Chapter 104

Seeing the immediate connection between the two women, Song Haowen felt a sense of relief. Experience had taught him that the most challenging relationships were often between two beautiful women, but he couldn’t find any discord between Zhong Lizhi and Tian Nana.

Tian Nana’s sweet and gentle demeanor complemented Zhong Lizhi’s glamorous and charming presence.

After the theater performance began, Zhong Lizhi and her assistant followed Tian Nana to the backstage dressing room, waiting to watch Tian Nana’s performance.

To make a good impression in front of her idol, Tian Nana worked especially hard during the show. The result was an outstanding performance that impressed Zhong Lizhi, who was used to Hong Kong and Taiwan stars’ concerts.

She sincerely praised Tian Nana, acknowledging why she was hailed as the top female pop singer in mainland China, with skills that rivaled top stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

After Tian Nana’s performance, while the theater show continued, Song Haowen and Tian Nana, accompanied by Zhong Lizhi and Jenny, went to the cafeteria for a late-night snack.

As they sat in a private room drinking tea, Zhong Lizhi expressed regret, mentioning that the current movie they were filming only had one confirmed theme song, and the singer had been chosen by the producer Sato Ichiro, a Japanese artist.

Zhong Lizhi believed that the effect would be better if the theme song were sung by Tian Nana and Song Haowen.

Perplexed, Song Haowen asked, “Does Director Wang also support using a Japanese singer?”

Zhong Lizhi smiled bitterly and said, “The decision for this film lies in the hands of the producer. Both the director and the cast need the producer’s approval because he is the sole investor. According to the contract, he has the right to choose the director and actors unless he delegates that authority.”

Tian Nana sighed, saying, “This conforms to the rules of the capital market. The one who provides the money has the final say. That’s reasonable.”

Hearing Tian Nana’s words, Song Haowen couldn’t help but laugh.

Jenny, who had been silent, suddenly spoke softly, “Mr. Song, don’t be fooled by Sato Ichiro’s usually smiling and humble appearance. In reality…”

“Jenny!” Zhong Lizhi shot her assistant a warning look, stopping her from continuing. “Let’s not judge others. As long as we fulfill our contractual obligations, the rest is not our concern.”

Although Jenny didn’t speak further after Zhong Lizhi’s words, she pouted slightly and rolled her eyes, indicating that she had some thoughts.

Song Haowen and Tian Nana were not interested in the two women’s conversation and casually discussed matters related to the music studio.

Drawing from her experience in Hong Kong and Southeast Asian pop music, Zhong Lizhi offered several valuable suggestions to the music studio.

After everyone finished eating, the theater performance had already ended, and Su Yan finally had time to come over and greet Zhong Lizhi.

After finishing the late-night snack, it was already past 10 PM. To ensure Zhong Lizhi and Jenny’s safety, Song Haowen took a taxi to send them back to their accommodation before having the taxi take him back to the store.

When he arrived at the store, both Zhu Hongyu and Ren Hua were still awake, watching the TV drama “Zi San Si Lang” in the living room, shedding tears as they watched.

Song Haowen didn’t have a good impression of “Zi San Si Lang”; in his previous life, he had only watched a few episodes and had no interest in continuing.

Seeing the two women getting emotional, he couldn’t help but mutter “shallow” under his breath and intended to go back to his room to rest. However, Zhu Hongyu immediately stopped him and said, “Today, Gu Zhiwei came to the store looking for you. I asked her if there was anything, but she said there wasn’t.”

Song Haowen was momentarily surprised, realizing that he hadn’t seen Gu Zhiwei since they strolled together in Yihao Park more than twenty days ago. He didn’t know why she was looking for him.

However, these days he was busy with the movie shooting, so he couldn’t meet her right away. He decided to see her in a few days.

The next morning, Song Haowen returned to the filming crew. In the morning, he filmed several intimate scenes with Zhong Lizhi. She was as proactive and poised as ever, fully committed and emotional. Her tears flowed naturally, and she didn’t even need eye drops. Song Haowen was moved and admired her at the same time.

However, after a brief rest at noon, Zhong Lizhi seemed like a different person. She appeared preoccupied, not focused during the shooting.

Many scenes had to be shot multiple times without passing. Despite Director Wang constantly shouting “get into character,” she seemed bewitched, unable to concentrate. In the end, Director Wang had to temporarily pause her scenes and let her take a break.

It was the first time Song Haowen had seen Zhong Lizhi in such a state. When he asked her the reason, she remained expressionless and didn’t answer. He sensed that she was hiding something from him and tried to inquire with Jenny. However, Jenny just smiled bitterly and refused to disclose the reason.

Later, Song Haowen thought it might be her menstrual cycle affecting her mood. He decided not to dwell on it and refocused on the shooting.

