Chapter 33
Because everyone had seen the trending news that morning, the hired extras stood with their heads lowered, wearing all kinds of expressions.
Those who knew one another exchanged meaningful looks before the crew member had clapped the slate, occasionally glancing toward the center of the storm.
However, with both people involved present, no one dared openly discuss it.
While everyone else speculated endlessly, Shen Yishu and Ji Xiangyu did not care in the slightest.
Perhaps because the Beginning of Autumn was approaching, the sun had been appearing lately as though sunlight cost nothing.
The afternoon glare was so strong that people could barely keep their eyes open.
Mornings and evenings had already begun cooling down, but the afternoons had become twice as hot, as though summer were determined to exhaust the last of its warmth.
Both women wore heavy ceremonial wedding robes, and sweat was already beginning to form across their foreheads.
They had originally walked over to take their marks and expected the director to call action once everything was confirmed, but the director still had not appeared.
Shen Yishu raised the back of her hand to block the sunlight and narrowed her eyes, trying to see what he was doing.
A petite young woman wearing a baseball cap was crouched beside him.
She was about the same height as Zhu Li, small and delicate, with a script in one hand and a pen moving across its pages.
Shen Yishu had never seen her on set before.
The sunlight was already making her head ache, so she looked toward Ji Xiangyu beside her.
Ji Xiangyu wore her usual cold and distant expression.
With her cool, pale skin, she resembled a human block of ice. Merely standing near her seemed to lower the surrounding temperature.
Not even the heat affected her expression.
Shen Yishu decided they could not continue standing beneath the sun.
If they waited any longer, their makeup would run before filming even began.
She quietly asked Ji Xiangyu,
“Sister, should we go see what the director is doing?”
Ji Xiangyu recognized the petite young woman.
She was the author of The Golden Hairpin, known online as Little Writing Expert.
The previous year, Ji Xiangyu had starred in a fantasy drama adapted from one of Little Writing Expert’s novels.
The drama became so popular that Weibo was flooded with stills of Ji Xiangyu.
Little Writing Expert had also visited the set then and praised her performance.
As the original author of several hit dramas, she even had enough influence to participate in casting decisions.
However, she had been invited to the set that time because the director believed a certain scene had room for revision and wanted to discuss it with the original author.
Ji Xiangyu did not know why she had come today.
“Mm.”
She nodded.
The moment they entered the shade, Zhu Li hurriedly offered them a small portable fan and ice water.
Shen Yishu handed the fan to Ji Xiangyu and even unscrewed the water bottle for her.
“The actress is here.”
The director pointed at Shen Yishu.
“You explain it to her.”
He called over a crew member and instructed the extras to rest in the shade and distribute water where needed.
Little Writing Expert’s eyes lit up.
She first greeted Ji Xiangyu.
“Teacher Ji, long time no see.”
Ji Xiangyu nodded.
“Long time no see.”
“Shen Yishu? The person born to play Li Jin. Hello, I’m Little Writing Expert.”
After greeting her, the young woman wasted no time.
“Let’s discuss your understanding of this scene.”
The director believed Li Jin still felt some gratitude toward Zhou Yi at this point, so her sincerity during the wedding should be genuine.
Little Writing Expert, however, believed the screenwriter had revised the scene poorly.
Li Jin had never loved Zhou Yi deeply enough.
Now that power was truly within her grasp, she felt more wary of Zhou Yi.
Yet she undeniably still possessed some affection for her.
Therefore, Li Jin’s sincerity should remain on the surface, while most of her enjoyment came from receiving the worship of everyone present.
Although Little Writing Expert was the original author, the final decision still belonged to the director.
That made Shen Yishu’s opinion especially important.
Shen Yishu sat on the stool Little Writing Expert offered her.
Just as she prepared to speak, someone handed her a bottle of water.
She turned around in confusion and saw Ji Xiangyu calmly placing the remaining half bottle of ice water into her hand.
Everyone’s drinking water on set was carefully guarded.
