Chapter 56

Chapter 56

The live-stream chat exploded instantly.

【What’s this? My delivery hasn’t arrived yet, and you’re feeding us free couple content?】

【Xing Ye never looked at the camera once, could it be he’s secretly blowing a kiss to his girlfriend?】

【I might be fake, but this couple is real!】

【Pei Chuzhi’s reaction hit me, you can’t hide your love at all.】

【Xing Ye as expected, one kiss and the whole city is swooning.】

Like Xing Ye, Pei Chuzhi hadn’t realized that countless people had witnessed the moment in full, nor did she know how quickly the search term #XingYeBlowsKissToPeiChuzhi# was trending.

Amid the brilliant lights, she heard friendly laughter from the audience around her, Ruan Li cheering excitedly, and the pounding of her own heart, which wouldn’t stop.

How could she not be obsessed with Xing Ye?

This man could stir a chord in her heart with just a small gesture.

Until the awards ceremony officially began, Pei Chuzhi still couldn’t shake off the lingering thrill of that blown kiss.

One by one, the award-winning actors went up and came down; to her, they were merely irrelevant backdrops, unable to draw any focus from her.

“Next is Best Supporting Actress.”

Ruan Li nudged her arm with her elbow. “Control your expression, spare the TV audience. Don’t let them see you acting like a lovesick little woman on the big screen.”

Pei Chuzhi pursed her lips softly. “Don’t make fun of me.”

Ruan Li clicked her tongue. “Alright, alright, suit yourself. I’m not the one distracted by my boyfriend’s teasing.”

…

Pei Chuzhi forced the corners of her mouth down, finally managing a standard “nominations are recognition, the award isn’t important” celebrity calm face just before the presenters came on stage.

The two presenters were veterans of the TV industry. They first recited the scripted opening lines in unison. Once the hype was set, the male actor raised the golden envelope, feigning curiosity:

“So, who will win Best Supporting Actress?”

Pei Chuzhi held her breath.

Working with a professional, outstanding team and encountering a role like Jiang Nanyan in her third year in the industry had already been beyond her imagination.

When the audience’s praise came in waves, she had once felt satisfied.

Compared to her previous unknown roles, Jiang Nanyan brought her far more meaning than she had expected.

Yet the instant the actor on stage opened the envelope, Pei Chuzhi felt a new desire.

She wasn’t satisfied.

She wanted a more direct affirmation.

Just as, unknowingly, she had gradually grown dissatisfied with being merely a contract girlfriend, instead daring to imagine keeping Xing Ye by her side—

From morning to night, loving without restraint.

The award list was passed among the presenters, finally held by both, and they announced together: “The winner is—Pei Chuzhi!”

Pei Chuzhi smiled amid the cheers.

In that instant, she even wondered if fate was inviting her, to let her know that everything in the future would be as radiant as this moment, glorious as standing on a spring stage.

The stars on her skirt glittered as she walked up, accepting her trophy amidst thunderous applause.

“Is this your girlfriend?”

From the front row, the veteran actor who had entered with Xing Ye leaned slightly, asking in the kindly tone of an elder inquiring about a junior’s relationship.

Xing Ye chuckled softly, acknowledging with his gaze, looking toward the girl standing under the spotlight.

She must have been a little nervous; her right hand holding the trophy trembled slightly, her expression less relaxed than usual, and her voice carried a subtle stiffness.

Pei Chuzhi was looking at him as well.

She knew countless eyes were on her, some with blessings, some with jealousy, but she didn’t care what they were thinking. She only wanted to see Xing Ye more clearly, across those few meters, in the brilliant lights.

She recalled that ordinary day two years ago.

That day, she had packed a coffee to go to Qiao Na’s place, and as she walked out of the café, she heard people discussing the commercial she had shot with Xing Ye. At the time, she muttered to herself, why treat her as a model? She was a proper actress.

Hundreds of days passed, and her wish was finally realized under the watchful eyes of the public.

“Someone once thanked me when he won an award, saying that without me, he wouldn’t be where he is today.”

Pei Chuzhi’s eyelashes trembled slightly, a smile in her eyes. “Today, I want to borrow his words—thank you, Xing Ye.”

In an industry that never shies from the spotlight, this bold declaration of love sparked a tsunami of cheers in the theater.

Xing Ye heard the elder next to him praise: “Quite a beautiful girl, your parents must be proud.”

“She is beautiful indeed,” he murmured softly, as if speaking to someone, or maybe to himself, “She carries light within her.”

·

The interview area after the awards was chaotic and lively.

After finishing her interview, Pei Chuzhi hurried to find Tang Dong waiting outside. “Where’s my phone?”