Dinner was at a restaurant near the hotel where the crew was staying. While having dinner, Song Haowen unintentionally noticed Jenny sitting alone in a corner, eating quietly.

Zhong Lizhi was not beside her, which struck him as odd because they were usually inseparable. Even when going to the restroom, they went together. Initially, he thought Zhong Lizhi had left temporarily and would return soon. However, after finishing his meal, she still hadn’t appeared.

What puzzled him even more was that Jenny hadn’t finished half of her rice bowl, seemingly lost in counting rice grains.

Unable to resist his curiosity, Song Haowen approached Jenny. Before he could say anything, she threw away the fast food box and walked away without lifting her head. Feeling puzzled, he first tried to figure out if he had done something wrong to offend them. After pondering for a while with no clues, he reluctantly left.

As Song Haowen exited the restaurant, planning to greet Tang Wen and then take a taxi back to the store, he unintentionally glimpsed Jenny arguing with Tang Wen on the roadside ahead.

Tang Wen was listening attentively but seldom spoke. Eventually, Jenny bowed her head, leaned against a tree by the roadside, and started crying. Tang Wen walked over, one arm around Jenny’s waist, the other gently patting her back as if comforting her.

Unable to resist, Song Haowen walked over, wanting to know what had happened. When Tang Wen saw him approaching, she whispered something in Jenny’s ear, then smiled at him and walked away alone.

Approaching Jenny, who had regained control of her emotions and stopped crying, Song Haowen asked what had happened. Why was Zhong Lizhi not around? Did something happen to her?

Jenny stared at Song Haowen in silence for a good half-minute, causing goosebumps to rise all over his body. Finally, she gently said, “Nothing happened. You can go.”

Song Haowen was taken aback, realizing that despite knowing each other for three or four months, their friendship wasn’t that deep.

It was clear she had something to say but wasn’t willing to share. He reluctantly bid her goodnight and walked past her to the main road, where he hailed a taxi.

Not long after, a taxi arrived, and Song Haowen got in, giving the driver his home address. As the car passed by Jenny, she suddenly exclaimed, “Mr. Song, take me with you!”

Song Haowen, puzzled, asked the driver to stop. “Miss Jenny, are you sure you want to come with me?”

Jenny remained silent, walked to the taxi, opened the rear door, and sat inside. Looking at Song Haowen in the passenger seat, she said, “You can go now.”

Song Haowen was thoroughly puzzled, not understanding her intentions. He wanted to ask the reason again, but she turned her head to look out the window, maintaining her silence.

Suppressing his curiosity, he asked the driver to continue with the original route. The atmosphere in the car became extraordinarily strange.

The distance from the restaurant to the store was not too far, and within half an hour, the taxi arrived at the destination. After Song Haowen and Jenny got out of the car, he couldn’t hold back and asked, “Why did you come home with me? Is there something you want to tell me?”

Jenny replied coldly, “No reason. I just don’t want to sleep alone.”

Song Haowen was startled, “You, are you suggesting that you want to…” he couldn’t continue. He thought, have we even been in a romantic relationship? There’s a significant age difference between us, and the moment she opens her mouth, she wants to sleep with me.

Are Hong Kong girls so casual? Does she think I’m also that kind of person?

Jenny smirked and taunted, “Mr. Song, you might be overthinking. I, I just don’t want to stay with the crew… just changing the place to sleep, not what you’re thinking.”

Song Haowen breathed a sigh of relief, still puzzled and asked, “Did you have a conflict with Miss Zhong? Why didn’t I see her during dinner?”

“Is this your home? I’m thirsty. Can I come in and have some water?” Jenny pointed to the entrance of the branch office.

At this moment, the store’s office was pitch dark, and Song Haowen wasn’t sure if the two girls, Zhu and Ren Hua, were inside. If they were, and they saw him bringing a Hong Kong beauty home in the middle of the night, what would they think? Would they misunderstand? If Jenny saw him living with two beautiful women, would she think of him as a playboy? Therefore, he didn’t want to bring her home. He suggested getting a room at a nearby hotel for her to rest alone.

Jenny gave Song Haowen a deep look, unable to fathom his thoughts. She assumed he was trying to stay away from scandals and agreed with a nod.

So, the two of them left the store and headed towards the nearest hotel. On the way, out of the blue, Jenny asked, “Do you love Miss Zhong?”

Song Haowen was surprised by the question, his face suddenly turning fiery. “Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

Jenny forced a bitter smile. “Don’t ask why, just answer the question.”

Song Haowen contemplated for a moment, carefully considering how to express himself. “Miss Zhong is my favorite celebrity, i admired her works.”

“Just admiration?” Jenny pressed on.

“Of course not. She is an exceptionally talented artist with many virtues worth learning. In my eyes, she’s like a goddess. I have never thought of anyone else.” Song Haowen honestly replied. Indeed, she was someone he liked, but this liking had not yet reached the level of romantic love.

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