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“How Should I Love You” successfully wrapped up at the end of the month. As the shutter clicked for the wrap-up photos, a hint of reluctance blossomed in Chu Ran’s heart. After four months of working together, their feelings weren’t necessarily profound, but she inexplicably resisted the imminent separation. This was an emotion she had never experienced since entering the industry.
But all banquets eventually end. Chu Ran exchanged parting gifts with the other main actors. She also prepared a gift for Director Zhou Mingqian. “Director Zhou, thank you for your care these past few months.” It was a toy set for his son, chosen with much thought. “Thank you,” Zhou Mingqian accepted it. After interacting with Chu Ran for four months, it was visibly clear that Chu Ran had changed into a different person. A complete transformation probably looked just like her.
“Next year, I’m planning to produce a movie. The script is still in the refining stage. I hope we’ll have a chance to collaborate again.” This was an olive branch extended to her. Chu Ran was flattered, knowing that the role in “How Should I Love You” was something Shen Tang had fought hard for and invested a lot of money to secure for her. To be actively invited by Zhou Mingqian now was a tremendous honor.
All the way back to the company, Chu Ran was still overjoyed. She shared the good news with Qin Xing: [Maybe I’ll have another chance to work with Director Zhou next year, it might be a movie. I’ll fight hard for it.] She sent several animated “spinning in circles” emojis.
Qin Xing: [Next time, can you please not send the same animated picture repeatedly?] It makes him dizzy.
Chu Ran: [You have to give me a reason not to send it.]
Qin Xing came up with one easily: [My phone doesn’t have enough storage.]
Chu Ran curved her lips, [I’ll customize a large-memory phone for you.]
Qin Xing had nothing to say and exited the chat. Chu Ran’s car parked in the company’s parking lot. She didn’t have time to dwell on why Qin Xing hadn’t replied yet and went upstairs to find Shen Tang. Shen Tang had a book placed face down in front of her, with several loose-leaf pages beside it. She was intently reading the contents of those pages.
“You finally get a break, and Qin Xing isn’t even here, why are you still at the company?” She looked up at Chu Ran.
“Bored at home.” Chu Ran took her water bottle out of her bag and went to the bar to get water. She had a month-long adjustment period ahead, and Sister Li hadn’t arranged any work for her. Before, she would have relished the opportunity to sleep in at home. Now, she wished she could stay at the company twelve hours a day. Qin Xing had gone to Paris; she didn’t know when he would return. She had asked him, but he hadn’t replied. If he didn’t want to say, then fine. Anyway, she had plenty of time to come to the company, and she didn’t believe she wouldn’t run into him.
“What are you reading?” Chu Ran leaned on Shen Tang’s desk, seeing her so engrossed.
Shen Tang: “Jiang Chengyu’s book review for me.”
“?” Chu Ran sat down to chat with Shen Tang. “What book review?” Shen Tang turned the book over for her to see the cover—a financial reference book.
“Even such a dry and boring book can have a book review written about it?”
“Mm. My husband can write a book review for any book.” Unabashed showing off.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” Chu Ran got a mouthful of dog food. She casually picked up the book; it was an English version. She basically knew every word, but put together, she just couldn’t understand what it meant. Once again, she felt the gap between a ‘study-hater’ and a ‘study-ace’.
Chu Ran closed the incomprehensible book, asking casually, “Boss Shen, you’re pregnant now, aren’t you reading more books about pregnancy and infants?”
Shen Tang: “I read less.”
“Oh. How about I get you a few?” Chu Ran explained, “You always bring me gifts when you travel, and I never know what to get you. I’ll go scour for some for you; anyway, I’ll be free for the next month.” Not giving Shen Tang a chance to refuse, “It’s settled then. At least let me show my appreciation. I can also use this excuse to come to the company often.”
So, her real intention wasn’t just the books. Shen Tang was happy to indulge her. “As you wish.”
Knock, knock, knock, a short, hurried knock on the door. Shen Tang looked up. “Come in.” Chu Ran also turned to look at the door, first startled, then a smile spread across her face. He was back from his business trip.
Qin Xing wasn’t surprised to see Chu Ran there; her car was parked in the underground garage. He handed a few cooperation proposals to Shen Tang. “This trip yielded pretty good results.”
