SH – Chapter 23

The spring scenery was intoxicating.

The impact was too strong. Yun Chu only managed a single glance before squeezing her eyes shut. With her vision gone, her other senses sharpened. She could feel Jian You’s weight pressing down on her, the heat seeping through the thin fabric of their clothes. Her eyelashes trembled with nervousness. “Teacher Jian… what are you doing?”

The last syllable of her words lifted, tinged with an unconscious, delicate softness.

“…It’s a little hot,” Jian You said.

Her tone was even, showing no sign of emotional fluctuation.

But Yun Chu didn’t dare let her guard down for a second.

Others might not know, but how could she not? Jian You was the type who could remain calm even in bed, who could reach the peak with her toes pointed and still come down gently. Her current lack of fluctuation didn’t mean there was truly no fluctuation.

Just like that time, when she had knelt by the bed, feeling Jian You’s fingers thread into her long hair, tousling it as she praised her in a soft voice, “So good.”

Her tone had been steeped in a hint of a smile, alluringly husky.

…Her thoughts were wandering!

Yun Chu shook her head forcefully, trying to banish the complicated associations from her mind. But as she was shaking it, a hand suddenly cupped her face. Her eyes flew open. “Teacher Jian…!”

“Hm?”

“You touched my face.”

“You kept shaking your head. I was holding it still for you.”

After a pause, Jian You pinched Yun Chu’s cheek. “This is touching.”

Yun Chu was speechless.

She gave Jian You a little push. “Teacher Jian, why don’t you get up first?” She glanced at the ubiquitous cameras, troubled. “They’re filming everything.”

If this aired, she was afraid Jian You’s fans would hunt her to the ends of the earth!

Jian You didn’t move. She lied casually, “My foot is cramping. I can’t get up.”

“Does it hurt?” In an instant, Yun Chu tossed all other thoughts to the wind. She tried to sit up to look at Jian You’s foot. Seeing Jian You remain silent, she asked again and again, “Does it hurt? Does it hurt? Does it hurt?”

“It’s okay,” Jian You said. “Let me rest for a moment.”

Yun Chu slowly let out an “oh.” She decided to just lie there peacefully, her gaze, with nowhere else to go, drifting up to the ceiling. In the movie, the protagonist and the villain were in their final showdown. Amidst the flashing of blades, the light shifted rapidly, and soon her eyes felt strained.

Suddenly, inspiration struck. She let out a small “ah.” “Teacher Jian, you turned around so suddenly just now. Did you have something to tell me?”

Jian You seized the opportunity. “I do.”

Yun Chu looked over. “What is it?”

The screen darkened again, obscuring the intoxicating scene. Jian You cursed Song Pin’s terrible idea. She was a best director award winner who had launched countless artists to stardom. Now she had to resort to seduction just to cast a minor actress as the lead in her major film?

…And it might not even work.

The more Jian You thought about it, the more unprofessional it felt to discuss work in this position. Yun Chu’s gaze was so pure and harmless that it made her feel like she was taking advantage of her. With that thought, she placed a hand on the back of the sofa and pushed herself into a sitting position, buttoning up her shirt.

Seeing Jian You get up so abruptly, Yun Chu was still concerned. “Teacher Jian, are you feeling better?”

“What?” Jian You didn’t immediately understand.

“Your foot cramp.”

“Who… oh.” Jian You remembered. She buttoned the last button and placed her feet on the rug, using one lie to cover another. “Much better.”

Yun Chu sat up as well, smiling. “That’s good!”

She asked, “Teacher Jian, you still haven’t told me what you wanted to talk about.”

Jian You turned off the movie.

The massive screen now only displayed the glowing words “No Signal,” bringing a sliver of light to the suddenly quiet media room. Jian You placed the remote on the coffee table with a soft click. She turned her head to the side and said, “It’s serious business.”

“Should I turn on the lights?”

“…Okay.”

Her sudden seriousness made Yun Chu’s heart pound. One moment she suspected Jian You had recognized her, the next she guessed Jian You already knew she was investing in the film. As a result, when Jian You finally said, “Would you be willing to be the female lead in my new movie?” it took her a full thirty seconds to process it.

She was stunned. “Me? Your female lead?”

Jian You hummed in affirmation. “I’ve seen clips of your work, including the unaired ones. You have a lot of talent, a spark in your acting, and your face is perfect for the big screen. So, I’d like to invite you to be the female lead in my new film.”

Yun Chu was too surprised to speak.

“Actually, the casting director contacted your agent before this,” Jian You said, observing Yun Chu’s expression. “He told her you could have the lead role without an audition, but she refused. She refused to even meet to discuss the details.”

