Chapter 56

The alley where they stood was narrow and dim.

In the distance, colorful neon signs occasionally cast flickering shadows, creating a faint outline of their kissing figures on the wall.

Pei Qingci held Sheng Qingli’s face as he kissed her, making sure not to expose her features too much.

After a while, mindful of being outside, Pei Qingci reluctantly pulled back, resting his forehead against hers as they both caught their breath.

“Should we head back?” he asked softly.

Sheng Qingli wanted to say yes; she was a bit tired after wandering all day. But as she raised her eyelashes, she suddenly thought of something and looked at the illuminated movie sign behind Pei Qingci. “Are you tired? I kind of want to watch a movie here.”

Pei Qingci followed her gaze and smiled, “Not tired. Put your mask on properly.”

He adjusted her mask, revealing his bright, shining eyes.

Seeing this, Pei Qingci couldn’t help but peck her lightly above her eyes. “Let’s go, Ms. Sheng. It’s been a long time since we watched a movie together.”

They intertwined their fingers, and Sheng Qingli corrected him with a slight smile, “It’s been a long time since we watched a movie together in a cinema.”

While they often cuddled on the sofa to watch movies at home or in hotels, it was true that they hadn’t been to the cinema in a while.

They entered a vintage-looking, old cinema.

At this time, there weren’t many people watching movies. Pei Qingci and Sheng Qingli casually picked a film that was about to start and walked inside.

The screening room was pitch dark, and no one could see anyone else.

Even so, Sheng Qingli and Pei Qingci still made a slight effort not to take off their masks.

Looking at their hands still intertwined, Sheng Qingli’s lips curled up under her mask as she turned her head to the person next to her. “Why did you come over?”

Pei Qingci lowered his lashes, not directly answering her question but instead asking, “Don’t you miss me?”

“Of course,” Sheng Qingli whispered, “but I’m going back tomorrow.”

Pei Qingci responded calmly, “I can’t wait even a day.”

“…”

Sheng Qingli laughed at his words, her brows curving as she whispered with him, “Do you really miss me that much?”

Pei Qingci tilted his head, “Does that mean you don’t miss me as much?”

Sheng Qingli: “…”

How did she fall into the trap he had set?

“Mr. Pei, don’t dig pits for me,” she warned quietly.

Pei Qingci smirked, tightening his grip on her hand. “What did she say to you?”

“Not much,” Sheng Qingli murmured, “she just questioned me a bit, and before she could do anything, that Mr. Yu arrived.”

At this point, Sheng Qingli added, “I didn’t know your friend was so good-looking.”

Pei Qingci lowered his eyes, “Oh?”

Sheng Qingli: “He’s really handsome.”

“More handsome than me?” Pei Qingci asked, slightly displeased.

Sheng Qingli chuckled, “They’re different kinds of handsome. Why do you care about that?”

Pei Qingci: “I think I should care a little.”

Sheng Qingli found it both amusing and exasperating.

“By the way, he said his girlfriend is a fan of mine and asked for an autographed photo.” Sheng Qingli said, “Can you pass it to him once I sign it after I go back?”

Pei Qingci nodded and suddenly said, “Do you want to meet his girlfriend?”

Sheng Qingli: “Huh?”

She was somewhat surprised. “Meet his girlfriend?”

Pei Qingci confirmed, telling her, “His girlfriend and a few other friends also really like you.”

Sheng Qingli blinked, vaguely understanding what he meant.

“Are they all friends outside your circle?”

Pei Qingci, like Sheng Qingli, didn’t have many close friends in the industry. Sheng Qingli used to be willing to make friends, but after the incident with Yin Miaojing, she had only maintained superficial relationships with most people in the circle.

Pei Qingci was even more exaggerated; he didn’t have a single close friend in the industry.

At this moment, Pei Qingci brought it up, and Sheng Qingli guessed he wanted to introduce her to a few of his friends.

Pei Qingci nodded, “Almost all are from outside the circle.”

Sheng Qingli was curious. “Are they as handsome as Mr. Yu?”

Pei Qingci glanced at her.

Sheng Qingli teased, “I’ll only meet them if they’re as handsome as Mr. Yu.”

“Pretty close,” Pei Qingci said, “but they’re not as good-looking as me.”

Hearing this, Sheng Qingli couldn’t help but chuckle. “Mr. Pei, why are you so narcissistic?”

“Am I?” Pei Qingci squeezed her fingers. “I’m just speaking the truth.”

Suddenly, he remembered something. “You might have heard the name of one of my friend’s girlfriend.”

Sheng Qingli’s eyes widened. “Who?”

“Ruan Ying,” Pei Qingci reminded her.

Sheng Qingli thought hard for a moment. “Is she that very beautiful host?”

