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Early the next morning, there was a beach scene, and Zhou Mingqian notified everyone in the group chat to gather at 4:30 AM.
Afraid that poor sleep would affect her performance, Shen Tang took melatonin before bed.
Exhausted both physically and mentally, she slept dreamlessly until the alarm woke her.
In the summer mornings, Grandpa woke up at four o’clock due to discomfort, unable to sleep soundly.
Before Shen Tang left, he had prepared sandwiches and milk for her.
“Still an emotional scene?” Grandpa asked.
Shen Tang bit into the sandwich. “Mm-hmm, after Gu Heng and I confirm our relationship in the drama, we go to the beach to watch the sunrise.” The first part was sweet, and the latter half was filled with arguments.
As they argued, Gu Heng picked her up to reconcile.
In the end, they separated on bad terms.
Hearing it was an emotional scene, Grandpa decided not to go to the set and instead sat at the entrance waiting for the sunrise.
With time running out, Shen Tang hurried out with her breakfast.
Xie Yuncheng was holding a cup of jujube tea, leaning against the fence outside the gate, specifically waiting for her.
“Morning.”
Xie Yuncheng nodded, straightened up, and accompanied her towards the set. “Your current situation seems quite passive. Everyone is flocking to Haitang Village.”
He had heard that Xiao Zhen came yesterday; that’s why he rushed over.
“I thought about it all night. I can’t just stand by and do nothing. You’ve spent five years, and if it all ends in vain, I couldn’t bear it.”
Shen Tang made a gesture to stop him. “Don’t worry unnecessarily. My cooperation with Zhao Chiyi is more stable than your capital entering this circle.”
She didn’t want his money to be wasted. “You know how thick the capital barrier is in every industry—it’s like a copper wall and iron moat, not easily penetrated.”
Not to mention Xie Yuncheng, even Jiang Chengyu wouldn’t easily figure out the ropes of entering this circle. The intricate web of interests inside could leave one bankrupt if mishandled.
Just a slight misstep, and you’d lose everything.
“For instance, in fields covered by your M.K., would you or your original peers willingly let others take a piece of the pie?”
The cake is only so big, and no one would generously give away their slice.
Xie Yuncheng leisurely sipped his jujube tea. “If you really want to enter, you naturally can get in.”
Shen Tang unscrewed the cap of her milk carton, tilting her head slightly as she drank. “It’s unnecessary. Business isn’t child’s play. By the time you enter, the opportunity will have passed. Look at how Xiao Zhen laid out resources in this circle—it took her five years. Her domestic network is far broader than yours.”
Xie Yuncheng worried, “Will Zhao Chiyi be able to withstand Xiao Zhen’s pressure in the end?” He rephrased, “Is he willing to resist Xiao Zhen’s oppression?”
With Evergreen Entertainment’s strength, they could compete with Xiao Zhen’s resources.
But capability and willingness are two different things.
Zhao Chiyi was a businessman; chasing a woman might not align with sacrificing his own interests.
Shen Tang’s requirements were modest: “He just needs to help me hold on for half a year, and that will be enough.”
Xie Yuncheng escorted her to the last step, stopping before the sandy beach. “Then I won’t add to your troubles. I’ll wait for you in Manhattan and prepare a way out for you.”
Shen Tang clinked her milk carton against his jujube tea. “Yours is overnight tea.”
Xie Yuncheng: “Grandpa brewed it. It has no expiration date, always fresh.”
Shen Tang gave him a disdainful look; he was all talk.
At the beach, Zhou Mingqian called her, and she strode over.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Chengyu arrived at the set earlier than her, sitting in front of the monitor.
As soon as she arrived, his gaze followed her like a shadow.
Today, he wore a striking black shirt.
Shen Tang didn’t intentionally look at him. She handed her half-eaten breakfast to the assistant for safekeeping and went to get makeup done.
After she walked away, Jiang Chengyu reached out to the assistant. “Let me hold it.”
The assistant handed it over: “Thank you, President Jiang.”
Jiang Chengyu asked, “Will Tang Tang eat later?”
The assistant was happy to facilitate lovers. “If Miss Tang wants to eat, I’ll buy more. She has two scenes today, and after filming, who knows when she’ll eat again. Holding it would be tiring.”
Zhou Mingqian nearby couldn’t help but chuckle. This little assistant was sharp.
Jiang Chengyu hummed, unscrewing the cap of the milk carton.
Over at the makeup area, Shen Tang happened to glance over and saw Jiang Chengyu eating her breakfast.
