After Taking Advantage Of An Opening [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 16

From that day onward, Gu Rongqing invited Wen Ling upstairs almost every evening to video-call Wen Nuan together.

At first, Liang Mei would leave whenever they made their calls. But after the two women spent two consecutive evenings video-chatting with Wen Nuan, Liang Mei booked herself another room, giving them even more opportunities to be alone.

Wen Ling initially felt embarrassed. After all, Liang Mei was constantly being forced out of the room because Wen Ling came over every day.

But after spending several evenings with Gu Rongqing, Wen Ling completely forgot about Liang Mei and immersed herself in the time they shared.

She was grateful that Gu Rongqing had been cast in the adaptation of her novel. Otherwise, Wen Ling might never have received an opportunity like this to spend time with her.

It was rather strange.

Even before their divorce, they had rarely spent this much time together.

More importantly, Gu Rongqing had told Wen Ling that she might like her.

Those words revived Wen Ling’s restless yet insecure heart.

She wanted to approach Gu Rongqing…

She wanted to move even closer.

As a result, whenever they video-called Xiao Nuan, the child would tease Wen Ling for shamelessly staring at Mommy.

At first, Wen Ling would become embarrassed and force herself to look away, while Gu Rongqing blushed every time.

After several calls, however, Wen Ling stopped caring and stared at Gu Rongqing openly.

Initially, Gu Rongqing would blush.

Later, she simply glared at her.

The National Day holiday would begin in two days.

During their video call that evening, Wen Nuan announced that she wanted to spend the holiday with Mama and Mommy.

Gu Rongqing didn’t answer. Instead, she gestured toward Wen Ling.

Wen Ling looked at the anticipation in Xiao Nuan’s eyes and found herself in a difficult position.

She missed Xiao Nuan too, but both she and Gu Rongqing were busy every day. How could they possibly find the time to care for her?

The holiday lasted seven days, and Mrs. Gu had already been caring for Wen Nuan for almost a month.

Although Wen Nuan was a well-behaved child, Wen Ling still felt embarrassed about asking Mrs. Gu to look after her for another seven days.

“Mama~ I miss you so much.”

While Wen Ling hesitated, little Wen Nuan launched an attack of sugar-coated sweetness.

Wen Ling already missed her daughter terribly and was completely defenseless against Wen Nuan’s coaxing.

She was beginning to relent. She almost wanted to leave immediately and bring Wen Nuan back.

Wen Ling looked toward Gu Rongqing for help, hoping she might have a better solution.

But Gu Rongqing wouldn’t even glance at her, as though taking revenge for all the times Wen Ling had secretly stared at her.

Left with no alternative, Wen Ling told Xiao Nuan, “Mama and Mommy need to discuss it.”

But Wen Nuan seemed to interpret that as agreement and immediately cheered.

“Yay~!”

Mrs. Gu then said, “Xiao Nuan truly misses both of you. She’s been talking about you constantly lately. Besides, your father and I may need to visit Yancheng during the holiday to inspect the market there. If you don’t have time to care for her, I’ll let your father go by himself.”

Gu Rongqing had previously heard her mother mention that their restaurant chain would be expanding into Yancheng this year.

She nodded, indicating her agreement.

Wen Ling hadn’t expected this to be the reason.

She had assumed Wen Nuan simply wanted to visit them.

She hurriedly said, “Caring for Wen Nuan is our responsibility in the first place. We’ve already troubled you so much lately.”

Mrs. Gu replied that looking after her own granddaughter could hardly be considered troublesome. Spending every day with Xiao Nuan made her incredibly happy.

Hearing this, Xiao Nuan giggled, burrowed into her grandmother’s arms, and began acting spoiled.

The sight moved Gu Rongqing.

She missed Xiao Nuan too.

A moment ago, she had pushed the question onto Wen Ling. Now, she could hardly wait for Wen Nuan to come.

