Chapter 67: CH 67

When Sang Wan Ci heard Lu Zhi Wei say Liu Zhao asked them to learn an instrument, she already had an idea forming in her head.

She wanted to teach Lu Zhi Wei how to play the violin, creating an opportunity for them to spend time together.

The most ideal situation was for Lu Zhi Wei to agree and be willing to wait for her to finish filming next month before starting to learn.

In the end, she didn’t expect that Lu Zhi Wei would be the one to ask her.

This opportunity couldn’t be missed, it wouldn’t come again.

How could she not agree?

She was very happy that Lu Zhi Wei took the initiative to ask her rather than look for someone else.

She was reliable, that’s why Lu Zhi Wei would look for her and subconsciously rely on her.

And the mature Lu Zhi Wei should also learn how to walk into Sang Wan Ci’s trap on her own.

Lu Zhi Wei was in a daze, standing there with her phone.

After a while, she scratched her head and asked Lao Wu: 【Wasn’t I the one who wanted to hook her? Why do I feel like I was the one who was hooked?】

【What’s the difference? Do you still need hooks,】 Lao Wu replied. 【The fish has already jumped into your bucket by itself, just bring it home directly.】

That made sense.

Who cares, Sang Wan Ci agreeing was most important!

There were plenty of opportunities to be together when they were practicing!

【And I feel……】

Lao Wu rubbed his smooth chin, his eyes narrowing slightly as he thought of something.

【You can act a bit miserable with Sang Wan Ci?】

【Act miserable?】 Lu Zhi Wei repeated this foreign term, looking at Wen Yao’s reply on her phone as she walked.

【Yes, act miserable. Use this opportunity to activate her compassion and sympathy so she cares about you more.】 Lao Wu said. 【For example, tell her that you were just stared down by Zhou Ling Ling.】

【You didn’t do anything but you were targetted, how innocent and pitiful.

【And this is good to prepare for. If Zhou Ling Ling really tries to do anything to you, it’s good to have a friend to support you.

【Don’t underestimate Sang Wan Ci. Although she didn’t say anything, but her family background is as powerful as the original male lead’s family.

【As long as she wants to, how could she not ensure your safety?】

Because of the intentional vagueness of the original plot, Lu Zhi Wei still didn’t know what kind of family background Sang Wan Ci had.

Now, listening to Lao Wu say this, she suddenly was happy.

The Qiu family was a big power in the business circle. Being as powerful as the Qiu Family, Sang Wan Ci’s family must also be a major power. If they raised their foot and stomped, the whole industry would tremble.

Looking at it this way, putting aside the problem of a relationship, Sang Wan Ci and Qiu Luo really were a good match.

The ordinary and powerless corporate slave Lu Zhi Wei felt so humble she was about to cry.

Lao Wu: 【?】

Did I tell you this to make you feel inferior?

【Pull yourself together,】 Lao Wu wanted nothing more than to poke her overthinking head with his finger. 【Sang Wan Ci is in the entertainment industry now, not the business circle. As long as you both become top stars, that’s also a good match. Don’t think about all this nonsense, you hear me?】

After being comforted, Lu Zhi Wei felt a bit more optimistic.

That’s right, she could be a good match too if she became a top star.

There’s no way she could be a rich heiress, but she could work hard and earn more money to become a rich person!

Thinking about it, her face showed a “wow” expression.

She had never dreamt of wanting to become a rich person.

Because that dream was too distant, like the sun in the sky. She didn’t have the courage to look at it straight on.

Although it is still far now…… But she has motivation!

—— She wanted to be worthy of Sang Wan Ci too, to be a good match with Sang Wan Ci!

Yes, she had the motivation to work hard again!

…… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

At the start of July, Lu Si Jiao finally went on holiday and returned home.

At the same time, 《Phoenix》 finally broadcasted the episode that showed Xiao He’s ending.

Lu Si Jiao had originally happily continued watching the show, until she saw the scene.

She stayed in her room, using up half a box of tissues to mop up her tears.

Crying wasn’t enough, she even called her sister.

Lu Zhi Wei could immediately hear her sobs once she picked up the phone.

