CH 71

Old Zhou's response to this was, "It sounds really good."

Honestly, if it didn't sound good, he wouldn't have used the surnames of the couple for the two beloved characters he had created.

The screenwriter's Weibo account was not verified and not under a real name, so only those who were very interested in the film industry knew about it. Tang Jiaren's fans were mostly fans of the film industry and paid great attention to the film industry's trends. Therefore, they knew about Old Zhou's Weibo and brought him into the argument.

Old Zhou rarely logged into Weibo and most of his content was about book reviews and reflections. On important days like the founding of the Party, the founding of the country, and the founding of the army, he would post a few articles praising the motherland. When his own film was released in theaters, he would repost the official Weibo of the film to promote it. Just by looking at his Weibo, you could catch a glimpse of his literary temperament.

His latest Weibo post really surprised people.

「It sounds great!」

「Wen and Song, there must be a deeper meaning behind these two surnames.」

「Aren't they the surnames of Song Yan and his wife...?」

「Ah, Brother Zhou, this can't be a coincidence, right? @Song Yan @Wen Li Litchi」

The screenwriter Old Zhou's Weibo post was completely unrelated to the film's promotion, so even the actors themselves didn't know about it.

Wen Li didn't expect that the public's reaction to her getting this opportunity would be mixed. Before the announcement of the cast, Sister Dan had already prepared for it, but she didn't expect that there would be a marketing account issuing a press release stating that Tang Jiaren had auditioned and got the role of Ye Yan. The news of Song Yan's participation had been leaked a long time ago, which led to the emergence of comments about the "Tang Song" CP reuniting after ten years and repairing their relationship.

Because she knew the audition result herself, she didn't have any thoughts about it. But the CP fans didn't know. Whenever Song Yan collaborated with other actresses in [Ice City], they wouldn't react so strongly. It was just normal cooperation between actors. Song Yan couldn't possibly stop working with female artists just because he got married. But Tang Jiaren was different. She and Song Yan were a hot CP on the screen ten years ago. At that time, the forums were filled with news articles and gossip about the "Tang Song" CP.

It was just a collaboration, nothing more. It shouldn't have been a big deal. But Song Yan was already married and his real-life CP with his wife was currently a hot topic in the CP fandom. Now, the "Tang Song" CP, who hadn't collaborated for ten years, suddenly appeared to seek attention. It felt inappropriate to most people.

The Tang Song CP collided with the keyboard warriors of Salt Grain CP, causing a big commotion.

When Wen Li saw Old Zhou's Weibo post, she was also surprised and amazed.

How did she deserve this?

"It seems like you've really won his favor," Lu Dan said, "Don't let the screenwriter down."

How could Wen Li dare to disappoint him? If it weren't for Mr. Zhou's favor, she wouldn't have had the opportunity to play the role of Ye Yan. So she decisively followed the screenwriter's Weibo account.

Song Yan and Old Zhou were already following each other. Not long after, Old Zhou followed her back.

Wen Li and Old Zhou following each other indirectly confirmed the speculations of many netizens.

「Breaking news!!! The screenwriter of 'Ice City' posted on Weibo.」

0L:「Are the CP fans who caused a commotion and got banned still here? The screenwriter has taken action. Anyone with a brain can understand the meaning of that Weibo post. Come on, speak up.」

2L:「What else can I say besides praising Wen Li?」

...

100L:「The fans of Tang Jiaren are really embarrassing themselves. Your star is acting in a movie, so what? Is it wrong for Song Yan to be married for so long and not care about this so-called real-life CP? Even if they were really in a relationship, so what? Can't they leave it in the past? When they can't argue with the CP fans, they start fighting with the fans of Wen Li. Now, not only can't they win the CP battle, but the resources are also controlled by Song Yan's legal wife. Hilarious.」

...

230L:「Here's Litchi, Sanli is truly making their career fans proud!! Perfect career-oriented mindset!! Mom loves you!!」

321L:「Still arguing? @Tang Jiaren's fans」

...

