When Wen Shiqing walked out, Xiao Zhao was sitting nervously in a chair. Seeing her emerge, she immediately sprang up, reached out to take the bag from Wen Shiqing’s hands, and didn’t rush to ask about the result. She only said, “Sis, let’s go.”
Wen Shiqing nodded. Only after Xiao Zhao had her fully bundled up in disguise did they leave the venue together.
Once there were no people around, Xiao Zhao finally couldn’t hold back and asked, “How did it go, sis? Did the audition go smoothly? Did the directors say anything?”
Wen Shiqing’s eyes curved into a smile. “I personally felt the audition went well. What the directors said was just the usual—’we’ll notify you.'”
The initial audition was for screening purposes. If they were going to ask questions, that would probably have to wait until the second round.
But this wasn’t something Wen Shiqing needed to worry about for now. It was already noon, and she asked, “When are we heading back?”
Buying tickets had always been Xiao Zhao’s responsibility.
Xiao Zhao said, “I booked tickets for tomorrow afternoon. Sis, aren’t you going to see Brother Zhou? I already talked to my friend—their afternoon scenes aren’t heavy, so if we go after lunch, the timing will be just right.”
Wen Shiqing nodded. “See if you can get in touch with a fruit shop or a milk tea and cake shop to send some food over to the crew. After all, we are imposing on them.”
“Don’t worry, sis. I already arranged it this morning.” Xiao Zhao patted her own shoulder twice. “Reliability is carved into my bones.”
Wen Shiqing was amused and put her arm around Xiao Zhao’s shoulder. “Alright, let’s give our reliable Miss Zhao Xiaoxiao a raise, effective this month.”
Xiao Zhao’s brows relaxed with joy. “Thank you, sis! I’m so happy!”
The two chatted and laughed as they found a specialty restaurant for lunch. After eating, they returned to the hotel. Wen Shiqing took her time getting ready before heading out again with Xiao Zhao.
Getting a taxi at this time of afternoon was easy, and there was no traffic either. What would normally be a forty-plus-minute drive took only half an hour to reach their destination.
S City Film and Television Base—this place was always bustling with xianxia drama crews filming year-round. Today, several crews were stationed here.
Xiao Zhao had contacted her friend while in the car. By the time they arrived, her friend had just reached the entrance to meet them.
Xiao Zhao said, “A Yu, is your crew still filming right now?”
A Yu replied, “We just wrapped up a scene. It’s lunch break now. We’ll need to set up the next scene soon, but the actors should have about two-plus hours of rest.”
They quickly reached the filming location. A Yu pointed to Zhou Langxing’s van and said, “I still have some work to do, so I’ll head off first. I’ll find you once I’m done.”
Xiao Zhao quickly thanked her, then turned and said, “Sis, let’s go wait in the van first.”
Actually, the moment they walked in, Xiao Zhao had already spotted Zhou Langxing’s van. The driver was someone they knew too, so getting in would be easy.
Wen Shiqing nodded. “Alright.”
There was a hint of a smile in her eyes at that moment. She could already guess what kind of reaction Zhou Langxing would have when he saw her.
The two walked over, and sure enough, it was the familiar driver. Xiao Zhao exchanged a few words with him, opened the door, and Wen Shiqing quickly got in. She had wanted to surprise Zhou Langxing, but found he wasn’t in the van.
Wen Shiqing took off all her disguise gear. Hmm? Could it be that he hadn’t come back yet?
Xiao Zhao chimed in at that moment, “Sis, the bubble tea shop owner called me. I’ll step outside to take it.”
Wen Shiqing nodded. “Okay.”
She sat down in the chair, pulled out her phone, and sent a message to Zhou Langxing.
[Still busy?]
Zhou Langxing didn’t reply.
Wen Shiqing set her phone down on the small table, propped her elbows on the surface, and cradled her head in her hands.
When exactly was Zhou Langxing going to come back?
She hadn’t thought the urge to see him would be this strong when they weren’t meeting, but now she wished she could see him the very next second.
Wen Shiqing lowered her head, hesitating over whether to call Zhou Langxing, when a message finally came through from his end.
[Just got off set. They went to grab takeout. I’m heading back to the van now.]
Wen Shiqing’s eyes lit up, and she immediately looked out the window. A tall, broad-shouldered figure was walking toward the van, head lowered, step by step.
It was Zhou Langxing.
The smile on Wen Shiqing’s face was unstoppable. She quickly sent him a message.
[Okay, hurry back to the van. I have a surprise I want to tell you.]
[On my way! Can’t wait for baby’s surprise~]
Wen Shiqing set her phone aside, propped her face on one hand, and watched Zhou Langxing take one step, two steps, three steps—
Just as he lifted his foot to board the van, he raised his head slightly.
Their gazes met in the air. Wen Shiqing tilted her head, her voice brimming with barely concealed laughter. “Surprised?”
Zhou Langxing’s movements froze as if he’d turned to stone. He stared blankly at Wen Shiqing sitting in his seat, blinking slowly twice.
Just as Wen Shiqing was about to speak again, she saw Zhou Langxing wordlessly step back out of the van.
Confused, she watched him look down and tap something on his phone.
A second later, her own phone buzzed. She picked it up and saw a message from Zhou Langxing.
[Babe, I think I just saw things.]
Wen Shiqing laughed and lowered her head to reply: [You didn’t see things.]
After sending it, she looked up again. Zhou Langxing, standing at the door, stepped inside—this time his pace was quick and urgent.
Wen Shiqing stood up and opened her arms. The next second, she was tightly wrapped in an embrace. She heard Zhou Langxing murmur tenderly, “Babe, I missed you so much. How did you get here?”
Wen Shiqing patted his back. “I missed you, so I came.”
Zhou Langxing held her for a while longer before letting go. His slender fingers smoothed her hair as he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me first? I would’ve sent someone to pick you up. Are you here alone? Didn’t Xiao Zhao come with you?”
Wen Shiqing smiled. “A surprise can’t be announced in advance, of course. Xiao Zhao came—I had her order afternoon tea for everyone in your name. The bubble tea shop owner just called her, so she went out to meet him.”
Zhou Langxing nodded. His gaze stayed fixed on Wen Shiqing’s face, and finally, he gently pinched her cheek. “Babe, you’ve lost so much weight.”
“I haven’t lost weight.” Wen Shiqing caught his wrist. “I haven’t had much work lately—I’ve actually gained two or three pounds.”
Zhou Langxing pulled her down to sit beside him. Hearing her say that, his expression softened even more. “Gaining weight is good. It’s healthy.”
As he spoke, he reached back to adjust his wig.
Wen Shiqing was about to retort when she blinked and leaned in to sniff him. “Hmm? Did you change your cologne?”
The scent on Zhou Langxing was completely different from the one she was familiar with—and it was the sweet type he disliked most. Not only that, but the fragrance was truly cloying, as if he had fallen into a vat of honey.
Zhou Langxing lowered his head slightly, making it hard for anyone to read the expression on his face.