Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Silence fell all around.

Everyone simultaneously recalled one of Xing Ye’s rumors.

It was said that in his debut year, he got angry on set because an assistant director bullied extras for no reason.

Back then he was only an eighteen-year-old newcomer, yet he could speak up for insignificant people.

Now he was an award-winning actor…

Seeing things going badly, the director quickly improvised and denied it with an embarrassed laugh: “No, no, it’s all a misunderstanding. I called Zhizhi over just to discuss the role with her again.”

To get closer to Pei Chuzhi, he deliberately used a more intimate nickname.

“Zhizhi” sounded the same as “Zhizhi,” accidentally calling Pei Chuzhi’s pet name.

Unexpectedly, Xing Ye raised his eyes and asked coldly, “What did you call her?”

Pei Chuzhi: “…”

Did the act really have to start so fiercely?

But Xing Ye was clearly standing up for her, so she certainly wouldn’t foolishly object.

Since it was Xing Ye’s show time, she simply crossed her arms and stood aside, quietly watching him perform.

The director, being confronted once, wished he could slap himself.

He turned his head and glared at the stunned Sun Yuxin behind him, thinking if he had known, he would never have invited such a troublemaker.

Sun Yuxin didn’t even dare breathe loudly.

She had thought Xing Ye and Pei Chuzhi were only casually acquainted, so she acted domineering in front of Pei Chuzhi, but who knew…

Regret surged in her heart.

Seeing Xing Ye’s gaze already bypassing the director and landing on her, Sun Yuxin could only force a stiff smile. “Senior Xing Ye, long time no see, I—”

Before she could finish explaining, displeasure appeared in Xing Ye’s dark pupils.

The next second, his indifferent voice sounded: “Who are you?”

Sun Yuxin’s face turned pale instantly.

Another celebrity guest watching the scene couldn’t help laughing.

Sun Yuxin had few works but was extremely arrogant, relying on a few obsessive fans to act domineering. Who would’ve thought she’d lose face twice because of Xing Ye?

The producer, who had been out of the loop, finally realized the problem.

He was smooth and tactful; even knowing there was a personal conflict, he wouldn’t scold anyone in front of everyone. So he smiled kindly at Xing Ye: “Maybe there’s a small misunderstanding between the actors. How about we finish recording first, and tonight I’ll host dinner so everyone can clear things up?”

Xing Ye didn’t respond, just glanced at Pei Chuzhi, as if seeking her opinion.

Pei Chuzhi didn’t want to delay everyone’s time, so she blinked to indicate OK.

“Thank you, but I have something tonight, so I probably can’t attend.” Xing Ye nodded to the producer, his earlier aggression completely withdrawn. “Sorry, please continue.”

After being domineering, he was still quite polite.

As the onlookers finally dispersed, Pei Chuzhi seized the time to thank him.

No matter what, Xing Ye had helped her out.

Xing Ye lowered his head slightly, his lips moving close to her ear.

Warm breath brushed her ear, bringing a faint itch.

To keep others from hearing, he lowered his voice. “Don’t let people bully you again.”

Pei Chuzhi’s breathing stalled.

Xing Ye continued in a tone like instructing a subordinate: “If people look down on you, I also lose face.”

After saying that, he arrogantly asked, “Remembered?”

“…”

All of Pei Chuzhi’s emotion was scattered by that one sentence.

She would have to go back tonight and check the contract to see whether it said “contract couple” or “contract follower.”

·

The recording process afterward went quite smoothly.

If there was anything not good, it was that everyone’s gaze toward Pei Chuzhi had changed.

Seeing everyone’s “fully satisfied from gossip” expressions, Pei Chuzhi guessed someone would definitely leak things online tonight.

But now that the arrow had been loosed, there was no turning back. She could only pretend nothing happened and quickly leave after changing clothes.

No way—being Xing Ye’s rumored girlfriend really carried huge pressure.

The company learned its lesson and didn’t let her take a taxi home alone. They had already sent a driver to wait outside the studio.

Tang Dong was also in the car. As soon as she got in, he handed over a folder. “Inside are two scripts. I think both are good. Decide yourself which one you want to take.”

Pei Chuzhi’s hand trembled. “Given by Asia Film Media?”

Asia Film Media was the agency Xing Ye signed with.

More plainly, it was one of his family’s industries.

Tang Dong nodded happily. “One is the second female lead in a modern drama, and the other is the female lead in a costume drama. The production teams are reliable. But the second one’s female lead is a bit marginal. Personally, I prefer the first—if you perform well, the second female lead can still stand out.”

