Back at the hotel, Su Qiu first put her luggage away, picked up the large bag of snacks she'd brought from Ningcheng, and walked to another hotel nearby.
Almost all the hotels in this area had been booked up by the production crews filming at the nearby film studio.
There weren't many people in the lobby. Su Qiu had just stopped in front of the elevator when the doors opened from an upper floor with a ding.
Inside stood a young man with sharp, handsome features and a faint layer of irritation pressed between his brows—like he'd just stepped out of something unpleasant, his anger not yet fully dissipated.
Su Qiu looked at him.
Her aesthetic radar went off automatically. She ran through the actors in the productions currently filming in her mind—none of them matched this face.
The man seemed to pause briefly when he saw her, raised an eyebrow lightly, his expression as if he'd expected this.
Su Qiu didn't understand the meaning in his gaze.
He didn't linger either, stepping out of the elevator and walking away to the side.
Su Qiu didn't think much of it. She went upstairs and knocked on Jian Yin's door.
After waiting a while with no response, she assumed Jian Yin wasn't in her room. She pulled out her phone and sent a message. Within two seconds, the door swung open from inside.
"You're—ah…"
Su Qiu froze. Jian Yin's cheeks were flushed red, her hair disheveled, and there was a faint red mark on her right wrist where she gripped the doorframe. She looked like she'd just finished wrestling with someone.
Su Qiu asked with concern, "What happened to you?"
Jian Yin let out a "hai" sound, a hint of indescribable smugness at the corner of her mouth—like she'd won a fight, or like she simply didn't care about it at all.
"Ran into a mad dog. Taught it a lesson while I was at it."
"…" Su Qiu's mouth fell slightly open. Her gaze moved from Jian Yin's wrist to her face, then back from her face to her wrist, wearing an expression that clearly said, You really expect me to believe that?
"Don't worry, I'm really fine. Who could possibly bully me?" Jian Yin smiled, then noticing the bag in Su Qiu's hands, proactively changed the subject: "Is this for me?"
Su Qiu said yes—all Jian Yin's favorite snacks, plus the pickled plum cakes her grandmother had made, tangy and sweet.
Su Qiu remembered Jian Yin loved them, so when she'd had Sunday dinner with her grandmother, she'd specially asked her to pack two jars.
Grandmother had said, "They're for little Jian, right? Take three jars!"
So now the bag held three jars of plum cakes.
Su Qiu was still studying Jian Yin, but aside from her slightly messy hair and unusually flushed cheeks, she couldn't see anything else out of the ordinary. She couldn't quite figure it out.
Jian Yin took the bag and set it down at the entryway, then reached out to take Su Qiu's arm: "I'll walk you down."
Su Qiu laughed softly, reaching up to smooth down a strand of hair that was sticking up: "No need to see me off. If you go out looking like this, people will think you're sleepwalking."
She felt like something had happened to Jian Yin, but since the other woman clearly didn't want to talk about it, she didn't press further.
Back in her room, after washing up, Su Qiu sent Zhou Jingqian a goodnight message and went to sleep.
Monday, Su Qiu arrived at the set.
Every first day of the week, there was a creative team meeting that kept her busy until noon. After lunch, Su Qiu stayed on set until wrap that evening, never finding time to visit Jian Yin.
The next day at noon, she deliberately finished early and went to the neighboring production—only to be told Jian Yin had already left.
Her assistant sidled over and said, "Sister Su, the person who came to pick up Sister Yin was driving a Maybach. The man driving even got out personally to receive her. Could he be Sister Yin's boyfriend?"
Su Qiu frowned slightly. Why would the assistant ask such a question? "Who told you that just because it's a man, he must be Jian Yin's boyfriend?"
The assistant: "But they looked pretty close."
Su Qiu looked at her flatly: "I saw you sitting together with Producer Wang at dinner last time. You two must be dating."
The assistant was startled and quickly said, "Sister Su, don't say that! Producer Wang has a girlfriend! We're not—"
Su Qiu said expressionlessly, "So you know that's called talking nonsense."
The assistant was momentarily speechless. She really hadn't expected Su Qiu—famous in the industry for her gentle temperament—to use such a soft-edged blade.
The assistant rubbed her nose awkwardly: "I spoke too fast. But Sister Yin leaving so suddenly means I have to ask for leave on her behalf with the director. I'm run off my feet. Other assistants get raises after two months, but I've been with her for over half a year and haven't gotten a single one…"
Su Qiu cut her off: "If you don't want to do it, I can find Jian Yin a new assistant."
