CH 69

Song Yan's voice was very low, and she couldn't hear clearly through the door, so she didn't know what he said to Wen Li. She only heard Wen Li directly refusing him, "Get lost! I can't do such a thing."

He wasn't angry at all, but instead started laughing.

"Wen Wen, go quickly and complain to Director Qiu. Tell him that Teacher Song wants to take away the costumes," Wen Li sneered, "Go now."

Then the door of the dressing room was opened from the inside and Wen Li's assistant almost bumped into Tang Jiaren.

"Huh?" Wen Wen recognized the person in front of her, "Teacher Tang, why are you here again?"

Tang Jiaren opened her mouth and said, "I came to congratulate Wen Li."

Wen Wen blinked, somewhat surprised, but still turned to Wen Li in the room and said, "Sister, Teacher Tang is looking for you."

Wen Li had already taken off the hair accessories. She slightly tilted her neck forward and turned her head to look at the door. Her voluminous black curly hair cascaded down her shoulders, making her face appear small, with fair skin and red lips. Because she had just scolded Song Yan, her brows were still furrowed, showing a strong sense of coquettishness.

If Tang Jiaren were a man, she would probably be stunned at this moment.

Wen Li glanced at her and instinctively looked at Song Yan. The man politely nodded in response to her gaze, and then quickly turned his profile towards her. He was originally talking to Wen Li but fell silent when someone entered. He lazily leaned against the back of the chair, took out his phone to pass the time.

"I heard from Director Qiu," Tang Jiaren withdrew her gaze without explaining further, "Congratulations."

Wen Li nodded, "Thank you," then paused and said, "If Teacher Tang has any doubts, you can go to Director Qiu and watch the audition video."

Tang Jiaren shook her head, "No need, I'll believe what Director Qiu says."

"What Director Qiu says and what Teacher Tang thinks are two different things," Wen Li said, "I know that you're the one competing with me for this role. You've put in a lot of effort for this. For that, I want to thank Teacher Tang."

Wen Li wasn't a generous person, but since Tang Jiaren could affirm her advantages in appearance, she felt obliged to acknowledge Tang Jiaren's acting skills. If it weren't for her competitiveness and the pressure she felt from Tang Jiaren competing for this role, she might not have performed so well today.

Tang Jiaren smiled slightly, "I was just being polite until now. What I am about to say is what I sincerely feel now -- Congratulations on getting this role. I hope to see you at the next film festival awards ceremony."

Although she didn't get role, there are still be many roles waiting for her. Since she had returned to the country, her efforts wouldn't be in vain.

There was no need to negate the opponent's strength for a role, and even less need to deny one's own abilities for a role.

Wen Li also smiled, "Then I'll take Teacher Tang's kind words."

After exchanging a few words, Tang Jiaren didn't stay long. After offering her congratulations, she immediately left.

She didn't even look back as she walked out, and her assistant could hardly keep up with her pace. Sensing that her mood wasn't quite right, the assistant didn't dare to speak and silently jogged behind.

It wasn't until she got in the car that Tang Jiaren finally relaxed.

She had received quite a few blows today, which left her feeling frustrated and irritated, whether it was from Director Qiu or from Song Yan.

And ultimately, all the blows she received today came from Wen Li.

Wen Li was different from what she had imagined. She was knowledgeable yet not bound by worldly constraints, proud but not unlikeable. After getting the role of Ye Yan, she didn't flaunt it arrogantly to her. Instead, she treated her as a respected and admired opponent, hoping to earn her genuine acknowledgment.

Regarding the role, Tang Jiaren admitted that it was only natural for Wen Li to have it if she could handle it.

As for Song Yan, Wen Li simply didn't care about him in the background. She was very confident, to the point that Song Yan didn't even need to say a word; his aloof and indifferent attitude spoke volumes.

Tang Jiaren suddenly muttered to herself, "I remember he used to be unsmiling."

The assistant didn't hear clearly and turned back in confusion, "Huh?"

Tang Jiaren pursed her lips and shook her head, "It's nothing."

Before meeting Song Yan, Yu Weiguang had warned her in advance, saying that Song Yan and Chen Jiamu were like two peas in a pod—uncommunicative, unsmiling, and indifferent to others. He told her not to be intimidated by him.

