`Chapter 15

Chapter 15

If you ask Shiyin: what is it like to watch a movie in a luxurious home theater with built-in IMAX effects?

—Very immersive, very shocking.

Then… what if it’s the entire series of Safe Dog-Raising Educational Films and the documentary Champion Welsh Shepherds?

—A little mentally disturbing, really.

Shiyin sank into the sofa, so comfortable she could roll around, as the Dolby Atmos 360-degree sound waves swirled around her ears. On the huge screen, a Border Collie stared at the camera with a melancholy gaze—even the eye crust by its tear groove was clear down to the tiniest detail.

Shiyin’s focus gradually drifted from initial attention to complete detachment, ultimately freezing at “soul out-of-body, do not disturb.”

She quietly turned her head. In the dim lighting, Li Xuan sat quietly on the leather chair next to her, his wheelchair idle at the side like a forgotten prop.

He wore a soft linen shirt with no visible brand, paired with gray athletic shorts. From the knees down, his slender legs stretched out—Shiyin stole a glance; aside from being slightly thin, his legs were just like a normal person’s.

The light from the screen flickered in his pupils, yet seemed not to truly enter them. Just like back at Liangmu Hospital, Li Xuan’s attention seemed perpetually drifting, with little interest in anything around him.

When the last short film ended, the audiovisual room suddenly went dark.

The silence was so deep, they could hear each other’s breathing.

“Cough, understood. I’ll definitely study well and never make the mistake again,” Shiyin broke the silence first, her tone humble like a schoolgirl. “I learn things very quickly.”

Li Xuan seemed to come back from some distant place: “I didn’t ask you to learn.”

Shiyin sent a questioning look: “?”

Li Xuan paused: “…It’s my first time watching it too.”

“…Oh.” Shiyin suddenly understood. She now had a slightly better grasp of Li Xuan’s way of speaking—it wasn’t to intimidate her or deliberately pick a fight, but this gentleman was also “refreshing” himself!

That small knot in her heart immediately unraveled.

Seems the mild Li Xuan is quite consistent—while expecting things from others, he doesn’t spare himself.

Unlike her, Shiyin always had two sets of standards for life: one for others, one for herself—clearly double standards.

—So what’s the standard for herself?

Very simple: there isn’t one.

Shiyin acted purely on “what I want.” When she saw something, felt moved, she would seize it without hesitation, doing whatever it took to get it.

Perhaps sensing that sitting silently together was a bit awkward, Li Xuan unusually initiated a topic: “You said before, you’re an actor.”

“Yes.” Shiyin replied instinctively.

Li Xuan pressed the remote twice. A built-in control terminal silently rose in front of them, its streamlined silver body gleaming with an expensive glow.

“We can look at your works.” He suggested calmly.

Shiyin’s eyes widened slightly. She slowly uttered: “…Ah?”

Li Xuan misread her hesitation and explained: “I asked Wen Sheng to specially collect the sources. The database here is very complete, connected to both domestic and international mainstream platforms and film libraries. You can search directly.”

Shiyin: “…”

She was momentarily speechless, internally screaming: No, Mister Li, the problem isn’t the sources! Her portfolio as a “bald commander” is cleaner than her face!

Shiyin opened her mouth, then closed it, words failing her.

Just as the atmosphere was about to get cold, inspiration struck her. Her whole face lit up.

“There is actually one… but it might not be searchable.”

While speaking, Shiyin typed a few words on the projection keyboard: Documentary: Elegant Southern Yue—a geographical and cultural documentary she participated in filming at age fourteen, aiming to promote the natural and cultural landscape of Yue Province. To her surprise, it actually appeared in the list. Shiyin skillfully clicked on the sixth episode—Hometown of Xishi.

The footage, tinted with the filter of time, unfolded slowly. The narrator’s rich voice told an ancient story: A girl named Shi Yiguang washed silk by the stream, her beauty unmatched. But due to Yue’s defeat in war, she was given to King Wu. Fu Chai built the Spring Night Palace for her, indulging her fully… until King Goujian of Yue endured hardships, came back with his army, three thousand Yue soldiers able to swallow Wu, the Wu kingdom collapsed, and the nation’s stunning beauty vanished from history.

