After Transmigrated as the Movie Star's Omega - Chapter 18

Xia Ran splashed several handfuls of water onto his face. Only under the continuous cooling of the cold water did the heat on his cheeks finally dissipate.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror, his face full of gloom.

What on earth is Shen Baibi thinking? He actually managed to pull off such a nauseating move. Although they had indeed discussed acting intimate to avoid suspicion, wiping someone’s face was a bit too much. Shen Baibi could have just reminded him and let him do it himself. What kind of persona was he trying to put on? Attentive and considerate? He might have looked attentive, but Xia Ran had been scared out of his wits!

That old fox Shen Baibi actually dared to set me up. Just wait and see how I get back at him in a bit!

Xia Ran thought viciously. As for how to get revenge, he hadn’t decided yet—he would just play it by ear. He was confident that with his wit, it would be a piece of cake.

Xia Ran rinsed the earring once more, dried it, and left the bathroom.

Back in the living room, the three were waiting for him.

Xia Ran walked over to Song Fangpei with a radiant smile and handed her the earring: “Teacher Song, your earring!”

“Mm, thank you.” Song Fangpei thanked him with a smile and prepared to put it back on.

Xu Ting threw cold water on her: “You’ve already dropped it once. Why don’t you put it away? What if it falls again?”

Song Fangpei was a bit reluctant, but she knew he wasn’t just nagging; he was being practical. Although they were close to Shen Baibi, it was embarrassing to keep troubling people. She only had herself to blame for choosing this pair of earrings to match her outfit today.

Shen Baibi spoke up at the right time: “Director Xu, Teacher Song’s outfit is perfectly coordinated. If she takes the earrings off, it won’t be complete. It’s better to keep them on.”

Xia Ran chimed in: “Exactly! Something this beautiful should definitely be worn. Teacher Song, don’t worry—if it falls again, I’ll just find it for you one more time!”

Xu Ting knew they were just trying to smooth things over so his wife wouldn’t feel embarrassed, and he didn’t take it to heart. He looked at Xia Ran and nodded: “Fine, since you both put it that way, if that earring falls again, you two are responsible for finding it!”

“Of course!” Shen Baibi and Xia Ran agreed in perfect unison.

After Song Fangpei had her earring on, Shen Baibi said: “If there’s nothing else, let’s head to dinner. The food will get cold if we wait any longer.”

No one objected, and the four moved to the dining room. The table was already covered with dishes, emitting an enticing aroma.

Looking at the exquisitely prepared food, Song Fangpei smiled: “Baibi cooked this himself? We’re certainly in for a treat tonight.”

“Indeed.” Xu Ting nodded, taking a seat and playing the host: “Everyone, sit down.”

The others took their seats.

Since it wasn’t a formal occasion, they didn’t worry about the seating order. It was a long table with the Xus on one side and Xia Ran and Shen Baibi on the other—a harmonious scene.

Faced with a table of delicacies, the group didn’t talk much at first, picking up their chopsticks to taste the food.

After a few bites, Song Fangpei said: “Preparing so many dishes, Baibi, you must have worked hard.”

“It was no trouble.” Shen Baibi offered a reserved smile. “Since Director Xu and Teacher Song took the time to visit, making these was only proper.”

He glanced at Xia Ran and continued: “Actually, Xia Ran and I should have been the ones to visit you. We were a bit caught off guard when you decided to come here instead.”

“Listen to you!” Xu Ting suddenly spoke up, huffing and puffing. “We just came by to snag a meal, and you’re already being stingy!”

Director Xu’s sudden outburst made Xia Ran jump. What happened? The atmosphere was fine just now—why is Director Xu angry? Was it something Shen Baibi said? But Shen Baibi was just making casual conversation; it wasn’t exactly a complaint.

Xia Ran quickly spoke up: “Director Xu, he didn’t mean it like that…”

Xu Ting didn’t let up: “Oh, he meant it exactly like that!” He gestured toward the dishes on the table. “Preparing all this food but not preparing any wine? If that’s not being stingy, what is!”

As soon as he said this, an “indescribable” atmosphere filled the dining room.

Xia Ran felt his worry had been completely in vain. This old man was just craving wine and was finding a way to pressure Shen Baibi into getting him some.

