Chapter 46

They decided to eat first. Perhaps he had done some homework beforehand, as the restaurant he chose prioritized taste over appearance.

However, Song Wei wasn’t particularly interested in the meal. Having eaten face-to-face with him daily, the novelty had long worn off. What truly excited her was watching a movie with him—her first time watching a movie alone with a boy.

They arrived at the theater early, only to find it far more crowded than expected. Long lines snaked around for ticket checks, and plenty of young girls were busy snapping photos.

After collecting the tickets, he asked, “Want popcorn and soda?”

Noticing almost everyone had a bucket of popcorn in hand, she eagerly nodded, “Yes!”

Chen Jubai went to queue and returned with an enormous bucket. Song Wei was taken aback. “Why’d you buy so much?”

Looking slightly sheepish, he replied, “I didn’t realize it would be this big.”

Suppressing a smile, Song Wei took a cup of soda, looped her arm through his, and urged, “Let’s go, it’s about to start.”

Five minutes before showtime, the theater lights dimmed, leaving the room pitch-black. As advertisements cycled on the massive screen with stunning visuals, Chen Jubai held her hand and guided her to their seats, following the floor markers.

While he was off buying popcorn earlier, Song Wei had noticed posters that the young girls were excitedly photographing. Now, seated, she leaned in and whispered, “I just realized—the male lead in this movie is Chen Jingzhou!”

Chen Jubai was puzzled. “Who?”

“Chen Jingzhou! The triple-threat star. He sings beautifully, acts exceptionally, and won Best Actor for a film I watched three times. The female lead, He Chuxi, is also amazing—so charismatic!”

In the darkness, Song Wei couldn’t make out his expression and continued, “Didn’t you see all those girls outside? They’re probably here for him.”

She added with a grin, “Chen Jubai, you’re so good at picking movies. Now I’m even more excited!”

Chen Jubai watched her dimples deepen as she smiled, feeling a subtle pang of discomfort.

His gaze shifted to the screen, which had begun showing trailers. The male lead, a man in his mid-twenties with a buzz cut that couldn’t conceal his good looks, appeared on-screen. Chen Jubai inserted a straw into her soda and handed it to her.

Song Wei, completely engrossed in the screen, took it without looking, sipping as her eyes stayed glued to the movie.

He settled down, shifting his focus to the film.

Not long after the movie began, his phone lit up on silent mode, displaying the name “Chen Yun.” Song Wei glanced at him as he picked up his phone. “I’ll step out to take this.”

She nodded. “Go ahead.”

He was gone for five or six minutes. When he returned, Song Wei guessed it was related to Chen Ming’s dowry situation and whispered softly, “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll explain later.”

“Alright.”

Song Wei turned her attention back to the movie.

The two-hour film was set 100 years into the future, blending a strong sense of advanced technology with the desolation of a post-apocalyptic world. Amid humanity’s survival crisis, themes of familial love, romantic relationships, and friendships were tested. The male and female leads carried the burden of saving their nation, each parting a life-or-death decision.

In the end, both protagonists sacrificed themselves. The theater was steeped in heavy emotions, the sound of sobbing girls filling the room.

Song Wei shed a couple of tears. This wasn’t a romance movie—it was a tearjerker.

As the credits rolled and the theme song played, the lights gradually brightened. Cheers replaced the earlier sobs. Looking forward, Song Wei noticed a setup near the screen: sofas, bouquets, posters… Wait, what?

The film’s cast and crew were stepping out to the applause. Bewildered, Song Wei turned to Chen Jubai. “What kind of tickets did you buy?”

Equally confused, he replied, “I don’t know. The seats were full when I bought them, so I asked someone to help.”

“…”

A delightful surprise. Seeing the film’s leads step out from behind the screen, Song Wei couldn’t hide her excitement and stood up with the fans.

It was a roadshow event. The creative team greeted the audience one by one. The front rows seemed filled with influencers, as the microphone mostly stayed there.

Eventually, it was the back row fans’ turn. Girls eagerly pushed forward to participate.

The host scanned the crowd. “Alright! Let’s pick one more lucky audience member!”

Song Wei never expected Chen Jubai to be chosen, and Chen Jubai was even more surprised. When the staff handed him the microphone, he was momentarily stunned but still stood up politely.

The host greeted him, “May I ask for your name, sir?”

“Just Chen,” his deep, pleasant voice resonated through the theater, drawing the attention of both the creative team and the fans.

“Oh, you share a surname with Jingzhou! What a coincidence,” the host remarked.

Even Chen Jingzhou glanced over.

The host continued, “Mr. Chen, can you tell us what brought you to our roadshow today?”

It had been a fluke, but with so many cameras on him, Chen Jubai wasn’t clueless enough to say that. Instead, he replied, “My wife is a fan of both leads, so I came to accompany her.”

The theater fell silent for a moment before erupting in a chorus of “aww” and admiration.

