Chapter 100
Li Chu discovered that sometimes, when she was too excited or happy, it was difficult to respond with any elegant or profound words. Of course, it might also be because she was just a commoner, an unbearably ordinary person.
So, when Ning Manqing kissed her, the response in her heart wasn’t some romantic verse, but rather, “I can.”
Anything was fine. The office was fine. Not just at night was fine. Any position was fine.
At the peak of certain emotions, the body represented the soul, willingly making any response the other person desired.
Of course, this ultimately didn't happen, due to the inappropriate time and place.
It wasn’t because the sun hadn’t set yet, leaving the office brightly lit, but because there were surveillance cameras in Ning Manqing’s office. Although no one could access the footage except under special circumstances, Ning Manqing wasn’t at ease.
“Can we have dinner together tonight?”
Li Chu rested her elbows on the table, her chin in her hand, as she looked at Ning Manqing.
Ning Manqing’s expression was apologetic. “There’s a cocktail party I have to attend.”
When she announced her participation in the Ning family's power struggle, she had to face the subsequent influx of people and social gatherings, dedicating the corresponding time and energy.
“I’ll come back as soon as possible. Can we return to the set tomorrow?”
Ning Manqing hooked Li Chu’s little finger, gently swaying it.
“Okay.”
Li Chu understood Ning Manqing’s busy schedule. She had already prepared to return to the set, but since Ning Manqing had said so, she was certainly willing.
They didn’t have much time to meet anyway. Since she had taken the day off, returning to filming might disrupt the director’s rescheduled shooting plan. Going back tomorrow would be just right.
“Then I’ll tell Yuanzi the address later and have her take you there. Are there any restaurants you’d like to try tonight? I’ll have someone make a reservation for you.”
Ning Manqing had quite a few properties at her disposal. To deal with the paparazzi who might be following Li Chu and those keeping an eye on her, she would often change residences, sometimes choosing a place based on its proximity.
“I want to eat the dessert from the place you bought from last time.”
Li Chu’s eyes curved into crescents. Being rich felt great, and having a CEO wife was even better.
Before Ning Manqing left for the cocktail party, Li Chu stayed in Ning Manqing’s office, reading the script and jotting down all the emotions she had just grasped. She turned her back to Ning Manqing, practicing her character’s expressions.
Time passed quickly. Li Chu got into the car and went to the address Ning Manqing had given her. She enjoyed a grand meal and dessert at home, waiting for Ning Manqing’s return.
While eating, Li Chu felt a twinge of guilt, but she reasoned that she would be exercising later that night, so the calories would probably be burned off.
Li Chu consoled herself with this thought and then ate a piece of cake with a clear conscience.
When Ning Manqing returned, she carried the scent of alcohol and perfume. Li Chu helped her take off her coat and watched as those slender, bony fingers undid the buttons of her white shirt. She then placed her hand over Ning Manqing’s.
Ning Manqing was slightly tipsy. She tilted her head, looking at Li Chu’s actions with a puzzled expression in her fox-like eyes.
“I’ll help you.”
Li Chu’s voice was slightly nasal and soft. She tilted her head up, her teeth gently tugging at the soft fabric, undoing the buttons and leaving a damp trail.
Ning Manqing’s breath hitched, and she leaned in, her face touching Li Chu’s, a low chuckle escaping her lips.
Steam rose continuously in the bathroom. Li Chu’s hair was drenched by the cascading water, clinging to her back in strands.
Her hair was much longer than Ning Manqing’s, like tiny black snakes swimming in the water, ambiguously and dangerously clinging to Ning Manqing’s body.
Li Chu didn’t know whether the calories consumed at dinner would evaporate with the sweat, but that wasn’t something she cared about anymore.
Ning Manqing’s slight intoxication had vanished while showering. She was very restrained, leaving no marks on Li Chu.
Li Chu was already dizzy from the gentle movements, falling asleep under the bright moonlight.
Li Chu arrived at the set at nine in the morning and treated the entire crew to milk tea. Director Wang preferred unsweetened cold brew tea, so Li Chu personally delivered it to him.
“Seeing you so cheerful, did you find your groove?” Director Wang accepted the tea with a smile. If Li Chu had arrived looking downcast, he probably would have sighed, lamented, and lost more hair.
Li Chu blinked. “I hope I won’t disappoint you.”
“Let’s see your performance.” Director Wang raised an eyebrow and went to discuss the newly designed storyboard with the cameraman.
Li Chu sat in her chair, waiting for the scene to start, when she heard a series of irritated grumbles.
“Why is this damn weather so hot? I really hate filming in the summer. It’s cold filming in the winter too. Annoying!”
Li Chu was familiar with this voice. After all, since this person joined the cast, such complaints were frequent. These grumbles were always followed by soothing words from her assistant.
“Sister, bear with it. We’re almost done filming. Just two more days.”
As expected, Li Chu shook her head inwardly.
Li Chu had previously known that some people could be two different people on and off screen, but the contrast in Ding Nandie, the actress playing Cen Lan, still surprised her.
Ding Nandie had a gentle and pleasant face, very much in line with Cen Lan’s warm and amiable omega image in the story. Moreover, Ding Nandie’s name also carried a playful and warm feeling. However, she herself had a very irritable, spoiled personality. A frown and a word from her could shatter any good impression and make one’s defenses crumble.
However, her acting was quite good. She got into character quickly, never complained about retakes, but her temper once out of character was somewhat difficult to compliment.
