**26**

Ning Zhi no longer wanted to talk about Shen Yizhi.

She turned over and lay on her stomach. On the bedside table were the two trophies she had received today. The value of awards at such grand ceremonies lies in the award itself, which adds honor to the artist, while the trophies themselves are often worthless.

These two trophies, made of some unknown material, felt light in her hands, but their design was very exquisite and beautiful, making them quite suitable as decorative pieces.

But since 0929 took the initiative to ask, it wouldn’t hurt for her to say a bit more.

Ning Zhi thought this to herself, deleted the half-written message in the input box, and instead pondered 0929’s question.

Does she have no strengths at all?

Of course Shen Yizhi has strengths; she has so many that they can’t be counted.

The only flaw that can’t really be called a flaw is not liking her.

Ning Zhi typed word by word: “She has many virtues, but she is still very annoying.”

After she finished typing, she felt her arm ache a little and turned over to lie on her back.

After a while, 0929 asked again, “If you dislike her, why do you pay so much attention to her?”

A short sentence appeared on the screen, and Ning Zhi’s eyes widened. She suddenly sat up as if her tail had been stepped on.

The mysterious netizen usually just listened to her complaints and occasionally agreed with a few words, which made Ning Zhi feel comfortable. But what was going on tonight? She was actively asking questions one after another.

Ning Zhi felt a bit guilty, as if she had been seen through, and also a little embarrassed. After all, she was the one who often dragged people along to badmouth a certain colleague. If it were discovered that she actually liked that person, it would be too humiliating.

She took a deep breath and typed: “Because we’ve been working closely together recently and see her all the time, once the collaboration ends, I won’t mention her anymore.”

This was the truth. Once the film wrapped and she no longer saw Shen Yizhi frequently, naturally she wouldn’t keep talking about her.

Thinking this way, Ning Zhi felt a bit melancholy. She counted the days left on her fingers and realized that a third of the time had already passed.

Time really flies.

But thinking about the promotional period, they would definitely do the promotions together. Ning Zhi felt like he had gained something again.

She was lost in her own thoughts, not noticing that the mysterious online friend hadn’t replied for quite a while. It wasn’t until before bed that two words appeared on the screen: Good night.

Ning Zhi didn’t pay it much mind and replied with the same words.

Originally, she thought leaving the set was good, giving her a chance to sort out her feelings. But whenever she thought about the days with Shen Yizhi, which were becoming fewer and fewer, Ning Zhi grew anxious to return.

Of all times, Jiang Peng had to cause trouble now by arranging an exclusive interview for her.

“Since we’re already here, we have to make full use of the time.” Jiang Peng acted like a relentless taskmaster, wishing Ning Zhi could work twenty-four hours a day.

After finishing the exclusive interview, Ning Zhi even used the time on the way to the airport to shoot a video, only allowing herself to rest once she was on the plane.

Ning Zhi couldn’t rest peacefully; she didn’t sleep during the three-hour flight to Pingcheng. As soon as the plane landed, she went straight to the set.

She checked the shooting schedule and saw that a night scene was planned for tonight.

By the time he arrived at the set, it was completely dark.

The old building used for filming was lit up, standing out distinctly in the night.

Ning Zhi quickly ran upstairs, only easing his movements outside the filming area before peering inside.

Inside, filming was underway, with the supporting actors performing their scenes. Ning Zhi first looked beside Mei Lan, then scanned the crowd, but saw no sign of Shen Yizhi.

The entire set was very quiet, with only the voices of the supporting actors reciting their lines.

Where had Shen Yizhi gone?

Ning Zhi’s urgency in rushing over, her eagerness to see her, all seemed to have frozen.

After the supporting roles finished their scene, Meilan was clearly dissatisfied. She walked up to the front and went over some details with them. When she looked up after speaking, she saw Ning Zhi.

She exclaimed in surprise, “Ning Zhi, what are you doing here?”

Ning Zhi opened his mouth, wanting to ask where Shen Yizhi was, but then felt it was inappropriate.

Unexpectedly, Meilan smiled and said, “There are no scenes for Shen Yizhi tonight; she’s not here.”

How did she know everything? Ning Zhi smiled awkwardly.

Mei Lan waved her hand, signaling her to leave quickly.

