After A Secret Marriage Agreement With A Rival Omega - Chapter 37

Chapter 37

◎ thump, thump—every beat was loud and clear. ◎

It was the second time their hands had held, and the grip was tight.

Without knowing who took the first step, they started to run.

Wang Renqing watched the two of them abandon their horses and run forward, and she couldn’t help but smile. She took out her phone to snap a few photos before getting off her horse and leading both back.

They have such a good relationship, she thought.

Even when they bickered, their hands would ultimately hold firm.

Wang Renqing recalled the time Sheng Ruxi came looking for her, with a fierce and angry demeanor.

She was clearly upset and had come to interrogate her. Wang Renqing had expected Sheng Ruxi’s first words to be, “I hate Jian Jixing so much.”

But the first thing she heard was, “Can you tell me more about Jian Jixing?” It turned out she wanted to understand Jian Jixing.

Wanting to understand Jian Jixing was simple enough. However, she didn’t expect that Sheng Ruxi wanted to know what had happened to Jian Jixing before. She had noticed that when Jin Yue questioned Jian Jixing, there was a change in Jian Jixing’s expression at that moment.

—”Does Director Jian love suffering that much?”

This seemingly spoiled young miss could even observe something like that.

Many children of wealthy families would come here to “experience life” for a period of time during their leisure, but no one had stayed for as long as Jian Jixing.

Wang Renqing had been there for five years. Jian Jixing had arrived in her second year and had returned to stay for extended periods every year since, always alone, never with a companion.

“When she first came here, she wasn’t used to it and even had altitude sickness, but she refused to go back. She just endured it, and she finally made it through. She even went to live in the mountains alone; she wouldn’t let anyone go with her. Several years ago, the conditions at my camp weren’t particularly good, and it was dangerous for anyone to go in. She experienced all kinds of extreme weather by herself.”

Sheng Ruxi couldn’t understand: “Why did she put herself through all that?”

“I don’t know if you’ve heard? Some people, when they’re hurt, use physical pain to numb their emotional pain,” Wang Renqing said. “She didn’t talk about it, so I didn’t ask. After all, it’s her privacy.”

Why would Jian Jixing have emotional pain? She had a life many envied and a prominent family background. Sheng Ruxi frowned, and a few scenes suddenly flashed through her mind.

A bright moon appeared in the hazy, rich, dark blue sky as night quietly fell.

The temperature also began to drop slowly, and the nights on the grassland were very cold. But Jian Jixing and Sheng Ruxi’s bodies were hot, their heartbeats thumping like drumheads struck heavily by two giant hammers—thump, thump—each beat loud and clear.

Jian Jixing was no longer angry. As she looked at her tightly clasped hand with Sheng Ruxi’s and watched them run towards the camp, it was as if only she and Sheng Ruxi existed in the world.

All her thoughts were left behind with the wind.

If she hadn’t misunderstood Sheng Ruxi’s intentions, then she would take it as Sheng Ruxi trying to coax her.

The opportunity was so rare that it made Jian Jixing feel a sense of trance, like she was in a dream. She had never even dreamed of this scene.

Seeing Sheng Ruxi smile so happily, she felt very happy herself.

As she experienced this genuine joy, a sense of crisis also came over her, whispering in her ear, “You’re done for.”

“‘Jin Yue said she’s not doing it anymore,” Jian Jixing said, looking at her hand that was still not separated from Sheng Ruxi’s. “She said she can’t ride a horse, and I can’t teach her, and you don’t like her, so she can’t stay here.”

Of course, Jian Jixing also knew that a more likely reason was that Jin Yue had stumbled upon her and Sheng Ruxi kissing and had been greatly shocked.

When Jin Yue had been caught in the range of her pheromone attack, being a fellow alpha, she must have felt very uncomfortable from the pressure. Yet, because of Jian Jixing’s status in the industry, she didn’t dare to speak up.

Sheng Ruxi chuckled, “Is that so? That works out… Can’t you find a replacement?” She hadn’t really wanted to work with Jin Yue anyway. The person had questionable work abilities, not to mention a poor work attitude.

