Chapter 20

Kong Xiyan sat on the sofa, holding Yanyan in her arms, lost in thought, wondering when her relationship with Chi Wanzhao had begun to shift.

They had clearly entered this marriage by contract, each taking what they needed, and in three years they would go their separate ways.

She really shouldn't get so emotionally invested.

Maybe it was their daily interactions—Chi Wanzhao was so approachable that she forgot he was the aloof President Chi—or perhaps it was the phone call she'd made today.

That call had made her feel his vulnerability.

So she couldn't help caring a little more.

Yes, that must be it.

Kong Xiyan breathed a sigh of relief at having found a reasonable excuse for herself, then turned to play with Yanyan for a while.

Before ten o'clock, she got up to prepare lunch for Yanyan, fearing she might return late tonight. She made extra, and Yanyan affectionately followed her around, rubbing against her calves.

With that soft ball of fur at her feet, Kong Xiyan carefully stepped around it as she moved, then finally picked it up by the scruff of its neck and set it outside the kitchen.

Yanyan lay by the kitchen door, familiar with the routine, pawing at it.

Kong Xiyan quickly made lunch and placed it in the bowl. It was almost ten o'clock, and Fu Qiu was already urging her via phone. She said a few words to Yanyan, then grabbed her bag and left the apartment.

As she stepped out, a cold wind blew, and she couldn't help hugging her arms and tightening her coat.

The car was still parked at the roadside. Fu Qiu, seeing Kong Xiyan's face pale from the wind, said with concern, "Sister Kong, why don't we pick you up from your place from now on?"

Kong Xiyan shook her head. "It's not convenient."

Fu Qiu frowned. "What's not convenient?"

Kong Xiyan said, "I share a place with someone, and I don't want to disturb them."

Fu Qiu fell silent, then said, "Then maybe I can ask Sister Tong to find you an apartment near the company?"

Kong Xiyan shook her head. "No need, it's fine as is."

Seeing her pale face, Fu Qiu asked the driver to turn up the heat. When they arrived at the set, Tong Yue was already there, waiting by the car. After they got out, Tong Yue led Kong Xiyan to makeup.

Not far off, Wu Qing and Gu Ling also got out of their cars one after another. They lived in apartments provided by the company, with two floors, though since gaining some fame, Gu Ling rarely returned to that rental.

It was only because it was close to the set of "Breaking the Cocoon" that she went back to stay.

Wu Qing walked up to Gu Ling and said, "The more I look at some people, the more irritating they get."

Gu Ling sneered, "Who isn't? I don't know what strings she pulled to get in, and Sister Tong follows her around like she's attached—she's like a giant baby."

Wu Qing moved closer and lowered her voice. "I think He Lao has issues with her too."

Gu Ling glanced at her. "Of course. His own people were wronged; how could he show her a good face when he sees her?"

Wu Qing's eyes sparkled with cunning. "It's her own fault. She insisted on interfering between a couple and drove them to divorce. How could He Lao not be angry?"

The He Lao they spoke of was He Wei's uncle, who played the Right Prime Minister in "Breaking the Cocoon," Kong Xiyan's father.

He had always been cold to Kong Xiyan, and learning that she got into the crew through connections made him disdain her even more. Only his professional integrity kept him from throwing a tantrum.

But outside of filming, he ignored Kong Xiyan completely.

Wu Qing looked at He Lao not far away, curved her lips, and walked toward him.

On the other side of the set, Kong Xiyan had just finished her makeup. She changed into her costume, a golden hairpin in her hair, powder covering her face, her brows and eyes hiding elegance, and her voice and smile showing gentleness.

Just sitting there, she exuded a dignified grace.

Fu Qiu walked into the dressing room and smiled. "Every time I see Sister Kong in costume, it's like looking at a painting."

"So beautiful."

The makeup artist sat beside Kong Xiyan and nodded. "Yeah, Miss Kong's skin is really well-maintained, and her temperament is great. She wouldn't even need makeup."

Fu Qiu added, "Exactly, Sister Kong is flawless from every angle—pretty anywhere you look!"

Kong Xiyan listened to their banter and smiled softly without replying.

Soon, Tong Yue also arrived. She had just hung up the phone and approached, asking, "Ready?"

The makeup artist nodded, and Tong Yue said briskly, "Then let's go."

Not far off, Xiao Cheng and the others had arrived and were in their positions. The scene now shooting was where Lin Liang, under royal order, investigated the corruption case. During his investigation, he encountered the female lead, Wei Lian, played by Gu Ling.

Wei Lian was disguised as a man, mixing in the Wu Kingdom to eavesdrop on information.

It was late, and dew settled. Lin Liang had found evidence linking He Daren and the Right Prime Minister. He was about to return when suddenly, assassins jumped out of the shadows.

Lin Liang had been investigating alone, with only a servant by his side, and he didn't know martial arts.

Though he was a deputy general, he couldn't fight off many bare-handed, and he soon fell at a disadvantage. Just as he was about to be killed by a blade, a crisp clang rang through the air!

The assassin's sword was knocked to the ground, and a dagger embedded itself straight into the green tree beside Lin Liang.

Then two figures emerged—graceful in bearing, handsome in appearance. The leading young master waved a paper fan lightly and said in a moderate voice, "So many attacking one—isn't that unfair?"

His companion quickly laughed. "Indeed, Young Master."

Wei Lian snapped the fan shut. "Such injustice—shall we intervene or not?"

The companion drew his long sword and stood before Wei Lian. "Of course we will."

The black-clad men, enraged at these two meddlers, exchanged glances and attacked together. Wei Lian used her fan as a weapon to block the fierce assault, not killing anyone, but sealing their acupoints.

Her companion protected her throughout, and when he saw someone immobilized, he extended his sword and pierced through the assassin's chest.

The air instantly filled with the smell of blood.

Grateful for their rescue, Lin Liang was deeply thankful and wanted to invite them to his residence to repay their kindness.

Wei Lian and her companion exchanged a look and readily agreed.

On the other side, Chu Qian was so worried about Lin Liang that she lost her appetite. Learning he hadn't returned so late unsettled her further, so she summoned her maidservant and decided to leave the residence.

She went looking for Lin Liang with a heavy heart, only to run into him just returning with Wei Lian at the gate.

Seeing Wei Lian, Chu Qian's heart skipped a beat, panic flashing in her eyes. She quickly regained her composure, asked Lin Liang what had happened, and after learning he was saved by Wei Lian, she hesitated even more about whether to tell him the truth.

She recognized the person before her.

Wei Lian, the commandery princess of the Wei Kingdom.

"OK!"

That's where the scene could stop. The next scenes would cover other parts. Fu Qiu trotted over to Kong Xiyan and handed her a hand warmer. Kong Xiyan couldn't help laughing. "Prepared this so early?"

City B wasn't in a severely cold region. It was nearing November, and they were on the set, so it wasn't actually that cold.

But their costumes were thin, and Kong Xiyan felt the cold easily. Fu Qiu had noticed earlier that she turned pale at the slightest draft, so she prepared it in advance.

Fu Qiu said with a hearty laugh, "That just shows I care about you, Sister Kong!"

Kong Xiyan was amused by her, and the hand warmer in her palm was warm, a heat beginning to spread through her body, warming her heart.

She sat on the chair in silence for a moment, then took out her phone and composed a text.

—Haining, I'll have free time next month and plan to come back. Can you ask the kids if they want anything?

Wang Haining replied quickly this time.

—Okay.

Kong Xiyan thought a moment and added, "What about you? Anything you need?"

Wang Haining: I don't need anything. Take care on your way back.

Kong Xiyan: I will.