Cen Yingshuang chatted with Jiang Suian for quite a while before dozing off again in a daze.
When she finally woke up, it was already nine in the evening.
Màn Jie had brought her some food, and only then did she remember Chen Yanli.
Feeling quite apologetic, she sent him a message explaining the situation.
She received Chen Yanli’s reply around noon the next day, just as she boarded the plane bound for Beicheng.
Chen Yanli’s reply: [It’s okay, health is the most important thing.]
Cen Yingshuang responded with a Pinkie Pie running emoji.
Chen Yanli quickly replied again: [Your birthday is coming up soon. How do you plan to celebrate it?]
Then another message followed: [Do you have any other plans after you return? How many days will you stay in Beicheng?]
Years ago, Zhou Yabin once attended the Venice Film Festival in Italy, where she happened to meet Ye Mingzhu.
At that time, Ye Mingzhu was just starting to gain recognition in the industry, and Zhou Yabin was captivated by oil painting.
The two became close friends, and Ye Mingzhu often painted portraits for Zhou Yabin.
All the paintings hanging at Zhou’s home were done by Ye Mingzhu.
Their families were close.
Zhou Yabin often flew around for work, while Ye Mingzhu was free to visit anytime—wherever there was a plane ticket, she would go.
Cen Yingshuang could be said to have grown up right behind Chen Yanli.
Chen Yanli was seventeen years older than her, a whole generation ahead.
Ye Mingzhu often told her to call Chen Yanli “Uncle,” but she insisted on calling him “Brother,” saying, “Yanli is so handsome and doesn’t look old at all, why call him Uncle?”
Cen Yingshuang never thought of Chen Yanli as an elder or felt any generational gap between them.
She also enjoyed modeling for him.
Over the years, their relationship had remained as good as ever.
But when Chen Yanli asked about her birthday plans, Cen Yingshuang found herself instinctively unwilling to reveal her true feelings as freely as she did in front of He Yuzhou—where she could share her secrets without any burden or concern.
Maybe it was because she had no mutual friends or connections with He Yuzhou, and it was uncertain if there would even be a next meeting.
She could afford to be completely uninhibited.
Chen Yanli was different.
If he found out about her and Jiang Suian and accidentally told Ye Mingzhu, who then told Zhou Yabin, wouldn’t she be finished?
So Cen Yingshuang ambiguously replied: [I’ll celebrate with my parents.]
Then she answered his second question: [I’ll rest for a few days after I get back.]
Chen Yanli still replied quickly: [Okay.]
At that moment, the captain’s announcement came through, reminding everyone the plane was about to take off.
Taking advantage of this, Cen Yingshuang sent her closing line: [The plane is taking off now, gotta go.]
Actually, first class offered WiFi, but she didn’t know how to continue the conversation.
After the plane took off and flew smoothly, Cen Yingshuang picked up her phone again, edited the retouched runway photos sent from the studio, and posted a promotional Weibo with several candid shots, including a two-hundred-year-old apple tree and the sunset at a castle by the sea.
Soon after, Wu Xi liked the post.
At the same time, Wu Xi messaged her on WeChat: [Shuangshuang, are you still in Rome?]
Cen Yingshuang replied: [No, I’m on the plane now.]
Wu Xi: [Ah? You’re going back so soon? I wanted to hang out with you.]
Cen Yingshuang was naturally warm and friendly to everyone, but she had very few close friends in the circle.
Although she got along well with the crew while filming, she was usually too busy to meet and really get to know people.
Over time, most relationships remained superficial.
So when Wu Xi said that, she didn’t know how to respond and just sent a cute emoji.
Wu Xi kept messaging: [Shuangshuang, where is the castle in your Weibo? Is that two-hundred-year-old apple tree a scenic spot?]
Cen Yingshuang replied: [It’s the seaside castle where the brand arranged our stay.]
Wu Xi quickly responded: [But as far as I know, the brand arranged for you to stay at the Intercontinental.]
Cen Yingshuang was puzzled and turned to ask Màn Jie: [Màn Jie, did the brand arrange the Intercontinental? Why isn’t that where we are?]
Màn Jie was holding an iPad, apparently focused on something, while her phone kept buzzing nonstop. She typed replies rapidly with one hand.
