Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Pei Chuzhi had once read a romance novel in high school.
It told the story of a couple with no emotional foundation. After marriage they lived their own lives, and aside from events they had to attend together, they never cared about each other’s schedules.
Once the female lead almost exposed herself in front of outsiders, and when faced with everyone’s doubts, she improvised, saying, “Of course I know, I just didn’t remember for a moment.”
At that time, Pei Chuzhi had sighed that the author was writing nonsense; that lie was far too clumsy.
But at this moment, when she looked into Ruan Li’s big eyes full of confusion, she could only subconsciously reply, “How could I not? Of course I know. I just didn’t react when you suddenly mentioned it.”
She was wrong. She wanted to travel back in time to apologize to the author.
“I understand. Actually I’m the same as you—every time I think of this, I have to freeze for a moment first.”
Ruan Li nodded innocently, not suspecting anything. “It’s just like a dream.”
Afraid of saying more and making more mistakes, Pei Chuzhi only raised her brows and smiled lightly to show agreement. But in her heart she thought that after wrapping up and returning to the hotel, she would ask Xing Ye clearly to avoid future slip-ups.
·
That night, Pei Chuzhi had no night scenes. After returning to the hotel, she closed the door and hid in the bedroom to call Xing Ye.
The call connected after a few rings. Along with Xing Ye’s “Hello,” there were also voices of others speaking around him.
But right after he spoke, the background noise abruptly stopped.
Pei Chuzhi quickly asked, “Are you working? Did I disturb you?”
“Just a meeting, it’s fine.”
Xing Ye’s voice was low, carrying faint fatigue, yet his tone was relaxed. “You don’t have to be so cautious when talking to me.”
Pei Chuzhi pursed her lips and switched to a more cheerful tone. “It’s nothing major. I just wanted to ask—are you really coming to our crew for a cameo?”
“Mm.”
“…When did you decide?”
Xing Ye seemed to recall. “A few days ago. An actor for a role had an accident and couldn’t join the crew. My schedule was suitable, so I did the director a favor. Didn’t I tell you?”
He said it casually.
But in Pei Chuzhi’s heart it felt like ten thousand horses galloping. If they weren’t so far apart, she would have grabbed his collar and shouted, “You didn’t!”
Actually, if Xing Ye were making a cameo in a film, she wouldn’t have been so surprised.
The key was that since his debut, he had never filmed any television drama—he always stayed on the big screen.
Just imagining how much discussion would arise once the news spread, and how much attention that would bring to “Secretly Fall in Love With You”…
Pei Chuzhi didn’t want to be presumptuous, but she had to ask, “Are you coming for a cameo because I’m here?”
“Otherwise?”
Xing Ye snorted as if she was slow, his voice carrying faint dissatisfaction. “Speaking of which, didn’t you see my Moments?”
“Huh?”
Pei Chuzhi froze, set the phone to speaker, and quickly opened Xing Ye’s Moments.
The latest post was from three days ago: 【Trying something new.】
The picture was the script of “Secretly Fall in Love With You.”
Pei Chuzhi lowered her head in embarrassment. “I see it now. I didn’t mean not to look—it’s just I have too many WeChat friends, and some people post a lot, so I might’ve accidentally missed it.”
This time Xing Ye fell silent. After a while, he asked puzzledly, “You care so little about me?”
“……”
Pei Chuzhi translated it in her mind and felt the information hidden in his short question was probably—after finally adding your idol on WeChat, you don’t secretly check my updates every day? Are you a fake fan?
Facing such a soul-searching question, the fake fan herself didn’t know how to answer.
Fortunately, Xing Ye didn’t argue with her. “Alright, this time it’s my fault. I’ll tell you in the future.”
·
Yancheng, Ya-Ying Media conference room.
Seven or eight people gathered to discuss Xing Ye’s December schedule stared in shock, their necks twisted at similar angles, stiffly looking at Xing Ye who had just hung up the phone.
What had they just heard?
Xing Ye first complained that she didn’t care about him, and then immediately apologized himself?
Bro, you’re not usually this gentle with us.
Xing Ye put the phone back on the table, raised his eyes to meet everyone’s gaze, and frowned. “What are you looking at?”
Song Shiqing, the calmest among them, pushed his glasses and asked casually, “Pei Chuzhi’s call?”
