The Rebirth of a Top Star

Shen Nanqiao stared intently at the screen. In fact, she hadn't watched the later episodes carefully. She had only watched the first few episodes of the show. Now that it was airing, she usually just checked the news online, since she knew her own performance.

Shen Nanqiao had no idea that the production team was so good at marketing. She watched as the production team forcibly linked her pauses with Gu Ning's words. By the time Shen Nanqiao noticed, if she hadn't been the one speaking on the show, she might have been completely captivated by the romantic atmosphere.

While watching the variety show with trepidation, Shen Nanqiao observed Song Shiyuan's condition.

Fortunately, everything is normal.

It wasn't until the show's editing included her conversation with Gu Ning that Shen Nanqiao realized she didn't know what she meant at the time, but the edited version certainly conveyed that meaning.

Shen Nanqiao couldn't bear to watch; she was overwhelmed with anxiety. It wasn't until Song Shiyuan turned to look at her that she realized, "The atmosphere on the show is usually quite good."

Shen Nanqiao nodded, agreeing with Song Shiyuan's point of view. However, when she noticed Song Shiyuan staring at her, she quickly changed her mind.

"It's alright, it's all for the sake of the show." Song Shiyuan didn't say anything, and turned back to watch the variety show playing on Shen Nanqiao's TV. Fortunately, there weren't many shots of Shen Nanqiao at the end.

This was also the first time Shen Nanqiao had clearly seen her performance in the later stages of the show.

If Song Shiyuan weren't sitting here, Shen Nanqiao might have really treated it like a variety show and ignored herself. She really has that ability; after all, she can watch fanfiction about herself and Gu Ning without any expression.

By the end, Song Shiyuan didn't want to watch anymore. Actually, he had already seen this episode before, and he knew basically everything in it.

By the end, Song Shiyuan was no longer watching Shen Nanqiao on TV. Since the real person was right in front of him, Song Shiyuan looked at Shen Nanqiao beside him, and the two of them were getting closer and closer.

"This show is quite fun," Song Shiyuan said, expressing his opinion.

Shen Nanqiao felt there was more to his words than met the eye, so she moved closer to Song Shiyuan and nestled next to him, just like she always did.

As Song Shiyuan lowered his gaze, the first thing he saw was Shen Nanqiao beside him. She didn't speak, and her attention wasn't focused on the television. Song Shiyuan could clearly see Shen Nanqiao's eyelashes, gently drooping. If Song Shiyuan wanted, he could use this time to count Shen Nanqiao's eyelashes one by one.

Suddenly, Shen Nanqiao seemed to notice Song Shiyuan's gaze and looked over. Whether it was because of the ambiguous eye contact or an inner exchange, Song Shiyuan realized that everything was going smoothly.

Unlike that day, he didn't encounter any obstacles when he got close to Shen Nanqiao. Song Shiyuan kissed her gently, without the impulsiveness he felt that day, and he also suppressed the excitement in his heart.

During the time you close your eyes, the passage of time naturally becomes less important.

Shen Nanqiao's lips were very soft, even softer than Song Shiyuan had imagined. The last kiss started too quickly and ended too abruptly. Apart from the flutter in his heart, Song Shiyuan only remembered it later.

This time, Shen Nanqiao provided ample time, and the location was much more suitable than last time; it was a perfect storm of timing, location, and people.

Shen Nanqiao reached out and wrapped her arms around Song Shiyuan's waist. Despite being a powerful CEO, Shen Nanqiao always saw the characteristics of a pure and innocent young man in Song Shiyuan. He also didn't have the domineering presence she had previously perceived in him. Shen Nanqiao realized that most of the time, Song Shiyuan was actually trying to please her.

Shen Nanqiao may not say anything, but she can see all of this.

After the initial excitement subsided, Shen Nanqiao naturally leaned against Song Shiyuan's chest. This time, she looked at her phone right in front of Song Shiyuan, without any attempt to hide it. Shen Nanqiao was chatting with Xiaoju about a related event tomorrow.

Facing Song Shiyuan, who had remained silent, Shen Nanqiao hadn't expected him to suddenly speak. "When will I be able to stand in the sun?" Song Shiyuan abruptly uttered an ambiguous question, leaving Shen Nanqiao momentarily speechless.

After realizing what was happening, Shen Nanqiao explained to Song Shiyuan, "I'm an actress." Actually, even without saying the rest, Song Shiyuan probably already knew the consequences of this suggestion.

Shen Nanqiao still felt that Song Shiyuan didn't understand the rules of the entertainment industry and sometimes did things that she couldn't believe.

