“…”

Chen Die was completely dazed by his sudden appearance, thoroughly suppressed by his burning aura. She lay on the bed staring at him for a long while before coming to her senses.

Chen Die pushed hard against his chest and quickly got up to avoid him, “Mr. Wen, please show some restraint. If you keep touching me like this, I’ll call for help.”

These words didn’t scare Wen Liang; instead, he laughed, “Who are you planning to call? I’ll help you. That worthless director from earlier?”

“Wen Liang!” Chen Die was thoroughly provoked by him.

He scoffed lightly, “Heartless.”

Chen Die thought he was drunk. She ignored him, walked around him, and took out the second volume of the script from the drawer.

Since she couldn’t drive Wen Liang away and he wouldn’t listen to her, Chen Die simply treated him like air, opened the script, and sat cross-legged on the carpet.

Tomorrow’s scenes would begin a new chapter, the second stage of growth for the character Chen Die was playing.

She had already familiarized herself with the script earlier and wanted to review her lines one more time before sleeping.

Wen Liang sat opposite her.

He didn’t speak, just stared at her.

After a while, Chen Die began to feel uncomfortable. She angrily looked up and immediately met his pitch-black eyes. She frowned, “Aren’t you annoying?”

Wen Liang didn’t know if he was annoying or not, he only knew that after being irritable for such a long time, he now felt instantly comfortable seeing Chen Die with her not-so-pleasant temper.

He smiled lazily, “Am I fucking annoying you?”

“Then don’t look at me.”

Wen Liang tilted his head, looked at her very seriously for a few seconds, and said, “You look ugly as hell.”

“???”

This was beyond endurance!!

“Then don’t stay with me, go back to your room!” Chen Die grabbed the cushion under her buttocks and threw it at him.

Wen Liang caught it and clicked his tongue, “I’ve spoiled you. Your temper is getting worse and worse. You even dared to follow someone into the bathroom and hit them.”

Chen Die paused, “It was you eavesdropping at the door last time, wasn’t it?”

“Do I need to eavesdrop?” Wen Liang raised his eyebrows, “You’re regressing. I heard you were slapped several times in a row and didn’t hit back?”

“That was during filming.”

“Was it filming or venting? Don’t you know in your heart?”

His temper was still the same, his words cutting.

Chen Die couldn’t argue with him, “None of your business.”

“If it’s none of my business, then don’t get bullied.”

“Even if I get bullied, it doesn’t concern you.” Chen Die felt her IQ dropping in sync with Wen Liang’s. Their back-and-forth was exactly like two elementary school children.

Wen Liang’s face darkened, “If I can’t look after you, who do you want to? Lan Chuan?”

He had used Lan Chuan to provoke her more than once today, acting like a neurotic. Chen Die decided to be childish to the end, “Yes, I’ll let him look after me. So what?”

He sneered, “Did he manage to protect you? You still got hit.”

Chen Die had the ability to make him feel comfortable for a few seconds, then want to explode the next few seconds.

Wen Liang stood up. Chen Die sat on the carpet in front of the coffee table, angrily looking up and glaring at him.

Wen Liang leaned down, raising his hand to grip her chin, “If I hadn’t slept with you back then, you’d still be obediently calling me Brother Wen Liang. Try defying me one more time.”

Chen Die widened her eyes in disbelief.

How could this person say something so shameless?

“Wen Liang, would you please stop thinking I can’t live without you?” Chen Die looked at him and said, “Even though I’m exhausted from filming every day, I’m still happier than when I was being kept by you.”

Wen Liang fell silent.

The hand gripping her chin unconsciously tightened.

Chen Die, as if competing with him, didn’t cry out in pain, just continued to stare at him.

After a while, Wen Liang let out a cold snort, got up, and left.

He didn’t forget to slam the door with an earth-shattering bang.

This time he was probably truly angered.

Chen Die suddenly felt as if all strength had left her body. Her back collapsed, and she let out a light sigh.

After reviewing her lines for a while longer, Chen Die finally got up to take a shower.