“Wuwu Xiao He……

“Wuwu rubbish male lead……

“—— Ying Xi Ze is so detestable! He was so good in the beginning, and he’s that hateful in the end!”

Lu Zhi Wei patiently waited for her to finish crying before she gently said: “Jiao Jiao, don’t pin the actions of a character onto the actor.”

No matter whether a character was good or evil, the actor only had one duty: to act out the character well.

If the character’s goodness was enough to move people, if the character’s evilness was enough to make people hate them, what the audience should do is to affirm the actor’s skills and not hate them for the character’s actions.

Scolding an actor because he portrayed a bad person, that actor would be too pitiful.

Lu Zhi Wei was an actress herself, so she could understand this viewpoint.

She didn’t want to see her own sister scold Ying Xi Ze because of this.

Lu Si Jiao sobbed, her voice also breaking: “I, I know Ying Xi Ze acted well, that, that’s why I hate the character……

“It’s just that, just that when I’m scolding him, it’s easy to call his name……”

She rubbed her eyes, complaining: “I usually call him that……”

It wasn’t her fault she was always bickering with Ying Xi Ze.

She was used to calling his full name.

Ying Xi Ze didn’t mind too, he would reciprocate and call her by her full name too.

Lu Zhi Wei felt like she had heard an important point: “Usually? You two are in contact?”

Lu Si Jiao didn’t hide it: “Yeah, I had something to ask him, so he gave me his contact……”

Lu Zhi Wei “oh”-ed and asked: “What was it?”

Lu Si Jiao paused, her tears also stopping.

How could she reveal that it was to enquire about her sister’s love life?

“No-nothing!” She scratched her head. “My, my dorm mate likes him, so I just asked if he could send some autographs and such……”

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t know why, but she felt like the two kids got along quite well.

“Then you two have a pretty good relationship.”

Lu Si Jiao denied it: “No, it’s normal.”

If it was really good, she wouldn’t have skipped Ying Xi Ze’s art lesson that the school arranged for them to destress.

Lu Zhi Wei picked up a clean apple and bit into it: “Is that so. Talk nicely to him, he’s older than you, you need to be polite, got it?”

Lu Si Jiao sniffed, vaguely agreeing.

Sorry, the two of them were using sticker packs to argue everyday, “remove your didi qualifications”, “remove your meimei qualifications” stickers were flying everywhere everyday.

If she was too polite, they wouldn’t be able to bicker like this anymore……

Lu Zhi Wei suddenly thought of an important thing: “When will your results come out? If you fail, wait for me to punish you.”

Lu Si Jiao wiped away her tears: “Probably after Monday. Aiya, I won’t fail, I want to puke from all the studying everyday, didn’t you see I didn’t even go on Weibo!”

Speaking of which, she tossed the tissue in the rubbish bin and her expression lightened: “But jie, your fans are growing!”

While she wasn’t around, Lu Zhi Wei’s fans had grown exponentially.

She no longer needed to go into comments sections and Amway.

As long as people needed it, there would be other fans who offered up the full “Lu Zhi Wei Amway set meal”, letting them pick what they wanted.

Following her sister until now and personally witnessing her sister become better and better, her heart was filled with pride.

What was this? This was cultivated happiness!

“Did you see it? Jie,” Lu Si Jiao said happily. “As long as you act well, you’ll be noticed no matter what you do!”

Even though the amount of attention wasn’t as much as one of the main lead’s, but this level of attention was already good enough!

Even through the phone, Lu Zhi Wei could feel Lu Si Jiao’s happiness.

That was a happiness that came from the heart.

Listening to it was enough to make someone smile.

“Then…… Jie, are your resources a little better now?”

“Mm, yeah, now there are advertisers looking for me.”

“Great! Then what about movies and shows? So many people have witnessed your skill, I’m sure there are a lot of shows that want you! If there isn’t any then they’re all blind!”

Lu Zhi Wei laughed: “There is, I have a show where I’ll be the female lead. You’ll know which show it is when the official announcement comes out.”

She still had to keep some things confidential.

“Female lead?!”

Lu Si Jiao’s voice went a pitch higher, showing her elation.

