Huayu 2015, the Artist of Light and Shadow

……

Back on set, Tang Yan looked at Chen Yuqi's delicate face and felt great, so she couldn't help but gently pinch it.

It feels great to the touch.

No wonder she's from Sichuan, her skin is so smooth.

"Qiqi, you're so cute. And you have such a sweet voice. I really like you. Let's sleep together tonight."

"After we finish filming this movie, I'll take you back to Shanghai and discuss with Yunzhou about getting you a role in the drama 'The Day Is Coming'."

"Let's arrange it to be that... talented girl from the music academy, who has both beauty and talent, who, after being possessed by the female lead, wants to use your cute face to win back her fiancé, but accidentally gets hit and killed by a villain, that unfortunate person."

This character is one of the few beautiful and positive figures in the entire series.

"Thank you, Sister Tangtang. However, you seem to have forgotten that you promised Brother Yunzhou that he would decide the casting for the entire series."

Chen Yuqi whispered a reminder to Tang Yan.

Tang Yan said irritably, "Qiqi, I remember your birthday is in July, and Yunzhou's is in December. You were both born in 1992. He's five months younger than you, so how come he's your older brother?"

Chen Yuqi explained seriously, "Sister Tangtang, when I signed the contract, Brother Yunzhou put in a lot of good words for me. Because of him, Sister Ji even increased my base salary by 2000 yuan."

She is a girl who knows how to repay kindness.

It's much better than the hotpot from Lao Mi's place.

It's foreseeable that Dilraba will have a fierce falling out with the company once her contract expires.

……

Yueqing, Wenzhou.

That day, Zhang Ruonan got up very early.

Earlier, she had gone to the town's hair salon to get a perm to make herself look more mature.

She wanted to tell everyone that she had grown up.

"Sister Nan is the most beautiful girl in Wenzhou."

After admiring herself in the mirror for a while, Zhang Ruonan ran downstairs and found her mother preparing breakfast: "Mom, when are we going to Hangzhou?"

The mother glanced at Zhang Ruonan, who was dressed like a little princess, and frowned slightly: "Why are you dressed so beautifully when you go to Hangzhou to buy goods? Go change your skirt and put on pants."

No.

She put on her pants and looked like a tomboy.

Zhang Ruonan pouted, looking unwilling.

Mom had no choice but to resort to her trump card, saying with a smile, "Trust Mom's taste; you look better in pants."

Zhang Ruonan looked down at her short legs. She did look better in pants if she didn't wear high heels.

After all, it can cover up flaws.

After changing her pants upstairs, Zhang Ruonan came downstairs excitedly a little while later, carrying a large suitcase: "Mom, I'm ready! Can we go now?"

His expression, as if he was about to run away from home, left his mother speechless. She couldn't help but say, "I know you're in a hurry. But hold on. Can you let me finish my breakfast first?"

As Mom ate her rice with her head down, she couldn't help but laugh and scold, "You're just like your dad; your eyes light up whenever you talk about making money."

"Is there?"

Zhang Ruonan rushed to the mirror and tried to open her eyes wide, only to find that it was the reflection of the contact lenses that was so bright.

It wasn't my own eyes that suddenly looked so beautiful.

This made her happy for nothing.

……

Hangzhou.

Sijiqing Clothing Market.

"Mom, when will we finish shopping at Sijiqing? My head hurts so much."

Zhang Ruonan, with her short legs, pulled a huge suitcase, following behind her mother like a resentful wandering soul.

She didn't come here to help her mother buy goods!

She came here to check... to see if her blind date was really the handsome young man she met that day.

If not, she immediately changed her tune, saying she had a headache and wanted to go home!

Now, she felt utterly disheartened, realizing that the inspection process was unnecessary and that her mother was definitely playing a trick on her.

"Headache? Is it heatstroke?"

Mother still cared about Zhang Ruonan, and upon hearing this, she said, "Then let's not shop anymore. The goods we just ordered are enough..."

Before she could finish speaking, her mother received a phone call. Her expression instantly changed, becoming full of a businesswoman's politeness: "Sister, the third floor of Yintai? A Thai restaurant? How could I possibly accept this? I should be treating you."

After hanging up the phone, Mom looked at Zhang Ruonan: "Xiaonan, cheer up, don't embarrass yourself! The real test is here!"

What's with the energy?

You're clearly just messing with me.

When it comes to love, you really can't rely on your parents.

Parents' perspectives are outdated.

Love is free, marriage is sacred, and I, Zhang Ruonan, am firmly against all arranged marriages!

"Mom, I'm so hungry. Let's go eat right away."

At this moment, rubbing her rumbling stomach and thinking of the appetizing Thai food, Zhang Ruonan suddenly felt a surge of anticipation.

Love is precious, freedom is even more valuable, but for the sake of making a living, both can be given up!

……

Jinsha Lake Yintai.

Zhang Ruonan and her daughter came up from the subway entrance and took the escalator up.

The mother and daughter chatted casually.

"Mom, the university I'll be attending isn't far ahead. After you finish shopping, it'll only take you less than half an hour to get to my school from Sijiqing."

"Remember to bring me something delicious every time you come."

"Especially the dried squid from my hometown, it's so expensive here, I just glanced at it."

The mother and daughter chatted and laughed until they found the Thai restaurant.

"Ruonan's mom, over here!"

Lu Yunzhou's mother saw Zhang Ruonan and her daughter from afar and waved enthusiastically.

