Wen Shiqing spent half of her birthday alone—she didn’t call Xiao Zhao, just went out by herself to clear her head, and that was that.
Once her birthday was over, she threw herself into new work.
A drama she’d filmed last year suddenly got a surprise release date. She had a cameo role as the deceased friend in the female lead’s memories. After the first episode aired, everyone loved the character she played.
The production team naturally wasn’t about to let such buzz go to waste—they arranged a magazine cover shoot and interview for her and the female lead.
By the time Xiao Zhao drove her there, the female lead had already arrived.
The female lead was a hugely popular young actress at the moment—cute-looking, with no scheming bone in her body. The moment she saw Wen Shiqing, she enthusiastically threw her arms around her and said, “Sister Shiqing! Long time no see! Did you miss me?”
Wen Shiqing hugged her back. “Of course I did. Just a couple days ago I was at home watching one of your earlier dramas.”
They released each other.
Xia Zhi giggled. “My acting was so green back then—don’t you dare secretly laugh at me.”
Wen Shiqing smiled too. “I wouldn’t. If I were going to laugh at you, I’d do it right to your face.”
The two linked arms and walked toward the studio.
They were shooting for a major fashion magazine today. Xia Zhi said, “I never thought you and I would be the first to do a cover together.”
Usually, it was the male and female leads who shot covers together. She hadn’t expected that for their drama, two women would be shooting one first.
Wen Shiqing said, “Yeah, I didn’t expect it either.”
But however the work was arranged, that was how they’d do it.
The two sat in front of the makeup mirrors getting styled, chatting a bit about how life had been lately.
Once their looks were done, the shoot began.
Xia Zhi had to do a solo set first—at least half an hour.
Before changing into her shooting outfit, Wen Shiqing asked a crew member where the restroom was.
Xiao Zhao said, “Sis, I’ll go with you.”
Wen Shiqing said, “No need. It’s on this same floor—nothing to accompany me for.”
Xiao Zhao nodded. “Alright then.”
And dropped the thought.
Wen Shiqing walked out of the studio and headed toward the restroom as directed. When she came out, she wasn’t in a hurry to go back inside.
Because of the shoot, the studio was lit up with big lights—hot and stuffy. She walked over to a nearby window, took a few breaths of air, and let her gaze drift outside. Her head, which had felt swollen and heavy, felt considerably better.
Still, she didn’t dare linger too long. Wen Shiqing took two more deep breaths of fresh air, then turned to head back.
This floor housed studios with different themes. When she’d passed through earlier, aside from her own studio, the others had been empty. Now, on her way back, one of them had gotten lively.
As she passed, she glanced inside. Crew members were adjusting the lights—probably an artiste would be arriving soon.
Judging by the studio’s style—simple white backdrop—it was likely for a print shoot.
Wen Shiqing wasn’t particularly curious. After one glance, she looked away.
She returned to her studio and closed the door behind her.
At the same time, not far away, the elevator doors opened. Several people stepped out, but one of them was impossible to miss.
He was tall, wearing a simple black tee and jeans, striding out of the elevator.
If Wen Shiqing hadn’t gone back inside, she would have recognized him at a single glance.
It was Fu Huaiye.
Fu Huaiye’s eyelids drooped, as if he still hadn’t fully woken up. His manager beside him said, “My dear ancestor, wake up. We’re about to arrive at the filming studio.”
This was Fu Huaiye’s first scheduled appearance since returning to the country, and it was also meant to serve as a comeback announcement for his fans.
Fu Huaiye glanced at him and said, “I’m perfectly awake.”
It was just that he hadn’t been able to sleep last night, so he’d played a few rounds of games—and lost all of them. His mood was a bit sour right now.
The manager snorted, clearly not believing him, but he didn’t dare say anything harsh. Not to mention Fu Huaiye’s family background, his popularity alone was enough to let him be “willful” outside of work.
A crowd passed by noisily.
Xia Zhi had just finished her shoot. She glanced over and asked, “What’s going on outside?”