230L:「I don't believe Wen Li could get this opportunity without the help of her husband. Can she really rely solely on her husband's career?」

...

455L:「Those who have seen Qiu Ping's movies know that he never relies on popularity or favoritism. Wen Li definitely didn't solely rely on Song Yan to get this opportunity.」

...

501L:「There's no need to mock her acting skills based on her idol dramas. There's a clear distinction between film and television. Even the best actors and actresses from movies may not perform well in TV dramas. Those who have seen Wen Li's previous acting and variety shows know that she has a natural talent and good acting skills. As long as she works with a good team, she'll definitely succeed.」

Not only on forums, but a few gossip bloggers posted on Weibo, followed by several influential figures in the film and television industry.

Before long, a marketing account with reliable sources posted a Weibo confirming the news.

Entertainment Brother:「Top-level big opportunity. Movie [Ice City]: Produced by Huarun Pictures; Directed by Qiu Ping; Written by Zhou Qunzhi. Starring: Liang Xianhua, Mao Ling, Song Yan, Wen Li.」

「? Huarun has big ambitions. This cast has the range to attract fans of all ages.」

「Wow, the lineup for this movie is amazing.」

「I would call the cast the gathering of the best actors and actresses.」

「Wen Li is amazing, she has outstanding opportunities, currently the number one active celebrity.」

「Except for Wen Li, all other celebrities are currently filming or waiting for their dramas to air. Some people have been saying that Wen Li has reached the ceiling of her resources, but she directly broke through the ceiling to film a movie. So, certain fans, don't be too confident. The magical reality will teach you a lesson.」

「No wonder Tang Jiaren specially returned to China for the audition, but was snatched by Wen Li, so tragic.」

Wen Li's acquisition of such a top-level movie opportunity sparked widespread discussions in the film and television industry. By the time the official Weibo account of the movie [Ice City] announced the cast, there was already a lot of anticipation and buzz online.

Movie [Ice City]:「Long-awaited! The destiny of the nation is approaching, we will sacrifice ourselves and shed blood to protect the prosperity of our nation, leaving behind a splendid landscape for future generations. @Andy Liang Xianhua @Mao Ling @Song Yan @Wen Li Litchi」

Along with this Weibo post, there were also official character photos.

From the cast to the production company, everything matched the leaks. Especially Song Yan and Wen Li's character photos, the names of the characters they were portraying were clearly written on the right side of the photos, which were the names given by the screenwriter Zhou Qunzhi on Weibo.

In the character photos, Song Yan had his hair slicked back, his eyebrows raised, and his eyes shining like stars. He was wearing a three-piece vintage white suit. Wen Li, on the other hand, was dressed in a dark-colored qipao, with retro and beautiful rose-colored makeup, exuding a glamorous charm.

Both of them look handsome and beautiful in their own ways.

Song Yan was set to portray Wen Tingfeng.

Wen Li was set to portray Song Yeyan.

Ahead of them in the cast, there were two award-winning seniors in the industry. The fans couldn't comment under the official movie Weibo, but once their own idols reposted the Weibo post, their excitement couldn't be contained.

Since the character photos were individual shots, the top comments under the Weibo post were still being dominated by solo fans. They were congratulating their idols for landing such good roles, especially Wen Li's career fans.

「Sanli is making mom proud!!」

「Looking forward to Wen Li's Ye Yan!」

「As a career fan, I am so proud and happy!」

The CP fans also had their own fan clubs and topics.

「#SaltGrainCollaboration# Our wait was finally over, family! They are collaborating!! They really are collaborating!! 」

「#SaltGrainCollaboration# Can someone please edit the individual photos together!!! Will reward handsomely!!!」

「#SaltGrainCollaboration# And it's also under a grand production when they are collaborating!! How lucky am I to be a fan of Beauty and Sanli!!」

「#SaltGrainCollaboration# In my heart, they would be the top duo in period dramas and the second-best in Republican-era costumes. My dream is half-fulfilled!」

「#SaltGrainCollaboration# Wow, the screenwriter is also a CP fan? So talented, interchanging the surnames of Sanli and Beauty. Wen Tingfeng and Song Yeyan, these names are truly romantic 」

Some fans even brought out the long-preserved photo from the variety show where Song Yan and Wen Li had posed for a photo in Republican-era costumes. When this photo went viral and was circulated out of context, no one had expected it to become a reality.

