CH 47

The director, of course, knew that cameras couldn't be installed in the bathroom. He just felt annoyed, extremely annoyed.

Their show featured four couples, including the newly added intern couple. They knew how to attract fans in a couple's variety show, even if their fans had divided loyalties. Their combat power was astonishing, and after their breakup and purification, there was a high probability that their fans would become loyal fans of their own.

This was a common process used by many artists to hype up their on-screen relationships. It was a normal way to attract fans in the industry.

But the Salt Grain Couple didn't understand!

The director supported his chin and said seriously, "Damn it, I need to come up with a solution. I can't let them continue like this, otherwise, my show will be ruined."

The staff member who had just advised the director to calm down didn't know if they should remind him that the popularity of the Salt Grain Couple couple was skyrocketing. Every episode of their show had numerous trending moments, with half of them contributed by the Salt Grain Couple.

He believed that the director was simply captivated by the suspense and frustration, that's why he said it to vent his frustration.

Little did he know that the director turned to the scriptwriter and said, "Xiao Li, you and the other scriptwriters should have a meeting soon and come up with a more enriched script. Think of something with explosive elements."

The scriptwriter was speechless. The good reputation of their show came from its lack of a script and high degree of freedom, without forcing the guests into specific roles.

If they really went down that path, it would be a complete reversal.

"Director Yan, the popularity of this couple is built on this subtle sense of ambiguity," the scriptwriter explained earnestly, "Perhaps that's why Song Yan and Wen Li always close the door and have secret conversations that we can't capture?"

The director pondered for a moment and said doubtfully, "If they are really that good, knowing what their fans like, why are their fans being labeled as the most pitiful fans on the entire internet?"

The previous hashtag #TheMostPitifulFansOfTheSaltGrainCouple# had trended. Popular Weibo posts were filled with fans crying and calling themselves "hungry fans". The director was a variety show director, so he often went online to keep up with the hot topics and update his show with fresh ideas.

The scriptwriter fell silent because she couldn't come up with a convincing answer.

Putting themselves in the shoes of the Pen Girls, they are indeed quite pitiful.

Even after appearing on a couple's variety show, they didn't get to see the intimate moments they longed for between the two main characters.

——

For Wen Li, kissing wasn't a big deal. There were two types of kisses: work-related and physiological needs.

Physiological needs were a newly discovered aspect of their relationship since marrying Song Yan. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, Song Yan would bite her lip, filling every gap in her body. Wen Li would feel a dizzying sensation in a perfectly intimate action for a couple.

Then there was the other type, tucked away in her memories due to its age.

It happened when she was young, her first accidental kiss. There was more confusion than excitement, more fear than shyness. She was flustered and couldn't sleep for days, feeling taken advantage of by Senior Song Yan. But later, he said he also had his first kiss then. Although it was awkward at the time, she couldn't help but admit that Senior's comforting words were helpful. Since they both experienced their first kiss together, she didn't consider it a loss anymore and stopped worrying about it.

Now, a fourth type emerged.

It wasn't for work, as there were no cameras in the bathroom. It wasn't for physiological needs and it also wasn't accidental. She half-heartedly extended the invitation, and Song Yan accepted.

Wen Li clenched her fist, slightly parted her lips, and obediently let him in.

Caught off guard by her compliance, Song Yan hesitated for a few seconds, his eyes widening in a daze.

Parting the pink curtain above and below, the shy princess hiding behind her teeth was always timid. She never said she wanted it, but the knight was already accustomed to it because the princess's coquettishness had its own charm. However, he had never received a response before, so the knight hesitated and foolishly lingered at the edge of her lips.

The princess behind her teeth became timid.

Wen Li closed her mouth.

Song Yan panicked and his face twitched, he smiled awkwardly and immediately pried her teeth open to explore inside.

Wen Li hummed twice with her nose, curling her tongue back to avoid him, refusing to yield. But in the end, she unwittingly fell into his firm embrace.

With gentle and affectionate licking and kissing, Wen Li felt comfortable and thought this was about right. She tiptoed slightly, raised her arm, and wrapped it around his neck.

This tenderness and excitement were their first time experience.

She had never thought that his breath would smell so good, nor had she ever been so engrossed in kissing someone.

