Is this guy sick? Ugly and still touching her hair! And deliberately blocking the bathroom door!!

Chen Die became annoyed and raised her hand to swat his hand away. “Then why are you looking?”

She turned and walked away. Wen Liang chuckled softly behind her and followed.

When Chen Die returned to the filming area, they were shooting a scene between Qi Cheng and Wang Yunxi. The makeup artist waiting nearby turned her head, saw Chen Die, and exclaimed, “Did you go to the bathroom or chop firewood?”

“…” Chen Die cursed Wen Liang again in her mind as she raised her hand to fix her bangs. “Can you fix it? Is there still time?”

“There’s time.” The makeup artist stepped back to look at her and couldn’t help laughing. “This hairstyle is quite cute, like you just got out of bed, kind of adorable.”

“…”

Adorable my ass, Chen Die thought privately.

The makeup artist came over with setting spray, restyled Chen Die’s hair, and touched up her makeup.

On the other side, Director Feng called cut, and they continued with Chen Die and Qi Cheng’s scene together.

“It’s okay, relax, don’t put so much pressure on yourself,” Qi Cheng reassured her.

“Mr. Wen, please have a seat.” A staff member quickly brought a chair for Wen Liang.

Chen Die glanced over.

“…”

He sat down.

Is he that free lately?

Wenrong Group must be on the verge of bankruptcy.

With Wen Liang sitting there like some Buddha statue, Chen Die felt awkward no matter how she performed. Yet this scene was extremely important. Director Feng had high standards and they still hadn’t gotten a satisfactory take.

If Chen Die hadn’t performed well before, the crew would probably be complaining about the delay in the schedule by now.

Director Feng admired her and didn’t scold her. Instead, he said, “Chen Die, go take another break and find your feelings again. Let’s shoot section three first!”

Chen Die apologized to the staff and walked to the back with her script to find her rhythm alone.

She was indeed feeling a bit lost.

Standing alone in the corner, she repeatedly read the script lines. Even Fang Ruan didn’t come to disturb her.

Until a pair of black leather shoes appeared before her. Wen Liang stood in front of her.

Why was this guy so annoying today?

Chen Die didn’t want to deal with him at all and simply turned her back to him. Immediately after, a laugh sounded from behind.

Wen Liang said, “What attitude are you giving me?”

“Mr. Wen,” Chen Die turned her head to glance at him. “There are so many people over there. If we stand this close, people might misunderstand.”

Wen Liang smirked and pulled the script from her hands.

Chen Die thought he was going to cause trouble again and immediately reached out to grab it back.

Wen Liang gripped her wrist, twisted it upward, and easily restrained her with one hand. Then he casually glanced at the script.

That section had been highlighted with a marker and circled with many notes in the margins, showing how seriously she had studied it.

“Give it back quickly!”

“You’ve shot so many takes and still haven’t passed. Is it even useful to you?” Wen Liang mocked lightly.

Chen Die became anxious, worried about not getting the shot approved all day, and afraid someone would come over and see them like this. “Wen Liang, aren’t you being annoying?!”

Her words carried irritation and a hint of coquettishness.

Whether from anger or heat, her cheeks were flushed.

Wen Liang’s attention gradually focused on her red lips.

His Adam’s apple moved smoothly, and he suddenly felt thirsty.

Chen Die took advantage of his distraction to free her wrist from his grasp. She jumped to grab the script while cursing at him.

Wen Liang laughed. “So sharp-tongued when cursing me, but why can’t you do that in front of the camera?”

Since her freshman year, no one had ever said Chen Die lacked screen presence. She blurted out, “Who says I can’t? If you’re so capable, why don’t you try filming?”

Wen Liang clicked his tongue, feeling irritated again. He looked down at her. “Say one more word, and I’ll take back what you want.”

“…Not human.” Chen Die immediately lost her momentum.

“When you were cursing me last night, didn’t you say you were quite good? Just act with that feeling.”

Chen Die didn’t think before responding, “What the hell do you know?”

She snatched the script back from Wen Liang’s hand and turned to leave, but after walking a few steps, she suddenly realized what he had just said.

That feeling seemed to be exactly what Lu Chuan had told her she needed to convey.

Chen Die walked back to the camera thoughtfully.

Director Feng turned his head to look at her. “How is it?”

Chen Die hesitated. “I think I’ve found the feeling, but I’m not sure.”

“You need to believe in your instincts, that’s how the character will come across as authentic,” Director Feng said. Soon after another scene was cut, Director Feng picked up the walkie-talkie to announce they would reshoot Chen Die’s segment.

Chen Die took a deep breath and walked back into the frame.

As she began her lines, she finally understood what Lu Chuan meant by “restrained emotion” during their coaching session, and there was no trace of affectation in her performance.

The two-minute scene had taken dozens of takes.

This time when it ended, Director Feng finally smiled and called cut.

Qi Cheng walked up beside her and said, “Did you suddenly have an epiphany? You almost made me cry.”

Chen Die let out a long sigh of relief.

Everyone was applauding except Wen Liang, who stood at a distance. He didn’t clap but maintained a calm expression with just a faint curve at the corner of his mouth.

