Chapter 51

“Do you know the nationwide talent show livestream that ended last week?”
Song Qin, trapped in closed training, exhausted like a dog daily, of course had no idea.
Seeing Wen Jiu act mysteriously, she searched on her phone herself.
A week had passed, yet audience withdrawal symptoms hadn’t ended, trending topics still active.
Song Qin opened it, her gaze darkening, expression growing strange.
Gradually, tears sparkled in her eyes.
Wen Jiu had just opened a bottle of ice water in the car, not yet drinking, and turned to ask Song Qin if she wanted some, unexpectedly catching the tears in her eyes.
“Are you moved that I successfully ran this show?” Wen Jiu blinked, thought Song Qin was such a friend, twisted off the bottle cap in a few seconds, and handed it over: “Sisters, drink up.”
Song Qin took a big gulp, then blurted out, “Being mediocre myself is sad, but seeing my sister succeed, now that really pierces the heart.”
Wen Jiu had expected this. She pulled back her earlier surge of emotion and took back the ice-cold bottled water.
But she didn’t intend to drink it, so she handed it back to Song Qin: “Drink what’s yours, don’t waste it.”
“Seriously, sister, you’ve made so much money already, and you’re still fussing over a two-yuan bottle of water?”
Wen Jiu clutched her chest; her heart thumped loudly. “Can’t help it. Being poor for so long has made thriftiness a part of my DNA.”
“Just focus on acting. The young lady really values this drama.”
“Don’t worry. I was just talking. I’m the young lady’s loyal protector, I’ll work hard for sure!”
Wen Jiu and Song Qin exchanged a glance, confirming one thing.
They really were the eternally rebellious working duo.
From low-level beasts of burden, they had suddenly become ultra-high-class beasts of burden.
“Look at the bright side. Although your schedule is packed, you’re shooting 35 days of scenes in 30 days, once this drama wraps, you can rest!
And I? After finishing supervising this drama, I have to move to the next one. By the way, the director is Chu Wen, he’ll direct the next drama too. We’re the ones running nonstop.”
Song Qin’s panic of cramming at the last minute instantly vanished. She gripped Wen Jiu’s hand tightly. “It’s true, you need contrast to feel happiness. Thanks, sister, I feel like I can work hard again.”
“On the other hand, you had this show and didn’t tell me. I was stuck in miserable classes, stretching like steel rods, no time online, completely missed it!
Hiss, these abs, these pecs, this inverted triangle,
Sister, you’re a genius, throwing a hundred handsome guys into the pool!”
Song Qin had found the most popular swimming pool game clips online. Her face flushed red as she squealed, simultaneously reciting self-reproachful mantras:
“When will I ever break the bad habit of staring at others’ □□…”
Wen Jiu thoughtfully reopened the capped bottle of water and handed it to her.
“Drink a bit of cold water in winter to cool off.” Judging by Song Qin’s tone, she clearly wasn’t serious about changing.
“There’s also the edited variety show, twelve episodes in total. You can watch them slowly after filming.”
After thinking, Wen Jiu added: “Just make sure your filter for handsome guys still works once you finish the drama.”
Once filming begins, everyone’s colleagues.
Nobody’s ever fallen for a coworker just because they’re attractive.
On set, everyone worked diligently.
They took a group photo at the opening ceremony, then immediately moved on to the costume fitting photos.
To leave time for post-production and promotion, they had to shoot all scenes within 100 days. Morning, noon, and evening shifts, the crew split into group A and B, all moving constantly.
The set buzzed with energy, winter cold forgotten. Wen Jiu flipped through Weibo to check ‘The Rich Family’ official account’s reviews.
Thanks to the variety show foundation, everyone knew and anticipated which actor would play which role. The drama’s popularity soared, with even uninterested voters stopping by.
After all, fans had cast the votes themselves. Even the 100th-ranked had supporters. And since everyone knew the show served the drama, there were no arguments.
Unprecedented harmony.
Wen Jiu summarized four words after reading through everything: perfectly harmonious.
Amid the noisy set, she received a video call from Shen Xingzhou.
He usually texted, rarely called directly.
Wen Jiu took three seconds to realize she hadn’t seen him in a month and a half.
A rush of guilt surged, she nervously tapped to answer.
Shen Xingzhou had never argued with her before; would this be their first quarrel?
