That night, Jiang Xingxing was completely drunk, lost in a hazy daze, dreaming endlessly, her mind a chaotic mess.
Those fragmented dreams were far from peaceful, and the male lead in all of them was Shang Jie. In the dreams, she and he were engaged in intimate acts, in various positions.
When she finally woke up, Jiang Xingxing found herself lying on a soft, dark blue bed. The room was decorated in pure white, very spacious, with a transparent, circular glass bathroom on the side. The glass was fogged up, but she could vaguely see a man’s silhouette as he showered inside.
Large floor-to-ceiling windows, with one of them half open, allowed the sea breeze to flow in, causing the white curtains to flutter gently.
At that moment, the bathroom door opened, and a man stepped out, completely naked.
Jiang Xingxing reacted quickly, shutting her eyes and pretending to sleep.
She could distinctly hear the man’s footsteps drawing nearer, stopping briefly by her bedside, before heading towards the balcony.
With a “whoosh,” the curtains were pulled open, and sunlight poured into the room, brightening it entirely. Even with her eyes closed, Jiang Xingxing could sense the light enveloping the room.
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Fbl byed’v ulv yeyrvle vs vbl caktbvdlpp, yde nswzed’v blzr cwv qasod pzktbvzu.
Mbld pbl blyae vbl “nzknj” sq y zktbvla, rasxrvkdt bla vs nywvkswpzu srld bla lulp.
Mbl xyd oyp zlydkdt ytykdpv vbl qzssa-vs-nlkzkdt okdeso, bkp cynj pvayktbv. Mbl xwpnzlp sd bkp wrrla cseu olal pxssvb yde elqkdle, yde kd vbl pwdzktbv, bkp pjkd yrrlyale lhld ryzla. Mbl zktbv nyahle bkp bydepsxl qynl kdvs ekpvkdnv nsdvaypvp sq pbyeso yde zktbv, tkhkdt bkp qlyvwalp y pbyarzu nsdvswale zssj. Tkp ellr casod lulp pbsdl nzlyazu kd vbl pwdzktbv.
Ekvb qkdtlap vbyv olal pzldela yde olzz-elqkdle, bl blze y zygkzu pxsjkdt nktyalvvl, lmwekdt y pwyhl yde alzymle nbyax. Tl zssjle yv Kkydt Dkdtmkdt okvb y rzyuqwz pxkzl.
Gv vbyv xsxldv, Kkydt Dkdtmkdt qlzv y pwaalyz pldpl sq clkdt kd y ealyx.
Tl oyp ps xlpxlakgkdt.
Fbl yzxspv qlzv lxcyaaypple vs zssj yv bkx.
Gp Fbydt Kkl rzyule okvb vbl zktbvla zke, bl oyzjle shla vs bla cle, cldv esod, yde caswtbv vbl nktyalvvl vs bla pzktbvzu eau zkrp.
“Take a drag, clear your head.”
Jiang Xingxing obediently took a puff, and as expected, it made her choke and cough lightly.
Although she had learned how to smoke for her role in “City of Daylight”, she normally avoided the habit entirely.
Shang Jie’s cigarettes were strong, yet she enjoyed the faint smell of tobacco that lingered on him.
At this moment, Shang Jie observed her flushed face with a hint of a smile. He put out the cigarette and then, cupping her chin, leaned in for a kiss.
The first kiss of the morning grew more lingering and deep with her shy, clumsy response.
Jiang Xingxing, timidly and awkwardly, kissed him back, feeling bashful.
Shang Jie gave her forehead a gentle kiss to end the intimate moment and said softly, “It’s still early. Sleep a bit more. I need to head to work.”
Jiang Xingxing looked down at her naked body under the sheets, and quickly asked, “Last night, did we… do it?”
She couldn’t remember a thing.
Shang Jie swiftly put on a neatly pressed white shirt, glanced back, and his smile grew even more brazen—
“We did.”
