Besides, she’s been nothing but courteous to me. She didn’t make things difficult for me or anything, either.

Whether or not she’s Yan Qingbing has nothing to do with me, anyway.

All I need to do is focus on doing well in my acting career.

Thus, she did not take this matter to heart anymore.

That day, after finishing her parts, Yun Shishi had just packed her belongings and was all prepared to head home when Ji Yan suddenly pushed open the door to her dressing room and walked up to her with a smile.

“Shishi, are you done filming your parts?”

She turned around and nodded while humming an affirmation before asking curiously, “What’s the matter? Did something happen?”

They did not have many acting scenes together, so she did not make it a point to get close to her and, thus, rarely talked to her.

The other replied, “This may sound a little abrupt… but today’s my birthday; would you like to attend my birthday party? I know you’re rushing to go home, but I’ve invited everyone from the production team and the acting cast. People will likely gossip if you don’t turn up.”

“Oh…”

“You know how it’s like; the staff talks behind our backs at times. I’m afraid that if you don’t attend my birthday party, people will spread something about it, saying that we’re not on good terms, and if this reaches the media’s ears, they’ll surely blow up the matte, so I’m thinking, perhaps you can leave earlier if you’re really rushing to go back.”

Even though the actress had some reservations, she could not refute what the birthday girl said. It was true that people might deliberately try to make news about this if she did not show up at the birthday party.

Thus, she said, “I’m fine with attending the party; it’s just that this invitation came too suddenly. I didn’t even know that it’s your birthday today, so I didn’t prepare any presents!”

“That’s fine. Your attendance is the biggest gift you can give me,” answered Ji Yan with a smile before she tilted her head and pouted. “I deliberately announced it at the last minute, lest filming should get delayed because people are trying to prepare gifts for me. Besides, there’s no need for presents. The production team already ordered me a cake! Since it’s a party, it’s more fun with more people around.”

It got her laughing. “How can I turn down your invitation when you put it this way? What time is the party?”

“We’ll have to wait until filming is over! I guess it’ll probably be around seven in the evening.” The other pondered on it for a moment and then said, “You can leave the party early at eight; how’s that?”

“Sure.”

Touched, the starlet gushed, “Thank you, Shishi! I didn’t expect you to be willing to attend my birthday party.”

“Jeez, what are you saying?”

“Well, then you’re on your own for now. I have to go prepare for filming, so I’ll see you later!”

The lady waved goodbye to her and proceeded to leave the room.

As soon as the woman exited the room, the smile on Yun Shishi’s face gradually slipped off.

They’re different.

Her image doesn’t match up to the haughty Yan Bingqing in memory even in such proximity.

Am I just over-imagining things?

…

The birthday party was held in a bar near the production set, where Ji Yan had generously booked the entire second floor for her guests.

By the time everyone—all members of the production team and acting cast with the exception of the superstar—arrived, it was 7 PM sharp. Everyone was clamoring for her to get the party started when she suddenly stood up and told them mysteriously, “Wait. I’m still waiting for someone!”

The crowd asked curiously, “Who is it?”

She did not answer them, though, in a deliberate attempt to maintain suspense.