She clutched her phone tightly, her footsteps honest as she moved.
Sneaky yet exaggerated, she weaved through the busy crew to a tree to take the call.
No argument appeared, just a soft laugh from the screen.
Haicheng hadn’t snowed, yet Shen Xingzhou’s laugh felt like a light, thin snowflake landing on her ear, cold, tingling.
Strangely, Wen Jiu felt a pang of sympathy, like a neglected consort left in the cold palace, wishing she could hop in a car and find him immediately.
She cupped the phone’s speaker, cleared her throat twice, and shyly, softly called out: “Baby, what’s up”
After saying it, she hopped and spun in place, as if trying to crack the bricks beneath her feet.
Ahhhh.
No leaves on the tree, no sun today, gray sky emphasizing her as a lovesick lunatic.
She didn’t care if anyone saw, eagerly awaiting Shen Xingzhou’s reply.
His face must be red, right?
Looking down at his enlarged face on the screen, Wen Jiu froze.
She had completely forgotten it was a video call!
She thought it was audio only.
Had he just seen her hopping around?
Biting her lip, nostrils flaring, social death wasn’t fatal, but it felt worse than dying.
“Jiujiu, you’re so cute.” Shen Xingzhou’s gaze was so soft it seemed wet with dew.
Different from last year.
He should be wide-eyed, seeking and obedient, gazing at her.
In that moment, Wen Jiu realized: It’s New Year’s Eve; Shen Xingzhou has grown a year older, matured.
Placing her phone on her lap, she sat on the stone bench under the tree.
Hands covering her eyes.
Matured, and I like it even more.
Suddenly thinking the angle was bad, she lowered her hands, revealing flushed, shy cheeks, holding the phone to adjust.
After finding the perfect angle, the earlier tenderness was mostly gone in the cold wind.
“Shen Xingzhou, I’m still in Haicheng. Are you coming to find me?”
Most of The Rich Family was filmed in Haicheng. Limited-edition shoes, custom clothes, beloved luxury cars were used; the main characters wore haute couture from the young lady, adorned with real gemstones borrowed for the crew; locations were in the Su family’s mansion…
True high-society setup, one-of-a-kind.
Because the borrowed gems totaled ten-digit value, professionals sent by Butler Qin were on-site, monitoring them constantly.
Wen Jiu hadn’t told Shen Xingzhou, and even if he knew, he wouldn’t have come on his own.
“I’ll come find you. We’ll spend New Year’s together.”
A clear voice carried with the wind.
Wen Jiu remembered, New Year was coming.
Lunar New Year, the real countdown.
Being from Nancheng, she always had special expectations for traditional holidays. Though hopes often failed, she loved Spring Festival.
Checking the date, the day after tomorrow was New Year’s Eve.
The crew schedule gave everyone a day and a half off. Short, but progress had to be made; they’d prepared generous New Year red envelopes.
Busy as she was, Wen Jiu hadn’t realized her schedule suddenly had a blank day and a half, because it was New Year.
Even just hearing Shen Xingzhou mention it made her nose tingle and ache.
Perhaps the wind had dried her eyes; slightly red, she pouted silently.
Looking up, the gray sky had unexpectedly brightened, like a clear mirror, beautiful.
“Jiujiu, say those two words to me again.”
His tone hadn’t changed, but Wen Jiu heard a hint of coquettishness.
Her fleeting melancholia from working in the arts vanished.
Good, good.
Say it again.
The two words rolled off her lips softly: “Baby”
She couldn’t handle it herself, partly thrilled, partly embarrassed, eyes darting, avoiding Shen Xingzhou’s gaze on the screen.
This time the phone was properly angled, no more hopping.
“Jiujiu, wait for me. I’ll arrive in Haicheng at 6 PM.”
6 PM? He’s really rushing nonstop.
“Mm, stay safe on the road.” Wen Jiu hung up, hugging her phone, spinning in place.
No words needed, just pure happiness.
Finally, the sweet romance was hers, the working girl’s turn!
As everyone online said, it was truly sweet, like eating candy.
After Shen Xingzhou’s video call, an unfamiliar phone number rang.
In the past, Wen Jiu wouldn’t answer, likely a scam.
But now, as a producer, many numbers weren’t saved; if important, she couldn’t ignore it.
The phone rang once, and she answered immediately.
Before she could speak, the other side started.
