Going from "Fanservice" to Reality with My Goddess - Chapter 18

Filming was entering its later stages, and actors with smaller roles were beginning to wrap up their scenes. As it happened to be the Winter Solstice, the production crew booked a private room at a restaurant to enjoy a meal together both to mark the holiday and to celebrate the departing cast members.

Shen Yan and Yu Nianzhi arrived early. With only a few people in the room, they exchanged pleasantries with the others before sitting down to wait. Being the junior, Yu Nianzhi instinctively chose a seat near the door. She was just about to invite Shen Yan to take a more “honored” seat further inside when she saw the other woman naturally pull out the chair right next to her and sit down.

“Teacher Shen…” Yu Nianzhi said hesitantly.

Shen Yan smiled. “It’s just a casual dinner; there’s no need for so much protocol.” She then whispered softly, “Besides, I naturally want to sit with someone I like.”

Yu Nianzhi’s hand froze as she was pulling her chair. She smiled and replied, “Alright.”

A nearby actor chuckled. “Teacher Shen and Teacher Yu truly have a wonderful relationship.”

Indeed, it wasn’t just now; the bond had been palpable throughout their time on set. While Yu Nianzhi was friendly and got along well with everyone, Shen Yan usually maintained a polite, distanced air—approachable but distinctly detached. Yu Nianzhi was the sole exception. To anyone watching, they were the picture of “sisterly” affection.

As the rest of the group arrived, Yu Nianzhi was chatting with Shen Yan when a male voice sounded beside her: “Teacher Yu, may I sit here?”

Yu Nianzhi turned to find Jiang Hongyi. She didn’t have any particular impression of him, other than a slight wariness following that time he “added a scene” for himself. Beyond that, they had maintained a professional relationship, with Jiang occasionally asking her for acting advice. Since Shen Yan was already on her right, she didn’t mind who sat on her left and agreed.

Once everyone arrived, the food was served. The atmosphere was harmonious as the group ate and drank. Since the entire film hadn’t wrapped yet, the gathering wasn’t too large, allowing everyone to relax. With Director Duan Yi—a master of small talk—present, there was never a dull moment.

Although their characters, Wen Yan and Feng Huan, were close in the movie, Yu Nianzhi wasn’t actually that familiar with Jiang Hongyi. Tonight, however, Jiang repeatedly tried to strike up a conversation. Yu Nianzhi wasn’t very interested and gave only perfunctory responses.

Over the course of the dinner, Yu Nianzhi had a few drinks. She could hold her liquor well enough, but she was prone to “Asian flush.” Her pale cheeks were stained with a rosy hue, making her striking features appear even more vivid.

Seeing her face so red after just one glass, Shen Yan felt concerned. “How is your face this red after only one cup?”

Yu Nianzhi’s face was flushed, but her mind was perfectly clear. “Mhm, I’m okay,” she said, pointing to her cheek. “My complexion is just deceptive.”

Shen Yan felt slightly relieved but couldn’t resist teasing her. She waved two fingers in front of Yu Nianzhi’s eyes. “How many fingers?”

Yu Nianzhi felt helpless but answered seriously, “2.”

“Seems you’re not drunk,” Shen Yan said. “Take it easy, though; don’t actually overdo it.”

As the group exchanged toasts, Yu Nianzhi had a few more glasses and began to feel a bit lightheaded. She was rubbing her temples, hoping to rest for a moment, when another glass was extended toward her. “Teacher Yu, I’d like to toast you. Thank you for looking after me during our time in the crew.”

It was Jiang Hongyi again.

Yu Nianzhi felt dizzy but politely raised her glass. “Not at all. Thank you for your guidance and help as well, Teacher Jiang.”

Jiang Hongyi, sitting right next to her, leaned in closer, creating an uncomfortably ambiguous distance. Yu Nianzhi frowned and shifted backward to reclaim her space. However, Jiang persisted, leaning in further as if trying to take advantage of her state.

