Chapter Twenty-Five
These past few days, Su Xian has continued to leave early in the morning and return to her apartment late at night. The only difference is that no matter how late she lies down in bed, she will be embraced by Lin Zhiyuan, who is half asleep and half awake, and she will sleep soundly in his arms.
In order to see her, Lin Zhiyuan would accompany her to eat in the RV every day, sometimes at noon, sometimes at night, just to spend more time with her.
On the day Lin Zhiyuan left, Su Xian was filming scenes from the early part of the story. After Xue completed the assassination mission assigned by the organization in the capital, she returned to the mansion where she grew up. Her former home had long since changed hands. Standing at the door, Xue saw that the plaque had been replaced with the Qin family name. She felt sad and thought that her heart, which she thought had been tempered into indifference in the organization, was vulnerable in this moment.
Under the cover of night, Xue scaled the wall and slipped inside, carefully surveying the familiar yet unfamiliar courtyard. Following her memory, she found the plum tree in the backyard. Dressed in night clothes, Xue stood beneath the plum tree and hugged its trunk. Ten years had passed, and the plum tree had grown very thick and strong, completely different from when she hugged it as a child.
She looked up and saw that the plum tree had blossomed. When she was a child, she had tried to steal the first fruit when it bore fruit, but she and Mo Ling fell down together. Thinking of this, Xue laughed.
She lowered her head, then suddenly remembered something. She bent down, touching the tree with her hand as she carefully examined it by the moonlight. Suddenly, she squatted down, her fingers tracing the few scratches that were no longer so noticeable—the knife marks her mother had left when she was a child, measuring her height.
Thinking of her mother, Xue gazed longingly at the marks on the tree, a tear sliding down her cheek as she smiled. Though a smile played on her lips, it couldn't conceal the pain in her eyes. She raised her head and closed her eyes.
Moonlight filtered through the shadows of the trees, illuminating her face and the tear tracks on it. Her forehead pressed against the tree, her smile deepened, as if recalling cherished memories. But the liveliness of the past was long gone, leaving only her and the tree, a stark contrast that only amplified her loneliness.
"Cut." Director Xu's voice came through. "Very good, let's shoot a long shot."
Su Xian wiped away her tears and stood up. She saw Lin Zhiyuan outside the set. Everyone in the crew knew about Su Xian's relationship with him. Qingqing said they were also curious about Lin Zhiyuan's identity in private. However, since Su Xian was willing to let him come to the set, she wasn't afraid of such discussions.
Su Xuan jogged over and asked, "Have you been here long?"
Lin Zhiyuan shook his head, "I want to see when you're free to have dinner with me."
Su Xian glanced back at the scene, where staff were adjusting camera positions. "Go back to the RV and wait for me. I'll be right there."
Lin Zhiyuan stood still. She often couldn't eat on time while filming, and he had mentioned it to her a few days ago, telling her to pay attention to her diet.
Su Xian knew what he was thinking, but was afraid of delaying the filming, so she reached out and tugged at his clothes, pouting and saying softly, "Really, right away. Look, I just did it in one take."
Lin Zhiyuan glanced at her helplessly and had no choice but to leave.
Fortunately, as Su Xian had expected, the scene was filmed quickly. Su Xian prepared to watch the playback, then hurried back to the car to eat, so that she could come back and continue filming her scenes with Liu Zichun.
As Su Xian approached the monitor, she noticed someone standing next to Director Xu; the figure looked familiar from behind. Su Xian called out to Director Xu, and the person turned around—it was Lu Ran, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. She smiled at him as a greeting, and then watched the playback with Director Xu.
The camera lingers on a close-up of her face; she is smiling, but her eyes are filled with loneliness.
"Excellent, the emotions are spot on," Director Xu praised.
"Thank you, director."
"Go take a break, we'll continue this afternoon."
Su Xian nodded to the two of them, turned around and walked towards the RV. Remembering that Lin Zhiyuan was waiting for her, she quickened her pace.