Because Wang Xing was not present, Shen Yishu had given Ji Xiangyu the water Zhu Li brought rather than risk anything happening.
She had not expected Ji Xiangyu to save half for her.
“Drink some water. Don’t get heatstroke.”
Ji Xiangyu lowered her eyes and spoke softly.
Shen Yishu happened to be thirsty, so she did not refuse.
She finished the remaining water in one go.
The cold water dispersed the heat inside her body, making her feel instantly cooler.
Little Writing Expert wore the delighted expression of someone who had just witnessed romantic sweetness.
“An indirect kiss! So sweet.”
“This year, I’m going home to write an extremely sweet script. Bring your wife to star in it next year, Teacher Ji.”
The heat that had only just dispersed was immediately absorbed back into Shen Yishu’s body.
She belatedly remembered that she and Ji Xiangyu drank in similar ways.
Both of their lips had touched the same bottle opening.
Ji Xiangyu could tell at a glance that Shen Yishu’s adorable innocence had begun acting up again.
She set down the portable fan, patted Shen Yishu’s shoulder, and finally said,
“I don’t particularly trust your ability to write an extremely sweet story.”
Little Writing Expert protested,
“Hey! You can’t assume I’m incapable of writing sweetness merely because I enjoy sending readers knives.”
As the two spoke, Shen Yishu gradually calmed down.
It was only an indirect kiss.
They had already kissed several times.
Why was she still nervous?
“Let’s discuss the script.”
Ji Xiangyu noticed from the corner of her eye that Shen Yishu was no longer nervous and guided the conversation back to the subject.
“The weather is too hot. The sooner we finish, the better.”
Shen Yishu’s innocence was one of the things Ji Xiangyu liked about her.
However, appearing too innocent in front of outsiders could make people suspect the two of them were not close at all.
That would not do.
Ji Xiangyu needed to find a way to desensitize her.
Shen Yishu continued from Ji Xiangyu’s words and began explaining her interpretation.
As Li Jin’s creator, Little Writing Expert naturally understood her own daughter’s characterization almost perfectly.
Shen Yishu expanded upon her explanation.
“I believe that rather than loving Zhou Yi herself, Li Jin loves the version of Zhou Yi who gives everything to her unconditionally.”
“After Li Jin ascends the throne, Zhou Yi’s final value is becoming a respectable Empress Consort she can present to the world.”
“Li Jin doesn’t love the Zhou Yi who no longer possesses any practical value. She is merely addicted to the beautiful world Zhou Yi created for her.”
The love they had shared as young women had been genuine.
At that time, fewer complications existed, and they mostly supported each other.
Later, once power entered the picture, Li Jin forgot love along with the rest of her past.
Little Writing Expert nodded repeatedly in strong agreement.
“Exactly, exactly. You truly understand Li Jin.”
She stood and returned the script to the director.
“Following your interpretation isn’t wrong.”
“Although this is a satisfying revenge story centered on the female lead, Li Jin plays an even more important role than Ji Mu.”
A smile entered her eyes.
“However, acting like a scumbag toward your own wife may require some skill.”
Shen Yishu: “…”
As though she had any choice.
Little Writing Expert found a convenient place to watch, and the grand wedding scene officially began filming.
An extremely long crimson carpet stretched into the palace.
The assembled officials stood with lowered heads on both sides.
Li Jin held Zhou Yi’s hand and enjoyed the ministers’ worship.
Her eyes overflowed with delight.
But that delight did not come from the wedding.
It came from becoming Empress Regnant and receiving every gaze filled with admiration, fear, or envy.
According to Great Xia’s traditional ceremony, the Empress Regnant and Empress Consort stood as equals on their wedding day.
That displeased Li Jin slightly.
But when she glanced sideways and saw the abundant love in Zhou Yi’s eyes, her heart softened by three parts.
It was only for one day.
From tomorrow onward, she would be the Empress Regnant standing above tens of thousands.
She would never again find herself crying in the middle of the night and begging someone for help.
