Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Xiao Chao continued, "But there just isn't one! I'm getting worried for Yang Ge."
Shen Qingyuan coughed lightly, "There's no rush. Perhaps it's just not meant to be. If we're not destined to meet, we won't meet even if we're face to face."
Shen Qingyuan felt that Xiao Chao's behavior was somewhat like that of a eunuch who was more worried than the emperor. It was quite unbelievable.
She doesn't have many friends, and she rarely pries into other people's private affairs. The only people she keeps in regular contact with are Song Ting and her former colleagues. However, sometimes she feels it's a waste of time to talk to Song Ting on the phone for more than half an hour.
Life is too trivial and often repetitive, and most of these fragments don't take up too much time.
“Right!” Xiao Chao slapped his thigh. “Sister Chen, that’s why we say you’re a high-IQ genius! But I have a feeling today, Sister, I’m only telling you this in secret.”
"What premonition?" Shen Qingyuan leaned towards Xiao Chao, her big, bright eyes wide open, listening intently.
“Ning Xin…” Xiao Chao lowered his voice, “She seems to have feelings for Yang Ge.”
Shen Qingyuan gave an "oh," sounding unsure. "Sending medicine, and this is all that's going on? It can't be that serious."
“No, no, the way she looks at Yang Ge is quite something.” Xiao Chao said confidently, winking. “Trust me, Sister Chen. My sixth sense is always right!” He then changed the subject, frowning. “However, Yang Ge is probably still struggling and deliberately keeping his distance! After all, he’s in his rising phase, and he’s afraid that rumors will spread and affect his career.”
Xiao Chao has already imagined a grand drama, complete with a beginning, development, climax, and resolution, well-developed characters, and prominent conflicts. He just doesn't know how it will end yet.
"If there were any feelings between them, something would have happened after filming for three or four months!" Xiao Chao clicked his tongue, then suddenly had an idea. "Sister Chen, do you think they'll be together in three months?"
"I don't know!"
"How about we make a bet? I think Yang has a very good chance of finding love this time! It's easy for a girl to pursue a boy!"
"So I can only bet that they're not a couple?"
Shen Qingyuan didn't really care; she felt it had nothing to do with her. But seeing how excited Xiao Chao was, she casually agreed.
"As for the bet... let's bet on a big meal. If I win, Sister Chen will treat me to a nice meal; if I lose, I'll treat you. How about that?" Xiao Chao blinked his swollen little eyes and said innocently.
“Okay, it’s a deal.” Shen Qingyuan’s eyes crinkled into a smile.
Xiao Chao is actually a pretty cheerful colleague. He's a bit of a goofball and naturally adorable, and his presence always creates a great atmosphere. Since we're all pretty free, it's nice to make a bet and add some entertainment.
After packing his things, Xiao Chao went to the photography studio and sat there.
With nothing much to do in the afternoon, Shen Qingyuan called a friend who studies traditional Chinese medicine. After the call, she also took a stroll around the photography studio.
From afar, Shen Qingyuan saw Ye Chuyang and Ning Xin, the male and female leads, dressed in beautiful ancient costumes, posing in front of the camera in several ways. Some were silently watching, some were gazing at each other affectionately, and some were turning their backs and shedding tears of sadness.
They were truly a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match.
The photographer felt the atmosphere wasn't quite there yet, so he came up with a new suggestion: the female lead loses her balance, the male lead bends down and pulls her into his arms, and the two gaze deeply into each other's eyes.
The photographer had the lighting do a trial run for the actors first, and after adjusting the poses for a while, the final pose was decided.
However, there is a problem: Ye Chuyang is already having some difficulty standing, so asking him to bend over and hug someone, supporting most of the female lead's weight, is simply Mission Impossible.
Once the idea was put forward, someone took charge of making arrangements to implement it.
They found a "little green man" to squat on the ground and support the female lead's waist with both hands. This way, Ye Chuyang could perform the action without much effort.
When filming began, the little green man lifted her up with all his might, his jaw clenched and his facial muscles tense.
After leaving the photography studio, Shen Qingyuan suddenly had a whimsical idea and took out her phone to post a message on her WeChat Moments: "All great poses require the silent burden of unsung heroes."
Shen Qingyuan's WeChat Moments hadn't been updated in over six months. I casually scrolled through it for a while, and it was mostly filled with industry news and random musings about everyday life.
