Chapter 85 Consensus.
"You've read my script?"
Although it was a question, her tone was certain. Wen Shili didn't intend to beat around the bush and simply asked, "Are you really going to pick me up?"
Sheng Yi picked up the script and put it back on the bedside table. "I thought we had a consensus," she said calmly.
After saying that, she didn't look at Wen Shili's expression again, turned around and went into the bathroom, squeezed out toothpaste and stood in front of the sink to brush her teeth.
The woman in the mirror had a fair and delicate face, without any makeup. Her skin was as fresh and tender as a flower that had absorbed enough nutrients and was eager to show its beauty to the world. Her beauty, about to bloom but not yet fully open, was especially captivating.
Wen Shili stepped forward, pulled her into his arms, and asked in a muffled voice, "Is it okay to do this with other people?"
Sheng Yi rinsed her mouth, turned to look at him, and knew that his question didn't end with a hug.
I'd never really thought about this before. The advantage of staying out of the spotlight is that you have fewer opportunities to face temptations directly, and you don't have to examine yourself too early. The two looked at each other silently for a moment, then Sheng Yi looked away first, scooped up some water to wash her face, and then took the towel he offered and dried herself.
Wen Shili maintained his hold on her, refusing to let go, and the two of them awkwardly moved towards the door, their bodies still intertwined. Sheng Yi turned back and smiled, saying softly, "Why not? It's part of the job, isn't it?"
The production company pays to assemble the cast and crew, and the actors dedicate their efforts to portraying their roles. From the moment they sign the contract, their obligations and rights are clearly stated in black and white.
He debuted before her and has achieved far greater success and success; it's impossible for him not to understand.
Wen Shili naturally knew.
Her tone was still gentle, her voice casual and natural, as if she had just woken up and the two of them were discussing what to have for breakfast. But her eyes, which were looking straight at her, were so clear that they seemed to see into every gray corner.
He understands everything, but he seems unable to accept it.
Sheng Yi couldn't quite understand why he seemed so alarmed, but as his girlfriend, she couldn't ignore his concerns. "An actress's prime is only a few years. I can't just stop acting in romantic scenes once I'm in a relationship."
At this point, Sheng Yi realized that this was indeed the first leading role she was going to sign after she started dating.
The scripts on the market are limited to a few types, and after excluding those that are thankless or have specific restrictions, good roles are few and far between for actresses her age. And to create a three-dimensional and well-rounded character, one must inevitably focus on the theme of love.
Of course, this doesn't just refer to romantic relationships between men and women. Whether it's emotional connections with the outside world or self-exploration within a character, as long as the character isn't overly stereotypical, there will be interactions with other people to some extent.
She didn't want to have to deal with all this unnecessary chatter every time she encountered a real problem in the future. Since they had already started talking, she might as well make things clear from the beginning. With that in mind, Sheng Yi continued, "Although we are together, I still hope that we won't interfere with each other's work."
She took his hand, blinked slightly in confusion, and asked, "Didn't you do a good job before?"
So why can't we keep it up this time? Wen Shili automatically completed the rest of her words.
Seeing that he didn't speak, she pursed her lips and said, "I'm an actress. I'll be filming more scripts and encountering more complex roles in the future. I can't just hide behind someone."
She said it casually that it was impossible to hide behind "someone," without naming the person, but it stung inexplicably.
Perhaps she wasn't referring to any specific person. Today it could be him, tomorrow it could be someone else.
She spoke with conviction, her clear eyes staring intently at him, showing no intention of backing down. In his eyes, however, she seemed to be radiating light.
What he always liked was her way of facing challenges head-on.
Buzzing—
The phone on the bedside table vibrated. Sheng Yi picked it up; it was Jing Jing urging her to come downstairs.
“I’ve never thought of it that way.” Wen Shili spoke before she could, his gaze fixed on her intently, as if trying to ascertain whether her choice truly came from the heart. “But have you really thought it through?”
His tone was so solemn that Sheng Yi was taken aback.
From taking on a role to handing it over, even for projects like "The Overbearing King's Nightly Pampering" that didn't quite live up to expectations, she must honestly admit that every choice was the result of her own careful consideration.
When there's an opportunity, someone will want to seize it. But in the past, she didn't have many choices, and now, faced with an overwhelming number of options, she still has to make choices time and time again.
Sheng Yi nodded, indicating that she had made up her mind. Her nod was so firm that there was no possibility of mistaken identity. Wen Shili lowered his eyes, avoiding her scrutinizing gaze.
Sheng Yi comforted Jingjing for a moment, then looked up at Wen Shili and said, "If I really cared so much about what others thought, I probably wouldn't have the face to show my face in public anymore."
Wen Shili suddenly lowered his head and offered a crisp apology, "I'm sorry, it was my fault back then."
Sheng Yi knew immediately that he had misunderstood. Admittedly, she had been troubled by this at the time, but it had been so long since then. From her perspective at the time, she completely understood his actions. Now, seeing him apologizing so earnestly, it seemed strangely absurd.
It was as if she and he were just two strangers who brushed past each other in a gap between time and space, and that brief moment of intersection gave rise to endless echoes.
Sheng Yi composed herself and steered the conversation back on track, saying, "Intimate scenes are a normal part of an actor's job, and I hope you can understand my decision. Of course, I also won't interfere with your work."