“Awesome!!!”

Lu Zhi Wei held onto her phone, her expression growing softer and softer as she listened to her sister dancing around happily, then jumping on her bed.

This was one of the reasons why the industry worked hard.

—— To let people who like them feel happy over their progress.

But speaking of this show……

Lu Zhi Wei rubbed her chin, deep in thought.

Why hadn’t Zhou Ling Ling mad a move yet?

Did Sheng Yue protect her?

Or did Zhou Ling Ling give up on wasting effort on her?

But was Zhou Ling Ling someone who would accept defeat so easily?

She had to be more cautious, and not rest easy on her laurels.

…… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

The second half of July.

《Phoenix》 finally came to an end with explosive ratings for the last episode, immediately becoming the hottest show this year.

Because of it, Sang Wan Ci and Ying Xi Ze’s popularity increased dramatically. Sponsorships, advertisements, variety shows and scripts all started pouring in.

At the same time, 《Questioning Deity Sect》’s filming also officially wrapped up.

Wearing a sect master’s uniform, Sang Wan Ci received flowers from Director Guo Hui, smiling at everybody in thanks.

A show being able to successfully be filmed was never the solo effort of a single person.

After chatting with Guo Hui for a while, she went to the changing room and changed out of her costume before getting into the car with Zhang Xian Rui.

She didn’t even spare Qiu Luo a glance.

As if he was just a tool she acted with. Once the filming finished, he had no further use.

Qiu Luo stood there, watching her car leave: “……”

This woman is really cold to me.

Hmph, he didn’t believe the two of them could last.

In the car.

Sang Wan Ci tilted her head back, closing her eyes as she rested.

The car’s air conditioner was set to the coldest, quickly dissipating the summer heat from the air.

Zhang Xian Rui sat beside her, a slight smile on her face as she browsed through the schedule on her phone.

After a moment, she said: “Wan Ci, you just finished filming. Rest well at home first, I won’t arrange any work for you for a while.”

She was in a very good mood. 《Phoenix》’s explosive popularity had transferred to the actors in the show, and Sang Wan Ci’s value had increased because of it.

Now, they could choose any script they want and plenty of variety shows were clamouring to invite them.

But she wasn’t so crazy as to treat Sang Wan Ci as a cash-making machine, making her work without any breaks.

“Mm, okay.” Sang Wan Ci replied, her eyes still closed.

Zhang Xian Rui’s hand paused, surprise showing on her face.

Xiao Qiu, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, also curiously turned back to look at her.

One had to know, Sang Wan Ci used to be a workaholic. She would always request for Zhang Xian Rui to get more jobs for her. She actually agreed to rest this time?

“You’ve changed?” Zhang Xian Rui propped up her chin. “Looks like 《Questioning Deity Sect》 has tired you out.”

Sang Wan Ci opened her eyes: “It’s not because I’m tired, but because I already have plans.”

Hearing that, Zhang Xian Rui politely asked about her schedule as her manager: “What plans?”

Sang Wan Ci turned to look at her, honestly saying: “I’m teaching Zhi Wei how to play the violin.”

Zhang Xian Rui: “?”

Sang Wan Ci smiled lightly: “I promised her.”

Zhang Xian Rui paused for a while then chuckled: “Her again, why do you like spending so much time with her?”

“Because she’s likeable.”

Sang Wan Ci replied without thinking.

At least…… She’s likeable to me.

At this time, Xiao Qiu couldn’t help but turn around and agree: “Yes yes yes, Zhi Wei jie is really very good, very likeable!”

Zhang Xian Rui looked at the front passenger seat in surprise: “This girl, when did Lu Zhi Wei buy you over?”

She thought about it and immediately figured it out: “It can’t be that she cooked for you too?”

Xiao Qiu mischievously stuck out her tongue.

Zhang Xian Rui looked at her then said in amusement: “Glutton.”

Then she looked at Sang Wan Ci: “But why do you suddenly have to teach her the violin?”

“It’s for a show.” Sang Wan Ci calmly uncapped a bottle of water. “Director Liu wants them to learn how to play instruments, hers is the violin.”

