Chen Die had a comfortable time on set over the next few days.

Unexpectedly, Wang Yunxi didn’t cause her any more trouble. It was unclear whether this was because she misunderstood Chen Die’s relationship with Chen Shao, or because Lan Chuan had spoken with her.

Although Wang Yunxi still didn’t show her a pleasant face, Chen Die didn’t need her friendliness. Being left in peace was satisfying enough.

On Friday evening, the first stage of this female protagonist’s coming-of-age drama concluded, and everyone agreed to go out for a meal together.

There were many eateries around the film city, and it was the season for crayfish. Feng Zhi had booked a crayfish restaurant in advance and took the entire cast and crew there as soon as filming wrapped.

“Starting tomorrow, you won’t need to deliberately apply makeup to look unattractive anymore,” Lan Chuan said, walking beside her.

Chen Die smiled, “I’ve gotten so used to looking ugly lately.”

Everyone walked into the crayfish restaurant.

The restaurant owner was well acquainted with Feng Zhi and called out to someone to lead their large group to a private room on the second floor.

“Come, let me toast our treasured lead actors,” Feng Zhi was very amiable when not filming and immediately picked up his glass to toast the main actors once they entered.

Chen Die poured herself a glass, “Thank you, Director.”

“I must also praise you, Chen Die,” Feng Zhi smiled, pointing at her. “Xiao Chuan did me a huge favor. The female lead’s image was difficult to capture, and finding someone like you whose aura naturally fits was truly not easy. You also learn quickly. No wonder your advisor kept praising you to me before.”

Chen Die modestly waved her hand, offering an official compliment, “It’s because Directors Feng and Lan explain the scenes so well.”

Everyone sat around the rectangular table, packed tightly together, engaging in animated conversation.

Fang Ruan sat to Chen Die’s left and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “I think your face looks strange when you try to be modest. Your flattery has no feeling at all.”

Chen Die also leaned in to whisper back, “Should I have said, ‘Director Feng is right, you have such a good eye to have chosen me’?”

Fang Ruan, “…”

Chen Die’s teasing remark wasn’t loud, but it was still overheard by Lan Chuan on the other side.

Lan Chuan chuckled softly, also lowering his voice, “It is indeed Director Feng’s good eye.”

“…” Chen Die felt the awkwardness of being caught gossiping about someone, “Stop teasing me.”

Everyone had been filming day and night, feeling stifled, so once released, spirits were high as they chatted wildly about everything under the sun.

Chen Die had good relationships with people in the crew and had added many actors and staff members on WeChat.

Opening her Moments feed, she saw many people had posted photos of large plates of crayfish. Scrolling down, the same fiery red images appeared one after another, looking like her screen had frozen.

Even the usually reserved Lan Chuan had rarely posted a crayfish photo.

Chen Die glanced at him. He was also scrolling through Moments, earnestly giving likes to everyone’s posts one by one.

Chen Die had no intention of prying, but as he scrolled down, an image completely different from the uniform crayfish photos appeared. Chen Die instinctively glanced at it.

It was posted by Chen Shuyuan—a photo of her with Lin Quan.

The two had their faces pressed together, looking very intimate.

Chen Die’s black eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she calmly shifted her gaze away.

Wen Liang had been on a business trip for a week. By the time he returned to Yan City, it was already dark.

Having finalized the cooperation matters, he handed the subsequent implementation documents and task sheets to Zhu Qicong.

Leaving the airport, he got into the car.

Wen Liang suddenly said, “Go to Zhou Yu Hotel in the film city.”

Although he had been abroad on business these days, Zhu Qicong still reported Miss Chen’s situation to Wen Liang every day, so he naturally knew who was staying at Zhou Yu Hotel in the film city.

To be fair, Zhu Qicong hoped Miss Chen would return.

After all, these days the company had been filled with low pressure, everyone walking on eggshells, afraid of making mistakes that would anger Mr. Wen.

When Miss Chen was still around, Mr. Wen’s temper had never been as gloomy as it was now.

The film city and the airport were at opposite ends of the city, one in the south and one in the north. They sped along the elevated highway.

Zhu Qicong stopped the car at the entrance of Zhou Yu.

Wen Liang got out, tossing back a sentence, “You go back first.”

Zhu Qicong was stunned. Looking back, Wen Liang had already closed the car door and was striding into the hotel.

“…”

What rocket speed was this?

Was he going to stay in Miss Chen’s room directly???

