Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
He did not comment on her remark and began undressing himself.
When he stripped down to his boxers, he paused in his actions, a little different from his usual penchant of running around naked in front of her.
He held her gaze and asked with a smirk, “Do you want to see it?”
An Xiaoning said nonchalantly, “What’s there to see? I’ve already seen it umpteen times before… Qingyan, I want to see how you destroy the inflatable doll. Just feed my curiosity, will you?”
He smiled and asked, “Shall I get intimate with another live woman right in front of you? Would you like to see that?”
“No…”
He poked her forehead and put on his robe without hesitation. After tightening the belt, he took out some scotch tape from the drawer, which he then used to seal the cardboard box again. He then brought it out of the room.
Upon arriving downstairs, he summoned Fan Shixin and handed the box to him. “Burn this for me,” he instructed.
Greatly taken aback, Fan Shixin asked, “Young Sir, isn’t this the gift that Young Madam had ordered for you online?”
“Why do you have so much rubbish to say? Just burn it like I told you to.”
“Yes, Sir! I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!”
Jin Qingyan turned around and walked back to the room.
Fan Shixin brought the cardboard box to the rubbish disposal area and put it onto the ground. At the instant that he whipped out the lighter, he felt a sudden urge to find out what was inside the box. Young Madam mentioned it was a gift but Young Sir didn’t seem too pleased with it. Just what kind of a gift is it?
He squatted down and slit the scotch tape with a knife attached to his keychain. He then pried the box open and stuck his head inside to take a look.
Fan Shixin was instantly dumbfounded and even thought that he was hallucinating. He reached a hand in to touch the item and burst into laughter.
On the other hand, Jin Qingyan slammed the bedroom door shut with a loud thud and walked toward the bed with anger written all over his face.
An Xiaoning was slightly panicking.
“Let’s talk things over calmly.”
“…”
“Don’t get physical.”
“…”
“Qingyan, I’m sorry, I won’t do it again.”
“…”
“Ah! Slow down!”
“…”
—
After an entire night of filming, Yan Ge rushed home, feeling overwhelmed with fatigue.
The moment he stepped foot inside the house, he was bombarded with his mother’s questions as she began to berate him.
“You were acting too rashly. How could you just break off the engagement like that?”
“Didn’t I already tell you the reason for my decision? How could I have such a vicious woman as my wife?” Yan Ge retorted, looking extremely weary.
“Xin Min did that all because of you. You were in such a messy and ambiguous relationship with that female lead, Fang Erlan. Don’t tell me, you actually caught feelings for her?”
“No such thing.”
“I’ve already talked to Xin Min’s parents. Go think about it carefully. Be it in terms of education, background, looks, or figure, what flaws does Xin Min even have? She only made a slight mistake. It’s no big deal. Just forgive her this once.”
Yan Ge would not have bothered rushing home during his break time if it weren’t because he couldn’t effectively communicate with his parents over the phone.
“Mother, you don’t have to waste your breath anymore. What may seem like a slight mistake to you is a serious flaw in her personality to me. I can’t marry someone like her. No matter how great of a catch she is and how compatible we may be, what’s the point if I don’t want to marry her at all?”
Realizing that she could not outargue him, Mrs. Yan said, “Fine, since you’re so intolerant toward her, your father and I won’t force you any further. However, none of the relationships you’ve had in the past were successful. Your father and I didn’t force you since you’re a celebrity and you’re always busy with work. Son, look at all your childhood friends. All of them are married with children who have already grown up. Your father and I are so ill-fated. We’re already advanced in our years and yet we don’t even have a single grandchild. Had we known earlier, we would have given birth to a few more children. At least then we wouldn’t have to worry about you all the time.”
“Mother, it’s not too late to do so now. Didn’t you read the news about a 60-year-old woman giving birth to a child at her age? You and Father have yet to hit 60, there’s still hope for you guys. Go ahead and give birth to a child. I’ll help you take care of him or her.”
Turning red with embarrassment, Mrs. Yan chided, “Little rascal, what are you saying? I’m already 58 years old. How absurd would it be for me to still give birth?”
“What’s the big deal? I have no objections as long as you and Father are willing.”
“Rascal! You’re already 33 years old and yet you’re still so uncouth with your words. Are you trying to drive me to my grave?” Mrs. Yan chastised.
“Mother, why would I do that? I’m almost done filming for this television series. I’m not sure if the director will need me to do a voice dub during post-production, but if he doesn’t, I’ll get to take a break. I understand that you yearn to have a grandchild, but I’m only human. You guys have arranged for me to go on matchmaking sessions too. I used to give in to you guys, but I’ve also resigned to fate. I used to think that I could marry anyone so long as they were compatible with me in terms of status and background. However, I’ve changed my mindset.”
“What’s your mindset now?”
“Father, Mother, I’d like to be together with someone who’s interesting and can bring me joy, not someone who’s simply arranged to marry me. It’d be boring and mundane to be with someone who’s only compatible with me in terms of superficial attributes.” He lay down on the couch and said, “I’ve had a long night of filming. I’m so tired, I’m going to take a nap.”
Mrs. Yan hurriedly asked, “Have you had your dinner yet? If you haven’t, I’ll get the kitchen helpers to fix you something to eat.”
“I’ll eat when I wake up.” Seemingly reminded of something, he opened his eyes slightly and said, “Mother, I want to eat the snacks you make. Make me some, I’ll bring them with me to the set.”
“Alright, got it. Hurry and get some sleep,” said Mrs. Yan, who felt sorry for her son after seeing how tired he was.
……
Fang Erlan was still in dreamland when she felt like there was a fly buzzing around her ear incessantly. She began flailing her arms about in the air in a bid to smack the fly, but to no avail. She soon woke up afterward.
To her astonishment, the doorbell had been ringing continuously.
She hurriedly put on her slippers and zoomed to open the door.
The person standing by the door was none other than Yan Ge, who had just arrived from home.
“Are you a pig? I rang the doorbell so many times and yet you didn’t hear it at all.”
“What is it?”
“My mother made me some snacks that she told me to share with my colleagues. I decided to bring some for you since it was along the way. Here.”
She took it from him gleefully and asked, “Did Auntie make this herself?”
“Of course she did. You’re in for a treat.”
He then left as soon as he finished speaking.
After closing the door, Fang Erlan untied the plastic bag and picked up a piece of snack, which melted in her mouth. It was slightly sweet and left a pleasant fragrance lingering on her tastebuds.
It was indeed delicious.
Fang Erlan proceeded to have six pieces in one go. She initially wanted to continue eating but hurriedly curbed her cravings, for fear that she would gain weight.
She could no longer fall asleep since she was jolted awake. Thus, she began washing up and changed into a fresh set of clothes before taking a walk outside.
Her complexion had been poor lately. Although she had been religiously putting on facial masks every day, the effects could not save her from the damage and the toll that long nights of filming had taken on her skin.
She decided to visit a beauty salon after some consideration.
She opted for a facial beauty session.
The therapist applied some whitening essence on Fang Erlan’s face that would repair skin damage while the latter was swiping through webpages on her mobile phone.
