Chapter 40

“……”

Sheng Qingli trembled for a few seconds, staring in disbelief at Pei Qingci, momentarily forgetting to react.

Fortunately, Pei Qingci didn’t push further. He paused slightly, moved her hand from his lips, and gently held her wrist, looking at her with his eyes lowered. “I’m sorry.”

He couldn’t hold back.

Hearing his low, hoarse voice, Sheng Qingli snapped back to reality, her ears flushing red, and her cheeks completely crimson. She paused in her breathing, her lips moving, “You…”

“What about me?” Pei Qingci leaned in, their noses almost touching, lightly bumping against her, his warm breath brushing her face. “Ms. Sheng.”

Sheng Qingli’s long eyelashes fluttered, and she blurted out, “Pervert.”

Her palm felt sticky, a strange sensation that reminded her of the times he had asked her for help before.

Upon hearing this, Pei Qingci smirked, his eyebrows slightly raised. “Is that what makes me a pervert?”

He looked at her leisurely and continued, “It seems Ms. Sheng has accepted—”

Before he could finish, Sheng Qingli stomped on his foot in frustration. “Shut up.”

“…”

Pei Qingci winced, letting out a muffled laugh. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore.”

There was a hint of fatigue in his gaze as he softly asked, “Do you want a hug?”

Sheng Qingli froze, looking up at his current expression.

After a few seconds of silence, she reached out her hand, wrapping it around his waist. “Five minutes of service fee.”

Pei Qingci smiled gently. “As you wish, Ms. Sheng.”

The embrace allowed them to truly sense each other’s existence, anchoring their fluttering hearts.

Realizing this, Sheng Qingli felt slightly dazed.

She couldn’t help but wonder if she was overthinking things.

“What are you thinking about?” Noticing her quietness, Pei Qingci asked softly.

Sheng Qingli paused, then asked quietly, “Do you think I’m… being overly dramatic?”

Pei Qingci replied, “What?”

He thought he misheard. “Dramatic?”

Sheng Qingli affirmed with a slight nod.

“What are you thinking?” Pei Qingci ran his hand through her hair. “I don’t think so.”

Sheng Qingli pulled back from his embrace. “Really?”

“Really.” Pei Qingci lowered his gaze. “Not only that, but I also think you’re quite cute like this.”

Sheng Qingli: “…”

She was stunned, looking up at him. “Don’t say things like that out of the blue.”

“Isn’t it alright to speak the truth?” Pei Qingci asked, a bit aggrieved.

Sheng Qingli replied, “I’m trying to discuss something serious with you.”

His self-praise made it difficult for her to have a serious conversation.

Understanding her meaning, Pei Qingci became serious. “I know what you’re thinking.”

He gazed at her softly. “But it’s not true.”

He paused, his tone slow. “Ultimately, this matter is my fault.”

Sheng Qingli: “Huh?”

Pei Qingci spoke gently: “I was too impatient.”

“?”

Sheng Qingli paused, realizing what he meant.

If he hadn’t been unable to control himself and had occasionally put pressure on her, she wouldn’t have had to reflect on whether she was too entangled and hesitant.

“That’s not what I meant.” Thinking of this, Sheng Qingli said.

Pei Qingci replied, “I know.”

He pulled her back into his embrace, murmuring, “Just move forward according to your own thoughts.”

He paused before telling her, “I will be by your side.”

No matter when.

The path she walked would never be lonely.

Pei Qingci would be there beside her. Whether waiting for her or catching up to her, it was something he willingly chose to do.

Sheng Qingli’s heart trembled. “But this…”

“It won’t,” Pei Qingci knew she wanted to say it was unfair to him. He didn’t feel that way. He ran his hand through her hair, his tone low. “It’s already quite good like this.”

Sheng Qingli was left stunned.

Before she could say anything else, Pei Qingci glanced at the time. “It’s getting late. Shall we go wash up and rest?”

He lightly brushed his lips against hers. “We can talk more tomorrow.”

---

Back in her room, Sheng Qingli found a rose and a gift box in her hands, still a bit dazed.

She stared at the rose for a moment, then went to the kitchen to find a vase for it before opening the gift that Pei Qingci had given her, brought back from Italy.