Jian Jixing shook her head. “Finding someone is up to Xie Ruizhang, but she might not be able to do it well. Since it’s a last-minute replacement, it’ll be difficult to find someone to fill in.”

“It’s perfect if you can’t find anyone.” Sheng Ruxi couldn’t help but smile, thinking of something. “You’re a better horse rider than Jin Yue, and better at other things, too. Why don’t you do it?”

Her tone was playful, but her eyes were serious. Sheng Ruxi continued, “I know Xie Ruizhang has already told post-production to replace the horse riding scene leaving the scenic area with a shot of you because it looks seamless.”

Jian Jixing suddenly wanted to pinch her face: “Don’t joke. If it were really me filming, would you cooperate better?”

Sheng Ruxi lowered her gaze, hiding the cunning glint in her eyes. “You won’t know unless you try.”

They arrived at the camp. Jian Jixing caught her breath and then casually let go of Sheng Ruxi’s hand, telling her to go and rest.

After Sheng Ruxi went inside, a smile she couldn’t hide was on Jian Jixing’s face as she returned to the staff tent. She still had to finalize the arrangements for tomorrow.

She checked the work chat and saw that Xie Ruizhang was still anxiously searching for someone half an hour ago. Jian Jixing thought about it. If they really couldn’t find anyone, it wasn’t impossible for her to step in—her face wouldn’t be on camera; they would just need to film her hands or her back from a distance.

After working for a while longer, Xie Ruizhang ran in happily and said, “I found someone! I actually found someone, and they’ll be here soon.”

Jian Jixing looked up and asked, “Someone who has time for an announcement like this and is coming at this hour? Are they not famous?”

“They are! Super famous!” Xie Ruizhang couldn’t hide her excitement. “And they’ll have great chemistry with our Sheng Ruxi.”

A sudden bad feeling surged in Jian Jixing’s heart. Then she heard Xie Ruizhang say, “It’s Zou Xinjie. The one who was just on the trending searches with Sheng Ruxi, remember? She and Sheng Ruxi also worked together on a romance drama before. If she comes, I won’t have to explain much to them for this part of the project. It’ll be fine. I’ve also spoken to Cen Jing, and she said it’s okay.”

Jian Jixing: “…” Her temples throbbed twice.

She knew that Xie Ruizhang couldn’t be trusted to handle things well.

But she never expected her to do something so absurd. The person was already on their way, and it was even more impossible to tell them to turn back halfway.

And from a business value standpoint, it was completely normal for Cen Jing to agree to have Zou Xinjie fill in.

Xie Ruizhang didn’t hear a word from Jian Jixing for a moment and continued to ask, “Director Jian, do you think it’s okay? Zou Xinjie was already filming in my studio city, so it’s perfect for her to come here now. She’ll be here soon.”

Jian Jixing couldn’t hold it in any longer: “It’s fine. You’ll be working overtime tonight to recheck all the storyboards and everything. Since it’s a new person, all the work needs to be redone.”

Xie Ruizhang said, “…Director Jian, you can’t be targeting me like this just because I confessed to you and you don’t like me, right?”

Jian Jixing: “It has nothing to do with that.”

Xie Ruizhang felt like she could die.

Jian Jixing worked in the tent for a while longer before returning to her own tent and sighing wearily.

Forget it, let her come. She’s just a damn ex.

She just remembered that she had spent the entire afternoon dealing with things and watching Sheng Ruxi. On the grassland, she had been running after Sheng Ruxi the whole time and had completely forgotten to ask what Sheng Ruxi was thinking.

Lying on the bed, she still felt restless. She opened Sheng Ruxi’s chat box and tentatively sent a sticker.

Sent successfully.

Jian Jixing: [Did you release me?]

Little Green Bean: [I knew you had something to say, so I specially let you out for a bit. How is it?]

[Not great.] After Jian Jixing sent it, she felt Sheng Ruxi might misunderstand and added, [What did you ask Wang Renqing?]

Little Green Bean: [You’re so nosy. You want to know everything.]

Jian Jixing was suddenly speechless. Sheng Ruxi was Sheng Ruxi. The understanding Sheng Ruxi had appeared for a fleeting moment, and beautiful things were always brief; otherwise, they wouldn’t be called beautiful.

