Perplexed and Smitten (106)
Perplexed and Smitten (106)
He may be busy with visiting his father at the hospital, but it won't take long to say a simple sentence, would it?
Was I reading too much into things? Was it just wishful thinking on my part?
Ding-Dong… "Sis Erlan, it's me," said Xiao Yue, who was outside the door.
She stood up and opened the door. "Xiao Yue."
"Here, these are the script for the first ten episodes and the biography of the character you'd be playing in the upcoming drama series. Do take a look. Sis Yangyang may not be in the current production unit but she's already made all the preparations for you beforehand."
"Alright." Fang Erlan took it from her and sat cross-legged on the couch while flipping through the files.
"Sis Erlan, Sis Yangyang said that this is a major production and you're confirmed to be playing the female lead. However, we didn't invest in this production."
"I know. I wonder which actor is going to play the male lead this time."
"If only it's still Yan Ge. You guys have worked together before and have already developed a chemistry."
"The investor, producer, and director get to decide who plays the male lead," said Fang Erlan, who was looking through the first page of the character's biography carefully. It mainly described the character's personality and traits.
"Sis, where did your cousin go?"
"He went home."
"When is he coming back?"
"No idea. Why are you so concerned about him?" Fang Erlan questioned, glancing at her.
"Because I fancy him, obviously. Sis Erlan, could you give me his mobile number?"
"He doesn't use mobile phones."
"He doesn't? Is he a caveman? Why doesn't he have a mobile phone?" Xiao Yue asked in astonishment.
"I don't know."
"Sis Erlan, what kind of girls does he fancy?"
"I'm not very sure," Fang Erlan answered, feeling a little guilty.
"Sis, how are things between you and Yan Ge? Any progress?" Xiao Yue asked curiously.
"What progress could there be between us?"
Xiao Yue smirked and said, "Quit trying to fool me, I can see everything. Sis Erlan, you must woo someone if you fancy them. If you act too late, they might just become someone else's."
"Well, if he fancies me, he'll take the initiative to woo me. There's no use in me taking the initiative if he doesn't fancy me," Fang Erlan said while reading the lines on her script, although she did not register them in her head.
"Sis Erlan, I think Yan Ge does fancy you though."
"How could you tell?"
"I could tell with both my eyes. Sis Erlan, stop thinking that he doesn't fancy you. Yan Ge is mature and handsome. Take the initiative to make the first move, and make him yours," said Xiao Yue, egging her on.
"That's easier said than done."
"It's not that difficult to do it. If I were you, I would definitely confess to him first."
Fang Erlan did not answer. After looking through the files, Fang Erlan said, "Xiao Yue, you may go back to rest. There's nothing I need your help with right now."
"Sis, feel free to tell me whenever you need something. I'll feel bad getting paid to do nothing. How about I help you clean and tidy your apartment? I'll go home after I'm done."
Fang Erlan nodded in agreement.
Fang Erlan had taken a liking to the new television series after reading through the character's biography and the plot of the story.
It was a modern drama series that transcends ancient times and the present day.
The male lead time-traveled from the ancient times to the modern age while the female lead… also known as the character Fang Erlan would be playing, was a sacrificial object embroiled in a political marriage of two wealthy families.
She did not enjoy a blissful marriage, for her husband had never quite liked her. Yet, one day, her ill-stricken husband kicked the bucket all of a sudden. The story begins when the male lead time-travels and transmigrates to the body of the female lead's husband.
The television series was titled, "The Man from the Ancient Times."
After placing the document file onto the coffee table, Fang Erlan whipped out her mobile phone to scroll through the news online and checked if the rumors about her and Yan Ge had died down yet.
To her astonishment, she was still on the headlines.
"Xiao Yue, what's going on? Why have I made the headlines again?"
"I've read that in the morning. I thought you'd seen it too," said Xiao Yue.
Fang Erlan opened the article and read through its content, only to get a great shock.
It was written in the article that she had developed one-sided feelings for Yan Ge while filming alongside him and that she had deliberately bought the apartment opposite Yan Ge's, just so she could get close to him.
There were even some ridiculous claims that accused her of knocking on Yan Ge's door at midnight, only to be locked outside.
They made it sound as if it was real.
"Which idiot bribed the media to accuse me like that?"
"No idea. Sis Erlan, don't bother reading all that nonsense or you'll get affected."
"Was Yu Caiwei behind this?" said Fang Erlan.
"Yu Caiwei? Why would she do that?"
"My female intuition is telling me that she's the one who did it. Either that or it was the paparazzi. Those are the only two possibilities I can think of."
"Sis, why don't you tell Sis Yangyang about this? Let's bribe the media to shame her, tit for tat."
"Ever since she shot to fame, she's been starring in lousy productions that garnered a slew of criticisms from viewers. Is there still a need for me to shame her?"
"You have a point, let's not be too bothered."
—
"Yuechan," called Wen Yuechan's mother, who was standing outside the classroom with reddened eyes.
"Mommy!" Wen Yuechan exclaimed as she rose from her seat and zoomed outside.
She then walked away from the classroom with her mother and sat on a chair outside. Staring at Wen Yuechan solemnly, Mrs. Wen said, "If Daddy and Mommy get a divorce, would you want to live with Daddy or with Mommy?"
Upon hearing her question, Wen Yuechan bit her lip and said, "Mommy, why did you ask me such a question? I want to live with both of you."
"But Daddy and Mommy are now getting a divorce. You can choose to live with only one of us."
"Why are you getting a divorce?"
"Because your daddy has an extramarital affair and he doesn't want us both anymore," Mrs. Wen said bluntly, disregarding the fact that her daughter was still young and could not process the things she had just said.
Wen Yuechan burst into tears while staring at her. She then hung her head low and remained quiet.
"I'm asking you a question. Do you want to live with Mommy or Daddy? Your daddy wants you to decide."
"I… I want to live with Mommy, of course."
Her words had given Mrs. Wen a great deal of assurance. "Alright, listen to me, don't attend school for the next few days. I'll bring you home to see your daddy. You tell him yourself whom you'd like to live with. I've already informed your coaches and teacher that you would be absent for the next few days."
Wen Yuechan nodded and left the boot camp together with her mother.
They returned to Wei Ni Estate.
"I've brought Yuechan home, she wants to live with me."
Mr. Wen asked, "Yuechan, do you want to stay with Mommy?"
She nodded and expressed assent.
"If you choose to stay with Mommy, you won't be able to see me often from now on."
Wen Yuechan nodded again, feeling a lump in her throat.
"Alright, since you want to stay with your mommy, go ahead."
"Like what you mentioned earlier, you'll have to let me keep the house and the car since Yuechan has decided to follow me. You also have to pay maintenance fees for Yuechan, all the way 'til she's 18 years old. Are you going to honor your word?" Mrs. Wen said, raising her voice.