Every night, Song JinXing would update Zhong Ruanxing on his filming progress from thousands of miles away. For an actress who loved acting but couldn't take on any roles, this was pure torture. After all, in previous interviews, Zhong Ruanxing had said that playing a killer was her number one dream role!
Now she had finally gotten a killer role, but it wasn't one she could act in herself. How unfortunate.
"You've been filming for over a month now. How come Xie Yunwei still hasn't joined the cast?"
Song JinXing also found it odd. "She hasn't. I heard from Yu Liang that her crew has already wrapped up filming, but I don't know why she still hasn't come over."
But it was none of their concern. What they needed to focus on was the director. Zhong Ruanxing brought up another matter, "Granny Song called and said there's going to be a banquet in a few days. It sounded like an upper-class matchmaking event to me, and she wants you to attend."
Song JinXing was unfazed by this. "Just tell her I'm too busy with work and can't make it."
Zhong Ruanxing: "Granny said all the famous young ladies in Jing City will be there."
Song JinXing paused for a moment, set down the script, and brought the phone on speaker closer to his ear. His puzzled voice suddenly became clearer, "Did you forget I already have a girlfriend?"
What girlfriend! Isn't she just a contractual partner in another sense!
Zhong Ruanxing silently scorned her own pathetic heartbeat and feigned composure: "I was afraid it would interfere with your future marriage prospects."
Song JinXing leisurely replied, "Don't worry, it won't."
Zhong Ruanxing felt there was more to his words, and that aggravating feeling of a racing heart came again. She blurted out "forget it, I won't go" and hung up the phone.
These matchmaking events between elite families were nothing new. Though they still adhered to the tradition of door-to-door martial alliances, after all, it was modern times now, and young people were given ample freedom to choose. But the options were limited - if they could find a suitable match within that circle, nothing could be better.
Song JinXing had always avoided these kinds of occasions, so he remained quite the mystery among the daughters of elite families. To this day, very few knew what he looked like.
Since he wasn't going, Granny Song wasn't surprised. She just brought along her eldest granddaughter Song Jiawei and third granddaughter Song Shuling.
Aside from the ladies, the young masters would of course also attend. If she couldn't pick out a daughter-in-law, she could at least find some outstanding youths for her granddaughters!
Song Shuling used to love going to these banquets. It was only on these occasions, following Granny Song, that her identity as a daughter of the Song family would truly emerge, and the gazes upon her would finally satisfy her vanity.
But now, Song Shuling suddenly didn't like going to these events anymore. If not for Granny Song's repeated requests and her sending over a gown to Song Shuling's home, she would have preferred wearing her doll clothes to work.
She had no choice. She was an obedient child, so she would just have to humor the old lady.
When she came downstairs in her gown, the family driver had already parked outside. Upon getting into the car, Song Shuling saw Song Jiawei, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
Ever since getting close to Song JinXing, Song Shuling had subconsciously distanced herself from this cousin she was once so intimate with. Regardless of whether she had truly cared for her in the past, just her hostility towards Song JinXing was enough for Song Shuling to avoid her.
She didn't contact Song Jiawei, so of course Song Jiawei wouldn't actively reach out to the insignificant little follower she looked down on.
Seeing her now, Song Jiawei was suddenly struck by how much Song Shuling had changed.
She was no longer the timid, acquiescent girl she once was. Her gaze was much brighter and more confident. With a change in temperament, her looks, once diminished by her aura, now shone through.
The third branch of the family had always been the most remarkable in terms of looks. It was just that the past Song Shuling had always been so timid and shrinking, paling next to Song Jiawei. Now she had gained confidence, and her beautiful features blossomed like flowers in bloom.
Now, she finally matched her identity as a daughter of the Song family.
Despite her misgivings, Song Shuling obediently greeted her, "Sis Jiawei."
But Song Jiawei just stared at her fixedly. Her gaze made Song Shuling uncomfortable.
Granny Song chided, "Jiawei, Shuling is greeting you."
This time, Song Jiawei forced a smile. "Long time no see, Shuling. It's been months since we last contacted each other, right?"
Song Shuling said, "I've been busy with work."
Song Jiawei was even more surprised. This homebody who'd always loved eating and lazing around was actually going to work? She couldn't help but be curious, "Where are you working? What do you do?"
Song Shuling instinctively didn't want to tell her, so she just kept silent.
Song Jiawei's expression changed. She thought to herself, could it be that she got into the company to be a little princess thanks to her brother? That damn Song JinXing, when she wanted to get into the company he created all sorts of obstacles, saying she didn't meet the criteria for promotion. And now he actually got his own sister into the company!
Song Jiawei was so angry her face started twitching. But with Granny Song in the car, knowing how much the old woman favored the third branch, she still swallowed her anger and said nothing.
It was Granny Song who spoke, "Shuling found the job herself. She works very hard."
Song Jiawei obediently agreed on the surface, but scoffed inwardly.
When they arrived, there were already quite a few people at the banquet hall. As soon as Granny Song appeared with her two granddaughters, they became the center of attention. The Song family's standing in Jing City was so eminent, they were expected to decline after the third generation. But in recent years their business had expanded more and more, and now in the hands of the grandchildren, they had reached even greater heights, arousing much envy.
There were no shortage of people who wanted to make ties with the Song family. But of the three Song grandchildren, the eldest Song Jiaci was already married with kids, the second Song Lecheng had such a terrible reputation in elite circles that no one wanted to marry him, and the most precious third Song JinXing was mysteriously low-key. Just getting a glimpse of him was harder than ascending to heaven.
The young ladies were so disappointed.
But Granny Song was not disappointed. If the Bai family's daughter didn't like Song JinXing, she would just have to pick again! With so many eligible young ladies present, there must be one he would like!
After greeting several young masters from elite families, Song Shuling turned and saw Granny Song happily chatting with a girl around her age, asking about her this and that. Sensing something amiss, she hurried over.
Sure enough, Granny Song was already inquiring about the girl's age and interests.
Song Shuling quietly tugged at Granny Song's sleeve. Sensing her granddaughter had something to say, Granny Song finished her conversation and walked to the side, "What is it?"
Song Shuling nervously mustered her courage, "Granny, my brother already has a girlfriend, you don't need to introduce more girls to him."
"What?" Granny Song exclaimed in surprise, "JinXing is dating? When did this happen? Which family's daughter is she?"
Song Shuling didn't know why her brother hadn't informed Granny Song about this. She thought, could it be because of her sister-in-law's profession? She was also a little worried Grandpa and Granny would not accept her sister-in-law for being a celebrity, given their emphasis on matching status.
Since her brother hadn't brought it up, she didn't want to overstep, so she could only hesitate, "I don't know the specifics either, but my brother is definitely in a relationship. I've met my sister-in-law, she's a really good person, really beautiful, my brother really likes her."
She used "really" three times, hoping to garner some impression points for her sister-in-law in Granny Song's mind.
Granny Song naturally understood her intent and responded with exasperated laughter, "This boy, dating a girl and not even telling Granny. Making me fret over nothing. Forget it, let the young ones handle their own relationships. This old woman shouldn't meddle."
Song Shuling breathed a sigh of relief and agreed profusely.