At first, Song Yan's performance was disappointing, what they called wooden acting. He had a beautiful and delicate appearance, but his eyes were empty, devoid of substance. Yu Weiguang spent a lot of effort teaching him. Song Yan was like an unpolished gem, and once someone discovered him, it would be hard to hide his brilliance.

In those deep and youthful eyes, even if it was just acting, Tang Jiaren couldn't help but be captivated.

As soon as the scene ended, Song Yan returned to his usual indifferent self, but she couldn't.

After the filming, with full confidence, Tang Jiaren expressed her interest in Song Yan.

However, his response took her by surprise. He rejected her.

In the same year they were awarded "Best Screen Couple", but he didn't leave her any hope of turning their pretend relationship into a real one.

At that time, Tang Jiaren was also proud and unwilling to be inferior after being rejected. Her starting point was just as high as Song Yan's. Since he chose to stay in the country for his career, she decided to develop in the larger international film industry.

For years, her focus had been on foreign projects. However, in recent years, more and more outstanding actresses emerged in both movies and TV dramas. Resources became more dispersed, and due to issues of skin color, the development of Asians in foreign countries remained limited. Not every Asian could have the perfect timing, favorable conditions, and supportive people to reach the top abroad. Her management team finally realized that it was time to focus on domestic development.

So, when she heard about the film project [Ice City], she returned for the script and for Song Yan.

After all these years of growth and experience, she didn't believe that Song Yan's intense gaze back then was just acting. Tang Jiaren became even more certain that he had poured his true emotions into it. Only the most genuine emotions could make his gaze so captivating.

Whether Song Yan and Wen Li were in a contract marriage or not, neither side had revealed any news to the outside world. But others had eyes and could judge for themselves. Based on their previous interactions, they were just a step away from having "contractual spouses" written on their foreheads. Such things were not uncommon in the industry. Those who understood kept it to themselves, without conflicts of interest, neither interfering nor exposing it—just an unspoken understanding.

Perhaps he compromised for the sake of their mutual interests.

At the dinner gathering when she had just returned to the country, she had intruded without an invitation, and Song Yan had a smile on his face. But it was very formulaic; he would smile at everyone at the table, including her, an uninvited guest.

Ten years had passed, and he had finally learned how to socialize. She was somewhat disappointed that he was still the same as always, but she was also happy that he hadn't changed much.

It wasn't until just now, hearing Song Yan's low and joyful laughter from outside the door, that Tang Jiaren finally understood.

He could smile.

For his wife.

There were no cameras, no scripts, and no stage lighting. This wasn't a performance.

As she was lost in her thoughts, her manager suddenly called, asking about the result.

She rubbed her temples and replied calmly, "I did not get the role."

"What?!" The manager's tone sounded incredulous, "None of those auditioning actresses can compare to you. What happened?"

Tang Jiaren sighed, "Did you forget about Wen Li?"

"Wen Li? I know Screenwriter Zhou likes her. He sent the script to Wen Li's manager before. I have a friend at Jiarui who intercepted it. Did her manager find out and take it back?"

"That's why I said you should come back to China with me from the beginning. You're really slow in getting this information... Forget it," Tang Jiaren didn't want to explain further and said casually, "You'll know when the official announcement is made in China."

"Fuck, I've already informed the domestic media. I released the news of your participation in 'Ice City'," the agent's tone became more serious. "Jiaren, seriously? Can't you even surpass one popular artist?"

Tang Jiaren found it quite amusing. She and her manager were truly alike in their confidence.

——

After Tang Jiaren left, Wen Li stared at the door for a while and then she smiled ambiguously, "She doesn't seem to have come to see me, but rather to see you."

Song Yan furrowed his brows slightly and remained silent, seemingly unhappy.

Wen Li thought she had gone too far with her joke. After all, Song Yan had already explained to her that he had nothing going on with Tang Jiaren. It was indeed a bit inappropriate for her to make fun of them.

She cleared her throat and pouted, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Where are the costumes?" Song Yan replied, deflecting her question, "Did you forget what I told you because someone came to see you?"

Wen Li widened her eyes, surprised by his persistence in thinking about the costumes.

She clicked her tongue and provocatively lifted her chin, "If you have the ability, take your own costumes with you. If you take yours, I'll take mine."

Song Yan noddedm "Sure."

Wen Li, puzzled by his straightforward agreement, questioned, "Hey, you don't often steal costumes like this, do you?"

