I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

When Gu Yan came downstairs, she had already finished a glass of water and was leaning against the island counter, lost in thought.

He walked over to her and took the empty water glass from her hand: "Why are you standing there? Go sit on the sofa."

Shu Zi glanced out the window; the sunlight was still bright, and it was still a long time before dinner.

She strolled into the living room, sat down on the sofa, picked up the remote control listlessly, flipped through some TV programs, and then put it down again.

She leaned back and continued to stare blankly.

Gu Yan glanced at her: "Bored?"

Shu Zi nodded: "Yeah, nothing to do."

Her eyes were vacant.

"When I'm busy, announcements come in like they're coming to a market, but when I'm free, the world is so quiet it's like I owe it money. My life is too extreme."

Gu Yan chuckled, walked over and sat down next to her, naturally reaching out to pull her into his arms: "Shall we watch a movie?"

Shu Zi turned her head to look at him: "You're really not going to the company today?"

"Yes, it's the same if you handle it at home."

He stood up, extended his hand to her, and said, "Let's go to the theater. Is there anything you'd like to see?"

Shu Zi placed her hand in his palm, using it to help her stand up: "I want to watch a Stephen Chow movie!"

"it is good."

Gu Yan took her hand, and the two walked into the private cinema in the house.

The theater wasn't large, but it was fully equipped. The dark gray walls were paired with soft leather sofas, and the lighting was set to a warm, dim mode, creating a perfect atmosphere.

Shu Zi walked to the sofa with practiced ease, took off her slippers, sat cross-legged, and snuggled into it. She grabbed a cushion, hugged it to her chest, and patted the spot next to her.

"Sit here."

Gu Yan sat down next to her, picked up his phone and operated it a few times, and the menu interface lit up on the screen.

He flipped through the film library, found the Stephen Chow category, and turned to ask her:

Which one do you want to see? 'A Chinese Odyssey' or 'Kung Fu Hustle'?

""effort"!"

Shu Zi answered without hesitation, her eyes lighting up, "I never get tired of watching the landlady part."

Gu Yan chuckled, found the video, and pressed play.

The screen lit up, and the familiar background music started playing. Shu Zi immediately got into the mood, hugging her pillow and watching with great interest.

When she saw the classic scene of the landlady chasing Stephen Chow all over the street, she laughed so hard that she leaned against Gu Yan, her shoulders shaking.

Gu Yan put his arm around her shoulder to make her more comfortable, but his gaze lingered more on her smiling eyes.

The movie continued, and laughter occasionally rang out in the theater.

Shuzi watched intently, even reciting lines from classic scenes, muttering to herself, her whole demeanor relaxed like a cat lying flat.

Gu Yan leaned back on the sofa, one hand on her shoulder, his fingertips casually twirling a strand of her hair.

He glanced at the screen, then looked back at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Halfway through the movie, Shu Zi suddenly turned to look at him: "What are you laughing at?"

"Laughing at you."

Gu Yan patted her head. "You talk more when you watch a movie than the movie itself."

Shu Zi slapped him, clearly not satisfied.

"This is called immersive viewing? What do you know?!"

Gu Yan chuckled softly, did not refute, and pulled her closer into his arms.

At the end of the movie, Ah Xing and the mute girl reunite in front of the candy store, and they smile at each other.

The camera shifts, and the final shot focuses on the little boy holding a lollipop in the middle of the street.

As the end credits rolled, the classic soundtrack began to play.

The lights in the theater automatically turned on, returning to a soft, warm light mode.

Shu Zi leaned against Gu Yan's chest and sighed contentedly.

"I always find this ending particularly healing."

She stretched and asked, "What time is it?"

Gu Yan picked up his phone and glanced at it: "It's 5:30."

Shu Zi sat up from his lap, rubbed her eyes, and patted her face to clear her head.

"Then it's about time to prepare the hot pot."

She stood up and turned to look at him: "I'll go wash the vegetables, can you put the bottom of the pot on the stove?"

Gu Yan nodded and got up to walk towards the kitchen.

Shu Zi followed behind him, and the two had a clear division of labor: one washed and chopped the vegetables, and the other prepared the broth and dipping sauce.

The sounds of pots and pans clattering in the kitchen mingled with the two people's casual conversation, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.

The hot pot was quickly placed on the table, the red oil broth bubbling and steaming, its aroma filling the entire restaurant.

Shu Zi picked up a slice of fatty beef, dipped it in the hot pot for a few seconds, then put it in her mouth with the sauce, her eyes squinting in satisfaction.

"Wow, that's delicious!"

Seeing her satisfied expression, Gu Yan smiled and put another piece of shrimp paste into her bowl.

Halfway through the meal, Shu Zi's phone vibrated on the table. She looked down and saw it was a message from Lan Manwen.

The eldest sister said, "Director Fei has decided that you'll be the lead actress."

Shu Zi paused for a moment, swallowed the shrimp paste in her mouth, looked at it again to make sure she wasn't seeing things, and then made a voice call.

"Sister Wen, what's going on? Didn't you say I auditioned for the second lead? Wasn't the lead already decided?"

Lan Manwen's voice came through the receiver, carrying a hint of something unfathomable:

"I'm not entirely clear on the specifics, but that's the information Director Fei gave me."

"I suspect that the scene where you had to take an extra test last time was originally a lead role. He probably already had that in mind at the time, but just didn't say it outright."

Shu Zi paused for two seconds to process this: "...So I'm the lead actress now?"

Lan Manwen: "Yes, I'll go to the production team tomorrow afternoon to sign the contract. After that, the production team will officially announce the production."

Shu Zi then asked, "Who is the second one?"

Lan Manwen: "Qu Xuan".

"Qu Xuan?"

Shu Zi read the name aloud, finding it somewhat familiar. "Isn't it the one who used to work abroad and recently returned to China?"

Gu Yan, who was sitting opposite her, paused slightly as he picked up some food. He looked up at her but didn't say anything.

Shu Zi didn't notice his gaze and continued listening to Lan Manwen's reply on the other end of the phone.

"Yes, it's her."

Lan Manwen's voice was steady:

"She had been filming overseas before, and signed with a domestic agency last year. She has only recently returned to China to develop her career. She has good resources and a decent reputation. She is considered a talented actress."

She paused for a moment, then added:

"However, I heard that Qu Xuan was originally slated to be the lead actress, but Director Fei changed his mind later."

Shu Zi was taken aback for a moment: "...So I've taken someone else's place?"

"It's not exactly the top."

Lanman's tone was flat:

"The director has his own judgment. The fact that he promoted you to lead role means he thinks you are more suitable for the role. She is now the second lead, so it's a dual female lead setup, and she won't have much screen time."

Shu Zi was silent for two seconds, then clicked her tongue.

"Then the pressure will come on me. I was originally slated to be the lead, but I was replaced. I recently revealed my identity, so when the news comes out, people will definitely say that I'm stealing resources and relying on my background."