The assistant looked away toward the sea, avoiding her gaze at all costs.
Jiang Chengyu finished the remaining sandwich and drank the milk.
On this beautiful morning by the sea, ambiguity spreads with the morning sun.
Grandpa sat at the guesthouse entrance, watching the bustling crowd by the sea. He could only see a vague outline of his granddaughter from afar.
“Good morning, Grandpa,” a stranger’s voice broke the surrounding silence.
Grandpa turned towards the sound; Chen Yino sat down beside him.
Chen Yino didn’t have any scenes in the morning, but she couldn’t sleep. She stayed at a nearby hotel and from her window, she could see the filming on the beach and noticed Grandpa sitting at the entrance.
“Grandpa, do you recognize me?”
She introduced herself: “I’m Chen Nanjin’s daughter, your other granddaughter.”
How could Grandpa not recognize her? She looked much the same as on TV.
Facing a younger generation member, he kindly smiled and nodded, indicating recognition.
Chen Yino inquired, “Are you feeling alright?”
“Not bad,” Grandpa didn’t elaborate further.
Chen Yino came here with a request; she was desperate, grasping at straws. Her mother’s investment in a TV drama was originally scheduled for broadcast this month, but late last night, she received notice that due to review reasons, the airing was postponed.
As for when it would be rescheduled, it was unknown.
Her mother found out it was Xiao Zhen’s doing.
Xiao Zhen was a person of her word.
Because her mother hadn’t apologized to Shen Tang, Xiao Zhen directly targeted her investment project. What else Xiao Zhen had in store for her mother remained uncertain.
What was most frustrating was that Shen Tang refused to forgive her mother.
Last night, in the production team’s motorhome, her parents’ argument almost blew the roof off, and she sat by the roadside, helpless.
“Grandpa,” Chen Yino hesitated, “I came to ask for your help today.”
Grandpa was surprised, “What help can an uneducated old man like me offer?”
“Grandpa, please don’t say that.” Chen Yino sat on a low stool, hugging her knees. “A few days ago, Teacher Shen—” fearing Grandpa wouldn’t understand who she meant, she changed the title—”Shen Tang and my cousin had an argument during a scene where Shen Tang was choked and my cousin was sent to the hospital. You must have heard about it from the villagers.”
Grandpa: “Heard about it.”
Chen Yino detailed the subsequent events unknown to Grandpa without exaggeration, presenting both sides’ perspectives.
“Now, this is the situation. My dad and mom are fighting so much they can barely stay together. My dad isn’t arguing—he doesn’t speak much—but my mom is hysterical out of anger.”
Even saying it saddened her. Never did she imagine describing her own mother this way someday.
“Grandpa, if they continue like this, this home won’t last long. I don’t want them to divorce. If not for this issue, they’ve always had a good relationship.”
She thought, as parents, none wish to see their son divorced.
“Grandpa, I have no other options. Could you help persuade Shen Tang? Let’s sit down and resolve this properly. I promise I’ll make sure my mom apologizes to her. If my mom dares to treat Shen Tang like that again, I’ll sever our mother-daughter relationship. I mean it.”
Grandpa trembled his lips, struggling several times to speak. He didn’t know his granddaughter was being mistreated in her father’s production team.
Chen Yino waited quietly for Grandpa’s response.
Grandpa felt pain in his chest, taking a while to recover. “I never interfere with Tang Tang. Our Tang Tang is a kind and sensible child.”
This response from Grandpa caught Chen Yino off guard, understanding his meaning.
She saw no way forward, a dead end.
Where the sky met the sea, the sun peeked its head out, draping the eastern horizon in colorful hues.
“Cut!”
Both scenes were completed in one take. Zhou Mingqian couldn’t hide his excitement, patting Gu Heng and Shen Tang’s shoulders. A thousand words ended in silence.
The splendid seaside sunrise was captured on camera.
Before filming, he braced for the worst-case scenario. If their states weren’t good, the second scene might need to wait for the next sunny daybreak.
Shen Tang’s remaining scenes were all in the afternoon, so now she could wrap up and go home to rest.
Jiang Chengyu walked over, offering to carry her bag.
Shen Tang extended her hand, “I’ll do it myself.” She reminded him, “There are many gossipy people on set.”
Jiang Chengyu didn’t give it back, “My pursuit of you isn’t something shameful. When we’re together, we plan to get married. No need to hide or conceal.”
He tilted his chin towards the shore, “Let’s go. Go home and keep Grandpa company. I have to return to Beijing at noon.” There was little time to spend with her.
