QKYJ - 21

The filming of “Clear Dreams” was repeatedly delayed.

The director was already anxious, and the other crew members were more or less dispirited. Shen Zhi nonchalantly lifted her skirt and, with a slow and unhurried demeanor, carefully put on some warming patches.

“We have to adjust the pace and send this young miss away as quickly as possible,” the assistant director whispered, trying to persuade them.

The afternoon actors had already arrived.

Upon hearing the commotion, Shen Zhi showed no sign of urgency.

Zhou Yushi was tucked away warming herself in the RV, neither knowing nor caring what was happening.

Only after she was fully prepared did Shen Zhi get up and quicken her pace to walk out. The actors who arrived were several veteran performers playing clan elders, with whom Shen Zhi had previously worked on several TV series. A smile appeared on her face as she passed by the many crew members and went directly to greet them: “Thank you for all your hard work, teachers.”

“Isn’t that Shen Zhi?”

A veteran actress, who had served as a judge for a top domestic television award last year, smiled as she took off her reading glasses.

Shen Zhi had always been a diligent actress, leaving an excellent impression on the older actors.

She smiled and looked around.

These seniors all had status and prestige. For them, it was easy to crush any newcomer; even if the newcomer had some background, it would just take a little more effort.

Shen Zhi’s smile deepened.

“This is wonderful,” she said, “I’ve been looking forward to learning from you all for a long time.”

An old senior who had played her grandmother in a previous collaboration joked, “What is there for us to teach you? Pay your tuition first.”

Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Shen Zhi never once mentioned anything about Zhou Yushi.

There was no need to.

Naturally, everyone was well aware of the situation.

Zhou Yushi had repeatedly created a scene and acted out of childish pique.

Normally, Shen Zhi would have gone along with the others and tolerated Zhou Yushi.

But on this day, she took the initiative to say, “Yushi, you should get your act together.”

The contrast in her attitude naturally made Zhou Yushi even more unhappy.

The veteran actors, having been in the industry for so many years, had long seen what was happening. They were just hesitant about getting involved.

The crew had been trying to accommodate Zhou Yushi as much as possible, but now, being watched by so many respected actors, they finally couldn’t bear the pressure anymore.

The incident ended with Zhou Yushi having a major tantrum, crying about how “you’re all ganging up on me,” and storming off.

Everyone looked at each other, but they all felt a sense of relief.

After all, who hadn’t been fed up?

Thanks to her departure, that day’s filming schedule was temporarily changed, and the efficiency greatly improved afterward, finishing very quickly.

Back in her RV, Shen Zhi’s expression was calm as she drank a full glass of electrolyte water in one go.

Her assistant could tell she was in a bad mood, so she didn’t interject, just handed her a wet wipe and took the empty cup. After busying herself, she finally waited for Shen Zhi to speak.

“I hate a peaceful atmosphere the most,” she said out of the blue.

“Mhm.”

The assistant knew that at this moment, she didn’t need to express an opinion, just listen.

Because the production company was weak, actors without connections and other crew members were at a disadvantage.

Countless people were repeatedly doing the same work just to make up for someone else’s mistakes.

“Sometimes a peaceful atmosphere is fine, but this is work, and it’s affecting our work,” Shen Zhi, for once, shed her “perfect lady” persona and became a regular person who could feel annoyed. “I never want to film a drama like this again.”

The assistant had heard that last sentence countless times, enough to let it go in one ear and out the other.

“Well, how about letting Sister Cai take on a movie next time? We can choose from the scripts Brother Shen gets. With him as a guardian, no one would dare cause trouble for you—” the assistant suggested.

“No way.”

Shen Zhi refused without hesitation.

In a crew with Shen He, there was no way he would act as her guardian.

They were at odds, a fight to the death. It would be a miracle if they didn’t ruin the production company.

“Letting me and Shen He act together,” Shen Zhi said with a solemn expression, with no hint of a joke, “I’d rather jump from this car.”

They were inside a car, so jumping wouldn’t cause any harm.

Of course, the assistant didn’t say that.

“But didn’t you two act together before?”

Shen Zhi slowly explained, “We weren’t married back then.”

Sensing that Shen Zhi’s mood was visibly recovering, the assistant also relaxed and walked over to give her a shoulder massage. “People like Zhou Yushi are a statue that you can’t easily touch; everyone just had to endure it. Now she’s finally taken care of.”

The adult world is filled with helplessness and necessities.

“This is not ‘taken care of’ yet,” Shen Zhi said.

She calmly took out her phone and smiled a very beautiful smile. The moment she dialed the number, the smile vanished. She transformed back into the widowed beauty from the drama, a woman whose life had made her cold-hearted.

After working forty-plus consecutive hours, Shen He fell into a dream. Waking up was like diving into the sea and then resurfacing, swift and clean.

That face was aesthetically flawless, like a fine, unmoving stone statue, making one wonder if his true self would dream of electric sheep.

His assistant’s right eyelid twitched wildly as she turned back and cautiously spoke, “He only slept for forty minutes.”