She quietly said to Zhou Yi,
“Sister, now we can remain together forever.”
At that moment, Zhou Yi sincerely believed her.
Their eyes held entirely different things as they received everyone’s kneeling blessings and completed the ceremony.
The original novel continued beyond this scene, but the script did not.
Because the drama was intended for satellite television broadcast, many changes had been made to the later portions involving Ji Mu and Zhou Yi’s romance, while several earlier interactions between Zhou Yi and Li Jin had been removed.
The moment filming ended, Shen Yishu felt unbearably hot and immediately returned to the lounge to remove her costume.
The makeup artist who had once been friendly with her and had spoken badly about Ji Xiangyu happened to be inside, so she helped.
While removing the ornaments from Shen Yishu’s hair, she said,
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
For a moment, Shen Yishu could not tell whether she meant her marriage to Ji Xiangyu or Li Jin’s marriage to Zhou Yi.
“Please don’t take what I said before to heart. I didn’t mean it.”
The makeup artist remembered speaking badly about Ji Xiangyu in front of Shen Yishu and regretted it so deeply that her insides practically turned green.
She had criticized a Best Actress in front of a minor actress, only to discover that the Best Actress and minor actress were legally married.
The story could build a thousand-story tower in any public-humiliation forum.
Marketing accounts could spread it until everyone online had laughed at her once.
“Teacher Ji doesn’t care.”
Shen Yishu shook her head, though her tone remained cool.
“I defended her not because of our relationship, but because she genuinely is a good person. She isn’t as terrible as the rumors make her sound.”
The makeup artist released a long breath of relief.
Having learned her lesson, she would never repeat another piece of gossip again.
Still, she remained extremely curious.
Just as netizens had speculated, the difference between the two women was enormous.
They appeared to have no connection whatsoever.
Even dating seemed strange, much less getting married.
And they had made it public!
But after her previous mistake, the makeup artist had learned to keep her mouth closed and said nothing.
Once the burdensome hair ornaments and thick costume had been removed, Shen Yishu estimated that she had no more scenes that day.
She planned to find Ji Xiangyu and return to the hotel together.
Over the past few days, she had grown accustomed to staying beside Ji Xiangyu whenever possible and felt nothing strange about it.
She had never experienced a contractual romance, so she did not know that most people in contractual marriages deliberately avoided seeing each other.
Since they were bound only by a piece of paper, why behave like an ordinary couple?
She had never experienced an ordinary romance either, so she did not know that her behavior resembled that of a normal couple—clinging to one’s partner whenever there was free time.
She only knew that being beside Ji Xiangyu made her feel secure.
After changing clothes, Shen Yishu went to Ji Xiangyu’s lounge.
Only then did she discover that Ji Xiangyu was not sitting inside enjoying the air conditioning.
Instead, she stood beside the door, staring at Jiang Wu.
“Speak. What is it?”
Ji Xiangyu beckoned for Shen Yishu to come over.
Shen Yishu glanced suspiciously at Jiang Wu, unsure why she had appeared.
“I wasn’t the one who leaked it,” Jiang Wu said stiffly.
“I know.”
Ji Xiangyu quietly told Shen Yishu to go inside because it was hot outdoors.
The intimacy between the two women wounded Jiang Wu’s eyes.
After two seconds, she asked,
“You’re willing to believe me?”
Ji Xiangyu turned toward her in confusion.
“What does this have to do with believing you? The team investigated it. The marketing account wasn’t connected to you. It’s that simple.”
Shen Yishu did not want to leave.
She truly disliked Jiang Wu.
Whenever Jiang Wu was with Ji Xiangyu, she spoke badly about Shen Yishu.
Whenever she was with Shen Yishu, she spoke badly about Ji Xiangyu.
Her behavior strongly resembled that of an elementary school student.
Shen Yishu wanted to hear what she planned to say.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Wu said nothing else.
“…I understand. I wish you happiness.”
“Thank you for your blessing.”
