Never Forget - Chapter 14

“It wasn’t… too hard.” The last two words trailed off so softly that Ye Zhuyi’s lips remained parted. She sat frozen in her chair.

A sudden head pat?

Two gentle strokes, like petting a cat or dog. By the time Ye Zhuyi processed what had happened, Qin Zhizhen had already withdrawn her hand as if nothing had occurred.

“Teacher Qin,” Ye Zhuyi said, trying to suppress her nervousness. She asked as naturally as she could, “Are you comforting me?”

It wasn’t exactly that. Qin Zhizhen had just thought of a little Pomeranian. But saying that aloud would be too disrespectful. She cleared her throat with her hand over her lips and gave a quiet “Mhm.”

Ye Zhuyi paused, her lips pressed together. Then, a smile slowly spread across her face.

It was a genuine, heartfelt smile. Is she really this happy just from a little comfort?

Qin Zhizhen found it strange. She watched Ye Zhuyi’s smiling face in silence. Ye Zhuyi looked beautiful when she smiled. Her deep dimples and curved eyes softened her otherwise striking features, making her look gentle and soft.

It seemed as if the bamboo had shed its layers of leaves today.

A sense of déjà vu flashed through her mind again, but she couldn’t place it.

“Thank you, Teacher Qin,” Ye Zhuyi said softly.

Qin Zhizhen’s thin lips parted as if he was about to say something, but he ultimately just replied with a simple “Mm.”

Lu Buping and Zhou Wen entered the room one after the other. Lu Buping asked the photographer, “Are you finished with the shoot?”

“We’re done. I haven’t packed up the equipment yet. Director Lu, do you want to take a look?” the photographer said.

“Old Zhou, you go check it out,” Lu Buping nudged Zhou Wen.

Zhou Wen glanced at her before walking over to the photographer to review the photos.

“You’ve all worked hard today. How about we grab dinner tonight for those who don’t have other plans? We can get to know each other better,” Lu Buping said, looking at the four lead actors.

“Sure, I’m in. What about Xiao Xu? Do you want to join Director Lu and me for a drink tonight?” Chen Ming was the first to agree.

Xu Qingfeng smiled gently and replied readily, “Sure. But I’m not a very good drinker.”

“That’s fine. A little drink is just for the mood,” Lu Buping laughed. “What about you two ladies?”

The three of them turned their heads in unison to look at Ye Zhuyi and Qin Zhizhen.

Their focus was mainly on Qin Zhizhen.

Ye Zhuyi, knowing her place, spoke up first. “I’m fine with it,” she said, leaving the final decision to Qin Zhizhen.

After speaking, she joined the other three in staring at her.

Qin Zhizhen glanced at Ye Zhuyi, then at Lu Buping, Chen Ming, and Xu Qingfeng, who were all posed identically. She pressed her lips together without immediately responding, seeming conflicted.

“If Zhizhen has something to do, she can head back first,” Zhou Wen said after finishing her review of the photos. “We’ll all be working together for the next six months once we’re on set anyway. This one meal won’t make a difference.”

It was common knowledge in the industry that Qin Zhizhen rarely attended social gatherings, except for wrap parties. She had always disliked such events. In a past interview, she had even stated that the culture of drinking, flattery, and mutual praise felt fake to her. She found it exhausting to have to put on an act even after filming ended.

As soon as Zhou Wen spoke, Lu Buping and Chen Ming already had their responses ready. They were waiting for Qin Zhizhen to decline so they could gracefully accept the excuse Zhou Wen had provided.

But to their surprise, Qin Zhizhen replied after a moment, “It’s fine. I need to keep my figure in shape anyway.”

“Ye Zhuyi needs to stay in shape too,” Lu Buping said. “I’ll order diet meals for you two.”

Qin Zhizhen glanced at Ye Zhuyi. She had noticed earlier while taking photos that Ye Zhuyi’s qipao was exceptionally form-fitting, clearly custom-made for her. A small smile touched her lips. “Sure. At least I’ll have company.”

Ye Zhuyi’s heart fluttered.

“Go change and remove your makeup first,” Lu Buping said. “I’ll send you the restaurant’s address. Old Zhou and I will head over now to get a table number.”

No one objected. They each returned to their dressing rooms to change and remove their makeup.

After Ye Zhuyi changed back into a loose T-shirt and jeans, Lu Buping sent over the restaurant’s address.

She let down her pinned-up hair, which was curled tightly. Ye Zhuyi simply gathered it into a messy bun.

The thought of Qin Zhizhen’s own messy bun suddenly crossed her mind. Ye Zhuyi bit her lip, unable to stop herself from smiling.

Is this what they call matching styles?

Xiao Qiao, who was helping her carry her bag and slippers, asked, “What time will you be done with dinner?”

