009

Upon checking the trending topics, one would see photos of Su Yueke getting into Gu Huayu's car, as well as photos of the two talking in front of the car.

The two shared an umbrella and appeared to be in a close relationship.

The location in the photo is near the film set.

Jiang Huali looked closely and realized that it seemed to be the day it rained, after Yun Xin got into her car, Gu Huayu actually picked up and dropped off Su Yueke again.

Tsk tsk tsk.

Jiang Huali shook her head inwardly, but she knew that this was probably just the media making things up.

The internet exploded.

[Which media outlet is making baseless accusations again? Can you please stop attaching every little thing to our Brother Yu?]

[How can you talk like that upstairs? It's like you're saying our Yue is something special!]

[Really? I'm unfollowing them]

[Isn't this just a simple colleague relationship? What's wrong with walking together in the rain? Some netizens are going too far.]

[Aren't some fans just ridiculous? How many scandals has their idol been involved in in the last two years? And they're still trying to defend him? What kind of single persona are they trying to create?]

Jiang Huali put down her phone, and Yun Xin across from her stopped looking at it and silently ate her meal.

When Yun Xin saw Jiang Huali looking over, she angrily said, "Scumbag! Always spreading rumors!"

At this time, Yun Xin had not yet confirmed her relationship with Gu Huayu. She knew that Gu Huayu had many scandals, but that did not mean that she could turn a blind eye to the scandals involving Gu Huayu and others that broke out during their ambiguous relationship.

Jiang Huali pushed the drink on the table over, comforting Gu Huayu while also taking a jab at him, "Don't be angry, there are plenty of fish in the sea."

Yunxin paused in her chopsticks, then asked shyly, "You figured it out?"

Seeing Jiang Huali looking at her with a puzzled expression, she added, "You know about my relationship with Gu Huayu?"

Jiang Huali thought to herself, how could she not know? The main reason why Gu Huayu had so many scandals was that he was very indiscreet when interacting with actresses.

Besides, he really does like Yun Xin, so it's even harder to hide it.

Jiang Huali nodded.

Yun Xin lowered her voice and said somewhat dejectedly, "Actually, I don't know how to handle the relationship between us. He... he's a good person, but sometimes he has a bit of a temper and loves to spread rumors."

"I don't know if he's serious about our relationship."

"Little Pear, what do you think?"

Yun Xin looked at Jiang Huali with sparkling eyes.

Jiang Huali took a sip of water and said in an extremely sincere tone, "I think you should really think about it."

"Or it depends on whether you really like him."

After all, life is still long.

Although Jiang Huali has never been in a relationship, her attitude towards love has always been that as long as it pleases her, that's enough; if it doesn't make her happy, then they should break up.

Yun Xin nodded like a chick pecking at rice and said, "Okay! I will definitely think about it carefully."

Yunxin temporarily put the matter out of her mind and focused on tonight's night shoot.

Gu Huayu was clearly not so calm. His studio had just issued a clarification statement, but it was obviously not very effective, and there was still a lot of criticism online.

But he didn't care; he just wanted to express his true feelings to Yunxin.

That day was an accident; he only gave Su Yueke a ride because it was on his way.

He is innocent, yes, he is innocent.

After filming wrapped up that night, Gu Huayu came to find Yun Xin without even changing out of her costume, wanting to explain to her.

He anxiously tried to grab Yun Xin's sleeve, but to his surprise, Yun Xin, who used to speak softly to him, now dodged his hand.

Yun Xin glared at him and said, "Gu Huayu, I'm still in the rising stage of my career, and I don't want to be involved in scandals like you."

Su Yueke, who was passing by: ?

Ugh, I'm so angry at her! Does she want to create a scandal?

Bitch, all of them are bitches!

If her next drama hadn't been replaced, she could barely accept creating some rumors with Gu Huayu, since she and Gu Huayu were the male and female leads in the next drama.

It's fine to create some kind of romantic pairing.

But now that she's been removed from the list, who would want to create such a scandal?

She's cultivated a pure and innocent image in the entertainment industry, and if she were to get involved in a scandal with a male star who's always embroiled in rumors, she doesn't know how many fans she'll lose.

So she glared fiercely at Gu Huayu.

Su Yueke is proud and jealous. She can't stand seeing others do better than her, and she hates anyone who hinders her development.

Jiang Huali, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but want to laugh.

Although Su Yue is a bit stupid and mischievous, she can be quite funny at times.

Jiang Huali suppressed a laugh and returned to the dressing room with Yun Xin, leaving the stunned Gu Huayu behind.

The makeup artist who did Jiang Huali's makeup this time was the same one who did her makeup during the previous photoshoot.

The makeup artist who locked Jiang Huali in the room has already had her contract terminated.

Although this world is derived from a novel, it will not follow the novel's plot exactly.

For example, Jiang Huali's arrival inadvertently triggered a butterfly effect, changing many things.

The system said that as long as things develop logically and Jiang Huali doesn't interfere too much, it won't have a major impact.

Jiang Huali was quite curious to know what the final outcome would be for Yun Xin and Gu Huayu, the "male and female leads".

Yun Xin was still a little angry, and she decided to stop having contact with Gu Huayu for the time being.

Xiao Li is right. She's young, beautiful, and capable. Why should she hang herself on a crooked tree?

Jiang Huali was unaware of Yun Xin's change in mindset, but for a period of time afterward, Yun Xin hardly communicated with Gu Huayu, except when filming.

Gu Huayu's face darkened, while Xu Bai, who secretly loved Yun Xin, was practically beaming with joy.

Days passed by, autumn turned to winter, and the film crew had completed most of their shooting tasks.

