Chapter 42

Chapter 42

“…………”

Pei Chuzhi didn’t know what President Duan thought, but after hearing Xing Ye’s introduction, her little heart leapt uncontrollably.

How to describe Xing Ye’s tone?

Seventy percent earnest, thirty percent pride—it really had that boyfriend vibe, enough to make anyone listening blush.

She turned her head at the right moment and met Xing Ye’s smiling eyes, performing the affectionate couple act with deep feeling.

Unfortunately, Duan Yan wasn’t a fan like the online CP shippers. Even when shown such affection, he remained unmoved and only said in a calm voice, “Miss Pei, pleased to meet you.”

Once dinner started, Pei Chuzhi realized just how unfamiliar Xing Ye and his brother were.

After the brief initial greetings, the rest of the time fell into silence, with no sign of trying to build a brotherly bond.

Pei Chuzhi almost suspected that Duan Yan had come not to judge her character but to see if she was missing an arm or a leg. Now, seeing her whole and not deaf or blind, he probably planned to return and “report back.”

The private room was deathly silent, broken only by the occasional clink of cutlery.

In her twenty-two years of life, Pei Chuzhi had never experienced such a quiet meal; the pressure was palpable.

She would have preferred being questioned about relationship details than enduring this tense, breath-held dinner.

Fortunately, Xing Ye seemed to notice her discomfort. He lifted his chin toward his brother: “Ask whatever Dad instructed you to ask, so we don’t have to eat this meal on edge.”

Duan Yan thought for a moment, scanning both of them with his gaze: “When did you two start dating?”

“After filming the commercial.”

“During the commercial.”

Duan Yan: “……”

Pei Chuzhi turned to Xing Ye, her eyes silently asking, “Friend, where’s the mutual understanding?”

Wasn’t their romance supposed to begin during the commercial, and only after some time did they officially start dating?

Xing Ye remained calm and added, “I was already pursuing her during the commercial, roughly.”

That’s quite a difference.

Pei Chuzhi silently noted the discrepancy, carefully observing Duan Yan’s expression. She noticed him slightly furrow his brow, as if mildly bothered by this small inconsistency.

Her professional instinct kicked in. It was her time to shine. She pursed her lips and added a bit of drama herself.

“Actually, I liked him first. But at that time, I didn’t dare confess. He cared for me on set, and I thought it was just ordinary colleague concern.”

Pei Chuzhi looked at Xing Ye with affectionate eyes, her tone sweet: “But looking back now, those days really felt like being in love—so romantic.”

Xing Ye glanced at her meaningfully.

Then he chuckled softly, lifting a hand to pinch her cheek, his gesture gentle and indulgent.

Pei Chuzhi held her breath, feeling utterly cheesy about the romantic story she and Xing Ye were performing together.

Since the act had already started, there was no reason to stop. She remained composed, meeting his gaze with deep affection for a few more moments before reluctantly looking away.

The sole observer, Duan Yan, remained silent for a long while.

Pei Chuzhi reasonably suspected he was rendered speechless by the display.

Even given her own personality, she normally wouldn’t be so openly affectionate in front of her boyfriend’s family. But tonight, she felt no burden, treating it like a mission that only needed to be completed successfully.

As for the future…

She and Xing Ye only had a two-year contract as a couple. Once the breakup was officially announced, his family would presumably no longer care about what she had done.

Perhaps their performance was convincing enough—Duan Yan didn’t ask any more questions. He simply put down his chopsticks, folded his hands on the table, and said, “Uncle Xing meant for me to convey a message to Miss Pei directly.”

Pei Chuzhi adopted an attentive, listening posture.

The words repeated from Duan Yan were full of the tone of elderly guidance.

To put it plainly, Xing Zhiyuan knew his son’s outgoing personality from childhood and that he wasn’t exactly considerate toward his girlfriend, so he sincerely asked Pei Chuzhi to be patient in the future.

Pei Chuzhi smiled genuinely after hearing this: “Please tell Uncle not to worry. Xing Ye treats me very well, being with him isn’t hard at all.”

Xing Ye paused mid-drink.

When he looked at her again, his gaze was slightly darker.

·

The dinner didn’t last long. By the time they left the hotel, it was just past eight o’clock.

