Chapter 39 Thirty-Nine Fire

When Ji Ran’s takeout arrived, everyone gathered around the small table, standing or sitting to start their dinner. Although it was takeout, it was five-star quality, exquisitely prepared and delicious.

Xiao Man ate the food in her bowl while secretly glancing at Ji Ran and Yan Duo who were serving each other food, then looked at Fang Fang and Ma Peng who were being all lovey-dovey together. She felt these two couples were simply amazing.

Fang Fang noticed Xiao Man’s gaze and walked over to her side, asking in a low voice, “Is it true or not what you told Sister Duo about Ma Peng messaging you?”

Hearing this, Xiao Man didn’t dare to look Fang Fang in the eye, “Of course it’s fake, I don’t even have his WeChat.”

When she was indignantly trying to expose Fang Fang’s true colors, Xiao Man, while taking the blame, had felt she was sacrificing herself for others and was particularly noble. But now, being questioned pointedly by the person involved, Xiao Man finally felt a bit embarrassed.

Fang Fang nodded, “Hmm, that’s good then.”

After being seen through by Yan Duo, Fang Fang suspected that Ma Peng confessing to Xiao Man was a deliberate attempt to trick her. Now, although Ma Peng’s name had been cleared, Fang Fang didn’t regret beating him up.

Xiao Man curiously asked Fang Fang, “So, what exactly is your relationship with Ma Peng?”

Fang Fang: “A couple.”

Xiao Man looked somewhat suspicious, “Ma Peng doesn’t seem very smart. How did he manage to win you over?”

Ma Peng usually didn’t talk much, he was very down-to-earth but inflexible. Last time when Ji Ran was stopped at the airport and it trended on social media, although Ji Ran posted on Weibo explaining that he accidentally brought prohibited items, the actual reason was because of that idiot Ma Peng. The crew often discussed behind their backs, not understanding why Ji Ran would keep such a dim-witted person around, as he was simply a drag. Besides, Fang Fang and Ma Peng seemed to be several years apart, and Xiao Man couldn’t think of a reason why someone as sharp as Fang Fang would agree to be with Ma Peng.

Fang Fang sighed, “He’s handsome.”

As neighbors and childhood friends, Fang Fang had long harbored a secret crush on Ma Peng. To get closer to him, she even quit her job to work at Ji Ran’s studio. After finally managing to win him over, their secret office romance was discovered by Ji Ran.

What happened later could only be described as Ji Ran having ulterior motives. He presented them with two options: either both of them leave, or she goes to Yan Duo’s side, and after the task is completed, they would be given a house for their marriage. The two, who had no money but wanted to get married, could only agree to Ji Ran’s terms. Thus, Fang Fang applied at Fan’s Corporation and successfully became an “undercover agent.”

Xiao Man’s mouth twitched after hearing Fang Fang’s reasoning. In her opinion, being handsome couldn’t put food on the table, unless you were as devastatingly handsome as Ji Ran. As for someone like Ma Peng, who wasn’t particularly bright and only moderately good-looking, he really wasn’t a good match. But to each their own, Xiao Man told herself—perhaps Ma Peng had some redeeming qualities that only Fang Fang could see.

After the meal, Zeng Meng quietly warned Yan Duo, “I’m telling you, if you don’t tell me the whole story, I’m going to stop being friends with you, you know!”

Stating so openly her desire for gossip, Zeng Meng didn’t feel there was anything wrong with it.

Yan Duo glanced at her, “You were eating so happily just now, and even burped. Are you sure you really want to cut ties with me?”

Zeng Meng, who would forget her own name whenever she encountered good food, didn’t seem to truly care about Yan Duo’s well-intentioned deception. She was probably just full and wanted to hear a story when she said this.

Zeng Meng raised her eyebrows, “Don’t think you can get rid of me with just one meal!”

Yan Duo: “Then two meals?”

After speaking, both of them laughed.

Yan Duo held Zeng Meng’s arm as they walked toward the film set, saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll tell you what happened when I have time, but you have to promise me not to leak it out before we make it official. Xiaoman, you help me keep it secret too. bjkj66.com”

Zeng Meng nodded. Before the official announcement, Yan Duo could have kept it from her, but she didn’t and instead confessed to her earnestly, which proved that she cared about her. Zeng Meng could roughly guess why Yan Duo didn’t want to go public, and without much hesitation, she agreed.

Each lost in their own thoughts, after a while, Zeng Meng suddenly slapped her thigh and exclaimed, “Damn, the ones who used four condoms in the presidential suite back then were actually Teacher Ji and you!”

Back when they were on the set of “Bathing in Fire Rose,” Zeng Meng had heard the cleaning lady say there were four used condoms in Ji Ran’s room. At that time, she suspected that Ji Ran had called a prostitute, but now she understood. Ji Ran deliberately booked that hotel not to call a prostitute, but to find an opportunity to date Yan Duo and openly sleep with his wife. Such painstaking effort!

Yan Duo coughed lightly, “Even if you see through it, you don’t have to say it!”