Seeing maternal affection flood Gu Rongqing’s face made Wen Ling want to laugh.

She had acted completely unconcerned moments ago, yet now she looked like this.

She truly was awkward and contrary~

Kindly speaking on Gu Rongqing’s behalf, Wen Ling told Xiao Nuan, “Your mommy misses you terribly. She’s waiting for you to come.”

Embarrassed that Wen Ling had exposed her thoughts, Gu Rongqing gave a vague acknowledgment and said they would decide tomorrow when Wen Nuan should arrive.

After the call ended, Gu Rongqing immediately began urging Wen Ling to leave.

She looked completely awkward and irritated after having her thoughts exposed.

Wen Ling refused to go. She remained seated on the bed, watching Gu Rongqing and finding her behavior both novel and amusing.

How had she never realized that Rongqing was so awkward and adorable?

Gu Rongqing pushed her, and Wen Ling dodged. The two began playfully tussling on the bed…

Then Wen Ling suddenly exerted more strength and pinned Gu Rongqing beneath her.

Gu Rongqing hadn’t expected Wen Ling to press her down without warning.

She could feel Wen Ling’s body tightly against her own, making her extremely embarrassed. Her face reddened as she pushed at Wen Ling’s shoulders.

“Get up.”

“I won’t.”

“You’re too heavy when you lie on me like this.”

Wen Ling felt Gu Rongqing’s breathing quicken noticeably.

Her gaze darted away, refusing to meet Wen Ling’s. Even her neck gradually turned pink.

Recently, Wen Ling had discovered Gu Rongqing’s awkward nature.

She would never take the initiative, but she wouldn’t refuse either.

Emboldened by that knowledge, Wen Ling lowered her head and whispered beside Gu Rongqing’s ear, “Rongqing, you’re so adorable.”

Wen Ling felt that wasn’t enough.

“I want to kiss you.”

Gu Rongqing went rigid for a moment.

What was adorable about her…?

And kiss her…?

Before Gu Rongqing could fully process Wen Ling’s words, she felt something soft and moist press against her lips…

On set, Gu Rongqing was filming a scene with Best Actor Zhan Feng, who played her fiancé, Li Ye.

Li Ye had discovered that his fiancée and Fang Cao were developing feelings for each other. He insulted Fang Cao, claiming she would do anything for money—even sleep with him if he offered enough.

Furious upon hearing this, Jin Nanfeng slapped him.

At first, Gu Rongqing felt embarrassed about striking Zhan Feng and couldn’t bring herself to use much force. This resulted in several failed takes.

Watching Gu Rongqing and Zhan Feng through the monitor beside the director, Wen Ling felt that Gu Rongqing’s emotions weren’t intense enough and mentioned it to Director Li Xin.

Ji Chenxi, who was nearby, immediately disagreed.

“Jin Nanfeng is inherently gentle. If her emotions are too intense, it would conflict with her characterization.”

Wen Ling didn’t know whether Ji Chenxi was deliberately opposing her or what.

This was supposed to be an emotionally explosive scene, yet Ji Chenxi was actually saying such a thing?

Wen Ling didn’t bother hiding her displeasure.

In a stiff tone, she said, “So if someone insulted the person Best Actress Ji loved like that, you would preserve your dignity and calmly reason with them?”

Ji Chenxi was momentarily speechless.

She had only said it because she disliked Wen Ling. After Wen Ling retorted so bluntly, Ji Chenxi couldn’t think of an answer.

Seeing this, Director Li Xin stepped in to smooth things over. He called Gu Rongqing and Zhan Feng over and suggested hearing their opinions.

Wen Ling didn’t say anything further.

She listened as they discussed the scene without interfering.

She understood that although the movie was adapted from her work and she was also its screenwriter, she didn’t possess much actual authority. She was primarily there to offer suggestions. The final decisions still had to be made by the others.

Unexpectedly, Gu Rongqing agreed with her.

