Chapter 137: Promise to stay together until old age, no getting off midway
Yanmao District, inside the temporary "Arts Hall" of Fuxing Entertainment Dream Factory.
Stringed instruments and passionate recitations interweave, and the air is filled with the scent of cosmetics, sweat and dreams.
Nangong Yue was dressed in a neat brocade riding dress with her long hair tied up high. She was holding a newly published melodramatic storybook. Like the strictest yet most enthusiastic head coach, she scanned the prospective actors who were rehearsing a segment below with her sharp eyes.
Most of these boys and girls came from humble backgrounds or were lonely and displaced by war, but now they were given the possibility to change their destiny.
Nangong Yue's voice was clear and powerful, echoing in the somewhat empty hall:
"Stop! Your eyes! They're wrong!"
She pointed at a girl on the stage who played a vicious female supporting role.
"Liu Ying'er, you're now playing the role of that slutty maid who's willing to do anything to get ahead and sow discord! Your eyes need to be sinister and vicious!
Be jealous! Be full of resentment that makes you want to eat the heroine alive! I'm not asking you to play pitiful! Remember, no matter who you are, once you stand on this stage, you become the character!
The more the audience hates you, the better your acting is! That’s called success!
She then turned to a handsome young man who played the affectionate second male lead:
"And you, Lin Feng! Deep affection doesn't mean you have to be like a wooden man! What about the despair of losing a loved one? What about the forbearance of unrequited love? You have to look through your eyes and let the ladies in the audience break their hearts for you! Let them cry for you! Do you understand?"
"Yes! Your Highness!"
The boys and girls who were named immediately straightened their backs, their eyes becoming focused and even a little fanatical.
Nangong Yue’s brainwashing was extremely successful - the top of the pyramid described by her aunt Dongfang Yuning (fame, endorsements, financial freedom) was like a carrot hanging in front of her eyes, and investing in the role and making the audience hate/love to the extreme was the only step for them to climb.
No matter how disgusting the role is, as long as you can play it vividly, it’s a skill!
[Host, Princess Yue's PUA... no, motivational tactics are simply superb! A new generation of 'godmother of the entertainment industry' is rising!]
These little leeks… uh, they’re rising stars, their eyes are all green! (The system displays Nangong Yue’s “Gold Medal Mentor” halo, and the actors’ heads are crowned with “Strive” flames)]
——System 118 was broadcasting and complaining in real time in Dongfang Yuning’s (far away in Ulolan) mind.
At the same time, on the dusty construction sites in Yanmao District, there was another scene of bustling activity.
Financial director and infrastructure maniac Shen Xiaoyun is a tireless humanoid perpetual motion machine.
He was dressed in dark, convenient clothes, and looked dusty. There was a little dust on his handsome face, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle, keeping a close eye on the progress and quality of every project.
"Here! The foundation isn't deep enough! Rework!"
"The stone material is not graded correctly! Who is responsible for purchasing it? Check!"
"Recalculate the slope of the drainage ditch! The rainy season is coming, and we can't be careless!"
"Yijun! Lintian! Where's the progress report for the West District warehouse? I want to see it before dark!"
His voice was not loud, but it carried unquestionable majesty and urgency, like a whip lashing at everyone's nerves.
The fifth prince, Nangong Yijun, and the sixth prince, Nangong Lintian, had long since shed their dandy airs of the capital. They were tanned and wearing work clothes stained with mud. Like two industrious little bees (being driven away), they ran after Shen Xiaoyun, holding thick drawings and account books.
[Fifth brother... I think... my brother-in-law wants to split us into eight pieces...]
[Shut up! Run! West District report! My aunt said we'll be beheaded if the quality isn't up to par! Although I think my brother-in-law will twist our heads off first...]
The two men wailed in their hearts, but did not dare to stop.
Under the iron fist of the devil supervisor Shen Xiaoyun and the transformed efforts of the twin princes, the infrastructure of Yanmao District has sprung up at an astonishing speed and with excellent quality.
At this moment, Shen Xiaoyun was standing at the construction site of the Yueji Pavilion Yanmao District branch, personally inspecting the masonry workmanship of a load-bearing wall.