Xi Xi was already used to it. She calmly used her electronic device: “It’s fine. You can think of him as a VOOC phone: charge for five minutes, talk for two hours.”

After reading the messages and making a few brief replies, Shen He looked up and directly told Xi Xi, “I’m going to see Director Huang. Cancel everything for the afternoon.”

“Are you sure?” Xi Xi asked.

Whether he could get the role was still unknown. Furthermore, based on the current situation, there was a greater possibility of being chewed out and kicked out.

Canceling a guaranteed job would be a 100% loss.

However, he let out a hearty and decisive fake smile.

Shen He didn’t seem like he was from Earth.

He seemed to live on Venus. Because he was from another planet, he was subject to different gravitational forces—he was cautiously meticulous but also audaciously reckless. He often did things that others would need to think about, without a second thought, as if he were in a desperate situation with only one path to take.

When they entered the elevator, it was already filled with people. In a public setting, Xi Xi stopped talking. Shen He had his hands in his pockets, seemingly lost in thought.

In this foreign country, a little white girl hid behind her mother, looking at him with bright, focused eyes. He was lost in thought and was suddenly met with her blue eyes.

Shen He flashed a smile and, with a hint of mischief, imitated the DC Comics supervillain Joker to playfully scare her.

Fortunately, the little girl was brave and wasn’t scared. Instead, she burst out laughing.

Before long, only the two of them were left in the elevator.

When they reached the designated floor, a bodyguard was already waiting in the hallway. After a security check, a female assistant led them inside. The hotel room was covered in a Persian rug. Shen He took a deep breath and smiled as he commented on the scent of the air freshener in the room: “Eucalyptus.”

He received no response.

While the assistant had her back turned, Xi Xi wanted to kick him, seizing the opportunity to mock him: “She probably thinks you’re trying to flirt.”

He shrugged slightly, as if to say, “You think?”

Shen He said, “I’m a married man.”

Huang Zhengfei’s schedule must have been tight; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been waiting all afternoon.

Xi Xi seemed calm on the surface, but in her mind, she was quickly calculating how much today’s loss amounted to. Shen He, however, seemed genuinely unconcerned, calmly reading a book with his head down. It wasn’t until the evening that they faintly heard the sound of chairs being pushed inside.

The sky had already grown dim when Huang Zhengfei strode out.

He was no longer young but was wearing a fashionable black V-neck shirt. He showed no special reaction when he saw Shen He.

Well, what would you expect?

A friendship between two people who had fought on set, like them, would be difficult for an ordinary person to understand or interfere with.

“This book suits you,” was the first thing they said to each other after meeting.

Huang Zhengfei tilted his head, arrogantly gesturing to the book Don Quixote.

Shen He unhurriedly stood up, seeming disrespectful but with a gentle expression: “Because I’m like the Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance?”

“No,” Huang Zhengfei’s face was like metal, cold and stiff as he replied, “Because you’re also a sane madman, with intermittent mental breakdowns.”

Even the battle-hardened Xi Xi couldn’t help but show a look of surprise.

Personal attacks right after meeting?

She looked back and saw that Shen He was unusually calm.

“When you say ‘also,’ are you saying Don Quixote is also crazy,” Shen He lowered his head, staring aimlessly at the pattern on the carpet, “or are you saying you yourself are crazy?”

Upon hearing this, Huang Zhengfei’s anger turned into a sneer. He gripped his cane, his hawk-like eyes piercing him. “Are you looking for a fight?”

Shen He was quick to admit his fault: “I heard you’re preparing a new project recently.”

Huang Zhengfei’s temper changed faster than flipping a book. His anger suddenly disappeared like a hurricane. He handed his cane to his assistant and folded his arms, as if he was happy to see Shen He’s submission.

“Mhm.” Huang Zhengfei was a man of few words.

Shen He didn’t seem to think he was being shameless: “I heard you’re still looking for actors.”

“Mhm.” Huang Zhengfei’s lips curled into a disdainful sneer.

Shen He looked up and brazenly studied Huang Zhengfei’s expression. Even Huang Zhengfei’s assistant, who was used to his temper, couldn’t help but feel nervous. However, Huang Zhengfei himself was not at all angry.

“I—” Shen He began.

“Impossible,” Huang Zhengfei replied.

He seemed to have been waiting for this moment from the very beginning.

The world-renowned director, who was in the spotlight, showed a scheming smile and openly declared: “I dislike you, so I won’t use you.”

Xi Xi wasn’t surprised, nor did she feel much regret. She just thought that it was all a waste of time.

However, Shen He nodded solemnly, lost in thought, and then bowed: “Then I hope you’ll remember me when you need me. Thank you.”

They returned the way they came.

When they took the elevator down, it was empty this time.

Xi Xi didn’t have the habit of kicking a man when he was down. She simply changed the subject, fiddling with her phone and saying, “A person with connections on the Clear Dreams crew was temporarily replaced. It’s quite interesting to change someone after filming has started. It seems it was because she was pursuing a young boy, and the boy’s fan leader found out. I don’t know where the fan got the insider information... Her ‘sugar daddy’ turned against her. On top of that, she offended a group of seniors on the crew, so who knows what will happen to her in the future.”

