Chapter 27

At night, the city is brightly lit.

Shen Li drove to the hot pot restaurant they had arranged to meet. When she arrived, Li Nan was already waiting for her in a private room. Thick smoke billowed from the pot, and the aroma of red oil filled the air.

"Sorry, I was stuck in traffic for a while." Sitting down opposite him, Shen Li took off her mask and scarf and put them aside.

“Just in time for the food to be served,” Li Nan said, placing a plate of beef down his throat and looking up at her. “This down jacket looks nice.”

"Hmph," Shen Li poured the potatoes from her left into the pot, her eyes darting around, "This time it's not ugly clothes anymore?"

Li Nan understood that she was teasing him, so he remained silent and continued serving the dishes.

Seeing that the food in the pot was almost ready, Shen Li stopped cooking and got straight to the point: "The female lead in your movie is a professional dancer. Let me tell you, my dance background is only so-so. If I were to act in it, I would need to train for at least three months, or even half a year, in advance?"

To be honest, she wasn't sure.

"It won't take that long. The film mainly shows the amputation process and the dancers with intact bodies dancing as a flashback. As long as the limbs are coordinated, there will be no problem."

“That’s true,” Shen Li said, still a little worried. “When do you plan to start filming? After I finish this project, I’ll do some commercials and take a break after the New Year. I estimate I won’t be able to start my next project until April or May next year.”

Li Nan: "Filming will begin in May."

Shen Li was taken aback: "My business schedule is already until March, and I only have two months to train? You can at least give me three months!"

"Two months should be enough. If it really doesn't work, I'll ask my mom to teach you." Li Nan put some food into her bowl.

"That's more like it." Hearing this, Shen Li felt more confident. Li Nan's mother, Xu Yunru, was a national-level dancer; with her personal instruction, it shouldn't be a problem.

"The food is ready, eat quickly." Seeing that she was still deep in thought, Li Nan said, "Don't listen to my team talking about the Berlin Award or anything like that. That time, I was just lucky to have the advantage of a niche subject. The competition wasn't that big that year, so I won the award by chance."

"So take it easy about winning awards. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Actually, I made this movie mainly to fulfill a dream."

"What dream?" Shen Li asked, taking a bite of potato.

Li Nan put down his chopsticks, his eyes becoming serious: "I just want you to have the dream of being the female lead in my directorial work. I want to capture your vividness through the camera, so that my directing career will have at least one film that is entirely a story performed by you."

Shen Li was shocked by these words and choked, coughing. She picked up her glass and drank the water in it, saying, "We've known each other for so many years. Is it so difficult for you to make me the female lead? You call that a dream?"

Li Nan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and handed her a piece of paper: "When I'm really with you, I can't be sentimental at all."

After the meal, Shen Li paid the bill, gathered her belongings, put on a mask, and tied on a scarf.

The scarf shone a bright, warm yellow under the light, making her skin appear even whiter. Li Nan casually complimented, "A new scarf? It's quite pretty."

"Isn't it beautiful?" Shen Li looked up, her tone filled with pride. "Ming Xiu wove it. He's really good at these kinds of handicrafts."

"Oh?" Li Nan narrowed his eyes, his lips moving slightly. "He's everywhere."

"What did you say?" Shen Li didn't hear clearly.

“No,” Li Nan tapped the table twice with his fingertips, stood up, and said in a nonchalant tone, “Let’s go.”

When they arrived, there were only a few customers inside. By the time they left, the restaurant was packed with customers. Even as they hurried out, they couldn't resist the enthusiasm of the other patrons, who were all taking photos with their phones.

When they drove back to the hotel, Shen Li got out of the car and saw that Li Nan hadn't opened the trunk.

She asked, "Where's your luggage?"

Li Nan: "I had my assistant check in first and bring my luggage back."

"Oh." Shen Li nodded, and the two walked side by side in the empty underground parking lot, where the sound of her high heels on the ground was particularly clear.

The atmosphere was somewhat quiet. Shen Li opened her phone and took a look.

Sure enough, their names became trending topics. Not only that, but the words "relationship" were also added afterward.

She laughed as she read the fabricated claims made up by the marketing accounts: "I'm really impressed. I've only been divorced for a short time, there's no 'no gap' period, right?"

Li Nan, standing beside him, said, "I quite miss it; it's been a long time since I've seen any rumors about us."

Shen Li glared at him.

Li Nan chuckled and looked at her: "Seriously, Shen Li, don't you have any thoughts about dating again?"