"Mom, don't stop me later, I'm going to have a big meal."

Before entering the restaurant, Zhang Ruonan muttered to herself.

She had to indulge in a retaliatory feast, otherwise she would feel guilty for getting up so early and wasting a whole day in Sijiqing.

"Eat as much as you want. Mom will pay the bill, no problem."

Zhang Ruonan was at the age where she was growing, so her mother naturally wouldn't say anything.

Besides, being able to eat is a blessing.

There's a problem if you can't eat good food.

The mother and daughter walked into the restaurant chatting and laughing, both ready to treat themselves to a good meal.

"Auntie, your scarf is so beautiful. It makes you look so elegant."

Although she had given up all hope, Zhang Ruonan couldn't help but start saying nice things to Lu Yunzhou's mother after meeting her.

After all, she still has to continue working as a corporate spy.

"You have good taste. This scarf is from Lake Como in northern Italy, a very famous place. Chanel scarves are made here. I plan to give this Lake Como scarf as a small gift to the first 10,000 customers who place an order."

Lu Yunzhou's mother then spoke of her plans.

Zhang Ruonan and her daughter nodded and smiled from time to time, indicating that the idea was excellent. They also felt the urge to buy it.

Just then, Zhang Ruonan casually turned her head and glanced at something, and suddenly her eyes widened and her heart started pounding.

That's the feeling.

Although she couldn't explain why, and she hadn't even clearly seen what Lu Yunzhou looked like... the moment Lu Yunzhou appeared, she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter.

It's a wonderful feeling.

In that instant, Zhang Ruonan didn't have time to react. She quickly put the snack back in her hand, then pretended to be very well-behaved and held her breath.

"Yunzhou, why are you so late?"

The mother looked at Lu Yunzhou with a hint of reproach: "We've kept the guests waiting."

Then, the mother pointed to Zhang Ruonan and her daughter: "Let me introduce you, this is your Aunt Li, and this is your little sister Ruonan."

Zhang Ruonan's mother was dressed like a wealthy lady, wearing a diamond necklace and a gold watch, her whole body sparkling and dazzling, exuding the aura of a CEO's wife.

Zhang Ruonan, standing beside him, looked like a little follower.

"Hello, Aunt Li. Ruonan... Hello to you too."

Lu Yunzhou never expected that he would meet Zhang Ruonan, a big star from his hometown, in such a setting.

However, he had met many big stars during this time, and he was a man of few words, so he just glanced at Zhang Ruonan a few more times.

"He recognized me."

"Did he know that I was on a blind date that day?"

"What's with that look on his face? Is he surprised that I'm going on blind dates at 18? Does he think I'm desperate to get married? Oh no... I told you not to rush things! My parents are really messing with me."

Zhang Ruonan's face immediately burned. She felt like a clown on a stage, wishing she could disappear into the ground.

Seeing that Zhang Ruonan hadn't eaten a single bite and was instead struggling with her chopsticks, Lu Yunzhou couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Are these dishes not to your liking? I see you haven't eaten much. Should we go to another restaurant?"

Zhang Ruonan quickly shook her head: "No, no. I like all these dishes. It's just that I have a small appetite."

"That's good. I thought you didn't like it."

Lu Yunzhou was indeed hungry. He scooped some curry beef brisket broth with a spoon, mixed it with rice, and began to eat heartily.

Seeing this, her mother felt very sorry for her and couldn't help but ask a few more questions: "Yunzhou, what have you been doing lately? Are you so busy with work?"

"If you feel that things are tough outside, why not come home and help out?"

The mother never inquired about what Lu Yunzhou had been busy with lately, or how he was able to earn 500 million yuan in two months to supplement the family income.

But to be honest, she was really curious.

Moreover, sitting opposite them were the mother and daughter who had originally been on a blind date with their family... but when they came last time, Zhang Ruonan and her daughter acted very coldly.

It's like they look down on their son?

No!

She has to get her revenge!

A job that can earn 500 million in two months must be extraordinary.

As long as Lu Yunzhou speaks out, he'll definitely make that mother and daughter on the other side regret it to death.

"Okay, I know I can't keep this a secret for long."

Judging by the timeline, the Busan International Film Festival's shortlist should be revealed by next week at the latest.

Lu Yunzhou knew that even if no media reported his name, Tang Yan would spend money to hire online trolls to make his name famous!

This will make him a top young director in the eyes of netizens, and allow movie fans across the country to place high hopes on him!

Lu Yunzhou himself may not need popularity... but the project "The Day Is Coming" needs it!

"Actually, I changed careers. I recently made a short film and sold it to Paradise Umbrella Company, and received a copyright fee."

Lu Yunzhou said this in a very casual way.

He did not elaborate on the specific copyright fees.

He didn't want to be a conspicuous bag.

However, Lu Yunzhou, who intended to leave quietly after finishing his meal, suddenly noticed that... a few minutes later, the way others looked at him became strange!

The next moment, he was shocked to see a trending topic pop up on Zhang Ruonan's Weibo app!

—[After the Huading Awards, Tang Yan was spotted on a late-night date with a mysterious man!]

Below this entertainment gossip news article, there's also a blurry photo!

It's him!

In an instant, the lively atmosphere at the dining table seemed to be paused.

After what seemed like an eternity, the mother finally broke the silence, her face showing a hint of surprise and uncertainty.

"The female lead in the short film... is it Tang Yan?"