The video of Zhou Yushi pestering Cheng Ruiyi after work somehow got into the hands of Cheng Ruiyi’s fans. It was hard to say whether these fans were rational or not. They were rational in that they didn’t post it themselves, but irrational in that they directly contacted Cheng Ruiyi’s company, threatening to turn against him if they didn’t handle the situation.

Fans are a double-edged sword, and the team behind an idol is very aware of the pros and cons.

Following protocol, they contacted Zhou Yushi’s manager to have a calm conversation. Everything Zhou Yushi had came from her benefactor, and her benefactor cared very much about this. But she was used to taking advantage of others. It was a perfect storm of bad luck, and she was done for so quickly.

Xi Xi roughly recounted the story she had heard.

Even though he had just been rejected, there was no gloom on Shen He’s face.

He casually asked, “Did they withdraw the investment?”

“It’s a genuine project that can make money. All for a superfluous person?” Xi Xi replied. “Why would they withdraw anything?”

Upon hearing this, Shen He pondered for a moment.

“Then this must be Sister Cai’s doing,” he said.

Xi Xi looked at him meaningfully but did not argue: “Why do you say that?”

Shen He was in no hurry to reply.

The elevator door opened, and he walked out, speaking at the same time: “That’s just how Shen Zhi likes things to be.”

The relationship between Xi Xi and Shen He was like a trainer and a horse.

Most of the time, she took a hands-off approach, which made it easy to overlook that she was always holding the reins.

This was also a strategy.

Many of Shen He’s actions seemed reckless and even unintentional to outsiders, creating the image of a pure and honest celebrity. However, all of his willful actions were actually under the company’s control. While someone charged ahead, someone else meticulously cleaned up the mess, creating a sense of balance that allowed them to achieve their goals.

On the other hand, the relationship between Ding Yao Cai and Shen Zhi was more like that of a mentor and a friend.

From the very beginning, Ding Yao Cai had been Shen Zhi’s manager. Among her many artists, she immediately saw her potential and put her heart into developing it, which is why she was able to get to where she is today.

Shen Zhi was obedient and her position was firm. Ding Yao Cai was upright. Their model was much more common. Ding Yao Cai handled all the tough negotiations, and Shen Zhi just had to stay out of it.

Everyone in the industry knew that Shen Zhi was gentle and kind, but her manager was a resolute, no-nonsense wall of steel.

But that was only how it seemed.

Xi Xi said, “Shen Zhi has a few days off soon. Do you want to arrange something?”

Shen He said, “Arrange what? Flowers, a diamond ring, candlelight dinner?”

They weren’t a real couple, and Xi Xi, as his manager, was well aware of this. Shen He’s comment was clearly a jab, and he deserved the brutal eye-roll he got.

“You’ve both had some recent changes, so maybe a public appearance would be a good distraction,” Xi Xi suggested, but she didn’t demand they do it.

Shen He closed the book and was silent for a while, as if he were genuinely considering it.

“I have been a bit too free these past few days,” he said.

Xi Xi’s premonition of something bad grew: “If you’re too free, go for a run. I’m not telling you to cause trouble—”

“I know.” Shen He made his own decision. “I’ll go visit the set and pick her up to take her home.”

This time it was Xi Xi’s turn to be quiet.

She struggled to say, “Do you really need to go that far?”

“What about renting a hot air balloon? I feel like Shen Zhi’s expression would be hilarious; she hates being the center of attention,” Shen He was no longer listening to anyone else. He was wholeheartedly planning his reunion with his wife with a prankster’s spirit.

Xi Xi had nothing more to say and finally gave up. As long as he didn’t break the law, it was fine.

Midway through his planning, his phone rang. He answered, and it was Hua Zichen.

They had planned to go swimming.

On the way to the parking lot, accompanied by his assistant, Shen He suddenly stopped.

“Long Ri,” he commanded his assistant, “call Shen Zhi and ask her what I should bring to the set visit. Say it’s ‘Mommy Xi’ who’s asking, don’t say it’s me.”

The assistant was very annoyed by this twisted sense of humor but gave in to the pressure.

The call connected, but it was not Shen Zhi who answered, but Shen Zhi’s assistant.

He explained his purpose, avoiding the fact that Shen He was the one asking.

The answer he got was: “Just no flowers, especially no roses.”

As soon as the call ended, Shen He immediately started Browse online flower shops. His request was: exaggerated, exaggerated, exaggerated. If he could hold a thousand flowers, he wouldn’t stop at nine hundred ninety-nine. The goal was to make Shen Zhi lose her composure on the spot.

Meanwhile, on the other end, Xiaoqiu helplessly ended the call.

“Is this really okay?” the assistant asked.

Shen Zhi, who had orchestrated the whole thing from the side, was satisfied. She gave a new instruction: “Now we know what he’ll bring. Tell the crew that I’m allergic to roses and that no one bringing flowers is allowed on set.”