Yu Nianzhi almost lost her temper and splashed the wine in his face. Only her logic stopped her; she didn’t want to occupy tomorrow’s trending search results.

Just as she was about to move her chair further away, a hand reached out from the side. Shen Yan naturally took the glass from Yu Nianzhi’s hand and pulled her toward the right. “Niannian doesn’t have a high tolerance. I’ll drink this glass on her behalf. Teacher Jiang won’t mind, will he?”

Caught off guard, Jiang Hongyi froze for a moment before flashing a smile. “Not at all, not at all. It’s an honor to have a drink with Teacher Shen.”

Shen Yan’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Good.”

The two drained their glasses. By the time Shen Yan set her empty glass back down, Yu Nianzhi was still staring blankly, her mind completely blown by the name “Niannian.” It was more intoxicating than ten bottles of beer. Fortunately, Shen Yan hadn’t spoken loudly, and the rest of the table was too busy chatting to notice.

“What’s wrong? Are you actually drunk?” Shen Yan’s voice brought her back to reality.

“No, no,” Yu Nianzhi stammered.

Shen Yan didn’t press her, simply reminding her to drink less. Yu Nianzhi nodded repeatedly, taking several sips from her (now empty) glass to calm her nerves.

Watching her, Jiang Hongyi stayed silent for three seconds before he couldn’t help but speak up. “Teacher Yu… there’s no wine in that glass.”

Yu Nianzhi looked down and realized Shen Yan had already finished her drink. Mortification flashed across her face, though thankfully hidden by her already red complexion. She quickly put the glass down and picked up her chopsticks to eat, trying to hide her silliness.

Jiang Hongyi couldn’t help but laugh. “Teacher Yu, you really are… quite different from your appearance.”

Yu Nianzhi gave a dry laugh, unwilling to engage with him further, and focused on the food on her plate.

The meal ended smoothly with a round of dumplings. Everyone, full and satisfied, prepared to head back to the hotel.

As she was leaving, Shen Yan felt a pen in her pocket. She suddenly remembered she had promised Song Xin she would get Yu Nianzhi’s signature. Recalling the little assistant’s hopeful face and the promise of a full-body massage and endless praise, she couldn’t let her down. She pulled out the photo and the pen Song Xin had specifically prepared for her “Fishy.”

“Nianzhi,” Shen Yan called out, waving the photo. “Song Xin was too shy to come herself, so she asked me to get an autograph. Teacher Yu, could you help me out?”

“Of course,” Yu Nianzhi agreed immediately. She then added, “Then, Teacher Shen, could you give me an autograph as well?”

Though Shen Yan had asked her not to use “Teacher,” the habit was hard to break. Shen Yan had given up trying to correct her.

“Sure,” Shen Yan said, her lashes drooping slightly as she smiled. “But I usually only sign for people I’m familiar with. I don’t just give them to anyone.”

Yu Nianzhi froze. After a moment, her smile faltered slightly. “Oh, I see. That makes sense. You shouldn’t just sign for anyone. Never mind then.” She suddenly felt awkward and wanted to leave. “Then… Teacher Shen, let’s head back so you can rest. We have filming tomorrow.” She turned to go, then paused to whisper, “Teacher Shen, do you still need my signature?”

Shen Yan had only intended to tease her, but she hadn’t expected such a dramatic reaction. I shouldn’t joke like that in the future, she thought.

“Sigh,” Shen Yan sighed with a helpless smile. “Why are you so serious, little one?”

At the word “little one,” Yu Nianzhi blinked, confused.

“I was just joking,” Shen Yan continued. She had scared the girl so much she had reverted to using formal pronouns. “My point was that calling me ‘Teacher Shen’ all the time is too formal. Didn’t I tell you that before?”

Yu Nianzhi realized she had misunderstood. She stepped back, smiling bashfully. “Oh, I see. I misunderstood your… your meaning.”

“It’s fine, call me whatever you like. No big deal.” Shen Yan stopped teasing her and asked, “Did you bring paper? I’ll sign for you.”