Pei Qingci: “That’s her.”

Upon hearing this, Sheng Qingli became interested. “If there’s a chance when we get back, let’s meet her.”

Pei Qingci smiled. “Okay.”

The two leaned together and whispered for quite a while before shifting their attention back to the movie.

The film was a Hong Kong movie from several years ago, beautifully shot. Sheng Qingli and Pei Qingci had seen a censored version before, and this was the unedited version.

When they saw the uncut scenes, Sheng Qingli was taken aback and couldn’t help but whisper to Pei Qingci, “The content in Hong Kong movies is quite bold.”

Pei Qingci agreed, his warm breath brushing against her cheek. “Good-looking?”

Sheng Qingli: “…”

She paused for a moment, sensing something, and quietly said, “Let’s leave after watching it.”

Pei Qingci helplessly agreed.

Two hours later, the movie ended.

The two left the cinema, preparing to return to the hotel.

Originally, Pei Qingci intended to take a taxi, but Sheng Qingli had a sudden idea. Looking at the sparsely populated street, she scratched Pei Qingci’s palm and said, “I feel like riding that sightseeing bus.”

They couldn’t ride it during the day or night, worrying they might be recognized.

But it was already past one in the morning, and there were noticeably fewer people on the street. Their chances of being recognized were much lower.

Since Sheng Qingli wanted to go, Pei Qingci naturally obliged.

They were lucky enough to catch the sightseeing bus at night.

When they got on, there were only a few scattered passengers inside.

Pei Qingci and Sheng Qingli walked to the back, finding the most secluded spot to sit down.

The breeze of the harbor city blew, tousling their hair.

Sheng Qingli’s hair fell on Pei Qingci’s shoulder and face, soft and ticklish.

The two were still carefully wearing masks, not taking them off.

However, when they passed a certain street, Pei Qingci kissed her through the mask.

Sheng Qingli chuckled. When he wanted to go further, she pushed his head away and softly reminded him, “Let’s kiss when we’re back at the hotel.”

Half an hour later, they returned to the hotel.

Sheng Qingli went upstairs to her room first, while Pei Qingci followed a few minutes later.

Back in her room, Sheng Qingli first told Lin Lin that she had returned to the hotel, and the doorbell rang.

She opened the door, and Pei Qingci entered.

Before Pei Qingci could take off his mask, Sheng Qingli took the initiative to wrap her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoes to get closer to him. “Mr. Pei, can you help me take a bath tonight?”

Pei Qingci lowered his eyelashes, the cool, fresh scent of cedarwood drifting into her nose. He lifted Sheng Qingli with one hand, took off the mask, and tossed it aside, his voice low and deep. “As you wish.”

“…”

---

The next afternoon, Sheng Qingli, Pei Qingci, and Lin Lin, along with Tong Tong, flew back to Bei Cheng together.

Originally, Sheng Qingli wanted to separate from Pei Qingci. It was too conspicuous for them to appear at the airport together and on the same flight.

However, Pei Qingci told her he had come by private jet and that they could return together.

“…”

After boarding the private jet, Lin Lin and Tong Tong were somewhat dazed.

The two looked at Sheng Qingli, as if trying to extract a confession under pressure.

Sheng Qingli glanced at Pei Qingci, who was giving instructions to the crew in the distance, then raised her hand to touch her nose. “How… should I explain this?”

“Mr. Pei… when did he buy a private jet?” Lin Lin was shocked.

Sheng Qingli: “It’s not his.”

“He’s not some rich heir about to inherit a family business, is he? Someone who just hasn’t been popular and is going home to take over the family business?” Tong Tong probed.

Lin Lin looked at Sheng Qingli.

Sheng Qingli felt a bit embarrassed. “Probably?”

Lin Lin fainted in disbelief. “How come after all these years in the industry, no relevant news about him has leaked?”

“… He has my mother’s surname, just like me,” Sheng Qingli explained.

However, she felt it wasn’t just because Pei Qingci shared his mother’s surname. The reason his identity had been kept so well hidden also had a lot to do with his family.

In the entertainment industry, the Gu family wouldn’t care about news, but if it involved their group in any way, they would interfere.

Rich people want to suppress a piece of news and will not give paparazzi or insiders even the slightest chance to expose it.

Lin Lin was stunned and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Although I thought Mr. Pei had a special aura before, this news still shocked me a bit.”

She lowered her voice and asked, “Which wealthy young master is he?”

Sheng Qingli was about to answer when Pei Qingci walked over.

“I’ll tell you when we get back.”

Lin Lin made an “OK” gesture.

Pei Qingci sat down next to Sheng Qingli, wanting to ask how she was feeling.

But with two intense gazes across from them, he felt it was not the right time to ask.

