Li Shang paused, looking at Qiao Ziqian in disbelief, feeling for the first time that he was a man of great depth and presence, unlike ordinary people.
The anger in his heart vanished instantly, replaced by an awkward smile. "Are you… are you alright?"
"What's wrong? What do you need me for?" Qiao Ziqian noticed Li Shang's uncharacteristic expression and immediately retracted his cold demeanor, smiling warmly. "Just tell me what you need. Do you want coffee, or to buy something?"
"No, it's nothing." Li Shang's gaze remained fixed on Qiao Ziqian. After a while, seeing that he was as amiable and approachable as ever, he dismissed his earlier impression as a hallucination. "I'm out of cigarettes. Go buy me a pack."
"Okay, I'll go now." Qiao Ziqian turned and left.
Ten minutes later, he returned and handed a pack of Huazi cigarettes to Li Shang. "I have something to do later and need to go out. Is that alright?"
Qiao Ziqian knew Li Shang well and understood that after the crew wrapped up for the day, Li Shang would usually go out with friends for some fun before returning to the hotel.
Since it was a female-led drama, the female lead had many scenes with the second male lead. Li Shang's scenes in these sequences were almost complete, leaving him relatively free.
Li Shang readily agreed. "Go ahead and do what you need to. Come pick me up early tomorrow."
He enjoyed his freedom and revelry outside and did not want Qiao Ziqian around to disturb him.
Li Shang turned and returned to the film set to continue filming. Qiao Ziqian then departed.
Back at the hotel, he rested on the sofa for a while. At nine o'clock in the evening, Qiao Ziqian appeared punctually outside Tang Wanxing's suite.
Knock, knock, knock—
Standing at the door, after a moment of hesitation, Qiao Ziqian raised his hand and knocked.
He clenched his fists, stopped after only three knocks.
At this moment, his heart was filled with complex and heavy emotions.
In his heart, Tang Wanxing was like a luminous pearl, pure as a Tianshan snow lotus. However, in recent days, witnessing Tang Wanxing's actions had caused her image to crumble.
The sense of loss and the discrepancy were so profound that Qiao Ziqian found it difficult to accept.
There was no response from inside the room. Qiao Ziqian raised his hand again, about to knock, when the door was opened from within.
Before him stood Tang Wanxing, her face etched with a hint of helplessness.
She had just finished showering, wearing a bathrobe, her wet long hair cascading down. She was holding a towel and wiping her hair. The moment she saw Qiao Ziqian, her beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and a blush stained her skin, as white as fine jade.
It was unclear if it was due to the heat of the shower or some other reason.
"Come… come in."
Tang Wanxing pursed her lips, turned, and walked into the living room, lifting a hand to hold the white towel and mechanically wiping her dark hair.
The words she had spoken on set earlier, she immediately regretted after saying them, but there was no chance to take them back.
She had assumed Qiao Ziqian would definitely not come.
After all, from their acquaintance until now, she understood Qiao Ziqian too well. She knew this man would not take advantage of a situation. While he was ruthless and decisive in his actions, his moral compass was absolutely upright.
She had never expected him to show up here.
Qiao Ziqian looked at her retreating back, his brow furrowed slightly. After a moment of hesitation, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
The living room had central air conditioning, making one feel inexplicably hot despite the cold winter.
"Have you… have you eaten?" Qiao Ziqian took off his down jacket, hung it on the rack, and entered the living room wearing a corduroy sweater. He sat down directly on the sofa.
Habitually, he took out a cigarette, lit it, placed it between his lips, and lit it with his lighter, smoking quietly.
Tang Wanxing nodded. "Yes, I've eaten."
As she spoke, she walked towards the bathroom. "I'm going to dry my hair."