Most people seem to be experiencing a mix of exhaustion, happiness, and pain.
-
Two days later, Song Ting's business trip to Hangzhou ended. She had originally planned to visit Hengdian, but things changed again.
“I followed that news story six months ago, but things have changed now. I need to hurry back and report on it. Honey, you know how it is, news doesn’t wait for anyone!”
Song Ting was in a rush, wanting to head home immediately. On the phone, Shen Qingyuan heard the sound of a train whistle arriving at the station.
Shen Qingyuan expressed her understanding and said she was not disappointed at all.
Song Ting added, "But I brought you something. I'll think of a way to send it to you."
Song Ting asked Shen Qingyuan to send her her current address.
Shen Qingyuan thought she would receive a package. That evening, the package that Song Ting had brought for her arrived.
However, it wasn't a deliveryman who brought it to our door.
-
When the phone rang, Shen Qingyuan was giving Ye Chuyang shockwave therapy.
Shen Qingyuan paused for a moment, glanced at her phone. It was an unfamiliar number, but the location was Chenyang.
It's rare for unfamiliar numbers from her hometown to call, so Shen Qingyuan hesitated for a moment before answering.
It was half an hour later when the physical therapy was over. Just then, Xiao Chao's takeout arrived, and he invited Shen Qingyuan to eat together.
Shen Qingyuan: "I'm not eating anymore. A friend is coming over, so I'm going out to meet them. You guys eat by yourselves."
"Who is it, Sister Chen?" Xiao Chao asked quickly. "It's so late, isn't it a bit unsafe?"
"It's nothing," Shen Qingyuan smiled and didn't say anything more. Then she opened the door and went out.
Ye Chuyang buttoned up his shirt and turned around.
His expression seemed slightly displeased.
Xiao Chao suddenly remembered something, "Brother Yang, didn't you say that you and Sister Shen had a high school classmate coming to Hengdian? Is that female classmate coming?"
Ye Chuyang remained silent.
It couldn't be Song Ting. If it were Song Ting, Shen Qingyuan's tone and demeanor when answering the phone wouldn't have been the same as before.
-
Xiao Chao laid out dinner.
Ye Chuyang was quite hungry by now, as she had a lot of work to do in the afternoon.
His dinner consisted of boiled vegetables and egg whites, along with some berries.
Ye Chuyang is about to join the film crew, but due to a back injury, she can't work out. In order to look good on camera, she decides to strictly control her diet.
After finishing the simple meal, they were still a little unsatisfied. Ye Chuyang suddenly wanted a cup of Americano, so she asked Xiao Chao to go buy it.
"Brother Yang, don't you not drink coffee at night?" Xiao Chao asked, a little puzzled.
Ye Chuyang does indeed have an unwritten habit: he doesn't drink any liquids after 8 PM, especially tea and coffee. This is partly to ensure he gets enough sleep, and partly to avoid water retention. It's been a habit for many years.
Ye Chuyang said, "If you want to drink it, just ask the staff to change to decaffeinated beans."
"Oh, then wait until I finish my takeout."
"I want to drink it now," Ye Chuyang urged, his tone carrying a hint of intimidation.
He rarely acted so "unreasonable," Xiao Chao paused for a moment before stammering in agreement.
The employer's word was enough to make the farmhands run themselves ragged. Xiao Chao skipped his dinner and rushed downstairs to buy coffee.
-
The foot traffic in this area is limited. There are a few restaurants on the ground floor, but they are all low-priced fast food such as ramen, wontons, and Shaxian snacks.
A few years ago, hot money poured into the film and television industry, and Hengdian was extremely prosperous. At its peak, more than 30 film crews were shooting in various scenic spots every day. In addition to the film crews, there was a constant stream of tourists.
In recent years, with the slowdown in economic development, hot money has gradually withdrawn from the film and television industry, and the industry has cooled down somewhat.
The most direct reaction is seen in the catering industry in Hengdian, where restaurants open with great fanfare but close down with little enthusiasm, one after another trying their luck.
It was lunchtime, but the surrounding area was full of small, struggling restaurants, some of which looked greasy and unclean. Only one coffee shop had a decent-looking facade.
Fang Zhou entered the coffee shop, found a corner seat, and then made a phone call to Shen Qingyuan.
