Chapter 64

The street was not completely deserted, but there were few pedestrians.

Given their striking appearance, especially since Wen Tang was a major star, locals who recognized her from filming knew exactly who she was. The observant ones could spot her with just a glance.

Wen Tang had cried and laughed in a way that made her stand out, even though Zhou Jingyu shielded her, he couldn’t prevent all the attention.

Many people were already stealing glances, and some even began raising their phones. Zhou Jingyu embraced Wen Tang and guided her away.

Zhou Jingyu had nowhere else to go. Wen Tang didn’t want him to go to the hotel alone. It was just after they had reconciled, and she wanted to stay close to him, so she suggested he accompany her to the set.

She still had a shoot in the afternoon and couldn’t return to the hotel until it was done. The director had said there would be a ten-minute break, but the time she spent meeting Zhou Jingyu had already exceeded that. She had left without informing anyone, and her assistant, Yang Yang, had been anxious and called her, reminding her of the filming.

If she didn’t return soon, she would face criticism from Director Xu, who was known for not sparing anyone when angry.

It took a few minutes to get back to the set.

“During these twenty days, what did you do abroad?” Wen Tang asked Zhou Jingyu on the way.

She was purely curious, not trying to track his whereabouts.

As the President, Zhou Jingyu frequently traveled for business, but such a long period abroad was unusual.

Zhou Jingyu didn’t hide anything.

“My grandfather’s condition suddenly worsened. We had already arranged for a renowned doctor abroad, but my grandfather refused to go. When his life was in danger and he lost consciousness, my aunt and I decided to send him abroad directly.”

Seeing Wen Tang’s worried expression, Zhou Jingyu smiled at her and said, “Don’t worry. After emergency treatment, Grandpa’s condition has stabilized. However, he still can’t return to the country immediately. My aunt is staying with him abroad.”

The situation was quite complex. Zhou Donghai had been reluctant to go abroad because he wanted to keep Zhou Jingyu, Zhou Jiarong, and Zhou Jiaxin in check, preventing them from fighting too much over company power. However, Zhou Donghai’s condition had deteriorated to the point where it couldn’t be delayed any longer. Without treatment, he might not survive the month.

Zhou Jingyu and his aunt had decided to send Zhou Donghai abroad via helicopter while he was still in a coma. By the time Zhou Donghai regained consciousness, over a week had passed, and the situation was still critical.

Meanwhile, Zhou Jiarong and Zhou Jiaxin had taken advantage of Zhou Jingyu’s absence to create chaos in the company by contacting high-level executives and shareholders. Zhou Jingyu’s return was not only to reunite with Wen Tang but also to resolve the issues caused by these individuals.

He had flown directly to Lake City and would spend only one night there before returning to Lingcheng City early the next morning.

However, Zhou Jingyu didn’t share all the details with Wen Tang. He only mentioned that Zhou Donghai’s condition was stable but still required observation and treatment abroad, and briefly mentioned his departure from Lake City the next morning.

Wen Tang was visibly disappointed. She had hoped Zhou Jingyu would stay in Lake City for at least two days, as he had before. Instead, he was leaving after just one night.

But she understood that Zhou Jingyu had been abroad for twenty days and had many company matters to handle. After her brief disappointment, she accepted the situation.

Wen Tang’s decision to bring Zhou Jingyu to the film set caused quite a stir. No one expected her to return with a man, especially someone as exceptionally good-looking as Zhou Jingyu.

Wen Tang didn’t hide their relationship at all. Holding Zhou Jingyu’s hand made it clear that they were together, leaving little room for doubt about their relationship.

As soon as they entered the set, many curious eyes were drawn to them. Wen Tang was unbothered, and even greeted familiar faces, acting as if bringing a suspected boyfriend to the set was perfectly normal.

In reality, she didn’t realize how much her action had surprised everyone. The thought of witnessing such an event firsthand was like seeing a juicy, unpicked fruit.

Wen Tang was not only beautiful but also a rising star with impressive acting skills. Her private life had always been a topic of speculation. In the industry, people knew more about her real and fake relationships. The woman, like an enigmatic sea, was known for her fleeting romances, never lasting more than three months, leaving no one behind.

With such a reputation, it was no surprise that some were tempted when working with her. Many of her former boyfriends, who now enjoyed fame, were initially picked by her when they were unknown actors. She had a knack for spotting potential stars and elevating them to fame.

The sight of Zhou Jingyu, however, caused those tempted to give up on their ambitions. His exceptional looks made him stand out even more than Wen Tang’s previous boyfriends. His presence was so striking that people couldn’t help but be mesmerized, unable to look away.

Everyone wondered who this artist was. His appearance was so captivating that it seemed almost like a secret talent. With such looks, he would undoubtedly become a sensation if introduced to the public.

Yet, he had chosen to be with Wen Tang. It was a pity, as many speculated how long this relationship would last.

When they saw Zhou Jingyu, many began to feel sorry for him and started predicting when Wen Tang might break up with him.

The recent rumor about Wen Tang dating a mysterious man on a previous film set seemed to be overshadowed by Zhou Jingyu’s stunning appearance. Has the handsome man already replaced the mysterious figure?

Despite the speculation, if given a choice between two men, with one looking like Wen Tang’s boyfriend, the decision would be effortless.

After all, who wouldn’t want to be with someone so extraordinary?

