The next day.
Jiang Tu leisurely fastened his shirt cufflinks, lowering his gaze to look down at the girl on the bed.
Qiao Shu had half her face buried in the soft pillow, a few strands of hair resting on her fair, delicate cheeks. Her dark lashes were pressed tightly against her eyelids, and her lips were rosy and full.
After a moment of silence, Jiang Tu’s expression held a hint of imperceptible helplessness. “Qiao Shu? Wake up.”
Qiao Shu slowly opened her sleepy, fox-like eyes and mumbled, “Hmm, what’s wrong?”
“It’s seven-thirty. Time to get up.”
Qiao Shu’s drowsiness vanished instantly. She propped herself up abruptly, her fox-like eyes still hazy as she looked at him.
The man was already fully dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, his figure tall and imposing.
The corner of Jiang Tu’s lips lifted slightly. “Still spacing out?”
Qiao Shu raised her hands and slapped her cheeks, producing a soft “pat-pat” sound as she tried to wake herself up.
Jiang Tu’s lips twitched. Even if your face is naturally flawless, it can’t withstand such rough treatment.
Qiao Shu quickly got out of bed, slipped on her shoes, and dashed into the bathroom. Once winter arrived, she became a certified struggle-to-wake-up person.
A few minutes later, Qiao Shu finished washing up and stepped out of the bathroom. Her gaze swept around the room, landing on the man sitting on the sofa.
Qiao Shu froze for a few seconds. He hadn’t left?
“Your clothes are in the walk-in closet.”
“Okay, thank you!” Qiao Shu scanned the room again, spotting a doorway that she guessed was the walk-in closet.
Upon entering, her eyes were met with a walk-in closet decorated in a retro style, exuding an air of understated luxury. The clothes were neatly organized, and the floor gleamed brightly.
Qiao Shu paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping the room. Her clothes hung on a hanger, right next to Jiang Tu’s uniform row of shirts. Her red dress stood out starkly, looking out of place.
Qiao Shu closed the door and locked it, reaching for her clothes. When she picked up her bra, she froze.
She had washed the clothes herself, placed them in the dryer, and hung them in the drying area last night.
Had Jiang Tu brought them back for her?
Had he seen them?
Awkward. So awkward.
Qiao Shu’s cheeks flushed with heat. She shook her head, trying to dispel the thoughts from her mind, and quickly changed into her clothes.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, Qiao Shu ran her fingers through her hair before opening the door and stepping out. “Teacher Jiang, I’m ready.”
Jiang Tu responded with a soft “Hmm,” set down his book, stood up, and glanced at Qiao Shu. “Let’s go.”
Qiao Shu followed him out of the room.
Downstairs, in the dining room.
Su Xi and Jiang Guanqing were having breakfast. When they saw Qiao Shu and Jiang Tu, the couple turned their attention toward them in unison.
“Good morning, Mom and Dad!”
“Morning,” Su Xi smiled warmly. “Qiao Qiao, did you sleep well last night?”
Qiao Shu smiled and nodded. “Very well.”
Jiang Tu pulled out a chair for Qiao Shu first, then took a seat beside her.
“Take whatever you’d like to eat.” Jiang Tu served Qiao Shu a bowl of seafood porridge and added two crystal dumplings to her plate.
Qiao Shu hesitated for a few seconds. “Thank you!”
Su Xi glanced at the time. “Qiao Qiao, it’s getting late. We should head to the company now. Make sure to come back often when you have time.”
Qiao Shu’s obsidian-like fox eyes curved slightly as she replied obediently, “Okay, Mom. Please be careful on the road.”
“Alright,” Su Xi nodded with a smile before turning to Jiang Guanqing. “Honey, are you ready?”
“Ready,” Jiang Guanqing wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin. “Xiao Tu, Xiao Qiao, take your time with breakfast.”
Jiang Tu and Qiao Shu replied in unison, “Okay.”
In an instant, only Jiang Tu and Qiao Shu remained in the dining room. Qiao Shu wondered why Jiang Yan was nowhere to be seen.
“My brother is probably already at the company.”
“Oh.” Qiao Shu nodded, and they fell into a silent standoff, the quiet dining room filled only with the clinking of bowls and spoons.
After breakfast, the two of them went out together.
They got in the car, and the journey passed without a word.
“Teacher Jiang, you can drop me off somewhere, anywhere near the Hengdian Hotel will do.”
