He Yan was stunned for a couple of seconds, then felt her face slowly flush.
She had been shouting too loudly and laughing too freely.
She looked up and gave Jiang Mingcheng an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that, I was just so happy, I couldn’t help it.”
Jiang Mingcheng looked at He Yan, who was hugging her quilt, wearing pink pajamas, her fair delicate feet still exposed. His gaze darkened slightly. “What’s made you so happy?”
“I got a great role!” He Yan couldn’t stop the corner of her eyes from lifting with joy.
Jiang Mingcheng suddenly found her smile a bit dazzling. He shifted his gaze away slightly, his voice still indifferent. “Mm, keep it down.”
Having said that, he turned and left directly.
Watching him go out, He Yan hugged the quilt and lay face down on the bed, dazed.
Had she upset him? He seemed so serious. Was the soundproofing in this room really that bad?
He Yan tilted her head, and only then noticed that the floor-to-ceiling window on the balcony wasn’t closed.
Ah, so that was it. No wonder he found it noisy.
He Yan shook her head, but the corners of her mouth uncontrollably curved upwards again.
Director Shen’s second female lead, it was a truly top-tier opportunity.
Some time later, He Yan received a notice from the director that the main cast, director, producer, and the major investor from Shengwan Films would be having a dinner together.
He Yan gladly went.
She wore a chic and cute black knee-length dress and hummed a tune all the way to Qingyuan Restaurant.
Arriving at the private room, He Yan obediently took her seat.
To her left was Pei Yanchuan, and to her right was one of the investors.
And to Pei Yanchuan’s left sat the female lead, Su An’an.
He Yan felt like she was getting a front-row seat to some gossip. Her gaze kept drifting towards Pei Yanchuan and Su An’an, trying hard to catch any hint of interaction between them.
Feeling He Yan’s occasional stolen glances, the corners of Pei Yanchuan’s mouth curled up into an almost imperceptible, pleased arc.
He slightly lowered his eyes to look at He Yan, about to speak, when Su An’an on his left spoke first: “Actor Pei, I’ve long heard of your esteemed reputation. Finally having this chance to learn from you, I’m really looking forward to it.”
As she finished speaking, she tilted her head slightly, her gaze gentle.
Pei Yanchuan looked politely at Su An’an, his voice carrying his usual gentle tone: “You flatter me. Let’s learn from each other.”
After saying this, he turned to look at He Yan on his other side.
Their eyes met.
He Yan was a bit bewildered. What did that mean? Did he want her to say something too? Offer some flattery?
He Yan quickly caught on, and her voice was full of vigor: “I’m really looking forward to it too!”
Pei Yanchuan finally let out a small laugh.
“Yan Yan, didn’t you save a child a while ago? I saw the news, you were so brave!” Su An’an blinked her big eyes, looking at He Yan.
He Yan felt no joy from this praise at all. She knew Su An’an had deep thoughts, not the type like Lin Jingxi who, if she disliked you, couldn’t help but come up and hit you.
He Yan could only nod slightly. “It was just instinct. Just instinct.”
“Even though it was a good deed, worthy of praise, it was a bit reckless. What if you got a cramp? What if you ran out of strength?” Pei Yanchuan’s brow furrowed slightly as he couldn’t help speaking out.
He Yan rolled her eyes directly. Pei Yanchuan and Jiang Mingcheng were exactly the same, always saying such disappointing things. In that kind of emergency, who could think about all that?
Seeing He Yan unhappy, Pei Yanchuan sighed softly. “Alright, I wasn’t saying you did badly. You did great.”
A young lady’s temper really was hard to figure out.
Only then did He Yan turn her previously downturned lips upwards, her eyes sparkling again.
The investor beside them stood up and attentively poured wine for Pei Yanchuan. “Young Master Pei, I’ve long heard of your name. I’m Wang Lin, an honor to meet you!”
Pei Yanchuan picked up his glass, his expression gentle, but without any real smile, and drank the wine.
Wang Lin was flattered, his eyes nearly disappearing into the creases from his broad smile. He immediately poured another glass, his gaze wandering until it landed on Su An’an.
