Chapter 24: “Let’s Get Married.”

After returning to the hotel and finishing her evening routine, Sheng Li emerged from her drowsiness and realized what Yu Chi had meant when he told her to wash her face. She couldn’t help but chuckle—how sly could this guy be? She picked up her phone and sent him a message.

Sheng Li: [Tonight was just a kiss on the forehead. What about the wedding night kissing scenes? Will you need to soak yourself in vinegar?]

Yu Chi immediately sent over a voice message, his tone cold: [Aren’t you going to sleep?]

This thinly veiled attempt at nonchalance only amused Sheng Li further. She cheerfully replied with a voice message: [Going to bed now. Goodnight, Yu Xiao Chi.]

No sooner had she climbed into bed than her phone rang again.

Seeing the name “Queen Zhou” on the screen, Sheng Li rolled her eyes and answered, “I have to ask, Queen Zhou, do you always call me late at night?”

“We’ve talked this late plenty of times before,” Zhou Sinuan said lazily. “I didn’t get back to the hotel until eleven after filming tonight. We’re both lead actresses—how are you so relaxed?”

Sheng Li responded dryly, “Oh, is that so?”

Zhou Sinuan remained unfazed. “Your tone is completely different from last night. It’s obviously fake.”

“You’re the experienced one here—you know best.” Sheng Li yawned, lying down and pulling the blanket over herself. Her head hit the pillow, and she was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. Her words slurred as she mumbled, “I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep.”

“Wait,” Zhou Sinuan said, bursting with gossip. “I heard Yu Chi joined the production and got the role after auditioning against Lu Xingyu. How can you go to sleep without telling me more?”

The audition had taken place two days ago. While Lu Xingyu’s participation wasn’t a secret, Rong Hua had cleverly downplayed it, telling friends in the industry, “He just happened to have a few days off and came to visit Sheng Li. The audition was just for fun—it wasn’t serious.”

As for the fans, they were completely unaware of Lu Xingyu’s audition. Even if marketing accounts tried to leak the news, it was quickly controlled by fanbases and PR teams.

If Yu Chi had been represented by a decent agency with a resourceful agent, this would have been the perfect opportunity for炒作 (hype). A headline like “Lu Xingyu loses audition to an unknown newcomer” could easily generate buzz, followed by promoting Yu Chi as “the most promising new actor.” With just a little exposure, someone as clean-cut and talented as Yu Chi would undoubtedly attract a massive fanbase. Once he gained attention, his career would skyrocket after his work was released.

But Starshine Entertainment? Forget it. That company didn’t have the resources for marketing. And Jiang Nan? Over the years, he’d only managed to produce a handful of D-list actors who weren’t even as successful as influencers.

Sheng Li squinted as she asked, “Did your agent tell you all this?”

Zhou Sinuan: “Mm. Is Yu Chi an art exam candidate?”

“No.” Sheng Li glossed over the details of Yu Chi’s situation. After Zhou Sinuan finished ranting about his horrible step-parents, Sheng Li sincerely asked, “Help me think of a way to get Yu Chi to accept my offer to buy him out of his contract.”

Zhou Sinuan thought for a moment and said, “Get married.”

“… He’s only eighteen—four years away from the legal marriage age. Plus, I’m only twenty-three. I just want to date, not get married.” Sheng Li forced herself to stay awake and scoffed, “Queen Zhou, I suspect you’re plotting something. Are you trying to push me into an early marriage so my fans abandon me, leaving you to crush me underfoot as my rival?”

Zhou Sinuan stuttered, “… Fine, fine. Ignore me and my conspiracy theories.”

Sheng Li’s eyes were already drooping shut. She coldly replied, “Perfect timing—I’m going to sleep.”

—

At 1 PM the next day, the sun blazed overhead, making everyone dizzy and drowsy.

Sheng Li walked toward Yu Chi, holding a small handheld fan. His costume consisted of two layers, and after finishing an action scene, the inner layer was soaked with sweat. He was drinking from a bottle of cold water, and after finishing it, he tossed the empty bottle into the trash can. Just as he turned around, a gust of wind blew into his face.

“This is for you,” Sheng Li said brightly, offering him the pink handheld fan.

Yu Chi glanced at the fan but didn’t take it. “You use it.”

“Yu Chi.”

Someone called out from behind them.

Yu Chi frowned and turned around.

Jiang Nan and Xu Yang were walking toward them. Xu Yang lagged a couple of steps behind, looking shocked. Jiang Nan’s expression, on the other hand, radiated excitement and greed, with a hint of smugness, as if mocking Yu Chi for resisting joining the production earlier.