Yun Chu paused. “She refused?”

That didn’t make sense.

The only reason Chen Jing had agreed to let her join Little Tricks for Love was because she thought it could connect her with Jian You. Now that Jian You had extended an olive branch, there was no reason for Chen Jing to refuse.

Could she have thought it was a scam?

After all, Yun Chu was already picky about scripts, and her resources were limited by her grandmother, leaving few viable projects. Most of those fell through anyway. For someone to suddenly appear and say she could star in a Jian You film without an audition, anyone would be wary.

But she didn’t believe Chen Jing would dismiss it as a scam without looking into it. On the contrary, she would be even more diligent, needing to confirm it was a fake. At the very least, she would have mentioned it to her. Otherwise, wasting such an opportunity would be a tragedy.

But Chen Jing had never brought it up at all.

Jian You could tell as much from Yun Chu’s expression. It was nice being young; emotions were written all over her face. When she was happy, she smiled, her dimples rippling faintly, hiding a touch of sweetness. When she was annoyed, she frowned, her brows furrowing like a small mountain, ready to erupt at any moment.

Her gaze shifted from observing Yun Chu’s micro-expressions to taking in her entire face.

She was beautiful.

The ear-length bob accentuated her delicate features. Her skin was fair, and beneath her straight nose, the bead of her cherry-like lips was a rosy red. Her eyes were large and limpid, and when her long lashes fluttered, every blink was full of life.

It truly was a face made for the big screen.

All these thoughts flashed by in an instant. Yun Chu came back to her senses and mumbled, “I’ll ask her when I get back,” before leaning forward, her eyes sparkling. “Can you tell me what the movie is about?”

Jian You glanced at the camera. “Now?”

Yun Chu suggested, “Should we turn off the camera?”

Jian You said, “…We’re still recording a variety show.”

“Oh, right.” Yun Chu slumped back dejectedly. “We’re supposed to be dating, not talking about work.”

The corners of Jian You’s lips curved up. “Continue the movie?”

“Okay,” Yun Chu replied, her interest waning.

The pause was lifted, and the movie resumed.

The protagonist and the villain were somehow still fighting. The entire city had been reduced to ruins, and ordinary humans scrambled to escape the clash of titans. A long bridge snapped in the middle, and cars plunged into the churning river with a tremendous roar.

Rain fell like beads from a broken string. The 3D experience was quite immersive; Jian You felt as if a cold, icy rain was slapping against her face, accompanied by a buzzing vibration. It took her a moment to realize it was her phone.

She fished her phone out from the sofa cushions.

Yun Chu: Teacher Jian, we can chat on WeChat!

Yun Chu: [Me, being clever and puffing out my chest proudly.jpg]

Yun Chu: Come on, come on [Anticipation]

Yun Chu: Let’s do it secretly

A sudden sense of thrill washed over Jian You, like a high school couple secretly passing notes in class, defying the teacher. Even if the note just asked what was for lunch, it held a secret pleasure that could easily make one bubble with happiness.

She suppressed her emotions and sent the character bio to Yun Chu.

Y: The script isn’t finished.

Yun Chu: You’ve already started casting, but the script isn’t even done?

Y: Mmm.

Yun Chu: Dock the screenwriter’s pay!

Y: I am the screenwriter.

Yun Chu: …Never mind then.

System: Yun Chu has recalled a message.

Yun Chu: [It’s been less than two minutes, so it doesn’t count.gif]

Y: …

Yun Chu didn’t reply for a while. A sideways glance revealed she was staring intently at her phone, likely studying the character bio. Jian You suddenly lost interest in the movie and opened Yun Chu’s Moments feed.

Yun Chu loved posting on Moments.

The latest one was from on her way here. Two landscape photos with the caption: Pop quiz, no prize! Guess where I’m going and what I’m doing? That’s right! I’m on my way to surprise someone! Hehe!

A certain someone: “?”

She was going to surprise her but didn’t block her? Was she so sure she wouldn’t check her Moments?

She scrolled down.

Five in the morning: The production team is insane! Everyone! The production team is really insane! They made us get up at four in the morning to play blindfolded tag. Help me. [This post is hidden from industry friends (if I have any) and my agent (I have one of those)].

Ten last night: A very happy day ^ ^

A very happy day, with Jian You.

Jian You casually liked the post.

Yun Chu poked her with her index finger. Jian You leaned back. The battle in the movie had finally ended. The protagonist smiled at the camera from amidst the ruins, hugging his battle-scarred dog who had fought alongside him. The rain had stopped, and the sound was fading. Yun Chu’s voice became clearer.