Hearing that, Zhang Xian Rui recalled something.

Lu Zhi Wei had indeed been chosen as Liu Zhao’s new show’s female lead, but……

“Isn’t the second female lead for that show Zhou Ling Ling from Lu Zhi Wei’s company?”

Xiao Qiu turned around: “Zhou Ling Ling? That woman who’s jealous our Xiao Sang is more popular than her even though she debuted later, and always looks down on us whenever we meet?”

Zhang Xian Rui nodded: “Mm, that’s her.”

Xiao Qiu frowned: “She’s actually willing to be a supporting character?”

Zhang Xian Rui’s face was calm: “Being able to work with a big director, it’s not a loss to be the second female lead.”

Xiao Qiu felt it was even more inconceivable: “She’s willing to be a supporting character to a small actor for that?!”

Zhang Xian Rui looked at her, then continued scrolling through her phone.

“Who knows.”

Sang Wan Ci stopped in the middle of drinking her water.

She remembered this Zhou Ling Ling, but it was from Ying Xi Ze.

Ying Xi Ze had said before that as a small company, Sheng Yue supported Zhou Ling Ling and gave her all the good resources. Because Lu Zhi Wei wasn’t as popular, she probably couldn’t get a lot of resources from the company.

She picked up her phone, and checked the date of when she called Lu Zhi Wei.

It was June, but now it was the end of July and she hadn’t heard Lu Zhi Wei speak of being replaced.

So it should be fine……

Talking about Zhou Ling Ling, Xiao Qiu went to look at her Weibo.

Then she saw that the woman had posted a vague update on Weibo yesterday.

[@It’s Zhou Ling Ling V]: I passed by a piano store so I came in to take a look. Everybody, do you think I’m more suited to playing the violin or the piano? [cute]

The photo of her was in a piano store, but she clearly had a violin next to her.

The comments section were peaceful, with her fans responding passionately.

But Xiao Qiu felt more and more uncomfortable.

Sang Wan Ci said Lu Zhi Wei’s instrument was a violin, was Zhou Ling Ling mentioning a violin really not on purpose?

“Jie,” Xiao Qiu passed her phone to Zhang Xian Rui. “Do you feel Zhou Ling Ling’s Weibo is a bit strange?”

“Let me see.” Zhang Xian Rui took the phone and looked at it, asking Sang Wan Ci, “do you know what instrument the second female lead plays in Director Liu’s show?”

Sang Wan Ci nodded.

About the instruments in the show, Lu Zhi Wei had mentioned it all when they were chatting, she still had some recollection of it.

“Piano.”

Xiao Qiu opened her eyes wide in surprise.

Zhang Xian Rui raised an eyebrow.

This Weibo post, the smell of gunpowder was strong……

“Zhou Ling Ling, her ability isn’t considered great, but her underhanded methods are quite plentiful.”

Zhang Xian Rui calmly returned the phone to Xiao Qiu.

“Wan Ci, remind Lu Zhi Wei to watch out.”

Sang Wan Ci nodded lightly, lowering her head to text Lu Zhi Wei: [I’m done with filming, I’m going back now.]

Lu Zhi Wei was working, only replying after she was done: [You’ve worked hard! I just finished an event with my manager, so I replied late]

How could Sang Wan Ci mind such a thing.

She was happy that Lu Zhi Wei’s career was getting better and better.

Lu Zhi Wei thought for a moment and sent another message: [It’s hard work filming, go home and rest for a few days. We don’t have to rush to practice, your health is more important]

Liu Zhao said they could only start filming next year, so she wasn’t in a rush to start practice now.

If Sang Wan Ci had no time, she could look for another teacher.

It was better than watching Sang Wan Ci drag an exhausted body to come teach her.

She couldn’t bear to treat Sang Wan Ci like that.

After sending out that message, she quickly received Sang Wan Ci’s reply.

[Wan Ci]: Mm, I do need to rest.

Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t help but feel a bit sad.

So she didn’t really want to see me immediately after coming back……

Then Sang Wan Ci’s next message came in: [Going to your place to rest is perfect.]

Lu Zhi Wei: “?”