Yu Nianzhi realized she had only thought about getting the signature and hadn’t brought any materials. Shen Yan only had the one photo for Song Xin.

Yu Nianzhi hesitated for a moment, then began to unzip her jacket. She lifted the hem of her inner shirt slightly and said shyly, “How about… just sign it directly on my clothes?”

“Alright, as you wish.” Shen Yan asked, “What would you like me to write?”

“Anything. I’ll like whatever you leave, Teacher Shen.”

Shen Yan leaned down and signed her name on the clean fabric of Yu Nianzhi’s shirt. Her handwriting was elegant and bold.

Yu Nianzhi was silent for a moment, then asked, “Teacher Shen, do you remember the press conference for the movie Green Wind five years ago?”

Shen Yan finished the signature and thought for a moment. “I have some memory of it. Why?”

A momentary daze flashed in Yu Nianzhi’s eyes. She smiled. “Nothing, it’s just that the movie promotion back then left a very deep impression on me. I suddenly thought of it.”

“I see.” Shen Yan didn’t dwell on it and thought about what message to leave. She wrote: Wishing Niannian a brilliant career and a smooth life.

Shen Yan capped the pen. “There you go.”

Yu Nianzhi carefully zipped her jacket, deciding right then and there to frame this shirt and hang it over her bed. “Thank you, Sister Shen.”

Hearing the words “Sister Shen,” Shen Yan couldn’t help but beam. “You’re welcome, Sister Nian.” She handed over the photo. “Here, sign this for Song Xin.”

Yu Nianzhi took the pen and photo. “Did Song Xin say what she wanted me to write?”

Shen Yan paused, remembering the specific request she had nearly forgotten. “Ah, she did,” Shen Yan said, rubbing her forehead. After a few seconds of silence, she confessed, “She wants you to write: ‘For Song Xin the little angel, the Yan-Zhi CP is number one in the world, a match made in heaven.'”

Yu Nianzhi blinked. “Yan-Zhi CP?”

Shen Yan laughed helplessly. “I didn’t understand what it meant at first either, but I got the explanation later.”

Yu Nianzhi quickly put two and two together. She fought to suppress the corners of her mouth from curling upward and asked with feigned hesitation, “Oh, I see. But isn’t this…?”

Shen Yan laughed. “It’s fine. It’s rare for the little assistant to ask me for a favor. Write whatever she wants.”

Yu Nianzhi agreed, looking helpless on the outside while feeling ecstatic on the inside as she wrote the words. Once finished, she tried to return the pen, but Shen Yan didn’t take it. Instead, imitating Yu Nianzhi’s earlier action, she lifted her own hem. “Don’t be in a hurry; sign one for me too.”

“You want one too, Teacher Shen?”

“Of course. When you become a superstar in the future, don’t forget about me,” Shen Yan said.

Yu Nianzhi laughed. “You’re joking, Teacher Shen. It’s more likely that I’ll be the one hoping you don’t forget me.”

Shen Yan laughed heartily. “Don’t worry, I will never forget you.”

“Then what should I write?” Yu Nianzhi asked.

Shen Yan said casually, “Ah, just the same thing as you wrote for Song Xin.”

Yu Nianzhi: “…” She blinked. “Teacher Shen, are you… are you serious?”

Shen Yan laughed. “Just teasing. Just write; I’ll like whatever Niannian leaves.”

Sweetness flooded Yu Nianzhi’s heart. After a moment’s thought, she signed her name and added a blessing.

The two then shared a car back to the hotel. Once in her room, Yu Nianzhi carefully removed the signed shirt and tucked it into a box for safekeeping. Feeling drowsy from the alcohol, she went to bed early.

The next morning, before she was even fully awake, her phone rang.

Yu Nianzhi answered sleepily, “Hello, who is this?”

Lin Xin’s anxious voice came through the speaker: “Sister Yu, hurry up and look at the Weibo trending searches! Something has happened!”