Hearing Cen Yingshuang’s question unexpectedly, Màn Jie paused her typing.
She was quick-witted from years of navigating social intricacies: “With your live-streaming sales skills, who can compare? You’re their golden goose, they’d be crazy not to treat you differently from the others.”
This explanation was seamless and left no room for doubt.
Cen Yingshuang naturally believed it and nodded.
Seeing Cen Yingshuang in such a good mood, Màn Jie ruffled her hair: “Shuang, your best days are still ahead! After all, He Yuzhou has taken a fancy to you.”
Though Cen Yingshuang had never had a hard life, living like a little princess, and Zhou Yabin held some influence in the Mainland Entertainment Industry, there was always someone better, someone higher.
He Yuzhou’s position was unshakeable, except by his father, He Jingsheng.
But now He Jingsheng was retired.
If He Yuzhou stomped his foot, not just the Mainland Entertainment Industry but the entire country would tremble.
***
Back in Beicheng.
Zhou Yabin had no engagements today and was resting at home.
As the nanny’s car pulled into the underground garage, Zhou Yabin was already waiting for her.
The community where they lived was very private.
Zhou Yabin could come out in pajamas with a bare face without worrying about being photographed.
Cen Yingshuang got out of the car, and Zhou Yabin immediately strode forward to hug her, checking her over thoroughly.
“Sweetheart, I heard you caught a cold. Are you feeling better?”
“Mom, I’m much better. Don’t worry,” Cen Yingshuang replied, her voice still a bit stuffy.
“Qin Yiman, what on earth happened? How did you let my daughter get like this!”
Zhou Yabin pretended to be angry, scolding under the guise of concern.
“Alright, alright, my fault,” Màn Jie smiled and bent slightly in apology.
Màn Jie had not originally planned to tell Zhou Yabin about Cen Yingshuang’s cold.
Zhou Yabin doted on Cen Yingshuang, making a huge fuss over even minor bumps and bruises—sometimes taking her to the hospital before injuries even fully healed.
If she knew Cen Yingshuang had been sick, she’d probably nag her for ages.
But there was no secret that wouldn’t be leaked; how could she forget that the whole team belonged to Zhou Yabin?
“It’s not Màn Jie’s fault. It’s the bad weather in Italy,” Cen Yingshuang quickly defended Màn Jie.
Màn Jie put on a worried face: “Don’t say that, or your mom might hop on a plane tonight and bomb Italy for daring to have bad weather!”
Cen Yingshuang stifled a laugh.
Zhou Yabin pretended to be exasperated and shot Màn Jie a sharp glance.
“All right, after a whole day of flying, you should go rest,” Màn Jie reminded, “Don’t let your precious girl catch another cold!”
Zhou Yabin snorted and took Cen Yingshuang upstairs.
As soon as they got home, Zhou Yabin instructed the nanny to serve Cen Yingshuang a bowl of nourishing soup.
Afterward, she went to her room, took a shower, and collapsed on the bed, chatting with Jiang Suian on her phone.
Tomorrow was her birthday.
She had looked forward to this birthday for so long, and it was finally here.
A once-in-a-lifetime adult ceremony, plus plans for a confession—it couldn’t be taken lightly.
So she used her own savings to reserve the best restaurant in Beicheng, a Cantonese restaurant reputed to be the city’s top in that cuisine.
The food wasn’t the most important part; privacy was. No need to worry about paparazzi.
She told Jiang Suian the restaurant’s name.
Jiang Suian sent a voice message.
Cen Yingshuang played it on speaker since she was in her room and not worried about being overheard.
“When did you book the restaurant? Why didn’t you tell me? I could have booked it…”
“Good girl.”
Suddenly, the door opened without warning, and Zhou Yabin’s voice appeared.
Startled, Cen Yingshuang’s hand trembled, almost dropping her phone. She quickly clutched it to the bed, feeling a bit flustered.
“Mom! Why didn’t you knock before coming in?”
“Sorry, sorry, sweetheart, I forgot,” Zhou Yabin apologized quickly.
“Who are you chatting with?” Zhou Yabin closed the door and walked in.
“My friend,” Cen Yingshuang said, a trace of guilt flashing across her face, trying to keep calm.