Their eyes met for a few seconds in the air before Chen Die looked away first, going to thank everyone who had worked hard for this segment.

Fang Ruan also ran over. “You filmed it so well, Chen Die! Absolutely brilliant, definitely a promising future!!”

Director Feng said, “Alright, the main actors can finish early today. Go back and rest. Tomorrow will be another tough battle!”

Despite his words, everyone had just had a late-night snack together yesterday, and it wasn’t even dinner time yet. No one left; they all stayed on set to watch the filming.

Chen Die first went to take out her bun. Her originally straight hair had become wavy after being pinned up. She had good hair quality—black and shiny—falling over her chest like seaweed, making her face appear more slender and fair.

After removing her fake eyelashes, Chen Die walked out of the makeup room.

Qi Cheng raised his hand to call her. “Chen Die! Over here!”

“What is it?” Chen Die walked over to ask.

“Want to play with this?” A young female production assistant raised a deck of cards.

Chen Die pulled up a stool and sat down. “What is this?”

She blinked. “Divination cards. They’re very accurate.”

Chen Die didn’t believe in such things, but she didn’t want to dampen everyone’s enthusiasm. “How do you play?”

The production assistant shuffled the cards and asked mysteriously, “Do you have any questions you want to ask?”

“…” Chen Die didn’t know what she wanted to ask.

Qi Cheng chimed in, “The most basic one—love matters.”

Chen Die “…”

Previously, she wouldn’t have thought Qi Cheng believed in such things. She leaned close to Qi Cheng’s ear and asked softly, “You believe in this too?”

“No,” Qi Cheng laughed. “It’s just fun.”

Fair enough.

“OK—” The production assistant was getting excited. “Let’s divine our female lead’s love life and see what her future partner will be like!”

After saying this, she busied herself with the cards, looking quite professional, then handed them to Chen Die. “Draw three.”

“You’re so professional,” Chen Die drew three cards.

“To be honest, this is my side job.”

The production assistant took the three cards Chen Die had drawn, propped her face on her hand as she studied them for a moment, then announced dramatically, “The man in Die’s future is—”

“A gentle, clingy Aquarius! He’ll be about three years younger than you! Wow, this is a younger puppy-like boyfriend!”

Chen Die couldn’t help laughing. She’d never thought of a man described like that. “How did this turn into an older woman-younger man relationship?”

“That’s great!” The production assistant started to get carried away. “Young men have good stamina, young and handsome, comfortable and nice!”

“…”

Director Feng’s voice came from behind. These staff members had worked with him several times, and he knew them all. “Xiao Qi, what are you up to now?”

Chen Die looked back. Director Feng was standing with Wen Liang beside him.

“Divination cards!” The production assistant enthusiastically recommended it. “Director, want to try?”

“No, no, I’ll pass. That’s for you young people,” Director Feng waved his hands repeatedly, then asked, “So what did you divine just now?”

“We’re divining our female lead’s marriage prospects. The cards show it’s a gentle, clingy younger puppy boyfriend who’s three years younger!”

Wen Liang gave a slight smirk.

Director Feng found it quite interesting and asked Wen Liang, “Mr. Wen, would you like to try?”

He probably looks down on these things; he’s probably thinking we’re all idiots right now, Chen Die thought.

Then Wen Liang nodded. “Alright.”

“…?”

The production assistant had landed a “big client” and was very excited. She shuffled the cards again and had Wen Liang draw three. “What would Mr. Wen like to divine?”

Wen Liang said, “The same.”

“Let me see…” The production assistant rubbed the cards, her brows furrowing and relaxing. “Mr. Wen’s marriage prospects… gentle, dignified, family-oriented, a soft girl.”

Wen Liang was direct. “Not accurate.”

“How is it not accurate? When I tested my friends before, everyone said it was accurate!” The production assistant was caught up in the game and directly contradicted Wen Liang.

“That’s where you don’t understand, Xiao Qi,” Director Feng said cheerfully. “If Mr. Wen says it’s not accurate, it must mean he already has someone specific in mind for marriage, right Mr. Wen?”

Wen Liang smiled.

“Denying so quickly—it seems Mr. Wen’s love interest doesn’t match any of those words Xiao Qi mentioned?”

“Not gentle, not dignified, not family-oriented, almost like a man.”

Chen Die thought, Why do I feel like I’m being referenced?? What’s wrong with this Wen Liang all day??!!

The production assistant, whose beliefs had been completely rejected, looked somewhat disappointed. Chen Die went over and linked arms with her. “It’s okay, I think your divination is very accurate.”

“Really?!” The young woman’s eyes widened happily. Recalling Director Feng’s logic earlier, she asked, “Don’t tell me you already have a younger puppy boyfriend?!”

“No,” Chen Die lied with a straight face. “But I quite like that type.”

“Me too, me too! Young puppies are so good. Why should only men find young beautiful women? Our Die is beautiful and capable—she deserves a young handsome guy!”

The production assistant seemed to have found a kindred spirit and spoke passionately. “A young body is the source of happiness!! Once you’ve dated an older man, you’ll understand the wonder of a young puppy!!”