“…Where did this internet-addicted kid come from, wanting to play on their phone right after winning an award?”

Tang Dong joked as he handed her the phone, winking. “Want to contact Xing Ye, huh? He just sent someone to let you know he’s waiting for you in the executive lounge at the next-door hotel.”

Pei Chuzhi blushed but didn’t have time to dwell on it.

The Quietly Falling in Love With You crew was hosting a celebration banquet tonight. She couldn’t miss it after winning, but Xing Ye only had a one-day leave from his film crew, so they had to meet privately as soon as possible.

Back at the hotel arranged by the organizers, Pei Chuzhi first changed out of the brand-provided dress and jewelry. After putting on her own clothes, she stepped out amid teasing from her company team.

The elevator took her to the executive lounge.

Many celebrities were staying tonight, and the hotel had security stationed at each elevator floor. When Pei Chuzhi exited the elevator, she saw others in the lounge and instinctively moved toward a less crowded area.

Along the way, familiar actors greeted her, and she responded in kind. Seeing no sign of Xing Ye on the first floor, she headed toward the higher floors.

Screens separated the surrounding sightlines. When she reached the corner spot, the man she had been waiting for stood up and walked over, embracing her in the warm light.

He whispered into her ear, “Congratulations.”

Pei Chuzhi nuzzled his shoulder. “Thank you.”

Her gaze flicked to the suitcase at his feet. She was surprised. “Weren’t you only taking a one-day leave?”

Xing Ye released her. “Red-eye flight in two hours. After landing, three more hours to the shoot location. I start work at seven tomorrow morning.”

Pei Chuzhi calculated the time, feeling the urgency of every second.

She put aside her regrets, sat down, didn’t waste time ordering drinks, asked a few questions about his crew, and then asked directly, “What did you want to tell me?”

Xing Ye lowered his eyes, unusually anxious for a moment.

He hadn’t chased anyone before and didn’t know what tone would best convey his sincerity.

Pei Chuzhi looked at him, confused. The phone on the table kept receiving messages, all from past collaborators and close colleagues congratulating her.

She didn’t open them, waiting quietly for Xing Ye to speak.

After a moment, he spoke slowly: “You once said you wanted to focus on acting, that you didn’t want people to remember you just as my girlfriend, right?”

“Mm.”

Pei Chuzhi felt an inexplicable unease, a struggle between greed and reason in her heart.

Xing Ye tapped lightly on the table, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. “Now, you’ve done it.”

A chill ran up Pei Chuzhi’s spine.

She unconsciously tightened her coat, recalling that morning when Xing Ye woke up at her place, and in the chaos, she had seemed to say something half-hearted.

—“If you’re really angry now, we can terminate the contract early.”

Pei Chuzhi’s heart skipped a beat. Memories from four months ago were already a bit blurry.

She couldn’t remember what expression Xing Ye had when he heard that line, and even if she did, how many actors could truly hide their real feelings?

Xing Ye continued, “Actually, over this past year, I’ve only provided two opportunities, but you seized them both. After today, even if I don’t fulfill the contract, Tang Dong can get you more scripts suitable for you.”

Pei Chuzhi paused, vaguely catching Xing Ye’s subtext.

But why today? Was it to show her the principle of “what goes up must come down”? Or did he see through her desire to make the fake relationship real, to stop everything while it could still be salvaged? Or was he simply pure and felt there was no need to stay tied up in publicity with her?

“You mean…” Pei Chuzhi moved her lips, the joy from a few minutes ago vanishing in an instant. “Terminate the contract?”

Xing Ye looked at her, nodding seriously. “I want to terminate it as soon as possible, and then…”

The rest of his words were interrupted by the vibration of her phone.

Panicking, Pei Chuzhi looked down and saw Qiao Na’s name on the screen, quickly answering.

“Finally picking up! Congrats, babe, from now on you’re the big star, Chuzhi!”

Her friend’s cheerful tone blurred her vision with a mist of emotion.

She was grateful the lounge lighting wasn’t bright enough to reveal her flustered state to Xing Ye.

Pei Chuzhi took a deep breath and slowly replied, “Big star? Just tell me that, don’t brag to your fans on live stream—they’d roast you to death.”

Unexpectedly, her voice sounded calm, likely thanks to her professional actor’s control over emotions.

“I know, saving face low-key,” Qiao Na laughed sweetly. “You must be busy tonight. I won’t disturb you. Let’s go out for a meal another day.”

After saying goodbye to Qiao Na, Pei Chuzhi hadn’t put her phone down when the chief producer of Quietly Falling in Love With You called.

The crew had already arrived at the celebration banquet; she was the only one missing.