Usually, she would just wear a bathrobe after showering, but today, thinking of the person in the next room, she silently and properly put on her pajamas.

After finishing in the bathroom, she found two missed calls on her phone from Xia Ying.

Chen Die called her back.

“Oh, busy person, you’re finally free. Didn’t you say you would finish filming early today?” Xia Ying said as soon as she answered.

“Yes, filming ended early, but my phone was on silent and I didn’t hear it.”

Xia Ying casually chatted, “So what were you doing just now?”

“Reviewing my lines.”

Xia Ying clicked her tongue twice, “I admire you so much, able to focus on reviewing lines without even glancing at your phone.”

…That wasn’t it.

When Xia Ying’s call came, Chen Die was engaged in childish arguing with Wen Liang.

She leaned back slightly, sitting on the floor with her back against the bed, and rarely felt the urge to confide. She said languidly, “Ying Ying, there’s an old bull shamelessly trying to eat fresh grass.”

“Huh?”

Her metaphor was too crude, and Xia Ying didn’t react immediately.

Chen Die sighed.

Xia Ying finally understood and slapped the table, “Is someone bullying you!? It’s not some casting couch, is it? Damn, is it the director, producer, or some investor?!”

“…No,” Chen Die said softly. “He’s eating old grass.”

“…”

Xia Ying was confused, “You mean your ex-boyfriend?”

“Mm.”

Xia Ying took a deep breath and cursed, “He’s pursuing you again?”

“Not exactly.”

Chen Die didn’t know how to explain.

Her relationship with Wen Liang was too unique to be described with a simple word.

Although he had said things that angered her, that was just his way of expressing himself. He had been like that since Chen Die first knew him, but he had come to see her.

Not only had he come, but he had even taken a room next to hers.

This was really unlike Wen Liang’s style.

Of course, Chen Die wasn’t narcissistic enough to think Wen Liang wanted to pursue her.

With his temper and aggressive attitude, it would be a miracle if he could pursue anyone successfully.

Xia Ying, “Then what is it?”

“Hmm—” Chen Die thought for a moment, “He might want to sleep with me.”

“…”

Wen Liang had flames of anger shooting from his heart, agitated to no end by a few words from Chen Die.

She had learned new tricks. Wen Liang now clearly understood that in those past years, Chen Die’s obedience around him had indeed been an act.

Yet oddly, after the irritation came relief.

Wen Liang stood in front of the bathroom mirror, looking at himself.

He hadn’t cut his hair for a while, and some strands fell over his forehead, somewhat concealing the scar at his brow, making him look less fierce.

The image of Chen Die saying “Wen Liang, would you please stop thinking I can’t live without you” reappeared in his mind.

Calm and distant.

As if stating a fact, while also mocking him for his self-importance.

It angered Wen Liang, making him want to just grab her and lock her up at home, to stop her from being so conspicuous and giving him headaches.

But then, the image in his mind shifted backward, to that night four years ago.

The night she stopped calling him Brother Wen Liang.

The young girl’s eyes were red, her lower lip tightly bitten to suppress any sound. Though she was shrinking back in pain, she still continuously reached out to tightly hold his back.

Memories of that time surged like a tide. The images in his mind were vivid, and even those suppressed, fragmented sounds seemed to become clear.

Wen Liang’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, his temples throbbing.

He placed both hands on the sink, then splashed cold water on his face, cursing hoarsely, “Fuck.”

Early the next morning, Chen Die went to the set as usual.

After spending time together these days, she had developed good relationships with the crew members.

As soon as she entered the makeup room, the makeup artist teased, “Such a beautiful face, I can finally give you a pretty makeup! I’ve been looking forward to this for so long!”

Chen Die smiled and sat down in front of the mirror.

Doing makeup on a beauty was much more satisfying. Her makeup was quickly completed, and then she was taken to change into her costume.

It was somewhat androgynous, a blue-white robe. The makeup was light yet full of character and presence.

“Come, let me take a photo of you,” the makeup artist excitedly crouched down to take her picture.

