Ling Wei sincerely felt that with Xie Qingyan’s level of theatrics, even debuting in the center position would be beneath him. He was the kind of galactic superstar who could dominate the business world with his left hand, rule Moments with his right, and trample the entertainment industry under his feet.
Twisting the truth like this and forcefully turning her into some naive, lovestruck girl, was that really okay? Did his conscience not hurt?
It was truly breathtaking.
Still, complaints aside, Ling Wei realized she was somewhat charmed by Xie Qingyan. He was very different from the wealthy men she had imagined.
He was a successful elite, a powerful figure with deep scheming, and also a devil who stirred up chaos on Moments every day. These personalities seemed completely separate, yet he blended them perfectly. They appeared unconventional and contradictory, but once you accepted this setting, it somehow felt harmonious and compelling.
A person like that was both charming and dangerous. No one would know what he was truly thinking, yet it was easy to have your gaze linger on him.
Although it was very late, Ling Wei could not help sending Xie Qingyan a message.
“Gege, you are slandering me like this. Does your conscience not hurt?”
He must have been free at the moment, because he replied quickly. “It is fine. Within a tolerable range.”
What did that even mean? So his conscience did not hurt?
“As long as you are happy.” Ling Wei felt she had asked a pointless question.
“Is Miss upset?” he asked.
Ling Wei realized that Xie Qingyan’s over the top Daddy Xie persona seemed limited to Moments. When he spoke to her in private, aside from being a little flippant, he was actually quite normal.
“I am fine,” she said. She was not angry. When they signed the agreement, they had already agreed to cooperate with each other’s performance as much as possible. Showing affection publicly was within the scope of the agreement.
Xie Qingyan added, “Now that you mention it, it does seem to hurt a bit. Would you like to come rub it for me?”
Ling Wei: …
She took back what she said about him being normal. This old rascal.
“I am afraid I might accidentally rub your remaining conscience to pieces,” Ling Wei replied with a pout.
“In that case, you can be my conscience from now on.”
Ling Wei: …
No matter how she looked at it, that sounded like a love confession.
Chen Xiaoruo in the bed next to hers turned over. Half asleep, she saw Ling Wei still on her phone and rubbed her eyes. “Sister Wei, you have scenes tomorrow morning. Go to bed early.”
“Mm, got it.” She answered absentmindedly and lowered her head to keep typing. “My conscience is not compatible with yours. It cannot be shared.”
“With more in depth exchanges in the future, it will become compatible,” Boss Xie said.
Ling Wei suddenly felt her cheeks heat up. Why did she feel there was something suggestive about that sentence? Or was she overthinking it?
“Daddy Xie, please spare my conscience!”
“All right. Your conscience is safe for now. Let us talk about the cross country delivery instead.”
Ling Wei’s slightly drowsy mind cleared instantly when she saw those words. Was that not just something he casually said on Moments?
“You are coming over here?” For some reason, Ling Wei’s heart started beating faster, and she gripped her phone a little tighter.
“I have a business trip to S City tomorrow. It is not far from the film studio, so I can drop by and treat you to a meal.”
So he was not coming specifically to see her. Ling Wei quietly let out a sigh of relief, yet felt a tiny bit disappointed. She replied, “You are traveling such a long way. How can I let you treat me? I should be the one treating you.”
“Then I will look forward to it,” he said.
“See you tomorrow then. I am going to sleep.”
“Mm, I am going to sleep too. Together~”
Ling Wei: …
Who wants to sleep together with you, old rascal.
Knowing that Xie Qingyan was coming, Ling Wei was a little distracted the next day. She did not know whether he was just coming to have a meal with her or also planning to visit the set. If the crew found out that Xie Qingyan had a close relationship with her, it would likely cause quite a stir. After all, Boss Xie himself was already quite famous.
But when she made the agreement with Xie Qingyan in the first place, was it not precisely because she valued his fame and background as something that could help her? So what was she hesitating about now?