He frowned slightly, tapping his fingers on the cracks between the bricks as he spoke to the foreman. The sun was scorching, and sweat trickled down his angular jaw.
Suddenly, a burst of rapid horse hoofbeats approached from afar! The palace's steward, usually calm and composed, was now filled with panic, galloping towards them, raising a cloud of dust!
He almost rolled off his horse and rushed to Shen Xiaoyun, his voice changing tone:
"My Lord! It's bad! The princess... Her Royal Highness has fainted!!"
"What?!"
The calmness and concentration on Shen Xiaoyun's face shattered instantly! It was like being pierced by the sharpest ice spike in the heart! A cold fear instantly gripped his blood!
Yue Er fainted? !
His mind buzzed, and the project quality, project progress, West District report... everything disappeared in an instant!
All that was left before his eyes was the housekeeper’s frightened face and the four bloody words “Yu’er fainted”!
“Where?!”
Shen Xiaoyun's voice was terribly hoarse, and trembled in a way that he himself didn't even notice.
"In...in the house! The doctor has been called!"
Before the housekeeper could finish his words, he felt a dark shadow flash before his eyes! A strong wind blew past! Shen Xiaoyun's figure was like an arrow shot from a bowstring. In an instant, he jumped onto the horse of a nearby guard and squeezed the horse's belly hard!
"drive--!!!"
The horse neighed in pain and rushed out like a flash of black lightning, leaving behind the stunned steward and a group of workers looking at each other in bewilderment.
Almost at the same time, the other two figures also reacted! Nangong Yijun and Nangong Lintian looked at each other, and saw the fear and worry in each other's eyes. Eldest sister!
"Saddle the horses! Quick!"
The two men no longer cared about the report. They hurriedly grabbed the horses of the guards next to them and followed the black hurricane!
Three streams of smoke, like three mad dragons, were galloping along the road in Yanmao District, heading straight for the house where Nangong Yue was.
Everyone who saw this scene felt the anxiety and fear that almost tore through the air.
The atmosphere in the house was tense.
Nangong Yue had been placed on the bed in the bedroom, her face was pale and her eyes were closed.
An old doctor with white hair and beard had just withdrawn his hand from her wrist.
At this moment, the door was suddenly slammed open by a huge force!
Chen Xiaoyun rushed in like a hurricane filled with ice and fire!
His hair was slightly disheveled, his breathing was rapid, his dark suit was covered in dust, and his eyes, which were always calm and sharp, were now filled with terrifying bloodshot, fixed fixedly on the person on the bed.
"Yuer!"
His voice was hoarse as he rushed to the bedside, wanting to touch her but afraid of hurting her, his hand trembling slightly in the air.
The twin princes followed closely behind and rushed in, panting and looking anxious:
"Royal sister! Eldest sister!"
The old doctor was frightened by Shen Xiaoyun's terrifying aura and quickly stood up and saluted:
"My Lord..."
"How is she?!"
Shen Xiaoyun suddenly turned his head to look at the doctor, his eyes like a ferocious beast on the verge of death, frightening the old doctor so much that he shuddered.
"Your Highness, please calm down! Her Highness the Princess is fine!"
The old doctor quickly replied,
"Your Highness, this is... a happy pulse! You're pregnant! It's just that you've been overworked lately, and your mind and spirit have been a little exhausted. You fainted due to a lack of energy and blood! You just need to rest and take good care of the baby, and you'll be fine!"
“…”
Time froze at this moment.
All the expressions on Shen Xiaoyun's face—fear, rage, and anxiety—evaporated in an instant like the tide, leaving only a blank space.
He seemed not to understand what the doctor said, or as if he had been struck on the top of his head by a bolt of thunder from the sky. He froze in place, unable to move.
Pregnant?
Are you pregnant?
Yue Er... is pregnant with his child?!
This realization was like the hottest magma, instantly destroying all his rationality and cold outer shell!
An indescribable surge of ecstasy and excitement, unprecedented in his experience, washed over him like a tsunami! His heart pounded wildly in his chest, nearly bursting out!
"What...what did you say?"
His voice was dry and trembling with disbelief. He stared at the doctor and then turned sharply towards the bed.