Ye Zhuyi shook her head. “I’m not sure. Is there something urgent?”

“Yeah,” Xiao Qiao said, looking guilty. “I have to hand over the keys to the landlord today, and I still have a few things to move.”

“Go ahead and head back then. I’ll just take a taxi,” Ye Zhuyi said.

Xiao Qiao hesitated for a moment. “Let me drop you off at the restaurant. Call me when you’re done, and I’ll come pick you up.”

“Okay,” Ye Zhuyi agreed.

The restaurant wasn’t far from the filming location. It was owned by an industry insider as a side business and featured private rooms with soundproof walls. Because of this, many celebrities and high-ranking officials frequented the place.

The staff had all been trained to remain calm when seeing artists. They were strictly forbidden from asking for autographs or photos.

Still, when the receptionist saw the critically acclaimed Actor Chen and the top star Xu Qingfeng arrive, her heart nearly burst from excitement. “My legs are shaking! Quick, someone help me!”

She buckled at the knees and reached out a hand. Someone immediately caught her. The receptionist, thinking it was a colleague, turned around with a wide smile, only to freeze in shock.

Ye Zhuyi let go of her hand and smiled. “Excuse me, how do I get to Private Room 206?”

With her curved brows, elegant eyes, straight nose, and red lips, she was even more stunning in person than on screen. The hostess’s mind replayed Ye Zhuyi’s dance at Astar on a loop. “Th-this way, please,” she stammered.

It wasn’t until they reached the door of Private Room 206 that the hostess finally realized the person who had made her legs weak and the person who had made her stutter were both heading into the same room.

Ye Zhuyi entered the private room.

“Ye Yaoyao is so beautiful in real life,” the hostess sighed. She turned around only to see the international superstar Actress Qin. The sight took her breath away.

After ushering the equally breathtaking Qin Zhizhen into the room, the hostess took a deep breath. “Is Private Room 206 blessed today?”

Inside the “blessed” room, two large round tables were set up. Photographers, makeup artists, and assistants occupied one table, while Lu Buping and her group sat at the other. As soon as Ye Zhuyi entered, Zhou Wen waved her over to sit beside her.

Just as she sat down, Qin Zhizhen arrived. Lian Rong moved to the assistants’ table. Lu Buping pointed to the seat on her right. “Zhenzhen, sit here.”

Ye Zhuyi unconsciously held her breath and sat up straight. Only after Qin Zhizhen settled beside her did she discreetly take a deep breath.

The dishes arrived one by one. Lu Buping had ordered weight-loss meals for Ye Zhuyi and Qin Zhizhen. Though the presentation was exquisite, the dishes were essentially just bowls of greens garnished with a few pieces of fruit.

At the table, only Lu Buping, Zhou Wen, and Chen Ming were engaged in lively conversation. Chen Ming’s vast experience gave his words a philosophical air that most people couldn’t keep up with. Xu Qingfeng could only chime in occasionally, and Qin Zhizhen seemed too lazy to speak at all.

Given her current standing, Ye Zhuyi could only play the listener. She was more than happy to be an invisible presence, focusing entirely on eating her greens.

The salad tasted surprisingly good. The dressing was refreshing and crisp, perfect for the summer.

Qin Zhizhen took a single bite before putting down his chopsticks. His gaze fell on Ye Zhuyi’s bowl. “Is it good?” he asked.

It took Ye Zhuyi a moment to realize he was speaking to her. She nodded. “It’s actually quite good.”

Seeing how seriously she was eating, Qin Zhizhen clicked his tongue.

Ye Zhuyi looked up. “Are you not eating, Teacher Qin?”

“I don’t eat grass,” he replied.

An image flashed through her mind of Qin Zhizhen telling Old Master Qin, “I don’t eat meat,” and making the old man’s beard bristle with rage.

A smile tugged at the corners of Ye Zhuyi’s lips. “If Teacher Qin doesn’t eat meat or grass, then what does he eat?”

Qin Zhizhen raised an eyebrow and stared at her expressionlessly.

Is he trying to intimidate me with his eyes? Ye Zhuyi’s smile only widened, her dimples deepening. Her radiant smile was almost dazzling.

Qin Zhizhen averted his gaze and poked at the food in his bowl with his chopsticks. “It doesn’t taste good,” he said.

So that’s why he won’t eat it.

His complaint sounded almost like a spoiled child’s. He reminded her of a proud little kitten lifting a paw to push away its cat food, acting both delicate and cute. The sight made Ye Zhuyi’s heart flutter.

She glanced at the greens in Qin Zhizhen’s bowl and then gently pushed her own bowl toward him. “These two diet meals are different. Teacher Qin, do you want to try mine? It’s actually quite good.”