Ji Xiangyu had no desire to continue.
“Do you have any other serious business?”
She was clearly dismissing her.
Lin Luosheng happened to enter from another path while eating ice cream and holding Zheng Shu’s hand.
The moment she saw Jiang Wu, she released Zheng Shu.
Zheng Shu glanced at Jiang Wu, then reached out and took Lin Luosheng’s hand again.
Jiang Wu paid no attention to their actions.
She walked away in a daze.
Once Jiang Wu left, Lin Luosheng began arguing with Zheng Shu.
“I already said we can’t let anyone on the production know we’re dating.”
“Jiang Wu won’t tell anyone,” Zheng Shu replied. “Aside from matters involving Cousin Ji, her mind is perfectly clear.”
As expected of one of the original novel’s female leads, Zheng Shu possessed remarkably accurate judgment.
“That still isn’t allowed. What if it had been someone else?”
Lin Luosheng choked briefly, then continued arguing with complete confidence.
“Only judge events that have actually happened.”
Ji Xiangyu interrupted their flirting disguised as arguing.
“If you aren’t coming inside, I’m closing the door.”
Only then did Lin Luosheng stop.
She took Zheng Shu’s hand again and entered Ji Xiangyu’s lounge.
The temperature was set to twenty-four degrees.
Ji Xiangyu wore a thin jacket.
After removing her wig, her real hair was slightly damp with sweat, and strands along her forehead had stuck together.
Fresh perspiration still clung to her neck, leaving the skin faintly pink like a tempting peach.
“Ji Wenhua disappeared after leaving the capital. I suspect someone else in the Ji family is helping him,” Zheng Shu said.
She had come partly to visit Lin Luosheng and partly to discuss the Ji family.
“This is a joyous occasion. Don’t discuss depressing matters.”
Lin Luosheng greatly disliked the way Zheng Shu spoke as though conducting a meeting with subordinates.
“Say something happy.”
Zheng Shu remained silent for three seconds.
Then she took out her phone and transferred two six-figure monetary gifts to Ji Xiangyu.
“They’re gifts from Xiao Sheng and me. I wish Cousin and Miss Shen a happy marriage and a lifetime together.”
Zheng Shu’s expression remained indifferent as she finished, contrasting sharply with the blessing she had just delivered.
Lin Luosheng: “…Congratulations on your marriage, Cousin and Shen Yishu.”
Lin Luosheng had already known they were married, but the relationship had not yet been public, so she had only mentioned it briefly to Zheng Shu.
Zheng Shu had said they were probably together because of shared interests.
Lin Luosheng found her completely unromantic and believed she viewed every relationship as an alliance based on benefits.
She had argued with Zheng Shu on her own until Zheng Shu finally agreed that the two women were genuinely in love.
Lin Luosheng had never expected Zheng Shu to suddenly send such an enormous gift today.
“Thank you.”
Ji Xiangyu wrapped an arm around Shen Yishu’s neck as she sat beside her and leaned close to her cheek.
“Say thank you.”
Under Zheng Shu’s gaze, Shen Yishu thanked her.
“You don’t need to worry too much about Ji Wenhua.”
Ji Xiangyu discussed serious matters while using her other hand to pull Shen Yishu’s hand into her own and play with it beneath her fingers.
“The Ji family publicly expelled him, but Ji Wenbin is probably still secretly supporting him.”
“He wouldn’t want Ji Wenhua to become unhappy and expose him too.”
Shen Yishu silently repeated three times that they needed to complete their performance properly.
At the very least, Zheng Shu needed to feel that her six-figure gift had gone to the correct people.
However, Ji Xiangyu’s fingers behaved very improperly while playing with Shen Yishu’s hand.
Her fingertips slid repeatedly along the edges of Shen Yishu’s nails, occasionally squeezing her knuckles or gently stroking her fingers.
Shen Yishu felt she should learn several calming mantras so she would not blush in situations like this.
She understood that they would only need to perform this way more often in the future, not less.