After staring at it for a while, Sheng Qingli began to unwrap it.

Inside was a blue-green diamond bracelet, a rare color that looked particularly fresh and elegant.

It was the fan support color for Sheng Qingli.

Stunned for three seconds, she hesitated to message the person across from her: “Isn’t this gift a bit too extravagant?”

The box for the bracelet was very understated, made of velvet and without any brand name on it.

Sheng Qingli couldn’t estimate the price of the bracelet, but she could tell it wasn’t cheap.

Pei Qingci: “Not expensive.”

Sheng Qingli didn’t quite believe it: “Really?”

Pei Qingci: “Do you like it?”

Sheng Qingli couldn’t say she didn’t like such insincere words: “I like it. It’s beautiful; I’ve rarely seen this color in a bracelet.”

Pei Qingci: “That’s enough.”

If she liked it, then it wasn’t expensive.

Sheng Qingli was taken aback, vaguely understanding his meaning: “Thank you.”

After sending the message, she remembered to ask, “Did you bring what I asked you to?”

Pei Qingci: “It’s with Fang Li; I’ll get it to you tomorrow.”

Sheng Qingli: “Okay.”

After a brief chat on WeChat, Sheng Qingli went to wash up.

When she finished her shower, it was already past one.

She quickly got ready for bed, and before sleeping, she couldn’t resist opening her eyes to look at the rose she had brought to her room from the living room, and then silently smiled.

The next day at noon, when Sheng Qingli arrived on set, Pei Qingci was already there.

The set was bustling; Sheng Qingli overheard that someone who had just returned was treating the crew to milk tea, explaining the lively atmosphere.

Upon seeing her, Pei Qingci raised an eyebrow and called out seriously, “Ms. Sheng.”

Sheng Qingli: “…Mr. Pei.”

Noticing her tense demeanor, Pei Qingci’s eyes twinkled with amusement, “Want some milk tea?”

Sheng Qingli thought for three seconds, “Are there other options?”

Pei Qingci: “Yes, what do you want?”

“Coffee.” Milk tea is high in calories, and Sheng Qingli needed to stay alert, so she opted for coffee.

Pei Qingci was about to reply when Director Zhong chimed in cheerfully, “We have that too; it’s from the coffee Pei ordered.”

He praised Pei Qingci, “She’s considerate.”

Most of the actors on set didn’t drink milk tea; everyone feared gaining weight.

Thus, Pei Qingci thoughtfully prepared dozens of cups of coffee.

Hearing this, Sheng Qingli ignored the burning gaze and echoed Director Zhong’s words, “Thank you, Mr. Pei.”

Pei Qingci: “It’s nothing.”

The two exchanged polite pleasantries in front of everyone, and Sheng Qingli took a cup of coffee to the makeup room.

Yin Yanyan was in the makeup room and called out when she saw her, “Sister Qingli is here!”

Sheng Qingli nodded, “Good afternoon.”

Yin Yanyan laughed, “Good afternoon!”

Several people were getting ready in the makeup room, making it quite lively.

After finishing her makeup, Sheng Qingli discovered two messages from Pei Qingci: “I have a little something to attend to; I’m heading back to the hotel.”

Pei Qingci: “Call me if you need anything.”

Pei Qingci had no scenes today; he was just visiting the set.

Sheng Qingli: “Okay.”

After replying to the message, Sheng Qingli gathered her thoughts and focused on the filming.

The shooting proceeded as usual.

After starting to communicate with Pei Qingci, their exchanges had become less frequent.

They needed to avoid suspicion.

Whenever they were together, Pei Qingci couldn’t help wanting to get closer to her, but he understood that Sheng Qingli was entering a difficult phase in filming, making it hard for her to immerse herself in her role, and her performance began to drift.

He couldn’t disturb her, so he restrained himself.

Sheng Qingli was someone easily influenced by her surroundings, so after joining the crew, she tried her best to cut off outside interactions.

She didn’t pay much attention to what was happening outside; she needed to immerse herself in her character.

That’s also why Pei Qingci wasn’t in a hurry to get an answer from her.

He understood her.

In the blink of an eye, the hottest two months had passed.

