Jiang Mian walked into the hall against the wind.
Under the lights, people were toasting, their clothes perfumed.
Shen Tingyu found Ji Zhixiu, and the person talking to him tactfully raised his glass in a toast and then left, leaving the two of them alone.
Ji Zhixiu's expression was cold, and his tone was icy, "Something wrong?"
Shen Tingyu's eyes welled up with tears, and her soft, boneless hand reached for him, "Zhixiu, are you… are you really married?"
She was so delicate that it seemed as if the moment Ji Zhixiu said yes, she would be swept away by the wind.
Ji Zhixiu frowned, "I don't need to report my affairs to you."
"I don't believe what she said, Zhixiu. As long as you deny it, I'll believe that you're not married and that you still have me in your heart." Shen Tingyu looked pitiful, her words even carrying a hint of pleading.
Ji Zhixiu looked down, his indifferent eyes swept over her, and he coldly uttered a few words, shattering her cruel fantasy, "Yes, I'm married."
She let go of his hand in disbelief, "Why… why are you so cruel…"
Why give her hope only to shatter it with his own hands…
The man's eyes were devoid of any warmth. Even with a beauty weeping before him, it didn't stir a ripple in his heart. Shen Tingyu felt the man's heart of stone once again.
Ji Zhixiu drained his glass of red wine and then set it down.
"I wish you find your happiness soon."
He could let the previous incident slide for Shen Muyuan's sake.
Although tears were welling up in her eyes, Shen Tingyu stubbornly refused to let them fall.
Heh, wishing her happiness soon? Her happiness was this man standing before her…
She watched helplessly as the man walked towards Jiang Mian, silently crushing her heart into pieces and treading on them.
Mother Shen, who was watching her from the corner of her eye, clearly sensed that her emotions were not right. She called over a servant and whispered, "Go, take the eldest young lady upstairs."
"Yes, Madam."
She had witnessed what had just happened and saw the man approaching. Jiang Mian tugged at the corner of her lips, forcing a smile.
Ji Zhixiu didn't notice anything unusual. He looked down and asked, "Back from outside?"
Jiang Mian nodded.
Seeing that she wasn't in high spirits, Ji Zhixiu assumed she didn't want to stay any longer, "We can go back."
The gift had been delivered.
Jiang Mian nodded again, being overly compliant.
Ji Zhixiu took her to say goodbye to Mother Shen, and then they left the Shen residence.
On the way back, Jiang Mian was unusually quiet.
Stars dotted the night sky, and the evening breeze caressed their faces. Ji Zhixiu held her hand; her palm was ice cold.
He finally noticed the girl's unusual demeanor. He raised his hand, pinched her chin, and forced her to look at him, his voice deep, "What did Shen Tingyu say to you?"
Jiang Mian seemed to snap back to reality. Looking at his displeased brows, she blinked and instinctively replied, "Nothing much…"
For some reason, she didn't want to tell the truth.
The man's fingertips absently caressed her soft cheek, his voice carrying a hint of affection, "Mianmian."
Jiang Mian thought of the bracelet and tried her best to suppress the urge to turn her head. She took a silent breath in her heart, then took the man's fingers into her palm.
Her voice was soft, "I'm a bit tired."
She didn't meet his gaze, looking out the car window, and gently closed her eyes, leaning her head on his shoulder, as if truly exhausted.
Jiang Mian never imagined that one day she would bring acting into her life.
But she didn't know what to say or how to say it.
Yes, Ji Zhixiu had never liked Shen Tingyu. But this man had also never said he liked her, had he?
Ji Zhixiu knew he wouldn't get anything out of her. They remained silent all the way home.
The first thing Jiang Mian did upon going upstairs was not to remove her makeup, but to open a drawer. The Paraiba bracelet, radiating a dazzling glow under the light, lay in the center of the drawer.
She picked it up and looked at it in her palm. The joy she had felt upon receiving this gift was now replaced by sadness.
So, she wasn't the only one.
Footsteps sounded from behind her. Jiang Mian wiped away her tears and hurriedly put the bracelet back. In her haste, the bracelet fell into a gap. Jiang Mian heard a "snap," and her heart was also heavily struck… Then she tightly closed the drawer.
Ji Zhixiu held a cup of jujube tea, his voice close by, "Aunt Song asked me to bring this to you."
Jiang Mian turned around and took the cup. "Thank you."
She took a few sips and then said, "I've booked a flight for tonight. Have Xiang Long take me to the airport now."
In reality, there were still three hours before her flight.
Ji Zhixiu looked at her with cold eyes, "Do you have anything to say?"
"I'll be back soon."
She knew very well that he wasn't asking for this.
Although he didn't know what was wrong with her, Ji Zhixiu clearly didn't want to argue with her.
Jiang Mian pursed her lips, "Then I'll be going now."
"Okay."
Jiang Mian drank the jujube tea in one gulp. She didn't want to waste Aunt Song's kindness.
Then, she brushed past Ji Zhixiu.
Li Laidai was accompanying her. When they reached the airport, Jiang Mian realized she had forgotten to buy a ticket for Xiang Long, and it was too late to buy one last minute.