His tenderness—if she weren’t overwhelmed and too busy to consider romance, Shen Tang wasn’t sure she wouldn’t date him again.
She glanced at his clothing, “Why wear black on such a hot day?”
Jiang Chengyu: “So you can spot me at a glance.”
“...”
Shen Tang opened her parasol, disliking to look at him.
Jiang Chengyu reached to hold the umbrella for her, but Shen Tang gripped the handle tightly. Unable to take it, he had to give up.
Looking at her back under the umbrella, he said, “I have a flight at noon. Want to see me off?”
Shen Tang didn’t hesitate, “No time.”
Jiang Chengyu settled for less, “Then video call me on the way to the airport. I’ll be idle.”
Shen Tang still refused, “I need to memorize my lines and nap in the afternoon.”
The road to pursuing her seemed endless, fraught with obstacles.
Jiang Chengyu remained patient with her, interpreting her curt responses as petulance. “Alright, then sleep more. I’ll call you when I reach Beijing.”
They walked back against the morning light. Jiang Chengyu deliberately slowed his pace, shielding her back from the sunlight where the umbrella didn’t cover.
Grandpa was still onshore, trying to stand with his cane.
Seeing Grandpa’s pale face, Shen Tang quickly folded the umbrella and ran over, “Grandpa, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, nothing,” Grandpa said, “Maybe low blood sugar.”
Jiang Chengyu went inside to pour warm water and brought a sandwich for Grandpa.
Grandpa wasn’t hungry and hadn’t eaten that early.
To avoid worrying Shen Tang, he drank half a glass of water and ate a few bites of the sandwich.
“Much better. Seems like I need to eat something after getting up, or I won’t hold up.”
Shen Tang faked a smile. It was the best time for the seaside morning scenery. With Jiang Chengyu keeping Grandpa company, she relaxed.
“Grandpa, I’m going to rehearse with other teachers. I’m nervous about performing with a few seniors this afternoon, so I’ll seek their advice first.”
Grandpa pulled out his phone to check the time, “It’s only six o’clock. They probably haven’t woken up yet.”
Shen Tang: “They’re up, looking at the sea view in their rooms. They said the air here is good, and so is sleep.”
Grandpa waved her off, letting her handle her affairs.
Shen Tang headed straight to the hotel. She wasn’t there to rehearse with anyone but knocked on Chen Yino’s door.
Chen Yino was planning to catch up on sleep, having been awake all night and now barely holding on.
“Who is it?” She wore pajamas, not planning to see anyone.
Shen Tang: “It’s me.”
Chen Yino was slightly taken aback, not bothering to find a coat and opening the door directly. She wasn’t sure if Shen Tang came to rehearse or to forgive her mother.
“Teacher Shen, good morning.”
Shen Tang was expressionless, “Morning.”
Walls have ears, so she could only speak inside.
Chen Yino poured water for Shen Tang, “Have you had breakfast? If not, I’ll order food for you.”
“No trouble needed, no water either. I’ll say what I came to say and leave.” Shen Tang didn’t want to stay a moment longer. “Never disturb my grandfather again. Today was the first and last time. Don’t do it again.”
While retouching her makeup, she spotted someone sitting next to Grandpa onshore. Later, she recognized the figure as Chen Yino.
From Grandpa’s reaction, Chen Yino’s visit wasn’t purely social.
Grandpa, like her, could keep secrets.
If he couldn’t, it must be a major matter.
“Grandpa is my bottom line. His health can’t handle stress. Even Xiao Zhen and your mother dare not touch my底线. If you want to visit him, I have no right to interfere. But anything else, save it. I don’t know what you said, but even if it’s true, it’s too cruel for an elderly person.”
Chen Yino held the empty glass, “Sorry, I was presumptuous to disturb Grandpa.”
Shen Tang didn’t respond, pulling the door open and leaving.
Chen Yino was wide awake, feeling everything was falling apart.
She urged her father to compromise for the family’s sake, but her father wouldn’t budge, saying adult matters should exclude her involvement.
Breakfast was already being served at the hotel’s buffet restaurant.
In the elevator, Shen Tang encountered Zhao Chiyi heading to breakfast. Last night, he was busy playing mahjong with Grandpa, missed dinner, and attended meetings until three in the morning, starving and unable to sleep.
He didn’t expect Shen Tang to appear in the hotel so early, “Let’s eat together.”
Shen Tang coincidentally wanted to discuss cooperation matters with him, nodding.
