Hengdian Studios.
Zhao Xizi, who rarely had NG takes while filming, had consecutively NG’d three times. Even the director had begun to grow irritated. It was just a simple exchange of glances, yet Zhao Xizi kept losing focus, distracted and absent-minded.
The assistant director held a walkie-talkie and instructed the staff: ”Everyone take a break and adjust your state.”
Shen Zui slightly nodded and cooperated with the martial arts instructor to remove the wires attached to his body.
“Sorry.” Beads of sweat appeared on Zhao Xizi’s forehead, her mood somewhat poor.
Previously, the scenes had been filmed in groups. Today was her first time acting opposite Shen Zui. It was nothing more than a simple fight scene—the first meeting between Gu Yao and Yang Yun, where the two started fighting in a bar after a disagreement.
Shen Zui stepped toward the direction of the dressing room.
Seeing the main figures leave, Zhao Xizi’s manager hurried forward and asked softly: ”What’s wrong? This isn’t like your usual style.”
Zhao Xizi let out a breath. “It’s nothing. My condition isn’t very good today.”
Her assistant took a tissue from the bag and handed it to her.
Zhao Xizi accepted it and wiped the sweat from her forehead. With a cold expression, she walked toward the dressing room. She did not want to NG either. She and Shen Zui had never rehearsed together, yet somehow he was simply better than her.
In the past, she had not needed to rehearse with others. She could always pass in one take—otherwise, how could she have been called the nation’s daughter?
Shen Zui had only debuted for a few years, while she had started as a child star. Yet today she had NG’d several times in a row. Who knew how many people were laughing at her? Soon, marketing accounts would surely reveal that she could not keep up with Shen Zui’s acting.
Annoyed, Zhao Xizi threw the tissue into the trash and walked toward the dressing room.
The second female lead, Su Qing’er, pursed her lips and smiled. How interesting. It seemed she had discovered something extraordinary—could it be that Zhao Xizi liked Shen Zui?
When she had first acted opposite Shen Zui, she had also NG’d, but only once. His gaze seemed to carry some kind of magic. When she met his eyes, she felt that he had truly immersed himself into the role of Gu Yao.
Inside Shen Zui’s dressing room.
Wang Shan smiled brightly. Having an artist like Shen Zui, she never had to worry. He memorized lines easily, worked hard, and never NG’d in emotional eye-acting scenes.
Everything he had today was the result of his own effort.
Shen Zui’s slender fingers slid across his phone screen. As if guided by instinct, he tapped into Moments.
[Listening to the Wind: Strawberry sundae is super delicious (cute jpg.)]
The picture showed a strawberry ice cream. The creamy white contrasted vividly with the pink of the strawberries, the colors bright and appetizing.
Shen Zui pressed his thin lips together, put away his phone, and picked up the script on the table.
Time passed unknowingly, and a month went by.
November 5th was Grandmother Shen’s birthday, while November 6th was both Jiang Wanting and Shen Zui’s birthday.
Jiang Wanting had only learned about Grandmother Shen’s birthday the day before, from Nanny Rong.
Thinking that the old lady of the Shen Family probably lacked nothing, Jiang Wanting decided to paint a family portrait as a birthday gift.
Looking at the finished painting, Jiang Wanting stretched. There were quite a lot of people in the Shen Family—she had finally finished it.
“Young Madam, it’s time to eat.” Nanny Rong knocked lightly on the door.
“Alright, I’ll be right there.”
The moment Jiang Wanting went downstairs, she froze in place.
Shen Zui? They had not seen each other for almost two months. Was this the missing-person Shen Zui?
The man had cut his hair into a short buzz cut and was dressed in black casual wear. His long legs were casually crossed, and he held his phone in one hand while typing.
This… had she seen Gu Yao ahead of time? Ever since the movie was officially announced, there had been no further Weibo updates. It remained quite mysterious—even the styling photos had not been released.
“Let’s eat.” Shen Zui put away his phone and stood up from the sofa.
Jiang Wanting nodded. Even after nearly two months, she could not help but recall what had happened that night. Now that she suddenly saw Shen Zui again, she still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
After the meal, Jiang Wanting went upstairs. Her painting still needed some finishing touches, and after completing it, she would need to frame it.
Downstairs, Shen Zui felt that Jiang Wanting seemed a bit strange. This time, when she saw him, she was not as enthusiastic as before.
The next morning, Jiang Wanting got up early and put on makeup. Recently, aside from going to school, she had also learned how to do makeup.
In her previous life, apart from attending classes, she had spent all her time working part-time. How could she have had time for makeup? Moreover, cosmetics were expensive. The money she saved had gone into buying drawing boards and paints, so she had never learned.
After watching beauty bloggers for about a week, she had finally gotten the hang of it. Her skin was in good condition, making makeup easy to apply.
Today, she wore an apricot-colored chiffon dress with a matching coat. November weather was not too cold indoors, but outside was another matter.
When Jiang Wanting went downstairs, she saw Shen Zui sitting on the sofa reading a financial newspaper.
What surprised her was that Shen Zui was also wearing a coat, and the brand was the same as hers—just a different style.
Shen Zui glanced at her outfit. Quite a coincidence.
After getting into the car, the two remained silent the entire way.
Jiang Wanting did not know how to start a conversation. Shen Zui’s personality was different from how he appeared on screen—he was somewhat cold, not as gentle and easygoing as he seemed.
Could it be that he had a split personality?
From the corner of his eye, Shen Zui glanced at the girl beside him. Her profile was delicate and beautiful, her eyelashes long and curled, and her lips were coated with strawberry-colored lipstick that shimmered attractively.
From Qianxing Garden to the Shen Family residence, it was only about a twenty-minute drive.
As they approached the Shen Family, they could already see someone waiting at the gate from a distance.
After getting out of the car, Jiang Wanting intended to take her painting from the trunk, but Shen Zui beat her to it. Her pink lips curved slightly—worthy of being her idol, he was quite gentlemanly.
Seeing the young couple, Butler He smiled kindly and took the items from Shen Zui. “You’ve finally come back, Fourth Young Master, Fourth Young Madam.”
Shen Zui respectfully greeted: ”Grandpa He.”
Seeing him greet first, Jiang Wanting followed suit and called out: ”Grandpa He.”
The butler responded repeatedly, his face wrinkling with smiles. This was not his first time seeing the Jiang Family’s young lady, but seeing them standing together, they were truly well-matched.
Among the Shen Family, the one he felt most heartache for was Shen Zui. He had watched him grow up. Back then, he had disregarded his family’s opposition and resolutely entered the entertainment industry. Now that he saw him in person again, he could not help but feel distressed.
“You’re back!”
The moment Jiang Wanting entered, Madam Shen took her hands and asked after her warmly. Jiang Wanting answered whatever she was asked, behaving very obediently.
Since it was Grandmother Shen’s seventy-fifth birthday, the entire Shen Family was present.
Jiang Wanting greeted everyone one by one.
“Alright, let’s eat first!” Old Master Shen, however, did not look very pleased.
Jiang Wanting could not help but feel puzzled. Was Old Master Shen dissatisfied with her, or with Shen Zui?
Grandmother Shen, however, knew exactly what the old man was upset about—nothing more than the fact that Shen Zui had finally returned.
Back then, because of a remark he had made, the child had not stepped into the house for four years. It was only thanks to Jiang Wanting and the Jiang Family that, after the engagement, he had finally come back after four years.