Chapter41

Knowing it would disturb the people inside, Chi Yu still braved it and knocked on the door, because there was a big problem at hand.

Hearing the noise, Cen Zhen immediately pushed Meng Fanchuan away, her whole body as if steamed by heat. Her lips, kissed and red, were soft with a faint shine of moisture.

Just moments ago, she had been entirely immersed in the kiss. Cen Zhen hadn’t quite caught what Chi Yu had said, but now, in a rush, she adjusted the skirt that had already been pushed down around her waist and said to the outside, "I’m coming."

She stood up, then sat back down, awkwardly trying to straighten the wrinkles in Meng Fanchuan’s shirt that had been caused by the kiss.

Meeting his gaze again, her heart skipped a beat, "You... wait a moment."

But Cen Zhen didn’t hear him clearly, while Meng Fanchuan heard it perfectly. He grabbed her wrist, his gaze heavy, "You’re going to see him?"

Cen Zhen looked confused, "What?"

Meng Fanchuan stared at her, paused for a moment, then directly called Chi Yu in.

Chi Yu, in a rush, had been waiting at the door but didn’t dare barge in. Once given permission by Meng Fanchuan, she quickly turned the door handle and entered. The first thing she saw was Cen Zhen sitting on Meng Fanchuan’s lap.

Chi Yu quickly turned her back, and Cen Zhen, embarrassed, adjusted her clothes and sat down beside him.

"Song Wang is here. I happened to run into him outside. I stopped him before he could enter the set. He said he came to visit you and wants to apologize in person."

Cen Zhen felt a shadow looming at the mention of that name. Now he had come to her door—didn’t he have enough of bothering her already?

"I don’t want to see him, tell him to leave immediately. I don’t need his apology."

"But he brought over a hundred cups of milk tea." Chi Yu said, helplessly angry, "It looks like he’s trying to throw a party."

Normally, when visiting a set, people would offer tea—milk tea, coffee, it didn’t matter; it was all just for fun and to be social.

But now, with Song Wang’s grand gesture, it was clear he wanted to put on a show for the entire crew. Whether he was her boyfriend or not didn’t matter; the most important thing was that everyone would know he had a special relationship with Cen Zhen.

"I called Xiang Jie. She said you absolutely shouldn’t go out, in case Song Wang wants to take pictures. Then, he could just casually release a couple of photos, and the topic would be out there."

Cen Zhen checked her phone, "Twenty minutes, he’ll be here soon. I have to return to the set."

"What if Song Wang insists on waiting for you?"

"…"

The two girls seemed troubled, and finally, Meng Fanchuan, who had been silently listening, spoke lazily, "Go on with your shoot."

Cen Zhen turned to look at him, "?"

Meng Fanchuan motioned to Chi Yu with his chin, "Let him come in."

"You mean…" Chi Yu hesitated, unsure, pointing to the ground, "Come in here?"

Meng Fanchuan nodded, casually leaning back with his legs crossed, "I’m free today. Perfect timing to see what he’s up to."

Cen Zhen: "…"

Cen Zhen knew Meng Fanchuan’s temperament too well. Just a moment ago, he was eating vinegar (jealous), and now, with Song Wang showing up at her door, wasn’t it like walking straight into the line of fire?

This was a film set. What if Meng Fanchuan lost his temper and made a scene—

Cen Zhen sat back down beside him and suggested, "Let him go. Don’t meet him."

"Hmm, he’ll leave this time. But what about next time?" Meng Fanchuan spoke as though he was joking, but there was an underlying coldness in his tone. "He’s getting too bold. I’ll have a talk with him. You focus on your shoot."

In the end, as if knowing what Cen Zhen was worried about, he patted her hand, "Don’t worry. I’ll make sure nothing happens after you finish filming."

Seeing that Cen Zhen still didn’t move, he glanced at the time, "You’re late."

That finally triggered Cen Zhen. She nodded, realizing there was no other option but to leave it to Meng Fanchuan. "Then I’ll go first."

"Go ahead."

Chi Yu followed her out of the room, "Young master, wait a moment. I’ll bring him right in."

Chi Yu had also been enduring a lot of pressure from Song Wang lately. Though she knew she wasn’t his girlfriend, she stayed silent, letting the rumors grow. In fact, since the fans had started pairing them up, Song Wang’s followers had increased by nearly twenty thousand.