In a tiny whisper that tickled her ear, she said, “I’ve finished reading it.”

The character bio wasn’t long. Though it only introduced the character’s profile, the general story arc was fleshed out along with it.

“I really like this story,” Yun Chu said.

Jian You thought of the industry’s opinion of this film and tugged at the corner of her mouth. “It’ll lose money.”

Yun Chu’s eyes widened slightly. “How can you say that?”

Besides, so what if it lost money? She was determined to fund it anyway!

“Yun Chu,” Jian You called her name.

“Hm?” Yun Chu leaned closer.

“An A-list celebrity’s agent approached me before, saying he wanted his client to play the lead in this movie. The agent was so persuasive that even the casting director was tempted. His artist needed a solid project, and my movie needed box office traffic. A win-win.”

“…But you didn’t agree.”

“No.” Jian You lifted her chin. “I want my work to be perfect. The perfection of a commercial film requires the audience’s blessing; critical acclaim and box office success are the ultimate achievements. A non-commercial film doesn’t need to please the audience, so I don’t need her traffic. I need…” She lowered her eyes for a moment, then raised them to meet Yun Chu’s. “You.”

Her voice was firm and earnest.

It gave Yun Chu the illusion that Jian You wasn’t inviting her to be the female lead of her movie, but… the female lead of her life. The thought made her heart race.

Jian You hummed in confusion. “You’re blushing.”

“No, I’m not!” Yun Chu denied it immediately.

“Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m not.”

The back of Jian You’s hand touched her cheek. “It’s still hot.”

Yun Chu was speechless.

Could she please leave her some dignity!

“Do you like it when I talk to you like this?” Jian You leaned forward, closer to her, her palm gripping Yun Chu’s wrist so she couldn’t retreat. “If I talk to you like this more often, will you come be my female lead?”

Yun Chu swallowed hard.

Jian You was playing dirty, she thought. How could she say such tempting things from such a close distance? With her meager courage, and her face shamelessly blushing, how could she possibly say no?

She blinked and said in a small voice, “I-I’m willing.”

Just then, the movie ended, and the media room fell silent. Her voice was captured with exceptional clarity by the microphone, shocking the director and crew waiting outside.

Willing? Willing to what?

Were Jian You and Yun Chu official already?

This was only the first episode!!!

---

Jian You wasn’t a perfect date. At least, while Yun Chu was interested in all the recreational facilities in the villa and wanted to try everything, Jian You showed no interest whatsoever. But she didn’t rush Yun Chu, either. She just watched from the side as Yun Chu played, listening to her sing everything from “Above the Moon” to “Most Dazzling Ethnic Style.”

During the makeup touch-up at noon, the production team tried to subtly probe them individually about their progress.

To this, Jian You and Yun Chu responded as follows.

Jian You: “What progress?”

Director: “You know, the ‘I’m willing’ part. Can you explain in detail?”

Jian You: “Stay out of a beautiful woman’s business.”

Director: “…Hmph.”

Since they got nowhere with Jian You, they focused their efforts on Yun Chu, who everyone saw as the “sweet and naive girl.” Xiao Lan was entrusted with the important task. Camera on her shoulder, she got straight to the point. Yun Chu first let out an “ah,” then her eyes lit up. “Xiao Lan, your eyeshadow looks great today. Which palette is it?”

Xiao Lan: “That’s not what I’m asking!”

Xiao Lan: “It’s the Subtle Peach Palette from XX.”

And so, after all that effort, the first recording session ended, and they still hadn’t figured out what the “I’m willing” was in reference to. The director was going crazy. “Get the footage from the media room today compiled and noise-reduced immediately! I refuse to believe we can’t hear what they said!”

The assistant director: “I’m shipping this couple, and nothing can stop me!”

---

The production team still had a lot to do, but the guests had already left the recording location. Jian You’s flight was the next morning, so she had to spend one more night there. Yun Chu packed a few things and stood at Jian You’s window to say goodbye. “Teacher Jian, I’m leaving now.”

The string lights in the courtyard were still on, casting a warm yellow glow that projected Yun Chu’s shadow onto the window.

The silhouette was distinct.

Jian You didn’t speak. She reached out to touch Yun Chu’s shadow, tracing it from her hair down to her chin. Before she could reach the shoulder, Yun Chu said another “bye” and turned away.

The shadow slipped off the window and fell out of sight.

Jian You’s fingertips twitched.

Then she slowly lowered her hand.

---

@YUN0521YunChu: 12.18. Departing from PEK | Nice to meet you, hello, Xiao Chu [Heart] Unedited photos, straight from the camera!