Dedicated fans were editing the just-released individual character photos together.

Beauty x Sanli:「#SaltGrainCollaboration# Midsummer Moonlight x Wine-Stained Rose [Picture]」

「Mrs. Grass, you're amazing! Republican-era Beauty and Sanli material!」

「Bowing down to this beautiful description by Mrs. Grass. *Kneeling*」

The official announcement caused a big stir. The evaluation of Wen Li getting such a high-level film resource was mixed. Some said Qiu Ping's decline led to choosing the flow of popularity, while others claimed that investors chose Wen Li. They speculated that the movie would be a disaster when it premiered next year. There were also comments about Song Yan's love-struck mind ruining a good film, but more people felt it was unfair to other supporting actresses.

Tang Jiaren's Weibo account remained quiet. Although she had many fans in China, her career focus was overseas. Compared to domestic social media platforms, she rarely posted on Weibo. Some netizens were not interested in an artist's career resources; they only cared about their love life gossip.

「Song Yan and Tang Jiaren have never dated, never, never. Song Yan clarified in interviews countless times. Can't some people stop believing those brainwashing theories? Okay?」

「Song Yan has openly admitted to only one relationship, with his wife. Why can't his first love be his wife?」

「Anyone who has seen 'In This World With You' would know that Song Yan's first love was in high school. It couldn't have been Wen Li, and it definitely couldn't have been Tang Jiaren.」

「He was shooting 'Paper Airplane' during his high school years, right?」

「He took a break from school to film 'Paper Airplane', and the following year, he passed the acting exam and got into the drama school.」

「Saying that his first love was Wen Li is too fake. Wen Li was studying abroad at the time, and when 'Paper Airplane' was released, she was still training overseas. Schrödinger's first love.」

「Are people in the entertainment industry really fixated on first loves? Wen Li herself doesn't even know how many relationships she's had, and she still expects Song Yan's first love to be her?」

Wen Li was lying on her bed, playing with her phone and using a secondary account to browse Weibo. She was originally enjoying the gossip about Song Yan, but this particular comment left her laughing and crying.

She decided to clarify for herself and replied to the netizen:「The rumors about Wen Li with other male artists were all publicity stunts, not real.」

The netizen quickly replied:「Elementary school fans, don't bother arguing. Only you guys believe that your idol is faithful in relationships.」

"..."

She kindly explained herself but ended up being attacked. Unbelievable.

Wen Li had a look of innocence on her face. In truth, most of the men who got close to her were initially attracted by her appearance and later her personality deflected them. Apart from Bai Sen, she didn't have any male friends by her side.

If she and Bai Sen weren't childhood sweethearts and didn't have that childhood engagement, Bai Sen would probably have had enough of her and cut ties with her.

But she blamed herself for being too picky. From childhood to adulthood, she only acknowledged Bai Sen and Song Yan as the only men in her heart. But she was too familiar with Bai Sen and was unable to develop romantic feelings. She also wasn't close enough to Song Yan to develop such feelings either.

Wen Li rolled over and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.

It was all because of those netizens. They had made her start caring about Song Yan's past.

Before, she had been concerned about Tang Jiaren and Song Yan's past, but Song Yan himself had clarified that they were fine, so Wen Li had stopped dwelling on it.

But what about before Tang Jiaren?

Did it exist?

Wen Li racked her brain, but it seemed highly unlikely.

Song Yan hadn't returned home yet. Today, he had gone to have tea with those retired veterans again. Song Yan had a handsome appearance, so those old men who had experienced war liked him a lot. Every time they met, they had many stories to tell him, and Song Yan enjoyed listening. It was likely that the old men had been talking to him to their heart's content today and had kept him there.