Chu Ran stood up, offering her chair to Qin Xing. “You two talk, I’ll go find Sister Li.” She picked up her cup and left with an excuse. Qin Xing’s office was right next to Shen Tang’s, the door wide open. Chu Ran paused as she passed, pondered for two seconds, then sent Qin Xing a message: [I’m coming to your office for a coffee, is that okay?]
Qin Xing quickly replied: [If I say it’s not okay, you won’t come in, right?]
Chu Ran: [Well, you should have said so earlier. One of my feet is already inside your office door, but the other is still outside.]
Qin Xing: [I’m busy.]
Chu Ran took it as his tacit permission. She then walked into Qin Xing’s office, not moving around freely, but resting in the lounge area and replying to her second aunt’s message.
[I’ve already mentioned to Shen Tang that I want to give her books. I’ll give her the ones you sent me in batches, ensuring no one gets suspicious. She’s in good spirits right now.]
Since her second aunt found out Shen Tang was pregnant, whenever she had free time, she would go to bookstores to find related books for Shen Tang. She had bought dozens of books, each one after reading it and deeming it good.
Xiao Zhen: [Is Tang Tang’s morning sickness severe?]
Chu Ran: [I asked Yuan Yuan, and Yuan Yuan said she hasn’t seen Shen Tang experiencing any morning sickness at the company. Her appetite is good, she’s working normally every day, with no discomfort. I’m at the company right now, just came out of her office. Jiang Chengyu even wrote her a book review to make her happy.]
Xiao Zhen was relieved now.
Chu Ran had just put down her phone when Qin Xing returned. He closed his office door and glanced at her. “Still waiting for me to brew you coffee?”
“I’m your guest, of course I’ll wait for you to brew it. If I were your girlfriend, why would I be so formal?” Chu Ran stood up, rolled up the sleeves of her knitted sweater, and put on an act of getting to work. Qin Xing didn’t stop her. He took out two coffee cups and sat on a high stool at the bar, waiting for the coffee.
Chu Ran turned to look at him. “I thought you wouldn’t be back until next week.”
Qin Xing propped his forehead. “All the negotiations are done; there’s nothing else to do there.”
Chu Ran smiled. “I thought you were eager to return because you wanted to see me early.” She added, “I wanted to see you early, so as soon as filming wrapped, I rushed to the company.” She always said things that left him speechless, so Qin Xing could only remain silent.
Chu Ran enjoyed seeing his exasperated expression when he was stumped. “You were on a business trip for a week. Did you miss me?”
“No.”
“I know you’re too embarrassed to tell the truth.”
“...”
Chu Ran repeated the previous question, “You’ve been on a business trip for so long, did you miss me?” Qin Xing looked at her and replied with an ‘mm’. He wanted to know how she would respond.
Chu Ran smiled triumphantly. “How much did you miss me?”
“...” Still no match for her.
Chu Ran stopped teasing him and focused on brewing coffee. She silently savored his ‘mm’. Due to the time difference, Qin Xing was sleepy, but he forced himself to stay with her for a while.
The coffee was ready. Chu Ran poured him a cup. “Do you have any social engagements tonight? If not, I’ll treat you to dinner.”
Qin Xing: “No engagements. I’m going home to sleep.”
Chu Ran was no longer like before, where she only cared about her own mood, regardless of whether he was tired from his business trip. She had learned to be considerate. “Adjusting to the time difference is important.” Anyway, the company dinner was the day after tomorrow. She’d see him again then.
________________________________________
On the day of the company dinner, Chu Ran woke up early and spent over three hours meticulously dressing herself. She changed into four gowns, only satisfied with the fifth. The dinner was at SZ Restaurant, booked exclusively by their company. Chu Ran only realized upon arrival that tonight’s dinner was a small cocktail party. Besides their own company staff, partners, famous producers and directors from the industry, and even big names from the fashion world were invited. The lively atmosphere was no less than an awards ceremony gala.
Chu Ran saw Qin Xing in the crowd, greeting guests. Xu Yuan was also there, in a fairy dress, looking even more dazzling than the gown itself. Chu Ran didn’t know when she started paying extra attention to Xu Yuan. Tonight was no exception; her gaze almost followed Xu Yuan everywhere.