Su Qiu said no more and turned to leave.
The assistant muttered behind her: "That's not what I meant…"
Less money was still money—she didn't actually want to lose this job. Besides, Jian Yin was easy to deal with; where else would she find such an accommodating boss?
Su Qiu walked out of the studio and called Jian Yin. It rang a few times before being hung up.
A moment later, a message came in: [A friend came to visit. We're catching up.]
Su Qiu paused, connecting it to what she'd seen when she went to Jian Yin's room on Sunday night. She felt something was off.
Su Qiu: [Are you okay?]
Jian Yin: [I'm fine, everything's great.]
She could still reply instantly, so it probably wasn't a big problem.
Just then, Zhou Jingqian's call came in.
The slightly unpleasant mood from her exchange with Jian Yin's assistant instantly dissolved at the sight of the caller ID: A-Husband.
Su Qiu curled her lips and picked up the call. "Hello?"
Zhou Jingqian: "Are you having dinner?"
Su Qiu: "Just about to head into the restaurant. What about you?"
"I'm eating at home. Came back at noon to grab a document." Zhou Jingqian paused. "Want to video call? I mean, you could see Little Grey and Little White."
Su Qiu smiled. "Sure."
She had originally planned to grab a quick bite at a booth in the restaurant, but it was crowded and noisy at this hour, which wouldn't be ideal for a video call, so she asked for a private room instead.
Seeing that she was dining alone, the server reminded her, "Ma'am, our private rooms have a minimum spend of 688."
688 for an uninterrupted view of her husband and kids—Su Qiu, brimming with affection, said, "That's fine, I'll take it."
On Wednesday, the set was livelier than usual.
Popular actor Song Xingzhou was joining the production for a cameo, and nearly everyone on the crew found an excuse to drift over, hoping to catch a glimpse of the young actor who had shot from extra to A-list in just two years.
When Song Xingzhou arrived, he first greeted the director's team. He was familiar with Director Zhang as well. He took off his sunglasses, a faint smile playing on his thin lips.
His gaze swept across the crowd, and his eyes lit up. He walked straight toward Su Qiu.
"Xiao Qiu, long time no see."
His voice wasn't loud, but his tone carried a slight lift, clearly in a good mood.
"Teacher Song and Teacher Su know each other?"
Xia Tong happened to be nearby and, hearing the form of address, paused before asking curiously.
Song Xingzhou smiled. "Of course. Ever since I met Teacher Su, my luck has carried on all the way to now."
Su Qiu looked up and smiled at that. "That's all thanks to your own hard work, Teacher Song. I didn't do anything."
Two years ago, Song Xingzhou had just terminated his contract with his former agency, and it hadn't ended pleasantly. The contractual dispute weighed on him so heavily that he couldn't land any work.
At the time, Su Qiu had a drama about to start production. She happened to come across Song Xingzhou's photo and felt he was a perfect fit.
However, the casting director hesitated, reluctant to touch such a hot potato tangled in contractual issues.
Su Qiu insisted: "He's the best fit for this role."
From that point on, Song Xingzhou secured his first job amid the contract dispute, and not long after, he signed with a new agency and began his smooth ascent.
In Song Xingzhou's eyes, it was Su Qiu's words—"he's the best fit"—that had brought him his luck.
Two years had passed. He had gone from nobody to A-list, and Su Qiu had gone from a new screenwriter to a lead head writer carrying the whole show.
Song Xingzhou looked at Su Qiu and felt she hadn't changed much. In the big dye vat of the entertainment industry, everyone changed quickly, but Su Qiu's eyes were still so clear, like a mountain spring untouched by dust.
Something stirred in Song Xingzhou's heart.
Until his gaze suddenly landed on her ring finger. The diamond on her wedding band sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.
The smile at the corners of Song Xingzhou's lips froze slightly.
His original cameo schedule had been for next month. After hearing that Su Qiu was already married, he had pushed up his commitments and joined the production early. Now, seeing was believing.
"Xiao Qiu." Song Xingzhou spoke again, and imperceptibly shifted half a step closer to her side, blocking the slanting sun for her. "Want to grab a meal together after we wrap?"
Su Qiu: "Is that convenient?"
Song Xingzhou smiled. "Why wouldn't it be? I've also invited Director Zhang. Xia Tong, you should come too."
Xia Tong smiled and agreed.