The twenty-minute short film quickly ended, intertwining historical narrative with landscapes like a scroll painting.

Shiyin’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Li Xuan, full of anticipation: “So? What do you think?”

Having grown up this way, it was the first time she recommended her own work to someone else. Her heart was both excited and slightly anxious.

Li Xuan sat quietly until the film ended, then asked a question: “Which one is you?”

Shiyin: “…”

She silently dragged the progress bar back to the Spring Night Palace scene, pointing to the center of the giant screen at Xishi, who was leaning on the railing, looking into the distance, radiantly elegant.

Li Xuan straightened the backrest of his chair, looked carefully for two more seconds, and asked uncertainly: “Xishi?”

Shiyin: “!!”

She leapt forward, accurately pointing to Xishi—the little palace maid behind her.

The little palace maid’s body was mostly hidden behind the layered curtains, only half her face visible. Her slightly simple double-loop hairstyle, eyes lowered obediently, hands carefully holding a bronze mirror, focused as if afraid to drop it, her cheeks still showing a hint of baby fat.

Li Xuan: “…” He did a quick mental calculation; the little palace maid’s screen time didn’t exceed five seconds.

“I even had a line!” Shiyin tried to redeem herself, “’Madam, don’t be sad…’”

When the filming crew came to the school to pick child actors, she was the first chosen, and the staff even called her “Little Xishi”!

Li Xuan responded with silence.

“Haha, um… I’ll soon be in a suspense drama,” Shiyin said dryly, forcing a laugh twice, awkwardly changing the topic, “It’ll air on the Dark Night Theater of Butterfly Video, called Saints in the Fog. I play a high-IQ villain, a core role.”

She deliberately emphasized: “If you have time, you can watch it. I performed quite well.”

Li Xuan went along smoothly: “Okay, when?”

Shiyin instantly perked up: “End of August!”

~

On the last day of July, Shiyin, bored at home, was disturbed by a call from Wen Jinhe.

As soon as she picked up, the other side’s fast-talking voice hit her: “One piece of good news, one piece of bad news. Which do you want first?”

“Good news.” Shiyin adjusted her sitting posture, ready for something pleasant.

“Huaxia Net just published an article, calling out tax evasion in the entertainment industry. Zheng Ruwei got officially exposed and earned the title ‘Tax-Evasion Flower,’ completely ruined.”

Shiyin scratched her face: “What’s good about that? If she falls, that’s her business, what does it have to do with me?”

“Think bigger!” Wen Jinhe raised her tone. “One young star falls, and millions of others get a chance to rise! The cake is only so big—fewer competitors, can’t you get a bigger slice?”

Shiyin smirked proudly: “Then I better grab a big piece.”

“However,” Wen Jinhe’s tone softened slightly, “Zheng Ruwei hasn’t provoked me, so I don’t have to kick her when she’s down. At most… I might gloat a little.”

A two-second silence on the other end, then Wen Jinhe’s voice almost grinding her teeth: “No, dear, she provoked you.”

Shiyin’s heart skipped a beat.

“That’s the bad news. Qu Ping sent both versions of Saints in the Fog for review. Zheng Ruwei’s passed, yours got rejected.”

Disaster! Shiyin felt the sky collapse.

“No!” She almost jumped from the sofa. “Why? Did I perform worse than Zheng Ruwei?” — It can’t be because she got too carried away during the “dismemberment” scene, radiating some dangerous aura that scared the reviewers?

Shiyin pursed her lips, trying to laugh through the pain.

“It has nothing to do with your acting,” Wen Jinhe explained irritably. “The capital behind Zheng Ruwei is one of the investors in this drama. Her role was already predetermined. Before the exposure, they still wanted to keep her, but that capital is friends with the producers, interests are too tightly bound, Qu Ping couldn’t fully push through, so she came up with a compromise: send both versions for review. Who knew their connections at the broadcasting authority were so strong—they deliberately withheld the license. Qu Ping suggested modifying and re-editing; they refused. Clearly, they’re intentionally blocking you!”

