely any room left at home. Wen Shiqing thought for a moment, then asked Xiao Zhao to rent a new place so she could properly store all the gifts.
These were tokens of her fans’ affection, and she didn’t want to treat them carelessly.
Xiao Zhao handled things efficiently and had the apartment rented before Wen Shiqing’s birthday. It was very close to the company, and Xiao Zhao lived nearby too, so she could occasionally go over to help tidy up and clean.
They waited and waited, and finally, the day of Wen Shiqing’s birthday arrived.
Although the company had arranged a birthday livestream for her last night, where she crossed midnight with her fans, Wen Shiqing still dragged herself out of bed early this morning.
Zhou Langxing had scenes to film this morning and could only fly back on an afternoon flight, then stay for one day before returning to the set.
Wen Shiqing tidied up the house a bit, and every few minutes, she couldn’t help checking her phone to see the time.
She couldn’t help thinking, why does time pass so slowly?
Especially today.
After killing some time, Wen Shiqing started booking the restaurant for tonight.
There was a newly opened restaurant with a great atmosphere and delicious food. She and Xiao Zhao had tried it a couple of days ago, and it would be perfect for tonight’s birthday date.
Wen Shiqing called the restaurant to reserve a table, and seeing that it was about time, she got ready to head out to the airport.
Zhou Langxing was returning secretly this time, so there wouldn’t be any fans at the airport. She could wait for him to come out in the airport parking lot.
That was what they had agreed on.
Wen Shiqing was about to leave when her phone suddenly rang with a ding-a-ling.
She glanced down—it was Zhou Langxing calling.
Wen Shiqing answered the call while changing her shoes, laughing as she said, “What’s up? We’re about to see each other, and you’re still calling me.”
“Happy birthday, baby.” Zhou Langxing said on the other end of the phone.
Wen Shiqing slipped on her shoes and said, “Tell me that face-to-face later. I’m about to head to the airport. What about you? Have you arrived at the airport yet?”
There was silence on the other end. Wen Shiqing asked, puzzled, “Hmm? Is the signal bad on your end?”
Only then did Zhou Langxing speak, full of apology: “Baby, I’m sorry, I’m not coming back.”