n

n

nTranslator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio

n…

nAfter she’d closed the door, Ning Qing took a set of pajamas and went to the bathroom to take a bath. After taking a bath, she sat beside the bed, drying her hair and stirring the ice cream, which had turned thick after boiling, with a small spoon.

nShe took a bite of the ice cream with a small spoon.

nWow, it tasted great!

nSweet agar had been added to the red beans, while fresh cream had been added to the matcha ice cream, and the mellow taste of chocolate made it simply delicious.

nNing Qing took one taste and suddenly thought of the man who was still working in the study.

nShould she go and see him?

nGood things were meant to be shared.

nForget it, she’d better not. He’d only be distracted if she were to go to him like this. Besides, she couldn’t just feed him with the little spoon if she were to go there.

nIt was too mushy!

nNing Qing shook her head. She’d better go to bed early after finishing her ice cream. She had to wake up early and fly to Shanghai with the crew for a shoot tomorrow, and she could not be late.

n…

nThe next morning, with an “Ah”, a scream could be heard from the bedroom. Ning Qing sat on the bed and looked at the alarm clock on her bedside table in horror. Yikes! It was already 7 o’clock!

nThe plane was going take off at 7:30!

nIt would take about 20 minutes to get to the airport, not counting the traffic jam.

nWhy had she slept like a log?

nNing Qing quickly jumped out of bed and ran down in her pink slippers. She wondered if Lu Shaoming had gone to the company. She did not have time to take a taxi and needed him to give her a ride.

nShe opened the door to the second bedroom. The door was unlocked so she ran straight in. “Lu Shaoming, Shaoming…” The bed was empty and nobody was there.

nNing Qing’s heart had almost sunk into the bottom of her chest, but she didn’t give up. She rushed into the bathroom upon seeing that the bathroom door was half open. “Lu Shaoming…Ah!”

nNing Qing screamed and quickly covered her face and eyes with her two small hands.

nHe, he, he was wearing a grey silk nightgown and standing by the toilet, holding his…with one hand while relieving himself.

nNing Qing had seen one for the first time in her life; she wanted nothing more than for the floor to swallow her up.

nShe screamed for a few times again. “Ah, ah, ah!” She was going to develop a sty in her eye.

nThe sound of running water reverberated through her ears, the man was washing his hands after he’d flushed, and heard the girl scream “ah” endlessly. He opened his mouth, and said with a rich and deep voice tinged with post-wake-up hoarseness, “Stop it, stop acting as if you’d been mistreated after getting such a bargain!”

nWhat? A bargain?

nNing Qing was so emotionally agitated that she could not refute him. She bolted out of the door with her thin legs. She sobbed. She was never going to speak to him again!

nLu Shaoming watched as the girl went, awkwardness emanated from his clear eyes and jet black eyebrows, and his handsome face was a little red.

nNot only was it her first time seeing it, but it was also his first time being seen as well.

n…

nNing Qing had changed her clothes after washing up and Lu Shaoming happened to be going out as well. He was handsome and suave in his custom Armani white button up shirt and black pants.

nNing Qing tried hard to forget that scene. After a couple of deep breathes, she flashed a sweet smile and said, “Good morning.” My plane’s going to take off at 7:30 and I’m in a hurry. Can you give me a lift?”

n“Okay, let’s go.” Lu Shaoming nodded as he responded.

nNing Qing was walking ahead. Lu Shaoming watched as the girl walked down the stairs. She was wearing a light linen Korean style double-breasted overcoat with a V-neck silk white shirt today, revealing her delicate and beautiful collarbone.

nNude colored stockings caused her legs to look straight and slender. With a pair of black boots on her feet and a delicate yellow handbag in her hand, she gave off a strong youthful trendy vibe.

nShe also had some light makeup on her face. There was red lipstick on her beautiful rhombus lips, and her skin was smooth and fair. She was stunning.

nHe had ordered the clothes, but she’d paired the clothes according to her taste. He hadn’t misjudged her. She was a smart little woman who knew how to showcase her beauty.

nLu Shaoming’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

n“Sir, madam, you’re up. Come and have breakfast.” Auntie Zhang brought their breakfast to the long table.

n“I’m late.”

n“Eat your breakfast first. I promise to get you there by 7:30.” Lu Shaoming took her by her hand and led her to the table.

nNing Qing looked down at his big hand holding her small hand, and her small face turned red again.

n…

nSure enough, Lu Shaoming hadn’t lied. He arrived with Ning Qing at the airport gate at 7:25.

n“Shaoming, thank you. I’m going now.” Ning Qing reached out her hand to unfasten her seat belt.

nBut he reached over and unbuckled her seatbelt for her before she could. How thoughtful. As Lu Shaoming’s tall and straight body came closer, his charming manly scent instantly filled her nostrils. The man told her softly, “Ning Qing, call me if you encounter any difficulties at work.”