Now, with Meng Fanchuan deciding to confront him, Chi Yu didn’t show it on the surface, but inwardly, she wished she could hand him a knife.

She wasn’t foolish enough to reveal her identity and give Song Wang a chance to prepare, so when bringing him in, she politely said, "I just checked. Zhen Zhen is still filming. Director Xie doesn’t like to be disturbed during work. Why don’t you wait in the lounge? She’ll come after she’s done."

Director Xie Qingzong was well known in the industry for being strict, so Song Wang had no suspicion. He nodded and agreed, then had his crew place the milk tea outside before following Chi Yu to the designated spot.

He pushed open the door of the room, about to enter, but then he realized someone was already sitting inside.The figure was very familiar, and Song Wang should have seen it before. After a careful look, he suddenly remembered—it was Meng Fanchuan.

The second son of the Meng family, they had met that night at the Hua Mansion in Hu City.

Song Wang paused for a moment, uncertain if he had walked into the wrong place, but the man in front of him, upon hearing the noise, looked up. "Are you looking for someone?"

Song Wang was flattered and smiled slightly, "Hello, Young Master Meng."

Meng Fanchuan pretended not to recognize him. "Who are you?"

"Song Wang," Song Wang introduced himself gracefully, walking in. "We met a few months ago at the Hua Mansion dinner in Hu City."

Meng Fanchuan furrowed his brows as if trying to recall, but after a while, he just gave a polite, distant smile and said nothing.

Song Wang understood that someone like Young Master Meng, who was constantly socializing in high society, wouldn't remember a small actor like him. He sat down nearby and curiously asked why Meng Fanchuan was here. "Young Master Meng, what brings you to the set?"

Meng Fanchuan didn’t ask, but answered, "Mr. Song, are you an actor in this film?"

"I’m not," Song Wang said. "I came to visit the set."

"Oh?" Meng Fanchuan smiled with interest. "Whose set are you visiting?"

"The female lead," Song Wang hesitated slightly before answering, but he still said it. "Cen Zhen, do you remember her, Young Master Meng?"

Meng Fanchuan carefully sized up Song Wang. Honestly, the man in front of him was quite good-looking, but there seemed to be something lacking in his mind. He was a celebrity but lacked the ability to think for himself, controlled and manipulated by the capital.

What could Cen Zhen like about him?

His face? Or his body?

Thinking about their past, Meng Fanchuan couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.

"I’ve also heard that Director Xie did a good job selecting the female lead for this film," Meng Fanchuan concealed his emotions well and changed the topic. "It’s two hours away from the city center. Mr. Song, you came all this way to visit her, that’s quite thoughtful."

He spoke arrogantly, not even looking at Song Wang, his expression full of the casual indifference often seen in those who roam the world of fame and fortune.

Song Wang knew full well that there was a vast difference between himself and Meng Fanchuan, and there would be no common ground between them. The fact that he could exchange a few words with him was already unexpected.

Song Wang could clearly sense that the man in front of him wasn’t very eager to talk, but he didn’t want to stop the conversation. After all, this was Meng Fanchuan. Someone he would never have the chance to meet in his normal life. Who could say whether this was an opportunity from fate?

Even if it was just a brief interaction, Song Wang wanted to try.

After thinking for a moment, unable to come up with another topic, Song Wang tentatively asked, "Young Master Meng, would you like some milk tea?"

"What?" Meng Fanchuan almost laughed.

"I brought some milk tea while visiting the set. If you don’t mind—"

"I do mind." Meng Fanchuan interrupted him.

Song Wang was stunned. He hadn’t expected Meng Fanchuan to reject him so bluntly. Thinking about it, it made sense. People like him wouldn’t drink a cup of milk tea that cost just a few dozen yuan. He had heard that the Meng family’s drinking water was airlifted from some lake in Norway. Milk tea... it was just an awkward attempt to make conversation on his part.

The embarrassment made Song Wang fall silent for a few seconds, but to his surprise, Meng Fanchuan continued, "But my girlfriend sometimes drinks it."

Song Wang was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Meng Fanchuan to take the initiative to talk about his girlfriend. The brief awkwardness disappeared immediately, and he felt a little pleased at how this short exchange had brought them a little closer. Just as he was about to respond, Meng Fanchuan spoke again.

