After Rebirth, I Became My Ex's "White Moonlight" - Chapter 18

Pfft.” Cheng Siyu couldn’t help herself.

“Exactly. Ji Yun’s mother was a bona fide movie queen twenty years ago; she won a pile of awards and starred in many masterpieces. Her father is no slouch either—he’s the head of the Ji corporate empire. In short, the Ji family is a mountain of money, and Ji Yun was born with a golden spoon in her mouth right in the middle of it,” Shen Moxu said with great earnestness, before falling into a pensive silence.

“Her mother was actually my mother’s favorite actress back then. I just don’t know why she was never seen again after she got married. So, Siyu, you’ve basically landed yourself a sugar mama.”

Cheng Siyu remained noncommittal regarding Shen Moxu’s “sugar mama” comment, because she knew that her reason for being with Ji Yun in the first place was for the resources provided by Ji Yun’s father.

But she knew in her heart that this was merely a transaction. Someone like Ji Yun wouldn’t stay with her for long. Moreover, Ji Wanli would never allow scandalous rumors to surface suggesting that his future heir was a lesbian.

Therefore, Cheng Siyu could only feign an air of being indifferent to fame and fortune. “It’s not her money that I like.”

…

The next morning arrived quickly. Early on, Cheng Siyu was awakened by a phone call from Zhao Xixi.

She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt like she hadn’t slept well for several days. She was already considering whether she should put her phone on silent before going to bed.

Despite this, she finished getting ready and went downstairs to wait for Zhao Xixi.

Even though she had prepared herself mentally, she was still slightly shocked when she saw a nanny van nearly as large as an RV.

“Sister Xixi, do I really get treatment this good?”

As soon as she stepped onto the vehicle, Cheng Siyu, who hadn’t seen much of the world, couldn’t help but ask.

In her memory, for someone of her status—with no fame and only one movie under her belt—being picked up by a dedicated vehicle was something to be profoundly grateful for.

“I’m not sure either, but looking at it now, the higher-ups must think highly of you. Even I’m getting some of the reflected glory.”

After saying this, Zhao Xixi turned around and gestured for the fashionably dressed woman behind her to sit closer.

“This is the makeup artist sent by the company, Li Yexing.”

Cheng Siyu glanced at her, feeling that her appearance was just as unique as her name. Her hair was shaved close enough to see the scalp, she wore studs in her ears, and she had a rose tattoo on her arm. She looked like someone you wouldn’t want to mess with.

“Hello, I’m Cheng Siyu.”

“Hello. Got a partner? Do you like girls or boys?”

But the moment Li Yexing spoke, Cheng Siyu was jolted. This cool and handsome-looking girl actually had a “soft girl” voice.

“Yexing! Siyu already has a partner. Pull your claws back.”

Li Yexing had been about to check Cheng Siyu’s fingers when she was smacked on the head with a magazine by Zhao Xixi.

“Sorry about that. She’s gone crazy from being single for too long, but her professional skills are top-notch.”

“Um… okay.” Cheng Siyu recovered after being stunned for three seconds.

Afterward, Zhao Xixi i introduced Cheng Siyu to the rest of her team. First was the driver and bodyguard Liao Ka, then a young assistant named Lin Zhizhi, followed by Zhao Xixi and Li Yexing themselves.

Cheng Siyu originally thought they would go straight to the broadcasting studio, but Zhao Xi Xi first had the driver pull over in front of a bun shop to buy several large meat buns and soy milk.

“Eat up quickly. After you finish, let Yexing do your makeup.”

Zhao Xixi handed a bun to everyone in the car, including Cheng Siyu. Cheng Siyu paused, then moved, said “thank you” several times before starting to eat in small bites.

“Sister Xixi, you’re a good person.”

“When have I ever not been a good person?”

“Exactly. Working with Sister Xixi, I’ve gained several pounds; I can’t even find a partner anymore,” Li Yexing said while sipping her soy milk.

“You’re blaming me for that? Look at Zhizhi, she’s already gone through three or four boyfriends, and you’re still this single.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

As Zhao Xixi spoke, she gave a look to Lin Zhizhi, who was sitting in the passenger seat. Lin Zhizhi hurried to agree.

Meanwhile, Cheng Siyu sensibly kept quiet and drank her warm soy milk.

After they finished eating, Li Yexing wiped her hands and obediently began doing Cheng Siyu’s makeup.

It had to be said that her makeup skills were excellent; she finished Cheng Siyu’s look in just ten minutes.

“Mmh, truly beautiful. A pity she has a partner.”

Once finished, Li Yexing sighed as she looked at Cheng Siyu’s face. Unsurprisingly, she was smacked again by Zhao Xixi.

Since the makeup rooms and lounges at the filming site were perpetually full, Li Yexing did Cheng Siyu’s makeup in the nanny van. Cheng Siyu then went to the nearest studio dressing room to change into her filming outfit.

Thus, Cheng Siyu only had to stay in the car and wait for the show to begin before heading straight in to record.

While waiting, Cheng Siyu flipped through the script. It was only then that she realized variety shows had scripts too, though they mostly consisted of the schedule and certain fixed talking points.

While Cheng Siyu was reading the script, her phone rang. Seeing it was Ji Yun, her finger hesitated over the screen for a long time before she finally answered.

“Hello?”

“Are you awake?”

Ji Yun’s caring voice came through the phone. Cheng Siyu was dazed for a moment before replying, “I’ve already arrived at the filming location. I’m waiting for it to start.”

