Xi Tang returned to the film crew.

“The Last Princess” was about to wrap up, and everyone was going all out to meet the deadline. Unit C had finished shooting yesterday and immediately sent people over to support. Unit A was filming their last day of indoor scenes today, before moving to the final location shoot at Songzhuang Horse Farm and the banks of Chaobai River.

Xi Tang was eating a boxed lunch in the studio when her assistant Xiao Ning came in and said, “Sister Xi Tang, there was a phone call just now. It was about that call you made two months ago looking for Mr. Liao. Dunhuang Studio returned your call, saying he went to Xinjiang for sketching and just came back yesterday.”

Upon hearing this, Xi Tang’s hand trembled, and the broccoli fell from her spoon. She put down her lunch box and reached for a tissue. When she looked up again, her voice was noticeably steadier: “Did they leave a phone number?”

“Yes, it’s here.” Xiao Ning handed her a note.

Xi Tang took it and carefully tucked it into her bag.

Xiao Ning asked curiously, “Who is Mr. Liao?”

Xi Tang wrapped up the spilled soup with a tissue, threw it away, and wiped the table clean. “He’s a college classmate of mine.”

Xi Tang opened her schedule and carefully reviewed her filming timetable, then circled a slot in the afternoon. “I’m going out tomorrow afternoon.”

The next evening, while Xi Tang was back at the hotel after wrapping up, she received a call from Ni Kailun, who immediately scolded her: “Running off by yourself without an assistant—you think you’re quite something, don’t you?”

Xi Tang told the truth: “I went to see Liao Shuru.”

Ni Kailun paused for a moment. “Who is this person?”

Xi Tang said calmly, “Zhong Qiao’s college boyfriend.”

“That girl had many boyfriends,” Ni Kailun laughed unsympathetically, but perhaps to avoid disrespecting the dead, she immediately stopped, clearing her throat. “Why did you go see him?”

“Just for a meal. Surely we still have enough of a connection for at least one meal.”

Ni Kailun knew their history. Zhong Qiao had been good to Xi Tang. Back when Xi Tang came to Beijing alone for university, they happened to be assigned to the same dormitory. In a room with four beautiful girls, the other two came from well-off families. Zhong Qiao and Xi Tang felt like kindred spirits and quickly became familiar with each other. As a Beijing native, Zhong Qiao often took Xi Tang all around the city. With her wide connections, she frequently helped Xi Tang find part-time jobs. Zhong Qiao herself had entered society early and was a vibrant figure among Beijing’s young crowd, displaying the boldness typical of Beijing women. She often went out to have fun while Xi Tang covered for her by doing her coursework. Whenever Zhong Qiao had good opportunities, she would bring Xi Tang along, always protecting her. During those two and a half to three years before meeting Zhao Pingjin, Xi Tang’s ability to persevere and enjoy life in Beijing was entirely thanks to the survival skills Zhong Qiao had generously taught her.

Ni Kailun didn’t say much more, just cautioned: “Be more careful in the future. Wait until you have a personal driver and car before you start wandering around.”

Xi Tang asked casually, “Ruru wanted to find someone. If one needs to find someone, what’s the fastest way?”

Ni Kailun said straightforwardly, “Apart from the police, it’s through mobile phone records and bank cards. In this world, where doesn’t one need to spend money?”

Xi Tang didn’t probe further and merely chatted, “How much have I earned?”

Ni Kailun replied, “You know what kind of contract you signed with the company when you came back to film? After commissions, there’s not much left for you.”

Xi Tang sighed.

“Still want to buy your mother a house in Shanghai?”

“Of course.”

Ni Kailun didn’t want to give her too much hope: “Let’s see how this film does after it’s released. There are plenty of well-reviewed films where the actors don’t become famous—it all depends on luck.”

Xi Tang responded softly, “I know.”

Ni Kailun said, “If you want to make money faster, take more event appearances and advertisements.”

Xi Tang remained unmoved: “If the quality is too poor, I’d rather not.”

Ni Kailun smirked, “With your current fame, you’re still being picky?”

Xi Tang asked with a grin, “Great manager, when can I be on the cover of Vogue?”

Ni Kailun thought carefully: “If we count both main and supplementary editions, Xinghui has been on the main Taiwan edition once, and Zhenzhen got on five times in just three years. As for you—”

Xi Tang asked curiously, “What about me?”

Ni Kailun said sincerely, “Why don’t you get another cosmetic procedure?”

Xi Tang exclaimed, “You go get a facelift first!”

Laughter came from Ni Kailun’s end.

Around six in the evening, Unit A’s director called “cut” and wrapped up for the day.

Xi Tang returned to the hotel, removed her makeup, changed clothes, and hurried out with her bag.

Xiao Ning followed behind her, muttering, “Sister Xi Tang, you’re going out again? You’ve been going out so often lately. Miss Ni will scold me.”

