The group reached the second floor. Just as they were about to enter the workshop, Shen Luoxi suddenly stopped Pei Yu. “I’ll wait out here. I don’t want to interfere with your discussion. If you need anything, give me a call; I’ll be waiting on the first floor.”
Pei Yu gave a rare response. “Mhm, I know.”
The staff member glanced at them, then led only the two professionals inside. “Teacher Pei, please follow me.”
Pei Yu and Zhou Jing went in together.
Once they were inside, Shen Luoxi turned and headed back downstairs. She found an empty seat on the first floor and sat down, casually picking up a book from the table to flip through.
The staff nearby had been focused on writing scripts, but when they looked up and realized the person sitting across from them was Jiang City’s notorious scoundrel, Shen Luoxi, they broke out in goosebumps. They immediately grabbed their laptops and books and scrambled away.
By the time Shen Luoxi looked up, she was alone. She simply assumed they had gone off to attend to business.
About half an hour later, a woman wearing a black baseball cap walked in. The staff member at the door immediately stood up to block her. “Excuse me, Miss, this is a private studio. Do you have an appointment?”
The woman kept her head down, her voice low. “I’m looking for Shen Luoxi. She called me and said she was here.”
“Shen Luoxi?” At the mention of that name, the staff member wanted nothing more than to stay far away. He quickly stepped aside and pointed toward the corner. “Miss Shen is over there. You can go straight to her.”
“Thank you.” The woman walked over, eyes fixed on the floor. Wrapped entirely in black, she was practically incognito.
Shen Luoxi was currently reading about the film and television history of this world. It covered everything from the dawn of cinema to modern productions, but she realized it was identical to the real world. The only “extra” parts were those involving the protagonists and supporting characters of this story—nothing worth deep investigation.
“President Shen.”
The woman found her, her fists instinctively clenching at the sight of Shen Luoxi.
Without looking up, Shen Luoxi picked up another book and gestured to the seat opposite her. “Sit. I called you here because I have something to say to you.”
Lan Yue sat down. “I know.” She kept her head low, not daring to look up, her fists resting on her knees in a defensive posture.
Shen Luoxi flipped to the table of contents and asked, “Did you bully Shi Xiaoman after you went back last night?”
Lan Yue’s head snapped up. Her beautiful eyes were filled with hostility.
Shen Luoxi decided the table of contents was boring and closed the book. She met Lan Yue’s fierce gaze head-on. “Don’t look at me like that. I guessed it; I didn’t have anyone investigate you and Teacher Shi.”
Lan Yue’s eyelids flickered, and her stern expression softened slightly. She was no longer as aggressive as she had been a moment ago.
“I know you’re bothered by what happened at the anniversary last night. You don’t understand why I’m suddenly being so good to Pei Yu and why I’m treating you this way,” Shen Luoxi said.
Lan Yue’s eyes turned red again. “Yes, I don’t understand!” Her voice carried a faint tremor.
In the past, no matter what she did, Shen Luoxi would always protect her. Why did she suddenly change her tune and snap at her in front of everyone? It didn’t seem like something she would ever do.
Shen Luoxi explained calmly, “The reason is simple: Pei Yu isn’t someone I can control through violence and psychological pressure anymore. If I want to inherit my parents’ estate, I have to be good to her. You and I both know exactly what the Shen family means to me—and to you. If you don’t want me to lose my inheritance because of Pei Yu, you can continue treating her the way you used to.”
She wasn’t just fearmongering; she was analyzing the stakes. Lan Yue needed the Shen family even more than the original Shen Luoxi did.
In the book, the reason Lan Yue was so devoted to Shen Luoxi and imitated her every move was because of the power behind the Shen name. While the Lan family held a respectable status, it would take twenty “Lan families” to match one “Shen family.” The Lans needed to curry favor with the Shens to maintain their position in the city, and Lan Yue was the pawn used to do it. If Lan Yue didn’t stay by Shen Luoxi’s side, she would have no value left in her own family.
Lan Yue remained silent.
Knock, knock. Shen Luoxi tapped the table lightly. “Am I making myself clear? Do you understand what I mean?”
“I do,” Lan Yue whispered.
“However,” Shen Luoxi continued, “besides treating Pei Yu well, you are no longer allowed to bully Teacher Shi. Without her permission, you cannot give her temporary marks or make any more excessive demands.”
This wasn’t a suggestion; it was an order.
“Why?” Lan Yue didn’t get it. What did being nice to Shi Xiaoman have to do with the Shen family inheritance? Was she supposed to let Shi Xiaoman and Pei Yu be together?
Shen Luoxi knew Lan Yue controlled Shi Xiaoman because she truly loved her, but she had learned the wrong “methods” from the original Shen Luoxi.