Shiyin, clever as always, understood instantly: “So they’re stalling? Waiting until Zheng Ruwei’s hype dies down, then maybe relaunch the drama, and as for me…” Her voice lowered with a touch of self-mockery, “Since I’m not famous, anyone can step on me. If it fails, it fails.”

“Exactly. When you’re not famous, you’ll find almost everyone around you is an ‘enemy.’” Wen Jinhe’s tone was cold.

“Now that it’s exposed, Zheng Ruwei can never bounce back. Her version is definitely dead,” Shiyin asked with a flicker of hope, “Mine still has a chance, right?”

“…Might get buried,” Wen Jinhe gave the cruel answer. “I’ve said it, Zheng Ruwei is petty. If your acting was average, fine. But now even a blind person can see, you clearly surpass her by a large margin. I bet she’s doing evil charms against you, trying to harm you, refusing to let you rise on her corpse.”

Shiyin felt suffocated. So this is the power of capital? It can easily decide the life and death of a creator’s hard work.

“Don’t worry too much,” Wen Jinhe comforted. “Qu Ping and I will keep trying. If they find people, we find people too! Do you really think I, Wen Jinhe, am dough to be kneaded at will?!”

“But you have to be mentally prepared. The summer release window is definitely missed. I’ll help you look at other scripts… Ah, if only I had asked Qu Ping for your pay! Now it’s perfect—no fame, no money. Big loss!” Wen Jinhe’s last sentence almost became a monologue.

“What?!” Shiyin suddenly had trouble breathing. “I don’t get paid?”

Wen Jinhe pretended to be calm: “…Ah, did I forget to tell you? This time you’re acting for zero pay! Otherwise, why do you think Qu Ping was so satisfied with you? Just because your acting is good? No, it’s because your acting is good and she gets to freeload off you!”

Shiyin felt another arrow pierce her chest. “Sister Wen… you brought three pieces of bad news.”

After hanging up, Shiyin flopped straight onto the sofa, expressionless, staring at the stark white ceiling.

Unwillingness. Like wild grass, it grew crazily in her heart.

This was her first truly important role, the “debut” she had long awaited. To perform “Lin Yutong” well, she had invested too much emotion and effort. During the half-month of filming, she barely slept at night, repeatedly studying the character’s growth trajectory, behavioral logic, even constructing hidden traits beyond the script.

Shiyin could confidently say she cherished this role more than Zheng Ruwei did.

Frustrated, Shiyin opened the system. The main quest still hung at the top. She jabbed at it angrily with her finger; the semi-transparent screen rippled in concentric circles.

“XiaoFu! Xiao Assistant, say something!”

Xiao Assistant: …

The system continued to play dead, like it had “crashed.” Just as Shiyin sighed in disappointment, new lines of text appeared:

【Side Quest: Pineapple~Pineapple~Frozen Watermelon!】

【Quest Objective: Find food that brings Duan Wenting’s satisfaction to 100% and earns a favor value ≥ +4】

【Quest Item: Lonely Little Bowl】

【Quest Time Limit: 72 hours】

【Quest Reward: Gossip Blind Box Draws: +5】

【Item · Lonely Little Bowl (automatically reclaimed after 72 hours): Place any food in the bowl to show target-oriented preferred flavors, and gain the target’s satisfaction score for that flavor. Current target: Duan Wenting】

Yes! Yes!!

Shiyin slapped her forehead, suddenly enlightened! She had been thinking about it the wrong way. If Saints in the Fog really got buried, the ones who should be anxious weren’t already failed Zheng Ruwei, nor little shrimp Shiyin.

The one who should be unable to sit still was Duan Wenting!

As the male lead, Duan Wenting had the most screen time and highlights in the crew. The success or failure of this drama directly affected his future achievements and resource access. He cared more than anyone and had both the ability and motivation to negotiate!

So the key to breaking the deadlock was Duan Wenting. Shiyin had to hold onto this golden thigh and ask him for help!

“Xiao Assistant, you’re amazing! Truly the one and only smart system in heaven and on earth!” Shiyin happily showered praise.

As for the food Duan Wenting liked…

Garlic Bean Noodles!!

That almost forgotten piece of gossip, now seemed gilded, shining brightly in her mind. Shiyin jumped up from the sofa, exhilarated.

