She dared to act, of course, having calculated it. With so many people present, she wasn't afraid she couldn't save Jiang Mian.
After removing her makeup, Shen Tingyu had to rush to another film crew. Fortunately, they were all in Hengdian, so she didn't have to travel too far.
By the time she arrived, the entire crew had been waiting for half a day. The supporting actress grumbled, "I really don't understand Shen Tingyu. She always makes everyone wait for her. Do we look like her parents, to indulge her like this? What right does she have?"
"Keep your voice down," the male lead said. "Who told her to have President Luo as her backer? We can only wait."
The supporting actress indeed lowered her voice, her eyes becoming playful. "Speaking of which, I feel sorry for you. Having to act with her every day must be agonizing, right?"
The male lead smiled but said nothing.
Shen Tingyu ignored their gazes and said charmingly to the director, "I'm sorry, Director, something delayed me. The actress I'm acting with today keeps messing up her lines, so I couldn't help it."
The director smiled and waved his hand, though his smile was a bit forced. "It's alright, go change first."
"Thank you, Director."
...
Director Wang asked Jiang Mian to go to the hospital, but Jiang Mian thanked him for his kindness and stayed in bed all day.
In the evening, there was a knock on her door. She thought Li Zhuyi was back and went to open it, dragging her tired body.
The door was immediately closed from the inside and then shut again. Jiang Mian was pinned against the wall, trapped in the man's arms, enveloped by a familiar scent. Ji Zhixiu placed one hand behind her head, and a series of passionate kisses descended from her eyebrows.
Jiang Mian was forced to crane her long neck. The brief shock of a moment ago instantly turned into surprise. She tiptoed, cooperating with Ji Zhixiu to deepen the kiss.
When the man was about to go further, Jiang Mian gasped slightly and pressed against his chest. "My assistant... hasn't come back yet."
"She won't be back tonight," Ji Zhixiu raised an eyebrow and, carrying her horizontally, walked towards the bed.
...
Jiang Mian wasn't feeling her best after falling into the water. When Ji Zhixiu wanted to make love again, Jiang Mian shook her head and rested on his chest, saying aggrievedly, "You almost didn't get to see me today."
Ji Zhixiu's brows furrowed. Hearing the sob in her voice, he turned her face towards him. "What do you mean?"
Jiang Mian found an angle so her crying wouldn't be too unsightly. After a moment of preparation, her eyes welled up with tears, about to fall. With a gentle blink, large teardrops slowly dripped down, making her look pitiful.
"Shen Tingyu was also on set. We were acting together today, and I accidentally fell into the water. Luckily, Xiang Long saved me," Jiang Mian whispered, sounding tired.
Too many things had happened today; she was physically and mentally exhausted.
Ji Zhixiu's gaze deepened. He used his thumb to wipe away the tears on her face, his eyes holding an emotion Jiang Mian couldn't understand.
"Was it really just an accident?" he asked in a low voice, his tone chilling.
Jiang Mian's heart began to pound. Just as she was about to speak, he continued, "She made a move on you, didn't she?"
When it came to Shen Tingyu, he was never stingy with his most malicious speculations.
Jiang Mian pursed her lips and nestled in his embrace, saying understandingly, "It was just an accident. After all, she's your friend's sister."
With every word she spoke, the chill emanating from Ji Zhixiu intensified.
"Jiang Mian, listen to me," Ji Zhixiu said sternly. "You don't need to wrong yourself for me."
"Wouldn't that affect the relationship between you friends?"
"No, Mu Yuan isn't that kind of person."
Ji Zhixiu was confident that he and Shen Mu Yuan wouldn't let Shen Tingyu affect their brotherhood.
Jiang Mian closed her eyes, feeling drowsy. She had finished her act and could relax now. After all, she was a friend's sister, so she couldn't complain too directly.
Seeing the girl's expression, Ji Zhixiu's eyes showed a flicker of heartache.
"Sleep, I'll stay here for a couple more days."
Jiang Mian snuggled into his embrace, a contented smile appearing on her lips.
...
Outside the hotel corridor, Zhao Xinxin pouted unhappily. "Why didn't you let me knock on the door?"
She knew Jiang Mian was filming in Hengdian and had come specifically to find her, meaning they could be together again, even if they weren't staying in the same hotel.
Ling He grabbed her ponytail, recalling the man he had just seen enter Jiang Mian's room and hadn't emerged yet. He felt a sense of familiarity.
Before he could figure it out, Zhao Xinxin interrupted his thoughts. Ling He came to his senses, spun her around by her ponytail, and said faintly, "Let's go back. We'll come find her again tomorrow."
Zhao Xinxin was forced to turn around with his force. Her temper flared, and she squatted down. "No, I'm already here, and we're at the door!"
Ling He frowned. "I just remembered I haven't applied my medication today."
"What? What! How could you forget this?" Zhao Xinxin stood up abruptly and pushed Ling He forward. "Quick, quick, let's go back and apply the medicine."
Ling He's lips curved up imperceptibly. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Of course, I'm in a hurry. Hmph, I'm afraid if someone doesn't apply his medicine and his body doesn't get better, he'll cling to me."
Thinking of this, Zhao Xinxin felt a pang of guilt. A few days ago, during filming, a prop malfunctioned. Ling He was accidentally injured on his back while saving her, so Zhao Xinxin took it upon herself to remind him to apply his medicine every day.
