Chapter 34

The early episodes of “One Moment, One Scene” didn’t garner much attention. But after the dark skinned director joined in the second episode, it steadily improved, catching the eye of many uploaders of the film and drama community, leading to recommendation videos that attracted a larger audience.

Later, the addition of the “Peach Blossom Spring” cast, and the team building episode of Jinhuan artists dominated the trending topics, with half of the top ten related to “One Moment, One Scene.”

Fans went back to watch the first episode and found it a treasure trove, worthy of high ratings.

The regular guests were a former A-list actor and a newcomer whose works had yet to be released. The two often made bold statements on the show.

Zhu Xinyue: “Maybe I should quit the industry and start making bubble tea. It pays well, and it’s fun despite being tiring.”

Xie Zhuguang: “It pays well because of the celebrity effect. If you remove the cameras and everything, would anyone still come?”

Zhu Xinyue: “Wait, when you say ‘celebrity’, are you referring to you or me?”

Xie Zhuguang: “The production team.”

The screen filled with comments like “hahahaha.”

[Very self-aware!]

[A former movie star x a newcomer who has not yet debuted, who came up with this genius combination?]

[Comedy duo, here to enjoy.]

…

When the dark skinned director joined, the comments were filled with a huge mix of CPs.

[Bubble Tea Pair, perfect match!]

[I also want to taste Xiao Zhu’s bubble tea!]

[The store manager standing next to Bubble Tea Brother is so white that he glows—I’ll call them the Black and White Pair!]

[Bubble Tea Pair is the real deal!]

After this episode aired, a famous CP video editor started shipping the dark skinned director and Zhu Xinyue as the Bubble Tea Pair, creating a beautifully edited video that almost convinced them they were in love.

Of course, Zhu Xinyue just watched it for fun and laughed it off. High fan creation engagement was good as it attracted more viewers to the show.

Zhu Xinyue’s social media followers gradually increased from 50,000 (half of which were bought) to over 300,000. 

Each episode brought her more fans.

This episode featured a night chat where guests discussed celebrities dating, putting Xie Zhuguang and Zhu Xinyue back in the trending searches.

#Xie Zhuguang Divorce

#How Famous Xie Zhuguang Was When Young

#Zhu Xinyue Celebrity Dating

It was the first time the show reached high trending topics without buying the spots, purely from fans and the general public’s interest.

Xie Zhuguang’s fans had grown up, most married with kids, and seeing this trending topic brought back memories.

[Xie Zhuguang represents my youth. The first movie date with my girlfriend was watching Xie Zhuguang’s “Old Shadows.” We both cried, and my girlfriend said she’d never seen a man cry so hard. She’s my wife now.]

[My mom loves Xie Zhuguang. She never misses an episode of this show. It’s the first time I’ve watched a variety show with her, and I’m starting to love Xie Zhuguang too.]

[Xie Zhuguang is very responsible. He fell for a photographer five years older, publicly dated her, then married and retired. With his acting skills and looks, if he hadn’t retired, who else would matter now? The industry has suffered from ugly and poor-acting male stars for too long!]

The production team cut out Zhu Xinyue’s explosive revelations, using only her earlier comment, “How much money do you need to date someone you like?”

Even this line was enough to spark debate. Her comment section was filled with questions about whether she planned to date, and fans of other celebrities who had been exposed for dating rumors came to criticize her.

Zhu Xinyue had anticipated this. She scrolled through the comments, seeing all kinds of reactions but didn’t care much. She believed dating was a celebrity’s personal matter, as long as they weren’t deceiving fans about being single. So she continued memorizing her script for her new drama.

With the show’s popularity, Zhu Xinyue gained some fame. Some of the scripts she received were from Jinhuan’s own resources, and some were from other platforms. 

She chose roles that she could handle, usually supporting roles. Good pay, less work, suitable for her.

One day, while memorizing her script, her phone vibrated.

Caller ID: Zhu Shilang.

Since their argument at the hospital, Zhu Xinyue hadn’t spoken to Zhu Shilang, nor used his card. Even after regaining her sight, she hadn’t replied to his messages.

She put down her script and answered.

“Hello?”

Zhu Shilang was prepared for her not to answer, so he was surprised when she did.

“How have you been?” He had seen the online comments criticizing her and was angry but couldn’t retaliate without making things worse for her.

“Memorizing my script for the new drama,” she replied calmly.

“Have you seen the online comments? If not, don’t bother. They’re pointless,” Zhu Shilang said.

Zhu Xinyue laughed, understanding his intention.

“Don’t worry, I’m prepared for this. The online environment is like this now. You should also avoid looking at it,” she reassured him.

Zhu Shilang hesitated, not asking her to return to Qingyang, knowing she wouldn’t like it. Bringing it up would lead to a fight. Better to maintain a delicate balance and endure the few years of her contract.

“I’m not coming back to Qingyang for New Year,” Zhu Xinyue suddenly said.

“What? You’re not coming back?” Zhu Shilang’s tone rose.

Zhu Xinyue deliberately used a vague tone, “Yes, I’m spending it with my boyfriend.”

Then she hung up. When he called back, she didn’t answer.

That evening, Zhu Xinyue returned to the hotel from the set, changed clothes, and received a call from Ji Linyu.