She remained calm, as if nothing about his interactions with others could stir any emotion in her.
Having debuted as a singer and only briefly dabbled in acting, Wen Shili asked himself that before meeting her, he had never had this kind of interaction with anyone, whether on or off screen.
Perhaps he was always just an ordinary person, using the banner of so-called art but never willing to dedicate himself to it. His body and soul were always open only to one person. And her? She went straight ahead, pursuing her goals, perhaps seeing him only as an afterthought.
He grew increasingly frustrated, "Why didn't you intervene?"
Upon hearing this, both of them were taken aback.
Sheng Yi was replying to Jingjing's message when she heard his reproachful remark and couldn't help but chuckle. "So many people like you. If I really cared about these people, would I even want to live? Do you expect me to pack you up and take you with me every time I go out?"
Wen Shili said in a muffled voice, "But I don't like them."
"Then what do you like about me?" Sheng Yi asked. She tried to understand his perspective and explore his initial intentions. "In your opinion, perhaps my face is alright?"
Online, praise for her appearance is everywhere, so much so that Sheng Yi can't ignore it. However, she also knows that she should just take these awkward compliments with a grain of salt. Online opinions are just a passing fad; it's only because the wind is blowing her way today that she can get away with anything she does. Perhaps, Wen Shili just happens to appreciate her type?
She wanted to ask more, but Wen Shili's brows furrowed deeply. "Is this how you think of me?"
Sheng Yi sensed something was wrong and reached out to smooth him down, saying, "Calm down first, we'll talk when we get back."
The "Gedu" gala is tomorrow, with guests ranging from veteran stars to top newcomers, spanning three generations.
This was a fashion extravaganza, and also a stage to showcase oneself. As a rising star this year, this was Sheng Yi's first time participating in such a large-scale event. Even if she didn't aim for a spectacular performance, making a mistake was absolutely unacceptable. Therefore, from the day she confirmed her attendance, her studio team began working tirelessly on preparations.
Old Qian put in a lot of effort to smooth things over, and even Sister Hong turned a blind eye and made things easy for him. What was presented to Sheng Yi now was the first domestic unveiling of a luxury brand's haute couture collection, a set of high-end jewelry from a major brand worth an uncountable sum, and stylists and makeup artists who were being snapped up by various celebrity studios in the industry.
"Anyway, this time, we have to make a big splash for you," Old Qian said smugly on the phone. "If I hadn't offered such a high price, I might not have been able to snag this photographer. And that dress, I'm telling you, be careful what you wear..."
The gowns, jewelry, photography, and hair styling were all ready to go, just waiting to make a splash with Sheng Yi tomorrow. Old Qian clutched his increasingly empty wallet, telling himself through tears that it was all worth it.
Moreover, fans these days are really too bullying of the weak and fearing the strong. They can't bear to criticize Sheng Yi, so they only know how to lash out at him, the easy target. Spreading rumors that he's bald is one thing, but what's with the claim that his company went bankrupt? As he thought about it, his heart felt like it was bleeding, aching terribly. But Sheng Yi had no time to care about his smugness and heartache.
On this side, everyone has already gotten busy with their respective duties.
Sheng Yi sat on the stool, following the stylist's instructions, pursing her lips when told to purse them, and tilting her head up when told to tilt her head up. From the makeup trial to the completion of the photoshoot, it took less than two hours in total.
Looking at the photo on the screen, the retoucher moved his fingers, unsure where to begin. For a first collaboration to produce such a result, he felt a little guilty accepting the paycheck.
He looked up at the girl who had changed back into her own clothes; Sheng Yi was smiling and waving to everyone.
"Thank you for your hard work, Professor Sheng."
"See you tomorrow, Professor Sheng."
...
With such a worry-free client, everyone was beaming with joy when they finished work. However, human joys and sorrows are not shared. Sheng Yi, who had just been smiling in front of others, turned around and his smile vanished. He dawdled to the parking lot, and as soon as he got close, he was pulled into a car.
Wen Shili looked directly into her eyes and asked, "Now you have time to listen to my clarification?"
She said she was just joking about packing him up and taking him along, but he actually volunteered to go with her. Sheng Yi didn't dare bring him in front of others, but Wen Shili didn't mind and just sat there waiting.
In the quiet car, so quiet you could hear them both breathing. Sheng Yi turned her head to avoid him, but Wen Shili grabbed her hand, stopping her from backing away. "I haven't taken any photos with anyone else."
"Do you remember when we first kissed? You were laughing in my arms, and my heart was pounding with nervousness too." He pulled her closer and told her, "That was the first time I knew what it felt like to kiss someone."
A warm breath brushed against her cheek, and Sheng Yi's thoughts involuntarily drifted back to that tense, humid afternoon. Her clear, gentle voice continued, "When I was abroad..."
To Sheng Yi, it was like a huge rock suddenly falling into a spring pond, startling the water so much that it sent spray flying. She broke free from his grasp and covered his mouth with her hand, afraid that he might say something terrible next. "Alright, alright, stop going crazy."
Wen Shili persisted, his lips pressed against her palm, each sound accompanied by a flutter of emotion, "Is there anything else you want to withhold from me? I'll explain it all to you at once, how about that?"
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