“Jiujiu, your mother knows you blocked our numbers, including your father’s, your brother’s, and even the neighbor aunt who called last time, so debt collectors wouldn’t reach you.
This time I borrowed your cousin’s phone to call you, finally got through.
Half a year has passed. You should have mostly repaid your debts by now, right? If not, it’s fine. Your father and I discussed it, we’ll help pay!
It’s almost New Year’s! You better come back. Mom found you a really good match. Just the betrothal gift alone, he’s willing to give 1.2 million! That’s 1.2 million! Enough for you to never work another day in your life.
If you marry him, you’ll live in comfort. Have a few big, healthy boys, that’ll make your life worthwhile.
Of course, I won’t take your betrothal gift. Take 200,000 as your dowry for yourself. You and your husband can use it for your little family, and the remaining 1 million can go to your brother, buy him a house and a car. He’ll definitely treat you well; he’s your backing.”
Thankfully, having spent time with the young lady, Wen Jiu had her manners drilled in, she didn’t just roll her eyes.
She actually wanted to hang up immediately.
But thinking about it, holding it in wasn’t comfortable either, might as well make the person on the other end suffer too.
How had she handled a mother who valued sons over daughters and sold her own daughter before?
Her eyes darted, she remembered!
After all, she’d spent time on set with the young lady, watching professionals at The Rich Family filming, she’d picked up some acting skills.
She let out a wail: “Mom, I’m sorry, sorry to Dad, sorry to my brother. That one million from half a year ago has turned into five million now, interest keeps piling up! I can’t pay it back!
That big guy said if I don’t pay, he’d tie up my whole family and slice a kidney from each of us! He even said my golden nugget brother, being well-fed, would be targeted too.
If you hadn’t called, I’d have forgotten I even had a brother backing me, just trying to bear it all myself. I, I really don’t know what to do. Since it’s New Year, maybe I should go home and hide a bit. It’s perfect, my brother can step in to protect me.
Mom, didn’t you say my brother would be my lifelong backing? Then him helping me fight a bunch of bad guys should be fine too, right?
That big guy said he installed a tracker, so he can find me anywhere. But that’s surely a lie! Even if it’s true, if I ran home, would he really follow us and kidnap our whole family? That’s illegal!
Mom, I’ve decided to come home and do as you say, get married properly. Life will definitely be better, and those people won’t catch up.
Besides, even if they come, so what? Didn’t you say my future husband will give a one-time betrothal gift of 1.2 million? He can easily pay off a 5-million debt too.
You damn money-loser! That 1.2 million is just a loan to marry you because you look good, there’s no way he’s giving five million to pay your debts.”
Her mother immediately switched her tone, addressing Wen Jiu sharply.
“Don’t come home, bad luck! If I had known when you were little, I’d have sold you off and saved a few bucks for your brother’s formula.
At worst, I should have hidden your ID, torn up your acceptance letter, see how you’d manage to go north for college. What top schools in the country, so unfilial, you’ve never even sent money home after studying all this time…”
Wen Jiu blushed. “Mom, I still owe the bank tuition. Since you just mentioned it, could you help me pay it?”
“Pay for you?! You’re already enough of a loss! Without you as a daughter, get lost, get out, don’t come home. Dare to come back and I’ll break your legs!”
Wen Jiu tried to reason: “No, Mom! It’s only five million!”
“Dong”
The call was cut off abruptly.
Wen Jiu withdrew her over-the-top acting, first saving the recording along with the call from last August into a file, then blocked the number.
She once again understood why the original self had blocked all contact with her parents.
Wen Jiu could argue lightly because she had no emotional foundation; she could return triumphant, head held high like a victorious goose.
But the original self? She probably would have been both angry and sad.
Thankfully, the original self encountered the young lady and her world was spiritually saved, escaping the muddy well early.
The victorious goose was ready to return to set, proud and dignified.
A few steps forward, and she spotted a handsome guy in the corridor behind the villa, looking at her.
Except for Xie Junyu, she couldn’t remember the other 99 handsome guys at first. But after a month of reality show selection, monitoring them daily, she could recognize everyone.
This was male contestant #17.
He played a rich kid in the drama. According to the script, this scene required him to attend a banquet and cause trouble.
Perhaps his scenes were done, and he stepped out for some fresh air, just in time to witness Wen Jiu’s astonishing performance.