Jiang Tu’s hand on the steering wheel paused, and he turned his gaze to meet her clear, bright eyes.
Qiao Shu explained, “I’m just afraid of being photographed.”
Jiang Tu gave an “Mm” of acknowledgment.
A few minutes later, as they were about to reach the hotel, Jiang Tu still showed no intention of letting her out.
Qiao Shu parted her red lips, about to speak.
Jiang Tu glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “Don’t worry, we’ll go to the hotel’s underground parking lot. No one will notice.”
“Alright.” Qiao Shu turned her head to look out the window.
When they arrived at the underground parking lot, there were indeed no paparazzi in sight. It was 8:30, and Qiao Shu needed to be at the set by 9. After parting ways with Jiang Tu in the elevator, she returned to her room.
Today’s shooting schedule had already been posted.
Qiao Shu was filming with the female supporting actress in the morning, and both the afternoon and evening sessions were with Jiang Tu. Coincidentally, one of the scenes was among those Jiang Tu had suggested rehearsing last night.
Scene 20-18: Travel, checking into a hotel.
Qiao Shu marveled inwardly; Jiang Tu’s guess was spot on.
The morning passed in a flash. After finishing the final shot, Qiao Shu headed toward the dressing room.
“Qiao Shu, let’s add each other on WeChat.”
Suddenly, a clear, pleasant voice sounded beside her ear. Qiao Shu turned around—it was the second female lead, Du Qianyi.
Du Qianyi’s almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright as she approached Qiao Shu. “To be honest, I really like your way of doing things. Also, you’re really very beautiful.”
“Thank you! You’re beautiful too.” Qiao Shu’s eyes curved slightly as she accepted Du Qianyi’s compliment.
Du Qianyi burst out laughing. “Hahaha, you’re so adorable.”
“Can I ask why?”
Du Qianyi: “??”
Qiao Shu continued, “This isn’t the first time we’ve acted together, right? In the last drama, I was the third female lead, and you were the second.”
“Oh, you mean ‘The Benevolent Princess Consort’? I wasn’t very sociable back then. Now I’d like to be friends with you.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
“So, what do you say?”
Qiao Shu signaled Chu Xin with her eyes. Chu Xin understood and took Qiao Shu’s phone from her bag, handing it to her.
“I really envy you getting to act opposite Jiang Tu.”
Qiao Shu paused, offering a polite compliment in return. “You’re not doing badly either. Xu Yili is the new rising star.”
Du Qianyi curved her lips into a smile, neither confirming nor denying it.
Back in the dressing room, Qiao Shu’s furrowed brows never relaxed. Zhang Qian had said not to make friends easily in the entertainment industry. Up until now, she truly had no friends.
Except for Fu Wanxing, who had grown up with her.
Fu Wanxing had gone abroad to study. She would be back in another six months, and they hadn’t been in touch for a long time.
“Qiao-jie?”
Qiao Shu shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
Seeing she didn’t want to talk about it, Chu Xin didn’t press further. She then left the dressing room to get the boxed lunches.
“Buzz…”
Her phone vibrated in her hand. Qiao Shu looked down; the contact name read “Star.” Speak of the devil.
A slight smile touched Qiao Shu’s lips as she pressed the accept button.
Fu Wanxing’s beautiful oval face filled the screen, her almond-shaped eyes clear and bright, sparkling like stars.
“Wuwuwu, Qiao Bao, I can’t sleep. I miss you so much, I want to go back home, I want to go clubbing with you.”
The corner of Qiao Shu’s mouth twitched. “Why can’t you sleep? It’s past midnight there, right?”
“I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, plus exams are coming up. How about you? How have you been recently?”
Before Qiao Shu could speak, Fu Wanxing asked again, “By the way, have you and Jiang Tu already gotten your marriage certificate?”
“Pretty good, we have.”
Fu Wanxing raised her slender eyebrows, “You’re quite the lucky one, Qiao Bao. So, how is it? Have you two… you know?”
Qiao Shu frowned, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“Pretend, keep pretending.”
Qiao Shu curled her lips into a smile and remained silent.
Fu Wanxing sighed, “The female star is getting more and more beautiful. How does it feel to act alongside your husband?”
Qiao Shu lowered her gaze, “No different.”
“You lower your eyes subconsciously when you lie, avoiding eye contact. What is it that I don’t know?”
Qiao Shu: “…”