Chapter 86: Remember to Come Home

Jiang Jize tried to reassure himself: Don’t panic, maybe it’s something else.

He took a deep breath, worried he might not be able to breathe properly in a moment. “Hello? Brother Chu. What’s going on? How do you have time to call me? It must be something important, right? I knew it…”

“Where are you?” He always started rambling when nervous—how did this guy manage to run a company?

Hearing Chu Muyun’s question, Jiang Jize tried to resist a bit longer. “Brother Chu, I’m on a business trip right now.”

“Oh? A business trip that took you all the way to the film city?”

“Brother Chu, how did you know?” Jiang Jize blurted out, only realizing after he spoke that he’d slipped up.

“How did I know? Do you think you have too much free time at work?”

Chu Muyun’s tone was as calm as ever, but Jiang Jize keenly sensed he was angry.

“Brother Chu, I just came to visit the set.”

“A visit? Do you think she doesn’t have enough scandals already?” I sneak around just to see her, but you stroll in like you own the place.

Jiang Jize immediately explained, “I already told them, they won’t post anything online. Wait a minute—”

He suddenly realized the flaw. “If nothing’s been posted online, how did you know, Brother Chu?”

Chu Muyun coughed, changing the subject. “When you return, you have something to take care of.”

Jiang Jize knew exactly what Chu Muyun was referring to, and joked, “If your wife found out, she’d be really touched.”

“She won’t know. It’s just a coincidence.”

Jiang Jize couldn’t understand—this wasn’t about doing a good deed and keeping it anonymous. This was about pursuing his future wife; if you don’t tell her, how will she ever know? If it were him, he’d make sure she thanked him properly. Why did Tang Ziyu suddenly pop into his mind?

Hmph! If she ever got into trouble, he wouldn’t help her. Unless she came to him for help—then maybe he’d consider it.

When Bai Chenxi returned, Director Li watched her intently, searching for someone behind her. Not seeing anyone, he asked cheerfully, “He’s gone?”

Bai Chenxi shook her head. “Then why did you come back alone?”

Bai Chenxi silently blamed Director Li: How is this my fault? Sure enough, nothing good ever comes from running into Jiang Jize.

Moments later, the source of trouble strolled over.

“Sis-in-law… Miss Bai, I have to go now.” Bai Chenxi’s eyes lit up at once: Really, please leave! Even the director perked up his ears to listen.

Bai Chenxi waved her hand. “Goodbye!”

Was it his imagination, or did everyone seem delighted the moment he said he was leaving?

Jiang Jize nodded and turned to go, but Bai Chenxi stopped him. “Wait a second.”

Jiang Jize felt smug—he knew it was just his imagination! How could anyone dislike him?

Bai Chenxi pulled Jiang Jize aside, while Director Li watched her regretfully: As expected, I wasn’t wrong—she’s quite the handful. Why stop him now? What if he decides to stay?

Bai Chenxi felt she’d forgotten something. She’d just realized there was still half a story she hadn’t heard!

She’d played her part, the enmity was at its peak, but she couldn’t let the story end without hearing the conclusion.

“You haven’t finished your story.”

“Of course! So that’s what you wanted to hear.” She’d pulled him aside all mysteriously—he’d thought it was something serious.

“Where was I? Right, the girl chasing after Chu Muyun—she really had a great figure.”

Bai Chenxi interjected, “I think Tang Ziyu would also be interested in this story. Should we invite her to join us?”

Jiang Jize immediately said, “I remember now. That girl, in order to chase after Brother Chu, slipped into his room on his birthday when he was a bit drunk. And then—you know…”

He even gave Bai Chenxi a suggestive look.

Bai Chenxi’s expression was full of gossip, keenly interested. “So did she succeed?”

“Of course not. Do you think Brother Chu is that kind of man? He wrapped her up, blanket and all, and threw her out immediately.”

Bai Chenxi looked disappointed. “As expected, boys have to be careful when they’re out and about.” Why did this piece of gossip leave her feeling so unsatisfied?

Jiang Jize was speechless inside: Sis-in-law, someone tried to seduce your boyfriend—even if it was in the past, shouldn’t you at least act a little jealous? Instead, you look so excited. Poor Brother Chu.

But then he thought, Brother Chu being able to find out he was here so quickly meant he had plenty of informants. Who should he be sympathizing with?

Feeling a bit sorry, Jiang Jize patted Bai Chenxi on the shoulder. “Let me give you some advice: on set, keep your distance from the male actors. Your life might depend on it.”

Bai Chenxi, thinking of her own scandals, nodded in deep agreement. In the end, Jiang Jize wanted to help his buddy out.

“I think Brother Chu really likes you. He wouldn’t even look at another woman.”

Someone like me? Are you sure? But then she remembered that Jiang Jize couldn’t even sort out his own feelings, so she let it go. No point arguing with a blockhead.

Tang Ziyu gritted her teeth as she looked at her phone. “Jiang Jize, you bastard.”

Jiang Jize: I have something to do, so I’m leaving now. You can play a little longer, but remember to come home when you’re done.

Tang Ziyu wanted to block him, but as if he could see it coming, Jiang Jize sent another message.

Jiang Jize: If you block me again, I’ll really block you for good.

“You jerk. Narcissist. Selfish, arrogant, domineering, childish, and utterly unreasonable.”

Tang Ziyu’s assistant noticed she looked unwell and was muttering under her breath. Concerned, she asked, “Sister Tang, what’s wrong? Who are you talking to?”

Tang Ziyu quickly composed herself. “Nothing, just practicing my lines.”

Her assistant was full of admiration: Even practicing lines, she’s so in character. Sister Tang’s acting is really superb. Those who say she’s only famous because of a rich backer are just jealous. Otherwise, after all these years, why has she never seen any so-called backer?

Here we go again—time for the daily trip to the execution ground. Bai Chenxi put down her script and accepted her fate, moving to the front.

Acting with Meng Ling was fine; she played the Imperial Consort Tang, whose father was a powerful chancellor—most palace women didn’t dare cross her. So Meng Ling couldn’t treat her the way she did Mi Mu.

But Tang Ziyu was different—she had the protagonist’s aura. No matter how impressive someone was, they always lost when it came to the leading lady, especially since Tang Ziyu often deliberately suppressed her scenes.

Every shoot, Bai Chenxi ended up completely outperformed by Tang Ziyu, feeling defeated both inside and out. She wished her acting would suddenly soar, allowing her to turn the tables for once.

But reality was, Tang Ziyu had been in the industry for many years and her acting was always superb. As a newcomer, Bai Chenxi was just barely managing to keep up despite working hard every day.

“Bai Chenxi, you can do this! If you get suppressed in another scene, you don’t deserve to eat. No face to eat,” she told herself for encouragement.

Sitting high on her chair, the Imperial Consort Tang exuded the authority of the palace’s mistress. Her father was the all-powerful chancellor, and she herself was the esteemed imperial consort. She wasn’t the empress, but she didn’t care.

She gazed at Jing Shu, kneeling before her—so this was the little palace maid who’d been favored by the emperor lately. She had a pretty figure, and likely a lovely face.

“Raise your head and let me see you.”

Jing Shu lifted her head slowly. Rumor had it the Imperial Consort ruled the harem with an iron hand; she doubted she’d escape today.

“Indeed, not bad. ‘Quiet and beautiful’—your name suits you.”

Jing Shu immediately lowered her head in fear.

“The emperor approaches!”

At these words, both women quietly breathed a sigh of relief.