"Don't try to negotiate with me." Su Yanxi's attitude was firm. "You said you'd go back today, and you have to go back today. Mom just called to ask why your phone was off and she had to look for it all over the place."
Bie Yunzong seemed to have expected this, and guiltily looked away: "...She came to call me back to the party?"
"You knew about this?" Su Yanxi frowned. "You knew there was a banquet, yet you still insisted on coming to Guangcheng with me? Hurry back, or you'll miss it if you don't go back today."
"That party was really boring. It was just a bunch of rich kids getting together to gossip—with occasional business talks like my brother does. It was really boring. I'd rather spend that time with my wife."
Bie Yunzong went over and wrapped his arms around Su Yanxi's waist, playing the pitiful dog card.
"Honey, is it really impossible to extend the session? Just let me stay with you for two more days... I promise I won't disturb your work!"
Su Yanxi slapped him away and headed towards the bathroom: "There's nothing to talk about. When I come out after washing up, I want to see you dressed and with your hair done."
The rejected dog looked annoyed and kicked the mattress in frustration: "Fine..."
Even though Bie Yun had a thousand and eight hundred reasons not to, he still changed his clothes and combed his hair as Su Yanxi requested.
While washing up, he boldly asked his wife to do it for him, but Su Yanxi didn't even look at him and coldly rejected him.
Su Yanxi bought Bie Yunzong a plane ticket for 1 PM, but it was only a little past 10 AM when they finished breakfast and checked out. Bie Yunzong didn't want to waste this precious time together, so he insisted on driving Su Yanxi to meet her agent.
The meeting place was a small alleyway café on the east entrance of the old town. On the way there, Bie Yunzong seized every opportunity to play the victim and act pitiful, trying every means to get more time together.
"Since we're already here, are you really not going to let me in for a bit?" The bright red Ferrari was parked next to the alley cafe. Bie Yunzong looked at his wife with resentment as she got out of the car with her bag. "I haven't even met you as my agent yet."
"There's no need to meet now. I'll introduce you when the time comes." Su Yanxi opened the car door. "You can buy the coffee at the airport later. I'll go in first."
"Hey, hey, hey—give me a kiss, a kiss!" Bie Yunzong leaned his face closer, "Wife, give me a kiss before you go!"
Su Yanxi ignored him, said "You arrived home safely" and slammed the car door shut.
Dongkou Road retains many old-fashioned buildings from the late 20th century. Although it is located in a commercial area and has become increasingly popular for online shopping in recent years, the original residents still live a simple and leisurely life. The deeper you walk into the alley, the more you can feel the strong sense of human warmth.
In the quaint alleyways, the red Ferrari sports car stands out.
Su Yanxi was still worried, so he turned back and gestured for the motionless sports car to hurry up. Only after the car finally started and slowly reversed out of the alley did he breathe a sigh of relief and push open the door to the coffee shop.
The coffee shop wasn't big, with only four or five tables. As soon as Su Yanxi entered, she saw Zhou Tong at the bar and bowed to greet her: "Good morning, Sister Tong. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Good morning to you too, I just got here a short while ago. Have a seat." Zhou Tong pushed the chair next to her, giving Su Yanxi a strange look. "The driver's seat in the sports car just now... was that your boyfriend?"
"Yes." Su Yanxi nodded shyly, "He insisted on bringing me here."
Zhou Tong noticed the hickeys on Su Yanxi's neck and frowned: "You two have such a good relationship. But while you're enjoying your sweet romance, I hope you don't forget your place."
Chapter 18
Zhou Tong handed Su Yanxi a concealer from her bag. Su Yanxi blushed slightly and took it with both hands.
"Thank you, Sister Tong. I was going to cover it up, but my luggage hasn't arrived yet, and I don't have any concealer on hand..." There were no other customers in the coffee shop, so Su Yanxi started working on it directly.
"It's okay, hurry up and cover it up, make sure it's covered up properly." Zhou Tong put down his coffee and helped. "Although you're going for a career as a serious actor and don't need to play the single card, you're different from my previous artists—you don't have a fan base and haven't had much exposure before."
"To build up your fanbase in the early stages, you'd better be careful. Don't scare away a bunch of fans right from the start by talking about your relationship."
Su Yanxi nodded obediently: "Okay, Sister Tong."
