Another day of hard shooting.
Xiao Yi's scenes were nearing completion. Though he was the lead in this film, it was more of an ensemble piece, with everyone having significant roles.
He got into the car, ready to head back to the hotel, and the first thing he did was reach for his phone.
Several missed calls, all from the Xiao residence.
He ignored them, then opened WeChat and navigated to the chat with "Xia Buliang"—
Spotless.
Xiao Yi smiled.
Good, very good, excellent!
From last night until now, she hadn't sent him a single message!
He dropped his phone into his bag with a snap.
Yan Zhi was just getting into the car, glanced over, and sat cautiously next to Da Yang. "What's wrong with Brother Yi?"
Da Yang thought for a moment. "I reckon it's because the boss's wife is busy planning variety shows for the company, so she doesn't have time for him, and that's why he's in a mood."
Yan Zhi slowly turned his head, looking at him incredulously. "Da Yang, are you still Da Yang? I don't even know this gossip, where did you hear it?"
"Someone in our Su fans group works at Meiyu. We heard about the program planning from her."
From behind, Xiao Yi suddenly asked, "What program?"
"`I Am Your Grandfather`... Oh! Boss, don't misunderstand, I mean the program is just called that, it's quite memorable and catchy."
Yan Zhi commented sincerely, "Yes, that's a name Mengmeng would come up with."
Getting information about her from others made Xiao Yi feel rather displeased.
"Go to Shangcheng Apartments."
Both of them were stunned.
Yan Zhi: "Brother Yi, you have work tomorrow, you should go back and rest properly~ You'll see Mengmeng in a couple of days, no need to... be in such a rush, right?"
Xiao Yi closed his eyes and reclined his seat. "Wake me when we get there."
"..."
The two exchanged a glance.
Alas, men in love!
---
"Why are you here so late?"
Xia Weiliang, wearing home pajamas, a fluffy hairband, and slippers, came out from the building entrance.
She reached the complex entrance and saw the person standing across the street.
She gave a look to Xiao Liu in the security booth. Xiao Liu understood immediately, shot up, and saluted, "Don't worry, Mengmeng, I guarantee the reconnaissance mission will be completed!"
Xia Weiliang chuckled and gave him a thumbs-up from afar.
There weren't many cars at this hour, so she crossed the road to the other side.
Just then, a white van approached.
"Huh? Da Yang, doesn't that person look like Mengmeng? Who is she meeting?"
After Yan Zhi got a clear look, his eyes widened. "Holy crap! Isn't that... isn't that the..."
Da Yang was almost shouting now. It was Su Yuxi!!
The CP he shipped was meeting in private, he was going to carry the banner of the Su fans high!
If it weren't for his constant remembrance of his professional duties and ethics, he would have already raised his phone to capture this moment and send it back to the group for his sisters to go wild over it!
The presence behind them became somewhat heavy.
After snapping back to reality, the two of them didn't dare to breathe.
Xiao Yi sat there, watching coldly as Xia Weiliang ran over...
Xia Weiliang arrived in front of Su Yuxi, looked up at him, "Teacher Su, why are you here?"
Su Yuxi, wearing a mask, chuckled. "Don't call me that, it makes me feel old."
"Not old, not old, you're still so fresh."
Su Yuxi stood in the shadow, took off his mask, and smiled at her. "I heard you and Du Xingbang are doing a variety show?"
Xia Weiliang was almost in tears. "Are the rumors really that solid?"
Listen to that, in the blink of an eye, the show had become hers and Old Du's.
Being branded like that was truly a bit sad~
"I came because I wanted to ask if there's anything I can help you with?"
Xia Weiliang was speechless. "I'm really just helping Old Du... Ah, forget it. Just help spread the word, the company isn't planning to spend money on promotion anyway."
"That tough?"
"Mhm~"
Xia Weiliang was genuinely about to cry, all because of her darn noble spirit of helping others!
Seeing her about to cry, Su Yuxi smiled and reached out to pat her head.
Across the street, two exclamations came from inside the car.
"Damn it!"
"Wow!"
Yan Zhi acutely felt the temperature in the car change.
Someone was clearly losing their patience.
As expected, the car door was pushed open, and he got out.
Yan Zhi turned and punched Da Yang. "You,挨打粉 (a derogatory term for obsessive fans), please manage your emotions!"
Da Yang looked wronged. "Brother, I'm already being very restrained!"
Yan Zhi sighed and quickly followed, wanting to keep an eye on things.
If something happened that would be on the hot search tomorrow, he feared he and Jun Ge would truly be separated by yin and yang.
Ever since Xia Weiliang endorsed Modie Shared Bikes, the parking spot opposite Shangcheng Apartments had become the most luxurious parking spot in the city, with people often coming to check it out.
Under the bus stop sign with her promotional poster, she looked up. The handsome and dashing young man stood opposite her, now smiling at her and reaching out to pat her head...
Almost instinctively, she turned her head away.
Su Yuxi's smile froze on his face, his hand remaining in the stroking position, stiff in mid-air.
The atmosphere changed instantly. Xia Weiliang also realized she might have overreacted and made the other party awkward. She quickly smiled and gestured around, "Let me give you a piece of knowledge, there are cameras at all shared bike parking spots... So, don't let the 'Feathers' (a fan term for Su Yuxi) misunderstand."
At the same time, the person about to step forward stopped.
Xiao Jun's originally stern face slowly showed a hint of a smile after hearing her words.
He casually stood behind the huge poster light board, took out a cigarette, and lit it.
Yan Zhi also quickly squatted beside him, patting his chest with his little hands— Thank goodness, thank goodness.
Her words were tactful, but the refusal was quite clear.
How could Su Yuxi not understand?
He forced a smile and lowered his hand.
"Is it because of him?"
"Because of who?"
Xia Weiliang didn't react immediately.
Or rather, she hadn't thought of anything else at all.
"Xiao Yi."
As Su Yuxi looked up at her and said this, the smile on his face abruptly vanished.
Xia Weiliang was stunned.
"You..."
"I saw it."
He smiled again, lowered his gaze, and said softly, "That night, he kissed you. And you... didn't refuse."
Hiss!!!
Want to silence someone? What to do?
"But you don't have to worry, I won't tell anyone."
Hearing him say that, Xia Weiliang's shoulders drooped. "Xiao Su, thank you."
Su Yuxi gritted his teeth, looked at her fixedly, and asked earnestly, "Did he force you?"
"?"
Xia Weiliang was confused.
"He's a film emperor. If he wants to do something to you, as long as you want to continue in this industry, you wouldn't dare to resist!"
Staring at him blankly, until she saw the expectation and struggle in his eyes, Xia Weiliang finally understood something.
"Weiliang, I know his background is unfathomable. My agent also warned me to stay away from you and not offend him... But, I want to help you, I don't want you to be threatened or coerced..."
"No."
Xia Weiliang suddenly spoke.
"What?"
Su Yuxi seemed not to have reacted, looking at her with surprise.
Xia Weiliang smiled. "No threat, no coercion."
Behind the billboard, the man lowered his gaze, the corners of his mouth rising uncontrollably...