He silently pulled a finger across his lips, closed his eyes, turned his whole body, signaling to Wen Jiu: he saw nothing.
A real-life case of “burying one’s head in the sand.”
Wen Jiu’s carefully crafted cold-producer persona was ruined instantly.
She tried to chase him, but the crew called him away, leaving only air for Wen Jiu.
Slightly awkward, but otherwise fine.
She thought it was over, but at night, this handsome guy actually knocked on her hotel room door…
At six o’clock, Shen Xingzhou arrived promptly outside Wen Jiu’s hotel room.
The producer’s room was naturally luxurious, though not comparable to the suite the young lady had booked for her in Beicheng.
This hotel was mid-range. The crew had rented the entire building, giving each staff member a room, a show of financial clout.
Adhering to the philosophy of good food, good sleep, and high pay equals good work, Wen Jiu didn’t scrimp, budget went freely.
She wandered daily; everyone worked hard during the day. Money provided, no complaints.
The effect was visible, no one slacked off, and everyone reviewed the day’s footage for issues. Overtime pay was 100 yuan/hour, and free night snacks were provided after 10 PM.
“Knock, knock, knock”
Wen Jiu was about to shower, already in a soft knit dress after removing her coat.
Feeling warm inside, she opened the door.
Shen Xingzhou wore a simple camel wool coat; under his sunglasses, a patch of pale jawline was visible, lines elegant, seeming to glow under the light, radiant as jade.
From Wen Jiu’s upward angle, he appeared tall and slender, dressed lightly.
Maybe he’d grown? Hard to tell, perhaps just hadn’t seen him in a while.
Wen Jiu leaped onto him, legs wrapping around his strong waist.
The coat fluttered with her movement, nearly covering half her body.
Her hands hooked over his shoulders, tilting her head, smiling brilliantly: “Baby”
Ahhhh.
Words were crisp, but only Wen Jiu knew her heart was racing.
Her feet kicked around, as if trying to poke a hole in his coat.
Maybe only a second passed, but to Wen Jiu, it felt like a century.
Why wasn’t Shen Xingzhou speaking?
Doesn’t he like it when I call him that?
Suddenly, he lifted her slightly, she rose a bit more, lips grazing his.
He closed the door with his foot, shifting their positions, Wen Jiu pressed against the door.
Romance bloomed; her little head filled with naughty thoughts.
The brief kiss stung, but she endured, not wanting to waste this unique moment.
Her hands moved from shoulders to wrapping around his neck, bright, eager eyes glistening as she pressed her lips to his.
So sweet. Jelly-like texture, honeyed taste, a rush of sugar in her heart.
Not her first kiss, but distance made it feel new.
After a while, Wen Jiu tired, resting on his chest.
Cheeks pressed, feeling the surge of hormones beneath.
Faced with hunger versus desire, she pragmatically chose the former.
She hopped off, covering her nose, running to the bedroom.
The suite had a single bedroom, but kitchen, bathroom, balcony, and living room were all complete.
Wen Jiu, like a headless fly, stumbled past the kitchen into the bedroom.
She went straight to the bathroom, checking her nose in the mirror.
Thankfully, no nosebleed.
Little separations made for “newlywed” excitement, just a little thrill, even checking pecs caused screams.
Completely different from watching 100 handsome guys on a variety show!
After her shower, she came out to a table full of steaming dishes.
Leaning closer, she realized Shen Xingzhou had ordered delivery.
Even the crab roe noodles came with six toppings: crab roe, meat, leg meat, crab fat, etc., simple colors but fragrant flavors.
Like Wen Jiu, Shen Xingzhou insisted on showering first to stay clean.
She couldn’t stop him, so she stared at the noodles, hoping they wouldn’t clump.
Besides the main dish, there were side dishes, arranged neatly; the lone tissue box squeezed into a corner.
She listened to the water running from the bathroom, muffled by the good insulation, couldn’t tell how far he was into washing, could only imagine.
Her ears were listening, and her hands hadn’t stopped their sneaky movements, picking up a rib and gnawing on it with her back to the room.
“Knock, knock, knock, ”
Someone knocked again.
Could it be another food delivery?
Wen Jiu quickly stood up, shoving the rib into her mouth in a few bites, and walked over to open the door.
Standing there was the handsome guy she had seen pretending to be silly and crazy earlier that afternoon.