Just as she was about to put her phone away, the other side sent another message: [I asked her if you used to be so indiscriminate. If a cow or a sheep angered you, would you bite them back?]

Was she even speaking like a human? Jian Jixing typed back: [No, I wouldn’t argue with animals. I’d even apologize to them.]

Little Green Bean: [Are you indirectly insulting me again?]

Jian Jixing finally couldn’t help but laugh.

She thought about the events of the past few days and touched her forehead, confirming that she didn’t have a fever.

But if she wasn’t dizzy with fever, it would be difficult for her to soften her stance towards Sheng Ruxi while she was sober. Saying something nice would be almost impossible. But today, she especially wanted to. And she wanted to say what was truly on her mind, without fear of being mocked by Sheng Ruxi.

A thousand words condensed at her fingertips. Jian Jixing pondered for a moment before she started to type. It was very short. She wrote: [What I want to do more is to thank you.]

It was a long pause before the other side replied: [Good night?]

Jian Jixing replied with good night and put down her phone with a sense of peace.

It wasn’t until almost eleven o’clock that she was awakened by sounds outside. The car engine died down, followed by welcoming voices. It must have been the new arrival. Xie Ruizhang was going to settle her in. It was too late, so Jian Jixing didn’t leave her tent. The sounds outside quieted down after a while, and she finally drifted back to sleep.

At six in the morning, she woke up, and it was still quiet. The scheduled meeting time was seven-thirty, but Jian Jixing had a personal habit of waking up an hour earlier to deal with any possible contingencies.

When she came out, she saw a little girl named Pigeon furtively hiding between two tents, looking left and right. She wasn’t even properly grooming Qiao Qiao’s fur. Jian Jixing quietly walked up behind her and pinched her shoulder.

“Ah! You scared me to death!” The little girl’s wheat-colored face regained its color when she saw her, and she let out a sigh of relief.

Jian Jixing: “Are you a thief? What are you looking at?”

Pigeon whispered, “Nothing… I just heard that a new actress came last night and wanted to see.”

“If you want to look, you should be at the guest tent over there. Why are you hiding by Sheng Ruxi’s tent?” Jian Jixing could tell something was off.

“Of course, I’m looking over here by Miss Sheng!” Pigeon leaned on Jian Jixing’s shoulder and whispered, “I heard that at past eleven last night, the new actress went into Miss Sheng’s tent, and the staff even said that they used to have a great relationship and even filmed together… Ah!”

Jian Jixing, who had been cooperating by leaning in, suddenly straightened up. “What are you thinking about every day? I think I’ll have your sister find a tutor for you soon.”

Pigeon’s eyes widened. “Sister Jixing, why are you getting so angry? You almost knocked my teeth out. I wanted to ask you, don’t you know this actress? Didn’t they say the movie they filmed together was really good? I want to go watch it, too.”

Jian Jixing asked, “She’s in the guest tent. Go find her yourself. Why come to me?”

Pigeon: “I want to find her! I just wanted to see where she’d come out from.”

Jian Jixing grabbed her and pulled her in front of Sheng Ruxi’s tent. “It really is a problem not to study.”

Pigeon: “?”

“If you don’t study, you won’t even understand when people are insulting you,” Jian Jixing said with a straight face, her eyes fixed on the curtain of Sheng Ruxi’s tent for a long time. She suddenly asked, “And after Zou Xinjie went into the tent?”

Pigeon thought for a moment before realizing that the name Jian Jixing had just said was the new actress’s name from last night. She grumbled to herself, so you do care.

“They just chatted! They seemed to be having a great time. They must have talked for a long time because Miss Sheng’s tent light was on for a long time afterward… Why are you walking away?”

Jian Jixing looked at Sheng Ruxi’s still-closed tent and only left one sentence: “When Sheng Ruxi wakes up, remember to give her the things.”

Pigeon was completely baffled. In her eyes, Sister Jixing could have given the things herself. Why did she have to make her do it? Was she too shy?

Jian Jixing went to the roof of a distant wooden house, looking out at the smoking tents and the snowy peaks behind them.

Now that the main shooting was Xie Ruizhang’s responsibility, she had returned to her original job, which was just to make sure the overall plan was on track. After being busy for so many days, Jian Jixing had almost forgotten that she was a director on vacation after finishing a movie.

