The sharp-eyed journalists quickly noticed the approaching cars. Their eyes lit up in excitement. It seems that today's news will be very exciting!
Back onstage, after the director completed his introductions, a reporter went on to ask him, "Director Zhang, 'Sheng Shi' has been airing for a week now and the ratings have been highest among all the current running shows. What makes your show so successful? What are the upcoming highlights of the show? Can you give us a few spoilers?"
Director Zhang replied: "The show's success is mainly due to everyone's hard work. As for what's to come, Can I say that you will see it all as you keep watching the drama?"
The reporter couldn't help but smile; as expected, he couldn't get the director to reveal anything. So he changed the topic and redirected the microphone towards Ye Peiching, then asked, "Film Emperor Ye, in the plot, you have two love interests. Then who do you like more, it is your first love Zi Yan or is it Chu Yue who joined hands with you later in the drama?"
Ye Peicheng's eyes light swept over Xing Wanshuang beside him, then towards Qiao Moyu who stood at the end of the stage.
Everyone's attention went back and forth between the two women.
Xing Wanshuang was a little nervous. She had actually shown good intentions towards Ye Peicheng several times in the past but he was indifferent to her advances. She had her own pride however, and didn't want to make a fool of herself in public.
Ye Peicheng withdrew his gaze. His eyes seemed like bottomless pools as he spoke with an serious and slow tone: "In Ling Cang's heart, the woman he pities most is Ziyan, the childhood friend who accompanied him in his early days. Not only was she his wife, she was also the only pure land in his heart." **
(**T/N: pure land–in Buddhism, a place which provides a stepping stone towards enlightenment and liberation)
Although he didn't mention Chu Yue, he also only described Zi Yan as someone who was pitied rather than loved. But the last sentence 'only pure land' left people in contemplation.
The reporter below could sense gossip from the response so he continued to ask, "If Zi Yan hadn't died, or if you met both of them at the same time…"
Ye Peicheng replied casually: "It depends on how the scriptwriter writes the plot."
The audience laughed while the reporter turned to ask Xing Wanshuang: "Since the show has started broadcasting, some netizens have called Zi Yan the number one beauty in Sheng Shi. What do you think about this?"
That one question immediately drew everyone's attention.
Ever since Qiao Moyu's footage was broadcasted the other day, some netizens have commented that Zi Yan is more beautiful than the leading actress. In just a few second's appearance, she completely overshadowed the leading character, Chu Yue, who was supposed to be the number one beauty in 'Sheng Shi.' At that time, those who spotted the contention online quickly joined in; the rave about it created quite a spectacle.
Although Xing Wanshuang had a large number of fans and a solid fanbase, it would be impossible for her to go on so long without a bit of dirt on her reputation. That was why many from the audience eagerly joined in the gossip, brushing aside the curtains just to see her make a joke of herself.
There were some from the crowd who took a snapshot of her facial reaction to post online for later. It will eventually take fire on the internet and Xing Wanshuang's team will have to spend a great deal of money to wipe out the photos online just so that the netizens could settle down.
At this moment, Xing Wanshuang stiffly maintained a composed expression with difficulty, especially since she stood in public while being questioned by reporters. Her identity is the eldest daughter of the Xing Group. Of course she entered the entertainment circle because of her love of acting, but since when was she someone who could swallow her anger and submit to humiliation?
So she threw the question right back at the reporter and said, "If you tell me what you think, I'll share my opinion with you!"
The reporter was a bit stunned. He never expected Xing Wanshuang to redirect the question right back at her. So he smiled and turned towards Qiao Moyu instead: "Our Zi Yan hasn't spoken yet. What would you say to her question?"
In a moment, everyone's stares turned towards Qiao Moyu. Even Ye Peicheng, who had always remained indifferent, looked at her direction with slight curiosity in his eyes.
"There is a poem that says: Spring water roll through the fields, Summer clouds curl into mystical peaks, Autumn moons shimmer and shine, At the peak of winter sits a lone pine."
Qiao Moyu replied to the reporter, her expression neither humble nor prideful: "So I think that Zi Yan is beautiful, the same way certain people favor spring and summer; I also think that Chu Yue is attractive, just like how other people prefer autumn and winter. Whoever is more beautiful depends on one's personal preference, what else can I say?"
Her voice carried some charm, but the calmness she exhibited when speaking had a hint of coldness. The reporter was surprised at how a young woman like her, who only recently joined the entertainment circle, was able to skillfully defuse the embarrassing situation. She was able to evade the hidden trap with her language.
