Translator: Yunyi
Huo Tian: âIâm so tired that Iâm like a dead dog. It would be weird if I was happy!â
âOh, Iâm very happy.â
A misty drizzle fell from the sky. With a camera hanging around her neck, Song Yaoyao covered her head from the rain as she looked into the distance.
The mountains were shrouded in mist and the air was filled with a faint smell of grass. The plants were wet from the rain and they looked even greener.
Tang Xinrou took a deep breath and spread her arms.
No matter how much Huo Tian complained in her heart, she was still influenced by the beautiful scene. The cool raindrops hit her face, and the misty sky above her gave her a different sense of beauty.
âEh? Miss Tang and Miss Song, is that you?â
The peaceful atmosphere was broken. Song Yaoyaoâs hair was wet. She turned her head and saw three familiar faces.
Huo Tian rolled her eyes and stood behind Song Yaoyao, too lazy to say a word.
âWhat a coincidence.â Tang Xinrou was surprised. âHow did you guysââ It wasnât like she was a conspiracy theorist, but the location Song Yaoyao chose was really remote and it wasnât a particularly popular place.
Along the way, it had only been the three of them.
Besides, she didnât expect that Lily, Zhongli Xue, and Zhong Li would actually hang out together.
When they first arrived, there were three of them, but now they were leaving with six.
At the foot of the mountain, there was a farmhouse. With its back against the mountains, the green bricks and tiles caused it to camouflage into the background. Stepping on the asphalt bricks and walking under the eaves, the lady boss saw them and heaved a sigh of relief. âAiya, you guys came back together? Thatâs good, thatâs good. I saw that the rain was getting heavier, so I wanted to ask my husband to bring you an umbrella!â
As the lady boss spoke, they discovered that Zhong Li and the others had just arrived that day along with some unfamiliar faces.
Zhong Li and Zhongli Xueâs expressions were very indifferent; Zhongli Xue was still as cold and unapproachable as she always was. She only nodded slightly as a greeting.
The most enthusiastic one was Lily whose facial features had become slightly more Asian. If one did not look carefully, they would not be able to notice her slightly blue eyes.
âTang, Yaoyao, you guys know Xue?ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Compared to last time, her Mandarin was much smoother.
âShe participated in a talent show, and Yaoyao was a guest mentor on it for two episodes.â
âAh! So thatâs how it is.â Lilyâs eyes lit up. âYaoyao is amazing!â
At her age, others were merely participants, yet she had already become a mentor.
Song Yaoyaoâs aura was gentle. Most of the time, it was Tang Xinrou who was talking while she was laughing at the side or looking at the photos she had taken on the camera.
The scene selection group for âMurderâ had gone to another city. After Song Yaoyao saw the photos online, she decided to separate from them and come here.
Outside, the rain pattered. The wind blew gently against the wind chimes under the eaves, making a crisp sound.
When she heard Tang Xinrou mention that Song Yaoyao had a new movie in the works, Lily became even more enthusiastic. âYaoyao, do you have a suitable role for me in your movie? I can do it for free!â
This was too enthusiastic, and even Tang Xinrou looked at her twice.
Lily realized this and smiled embarrassedly. âActually, Iâm a fan of Yaoyaoâs. Compared to the Western culture, I prefer China.â
âBut you already have a fan base there. Donât you think itâs a pity to give it up?â
âNo, theyâre actually very xenophobic.â Lily leaned on the table and said sullenly, âMy Asian looks arenât very popular. What they like is the character I played; itâs a likable character. Iâm sure anyone could have played it and got the same result.â
âThisâ¦â Tang Xinrou looked at Song Yaoyao. She was focused on her camera, looking as if she had nothing to do with their conversation. Tang Xinrou could only comfort her, âNo, thereâs definitely a reason why you stood out from the competition and got the role. As long as someone likes you, it means that you still have a market in the west.â
âYouâre thinking too much,â Lily said. âMy boss appointed me to play that role. Otherwise, I wouldnât have been able to compete with those blonde-haired, blue-eyed, hot girls,â she spread her hands and explained.
Tang Xinrou fell silent for a moment. She didnât expect Lily to openly say that she relied on relations to get her role.
âI forgot to introduce you. This is my boss, Mr. Zhong Li.â
Lily cupped her face with both hands and said gratefully, âMr. Zhong Li chose me because I have oriental blood.â
Zhong Li chuckled. âItâs because youâre suitable. Iâm a businessman; I never do business at a loss.â
This sentence successfully pleased Lily. She threw herself at Zhong Li passionately and gave him a big hug.
âYouâre my benefactor, Mr. Zhong Li! If you want, oh, I mean, if youâre willing, I can even give myself to youââ
She winked at him.
A cup suddenly tipped over and boiling hot tea flowed on the table.
âWhat are you doing?!â
Huo Tian pulled Song Yaoyao away abruptly as she watched the hot water drip down the edge of the table. âYou canât even hold a cup properly. Is there something wrong with your hands?â
An embarrassed look flashed across Zhongli Xueâs eyes. âI didnât do it on purpose.â
âOh, should I just take your word for it? If you burned someone, could you afford to pay for it?â Huo Tian was really afraid. The scene of Song Yaoyao being burned was still vivid in her mind. This time, it almost happened again. If she hadnât dodged in time, the hot water would have dripped off the edge of the table and onto Song Yaoyaoâs legs.
Regardless of whether Zhongli Xue could afford it or not, Huo Tian couldnât afford to let it happen again.
If her uncle knew, he would crush her to death.
The atmosphere froze.
To outsiders, Huo Tianâs attitude was unreasonable and unforgiving.
Zhongli Xue stood up abruptly and turned around to leave. âIâm tired, Iâll go back and rest first.â
âStop right there!â Huo Tian was furious.
This woman not only wanted to be a mistress, she also wanted to hurt her aunt. It was unforgivable!
âXue.â
Zhong Li lowered his eyes calmly. His eyelids were extremely long, covering the gloomy expression in his eyes. âApologize.â
Zhongli Xueâs body suddenly stopped, as if she was nailed to the ground. After a long time, the hands beside her slowly folded into fists. And a few seconds of silence later, she softly apologized, âIâm sorry.â
After saying this, she walked out of the tea room without looking back. This time, Zhong Li did not stop her.
For some reason, when Zhongli Xue heard Zhong Liâs words, she seemed to have become dispirited. Her mood was low and she looked pitiful.
Huo Tian pursed her lips. âLuckily, she didnât burn anyone. Otherwise, I wouldnât be done with her.â
âThatâs enough.â
Song Yaoyao patted her head. âGo play.â
âButââ Huo Tianâs eyes rolled around. When her gaze landed on Zhong Li and Lily, her originally happy expression was suppressed again. She sat back down. âItâs raining, whatâs there to play?â
âYou can read or play games. Either of those are fine.â Tang Xinrou winked at Song Yaoyao with amusement.