Refusing to Get Too Close
Yao Leyi didn't bring up what had just happened, instead, she talked about mundane topics as usual.
"I'm a bit late today... By the way, the weather is getting colder. Just walking from the car to here made my face feel cold. Touch it and see, is it?"
As she spoke, she gently rubbed her cheek against Fu Hanchuan's palm.
Fu Hanchuan frowned, his fingers trembling slightly, his arm dropping weakly, causing his palm to move away.
"?"
Yao Leyi's heart skipped a beat. Did he deliberately avoid her?
However, she didn't show any reaction on her face, and considerately said, "Your arm must be tired from being raised. It's my fault."
"%&*..."
Fu Hanchuan opened his mouth, his throat making a hoarse and indistinct sound.
Yao Leyi understood immediately, having gained experience from taking care of him over the past period.
"You need to use the bathroom, right? Wait here..."
She was about to get up and go to the bathroom.
But Fu Hanchuan grabbed the corner of her clothes, frowning and shaking his head slowly.
She understood his meaning, but also didn't quite understand.
"Hanchuan, I am your fiancée. We are only missing a marriage certificate... Other than that, we are no different from a married couple. Let me help you, okay?"
"..." Fu Hanchuan's brows furrowed deeply, and he continued to shake his head.
"!"
Yao Leyi helplessly held her forehead, "Alright, I'll call the caregiver."
He had two caregivers, one male and one female.
Yao Leyi stood up, her chest feeling a bit tight.
She really didn't understand.
What was wrong with Fu Hanchuan? Ever since he woke up, he had refused to get too close to her.
He could accept her help with washing his face or drinking water.
But for things like using the bathroom or washing his whole body, he only wanted the caregivers.
Why was that?
They were supposed to be the closest people to each other.
Perhaps, he didn't want her to see him in his most embarrassing state? Yao Leyi could only console herself this way.
Since Fu Hanchuan couldn't speak yet, she couldn't even argue with him.
...
A week later.
Sheng Xiangsi carefully read through the script and wrote her understanding of all the female roles she could.
She handed a thick stack of papers to Bai Yuanzhou.
"Director Bai, please have a look."
Bai Yuanzhou took it, quite surprised, "So thick?"
"Yes..."
Sheng Xiangsi felt a bit embarrassed and not very confident, "It's my first time writing something like this, so I just wrote whatever came to mind."
"No problem."
Bai Yuanzhou appreciated her attitude, "Having this attitude is already the first step to success—I'll read it and then get back to you."
"Okay, Director Bai."
The result was that Bai Yuanzhou was quite satisfied.
However, casting for a show wasn't solely his decision. He was the director, but there were also producers and financiers.
One person was in overall charge, and the other provided the funding. These two were the real bosses.
Moreover, casting a newcomer for a show involved some risk.
After the shoot that day, Ren Ce came to find Sheng Xiangsi.
"Xiangsi, Director Bai asked me to tell you to join us for dinner tomorrow night."
Before Sheng Xiangsi could ask for details, Ren Ce winked at her.
"For now, you are the only actress considered for the female role. Don't be nervous when you meet the producer and financier. Director Bai and I will be there with you."
So, it was a dinner with the big bosses.
Sheng Xiangsi felt an inexplicable resistance, without knowing why.
But she nodded, "Got it, Director Ren."
The next day.
Since she was meeting the big bosses, Sheng Xiangsi wore a coffee-colored long dress that was both formal and highlighted her physical advantages.
Arriving punctually to avoid traffic, she met Ren Ce at Mountain Sea City.
"You're here."
Ren Ce waved at her, "Let's go, Director Bai is already upstairs."
"Okay."
"Ah…"
While taking the elevator, Ren Ce couldn't help but sigh, looking quite worried.
"Director Ren?" Sheng Xiangsi was puzzled, "Is something wrong?"
Ren Ce glanced at her and frowned, giving her a piece of advice, "If you feel wronged later, just endure it."
What kind of advice was that?
Sheng Xiangsi's heart began to race. What kind of grievance?
"The thing is..."
Ren Ce explained, "I just found out that the producer this time is Wu Wenshan..."
Sheng Xiangsi was clueless, not understanding. She hadn't even stepped into the industry yet and had no idea who Wu Wenshan was.
"Wu Wenshan, well."
Ren Ce gritted his teeth, "He has a bit of a problem. Likes to get handsy."
Instantly, Sheng Xiangsi's eyes widened. Was that a small problem?
"Don't be nervous."
Ren Ce understood her concern, "In public… he won't do anything serious. He's not the investor this time, so if you don't want to, he can't force you."
According to Bai Yuanzhou's intention, this show was meant to give Sheng Xiangsi a supporting female role.
Firstly, she was a newcomer. Secondly, she was a dancer with no acting experience. Thirdly, the supporting role was very prominent and, if done well, could gain attention.
Given Bai Yuanzhou's status in the industry, the producer and financier still had to show some respect.
Ren Ce didn't make any definitive statements.
After all, in this industry, many people wanted to rise quickly and take shortcuts.
If Sheng Xiangsi was willing, they wouldn't stop her; there was no notion of 'looking down' on her.
However, seeing her reaction now, Ren Ce felt she probably wouldn't be willing.
"Don't be nervous, it's just a meal."
"…" Sheng Xiangsi took a deep breath, "I understand, Director Ren."
But how could she not be nervous?
She could only hope that the producer wouldn't go too far.
Reaching the upstairs private room, the lights dimmed, making Sheng Xiangsi frown, not quite accustomed to it. The air was filled with a mixture of alcohol and perfume.
Ren Ce led her to Bai Yuanzhou's side.
"Director Bai, Xiangsi is here."
"Mm, Xiangsi."
Bai Yuanzhou beckoned, "Come here, stand closer."
"Yes, Director Bai."
Ren Ce stepped aside to make way for Sheng Xiangsi.
"Xiangsi."
Bai Yuanzhou pointed at her and introduced her to a middle-aged man beside him.
The man was quite lean, with a face full of smiles, even looking somewhat amiable. He was the producer, Wu Wenshan.
"Meet our producer, Producer Wu."
"Hello." Sheng Xiangsi bowed slightly.
"Hello, hello."
Wu Wenshan's gaze fell on Sheng Xiangsi, first amazed, then his eyes… they were like nails, fixed on her, unable to pull away.
Beautiful, truly beautiful.
Even in the entertainment industry full of beauties, her looks were very striking.
Wu Wenshan glanced meaningfully at Bai Yuanzhou, "Director Bai, impressive. Where did you find such a beauty?"
"Coincidence, a stroke of luck."
"Come here."
Wu Wenshan extended his hand towards Sheng Xiangsi, palm up, open in front of her… Was he asking for her hand?
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