The string of incidents happening one after another on set had already made the cast and crew a bit fearful. After all, supporting roles were the vast majority, and just having a role was good enough. Who wouldn't wish for everything to go smoothly?
Therefore, after the female lead was replaced, everyone else also offered their warm congratulations. They had no complaints about the director's arrangement to film Quan Jiu's scenes first, fearing any further trouble.
Even Jiang Li, the third female lead who disliked Quan Jiu, greeted her with a smile. In her eyes, Quan Jiu was a formidable character who could even push aside the female lead, so she absolutely dared not provoke her again.
However, just as everything was proceeding harmoniously, an unexpected visitor's arrival shattered the peace once more.
The newcomer was exceptionally handsome, yet exuded an aura of unapproachability. Especially the group of men in black behind him, who clearly demarcated a boundary between themselves and the surrounding people.
"Who is that? Haven't seen them before. Are they visiting?"
The actors, resting, gathered and chattered amongst themselves.
"Don't know. Looks difficult to get along with. Handsome, yes, but looks fierce. Don't dare to approach."
"Those men in black behind him seem to be carrying... do they look like shopping bags for clothes? The bags in their hands, aren't they from department stores?"
The actors whispered amongst themselves, but no one dared to step forward and ask. Their imposing presence was simply too intimidating, inexplicably frightening.
However, pretending not to see them wouldn't make them invisible. Soon, the leading man spotted a target. He strode forward, his face stern and fierce, "Where is Quan Jiu?"
Looking for Quan Jiu? Everyone suddenly understood, and it seemed normal. After all, this was someone even the CEO of Chu Corporation had come to visit. More people didn't seem strange.
But why did his expression look like he was here to collect a debt?
The person asked was Jiang Li. Upon seeing the handsome face of the questioner, she couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. But when she heard that he was asking for Quan Jiu, her smile froze instantly, and she silently pointed in a direction.
Quan Tianyang said "Thank you" faintly and led his men forward. The onlookers behind them all swarmed around Jiang Li to gossip.
"Is the handsome guy visiting? Have you seen him before? Who is he? Is there anyone in the entertainment industry this handsome that we don't know?" someone asked, puzzled.
"Can anyone in the entertainment industry bring a group of black-clad bodyguards?" someone countered.
The answer was clearly no. So, he wasn't from the entertainment industry. With that kind of demeanor, he must be from a wealthy family.
"Being beautiful gives you an advantage. Wealthy families are all rushing to get close. I'm almost turning into a lemon from jealousy."
They chatted amongst themselves, and eventually started guessing who Quan Jiu would choose.
...
Quan Jiu, who was writing a script in the lounge, was interrupted by a knock on the door. She looked up and saw an unfamiliar person standing at the door. Judging by his appearance, she knew without thinking who it was – it must be the elder brother Quan Tianxi mentioned.
Quan Jiu stood up and greeted him with a smile, "Young Master Quan, I've heard much about you. Meeting you today, you truly are a man of talent."
Quan Tianyang stood motionless at the door, but two blushes inexplicably appeared on his face.
He cleared his throat, "You... I..."
"Come in and sit. It must have taken a lot of time to travel all the way from the new district. You are all busy people, and your time is precious," Quan Jiu said with a smile, inviting him in.
Quan Tianyang's gaze roamed Quan Jiu's face, his cheeks growing redder. Finally, he lowered his head, took a step, and walked into the lounge, sitting on the stool Quan Jiu indicated.
Seeing the dark shadows outside the door, Quan Jiu asked, "Who are those people behind you?"
"Oh, they're just errand runners," Quan Tianyang replied, turning back. His expression changed instantly, and he resumed his stern demeanor. "Bring the things in."
The bodyguards entered the room one after another, standing neatly in two rows, each holding five or six bags.
Quan Jiu saw that the bags had logos from department stores, clothing shops, cosmetic shops, and jewelry shops. She was somewhat unsure, "Are these... for me?" No way, no way.
Quan Tianyang immediately turned back, his cheeks flushing again. He nodded, "Yes. I heard girls like clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, and bags. I didn't know what to buy, so I bought all the latest styles for this year. If you don't like them, give them away. Don't keep them at home to clutter the place."
Quan Jiu chuckled, intending to tease him, "This is a film set. If I send them here, how will I take them back? Also, we're not related, and it'll be hard to explain to my husband if you send me so many things."
"Who says we're not related? You are..." Quan Tianyang said anxiously, then realized that sending them to the film set was indeed inconsiderate. He immediately added, "I'll have them delivered to your home. Also, don't worry about your husband. I'll buy you whatever I want, take you wherever I want, and it's not his place to interfere."
"As my wife, I have no right to inquire. What right do you, a sudden stranger, have?" a cold voice suddenly echoed from the lounge doorway.
Quan Jiu turned her head. Well, the person had arrived again.
She smiled speechlessly, "Why are you here again? Didn't you come this noon?"
"That was noon, this is afternoon," Chu Rong said, holding a small cloth bag. He glanced at Quan Tianyang before approaching Quan Jiu. "It's cool in the evening, I brought you a thick cotton coat."
"I bought a new one here, the winter collection from Visa, a limited edition. Try it on," Quan Tianyang said, clearly unwilling to back down. He quickly took out the clothes he had bought and draped them over Quan Jiu.
Chu Rong frowned, unfolded the cotton coat, and put it on Quan Jiu. "New clothes need to be washed before wearing."
"I've already had it dry-cleaned," Quan Tianyang said, pulling off the cotton coat on Quan Jiu and draping his own clothes over her. He murmured to himself, "No one suits this outfit better than you."
Chu Rong's face turned ashen, and he pulled Quan Jiu into his arms. "This is my wife. Don't go too far."
Quan Tianyang's face darkened, and he pulled Quan Jiu into his arms as well. "This is my biological sister. In terms of kinship, you, an outsider, have to stand aside."
Quan Jiu stared at Quan Tianyang, dumbfounded. This person, who looked serious and solemn at first glance, how could he be so… a bit dense at heart?
"I..." Quan Jiu struggled. "Can I also have a say?"
Quan Tianyang's expression did a complete 180-degree turn. He looked at Quan Jiu with a smile, as if looking at a porcelain doll with affection. "Jiu Jiu, what do you want to say? You can tell your brother anything you want. Your brother can give you anything. Do you want to go play in the new district? It's very beautiful there."
Uh… Quan Jiu felt so overwhelmed she wanted to bang her head against a wall. She was twenty-seven, not seven.
"Um, why do you call me sister? Are we related?" Although she already knew the truth, she still had to pretend, Quan Jiu asked curiously.
Quan Tianyang paused for a moment, then remembered something. Nothing was confirmed yet, and he was already acknowledging kinship here.
However… it was going to happen sooner or later anyway. His little sister was just so cute, so beautiful, and so lovable.
"You are a child of our Quan family. You were accidentally swapped at birth..."
Quan Tianyang explained Quan Jiu's identity in a few words, finally saying, "Brother is certain that you are a member of our Quan family. You look very much like Grandma. But if you don't believe me, we can do a paternity test."
A direct attack, Quan Jiu was a bit taken aback. She had imagined countless possibilities, but never expected such a simple and crude way of acknowledging kinship, hitting her with a heavy blow. Quan Tianyang, well done.
"If you take down the Taishu clan for me, I'll temporarily believe you," Quan Jiu blinked her beautiful big eyes, as if asking "Have you eaten?"
However, she expected Quan Tianyang to frown, but to her surprise, he didn't even blink. He smiled and said, "Okay, no problem."