Zhao Chiyi picked some light food; Shen Tang only ordered a glass of juice.
All the diners in the restaurant were production staff. They found a corner seat.
Shen Tang got straight to the point: “You’ve heard about it, right?”
“Mm-hmm.” He knew even more than her. Her existing ad endorsements were temporarily retained. “Want to join Evergreen?”
Without joining Evergreen, he couldn’t protect her using company resources.
Under duress, Shen Tang had no choice, “I’ll sign for half a year first.”
Zhao Chiyi found it amusing, “Perhaps I’m uninformed, but I’ve never heard of a company signing an artist for only half a year.”
He sipped his coffee, “In half a year, defeating Director Xiao will be difficult.”
Shen Tang had her plans, “Of course, I hope to renew countless half-year contracts with you. That way, Grandpa can stay with me longer.”
Zhao Chiyi pondered, “Are you considering retiring from the industry?”
“Haven’t thought that far.”
Who knows what the future holds? Five years ago, she never imagined becoming an actress. Actually, she quite enjoyed acting and could perform for life.
Giving him peace of mind, “Rest assured, I won’t retire casually and won’t let you down. If I ever decide to retire, I’ll inform my fans a year or half in advance and handle all work properly.” Not fleeing in disgrace, nor disregarding the interests of brand sponsors and investors.
Shen Tang stated her contract conditions, “You just need to ensure my team’s salary. I’ll act in your productions for free. After finishing this drama, I can seamlessly join your upcoming projects. Potential new talents from Evergreen, I’ll mentor. Your commercial endorsements, I’ll do for free, thanking you for your timely assistance.”
Zhao Chiyi didn’t expect her to repay kindness while signing. Given her current popularity and strength, scripts actively seeking her lined up.
Yet, she intended to sign with Evergreen for free.
Zhao Chiyi laughed, “This way, the one owing a favor is me.”
Shen Tang: “I’m immensely grateful for your willingness to help.”
That settled it. Zhao Chiyi didn’t want her burdened and agreed to her conditions. Thus, he stood to gain without loss.
He owed her.
“At the end of May, there’s a fashion event in Beijing. L’s chief designer is coming to China. I secured an invitation for you.”
Using “secured” implied it was the result of confronting Xiao Zhen.
Shen Tang could finish her scenes ahead of schedule these days and spare two days to attend.
“By the way, Chu Ran is also attending.”
“...” Shen Tang sipped her juice, “What do you want to say?”
“Nothing. If she finds out you signed with Evergreen and that I’m pursuing you, she might show some attitude. Just ignore her.”
She had no time for such trivialities.
Chu Ran’s petty tricks never concerned her.
Her phone vibrated; Jiang Chengyu called, asking when she’d be home.
“Uncertain, discussing matters with President Zhao.” Shen Tang suddenly tensed, “Is Grandpa unwell?”
“Grandpa’s fine.” Jiang Chengyu had just left the breakfast shop, carrying her favorite snacks, “I bought breakfast. You didn’t eat much this morning, come back for more.”
Shen Tang put down the juice glass, “I’ve already eaten at the restaurant.”
No need to guess, she ate breakfast with Zhao Chiyi.
Jiang Chengyu: “Then pack a seafood fried rice for me.”
Shen Tang was speechless, “Didn’t you buy breakfast?”
“Fried rice for lunch.”
“...”
Unbelievable unless shocking.
Shen Tang hung up and continued discussing which dramas to perform after signing.
Zhao Chiyi previously purchased a script at a high price; the screenwriter was Wen Di. From the title alone, one could tell some content: “Awakening from a Great Dream.”
Extremely challenging for actors.
Currently in preparation.
Her breakout hit a few years ago was written by Wen Di. Over the years, their scripts mutually achieved success.
________________________________________
Over the next ten-plus days, Shen Tang, aside from discussing plotlines during rehearsals, remained silent otherwise, ignoring everyone.
Chen Nanjin tried several times to ask how Grandpa was doing these days but was deflected each time.
Unable to insert any conversation.
At the end of May, on Friday, news broke that Fan Yu’s produced drama was shelved, and the stock price of Chen Nanjin’s film company plummeted.
By market close, Shen Tang had landed in Beijing.
Tomorrow was the fashion brand event.
Lijie came to pick her up. Once Shen Tang settled in the car, she sighed.
Shen Tang examined her, “You seem reluctant to see me.”