Pei Chuzhi got into the back seat and saw Xing Ye standing outside, chatting briefly with Duan Yan.

She leaned against the seat, observing Xing Ye’s profile through the window.

The flowing light outside faintly outlined his deep features. The man seemed lost in thought, his brows lowered, and the strong jawline bathed in half-light, half-shadow, like a carefully painted masterpiece.

After a short while, Xing Ye got into the car.

The driver in the front asked, “Do you want me to take Miss Pei home first?”

Pei Chuzhi remembered that on the way over, Xing Ye had mentioned his home wasn’t far from the hotel, so she replied, “No need, take Xing…”

Before she could finish, Xing Ye spoke softly: “Yes, take her first.”

The driver, of course, obeyed Xing Ye, turning the car toward Pei Chuzhi’s home at the next intersection.

Pei Chuzhi tilted her head in puzzlement: “Wouldn’t it be better to go home and rest earlier? I remember you have an out-of-town schedule tomorrow morning.”

“No problem.”

Xing Ye leaned back, looking at her closely, their eyes meeting intimately. “I want to spend a little more time with you.”

The dim car interior made his low voice even more pleasant.

Pei Chuzhi blinked, and a sweet smile unconsciously curved her lips.

She recalled what Duan Yan had said earlier and asked curiously, “Why did your dad specifically send someone to give me a few words? Was he worried I might argue with you and say bad things about you in public?”

“He thinks I just have a bad temper.”

Xing Ye gave a light, ironic chuckle.

Pei Chuzhi understood immediately.

If anyone in the entertainment industry truly didn’t fake their persona, it was Xing Ye.

What he showed in public was exactly who he was in life.

By any measure, he wasn’t a gentle or amiable type.

“My dad is good-natured and tactful; he never confronts anyone face-to-face,” Xing Ye explained lightly. “So he always hopes I can restrain myself, preferably not giving him another reason to see me publicly clash with someone.”

Pei Chuzhi thought for a moment: “I actually think you being like this is great.”

Xing Ye: “You really think so?”

“Really.” She smiled, a sparkle flashing in her eyes. “Although I don’t remember what you looked like as a child, the impression you left on me was deep. You seem to have kept your personality unchanged all these years; isn’t it great to stay true to yourself?”

Xing Ye lifted his eyes, hesitating: “What was the first impression I left on you?”

Pei Chuzhi didn’t expect him to focus there, so she recalled: “A bit wronged, I guess, but mostly fierce—like a little wolf from a cartoon.”

Xing Ye smiled silently.

In fact, looking back, that memory was still vivid.

He remembered clearly how unsatisfactory that period of his life had been.

Classmates all knew his mother was a famous actress, yet they didn’t treat him any better; in fact, they often found ways to trouble him openly and secretly.

One day after class, the boy he got along with least in the class deliberately called over a group of students from another class and loudly said, “His mom kissed another man on TV, and his dad’s wearing a green hat!”

For an actor, it was just a normal part of the job, but in the eyes of malicious children, it became something filthy and despicable.

As the surrounding laughter grew louder, Xing Ye stood up, grabbed a chair, and threw it without hesitation.

The boy was sent to the hospital for three stitches. Reporters who heard the news camped outside the hospital, describing him in the most sensational way as a naturally violent bully who abused his power.

But it was only a very ordinary scene in the course of his childhood.

As he grew older, he hated more and more that he was Yu Wan’s son.

If his mother hadn’t been so famous, his childhood would have been much happier.

These resentful feelings made him increasingly irritable, to the point that he would slam doors and leave whenever he saw Yu Wan at home.

On the first day of summer vacation, Xing Zhiyuan called him over: “Mom’s friend is making a movie. They need a little boy actor. We’ve already given notice. The day after tomorrow, you’ll go with them to Xi City.”

“I don’t want to act in a movie.”

He also didn’t want to become a star like Yu Wan.

“This is an order. You must go,” Xing Zhiyuan said sternly, rarely using such a harsh tone. “Go see how a movie is made. You should learn about what your mother’s work involves.”

When he entered the garden, Xing Ye didn’t take this filming seriously.

His role had few lines, the dialogue was simple, and he thought he had memorized it perfectly.