To confirm what the doctor said, Nangong Yue on the bed fluttered her eyelashes a few times and slowly opened her eyes.
She saw Shen Xiaoyun, who looked like a stone sculpture beside the bed, and the turbulent emotions in his eyes. She was slightly stunned, and then revealed a weak smile:
"Xiaoyun...I'm fine..."
This sound was like breaking the spell!
Chen Xiaoyun took a sudden step forward and knelt on one knee beside the bed. His warm, calloused hand, with an almost pious cautiousness, tightly grasped Nangong Yue's slightly cold hand.
His strength was so strong that it seemed to melt her into his bones and blood, yet so gentle that he was afraid of breaking her.
"Yuer..."
His voice was hoarse, and his eyes instantly turned red, filled with ecstasy, fear, heartache and endless tenderness.
"You're awake! How are you feeling? Are you still feeling unwell? Hmm?"
Nangong Yue felt both soft and sad at his appearance. She gently held his hand back and said soothingly:
"I'm really fine, just a little tired. Don't worry."
"Yuer!"
Shen Xiaoyun placed her hand on his violently heaving chest, feeling the thunderous heartbeat there, his voice trembling with excitement, with an ecstasy that was almost choking.
"We have a child! Yue'er! I'm going to be a father! You...you are pregnant with our child! Thank you! Yue'er! Thank you!"
This iron-blooded director who was a powerful figure on the battlefield, a strategic planner in the business world, and strict in enforcing orders on the construction site was now as excited as a young boy. He could only repeat "We have a child" and "Thank you" over and over again. Hot tears slid down his dusty cheeks without warning and fell on the two people's clasped hands.
Nangong Yue watched him cry, and saw the undisguised love and ecstasy in his eyes that was almost overflowing. The last trace of discomfort caused by fainting in her heart disappeared, and was filled with great happiness and sweetness.
She raised her other hand, gently wiped away the tears and dust on his face, and said softly:
"Silly...what are you thanking me for...this is our child."
At the door, Nangong Yijun and Nangong Lintian watched this scene, and their hearts, which had been hanging high in the air, finally settled down, replaced by full of relief and emotion.
They looked at each other, quietly retreated in tacit understanding, and gently closed the door, leaving this world full of surprises and warmth to the couple who were about to become parents.
The eldest sister’s happiness is hard-earned, but so beautiful.
On the official road from the Ulolan tribe to the Yanmao District, Prince Yong's iconic luxurious carriage was driving smoothly.
Inside the carriage, Nangong Ye had just finished reading the secret letter sent by carrier pigeon, which was stamped with Chen Xiaoyun's private seal.
A rare gentle smile appeared on his usually stern face, and he handed the letter to Dongfang Yuning who was eating candied fruit next to him.
"Yuer is pregnant? That's great!"
Dongfang Yuning cheered as soon as he saw it, not even bothering to eat the candied fruit, his little face full of excitement and worry.
"Oh! She's been so busy lately! She must be exhausted! No, no! Husband, we have to suspend diplomacy and go back quickly! I have to go help Yue'er! I can't let her worry about DreamWorks Entertainment anymore! And Yueji Pavilion..."
The more she spoke, the more anxious she became, wishing she could fly back to Yanmao District immediately.
Nangong Ye looked at her anxious little face, stretched out his hand to hold her in his arms, and said softly:
"It's natural for me to go back. Yue'er needs to rest, and you shouldn't overwork yourself either."
He raised his hand and gently brushed away a strand of naughty hair on her cheek, his eyes deep and serious.
"Ning'er, I won't stop you from pursuing your dreams and building your business empire. That's where your brilliance lies. But, my only request is also my most important request."
He held her little face in his hands, looked into the depths of her clear eyes, and spoke every word with great solemnity.
"You can't overexert yourself. You are the one who will accompany me for the rest of my life. Your health and safety are a thousand times more important than all the gold and silver in the Yanmao District."
This sudden, straightforward and affectionate confession instantly filled Dongfang Yuning's heart with warmth and sweetness.
Her nose felt sore, her eyes slightly warm, and she threw herself into his arms, tightly wrapped around his strong waist, and buried her face in his chest. Her voice was muffled, with a strong sense of dependence and emotion:
"Husband~How come you are so nice..."