Xi Tang looked back at her, “How about I take you with me?”

She indeed took her assistant out for coffee.

The two girls sat by the window in the coffee shop. After waiting for a while, they saw a young man in a suit get out of a car and push open the door of the coffee shop in the biting cold wind.

Xi Tang waved.

Lu Xiaojiang smiled from a distance: “Sorry I’m late.”

Xi Tang introduced him, “No problem. This is my assistant, Xiao Ning.”

Lu Xiaojiang complimented her: “Miss Ning is also very beautiful. You could be in films too.”

Xiao Ning couldn’t help but look him over, smiling happily, “You’re too kind.”

Xi Tang knew she had misunderstood.

She was aware that her sudden overnight promotion to lead actress would inevitably invite suspicions of having connections. Xiao Ning mistakenly thought that Lu Xiaojiang had a special relationship with her, so she was particularly curious. Xi Tang didn’t plan to explain. Xiao Ning was just a work assistant, and this girl couldn’t be fully trusted. Ni Kailun had specifically instructed her that the fewer people who knew about Zhao Pingjin, the better. When Xi Tang first joined the crew, she was a completely unknown newcomer with only one assistant, which inevitably led to people looking down on her. There were many in the crew who secretly tried to trip her up, and even assistant Xiao Ning suffered as a result. Having crawled her way through the film industry for so many years, Xi Tang had seen plenty of such power plays and status-climbing. At first, she handled everything silently. One day, when she was standing in the wrong position and slightly blocked a camera angle, a photography assistant behind the camera loudly berated her with extremely offensive words, with everyone around to hear. Xi Tang endured it and continued working, but back at the hotel, she called Ni Kailun. The next day when work began, that photographer respectfully bowed and apologized to her in front of the entire crew. After that, from the executive director down to the tea attendants, no one dared to cross her again. She had endured plenty of scolding during her time in Hengdian, but back then she was a small fry and couldn’t take herself too seriously. Now her status was different. Xi Tang knew she didn’t provoke people, but she also absolutely couldn’t allow herself to be bullied. Director Feng knew something about her situation, so he treated her fairly—scolding her when her performance wasn’t good enough, just as he would anyone else. But Xi Tang wasn’t afraid; he was an industry veteran, and as long as she had the opportunity, she could prove that she deserved to play this role. Xi Tang continued to work diligently in the crew, and despite her seemingly mysterious background, no rumors had spread, thanks to Zhao Pingjin never visiting her on set.

Xi Tang listened as Xiao Ning and Lu Xiaojiang exchanged pleasantries, chatting happily. She wasn’t worried about bringing her assistant along creating any awkwardness. Back when they were all growing up in the military compound, Lu Xiaojiang, being the youngest among the boys, had a softer personality and often appeared somewhat timid. Among the children from the Army compounds, those with good grades all went to Tsinghua University, while Lu Xiaojiang went to Peking University. Beijing kids loved to tease, and those at Tsinghua looked down on those at Peking University. Zhao Pingjin often used this to needle him. But on his own merits, Lu Xiaojiang had always been quite popular with girls. He was attentive and had a gentle, refined appearance. Xi Tang still remembered that when Zhao Pingjin first brought her out to hang with his friends, Zhao Pingjin had always been arrogant and rarely considered a girl’s sensitive feelings. As a young girl entering a circle of strangers, Xi Tang had found comfort in Fang Langji’s gentleness and Lu Xiaojiang’s thoughtfulness—they had actively chatted with her, showing her great kindness.

They were young then, laughing and playing around. Xi Tang could be buddies with anyone, and she had always had a good relationship with Lu Xiaojiang. But Xi Tang herself didn’t understand how, amid all that fun, she had managed to cause such a disaster.

Lu Xiaojiang ordered an Americano.

The three of them sat down and chatted casually for a while. When Xiao Ning went to the restroom, Xi Tang handed Lu Xiaojiang a file folder. “Sorry to trouble you.”

Lu Xiaojiang took it and placed it in his briefcase. “No trouble at all.”

Xi Tang said, “It’s from several years ago. The transaction numbers and bank card numbers are all there. It was from a card used at a shopping mall.”

Lu Xiaojiang smiled and said, “Don’t worry. If it’s from our bank, it’s a bit easier. I’ll do my best.”

After the two girls had finished their coffee, Lu Xiaojiang checked his watch and said, “It’s dinner time. Let me treat you both to a meal. How about Beijing cuisine?”

Xiao Ning, rarely getting a chance to go out, brightened up instantly and looked at Xi Tang.

Xi Tang wanted to politely refuse. “That’s too much trouble.”

Lu Xiaojiang said, “It’s no trouble. If I go home, it’s just the housekeeper there. My parents aren’t in the city, and my wife has gone back to America.”

He was quite sincere: “Consider it keeping me company for dinner, how about it?”

Xi Tang could only nod.