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Chapter 12
Whether or not the blind date is truly outstanding, Zhou Jingyu couldn’t say for sure, but he did know that she was quite the chatterbox—always full of things to say, whether she was happy or not, always wanting hugs and kisses, and extremely good at acting spoiled.
After the class reunion, Zhou Jingyu returned to his busy work routine.
Liu Meifen had been out of town for a few days and returned on Tuesday. She hadn’t been in contact with Wen Tang for over a week, and Wen Tang wasn’t answering her calls. During this time, Liu Meifen had to rely on Yang Yang and Ke Xin for updates on Wen Tang’s situation. Worried that something might be wrong, Liu Meifen headed straight to the film set after landing.
By now, the drama Hearing Your Heart had been filming for almost half a month, and Wen Tang’s early scenes had all been shot, with the production gradually moving into the romantic plotlines.
In the past, by this point in filming, Wen Tang would have already set her sights on someone, flirting with the young actors in the crew until sparks flew. If she moved fast, the two would have already started a relationship, and they’d be inseparable all day long.
The production team had carefully selected the cast; though the actors were mostly unknown, they were good-looking and had great potential. Since Wen Tang was famous both in and out of the industry, people had been speculating before filming started about which lucky young actor she might take a liking to this time. But now, after nearly half a month, Wen Tang had made no moves at all.
Could the rumors have been wrong?
Or is it that Wen Tang’s standards are too high and none of them caught her eye?
Everyone was curious about the reason, and the young male actors in the crew were eager to fill Wen Tang’s vacancy.
During a break, Wen Tang had just sat down when someone approached her.
“Sister Tang, have some cherries. My agent brought them for me yesterday. I tried some—they’re really sweet.”
Li Ziyang, the second male lead, was the most attentive of all the boys.
“Really? I love cherries,” Wen Tang smiled at him. Over the years, she had developed a habit of being kind and indulgent toward her younger male co-stars.
The cherries had been carefully washed, their red skins shiny and reflective, plump and juicy, making them hard to resist.
Li Ziyang held the cherries out to Wen Tang. “Sister Tang, you should try one first.”
It was hard to refuse such kindness.
Wen Tang reached out her hand, her fingers slender and long, her skin fair and smooth, very beautiful.
Li Ziyang couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at how beautiful Wen Tang’s hands were.
In front of Li Ziyang, Wen Tang picked up a cherry and put it in her mouth.
“It really is delicious,” Wen Tang praised.
Encouraged by her response, Li Ziyang pretended to be troubled and said to Wen Tang, “I’m new to the industry and always struggle with emotional expressions. The director just scolded me again. How can I improve my emotional delivery and perform better?”
“Sister Tang, you’re so good at acting. Could you teach me?”
Although he said he wanted to learn acting, everyone knew his true intention was more obvious.
After eating Li Ziyang’s cherries, Wen Tang would have to give something in return. If she agreed to help him, everything would fall into place naturally.
Li Ziyang gazed at Wen Tang with eager anticipation.
He had been observing Wen Tang for a while. She had always been straightforward with others and never flirtatious. Despite the many men in the crew who liked her, none had even her WeChat contact.
Only he had successfully added Wen Tang’s WeChat a few days ago. Officially, it was because he had many scenes with her and it was convenient for coordination. Privately, Li Ziyang was not completely convinced by this reason.
If it was just for coordination, assistants could exchange WeChat contacts. Why did it have to be his?
Confident due to his good looks and past popularity, Li Ziyang had hoped Wen Tang would initiate contact after adding him. However, she only reached out before their scenes together and was otherwise uncommunicative.
Was it really just for work, or was it all part of her strategy?
Was she dangling a carrot to keep him interested?
Li Ziyang had been patient, waiting as his manager advised him to, but when he saw Wen Tang using the same tactic with another male actor, he became anxious.
He could no longer wait.
So today, he personally washed cherries and brought them to Wen Tang.
He stared at Wen Tang with unblinking eyes, hoping to hear a satisfactory response from her.
However, Wen Tang either didn’t understand or was pretending to be clueless. She handed him a business card and said, “Acting is indeed hard to master all at once. It’s best to learn from a professional. This is the business card of the teacher who trained me for nearly two or three years. He’s very skilled! I’m giving you his card. If you want to learn, contact him. He will definitely teach you well.”
In the end, Li Ziyang received a business card and left disappointed.
Ke Xin, who had been watching the whole scene, couldn’t help but say to Wen Tang, “Tang Tang, you’re so ruthless…”
Wen Tang gave her a glance, and Ke Xin quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
Sighing helplessly, Wen Tang said with frustration, “I really don’t want to, but what can I do? I already have a crush on someone~”
Li Ziyang left, but the cherries remained. To show her sincerity, Wen Tang arranged them on a crystal plate, making them look particularly appealing.
Speaking of her crush, Wen Tang took a photo of the juicy cherries on the crystal plate and sent it to him.
[Candy: The first cherries of the year after the holidays. They’re so sweet and delicious~]
After sending the message, she lazily lay back in her chair, indifferent, and waved her hand lightly.
“Go ahead and eat them.”
*
When Liu Meifen arrived at the set, it was lunchtime during a break.
Wen Tang was sighing at a plate of lettuce and fruit salad. After a bit of indulgence during filming, she had gained two pounds the last time she weighed herself. She had been eating this for days and had lost her appetite just seeing it.
Weight loss and maintaining a figure were eternal struggles for female stars.
Taking the opportunity, Wen Tang complained to someone.
