Fiji has several airports, but since this promotional shoot required filming at sea, they chose this airport dedicated to island transport for easier access.
Compared to the international airport, it’s much smaller.
There aren’t many people, but today, in contrast to the usual, the arrival gate was packed, not a single gap in sight.
There was no VIP Channel, so movement wasn’t restricted, making the number of fans picking people up several times more than those seeing people off.
Cen Yingshuang received many letters and small gifts again, but this time, to avoid causing congestion, she didn’t linger and left the airport under the protection of her entourage.
The island chosen for filming was an unknown outer island of Fiji.
Compared to the popular main island, it offered greater privacy, bringing more convenience to the shoot.
It was said to be a Private Island, and the Brand Side had to pull many strings to get permission to film there.
They took a helicopter chartered by the Brand Side to the island and stayed at a seaside vacation villa.
By now, night had completely fallen.
Cen Yingshuang lay in the bathtub, a plate of sliced fruit at hand.
She didn’t like just sitting idly while bathing; she always had to eat something or do something.
For example, her favorite thing to do was read letters from fans while soaking in the bath.
To her, this was not only interesting but also meaningful; she enjoyed listening to fans ramble and share bits of their daily lives.
Before she realized it, she had soaked for over half an hour, until Màn Jie came knocking to remind her.
Only then did she diligently put away the letters, step out of the bathtub, and dry herself off.
She put on a bathrobe, lay down on the bed planning to play with her phone a bit before sleeping early, but right across from the bed was a whole wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.
With just a glance, she could see the endless sea outside.
The sea was fairly calm, with a gentle breeze blowing, and the tall coconut trees along the shore swayed softly in the wind.
Cen Yingshuang liked swimming, loved playing in the water, and adored marine life; she kept many cute little fish at home.
But she was usually so busy with work and, before the college entrance exam, had to juggle her studies as well, so she rarely had time to go to the seaside.
Now that she finally had some free time, and with the Private Island free of outsiders, the sea was an irresistible temptation to her.
Without a second thought, she threw off the covers and got out of bed.
She didn’t bother changing, still wearing just her bathrobe—after all, there was no one else around below.
This was Cen Yingshuang’s first time seeing the sea at night.
It wasn’t so dark that you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face; there was a faint moonlight, and the villa’s bright lights illuminated the surroundings, so she could just make out the glittering surface of the sea.
Cen Yingshuang kicked off her slippers to the side and stepped barefoot into the soft, damp sand.
The wind carried the salty, refreshing scent of seawater, and the gentle, cool waves brushed over her feet.
As the waves receded, she spotted a small Shell by her foot.
She picked it up in surprise, held it up to the moonlight, and saw it shimmer with a faint pink glow.
Cen Yingshuang used her phone to take a photo of the Shell, then opened WeChat.
She had four pinned chats in total: Dad, Mom, and Màn Jie.
But she tapped on the other pinned chat, the one not belonging to those three.
She sent the photo over: [What a beautiful Shell! I’m bringing it back to use for Handmade crafts~ but I don’t know what to make with it yet [Yay]]
There’s a four-hour time difference between Fiji and Domestic.
By calculation, it was probably about five in the afternoon back home.
After sending the message, Cen Yingshuang exited WeChat without waiting for a reply—she knew the other person was probably still busy at this hour.
To collect more Shells, she turned on her phone flashlight and carefully searched along the beach.
Her phone chimed with a “ding”—a new WeChat message: [You could make a Wind Chime, a Mobile Phone Case, or a Pendant, things like that.]
Cen Yingshuang replied immediately: [Great! Then I’ll make a Mobile Phone Case.]
[There are so many on the beach, I’ll make four: one for my Dad, Mom, myself, and you.]
This time, the other party replied in seconds as well: [Sounds good [Wow].]
Looking at those two words, Cen Yingshuang was so happy that she spun around in circles on the beach, her feet splashing in the water.
She became even more enthusiastic about collecting Shells.
Unknowingly, she had walked a long way along the shore.
As she moved further away from the villa area, the light around her grew dimmer and the moonlight became almost negligible.
But suddenly, Cen Yingshuang noticed a bright light shining over the sea ahead.
She instinctively looked up, letting out an amazed “Wow.”
Because not far ahead, she saw an enormous, ultra-luxurious Yacht docked.
Given her family background and her work, she had seen a fair bit of the world, but this was truly her first time seeing such a spectacular Yacht.
It was enormous, unbelievably long—longer than a football field—imposingly docked at the port.
There were five floors, all ablaze with light.
Under the glow, she could see the stairs sparkling with dazzling light—diamonds embedded all over the steps.
There were two helipads on the top deck, each with a helicopter parked.
She was so awestruck that she couldn’t help but walk forward, taking a few photos with her phone.
Zooming in, she could just make out shadows moving on the Second Floor.
As she got closer, she saw on her phone screen that a row of black-clad Bodyguards were standing on the first floor, staring straight at her.
She was startled, her phone screen shaking in her hand.
One of the Bodyguards turned and went inside, soon returning with a man in a black suit.
That man’s gaze locked onto her, sharp and predatory, as if targeting her.
