Shen Yu smiled and followed her.
Shen Yu watched as Wen Xi called her team over. “Everyone worked hard today. You can head off now. According to our old rules, if you want to go out and play tonight, go ahead, just make sure to get to bed early and don’t let it affect tomorrow’s work.”
Knowing the drill, the team members all chimed in their agreement.
Shen Yu glanced at Ke Han and Yu Yan, who were standing beside her. “You guys…”
“Stop right there, I know what you mean,” Ke Han interrupted. “We’ll make our own arrangements. You can go wherever you like, just make sure you keep your mask on. Be careful not to get photographed.”
Ke Han’s hint was crystal clear.
Shen Yu couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, then I won’t worry about you.”
With that, Shen Yu sidled up to Wen Xi’s side.
Yu Yan clicked her tongue and whispered to Ke Han, “She hasn’t looked after us once today, has she?”
“Meeting a lover is just different,” Ke Han shook her head. “It’s like she’s a completely different person.”
Yu Yan nodded in agreement.
They had never seen Shen Yu like this before. Usually, she practically wore a “Do Not Approach” sign on her forehead, but around Wen Xi, she wanted nothing more than to become a human attachment.
Shen Yu didn’t care what they were whispering about; her heart had already flown to Wen Xi.
Pu Tao was still standing by Wen Xi. Looking at the approaching Shen Yu, she asked, “Then what about me, Boss?”
Wen Xi said helplessly, “You should head out too. No need to wait for me.”
“Got it!” Pu Tao gave her boss a deep, meaningful look before turning to find her friends from the studio.
Shen Yu stood close to Wen Xi, her presence impossible to ignore. “I wonder if Twilight is free tonight?”
Wen Xi countered, “Whether I’m free or not, what does that have to do with Teacher Shen Yu?”
“…My flight is tomorrow at midnight.”
“Oh?” Wen Xi smiled faintly. “What does Teacher Shen mean by that? Are you saying you’re going back to the film set? I recall Teacher Shen being quite capable, taking leave whenever she pleases.”
She had even specially arranged this magazine shoot. Quite capable indeed.
“Just good luck,” Shen Yu replied modestly.
After greeting the person in charge, Wen Xi headed toward the elevator to go downstairs, with Shen Yu following right at her heels.
The person in charge had a strange expression. Since when were Shen Yu and Twilight so close in private? Hadn’t they just met?
Wen Xi glanced at Shen Yu standing behind her and smiled. “Why is Teacher Shen following me?”
As they prepared to go down, Shen Yu pulled out a mask and sunglasses and put them on.
She said, “If you’re free, we’ll go for a walk. If you’re not, we’ll go back to the hotel, and I’ll stay by your side while you work.”
Wen Xi waited for the elevator, remaining silent. She simply took out her phone and called a ride.
Wen Xi’s phone didn’t have a privacy screen. Shen Yu swore to heaven she didn’t mean to look; she just happened to catch a glimpse.
The destination Wen Xi had entered was a restaurant.
Shen Yu huffed twice in her heart. Stubborn and cute.
By the time they reached the ground floor, the car had just arrived.
Shen Yu followed Wen Xi into the car and only then asked, “Teacher, where are we going now?”
Wen Xi played with her phone, not looking up. “I’m taking you to be sold off.”
The driver was a talkative type and joked, “In a society ruled by law, that’s impossible. But young lady, it’s a bit of a long drive. You can take a nap, and you’ll be there when you wake up.”
Wen Xi couldn’t help but chuckle.
Even inside the car, Shen Yu kept her mask on, though she took off her sunglasses. She looked at Wen Xi with lowered eyes, appearing somewhat aggrieved.
It was strange; Wen Xi hadn’t expected to see such an “aggrieved” emotion so many times from Shen Yu, who was significantly taller than her.
A giant bird leaning on a person?
Shen Yu was truly a great actress. In ten years, her acting skills had soared.
Wen Xi felt a bit better and replied, “I booked a restaurant.”