She could only become accustomed to it.
“I believe he’s still in Beijing.”
Zheng Shu’s voice sounded exactly like that of an emotionless corporate executive.
“If nothing unexpected happens, he’ll probably come looking for you soon.”
Ji Xiangyu was not surprised.
As long as Ji Wenhua remained free, something like this was bound to happen sooner or later.
“Did you hear that?”
Ji Xiangyu squeezed the hand in her palm.
“Be careful around members of the Ji family.”
Shen Yishu had already been kneaded into a docile noodle.
When Ji Xiangyu suddenly squeezed her, she reacted like a noodle dropped into boiling water and abruptly came alive.
“All right, Sister.”
“If you have nothing to do, why don’t you check Weibo?”
Lin Luosheng also disliked listening to family power struggles.
Resting her chin on one hand, she said to Shen Yishu,
“You’re the entertainment industry’s biggest celebrity today.”
Shen Yishu opened Weibo in confusion and discovered that her account had gained one million followers within a single day.
The speed was astonishing.
The latest marriage-announcement post now contained voices different from those she had seen that morning.
[Following her now means I’ll be a ten-year fan someday. Shushu is this beautiful—if she doesn’t become famous, heaven has no justice.]
[+1. I was originally only here for the gossip, but the official promotional still kicked me directly into the fandom.]
[When people called her the person born to play Li Jin, I accused her fans of having faces as large as basins. I withdraw my words. I hereby declare that Shen Yishu is the person born to play Li Jin—Li Jin herself. When will The Golden Hairpin air? I’m paying for advance episodes immediately.]
[This is the true-fragrance effect, sisters. Untouchable Best Actress from the highest peak × rookie actress entering the industry. Mommy, I’m hungry! Who will cook for us?]
Shen Yishu thought no one from the publicity team had told her they planned to release a promotional still today.
Confused, she opened the production’s official account and saw the photograph of the two women wearing ceremonial wedding robes.
In the photograph, Shen Yishu smiled brilliantly, looking as though she were attending her own wedding.
Ji Xiangyu’s lips curved faintly.
Although it was a promotional still, her gaze was directed toward Shen Yishu.
Shen Yishu: “…”
Had she been an ordinary passerby, she would probably have taken at least a few bites of the pairing too.
No wonder the production had not told her.
Had she known, she certainly would not have agreed to release it.
Troubled, she showed Ji Xiangyu the screen.
Ji Xiangyu was discussing how to handle the next stages with Zheng Shu, speaking seriously.
When she unexpectedly saw the photograph, a smile appeared in her eyes.
“Repost it. Cooperate with the production’s publicity.”
After thinking for a long time, Shen Yishu reposted it with the caption:
[Happy wedding to Zhou Yi and Li Jin!]
The more she stared at the black words, the guiltier she felt.
Her first group of fans and couple shippers quickly arrived in the comments.
[How was Shushu’s day? Are you happy~?]
[Happy wedding to Ji Xiangyu and Shen Yishu!]
Before long, Ji Xiangyu’s account also came online and reposted it with the same caption.
While patrolling Weibo, Shen Yishu saw someone repost a shipping thread from a certain discussion forum.
[Newly married both inside and outside the drama. A real couple defeats every piece of artificially extracted sweetness.]
[Repost Shen Yishu and Ji Xiangyu’s marriage announcement, and your favorite pairing will announce their relationship too.]
[What if the pairing I support is Jiang Wu and Ji Xiangyu?]
[Find another pairing, Sister.]
That evening, after showering and lying in bed, Shen Yishu still felt everything that had happened that day resembled a dream.
The sound of running water stopped inside the bathroom, followed by the rustling of clothing.
After sleeping together for two nights, Shen Yishu no longer reacted strongly to those sounds.
But she still became nervous.
Just as she felt happy whenever she saw Ji Xiangyu again after separating during the day, seeing her again at night made her heartbeat accelerate from nervousness.
Ji Xiangyu, however, cared less and less.
