Chapter 20: He Was Never the Upright Gentleman Who Could Sit in a Room Without Being Distracted

But the little beauty, puffing up her cheeks, completely ignored him. Her red lips were pressed tightly together as she walked toward the other side.

Wei Changze was following closely behind, like a dog wagging its tail, no longer carrying the aloof attitude of a top celebrity.

“Yaoyao, I didn’t mean it earlier.”

“I just wanted to say that you look beautiful in this outfit, even more so than when you wore that white dress.”

“Yaoyao, please don’t stay mad at me. I really didn’t mean anything inappropriate—”

Jiang Yaoyao only heard him mumbling endlessly, feeling like her ears were about to develop calluses from his nagging.

She suddenly stopped and turned her gaze toward him, her voice soft but tinged with a hint of annoyance.

“If you didn’t mean anything, does that mean it’s me who’s overthinking it?”

With her hands on her hips, her small chin lifted slightly, her delicate face showing a faint anger. Her long lashes fluttered, making her eyes appear even more round and luminous.

This spoiled little look, cultivated by countless pampering, made her resemble the princess in a script who had been adored and raised like royalty.

Gu Jinling rubbed his nose, leaned a little toward Pei Heng, and said,

“Don’t say it, really don’t!”

“It’s exactly that way. After reading the script, the early part of the princess character is just like this.”

Pei Heng glanced at him coldly, about to say something, but Gu Jinling was poking his arm again, continuing,

“Childhood sweethearts.”

“They make a good match.”

The man, casually leaning back in his chair, narrowed his eyes, his gaze returning to the two people standing together. His thin lips pressed tightly together.

Gu Jinling continued to poke him, “They say nephews resemble uncles, and it really seems to be true. If you were younger and standing next to Jiang Yaoyao, you’d probably look just like this.”

Pei Heng shot him a cold glance, his eyes frosty, as if carrying a sharp edge.

Gu Jinling quickly coughed and covered his mouth.

He realized he had just poked at a sore spot for Pei Heng.

Looking at the displeased expression on Pei Heng’s face, Gu Jinling could almost feel the bitterness churning inside him and gave him an “I understand you” look.

Older men wanting to fall in love—wasn’t it always like this?

Jealousy.

Insecure.

Gu Jinling felt guilty for being unsympathetic, so he quickly tried to comfort him.

“Of course, if it were you when you were younger standing here, you’d really be shining. Wei Changze would probably fade into nothingness next to you—”

Before he could finish, Wei Changze’s voice interrupted.

“Director Gu, what ‘nothingness’? If you need someone like that in this scene, should I go find one?”

Before Gu Jinling could respond, a cold, mocking voice rang out beside them.

“You’re already here, no need to look.”

Gu Jinling: “…”

Bad luck.

He should’ve just kept quiet.

Gu Jinling grabbed his thermos, putting on a dignified director’s demeanor, nodding slightly toward Wei Changze.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s one or not. Let’s try the scene.”

“Yaoyao—”

Gu Jinling raised his fist toward Jiang Yaoyao, shouting, “Good luck!”

The little fairy in the short-sleeved gown obediently bowed to him.

“Thank you, Director!”

Jiang Yaoyao lifted her head and smiled at the handsome man sitting next to the director.

Pei Heng’s mood immediately improved as he was soothed by her smile.

---

Wei Changze was a professional actor. Having been in the industry for six or seven years, he had starred in many dramas.

Today’s scene required a lot of emotional depth, but with his rich experience, he was able to get into character quickly.

Gu Jinling nodded in approval.

When he looked at Jiang Yaoyao, his admiration deepened.

If Wei Changze succeeded due to his looks and experience, Jiang Yaoyao surprised him even more.

Having been immersed in the entertainment industry for years, Gu Jinling had a good eye for talent. He could tell immediately whether an actor had potential.

Jiang Yaoyao was still a bit raw in her performance, but her belief in acting was strong, and she could really stir the audience’s emotions.

Normally, actors with her level of talent and aura would gradually expand beyond the safety zone with each role. It didn’t make sense that she had been in the industry this long and still remained relatively unknown.

Especially with a face like hers…

He just couldn’t understand.

Gu Jinling snapped out of his thoughts and focused again.

The man sitting beside him, calm as ever, quietly observed the two people on the floor, his expression unchanged.

When the final line was delivered, the short scene came to an end.

Jiang Yaoyao turned to the director and bowed. As the lights hit her, two tears rolled down her pale face from her long lashes.

The usually calm man suddenly stood up. In the midst of the confused gazes of everyone around, he walked over to where Jiang Yaoyao was quietly wiping away her tears and bent slightly.

“Are you okay?”

Jiang Yaoyao raised her head at the sound, and her tear-filled, pitiful eyes collided directly with the man’s gaze.

The wide waistband highlighted her slim waist, while her skirt fluttered with every movement, making her seem ethereal and light, like a fairy.

Her eyes were still filled with tears, the edges of her lashes stained with a faint pink.

She appeared delicate and fragile, like a camellia blooming at the edge of a cliff, enduring the harsh winds and rain.

It seemed like if the wind blew any harder, she would be swept away.

The little beauty shook her head, her voice slightly choked, with a faint quiver in her tone that was irresistibly alluring.

“I’m fine, Mr. Pei.”

In the next moment, a warm, long finger gently touched her chin, and a soft tissue delicately brushed across her cheek.

His actions were incredibly gentle, and even his deep voice carried a tender, cautious concern.

“Are you still caught up in your emotions?”

“Did I disturb you?”

Jiang Yaoyao obediently shook her head again, softly murmuring a “thank you.”

But the next second, a furious male voice sounded, filled with repressed anger.

“Pei Heng, show some respect to her!”

The tall man leisurely folded the tissue before giving Wei Changze a light glance.

Wei Changze clenched his fists, his face turning pale with rage.

“Pei Heng, who gave you the right to touch her? Are you two that close?”

Pei Heng’s lips curved into a cold smile, his dark eyes like ink that could not be dispersed, cold light flickering menacingly.

“What right do you have to question me?”

Wei Changze was momentarily speechless. “What does my status have to do with this?”

“From now on, don’t touch her again!”

“Otherwise, even if you’re my senior by name, I won’t—”

Pei Heng lifted his eyelids slightly, his gaze chillingly cold, his sharp face exuding an eerie calmness.

“Won’t what?”

A gentle tug at his sleeve made him pause. Yaoyao stepped forward and stood in front of him.

Her long, dark hair swayed in the air, brushing past his fingertips, sending a slight, tingling itch through him.

He heard her soft voice, filled with protection.

“Don’t speak like that about him.”

“Mr. Pei respects me, so please don’t tarnish his reputation here.”

Pei Heng’s eyes softened as he looked down at the little figure blocking his view, the light in his gaze shifting.

His Yaoyao thought very highly of him.

He had never been the kind of upright gentleman who remained undistracted in the presence of beauty.

From the first moment he saw her, he had wanted to strip off her clothes.