“Booked? You booked it in advance.” Shen Yu’s heart began to flutter. “So you planned to be with me all along.”
Wen Xi, of course, wouldn’t admit it. Doing it was one thing; admitting it was another. She didn’t want to give Shen Yu the impression that they were definitely getting back together. For now… being ordinary friends was fine.
Wen Xi shook her head in denial. “No, I was planning to go with my assistant.”
Shen Yu narrowed her eyes, her tone turning heavy. “…So, are you blaming me for driving your assistant away?”
Wen Xi looked at her in confusion. “I didn’t say that. Don’t overthink it.”
Shen Yu was so frustrated she could hardly breathe. If she had known, she wouldn’t have run her mouth.
After arriving at the restaurant, Shen Yu ate her food indignantly, not saying a word.
Wen Xi glanced at her, unsure if she was genuinely angry or just acting.
She shouldn’t be angry, right? Wen Xi hadn’t said anything out of line.
However, seeing Shen Yu like this, Wen Xi did exactly what Shen Yu had done to her before, she picked up the serving chopsticks and placed some food in Shen Yu’s bowl.
Wen Xi didn’t usually serve food to others; the last time she had done so was ten years ago when she was dating Shen Yu.
After placing the food, she felt a bit embarrassed, put down the chopsticks, and focused on her own meal.
Shen Yu’s movements paused. A glimmer flashed in her eyes as she thought: It seems she’s coaxing me.
After dinner, Wen Xi called a ride to the riverside.
The sun was just setting, casting a golden light over the river and staining a large portion of the sky red.
“Why did you bring me here?” Shen Yu walked close to Wen Xi’s side.
Wen Xi looked into the distance, the twilight reflected in her eyes. “You said it, if I was free, we’d go for a walk.”
Shen Yu curled her lips. Being with Wen Xi allowed her a rare moment of relaxation.
There weren’t many people by the river. Wen Xi and Shen Yu walked openly along the path. It was the time when people had just finished work; the crowds wouldn’t come out until later in the evening, so they weren’t too afraid of being recognized.
Suddenly, Shen Yu said, “Twilight.”
“Hmm?”
“Twilight,” Shen Yu repeated, looking at the scenery under the sunset. “Why did you choose this name?”
Wen Xi was taken aback. Naturally, interviewers had asked her this before. Back then, she had said it was because she liked the twilight.
She said the same thing now. “Because I like it.”
“No, you don’t,” Shen Yu said. “Why did you hesitate just now?”
Wen Xi was helpless. How was Shen Yu so sharp?
“But if you don’t want to say, don’t say it,” Shen Yu said with a light laugh. “I’ll wait for the day you’re willing to tell me.”
Wen Xi stopped in her tracks and met Shen Yu’s gaze. Under the sunset, Shen Yu’s current appearance overlapped with the one in her memories. She was beautiful.
There were many things hidden in Shen Yu’s eyes, things Wen Xi could understand.
Shen Yu’s expression turned more serious. “That day will come, won’t it?”
The meaning behind that question was too heavy. Wen Xi felt a lump in her throat, looked away, and said vaguely, “Probably.”
Maybe that day would come, and maybe it wouldn’t.
In truth, the name “Twilight” was related to Shen Yu.
The last photo she had taken of Shen Yu years ago was born in the twilight.
She originally had no feelings for the twilight; it was only because of a certain person that she developed a partiality for it.
Shen Yu hadn’t expected Wen Xi to answer the question directly. She had been prepared for Wen Xi to change the subject.
But even a “probably” was enough to satisfy her.
The evening breeze was comfortable and slightly cool.
The sky wasn’t completely dark yet, and stars were already beginning to peek out.
In such an environment, her restless heart finally found some peace.
For a brief moment, the thought crossed Wen Xi’s mind that it wouldn’t be bad to spend a lifetime like this with Shen Yu.
It would be nice, of course, but unfortunately, there were still many things standing between them.