She acknowledged that her emotions hadn’t been strong enough.

Her support delighted Wen Ling.

Ignoring Ji Chenxi’s furious glare, Wen Ling began staring at Gu Rongqing.

But as she watched, her heart gradually became bitter.

She hadn’t been alone with Gu Rongqing for two days.

Ever since Wen Ling forcibly kissed her, Gu Rongqing had stopped inviting her over for the video calls.

Wen Ling didn’t know how Gu Rongqing had explained it to Wen Nuan. The child hadn’t video-called Wen Ling, and Wen Ling hadn’t dared call her either.

She didn’t even know when her own daughter would arrive.

After everyone finished discussing the scene, filming resumed.

Gu Rongqing’s performance was much better this time, so they finished quickly.

Wen Ling had intended to ask Gu Rongqing to have lunch with her after filming, but Lin Xu approached and said she needed to speak with her.

They found a quiet place without many people around.

Lin Xu said, “My mother called me just now. She and Aunt Xu are coming here.”

Wen Ling found that baffling.

“Why didn’t my mother call and tell me?”

Lin Xu shrugged, indicating that she didn’t know.

“When are they coming?”

“I don’t know yet.”

Wen Ling sighed.

Her own mother was coming, yet she hadn’t been informed.

She didn’t even know when her mother would arrive.

As expected, she wasn’t her mother’s true love.

While walking back, they overheard a staff member say that an investor had arrived and wanted to take Best Actress Gu to lunch.

Wen Ling stopped the person.

“Who did you say arrived? Who are they taking to lunch?”

When the staff member saw that it was Wen Ling, they politely addressed her as Teacher Wen before repeating that an investor had arrived and invited Gu Rongqing to lunch.

After the staff member left, Wen Ling glanced at Lin Xu and gestured for her to hurry.

But when they returned to the set, Wen Ling looked around and confirmed that Gu Rongqing was no longer there.

She did, however, see Director Li Xin and Ji Chenxi talking with Xu Zhe.

Wen Ling was confused.

Wasn’t Yiyang financing this movie?

And wasn’t Xu Zhe the investor?

But if he was still here talking to them, where was Gu Rongqing?

Wen Ling hurried toward the group.

She was about to call out to Xu Zhe when she abruptly stopped, realizing that the rest of the production still didn’t know about their relationship.

Xu Zhe watched her approach and then stop.

His younger cousin was being awkward again, unwilling to admit that she was connected to Yiyang.

Unfortunately, someone else was about to prevent her from getting her way.

Following Xu Zhe’s gaze, the others also looked toward Wen Ling.

Director Li Xin smiled and explained, “President Xu came to check on our filming progress. He’s treating everyone to lunch.”

Wen Ling nodded to show she understood.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, everyone headed toward the hotel.

As they got into their cars, Xu Zhe told Wen Ling to ride with him.

Wen Ling didn’t refuse.

The others looked at her somewhat strangely, especially Ji Chenxi.

Wen Ling and Lin Xu climbed into Xu Zhe’s car.

The moment they were inside, Wen Ling stopped restraining herself.

“Brother Xu Zhe, where’s Rongqing?”

Xu Zhe snorted and said, “Now you remember that I’m your brother? Don’t worry. We’re going to find her now.”

Wen Ling knew that her older cousin was hopelessly childish.

He had bullied her ever since they were young, and whenever he refused to reveal something, no one could force it out of him.

Wen Ling stopped asking.

But she never could have imagined that when she reached the restaurant, she would find her mother and daughter seated at the table.

The moment she entered, she heard Wen Nuan sweetly call, “Mama!”

Before Wen Ling could respond, she saw Ms. Xu.

“Mom?!”

The word escaped her lips.

Everyone immediately turned to stare at her…

The situation was so unbearably awkward that Wen Ling wanted to disappear.

She looked toward Xu Zhe, only to find him laughing at her without a shred of sympathy.