“Mm. I forgot to tell her separately about the cameo.”
The room’s heating was too strong. Xing Ye rolled up his sweater sleeves, revealing his smoothly lined forearms. “Xiao Zhou, remind me next time.”
The young assistant on the right nodded, seriously adding a line in his notebook: 【Brother Ye’s schedule needs to be reported to his girlfriend at all times, otherwise the girlfriend will get angry.】
Xing Ye lowered his eyes, and when his gaze swept over the newly added line, he suddenly paused.
“……”
What the hell?
·
In the blink of an eye, it was the last day of November.
As usual, Xing Ye’s studio would release his schedule for the next month on this day.
Fans had been refreshing Weibo since morning, holding their phones just to learn his latest updates as soon as possible.
At exactly ten in the morning, the studio finally updated.
The moment many people opened the image, they couldn’t help but scream.
Considering December marks the transition between old and new, the schedule image used a half black-and-white, half color tone, separated by a broken diagonal line.
On the left side of the line was half of Xing Ye’s face immersed in dim light, expression indifferent, only the eyes beneath messy bangs dark and bright.
On the right was the other half of his face bathed in sunlight, lips slightly curved into a roguish smile.
Two completely different emotions intertwined in one picture, creating an equally striking visual impact.
The photos used for schedule charts were usually new, never publicly released before—also a kind of fan benefit.
Naturally, everyone quickly saved the original image and set it as their new wallpaper, shouted things like “Brother, I’m ready!” and “Oh my phone screen’s a bit dirty, let me lick it,” and other dangerous remarks, before turning to the text information.
Xing Ye’s December schedule was packed.
Several brands he endorsed were holding year-end events, his new film releasing during Spring Festival needed promotion, and there were scattered magazine dinners and cover shoots.
Fans felt sorry for his heavy workload while also comforting each other that being busy proved he was very popular.
But as they kept reading, they found the key point: 【Dec 14 – Dec 18: TV drama filming.】
Everyone froze simultaneously, their first reaction being that they misread.
As more people saw the schedule, the studio’s Weibo was quickly flooded with curiosity.
A small portion of radical fans who believed only films had prestige began scolding, accusing Song Shiqing and his team of being clueless for letting Xing Ye take a TV drama.
But more people said they could understand.
The schedule clearly stated only four days of filming—obviously not a lead role, and unlikely even a supporting role, probably just a cameo for fun. No matter the result, it wouldn’t affect Xing Ye’s status.
So what they cared about most now was which production was lucky enough to gain Xing Ye’s popularity for free.
【When will you reveal which drama it is? I have a friend who can’t wait to know.】
【Secretly wishing he plays a domineering CEO this time.】
【Sis, that idea is excellent. Which woman doesn’t love a domineering CEO with a narrow waist, long legs, and eight-pack abs?】
As the topic gradually headed in a strange direction, someone finally cleverly guessed the truth:
【Could it be “Secretly Fall in Love With You”? Ya-Ying invested in this drama, and both the male and female leads are Ya-Ying artists. Compared to currently filming crews, I think it’s the most likely.】
This guess quickly gained everyone’s approval.
After all, as Ya-Ying’s undisputed top star and shareholder, it made sense for Xing Ye to support a drama his company invested in and help fellow artists.
“Secretly Fall in Love With You” was already highly regarded in the industry. Now that Xing Ye might cameo, many netizens who were previously uninterested gradually remembered its name, planning to follow the trend when it aired.
At the same time, a newly formed QQ group was also discussing excitedly:
【Please, it must be “Secretly Fall in Love With You”! Just don’t know who Brother Ye will play. Hope he has scenes with Zhizhi.】
【Secret leak: they definitely have scenes together. Xing Ye only agreed to cameo because of Pei Chuzhi.】
【Really? If you say that, I’m taking it as sugar! Coconut Juice CP charge!】
【Guaranteed true. My friend’s in the production team. She told me face-to-face.】
As soon as this was said, many silent lurkers were drawn out.
Meanwhile, a planner from Xing Ye’s studio showed a satisfied smile in front of his phone, as if mission accomplished.
They really hadn’t had it easy, building momentum for the boss’s romance.
·
Over the next two weeks, the weather grew colder day by day.
