Chapter 17: Good Night, Wife

The night had grown deep.

The world was silent, and the thick curtains weren’t fully drawn. Through the small gap, occasional car headlights flickered past outside.

The phone lay quietly on the pillow, still on the call screen.

Yet, the little beauty who had been holding it had already turned onto her side, eyes closed.

Her long lashes rested peacefully against her cheeks, and her rosy lips were gently pressed together.

She had fallen asleep just like that.

The man’s voice came through the phone, low and magnetic, as if afraid of disturbing the person in slumber. He softly finished the story’s ending:

“And so, the man took down the little moon that had once hung high in the sky, and they lived happily together forever…”

Steady breathing sounds came from the phone.

Closing his eyes, he could almost picture his little Yaoyao, peacefully drifting into dreamland.

His gaze lowered, long lashes casting delicate shadows, an extra touch of tenderness in his expression.

Then, in a deep, hushed tone—laced with warmth and a hint of teasing—he murmured into the receiver:

“Good night, wife.”

---

Jiang Yaoyao woke up feeling well-rested and stretched lazily.

When she checked her phone, the call log was still there.

The call had ended at exactly : PM.

Yet, she vaguely remembered getting sleepy before then.

She had been diligently telling the villain a bedtime story, and he had played along, even asking a question or two.

Then, she had yawned, and suddenly, the villain changed the topic—saying he knew a similar story and asking if she wanted to hear it.

How could she refuse a request from her generous benefactor?

But for some reason, Pei Heng’s voice had been like a sedative. The more she listened, the sleepier she became… and the next thing she knew, she was out.

So unprofessional!

Jiang Yaoyao scolded herself internally. Just as she was about to message the villain to apologize, she accidentally swiped and opened an unread message from the night before.

Her round almond eyes widened instantly.

Transfer received: ,000 yuan!

Hiss—

A two-hour call.

The villain is way too generous!

Feeling guilty about taking his money, Jiang Yaoyao hugged her phone and quickly sent Pei Heng a message filled with apologies and gratitude.

Before long, he replied:

[No need to thank me. I didn’t have any insomnia last night—I slept very well.]

[Hearing your story seems to help with my insomnia.]

Jiang Yaoyao: “???”

Wait—what?!

Was Pei Heng seriously paying her just to help him sleep?

Her pupils dilated in shock.

But then, she thought about it again. The cunning villain wasn’t the type to give away money for no reason.

Maybe his condition really is unusual.

She pressed her lips together, then glanced at the numbers in her bank balance. Feeling reinvigorated, she headed straight to the breakfast shop.

---

However, good luck never lasts forever.

When she arrived at the audition venue, she looked up—only to see Yan Leyao, the same woman who had been subtly mocking her yesterday.

Yan Leyao clearly saw her too, curling her lips into a cold smile.

Yet, the people who had been clustered around Yan Leyao suddenly lit up at the sight of Jiang Yaoyao.

“Yaoyao!”

Yan Leyao’s brows furrowed.

Then, she watched in disbelief as her little entourage abandoned her like dogs chasing after a bone and rushed toward the infuriating Jiang Yaoyao.

“Yaoyao, you look absolutely stunning today!”

Jiang Yaoyao pointed at herself. “Are you… talking to me?”

The girl in front of her beamed with excessive enthusiasm, her words sweeter than honey.

“Your outfit today looks so simple, but it really brings out your skin tone! Wow—your makeup is amazing too, it looks just like a natural glow!”

“Oh my god, Yaoyao! With how radiant you look, the female lead role is definitely yours!”

Hearing the blatant flattery, Yan Leyao clenched her fists.

Her jealousy and resentment were practically spilling out.

Jiang Yaoyao didn’t even know this person. There was no trace of her in the original owner’s memory either.

She smiled awkwardly and said casually, “You look great today too. Good luck.”

It was just a polite remark, but for some reason, the other girl reacted dramatically.

“Wow, Yaoyao, are you complimenting me? You really think I look good today?”

“Yaoyao, could you put in a good word for me with Director Gu? I’m auditioning for the role of Jinxiu, the maid who serves the female lead!”

“Yaoyao, you—”

The other person seemed like they were about to say something more, but just then, a middle-aged man walked out from the hallway, his work badge hanging from his chest. He waved toward Jiang Yaoyao.

“Miss Jiang, Director Gu has been waiting for you. You can come in now!”

Seizing this opportunity, Jiang Yaoyao finally managed to slip away from the woman who had been clinging to her arm.

Watching the two figures leave, the girl who had been trying to get close to Jiang Yaoyao returned to Yan Leyao’s side.

“Yaoyao, that person just now was Assistant Gu from Director Gu Jinling, right? I heard when ‘The Imperial Palace’ first trended, a lot of people tried to bribe him, but he sent the money back.”

The girl tapped her mouth, sighing.

“Really, same people, different fates.”

“They’re both small-time celebrities, but she didn’t have to bribe anyone and just got ushered right in…”

Yan Leyao shot the girl a cold glare, her eyes full of resentment.

---

Jiang Yaoyao was led outside the room.

She had just pushed open the door when she came face to face with Wei Changze, whom she had met just yesterday.

Wei Changze’s eyes brightened when he saw her, and he quickly walked over, eager to approach.

Jiang Yaoyao stepped aside, avoiding his touch, and quickly made her way to Director Gu, bowing in greeting.

“Good morning, Director Gu!”

Although they both shared the same surname, Gu Zhang from her previous project and the famous Director Gu Jinling in front of her couldn’t be more different.

Gu Zhang always maintained an air of superiority when dealing with small actors, never showing a smile, acting like a petty person in power.

On the other hand, the well-known Gu Jinling seemed like a scholar straight out of a book, or perhaps a young professor immersed in research—elegant, easygoing, and well-mannered.

Upon seeing her, he smiled and nodded in greeting.

“Yaoyao, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Jiang Yaoyao felt a little embarrassed.

Given the original owner’s reputation in the industry, if Director Gu had heard of her, it likely wasn’t for anything good.

But the director’s expression was kind, without mockery or sarcasm.

“Are you ready? Please, get the audition script for Yaoyao.”

Wei Changze moved quickly, taking the script from a staff member and handing it over to her.

Jiang Yaoyao reached for it.

But as she did, she heard Wei Changze’s voice, a bit too eager.

“Yaoyao, I’m auditioning for the second male lead.”

“I’ve already memorized my lines. If you’re ready to try out, I can play opposite you and help with your scene!”

Before his sentence was even finished, the door creaked open.

Everyone turned to look, and their eyes met the stormy gaze of Pei Heng, standing in the doorway.