"No, it's the first time."

"...Why do I find that so hard to believe?"

"I'll go inform Director Qiu," Song Yan raised an eyebrow, getting up, "Don't take off the cheongsam."

"Hey! Hey! Teacher Song! Song Yan!"

Unable to stop him, Wen Li gave up. Did he really think he could just take the costumes home as he pleased? Did he think the film crew was his house?

Director Qiu might not agree to it.

With that thought in mind, Wen Li followed Song Yan.

Before long, Director Qiu also came to the dressing room to find her. The official announcement of the cast would still take some time, as they were still selecting actors for several important supporting roles. Director Qiu's suggestion was for the main cast to take more classes and get a better sense of their roles before the cast was announced.

Especially for Wen Li, most of her previous experience was in idol dramas. Compared to the fast-paced shooting style of television dramas, the preparation for a good film was meticulous and complex, requiring gradual accumulation day by day. Actors needed to immerse themselves in the role, be it in terms of lines, emotions, or even daily habits and behaviors, it would be best to align them with the character.

When Song Yan proposed taking the costumes home, Director Qiu didn't hesitate at all. He waved his hand generously and said, "Take them, wear them every day if you want."

Hearing Director Qiu's words, Wen Li thought to herself that it made sense. She could wear the costumes in her spare time to get a better feel for the character. Why hadn't she thought of taking the costumes home from the set before? It was such a good idea.

Song Yan was more experienced and thoughtful than Wen Li.

Song Yan told Wen Li not to change out of the cheongsam, and she actually didn't change, wearing the cheongsam back home.

As soon as Wen Li arrived home, she collapsed onto the sofa. After a busy morning, she finally made it back home, and her tense nerves finally relaxed completely.

They had planned to have lunch together outside, but now that she was wearing a cheongsam, which would attract too much attention, and it wouldn't be convenient to go out, so she settled for the next best thing and decided to eat at home.

Wen Li couldn't cook, and she didn't know if Song Yan could. She didn't expect him to cook, so she took out her phone and said, "Shall we order takeout?"

Song Yan responded, "Sure, let's order."

Having lunch together was not something to be ashamed of, so Wen Li didn't mind the surveillance cameras in her house. She left them on because keeping them off would not be friendly to the production team.

The production team seemed to know how boring this eating segment was for the couple, as they focused on their own boxed meals without paying much attention. They found it surprising that Wen Li had come home wearing a cheongsam, but for female artists, wearing exaggerated outfits for work was not unusual.

Before long, the takeout arrived, and Wen Li asked Song Yan to get it.

Song Yan brought it back, and the two sat face to face at the dining table, arranging the takeout and starting taking their lunch.

As expected by the production team, it was a very boring segment. They occasionally exchanged a few words about filming and work. In fact, the dining segments for all four couples were dull because no one actually played the "I feed you, you feed me" game during meals. They all focused on eating their own food and playing with their phones. It was the norm.

In front of the camera, the guests ate their takeout, while behind the monitor, the staff members ate their boxed meals. The noon sunlight was dazzling, and the air conditioning hummed, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

After finishing their meal, the staff members cleaned up the boxed meals. They were still arguing about who should go downstairs to throw away the trash. At this time, upstairs, Song Yan took care of clearing the table while Wen Li walked around the living room, rubbing her belly to aid digestion.

The cheongsam was quite demanding on the figure, and after eating, Wen Li felt a slight bulge in her lower abdomen, which didn't look very pleasing. She thought about changing out of the cheongsam.

"I'm going to change out of this cheongsam first. I'll put it back on when needed."

"Don't change, keep wearing it," Song Yan said.

Wen Li was speechless and said, "It's so tight and uncomfortable. If you're capable, you wear your costume and see if it's uncomfortable or not. Give it a try."

And then Song Yan actually went to change.

While it wasn't particularly unusual for Wen Li to wear a cheongsam, considering that one could find a bunch of girls wearing hanfu on the street nowadays, cheongsams were already considered modern everyday attire. But when Song Yan changed into military attire, it was quite clear that something was off.

The couple wasn't at home in the morning, so Director Yan went to inspect the other guests. When he returned after lunch, he looked at the monitor and was bewildered, "What are they doing? Playing cosplay?"

Then the camera was turned off.

Director Yan: "..."

They definitely weren't playing cosplay!!