"Now that you're on set, settle down and keep some distance from your boyfriend. You two have such a good relationship, he'll definitely understand." Zhou Tong closed the concealer. "Okay, it's done."
Su Yanxi was momentarily stunned before replying, "...Mm."
Even without Zhou Tong's reminder, he planned to keep some distance from Bie Yunzong during the filming period; no one could stand being so affectionate every day.
However, thinking about Bie Yunzong's recent strange behavior and the strange notice she saw by chance yesterday, Su Yanxi felt very uneasy.
Don't let him be so clingy and need someone to be with him. What if that stinky dog... does he just... when I'm not around?
Su Yanxi dared not think about it further.
Author's Note:
While driving, Bie Gouzi spat out a curse: "Damn, who's thinking about me?"
Your wife is thinking (scratch that) and doubting you!
I have some special social tips for the crew of #10
On the evening of the 9th, Lin Xiaohai arrived in Guangcheng with his luggage and checked into the hotel arranged by the film crew with Su Yanxi.
While packing her luggage, Su Yanxi didn't forget to ask Lin Xiaohai, "Has the young master arrived in Beicheng yet?"
"We're here!" Lin Xiaohai patted his chest to assure him. "Young Master just arrived, and I only dared to send him away right after. The eldest young master said he'd come to our house tonight to catch Young Master, so Young Madam, don't worry!"
"Come and arrest someone? That's great." Su Yanxi sneered. "It's time for someone to teach Bie Yunzong a lesson."
The two chatted with the door slightly ajar, but were interrupted by a knock. It was Zhou Tong leading the production crew to greet them. Su Yanxi quickly stopped talking and went outside to greet them.
"Director He, thank you for your high regard," Su Yanxi bowed respectfully to Director He Yu and shook hands with him. "I will certainly not let you down!"
"You're too modest. Your acting skills, appearance, and delivery of lines are all excellent. You are undoubtedly the best choice for the lead role!"
Director He was very satisfied with Su Yanxi. He patted Su Yanxi's hand and teased Zhou Tong.
"Zhou Tong, why didn't you tell me you were mentoring newcomers? I was wondering why you asked me about casting last time."
"If I had told you earlier that Yanxi was your artist, I wouldn't have needed to hold any public auditions; I could have just chosen her directly. You have a keen eye; I trust your people!"
Zhou Tong scoffed, "Come on, if we're talking about having a sharp eye, who can beat you? Brother He, I'm really looking forward to you sending me another Golden Bell Award. Don't keep me waiting too long."
Listening to their conversation, Su Yanxi remembered that among the three heavyweight artists Zhou Tong had managed, two had worked with director He Yu. No wonder they were so familiar with each other and chatted without any burden.
It was at this moment that Su Yanxi noticed someone standing behind the director. As soon as he made eye contact with the person, the person smiled gently at him: "Hello, I'm Cheng Zhuo, nice to meet you."
Su Yanxi had seen the initial draft of the cast list and knew that Cheng Zhuo was the number one supporting actor after her—the so-called "second male lead." In order to ensure a smooth collaboration in the future, polite greetings were naturally essential.
"Hello, my name is Su Yanxi. I've watched quite a few of your dramas, and I'm very happy to be able to work with you this time." Su Yanxi extended her hand. "I look forward to your guidance in the future."
"No, no, no, we're the same age, it's strange for people our age to use honorifics." Cheng Zhuo hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Just be casual, you can call me Xiao Cheng. Can I call you Su Su or Yan hope?"
"No problem, just call it whichever sounds best."
Su Yanxi smiled and replied, displaying a friendly, generous, and easygoing attitude towards making friends—this was his habitual pretense.
As a young mistress of another family who frequents high-end occasions and interacts with many upper-class people, she can't do without some social skills.
Su Yanxi was adept at finding loopholes in details, breaking through the other person's psychological defenses upon first meeting and creating the illusion of "instant rapport." After exchanging only a few words, Su Yanxi noticed that Cheng Zhuo's voice sounded off and considerately inquired about it.
"Is your throat bothering you? I always feel like your voice sounds strange, like you're having a lot of trouble speaking?"
With just two simple sentences, Cheng Zhuo was successfully opened up.
Cheng Zhuo, who had initially maintained some restraint and politeness, immediately transformed into a chatterbox and complained to Su Yanxi: "Yeah... you noticed? Sigh, there's nothing I can do, I've been rehearsing several plays in a row, and I've overused my voice."