It wasn't convenient to call him now. If those old men misunderstood and thought she was urging Song Yan to come home, it would seem petty.

She picked up her phone and scrolled through the interface, finally pausing on Bai Sen's name.

After thinking for a moment, she dialed the number.

When the call connected, there was a lot of noise on Bai Sen's end, clearly indicating a lively nightlife. Bai Sen himself had a lazy and carefree voice.

"Little girl, do you need something from me?"

"Find a quiet place. I have something private to ask you."

"Alright," Then Wen Li heard Bai Sen say to someone else on the phone, "I'm going out to make a call, little lover my foot. I've been single for hundreds of years, my sister."

Wen Li waited for a while, and finally, it quieted down on Bai Sen's end.

"Other than my love life, you can ask anything else."

"I'm not interested in your love history, you peacock," Wen Li started with sarcasm before asking, "I want to know about Song Yan's love history."

"What's there to ask about his love life," Bai Sen chuckled a couple of times, sounding casual, "Zero."

Wen Li was shocked, her voice trembling with disbelief, "Is he really gay?! Or is it really zero?! With you? I mean, you look so much like a zero, but you turned out to be a one!"

"... Zero as in one, two, three, four, and five!" Bai Sen was both annoyed and amused, "What are you thinking in your head every day? And who looks like a zero? Even if I were gay, I'd be a big, strong one, okay?"

Wen Li realized that her thoughts were too absurd and awkwardly touched her nose, "Is it really zero? Could he be secretly dating someone without letting you know?"

Bai Sen snorted, "We were together 24 hours a day, except for bathing and going to the toilet. He knows every detail of the girls I've pursued. Do you think he could hide a relationship from me?"

"Oh..."

With Bai Sen's tone so certain, Wen Li didn't know what else to say.

"What's wrong? Not satisfied with my answer? Should I make up a story for you right now?"

"Forget about making up a story. I'm just browsing the internet, and I saw some netizens guessing about his first love, so I just joined in for fun."

Bai Sen was utterly speechless, "Are you that bored? Instead of listening to what netizens say, why don't you just ask him directly?"

Wen Li sighed and said, "I've talked to him, but every time he speaks, it's like solving riddles. I don't understand."

"If you weren't lacking in intelligence, you wouldn't find it difficult to understand his way of speaking," Bai Sen mercilessly mocked her, "But I can't blame you. Ah Yan has always been a closed book. If it weren't for him choosing the path of an actor, his vocal cords would have probably atrophied by now."

Wen Li joined in the banter, "Exactly, the things he said to me in high school wouldn't add up—" she randomly made up a number, "to more than fifty sentences."

"That's right, with his personality, can he even have a first love? It's a miracle that he could develop feelings for you. Those netizens know nothing and just make blind guesses. You've known him since high school, can you trust them?"

Wen Li nodded, her confidence suddenly boosted, and she started bragging, "It's a good thing he met me. Otherwise, wouldn't he be single for a lifetime? I really saved him."

Bai Sen laughed on the other end of the phone like a rooster crowing.

"Yeah, yeah, you should have him give you a commemorative plaque that says 'Thanks to Miss Wen Li for saving my lonely virgin life'."

Wen Li had the phone on speaker and laughed so hard that her face was buried into the pillow and her shoulders shook.

Bai Sen had been drinking and didn't hold back when teasing his brother. The two of them became more spirited as they talked.

When Song Yan came back home, the living room lights were off, and he guessed that Wen Li had already fallen asleep, so he went straight to the bedroom.

Just as he opened the bedroom door, he heard continuous laughter.

Wen Li was lying on the bed, her entire body sprawled out. Her fair and tender legs were bent, swinging in the air like a duck in the water, shaking back and forth.

Unaware of the danger she was in, Wen Li, who was still criticizing Song Yan with Bai Sen, had no idea what was happening until a shadow covered her body and she caught a whiff of the man's cold scent. Song Yan propped himself above her, expressionless, and said, "You and your ex-fiancé seem to be having a great time."