Inside the RV, Lin Zhiyuan was rinsing several pairs of chopsticks and spoons under the tap. Su Xian walked over, took the tableware from his hands, dried it, and sat down with him at the dining table.
Today's dishes look very refreshing: steamed egg custard topped with minced meat, cold tomato salad, asparagus and beef cubes, vegetable salad, and even the white rice has been replaced with mixed grain rice, plus mung bean soup, completely different from the greasy dishes we usually have.
Su Xian asked, puzzled, "Why are the dishes different today?"
Qingqing set out the bowls and chopsticks and sat down, her gaze drifting towards Lin Zhiyuan. Su Xian turned to look at her.
"I noticed you haven't had much of an appetite these past few days, so I had Zheng Yu arrange for a chef to prepare nutritious meals and send them over. From now on, have him prepare your meals while you're at the film studio." Lin Zhiyuan placed a large chopstick of vegetables on her plate. "It's your habit, so eat the vegetables first."
Su Xian bit her chopsticks, staring at him intently.
Lin Zhiyuan smiled and leaned closer to her, "Why are you looking at me? Did you just realize I'm pretty?" He reached out and gently pulled Su Xian's chopsticks away.
Su Xian's face flushed red. She caught a glimpse of Qingqing quickly picking up some food, grabbing her bowl, rushing into the room, and closing the door.
"Thank you," Su Xuan said softly.
"I'm your boyfriend, why are you being so polite?" Lin Zhiyuan leaned even closer. "Also, if you want to thank me, there are other ways."
Lin Zhiyuan held her lips in his mouth, savoring them gently and carefully. Thinking that he had abstained from sex for several days because of her period, she obediently let him conquer her. Before long, she was kissed until her body went weak and she almost forgot where she was.
Lin Zhiyuan kissed her for a long time before letting go. Su Xian leaned on his shoulder, calming her rapid breathing caused by the kiss.
"When will filming wrap up?" Lin Zhiyuan asked.
"Soon, early next month."
"How about we go on vacation?"
I haven't taken on any new roles since filming wrapped, so I'll probably only have commercial activities, which should free up some time. Filming "Snow Abyss" was so demanding, I really need to rest.
"Okay, where to go?" She picked up her chopsticks and bowl and ate the vegetables that Lin Zhiyuan had just put on her plate.
Is there anywhere you'd like to go?
"Hmm... the beach, I guess," Su Xuan replied after thinking for a moment.
"Then I'll make the arrangements." Lin Zhiyuan said with a smile. "Let's eat first, we still need to hurry back to the film set."
That's because he was bothering her earlier, but never mind, she was being very cooperative.
Su Xian focused on eating, but the corners of her mouth remained upturned, unable to be suppressed.
The afternoon's filming took place in another scene at the Qin residence. Xue took advantage of the Qin family's birthday celebration to sneak in for the second time, hoping to find evidence of her father's letters from years ago that might be hidden in the secret passage. However, as soon as she entered the Qin residence, she saw a person standing under the plum tree.
Xue, hiding in a corner, saw a young master Qin stop and asked him, "Lord Mo, is there something you're wondering about?"
Lord Mo smiled slightly, "I'm just curious about how the plums on this tree taste."
"My brother and I picked them once, and they were very sour, probably because we didn't take care of them at home."
Seeing that Lord Mo remained silent, Young Master Qin pondered for a moment and then said, "If you are curious, I can pick some and send them to the Mo residence when they are ripe this year."
Lord Mo cupped his hands in greeting, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Zhiyi."
After Lord Mo had walked away, the servant following behind Qin Zhiyi asked in a low voice, "Young Master, are we really going to send Lord Mo some plums?"
"I've heard rumors that the Ministry of Personnel will promote Mo Ling to Vice Minister of Justice this time. He's so young and promising, I'd give him anything, even his house, if he'd accept it. What's a few plums compared to that?" Qin Zhiyi left with his servants, leaving Xue alone in the corner.