As the year draws to a close, Jiang Huali has found herself with more free time. Her character is about to leave the show, and filming is expected to wrap up after the New Year.

Meng Zhiling's invitation was finally accepted.

During this period, Jiang Huali and Meng Zhiling did not see each other often. Assistant Liu would bring meals to the set more often, and Meng Zhiling would occasionally come to visit the set wearing a mask.

It was only because Jiang Huali had unintentionally complained before that the crew's boxed lunches were a bit unpalatable.

To be fair, the auntie who hired Meng Zhiling's family is indeed a very good cook, making one's mouth water.

Perhaps because of the good food, Jiang Huali has been in good spirits lately. One day, after 021 finished answering Jiang Huali's questions, he casually said something.

You've been acting a little different lately.

Jiang Huali didn't quite understand what was different about her, so she asked 021, "Have I gained weight?"

Of course not.

021 did not continue speaking.

She only said one sentence at the end: "You have a deeper understanding of acting. I'm glad that you can gradually integrate into this job and carry out tasks in small dimensions. This may be even better."

-

That afternoon, Jiang Huali went to the private restaurant near the film set that Meng Zhiling had described as "very good".

The shop is decorated in a classic style, and there are landscape paintings by famous artists hanging on the walls.

After passing through the screen, the waiter led Jiang Huali to the private room.

Meng Zhiling was already waiting in the private room.

Seeing Jiang Huali come in, Meng Zhiling pushed the menu to her after she sat down and said, "Take a look and see what you'd like to eat? It's on me today."

Jiang Huali naturally didn't stand on ceremony and ordered several dishes that looked delicious.

Meng Zhiling added some more food, and after the waiter recorded the guests' orders, he left the private room.

Jiang Huali said to Meng Zhiling, "It seems like we always meet at restaurants."

Meng Zhiling was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Really? We just don't see each other very often."

He poured Jiang Huali a cup of tea and asked, "How's work lately? Still very busy?"

"It's alright, I'll be wrapping up filming soon."

"So what are your plans for your next film?"

Hearing this, Jiang Huali turned her head to look at Meng Zhiling and said, "I'm still looking at some scripts. I'll go audition later."

Meng Zhiling took out a document from beside him and handed it to Jiang Huali, saying, "I have a friend who is now a director and is quite well-known in the industry."

"He's still missing a female lead for his next film. If you're interested, I can give you his contact information."

He handed her a script, which Jiang Huali took and put aside, saying, "Okay, I'll go back and take a look."

She smiled and said, "Thank you."

The dishes were served quickly, and Jiang Huali tasted them; they were indeed very delicious.

"It seems you're quite knowledgeable about food," she said while eating.

Meng Zhiling explained, "This shop was opened by a friend of mine, a friend I met while studying abroad. She opened this shop after returning to China."

"If you like it, we'll come again next time."

Jiang Huali nodded, just then there was a knock on the door.

The door opened with a click, and stood a tall woman in a light blue cheongsam, her face adorned with just the right amount of makeup. She smiled and asked, "May I come in?"

Meng Zhiling introduced Jiang Huali: "This is the owner of the shop I just mentioned, a friend of mine from when I was studying abroad."

Lin Fangteng walked in, her steps swaying. She smiled at Jiang Huali and said, "Hello, my name is Lin Fangteng. I'm Meng Zhiling's classmate. I heard he brought his friends to the restaurant, so I came to check it out."

Jiang Huali smiled at her and said, "Hello, Jiang Huali."

Lin Fangteng winked at Jiang Huali and said, "Meng Zhiling doesn't come here to eat often, so it's a rare sight."

What's even more surprising is that he brought a girl with him.

Lin Fangteng and Meng Zhiling met while studying abroad. She was a good cook and quite famous among the overseas students around her rented apartment. She made many friends who would often come to her place for a meal.

Meng Zhiling was brought here by her roommate and met Lin Fangteng by chance.

Lin Fangteng and Meng Zhiling weren't very close. In her memory, this "impressive figure" who supposedly won many awards at a young age was usually quiet, gentle, and polite, and many of his friends liked him.

Lin Fangteng, however, felt as if there was an invisible membrane separating him from others.

He's not someone you can really get close to.

She exchanged a few pleasantries with Jiang Huali and the others, gave Jiang Huali a box of expensive tea, and then left.

It wasn't that her friend was stingy and wouldn't give her a free meal; it was just that Meng Zhiling was treating her to dinner, and if she gave him a free meal, it would make her seem a bit tactless.

After finishing their meal, Meng Zhiling and Jiang Huali offered to take her back to her hotel.

When Jiang Huali arrived, she told her driver and assistant to go home, and he did not refuse.

Meng Zhiling was driving himself today, so Jiang Huali sat in the passenger seat.

Jiang Huali fastened her seatbelt, only to see Meng Zhiling turn his head to look at her, his voice as usual.

"Miss Jiang."

Jiang Huali looked over upon hearing this, her gaze meeting the other person's deep eyes. She heard him say, "I like you."

His voice was slightly dry.

"Can you give me a chance to pursue you?"

Meng Zhiling rested his hands on the steering wheel, his palms slightly sweaty, his eyes fixed on Jiang Huali, not daring to miss a single change in her expression.

From the time they met until now, their relationship seems to remain at a very superficial level of friendship.

Jiang Huali wouldn't tell him if she was bullied on set. Every time he asked how she was doing, she would always say "I'm fine" or "I'm okay." She rarely shared her daily life with him...

Their relationship made no progress.

Meng Zhiling couldn't wait any longer.

This torment is like a fire, threatening to burn him dry.

He looked at Jiang Huali, and couldn't help but think—

Will she agree?

Will I still dislike him? Will I stay away from him forever?