nNing Qing turned sideways in order to avoid his enticing scent, and said, “Shaoming, due to family strife, I have formed a feud with Ning Yao, her mother, and Xu Junxi. Although we’re married and I also know that you are very strong, I want to settle my problems myself. I want to retain my independence in this marriage. If I were to depend on you for everything, I would not be any different from a caged canary.”

nLu Shaoming listened and looked up. He reached out and pinched her little cheeks twice as he laughed dotingly. “I know, I will respect you, and I will not interfere.”

nShe was only 21 years old and her life had just started. A good lover was one who would allow her to develop on her own, under his wing. He would be responsible for escorting and protecting her while she grew up slowly.

nAfter her seat belt had been unfastened, Ning Qing had one last thing to say. “Shaoming, I’m really going. Bye-bye.” Ning Qing opened the door.

nAs one of her foot landed on the pavement, she heard the man behind her ask with a slightly jocular smile, “Ning Qing, what did you see in the bathroom this morning?”

nNing Qing seemed to have been stunned by an electric shock as her other foot jumped out from the car. She stood firmly, her pink face flushed as she said, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone that you have a little birdie.”

nBang!

nNing Qing quickly slammed the door shut and jogged into the airport as if someone were chasing her.

nLittle birdie?

nLu Shaoming’s face was a little dark. He’ll show her the power of the “little birdie” one day!

nWhen her beautiful silhouette disappeared from his sight, Lu Shaoming made a u-turn, and when the Bentley was driving down the main road once again, a luxury car came in front of him.

nThe car’s window slid down, revealing a delicate and beautiful young face. If Ning Qing saw it, she would be surprised, because the facially paralyzed Ou Luo Xi was smiling.

nOu Luo Xi smiled with a slight gap around the corners of his lips, it looked a little stiff, as if he did not smile often or had just learned to smile, but when he smiled, two dimples peeked out. Accompanied with his clear and pure black eyes, his smile was as simple and warm as a newborn baby’s.

n“Big Brother.” Ou Luo Xi looked at Lu Shaoming in the Bentley and shouted.

nLu Shaoming lifted the corner of his lips and said, “Third brother, I’ll entrust your sister-in-law to you. Let’s reach out your second brother in the army and go to the bar and have a drink together after the movie filming has ended.”

n“OK.” Ou Luo Xi’s frosty aura vanished and nodded his head like a well-behaved child.

n…

nNing Qing had been filming in Shanghai for half a month. All of Meng Yao’s school days’ scenes in Wind and Dust had been filmed. Director Wang brought everyone to Red House, where all the scenes taking place in The Bund’s ballroom were filmed.

nWhen she’d reached Red House, Ning Qing came across some familiar faces. Namely, the crew of “Pink Beauty” and of course, Ning Yao was the most important one.

nNing Yao had rolled down the stairs half a month ago and had been slapped four times by her. She had been quite heavily injured and “Pink Lady” had just started filming now that she had recovered.

nNing Yao’s gaze was full of piercing viciousness. She looked at her as if she wanted to pierce several bloody holes through her on the spot, but she still pretended to be friendly and went over to greet Ning Qing warmly. Ning Yao responded to everyone’s greetings with a smile, and the film set looked peaceful.

nThe two groups are filming in two different halls, but they shared a common space during their break. The second female and male supporting actors were practicing their lines. Ning Qing was reading the script while sitting in a chair.

nWhen she was absorbed in her reading she heard someone call, “Sister.” there was a voice as soft as a warbler’s by her ear. “Look, Junxi is visiting me at work.”

nNing Qing looked up. Xu Junxi, surrounded by two or three people, strode towards Ning Yao with his long legs. He carried a thermos cup in his hand.

nXu Junxi also saw her and he pressed his thin lips together tightly, his eyes were cold and gloomy. He stared at her as if she owed him tens of millions of dollars.

nNing Qing was not angry at all. She flipped her silky hair, which was curled as she was playing the role of a songstress. Her silky hair fell down and framed her face, making her appear soft, beautiful and enticing. She ran her tiny hands through her silky hair as she gracefully hooked her lips and said, “President Xu, long time no see.”

nXu Junxi looked at her fake smile. He gazed at her deeply before looking back down at Ning Yao and reaching out his hand to touch Ning Yao’s face, demonstrating their closeness. “Yaoyao, this is black chicken soup. Filming is very tiring, you should drink more.”

nHer assistant helped unscrew the lid of the thermos cup. Ning Yao took an exaggerated sniff of the black chicken soup’s aroma and smiled like a flower. “Thank you Junxi. You’re so good to me.”

n“Oh no!” Ning Yao suddenly exclaimed. She said crossly, “Junxi, my sister is here too. Why didn’t you bring some for my sister?” Ning Yao looked at Ning Qing apologetically. “Sister, Junxi only thought of me and forgot about you. Why don’t I just give you this soup to drink?”

nNing Qing felt mentally exhausted for this couple. Do they really like putting on an act in front of her?