Song Wei, still engrossed in the event, clearly captivated by the movie, was caught off guard when Chen Jubai passed her the microphone. The host quickly recovered, smiling even brighter, “Ah, so Mrs. Chen is the true fan here! Which of our leads are you a fan of?”

Song Wei stood up in a daze, taking the microphone hesitantly. “I really like both of them.”

Onstage, Chen Jingzhou and He Chuxi stood apart as though they were enemies. Upon hearing this, He Chuxi, arms crossed, picked up a microphone and asked, “Who do you like more—me or Chen Jingzhou?”

“…” Song Wei diplomatically replied, “Both of you were equally brilliant in the film. I like you both.”

Chen Jingzhou raised an eyebrow at He Chuxi, but she ignored him.

The host interjected, “Mrs. Chen, if you were to rate our movie on a scale from 1 to 10, how many points would you give?”

“Ten,” Song Wei answered without hesitation.

“Well, our creative team feels very encouraged by your perfect score! As our lucky audience member, we’d like to grant you a small wish. What would you like?”

Song Wei immediately looked at Chen Jubai, who nodded. With her face lighting up, she said, “Could I take a photo with the two leads?”

“Of course! But you’ll have to wait until the roadshow concludes,” the host replied.

“Okay,” she agreed happily.

After handing back the microphone, Song Wei’s eyes sparkled like a child’s. She was overjoyed. “Chen Jubai, this will be my first time taking a photo with celebrities.”

Seeing her in such high spirits, Chen Jubai smiled softly. “Alright.”

“Let’s wait until it’s over.”

“Okay.”

The rest of the roadshow included discussions about the creative process and amusing anecdotes from filming. The couple waited until the photography session. Chen Jubai was reluctant to join but was eventually coaxed onto the stage by Song Wei.

After taking the photo and leaving their contact information, Song Wei left the theater satisfied.

At home, she was still excited. “Some people are just born to act, and with Chen Jingzhou and He Chuxi’s looks, it’s like the heavens favored them.”

Chen Jubai brought her a glass of water from the kitchen. “Are looks really that important?”

“Of course! We’re living in the era of the ‘beauty dividend.’ Spend enough time online, and you’ll see how appearances open doors everywhere.”

While it’s true that ability matters more, people always gravitate towards the attractive option when skills are equal. The same principle applies to product design—appearance influences choice. It’s even the final step in her work.

Their cat wandered over, and Song Wei scooped it up, sitting cross-legged. “Don’t tell me your looks haven’t gotten you any perks before.”

Sitting down next to her, Chen Jubai replied casually, “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“Don’t play coy! I’m sure plenty of people have asked for your WeChat or phone number.”

“…Yeah.”

“See? Everyone loves beautiful things.” Song Wei glanced at him slyly while he petted the cat. His side profile was still striking, with his sharp jawline and nearly perfect features. A smile tugged at her lips. “I’m the same.”

Thinking she was still talking about Chen Jingzhou, Chen Jubai looked up, his gaze sharpening slightly. “You shouldn’t judge people solely by their looks.”

“I know. But I like looking at beautiful things—like you.” She tilted her head, her eyes fixed on him.

He met her gaze. “You like it that much?”

“Yeah.”

Chen Jubai shooed the cat off the couch, then leaned in closer. Song Wei fell back, pushing against his chest with a mischievous smile. “What are you doing?”

Hovering over her, he frowned slightly and asked in a low voice, “Who’s more handsome—me or him?”

“Who?”

“That other Chen.”

Song Wei had never seen him act so childish and competitive. She grinned widely. “You’re both Chens.”

“Chen Jingzhou.”

“Oh, you mean…” She drew out her words, her tone teasing. Then she crooked her finger at him, waiting until he leaned closer before whispering into his ear, “You’re more handsome.”

The furrow in his brow finally smoothed out. He found her lips, kissing her tenderly and lingeringly.

In a hushed voice, he asked, “How about we try the living room tonight?”

Song Wei didn’t respond verbally but nodded slightly.

Just as the atmosphere grew more heated, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. It was a WeChat notification. Chen Jubai reached out to silence it, but she stopped him. “Wait, it might be someone sending me the photos.”

Her face still flushed, she grabbed the phone and unlocked it, exclaiming, “Wow, it really is!”

She then mercilessly pushed him away. “Go take a shower first.”

Chen Jubai glared at her but complied. “Song Wei?”

She didn’t respond. He tried again. “Wife?”

Still no response. Finally, he called out, “Mrs. Chen?”

“Stop bothering me!”

…

When he returned from the shower, Song Wei was still glued to her phone. He glanced over and saw her replying to comments on her social media post.

He grabbed a glass of water and casually opened her post on his own phone. It was the photo of them with the two leads.

At work, Song Wei was always poised and composed, a dependable team leader for her subordinates. But at just under 27, she was still like any other young woman—someone with moods, hobbies, and moments of delight. Tonight, she was just another fan, excited enough about a celebrity photo to share it on social media.

Chen Jubai walked over, pulling her into his arms as he sat beside her on the couch. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he patiently watched as she continued replying to messages.

