“Haven’t seen you in a long time, don’t you miss me?”
Jiang Chen could very well imagine her watery eyes looking at him filled with fervor.
“Uh, very much.” Jiang Chen took a peek at Xia Shiyu.
Xia Shiyu had already taken off her eyes from his phone, but her action looked unnatural no matter how you looked at it.
“So cold.” Liu Yao instantly sensed that Jiang Chen was distracted and stuck her tongue out.
“I’m driving… How have you been?” While holding onto the wheel, Jiang Chen changed the topic.
“I’ve been filming and have been busy since this morning, so I ate lunch and dinner at the same time. I’m exhausted.” Although she was complaining, Jiang Chen could hear genuine happiness from her voice.
She really loved acting.
If she just liked money, with the allowance Jiang Chen was giving her, she could just do absolutely nothing and enjoy life.
He could faintly hear the other casts in the background, so she must have called despite her extremely busy schedule.
“Have you not eaten yet?”
“I am not eating. Woo, the food here tastes so bad, so I want you to treat me to a meal,” Liu Yao said shyly.
“We can talk about it once you’re no longer busy.”
“Okay. Also, when are we going to go on a vacation? I’m looking forward to it,” Liu Yao responded enthusiastically.
“We’ll go this month, but would you be able to leave at this time?” Hearing the delighted voice, Jiang Chen couldn’t stop smiling.
“Haha, don’t you remember that you’re one of the investors? The director would have to listen to you. Postponing my shooting and filming it later would simply be up to you,” she said in an adorable voice.
Jiang Chen pondered on it and realized that it was indeed the case.
The producer did not necessarily choose Liu Yao because of her ability, and it might as well be said that it was due to Jiang Chen’s ability. But Jiang Chen didn’t mind. Having too much money, he immediately invested 100 million RMB to become the biggest investor in <Ma Dongmei’s Trouble> film.
Other than those blockbuster film directors, the investor was the bane of existence for any film directors. If they accidentally got off on the wrong foot, the investors could just withdraw their investment, and the directors would end up crying over their script. Where would you find an investor who would be willing to invest 100 million without putting up any demand?
Ad such, Liu Yao had landed the role of a supporting actress.
At the same time, all mobile boot interface was replaced by Future 1.0’s opening animation.
“That’s true.” Once realization dawned on him, Jiang Chen chuckled.
“What are you doing now?”
“Taking someone to dinner.”
“Someone beautiful?” Liu Yao pouted.
“Yes,” Jiang Chen answered honestly.
“As pretty as me?” Liu Yao elegantly ate her meal, her eyes becoming cunning.
“Both of you are unique,” Jiang Chen’s answer was ambiguous.
“Woo, I don’t feel satisfied with that answer. What kind of girl is she?”
[She’s beside me, how am I supposed to answer that?]
Jiang Chen took a peek at Xia Shiyu while he responded cleverly and creatively.
“Similar…to the section head in your last movie.”
“Oh! Her, the ice beauty that’s warm on the inside? I can do it too,” Liu Yao paused and put her phone closer to her mouth, covered it with her hand, and lowered her voice, her voice becoming cold and strict. “Jiang Chen, why didn’t you finish your math homework? What? You didn’t write it? That’s not okay, come to my office, I will watch you finish it. Your unfinished homework. Give. It, All. To. Your. Teacher.”
Jiang Chen could very well fantasize how the vibrant crimson lips enunciated the last syllables.
[Fu*k, this little devil.]
Jiang Chen had almost stepped on the gas by accident.
“Fu*k.”
“Coming! Ah, break time is over, I’m going to hang up. Mwah.”
As soon as she hung up the phone, Jiang Chen let out a breath and removed the Bluetooth headset.
“…were you really just concerned about Liu Yao?” Xia Shiyu asked dubiously.
“Well, I just happened to get her phone number.”
[Why do I have to lie…] Jiang Chen berated himself in his mind.
Xia Shiyu didn’t seem to want to continue with this topic any longer as she didn’t ask more question. Instead, she turned her head away, averting her gaze.
Jiang Chen felt relieved and held onto the steering while focusing on the road ahead of him.
The atmosphere felt odd.
[Is she…being jealous?]
A weird expression flitted across his face.
…
Because Jiang Chen didn’t know where the good food was, he took Xia Shiyu to Shimao.
“Welcome! Table for two?”
Jiang Chen and Xia Shiyu walked into a western restaurant called Xiuyu Garden as the server greeted them with a smile.
“Mhmm, please pick a quiet spot for us,” Jiang Chen said.
“Okay, sir. This way,” The server said courteously.
Because it was a business day, the place only had a few customers . Normally, they would have to wait for a long time.
The ambiance of the restaurant was pleasant, and it was also quiet. Most of the people dining there were couples. Seeing this scene, Xia Shiyu turned red and her legs went numb.
[Since we’re eating here, wouldn’t it look like we’re a couple?]
With that thought, Xia Shiyu discreetly took a peek at Jiang Chen but failed to see the nervousness she expected on his face.
[Maybe he didn’t even feel like it’s a date?]
Xia Shiyu felt slightly frustrated despite not knowing why.
Unaware of what Xia Shiyu was thinking, Jiang Chen was really oblivious to the mood. He just felt the ambiance was nice and quiet. Men were destined to be a simple creature in a sense that they wouldn’t think as much as women.
After the server ushered them to their seats, Jiang Chen picked up the menu and passed it to Xia Shiyu like a gentleman.
“What do you want to eat?”
Because she was distracted by something else, looking at the dazzling variety of selections, Xia Shiyu couldn’t think of something to eat.
Seeing the expression on the customer’s face, the server smiled as she started to recite their menu.
“Is it your first time in our restaurant?”
“Mhmm…”
“Our cheese risotto is delicious, and our steak has also been praised by many. Of course, I personally recommend this set of couple meal, very fitting for a couple of two. We also offer a special desert— Heart-to-heart.”
Xia Shiyu’s face immediately reddened.
Especially when she saw the Heart-to-heart ice cream on the menu, the two straws formed a heart shape and intertwined together.
Her brain short-circuited in an instant.
“C-couple? N-no, you are mistaken.”
“Ahem, we are only friends, not a couple.” Seeing the frantic Xia Shiyu, Jiang Chen also explained to the waitress.
Although both people denied it, the waitress acutely sensed that the female’s expression was more of an embarrassed one, and the male didn’t look awkward at all. Therefore, their relationship must be between friends and couple.
With a smile, the server bowed to apologize for pushing the two together unintentionally.
“I apologize. I just thought you two really look like a couple. If I misunderstood, I hope you don’t mind.”
[A, a couple look?]
Xia Shiyu was utterly in panic, Jiang Chen almost touched his nose with a red face.
But then, a harsh voice interrupted the moment.
“Waitress, is it not ready yet? Could you hurry up?”
Upon hearing the voice, Xia Shiyu’s expression froze immediately.
Jiang Chen could clearly sense that the usual expressionless face turned even colder.