Zeng Meng ignored her, asking with a sly grin, “By the way, how many times a night do you and Teacher Ji do it? And how long does each time last?”

Yan Duo covered her ears with her hands, shaking her head while walking quickly forward, “I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you, I can’t hear anything…”

And just like that, she ran off.

Zeng Meng looked at her back, thinking to herself that her condition seemed extremely good today. It seemed she hadn’t won 50 million, but had truly absorbed some vital energy, and quite a satisfying amount at that, tsk tsk.

In the evening, the filming continued.

After Sun Yizhou followed Wen Jun back to her home, the sky outside suddenly turned completely dark. With lightning and thunder, a torrential downpour began. The two sat in the master chairs in the hall, and their conversation slowly turned to the person Wen Jun liked.

“The first time I saw him, he was wearing a white long robe, sitting right where you are, talking with father. The sunlight shone on him, and I could almost see the fine hairs on his face…”

This was a simple yet tragic story. The heroine was a young lady from a wealthy family, while the hero was a poor scholar who had to temporarily work as a tutor for the rich family to save money for the imperial examination in the capital. Over six months, the lady and the scholar gradually fell in love. The scholar promised to marry her after passing the imperial examination, but the lady said she would marry him even if he failed. The scholar agreed. On the day he left, the lady gave him all her personal savings, hoping only that he would not forget her. But the scholar never returned. While the lady was heartbroken and grieving, her family forced her to marry someone else. After refusing to the death, she caught a cold and passed away.

As Sun Yizhou listened to the story, he felt that the era in which it took place was very strange. He wanted to ask Wen Jun for clarification after he finished telling the story, but before the story was complete, he unknowingly fell asleep. In his dream, he relived Wen Jun’s story, becoming the scholar Sun Xiuwen, sitting in his current position, watching Wen Jun walk down the stairs, as bright as jade, with a graceful posture like a goddess from the heavens.

***

After the night scene was finished, Yan Duo took off her makeup and openly took Fang Fang to find Ji Ran. In front of everyone, she asked Ji Ran, “Mr. Ji, it’s too late today. Could I catch a ride back with you?”

Yan Duo had always understood that some things were better said openly than kept hidden, though of course, officially announcing a marriage was an exception.

Zeng Meng left early, so Yan Duo couldn’t possibly wait for the crew’s shuttle bus. Therefore, it seemed normal for her to leave with Ji Ran. Additionally, Ji Ran had treated the director and main cast to dinner that evening. After the two became more familiar with each other, they arranged to go back together, which wasn’t an issue. No one present found it strange. After hearing Yan Duo’s words, they each went back to their own tasks without thinking much of it.

Ji Ran saw Yan Dian secretly winking at him, so he went along with her and replied, “Alright.”

After Ji Ran finished removing his makeup, he took Yan Duo with him to the parking lot. Fang Fang and Ma Peng followed behind. Finally, Ma Peng drove with Fang Fang in the passenger seat, leaving the back seat for the clingy pair.

After the car started, Yan Duo held Ji Ran’s arm and leaned on his shoulder, sighing, “Wow, going back to the hotel openly with you feels so great!”

She enjoyed watching the girls on the film crew look at her with jealousy and admiration, yet without pointing or making comments, which gave her a great sense of accomplishment.

Ji Ran turned to look into Yan Duo’s eyes. The happiness in those eyes was completely genuine. Only then did Ji Ran understand that she didn’t dislike going public, she just had too many concerns. He smiled and gently patted Yan Duo’s head, saying nothing.

Two days later, Yan Dora took leave to go to S City for a cover shoot. On the evening of the day she finished her work, Fan Xian, who was in S City on a business trip, was waiting at the magazine’s entrance.

“Senior Fan.” Yan Dōu greeted Fan Xian with a smile.

Fan Xian still had the same gentle, jade-like smile as when they first met. “Tired, aren’t you? Let me take you to dinner.”

Yan Duo nodded with a smile, preparing to follow Fan Xian for dinner with Fang Fang.

Fan Xian took out two hundred yuan and said to Fang Fang, “Can you go eat alone? I have something I need to talk to Duoduo about.”

Fang Fang didn’t dare to take the money, just looked at Yan Duo with surprised and questioning eyes, waiting for her to make the decision
This situation was clearly not right. The “something” Fan Xian mentioned didn’t seem like a small matter, and Fang Fang didn’t dare to leave casually.

If Fang Fang could think of it, how could Yan Duo not? But she didn’t mind, saying to Fang Fang, “You go back to the hotel first, I’ll be back shortly.”

“Okay, then I’ll buy your favorite blueberry milk tea and wait for you at the hotel entrance at nine!” Fang Fang responded.

Yan Duo smiled, “Hmm.”

Fang Fang saw her agree, didn’t take Fan Xian’s money, but instead took the duck necks and goose wings from his other hand and walked away.

Fan Xian glanced at Fang Fang’s back, smiled and said to Yan Duo: “This assistant was indeed the right choice for you.”