Pei Chuzhi glanced at the script titles and immediately understood why Tang Dong was so excited.

Both were TV dramas adapted from IPs, and the original works were equally popular.

In the past, not to mention Pei Chuzhi, even their Huaxing’s top female artist probably couldn’t touch resources like these.

Pei Chuzhi once again felt the “wealth gap” between herself and Xing Ye.

Really, it was too humbling.

“I knew signing you back then wasn’t wrong. Your conditions are so good; all you lacked was an opportunity.”

Tang Dong was still immersed in the joy of about to “fly up a branch and become a phoenix,” patting his knee and sighing repeatedly. “Zhizhi, when you become famous, Huaxing will benefit too. You’re the hope of our whole village!”

Pei Chuzhi choked slightly before saying, “Brother Tang, do you know what you look like right now?”

“What?”

“Like a nouveau riche who sells a little girl into a wealthy household.”

“What kind of talk is that?” Tang Dong glanced at her sideways, the corners of his mouth uncontrollably lifting. “What little girl could have your kind of temperament?”

This really wasn’t nonsense from Tang Dong.

Pei Chuzhi had studied classical dance since childhood. Years of hard training shaped not only a slender tall figure but also a temperament that stood out in a crowd.

Back then, Tang Dong spotted student Pei Chuzhi at a glance during a physical education class at the film academy.

Among a group of girls in sportswear on the field, only she shone.

In his view, this girl could captivate with her looks and amaze with her acting—simply a natural-born star fed by heaven.

Unfortunately, she lacked a bit of luck.

After recalling the past, Tang Dong’s voice grew more solemn. “Now your luck has turned. Hyping CP with Xing Ye is a shortcut, but no matter how smoothly you go later, don’t forget the fundamentals of being a person.”

Tang Dong rarely said such serious words.

Pei Chuzhi felt somewhat moved after hearing them. They had known each other for two years. Although Tang Dong hadn’t made her famous, he never forced her to drink and socialize for resources like other agents.

“I know. One can’t become carried away.”

Pei Chuzhi smiled, a brilliant light blooming in the dim car interior. “After all, life always has ups and downs.”

Tang Dong glared at her. “What fall!”

Not auspicious at all.

Pei Chuzhi smiled again.

She took her phone out of her bag, thinking she should thank Xing Ye.

They had exchanged contact information on the day they signed the contract. She tapped into the WeChat contact named XY and typed: 【I got the scripts, thanks a lot!】

A moment later, a notification sounded in the car.

Xing Ye: 【Your acting is good. Keep working hard.】

Pei Chuzhi was stunned, recalling that a few months ago when filming a commercial, she seemed to have heard similar praise.

It should have been after they finished the first set of shots, when Xing Ye casually asked her, “Are you a professional actor?”

She answered, “Mm, I graduated from the film academy.”

“Not bad.”

The man left a fair evaluation, then went to the monitor to watch the footage.

Pei Chuzhi had been a little excited at the time.

“Zhizhi, Zhizhi…”

Tang Dong’s voice pulled her back from her memories.

“What’s wrong?”

Tang Dong handed over his phone. “Xing Ye went to find you this afternoon?”

The screen showed a gossip forum page.

【An insider here with a scoop, no proof, believe it or not. A certain young award-winning actor recently has something going on. The girl is an eighteenth-tier. I’ve met her a few times; she’s very pretty and cute in person, but unknown. Today we recorded a variety show, the actor came to visit the set, almost had a conflict for her. Definitely a wife-protecting maniac.】

The leak was actually vague.

After all, every year new award-winning actors appear, and “young award-winning actor” covered a wide range—from minors to those in their thirties.

Many replied, but most didn’t take it seriously, and some said they could fabricate a hundred scoops using this template.

The original poster angrily replied: 【If you don’t believe it, bookmark this post and wait to be proven wrong!】

Pei Chuzhi inexplicably thought of a line from an old manga:

The gears of fate have begun to turn…

When her relationship with Xing Ye intensified, these bits of information would become evidence.

·

Over the next few days, Pei Chuzhi stayed home reading scripts.

In the end, she chose the second female lead in the modern drama.

It was a rich young lady who dared to love and hate. Compared to the vase-like female lead in the costume drama, it had more scenes and was more memorable.

After arranging an audition with the director team for next week, she bought the original novel and stayed home studying it and taking notes.

One afternoon, Tang Dong called, informing her that tomorrow she would attend a ribbon-cutting commercial event at a 4S flagship store with Xing Ye, and Xing Ye’s side would send someone to pick her up.