After filming in Taolin County for more than two months, Sheng Qingli’s crew moved to another location.

Once they changed locations, Pei Qingci no longer remained with the crew.

After the transition, it became hard to avoid some fans; they both didn’t want to reveal too much in front of the cameras. Pei Qingci had other commitments, and after finishing his scenes at the new location, he left the crew.

On the day Pei Qingci left, Sheng Qingli didn’t see him off.

She didn’t like farewells and feared she wouldn’t be able to control herself.

However, on that day, Sheng Qingli was clearly a bit out of sorts during filming.

A scene took a long time to satisfy herself and Director Zhong.

After wrapping up and returning to the hotel, Tong Tong called out to her, “Sister Li Li.”

Sheng Qingli: “Hmm?”

She turned to look at her, “What’s up?”

Tong Tong said, “I’m going back to my room to get something for you; can you wait for me?”

Sheng Qingli was confused, “What are you getting?”

Tong Tong teased, “You’ll know soon.”

“…” Sheng Qingli smiled and said, “Alright, go to your room.”

Arriving at Tong Tong’s room, she handed her a bag from the table, “Mr. Pei asked me to give this to you.”

Sheng Qingli looked up in surprise, “When did he give this to you?”

“After the wrap,” Tong Tong said. “He asked me to pass it on to you.”

Sheng Qingli took it, “I’ll take it upstairs.”

Tong Tong giggled, “Great!”

She winked at Sheng Qingli, teasing her, “Remember to tell me what it is after you open it.”

After she finished speaking, she added, “That is, something I can talk about.”

Sheng Qingli chuckled at her words and thought for a moment, saying, “It shouldn’t be something I can’t talk about.”

Tong Tong tilted her head playfully, “That’s not necessarily true.”

Sheng Qingli: “…”

—

Back in her room, Sheng Qingli unpacked the bag and saw what Pei Qingci had left for her.

It was a handmade calendar and a jar of colorful fruit candies.

And a note.

His handwriting was elegant, strong, and flowed effortlessly.

The note read that she could have one candy a day, and after each day of filming, she could tear off a page to vent her emotions.

Once the candies were gone and the notes were torn off, her filming would also be completed.

And he would appear again.

Understanding his intentions, Sheng Qingli couldn’t help but pull out her phone and dial his number.

“Hello,” he answered quickly. “Did you get the things?”

Though she had heard his voice that morning as he left, hearing it again now gave Sheng Qingli an almost otherworldly feeling.

She lowered her gaze, looking at the handmade calendar and the words written on it, her eyes slightly stinging. “Was this intentional?”

Pei Qingci replied, “Hmm?”

He lingered on the last syllable, sounding a bit puzzled.

Sheng Qingli muttered, “You’re doing this on purpose to make it hard for me to focus on filming.”

She didn’t say the phrase “reminds me of you.”

Hearing this, Pei Qingci chuckled softly, “I suppose.”

He really was quite cunning.

Sheng Qingli pursed her lips, picking up the jar of candies to examine it. “Does the count of these candies include today’s?”

Pei Qingci answered, “No.”

Sheng Qingli let out an exasperated sound, “But I wanted to eat one today.”

“…,” Pei Qingci laughed lightly, “Then just eat it.”

Sheng Qingli replied, “But won’t that mean I’m one day short?”

“It won’t,” he said. “Just tell me when you finish.”

Sheng Qingli blinked, “Will you send me more when I finish?”

Pei Qingci was silent for a few seconds before affirming, “I will.”

With that assurance from Pei Qingci, Sheng Qingli felt relieved.

She opened the lid, picked out a snow pear-flavored candy, and asked, “Why is there a snow pear flavor?”

Pei Qingci replied, “I specially searched for it. Give it a try.”

Sheng Qingli nodded, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth, savoring the sweet flavor spreading in her mouth.

“How does it taste?” Pei Qingci asked.

Sheng Qingli replied, “…It’s good.”

The subtle flavor was exactly what she liked.

Pei Qingci felt relieved, “Was filming smooth today?”

Sheng Qingli said, “…It was okay.”

Knowing she wasn’t being truthful, Pei Qingci didn’t press further.

They both fell silent.