In the eyes of ordinary people, Fang Fang was Yan Duo’s assistant, and even more so an employee of the Fan Corporation, so she should have followed his arrangements. But in Fan Xian’s eyes, since Fang Fang could be so vigilant with him, she must be even more so with others. For this reason, he was genuinely pleased.

Yan Duo could sense the sincerity in Fan Xian’s words and took the opportunity to compliment him, “Your judgment has always been good, senior.”

Fan Xian gave Yan Duo a meaningful glance, “I think so too.”

Yan Duo smiled but didn’t respond.

After they arrived at the hotel and sat down, Fan Xian didn’t even look at the menu, directly ordering four dishes.

When the dishes were served, Fan Xian asked, “Do you remember these four dishes?”

Yan Duo lowered her head without saying anything.

Fan Xian answered to himself, “These four dishes were the ones we ordered the first time we had a meal together.”

Yan Duo replied dryly, “I’m surprised you still remember.”

Fan Xian looked at her seriously, “It’s not just the dishes from our first time that I remember. I also remember the clothes you were wearing when I first met you, the first words you said to me, and the way you refused when I first asked for your WeChat.”

Yan Duo sighed inwardly, understanding that this day had finally come.

“I’ve liked you for four years, ever since the first moment I saw you.”

At this point, Fan Xian gave a self-deprecating smile. “I was too cowardly, always afraid of being rejected by you, so I never dared to confess my feelings. Of course, saying this now doesn’t mean I’m not afraid anymore. It’s just that I’m more afraid of you meeting someone better, leaving me without even the chance to confess.”

Fan Xian had never regretted using all his resources to make Yan Duo famous, but as she gradually found her footing and showed signs of becoming a huge star, he began to worry that when she met a more outstanding man, she wouldn’t even spare him a glance.

Of course, the other reason Fan Xian didn’t mention was his family urging him to get married. He had originally planned to spend another five years winning her heart, but his mother suddenly fell seriously ill and wished to see him married before she passed away—a request he couldn’t refuse.

Yan Duo felt somewhat distressed. Over the years, she had vaguely sensed Fan Xian’s feelings, but since he never said anything, she played dumb and pretended not to know. At the same time, she would remind herself to keep her distance and maintain an ordinary friendship. Now that things had come to this point, Yan Duo felt that even if they might no longer be able to be friends, she had to make him give up the idea.

“Senior, I’m sorry, there’s something I haven’t been honest with you about,” Yan Duo paused, then continued, “Actually, I got married more than half a year ago.”

For a long time, Yan Dang kept her head down, not daring to look at Fan Xian’s eyes, while Fan Xian seemed to be stunned, remaining silent for a long while.

After ten minutes of frozen time, he asked softly, “Can you tell me who it is?”

“Ji Ran.”

After Fan Xian left, Yan Duan wandered aimlessly through the unfamiliar city for half an hour with her bag. Finally, she walked onto a stone arch bridge and stared blankly at the moon in the sky.

Fan Xian’s lonely figure as he left made her sad, but there was also a sense of relief from finally telling the truth after hiding it for so long. Thinking of another person she cared about but still hadn’t told the truth, Yan Duo, with the mentality of “if I’m going down, I might as well go down harder,” dialed Qi Sixian’s phone number.

“Well, well, is my precious baby clairvoyant or all-hearing? Did you know I just signed her as the female lead in a movie and got her an endorsement? Are you here to thank me?”

Listening to her voice, Yan Dou couldn’t help but want to cry. Fan Xian and Qi Sixian had been truly good to her—so good that she felt guilty for lying to them.

“Sis, I need to tell you something.”

Qi Sixian detected the thick nasal tone in Yan Duo’s voice and immediately wiped the playful expression off his face. “What’s wrong with you? Did someone bully you?”

Yan Duo shook her head vigorously, “No, I wanted to tell you that what I said last time about marrying Ji Ran is true.”

Qi Sixian’s first question after a few seconds of reaction was: “Does Boss Fan know?”

Qi Sixian knew that Fan Xian was coming to S City, and she also guessed that Fan Xian would come looking for Yan Duo, but she just couldn’t be sure whether Fan Xian knew about it.

Yan Duo looked at the sky and replied, “An hour ago, I found out.”

Qi Sixian was a bit anxious as she prepared to hang up the phone, saying before she did: “Alright, I got it. Wait for me tonight. I’ll go feel out the boss and contact you later. But don’t worry, whether you get shelved or continue to be promoted, your Sister Qi will still do her best to help you.”

Hung up right after speaking.

Yan Duo looked at the contact list feeling a pang of emotion in her heart. To have an agent who always considered her in everything, she was truly fortunate.

Approaching nine o’clock, Yan Duo slowly walked toward the hotel. When she clearly saw the tall, jade-like man at the hotel entrance, she quickly ran over and clung to him, saying coquettishly, “Because of you, I lost the whole world, so you must treat me even better in the future.”

Ji Ran held her tightly, “Okay.”

Although I hope to be your entire world in the future, I know even more how much you care about this world, so I will help you find the whole world back. This way, you will still have the whole world, and you will still be my entire world.