Jiang Xingxing never expected Shang Jie to publicly acknowledge her as his wife in front of everyone.
She had assumed this sudden marriage would remain a secret, hidden under the guise of discretion. Yet, time and again, Shang Jie stepped in to rescue her from difficult situations, never shying away from their relationship, no matter the audience.
This touched Jiang Xingxing deeply.
Soon after, Jiang Xingxing successfully signed on as the female lead for the movie “Sweet Orange”.
Due to urgent company matters, Shang Jie and Lin Chuan left early. As they departed, Shang Jie couldn’t resist turning back to look at her one last time.
That unconscious action laid his feelings bare for all to see.
His gaze, full of care and concern, was like the warm sun on a winter’s day, filling Jiang Xingxing with waves of warmth.
He truly cared about her.
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Lin Chuan immediately grasped the weight of that single word, “better”.
After much deliberation, the role of Xia Jie was ultimately assigned to Gu Lun, a former Golden Laurel Award nominee for Best Actor.
Gu Lun, a professionally trained actor, had been in the industry since childhood as a child star. Known for his work in historical martial arts dramas, his background in martial arts gave him an air of righteous elegance.
Unlike many child stars whose fame faded as they aged, Gu Lun’s career continued to ascend. His looks only improved over time, and his acting skills steadily evolved. He successfully tackled diverse roles, earning him a wide range of opportunities. Despite his youth, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with veteran actors, securing a nomination for the prestigious Golden Laurel Award for Best Actor.
Though he didn’t win, the nomination alone was a significant honor, with both fans and critics agreeing that it was only a matter of time before Gu Lun claimed the award.
Gu Lun’s fame was on an entirely different level compared to Zhou Xu. Despite being close in age, the two belonged to vastly different leagues.
Shang Jie’s meticulous choice of Gu Lun for the role, along with an offer of an exorbitant salary far exceeding the budget, showed his commitment to paving a path for Jiang Xingxing.
In truth, Zhou Xu wasn’t entirely wrong—there is a symbiotic relationship between the male and female leads in a drama. If both are equally matched in reputation, their fan bases can merge and grow. However, when one significantly outshines the other, it benefits the less prominent actor.
In idol dramas, the chemistry between the leads is crucial. Gu Lun’s fans might very well become Jiang Xingxing’s fans too.
Thus, Shang Jie had crafted a promising start for Jiang Xingxing.
That evening, Shang Jie stepped into the courtyard, spotting Da Mao sticking out its tongue at him. He smirked faintly, walking over to gently pat the dog’s head. “Where’s your mom?”
A servant overheard and replied, “Madam is in the kitchen.”
Caught off guard by the presence of others, Shang Jie’s face instantly flushed. He quickly composed himself, reverting to his usual serious demeanor as he strode back into the house.
As soon as Shang Jie entered the house, the delightful aroma of freshly cooked food greeted him. His wife was in the kitchen, wearing a floral apron and busy at work.
The maids had gathered around her, exclaiming in surprise and delight:
“Wow, Madam, your cooking skills are amazing!”
“Try it, is it good?”
“It’s delicious!”
“Madam, please teach me how to make this dish.”
“Teach me too!”
“Sure, but first help me carry these dishes to the table.”
The maids cheerfully obliged, clearly adoring their new mistress. Unlike a typical lady of the house, she carried no airs, blending in seamlessly with everyone.
As the maids brought the dishes out, they bumped into Shang Jie and froze, startled.
“Young Master, you’re back… we…”
Jiang Xingxing poked her head out of the kitchen to rescue them.
“I told them to take a break today. I wanted to personally prepare a meal to thank you for your help.”
“Mm.”
Shang Jie didn’t say much and walked over to the sofa, switching on the news.
He crossed his legs, casually yanked off his tie, and tossed it onto the sofa. The maids quickly picked up his clothes to hang them, then wisely left the living room, not wanting to interrupt the couple’s time together.
From the corner of his eye, Shang Jie glanced toward the kitchen. Jiang Xingxing was wearing a simple cream-colored turtleneck sweater that hugged her curves perfectly. Her slender waist moved gracefully, and her long black hair fell casually over her shoulders.
Her movements as she cooked were practiced and fluid, exuding a subtle warmth that struck a chord in his heart.
When Jiang Xingxing brought out the last dish, Shang Jie snapped out of his thoughts and turned off the TV.
“Mr. Shang, dinner’s ready!”
The table was filled with simple home-cooked dishes, steaming and fragrant, their appearance enough to whet anyone’s appetite. Shang Jie hadn’t felt particularly hungry earlier, but now the aroma stirred his appetite.
“These are all your favorite dishes,” Jiang Xingxing said as she served him rice with care.