Lying to Zhou Yabin increased her stress—after all, Zhou Yabin was an actress and could easily tell if she was acting.
Fortunately, Zhou Yabin trusted her completely and never doubted her.
“Mom’s just interrupting you a bit,” Zhou Yabin walked over to the bed, hands behind her back, mysteriously: “I have something good to show you.”
“What is it?”
“Ta-da!” Zhou Yabin presented the item from behind her back like a treasure.
Cen Yingshuang glanced at it, clearly surprised: “A script?”
“Yes!”
Zhou Yabin got onto the bed and lay down beside Cen Yingshuang. Both lay on their stomachs as Zhou Yabin placed the script in front of them.
“The director is Zheng Qiao. He gave me the script the day before yesterday. I read it, and it’s amazing! Such a good script has to be kept for my dear girl.”
Zheng Qiao was one of the most prestigious film directors in the country, having made countless classic works and won international awards by the dozen.
He was Zhou Yabin’s mentor; her first Best Actress award was for a movie he directed.
The movie was called I, We, a bittersweet love story set against a backdrop of war.
“Keep the wealth in the family. The male lead will be chosen from our company to act alongside you,” Zhou Yabin said.
Cen Yingshuang was flattered.
Though she started off strong, this was her first time working with Zheng Qiao.
LeYu Film and Television was the largest company in the Mainland Entertainment Industry, with countless top-tier actors who had won Best Actor and Best Actress awards.
Just as Cen Yingshuang thought Zhou Yabin would pick some big-name Best Actor for her to work with, she unexpectedly heard a familiar name from Zhou’s mouth: “Jiang Suian. How about him?”
Cen Yingshuang blinked and glanced at Zhou Yabin.
“Jiang Suian is only two or three years older than you and very steady in his work. He’s been building up steadily all these years. His popularity is decent, and his acting is good,” Zhou Yabin evaluated candidly.
“Zheng Qiao wants to use this film to nurture newcomers.”
Seeing Cen Yingshuang say nothing, Zhou Yabin immediately expressed her firm stance: “But the key is you, dear. If you don’t want to, we’ll pick someone else. You choose who you want to work with.”
Cen Yingshuang’s head shook rapidly like a rattle drum.
“No need to change!”
Afraid her reaction was too obvious, she restrained herself: “Mom, I think your analysis is very reasonable. Jiang Suian is perfect!”
“Alright, I’ll listen to my dear girl.”
Zhou Yabin patted Cen Yingshuang’s head.
After Zhou Yabin left, Cen Yingshuang happily rolled around on the bed, eager to tell Jiang Suian they would be filming together.
But just as she picked up her phone, she remembered Zhou Yabin’s parting words: “Don’t spread the news for now. Let Zheng Qiao notify the cast first and go through the process.”
She had to hold back and wait to give him a surprise.
Later, she didn’t even remember how she fell asleep, until suddenly being woken up by her phone ringing in the middle of the night.
Cen Yingshuang jolted awake, startled.
The phone was right next to her pillow.
Still groggy, she picked up the phone, her vision blurry, and vaguely saw an unfamiliar number.
She ignored it and was about to put down the phone when the call came again.
Frowning, she finally answered with a slightly annoyed tone, “Hello.”
The call ended.
“Awake?”
Two simple words in a familiar low, rich voice made Cen Yingshuang freeze.
She rubbed her eyes, still sluggish, and looked at the screen again.
Her vision cleared slowly, focusing on the caller ID’s location:
-China Hong Kong
Cen Yingshuang immediately felt as if waking from a dream, surprised to confirm, “Yuzhou Ge?”
“Impressive you still remember me,” He Yuzhou teased.
His voice carried laughter, transmitted through the receiver, deep and pleasant.
“Of course I remember,” Cen Yingshuang suddenly felt unreal, wondering if she was still dreaming.
How else could she be talking on the phone with He Yuzhou?
“I just fell asleep and saw an unknown number, so I hung up. Sorry about that,” she explained.
“I should be the one apologizing,” He Yuzhou replied politely.
“I woke you up.”
“Are you still in Italy?”
Cen Yingshuang asked casually.
“I am,” He Yuzhou deliberately dragged out the syllables, creating his usual suspenseful, mysterious tone.
Then, unhurriedly added, “Under your building.”