"Actually, drinking milk tea, like choosing people, requires attention to detail. A good milk tea uses the highest quality ingredients, brewed by a skilled master, extracting the tea fragrance and then cooling it before adding fresh milk. Every step directly affects the final taste of the milk tea. Such milk tea is rich and smooth, and drinking it is an enjoyment."

He continued, but his tone suddenly shifted, "But some milk teas are made with inferior creamer and artificial flavoring, full of industrial fat and trans fats. Not only do they lack flavor, but drinking them also harms the body."

Song Wang listened, half understanding. Although he didn’t know why Meng Fanchuan was telling him all this, he still nodded in agreement, "You’re right."

"As long as you think so," Meng Fanchuan lightly laughed. "So—"

He dragged the last word, his gaze sharp, "Don’t send your milk tea to my girlfriend’s mouth, understood?"

The fake smile Song Wang had been wearing froze.

He looked at the man in front of him, rapidly processing the meaning behind his words. It was like something clicked deep inside his mind, but he couldn’t quite grasp it, his thoughts spinning chaotically in confusion, "Your… girlfriend?"

"Now answer Mr. Song’s question."

The voice fell again, and Song Wang’s heart raced. He even heard a ringing in his ears. He lifted his head and met Meng Fanchuan’s gaze.

For the first time, Meng Fanchuan looked at him directly, but his eyes were filled with arrogance and disdain.

"You asked me why I’m here?"

Meng Fanchuan sneered, leaning forward slightly, his voice suddenly heavy with pressure.

"Because, I came to visit my girlfriend on set."

—

The afternoon’s scenes were difficult, and the set had been tense. It wasn’t until six in the evening that Director Xie Qingzong called for a break.

As soon as Cen Zhen finished filming, she immediately found Chi Yu and asked about Meng Fanchuan and Song Wang, but Chi Yu had been inside with her and didn’t know what was going on outside."Didn't hear anything, so it should be fine, right?" Chi Yu guessed.

She said it casually, but Cen Zhen still couldn’t rest easy. Just as she was about to go out with Chi Yu to check, two staff members walked past, chatting as they went: "…sent so many milk teas, still don’t know who came to visit the set…"

Cen Zhen's brow twitched, and she looked at Chi Yu with a face full of despair, realizing Song Wang might still be here. The two hurried their steps to go out and try to stop him, but unexpectedly, the assistant director suddenly clapped his hands toward the set and said, "Everyone, stop for a moment, come out for some milk tea."

The actors, the script supervisor, the lighting crew, and everyone else who had been tidying up all cheered excitedly. This was the first time anyone had come to visit the set and brought treats since the filming began, and everyone was thrilled.

A voice rose from the crowd: "Who sent it?"

Cen Zhen had already curled her toes, not knowing what kind of expression she should wear when the assistant director mentioned Song Wang's name.

Sure enough, the assistant director looked over at her.

Cen Zhen’s heart instantly raced to 180 bpm, and even Chi Yu swallowed nervously. Still, she held Cen Zhen’s hand, as if trying to reassure her—everything will be fine, just endure the awkwardness and it’ll pass.

"Thanks to our Teacher Cen," the assistant director said with a smile.

The heart that Cen Zhen had been holding onto for dear life finally sank.

However, the next moment, the assistant director took a deep breath and added, "her boyfriend, who brought warmth to everyone!"

The uninformed crowd cheered and shouted, "Wow, thank you, Teacher Cen!"

"Such good luck today."

"Quick, go check what kind of milk tea it is."

Chi Yu widened her eyes, thinking, has the assistant director gone mad? Do they believe everything the netizens say? How could Song Wang be her boyfriend? Isn’t that too ridiculous?

She was about to say something when Cen Zhen calmly stopped her. "It’s not Song Wang."

The assistant director had been one of the people eating in the private room before. He knew about Cen Zhen’s relationship with Meng Fanchuan, and since he was saying this now, it meant that it definitely wasn’t Song Wang.

Cen Zhen's heart, which had just died, was now slightly revived.

She immediately walked out, and Chi Yu, still unclear on what was happening, scratched her head and followed, confused.

When Cen Zhen stepped outside the set, she was stunned by the sight before her.