Ling He's expression turned cold instantly. "I'm injured, of course, you have to take responsibility for me."
Zhao Xinxin rolled her eyes. "Young Master Ling, I don't serve people."
"I didn't say I needed you to serve me. We're getting sidetracked. Go back and help me apply the medicine."
"Hey, hey, hey, why should I?"
His injury was on his back, which required him to undress. Undressing would reveal... Zhao Xinxin's cheeks flushed, and she silently cursed herself for thinking such things.
Ling He smirked. "Because I got injured because of you. Aren't you scared?"
Zhao Xinxin was speechless. "I'm not scared at all. I'll apply it!"
When Zhao Xinxin actually started applying the medicine to him, Ling He felt a hint of regret.
At this moment, Zhao Xinxin held the ointment in one hand and was about to lift Ling He's shirt with the other. Ling He grabbed her hand, stopping her. If Zhao Xinxin observed carefully, she would notice a stiffness in Ling He's expression.
"You don't need to apply it anymore, I'll do it myself."
Zhao Xinxin pouted. "What do you take me for? One moment you want me to, the next you don't. If you don't want me to, I'll do it anyway." While Ling He wasn't paying attention, she directly lifted his shirt.
When Zhao Xinxin saw the injury on his back, tears uncontrollably streamed down her face. The man's back was muscular, but now it was bruised and swollen. She choked out, "Does it hurt a lot...?"
Ling He sighed, knowing she would cry when she saw it and couldn't stop her.
"It's okay, it doesn't hurt much anymore."
Zhao Xinxin pressed down heavily on the wound with her hand, and Ling He gasped in pain.
Zhao Xinxin's eyes were misty. "You still say it doesn't hurt?"
She unscrewed the ointment, gently dipped some onto her fingertip, and began to apply it to his back.
The cool ointment brought a slight coolness to the wound. The girl's gentle fingertips seemed to bring a hint of excitement to his wound.
Ling He closed his eyes, his expression one of forbearance. He wished he could turn around and pull her into his arms, but he was afraid of scaring her, which would be a loss.
Zhao Xinxin held back her tears, being exceptionally careful for the first time, afraid of touching his sore spot. Unknowingly, she even held her breath.
"Is it done?" he asked.
"Almost, almost done," Zhao Xinxin's cheeks were flushed. She pulled his shirt down and shoved the ointment into his hand, not daring to meet his gaze.
"It's done, I'm leaving."
She stood up to leave, but the next second, she was pulled into his arms by the man and fell onto his lap.
Zhao Xinxin felt her face grow even hotter. She had never felt Ling He's gaze so predatory, making her feel a little timid. She stammered, "What, what do you want?"
"I want to kiss you," Ling He said with a mischievous smile, then lowered his head, claiming her breath with gusto.
He had been wanting this for a long time.
Zhao Xinxin's eyes widened. "Mmm..."
...
The next day, Zhao Xinxin sat cross-legged on the sofa, holding a bag of chips, and asked expectantly, "Sister Mian, what do you think Ling He means by that?"
Jiang Mian propped her chin on her hand. "Isn't it obvious? Ling He likes you."
"Ah?" Zhao Xinxin immediately jumped up as if she had been burned. "He, he likes me?"
"If he didn't like you, why would he kiss you?"
Zhao Xinxin frowned, her face etched with distress. "Then it's over."
"What's wrong?"
"I slapped him... and called him shameless."
"Pfft," Jiang Mian nearly spat out her water. "And then?"
"Then I ran away..." Zhao Xinxin said mournfully.
If she had known Ling He was confessing his love, she definitely wouldn't have missed this opportunity. Wuwuwuwuwuwuwuwuwu!
Jiang Mian was amused by her. "It's okay, it doesn't matter. Cough, cough, it's a good opportunity to test his determination towards you."
Zhao Xinxin blinked. "Really?"
"Really."
Zhao Xinxin got up from the carpet. "Then I'll be going back now, Master!"
This news was too exciting. She couldn't wait to go back and ask.
With that, she dashed away like a gust of wind.
The door slammed shut.
Ji Zhixiu walked out leisurely and said faintly, "You two get along quite well."
Jiang Mian tilted her head up. "Don't you think she's very cute?"
"Zhao family's generation only has her as a girl, which has resulted in a naive disposition. Pure and kind, she is indeed worth befriending."
"One doesn't make friends based on family background, but on whether they get along," Jiang Mian smiled. "Are we going back tomorrow?"
Ji Zhixiu lowered his head, his thin lips tightly pursed into a straight line. "What, you want me to leave?"
"Of course not. I've noticed Fan Cheng trying to say something several times, but stopping himself. It seems the company needs you. I'm already very happy that you came to accompany me. I'll go back when the crew has a break, okay? You can come pick me up then."
The man's expression changed from gloomy to sunny, as if he had been soothed without realizing it. "Okay," he agreed. "I've booked tickets for tomorrow. I'll come see you again next time."
Jiang Mian hooked his palm with her little finger and swung it. "Then I'll take another day off tomorrow to send you off!"
"No need," Ji Zhixiu refused immediately. "The most important thing you should do now is take good care of your health."