Apart from her character flaws, good acting was the most important thing for an actor. Ding Nandie was just irritable and easily angered; otherwise, there wasn’t much else.
Li Chu had received several glares from her when she stumbled on a few scenes, so even though their characters had an emotional connection in the drama—Rong Yun loved Cen Lan—Li Chu and Ding Nandie’s personal relationship was limited to mere acquaintance.
Seeing Li Chu’s return, she glanced at her, then looked away as if she were air. Li Chu didn’t mind, biting on her milk tea straw and reciting her lines in her mind.
After finding her rhythm, Li Chu smoothly completed her scenes with Ding Nandie. It was Ding Nandie who had to retake several times because she couldn’t keep up with Li Chu’s acting.
“Your acting is quite good.” Before leaving, Ding Nandie suddenly said this to Li Chu.
Li Chu was momentarily stunned by the unexpected compliment, then replied with a smile, “Thank you. Your acting is also very good.”
Ding Nandie only offered this one kind remark before reverting to her previous sullen expression, impatiently going off to reshoot her scenes.
In the evening, Li Chu received an invitation. Ding Nandie was treating everyone to dinner to celebrate finishing her scenes. Director Wang, the screenwriters, and everyone else were going. For Li Chu, as the lead actress, to decline would be disrespectful, so she went as well.
However, at the dinner, Li Chu saw someone she hadn’t met before.
It seemed to be an omega, sitting next to Ding Nandie. Ding Nandie had her arm linked with hers, and they appeared to be quite close.
The omega was also very striking, with willow-leaf eyebrows, an oval face, and a soft-spoken manner. Her demeanor was gentle. When she saw Li Chu enter, she smiled at her.
Li Chu returned the smile and sat next to Director Wang.
“This is the restaurant’s new fruit wine. It has a very low alcohol content and is very suitable for omegas. Please try it, Miss Li.”
The person stood up and placed the jade wine pot in front of Li Chu. Li Chu felt an inexplicable strangeness in her heart, but also felt that her feeling was unfounded. After thanking her, she poured herself a cup, took a sip, and found the taste rich and mellow, sweet and sour at first, then with a lingering sweetness. It was indeed very good.
“It’s delicious. Thank you.”
Ding Nandie, unusually, didn’t scoff as she usually did, but said with a smile, “Of course it’s delicious. This wine is very difficult to reserve. Xixi said that since I’m treating everyone, I should naturally offer the best she has.”
Hearing this reduplicated nickname, Li Chu’s heart skipped a beat.
A feeling known as “woman’s intuition” welled up in her heart, reminding her of certain things.
For example, Mu Qinxi, who had a classical-sounding name in this modern ABO novel, and her masterful tea artistry and perfect wife material reputation.
However, Li Chu wasn’t certain, so she didn’t ask further, but instead became a silent eater at the banquet.
Regardless of whether the girl across from her, who kept observing her, was Mu Qinxi or not, the food at this restaurant was quite delicious. Li Chu didn’t drink much wine, as her alcohol tolerance wasn’t very good.
The dinner ended, and Li Chu bid farewell to everyone and left.
As she walked down the corridor, the sound of high heels clicking behind her reached her ears.
“Miss Li, please wait.”
The person behind her caught up. Li Chu paused.
“I noticed you didn’t drink much of that wine just now. Did it not suit your taste?”
“No, it was quite good. It’s just that I don’t handle alcohol well, and I was afraid I’d get drunk even with the low alcohol content.”
“I’m relieved to hear that.” The person breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled brightly. “Then there’s no problem drinking it at home. I’ll have someone pack a pot for you to take away so you can enjoy it at home.”
“Look at me, I was so happy to meet you that I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Mu Qinxi, the Mu of trees and plants, the Qin of the guqin, and the Xi of morning light. I’m the owner of this restaurant. Here’s my business card. Seeing as you enjoyed your meal, you must be quite satisfied with our food. This is the restaurant’s black gold card. You can get a 50% discount on all future meals here.”
Mu Qinxi winked playfully at Li Chu and handed over two cards. One was a business card, and the other was a card engraved with the restaurant’s name and a card number.
This restaurant was a high-end private dining establishment, with an average cost of over 20,000 yuan per person.
Li Chu thought that Mu Qinxi was truly a master at winning people over. On their first meeting, she gave her a just-right, not-too-excessive gift. If Li Chu hadn’t known beforehand that this was a potential rival in love, she might have developed a favorable impression.
“Thank you, but the card isn’t necessary. After all, this is our first meeting. I’d feel quite embarrassed.”
Li Chu only took the business card, speculating on Mu Qinxi’s intentions.
Mu Qinxi was clearly targeting her. Li Chu could only think of one reason for her actions.
“I was being presumptuous. I’m a big fan of your work. When I learned that Xiao Die was working with you, I shamelessly asked her to host the dinner here, hoping to meet you. Don’t worry, I’m not a sasaeng fan, just a little fangirl who really likes you.”
“Thank you for your support.”
Li Chu wore a polite smile, thinking to herself, do all these people use the same opening line? Ning Yuxi had said the same thing when they first met.
Mu Qinxi looked at Li Chu with expectant eyes and asked, “Can we exchange contact information?”
Li Chu really wanted to say no, but considering that someone like Mu Qinxi, if she didn’t achieve her goal once, might create more opportunities to meet in the future, she agreed.
Mu Qinxi waved. “Looking forward to seeing you again.”
Li Chu smiled and nodded.
If you have designs on my wife, we will definitely meet again.
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