Life countdown begins, ice queen bursts into security room

Jiang Fan sat in the swivel chair, clearing his mind of all distractions.

Overthinking is useless; let's write the script first.

He placed his hands on the keyboard and began typing. A line of text appeared on the screen.

I was writing until noon when there was a knock on the office door.

Jiang Fan stopped what he was doing and unlocked the office door.

Li Cheng pushed open the door and came in, holding a tablet computer, and walked to the desk.

"Brother Jiang, Times Media has sent over a shortlist of candidates for Sun Wukong. President Su would like you to take a look."

Jiang Fan took the tablet and swiped his fingers across the screen.

Several meticulously edited photos of male celebrities.

Below is a list of fan counts, period dramas they have acted in, and Weibo super topic rankings.

The men in the photos all had extremely thick foundation and eyeliner longer than the women's, striking various cool poses.

Jiang Fan tossed the tablet back onto the table.

"Return everything." Jiang Fan leaned back in his chair. "Tell them they don't need to look for the role of Sun Wukong. I know what I'm doing."

"Go check," Jiang Fan tapped his finger on the table. "Are there any authentic inheritors of monkey opera in China now? Preferably someone with a family tradition of it."

Li Cheng was stunned for a moment.

Monkey show?

Hasn't that thing been abandoned by everyone a long time ago?

But he didn't say anything more and nodded in agreement.

"I'll go and inquire this afternoon."

Li Cheng turned and left, returning to his office to make a phone call.

"Hey, Lao Zhou. Help me find out something. Who's the most authentic monkey opera performer in China? I'm looking for the kind that's been passed down from generation to generation."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, then a laugh.

"Brother Cheng, monkey shows? Who watches that anymore?"

"Just tell me if you have it or not."

"Yes, there is. Go to the southern part of Kyoto and ask around. There's a Hou family troupe. Their ancestors were monkey performers in the Qing Dynasty's inner court. The current generation is called Hou Jinlai."

"But he has a terrible temper," the person on the other end of the phone added. "A few years ago, a famous director approached him to make a movie, but he complained that the script ruined art and kicked the director out."

Li Cheng frowned. "Do you have their contact information?"

"I'll ask around and send you a WeChat message later. But I advise you not to get your hopes up too high."

-

As darkness fell outside the window, the sound of keyboard typing still echoed in Jiang Fan's office.

The phone vibrated on the table.

Jiang Fan stopped what he was doing, picked it up and took a look.

It was a WeChat message from Shen Nian.

"I have tomorrow off. Are you going back to your apartment tonight?"

Jiang Fan stared at the screen.

Since Shen Nian won the championship of "The Voice of China", her schedule has been packed and the two haven't seen each other for more than ten days.

"Wait for me," Jiang Fan typed in reply.

He put down his phone and continued writing for a while.

It wasn't until midnight that I saved the document, shut down the computer, grabbed my coat from the back of the chair, and went out.

-

Shen Nian's apartment.

Jiang Fan entered the password and pushed open the door.

The TV in the living room was on, but the volume was turned down very low.

Shen Nian curled up in the corner of the sofa, wearing a pink silk slip dress.

Two fair legs were crossed, her hair was casually tied back, and a few strands fell on her collarbone.

Hearing the door open, she turned around and looked over.

"Why are you only getting back now?"

Jiang Fan closed the door, changed his shoes, and sat down on the sofa.

"The script has been written up to this point."

Shen Nian leaned closer and sniffed the collar of his shirt.

Jiang Fan reached out and pinched her chin, lifting her face up.

Are you born in the Year of the Dog?

Shen Nian slapped his hand away and leaned on his shoulder.

"I just finished recording a variety show today, I'm exhausted."

Jiang Fan placed his hand on her lower back, and the warmth emanated from her through the silk fabric.

"If you're tired, take a few days off. Don't accept every gig." Jiang Fan's fingers traced along her back.

Shen Nian shifted her body, finding a comfortable position.

"I'm just taking advantage of the high level of popularity to make more money."

She paused for a moment, then looked up at him.

"Also, I saw the trending topics about Su Yuyan playing the White Bone Demon in the TV series 'Journey to the West'." Shen Nian looked up at Jiang Fan. "What about me? You can't forget about me!"

"Why are you going to join in the fun?" Jiang Fan's hands didn't stop moving, sliding down her waistline.

Shen Nian grabbed his hand.

"I don't care, I want a role." Shen Nian was very stubborn.

Jiang Fan grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.

"You haven't studied acting. You'll just get yelled at if you go."

"I can learn." Shen Nian straddled Jiang Fan's lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

The pink tank top strap slipped to one side, revealing her rounded shoulders.

Jiang Fan looked at the face so close to his.

After winning the championship, Shen Nian's confidence soared, and she dared to make demands of him.

Jiang Fan needs her to maintain this upward drive.

What kind of role do you want to play?

Shen Nian thought for a moment.

"The Jade Rabbit Spirit. I've read your novel. That character can sing and dance. I can play her."

Jiang Fan went through it in his mind.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit has a classic song and dance sequence in the show.

Shen Nian has a background in dance and singing is her profession, so this role is quite suitable for her.

"Sure, but the role isn't given away for free." Jiang Fan supported her back with his hand.

Shen Nian bit her lip.

"I know."

She lowered her head and unbuttoned the first button of Jiang Fan's shirt.

Jiang Fan leaned back on the sofa, letting her do as she pleased.

Shen Nian unbuttoned all the buttons on his shirt and moved her palm down his chest.

She slowly pulled down the black fabric covering her lower body and threw it onto the carpet.

Shen Nian closed her eyes and steadied herself.

Only half an hour later, Shen Nian exclaimed in surprise and her body went limp.

Jiang Fan was caught off guard and ended up covered in water.

He grabbed a tissue and wiped himself. "With your stamina, you think you can act?"

Shen Nian didn't even have the strength to argue, and she lay panting on the edge of the sofa.

Jiang Fan picked her up, carried her on his shoulder, and walked towards the bedroom.

"You... put me down, can't you even let me catch my breath..."

"What's there to slow down? The Jade Rabbit scene has a three-minute dance, and you need to meet the stamina requirement."

"Jiang Fan, you—"

The bedroom door was closed.

-

Two hours later.

The room quieted down.

Shen Nian lay face down on the bed, her face buried in the pillow, her whole body covered in sweat.

The pink nightgown had long since been thrown away somewhere.

The system panel pops up at the edge of your field of vision.

[Deep Compatibility x2, Lifespan +2000]

Current lifespan: 86800 points

Jiang Fan glanced at the numbers and then closed the panel.

Shen Nian turned over and rested her head on his chest.

"The Jade Rabbit Spirit... is she mine now?" The voice was terribly hoarse.

"I'll give you the script later. Find an acting coach to practice with. You'll have to get past the director's approval yourself."

Shen Nian smiled and kissed his abs.

I knew you were the best to me.