"I don't know how much performance experience you can gain from plays, but they really strain your voice. And to make matters worse, my schedule is packed, with shows every week..."
Su Yanxi couldn't stand all this talking and interrupted him, asking, "I have some mints, do you want some? They won't be very effective, but they can relieve the pain a little."
Cheng Zhuo looked at him with gratitude: "I really needed it! Su Su, you're so kind, so...so considerate."
Su Yanxi was of course considerate—how could someone who could sit firmly at the top of the social hierarchy of wealthy wives not be considerate?
He had to be meticulous in everything he did and kind and considerate to everyone. Back in Beicheng, he had to manage a house full of servants and keep his philandering husband in check. After joining the crew, these interpersonal relationships were even less of a challenge for him.
"Considering that our crew will be doing original voice dubbing, which will definitely involve a lot of vocal strain, I've also prepared some monk fruit and malva nuts in addition to mints." Su Yanxi gestured towards the house, "Xiao Hai, please get them out for me!"
Chapter 19
Fearing that Cheng Zhuo might misunderstand his intentions, Su Yanxi specially asked Lin Xiaohai to distribute the mints and throat lozenges in front of everyone.
Su Yanxi's "little trick" worked very well. In just one night, the goodwill towards him among the crew members inside and outside the production crew skyrocketed. Even Zhou Tong, who was known for his thoughtfulness in dealing with people and things, couldn't help but praise Su Yanxi for being "thoughtful".
However, besides winning the hearts of the staff, troublesome things soon followed.
[Cheng Zhuo: I got emotional when I greeted you just now. Actually, I shouldn't have said those complaints in public; it had a bad influence.]
[Cheng Zhuo: It's about my agent. Sigh, you're a new actor, Zhou Tong hasn't been mentoring you for very long, so you probably don't understand my difficulties, but I really can't hold back anymore and want to confide in you.]
Looking at the long text message she received on WeChat, Su Yanxi felt a throbbing pain in her temples.
He didn't want to be Cheng Zhuo's emotional dumping ground and waste his time listening to his grievances with his agent. But judging from Cheng Zhuo's attitude, he clearly regarded him as a "confidant".
He realized that Cheng Zhuo was a bit too self-conscious, and the "Pu Xin flavor" in his words made him very uncomfortable. Not only that, Cheng Zhuo also liked to emphasize the difference between new and old actors, trying to elevate his status with seniority so that Su Yanxi would think highly of him and admire him.
But Su Yanxi, who has seen many oddballs, doesn't buy into this at all.
Suppressing her headache and impatience, Su Yanxi replied with "[Okay, go ahead]" and quickly switched accounts.
On the WeChat account, Bie Yunzong's profile picture was flashing wildly, sending a series of messages to Su Yanxi, including text and emojis.
[Husband: Honey, have you had dinner yet?]
[Husband: I went to a party tonight, look how well-behaved I am.]
[picture]
[picture]
[Emoji]
[Husband: Are you still busy, honey?]
[Husband: Honey, please pay attention to me!]
Seven years of dating had given Su Yanxi and Bie Yunzong a deep understanding and telepathic connection. Even when he wasn't around, Su Yanxi could imagine Bie Yunzong's expression when he sent those messages by looking at the text and emojis.
He quickly replied: [Finished work, just got back. Look at you, like you'd die if I were a minute late?]
After scolding him, he added, "[Are you home yet? Want to video chat?]"
The message had only been sent for three seconds when a large [video chat invitation] popped up.
Su Yanxi paused slightly, then pressed the answer button. When he saw Bie Yunzong's face appear in the small window on the screen, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Bie Yunzong asked curiously, "Wife, what are you laughing at?"
Su Yanxi answered "It's nothing" but in her heart she was thinking - people are so strange, my dog is definitely the cutest.
The cutest.
On the 10th, the core cast members had assembled ahead of schedule. The director, not wanting to miss out, moved two important events—the audition on the 13th and the costume fitting photoshoot—to the 10th.
After changing into their vintage-style blue overalls, Su Yanxi and Cheng Zhuo put on makeup in a dressing room.
Su Yanxi wanted to reinforce her memory of the lines, but Cheng Zhuo kept talking, disrupting her thoughts: "Su Su, why didn't you reply to my messages last night?"