[Wan Ci]: Jiejie, do you mind having one more person in the house?

Lu Zhi Wei opened her eyes wide.

Happiness filled her eyes as she smiled.

[Lu Zhi Wei]: Of course I don’t mind

[Lu Zhi Wei]: Rest assured Teacher Sang, me and my house are ready to host you this time!

… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

At around 6pm, Lu Zhi Wei rushed to get home before Sang Wan Ci arrived.

Then she rushed down to fetch her once Sang Wan Ci entered the neighbourhood.

Her eyes were crinkled up as she smiled, anticipating their reunion.

Zhang Xian Rui asked Lu Zhi Wei to take good care of Sang Wan Ci.

“She’s on break so she can eat what she wants, but she still needs to exercise.

“Thanks a lot, just claim all the expenses she incurs at your place from me.”

Lu Zhi Wei waved her hands: “No need, I didn’t pay anything for Teacher Sang to teach me the violin, let’s just take it as paying my school fees?”

Zhang Xian Rui laughed and looked at her watch: “Alright, you guys go up, we’ll leave first.”

Before getting into the car, she looked at Sang Wan Ci: “I’ll get Xiao Qiu to put the rest of your luggage at your house, don’t worry. Call me if there’s anything, I’m going.”

Sang Wan Ci: “Thanks Zhang jie, be careful on the road.”

The two of them watched the car drive off before turning to take the elevator up.

On the way up, Lu Zhi Wei fussed over her, afraid she hadn’t been eating well in the production crew.

Sang Wan Ci gently reassured her.

She suddenly felt satisfied.

No matter what happened in the future, at least Lu Zhi Wei had her in her heart at this moment.

Returning to the house, they ate and bathed.

When Sang Wan Ci was taking her bath, Lu Zhi Wei went out to buy half a watermelon.

So once Sang Wan Ci came out, she got called over to eat the watermelon on the balcony.

Lu Zhi Wei’s house was on the fifth floor, her balcony facing the view of the small plaza in the neighbourhood.

It was the summer holidays now, so there were kids playing around in the plaza at night.

The clean, innocent laughter echoed through the neighbourhood. Accompanied by the night wind, their hearts calmed down.

Lu Zhi Wei wasn’t afraid of having her photo taken, and she wasn’t afraid of Sang Wan Ci’s photo being taken.

They were the same gender after all, the paparazzi wouldn’t say anything even if they were photographed together.

After everything, wouldn’t they just say their friendship was really good?

“It’s quite hot these days in An City, come have some watermelon.”

Sang Wan Ci sat on the other chair, taking the watermelon slice.

Lu Zhi Wei picked up a slice too, sitting down: “If you like eating it scooped out, I can buy a whole melon tomorrow to scoop it out for you.”

Sang Wan Ci laughed: “This is good.”

No matter what she ate or how she ate it, it was good enough to have Lu Zhi Wei with her.

“Zhi Wei, have you prepared a violin?”

“Mm, I bought one.”

“I see, I was planning to ask if you wanted mine.”

Although she hadn’t used her violin at home for a very long time, but it had always been placed with her mother’s piano and kept in good condition by experts that her father hired.

She could use it whenever she wanted.

If Lu Zhi Wei needed it, she could immediately take it out.

Lu Zhi Wei’s hand stilled as she looked over: “Don’t, aren’t you fighting with your dad, you’ll still bump into him if you return home to take it?

“If you two quarrel then, it wouldn’t be good…… Or did you already prepare to go see him?”

“No, I can get my aunt to help take the violin out.” Sang Wan Ci didn’t hide her intention, she lowered her eyes as she looked at the sweet and refreshing slice of watermelon. “I don’t have plans to meet with my father at this time.”

Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t give her too many suggestions.

She didn’t have a good relationship with her parents either, or rather, she didn’t even have one.

The atmosphere felt a bit pressured, Lu Zhi Wei quickly said: “Let’s not talk about this, let’s eat.”

Sang Wan Ci bit into the melon, then asked: “Zhi Wei, did Zhou Ling Ling trouble you?”