Qin Zhizhen stared silently at the bowl she had pushed over.

Just as Ye Zhuyi began to wonder if she was being too forward and considered taking the bowl back, Qin Zhizhen took a bite. After chewing slowly, he gave his honest opinion: “It’s okay.”

Ye Zhuyi’s ears burned. “Do you want to swap?”

“No need.” Qin Zhizhen pushed the bowl back. “I’m not hungry.”

Ye Zhuyi lowered her head and pouted, slowly eating her greens from where Qin Zhizhen had left off.

At another table, Lian Rong stole a glance at them. Seeing this, her heart swelled with joy. Forgetting her own meal, she quickly pulled out her phone and flooded the couple’s supertopic and official Weibo with comments: “ZhenZhu is real!! I’m dying from the cuteness!”

Soon, a reply popped up in the comments: “Hahaha, girl! Go check out the new ‘Zhizhen Counterattacks’ edit!”

Zhou Wen watched the two of them, taking in every little gesture and word, and couldn’t help but wear a proud, motherly smile.

She finally pulled herself away from Chen Ming’s philosophical lecture on life and turned to Ye Zhuyi. “Yezi, remember that ‘Pulling Mom’ edit I mentioned last time?”

“I do,” Ye Zhuyi said, pausing to put down her chopsticks and answering respectfully.

“Listen, that editor just posted a new video a few days ago.” Zhou Wen opened Weibo and searched for the editor’s account. “Have you seen it yet?”

Ye Zhuyi remembered Ke Shu’s warning: Don’t get involved, and don’t use Qin Zhizhen’s fame to boost your own. She hadn’t even added any tags to her latest video. She curled her fingers and shook her head. “I only watched the old ones. I stopped following it after that.”

“Zhizhen, have you seen it?” Zhou Wen leaned forward to ask Qin Zhizhen.

“No,” Qin Zhizhen replied. “Mo Qing told me not to.”

Mo Qing was Qin Zhizhen’s manager.

Ye Zhuyi’s heart skipped a beat. A sudden realization flashed through her mind. She had been too busy to think it through before, but now everything became clear.

Even though her “Scissors Hand” account didn’t have any tags and only posted edited videos, someone behind the scenes was still manipulating things. They were using the account’s popularity to tie her to Qin Zhizhen and boost her own fame.

That was why she had become the number one actress people wanted to marry on Maopu.com.

That was why whenever someone asked “Who is Ye Zhuyi?”, people would immediately recommend her “Scissors Hand” account.

So, when Jing Que announced she would play Shen Manqing in early July, there weren’t many negative comments. At least, no one was asking “Who is Ye Zhuyi?” anymore.

The person behind it all could be Ke Shu, or perhaps Xingyao’s management team.

Is Zhenzhen not watching because she’s angry?

Zhou Wen said in surprise, “Even Mo Qing, that emotionless robot, is watching?!” Then she realized, “Do you think… she’s just trying to show you how to handle it when someone tries to ride your fame?”

So that’s what’s going on. Ye Zhuyi’s face turned pale. She gripped her cup and took a sip of her drink.

“No,” Qin Zhizhen said, taking a sip of her own drink. She frowned and pushed the cup a little further away. She glanced at Lu Buping, who was talking animatedly, and said calmly, “Mo Qing is the one who hyped up the video’s popularity.”

Ye Zhuyi never expected Qin Zhizhen’s team to be behind the hype. The shock made her choke on her drink. But she quickly recovered, remembering that Lu Buping had signed a gambling contract. Qin Zhizhen was doing this to help her.

“You don’t mind, do you?” Qin Zhizhen asked.

“I don’t,” Ye Zhuyi replied, shaking her head. “I’m also benefiting from this. Thank you, Teacher Qin.”

Qin Zhizhen raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Zhou Wen also realized what was happening. She shook her head with a smile. “You’re something else.” She handed her phone to Ye Zhuyi and said, “The latest videos have a really interesting plot. Why don’t you two watch them together?”

Ye Zhuyi respectfully took the phone and placed it on the table between her and Qin Zhizhen.

Watching her own edits of the crackship videos with Qin Zhizhen, where the main characters were still her and Qin, felt strangely embarrassing and shameful, yet exhilarating.

Why is she so easily flustered when she’s not pretending?

Qin Zhizhen’s gaze shifted from Ye Zhuyi’s reddened ears to the phone screen. From an angle Ye Zhuyi couldn’t see, she curved her lips into a smile.

The video’s colors were a bit dark, and there was a glare on the screen from a distance.

Ye Zhuyi and Qin Zhizhen leaned in closer together.

Their heads gently touched, and in the air, their breaths seemed to intertwine.

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