The next morning, Ji Nian went to the film crew at the crack of dawn, rehearsing the script with Shen Shuyao in a daze, her eyes drowsy and yawning repeatedly.
"Were you up to no good last night?" He Yi brought over a glass of iced water.
Ji Nian took it, rubbing her eyes with an absent look, "I just moved, so I couldn't sleep well in the unfamiliar place."
Shen Shuyao looked at her with concern, "Why don't you ask the director for the day off and go back to rest?"
"That's not necessary, I don't have many scenes today anyway, and I need to rehearse in the afternoon for the concert next week," Ji Nian shook her head.
Upon hearing about the concert, Shen Shuyao's eyes lit up, whispering, "I couldn't get tickets online, Ji Nian, can you get me one?"
Ji Nian was stunned, she seemed to have forgotten to get the autographed photo for the lead actress. Yu Luobai probably still had some tickets, she should ask him in the afternoon.
"I'll ask your idol this afternoon to see if there are any tickets left, and I'll bring you the autographed photo too," Ji Nian smiled.
"Love you~" Shen Shuyao's eyes twinkled, "Ji Nian, I'm so looking forward to seeing you on stage."
"But I'll be performing with Yu Luobai, aren't you jealous?" Ji Nian joked.
"What's there to be jealous about, it's not like we're rivals," Shen Shuyao laughed, then froze, asking carefully, "Or... are we rivals?"
Ji Nian shook her head vigorously, almost spitting out the iced water she'd just drunk, "What are you thinking? Master Yu isn't someone I can casually covet."
"Ji Nian is a good person, but..." Shen Shuyao blinked her big eyes, looking conflicted, then resolute, "If you two really... then I'll accept it..."
Ji Nian was exasperated, tapping her forehead, "You're talking nonsense again."
"Sis, you better not set your sights on that superstar, his fans will burn you alive, I'm telling you," He Yi thought about her previous relationship with Cheng Liran and how they were bashed until now, "You and him are working together, but it hasn't been announced yet. You're going to be a surprise guest, but Yu Luobai's massive fan base might not accept you."
"Will I get hate?" Ji Nian was stunned.
He Yi said impatiently, "Of course you'll get hate. You're popular now, but you don't have any major works yet. Plus, everyone thinks you have no real talent, so once you collaborate with Yu Luobai, people will just think you're aiming too high."
"It doesn't matter if I get hate or not, I'll still get paid for the performance," Ji Nian thought about it – earning money was the most important thing.
Online opinions didn't affect her much, she had a good mindset, mainly because she had transmigrated into this novel, so she always felt like an outside observer without much personal involvement.
"But getting hate is still publicity. Collaborating with Yu Luobai, whether his fans accept you or not, your popularity will only rise, and then a lot of companies will want to work with you," He Yi had been in this industry for a while and understood these things.
"That's not important, as long as I can be stuck to Shuyao every day," Ji Nian playfully winked at the lead actress.
Shen Shuyao blushed and smiled, "I want to work with you every day too."
He Yi watched the two lovebirds being affectionate and turned away feeling dejected. She used to worry that they might fight over resources, but it seemed she was overthinking it.
After finishing the morning's scenes, Ji Nian went to rehearse at the company as usual in the afternoon. But as soon as she got into the elevator, she froze, then lowered her head and quietly walked into the corner.
Pei Yuchen looked at the woman ignoring him and slightly raised an eyebrow.
He was wearing a dark suit, glasses with a golden frame, and looked scholarly and elegant, making people look at him twice.
Ji Nian was wearing a black mask, curled up in the elevator corner, silently praying he would pretend not to see her.
Pei Yuchen noticed the woman in the loose T-shirt and jeans, looking more and more familiar. A glimpse of her lively eyes caught his attention, and he was mildly surprised – it must be her.
"Miss Ji is pretending not to know me?" Pei Yuchen turned and smiled as he asked.
There was a high-level executive in the elevator who was startled – the new shareholder was talking to a small-time artist?
Social death on the spot, Ji Nian was speechless. She then pretended to look surprised, "Oh, it's Doctor Pei! What a coincidence, I didn't notice you just now."
Pei Yuchen laughed at her poor acting skills, "What a coincidence indeed."
"What brings Doctor Pei here?" Ji Nian asked in confusion.
"Doctor Pei?" The executive beside them looked puzzled – wasn't he their leader? How did he become a doctor?
"I'm here to see how the company is managed since I'm a shareholder," Pei Yuchen raised his eyebrows and smiled.
"A shareholder?" Ji Nian was dumbfounded. Oh no, she had forgotten – in the original novel, this villain was indeed a shareholder and had interacted with the lead actress at the company a few times, developing an obsession with her...
"I'll be here for a while," Pei Yuchen smiled.
Ji Nian forced a dry laugh, feeling uneasy. She lived next door to him and now they worked at the same company too? Was the heavens playing a joke on her?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Why didn't he just inherit his own family's company instead of causing trouble here?
At that moment, the elevator dinged and the doors slowly opened. The executive spoke up, "President Pei, this is our floor."
Pei Yuchen nodded, glancing at the woman before walking out of the elevator.
Ji Nian smiled awkwardly and waved goodbye.
When she arrived at the rehearsal room, she saw that the dance studio was empty except for a man wiping the sweat off his forehead with a white towel.
His muscular arms, sturdy physique – Ji Nian's eyes were glued to him, her foul mood instantly cured as she silently marveled at his impressive body.
"You're a bit late today, I've already finished practicing," Yu Luobai grabbed a water bottle and handed one to her.
Ji Nian took the water, eyes drawn to the beads of sweat trailing from his neck down to his exposed collarbone. She couldn't help but admire how alluring he looked.
"Ji Xiao Nian?" Yu Luobai flicked her forehead, "What's with that dazed look?"
Feeling the sting on her forehead, Ji Nian snapped out of it and smiled sheepishly, "Just stunned by Master Yu's beauty once again today."
Yu Luobai shook his head helplessly, the corners of his mouth curling up, "You have a glib tongue."
"Hehe," Ji Nian's eyes crinkled with amusement, then she suddenly remembered her real purpose today.
"Master Yu, could you give me some of your autographed photos? And a ticket to your concert if possible? Just one is fine~"
"Peng He still has a few VIP tickets left," Yu Luobai raised an eyebrow and smiled, "But the autographed photo? You want one?"
Ji Nian's eyes lit up at the mention of tickets, smiling, "Shuyao is your little fangirl and couldn't get tickets online, so I'm asking on her behalf. The autographed photo is for her too."
Yu Luobai paused, only then recalling that the woman in front of him was the best friend of the popular young actress Shen Shuyao. He said helplessly, "Alright, I'll give them to you later."
"Yay, love you Master Yu~" Ji Nian playfully made a heart shape with her hands.
Yu Luobai suddenly felt his heart skip a beat, stunned as the sunlight from the window illuminated the woman's exquisite face.
Her bright eyes sparkled with a lively smile. At that moment, it felt like a small crack had quietly opened in his heart.