Two trucks were parked in the open space, and cups of milk tea were being handed out from inside. There were also boxes of exquisite desserts being passed around.

The trucks were emblazoned with the striking logo "Silver," and anyone with a little knowledge of food would recognize it as the famous Black Pearl Three-Star Restaurant from North City. Known for its desserts, people often flew in from other places just to try their dishes.

"Wow, it’s Silver Restaurant’s desserts. I remember they never deliver."

"I’m still shocked by their 188-yuan milk tea. Never thought someone would actually treat me to it..."

"What kind of dessert is this? Is it an art piece? Where do I even start?"

"Teacher Cen’s boyfriend brought the restaurant here?"

"My god, this is so delicious, really, so good!!!"

The crowd flocked toward the milk tea and dessert distribution area, and even Chi Yu was tempted, diving into the crowd to grab a cup.

For a star-rated restaurant that never delivers to personally drive out and bring its signature products, Song Wang definitely didn’t have that ability.

Cen Zhen had a faint understanding of what was going on, and the tension in her heart finally eased. She knew Meng Fanchuan must still be here. She looked around and suddenly felt a cup of milk tea shoved into her hand.

"Teacher Cen, your boyfriend is so sweet."

Cen Zhen was about to smile, but as she looked past the crowd, she saw a figure.

He was in a quiet corner not far away, barely attracting anyone’s attention.

A wave of joy suddenly surged within her. Cen Zhen put away her phone, and without thinking, she dashed through the bustling crowd toward him.

She stopped right in front of Meng Fanchuan, who was just a short distance away. Her heart was pounding.

Cen Zhen understood that this was a kind of uncontrollable happiness and delight.

It was the kind of emotion she only felt when she saw him.

Meng Fanchuan glanced over toward the crowd and pulled Cen Zhen slightly closer, hiding them behind a prop board. "I don’t know the rules of visiting a set. I’ll be more prepared next time."

"Isn’t this enough?" Cen Zhen whispered, "You practically brought the restaurant here."

Meng Fanchuan thought for a moment and nodded. "Time was too tight. The fifty-year-old white boss of Silver Restaurant kept saying 'impossible' when he heard I wanted hundreds of milk teas and desserts prepared in two hours. He was exaggerating, and if I had asked for anything else, I really would have been putting him in a tough spot."

"Where’s Song Wang?" Cen Zhen finally asked.

Meng Fanchuan gave a brief reply: "He left."

He wouldn’t tell Cen Zhen about how Song Wang looked when he left—speechless, pale, and stumbling with fear.

Meng Fanchuan had only told him coldly, "Take your things and disappear forever."So, not to mention milk tea, not even a straw or a tissue was left behind by Song Wang. Within a few minutes, he cleaned up all traces of his presence.

Meng Fanchuan didn’t think that driving away an ex-boyfriend was something to be proud of, and he had no intention of bringing it up again.

He was simply, on this particular afternoon, choosing a better, more suitable milk tea for the person he liked.

That’s all.

"Have you had some?" Meng Fanchuan asked, pointing at the milk tea in Cen Zhen’s hand. "How does it taste?"

Cen Zhen hadn’t had a chance to try yet. She inserted the straw and took a sip right in front of Meng Fanchuan, nodding sincerely. "It’s delicious."

Meng Fanchuan looked at her lips, suddenly having an idea. He feigned regret and said, "I forgot to save one for myself."

As soon as he said that, Cen Zhen immediately turned to grab one for him. However, she was stopped by Meng Fanchuan, who pulled her back. "No need."

Their gazes locked for a few seconds, and in an instant, Cen Zhen understood what he meant.

The sounds from outside kept echoing, the dusk settling in. They leaned against the wall in the midst of the bustling crowd, close to each other, yet it didn’t feel crowded.

The wind was cold, but the hands they held were warm.

They were intimate, their hearts touched so easily by just a cup of milk tea.

Cen Zhen pursed her lips, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. Without much hesitation, she handed the cup she had just taken a sip from to the man’s lips.

A satisfied smile flickered in Meng Fanchuan’s eyes. He lowered his head, took the straw into his mouth, and swallowed twice. Then, pausing for a moment, he leaned forward, his breath brushing against Cen Zhen’s ear.

"Once again, kissed Teacher Cen."