Having traveled a long and arduous journey, he hadn't even had a chance to rest before arranging a meeting. It was already late, and he worried that if he delayed any longer, it wouldn't be appropriate to meet the girl.
Fang Zhou looked up at the unfamiliar scenery outside the floor-to-ceiling window. He felt slightly uneasy. People always feel a little uncomfortable in unfamiliar environments.
But with a fresh impulse, I would look up at the door every few minutes.
After repeating this action several times, Fang Zhou realized his nervousness and abnormal behavior. He leaned back in his chair, gave a wry smile, and took out his phone to check the messages in the work group.
Shen Qingyuan arrived at the coffee shop half an hour later.
As soon as she entered the room, Fang Zhou saw her and quickly stood up.
"Qingyuan," Fang Zhou greeted with a smile, raising his hand.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Fang Zhou."
Fang Zhou wore a light-colored plaid shirt and khaki casual trousers. He also had a light blue suit jacket draped over the back of his chair. The clothes were of very good quality, and despite his travel-worn appearance, they were not wrinkled or disheveled.
Shen Qingyuan ordered a piece of chocolate cake and a hazelnut latte. Fang Zhou ordered a beef sandwich and a caramel macchiato.
"It's been a while since I've seen you. You've lost weight," Fang Zhou said with a smile as he looked Shen Qingyuan up and down.
Perhaps because I've been eating a low-fat diet with Ye Chuyang lately, with mostly bland and watery food, I've unknowingly been eating less.
The best greeting for a girl is "You've lost weight." Shen Qingyuan, who had given up on managing her figure for more than half a year, smiled.
Shen Qingyuan: "I was shocked when you called me. Song Ting is really outrageous. How could she let you deliver things in person?"
Fang Zhou only said on the phone that Song Ting had some things to give to Shen Qingyuan, and he would bring them over as well.
The route from Hangzhou to Chenyang doesn't go through Hengdian; it's a rather roundabout way.
It's something that could have been handled by courier, but they personally delivered it to my door, which shows that the gift was small but the sentiment was deep.
Fang Zhou scratched the back of his head, chuckled, and then looked up and said, "It's not Song Ting's fault. I just wanted to come to Hengdian to see the sights. It's a rare opportunity."
"Some of the attractions are indeed quite lively."
Shen Qingyuan didn't know what he specifically meant by "opportunity." The conversation had drifted to tourist attractions. Otherwise, what else could it be?
The staff brought over the coffee and food. Fang Zhou's eyes lit up when he saw the sandwich. He didn't like the food on the high-speed train, so he only ate a little. He was actually quite hungry now.
However, he suppressed his hunger and ate slowly.
Shen Qingyuan forked a piece of chocolate cake and put it in her mouth. She ate with a decisive air, each fork producing a large piece.
The two of them remained silent for a while, focusing on eating and drinking.
The atmosphere was a little awkward, since the two weren't very familiar with each other. They had only met twice before, and this was their third meeting.
"Just finished work?"
"Yes, but it's not very busy. It mainly depends on the employer's availability."
Shen Qingyuan put down her fork and took a sip of her latte. Coffee and dessert are actually a good match; the bitterness and sweetness can be balanced, and neither flavor is too sharp or too bland.
"Was that gentleman we saw at the high-speed rail station last time a celebrity?"
Song Ting kept her mouth shut and didn't reveal Shen Qingyuan's employer's identity. Fang Zhou guessed it himself. It's easy to understand; who would come to Hengdian to work for no reason and hire a private doctor?
It gives off a feeling of being rich and powerful.
More importantly, the man in the wheelchair exuded a certain charisma. Even through the mask, his handsome features were striking enough to captivate even men.
Shen Qingyuan hesitated for a moment, "I signed a confidentiality agreement and cannot reveal my employer's identity. So..."
By saying that, she was essentially admitting it. Who needs a confidentiality agreement for no reason?
"Understood." Fang Zhou adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, revealing a pair of large, deep black eyes behind the lenses, with high brow bones, clear whites, and bright pupils.
He had a rather handsome appearance, with a long face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a high nose. His black-rimmed glasses added a touch of scholarly elegance to his features.
They had only met briefly before. Shen Qingyuan's impression of Fang Zhou was a bit vague, but today, as they sat face to face, she realized that he was actually quite good-looking.
No wonder Song Ting said he was in high demand; all the unmarried young women at the newspaper were eyeing him closely.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
