Huayu: This top star doesn't play by the rules.

"Alright, all packed up." After placing the photo frame in its place, Meng Ziyi clapped her hands, stood up, and smiled at Chen Chao. "Check to see if anything was left behind?"

Without checking the suitcase, Chen Chao walked straight behind Meng Ziyi, gently hugged her, and rested his chin on the top of her head: "No need to check, as long as the most important things are not forgotten."

A slight blush rose to her cheeks, and Meng Ziyi reached out and patted his arm: "Stop joking, we need to hurry up, or you'll miss the high-speed train. Xingxu is already waiting for us downstairs."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chao first kissed her on the cheek, then let go of her hand, picked up his suitcase, and walked out of the room with her.

At the hotel entrance, the car Chen Xingxu had rented was already parked. Chen Chao and Meng Ziyi took the initiative to sit in the back seat, but they didn't talk much along the way, making the atmosphere in the car somewhat somber.

Leaning on Chen Chao's shoulder, Meng Ziyi's fingers unconsciously traced the back of his hand. Her heart was filled with reluctance. Although she knew that she could go to Hengdian to see him after she finished filming her scenes in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", she still felt a little empty inside for some reason.

After driving quietly for more than an hour, the car arrived at Ningbo High-Speed ​​Railway Station, and it was time for everyone to part ways.

After helping Chen Chao take his suitcase out of the trunk, Chen Xingxu said in a deep voice, "When you get to Hengdian, remember to send us a message. You can call us anytime if anything happens."

"Okay, I got it, bro." Chen Chao took the suitcase and patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

Chen Xingxu glanced at Meng Ziyi, who was still looking down, and said tactfully, "I'll go back to the car first. You two chat." He then quickly turned around and went back to the car, leaving the two of them alone.

Seeing Meng Ziyi with her head down, pretending to kick something, Chen Chao smiled and gently lifted her chin, making her look into his eyes. "What's wrong? Who upset you this time?"

Sniffing, and using her mask as cover, Meng Ziyi feigned indifference, hands on her hips, and said to Chen Chao, "Who's unhappy! I'm very happy! It's good you're gone, no one will bother with my snacks anymore, and no one will fight me for the remote!"

She paused, then continued, her tone slightly arrogant: "Let me tell you, Chen Chao, once you get to Hengdian, you're not allowed to send me too many messages, which would delay my filming. You're also not allowed to come back to visit the set without permission. I don't want the crew to see me and spread rumors."

"And another thing, you're not allowed to get too close to the actresses from 'Princess Agents,' you hear me! If I find out, I... I'll never talk to you again!"

She spoke quickly and urgently, as if she were making a threat, but towards the end, her voice grew softer and softer, her eyes slowly reddened, and glistening tears welled up in her eyes, which she stubbornly held back from falling.

Seeing her contradictory expression, Chen Chao felt both amused and sorry for her. She reached out and pinched her cheek, saying in her usual gentle voice, "I understand, Sister Meng."

Hearing Chen Chao's simple yet firm answer, Meng Ziyi sniffed again and said seriously, "Also, don't be so nice and kind to everyone. The crew is a complicated place with all sorts of people. Be careful not to get sold out and end up helping someone count the money."

Seeing her lecturing manner, which resembled that of a mother hen, Chen Chao couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Okay, I understand. If anyone bullies me, I'll call Lady Meng to save me."

Amused by Chen Chao's deliberately teasing words, Meng Ziyi lightly punched him, but immediately threw herself into his arms, hugged his waist tightly, buried her face in his chest, and said in a muffled voice, "Chen Chao, I will miss you."

He hugged her back and whispered, "I'll miss you too. Focus on filming and take care of yourself."

Just then, the announcement for Chen Chao's high-speed train came over the loudspeaker.

"I should go now." Releasing his hand, Chen Chao tidied Meng Ziyi's stray hairs and said with a smile.

She nodded gently, but Meng Ziyi was still reluctant to let go. Looking into Chen Chao's eyes, she suddenly whispered, "Chen Chao, what if... what if I become rich and a big star in the future, and make a lot of money? Let me support you, okay?"

She spoke very seriously, her eyes filled with anticipation and sincerity.

Feeling as if his heart had been gently bumped by something, Chen Chao looked at the bright-eyed girl in front of him, smiled and waved his hand: "Okay, then I'll wait to be taken care of by you, Sister Meng. I'll be your exclusive gigolo, and all I have to do is live off you."

"Pah! Who wants you to be a gigolo?" Meng Ziyi laughed again at Chen Chao's antics, but for some reason, tears streamed down her face. "Alright, hurry up and leave, or you'll miss the high-speed train."

After giving Meng Ziyi a final hug, Chen Chao quickly left with his suitcase, as time was running out and they couldn't afford to delay any longer.

But after taking a few steps, Chen Chao couldn't help but look back. Meng Ziyi was still standing there, waving goodbye to him.

Sunlight shone on her, outlining her slender figure. Tears still clung to her face, yet she tried her best to smile at him.

........

Only after Chen Chao's figure disappeared from sight did Meng Ziyi's forced smile crumble instantly, and tears, which she could no longer hold back, fell like beads from a broken string.

After venting her emotions for a while, she slowly wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and tidied her clothes and hair.

The vulnerability and no wonder that had been on her face vanished without a trace, replaced by an unprecedented determination. She took out her phone and dialed her agent's number.

The call was quickly answered, and the agent's voice came from the other end: "Hey, Ziyi, didn't you go to see Chen Chao off? What's up?"

Gripping her phone tightly, Meng Ziyi stared in the direction Chen Chao had left, her voice resolute and without hesitation, "I've made up my mind. I'm going to take the route you mentioned before!"

The agent on the other end of the phone paused for a moment, then said with some surprise, "Have you thought this through? The 'black-and-red' route might get you famous quickly, but it also means enduring a lot of criticism. Are you really sure?"

"I've thought it through!" Meng Ziyi's voice remained unwavering in the face of her agent's question.