I like this person.

Wen Li felt happy and nervous at the same time.

Until her phone vibrated in her pocket, she snapped back to reality and pushed Song Yan away, bowing her head to take out her phone.

It was the casual chat group of Group A of the production team. Both she and Song Yan were in it.

Scriptwriter Xiao Li: 「Are you two chatting in the bathroom? @Song Yan @Wen Li」

"..."

Wen Li showed the phone to Song Yan.

His expression was helpless too, "Let's go out."

"You go out first," Wen Li touched her nose and mumbled, "I'll come out later. Otherwise, I don't know what rumors will spread if this scene is broadcasted."

Song Yan lowered his head and saw the faint red marks around her lips caused by intense kissing.

Instinctively, he wiped his lips too.

"Even if it's guessed, it wouldn't be considered a rumor," Song Yan thought for a moment and said, "It can only be said that we were caught doing something naughty secretly?"

He's speaking so suggestively!

Wen Li couldn't stand it and glared at him. As she stared, she burst into laughter.

He asked, "What are you laughing at?"

"None of your business." Wen Li retorted instinctively at first, but then she thought about it and stared straight at him, her eyes sparkling and adorable. She opened her mouth slightly and whispered, "I just like doing naughty things with you, that's all."

Then Wen Li looked at him with satisfaction as he froze in shock due to her straightforwardness. She proudly tilted her head, turned around, opened the door, and walked out.

She said she would come out later, but she forgot, leaving him alone in the bathroom.

Song Yan repeatedly replayed her words in his mind, every pause and enunciation. The feeling was like Sun Wukong being deceived by the Buddha; flying tens of thousands of miles away, only to find out that he had been played all along, and he had never escaped the palm of the Buddha.

——

After coming out of the bathroom, Wen Li slumped into her bedroom, hugging the small pillow next to her and playing with the tassels on it.

Compared to starting a relationship from scratch, she already had a much closer relationship with Song Yan, with their constant intimate contact. Although she used to consider it a need, and Song Yan, being a man, probably didn't think much of it either, she had confidence in her own charm. It shouldn't be difficult to win him over.

With a clear mind, Wen Li suddenly felt that this seemingly meaningless contractual marriage had a goal.

As long as she won him over, the contract was just a matter of reversing it if she wanted to.

With a satisfied smile, Wen Li imagined a certain scene in her mind.

The staff members watching the surveillance footage didn't think much of it. After all, it wasn't the first time Teacher Wen Li had done something like this.

At this time, her phone rang. Wen Li looked at the caller ID.

It was her manager, Lu Dan, calling.

"Sister Dan," Wen Li's tone was flattering, with a smile as she asked, "Good evening, haven't had dinner yet?"

"... Did you win the lottery?" Lu Dan sounded puzzled, but quickly adjusted her tone and said, "Be serious, I have something important to discuss with you."

Wen Li instantly restrained her smile, "Go ahead."

"Lice Media CEO contacted me. The finale of [The S-Class Acting Awards] coincides with the shooting schedule of [Ice City]. Director Qiu will also be there. So I suggest you go. I've been trying to arrange a meeting with him several times before, but he has been evasive, saying that he'll find time for you to do a screen test, but he keeps dragging it on. If it weren't for the screenwriter here having high hopes for your appearance and the fact that the male lead, Song Yan, has already been confirmed, he probably wouldn't even spare me the time to procrastinate."

[Ice City] was a Republic-era espionage suspense film, a collaboration between a top director and a top screenwriter. Most of the more than ten companies involved in the production and investment were leading media companies. It was one of the most important film projects in the Chinese-language market in recent years. Before the casting was finalized, it was normal for the director and the investors to be selective.

Wen Li's commercial value was undeniable, the investors recognized this. However, transitioning to the big screen was not so easy. Film achievements couldn't be stabilized solely based on popularity, so the investors were also hesitating.

Lu Dan spoke earnestly, "I'm currently in Shen City negotiating contract details with the game company. I can't come back temporarily. Behave well when the time comes and don't disappoint me."

Wen Li nodded, "I understand."

"I asked the program director to add you on WeChat. He'll send you the script soon. Take a good look at it tonight."

