Chapter 71.2

After filming, the show went through post-production and would officially air on TV in half a month. By then, Wen Tang had already moved on to a new film project.

The show aired on Saturday at 8 PM, but Wen Tang did not watch it.

At that time, she was video chatting with Zhou Jingyu. She enjoys variety shows but usually isn’t interested in those she participated in.

However, after the show aired, it would be available on major online streaming platforms, and the two of them watched it together during their lunch break.

Online reactions to Wen Tang’s show were overwhelmingly positive.

[Wow, it’s been a long time since I saw Tang Tang on a variety show. I watched it for two hours straight, enduring all the ads. Then I watched it again on Penguin Video. Tang Tang’s looks are incredible, I’m so impressed!]

[Initially, I thought Tang Tang might just be washing dishes on a cooking show. After watching, I realized I underestimated her. I didn’t expect her to cook so well! The sweet and sour ribs looked amazing, I’m so tempted to eat some!]

[My daughter has grown up, sobbing.]

[Must-watch variety show!]

[I’m drooling, enough said. I’ll order takeout!]

[After watching, I realized that Wen Tang was constantly busy—either washing dishes, sweeping the floor, wiping the table, or cooking. Who would dare to say she’s delicate now? I’ll just shove this video in their face!]

[Sob, sob, is this really my Wen Tang? So diligent??]

[I feel like I’m seeing a fake Wen Tang. I didn’t expect her to be so down-to-earth in real life.]

[And not only that, she’s also so silly and loyal, okay? Once you get to know her better, you’ll see that she’s really wonderful.]

[The best Wen Tang, I’ve liked her for over ten years!]

[I love her so much!]

……

As Ke Xin and  Yang Yang watched, she found the comments so funny that she read them aloud to Wen Tang, making it so that Wen Tang essentially saw all of the comments after they finished watching.

Given the positive reaction to this variety show, Li Yingjie wanted to have Wen Tang take on more similar shows. He called Wen Tang to discuss this, but Wen Tang rejected all of her offers.

Wen Tang only wanted to focus on filming and didn’t want to spend too much time on variety shows.

Indeed, variety shows bring quick money, have a broad audience, and can effectively boost popularity in a short time. However, Wen Tang was no longer focused on popularity or money. She was more concerned with acting and honing her skills.

The film Wen Tang was currently shooting was not set in Lingcheng.

According to past practice, whenever she wasn’t filming in Lingcheng, Zhou Jingyu would always make time to visit her on set.

However, this time, Zhou Jingyu was bogged down with various company matters. After being on business trips for more than half a month, returning to work meant more overtime and meetings, leaving him only available after a month and a half.

Wen Tang was, of course, very happy that Zhou Jingyu was coming. Unfortunately, the film had a scene involving kissing that happened to be scheduled for the same day Zhou Jingyu was set to visit.

This… if Zhou Jingyu saw it, it wouldn’t be good.

Although Zhou Jingyu knew that there would be kissing scenes in this film and had previously expressed that he could accept it, his words might not reflect his true feelings. When he agreed to the film, that night he was unusually intense and kept her up until midnight.

She was so exhausted she could barely speak, crying and begging him.

Although Zhou Jingyu didn’t say it outright, Wen Tang felt he was jealous.

She could refuse bed scenes, but kissing scenes were quite normal and unavoidable.

There would be more such scenes in the future, so she couldn’t refuse acting just because Zhou Jingyu might be unhappy.

However, even though acting is part of her job, she didn’t want to perform such scenes in front of Zhou Jingyu! The thought of openly kissing another man in front of him was unimaginable. Not only might Zhou Jingyu be upset, but Wen Tang would also feel very awkward.

To avoid such an uncomfortable situation, Wen Tang specifically discussed with the director whether it was possible to move the kissing scene to an earlier date.

The director was willing, but Wen Tang brought up the request too late. The filming was scheduled for the next day, and preparations were already underway. The best they could manage was moving it one day earlier.

Wen Tang: … One day earlier would work! As long as it’s not the same day Zhou Jingyu is visiting.

However, fate had other plans. Zhou Jingyu missed Wen Tang so much that he completed his work early, changed his flight, and arrived a day ahead of schedule.

After landing, he called Wen Tang. At that moment, Wen Tang was alone in the makeup room, preparing for the kissing scene.

Zhou Jingyu’s voice was casual as he asked over the phone, “Where’s your film crew? I’ll come over directly.”

Wen Tang: “……”

What a coincidence?!

Wasn’t he supposed to come tomorrow????

Feeling guilty, Wen Tang hesitated, evasive, and avoided giving the address.

Whenever Zhou Jingyu visited her on set before, she was always excited and welcoming. This time, her behavior was suspiciously hesitant, making Zhou Jingyu frown.

Zhou Jingyu, who was originally pushing a small suitcase through the airport, paused upon hearing her tone and asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t want me to come?”

Wen Tang really didn’t want him to come, but how could she say that?

She quickly denied it.

There was no way to avoid making him upset, whether she said it or not, so she had to be honest and straightforward.

Wen Tang: “It’s not that I don’t want you to come. I miss you so much and naturally want to see you earlier, but… there might be a small issue. You have to promise me not to be upset when you come.”