After a moment of silence, Lin Lin and Tong Tong tactfully said, “We’re going to rest over there.”

Sheng Qingli: “…”

After the two left, Sheng Qingli turned to Pei Qingci and quietly said, “Mr. Pei, does this count as—”

“What?” Pei Qingci raised his hand to her lower back and began to massage it. “Still sore?”

Sheng Qingli’s breath caught, and her ears instantly heated up. “A little.”

They had been too indulgent last night.

Pei Qingci hummed and continued massaging her. “What were you about to say just now?”

“I feel it’s not very appropriate to say it now.” Sheng Qingli honestly answered.

Pei Qingci raised an eyebrow. “What’s inappropriate about it?”

Sheng Qingli smiled slightly. “It’s just that our identities aren’t appropriate.”

She actually wanted to tease Pei Qingci; if the media reporters found out about his identity and their relationship, would they start asking her about marrying into a wealthy family?

Upon hearing the word “identity,” Pei Qingci paused slightly, then lowered his gaze and said, “Ms. Sheng.”

Sheng Qingli: “Hmm?”

With words on his lips, Pei Qingci hesitated, then touched her fingers and said, “It’s nothing. Just wanted to call you that.”

“…”

Sheng Qingli lowered her gaze, looking at where his long fingers rested, the corners of her lips curling up slightly without exposing anything.

Some words and matters might be better left with a sense of mystery to create more surprise.

After arriving in Beicheng, Pei Qingci arranged for a business car to pick them up.

They first dropped Lin Lin and Tong Tong off at home before returning home themselves.

The trophy had been lonely at home for a few days, with only Li Yuwei and the housekeeper visiting daily to feed it and play with it for a while.

Hearing the noise, it quickly ran down the stairs, like a little dog, tail held high, meowing at the two of them.

“Why is it so clingy?” Pei Qingci squatted down and reached out to pet its head.

Sheng Qingli watched from the side, tilting her head, and thought, “Maybe it’s because of you?”

Pei Qingci: “…”

There was truly no way to refute that.

After returning to Beicheng from the harbor city, Sheng Qingli and Pei Qingci spent a few days in idleness.

A few days later, Sheng Qingli began to get busy again. She had multiple endorsements and, having collaborated with Director Zhong and Director Wan, she received even more brand partnership requests than before.

Pei Qingci took endorsements based purely on his mood; he wasn’t short on money.

Although Sheng Qingli wasn’t short on money either, there was still a considerable gap compared to Pei Qingci. She wanted to take advantage of the current favorable timing to get busy for a while.

In a blink of an eye, spring had passed amidst their busyness.

Due to her hectic schedule, Sheng Qingli’s time often conflicted with Pei Qingci’s, and they hadn’t found a suitable opportunity to return to South City.

In mid-May, Sheng Qingli went with Director Zhong to a small town in southern France.

The film “Blade and Shadow” had been submitted for review and was competing at Cannes. During filming, he had mentioned to Sheng Qingli that he intended to promote it at the film festival.

Pei Qingci was absent from this film event due to other matters and not being the lead actor.

Sheng Qingli arrived with Xu Xingyue, Yin Yanyan, and Yi Yehua, as well as Director Zhong. Upon landing, she saw many fans there to welcome them.

This wasn’t Sheng Qingli’s first time attending a film festival. Compared to the nervousness of the other three actors, she was relaxed and at ease.

On the day of the red carpet, Pei Qingci specially called her.

The dress Sheng Qingli wore was picked by Pei Qingci, who wanted to see her walk the red carpet in that beautiful gown. Naturally, Sheng Qingli obliged.

As expected, after the film was screened at Cannes, there were numerous reviews online.

Some said they didn’t understand it, but there were also foreign friends who were amazed at how impressive Chinese martial arts were. There were all sorts of comments, but Sheng Qingli didn’t feel anxious.

After the Cannes event ended, Sheng Qingli participated in several overseas activities with Director Zhong.

From time to time, she saw reports about herself online, and many netizens speculated whether she was going to enter the overseas market, even Hollywood.

There were all kinds of speculations, but Sheng Qingli and her team didn’t offer any explanations.

After a busy period, Sheng Qingli returned to her home country to rest for a while.

By late September, she and Pei Qingci were busy again.

“Blade and Shadow” was set to officially release during the National Day. As the lead actress, Sheng Qingli entered a busy promotional phase. Pei Qingci, not having any urgent work, was also caught by Director Zhong and began to join Sheng Qingli in promotions.

During the film premiere, Sheng Qingli felt a bit nervous.

Fortunately, the feedback from the first screening was quite good, and everyone praised it.

During an interview, Sheng Qingli was unsurprisingly asked about her feelings on collaborating with Pei Qingci for the second time.