With her mind occupied, Ling Wei truly could not focus on work. During filming that morning, Director Guo Qi scolded her, “Are you sleepwalking because you did not wake up properly? Do you need a splash of cold water to clear your head?”
Ever since Guo Qi discovered that Ling Wei’s acting was solid, he had raised his expectations of her. Several times he even added scenes for her on the spot. Such treatment was rare even for the lead actors. It was obvious that Guo Qi was very satisfied with her and even had some intention of promoting her.
Ling Wei was perceptive. She usually approached her scenes with exceptional seriousness and focus, rarely making mistakes. So after several NG takes today, Guo Qi could not help but reprimand her.
After being scolded by the director, Ling Wei finally snapped back to her senses. She quickly pushed aside all those messy thoughts, drank some water, rested for a few minutes, and then threw herself fully into work.
Bai Xiaolian, who had always been overshadowed by Ling Wei, finally seized the opportunity. During a break while the crew was changing sets, she ran over and sneered, “Weren’t you supposed to have amazing acting skills? Didn’t you still get scolded by the director?”
Ling Wei lifted her eyelids and looked at her with a smile. “Yes, after being in the production for so long, I was finally scolded once. I really can’t compare to you. You’re the one who receives Director Guo’s special attention.”
Chen Xiaoruo let out a perfectly timed snort of laughter and covered her mouth as she giggled.
“Ling Wei, I’d like to see how long you can stay smug!”
“Sister Bai, saying that over and over again gets boring.”
Bai Xiaolian: …
At lunchtime, Ling Wei received a text from Xie Qingyan saying that he had arrived in S City. It was more than an hour’s drive from the film studio. If she was free, he would come over to have dinner with her in the evening.
Ling Wei had no scenes that afternoon, so she was naturally free at night. She replied that she would take him out for something delicious and even bragged that it would definitely be a super delicacy he had never tried before.
In the afternoon, just as she was in her hotel room picking out clothes to wear, Zhao Ruyi unexpectedly came knocking. Ling Wei was quite surprised. Ever since her agent had joined the production with Bai Xiaolian, aside from exchanging greetings at the beginning, she had acted as if Ling Wei did not exist. She had not expected Zhao Ruyi to come looking for her in person today. It really felt like the sun had risen in the west.
Zhao Ruyi stood with her arms crossed and chin raised, looking bossy. “I’ve made a dinner appointment with Assistant Director Wang tonight. You’re one of the artists I manage, so you’re coming along.”
The tone she used made it sound as if bringing Ling Wei along was some great favor.
Ling Wei sneered inwardly. When someone suddenly shows kindness, there is usually a hidden motive.
“I’m going out tonight. I already have plans. You can take Sister Bai instead.”
Zhao Ruyi’s fleshy face quivered as she said impatiently, “What appointment could be more important than your own future? Taking you to meet Assistant Director Wang will be a huge help for your career. Don’t you understand that?”
“Sister Zhao, tonight’s appointment is very important. Please don’t make things difficult for me.” Ling Wei’s voice was gentle, but her attitude was firm. It was obvious she had no intention of going with Zhao Ruyi. Given Zhao Ruyi’s track record, she either dragged her out to drink with people or tried to pass her off to someone. Only a fool would agree to meet Assistant Director Wang with her.
Zhao Ruyi had not expected her to talk back like that. She froze for a moment, then narrowed her eyes. “Ling Wei, with that attitude of yours, I can have the company blacklist you in a minute.”
“Sister Zhao, I just don’t want to go drinking with people. Does that mean I deserve to be blacklisted? If the company executives learn the truth, it won’t benefit you either.”
“You still dare to argue? I might not be able to handle others, but dealing with you is more than easy enough!” Zhao Ruyi began grinding her teeth and making threats. In that regard, she was quite similar to Bai Xiaolian. Could they really be mother and daughter?
Ling Wei truly did not want to fall out with her at this moment. After thinking it over, she compromised. “If I get back early tonight, I’ll come find you. Is that okay?”
Zhao Ruyi glared at her for a long time before snorting. “That’s more like it. Remember to come back early.” Then she turned and left.