"What, are you going to introduce me to someone?"

"Who should I introduce you to? I'm single myself, do you think I'm suitable?"

"Stop messing around." Shen Li patted him with a smile, as if he were joking.

Li Nan stopped when his hand was grabbed. In the dim light of the parking lot, Shen Li couldn't see his expression clearly.

"Is there anything else you want to say?" she asked.

"Chen Li, I'm not joking." Li Nan grabbed her hand and pulled her back quickly until he got her into his car.

Shen Li was still in shock and hadn't recovered when Li Nan let go of her hand and said, "I'm sorry, there are too many people around outside. I just wanted some space to talk to you about what's on my mind."

"I originally wanted to tell you after filming wrapped up, but now I'm afraid if I hesitate any longer, someone else will snatch you away."

"What?" Shen Li looked at him. The emotions surging in Li Nan's eyes at this moment were something she had never seen before. Her heart tightened, afraid of what he was about to say.

“I like you, Shen Li. I started liking you four years ago. The thing I regret most is that when you asked me if I had feelings for you, I didn’t confirm my own feelings and rushed to deny it.”

"Wait, Li Nan." Shen Li tried to interrupt him, but he stopped her.

He continued, "I like you even more than I thought. It hasn't changed all these years. After you got married, I thought we could only be friends for the rest of our lives. But it wasn't until you got divorced this year that I felt hopeful again."

“I often think that if I hadn’t pushed you away back then, would you still be with Fang Wei?”

“Li Nan, there might be some misunderstanding between us,” Shen Li said after gathering her thoughts. “I have always admired you, but it’s not love. I asked you if you had feelings for me because I did feel that you treated me differently at that time, and I wanted to confirm it. If I did, I wouldn’t have argued with you about being a couple and hurt your feelings.”

“It wasn’t you who pushed me toward Fang Wei. It was me who met him and fell for him. I want to say…” Shen Li turned to the side and looked at him seriously, “Even if I hadn’t met anyone else back then, I would only have considered you my friend. Over the years, you have been my second friend besides Cheng Qingqing. I cherish this relationship very much.”

Li Nan choked up, staring intently at her for a long time before suddenly leaning closer.

As the man's presence drew near, Shen Li turned her face away, feeling the scarf around her neck being pulled away.

"What are you doing?" Shen Li asked, puzzled.

"I'm so sad, you rejected me so quickly," Li Nan picked up the scarf and looked at it. "So, do you have someone you're interested in now? Who is it? The person who knitted this scarf, Luo Mingxiu?"

Shen Li's eyes twitched in alarm: "What did you say? He's my brother. How could I possibly be attracted to him?"

“Brother,” Li Nan chuckled, “we’re not related by blood, but we grew up together. You could say we’re childhood sweethearts.”

Li Nan handed the scarf back to her: "Since you don't have anyone you're interested in, why are you in such a hurry to reject me? Give me a chance."

"Not all love is love at first sight, but friendship can also develop over time."

Shen Li couldn't believe he was being so persistent: "Don't waste your time on me. I'm not interested in dating right now."

“I can wait,” Li Nan said. “I’ve waited for four years already, so what’s a few more days? Shen Li, you don’t need to feel burdened. This is my choice willingly. In this life, I only love you. If I don’t fight for it, I won’t be at peace.”

“You…” Shen Li was speechless.

That night, Shen Li slept very restlessly.

Her mind kept replaying Li Nan's words: why was he so persistent, and how should she treat him in the future?

Li Nan said he originally planned to confess after filming wrapped, but he did it earlier. Also, he took off his scarf in the car and suddenly mentioned Luo Mingxiu, asking those strange questions. Could it be that their long-standing animosity is also because of her? Does Luo Mingxiu also like her?

Thinking about it carefully, ever since Luo Mingxiu returned to her side, he has shown her all sorts of affectionate gestures.

She always saw herself as the older sister and subconsciously ignored those details, but when she put herself and him in the position of a romantic relationship, was he really still the same as when they were children?

And is his feeling for himself love or dependence?

According to my parents and Aunt Luo, he hasn't dated since his first love failed. He doesn't get close to other girls, and even when he entered the entertainment industry and worked with his co-stars, he always maintained a cold and distant attitude.

From the past to the present, apart from his first love, she is probably the only person he is close to.

He hasn't had much contact with girls his age, and she's older than him, which gives him a strong sense of security. He might mistake this sense of security and his long-term dependence on her for liking her, so he's unsure what kind of feelings he has for her.