After a light snowfall, the entire “Secretly Fall in Love With You” crew entered anticipation mode.
Pei Chuzhi had just arrived on set in the morning. Before even entering the dressing room, she heard discussions rising around her.
“Do you know what time Xing Ye arrives today?”
“I heard from the director yesterday it’s a noon flight. He’ll probably arrive in the afternoon.”
“What should I do? I’m actually nervous. If I go ask for an autograph, will he give it?”
Pei Chuzhi pushed open the dressing room door. Just after taking off her down jacket, her phone vibrated in her pocket.
Qiao Na: 【Xing Ye’s filming at your place today, right? If there’s a chance, remember to get me an autograph.】
Pei Chuzhi blinked, feeling the next few days would be quite a responsibility.
She replied “I’ll try,” put the phone back, and took a small sip from the water cup Xu Lei handed her.
Xu Lei held her down jacket, clearly more concerned about something else than Xing Ye. “Zhizhi, does your foot still hurt today?”
Pei Chuzhi lowered her head and looked. “It’s okay. The medicine you bought works pretty well. It doesn’t hurt as much.”
She had accidentally sprained her ankle while filming two days ago. It wasn’t serious but still affected her condition.
Unfortunately, Jiang Nanyan was a woman who wore high heels all day. When the camera captured full-body shots, she had to walk coolly as if nothing was wrong.
“If it really hurts, tell me. We can talk to the director and see if adjustments can be made.”
A gentle male voice sounded from behind.
Pei Chuzhi raised her eyes and saw Zhong Li standing about a meter away in the mirror. She smiled. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
Zhong Li had a scholarly air, and his tone was refined.
He sat at another makeup table and turned his head, softly reminding, “All today’s scenes are between you and me. As your partner, I should take good care of you, so don’t force yourself later, okay? Nanyan.”
The last two words made Pei Chuzhi’s scalp tingle.
Zhong Li, whether too immersed in the role or naturally dramatic, always liked to call her by her character’s name with deep affection in unnecessary situations.
Even Ruan Li privately complained, “Isn’t he supposed to be a top student who’s good at studying? Why does he look so clean and proper, yet act so greasy?”
How would Pei Chuzhi know where Zhong Li’s greasiness came from? She could only smile awkwardly and used the chance to talk to Xu Lei to avoid continuing the topic.
After finishing makeup, Pei Chuzhi put on her down jacket and walked out.
Today’s scene was outdoors. The moment she stepped outside, a cold wind howled toward her.
Pei Chuzhi shivered, pressed the heat pack stuck to her body, and silently prayed filming would go smoothly so they could wrap early.
The staff were still making final lighting adjustments. Holding a hot water bottle, Pei Chuzhi stood with Zhong Li listening to the director’s instructions.
“You two go test the lighting first, then find the feeling. Once you’ve got it, we’ll officially start.”
The director paused, about to say more, when a commotion came from outside.
Pei Chuzhi turned around. Through dazzling lights and faces filled with surprise, she saw Xing Ye at the other end of the crowd.
Seeing Xing Ye arrive early, the director stopped giving instructions and hurried over with a smile.
After all, he was the biggest-name actor in the whole crew; some greetings were necessary.
Xing Ye had Xiao Zhou distribute the hot drinks bought on the way. He himself chatted with the director while walking, slowly arriving beside Pei Chuzhi, his gaze sweeping over her with a faint smile.
After a few seconds of silence, he asked, “Very cold?”
He lowered his head slightly, looking at the girl wrapped up like a ball.
Such a strikingly beautiful face, yet now she looked somewhat cute, even a bit well-behaved.
Pei Chuzhi rubbed her reddened nose. “I’m more afraid of the cold.”
“Then you two film first.”
Xing Ye turned to the director. “Don’t freeze her. I’ll just watch here.”
The director nodded. “Alright. You can also give some guidance.”
He pointed at Pei Chuzhi and Zhong Li, joking in a tone like scolding two inexperienced kids, “It’s both their first time filming a kissing scene. Who knows how many NGs we’ll get.”
Xing Ye froze. “A kissing scene?”
He slowly turned to look at Pei Chuzhi. After a moment, he let out a low laugh, then deliberately slowed his tone, “Then I should really take a good look.”