She thought for a moment and said, "You go back first. Come to Hainan to find me tomorrow."
Xiang Long hesitated, "I'm not by the Young… your side, and I can't protect you."
Li Laidai patted him, "Brother, aren't I here too? Don't worry, I'll protect Sister Mian for you. Besides, you'll be here tomorrow, what could possibly happen."
This sudden touch startled Xiang Long. He stammered, "Th-that's true, I guess."
"Alright, it's settled then. You'll come tomorrow." Jiang Mian made the decision.
Jiang Mian had booked a business class ticket, and Li Laidai was very excited to be able to tag along. She touched her head and looked around, "Sister Mian, I remember the last time I flew was a long time ago…"
Jiang Mian felt sleepy and yawned, "You're really energetic."
It was already evening, and they would likely arrive early in the morning. She was very tired, and her heart was weary too. Tomorrow, upon arrival, there would be no time for rest; one day less filmed meant one day more of catching up.
Jiang Mian closed her eyes and banished Ji Zhixiu from her mind, falling asleep.
Seeing that she wasn't in good spirits, Li Laidai stopped chattering and let her rest. She tiptoed to cover Jiang Mian with a blanket and then settled down in her seat.
Jiang Mian wasn't asleep. The moment she closed her eyes, memories flooded her mind.
She thought of her grandmother and how she used to cling to her grandmother as a child. There were always some naughty children who would poke at her wounds, bullying Jiang Mian, calling her an unwanted child, a burden, someone who could only be left at her grandmother's.
Whenever her grandmother heard this, the usually kind-faced old woman would embrace Jiang Mian and go from house to house, demanding an apology.
Her grandmother, who never quarreled with her neighbors, didn't mind offending anyone for Jiang Mian's sake. The neighbors, seeing their kind grandmother so angry, would inevitably drag out their misbehaving brats to apologize.
Of course, there were those who were unrepentant and stubborn, and they would receive a mixed beating from their parents.
Grandmother taught Jiang Mian that if people respect you one foot, you should respect them ten feet, and if you are bullied, you must never tolerate it. This applied to relationships as well.
Jiang Mian's lips curved into a sweet smile. Grandmother, she hadn't forgotten; she wouldn't let anyone take advantage of her.
She remembered how her grandmother always made osmanthus cakes and osmanthus wine for her during the season when the scent of osmanthus filled the air. How could such a skillful grandmother suddenly fall ill and leave her?
A tear silently streamed down Jiang Mian's cheek.
Her wonderful, wonderful grandmother was gone forever.
From the day her grandmother left, she no longer had a home.
Jiang Mian thought that after filming this drama, she would definitely return to Jiangnan for a visit. She missed her grandmother.
...
Xiang Long reported truthfully and then waited for Ji Zhixiu's instructions.
Ji Zhixiu stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes slightly narrowed, "You're saying she didn't buy your ticket and told you to come back first and go tomorrow?"
"Yes."
What was this? Sulking with him without a word, and now she didn't even want to use his people?
He gave a self-mocking smile, then said, "Have Sun Shu arrange a private jet for you. You'll go tonight."
Xiang Long's eyes sharpened, "Yes, Mr. Ji. It's my duty to protect the young madam."
Jiang Mian arrived in Hainan and checked into the hotel arranged by the crew. The timeline of the script had now moved to the latter half.
The female lead's scenes in the latter half were not as numerous as the male lead's, mostly consisting of flashbacks.
As soon as she put her things down, she heard a knock on the door.
Jiang Mian went to open it and, upon seeing the visitor, smiled broadly, "Please come in."
Neither of them noticed a sneaky figure lurking at the corner of the corridor.
Song Xingjia walked in with a plate of fruit, "My assistant bought me some local fruits from Hainan. Try them. He's a local and knows how to pick them."
Jiang Mian smiled, skewering a piece of pineapple with a toothpick, "I'm benefiting from Director Song's fame."
Song Xingjia looked at her, a gentle smile on his lips. In Jiang Mian's impression, he always seemed this way, as if nothing could make him angry.
He had an indescribable aura, the kind Jiang Mian liked.
She skewered two more pieces and asked, "How did you know I arrived?"
"I happened to see you from the windowsill when you arrived."
"Oh, by the way, the records you gave me last time. My roommates got them, and they all loved them."
Song Xingjia smiled, "I'm glad they liked them."
Jiang Mian couldn't help but say, "Thank you, Actor Song."
Song Xingjia stood up, "Take your time eating. Rest well after arriving, and don't rush the schedule. Recover your state first. Don't worry about Director Wang, I'll communicate with him."
His words were considerate and well-measured. Jiang Mian hesitated, about to say something else, when she saw Song Xingjia turn back, "Rest well, don't overthink it."
Jiang Mian bit her lower lip, then nodded.
After he left, she thought, she had heard before that Song Xingjia had a rumored ex-girlfriend. Could he be interested in her?
Besides, there was a several-year age gap between them…
Jiang Mian patted her cheeks, thinking she was overthinking it. Actor Song was clearly just looking after her as a junior!
Li Laidai came out after taking a shower, "Sister, what are you doing?"