The warm embrace of their shadows was reflected on the floor-to-ceiling window, radiating warmth and happiness.

Snowflake, their little cat, jumped onto the sofa, curling up comfortably beside them.

One shadow turned into a family of three.

“Look at this,” Song Wei said, her voice light with amusement. “Everyone is so envious of us. Those two actors are wildly popular.”

“Mm, you’re very lucky,” Chen Jubai replied.

Song Wei tilted her head slightly, a smile dancing on her lips. “Now that you mention it, I should thank our dear Mr. Chen.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, his tone equally casual.

After a brief pause, Chen Jubai added, “The company is planning a promotional campaign soon. We might bring in a spokesperson—how about him? What do you think?”

Song Wei was visibly startled. “Are you serious?” But before he could answer, she quickly waved it off. “No, no. He’d be too expensive.”

“It’s fine. Promotions are meant to cost money,” Chen Jubai said, unconcerned.

Song Wei took a moment to deliberate before responding earnestly, “That’s not necessary. You might not be familiar with endorsement fees in the entertainment industry—they’re astronomically high. Besides, Chen Jingzhou mainly appeals to young women, while our products are suitable for all age groups. Especially the new medical product we’re launching. If we really want a celebrity spokesperson, it should be someone with a trustworthy image, broad public appeal, and a reputation that inspires confidence.”

Chen Jubai didn’t delve as deeply as she did but nodded in agreement. “Alright, I’ll leave it to the marketing team to handle.”

Recognizing his thoughtful gesture, Song Wei set her phone aside and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you. But don’t overthink it—I’m not one of those obsessive fans. I just think he’s good-looking and talented. That’s all. I like both him and He Chuxi.”

Chen Jubai brushed her hair affectionately and responded with a quiet hum.

Song Wei chuckled mischievously, “Chen Jubai, are you jealous?”

“A little, but not much,” he admitted honestly.

“A big jar of vinegar,” she teased.

“So, you like his looks. What about me? Have I benefited from my appearance too?”

Song Wei raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”

If he had been unkempt when they first met, he wouldn’t have stood a chance at a second meeting.

Chen Jubai lowered his gaze to her, his eyes serious. “What else do you like about me?”

Since their marriage, he had felt her gradual change—from resistance to acceptance, from acceptance to affection. Yet, sometimes, he couldn’t help but wonder—what exactly did she see in him?

Was it his money? Or just his decent looks?

Their family backgrounds were worlds apart, and as far as temperament was concerned, Chen Jubai knew he wasn’t particularly gentle or considerate. He often operated on instinct, and his demanding work schedule left him unable to respond to her messages promptly.

He wasn’t sure if he deserved her affection.

The woman in his arms furrowed her brow in thought for a long moment before answering, “I like everything about you.”

Chen Jubai froze momentarily, then smiled faintly. “Alright, everything about me it is.”

The phone on the table suddenly rang, its shrill tone breaking the peaceful atmosphere. Both of them turned to look—it was a call from Chen Ming.

Song Wei immediately looked up, catching a fleeting, unreadable emotion in his eyes.

She had meant to ask him about the earlier call from Chen Yun during the movie but had forgotten until now. It was nearly ten o’clock, and Chen Ming was personally calling him.

The phone rang for several seconds before Song Wei nudged him gently, her voice soft. “You should answer it.”

Just as the call was about to end, Chen Jubai finally leaned over, picked up the phone, and pressed to answer.

Chen Ming’s voice came through, cautious and tentative. “You’re still awake? I hope I’m not disturbing you two.”

“No, you’re not. What is it?” Chen Jubai’s tone was calm and devoid of emotion.

Chen Ming hesitated before speaking again, his tone careful. “Son, your aunt didn’t come to see you tonight, did she?”

“She did.”

The other end seemed to wait for him to elaborate, but Chen Jubai remained unfazed, refusing to say more. Forced to continue, Chen Ming cautiously asked, “Son, your father was wondering if you could lend me 700,000 yuan if it’s not too much trouble…”

Chen Jubai neither agreed nor declined, responding only with, “I’ll need to check. The company has a lot of ongoing projects.”

Chen Ming, clearly prepared for this answer, tried to explain, “It’s not a gift—I’ll write you an IOU, alright?”

The man lowered his gaze, silent for a long time.

The air grew heavy, and Song Wei, sitting beside him, found it hard to breathe.

Finally, Chen Jubai’s low voice broke the silence. “I’ll give you an answer by the end of the week.”

“Alright, alright. I won’t disturb you anymore. Rest well.”

As the call ended, the warmth and intimacy from earlier were long gone.

Song Wei looked at the fatigue on his face, her heart aching. Yet, she didn’t know how to comfort him. On one hand was a substantial sum of money; on the other was his father’s remarriage. Years of love and resentment were tangled in between.

Song Wei hugged him gently. “Don’t worry about them. Just follow your heart.”

Chen Jubai stroked her head, holding her close. “I know.”