Ling Wei let out a long breath, thinking that tonight would definitely not be simple. She would have to come up with a plan.
A little after five, Ling Wei walked out of the film studio alone and immediately saw Xie Qingyan standing beside a Mercedes sedan waiting for her. He had probably come straight from work, because he was still dressed in a crisp shirt and tailored trousers. He looked refined and upright, strikingly handsome in a serious way. It was impossible to associate him with the Daddy Xie who argued with the world on Moments. They were like two completely different people.
Xie Qingyan’s gaze was deep, a smile playing at the corners of his lips as he waited for her to approach. Then, very gentlemanly, he opened the car door. “Where are we going for dinner?”
Compared to his formal attire, Ling Wei was wearing a T shirt and denim shorts, looking like a high school student. “We’re not taking the car. Walk two streets ahead and we’ll be there.”
The sun had just set, and the temperature had dropped. The streets were shaded by rows of trees, and a gentle breeze blew through. It was the perfect time for a walk.
Hearing that, Xie Qingyan closed the car door and simply instructed the driver to follow them slowly.
Although they interacted frequently on WeChat, they had not seen each other for quite some time. For a moment, they actually found themselves at a loss for words.
After walking for a while, Xie Qingyan finally spoke. “Hold my hand.”
Ling Wei: …
There was no one they knew around. Did they still need to act?
As if reading her mind, Xie Qingyan said, “The driver is watching from behind.”
Ling Wei: …
So, on the streets of this unfamiliar city, the two of them held hands because of a driver they were not even close to. The reason sounded rather far fetched.
Xie Qingyan’s hand was large and easily enveloped hers. The warmth where their palms touched felt unexpectedly scorching.
“What are we eating?” he asked curiously.
Ling Wei kept him in suspense, secretly laughing to herself. When we get there, you’ll be shocked.
At that moment, children riding bicycles and skateboards rushed past them playfully. As Ling Wei stepped aside to avoid them, her foot slipped and she nearly fell. Luckily, Xie Qingyan reacted quickly and caught her in his arms. In the chaos, she accidentally tore off one of the buttons on his shirt.
They looked at each other, both speechless.
A little embarrassed, Ling Wei handed him the button and smiled. “The thread on your button doesn’t seem very strong.”
Xie Qingyan gave her a subtle look and said softly, “You were too enthusiastic.”
Not only did she throw herself into his arms, she even ripped off his button.
Ling Wei: …
After walking past two streets, the lively and noisy Barbecue Street came into view. Ling Wei pointed at the various barbecue stalls and said to Xie Qingyan with a grin, “This is what we’re having tonight. Surprised? Unexpected? A big boss like you has definitely never tried this before, right?”
Xie Qingyan held her hand with one hand and kept the other in his pocket, speaking calmly. “I really haven’t eaten it before, but I’ve seen you eat it.”
Ling Wei was baffled. “When?”
“The time you said you were going for a beauty treatment.”
Ling Wei: …
She had meant to scare him, but ended up being the one frightened instead.
Daddy Xie, are you a devil?
Having a past lie suddenly exposed to your face, what kind of feeling was that? Ling Wei did not know how others would feel, she only knew that at this moment she wanted to dig a hole on the spot and bury herself.
With a subtle awkwardness hanging between them, they chose a barbecue restaurant with relatively upscale decor and went in. While waiting for the food, Xie Qingyan placed the button she had torn off in his palm, took out his phone, snapped two photos in succession, then slipped the button back into his pocket.
Ling Wei watched him complete this series of actions with perfect composure, then casually start playing with his phone. A sudden sense of foreboding rose in her heart. She quickly took out her own phone and opened Moments.
“So you lowly subjects were waiting for the result of Daddy’s cross country delivery? This is the result.”
The attached image was the torn off button.
Ling Wei: …
This misunderstanding had just grown huge.
Daddy Xie, is it really appropriate to make suggestive jokes right in front of me?
Author’s note: Daddy Xie driving with a straight face.