Nangong Ye folded his arms, rested his chin on the top of her head, and spoke in a low and gentle voice:
"Silly girl, because you are my Ning'er. My husband is only good to Ning'er."
Dongfang Yuning raised her head from his arms, her eyes sparkling as if filled with stars. She stretched out her slender white little finger and raised it in front of Nangong Ye, with childish seriousness and expectation:
"Then let's make a promise! We promise to stay together until we grow old, and never leave each other! No one is allowed to get off the bus halfway!"
"Get off midway?"
Nangong Ye was amused by her novel metaphor, with an unwavering fondness in his eyes.
He stretched out his long, strong little finger and solemnly hooked it around her slender, soft little finger.
"Okay, pinky promise."
His deep voice was like the most solemn oath,
"We'll be together until we grow old, and we'll never leave each other. Ning'er, we can't get off halfway."
"stamp!"
Dongfang Yuning pressed his thumb hard with his thumb and smiled with curved eyebrows.
The agreement between the fingers seemed to carry a strange magic. The atmosphere in the carriage instantly became extremely warm and charming.
Nangong Ye looked at the bright smile of the person in his arms, felt her soft body leaning against him, and his own figure was reflected in her clear eyes...an irrepressible love and desire surged up in him.
He lowered his head, and his warm lips gently touched her smooth forehead, like a feather brushing past.
Next, it was the upturned tip of the nose... and finally, the delicate and seductive red lips were accurately captured.
This kiss was gentle and cherished at first, as if fulfilling the promise of "staying together until old age", with endless pity and love.
But soon, in the intimacy of lips touching and breath blending, tenderness was gradually replaced by deeper passion.
He rolled and rubbed against her, absorbing her sweetness, and his arms unconsciously tightened.
Dongfang Yuning felt weak all over from his kiss, and her consciousness seemed to be floating in the warm clouds. She could only respond instinctively and hugged his neck tightly.
The temperature inside the carriage climbed steadily, the air growing thin and ambiguous. Tiny sobs and suppressed gasps intertwined, and the rustle of fabric rubbing against each other was particularly clear in the silent carriage.
Nangong Ye's kiss became deeper and hotter, his big hands lingered uncontrollably on her slender back, igniting clusters of flames that could not be extinguished.
He could clearly feel the softness and warmth of the body of the person in his arms, and the fragrant breath lingered at his nose, like the strongest aphrodisiac.
[No… Not here…]
The remaining trace of sanity is frantically sounding the alarm!
His Ning'er was so beautiful, blooming so defenselessly in his arms, he wished he could tear her apart and eat her up immediately, pouring all his love and desire into her.
But! This was a carriage! Although luxurious and soundproof, it was still a road trip! He would never allow any of Ning'er's beauty to be revealed to the outside world! He was even more reluctant to let her endure his demands in the bumpy ride.
brake!
Must brake!
Nangong Ye took a deep breath, as if he had used up all his strength, to force himself out of the sweet indulgence.
He ended the deep kiss that was almost out of control, and rested his forehead against Dongfang Yuning's. Both of them were breathing heavily, their breaths blending hotly.
He closed his eyes, and even fine beads of sweat seeped out of his forehead. His Adam's apple rolled violently a few times, as if he was trying his best to calm the churning lava in his body.
But his arms were still like the strongest chains, locking her tightly and airtightly in his hot embrace.
Dongfang Yuning lay on his violently heaving chest, her face flushed and her eyes blurred, still immersed in the afterglow of the passion that almost drowned her.
She could clearly feel the tension and depression in his body, the beating heartbeat like a drum, and the pain and cherishment that he forcibly restrained for her.
She didn't say anything, but just snuggled up to him more tightly, patting his back soothingly with her small hands.
The carriage was still moving steadily on the way home. The only sounds left in the carriage were the intertwined and uncalmed breathing of the two people, and the deep affection and commitment that was silent but more audible than words.
Stay together until old age, never leave or abandon.
This wasn't just a promise made in the name of a couple; it was an instinct woven into their very bones. For the sake of this long life, the restraint and protection they endured at this moment was a love deeper than any passionate possession.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com