【Holy crap, is this a fansite for Yun Chu?】

【Spreading the news immediately, our 18th-tier nobody actress has a fansite now.】

【I was there today too! Hehe, I saw Yun Chu in person. She’s so cute and pretty, her face is super small. She’s even better looking in person than in photos!】

【And she’s super nice! Her eyes crinkled when she smiled at me.】

【Her unedited photos are really impressive.】

【Is Yun Chu’s birthday 521? Such a romantic date, love you love you.】

【??? I’ve been a fan for three years, how are there suddenly so many new fans? It feels like my hidden treasure has been discovered QAQ Wuwuwu.】

【She’s going to become a big star!】

【She’ll definitely become a big, shining star!】

…

Yun Chu never expected so many people to see her off at the airport, much less that after she boarded the plane, her fans would post the airport photos online, causing more and more people to show up to greet her upon arrival. It was so exaggerated that the exit was completely blocked.

“Yun Chu! I love your portrayal of Xiao Chun!”

Wearing a mask and pushing her luggage through the crowd, Yun Chu listened to the fans’ shouts, overwhelmed. She nodded to herself. Mhm, I quite like my portrayal of Xiao Chun too.

“Wuwuwu, you’re so cute. You and Jian You are a match made in heaven!”

Yun Chu stumbled, her heart lurching. Is it really okay to say that so directly?

“Baby, Mommy loves you!”

“Sweet daughter, look at Mommy’s camera over here!”

“Daughter, can you please focus on your career and not on dating!”

Yun Chu: “…”

Where did all these mommy fans come from!

…

Zhou Zhitao and Chen Jing had come to pick her up together. The moment she got in the car, Zhou Zhitao started vigorously squishing her cheeks, leaving her powerless to resist. “Zhou! Zhi! Tao!”

Her cheeks were soft, and Zhou Zhitao had been squishing them since they were little. It was the ultimate stress reliever.

Zhou Zhitao let go, asking excitedly, “How did it go? What’s the progress with you and Jian You?”

“It’s going,” Yun Chu said, patting her own cheeks. She shot Zhou Zhitao a look. Chen Jing didn’t know about her crush on Jian You, so she couldn’t let it slip. She changed the subject. “When did you get back?”

“Just landed,” Zhou Zhitao said. “I contacted Sister Jing ahead of time, so she could pick me up on the way. Right, Sister Jing?”

Chen Jing, sitting in the passenger seat, nodded, looking preoccupied.

Zhou Zhitao whispered, “What’s wrong with her? Did another one of her artists get into a scandal?”

Yun Chu shook her head.

The driver parked outside Yun Chu’s apartment complex. Yun Chu told Zhou Zhitao to go up first; she had something to discuss with Chen Jing. The driver tactfully said, “I’m going out for a smoke,” and got out of the car, leaving just the two of them inside.

Yun Chu didn’t beat around the bush. She got straight to the point. “Jian You asked me to be the female lead in her movie.”

Chen Jing thought to herself that Jian You wouldn’t give up so easily. If she couldn’t get through the company, she’d go straight to the actor. She sighed and said, “Jian You’s team contacted me.”

“Then why didn’t you agree?” Yun Chu asked, leaning over the back of the passenger seat to look at Chen Jing. “Didn’t you want me to join Little Tricks for Love precisely so I could meet Jian You?”

Chen Jing was silent for a moment before asking, “Do you remember when I asked if you knew any of our company’s senior executives?”

“I remember.”

“…”

“Are you saying…” An absurd idea occurred to Yun Chu, and she laughed. “No way.”

Chen Jing had agreed, but ultimately refused because a higher-up told her to.

No way.

Had her grandmother’s influence reached all the way to Mangosteen Entertainment? Wasn’t Mangosteen Entertainment famous in the industry for not being controlled by capital? When did it get corrupted!

Chen Jing grew anxious. “Why not? Think about it, what did you do to offend President Jiang? Why else would she turn down such a great opportunity for you?”

“Wait!” Yun Chu sat up straight. “President Jiang Yu?”

“Yes!” Chen Jing said.

She sighed at the memory. “When Jian You’s studio called that day, I was ecstatic. But I didn’t tell you because I was afraid it might not work out in the end.”

According to Mangosteen Entertainment’s rules, all artist opportunities had to be reported up the chain. Chen Jing reported it that same day. It got greenlit all the way to Jiang Yu’s desk, but then Jiang Yu called Chen Jing and told her to turn it down.

No reason given.

Yun Chu was stunned for a moment, then said, “I understand.”