The chief producer, unaware she was holding up the schedule, warned in a kindly tone: “Chuzhi, I know you’re excited, but it’s not good to miss this event, right? Several investors will be there. Come over as soon as you finish.”

“Okay.”

Pei Chuzhi glanced up slightly, noticing the man opposite her frown impatiently. Guessing he didn’t want to waste time here, she promised the chief producer, “I’m coming right away.”

She couldn’t cry here; important work awaited tonight.

Being an entertainer was like this—no matter how stormy your heart felt, you had to smile brighter than anyone else when it was time to smile.

As for the endless tide of sadness, no one would notice.

After hanging up, Pei Chuzhi hid the sorrow in her eyes and forced a smile, pretending nothing had happened: “Okay, no problem.”

Without further thought, as if running to escape some emotion, she quickly opened WeChat, found Xing Ye’s name, and hit “Delete Friend,” all in one smooth motion.

Xing Ye’s eyes darkened, an irritating prickling sensation spreading from his chest.

He asked in a low voice, “What do you mean?”

“I mean…no contact from now on. I understand.”

Pei Chuzhi’s eyes curved like a crescent moon. To reassure him, she moved her phone closer so he could witness her deleting his number and chat history.

Xing Ye gritted his teeth; his jawline hardened sharply.

Song Shiqing had once warned him: “Will she accept this relationship? What if she turns around and says, ‘Sorry, I have no feelings for you’? Where will you put that face of yours?”

Under the table, unseen by anyone, Xing Ye’s fists clenched gradually.

He had thought he wouldn’t care whether Pei Chuzhi liked him or not.

But when the truth finally revealed itself, only fingers clenched so hard they nearly lost control could show how he truly felt.

Pei Chuzhi finished deleting his contact: “Sorry, the producer is urging me to attend the celebration banquet. I have to go now.”

She paused for half a beat, then said, “Anyway, thank you for taking care of me all this time.”

“And then?” Xing Ye looked at her coldly.

“Don’t worry, Teacher Xing, I definitely won’t bother you again.”

Pei Chuzhi didn’t want to linger for a second. She blinked, swallowed the sting of wanting to cry, stood up, and waved to him. “I’ll go first. I wish you… all the best.”

Xing Ye’s gaze darkened and unreadable. After a long moment, he let out a low laugh: “You’d better mean it.”

·

Late at night, a black Bentley sped off toward the airport highway.

Xiao Zhou, after confirming the crew’s schedule for tomorrow, looked up and nervously swallowed. “Ye-ge, three major scenes tomorrow, okay?”

“Hm? …Fine.”

Xing Ye’s voice was low and hoarse.

Xiao Zhou didn’t dare ask what had happened.

He had been one of the people watching Xing Ye’s flying kiss to Pei Chuzhi on his phone today. At the time, he joked with his colleagues that since Miss Pei had won an award, Xing Ye must be in a good mood—maybe even give an extra zero on the year-end bonus.

Now, feeling the oppressive atmosphere in the car, Xiao Zhou couldn’t help but fear for his life.

He had no clue, unable to understand why Xing Ye’s expression was so dark after leaving the hotel following a meeting with Pei Chuzhi.

Xing Ye ignored his assistant’s unease.

Irritated, he loosened his tie, tore it off, and tossed it aside. After a moment of quiet, a self-mocking smile flickered across his lips.

He had thought that at least during those confusing, passionate moments, she had given a bit of genuine feeling. He never expected that after twenty-plus years of arrogance, he couldn’t even read a rookie correctly.

At that moment, Xiao Zhou’s phone rang. He nervously answered, covering it with his hand: “Hello?”

The next second, his voice shot up sharply: “What—?!”

The sudden loud male voice made Xing Ye’s irritation flare. He turned his head, warning Xiao Zhou with his gaze.

Unexpectedly, the normally respectful assistant even glared back.

Xiao Zhou stammered, “Ye… Ye-ge, you… you and Miss Pei… broke up? The video’s online. The person who posted it said… you discussed breaking up at the hotel today?”

Xing Ye’s eyes darkened. “Have Song Shiqing suppress the news.”

“That’s exactly why President Song called.”

Xiao Zhou was too shocked; his brain was overloaded with the huge amount of information, completely chaotic. “No way… just a few hours ago, everything was fine, right?”

Xing Ye remained silent for a few seconds, his expression full of provoked rage.

The highway entrance to the airport was in sight. The driver slowed down, preparing to pass through the toll station.

In the car’s deathly quiet atmosphere, Xing Ye suddenly lifted his eyes.

His voice carried a clear agitation as he quietly instructed the driver up front:

“Please, take us back.”