nNing Qing covered her cherry mouth with the script as she giggled. She was surrounded by a group of staff members and she told everyone in a joking manner, “President Xu has brought black chicken soup to my sister but my sister asked me to drink it. Do you think I can drink it?”

n“How can you drink that, Ning Qing, you’ll have indigestion if you drink it!” Xiao Zhou looked at Ning Yao with disdain and irony, and all the staff members erupted in laughter.

nNing Yao’s face darkened. She kicked a ball towards Ning Qing. She hadn’t expected Ning Qing to kick it back as if she were practicing Tai Chi.

nThere were many supporting actresses on the set. Ning Yao instantly felt that these supporting actresses were looking at her weirdly. Everyone could see that she was intentionally displaying her affections in public and they were envious and jealous of her. They probably hated her a little as well.

nNing Yao was furious.

nAt that moment, there was a shout from across the room. “It’s meal time.”

nNing Yao saw that there were two staff members from Ning Qing’s production who were bringing in a big pot. Beef and other dishes must be stewing in that big pot. It was steaming and fragrant.

nThe entire crew was full of energy and laughter as they took their own bowls and chopsticks and squatted together on the ground while having a lively meal.

nXu Junxi looked as Xiao Zhou handed over a bowl of white rice to Ning Qing. Director Wang took a small bowl and personally placed it on the stool beside Ning Qing. He told her, “Ning Qing, this is the dish that I’d asked the kitchen to prepare for you specially. Don’t leave any leftovers and finish it all.”

nNing Qing was about to thank him when someone shouted and protested. “Director Wang, how can you be so biased? We also want something special.”

nDirector Wang took a pair of chopsticks and knocked on the man’s head. “Hungry ghost, Ning Qing’s not eating more for no reason. She’s going to dance later. If she’s not full, how will she have the energy to dance?”

nWind and Dust’s first supporting actress immediately pouted her lips and laughed. “Director Wang, you said you’re not biased, but how many additional scenes have you given little sister Ning Qing after seeing how beautifully she could dance?”

nWhen Director Wang could not refute, Ning Qing smiled and said, “Sister Lingling, are you asking for tuition fees from Director Wang by saying that? I couldn’t dance the Cha-Cha in the previous scene, luckily you were there to teach me, you are my teacher.”

nThe smooth flattery made the second supporting actress laugh like a flower. “Ning Qing, you have a sweet mouth.”

n“Haha…” The entire crew laughed and the atmosphere was peaceful and harmonious.

nNing Yao’s face was purple with rage, the second and third supporting actresses in Feng Dust were all famous front-line actresses in China. If not for Director Wang, why would they play such insignificant roles?

nShe hadn’t expected that in just half a month, Ning Qing was already getting along so well with them. She was beautiful and sweet-mouthed and had sweet-talked the crew around her finger.

nLooking at them laughing and talking, Ning Yao looked at the black chicken soup in her hands and suddenly lost her appetite.

nXu Junxi stared at the encircled beautiful figure opposite him. He hadn’t expected Ning Qing to ever have all this. her eyes on her tiny face were curved as her expression was bright and lively. The entire crew liked her.

nDancing?

nHe suddenly remembered the Crystal Plate Dance she had performed more than half a month ago. No one knew that he had secretly blocked all the videos and news about Ning Qing’s dance from leaking. He was this dark and despicable; he did not want anyone to see her beauty.

nHowever, she’d broken away from his control and was about to fly high and away from him.

nShe was always someone who would become popular easily and now, Director Wang had given her a chance to put her talents to use.

nXu Junxi suddenly realized something. In his subconscious mind, he’d also known that Ning Qing would definitely become popular, she only lacked an opportunity.

n…

nNing Qing went to a room in the Red House Hotel after dinner to find Ou Luo Xi. After half a month’s interaction, she felt that Ou Luo Xi’s personality was cold and isolated. He always ate alone and would plunge into his room after filming, rarely coming out.

nStanding in front of the room’s door, Ning Qing reached out and knocked at the door.

n“Come in.” Ou Luo Xi responded from inside.

nNing Qing pushed the door open and went in. The beautiful young man was sitting on the light purple retro-floral sofa. The bright and warm afternoon sunshine reflected rainbow-like light through the window and shone on his handsome face, the image was as delicate as a sketch.

nNing Qing finally knew why Ou Luo Xi had so many fans. Apart from his overly handsome face, his temperament was very quiet. He was so quiet it seemed as if he were in harmony with nature, just like a light and simple freehand brushwork.

nOu Luo Xi was peeling an apple.

nNing Qing walked in front of him and asked, “Luo Xi, have you eaten yet?”

n“Yes.” The young man’s eyes were downcast. The soft bangs on his forehead swayed with the wind, covering a pair of long eyes.

nNing Qing saw that he was very inexperienced in peeling the apple as if he was just learning. She sat on the other side of the sofa and took the knife and apple from his hands. “Let me teach you.”

nAs she peeled the apple, Ning Qing thought about when she’d seen Lu Shaoming peel an apple for her mother when she was outside the ward the other day.

n