Chen Jing asked, “When on earth did you offend President Jiang?”

Yun Chu scoffed. “I offended her?”

She picked up her scarf from the seat and pressed the button for the automatic door. “I’ve already accepted Jian You’s offer. I’ll go talk to Jiang Yu myself. You don’t need to worry.”

The door slid open slowly. She wrapped the scarf around her neck as she got out. “I’m heading off. You should get some rest too.”

---

It had just snowed in Yunzhou City. Though it wasn’t a heavy snowfall, the damp cold of melting snow was harder to bear than the dry cold of the north. Fortunately, the residential complex was well-maintained, and the property management had cleared the paths, so she didn’t have to step in slush.

Yun Chu didn’t go home right away. She walked a short distance to a colorful playground slide meant for the children in the complex, now covered in a layer of white snow. She grabbed a handful of snow and called Jiang Yu.

The phone was answered on the first ring.

Jiang Yu’s tone was light. “You’re back? Want to grab a drink tomorrow? My treat.”

“No, thanks,” Yun Chu said.

Jiang Yu laughed. “No way. I saw online that you and Jian You are making rapid progress. Does that mean you can’t go to bars anymore?”

“Jian You invited me to be the female lead in her movie.”

She had no patience for Jiang Yu’s evasive chatter. She irritably threw the snowball down the slide’s tunnel. “President Jiang, at work, you’re my superior. So right now, I’d like to ask you to give me a reason for your disapproval.”

“So you found out,” Jiang Yu’s laughter subsided. “Did Chen Jing tell you?”

“Did you think you could hide it from me?”

“…You seem so clueless, I thought maybe I could.”

“Jiang Yu!” Yun Chu snapped.

“Alright.” Jiang Yu turned off the last light in her office and stepped into the common area. Some people were still working overtime in their cubicles, greeting her in low voices. She gave them a slight nod and said to Yun Chu, “I don’t like Jian You.”

Yun Chu was caught off guard. “What?”

“What? Does everyone have to like her?” Jiang Yu walked to the elevator, her high heels clicking on the immaculately clean floor. Her tone was slightly mocking. “I just don’t like her. I don’t like her movies, I don’t like her as a person, and I don’t want you to have anything to do with her.”

“…”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

After a long silence, Yun Chu finally said, “I’m afraid I’ll start cursing.”

Jiang Yu chuckled. “You like her that much?”

The elevator arrived.

She stepped inside and pressed the button for the second basement level, listening to Yun Chu’s voice in her ear, every word revolving around Jian You. “You’re my friend, and you’re also an audience member. I respect your dislike. But turning down an artist’s opportunity because of personal preference is, in my opinion, highly unprofessional.”

Jiang Yu was noncommittal.

“Of course, I know it’s presumptuous for a subordinate to speak to you this way, but luckily my contract with the company isn’t an indenture of servitude.” Yun Chu crushed the snow under her foot and walked toward her apartment building. “I still have the right to decide on Jian You’s offer. Even if the higher-ups ask about it later, they won’t have anything to say to me.”

“Are you using the top brass to pressure me?”

“I’m not pressuring you; I’m stating a fact.” Yun Chu said, then laughed again. “However—”

“What?” Jiang Yu’s heart leaped.

“It’s one thing not to like Jian You as a person, but you don’t even like her movies? What kind of taste do you have!” After rattling off the complaint like a toxic solo stan, Yun Chu quickly hung up the phone.

That felt good.

Even her steps felt lighter on the way back. Zhou Zhitao was waiting for her at home. Knowing she was in a bad mood, she put on a virtuous display. “You’re back! Would you like to bathe first, or eat first?”

Yun Chu grinned. “Together!”

Zhou Zhitao shattered her fantasy with a single slap. “In your dreams!”

She and Zhou Zhitao had been friends since they were little. They were classmates in the third grade, went to the same middle and high schools, and though they attended different universities, they remained the best of friends. Whenever Zhou Zhitao returned from her travels, she would always stay at Yun Chu’s place for a while before leaving again.

The two hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and with the major development between Yun Chu and Jian You, they ended up chatting late into the night.

Yun Chu’s room had glowing galaxy stickers on the ceiling. With the lights off, the room was filled with a brilliant starry sky. The two of them lay side-by-side on the bed, their voices growing softer as they talked. Zhou Zhitao yawned, rolled over to face away from Yun Chu, and asked, “You blush just from exchanging a few words with Jian You. How on earth did you end up in bed with her that night?”

Yun Chu pillowed her head on her arms, gazing at the twinkling stars as she recalled, “That night—”

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