I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

"Sister Li, this is a huge misunderstanding!" Cheng Sheng immediately dropped his joking expression and explained quickly, "Sister Hong and Sister Xu are just my adopted sisters. There is absolutely no romantic relationship between us."

"My god-sister?" Zeng Li's tone was clearly hesitant. Without any real photos or evidence, she was skeptical and couldn't make a decision.

Cheng Sheng seized the opportunity to ask in return, his tone frank and sincere: "In your eyes, am I the kind of person who deliberately destroys other people's families?"

"Since they're just god-sisters, why did they insist on having you pick them up at the airport when they went all the way to the United States?" Zeng Li pressed, seizing on the most crucial point of contention.

Cheng Sheng had a plan in place for this problem.

He had anticipated that Chen Hong and Xu Fan's arrival in Hollywood would expose them, so he had already prepared a countermeasure.

When dealing with Feng Dapao and Chen Kaige, he had already agreed on a set of statements with Chen Hong and Xu Fan, and they used the same story for all subsequent interrogations.

In order to prevent anyone from letting it slip.

He calmly explained, "The two of them came to Hollywood specifically to learn about the industrial production process of film and television. Knowing that I was preparing for the filming of 'Juno' here recently, they thought they could come to the set to observe and learn some Hollywood filming and actor management experience, so they asked me to pick them up on the way."

This story is nine parts true and one part false. The time, place, and purpose of the trip to the United States are all true, but the private entanglements are concealed. The logic is watertight and it is very difficult to expose it.

This reason also justifies the two women's long-term stay in the United States and will not arouse subsequent suspicion.

Zeng Li remained silent for a moment, then chose to believe this explanation. She then solemnly instructed, "I can trust you, but you must firmly uphold your bottom line. I won't interfere in how you deal with others outside, but you absolutely cannot interfere in other people's marriages. That's my bottom line."

"Don't worry, Sister Li," Cheng Sheng reassured her gently. "I already have several of you by my side, why would I cause any more trouble?"

A faint chuckle came from the receiver, and Zeng Li cut to the chase: "Then how does Scarlett explain?"

Cheng Sheng froze abruptly, completely stunned.

He had never mentioned Scarlett to Zeng Li, never expecting that she already knew about it.

“No need to hide it anymore.” Zeng Li’s tone lost its coldness and became more teasing. “Scarlett and I were chatting privately via email earlier, and she brought you up. I didn’t expect that you could even win over my best friend. I really underestimated your abilities.”

Cheng Sheng was extremely embarrassed and could only manage an awkward, dry laugh.

He muttered to himself that Scarlett had known him longer than Zeng Li, and if we were to talk about who came first, Zeng Li was the one who came later. But he dared not say this out loud, as it would only add fuel to the fire.

"Alright, I'm not here to bring up the past." Zeng Li skipped over the topic, her tone becoming lighter. "Besides the photos, I have some good news to tell you."

"What good news?" Cheng Sheng asked, trying to shift the focus.

"Dragon TV invited me to sing a solo at the Spring Festival Gala, and the designated song was 'As You Wish'."

"You agreed?"

"Yes, the contract has been confirmed."

Cheng Sheng's tone carried a deliberate hint of disappointment: "We had agreed to spend New Year's Eve together in Kyoto this year."

Zeng Li replied calmly, "Don't play dumb. CCTV has already decided to invite you to the main venue of the Spring Festival Gala. The rehearsal will be broadcast live on New Year's Eve. You simply won't have the time."

"I can rush back as soon as I finish rehearsals and stay up with you to watch the Spring Festival Gala."

“The contract process is already locked, and the production team requires us to be on standby at all times.” Zeng Li’s attitude was firm, and she did not budge. Cheng Sheng sighed, feigning a helpless and dejected look: “So, it seems I’ll be spending New Year’s Eve alone this year.”

"You're joking." Zeng Li chuckled. "Li Xiaoran, Mengmeng, and Datiantian are all in Kyoto. They're keeping you company, so how could you be lonely?"

"On New Year's Eve, I only want to spend it with you, Sister Li." Cheng Sheng said seriously, without a trace of joking.

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the line. Zeng Li was clearly moved, and her voice softened: "I will try my best to streamline the backstage wrap-up process and get back to the apartment to be with you before the clock strikes midnight."

“I knew Sister Li loved me the most and couldn’t bear to see me spending the New Year alone.”

"Stop saying such mushy things. It's already 3 a.m. back home, and I can't stay awake any longer," Zeng Li said wearily.

Get some rest early, goodnight.

After hanging up the call, Cheng Sheng hailed a taxi on the roadside and gave the address of Scarlett's hillside villa.

Twenty minutes later, the car came to a smooth stop in front of the villa.

Scarlett was waiting at the entrance. When she saw him return, she instinctively peeked behind him, her eyes full of curiosity: "Darling, you're back. Why didn't you bring your two god-sisters with you?"

Cheng Sheng initially intended to conceal Chen Hong and Xu Fan's trip to the United States, but after the airport photos were leaked, the internet spread extremely quickly, making it impossible to hide.

He decided to inform Scarlett in advance, but deliberately concealed his special relationship with the two women, only saying that they were his adopted sisters.

As for whether Scarlett might have her own wild imagination, he had no time to care.

“They flew for more than ten hours and were exhausted, both physically and mentally.” Cheng Sheng took off his coat and casually draped it on the hanger, explaining calmly, “I have arranged the best hotel for them. They did a short walk around the area this afternoon, but they were too tired to go to their room early to rest. I will bring them to meet you tomorrow.”

Scarlett looked up at him, her clear blue eyes asking, "Have you told them about our relationship?"

"I told them," Cheng Sheng said with a smile, kissing her forehead. "They all admire you and are looking forward to meeting you."

“I’m equally looking forward to it.” Scarlett’s eyes crinkled, her expression gentle.

Cheng Sheng's gaze held a hint of ambiguity as he glanced at the script of "Juno" spread out on the coffee table in the living room: "Did you encounter any parts you got stuck on while studying the script at home today? Do you need me to help you sort them out?"

Scarlett raised her fingertips, her slender arm hooking around Cheng Sheng's neck. She pressed her body gently against him, her eyes reddening with a seductive allure. Her tongue lightly brushed her lower lip, and her voice was soft and sweet: "I still can't empathize with Juno's psychological transformation when she had an unexpected pregnancy. Can you help me experience it immersively?"

"I'd be more than happy to," Cheng Sheng chuckled softly.

As soon as he finished speaking, he bent down, picked Scarlett up in his arms, and strode towards the bedroom on the second floor.

Time passed slowly, and the sky outside the window darkened completely. It was already 6:20 p.m. local time in Los Angeles.

Scarlett was completely exhausted and leaned lazily against the headboard, too weak to even lift her hand.

Cheng Sheng took the private chef's order number saved in her phone and ordered two Western-style light meals.

Not long after, the doorbell rang at the villa.

Cheng Sheng went out alone to sign for the takeout, settled the tip, and returned home with the food container. (End of Chapter)