Jiang Xingxing’s pale cheeks instantly flushed bright red. She turned her face away, avoiding his intense gaze.
“Why don’t I feel anything?”
No pain, no pleasure—she hadn’t felt a thing. What a shame.
Seeing the hint of disappointment in her expression, Shang Jie gently patted her forehead and said, “Silly girl, I was just kidding.”
Jiang Xingxing looked up in confusion, “Huh?”
“You were so drunk last night, throwing up all over me and causing a ruckus. By the time I helped you wash up and got you to bed, I was exhausted and had no strength left to do anything with you.”
Shang Jie’s teasing made Jiang Xingxing feel even more shy. “It wasn’t that exaggerated!”
“If I really had gone through with it, would you still be sitting here chatting with me?” He lightly patted her cheek. “You’d be bedridden for three days like a cripple—want to try it?”
Jiang Xingxing shivered and pushed his face away. “You talk too much. Aren’t you supposed to be going to work? Why aren’t you getting ready?”
Shang Jie smiled casually, turned, and took a dark tie from the wardrobe. Standing in front of the mirror, he checked it and then turned back to Jiang Xingxing, asking, “Can you help me with this?”
“Wait a moment.”
Jiang Xingxing grabbed a thin blanket and wrapped it around herself. She walked over to Shang Jie, took the tie from his hand, and stood on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He exuded a faint scent of mint and tobacco, which Jiang Xingxing found very appealing.
Women are naturally sensitive to scents; if animals can choose mates based on smell, then Shang Jie’s fragrance must be among the most charming.
Shang Jie looked down at the girl before him. In the sunlight, her skin was fair and smooth, and even the slightest stimulus could make her blush. That was why the marks he had left on her body that day were so horrendous.
But those marks had faded a lot with the passage of time.
Shang Jie couldn’t help but lower his head, tempted to do something naughty. However, Jiang Xingxing tugged at the tie, adjusting his neck, and said, “Stand up straight.”
So, he complied and stood upright.
Jiang Xingxing tied his tie neatly, then brought over a brand-new suit prepared by the servants and helped him put it on. Looking at the well-suited man before her, she couldn’t help but smile. “You seem to be getting more and more accustomed to this kind of life.”
He pinched her cheek playfully. “So, who am I doing this for?”
Jiang Xingxing paused, wondering… could it really just be for her?
“Like I said, liking someone is simple; it doesn’t need to be complicated.” As Shang Jie walked out the door, he looked back and added, “I’m willing to become the kind of person I despise, to live a life I don’t like, to restrain my temper. So if you keep overthinking and misunderstanding me, I will be very angry.”
“Oh…”
So he understood her unspoken doubts, yet he didn’t bother to defend himself. During these two weeks of calm, he hadn’t sought her out, but now he was using his actions to tell her that everything wasn’t as she thought.
The idea of a caged bird or a canary—liking someone is simply liking them. It’s a straightforward matter, unlinked from status, wealth, or power.
Indeed, he held capital and power, but when Jiang Xingxing liked him, he was just a worthless bastard. Conversely, she was still herself, no matter how much she changed. He liked her, and that was enough.
Jiang Xingxing suddenly felt enlightened, her mood clearing significantly. Standing by the window, she watched Shang Jie’s car gradually drive away, disappearing into the morning mist.
Soon, a maid brought over a freshly ironed dress and respectfully hung it on the rack.
Jiang Xingxing asked, “How did I get back last night?”
The maid, who was only a few years older than Jiang Xingxing, smiled warmly and replied, “Young Master carried you back. You even threw up on him, but he didn’t mind at all. He took you to the bathroom and cleaned you up. I’ve never seen him treat anyone so tenderly.”
“He helped me bathe?”
The maid’s cheeks flushed slightly as she nodded. “Young Master wouldn’t let us touch you. He insisted on doing it himself. Don’t worry; we didn’t see anything.”