For example, the "like" incident last time.

The gentle atmosphere in the living room made Song Shiyuan unable to resist asking again, "Then we..." Before he could finish speaking, Shen Nanqiao stopped him from continuing.

"Song, suitor, you're still in the observation period, you know that?" Song Shiyuan immediately shut his mouth, perhaps because Shen Nanqiao sometimes exuded a rather domineering aura.

The Shen Nanqiao of the past was the epitome of gentleness and charm, but now, in front of Song Shiyuan, she seems more like a boss, or a person of high social standing.

Song Shiyuan saw these qualities in her, and he was actually quite happy for Shen Nanqiao.

Ignoring Shen Nanqiao's direct tone and impolite attitude, Song Shiyuan recalled the first time he met Shen Nanqiao. At that time, although Shen Nanqiao had seized the opportunity, she did not have the confidence she had now.

Seeing that Shen Nanqiao said this, Song Shiyuan simply stopped making excuses.

Before Shen Nanqiao could say anything more, Song Shiyuan lowered his head and kissed her forehead gently and lovingly. He said, "I will try my best."

Song Shiyuan didn't insist. As someone who spends every day wits and battles with his partners and occasionally has to fight with the old men who hold shares in the company behind the scenes, Song Shiyuan feels incredibly comfortable now.

Shen Nanqiao's magnetic field made Song Shiyuan feel so comfortable that he wanted to doze off next to her.

In the past, Song Shiyuan would occasionally come across some trending internet terms and see things like "henpecked husband" and not really understand them. But now, Song Shiyuan would beam with joy whenever he imagined Shen Nanqiao continuing to have high expectations of him.

So that's how it feels.

Song Shiyuan held Shen Nanqiao's arms tighter and tighter until Shen Nanqiao stopped him.

"Actually, it can be a bit hot indoors in winter," Shen Nanqiao said tactfully, though her beautifully manicured nails subtly pinched Song Shiyuan's forearm.

No one could see that Shen Nanqiao struck Song Shiyuan on the inside of his forearm; only the two people present knew this.

Shen Nanqiao broke free, but Xiaoju's messages kept coming in, and Shen Nanqiao read them carefully one by one.

Tomorrow is a promotional day for "Begonia Blossoms," but Shen Nanqiao hasn't received any news about collaborating with the male lead yet. It's strange, really, because after those few times they worked together on the premiere and subsequent promotions, Shen Nanqiao hasn't seen Fang Zihe again.

In fact, in their previous life, Shen Nanqiao and Fang Zihe had a very good relationship. They were the kind of brothers who would play around together. Even if there was nothing going on, they would still ask each other a few words of concern, even if it wasn't a serious concern.

Fang Zihe always seems to disappear, but Shen Nanqiao still feels that he is the same person she knows, and unconsciously, she still takes the initiative to send him a message.

"Will you participate in that variety show tomorrow?" For some reason, when Shen Nanqiao sent a message to Fang Zihe, she was deliberately keeping it from Song Shiyuan. Shen Nanqiao didn't actually do it on purpose, but Song Shiyuan was jealous because of the content of the TV program.

Shen Nanqiao glanced at Song Shiyuan humbly, just as Song Shiyuan was looking over at her. Having nothing to say, Shen Nanqiao suddenly asked, "Have you finished your work for today?"

It sounded like concern, but to Song Shiyuan it sounded more like a signal asking him to leave.

Song Shiyuan replied uncertainly, "Then I'll go upstairs to handle the work?" Just then, Shen Nanqiao's phone rang with a message; it was from Fang Zihe, who had been exercising earlier.

Ever since Shen Nanqiao praised him for becoming more handsome, Fang Zihe has been secretly thinking that the reason he became more handsome is because he has been sticking to exercising. Under the influence of his agent, Fang Zihe has gone from not going to the gym once a week and occasionally exercising for a role to now practically living at the gym.

Shen Nanqiao didn't know why she hadn't turned off the sound notifications on her phone.

She glanced at her phone, not immediately answering Song Shiyuan's question, busy replying to messages on her phone, but Song Shiyuan implicitly acknowledged that she needed to leave.

Seeing Shen Nanqiao dealing with the message, Song Shiyuan stood up first. After Shen Nanqiao finished tidying up and saw him, Song Shiyuan spoke, "I'll go up first. Call me if you need anything."

Without saying anything further, Song Shiyuan left directly. Shen Nanqiao stood up and followed behind him, noticing the difference in the atmosphere between the two, but did not say anything else to try to keep him.

But once I close the door, something always feels off.