Wen Tang led Zhou Jingyu to her resting area on the set. Seeing them reunited, Ke Xin and Yang Yang’s smiles stretched from ear to ear. No longer needing to be cautious of Wen Tang’s mood, he was relieved, as he had witnessed their difficult times over the past month.

Upon returning, Wen Tang resumed filming, with Zhou Jingyu watching attentively. It was his first time on a film set and his first time seeing Wen Tang act. He found her deeply focused and radiating unparalleled brilliance.

Wen Tang was truly passionate about acting and fully immersed in it. However, despite her deep love for the craft, she mentioned that she wanted to give up acting.

Before seeing Wen Tang act, Zhou Jingyu supported all her decisions. Her original family had caused her so much pain; over the years, her mother had controlled her life, and perhaps Wen Tang herself hadn’t fully realized what she truly loved. It made sense for her to step out of her previous circle and explore other fields.

But after witnessing Wen Tang’s performance, Zhou Jingyu changed his mind. Her obsession with acting, her genuine love for it, and her complete dedication showed that she was born for the stage.

Why give up? Why start over?

The filming went relatively smoothly. After more than ten takes, they finally achieved the effect the director wanted. Once the director called “Cut,” they moved the camera to a different location for another scene.

Wen Tang knew Zhou Jingyu was watching from the sidelines. At first, she felt a bit self-conscious, but once she was immersed in the scene, she forgot he was even there.

When filming ended, Wen Tang turned to her boyfriend and walked over with a smile.

As she reached out to hold Zhou Jingyu’s hand, which was both pleasant to touch and attractive, the director passed by them.

People in the industry generally have a good sense of propriety. Even though they might be curious, no one asked Wen Tang directly.

However, the director, being the boss on set, had no such reservations.

“Hey, Wen Tang, your boyfriend’s here, and you haven’t introduced him to us?” the director teased, holding a megaphone and waving as he passed by.

He glanced at Zhou Jingyu and immediately saw that he was a great prospect. Zhou Jingyu’s striking appearance suggested he would look fantastic on camera. Director Xu was also someone who appreciated beauty, and upon seeing Zhou Jingyu, he had a little scheme in mind.

“Which agency is your boyfriend signed with? He hasn’t debuted yet, has he? I haven’t seen him before.”

Wen Tang and Zhou Jingyu exchanged a glance. Wen Tang couldn’t help but chuckle, “Director, my boyfriend isn’t in the industry.”

Director Xu was astonished. “He’s not?” He was momentarily stunned, not having imagined that Zhou Jingyu wasn’t part of the entertainment world.

Without thinking, he asked, “If he’s not a signed artist, what does he do?”

Director Xu scrutinized Zhou Jingyu more closely. With such good looks, it was hard to believe no one had signed him. What were those agents doing? Were their eyes closed?!

Moreover, wasn’t it rumored that Wen Tang only dated minor actors from her own productions, enjoying the thrill of a quick romance?

So what about this impressive-looking man?

It seemed the rumors were false. Before filming began, Director Xu had worried that Wen Tang’s on-set romance might affect the shoot.

Wen Tang, unaware of the director’s rich inner monologue, hesitated momentarily when asked about Zhou Jingyu’s profession but decided to keep it low-key.

Glancing at Zhou Jingyu, Wen Tang said cautiously, “He’s just returned from abroad less than a year ago and is helping manage a small family business.”

Yes, it was just a small company, ranking in the top ten in Lingcheng City.

Director Xu nodded in understanding. From Wen Tang’s description, he thought Zhou Jingyu was merely a wealthy second-generation who didn’t need to enter the entertainment industry. He lamented the missed opportunity but smiled and greeted Zhou Jingyu before leaving.

Holding Zhou Jingyu’s hand, Wen Tang headed to the next scene. Along the way, Yang Yang approached, saying that the afternoon snacks and milk tea Zhou Jingyu had ordered had arrived.

It turned out that since it was Zhou Jingyu’s first time visiting the set and he had come in a hurry without preparation, he had asked Yang Yang and Ke Xin what was typically needed for a set visit. He wanted to bring a small gift or something similar.

Yang Yang and Ke Xin, knowing he was from outside the industry, advised him that it wasn’t necessary to be overly considerate. It was common for visitors not to bring anything, but if he wanted to give something, a cup of milk tea for each person was standard and sufficient.

Zhou Jingyu felt that one cup of milk tea was too little, so he added some snacks, covering the cost himself, and Yang Yang went to purchase them.

When the snacks and drinks arrived, Zhou Jingyu informed Wen Tang.

Wen Tang slapped her forehead, having completely forgotten about it. It was indeed necessary to treat everyone to milk tea on such a special occasion as her boyfriend’s visit. After all, it was about sharing happiness.

With Zhou Jingyu handling the purchase, Wen Tang asked Ke Xin and Yang Yang to distribute the milk tea and snacks, publicly acknowledging her relationship with Zhou Jingyu within the production team.

Now, Wen Tang had come to terms with her feelings. With a boyfriend so attractive, hiding him would be a waste. She was completely focused on Zhou Jingyu and had no interest in other men. This experience made her realize how deep her feelings for him were. If being public about their relationship was necessary, then so be it!

It also made it easier for Zhou Jingyu to visit her on set and fend off unwanted advances.