The casting controversy quickly spread through the crew. Although everyone pretended not to know, they were all discussing it in private.
"Nine is too domineering, even daring to contradict the producer and assistant director. Xing Di and Liu Wenwen, anyone with eyes can see they're not suitable. Is she insisting on choosing them because of some private connection?" Zhao Mai guessed.
"Who knows? I'm a fan of Xiao Qi, and I thought I finally had the chance to work with him, but it fell through again," Li Qin said with great dissatisfaction. "Xing Di can't even compare to a toe of our Qi Qi. Nine's taste is a bit strange; she's probably used to those with deep-set eyes and high noses from abroad and likes that type."
He Tao comforted her, "Not necessarily. I just heard that to create competition, they've chosen two people for both the male and female leads."
This immediately angered Li Qin. "Why? What qualifications does that Xing Di have to compare with our Qi Qi? This is too much of an insult."
"Anyway, I think the screenwriter has more say than the producer and director," Zhao Mai said, looking speechless.
He Tao added, "She invested a hundred million yuan. I heard it when she first arrived the other day."
Zhao Mai was astonished. "What? She's so young, how can she easily come up with a hundred million?"
Li Qin snorted and said sarcastically, "She's pretty, so why not?"
"I think we're finished this time. Both the male and female leads are so lackluster. Once the final photos are released, we'll definitely be criticized," someone sighed speechlessly at the end.
...
Wang Xiao quickly found out who the property owners selling in Lijing Yuncheng were. He brought the information to Chu Rong for a report as usual.
"All the current listings for properties for sale are here. Also, Guan Shi is still on a strict routine, between the hospital and home. There's nothing else noteworthy."
Chu Rong waved Wang Xiao away and personally reviewed the information. After reading it, he didn't find anything useful, which made him feel a surge of irritation.
At six in the afternoon, Chu Rong still got off work on time. He then went to the supermarket opposite the residential complex for a few laps, bought a pile of daily necessities, and went home.
When he reached his doorstep, he saw the twins from the opposite apartment sitting on the ground playing.
Chu Rong unconsciously stopped, looking at the two children.
The two children also noticed someone and looked up. Their two faces, which were somewhat alike, smiled cutely, making Chu Rong's heart inexplicably soften.
He inexplicably asked, "Why are you two playing by your doorstep?"
Tu Tu pointed at the electronic door lock. "The power's out, we can't open the door. We're waiting for Mommy."
Mi Mi patted her bottom and mumbled aggrievedly, "The ground is so cold, but my legs get tired if I stand."
The brother and sister looked at Chu Rong pitifully.
Chu Rong's heart tightened involuntarily. If she hadn't left back then, would he also be a father now?
However, the thought was immediately dismissed. He opened his door with a stern expression, entered his apartment, and closed the door.
Tu Tu let out a disappointed sigh. "No sympathy at all, just a scumbag..."
Before he could finish speaking, the opposite door opened, and a nonchalant voice was heard, "If you don't want to sit on the ground, come in and sit on the sofa."
Mi Mi's eyes narrowed, and she smiled sweeter than cotton candy. "Thank you, Uncle." She then pulled Tu Tu into the apartment.
The interior decoration style was a minimalist gray and black palette. While it looked high-end, it also appeared somewhat cold. Especially when the living room lights were not yet on, it was even more gloomy and lifeless.
Tu Tu couldn't help but complain, "Uncle, your taste isn't very good. This decoration style is so oppressive; people will get depressed living here."
Mi Mi pinched Tu Tu from behind, her eyes warning him.
Tu Tu gave a dry chuckle and quickly added, "But... it's quite unique."
Chu Rong turned on the living room lights, making it much brighter. He thought for a moment and asked somewhat awkwardly, "What would you like to drink?"
"Children should drink milk, of course," Tu Tu said with a look as if he were an idiot.
Chu Rong's brow furrowed slightly. "We don't have any."
"Then fresh juice will do."
"We don't have any."
Tu Tu was surprised. "Then what do you have?"
Chu Rong took two bottles of mineral water from the refrigerator and placed them on the table, then went into the bedroom.
Tu Tu jumped off the ground and started wandering around the apartment. "Sister, come quickly."
Mi Mi followed him. The two children, as if discovering a new continent, looked at everything with curiosity.
"It's too gloomy. I think the scumbag dad has a bad temper," Tu Tu complained to Mi Mi, pushing open the bedroom door as he spoke.
Chu Rong was processing work on his phone when the door suddenly opened, and the two little ones slipped in one after the other.
His brows immediately furrowed into a tight line, and he said coldly, "Get out."
Tu Tu took off his shoes and climbed onto the two-meter-wide bed, bouncing on it. "Sister, come quickly! This bed is so much fun."
Chu Rong's expression grew colder. Normally, a single glance would suffice for his subordinates to understand. However, the boy bouncing on the bed seemed not to notice and simply lay down flat.
"Get up," Chu Rong said, walking over without preamble, intending to pull him off the bed.
Before his hand could touch him, the boy burst into loud cries, tears streaming down as he looked at Chu Rong.
Chu Rong's movements froze, and he glared at the boy with annoyance. "No crying."
The crying intensified. And this time, both of them were crying.
Chu Rong closed his eyes in silence, took a deep breath, hesitated for a long time, then turned and left.
Mi Mi and Tu Tu stopped crying. The two children searched the pillows, blankets, and even the floor, finally concluding: no woman had ever lived in this apartment.
Mi Mi glanced at the time and said softly, "Let's go back. Mommy will be home soon."
Tu Tu was about to leave when his gaze was drawn to the figurine shelf in the corner. His eyes lit up, and he ran over, captivated. "Uncle, can you give me a Xiao Yao Shou?"
He stood on tiptoe, trying to reach it, but his height was insufficient, so he pleaded, "Uncle, please give it to me."
Chu Rong's patience had run out. He glanced at the child dismissively, but before he could utter "No," the child's soft, sweet expression stopped him.
Before he could even think clearly, his body moved to the figurine shelf. He took a Xiao Yao Shou and a Cat Sprite, placing them into Mi Mi and Tu Tu's hands. He dryly uttered three words, "Go play."
The brother and sister happily took their figurines and left. Mi Mi said goodbye in a childish voice, "Goodbye, Uncle. Thank you, Uncle."
Chu Rong heard the door close, but the children's laughter seemed to linger in the room, echoing in his ears. He stood up, opened the window, and let the air out of the apartment.
...
Not long after Mi Mi and Tu Tu returned home, Quan Jiu arrived.
Seeing the children playing with figurines, Quan Jiu was quite surprised. "Where did you get these figurines?" Figurines were not cheap, ranging from a few thousand yuan to tens or even hundreds of thousands. Judging by their quality, they were clearly not inexpensive.
Tu Tu happily said, "The uncle from across the hall gave them to us. He also invited me and my sister to his place."
"Mommy, I want to give the uncle a return gift. What would be good?" Mi Mi asked.
Upon hearing that the gifts were from a stranger, Quan Jiu immediately reprimanded, "Tu Tu, how many times have I told you not to accept things from strangers? Come on, we're going to return them."