“Miss Su, I’ve long heard of your beauty and charm. Seeing you today, the rumors don’t do you justice, not even one-tenth!” he said, raising his glass.
Su An’an’s expression was calm, the corners of her mouth curving up slightly. “Mr. Wang flatters me.”
She then downed the wine in her glass in one go.
Seeing the beauty be so obliging, Mr. Wang felt a stirring in his heart. He personally refilled Su An’an’s glass. “It’s rare to meet like this. Come, let’s have another!”
Su An’an’s hand paused momentarily. Her expression remained gentle, but her gaze sought out Pei Yanchuan, as if asking for help.
Pei Yanchuan looked up at Wang Lin. “One glass is enough.”
Mr. Wang quickly smiled appeasingly. “Enough, enough. One glass is enough. Miss Su is truly gracious, hahaha.”
Having finished his placating laughter, Wang Lin turned to He Yan. “I also saw the news a while back. Miss He is truly beautiful and kind-hearted. Today, I simply must have a drink with Miss He, no matter what!”
Before He Yan could react, Pei Yanchuan’s face fell. His usually gentle gaze turned cold. “Does Mr. Wang enjoy drinking with young ladies so much?”
Mr. Wang was startled. Unable to fathom the reason for Pei Yanchuan’s words, he understood one thing: this was not the right glass to propose.
Wang Lin sat back down awkwardly, forcing a fawning smile. “No, no, it’s not necessary to drink.”
He Yan breathed a small sigh of relief.
She wasn’t much of a drinker.
There were many people at today’s dinner gathering, and everyone was chatting animatedly. Waiters frequently opened the door to bring in dishes.
As it happened, Jiang Mingcheng was also at Qingyuan Restaurant today.
The manager of Qingyuan Restaurant personally led Jiang Mingcheng, respectfully asking if he had any dietary restrictions, and so on.
Several people followed beside Jiang Mingcheng as they passed a private room. Just then, a waiter delivering food opened the door.
“He Yan really surprised me; her acting skills are excellent!” This sentence drifted out through the door, reaching Jiang Mingcheng’s ears.
Jiang Mingcheng, who had just reached the doorway, paused mid-step and turned his head to look inside the private room.
He Yan was sitting inside, her face full of smiles.
Beside her sat her rumored love interest: Pei Yanchuan.
Jiang Mingcheng’s expression darkened.
“President Jiang? Oh my, what a coincidence, running into President Jiang!” An investor with sharp eyes spotted Jiang Mingcheng. As the head of a company under the Jiang Group, he naturally recognized his direct top boss.
The other investors immediately rose and came out to greet Jiang Mingcheng.
Jiang Mingcheng’s gaze fixed firmly on He Yan, then shifted to the wine glass in front of her.
His expression slightly somber, he strode directly over to He Yan on his long legs.
Director Shen beside them was bewildered. “Does He Yan know President Jiang?”
Before Jiang Mingcheng could speak, He Yan quickly waved her hands. “Don’t know him! Don’t know him! This is my first time meeting her. Hello, President Jiang!”
He Yan looked at Jiang Mingcheng, her eyes full of pride: See how tactful I am? I’ll never expose our relationship!
Jiang Mingcheng’s expression, however, grew even darker.
His gaze swept past Pei Yanchuan beside He Yan and landed on the wine glass in front of her.
“Change Miss He’s drink to juice.” Jiang Mingcheng coldly tossed this sentence at the investor, then strode straight out.
He still had a dinner to attend; there was no need to waste time on such a trivial matter.
Nor was there any need to care about He Yan’s words. Their relationship was purely contractual, sufficient for showing to Grandfather.
The investor watched Jiang Mingcheng’s retreating figure, finally snapped out of it, and immediately instructed the nearby waiter: “Quickly, change Miss He’s drink to juice!”
After saying this, he gave He Yan a meaningful smile.
Everyone assumed Jiang Mingcheng had taken an interest in He Yan.
He Yan sat back down awkwardly. Pei Yanchuan beside her gripped his wine glass tightly, his expression frighteningly cold.