Yu Chi gave him a cold glance, disgust spreading through his chest.

When Xu Yang finally caught up, he said hazily, “Brother Chi, how did you end up filming already?”

Yu Chi simply grunted, “I’ll explain later.”

Sheng Li found it odd that Xu Yang had come with Jiang Nan. She looked at Xu Yang and teased, “Little Brother Xu Yang, are you ignoring your sister now?”

Xu Yang quickly turned to face her and bowed deeply. “Goddess Li Li, I didn’t mean to ignore you. I was just shocked to see Yu Chi filming—I had no idea he was already working on a project.”

Sheng Li was amused. She raised an eyebrow and said, “I was just teasing you. Why such a grand gesture?”

Xu Yang awkwardly scratched his head and grinned. “You’re my senior and a goddess—it’s only proper.”

“…” Sheng Li suddenly had a bad feeling. She glanced at Jiang Nan, then at Yu Chi’s cold profile, before frowning and asking Xu Yang, “Did you sign with an agency?”

Xu Yang lowered his gaze, his smile fading slightly. He gestured toward Jiang Nan. “Yeah, this is my agent.”

Jiang Nan beamed at her, his tone tinged with excitement and flattery. “Miss Sheng Li, I’m Xu Yang and Yu Chi’s agent. This is the first time I’ve met you in person—you’re even more beautiful than on TV. I can’t believe Yu Chi’s first proper TV drama is with you. It’s such a stroke of luck.”

Sheng Li observed him impassively, puzzled by how he’d managed to rope Xu Yang in. Though not as handsome as Yu Chi, Xu Yang was still a bright and charismatic young man who sang, played instruments, danced, and had even been accepted into the Beijing Film Academy. Why was he so impatient?

Her tone was indifferent. “So, you don’t know how Yu Chi joined the production?”

Jiang Nan was adept at reading people and could sense Sheng Li’s dislike for him. He chuckled awkwardly, “I heard there was an audition a few days ago. He must have gotten the role through that—he’s always had a talent for acting.”

Sheng Li feigned surprise. “Oh? Aren’t you Yu Chi’s agent? How could you not know about his audition?”

Jiang Nan couldn’t exactly admit that his relationship with Yu Chi was so strained that his calls were blocked. Earlier, he’d seen Sheng Li and Yu Chi talking together and assumed their relationship was good. Given Sheng Li’s current popularity, maintaining a connection with her would be highly beneficial for Yu Chi. He smiled ingratiatingly, “Yu Chi has always been independent-minded. Sometimes we have communication issues.”

How dare he imply that Yu Chi was disobedient?

Who gave you the guts to insinuate things about my boyfriend?

Sheng Li smirked inwardly but kept her expression blank. “Is that so? Everyone on set praises Yu Chi—he’s nothing like you described. An agent should protect their artist. Why are you speaking about Yu Chi like this?”

Jiang Nan: “...”

He wiped his sweat and licked his dry lips. “You’re absolutely right, Miss Sheng Li. Absolutely right.”

Yu Chi watched indifferently as Sheng Li defended him. Seeing Jiang Nan sweat under her sharp words, he sneered softly, “My relationship with my agent is indeed poor. Thanks for worrying about me, Sister. If possible, I’d like to change agents.”

Jiang Nan’s face darkened instantly. Unable to save face, he could only swallow his pride and say, “That was just a joke. Yu Chi, have the directors finished eating? Can you show me where they are?”

Without sparing him a glance, Yu Chi turned to Xu Yang. “Find somewhere to sit for a while.”

Xu Yang nodded. “Okay.”

Sheng Li crossed her arms and smiled warmly. “Don’t worry—I’ll take care of your classmate.”

Yu Chi pressed his lips together and walked away without a word.

With his long legs, he moved quickly. At just over five-foot-seven, Jiang Nan struggled to keep up.

Behind them—

Sheng Li gently asked Xu Yang, “Little Brother Xu Yang, have you eaten lunch yet?”

Xu Yang smiled. “Yes.”

Sheng Li: “It’s so hot. You can rest in my lounge for a bit—I’ll have Yuan Yuan bring you a bottle of cold water.”

“Thank you, Sister,” Xu Yang said obediently.

Yu Chi smirked to himself. Why does this woman flirt with every younger guy she meets? Just minutes ago, Xu Yang was calling her “Goddess,” and now he’s calling her “Sister”?