With only 72 hours on the quest, she dared not waste a second. She grabbed her phone to check Duan Wenting’s schedule. Perfect! He was attending a brand event in Tan City these two days!

The timing was as if the system had grabbed her destiny by the back of her neck, pushing her straight toward Duan Wenting!

A small bowl, shimmering with pale silver light, appeared out of nowhere on the coffee table. Shiyin didn’t have time to examine it carefully. She carefully put it away, put on her shoes, and rushed out. As she hurried downstairs, she frantically searched all restaurants offering “Garlic Bean Noodles” on a food app, determined to try each place until she found the perfect bowl!

~

“Miss Shi, did you… sweep all the garlic bean noodles in Tan City?” Kevin looked at the small mountain of takeout boxes on the coffee table, dumbfounded.

“I’m sharing. Don’t be polite.” Shiyin handed over a pair of disposable chopsticks, silently shedding noodle tears in her heart. Tan City truly lived up to its reputation as a “food desert.” She spent a day and a half almost running herself ragged, and even the bowl with the highest satisfaction score only reached 79%!

What does this mean? It means that in Duan Wenting’s standards, Tan City didn’t have authentic Garlic Bean Noodles at all!

At first, she tried to eat everything, but later, seeing the limp garlic, she felt physically repulsed. The rest had to be packed to “spread goodwill.” From the butler to the cleaners in the villa, even Luo Wensheng and Zhou Yunfeng received a “Garlic Bean Noodle Experience Pack.”

In these days, Shiyin often came, but didn’t always see Li Xuan. She gradually discerned a pattern: Li Xuan didn’t stay here permanently. When he wasn’t around, only a few cleaners and a butler were in the villa, quiet like a delicate empty shell; only when he returned did it instantly “come alive,” with people moving about in orderly fashion.

Shiyin judged from the number of Garlic Bean Noodle bowls consumed: Li Xuan was home today.

Prince placed both front paws on the edge of the coffee table, sniffing incessantly at the takeout boxes, even trying to paw at them. Shiyin quickly stopped him: “No, Prince. Puppies can’t eat things randomly. You’ll die.”

Prince looked at her with his pure, big eyes.

“Making puppy eyes won’t work,” Shiyin gently tapped his nose, patiently explaining, “The safety education video said puppies shouldn’t eat seafood. They might be allergic, get parasites, and their stomachs can’t handle it.”

Prince whimpered in grievance.

Shiyin lengthened her tone, gently but firmly repeating: “No——eating——”

“Eating what?” Li Xuan’s calm voice came from behind, like wind passing through a sheer curtain.

Shiyin turned her head and saw his wheelchair silently gliding closer, stopping beside the sofa.

“Garlic Bean Noodles,” she answered instinctively, then hesitated and added politely, “Uh… would you like to try some?”

Li Xuan’s gaze swept over the pile of conspicuous takeout boxes on the coffee table and asked directly: “Bought this many?”

“Remember I mentioned Saints in the Fog? That drama has some trouble airing; it got blocked in review.” Shiyin explained with a tinge of apology, “I said it could be watched by the end of August, but now I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

Li Xuan nodded lightly: “So?”

“This dish is Teacher Duan’s favorite. Teacher Duan is Duan Wenting, the lead male in our drama. I want to find his favorite flavor and ask him to help negotiate, to see if the version I acted in can air smoothly.” Shiyin said everything at once.

After listening, Li Xuan’s expression didn’t change much. He calmly stated: “Asking for help this way, the sincerity seems insufficient.”

Shiyin smiled awkwardly. She couldn’t say the quest came from the system, after all: “Teacher Duan doesn’t lack money or flattery. Anything I bring wouldn’t be suitable. After thinking it over, the only way is to cater to his tastes. I just didn’t expect…” She helplessly gestured at the pile of boxes, “It seems Tan City doesn’t have the taste he prefers.”

“Tan City’s version isn’t authentic anyway. You should go to Danzhou.” Li Xuan said.

Shiyin sighed faintly: “I know, but I didn’t expect that not even one restaurant could compete. Teacher Duan has a flight to the Northwest tomorrow afternoon. Round-trip time isn’t enough, and freshly made noodles won’t hold—they’d swell and become mushy, even worse.”