It felt like some kind of vine was binding her heart, but Shen Nanqiao didn't think too much about it. After Song Shiyuan left, Shen Nanqiao took the time to call Xiaoju, plan out tomorrow's schedule, and resolve the problems she was currently facing.

The next day, Shen Nanqiao went to rehearse the script early, and Song Shiyuan also went to work as scheduled on Monday. Perhaps because he was too busy, Shen Nanqiao did not receive a reply to the message she sent to Song Shiyuan after waking up in the morning.

When Shen Nanqiao noticed, it was already 10 a.m. Song Shiyuan still hadn't said anything. Shen Nanqiao glanced at him a few times and then didn't want to look anymore. Shen Nanqiao was sure he was busy.

The guess was indeed correct. Song Shiyuan had been quiet for two days over the weekend, and now that it's Monday at work, he has never seen so many documents and messages he needs to confirm on his desk before.

Aren't I the CEO? The company clearly offers weekends off.

No matter how much Song Shiyuan complained, it was no use. His complaints were kept to himself. Such a strong person would never say them out loud. Before noon, Song Shiyuan finished processing all the files he hadn't finished reviewing by Monday and handed them over to Jing Tanqing to continue.

When Jing Tanqing came in, what she saw was the real, disheveled CEO working with dark circles under his eyes.

Jing Tanqing carried all the documents out and, before leaving, asked Song Shiyuan, "How was your weekend? Did you have a good time?"

Song Shiyuan replied, "It's alright, how about you?" Before saying that, Song Shiyuan hadn't looked at Jing Tanqing. It was only when Jing Tanqing was standing in the office, preparing to answer him and thinking, that Song Shiyuan looked at him seriously. He didn't know what to do until he looked, and he saw that Jing Tanqing, a grown man, was actually standing in the middle of his office and smiling.

Yes, you read that right. The usually kind and gentle assistant, Jing Tanqing, is now smiling with a smug look on his face.

He said to Song Shiyuan, "Thanks to you, I had a very happy weekend." Actually, Song Shiyuan didn't know the basis for Jing Tanqing's words, but he could sense the happiness emanating from Jing Tanqing, a genuine happiness from the bottom of his heart.

Song Shiyuan thought for a moment, then said, “Congratulations.” He had a feeling this should be a happy occasion.

Jing Tanqing was taken aback by her boss and friend's words. She paused for a moment before saying, "It's not time yet."

After Jing Tanqing left, Song Shiyuan was still wondering if the person who was laughing so happily just now was really the one he knew.

Holding his water cup, Song Shiyuan naturally passed by Jing Tanqing's office. Through the transparent glass door, Song Shiyuan could confirm that the smile on Jing Tanqing's lips had actually been there all day.

I really wanted to call Jing Tanqing and ask his assistant to find out what had happened to my friend Jing Tanqing over the weekend.

Song Shiyuan did not return to Pinshui Sishu that evening. He had informed Shen Nanqiao in advance, but the only message he received was a lukewarm "okay".

Song Shiyuan reflected on whether his failure to reply to messages promptly in the morning had triggered a series of chain reactions. The third tip he found on his phone read: "Be responsive to every request, and ideally reply to messages instantly."

Song Shiyuan looked around for a moment, then turned off his phone and pushed open his front door.

Song's mother was quite surprised. Song Shiyuan hadn't mentioned his return beforehand, and now that she suddenly saw her son, she was rather astonished. He hadn't wanted to come back before, but now he was returning more frequently.

"Son, what brings you back?" Song's mother sat comfortably on the large sofa watching her TV program. Song Shiyuan sat down next to her, tidied up the trinkets on the sofa and put them on the coffee table, and couldn't help but ask with a smile, "What, can't I come back to see you if I have nothing to do?"

Song's mother quickly smiled and said no, but then turned the remote control to another channel.

Hearing a familiar voice, Song Shiyuan looked up at the TV screen and saw that it was Shen Nanqiao's dating reality show.

"Mom, why are you looking at this too?" Just then, Song's father came downstairs and, hearing his son's question, couldn't help but answer for his wife: "Your mom doesn't even want to go shopping anymore. She just waits to ship couples every day."

Song Shiyuan was quite unaccustomed to hearing such trendy words from his own old-fashioned father. Looking at the familiar face on the TV program, he had a bad feeling until his mother said those words.

“Son, look at those two, aren’t they a perfect match?” The mother smiled happily, as if she were sharing her own treasure with someone else, but Song Shiyuan couldn’t smile at all when he looked at Shen Nanqiao and Gu Ning’s faces.