Today, the makeup and costume were finished early. Feng Zhi and Lan Chuan were outside finalizing the set arrangement, giving Chen Die time to chat with several staff members.

It was then that her phone rang.

It was Zhu Qicong calling.

Chen Die was startled. Since leaving the villa, she hadn’t contacted Zhu Qicong.

She apologized to those around her and walked outside the set to answer the call, “Hello?”

“Miss Chen, are you at the ‘Hairpin Flower’ set now?” Zhu Qicong asked.

“Yes, do you need something?”

“You haven’t had breakfast yet this morning, right? I’ve brought some for you.”

“…”

Chen Die blinked, about to refuse, when Zhu Qicong added, “Miss Chen, I can see you.”

She instinctively turned around and saw Zhu Qicong walking toward her from his car, holding a square bag with the elegantly engraved characters “Yun Shu Zhai.”

Zhu Qicong handed her the bag.

Chen Die didn’t reach out to take it, frowning slightly, “Did Wen Liang ask you to bring this?”

Zhu Qicong nodded, “No, I just brought it for you on my way. You’ve helped me a lot before.”

Chen Die would be a fool to believe his nonsense.

This Zhu Qicong had been with Wen Liang too long and was also full of lies!

She hadn’t heard from Zhu Qicong all this time since separating from Wen Liang, but now that Wen Liang was staying here, he was calling and bringing breakfast.

If it wasn’t Wen Liang’s idea, he wouldn’t dare do this on his own.

Chen Die couldn’t help but roll her eyes, “You can take it back and eat it yourself.”

“Chen Die!!” a voice called from behind.

Fang Ruan ran over, linking arms with her, asking “Why did you come out?” while discreetly examining Zhu Qicong, then asking, “Who is this?”

“Hello,” Zhu Qicong extended his hand, “I am…”

Chen Die interrupted, “A friend.”

Zhu Qicong stiffened.

…What an experience, suddenly becoming friends with the boss’s ex-girlfriend.

Chen Die had no interest in letting others know about her past, especially in the entertainment industry, where it might become an embarrassing rumor.

So she had no choice but to accept the breakfast from Zhu Qicong and send him back quickly.

Fang Ruan followed Chen Die back into the studio, continuously looking back.

Zhu Qicong had a respectable appearance and walked directly toward a Bentley.

Fang Ruan’s mouth fell open.

Oh my.

Which wealthy family’s young master was this?

“Who was that just now?” Fang Ruan bumped her shoulder.

Chen Die’s expression remained unchanged, “A friend.”

“A friend who’s pursuing you?”

…He wouldn’t dare.

“No.”

“But he brought you breakfast so early! And from Yun Shu Zhai!! One dish must cost thousands!”

Chen Die sighed, using this opportunity to secretly curse Wen Liang, “Maybe he’s just an idiot with too much money and nowhere to spend it.”

“…”

The bag contained an exquisitely carved wooden round box, exuding a fresh herbal scent. Chen Die opened the lid to find delicate assorted Cantonese breakfast dishes.

Chen Die used to enjoy eating from this place very much.

Many people in the crew hadn’t had breakfast yet, so Chen Die invited everyone to join her.

Filming began.

Today’s filming location was outdoors.

The scorching sun hung high overhead. Chen Die’s costume was thick, and she was soon drenched in sweat.

Today’s turning point scene was very demanding on acting skills. Chen Die had specifically discussed it with Lan Chuan beforehand, but she still found it difficult to get into character at the end. Her delivery of lines wasn’t smooth.

“Cut,” Feng Zhi called. “Chen Die, take a break first.”

Chen Die walked to the director’s monitor to watch her performance and indeed found it difficult to immerse herself. She hadn’t acted well.

“Don’t be too nervous,” Lan Chuan comforted her.

Chen Die nodded, lowering her head to continue pondering the script.

Since the start of filming, she had indeed been very smooth, rarely facing setbacks in her acting career.

But now, after several consecutive takes, she didn’t want to waste everyone’s time and couldn’t help feeling anxious.

