Chapter 36

"With wealth and power comes confidence." Wen Zhenni was completely impressed by his demeanor and couldn't help but grumble, "Boss Ci, you're acting like a tyrant playing tricks on his lords."

Ciheng's Adam's apple rolled, and a laugh escaped her. With a casual flick of her fingertips, cigarette ash fell. "Is there a tyrant like me in this world who works so hard but still gets no thanks?"

He looked at her through the screen, his tone teasing, "The enchanting concubine at least knew how to win the emperor's smile, but you, on the other hand, don't show any sincerity at all."

Wen Zhenni slapped her calf against the bed. After hearing this, she raised her chin slightly and said arrogantly, "Even if I really show my sincerity, you have to stay at home."

The meaning is obvious, he is relying on the fact that he is not around and cannot do anything to her.

Ci Heng narrowed his eyes, staring intently across at her, unable to do anything. After a moment of silent confrontation, his tense jaw suddenly relaxed, a smile slowly spilling from his eyes.

The way he suddenly smiled was inexplicably gentle, even indulgent and helpless.

Wen Zhenni's heart skipped a beat, a bit overwhelmed by his gaze. She subconsciously lowered her eyelashes, avoiding his scorching gaze, and twisted her pillow with her fingertips. "I'm just chatting with you. Don't worry, I'm not a pushover. If it's mine, I'll fight for it to the bitter end."

She paused, then spoke again with a hint of stubborn persistence, "As for those despicable methods of maliciously snatching resources, I can't do it, and I look down on them."

Ciheng: "Innocent little girl."

He commented again.

Wen Zhenni didn't refute. She held her cheek with one hand, her long eyelashes fluttering. "But it will be fine in the future. I don't have to worry about resources anymore. I just need to concentrate on polishing myself, giving my all, and trying my best to interpret every work well."

After saying that, she sincerely thanked the man on the other side of the screen: "So thank you, husband, you are a good man."

"Stop it." Ciheng frowned, his tone full of disgust, "Stop giving me the nice guy card."

"Oh..." Wen Zhenni dragged out the last syllable, her eyes falling on the striking green shadow on his eyelids, and her heart couldn't help but soften, "Okay, I won't say anymore, you should go and get some rest."

Ciheng put out his cigarette, turned around and returned to the indoor corridor from the rooftop. He unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt and reminded her: "Your hair is wet, blow dry it before going to bed. If you get sick, you will suffer alone."

As expected, one cannot expect him to say anything good.

Wen Zhenni curled her lips, picked up a strand of hair from the side of her neck and twisted it. It felt cool, and the ends of her hair were actually a little damp.

She rolled out of bed and returned to the bathroom.

I came back a few minutes later and was surprised to find that the phone screen was still on and the video had not been hung up.

"Why didn't you hang up?" Wen Zhenni retrieved her phone and tossed her long, fluffy hair behind her shoulder. The man on the other end of the line was still staring at her.

"Look at you."

He sat back in a chair under the high window in the hallway, his shirt loosely open. He looked through the screen, examining her unabashedly. "Is this how you dress outside?"

"Of course I wear this in a hotel." Wen Zhenni was confused. "What's the problem?"

"Put on your clothes." Ciheng blurted out without any context. "Don't wear pajamas when there are outsiders around."

"What?" Wen Zhenni was confused and felt that this was weird.

She subconsciously followed his gaze and lowered her head, her eyes falling on the neckline of her nightgown. Perhaps she had moved too much when she was blow-drying her hair, and the neckline had burst open.

"Which way are you looking, rascal?"

Her cheeks suddenly felt hot, and Wen Zhenni hurriedly grabbed her collar, got into bed, and wrapped herself up like a silkworm cocoon, leaving only the furry top of her head exposed.

Someone on the screen couldn't help but laugh, obviously amused by her reaction.

The man couldn't help but laugh, and slowly put away his teasing thoughts, "Go to bed."

Wen Zhenni didn't even bother to finish her words. With a snap, she quickly cut off the call. Then, as if she had touched a hot potato, she tossed the phone far away onto the bedside table.

sleep!

The call ended, and the video screen froze for a few seconds before disappearing.

Only after the page was completely exited did Ciheng hold down the side button and turn off the screen.

"Hey, video chatting with Jenni?"

Jiang Zhuofan walked over slowly, sat down next to her, stretched out his arm and hooked it around Ciheng's neck.

The dim light in the corridor actually magnified the Slavic people's facial features. Their gray-blue eyes were like the frozen Lake Baikal, pure and clean.

He flipped open the cigarette box with one hand and handed it to Ciheng, "Would you like one?"

Ci Heng raised his hand to block it, "No."

Jiang Zhuofan didn't care. He shrugged and took out a cigarette, put it in the corner of his mouth, lit the lighter, and took a deep puff: "Going hiking this week?"

"Let's talk about it later. We may not have time."

He glanced at the bloodshot eyes of Jiang Zhuofan and wanted to laugh, "How long have you not rested? With your physique that would collapse at the slightest gust of wind, don't lose your breath and die on the way. I will have to carry you back."

"Alas, my insomnia is getting worse. There's nothing I can do." Jiang Zhuofan scratched his head, thinking that this wasn't a problem, and returned to the original topic, "Are you really not going?"

"No." Ciheng brushed off the non-existent dust on his trousers and stood up to leave.

Jiang Zhuofan: "Leaving now."

"Let's go." Ciheng took a few steps out and turned his head to remind him, "Don't forget to transfer the money you lost tonight."

Jiang Zhuofan was smoking a cigarette when he heard the words. His cigarette got stuck in his throat and he coughed until tears came out. "...Is it that serious? This little bit of money won't kill you."