Jiang Xingxing: …
She felt uneasy—she didn’t know whether to feel relieved or not. He’d seen everything, whether it should have been seen or not.
The maid helped Jiang Xingxing get ready, skillfully braiding her hair into a playful scorpion braid.
“Young Master really likes you. I’ve never seen him care so much for anyone before.”
Jiang Xingxing’s curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, “Has he never brought any girls home before?”
“Miss Jiang, I’m not trying to speak well of our young master, but since he moved into this house, you’re the only woman who has stayed overnight here. Even Madam Mei doesn’t spend the night; only the lady of the house can live here.”
Jiang Xingxing had never seriously considered becoming Mrs. Shang. Who knew what the future held? Even Shang Jie himself didn’t know, so how could she?
The maid scrutinized Jiang Xingxing closely. At first glance, the girl didn’t seem to possess a beauty that would captivate anyone’s attention. She even had a pink scar on her left temple, which could be seen as a flaw. Yet, curiously, the more one looked at her, the more charming she became. Her every frown and smile was vivid and expressive, capable of conveying intense emotions.
And that emotional depth was precisely what made her so relatable.
She began to understand why the young master was so infatuated with her; she had a unique charisma and was truly a woman of substance.
Of course, Jiang Xingxing was oblivious to the maid’s genuine appreciation for her. She quickly tidied up and left the mansion.
For the past few days, Wen Yang had been complaining to her, saying that he wasn’t putting enough effort into rehearsing for the upcoming performance of “The Little Mermaid”. He was never in the right mindset, and he hadn’t even memorized his lines yet. If he messed it up, the reputation of the Ying Candle Theater Company would be ruined.
Today, Wen Yang called Jiang Xingxing and asked to meet, saying he had something to discuss. She also wanted to talk to him about the theater, so she arrived on time for their meeting.
They agreed to meet at a café at the corner of North Street.
The winter sun was warm, and Wen Yang was sitting outside at a table in the café’s small courtyard, lazily soaking up the sunlight. When Jiang Xingxing arrived, he looked up at her.
“Xingxing, you… look really beautiful today. You’re different from before.”
Perhaps it was because the maid had styled her hair nicely and she had used expensive skincare products, along with a luxurious custom dress that Jiang Xingxing didn’t even recognize, which made Wen Yang notice her transformation more than usual.
In the past, he wouldn’t have given her a second glance.
“Wen Yang, did you call me out today because you have something important to say?”
Wen Yang rubbed his hands together and spoke in a negotiative tone, “Xingxing, look at you. Now that you’re with the big boss of the Shang Group and have landed such a significant role, your future is bright. You’re bound to have all sorts of opportunities.”
Jiang Xingxing replied, “You know me; after so many years, I finally have some prospects. As long as I can act, I’ll work hard to do my best.”
“You’ll definitely do great,” Wen Yang said confidently. “Shang Jie is a major player; he holds half the capital in the entertainment industry. If he supports you, you’re sure to become famous. Becoming a Best Actress would be just a matter of his word.”
Jiang Xingxing frowned, instinctively feeling a sense of disgust at Wen Yang’s words. She found them offensive and uncomfortable.
She had only asked Shang Jie for an opportunity, and whether she could seize that opportunity to become famous depended on her own efforts. But somehow, in Wen Yang’s mouth, it turned into her relying on Shang Jie to climb the ranks.
“Wen Yang, is that all you wanted to say?” Jiang Xingxing’s tone had grown cold.
Wen Yang smiled awkwardly and struggled to continue, “Well, Xingxing, we’ve worked together in the theater for so many years; that’s sort of a childhood friendship. I used to treat you well, remember? Back in college, I even brought you breakfast.”
Jiang Xingxing certainly remembered. He had brought breakfast to several girls, and she was “lucky” enough to be one of them. But once he found better, prettier targets, he completely ignored her. She had even had feelings for this relationship that had never even begun.