Wen Liang walked into the hotel. The lobby manager recognized him as a shareholder and immediately came forward, “Mr. Wen, would you like a room?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll arrange it for you right away.” The lobby manager entered the information into the computer system and took out a key card, “This is the key to the presidential suite.”

Wen Liang didn’t take it, “I want the room opposite 8802.”

The lobby manager didn’t react immediately. The rooms on the 8th floor were the most ordinary king-size single rooms. He hesitated, “The room opposite 8802?”

“Yes,” Wen Liang said flatly, raising his hand to pinch his brow, seeming somewhat impatient.

“…The room opposite 8802 is 8803, which is already occupied,” the lobby manager said nervously. “Would 8801 next door be alright?”

This time Wen Liang was quite agreeable, “That’s fine.”

“How long would you like to stay?”

“One month for now.”

“…O-okay.”

This was like installing a grand Buddha in the hotel.

“Have the crew members staying here returned yet?”

Wen Liang’s question was casual, and the lobby manager didn’t detect his intention at all, shaking his head, “Not yet. They usually come back late.”

Wen Liang made a sound of acknowledgment, took the key card, and took the elevator to the eighth floor.

With a “beep,” he swiped open the door to 8801.

Wen Liang had probably never stayed in such a small room since birth. It only took a few steps to reach the bed, and the bathroom was just a few square meters with only the most basic facilities.

Was Zhou Yu Hotel going bankrupt?

Wen Liang frowned, finding it hard to imagine that Chen Die had been staying in this small, shabby place every day when not on set.

Over these six years, he had spoiled Chen Die increasingly. How could someone who refused to take medicine because it was bitter endure staying here all this time?

Soon, room service rang Wen Liang’s doorbell.

A cart was pushed in with several bottles of fine red wine and toiletries—the presidential suite’s amenities, all delivered to him.

After showering, Wen Liang emerged with his shirt wet over a large area of his chest, revealing the well-proportioned muscular contours of his chest.

Outside in the corridor, there was still no movement.

Chen Die hadn’t returned yet.

Wen Liang opened a bottle of red wine and sat by the window with his eyes half-closed.

He was very clear that his state recently was off.

He had always been self-centered, and no one had ever influenced him. In the past, Chen Die’s little quarrels with him never had the slightest effect on him, but since Chen Die left, his body felt like it had sprung a leak.

Especially during this week’s business trip, he frequently thought of Chen Die.

Her smile, her annoyance, and later that resolute “Wen Liang, goodbye.”

Wen Liang was straightforward. Since he missed her, he simply came over.

The room’s soundproofing was poor, and soon there was a clamor—the crew was taking the elevator up together. Only Chen Die lived on the eighth floor, and everyone waved goodbye to her.

Wen Liang slightly lifted his chin, twirling the wine glass between his fingers, the red wine liquid swirling gently along the glass wall.

He heard Chen Die swipe her card, press the door handle, and enter her room, right next door to him.

Wen Liang still sat in his chair without moving, until footsteps sounded again in the corridor, followed by the doorbell of the adjacent room being rung.

He heard a male voice, “Chen Die, I’ve brought you the things!”

Only then did Wen Liang frown, recognizing the voice of that director. He put down his wine glass and pushed open the door to the balcony.

Chen Die was about to open the door when there was a sudden “thud” from the balcony outside.

A figure jumped over. Chen Die was startled and quickly turned her head toward the balcony. A man in a white shirt and black pants straightened up and casually pushed open the balcony door to walk into her bedroom.

…Wen Liang???

Where did this person come from???

Did he climb up to the eighth floor???

Chen Die’s eyes widened, looking at him in disbelief, forgetting to speak.

Outside, Lan Chuan knocked on the door again, “Junior, are you there?”

She was about to respond when Wen Liang had already walked over to her in large strides, pressing her against the wall, leaning down to her ear, and saying in a low voice, “Tell him to get lost.”

…It was Wen Liang’s voice.

The smell was also Wen Liang’s.

So the person in front of her existed and wasn’t her imagination…?

He was too capable, able to soar to the sun in minutes.

Chen Die couldn’t pay attention to Lan Chuan and temporarily forgot the awkward relationship of their breakup, widening her eyes and lowering her voice, “How did you get in?!”

Wen Liang ignored her, looking down at her with lowered eyes.

From outside the door, Lan Chuan called, “Junior?”

“Here!” Chen Die finally responded, “Wait a moment, Senior!”

Wen Liang clicked his tongue, looking displeased. He wedged his leg between hers, one hand propped against the wall, effortlessly trapping her against it.