Lu Dan gave a few more instructions before hanging up the phone.

At work, Wen Li had to set aside her personal feelings and focus on her job. Taking advantage of Song Yan still being in the bathroom, she confidently strode into the study and claimed it as her own territory.

As it was the final stage of the program, a lot of effort had been put into the selection of the dramas. Whether it was film or television excerpts, they chose the most iconic and popular works. The film scripts, needless to say, were all blockbusters with a good reputation. Wen Li saw her own ancient puppetry drama, which, although it was a puppetry play, was widely known and loved by the public at that time. The program team chose it because of its popularity.

As a guest performer, Wen Li would be reenacting her role from that drama, and she understood that the main focus was on the segment where guest performers changed roles. Apart from her own works, there would be other classic film and TV drama performances.

This was not an ordinary entertainment variety show. The main purpose was not acting, but creating variety show effects. It was a serious acting competition show that tested acting skills. Wen Li knew that she couldn't follow the usual routines of variety shows.

Although it was called a guest performance, it was actually testing the guest performers' acting skills.

She had been reading the selected scripts until Song Yan knocked on the desk, making her realize that he had come in.

"What are you reading?" he asked.

"Scripts," Wen Li stood up, "Do you need the study? Then I'll go back to the bedroom."

"Stay here," Song Yan sat across from her, "Don't you need to follow the task?"

Wen Li belatedly remembered what she had made up and nodded, "Oh right, I almost forgot."

Then she sat back down.

The two of them continued with their own works. Wen Li stared at the electronic version of the script for a long time and her eyes gradually grew sore. She put down her phone, intending to rest for a while. She propped her chin up and stared at the man opposite her.

She started with his forehead, then his deep eyes, slightly deep eye sockets, the double eyelids that were hidden when he lowered his eyes, and then his high, straight nose.

Handsome male actors generally shared a common feature—well-defined and three-dimensional noses. In Wen Li's eyes, his nose was the most attractive.

Beneath the nose were his lips.

They were a light pink color, slightly thin. Wen Li thought it was just right, not too thick or too feminine.

After she established the fact she liked him, it seemed like every part of his face had become the way she appreciated it.

"What are you looking at?" Song Yan suddenly spoke.

Wen Li's heart skipped a beat. Then she blinked, "I'm looking at you."

He lifted an eyebrow. His clenched jaw made his ears twitch slightly. He seemed to want to say something but hesitated. Finally, he reminded her in a low voice, "Stay focused on reading the script instead of being distracted."

Wen Li wanted to say something, but Song Yan pointed to the camera in the study.

"Do you want to be caught on camera being distracted while reading the script?"

Wen Li pouted, but she also felt dissatisfied. She got up, walked around to his side, and whispered in his ear, "If I'm caught on camera, it's your fault. Who told the script to not look as good as Teacher Song?"

Song Yan had no choice but to dodge to the side.

Mature men, when at a loss, couldn't conceal their true thoughts. Song Yan could only helplessly say, "Flatterer."

"I'm speaking the truth. Why do you call me a flatterer?" Wen Li said discontentedly, "I'm going back to the bedroom."

Song Yan grabbed her wrist again.

"Why are you going back to the bedroom again?"

Wen Li's tone was calm, "You look better than the script, I can't focus on reading the script in the study."

After Wen Li left the study, Song Yan stood there, stunned, for quite a while before snapping back to reality. The program team downstairs was in the same state.

The director, who had watched countless idol dramas, said, "...How did Teacher Wen Li manage to say those lines from an idol drama so calmly?"

Although it was a variety show, the experienced assistant director understood the ins and outs of idol dramas. She smiled and said, "After acting as the female lead in so many idol dramas and working with numerous male actors, she's probably used to it."

The director nodded, wearing a smile, "But it seems like Teacher Song Yan quite enjoyed it."

In a dazed state, Song Yan leaned on the desk, pretending to be dead. He couldn't concentrate on reading the script anymore.

The director also laughed and said understandingly, "Song Yan has never acted in an idol drama, that's why he looks dumbfounded."

The other young staff members immediately realized what was going on.

That's why idol dramas were necessary. If they encountered someone who didn't understand the cliches, they could easily leave them dumbfounded with just a few simple moves.