Perhaps even he himself wasn't sure.

Shen Li didn't know when she fell asleep, or perhaps she hadn't slept at all. She just woke up when the alarm rang, and as if programmed, she got up and tidied everything.

Then he sat on the sofa, in a daze.

A knock sounded at the door. Xiaoyu came in carrying breakfast and saw Shen Li sitting upright on the sofa without turning on the light.

Xiaoyu asked in a puzzled tone, turned on the light, and walked over to place Zao Chen on the table: "Sister Li, are you all ready? Why are you so quick today?"

Shen Li didn't say anything. Xiao Yu noticed the dark circles under her eyes and her heavy gaze, sensing that she wasn't in good condition. She asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? I can ask the director for leave."

Hearing this, Shen Li snapped out of her daze and focused on the breakfast on the table. She opened the bag, ate quietly, and then said, "It's nothing."

The morning scenes were with Yuan Haoxuan. Shen Li tried her best to put aside the troublesome things and kept her nerves on edge, barely managing to finish filming the morning scenes.

She rubbed her temples and dragged her slightly tired steps toward the RV.

The afternoon was a group scene, and Li Nan and Luo Mingxiu were both present.

She really didn't know how to face them. As she walked, she stared at the script in her hand, recalling the beautiful scenes between the male and female leads in the play, wishing that matters of the heart were as simple as acting.

Although she had been married before, her husband was her first love, so she didn't have much experience in relationships. She had never been good at handling emotional matters, and it was the same when she was with Fang Wei. When faced with situations she couldn't handle, she would only run away and try to process them on her own.

Li Nan casually said there was no need to feel burdened, but did she really feel no burden at all? She had many suitors since childhood.

But those were all strangers, and she could refuse them without any burden, because they weren't close to her, and if she refused, they wouldn't do anything, let alone persist.

But Li Nan and Luo Mingxiu are different. They have spent too much time with her and are close to her. She can't escape them by saying a few harsh words of refusal.

Sigh, the more I think about it, the more my head aches. Shen Li has no energy to walk and feels like she wants to just collapse by the roadside.

She got into the RV, casually took the nutritious meal Xiaoyu had prepared, ate a couple of bites, then took out the potato chips she had prepared in the RV, tore them open with a slicing sound and put them in her mouth.

Xiaoyu, who was standing to the side, was a little frightened. This situation was even more serious than when she was hurt by the scumbag before. She tapped her phone, preparing to send a message to Sister Qingqing.

Shen Li raised her hand to stop her: "The company is very busy at the end of the year, and she has a lot of worries. Don't tell her."

Xiaoyu nodded, watching Shenli stuff snacks into her mouth with a pained expression, and said with concern, "Eat slowly."

She handed her some water, then picked up another bag of potato chips from the table, tore open the packaging, and said, "Eat up, Sister Pear. I'll eat with you. Let's vent all our bad feelings."

A faint smile finally appeared on Shen Li's face: "Thank you."

A moment later, Shen Li lay down on the chair. Xiao Yu got up to tidy up the trash. Seeing the director walking this way, she reached out and gently patted Shen Li, reminding her, "Director Liu is coming."

Shen Li sat up and saw Director Liu standing at the car door.

"What is it, Director Liu? Come in and have a seat," Shen Li said.

Director Liu smiled and said, "I'll just say a few words and then leave. Ms. Shen, do you seem to be feeling unwell today?"

Shen Li: "Why do you say that? Is there a problem with some part of my acting?"

Director Liu: "No, how should I put it? I've never seen you like this before, since the start of filming."

This morning's scenes were filmed well, but you usually come to check on the monitor, but you didn't do so even once today. Even Yuan Haoxuan, who acted with you, could tell you weren't in good shape.

Knowing that she couldn't get away with being vague, Shen Li lowered her head and apologized: "I'm sorry, Director. I didn't sleep well last night, and my head has been hurting all morning."

"Oh, okay? Then go back to the hotel and rest. You don't need to come this afternoon. I'll talk to them and then adjust the other scenes," Director Liu said. "You're the core of this film. You can't force yourself to act even when you're not feeling well; the performance won't be good, right?"

Shen Li: "Then I'll take a half-day break. Thank you, director. I'll get back to normal as soon as possible."

Director Liu: "Hey, that's good. You can make up for it quickly with your speed. It's nothing serious. Get some rest. I'm leaving."

After watching the director leave, Shen Li said to Xiao Yu, "Let's go back to the hotel."