But standing in front of the camera, he realized nothing was as easy as he imagined.

He blocked the other actor’s face, delivered lines like reciting a textbook, forgot to look at the camera.

His small pride and self-esteem were crushed in front of so many people.

When the director told him he didn’t need to act anymore, Xing Ye felt a surge of furious anger. He took off the jacket provided by the crew, threw it onto a chair, and fled the set without looking back.

The garden was as large as a maze.

But Xing Ye wasn’t afraid. He wished he could disappear there forever, never to see those who had mocked him again. He found a hidden rockery, climbed up nimbly, and discovered a narrow hole behind it, crawling straight in.

He didn’t know how long he stayed there until a soft voice came from above: “Are you crying?”

He wiped his tears hard. “No.”

“Are you an actor here to film at my house?”

“No.”

“Oh, then are you here to play?”

“No.”

“…Then do you want to play with me?”

“No! Annoying, can you stop talking?”

The little girl pouted. “Alright.”

She looked tiny, short in stature, and slowly climbed down from the rockery.

The world finally became quiet.

Xing Ye sighed. Before he could start another round of tears, he heard the “pat-pat” sound from outside.

The little girl returned, straining to lean over the edge of the hole, stretching out her arm to put a candy in his hand.

She smiled at him: “I secretly took it from the candy jar. Don’t cry, have a candy.”

The blare of a horn snapped Xing Ye out of his memory.

The driver swerved to avoid a bicycle going the wrong way.

Pei Chuzhi, following the momentum, leaned against Xing Ye’s shoulder unprepared, and her scent drifted into his breathing.

Both of them were momentarily stunned.

Pei Chuzhi sat properly and continued the previous topic: “Anyway, I think being an artist doesn’t mean you have to be like everyone else. Your personality is unique, but also very charming. There’s no need to change.”

The last few words she spoke softly, almost as if talking to herself.

Xing Ye was silent for a moment, then after a long pause said, “Mm, what needed changing, I already changed long ago.”

·

Late at night, moonlight flowed like water across the window sill.

Pei Chuzhi sat in the living room, recalling Xing Ye’s words “what needed changing, I already changed long ago,” feeling as if she had overlooked something.

Her first impression of Xing Ye was seeing him in the cinema playing that young boxer.

For a long time, she hadn’t been able to connect Xing Ye as an actor with the little boy she had encountered in her childhood.

From being kicked out of a film crew to becoming the best newcomer as a teenager, what exactly had he experienced?

The more she thought, the more she couldn’t help wanting to understand.

Pei Chuzhi opened WeChat and messaged Qiao Na: 【Since when did you start liking Xing Ye?】

Qiao Na: 【…Heavens! I only have fan feelings for him, don’t get jealous!】

Pei Chuzhi choked a bit, realizing this misunderstanding was a bit big, so she rephrased: 【I don’t mean anything else, just wanted to ask if Yehuo has any little gossip about him when he first debuted?】

The year Xing Ye debuted, Pei Chuzhi was still in high school.

She had vaguely heard that Yu Wan’s son had entered the entertainment industry, but she was obsessed with Xie Yiqian at the time and didn’t pay him much attention.

By the time she noticed that her classmates were all talking about an actor named Xing Ye, it was already during the period when his first film’s reputation was spreading.

In other words, by the time Pei Chuzhi noticed Xing Ye, he had already succeeded as an actor.

But she didn’t know what he was like when he first debuted.

Qiao Na: 【If you’re going to talk about this, I won’t be sleepy anymore. I guess I was one of Xing Ye’s earliest fans. Back then, I thought he was pretty handsome. He got roles right when he debuted. On the premiere day, I went to watch, and that’s when I fell straight into the fandom.】

Before Pei Chuzhi could reply, Qiao Na sent another message:

【Actually, being his early fan was tough. Back then, the internet mocked him constantly. They said he had a scowl at the airport, refused autographs, pointed his phone at reporters, all that stuff.】

【Some people didn’t like him being a second-generation star with resources, and any small thing would get blown up and criticized.】

【That’s why his early fans were so loyal—they were hardened by all the abuse!】

Pei Chuzhi frowned: 【That bad?】

【…Wait a moment, I’ll send you two videos from the computer.】

【What videos?】

【Abuse videos. Most of them have been deleted now, but Yehuo sisters still keep some and throw them out when needed. Great for solidifying the fandom.】

Pei Chuzhi inexplicably felt like she had infiltrated the Yehuo headquarters. She waited quietly for a few minutes, and finally the chat interface had activity.