This week, they had to go into the mountains for four days. Besides filming the scenes they needed there, they also had an additional task from the authorities to film the mountain’s agricultural products for the film.

“What are you thinking about?”

Jian Jixing looked to the side. Aiyileta rode her horse to the wooden house and looked up to ask her.

“What else could I be thinking about? Just spacing out.” Jian Jixing suddenly remembered and said, “When your vacation is over, give Pigeon some lessons. So she doesn’t just stay here.”

“She’s not like me. She wants to be here herself,” Aiyileta said. “She doesn’t like regular classes in school, just the extracurricular things. It was pointless for my mother to name her Jiyatai.”

Aiyileta smiled helplessly and said, “When my mother looks at us, does she want us to stay or leave? I don’t know if what I’m doing by wanting to leave is right.”

She paused before saying, “Perhaps she wanted to leave. Because she couldn’t leave herself, she gave us the name of the wind.”

Aiyileta was rarely this emotional. It only happened when she talked about her mother.

“I think she just wanted you to be free to do what you want to do,” Jian Jixing answered her seriously. “Your mother also wouldn’t want to see you constantly stuck in this inner turmoil.”

Aiyileta said softly, “She wouldn’t have been this way.”

Jian Jixing had no way to comfort her on that point. In the face of life and death, any form of comfort seemed pale and weak.

“Jixing, I’ve really discovered that special environments can easily lead to special feelings, just like in your acting. Don’t they also say that many actors who can’t get out of character develop feelings? If I had met you in a big city, I probably wouldn’t have liked you. Have you encountered this when directing?”

Jian Jixing thought about the official announcement of Tang Hui and Yi Yueyang’s breakup and nodded: “Yes, these things happen.” When an actor returns to real life and loses the halo of their character, those feelings also become shaky.

“Just like my mother and father. She stayed behind because she met my father on the grasslands and had us, and she never left again.” Aiyileta’s expression was sad.

Her mother’s illness was discovered very late, and she passed away quickly. What her mother talked about most before she died was her desire to see her hometown again.

Although Aiyileta never heard regret from her mother, her mother’s haggard expression and sighs spoke for it all.

Jian Jixing said, “Don’t dwell on the past. I look forward to it. That’s what your mother would want to see.” After a pause, Jian Jixing sincerely added, “I don’t mean to offend your aunt, but do you know? I once heard someone suggest that being ‘love-brained’ should be classified as a mental illness. I think that’s very right.”

This sentence instantly washed away the sadness in Aiyileta’s heart.

After a moment, Aiyileta said, “Although you’re right, you’re not good at comforting people. How did Miss Sheng forgive you yesterday?”

She looked at Jian Jixing closely: “She just bit you and forgave you? Miss Sheng has a pretty good temper.”

That’s funny.

Are you people on the grassland so nearsighted that you think Sheng Ruxi has a good temper?

Jian Jixing couldn’t lie down anymore. Just as she was about to get up, Aiyileta rode off on her horse. Jian Jixing saw a tent open in the distance.

Pigeon, like a chirping little bird, immediately ran over. Thankfully, she didn’t see Zou Xinjie walk out of Sheng Ruxi’s tent.

Jian Jixing hurried over.

But she only saw Pigeon coming out with the things she had prepared. When she saw Jian Jixing, she said, “Sister Jixing, I can’t give these to her. Miss Zou already prepared a lot of hiking gear for Miss Sheng and gave it to her last night.”

Jian Jixing frowned and was about to lift the tent flap to go in and ask Sheng Ruxi when a voice came from behind her.

“Director Jian?” Zou Xinjie had a big smile. Her shoulder-length hair was slightly curled. She was tall and looked like a neat and capable alpha. She was dressed in warm and tidy clothes. She waved at Jian Jixing and walked over quickly. “I’ve heard so much about you. I’ve heard about you from Ruxi before. I finally get a chance to experience working with you this time.”

Jian Jixing stopped, her expression very indifferent, but she politely responded to Zou Xinjie.