Shen Li got out of the RV, preparing to go to the parking lot with her to get a van. On the way, they were spotted by Luo Mingxiu, who had just finished filming. He ran up from behind and caught up with her.

Seeing that Shen Li was walking faster and faster, as if she hadn't seen him, he stepped forward and grabbed her arm: "Where are you going? Why are you going this way?"

Shen Li glanced at his hand, shook it off, and continued walking forward without saying a word.

Luo Mingxiu stepped forward again and took her hand: "What's wrong?"

"Let go." Shen Li's tone was cold. She raised her voice as she turned around and reiterated, "I'm telling you to let go."

Luo Mingxiu sensed her heightened tone and inexplicable anger, and silently let go.

Xiaoyu explained, "Sister Li has a headache and took the afternoon off to go back to the hotel to rest." After saying that, she followed her, and the two figures gradually disappeared into the distance.

Luo Mingxiu kept watching Shen Li's back until it disappeared from sight before turning around and seeing Li Nan walking towards him.

He frowned, instinctively sensing something had happened at yesterday's meal.

He blocked Li Nan's path and coldly questioned him, "What did you do to Shen Li?"

"Get out," Li Nan said, also in a bad mood. "Our business is none of your concern."

Luo Mingxiu suppressed his anger and said, "She has a headache and has asked for leave this afternoon to avoid filming."

Upon hearing this, he clearly saw Li Nan's eyes lower, as if he had unspeakable emotions, but when he looked up, he said, "Oh, I'm going back anyway, I'll go see her."

Luo Mingxiu, unable to bear it any longer, grabbed his clothes: "Don't play dumb. She came back like this after having dinner with you. What exactly did you do to her?"

Li Nan pushed him away, saying, "This is my privacy, and you have no right to ask." He then ignored Li Nan's words and continued walking forward. His assistant, who was following behind him, glanced at him and quickly followed.

Luo Mingxiu took a few steps back, his feet were a little unsteady, and he was supported by Xiaowen.

Privacy? What does that mean? What did he say? Did he tell her? Did he confess to Shen Li, or did he tell her about his affairs, or both…?

Considering Shen Li's evasive attitude towards him just now, Luo Mingxiu's heart sank. Could it be true that Li Nan also revealed his thoughts about Shen Li?

How will Shen Li view him now that she knows his thoughts?

A huge sense of panic spread from the bottom of his heart. What should he do? Shen Li doesn't like him. Will he have to keep avoiding him from now on?

He suddenly felt extremely regretful. He was wrong. He shouldn't have posted that message on his WeChat Moments. He shouldn't have provoked Li Nan like that.

Why did he do this? He laid out the whole truth, and before the filming was even finished, he put all the pressure on Shen Li.

Seeing that Li Nan hadn't gone far, Luo Mingxiu was consumed by rage. He rushed forward, grabbed Li Nan's shoulder, and without saying a word, threw him to the ground with an over-the-shoulder throw, then punched him.

Li Nan's face contorted in pain, his abdomen throbbing. He glared at Luo Mingxiu as he pushed himself up, grabbing Luo Mingxiu's fist that was about to strike. He then grabbed Luo Mingxiu's hands tightly and delivered an over-the-shoulder throw.

The two then got into a fight. Two assistants tried to separate them, but they broke free and couldn't be stopped.

Xiaowen yelled at another assistant, "Go and call the logistics guy from the crew!"

Passersby initially thought it was a film shoot and didn't stop. Later, several actors from the same production arrived, unaware of what was happening. Some stopped to watch, and a few went forward to mediate.

"Stop fighting!" Someone managed to separate them again, but they broke free once more. More and more people gathered around until someone called security personnel to stop them, and the fight finally ended.

In the bathroom of the hotel's luxury suite, Shen Li soaked in a bathtub filled with hot water, listening to instrumental music playing on her phone to relax.

Suddenly a phone call came in. She turned to the side, took a towel from the shelf to dry her hands, and pressed the speakerphone button.

Xiaoyu's anxious voice came through: "Sister Li is in trouble. Luo Mingxiu and Teacher Li got into a fight. It got a bit out of hand, but the security captain of the film studio persuaded them to stop. Some tourists saw it and posted it online, and it became a trending topic. Sister Qingqing also found out."

Xiaoyu spoke too fast, and just as she finished, Cheng Qingqing called. Shen Li propped herself up on the edge of the bathtub, feeling a headache coming on.

Well, all that music therapy I just did was for nothing.