Indeed, every dish on the table was something he liked. It reminded him of when he used to live at her house—those cozy evenings where they’d share a meal over a few simple dishes. Occasionally, they’d even fight over the TV remote.
Of course, Shang Jie refused to admit to such childish behavior in his past, so he rarely dwelled on those memories.
Now, sitting together for dinner, Jiang Xingxing chatted away about her day, while he listened quietly, occasionally responding. It was, in its own way, warm and comforting.
For someone who had grown used to being alone, Shang Jie found himself unexpectedly enjoying this sense of warmth.
“Mr. Shang, I want to thank you for helping me so much,” Jiang Xingxing said, raising her wine glass.
Shang Jie cooperatively clinked glasses with her.
The wine swirled in the glass, releasing a rich aroma.
“At first, I thought I’d earned the female lead role through my own efforts. I didn’t realize you were supporting me behind the scenes. I don’t know what to say, but thank you.”
She downed her glass of wine in one go.
Shang Jie silently watched her, initially wanting to explain. However, a faint, inexplicable sense of satisfaction stopped him. Letting her be grateful to him didn’t seem like such a bad thing.
He enjoyed the feeling of being relied upon by her, so he chose not to clarify.
After dinner, Shang Jie said, “Don’t cook yourself next time. The kitchen’s grease and smoke aren’t good for your skin, especially since, as an actress, you rely on your looks.”
Jiang Xingxing casually replied, “Looking like this, do I even have any looks to rely on?”
She smiled nonchalantly, but Shang Jie detected a trace of self-deprecation in her tone.
He didn’t want to offer false encouragement that hard work guarantees success because he knew all too well how unforgiving the world could be—beyond anyone’s control.
As long as she stayed behind him, he would shield her from the storms.
The house was quiet that evening, save for the occasional light footsteps of the maids passing outside. For the most part, Jiang Xingxing was as quiet as a well-behaved cat at home.
But why hadn’t the little cat come to his room to bother him today?
Usually, at bedtime, Jiang Xingxing would sneak into his room, cling to his bed, and refuse to leave. Sometimes, he had to carry her out.
She would kick and scream, loudly protesting, often making the maids chuckle discreetly.
But tonight, the unusual silence left Shang Jie restless. He left his room, pretending to stretch his legs, and casually wandered to the door of Jiang Xingxing’s room.
The red wooden door wasn’t fully shut, left slightly ajar. A soft nightlight cast a warm glow through the crack.
He heard faint sobbing.
The sound was muffled and stifled, as if she was trying hard not to make a noise, but her shaky breaths betrayed her, each hitch in her voice tugging painfully at his heart.
Shang Jie could feel her disappointment.
The day she excitedly told him she had earned the role through her own talent and hard work was now a sharp contrast to how she must feel, realizing it was his intervention that secured the part.
Without him, she might have lost the role entirely.
How fragile. She couldn’t even hold onto a single role on her own.
For a young person who has always believed that “30% depends on fate, and 70% on hard work,” this must have been a devastating blow, enough to shatter all her confidence.
Shang Jie had once been as naive as her. However, at his current stage in life, he saw things with clarity and understanding.
He pushed open the door.
Jiang Xingxing hurriedly pulled the blanket over herself, shrinking into it and frantically wiping away her tears. She didn’t want him to see her in such a vulnerable state.
The man stood by her bed, looking down at her from above.
Jiang Xingxing pretended as if nothing had happened, sniffing and speaking in a muffled voice:
“Mr. Shang, did you need something? I was already asleep.”
Shang Jie said nothing, and the atmosphere grew tense.
“Mr. Shang…”
“Did you brush your teeth?”
“Huh?”
Jiang Xingxing was puzzled by the unexpected question. “Yes.”
“Then brush them again.”
With that, Shang Jie placed something on her pillow. She heard his footsteps retreat as he left the room.
Curious, Jiang Xingxing poked her head out of the blanket and glanced at her pillow. There, on the pale blue silk pillowcase, lay a strawberry-flavored lollipop.
Her eyes widened as she picked it up.
It was Shang Jie’s favorite flavor—or rather, the favorite flavor of his alternate personality. Whether at work or home, when no one was around, he often had a lollipop in his mouth.
So now, was the current Shang Jie using something he loved most to comfort her?
After finishing his last document, Shang Jie stretched, his lean upper body making his bones crack audibly.
When he turned around, he was startled to see Jiang Xingxing sitting at the head of his bed, hugging her knees.
Her thick black hair fell messily over her slender shoulders. She wore a thin strap nightgown that clung to her figure, revealing her long neck and fair skin. The gown didn’t cover the elegant curve of her collarbones.