When it was dark enough and the crowds began to grow, Wen Xi and Shen Yu took a car back to the hotel.
Once again, Shen Yu blocked the doorway. “Any other plans for tonight?”
“Yes,” Wen Xi nodded. “I’m going to sleep. You should sleep early too. Goodnight.”
With that, she shut the door with a “thud.”
Shen Yu felt a slight pang of disappointment.
She didn’t know why, but perhaps as she got older, she just enjoyed teasing Wen Xi.
The next day, Wen Xi set her alarm for six o’clock. After waking up, she tagged everyone in the newly formed temporary work group to confirm they were up. She did some simple makeup and headed out at 7:20 AM.
When she went downstairs, the cars from Daoying were already waiting. There were several, and Wen Xi wondered which one to get into.
As she approached, the door of the lead car opened, and a very familiar voice came from inside. “Teacher Twilight, would you like to sit with me?”
Since the door was already open, refusing would likely embarrass Shen Yu.
Wen Xi had no choice but to get in.
It was a business van with a spacious interior. Shen Yu, wanting to sit close to Wen Xi, had taken a seat in the back row.
As soon as Wen Xi entered, Shen Yu beckoned her over.
Shen Yu’s manager and assistant were already in the car. They kept their eyes down, pretending they didn’t exist.
Wen Xi braced herself and sat down beside Shen Yu.
The fact that Shen Yu had invited Wen Xi into her car was overheard by the rest of Wen Xi’s studio.
After coming downstairs, Pu Tao was looking for her boss, but she was suddenly pulled into a car by other colleagues. A colleague asked curiously, “The boss is in the same car as Teacher Shen Yu? They don’t have much history, do they? Teacher Shen Yu’s car is full of her assistants and staff. Why did the boss go there??”
Pu Tao remained calm. “Did the boss go there on her own?”
The colleague shook her head. “No, Teacher Shen Yu called her up.”
“Then it’s fine,” Pu Tao thought, crying internally while offering outward reassurance. “It’s okay. Teacher Shen Yu doesn’t bite.” It just feels like my boss is being snatched away.
On the other side, Shen Yu handed a breakfast set to Wen Xi. “Prepared by Daoying. I picked out the things you like.”
There were people all around, but Shen Yu didn’t seem intent on hiding that her relationship with Wen Xi was anything but ordinary.
Wen Xi accepted it politely with a stiff expression. “Thank you, Teacher Shen Yu.”
Shen Yu gave her a long look. “You’re welcome.”
It was an hour’s drive from here to the suburbs. Most people in the car were catching up on sleep, and Wen Xi and Shen Yu were no exception.
Perhaps because Shen Yu was beside her, Wen Xi fell asleep quickly. Before long, her head slumped onto Shen Yu’s shoulder.
Shen Yu opened her eyes from her feigned nap, adjusted her shoulder, and used her other hand to steady Wen Xi’s head so she could sleep more comfortably.
Then, she closed her eyes as well, leaning her head toward Wen Xi as the two of them huddled close together.
Ke Han woke up halfway through the trip, looked back at them, and clicked her tongue. She poked Yu Yan and pointed toward the back.
Yu Yan’s eyes widened instantly. She took out her phone and snapped a few photos.
Ke Han whispered, “What are you doing?”
Yu Yan whispered back, “The boss will definitely want this photo. I’m going to make her pay for it.”
Ke Han scolded lightly, “You little money-grubber.”
As they neared their destination, Wen Xi slowly opened her eyes.
She felt a slight pressure on her head and immediately realized their current posture. Her body stiffened, and she didn’t dare move.
They were so close; Wen Xi could feel Shen Yu’s body heat.
Fortunately, the car was arriving, and Shen Yu gradually woke up too.
She looked down at Wen Xi’s fluttering eyelashes, gave a soft laugh, and sat up straight. She reached out to rub Wen Xi’s hair. “You’re awake? Why didn’t you call me? Wasn’t it uncomfortable staying like that?”