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Chapter 31: Pretty Virtuous – I Missed You, So I Came to See You
“Sorry, I didn’t bring my phone.”
With that, Pei Yunzhe stood up and said to Zhong Yang, “I’ll head off first. There’s a remote meeting I need to attend.”
“Huh? Oh… okay…”
Under Jiang Tingwan’s gaze, Zhong Yang clutched the thermos tightly.
What happened between her and Pei Yunzhe couldn’t be known by anyone—otherwise gossip would spread through the entire crew in no time…
Luckily, Jiang Tingwan hadn’t heard their conversation.
After Pei Yunzhe left, she started chatting excitedly with Zhong Yang, “Let me tell you, we went to the same kindergarten when we were kids. He was famous for crying a lot back then—short and delicate, just like a little girl.”
Zhong Yang was a bit puzzled by her casual familiarity. “Were your families close?”
If they were, how could they not even have each other on WeChat…
“Back when Chairman Pei was alive, our families were neighbors.”
Jiang Tingwan smiled. “We also went to the same elementary and middle school. I always heard people talking about him—calling him a handsome guy, school heartthrob and whatnot. I used to think, him? Really?”
Zhong Yang gently countered, “Maybe your standards are too high. President Pei is already better-looking than most male celebrities.”
Jiang Tingwan paused, then asked, “Hey, you seem quite familiar with Pei Yunzhe too. What’s your relationship?”
“He’s my boss. The agency I’m signed with is owned by him.”
Jiang Tingwan’s eyes lit up. “Then you must have his WeChat, right? Introduce me!”
“Uh… that might not be appropriate…”
“Come on, at least for the sake of the milk tea I brought you, Xiao Yang~”
Jiang Tingwan clung to her arm and shook it playfully. Unable to resist, Zhong Yang gave in: “Okay, okay.”
Just as she unlocked her phone, a new message popped up:
[.]: Lied to her. I actually did bring my phone.
Zhong Yang quickly replied, making sure Jiang Tingwan couldn’t see the screen:
[zy]: She asked me to give her your WeChat. I did.
[.]: Mm. Even if you did, I won’t accept.
[zy]: She made it sound like you two were childhood friends. Maybe you should just add her?
[.]: Not childhood friends. I don’t know her. Not adding.
…Quite virtuous for a man.
Zhong Yang suppressed the smile tugging at her lips and said to Jiang Tingwan, “Sent it to you. I’m heading back to training.”
Xiao Yun noticed Zhong Yang was in a great mood all morning—happily horseback riding, grinning while reading her script at lunch, even downing two boxes of crew meal, including two pieces of carrot she normally hated.
As she tossed the spotless meal boxes into the trash, Xiao Yun teased, “Sis, maybe you could apply some of your acting skills to real life?”
Zhong Yang raised an eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”
Xiao Yun replied tactfully, “Because your emotions are written all over your face. Seems like people could easily read you…”
Zhong Yang was startled. “Really? That obvious?”
Xiao Yun nodded seriously. “Yes. Very. Extremely.”
Zhong Yang touched the side of her face, deep in thought.
After Xiao Yun left, Zhong Yang pulled out her study notes for graduate school and was about to start memorizing when she heard a knock on the door.
Knock knock knock. Three evenly spaced knocks.
Muttering, she walked to open the door. “Silly Xiao Yun, what did you forget this time…”
The words trailed off.
It was Pei Yunzhe.
He asked, “Is it convenient to talk inside?”
“Shhh!”
Zhong Yang glanced around like a thief, then quickly pulled him inside. “Hurry up, don’t let anyone see!”
A late-night visit from the investor to the female lead’s room? That would be a scandal.
She pulled down the blinds in the kitchen and closed the living room curtains before breathing a sigh of relief.
She motioned for Pei Yunzhe, who was still standing at the entrance, “Sit down. Why are you here?”
He looked like he had just showered—wearing a simple black hoodie and sweatpants, with damp hair falling over his forehead.
So relaxed, he looked like a completely different person from when he wore suits.
She grinned, “You look like a college guy like this. Instantly five years younger.”
“I’m twenty-nine. Even five years younger doesn’t make me a college kid.” He pulled a warm bottle of milk from his pocket, opened the lid, and handed it to her. “Drink it while it’s hot.”
Zhong Yang: “As long as you look like one, that’s enough. But wait, why are you here in Jin Dian at this hour?”
Pei Yunzhe’s gaze lingered on her slender neck as she tilted her head to drink, and he replied, “You already know the answer.”
Zhong Yang countered, “But that’s not what I asked.”