Now, Shen Luoxi was going to correct her mindset. “You know the relationship between Pei Yu and Teacher Shi. If anything happens to Teacher Shi, Pei Yu won’t stay quiet. So, both of us need to reform. We have to treat them well, no more imprisonment, no more violence.”
“I understand, but…” Lan Yue hesitated. What if they lost control? What if the women stopped fearing them and ended up together? Lan Yue couldn’t bear the thought.
“Don’t worry, that will never happen,” Shen Luoxi guaranteed with absolute certainty.
Lan Yue was skeptical. “How can you be so sure?”
Shen Luoxi paused. With the plot already shifting, she actually couldn’t be certain if Pei Yu would stay with her. Maybe she would end up with Shi Xiaoman. But to stabilize Lan Yue, she said firmly, “Because Pei Yu can only be my woman.”
“Alright.” Lan Yue believed her. She believed her without hesitation because that was exactly the kind of person Shen Luoxi was—what belonged to her stayed hers. Especially “possessions” like Pei Yu.
Despite the assurance, Shen Luoxi felt the need to emphasize one more point. “The things I’ve told you today aren’t a joke. If I hear news of you hurting Teacher Shi again, I think I’ll have to sit down and have a very long dinner with your family.”
Lan Yue panicked instantly. She swallowed nervously and nodded with difficulty. “I… I understand.”
After the intimidation, Shen Luoxi stood up and sat down beside Lan Yue. She placed a gentle arm around her shoulders in a comforting gesture. “I was a bit harsh just now; don’t take it too hard. Just treat Teacher Shi well from now on. Do it for her sake—she shouldn’t have to endure such torment.”
“Mhm, I got it.” Lan Yue became submissive.
Shen Luoxi withdrew her hand and gave a gentle smile. “One Pei Yu and one Teacher Shi… the two of us are completely wrapped around their fingers, aren’t we? But we’re doing it willingly.”
Lan Yue slowly turned to look at her, her gaze much softer. “You’ve changed. You’ve changed so much lately. You’re not like yourself at all.”
“Is that so?” Shen Luoxi chuckled. “I feel the change too. It’s a big one. It’s probably because of Pei Yu. Don’t you think our Teacher Pei is incredibly beautiful and charming?”
Lan Yue noticed a shadow on the table and said meaningfully, “You’ll have to ask Teacher Pei that herself.”
Shen Luoxi turned to her and joked, “Ask Teacher Pei? I could never say that to her face. If I did, she’d just think I’m a pervert.”
“Why can’t you ask? Teacher Pei is right here.” Lan Yue looked up toward the door.
“What?” Shen Luoxi didn’t catch her meaning at first, but following Lan Yue’s gaze, she looked over.
Pei Yu and Zhou Jing were standing at the door.
Shen Luoxi met Pei Yu’s eyes. A strange, awkward tension began to circulate in the air. She truly wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Pei Yu looked perfectly composed, showing no reaction to the words she had overheard. In her heart, she likely did think Shen Luoxi was a pervert.
“We’re finished with the screenwriter,” Pei Yu informed her.
Shen Luoxi coughed to hide her embarrassment. Bracing herself on the sofa arm, she stood up and walked to Pei Yu, asking in a professional tone, “How did the talk go?”
Zhou Jing spoke from behind. “It went well. The screenwriter and director are quite satisfied. However, they mentioned indirectly that they want Su Ying for the other female lead. Of course, that depends on your decision. If you think it’s okay, then the project is a go.”
“Alright.” Shen Luoxi nodded, all business. “I’ll review the script again back at the office, then we’ll have a meeting to discuss it. As long as Pei Yu is happy, it’s fine.”
“Anything is fine with me,” Pei Yu said, following her lead. The decisions of the company rested with Shen Luoxi; whether she took the role or not was entirely up to her spouse.
As they talked, Shen Luoxi’s embarrassment faded. “Do you have any other work scheduled today?”
“Yes, a commercial shoot,” Pei Yu answered.
Zhou Jing, remembering the schedule, added, “An ad shoot this afternoon and an event tonight. It might be quite late by the time she gets back.” Since both jobs were local, they had been scheduled for today. Starting tomorrow, Pei Yu would be traveling for her schedule.
“How late?” Shen Luoxi wanted to know.
Zhou Jing calculated. “Ten o’clock at the earliest. If it runs late, it could be eleven or midnight.”
That’s too late, Shen Luoxi thought.
Pei Yu didn’t seem interested in chatting further. She turned toward the door. “Sister Zhou Jing, let’s go. We need to get to the next set.”
“Alright,” Zhou Jing replied, giving Shen Luoxi a silent nod as she followed Pei Yu out.
Shen Luoxi nodded back.