Chapter 22: The Fallen Child Star (22) part 2

If he had mentioned liking her popular idol dramas, she wouldn’t have been surprised. But ‘Jing Zhe’ was her debut drama, where she played a girl with anorexia. Her total screen time barely amounted to ten minutes.

Given the drama’s low ratings, even her long-time fans might not have seen it.

Tentatively, Wen Qiu asked, “Did you think I acted well in it?”

Xu Weiheng nodded confidently. “Although your scenes were few, your eye expressions were excellent every time you appeared. I also noticed a few habitual movements you incorporated—they were very well-designed.”

Hearing this, Wen Qiu believed that Xu Weiheng had genuinely watched ‘Jing Zhe’ and wasn’t just trying to flatter her.

She instantly felt a hint of fondness for him.

Reaching into her bag, she offered him some snacks. “Would you like some chocolate?”

Xu Weiheng nodded. “I’m actually a bit hungry, so I won’t be polite. Thank you.”

“Auntie Yao, would you like some too?” Wen Qiu asked Yao Rong.

Yao Rong smiled and thanked her.

Once Wen Qiu’s father was also seated, they left the airport, heading towards G City’s coastline. They would be filming at a beachside villa for the next few days.

Wen Qiu rolled down the window halfway, enjoying the humid sea breeze, and asked the staff, “Have the other two groups of guests arrived?”

“They’re all here.”

Xu Weiheng, who had been scratching Ping’an’s belly, suddenly stiffened. The smile at the corner of his lips gradually faded, his eyes growing dark.

But it was only for a moment. He quickly regained his composure and asked the staff, “How long is the drive from the airport to the villa?”

“It’s very close, only about twenty minutes.”

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of a villa.

Sitting in the car, Xu Weiheng looked up and immediately saw the father and son pair standing at the villa’s entrance.

Seemingly aware of Xu Weiheng’s gaze, Xu Ji, dressed in a suit, stepped forward and walked towards the car.

The cameraman followed closely behind Xu Ji, eager to capture this moment of reunion between father and son, ex-husband and ex-wife. This was precisely why the production team had invited Yao Rong and Xu Weiheng to participate!

The live stream chat exploded with excitement.

[It wasn’t in vain that I’ve been lurking in the live stream since noon. The scene I’ve been waiting for is finally here!]

[Will they start fighting right away!?]

[Haha, if they fight, it’ll be exciting. I’m tired of those everyone-is-nice-and-life-is-peaceful variety shows.]

In the blink of an eye, Xu Ji reached their car.

He looked at Yao Rong as she got out, a smile tinged with nostalgia and melancholy appearing on his face. “Yao Rong, it’s been many years. You haven’t changed at all.”

Yao Rong raised an eyebrow slightly and calmly replied, “You’re the same too. After all these years, you’re still as hypocritical as ever.”

[Hahaha, oh my god, this is so awkward!]

[Thank you, Sister Yao! Please keep up this standard of attack. There’s no need to be courteous to your cheating ex-husband and his thieving son.]

Xu Ji knew Yao Rong resented him, but he didn’t expect her to be so bluntly disrespectful.

Fortunately, he wasn’t entirely unprepared for such a situation.

His expression darkened slightly. “You hold too deep a prejudice against me.”

“That’s not prejudice,” a cold voice interrupted. Xu Weiheng stood between Xu Ji and Yao Rong, subtly shielding her. “That’s simply the truth.”

Xu Ji frowned.

It was only at this moment that Xu Ji realized this son, whom he had barely ever properly acknowledged, had grown taller than him.

He had to tilt his head up to meet Xu Weiheng’s eyes clearly.

This posture ignited an inexplicable anger within Xu Ji.

He had always maintained an authoritative demeanor in front of Xu Weiheng. When had he ever lowered himself like this?

But in front of the cameras, Xu Ji could only continue his conciliatory approach. “Weiheng, regardless of anything else, I am still your father.”

Yao Rong quickly interjected, “If possible, I wish you weren’t. But unfortunately, unlike you, I can’t bring myself to commit adultery.”

Xu Ji: “…”

Xu Ji was completely at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Wen Qiu and the others watching seemed either stunned into silence or simply uninterested in helping Xu Ji out of this awkward situation.

At this critical moment, it was Xu Yiyuan who stepped forward, awkwardly attempting to shift the focus back to Wen Qiu. “Sister Wen Qiu! I’ve always been a fan of your dramas. It’s great to finally meet you in person!”

“Oh?” Wen Qiu turned her gaze towards him, asking, “Which of my dramas do you like?”

Xu Yiyuan replied, “The hit summer drama from last year. Your looks in it were absolutely stunning!”

Wen Qiu offered a polite but distant smile. “Thank you for the compliment.”

[Xu Yiyuan’s response was so perfunctory…]

[Agreed! After hearing Xu Weiheng’s conversation with Wen Qiu earlier, it’s clear who has more depth.]

[Anyone who isn’t completely offline has heard about Wen Qiu’s hit drama from last year. Not praising its plot or acting but just her looks… I doubt Xu Yiyuan actually watched it.]

[I have to say, Xu Yiyuan is truly his father’s son. Both are equally hypocritical.]