It was Mo Ling, her childhood betrothal partner. He was about to become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Xue's eyes flashed with sharpness, but upon closer inspection, they revealed sadness.
"Card."
Su Xian blinked and lowered her head.
"Okay, Su Xian can rest first, Zi Chun, you guys film another take."
Su Xian went outside and found a long corridor to sit down. A shadow fell on the script. Su Xian looked up and saw that it was Lu Ran.
She put down the script in her hand and called out, "Teacher Lu."
Although they broke up many years ago, Su Xian is still grateful for his advice. As for other unpleasant things, they are all in the past, and they can chat a few words amicably even if they meet.
“I was filming ‘Return to the North’ nearby, and when I learned that Director Xu was filming here, I came over to take a look.”
Su Xian nodded.
"Congratulations on getting the role in 'Snow Abyss'. I just watched your performance and it was quite good. You should have no problem getting a Golden Deer Award nomination."
The Golden Deer Award? So many people are drawn by the names of Shuying and Director Xu, hoping to win the award, and Su Xian certainly wants it too.
"Thank you." Su Xian smiled politely, and then there was silence between them.
"However, I'm worried..."
Lu Ran stopped speaking before he could finish. Su Xian still had a faint smile on her face, but the smile in her eyes was undisguised as she looked in the direction behind Lu Ran.
Lin Zhiyuan walked towards Su Xian with one hand in his pocket. He was wearing an ordinary black T-shirt and light gray casual pants, but that was just an ordinary look.
Every time Su Xian leaned against him, she could feel the softness and smoothness of his clothes, and smell his fresh scent. Perhaps he made himself appear more low-key for her sake.
Su Xian smiled and took the hand Lin Zhiyuan offered. He nodded slightly to Lu Ran and then led her away.
"Why did you come all of a sudden?" Su Xian looked at Lin Zhiyuan.
"I'm leaving, so I came to tell you."
Although she knew Lin Zhiyuan was leaving today, Su Xian still felt a little reluctant to part ways when the moment actually arrived. In fact, during the few days he was here, she had been leaving early and returning late every day, and hadn't spent much time with him.
"What? You can't bear to part with me?" Lin Zhiyuan asked with a smile.
She was reluctant, but Su Xian didn't want to admit it. She lowered her eyes and kicked her feet in cloth boots on the grass.
"Actually, you look quite good in men's clothing too."
The topic changed so quickly that Su Xian exclaimed "Ah!" and looked up, only to meet Lin Zhiyuan's bright and piercing eyes.
"Did you look better today, or in women's clothes a few days ago?" she asked deliberately.
"They both look good." Lin Zhiyuan leaned down and whispered in her ear, "They look even better when you're not wearing them."
Su Xian's face turned as if it were on fire. She wanted to reach out and punch him, but because there were many staff members around, she could only mutter "you're so frivolous" under her breath and walk away on her own.
Lin Zhiyuan chased after her for a few steps, catching up with her only when they were almost at the scene.
"Alright, go ahead and get busy." Lin Zhiyuan's eyes were full of smiles.
Su Xian hummed in agreement but did not leave.
"What? You want to give me a farewell kiss in front of everyone?"
Su Xian snorted lightly, "That's not true."
"Remember to eat on time."
Su Xian nodded absentmindedly.
"Remember to answer my calls. Even though we're both busy, I still hope we can chat for a little while every day, okay?"
Su Xian nodded and looked up at him.
"I'll let you know once I've set the vacation dates."
Su Xian stared at him intently and nodded again.
A smile bloomed on Lin Zhiyuan's lips. He raised his hand and patted the top of her head. "All you can do is nod again? Go on."
Su Xian subconsciously wanted to nod, but immediately stopped, and couldn't help but laugh. She waved, turned around reluctantly, walked a distance and then turned back. Lin Zhiyuan was still standing there, just like the farewell in France.
No matter how far she went, Lin Zhiyuan was always waiting for her, waiting for her to leave first, waiting for her to hang up the phone first, waiting for her to miss him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