Zhou Jingyu wasn’t fooled and wanted to hear more.

“What issue?”

He asked.

Wen Tang: “…… I have a kissing scene later.”

Zhou Jingyu was silent for a few seconds before directly hanging up the phone.

Wen Tang:……

It’s over, he’s really angry!

This was the first time Zhou Jingyu had hung up on her……

As Wen Tang held her phone, trying to figure out how to make Zhou Jingyu not upset, her phone rang again.

Wen Tang looked at it.

[Y: Address.]

Panicking, Wen Tang realized she had forgotten this detail.

Wen Tang quickly sent the address.

After sending the address, Wen Tang thought for a moment and began typing.

[Wen Tang: Or maybe it’s better if you don’t come. Wait at the hotel for a while. I’ll finish filming soon and come to you. I promise it will be quick!]

The response came back quickly.

[Y: How quick? Once or twice?]

[Wen Tang: ……]

This was something she really couldn’t guarantee. The director was so meticulous it bordered on the obsessive, often requiring a scene to be filmed at least ten times or more. As for today’s kissing scene… it was uncertain how many takes it would take, but definitely not just one or two.

There was no further message from Zhou Jingyu.

The drive from the airport to the filming location took only half an hour, which was very fast.

After Zhou Jingyu arrived at the set, he sent Wen Tang a message saying that there were many paparazzi and fans outside, making it inconvenient for Wen Tang to go out. So, he asked Yang Yang to meet him instead while Wen Tang stayed in the makeup room.

As the absolute lead actress, Wen Tang was given special treatment. The film crew had even set up a dedicated dressing room and makeup room connected together. Whenever she needed a break, she could rest there.

Before long, Yang Yang brought Zhou Jingyu in.

“Tang Tang, Mr. Zhou is here.”

When the door opened, Zhou Jingyu stood in the doorway. Backlit, his handsome face was expressionless.

Knowing that the kissing scene was coming up and that Wen Tang and Zhou Jingyu needed to talk, Yang Yang left discreetly to give them privacy.

As soon as Wen Tang saw Zhou Jingyu, all her previous worries vanished, replaced only by her longing for him.

She walked over, pulled him inside, and, after closing the door, threw herself into his arms without hesitation.

“I haven’t been away from you for so long in a while, it’s really hard to get used to.” Breathing deeply in his embrace, Wen Tang felt like she was coming back to life.

Longing truly is torturous.

Zhou Jingyu, who had been harboring jealousy, felt he might have been overly sensitive upon seeing Wen Tang like this.

He sighed inwardly, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close.

“I missed you too.”

It was precisely because he missed her that he completed his work early to have an extra day to visit her on set, only to find her filming a kissing scene.

He had known about the kissing scenes in her film and understood that certain scenes were essential for an actress, and he couldn’t stop her from performing them. However, the more time he spent with her, the more he became infatuated. Even small things easily made him jealous, let alone kissing scenes.

His possessiveness was astounding. Though Wen Tang hadn’t noticed before, he had been trying hard not to frighten her.

In this moment of embrace, all his longing turned into a tangible urge, and he wanted to kiss her.

Wen Tang immediately stiffened and turned her face away.

Zhou Jingyu frowned slightly.

Wen Tang didn’t dare look at him, her gaze wandering as she spoke slowly, “…… The scene is about to start. It’s better if we skip the kiss.”

The idea of being kissed by another man right after Zhou Jingyu had kissed her felt very strange.

Zhou Jingyu’s previously softened expression darkened again after hearing Wen Tang’s words.

Noticing his displeasure, Wen Tang shook his slim waist gently, dragging her voice into a soft, pleading tone, “It’s just work, don’t overthink it. Wait here for me, and I’ll come find you as soon as I’m done. Okay?”

Zhou Jingyu only looked down at her, his expression grim and silent.

Wen Tang genuinely felt how hard it was to appease him right now.

She thought for a moment and added, “I promise I’ll finish quickly and try to minimize the number of takes!”

This time, Zhou Jingyu finally loosened up, his voice still stern as he asked, “So, how many takes?”

Wen Tang: “……”

How could she answer this?!

Zhou Jingyu continued to stare at her, seemingly unwilling to let it go without an answer.

Wen Tang: “…… Ten… no, eight times?”

Eight times was Wen Tang’s conservative estimate based on what she could imagine.

After all, other scenes were filmed at least ten times, and kissing scenes were likely no exception.

Zhou Jingyu’s expression darkened even more.

Wen Tang tried to negotiate, “Then… six times?”

He remained silent, his tightly pressed lips revealing his turbulent emotions.

Wen Tang: “…… Five is the minimum. Really, you don’t know how meticulous and picky our director is. Even scenes we’ve performed perfectly are always picked apart. It’s really frustrating to keep reshooting!”

Wen Tang shifted the blame to the director, but Zhou Jingyu didn’t seem to care about her excuses.

He directly pushed her against the wall, wrapping his legs around hers, his arms encircling her waist, restraining her entirely. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he gazed down at her.

The intensity of his gaze made Wen Tang’s heart race. He spoke softly in her ear, “Three times. Any more and we’ll have to deal with it tonight. You handle it as you see fit.”

Wen Tang: “……………………”