After a brief silence, Shen Baibi chuckled. “Director Xu, I actually did prepare wine, but…”

His gaze shifted toward Song Fangpei.

Xu Ting also looked at his wife. Unlike his arrogant tone from a moment ago, he now looked cautious. He held up one finger: “I’m happy today. Just one glass. One glass!”

Song Fangpei looked helpless. This wasn’t just pressuring Shen Baibi for wine; it was pressuring her to allow it. He had calculated that she would give him face in front of the juniors. Thinking this, she sighed inwardly. At his age, how can he still be so calculating?

But she had no choice and nodded: “Just one glass.”

“There we go!” Xu Ting was triumphant, tilting his chin at Shen Baibi. “Hear that? Go get the wine. Don’t be stingy!”

“Alright.” Shen Baibi rose, caught between laughter and tears.

“Hurry up, don’t dawdle! How can a young man be so slow!” Xu Ting urged, looking impatient.

Xia Ran watched the scene with an odd expression. He never imagined this world-renowned director could have such a childish side. As the saying goes, “an old child is like a young child”—the older they get, the more they behave like children. This was likely a perfect example.

As he was thinking, he felt a gentle gaze. He looked over to find Song Fangpei watching him, and he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. Was I too obvious with my emotions just now? Did I seem offensive? Should I apologize?

His mind raced.

However, Song Fangpei didn’t say anything but simply offered him a smile—one that also contained a hint of helplessness.

Xia Ran breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed she didn’t mind, so he smiled back.

Shen Baibi returned quickly with the wine. Xu Ting’s eyes were glued to the bottle as he pushed his glass forward: “Quick, quick! Fill it up!”

Shen Baibi uncorked the bottle but only poured half a glass. Facing the director’s dissatisfied look, he explained: “This wine is very strong. Half a glass is plenty.”

Xu Ting was still unhappy.

Song Fangpei coughed lightly. “That’s enough.”

Xu Ting had nothing left to say. He had no choice but to bring the glass to his nose to sniff it first—there wasn’t much wine, so he had to savor it.

A rich, mellow aroma hit him. Xu Ting slapped the table: “Good wine! This is excellent!”

Shen Baibi smiled. “Sister Lu brought this specifically because she heard you were coming.”

“Mm.” Xu Ting took a pleasant sip, nodding. “That girl Meng Lu has always known how to handle things. Back when she wanted to introduce you to me, she sent a lot of good wine. She knows my tastes well.”

It was just a casual remark, but Song Fangpei’s eyebrow shot up upon hearing it: “Oh? Just how much wine did she send?”

Realizing he had slipped up, Xu Ting waved his hands frantically: “What ‘how much wine’? Nothing of the sort—everyone, eat! Come, come, old lady, have some fish!”

Song Fangpei glared at him but lowered her head to eat the fish.

Seeing she wasn’t pursuing it further, Xu Ting breathed a sigh of relief and continued savoring his glass.

Xia Ran watched the interaction, secretly laughing. It turned out everything Shen Baibi said was true: Director Xu was afraid of his wife, but he also adored her. It was quite interesting.

Just then, a pair of chopsticks placed a piece of fish into his bowl.

Xia Ran looked at Shen Baibi in surprise.

“Eat some fish.” Shen Baibi smiled gently.

Xia Ran understood: this guy is copying Director Xu’s homework!

Although he was inwardly mocking Shen Baibi’s calculating move, he thanked him with a smile and put the fish into his mouth.

Mmm—Sweet and Sour Fish. Delicious!

Xia Ran narrowed his eyes in bliss.

Shen Baibi watched his unmasked reaction, a slight smile playing on his lips.

From time to time, Shen Baibi would place more food in Xia Ran’s bowl. Xia Ran accepted it all, eating to his heart’s content.

Perhaps the wine was going to his head, because as Xu Ting watched them feeding each other, he suddenly mused: “Seeing you two so loving makes me feel at ease. But you still need to work harder.”

“Huh?” At those words, both men looked up with confusion in their eyes.

The bewildered Xia Ran asked: “Director Xu, work harder at what?”

Xu Ting shook his head with an expression that said “your awareness is too low.” He replied: “What else could it be? Having a baby, of course!”