Zou Xinjie saw the things in Jian Jixing’s hands and smiled. “You’re so thoughtful. But I already prepared the things last night. Ruxi is too careless. Some things others can’t prepare, like a walking stick, a bag, and even the things hanging on the bag, she has to have specific brands. Her brother and I took her on a hike once, and it was exhausting.”

“That’s true,” Jian Jixing also put on a detached smile. “You’re very thoughtful too.”

She took the bag she had prepared and walked away.

Zou Xinjie understood Sheng Ruxi very well and was also on good terms with the Sheng family, which she revealed unconsciously in her words.

The things she had prepared had no brand effect, only practicality. Some even looked “ugly” and couldn’t meet the princess’s demands. It was probably true that they didn’t catch her eye.

It was almost time to leave. The staff were gradually in place, but Sheng Ruxi still hadn’t come out. Jian Jixing looked at her watch and told Pigeon to go and rush her.

Pigeon came out by herself. Jian Jixing asked, “What is she doing?”

“She’s on the phone. She’s been on the phone for a long time. Miss Sheng said she won’t be late.”

What kind of phone call had to be made at this time? Jian Jixing suppressed the annoyance that was welling up in her heart and said nothing.

Half an hour later, Sheng Ruxi came out. She was indeed carrying the backpack Zou Xinjie had prepared. Even the style of the windbreaker she was wearing was particularly noticeable, likely also prepared for her by Zou Xinjie.

Jian Jixing looked away and told Xie Ruizhang to arrange the departure. She got into the car first.

Zou Xinjie’s social skills were much more mature than Jin Yue’s. She had clearly come prepared and had even tidied up Xie Ruizhang’s commercial car. Xie Ruizhang was overjoyed. As soon as Zou Xinjie saw Sheng Ruxi, she enthusiastically invited Sheng Ruxi to come and experience it.

Jian Jixing closed the tiny crack in her window, told Old Zhang to drive quickly, and put her mind at ease.

The car was packed with various equipment. When they reached a point where the car couldn’t go, they had to go on foot.

At the foot of the mountain, everyone got out of the car and lined up to go up the mountain.

When Jian Jixing got out, she finally saw that Sheng Ruxi wasn’t standing next to Zou Xinjie. She moved over and still got next to Sheng Ruxi: “Is your bag heavy? Do you want me to carry it for you?”

“No, I just put it on,” Sheng Ruxi replied, not at all tired. She immediately refused. She remembered how Jian Jixing got a high fever the last time she helped her carry a bag, and she didn’t want that to happen again.

Jian Jixing: “Then when you get tired, are you going to let Zou Xinjie carry it?”

“Why are you in such a bad mood this morning?” Sheng Ruxi looked at her, confused. “I was going to ask you. Didn’t Pigeon say you prepared a lot of things for me? I waited all morning and didn’t see anything. Where are the things?”

Jian Jixing laughed. “I ate them.”

Sheng Ruxi knew Jian Jixing was just brushing her off and didn’t mince words: “You’re that hungry? Anyone who didn’t know would think you’re being mistreated here.”

Jian Jixing glanced at Sheng Ruxi’s flamboyant hiking stick and the ornaments hanging on her bag. She didn’t say a word and walked forward. Sheng Ruxi quickly walked a few steps to catch up and said, “Are you really hungry or just pretending? If you’re really hungry, I have something good to eat here. Want some?”

This bag was filled with things Zou Xinjie had prepared. Who gives their current wife food prepared by their ex? Is this what borrowing flowers to present Buddha is all about?

Jian Jixing smiled wryly: “You’re carrying dog food up the mountain?”

Sheng Ruxi stopped in her tracks. Jian Jixing continued to walk forward. Sheng Ruxi unzipped the top layer of her backpack, took something out, and cupped it in her hand. She then poked Jian Jixing’s knee with her hiking stick in a fit of rage.

Jian Jixing’s leg buckled a little. Just as she turned her head, something was quickly shoved into her mouth. She chewed it. It was soft and a little sticky, a small rice cake.

“What is this?” Jian Jixing bit down twice and held it in her mouth. “What are you doing?”

“Just dog food,” Sheng Ruxi said with a cold laugh. “I’m feeding a dog.”

Jian Jixing: “…”