Lu Zhi Wei was surprised: “How did you know Zhou Ling Ling is in the production crew with me? Hasn’t it not been announced yet?”

Liu Zhao said they would only announce the actors before they officially started shooting.

Then how did Sang Wan Ci know?

“Zhang jie said it.” Sang Wan Ci took another bite.

Lu Zhi Wei calmed down.

Oh, that’s right. She forgot her manager was Zhang Xian Rui.

A big manager like Zhang Xian Rui, what didn’t she know in the industry?

Suddenly, Lu Zhi Wei thought of Lao Wu’s plan to act miserable.

She sneakily observed Sang Wan Ci.

She was eating the melon, unaware.

Lu Zhi Wei sat a bit straighter, preparing to get some sympathy from Sang Wan Ci.

If it was in the past, she definitely wouldn’t like doing something like this.

But it was different now. In front of the person she liked, it wasn’t impossible for her to play the victim.

Anyway, she wasn’t talking about when she was a transparent entity, this wasn’t a big thing.

She thought for a bit, then said: “It’s just that day when we had the small production meeting, Zhou Ling Ling, mm…… just stared at me with an expression that wasn’t so friendly.”

Hearing that, Sang Wan Ci lifted her head and looked at her.

Lu Zhi Wei quickly continued: “Ever since that day, we haven’t met, so she didn’t have any chance to trouble me.”

Sang Wan Ci’s eyebrows smoothed out a bit.

She suddenly had a bad feeling.

Feeling as if Zhou Ling Ling wouldn’t let Lu Zhi Wei off so easily.

She reached out and held Lu Zhi Wei’s hand, her gaze strong.

“Don’t worry, I’m here, she won’t be able to harm you.”

Lu Zhi Wei’s expression became happy.

Hearing such a gentle and affirming promise from the person you liked was really good.

“Mm, I’m not worried.”

… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

It was time to sleep, in the blink of an eye.

Lu Zhi Wei arranged Sang Wan Ci in the second bedroom.

Her bed wasn’t as big as the one in a hotel, so she was afraid Sang Wan Ci wouldn’t rest well if they slept together.

And she couldn’t find an excuse to share a bed with Sang Wan Ci……

So Sang Wan Ci stood at the entrance of the second bedroom and watched Lu Zhi Wei say “goodnight”, then close the master bedroom’s door.

Sang Wan Ci: “……”

Why did she arrange her in the second bedroom?

Who said she wanted to sleep in the second bedroom?

Was this how Lu Zhi Wei treated her CP partner?

Lu Zhi Wei laid down and was about to turn off the light when a knock came from her door.

She was confused, but said “come in”.

Sang Wan Ci opened the door and entered.

She was wearing her pyjamas, her hair lightly resting on her shoulders, a hint of laziness in her eye-catching appearance.

She turned and closed the door, lying by Lu Zhi Wei’s side without saying anything.

She even turned the light off for Lu Zhi Wei.

“Goodnight.” She said.

“?”

Because her actions were so smooth, Lu Zhi Wei hadn’t reacted to it.

Lu Zhi Wei felt it was funny: “Wan Ci, what are you doing?”

Sang Wan Ci replied confidently: “Finding a place to sleep.”

Lu Zhi Wei’s voice had a hint of amusement that she couldn’t hide: “Didn’t I let you sleep in the second bedroom?”

Sang Wan Ci: “Not sleeping in the second bedroom, I want to sleep with you.”

Lu Zhi Wei’s heart skipped a beat: “…… Why?”

Sang Wan Ci replied without hesitating: “I’m scared you’ll have another nightmare.”

Lu Zhi Wei suddenly couldn’t speak.

The first time they shared a bed, she did have a nightmare.

But she didn’t think that after so long, Sang Wan Ci would still remember it……

This person, why was everything she said and did so flirty?

She pulled the blanket over Sang Wan Ci.

“Goodnight.”

Sang Wan Ci: “Goodnight, I’ll teach you the violin tomorrow.

“Hold your hand and teach.”

After she said those five words, Lu Zhi Wei could no longer fall asleep.

…… Hold my hand, and teach?

Doesn’t that mean we’ll have a lot of skin contact?!