After a moment, Sheng Qingli swallowed the candy and said indistinctly, “I need to wash up.”

Pei Qingci replied, “Go ahead.”

He was silent for a few seconds, then softly said, “I wish Ms. Sheng a smooth shoot and an early wrap-up.”

Upon hearing this, Sheng Qingli smiled, slowly replying, “I’ll take Mr. Pei’s good luck.”

In fact, Sheng Qingli really did benefit from Pei Qingci’s words.

The day after Pei Qingci left, she quickly adjusted her state and returned to her usual high-performance level.

For this, Zhong Hongmao was extremely satisfied.

Time flew by, and summer passed.

By mid-October, their film was about to wrap.

One by one, Yi Yehua and Yin Yanyan also finished filming and returned home.

Sheng Qingli was the last to wrap.

The final scene was solo.

Filming continued late into the night, and Sheng Qingli was so immersed in her role that she didn’t notice two unexpected guests in the crew.

Only when Director Zhong called out a certain line and the staff smiled and wished her “happy wrap” did Sheng Qingli slowly pull away from her character.

“Thank you, everyone,” Sheng Qingli said, coming back to her senses. “You’ve all worked hard these past few months.”

The staff applauded in unison, “Ms. Sheng, you’ve worked hard.”

Someone stepped forward to present her with flowers, and it was only when the flowers reached her that she sensed something was off.

A familiar, refreshing scent filled her nose, and as her fingers brushed against warm skin, she looked up in a daze, colliding with Pei Qingci’s handsome face. She froze, “What are you doing…”

“Happy wrap, Ms. Sheng,” Pei Qingci said, smiling at her.

Sheng Qingli’s heart skipped a beat, surprised and delighted, “When did you get here?”

“Half an hour ago,” a familiar voice chimed in from the other side.

Sheng Qingli turned to see her manager.

“Sister Lin, why are you here too?” She remembered Lin Lin had said a couple of days ago that she had something to do and might not be able to come to the set.

Hearing this, Lin Lin raised her eyebrows slightly, not pleased, “Can’t I come?”

Sheng Qingli responded, “…No.”

Lin Lin chuckled, about to say something else when a staff member nearby shouted, “It’s a wrap! Let’s take a group photo with Ms. Sheng.”

Sheng Qingli snapped back to reality, smiling as she agreed, “Sure.”

After the group photo, Sheng Qingli took pictures separately with Director Zhong and the screenwriter.

Once finished, she hesitated as she looked toward the person watching from a distance. While she was debating, Pei Qingci walked over confidently, “Sister Lin, can you take a couple of pictures of us?”

Nearby staff perked up, their attention shifting between the two.

When Pei Qingci appeared, they were all curious about why he had returned. He had already wrapped up his part; it seemed odd to come back to see Director Zhong.

“Are you coming back to see the female lead?”

“This is reasonable, but the way they act around each other on set doesn’t seem that familiar.”

“More importantly, if there really was something going on between them, Pei Qingci wouldn’t be so openly returning to the set, and she wouldn’t have her manager take photos of them together. Shouldn’t he be wearing a mask to avoid being seen?”

For a moment, the staff of “Sword And Sword” felt their hearts were in turmoil, caught between the two, feeling extremely anxious.

“Indeed.” Before Lin Lin could react or take action, Zhong Hongmao smiled, “I almost forgot that Qingci didn’t take a photo with Qingli after wrapping up. You two are master and apprentice; it wouldn’t be right not to have a picture together.”

He called over the crew’s photographer, “Have the photographer take a few shots for promotion later.”

Hearing this from Director Zhong, the staff suddenly understood.

So that’s how it is.

The two of them stood together again—one in martial arts costume, the other in modern attire. At first glance, they seemed very different.

But upon closer inspection, they looked surprisingly well-matched.

In a place where others couldn’t see, Pei Qingci’s hand brushed against Sheng Qingli’s hand back, making brief contact.

The photo captured that moment.

As Pei Qingci was about to leave, Sheng Qingli suddenly reached out and grabbed him, “Mr. Pei.”

Pei Qingci looked down, “Hmm?”

Sheng Qingli hesitated, then mustered the courage to say, “Can I come find you later?”