“Why are you staring at Xu Yuan?” Chu Ran snapped her head back; Qin Xing was standing behind her. She remained calm: “Looking at her dress, it’s quite pretty.” As she spoke, she took a sip of red wine.
Qin Xing didn’t expose her. He told her, “All of Xu Yuan’s future work will be fully arranged by Sister Li.” Adding Xu Yuan, Sister Li would be managing three artists. Where would she find the extra energy to also manage Xu Yuan? “Why not assign Xu Yuan to another agent?”
Qin Xing: “From now on, I will be responsible for arranging your work.”
Chu Ran couldn’t believe it. “Say that again.”
Qin Xing, of course, wouldn’t repeat himself. “If you complain or throw a tantrum when I tell you what to do in the future, the company will automatically terminate your contract.” If they weren’t in a public setting, she might have kissed him directly.
Chu Ran looked around. Everyone was busy chatting and laughing; no one was looking their way. She clinked her glass with Qin Xing’s. “At home, you listen to me. At work, I’ll support your work a hundred percent. Even if I occasionally lose my temper, I’ll tolerate it, but when we get home, you have to coax me.”
Qin Xing: “...” He reminded her: “Chu Ran, you and I are currently just a boss and artist relationship. Don’t try to get familiar.”
Chu Ran laughed: “Whatever I say is what it is.” She raised her glass. “Mr. Qin, you’re busy.” She meant what she said; she had promised him she wouldn’t cling to him at the dinner.
Chu Ran went to find Shen Tang. “Boss Shen.” Her voice was coated in honey, carrying a natural sweetness as she spoke. “I went to a bookstore yesterday and spent ages looking for three books for you that I thought were quite good. The books are in the car. Wait for me after the party, and I’ll get them for you.”
“Thank you.” Shen Tang looked at her face. “You seem to be in a good mood.” Of course she was! Qin Xing had taken over her work, indicating his willingness to start over with her. The man who never went back to old flames had finally turned around.
Chu Ran gently clinked her wine glass against Shen Tang’s water glass. “I’ve owed you a sincere apology for a long time. I’m sorry. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely bring back a few Best Actress awards for you in the future.” She gulped down the wine in her glass. She hadn’t been this happy in a long time.
The dinner lasted until late into the night. Chu Ran messaged Qin Xing: [Breakfast shops will open in a few hours. I’ll treat you to breakfast.]
Qin Xing had just gotten into his car and rolled down the window to air out the alcohol. [Aren’t you sleepy?]
Chu Ran: [I am, but I’m not sleepy when I’m with you.] She then asked, [Do you want to wait a bit longer, have breakfast, and then go home to sleep?]
Qin Xing: [I’m in the car.] He took a bottle of iced water and drank it, dispelling his drowsiness. Chu Ran searched for a few minutes before finding him. Qin Xing put on his trench coat and got out of the car. “Where to?”
“I don’t know, just walk straight along the road.” Chu Ran pulled up the hood of her down jacket. At 3:30 AM, Qin Xing accompanied Chu Ran on a stroll. He didn’t know if he was crazy or if Chu Ran was abnormal, but the two walked aimlessly along the sidewalk, facing the cold wind.
Chu Ran put her hands in her pockets to keep warm. “If I ever manage to get you, we’ll only be able to walk the streets in the middle of the night.”
Qin Xing turned his head. “If I’m in a relationship, I wouldn’t hide it, and I don’t have time to constantly cover up with you. You should really think about whether you want to be with me.”
“No need to think, no need to think!” Chu Ran excitedly grabbed the sleeve of his trench coat. “I wasn’t afraid you didn’t want to go public, of course I’m willing!” She stepped back two paces and stood on the curb. “Qin Xing, come here, stand below the curb.” She could only see him eye-to-eye when she stood on the curb.
Qin Xing didn’t know what she was up to now, but he complied. The two stood facing each other. He asked, “What...” was she going to say? Chu Ran put her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, and blocked his lips, silencing the rest of his unfinished sentence. In that instant, the streetlights seemed to dim, and the world momentarily faded. Qin Xing picked her up, changing from passive to active, and lowered his head to kiss her.
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