“Come, let me go over your line issues with you again.”

Lan Chuan stood up from behind the monitor and walked to the side, beckoning to Chen Die.

At this moment, there was a commotion outside the studio. Chen Die and Lan Chuan looked toward the entrance, and then Feng Zhi stood up to greet the man walking in, shaking hands, “Mr. Wen, I didn’t expect you to come personally.”

Wen Liang handed the box he was carrying to a prop department staff member.

Chen Die recognized it as the hairpin he had bid on at the charity gala.

But why would Wen Liang come to the set?

Nearby, Lan Chuan, unaware of her entanglement with Wen Liang, explained, “It’s the hairpin that Director Feng borrowed from Mr. Wen earlier. After all, filming with a real object has more meaning. Some things can’t be captured with replica props.”

“He agreed to lend it?”

“Yes, he even personally delivered it.”

Only then did Chen Die realize she had asked a redundant question. She nodded with an “Oh.”

Lan Chuan smiled, “Originally, Director Feng wanted to buy it himself, but the price was bid too high. Director Feng has high requirements for subsequent filming and needs a large budget, so he had to resort to this method.”

Chen Die nodded.

Lan Chuan pulled her aside, took the script from her hand, and looked at it carefully, “It’s like this. Don’t deliver these lines too forcefully. Keep it flatter, with emotion but not too much. This character is not expressive in the early stages; you need to act with restraint.”

Chen Die listened to him attentively and reread the lines according to his guidance.

“Yes, that’s much better now. Just find the feeling and it will be fine.”

On the other side, Feng Zhi was exchanging pleasantries with Wen Liang. When he originally proposed borrowing the hairpin, he hadn’t expected Wen Liang to agree, given Mr. Wen’s not-so-good reputation in the outside world.

“I heard Mr. Wen also has intentions to expand into the entertainment industry?”

Wen Liang nodded. The previous school-enterprise cooperation with the Film Academy was the first step, “I hope there will be opportunities to collaborate with Director Feng in the future.”

“Certainly, certainly,” Feng Zhi smiled. “If you’re not busy, you can stay and watch our filming.”

Wen Liang made an affirmative sound, his peripheral vision catching Chen Die and Lan Chuan to the side.

Lan Chuan raised his hand and lightly patted Chen Die’s shoulder twice, seemingly comforting her about something. Wen Liang smiled mockingly and scoffed lightly.

Chen Die went to the bathroom to wash her face.

Turning to leave, she saw Wen Liang standing at the door.

His brow was calm as he leaned against the window frame, an unlit cigarette between his lips.

Wen Liang no longer had the intimidating aura of last night. He was very calm, his gaze falling on her, carefully examining her from bottom to top.

There was no one in the bathroom. The scorching sunlight poured in, casting grid-shaped shadows on the floor, elongating the shadows of the two.

Chen Die wore her costume, a clean blue-white color, tightened at the waist, which appeared as slim as if it could be grasped with one hand.

The bathroom in the film city was old and dilapidated. The director’s voice could be heard outside, shouting instructions for set arrangement.

Chen Die’s eyes were bright. The front part resembled innocent deer eyes, but the corners were elongated like a fox’s, easily making people lower their guard and fall into her trap.

Wen Liang’s heart contracted.

He had never been stunned by any woman. Even when Chen Die was by his side before, he only knew that she was beautiful.

But at this moment, wearing a loose, plain costume, with water droplets on her face dripping down her chin, without any gloom, she was all brightness.

He forgot to breathe for a moment.

Then he remembered what she had said last night.

Wen Liang felt irritated, took a few steps forward to her, and raised his hand.

Chen Die instinctively avoided him, leaning backward, pressed against the wall with nowhere to escape.

Then Wen Liang’s palm covered her forehead.

Chen Die: “?”

Was this retribution?

He pressed her head and thoroughly messed up her hair. The carefully styled front hair was completely disheveled, a tangled mess with several strands sticking up like a bird’s nest.

Wen Liang said, “Ugly as hell.”

Chen Die: ???