Su Qiu nodded as well.
In the evening, after wrapping up, Su Qiu took Xia Tong's van to the restaurant.
Song Xingzhou was seated next to Director Zhang, with the seat on his other side empty.
Xia Tong knew the two of them were close, so she tactfully sat next to the male lead instead.
That left only one seat, so Su Qiu had no choice but to walk over with her bag, her expression calm and composed.
During the meal, everyone chatted animatedly. Su Qiu mostly just listened with a smile, occasionally glancing down at her phone.
She proactively sent a message to Zhou Jingqian, asking if he was off work.
Husband A: [Not yet. What about you? Wrapped up?]
Su Qiu: [Having dinner with the group.]
Husband A: [Oh, by the way, I replaced the carpet in your study this afternoon.]
Knowing she liked to sit on the floor, and that the one in her room was too small with not enough cushioning, he had specifically asked his assistant to pick out a new one and have it delivered home, with the housekeeper laying it down.
Husband A: [I'll take a photo for you when I get back. Hope you like it.]
Su Qiu: [I like it. I trust your taste—after all, the carpet in your study is really comfortable to sit on.]
Su Qiu thought about it, typed, and sent it.
Only after sending did she realize what she'd implied.
They had kissed on that carpet.
Husband A: [Want to video call tonight?]
Su Qiu didn't know when the gathering would end, and she knew Zhou Jingqian was disciplined about waking up early every day.
She typed out a rejection, then deleted it, replacing it with a better phrasing: [Let's meet tomorrow at noon~]
He had changed her carpet for her; she didn't want him to stay up too late. Unconsciously, they both considered the little details of each other's lives.
Song Xingzhou turned his gaze to Su Qiu. She was looking down at her phone, lashes lowered, a smile at the corner of her lips—just like his assistant texting her boyfriend when she was in a relationship.
He was silent for a few seconds before speaking. "Xiao Qiu, when did you get married? You never mentioned having a boyfriend before."
They rarely met in person, but they occasionally chatted on WeChat, and Su Qiu's Weibo was his only special follow.
"Last month." She smiled.
When it came to matters related to Zhou Jingqian, Su Qiu's expression remained relaxed and natural.
"Congratulations." Song Xingzhou took a sip from his water cup. "Could I get an invitation to the wedding?"
Xia Tong chimed in as well, "Teacher Su, I'd like to apply to attend your wedding too!"
A wedding between a handsome man and a beautiful woman—that would be nothing short of a grand visual feast.
Xia Tong had seen Su Qiu's husband in person before. The couple looked perfectly matched standing together, and she absolutely had to be part of that excitement.
Su Qiu smiled and agreed to both requests.
However, regarding the wedding with Zhou Jingqian, the only information Su Qiu—the bride-to-be—currently had was that it would take place in the winter of this year. Nothing else had been planned yet.
Su Qiu quickly formed a plan in her mind.
The production was expected to wrap around the end of July. By then, she could spend time nurturing her relationship with Zhou Jingqian while planning the wedding together.
That evening, the production's official account posted a nine-grid photo collage of the cast's dinner gathering along with behind-the-scenes shots from the set.
Zhou Jingqian came across it just after finishing his shower, holding a glass of ice water as he sat on the sofa.
He noticed that the comment section of this post was far livelier than what the official account usually received.
It was the buzz Song Xingzhou brought.
In the nine photos, Song Xingzhou appeared nine times.
And Zhou Jingqian subtly observed that wherever Song Xingzhou was, Su Qiu was always right there beside him.
Even in the ninth behind-the-scenes photo, where only half an arm was visible, Zhou Jingqian recognized it as hers.
Zhou Jingqian took a sip of water, set the glass down, and tapped through the official account's mentions to Song Xingzhou's profile page.
Over the past few days, Zhou Jingqian had familiarized himself with all the dramas Su Qiu had written.
He had read her Baidu Baike entry word by word.
Now, looking at Song Xingzhou's Weibo bio, the first representative work listed was the very drama Su Qiu had written that Song Xingzhou had first acted in.
Soon, Song Xingzhou reposted the production's Weibo post.
Some netizens seemed to notice Su Qiu, who kept appearing in the same frame as Song Xingzhou. Not recognizing her, they asked who she was.
Song Xingzhou replied: An old friend who felt familiar from the very first meeting.
Zhou Jingqian stared at that reply, his knuckles tapping against the side of his phone. Outside the window, the night deepened inch by inch.