Ci Heng didn't even turn around, and gave him a ruthless back. "I'm different from divorced people like you. I have a mother and a wife at home, and I have to work for two older people."

“…”

Jiang Zhuofan took a deep drag on his cigarette as he watched the figure disappear into the corridor. He pulled out his phone and, while cursing, resignedly opened WeChat to transfer the money.

**

Wen Zhenni stayed in Beicheng for only one day and hurriedly flew back to Tianhai the next morning. After landing, she went straight to the set and started the intense filming.

The afternoon's exterior shoot was a fishing scene, filmed at a lake near the set.

This scene is a group play, and nearly half of the main actors are present. The staff set up an awning and the actors waited under the awning.

The sun is at its hottest right now. Not only the people filming, but even those sitting under the awning are sweating profusely.

The leading actor was fine as he had a RV to rest in, but the staff and extras were miserable. Even handheld fans were useless.

Seeing that everyone was in a big fight, Qiu Sicheng asked his assistant to buy some drinks and ice cream to share.

During the intermission, Wen Zhenni sat by the water and ate ice cream. The breeze blew across the lake, making the atmosphere even cooler and more refreshing.

"Come to think of it, it was me who taught you how to fish."

Qiu Sicheng gazed at the lake and thought back to his childhood. "Back then, I'd take the kids out to play, and they were all so noisy, but you stuck by me like a tail, never leaving my side. I tried to teach you how to fish, but you couldn't sit still. You'd slip away in under two minutes, sneaking off to play with other people's dogs."

"You were only this tall back then." Qiu Sicheng gestured with his hands to indicate a height.

The scenes he described seemed to be right before his eyes, but in fact they happened a long time ago.

Wen Zhenni was reminded of his memories: "You were just saying it, it was you who suddenly showed up and scared me, causing me to fall and get covered in mud. Not only did you not comfort me, you even laughed so loudly beside me."

Qiu Sicheng was adjusting his fishing rod, preparing for the next fishing scene. Hearing this, he turned his head to look at Wen Zhenni and smiled gently, "That's nothing compared to some people. After all, I'm laughing at you openly, but some people are masters of yin and yang."

Wen Zhenni knew he was talking about Ciheng and snorted, "You two are equally matched."

"Compared to him, I am nothing."

Afraid that she wouldn't remember, Qiu Sicheng specifically reminded her, "That clay monkey photo he took of you with one hand in his pocket, if the photo isn't destroyed, it will be a dark history for the rest of your life."

Wen Zhenni didn't get angry after hearing this, but frankly admitted, "That's the way we came here, not a dark history."

"Hey, the two teachers seem very familiar with each other. Have they known each other for a long time?" The on-site publicity officer who had been recording the behind-the-scenes footage couldn't help but curiously peek in when he heard their conversation.

Qiu Sicheng was a third-generation rich man, and it was already an open secret in the industry. Wen Zhenni must have been quite someone special to know him.

Qiu Sicheng looked at Wen Zhenni, asking with his eyes whether he wanted to help her deal with it.

Wen Zhenni refused the help and directly admitted: "Teacher Qiu and I are childhood friends. He bullied me many times. You must write down every word and show it to his fans."

The selling points and the twists and turns were so vividly presented by the actors themselves. The resident publicity notebook was about to burst into flames, "I really can't tell that the gentle and gentleman Mr. Qiu also had a naughty side when he was a child."

Wen Zhenni smiled and said, "Let me show you the photos from that time."

She took out her cell phone and pulled out the photo of the clay monkey from her photo album.

The on-site publicity officer came closer to take a look, and the colleague holding the camera also quickly zoomed in.

The little girl, whose face was covered with mud, not only did not cry, but also made a "V" sign to the camera.

Qiu Sicheng said with a sigh, "Not only did you keep it, you also took it out and publicly executed it yourself."

Wen Zhenni: "Why can't I keep it? I think it's very cute."

With this mindset, you'll succeed in everything you do. The behind-the-scenes photographer gave a heartfelt thumbs-up, "Teacher Wen has a really great mindset."

"There's no point in crying. It's better to think positively."

After Wen Zhenni finished flipping through the photos, the props team had already brought over the prepared fish.

"Teachers, please get ready, your turn will be soon." The staff reminded.

The makeup artist quickly came over to touch up their makeup, and fix their hairstyles and costumes.

Orange unscrewed the water cup and gently brought the straw to Wen Zhenni's lips. "Sister, it's too hot. Let's drink some water."

The supporting actresses and extras have already entered the stage one after another.

Qiu Sicheng pulled Wen Zhenni and whispered, "You're not very good at swimming, don't stand near the water."

He also emphasized to the director: "Have the security guards keep a close eye on everyone and ensure their safety."

The next scene is primarily a conflict scene. The male and female protagonists, who haven't seen each other for years, unexpectedly reunite on a friend's camping trip. The third female protagonist, who has been pursuing the male protagonist, suddenly senses a threat and confronts the female protagonist. The female protagonist's best friend defends her, leading to an argument that ultimately devolves into a shoving incident.

The scenes have been planned in advance, and everyone knows exactly how to perform them.

However, an accident happened near the end of the filming.

Two of the extras, due to a personal grudge, actually came to blows. The situation instantly got out of control, and in the chaos, the third female lead was caught in the middle, receiving several blows. As she stumbled back, she twisted her foot and fell towards the lake.

Wen Zhenni, who was closest to her, reached out to pull her almost instinctively, but was dragged into the water by the huge inertia.

The abyss-like lake water swallowed up the two of them in an instant, and there was a moment of dead silence on the shore.

"Someone fell into the water! Save him!"

The security guards who reacted quickly rushed to the lake, and someone had already dived in.

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Author's note: [melted] It's so hot! Hope there's a list this week.