She thought for a moment and said: “I plan to try my luck in Ning City. Round-trip is only one or two hours, and the seafood dishes there are also quite famous.”

Li Xuan suddenly lifted his eyes. Those usually indifferent eyes focused on her for the first time: “This matter, is it important to you?”

“Very important.” Shiyin answered without hesitation.

“Yunfeng,” Li Xuan paused briefly, then said, “Go to Danzhou.”

Standing silently beside him, Zhou Yunfeng responded neatly: “Okay.”

Shiyin was shocked and quickly tried to stop him: “No need to trouble Brother Feng! Even one-way, the noodles would collapse on the way…”

“Bring the ingredients and chefs along.” Li Xuan calmly finished the sentence.

Shiyin froze, still trying to explain: “Uh, but I can’t be sure which restaurant Teacher Duan likes…”

“No matter,” Li Xuan said lightly, “Bring them all.”

All of them? Shiyin suspected her ears had broken: “There are so many restaurants in Danzhou. Coordinating them is too troublesome, even by high-speed rail…”

“By plane.” Li Xuan interrupted her.

“Planes also need flights and scheduling…” Shiyin wavered for a moment, then quickly came to her senses.

Li Xuan had already turned to Luo Wensheng: “You arrange the flight route, as soon as possible.”

Shiyin was completely stunned: “…”

Wait, if she understood correctly, Li Xuan planned to use a private plane to gather all the chefs and ingredients in Danzhou who could make this dish, and bring them—all “invite” them—to Tan City?

This overwhelming “kindness” felt like being scalded. In an instant, her heart calmed like still water. She subtly frowned and said in a detached tone: “No, I can’t afford this cost, nor can I repay such a huge favor.”

She was greedy, she admitted, but she didn’t accept rewards without effort. Her friendship with Li Xuan hadn’t reached this level.

—She was afraid Li Xuan would ask, and she couldn’t give.

“Minor matter.” Li Xuan’s tone was calm, without ripple.

He truly thought it minor. In this world, anything money can solve is minor. Money to him is just a meaningless string of numbers in a bank account.

Shiyin pursed her lips, stiffly looking at him.

Li Xuan’s gaze fell on Prince, who was trying to climb onto the coffee table. He reached out, scooped him back, and held his restless paws: “If you feel guilty,” he said lightly, “spend more time with Prince.”

Shiyin considered for a long time. She looked at Prince, then at Li Xuan, realizing this was a step he was offering—a step she could barely accept. After a while, she answered unusually seriously: “Okay, I also really like Prince.”

“Mm, if there’s anything, talk to Wensheng.” Li Xuan said, then fell silent.

Shiyin nodded, turning to Zhou Yunfeng, who was about to leave, quickly regaining her usual composure: “Brother Feng, the skill levels of Danzhou chefs vary. You don’t need to invite them all. Focus on those with fresh ingredients, old local restaurants that people frequently visit.”

Zhou Yunfeng responded briefly: “Understood.”

After Prince led Shiyin and Kevin out, the living room returned to silence. Li Xuan unexpectedly spoke: “Check that drama. Where exactly is it stuck?”

Luo Wensheng asked softly: “If Miss Shiyin encounters trouble, do you need me to intervene?”

This time Li Xuan thought for a long moment, then lightly tapped the wheelchair armrest with his fingertip: “She didn’t ask for your help, so no need.”

“Understood.”

“Also, inform Butterfly Video,” Li Xuan’s tone was casual, “It must air as originally planned before the end of August.”

Luo Wensheng was slightly surprised, about to acknowledge, when Li Xuan added:

“Prince likes to watch it.”

Prince, who was running wildly outside the villa, coincidentally barked once, as if responding from afar.

Luo Wensheng paused, glancing at Li Xuan’s calm profile, momentarily dazed.

Author’s note: Luo Wensheng: Teacher, it seems my young master has come back to life a bit? [Let me take a look]

·

Sunday (12th) new book release, updates in the evening, then the next chapter Fog Wanderer airs [celebration]. For convenience, chapters with [comments] or [forum style] will be marked, but they are not frequent and are integrated with the plot.