She emerged from the bathroom and asked,
“Should I turn off the light?”
Shen Yishu had already planned to sleep and quietly agreed.
But Ji Xiangyu had no intention of sparing her.
She opened one side of the curtains.
Thanks to the clear weather that day, no clouds covered the night sky, and the moon hung high overhead.
Although it was not full, even half a moon possessed half a moon’s brightness.
“Today is such a joyous day.”
Ji Xiangyu sat on the bay window with silver light behind her.
“Are you sleeping this early?”
Shen Yishu sat up to face her and cautiously asked,
“What are we doing?”
She assumed Ji Xiangyu’s joyous occasion referred to publicly announcing the marriage.
Did she want to celebrate?
“Today is our wedding day.”
Ji Xiangyu’s eyes curved with her smile.
“Didn’t we skip a certain step?”
Shen Yishu suddenly remembered.
That was true.
The wedding scene between Zhou Yi and Li Jin had ended after they completed the ceremony.
Everything afterward had been cut.
Although the original novel faded to black, they had still completed the entire process.
“Sister, that was acting,” Shen Yishu said helplessly.
No matter how false Zhou Yi and Li Jin’s love had been, it was still less false than Shen Yishu and Ji Xiangyu’s marriage.
“Mm.”
Ji Xiangyu did not deny it and continued luring her.
“But we’re newly married too.”
Shen Yishu: “…”
Yet on the night she agreed to marry Ji Xiangyu, she had already marked her once.
Although marking was not truly the same as completing that final step, for most people it carried nearly the same significance.
One could reluctantly count that as their wedding night.
“Sister, it wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Shen Yishu felt grateful that the lights had been switched off and only faint moonlight remained.
“Baby, come here.”
Ji Xiangyu sat on the bay window with one leg crossed over the other.
Bright moonlight fell upon her bare shoulders, making them shimmer like pearls.
Her long, porcelain-white legs swung in the air.
A slipper hung loosely from one foot, appearing ready to fall.
Shen Yishu obediently climbed from bed, put on her slippers, and walked to Ji Xiangyu.
Gentle moonlight fell across her features, leaving the faint pink of her earlobes nowhere to hide.
Ji Xiangyu reached out and lightly pinched one earlobe.
The coolness of her fingertip made Shen Yishu shiver.
The sensitive touch tempted her to step backward.
But Ji Xiangyu did not release her.
Instead, she rubbed the earlobe gently, making Shen Yishu’s heart unbearably restless.
Shen Yishu attempted to distract herself by finding Ji Xiangyu’s gaze, only to fall into a pair of smiling, beautiful eyes.
She had always known that once Ji Xiangyu deliberately released her charm, no one could escape.
What Ji Xiangyu revealed to outsiders was merely the tip of the iceberg—one thousandth of her true allure.
Only Shen Yishu had seen her secret sensuality and ambiguity.
She did not know whether Ji Xiangyu was using her full strength.
Nor did she understand why Ji Xiangyu always wanted to entice her.
Shen Yishu had no close friends in this world.
She did not know how other contractual couples interacted.
She only vaguely understood that what she shared with Ji Xiangyu was different from a cold arrangement of financial support, yet contained one more sheet of paper than a relationship built entirely on mutual love.
Standing there, Shen Yishu suddenly wanted to pull the curtains closed and hide the moonlight.
She did not want anyone else seeing Sister like this.
She was reluctant to share her even with the moon.
In the vastness of heaven and earth, Shen Yishu alone should be allowed to possess this sight.
“Baby…”
Ji Xiangyu’s hoarse voice sounded lingering and affectionate.
“If even an indirect kiss makes you nervous…”
Shen Yishu felt as though she were floating inside the Milky Way.
A vacuum blocked the transmission of sound, so she could only watch those pink lips open and close.
Ji Xiangyu’s voice seemed to travel from several light-years away, unreal like synthesized audio, yet filled with tenderness no machine could ever reproduce.
“Would you like to try kissing me?”
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