Lijie felt cursed this year; nothing went smoothly from New Year till now. For this event, she went to borrow a dress from L a few days ago, which was initially confirmed but changed last minute, claiming another star borrowed it, citing the director’s decision. Henceforth, Shen Tang couldn’t wear L’s haute couture, neither for activities nor magazine covers—an alarming development.
Comparatively, other brands’ haute couture didn’t match L’s level.
“This shows Xiao Zhen’s ruthlessness now?”
Understanding Xiao Zhen, Shen Tang knew she wouldn’t waste time on such trivial matters.
Lijie was worried; henceforth, borrowing L’s dresses for any event or magazine covers was prohibited—a critical problem.
Other brands’ haute couture couldn’t compare to L’s standards.
“This time, L’s chief designer is coming to Beijing, reportedly invited by Lu Zhifei.” Lu Zhifei’s business was in the fashion circle, wielding substantial resources.
Lijie didn’t know Lu Zhifei’s relationship with Jiang Chengyu; she only heard from circles that Lu Zhifei, Jiang Chengyu, and Yan Heyu were childhood friends.
“Why don’t you ask Jiang Chengyu? Perhaps it’s just a phone call away.”
Within a few dozen seconds, Shen Tang roughly figured out the situation.
Lu Zhifei likely heard about Xiao Zhen suppressing her, assuming Xiao Zhen acted on behalf of Chu Ran’s grievances. Borrowing Xiao Zhen’s knife, she conveniently stabbed her too.
Ordering the director not to lend her the dress was Lu Zhifei’s intention, though no one suspected her at this moment, all thinking it was Xiao Zhen’s doing.
Lu Zhifei waited for Jiang Chengyu to seek her help.
Offering favors freely, she appeared generous.
“Talking to you,” Lijie nudged her, “Are you dazed?”
Shen Tang: “Not asking Jiang Chengyu, I can handle it myself.”
Lijie touched her forehead.
Meaning, are you feverish?
Shen Tang decided, “I’ll wear my own L haute couture piece tomorrow night.”
Lijie remembered that piece, worn during the previous charity gala at Evergreen Group, when she was pushed down by Chu Ran. It was a gift from Jiang Chengyu.
“Who wears the same dress to events? That dress trended online.”
Shen Tang: “Doesn’t matter, depends on how it’s worn.”
Back at the rental apartment, it was already dark.
Wen Di was out on a business trip, not in Beijing. Shen Tang returned home, soaked in a hot bath, intending to sleep deeply. This month, her physical and mental strength was severely drained.
Turning off the lights, the bedroom suddenly became very quiet, quieter than the nights in Haitang Village.
Back in Beijing, she unconsciously thought of Jiang Chengyu.
She hadn’t posted on Weibo for ten consecutive days. During a break in a mahjong game, Jiang Chengyu checked Shen Tang’s Weibo. With no new updates, he entered the comments section.
The first comment on all posts read, “Candy is my sister.” “Brother Jiang, your turn.”
Jiang Chengyu turned off his phone screen. Tonight, someone organized a gathering he couldn’t refuse.
For five consecutive nights, it was either mahjong or drinking. He grew weary of it himself.
Tonight, Lu Zhifei also came to the club, coincidentally meeting Jiang Chengyu’s group. She sat down to chat a bit longer.
“How’s the pursuit going?” She shelled sunflower seeds, seemingly casual.
Jiang Chengyu calculated tiles while replying, “Still pursuing.”
Lu Zhifei teased, “What efficiency is this? Those pursuing her could circle around Haitang Village. If you don’t step it up, you’ll regret it.”
‘Crack,’ she cracked open a sunflower seed shell.
“These days, I’ve been busy organizing a fashion event. Heard from a partner that Xiao Zhen’s suppressing Shen Tang, supposedly for Chu Ran’s sake. Keep an eye on it.”
Jiang Chengyu was well aware, contemplating how to approach it.
Lu Zhifei offered more information, “Shen Tang can’t wear L’s haute couture anymore. I know their chief designer. If needed, I’ll ask him for help.”
“No need.” Jiang Chengyu played his tile, then calmly said, “I’ll have one custom-made for her.”
Lu Zhifei: “Haute couture isn’t ordinary clothing, costing millions. Shen Tang is a star; typically, a dress is worn once or twice. Buying it would be wasteful.”
Jiang Chengyu threw down his tiles; he won this round.
He turned slightly, using her previous words, “Remember when I treated you and Zhen to dinner, asking how to pursue someone? Both of you said women’s wardrobes are always missing one piece. Whether worn or not, and how many times, doesn’t matter—it must exist.”
Lu Zhifei: “...”
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