The first video looked like a film set.

In the center was a boxing ring under bright lights, the scene somewhat chaotic, several crew members in uniform crowded around a corner.

People kept asking, “Are you okay?” “Does it hurt?”

Soon, medical staff arrived with a first aid kit. The crowd stepped back, revealing Xing Ye sitting on the floor.

He was shirtless, hunched slightly, with blood running from his right brow down to the eye, even into his eye.

The medics quickly cleaned him up. After the blood was washed off, a deep gash below the brow was visible—just looking at it was frightening.

Pei Chuzhi’s breath caught. She saw eighteen-year-old Xing Ye grit his teeth, muscles tensing visibly from the pain.

Qiao Na explained: 【The first video is from when he was filming a fight scene and got accidentally hit by the other actor. He’s never mentioned it, right? Sigh, he really hates playing the victim. Luckily, the girl filming the video became his fan later and secretly released it.】

Pei Chuzhi didn’t reply, and clicked to open the next video.

The second video was in a movie theater screening hall.

From the filming angle, it seemed to be taken by someone sitting in the audience.

A row of actors stood on stage, and Xing Ye was holding a microphone introducing the character he played. It looked like an actor meet-and-greet organized by the cinema.

Every time he spoke, boos came from the audience.

Pei Chuzhi even heard a loud male voice yelling at him to “get off the stage.”

She gradually pressed her lips together, not understanding where all the malice came from.

At that time, Xing Ye’s features were still a little immature, and his presence on stage was far less composed than it is now. Several times, his knuckles clenched around the microphone, and obvious anger flashed in his eyes—but he restrained it every time.

As an artist, Pei Chuzhi understood why he didn’t lose his temper on the spot.

This was a rare chance for the film’s creators to interact face-to-face with the audience. He couldn’t let his personal emotions ruin the event and leave everyone awkwardly hanging.

If Xing Ye had done that, the next day all discussions about the movie would have focused solely on him.

Everyone else’s efforts would have been erased by a moment of impulse.

It wasn’t until an older actor beside him took the microphone and angrily scolded the audience for their rudeness that the situation calmed.

Pei Chuzhi couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

She closed the video and asked directly: 【When was this meet-and-greet?】

Qiao Na: 【It was the movie’s premiere ceremony, I was there too. That incident caused quite a stir. The funniest part? Some people online actually said Xing Ye deserved to be scolded. Luckily, the audience could see clearly, and when he won Best Newcomer the next year, his reputation completely reversed.】

Pei Chuzhi felt a wave of sourness in her heart.

She slowly lowered her head, resting her forehead against her knees, thinking why she hadn’t realized earlier that Xing Ye wasn’t invincible from the start.

He was only eighteen then.

Pei Chuzhi exhaled softly. In the midst of her complicated feelings, she recalled events from many years ago.

She sat by the fake rock, listening to the little boy hiding in the hole recount his experiences.

At that time, she had replied: “I often get scolded in dance class too, and my classmates laugh at me, but you can’t give up just because of a small setback. Only when we get stronger and stronger can we stand on the most beautiful stage and smile at everyone.”

“Xing Ye…”

Pei Chuzhi whispered his name, her tone mixed with confusion. “Was it my words that changed you?”

The only answer was the silent air of the room.

·

Three days later, Bai Ruxu Studio officially announced the cast of Half a Lifetime of Glamour.

Bai Ruxu wasn’t a highly prolific director. Coming back after two years naturally attracted great attention.

However, when people discovered that the lead was Pei Chuzhi, doubts inevitably arose.

【Am I still half-asleep, or is Director Bai? Pei Chuzhi has some momentum recently, but isn’t it all because of her boyfriend’s fame? What real skill does she have?】

【Secretly Falling for You premieres in September—stay tuned for Pei Chuzhi as Jiang Nanyan!】

【Even if she can act in TV dramas, that doesn’t mean she can act in films, right?】

【So some people think Director Bai’s vision isn’t as good as yours, huh?】

【Come on, who doesn’t know? Clinging to her boyfriend’s fame to climb up. I just want to see how high she can go and how badly she’ll fall.】

While the internet was ablaze with debate, Pei Chuzhi was sitting in the car heading to the filming location of the final episode of Who is the Murderer?