Ning Zhi then walked out alone, just as she had when she came.

When there were no scenes with Shen Yizhi, she was usually on set, either watching from the side or discussing things with Meilan. So why was she not here tonight?

It seems I won’t see her tonight.

Ning Zhi felt empty inside.

Walking to the steps by the roadside, she recalled that it was here last time she asked Shen Yizhi if, had she not given up back then, there was a chance he could have accepted her.

Shen Yizhi gave her an ambiguous answer.

She was unwilling to accept it and wanted to find answers from the movie, even foolishly hoping that Shen Yizhi would get involved in the story.

Just two days without seeing her, and he missed her so much.

People really do get spoiled. In the past, when they didn’t see each other for six years, whenever he missed her badly, he would search for news about her online and look at her photos, which gave him great comfort.

But now, online news and photos no longer satisfy him; he has to see her in person.

Ning Zhi suddenly lost all interest.

She returned to the hotel, took a shower, and prepared to sleep, but tossed and turned for a long time without falling asleep.

Ning Zhi sat up, feeling it was still because she hadn’t seen Shen Yizhi.

She wasn’t sure if it was the restlessness from not being able to sleep or just a strong desire to see her; if she couldn’t see her, at least hearing her voice would be good.

She was bolder than ever before, took out her phone, and called Shen Yizhi.

As soon as the number was dialed, Ning Zhi regretted it.

What should she say? She couldn’t just say, “I miss you very much.”

Otherwise, if it hangs up now, just say you dialed the wrong number.

Ning Zhi hesitated so cautiously, but Shen Yizhi didn’t give her a chance to hesitate any longer; in less than two seconds, the call was connected.

The air in the room seemed to be suddenly sucked out, and Ning Zhi held her breath sharply.

“Ning Ning.” Shen Yizhi’s voice sounded on the other end,

Ning Zhi suddenly forgot to think twice; her mind went blank, and she instinctively responded, “Mm.”

One of her hands gripped the blanket, the quilt cover wrinkled by her fingers. She bit her lower lip, listening to the breathing on the other end, recalling the scene from the day before yesterday. After Director Mei said “cut,” Shen Yizhi didn’t get out of the car immediately. She sat in the back seat, her palm pressed against Ning Zhi’s back, silently sharing that moment where the boundaries between the scene and reality blurred.

Ning Zhi hesitated for a long time before speaking, as if she had made this call just to hear Shen Yizhi’s breathing.

She felt awkward, comforted, and afraid that Shen Yizhi would ask her what was wrong.

Fortunately, Shen Yizhi took the initiative to start a topic: “I saw the news about your award, congratulations.”

It’s nothing prestigious,” Ning Zhi couldn’t feel confident at all in front of her, so she changed the subject, “Are you at the hotel?

Mm.

Ning Zhi recalled the room numbers of their two rooms and calculated the distance between them.

Very close.

She couldn’t help but feel a bit happy, but her voice remained steady: “Are you going to sleep?”

Shen Yizhi said, “Soon.”

“Oh.” Ning Zhi felt her own paleness and weakness. Suddenly, she remembered that she had been to the set that night. If Director Mei told Shen Yizhi that she had gone to the set looking for her, it would seem very strange.

She took the initiative to say, “I just went to the set a moment ago.”

She paused, wanting to hear Shen Yizhi’s reaction, but Shen Yizhi said nothing.

Ning Zhi had no choice but to continue speaking herself. She quickly found an excuse: “I was worried that after being away for two days, I wouldn’t be able to get into the groove, so I went to the set to get a feel for it. You weren’t there.”

Shen Yizhi didn’t ask why she wasn’t there tonight, but instead asked, “Did you get the feel you were looking for?”

Upon hearing this, Ning Zhi instinctively closed her eyes and mentally simulated being in character. She thought that a two-day break would dull her feelings, but as soon as she closed her eyes, she quickly immersed herself in the role, flowing so smoothly that she could start filming immediately.

“Found it,” she replied.

This time Shen Yizhi fell silent. After a long while, until Ning Zhi started to feel uneasy, she said, “Go to bed early.”

After hanging up the phone, Ning Zhi lay back on the **.

For some reason, she felt that Shen Yizhi seemed suddenly tired.