Pei Chuzhi understood that for her, this also meant another hype task.

That night she carefully applied a face mask and picked out a small dress suitable for the event. After ensuring everything was perfect, she went to bed early for beauty sleep.

Since she had entered this line, she had to love it. Now that she and Xing Ye were contract lovers, she naturally had to bring her best state to seriously hype the scandal.

The next morning, not long after breakfast, Xing Ye sent a message telling her the car had arrived.

After going downstairs, she indeed saw a sports car with tinted windows parked below.

It was exactly the same car model she and Xing Ye had filmed the commercial for, so it wasn’t hard to guess that today’s event was organized by the brand.

Pei Chuzhi walked to the car, just about to greet the driver, when the rear door opened silently.

She turned her head, and when she saw the person inside, she nearly stumbled backward into the flowerbed.

Xing Ye wore a custom-made suit. Under the sunlight, subtle dark patterns decorated the fitted fabric. The top two buttons of his shirt were left undone, fully revealing his long neck and clear collarbones.

His hair was styled with gel, not combed neatly, but deliberately tousled in a few strands, creating a relaxed, unruly image.

With broad shoulders and a narrow waist, he was a perfect clothes rack. Sitting in the car and lifting his eyes, he made it hard to look away.

Pei Chuzhi was stunned for a second by his overwhelming looks today before asking in surprise, “Teacher Xing… Xing Ye? Aren’t you afraid of being seen?”

She didn’t live in any high-end residential complex—what if fans saw and surrounded them?

“Then get in.”

Xing Ye’s voice was lazy, slightly hoarse with sleepiness.

Pei Chuzhi found the scene oddly familiar. Without thinking further, she quickly got into the car.

The vehicle slowly started.

Pei Chuzhi quietly compared their outfits.

Although they hadn’t discussed it beforehand, she happened to be wearing a V-neck dark-patterned dress. Compared together, it actually looked a bit like couple outfits.

After several minutes of silence, Pei Chuzhi brought up a topic: “This brand is pretty nice. I only filmed one commercial for them, and they still invited me to their opening ribbon-cutting.”

“I brought you.”

Xing Ye turned his face slightly, emphasizing his tone. “The labor fee is also deducted from my account.”

Pei Chuzhi froze. Should she say thank you, boss?

Xing Ye glanced at her.

Her skin was snow-white and delicate. Paired with the dark dress, she almost seemed to glow.

Despite her striking beauty, she looked hesitant, as if wanting to speak.

For some reason, Xing Ye had the leisure to ask, “Moved?”

Pei Chuzhi wasn’t moved—no, she didn’t dare move.

She just felt that since signing the contract, she hadn’t really contributed much yet had already received special care several times, and her professional conscience felt slightly guilty.

After thinking for a while, she decided to ask the question that had been lingering for days: “Can I ask something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you…” halfway through, she remembered the confidentiality rule, glanced toward the driver in front, and became vague, “…um, choose me?”

Xing Ye seemed in a good mood today and smiled lightly. “What do you think?”

“My acting is pretty good? And then…”

Pei Chuzhi’s eyelashes trembled, and bright light flowed into her eyes. “And I’m not clingy, very clear-headed, right?”

Xing Ye’s expression froze for a moment.

He hadn’t expected her to think that.

But on second thought…

As his fan, she hadn’t asked for an autograph during their few meetings. She was indeed a smart person—unclingy and clear-headed.

But what fan wouldn’t want their idol’s autograph?

Xing Ye stared at her bright and charming face for a few seconds, thinking that since they were in a “couple” relationship, sometimes he should take the initiative to fulfill the little wish his “girlfriend” was too shy to say.

There seemed to be a signing pen in the storage compartment beside the seat.

“Do you have paper?” Xing Ye thought for a moment and asked softly.

Pei Chuzhi nodded and took out an unopened pack of tissues from her small handbag. This was her favorite tissue brand—light fragrance, and the packaging was cute.

The two turned at the same time, their eyes meeting.

Xing Ye held the pen: “…”

Pei Chuzhi blinked: “???”

Author’s note: Zhizhi: Slapped in the face once, you’re welcome.

Affected by recent Mercury retrograde (?), I made small revisions to the previous chapters. Other chapters didn’t change much, but I added a segment of Brother Ye’s plot in the middle of Chapter 4. It’s recommended everyone clear cache and reread Chapter 4.

Although it must be Mercury retrograde’s fault, this embarrassed author decided to send little red envelopes again today. Same rule: comment on this chapter within 24 hours!