Pei Yunzhe: “…”
He looked away slightly and cleared his throat. “Ahem. I missed you. I wanted to see you.”
Even though she expected that answer, Zhong Yang still felt her heart racing, giddy with happiness.
Then Xiao Yun’s words suddenly echoed in her head.
Zhong Yang quickly composed herself, shaking the bottle in her hand nonchalantly. “So you came all this way just to bring me hot milk?”
Pei Yunzhe silently pulled something else from his pocket and handed it to her. “And to give you a gift.”
“A gift?” Zhong Yang was surprised. “Is it some special occasion today? Why are you giving me a present?”
“Just open it and see if you like it.”
“Oh…”
Zhong Yang took the beautifully wrapped box and opened it on the coffee table.
Inside lay a smart bracelet, with five interchangeable chains. Sleek and stylish.
Pei Yunzhe explained, “This is the latest TRACK bracelet by Tuowen. It can monitor temperature, oxygen levels, heart rate, mood, sleep, and also track exercise and menstrual cycles. I thought it might be useful for you.”
“Wow, that’s actually pretty practical.” Zhong Yang chose the silver chain, assembled the bracelet, and showed it off. “Thanks, I really like it.”
Pei Yunzhe reached over and patted her head. “Glad you like it.”
His hand was warm and dry, and Zhong Yang’s face instantly heated up.
What’s with the touching? This guy…
Before she could complain, Pei Yunzhe had already stood up and put some distance between them. “I’ll go. Rest early and don’t study too late.”
Zhong Yang avoided his gaze and mumbled, “…Okay.”
As he reached the door, she couldn’t help but call out, “Hey, are you coming to the bonfire party tomorrow? It’s the kickoff celebration. Everyone’s gonna dance together—it sounds fun.”
Pei Yunzhe noticed her anticipation and smiled. “If you’re going, I’ll go.”
Zhong Yang finally smiled. “Then make sure you dress like a college guy!”
The next night, the long-unused bonfire pit at camp was lit.
Flames blazed brightly, glowing even more under the night sky. In front of the guesthouse, people queued for the open-air karaoke. Good voices or bad, everyone wanted a turn on the mic.
Nearby, dozens of barbecue tables were set up, spicy aromas wafting everywhere. People sat together in little clusters, lively and cheerful.
Maybe it was the festive vibe, but the wind didn’t feel cold at all tonight.
Zhong Yang sat at a table with Pei Shize and asked, “Director Pei, your brother’s still not here?”
She had already eaten ten skewers of lamb and half a bowl of fried rice, but Pei Yunzhe was nowhere in sight…
Pei Shize was just as puzzled. “Yeah, he’s not answering calls or replying to messages either.”
He grabbed a passing crew member. “Xiao Tang, have you seen my brother?”
Xiao Tang laughed. “Director Pei, I wouldn’t ask if I were you. Even brothers need privacy, you know.”
Pei Shize frowned. “What? Why?”
Xiao Yang replied mysteriously, “Saw President Pei sneaking into Boss Jiang’s room. Dressed sharp, smelled nice—bet he even sprayed cologne!”
Pei Shize instinctively glanced quickly at Zhong Yang, then pulled Xiao Tang aside. “Stop talking nonsense! Are you sure you saw clearly?”
“Of course! Ask Old Yang too—Boss Jiang’s room lights are off now, totally dark.”
Then Xiao Tang shouted across the camp, “Old Yang! Tell Director Pei—didn’t we clearly see President Pei secretly going to meet Boss Jiang?”
Snap.
Zhong Yang broke the skewer in her hand.
Old Yang came running over to join the fun. “Yeah, and Boss Jiang was even holding President Pei’s arm like this… and this… and this…”
Actors, huh. Everyone’s a performer.
Old Yang and Xiao Tang, two burly guys, put on a vivid skit of “Secret Nighttime Date With Sweetheart.”
All lovey-dovey, full of passion.
Snap.
Zhong Yang broke the rest of the skewers in her hand and tossed them in the trash. Then she smiled, raising her hands to applaud their exceptional performance.
Cheers and whistles erupted all around. Pei Shize, sweating, quickly pushed the two men away. “Enough, enough! Keep gossiping and I’ll dock your pay!”
Xiao Yang and Old Yang weren’t afraid of his threats and went back to their table, laughing.
Anyone could guess what would happen next—this story would probably spread through the whole crew by midnight…
Zhong Yang pulled out her phone and sent a message to Pei Yunzhe:
[zy]: Where are you?
Five minutes passed—no reply.
[zy]: ?
Ten minutes—still no reply.
With a grim expression, Zhong Yang typed and erased, erased and typed, but in the end… she didn’t send anything.