Chen Die appeared very interested. “Is that so?”

Wen Liang’s face darkened completely.

They continued filming until nightfall, and the main actors who didn’t have shooting tasks today finally got ready to leave.

Everyone said “Thank you, Director” and went to pack up their things.

Fang Ruan managed more artists than just Chen Die and wasn’t staying here for the night. When Chen Die came out after gathering her things, Fang Ruan was standing at the steps making a phone call.

“Wait a moment,” Fang Ruan covered the phone and called to her.

Chen Die waited for her to finish the call, standing on the steps looking over to where Director Feng was talking with Wen Liang.

Fang Ruan finished giving instructions and hung up. “I drove here this morning. Let me drive you back to the hotel.”

“No need. I want to take a walk anyway; it’s not far.”

“Alright,” Fang Ruan didn’t insist. “In a few days, you’ll need to film the horseback riding scene. You’ve practiced a few times—you haven’t forgotten, right?”

“No, I’ll just need to get familiar with it again when the time comes.”

Fang Ruan nodded, and when another call came in, she said goodbye and left quickly.

Chen Die was holding the Yunshuzhai box from the morning. She scanned the area, saw Wen Liang surrounded by quite a group of people, and headed directly toward the parking lot.

She took out her phone, opened WeChat, and scrolled down for a while before finding Wen Liang.

Since they broke up, they hadn’t exchanged any messages, though even when they were together, they rarely messaged each other.

[Chen Die: Mr. Wen, please come to the parking lot]

He didn’t reply. Chen Die stood in the parking lot waiting for a while before seeing the man enter through the parking lot entrance.

Chen Die walked forward and handed him the Yunshuzhai box.

Wen Liang looked down. “What’s this?”

“The breakfast box,” Chen Die said. “There’s no need for Mr. Wen to send breakfast anymore. It’s too much trouble.”

Wen Liang didn’t reach out to take it. “I didn’t send you breakfast.”

Chen Die: “?”

What nonsense is this?

“This was given to me by Zhu Qicong this morning.”

Wen Liang raised an eyebrow and after a moment, laughed. “Then tell him not to send it. Why tell me?”

“…”

So it was Zhu Qicong who sent it on his initiative???

Chen Die had made a fool of herself, and in front of Wen Liang no less. Heat rose to her face in waves; she’d probably be blushing completely soon. She didn’t want to stay any longer.

She coldly said “Oh,” took the box back, and turned to leave.

After walking just a few steps, a business car door opened on her right, and Wang Yunxi stepped out.

“…”

Chen Die was truly desperate. What terrible encounters was she having today?

Would her relationship with Wen Liang be discovered?

Wang Yunxi had applied upward-slanting eyeliner. Her eyes held contempt as she smirked and walked to Chen Die’s side with a swaying waist. “You do try to get close to everyone you meet.”

Oh…

So she thought Chen Die was trying to curry favor.

Fine, as long as she didn’t guess the true relationship between her and Wen Liang.

Chen Die didn’t mind being misunderstood by her. After all, in Wang Yunxi’s eyes, she was just a white lotus who had Lu Chuan’s support and an ambiguous relationship with Chen Shao.

One more Wen Liang wouldn’t make a difference.

“What a pity, how presumptuous,” Wang Yunxi glanced at the box in her hand. “He wouldn’t appreciate your gift.”

?

OK, guess all you want. If you guess right, I’ll admit defeat.

“Let me advise you, don’t be so calculating. Do you still want to ride in Mr. Wen’s car? What, are you trying to create gossip? The more weaknesses you expose, the more you’ll regret it later.”

Chen Die rolled her eyes.

As if everyone doesn’t know about your weakness—dating that little idol.

Chen Die didn’t want to argue with her. Someone who made her bad temper known to all collaborating artists couldn’t be that smart anyway.

She ignored Wang Yunxi and walked straight ahead.

But a voice from behind called to her.

“Chen Die,” Wen Liang called.

Chen Die paused but didn’t look back.

Wen Liang said softly, “Get in the car. I’ll drive you back to the hotel.”

Chen Die turned her head and gave Wen Liang a bitchy smile. “No need, Mr. Wen. Senior Yunxi just advised me not to be too calculating.”

Wang Yunxi’s heart skipped a beat, and her heart rate suddenly increased.

But Chen Die walked away as if nothing had happened.

Wang Yunxi knew this Mr. Wen was someone she absolutely couldn’t offend. She never expected he would speak up for Chen Die. Not caring about losing face, she hurriedly ran to Wen Liang.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Wen. That’s not what I meant.”

Wen Liang didn’t look at her; his gaze was still on Chen Die’s retreating figure.

Wang Yunxi bit her lip and couldn’t help defending herself. “Chen Die isn’t as pure as she appears. I saw her being intimate with the CEO of Yiming before.”

The CEO of Yiming was Chen Shao.

Wen Liang knew him.

He looked up and for the first time looked at Wang Yunxi, saying calmly, “If you bother Chen Die again, I guarantee you won’t appear in front of cameras in the future.”

The man’s words were cold, carrying undeniable threat and warning.

Wang Yunxi stepped back in fear, not daring to say anything more.