“Gosh, why change it to juice? How awkward. People will get the wrong idea,” He Yan couldn’t help muttering softly.
Pei Yanchuan caught it keenly. His hand slowly relaxed, and most of the coldness on his face dissipated.
She found it troublesome, meaning she had no interest in Jiang Mingcheng.
After this incident, the people at the table suddenly became exceptionally polite to He Yan. She had to maintain a smile throughout the rest of the awkward dinner.
After the meal, the group filed out the door. As they were discussing how to get home, Jiang Mingcheng, followed by several people, strode out as well on long legs.
Jiang Mingcheng’s gaze swept over Pei Yanchuan beside He Yan, his expression dark and unfathomable. He walked over and stood in front of He Yan.
“He Yan, take my car.” His voice was still indifferent.
“Yan Yan, let me take you home.” Pei Yanchuan also moved closer, almost blocking the space between He Yan and Jiang Mingcheng.
Jiang Mingcheng’s eyes darkened.
Yan Yan? What gave him the right to call her so intimately?
“It’s on my way.” Jiang Mingcheng looked at He Yan, looking past Pei Yanchuan.
“I’ve always heard President Jiang was composed and self-restrained. Seems that’s not the case.” Pei Yanchuan frowned, staring directly at Jiang Mingcheng.
“What I do is none of your business.” Jiang Mingcheng looked back at Pei Yanchuan.
Their eyes met, creating a tense, almost confrontational atmosphere for the onlookers.
“Um, I don’t need either of you to take me. I’ve already called a taxi,” He Yan interjected awkwardly, trying to break the strange tension.
Jiang Mingcheng and Pei Yanchuan both furrowed their brows simultaneously, staring fixedly at He Yan.
“Uh… my taxi is here already. I’m going now! Bye!” Having said that, He Yan scurried over to the taxi, urging the driver to go.
How could she possibly take either of their cars!
If she took Jiang Mingcheng’s car, the next day’s trending topic would be: He Yan clings to a sugar daddy.
If she took Pei Yanchuan’s car, the next day’s trending topic would be: He Yan and Pei Yanchuan’s relationship confirmed.
Her career was just starting; how could she let them ruin it?
These people, they all wanted to harm her!
After the taxi driver deliberately took a detour, He Yan finally arrived at Jingjiang Villa.
As soon as she entered, she found Jiang Mingcheng already sitting on the living room sofa.
His gaze was dark, his expression cold.
Just as He Yan was hesitating whether to greet him, Jiang Mingcheng spoke first: “Why did it take so long?”
“The driver seemed to take a detour…”
Why did he look so upset! It wasn’t her fault!
“Why didn’t you take my car?”
“Oh, come on, think about it clearly. A small actress getting into the investor’s car—what do you think the news will write tomorrow?” He Yan was unhappy now too.
But Jiang Mingcheng’s eyelids twitched slightly at the words “come on,” and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl up a tiny bit. He didn’t hear the rest of what she said at all.
“Mm,” Jiang Mingcheng replied, a hint of amusement in his tone.
He Yan, however, didn’t notice these details. She rolled her eyes at Jiang Mingcheng and went straight back to her bedroom.
Mm, mm, mm—that’s all he ever said!
He Yan received a notification that the production team had decided to announce the cast in the coming days and needed the actors to cooperate.
Actually, ever since Director Shen started auditions, various versions of the cast list had been circulating online.
Everyone rumored to have been chosen by Director Shen refrained from clarifying—some thought it unnecessary, others saw it as a chance to ride the wave of the film’s hype.
Lin Jingxi and Fang Wan fell into the latter category.
They had, more or less, hired bots to spread claims that they had been selected by Director Shen, hoping to boost their visibility and status in the public eye.
Although netizens would learn they hadn’t been chosen after the official announcement, some would still view them as strong contenders, as candidates Director Shen had hesitated over.
So this publicity stunt would benefit them more than harm—a surefire win.
Lin Jingxi searched for news about Director Shen’s film and found that He Yan’s name wasn’t even on any of the various speculative cast lists. Only then did she finally feel at ease.
If she didn’t get selected, there was absolutely no way He Yan would be chosen!
**