They were both busy with their careers. Since becoming a couple, they hadn’t had a proper date. Most of the time they just send messages when they are free, or talk on the phone at night, just like they are in an online relationship.

“What’s wrong? Did my brother call you?” Zhu Xinyue asked, smiling.

Since she was living at Ji Linyu’s place, Zhu Shilang must have asked him.

On the phone, his soft laughter filled the air, accompanied by a knock on the door from outside.

“Open the door,” Ji Linyu said.

Zhu Xinyue’s eyes lit up, and she hurried to the door to open it.

There stood her boss Ji, dressed in a black coat, holding a bouquet of roses, exuding a cold aura, dusty from the road, but smiling upon seeing her.

“How come you’re here?” Zhu Xinyue stepped aside, ushering Ji Linyu into the room and closing the door behind him.

As she turned back, Ji Linyu pressed her against the door, grasping her chin and kissing her lips.

The room was warm with heating on, and she was only in thin pajamas, barefoot on the carpet. The hallway lights dimly illuminated them in the mirror at the entrance as they kissed.

His voice was muffled, “To be with my girlfriend.”

Zhu Xinyue blushed from his kisses, pushing lightly on Ji Linyu’s shoulder while she still had some composure left.

Only then did Ji Linyu release her, turning to enter the room, placing the roses on the table. He glanced around and saw the script on her desk marked with various colored annotations.

She always took her career seriously.

Ji Linyu turned back, removing his coat and jacket, and said to her, “I have a 4 AM flight to R Country for a transfer. I came to see you. How’s filming going?”

Zhu Xinyue glanced at the time—it was eleven in the evening. Why was he not resting properly at this hour but here to see her?

“So, seeing me was just on your way?” Zhu Xinyue teased.

Ji Linyu, now only in a shirt, draped his coat and jacket over the sofa. He looked up at Zhu Xinyue with a meaningful gaze and replied, “Well, it’s better than someone who won’t even go out of their way. If I don’t come, then who will?”

He was referring to last week when Zhu Xinyue had gone to Tianze City to sign a contract. She had only returned for half a day—from the airport to the company, signing the contract, and flying back directly to the set. Ji Linyu had thought they could at least have dinner together, but Zhu Xinyue had said she had already passed through security, leaving Ji Linyu frustrated.

After filming “One Moment, One Scene”, Zhu Xinyue became even busier. 

Ji Linyu’s schedule was also packed, so they could only find time to meet sparingly.

Feeling a bit guilty, Zhu Xinyue approached Ji Linyu, taking his hand and lightly shaking it. “Sorry, sorry, I’ve been so busy lately. Once I finish this drama, I’ll have more time.”

Ji Linyu took advantage, pointing to the corner of his lips.

Zhu Xinyue tiptoed to kiss him.

Boss Ji, who is in love, particularly likes his girlfriend to kiss him actively, although in the end it is usually Zhu Xinyue who is kissed to the point of suffocation.

With just a few hours to spare, Zhu Xinyue didn’t want to tire Ji Linyu too much, so she suggested they watch “One Moment, One Scene” together.

Ji Linyu didn’t mind what they did as long as she was by his side.

“Are you telling Shilang that you’re spending New Year’s with your boyfriend this year?” 

Zhu Xinyue leaned against Ji Linyu’s chest, using her tablet to open “One Moment, One Scene”.

“Yeah. Why? Don’t you want to?” Ji Linyu’s arm rested around her waist, tightening as he spoke, “What do you think?”

Zhu Xinyue felt his unmistakable aura enveloping her, his lips kissing her earlobe, sending a warm breath over her cool ear, then kissing her neck.

Resting his head on her neck, his short hair tickled her sensitive skin, causing a tingling sensation, her body temperature rising gradually.

“…Ji Linyu.” Her voice was like the perfect aphrodisiac, sweet and delicious, making him wish to drown in her tenderness.

Ji Linyu held her, saying nothing.

In the room, only the background music of the variety show played.

Zhu Xinyue held onto his wrist around her waist, asking, “If you don’t want to, should I go back to Qingyang for New Year’s?”

Ji Linyu took a deep breath, biting her earlobe, as if punishing her for knowingly asking.

Zhu Xinyue’s ears were particularly sensitive, wanting to dodge but having nowhere to go, completely wrapped in his arms, her back pressed against his chest, feeling the strength of his heart pounding against hers, synchronized with her heartbeat.

“Do you want your brother to know who your boyfriend is?” Ji Linyu’s voice was husky, lightly grazing her ear.

Zhu Xinyue’s lower back tingled, as if something had been ignited, subconsciously tightening his wrist, her body temperature rising, cheeks flushing, her tablet slipping from her knees to the floor.

Ji Linyu reached out to catch the falling tablet, placing it casually on the nearby table, continuing to be intimate with her.

“Have you told him?” Zhu Xinyue asked.

“I want to.” Ji Linyu’s tone carried a hint of subtle grievance, intertwining his fingers with hers, caressing her ring finger.

Zhu Xinyue turned her head and kissed him on the lips in this position.

“Mmm… Once things stabilize, we’ll go public.”

Ji Linyu’s kiss engulfed her remaining words, as if venting all the grievances and dissatisfaction in this kiss, deeply demanding from her.

Boss Ji was coaxed by his girlfriend again, but what he was thinking about was——

What does it mean to be stable?

Getting married?