“So fast. I was thinking I’d pick you up, and my makeup artist could have helped you too,” Ji Yun said, then added petulantly, “You didn’t say ‘good morning’ to me today.”

“I forgot. Good morning,” Cheng Siyu said, intentionally lowering her voice into a seductive tone.

“Good morning! See you later.”

“Mmh, see you later.”

After hanging up, Cheng Siyu opened WeChat. Sure enough, she found that Ji Yun had sent her a “good morning” cat emoji two hours ago.

She hesitated for a long time but still didn’t reply.

When she put her phone away, she realized that everyone in the car was looking at her with burning curiosity.

“Siyu, is your partner a man or a woman?”

Finally, Zhao Xixi was the first to speak. She had wanted to ask since the last time they were in the car; what kind of girl would speak to a man like that?

“A… a man.” Cheng Siyu was not yet ready to come out.

“Phew, that’s good. Otherwise, I’d be the only straight one in this car,” Zhao Xixi sighed, though she remained skeptical about this “boyfriend” Cheng Siyu mentioned.

It was this sentence and the information it contained that Cheng Siyu didn’t react to immediately.

“You mean?” Cheng Siyu looked around, her gaze lingering on each person before returning to Zhao Xixi.

“Mm-hmm. This is great, now Sister Xixi will pester you every day to go look at handsome guys with her,” Li Yexing said in her “soft girl” voice, which formed a sharp contrast with her personal image.

While Cheng Siyu was grappling with this philosophical issue, she saw Shen Moxu’s flashy sports car speed past and park not far ahead of her van. She stopped dwelling on the matter and instead took out her phone to chat with Shen Moxu.

“Little Shen, I just saw you.” She first sent a message on WeChat, followed by a “peeking” emoji.

“Oh? Observing me in secret—could it be you have a secret crush on me?”

Shen Moxu replied quickly with an emoji of someone discovering the truth.

“Since I’ve been discovered, I have no choice but to destroy the evidence.”

“Mere child’s play.”

Just as Cheng Siyu was thinking of how to reply, another message from Shen Moxu arrived: “Strategist Cheng! My goddess asked me out for dinner tomorrow! What should I do?”

“Oh? Chancellor Shen, your progress is remarkably swift.”

“How is it swifter than you and Ji Yun? One day the two of you were awkward with each other, and the next day you’re together.”

Seeing that Shen Moxu was about to bring up the matter of her and Ji Yun again, Cheng Siyu had no choice but to pull the topic back.

“Lunch or dinner? She’s a big star, shouldn’t she be very busy?”

“Dinner. She said she was classmates with my sister and is just looking after me on my sister’s behalf. It’s even at a Western restaurant.”

“Mmh, stay safe.”

Since it was someone Shen Zhinian knew, there shouldn’t be much to worry about, Cheng Siyu thought, and didn’t look further into Qin Xiangqing’s identity.

“Of course! I, Shen Moxu, have seen all kinds of winds and waves.”

…

Recording for the program began soon. To Cheng Siyu’s surprise, Shan Xiyuan also appeared there.

It wasn’t until Shen Moxu whispered to her that she learned Shan Xiyuan had someone backing him. After his argument with the director last time, the behind-the-scenes investor spent more money to secure him a small supporting role with some highlights, which was why he was included this time.

The two of them had barely exchanged a few words before the host began cueing the proceedings.

During this time, Cheng Siyu noticed that Shan Xiyuan’s eyes were constantly wandering toward Ji Yun, and he was intentionally or unintentionally trying to create physical contact, all of which Ji Yun keenly dodged.

After a few times, Ji Yun feigned following the flow of the program and walked a few steps to stand next to Cheng Siyu.

At that moment, Cheng Siyu heard her whisper into her ear, “He has no shame.”

“Pfft.” Cheng Siyu couldn’t hold back a light laugh. This moment was captured perfectly by the photographer and would later become one of her famous “viral” photos.

However, after the moment of joy, the image of Ji Yun standing side-by-side with her “white moonlight” flashed through her mind, and for some reason, Cheng Siyu felt a pang of sadness.

After the simple introductions and cues, the host suggested everyone play a game. The game was Werewolf. More than the actual gameplay, the audience likely wanted to see the guests’ reactions.

Cheng Siyu’s seat was arranged next to Wen Zhiluo; their “sibling bond” from the movie added a lot of topical heat to the film.

“Players, please open your role cards.”

Under the suspenseful stage lighting, Cheng Siyu opened her small card and saw the words “Werewolf” written on it.

Unsure whether to be happy or worried, Cheng Siyu cleverly chose to remain expressionless.

“It is night. Everyone, close your eyes.”

“Werewolves, open your eyes.”

When Cheng Siyu opened her eyes, she found that besides herself, Shen Moxu and one of the hosts had also opened their eyes.

Understanding how to create variety show effects, Shen Moxu immediately chose Wen Zhiluo. Cheng Siyu nodded, and the host followed suit.

A few minutes later, day broke, and Wen Zhiluo was killed.

“Thank you all for your love,” he said, caught between laughter and tears as he delivered his last words, then regretfully turned off his light and left the stage.

As the game progressed to the end, Cheng Siyu relied on her innocent gaze to fool everyone and survived until the final round.

Finally, when it was Ji Yun’s turn to cast a vote between her and another person, Ji Yun voted for the other person almost without hesitation.

This was the first time Cheng Siyu had ever seen the emotion of “trust” in Ji Yun’s eyes. Previously, there had only been indifference and weariness.