The next second, she saw him quickly descend from the Yacht and stride toward her, several Bodyguards following behind.
Cen Yingshuang was so frightened she stood frozen on the spot.
They soon reached her, and she instinctively shrank her neck.
“Hello, miss.” the Suit Man spoke.
Noticing Cen Yingshuang’s confused look, he realized she might not understand, so he switched to accented Mandarin for the next sentence: “May I ask what you’re doing here?”
As he spoke, he discreetly looked her up and down, seeing she was only wearing a bathrobe, and his eyes grew even more wary and hostile.
The Suit Man was average-looking, about thirty years old, but his strong, unfriendly tone, coupled with the group of big, square-faced, intimidating Bodyguards standing all around her like an impenetrable wall, made Cen Yingshuang feel weak and helpless like a little chick—her heart pounding in fear.
She thought, maybe she’d accidentally trespassed into a forbidden area, stumbled upon some unspeakable secret.
And judging by the Suit Man’s earlier Cantonese, could they be some kind of Hong Kong Gang or massive Organization?
Otherwise, why would there be so many black-clad Bodyguards?
Scenes from old Hong Kong Old School Gangster Films she’d watched flashed through her mind.
No matter what, if things went the way of a Movie Plot, her innocent and unlucky NPC self would be… next to be silenced?
Looking around, she realized apart from them, it was utterly deserted.
If they threw her into the sea, she wouldn’t even have a chance to call for help.
“I, I, I…” She desperately wanted to explain, but as soon as she opened her mouth, nerves tied her tongue in knots, and cold sweat broke out all over her.
Her gaze darted around in panic and, by chance, landed back on the Yacht—just in time to see someone walk out from the Second Floor interior.
A man.
Even from this distance, his tall, slender figure was unmistakable.
He wore a black bathrobe, had short hair, and a pair of Eyeglasses.
He stood with the light behind him, his features indistinct, but his aura was so extraordinary that just standing there, he drew all attention, making it impossible to look away.
There was no doubt—he must be the owner of this Yacht.
Was it on his orders that these people came to confront her?
The man stood by the railing, leaning forward slightly, arms lazily draped over the rail.
A faint red glow flickered between his fingers.
She saw him unhurriedly bring his hand to his lips—the red glow flaring brighter.
As his hand lowered, a wisp of smoke drifted out.
Because of the distance and lighting, she couldn’t tell exactly where his gaze landed.
He was high above; she had to crane her neck to see him.
He looked down on everyone like a Deity, holding the fate of all mere mortals in his supreme hands.
In that instant, she felt an unprecedented sense of oppression… and fear.
The seawater brushed over her feet again, and this time it felt icy to the bone, her hair standing on end.
She dared not look at the man any longer, but survival instinct surged up in her like the tide.
She mustered her courage and shouted, “I—I’m an act—actress, my name is Cen—Cen Yingshuang, I’m here to shoot a commercial!”
“I just couldn’t sleep and came out for a walk to collect Shells.”
“Really, really!”
She quickly opened her palm to show the Shells in her hand.
“I didn’t mean to disturb anyone, I haven’t seen anyth—”
She bit her lip in regret before she could finish.
Even though she truly hadn’t seen anything, on TV, people who said “I didn’t see anything” never ended well!
The more she imagined, the more terrified she became, tears streaming down her face, but she didn’t dare cry too loudly.
She choked back sobs, worried the man on the Yacht wouldn’t hear her, so she forced herself to raise her voice—her tone both delicate and aggrieved, stomping her feet in desperation: “I really am not a bad person…”
Before she’d even finished, the Suit Man stepped back several paces, pulled out his phone, and put it to his ear.
Cen Yingshuang, still trembling, glanced up at the Yacht’s Second Floor and saw that man also on his phone.
Her heart tightened even more.
So what was going to happen now?
Were they calling to have these underlings take care of her?
Her mind ran wild, imagining countless scenarios, wondering if there was any way to escape, just like in the movies.
She even counted down in her mind, bracing herself to make a run for it as soon as she reached three.
But in the next moment, the Suit Man put away his phone, came over, and said, “Miss, it’s dangerous by the sea at night. The tide’s coming in—don’t wander around. Go back and rest early.”
His attitude remained all business, but the suspicion in his eyes had eased.
The burly Bodyguards blocking her path also stepped aside.
Hearing this, Cen Yingshuang’s eyes flew open.
Before she could even think, her body had already acted for her—she spun around and ran, wishing she could sprout wheels under her feet.
He Yuzhou was still standing by the railing, the cigarette between his fingers almost burned out.
He kept the same lazy posture as before, his expression just as nonchalant, eyes half-lidded as he gazed ahead.
He watched that petite figure in white dash away, her thin legs pumping fast.
She was barefoot, leaving footprints in the soft sand, the incoming waves splashing at her feet.
Zhang Rong, the special assistant, returned to the Yacht and walked over to He Yuzhou, standing behind him: “He Sheng.”
”Why scare the little girl?”
He Yuzhou didn’t turn his head, just brought the cigarette to his lips, eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke in a low, casual tone, his voice a little husky and indistinct.