[Candy: [Image] ]
[Candy: I’m eating this for lunch today. I’ve been eating it for several days.]
[Candy: Crying.jpg]
During lunch, she received a quick response.
[Y: Can you fill up?]
[Candy: No!!]
[Candy: But I’ve gained weight! How can a girl be overweight? It’s absolutely unacceptable!]
[Y: How much have you gained?]
[Candy: A full two pounds!!]
[Y: ……]
[Candy: What does ‘dot dot dot’ mean? Two pounds is a lot! Think about it, how much is two pounds of pork? Isn’t it a lot? And now it’s on my body!]
[Candy: Ah ah ah, hard to accept!]
[Y: ……Hmm.]
*
After Liu Meifen arrived on the set, she saw Wen Tang holding her phone, smiling happily as she chatted with someone.
As Liu Meifen approached, Wen Tang noticed her.
Originally, Liu Meifen wanted to directly ask Wen Tang who she was chatting with. However, considering their current strained relationship and the fact that her phone was blocked on Wen Tang’s device, she changed her approach.
“Tang Tang, what are you up to?”
But Liu Meifen had always been forceful with Wen Tang, so despite changing her phrasing, her tone was still aggressive.
Seeing Liu Meifen, Wen Tang immediately put away her phone and replied coldly: “Nothing much.”
Liu Meifen was used to controlling Wen Tang, who had always been obedient in the past. It was hard for her to adjust to Wen Tang’s sudden rebellious attitude.
Since it wasn’t a matter that needed urgent discussion, Liu Meifen took a deep breath and suppressed her impulse to control Wen Tang.
“I’ll go say hello to the director first.”
With that, she went towards the director.
Liu Meifen was very adept at maintaining interpersonal relationships. She handled these matters with skill and ease.
“Tang Tang, Auntie Fen asked many times whether you’re dating anyone on the set. She was very insistent.” After Liu Meifen left, Ke Xin quietly approached Wen Tang and said, “I told her no. Don’t worry, I haven’t mentioned a word about you and the cool guy!”
Wen Tang glanced at her and scoffed lightly, “What, am I dating Gong Yue now?”
Ke Xin quickly shook her head.
Wen Tang asked, “Then why are you feeling guilty?”
Liu Meifen, having mingled around the set for nearly half an hour, was initially skeptical of Wen Tang’s two assistants. She feared they were in cahoots with Wen Tang. After inquiring from various sources and subtly probing, she confirmed that Wen Tang was indeed not involved with anyone and had no romantic inclinations. Only then did she feel relieved.
Liu Meifen came to the set primarily to address this issue. The filming schedule is brief, and Wen Tang managed to find a boyfriend during this short time, demonstrating her efficiency. Previously, in just half a month of being on set, Wen Tang would have been paired up with someone, living and traveling together.
If that were the case, Liu Meifen’s purpose was to intervene and snuff out any budding romance before it could take hold!
Returning, Liu Meifen was in a good mood, even finding Wen Tang’s usually impassive face somewhat pleasant.
“I happened to meet Director Xu in Huzhou. He’s currently casting for a new film,” Liu Meifen said to Wen Tang.
Wen Tang was momentarily puzzled. “Director Xu?”
“Yes, Director Tsui Hark,” Liu Meifen clarified. “He hasn’t made a film in recent years. Rumor has it he fell seriously ill but is now planning a comeback.”
Wen Tang recognized the name immediately.
One of the four renowned directors in China, on par with Feng Xiaogang, though Feng is more inclined towards commercial films with glamorous, opulent scenes, while Director Tsui is known for his emotional and straightforward portrayal of characters.
Their styles are vastly different, and public opinion on their films is highly polarized.
“I’ve already scheduled an audition with Director Xu for next week. Get ready,” Liu Meifen added.
After discussing Director Xu, Liu Meifen went over the upcoming endorsement activities and filming arrangements with Wen Tang. In summary, her schedule was packed, leaving no time for anything but sleep.
Just as Liu Meifen was about to leave, she turned back.
“There’s one more thing,” Liu Meifen said.
When Wen Tang looked at her, Liu Meifen continued, “Your father’s son is already eighteen. It’s inappropriate for them to remain in the old house. I’ve arranged a larger flat for them.”
Wen Tang was incredulous. “You changed their house?”
Wen Haifeng had asked her for a villa, which she ignored and blocked him, but Liu Meifen had immediately fulfilled his dream?
Liu Meifen spoke with a stern face, clearly and methodically, “I know he’s approached you and what he’s asked. A villa is out of the question, but a 400-500 square meter flat is acceptable. Think about it, how much is a large flat worth? How much do you earn in a year? If he creates a scene in the media, everything you’ve built will be ruined!”
Listening to Liu Meifen, Wen Tang could not describe the emotions she felt at that moment.
Liu Meifen always managed to challenge her limits and alter her perceptions.
Time and again.
“How scared are you?” Wen Tang laughed through her anger.
What’s the worst that could happen? Being labeled unfilial?
Besides, with Wen Haifeng’s greedy and selfish behavior, did he even deserve to be her father?
Her fists were clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms, and she didn’t even feel the pain.
“I just don’t want to take risks,” Liu Meifen frowned. “I can’t gamble on this possibility. You and I both know how hard it has been to get to where we are today!”
Wen Tang let out a cold snort.
Liu Meifen tried to persuade her further, “Wen Tang, don’t be willful.”
Wen Tang replied, “Aren’t you leaving?”
“Wen Tang…”
Wen Tang pointed to the door, furious. “Leave!”
**
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