Shang Jie’s throat felt a little dry, and he glanced back at the half-open door in surprise.
When did she come in? He hadn’t even noticed.
Her skill at sneaking in had become… quite impressive.
Jiang Xingxing’s eyes were still slightly red. Her hair fell in disarray over her shoulders, and she was sucking on the lollipop, her cheeks puffed out adorably as she gazed at him pitifully.
“Don’t push your luck,” he said.
Jiang Xingxing immediately scooted to the left, tugging at the blanket to make room on the right. “You were the one who provoked me first.”
Shang Jie rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. “You promised me you wouldn’t cry anymore.”
“I didn’t cry in front of you, did I?”
Shang Jie: …
Still, he argued stubbornly, “If you’re living in my house, you’re not allowed to cry. Got it?”
Jiang Xingxing rubbed her eyes. “You’re so overbearing.”
Not even allowed to cry in secret.
Whether it was his fault or not, the women who stayed by Shang Jie’s side always ended up feeling wronged and shedding tears. To him, this was a significant failure.
No matter how successful his career was, if the people around him weren’t happy, everything seemed meaningless.
That’s why he had been alone all these years. Now that someone was by his side, her every smile, frown, joy, and sorrow tugged at his heart.
“There’s something I need to clarify,” he said. “I did ask Lin Chuan to inform the production team to invite you for an audition, but I didn’t reveal our relationship. So the fact that the director chose you wasn’t because of me—it was your own ability.”
A faint light shone in Jiang Xingxing’s clear, dark eyes.
Shang Jie continued, “Effort does matter. This world is fair, and hard work is effective.”
Even though he didn’t completely believe his own words, he couldn’t bring himself to shatter her faith.
He always felt a tender protectiveness toward her.
“So, Mr. Shang thinks that someone like me can act well?” She brushed her forehead lightly. “I doubt there’s anyone like me in showbiz.”
Shang Jie sat down on the bed, causing the soft mattress to sink under his weight.
Jiang Xingxing straightened up, watching as his fair, slender hand slowly approached her face. He gently brushed aside the strands of hair on her forehead.
His warm fingertips lightly touched her scar, sending a tingling sensation through her heart.
In a deep, sultry voice, he said, “In this era, ordinary means common. And you, without a doubt, are the most unique.”
One of a kind.
Jiang Xingxing looked at his handsome face up close, her breath catching.
In his deep brown eyes, she saw her own delicate reflection.
Was she truly unique in his eyes?
Jiang Xingxing rolled the lollipop in her mouth before suddenly wrapping her slender fingers around Shang Jie’s thumb.
He could feel the softness of her palm pressing against him, a delicate sensation that tickled his heart.
“Mr. Shang, thank you. I’ll work hard and won’t let down the opportunity you’ve given me.”
“That’s good.” Unable to help himself, Shang Jie reached out and tousled her hair. “It’s late, get some sleep.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Xingxing lay down, pulling the blanket up to her mouth. She blinked a few times before closing her eyes.
Shang Jie: …
“Go back to your own bed.”
He repeated the nightly routine of reminding her.
As always, Jiang Xingxing pretended not to hear him.
“Aren’t married couples supposed to sleep in the same bed?” she asked, her voice laced with grievance. “I’m not doing anything to you.”
Shang Jie: …
“You wish.”
He picked her up, but she stubbornly clung to her pillow, refusing to let go. “Mmmph.”
Shang Jie sighed in resignation. “You’ve eaten candy. Go brush your teeth first.”
Jiang Xingxing’s eyes widened. “Does that mean you’re agreeing?”
“Go.”
“I’ll go right now!” She leaped off the bed and dashed to brush her teeth like she was running a hundred-meter sprint.
However, when she returned, she found the door to Shang Jie’s room locked from the inside.
“Shang Jie! You liar!”
Inside the room, Shang Jie lay comfortably on the large bed. The faint almond milk scent of her body lotion lingered on the pillow beside him.
His lips curled into a smile as he closed his eyes in contentment.
The next morning, Jiang Xingxing came downstairs and overheard the maids whispering.
“So last night, Madam got thrown out by Young Master again?”
“Young Master locked the door this time.”
“Madam is so pitiful.”
“Our Young Master… He’s always had a swarm of admirers over the years—ladies from prestigious families and even elite socialites who’ve studied abroad. But have you ever seen him give any of them the time of day?”
“Still, don’t you think he treats Madam differently?”
“Of course! No matter how Madam teases or acts out, he never gets angry. If it were someone else, they’d have been kicked out ages ago.”
“When the Second Young Master was around, he spoiled Madam so much. No matter how his personality changed, deep down, he’s still the same person. His feelings for Madam haven’t changed.”
