Hengdian.
Zhao Xizi, who rarely had NG takes while filming, had already NG’d three times in a row. Even the director was getting a bit impatient. It was just a simple exchange of glances, but Zhao Xizi kept spacing out, her mind clearly elsewhere.
The assistant director picked up the walkie-talkie and instructed the crew, “Let’s all take a break. Adjust your mindset.”
Shen Zui gave a slight nod and cooperated with the martial arts instructor to remove the wires from his body.
“Sorry.” Zhao Xizi’s forehead was beaded with sweat, her mood clearly off.
They had been filming in separate groups before, but today was her first time acting opposite Shen Zui. It was a simple fight scene—the first meeting between Gu Yao and Yang Yun, where the two got into a brawl at a bar after a disagreement.
Shen Zui walked toward the direction of the rest area.
Seeing the key figures leaving, Zhao Xizi’s manager quickly stepped forward and whispered, “What’s going on? This isn’t like you.”
Zhao Xizi let out a sigh of relief. “It’s nothing. I’m just not in the right state today.”
Her assistant pulled a tissue from her bag and handed it to Zhao Xizi.
Zhao Xizi took the tissue from her assistant and wiped the sweat from her forehead. With a cold expression, she headed toward the rest area. She hadn’t wanted to NG either. She and Shen Zui had never rehearsed together, yet he was clearly outperforming her.
In the past, she never needed to rehearse with others—she could nail scenes in one take. Otherwise, how could she be called the nation’s sweetheart?
Shen Zui had only debuted a few years ago, while she had been a child star. Today, she had NG’d multiple times in a row, and who knew how many people were laughing at her. Soon, gossip accounts would be spreading rumors that she couldn’t keep up with Shen Zui’s acting.
Frustrated, Zhao Xizi tossed the tissue into the trash can and strode toward the rest area.
Su Qing’er, the female lead’s rival, pursed her lips into a smile. How interesting. It seemed she had discovered something big—could it be that Zhao Xizi had feelings for Shen Zui?
She had also NG’d during her first scene with Shen Zui, but only once. Shen Zui’s gaze seemed to have a certain magic to it. When she looked into his eyes, she felt as though he had truly become the character Gu Yao.
Shen Zui’s Rest Area.
Wang Shan smiled warmly. With an artist like Shen Zui, she never had to worry. He memorized his lines effortlessly, worked hard, and never NG’d during emotional scenes.
Everything he had achieved today was the result of his own hard work.
Shen Zui’s slender fingers slid across his phone screen, and almost unconsciously, he opened his social media feed.
The picture showed a strawberry ice cream. The milky white cream and strawberry pink formed a striking contrast, vibrant and appetizing.
Shen Zui pressed his thin lips together, put away his phone, and picked up the script from the table.
Time passed quickly, and before she knew it, a month had gone by. November 5th was Old Madam Shen’s birthday, and November 6th was Jiang Wanting and Shen Zui’s birthday.
Jiang Wanting had only learned about Old Madam Shen’s birthday the day before, thanks to Nanny Rong.
Considering that the Shen family matriarch likely lacked nothing, Jiang Wanting thought it over and decided to paint a family portrait as a birthday gift for Old Madam Shen.
Looking at the finished painting, Jiang Wanting stretched lazily. The Shen family had quite a few members, but thankfully, she had finally finished the painting.
“Young Mistress, it’s time for dinner.” Nanny Rong knocked on the door from outside.
“Alright, I’ll be right there.”
As Jiang Wanting went downstairs, she froze in place. Shen Zui? It had been nearly two months since they last saw each other. Was this the missing-in-action Shen Zui?
The man had gotten a buzz cut and was dressed in black casual wear. His long legs were casually crossed, and he was typing on his phone with one hand.
This… Had she seen Gu Yao ahead of time? Since the movie was officially announced, he hadn’t posted anything on Weibo, which was quite mysterious—not even the official character stills had been released.
“Let’s eat!” Shen Zui put away his phone and stood up from the sofa.
Jiang Wanting nodded. Even though nearly two months had passed, she couldn’t help but think about what had happened that night. Seeing Shen Zui now still made her feel a bit uneasy.
After dinner, Jiang Wanting went upstairs. Her painting still needed some finishing touches, and once it was done, it would need to be framed.
Downstairs, Shen Zui felt that Jiang Wanting was acting a bit strange. This time, she didn’t seem as enthusiastic toward him as before.
Early the next morning, Jiang Wanting got up and put on makeup. Recently, besides going to school, she had also learned how to apply makeup.
In her past life, aside from attending classes, she spent all her time working part-time jobs. Where would she have found the time for makeup? Besides, cosmetics were expensive, and the money she saved went toward buying canvases and paints, so she never learned how to apply makeup.
After watching beauty bloggers for almost a week, she finally got the hang of it. Her skin was in good condition, so the makeup went on smoothly.
Today, she wore a beige chiffon dress with a matching coat. The weather in November wasn’t too cold indoors, but it was a different story outside.
Jiang Wanting went downstairs and saw Shen Zui sitting on the sofa reading the financial newspaper.
To her surprise, Shen Zui was also wearing a coat, and the brand was the same as hers—only the style was different.
Shen Zui glanced at her outfit. What a coincidence.
Once in the car, neither of them spoke.
Jiang Wanting really didn’t know how to start a conversation. Shen Zui’s personality was different from how he appeared on screen—he seemed a bit aloof, not as gentle and easygoing as he was in front of the camera.
Could he have a split personality?
Out of the corner of his eye, Shen Zui glanced at the girl beside him. Her profile was delicate and beautiful, with long, curled eyelashes and strawberry-colored lipstick that shimmered with a captivating glow.
The drive from Qianxing Garden to the Shen Family home took only about twenty minutes.
As they approached the Shen residence, they could see someone waiting for them at the gate from a distance.
After getting out of the car, Jiang Wanting went to retrieve her painting from the trunk, but Shen Zui beat her to it. A faint smile touched her pink lips—as expected of her idol, quite the gentleman!
Looking at the young couple, Butler He smiled warmly and took the items from Shen Zui’s hands. “You’re finally back, Fourth Young Master and Fourth Young Mistress.”
Shen Zui respectfully greeted him, “Grandpa He.”
Seeing Shen Zui greet him, Jiang Wanting also called out, “Grandpa He.”
The butler responded repeatedly, his face crinkling into a smile. It wasn’t his first time meeting the Jiang family girl, but seeing them standing together, they really did make a good match.
In truth, among the Shen family, he felt the most sympathy for Shen Zui. He had watched him grow up, and back then, despite his family’s objections, Shen Zui had resolutely entered the entertainment industry. Seeing him now, the butler couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache.
“You’re back!”
As soon as Jiang Wanting entered, Mrs. Shen took her hands and began asking about her well-being. Jiang Wanting answered every question obediently.
Since it was Old Madam Shen’s seventy-fifth birthday, the entire Shen family was gathered.
Jiang Wanting greeted everyone one by one.
“Alright, let’s eat first!” Old Master Shen’s expression, however, seemed somewhat displeased.
Jiang Wanting couldn’t help but wonder—was Old Master Shen unhappy with her or with Shen Zui?
Old Madam Shen, however, knew exactly what the old man was upset about—it was simply that Shen Zui had finally come back.
Because of his words back then, the child hadn’t set foot in the house for four years. Now that the engagement was settled, it was thanks to this child of the Jiang family that he finally returned home after four years.