Su Ding spent two days in trepidation, but received no further terrifying warnings, only then did she slightly relax.
She had intended to tell Jin Ye about this matter, but Jin Ye seemed very busy.
Jin Ye had been on a business trip for two days now, and they had only spoken on the phone twice in total, with calls lasting no more than half an hour.
After a few words about the child and checking on each other, Jin Ye would have to attend meetings.
Su Ding felt displeased, but she didn't want to trouble Jin Ye.
She could only bear it silently. Perhaps the company's project was more important, especially since it was an international deal that required Jin Ye's personal involvement.
That afternoon, the crew was scheduled to go to the mountains in a nearby county for filming.
Su Ding informed the auntie at home and then followed the main group up the mountain.
The crew members were preparing the location and props. Su Ding grabbed a bottle of water and stood under a large tree to cool off.
"Sister Ding, you haven't been looking well lately," Lv Xi greeted her.
"Have I?" Su Ding frowned and touched her face.
"Yes, your dark circles are quite pronounced. What's wrong?"
"Perhaps I haven't slept well at night," Su Ding took a sip of water, looking up at the sun in the sky. The dazzling sunlight shone on her face, making her feel somewhat lost.
Living in constant anxiety, she had been having one nightmare after another.
Her partner was not by her side, and his unusual busyness and coldness had put immense psychological pressure on her.
"When I go back, I'll bring you some calming tea. I grow it in my hometown, and it's very effective," Lv Xi said with concern.
"Okay, thank you," Su Ding smiled at him.
A brilliant smile bloomed on her beautiful, stunning face, and Lv Xi was momentarily captivated.
"Su Ding!"
Xue Zhiqiao walked over from a distance and called her name.
Lv Xi nodded at Xue Zhiqiao, "Brother Zhiqiao."
"What are you two talking about?" Xue Zhiqiao approached, as if he were a prince walking on light, handsome and dazzling.
"Just chatting. Is your scene finished?" Su Ding asked.
Xue Zhiqiao was now working on two film crews, so he didn't stay with the crew permanently. He usually rushed to finish his scenes and then moved on to the next location.
"Not yet, I have to go over tonight," Xue Zhiqiao sighed.
"You must be tired," Su Ding offered a perfunctory comfort.
Lv Xi's phone rang. He signaled to them and went to the side to take the call.
"Jin Ye is on a business trip?" Xue Zhiqiao walked over to Su Ding and asked nonchalantly.
"How do you know?" Su Ding looked up at him in confusion.
"Your Mr. Jin's whereabouts are easily found out with a little inquiry," Xue Zhiqiao shrugged. "How are you?"
"Me?" Su Ding pointed to herself, not quite understanding his meaning.
"Your complexion is so sallow. What have you done to yourself in his absence?" Xue Zhiqiao sighed helplessly, his tone conveying a sense of disappointment.
"Is it that serious?" Su Ding smiled. "Lv Xi also said I didn't look well just now."
"See, anyone can tell," Xue Zhiqiao rolled his eyes.
"Alright, I know. Thank you for your concern," Su Ding smiled and brushed it off.
"If you have any difficulties, you can come to me. Don't try to handle everything yourself," Xue Zhiqiao paused. "We're all friends."
Su Ding smiled, "I know, I'm really fine."
Xue Zhiqiao nodded and fell silent.
Su Ding didn't know what to say for a moment, and stared blankly at the tree trunk in front of her.
Suddenly, Xue Zhiqiao said, "The gossip about you and me last time was spread intentionally by someone, and they have significant backing."
"Yes, Xiao Yuan told me," Su Ding nodded.
"...It wasn't me," Xue Zhiqiao explained in a low voice.
Su Ding was taken aback. "Mm, I know."
Xue Zhiqiao smiled and teased himself, "You probably thought I was bored enough to drag you into it."
Su Ding thought about it and smiled without speaking.
At first, she had indeed suspected Xue Zhiqiao had orchestrated it himself. But later, his fans' vitriol towards her was so rampant that she became certain it wasn't Xue Zhiqiao's doing.
She believed Xue Zhiqiao wouldn't let people insult her like that.
After all, if the truth came out, they wouldn't even be able to be friends.
Xue Zhiqiao gave a wry smile. "It really wasn't me. This incident must be someone trying to target both of us, with you as the primary target. Your reputation online is already quite bad."
Su Ding knew that most people who heard her name immediately thought of an actress who had succeeded through questionable means.
With no notable works to her name, no matter how she tried to explain, she couldn't clear her name.
"I'll take it one step at a time. It's fine," Su Ding said indifferently. She loved the film and television industry and believed she had a talent for acting.
But she wouldn't be overly persistent.
She still had the entire Shao Corporation to rely on.
She had nothing to fear.
After they chatted for a while, Xue Zhiqiao consciously moved away to avoid any impropriety.
By evening, the crew had booked rooms at a hotel in the county town. Each person was assigned a room with a key card.
Some artists, not accustomed to the crew's arrangements, would find their own accommodations elsewhere. Su Ding was not demanding; as long as she had a place to stay, it was fine.
The director organized a dinner at a restaurant next to the hotel. After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, someone suggested going to a KTV.
Su Ding declined the invitation and returned to the hotel room with Xiao Yuan.
Once in the room, Xiao Yuan received a call from her mother-in-law, who said she was feeling unwell and wanted to go to the hospital.
The county town and the city were not too far apart, so Su Ding urged Xiao Yuan to go back quickly.
Xiao Yuan left, and it was already ten o'clock at night.
Su Ding took a bath and lay down on the bed. She picked up her phone and opened WeChat, staring at Jin Ye's name and avatar for a long time, not having the courage to send a message.
This was because, previously, she would send five or six messages, and Jin Ye would give a brief one-line reply.
This feeling was truly irritating!
In this unfamiliar place, she missed Jin Ye dearly. But thinking of his coldness on the phone, she felt wronged and petulant.
She wanted to see if he would call her if she didn't initiate contact.
Staying by her phone, waiting for an unknown amount of time, she eventually fell asleep.
Two days of insomnia had made her sleep very soundly...
At one o'clock in the morning.
Noisy sounds came from the corridor outside the door, but Su Ding was completely unaware, sleeping deeply.
Suddenly, the room door was pushed open, and a wobbly figure stumbled towards the bed.
The strong smell of alcohol filled the air, and the person was somewhat disoriented.
He had just vomited and was not fully conscious, only feeling like sleeping. So, he quickly took off his clothes, leaving only his underwear, and lunged onto the bed—
"Ah!"
Su Ding was jolted awake by a heavy weight suddenly landing on her.
She opened her eyes. The room was dark, but there was a... person on top of her?
The person was also startled and let out a terrified scream: "Ah—"
Su Ding kicked out, sending the person on top of her off the bed!
Fortunately, there was a quilt between them, otherwise, she would have been utterly disgusted.
With a thud, the person got up from the floor, groaning, and breathlessly retorted with anger, "Who are you? Why are you in my room? How dare you scare me like that!"
The curse words made Su Ding instantly recognize Lv Xi's voice.
She lifted the quilt and stood up, thankfully wearing pajamas.
Reaching out, she flicked the light switch by the head of the bed. Light flooded the room, revealing Lv Xi's bare body.
Su Ding immediately turned her head away, her head spinning with anger, "Lv Xi, what the hell are you doing!"