Chen Die pushed him, but he didn’t budge at all. In terms of strength, she was no match for Wen Liang.

“Are you crazy!?” Chen Die glared at him.

Wen Liang persisted, “Either tell him to get lost, or open the door and let him see who’s in your room.”

“You’re insane!”

Chen Die knew Wen Liang too well. He was capable of just appearing in her room like this, allowing others to let their imaginations run wild.

After a moment of confrontation, when it came to craziness, Chen Die was no match for him.

“I’m sorry, Senior. I suddenly have something I need to deal with and can’t open the door right now.”

Lan Chuan, “Is your hand okay?”

“It’s fine, just a small cut.”

Lan Chuan didn’t suspect anything, guessing it might be a feminine issue, so he said, “I’ve left the bandage at your door. Please take it later.”

“Okay, thank you, Senior.”

The footsteps outside faded as Lan Chuan left. Only then did Wen Liang lower his gaze to look at Chen Die’s hand, “What happened to your hand?”

“Nothing,” Chen Die replied irritably.

There was a small cut on her index finger from a splinter on a bamboo skewer while eating kebabs earlier. A small drop of blood had formed.

This time Chen Die pushed him away successfully, and tore off a piece of tissue to wrap around her finger, “How did you get into my room?”

“I’m staying next door,” Wen Liang said.

“?” Chen Die was genuinely confused, turning her head to look outside the balcony. Suddenly enlightened, “Don’t tell me you jumped over?”

“What else?” Wen Liang said matter-of-factly, “Flew over?”

???

Friend, are you 28 years old?

Still so vigorous?

Chen Die had noticed earlier that there was quite a large gap between the balconies of the two rooms. Jumping across could easily result in a misstep and a fall.

Wen Liang looked at her finger. Blood had seeped through the tissue. He frowned and sent a message.

Soon, the doorbell rang again. This time it was a hotel staff member. Wen Liang went to open the door and brought in two bags.

Both bags contained bandages. One box was just delivered, and the other was the one Lan Chuan had hung on the doorknob earlier.

Wen Liang, without changing his expression, threw one of the bags into the trash can.

Chen Die, “…”

He tore open the other box, his movements rough, completely ripping the box apart. He took out one bandage, leaving the rest scattered messily on the table.

He walked over to Chen Die, grabbed her wrist, removed the tissue wrapped around her index finger, and discarded it. There was still a small drop of blood that had just formed.

Her fingertip was as white as a scallion, and even that touch of blood showed beauty.

Wen Liang’s eyes darkened slightly as he lowered his head and licked away that drop of blood.

Chen Die felt as if her entire back had stiffened, suddenly coming to her senses.

She quickly withdrew her hand, annoyed and blushing, “Wen Liang, what’s wrong with you!”

He licked his lips, not finding his previous action abnormal at all, and pulled her hand back. This time, he quickly applied the bandage.

Chen Die didn’t know what Wen Liang was trying to do. At their last meeting at the charity gala, he had acted as if he didn’t know her at all.

Even when she said “thank you” to him as she left, there had been no response whatsoever.

“Mr. Wen, it’s not appropriate for us to be in the same room with our current relationship,” Chen Die dismissed him, nodding toward the door. “Please leave.”

Wen Liang, “With our relationship, it would also be inappropriate if I were caught leaving your room.”

Chen Die, “…”

“Or I can go back that way,” Wen Liang pointed to the balcony.

Chen Die frowned, “Can you stop acting without considering the consequences? What if you don’t step firmly enough?”

Wen Liang was quiet for two seconds, then looked at her and smiled, “You’re so concerned about me.”

Only then did Chen Die realize that this dog of a man was setting her up!!

“Jump!” Chen Die was furious with embarrassment, “Jump right now! I’ll record a video for you. If you break an arm or leg, I need to prove it has nothing to do with me! You’re not a man if you don’t jump!”

Wen Liang clicked his tongue.

His little leopard was showing her claws and making a scene again.

The man took another step forward.

His aura sank, no longer as relaxed as before.

A single man and woman alone in a room, and Wen Liang was an unpredictable, unprincipled beast. Chen Die instinctively took a step back.

Her knees hit the edge of the bed, and she fell sitting on it.

Wen Liang leaned in.

His aura pressed heavily on her.

Chen Die unconsciously leaned back, her arms supporting her on the bedcover.

Wen Liang’s words carried a faint scent of red wine. Chen Die had drunk a couple of beers earlier. The mingling of their breaths was a bit intoxicating.

He said, “You never disappoint me.”

“Just a few words and you can piss me off.”