Jiang Xingxing couldn’t help but interject, “Do you really think… they’re the same person?”
The maids turned pale when they saw her. “Madam! Madam, we’re sorry! We shouldn’t have been gossiping behind your back. Please don’t tell Young Master…”
“It’s fine.” Jiang Xingxing waved it off, unfazed. She pressed on with her question, “So, do you think they’re the same person?”
Seeing that she wasn’t angry, the maids relaxed a little. “Honestly, despite their differences, there are a lot of similarities between them. For example, their favorite foods, the way the house is arranged, their love of fitness—those little habits and even some subconscious movements are exactly the same.”
Jiang Xingxing nodded thoughtfully. “That’s true.”
“That’s why, to us, the two Young Masters are essentially the same person. It’s just that sometimes he gets confused and acts differently.”
“And which one do you like better?” Jiang Xingxing asked again.
The maids hesitated. “We respect both of them equally, of course.”
“Oh, come on.” Jiang Xingxing chuckled. “You must have a favorite. He’s not here; you can tell me. Who do you think is better?”
Seeing how approachable she was, the maids relaxed completely and gathered around her to chat.
“Actually, when the Second Young Master was around, the atmosphere in the house was much lighter. There weren’t so many rules, and when he was in a good mood, he’d even give us time off.”
“So you like the Second Young Master more?”
The maids quickly added, “But! But the First Young Master, even though he seems cold, is actually very kind to us too. He’s just stricter. He has a thing for cleanliness—like no dust on the table, his suits must be perfectly ironed with no creases… But that’s our job, after all.”
“So when the First Young Master is around, you have to work harder,” Jiang Xingxing concluded.
The maids exchanged glances but didn’t deny it—Shang Jie’s primary personality indeed had higher standards for detail and quality of life compared to his secondary personality, who was much more easygoing and carefree.
“Madam, which one do “you” prefer?” the maids asked curiously. “Which side of the Young Master do you like best?”
As the maids posed this question, Shang Jie happened to step out of his room. His footsteps halted as he lingered to hear how she would answer.
“I…”
Jiang Xingxing fell silent, pondering her response. During that moment, Shang Jie’s heartbeat inexplicably quickened.
“I like how he used to be,” Jiang Xingxing finally answered with a lighthearted smile.
After all, they had spent several months together, sharing every moment. His kindness, his deep affection—every bit of it had etched itself into her heart.
Hearing this, Shang Jie felt as though a chunk of his heart had been bitten off, leaving a wave of disappointment crashing over him.
This wasn’t the time to appear; it would only make things awkward for her. He retreated into his room and sat down at the mahogany desk, closing his eyes to steady the unexplainable sense of loss and sadness in his chest.
Why did he feel this way? If all his past irrational emotions stemmed from the secondary personality, shouldn’t the second personality be pleased by her answer?
He shouldn’t care who that woman liked. Why should he care…?
Shang Jie’s hand clenched into a fist, the blue veins faintly visible on the pale skin of his hand.
He was not happy.
Ten minutes later, Shang Jie went downstairs.
Breakfast was ready, and Jiang Xingxing sat across from him in her fluffy, soft white bunny pajama dress, chewing on a piece of crispy toast.
Shang Jie sat down as usual and began eating.
The rule at his table was clear: no talking during meals. Jiang Xingxing stayed silent, focusing on her food, but soon sniffed and caught a faint scent of smoke on him.
“Did you smoke?”
“Mm.”
“You never smoke, though,” she said, her tone laced with surprise.
Shang Jie placed his chopsticks down abruptly, his expression blank as he said, “Is there a reason I can’t smoke?”
Jiang Xingxing blinked, startled by his inexplicable irritation. She muttered softly, “I just thought it was odd, that’s all. No big deal.”
Shang Jie took a deep breath to calm himself and resumed eating without further words.
After breakfast, Shang Jie prepared to leave for the day.
As usual, Jiang Xingxing ran over to him at the door, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him goodbye.
She had assumed he would dodge her, as he usually did. But to her surprise, this time, her kiss landed directly at the corner of his lips when he turned his head.
His lips were cold and tightly pressed together.
“Eh?” Jiang Xingxing blinked in surprise. That was… unexpected. Had he really let her get away with it this easily?
Shang Jie’s expression remained cold, his deep eyes unreadable. Without saying a word, he turned and left.
Jiang Xingxing stood there, stunned, her fingers lightly brushing her lips. His cold touch still lingered there.
Was it intentional? Or an accident?
Even Jiang Xingxing herself couldn’t figure it out.
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Hoooo poor him. But she loves you
He loves her too. He’s just in denial.