A staff member replied, “Looks like another artist has come over to film.”
The staff member couldn’t suppress the smile on her face. Xia Zhi asked, “Who is it?”
Maybe she knew them, and she could go over and say hello.
The staff member said, “It’s Fu Huaiye.”
Xia Zhi’s eyes lit up instantly. Fu Huaiye! It was actually Fu Huaiye!
She was a fan of Fu Huaiye too!
“Miss Xia, come over and touch up your makeup. We need to get ready for the next set.”
The next set was a matching outfit with Wen Shiqing. Xia Zhi suppressed her restless excitement and said maturely, “Alright, I’m coming.”
After Wen Shiqing finished her solo shots, she returned to the dressing room and changed into the next dress.
She sat down in front of the makeup mirror and asked, puzzled, “Where’s Zhizhi?”
Xiao Zhao replied, “Miss Xia Zhi went to the restroom. She’ll be back soon.”
Wen Shiqing nodded. Sure enough, Xia Zhi returned quickly, a smile she couldn’t contain still on her face.
Wen Shiqing asked, confused, “What are you smiling about?”
Xia Zhi said, “I just saw my idol!”
The door to the studio next door hadn’t been closed yet, so she’d pretended to walk past and stolen a couple of glances—and she really did see Fu Huaiye! He was getting his makeup done too!
Xia Zhi hadn’t been bold enough to disturb him, so she could only come back with longing in her eyes.
One look was enough!
Wen Shiqing smiled and said, “Who is it, to make our little sister Zhizhi so happy?”
Xia Zhi leaned in secretly and whispered in her ear, “It’s Fu Huaiye! He’s right next door to us!”
Fu Huaiye?
When she heard that name, Wen Shiqing was momentarily stunned and instinctively looked toward the door.
Xia Zhi was still excited. She said, “I absolutely love his film Summer Night. I’ve watched it at least ten times! Sister Shiqing, have you seen it?”
Wen Shiqing shook her head. “No, I haven’t.”
Xia Zhi said regretfully, “You should definitely watch it when you have time! That movie is absolutely amazing!”
“Okay.” Wen Shiqing replied politely, but she knew in her heart that she wouldn’t watch it.
Although Xia Zhi was very excited, she still completed her work tasks with tremendous enthusiasm.
The two of them shot until past two in the afternoon, and with the photo selection added on top, they didn’t leave the studio together until four in the afternoon.
Xia Zhi said, “What a shame. I thought after we finished shooting, I could meet Fu Huaiye and take a photo with him.”
But it turned out Fu Huaiye had finished before them and had already left.
Wen Shiqing comforted her, saying, “We’re all in the same circle. It’s easy to run into each other. Next time you meet him, go take a photo with him then.”
Xia Zhi nodded, then said with disappointment, “I still have to fly to another province. Next time I come back, let’s get together for a meal.”
“Sure.” Wen Shiqing said with a smile, “Go on, I’ll wait for you to come back.”
She watched Xia Zhi’s van drive away before turning around to get into her own van, where Xiao Zhao was already waiting.
As soon as Wen Shiqing got in, she heard some other conversation in the garage. The window was wide open, and she instinctively glanced toward the source of the sound.
Her gaze happened to land on the most conspicuous figure.
That person wasn’t wearing a mask or sunglasses, his face fully exposed.
Wen Shiqing was briefly stunned.
Then she thought of Xia Zhi.
Xia Zhi had left too early.
If she had stayed just two more minutes, she might have met the idol she wanted to see.
Wen Shiqing rolled up the window and said softly, “Let’s go, heading home.”
Xiao Zhao replied, “Got it, sis. What do you want for dinner tonight?”
Wen Shiqing said, “Anything’s fine.”
She didn’t really have an appetite for anything.
After the car drove off, Fu Huaiye also looked up toward the direction the car had gone.
His manager had just finished a phone call and, noticing his gaze, asked curiously, “What are you looking at?”
Fu Huaiye withdrew his gaze and said lazily, “Nothing.”
Just saw someone familiar.