Now that she thought about it, it was rather disgusting.
So Wen Yang had intentionally come to annoy her this morning.
“Just say what you want to say,” Jiang Xingxing decided not to beat around the bush any longer.
“Director Liu Shan’s new film is casting for the male lead, and I… I hope you can talk to Mr. Shang on my behalf and ask him to give me a chance for the male lead role. For him, it’s just a matter of speaking a few words, but for me, it’s a precious opportunity,” he said.
Jiang Xingxing finally understood; Wen Yang had figured out her relationship with Shang Jie and was seeking her help.
Director Liu Shan was a renowned filmmaker in the country, but he was very cautious about who he worked with. The male actors he collaborated with were all top-tier, so it wouldn’t be easy to get cast in the lead role just by asking.
“Have you auditioned yet?” Jiang Xingxing asked.
“I have. I’ve been preparing for the audition this whole time,” he replied.
“Did you get selected?”
Wen Yang smiled awkwardly, “If I had been selected, would I still be here asking you for help? Xingxing, I’ve always treated you like a little sister. You have to help me with this; just one word from you, and he’ll definitely help.”
“I heard from Mingjin that you haven’t been attending the rehearsals at the theater lately.”
“I’ve been preparing for the audition for the male lead in Director Liu’s new film. I didn’t have time to go.”
Jiang Xingxing’s expression turned cold. “Since the male lead for the theater has already been chosen and the performance date is approaching, what will you do if something goes wrong?”
Acting in a play is not like filming a movie, where there are countless chances to redo a scene. A play only has one chance on stage; if the performance goes poorly, the entire show is ruined.
Wen Yang stiffly replied, “Come on, do you really think anyone cares about that kind of play? Even if there are people, it’s only a few dozen attendees. How much money can it make? What kind of future can there be?”
“If you promised to do this, shouldn’t you strive to do your best? Have you forgotten what Grandma said when she handed the theater over to us? As long as you’re an actor, no matter whether there are audiences or not, you should do your job well…”
“Don’t preach to me,” Wen Yang interrupted her impatiently. “That old rhetoric is outdated in today’s society. Being an actor in theater has no future. I want to be famous, a big star. What’s wrong with that?”
“Then go for it,” Jiang Xingxing exclaimed, her emotions flaring. “Try auditioning on your own merit. If you get selected, then great; if not, don’t blame anyone!”
Wen Yang slammed his coffee cup down on the table. “Now I see it clearly: you’re an ungrateful little brat. I used to feel sorry for you, having no family, and I cared for you. But now, when I ask you for a small favor, not only do you refuse, but you also insult me, looking down on a friend who has been through hard times with you, right?”
Now that the mask was off, Jiang Xingxing decided to speak her mind. “Did you really care about me when you helped me because I had no family?”
Wen Yang’s gaze shifted, lacking confidence as he said, “Of course, I did.”
“You’re really a good person,” Jiang Xingxing replied coldly. “You treated me like a backup, thinking I wasn’t pretty but had a nice personality, making me suitable to develop into an obedient girlfriend. But once you found prettier girls, you left me on the sidelines. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”
Wen Yang’s face changed, clearly struck by her words. “You… you’re talking nonsense. I’m not that kind of person.”
Jiang Xingxing grabbed her bag and turned to leave. “Whether you’re that kind of person is no longer my concern. In the theater, I respected you as a serious and responsible actor, which is why I called you Brother Wen Yang. But now, it doesn’t seem necessary. If you want Mr. Shang’s help, go ask him yourself. If I were to plead on your behalf, I might get carried away and recall how I was treated as a backup. Who knows what unpleasant words I might say? I could even bury you in the Antarctic. Want to give it a try?”
Sansukini: There’s a terrible storm in my country now and the internet signal has been so difficult. My wifi has been down for days.. I wasn’t even sure if I can post this.
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