She took out her phone, forwarded Bai Ruxu Studio’s Weibo post, wrote a few formulaic polite words, and turned off the screen.

Xing Ye quietly watched her from beside her.

This time, for the recording, everyone tacitly let them sit in the same row, almost like saying, “We definitely won’t get in the way of your romance.”

Pei Chuzhi noticed his gaze and turned her head: “What is it?”

“Did you just check the comments?” Xing Ye asked softly.

“No, I know there are definitely people insulting me.”

Times had changed. After going through several storms, Pei Chuzhi’s mindset had matured rapidly. She smiled and said, “Don’t worry. I don’t need you to remind me—at times like this, as long as I don’t go online, keyboard warriors’ curses won’t reach me.”

Xing Ye stared at her bright smile for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, “You really didn’t look?”

“……”

Pei Chuzhi’s smile softened slightly. “Alright, I accidentally glanced at a few.”

“Did it make you sad?”

“A little, but really it’s fine,” she tucked stray strands of hair behind her ear, her gaze at Xing Ye filled with a gentle warmth. “What about you? If you hear people insulting you online, do you get upset?”

The van drove over a speed bump, the car body swaying slightly.

Xing Ye replied lazily: “If I were upset, would you give me candy to cheer me up?”

Pei Chuzhi: “……”

Can’t you feel the hidden meaning in my words?

“You’re already a big kid,” she said, putting on a serious face. “I won’t use candy to cheer you up anymore.”

Xing Ye smiled: “Then how will you cheer me?”

At first, Pei Chuzhi was a little puzzled, not understanding why Xing Ye was making an issue out of this today.

But then she suddenly realized he might…

…be using his own way to divert her attention from the online comments.

Realizing this, her whole body felt warm, and even the van’s air conditioning couldn’t bring her any extra coolness.

She lifted an eyebrow, and in the sparkle of her eyes, a playful gleam appeared.

Unconsciously, Xing Ye swallowed.

Pei Chuzhi curved her brows, placing her hand on the top of his head, gently running her fingers through his hair, as if smoothing it: “Is this okay?”

Xing Ye paused, feeling her fingers weave through his hair.

With a comforting touch.

“Eh, your hair is much softer than I imagined.”

Pei Chuzhi was surprised by her new discovery, while from an angle Xing Ye couldn’t notice, she looked at his profile with a more complex gaze—part guilt, part tenderness.

She thought, if she had realized earlier that Xing Ye was that little boy, maybe she could have stood in front of him sooner, said “thank you for your hard work,” and “congratulations.”

Congratulations on overcoming yourself and standing on the most beautiful stage.

Xing Ye chuckled softly.

He lifted his eyes and saw Ding Yang from the front row turning to say something, his face full of shock.

Only close friends knew that Xing Ye didn’t like others touching his head.

No reason—he just didn’t like that intimate interaction.

But that day, Xing Ye showed no objection. He even adjusted slightly so her wrist wouldn’t be tired from holding her hand up.

He closed his eyes in the sunlight, recalling a conversation he had with Duan Yan a few days ago at the hotel.

“My dad’s words… it wasn’t just those two lines, right?” he asked.

Duan Yan said: “Xing Uncle didn’t want to oppose you. He just wanted to remind you not to fall too deep at the start. What you did this time wasn’t wise.”

Xing Ye smiled indifferently: “What do you think the entertainment industry is like?”

Before the other could respond, he continued softly, “It’s a place that can devour people. Once you step in, you’ll always face slander and insults, and endless competition.”

Xing Ye turned slightly, glancing from afar at Pei Chuzhi sitting in the car, waiting for him.

“I’ve seen its darkness, and I’ve seen its brilliance. All the bad things—I don’t want her to experience them again. So even if we don’t make it to the end…”

He lowered his eyes in the night, speaking quietly and calmly:

“At least at the beginning, I’m willing to stand up for her.”