Holding the microphone, Sheng Qingli smiled slightly and said, “Mr. Pei is a very professional and talented actor. Working with him feels very pleasant.”

Reporter: “Qingli, this time you’re playing Mr. Pei’s disciple. Does playing a disciple feel different?”

“…”

Sheng Qingli sighed inwardly, wondering what kind of questions the reporter was asking.

“Different roles definitely bring different feelings.”

With that thought, Sheng Qingli replied calmly, “The roles are different, so the feelings are naturally a bit different.”

She vaguely added, “Compared to the character I worked with a few years ago, in this role, I feel more fearful of his presence.”

After questioning Sheng Qingli, the reporter turned to Pei Qingci and asked for his feelings about working with Sheng Qingli.

Pei Qingci, handsome in appearance, answered in a clear voice, “The feeling of acting with Teacher Sheng is very good.”

The reporter’s eyes lit up. “Very good? What do you mean by that?”

Pei Qingci understood what the reporter was trying to dig for, and with a faint smile, he replied softly, “Every aspect is very good.”

When this segment of the interview was revealed online, it unexpectedly trended again.

The comments were filled with excited fans of the couple:

“Ahhh, is Mr. Pei confessing his love in public? Right? Right?”

“Help, what does he mean by ‘very good’? Very good!! Which aspect is good? Every aspect is good. Oh my god, Pei Qingci, can you be any more obvious?”

“Is this flirtatious man confessing? Right? Right?”

“Oh my god, I’m dying from this! Are they really not dating? I don’t believe it!”

“…Did no one notice that Pei Qingci looked at Sheng Qingli when answering the reporter’s question? That eye contact between them is so loving.”

“Ahh, I don’t care, eating pears is the sweetest!”

“Is this the premiere? It should be a wedding scene, right?”

“Woohoo, I envy the guests who were present.”

“So sweet! Are they really together?!”

“I counted; in this interview that lasted less than ten minutes, Pei Qingci looked at Sheng Qingli every few seconds. Can you not love her so much, Mr. Pei?”

“Why hasn’t a paparazzi caught them yet?! I’m really getting anxious.”

…

The online discussions were heated, but Sheng Qingli and Pei Qingci didn’t pay any attention.

The reason was simple: the movie needed buzz for its release, and both of them were already generating it without needing to suppress anything.

The promotional period lasted for more than half a month, during which Sheng Qingli and Pei Qingci frequently trended online.

The fans of both sides started with frantic denials, insisting they were only collaborators and nothing more, but eventually stopped bothering. No matter how they explained, the couple fans would keep creating rumors.

Rather than waste energy on denials, they decided to promote their own artists more.

The film officially premiered on the first day of the National Day holiday, breaking one hundred million in box office.

For a martial arts film, this was an extraordinary achievement. Zhong Hongmao himself hadn’t expected such a box office on the first day; he initially thought hitting five hundred thousand would be good enough.

Martial arts films are a niche genre; it was just a dream for him.

The following days of the holiday saw the box office maintaining a rate of one hundred million per day.

By the end of the National Day holiday, Sword And Sword’s box office had surpassed eight hundred million. This achievement was extremely rare in the realm of period martial arts films, even considered a first.

The international discussion around the movie was also fervent, receiving widespread acclaim.

In late October, Pei Qingci attended a friend’s wedding.

Due to their recent high profile, Sheng Qingli chose not to go with him.

At the beginning of November, Sheng Qingli learned the total box office for Sword And Sword.

After a month of screening, the total box office surpassed one and a half billion. While this wasn’t Sheng Qingli’s highest box office performance, it marked a new breakthrough, a new milestone.

After this film, production companies and directors in the domestic and Hong Kong markets would know that Sheng Qingli could not only act in romantic and tragic films but also in revenge-driven martial arts films.

Her range of roles was diverse; she was changeable and unpredictable, making her a compelling actress.

---

After the promotion for Sword And Sword concluded, Sheng Qingli and Pei Qingci began their vacation.

Sheng Qingli had been too busy, so Lin Lin had specially given her an extended break.

After discussing with Pei Qingci, they felt that traveling abroad didn’t seem very safe.

Recalling Ms. Sheng’s advice, Sheng Qingli decided to take Pei Qingci back to Nancheng.

However, she never expected that the day before their return to Nancheng, while shopping with Li Yuwei for gifts for Ms. Sheng and the others, she received a call from Lin Lin. “Where are you now?”

Sheng Qingli: “At the mall, buying gifts for my mom and the others. What’s up?”

“You might not be able to leave tomorrow.” Lin Lin calmly informed her on the other end of the line. “You need to go home now.”

Sheng Qingli was confused. “Why?”

Lin Lin: “Your relationship with Pei Qingci has been exposed.”

“….”