On the other side, Ye Peicheng's brow raised slightly after hearing Qiao Moyu's response. Of the different sides of her he has seen, which one was this girl's true self?
Is it her frankness when she was taking pictures for the photoshoot? Or her foolishness when she stopped his car in the rain? Is it the state she enters once she begins acting? Or is her true self the one right now, where she reveals a certain sharpness and wisdom?
For the first time in his life, he took a second glance at a person and felt a desire to know a woman better.
Afterwards, the reporter asked plenty of questions, mostly directed at Ye Peicheng, but he naturally defused all of the 'traps' with his tact.
Eventually, a reporter came to Xing Wanshuang's side and asked, "Wanshuang, it seems that there's a press conference on the other side for the drama 'Xing Hai.' Your brother accompanied his girlfriend there instead of coming here. Do you feel jealous?"
Xing Wanshuang showed a bright and kind smile: "Sister Huan and I have a great relationship. It was my suggestion for my brother to accompany her."
Just this sentence revealed how close her relationship was to her future sister-in-law, and it also displayed how immensely generous she was.
But as soon as her words were spoken, a common erupted from both within and outside the crowd.
The fans separated down the middle and made way for the newcomers.
Xing Yichen, who wore a black suit, walked slowly towards the stage with one hand in his pocket and the other carrying a bouquet of flowers.
It was seldom for fans to see Mr. Xing himself. At this moment, they could see the dignity of a Male God who walked straight out of a finance magazine. Their eyes lit up with excitement. Some even marveled: He's more handsome in person than his magazine photos or his appearance on TV!'
Xing Yichen went to the edge of the stage and went up the stairs step by step before arriving at Xing Wanshuang's side.
He smiled gracefully at his sister and gently gave her the bouquet of tulips in his hand.
The fans enthusiastically exclaimed below the stage: "General Xing is so handsome! Xing sister is definitely happy!"
"Yes, Xing Yichen showers his sister with lots of love!"
"Don't you think that Xing Yichen's and Film Emperor Ye's outfits match well?"
"Yes, these two handsome guys are so eye-catching!"
"It looks like Ye Peicheng is more handsome. I just love his looks!"
"Xing Yichen isn't bad either. I think it's just as that beautiful girl said earlier, each one has its own merits!"
As the siblings reunited underneath the stage, Xing Yicheng embraced his sister. He then stood upright and smiled at the director: "Congratulations on Sheng Shi's successful premier!"
The director also shared a few polite remarks with him. At this time, a reporter pointed the microphone towards Xing Yichen. Since he couldn't get too close to Xing Yichen, he immediately asked the topic that concerned them most: "Excuse me, Mr. Xing, but is your relationship good with Miss Ruohuan?"
Xing Yichen was at a coner of the stage because he had just spoken with the director. At this moment, the light in his eyes faded when he spotted Qiao Moyu on his right side towards the other end of the stage.
She had a carefree expression on her face and her lips were slightly tilted. The reporter who interviewed Xing Yichen, didn't seem to notice his distraction at all.
Suddenly, Xing Yichen realized one fact. It seems that ever since he drove Qiao Moyu away that day, she never took the initiative to find him in his office.
In the past, she always had a variety of excuses to approach him. Even if he refused, she remained indifferent to his harsh words and would still maintain a bright smile on her face the next time they would meet.
The last time he came to visit Sheng Shi's drama crew, Qiao Moyu acted as if she never saw him. As of this moment, he only stood three to four meters away from her, but she still regarded him as someone invisible.
His eyebrows knitted slightly and his heart swelled with displeasure. However, Xing Yichen's voice was particularly gentle as he spoke: "If Ruohuan and I receive our marriage certificates, naturally, we will invite everyone to our wedding celebration to give out wedding chocolates."
These words revealed the state of their relationship. First, they weren't married yet, and second, they already had plans for marriage.
"Congratulations in advance, Xing Yichen!" the reporter said with a smile.
Next was the interactive theatre with the fans. The host took the microphone and exclaimed, "Now fans, please take the acting lines you've prepared and lift up high while we select our first candidate…Okay, this girl!"
When the girl in the crowd realized that she was the chosen candidate, she was so excited that she hastily passed her lines towards the host.
The host opened the note and read: "Please ask Film Emperor Ye to say my line to Qiao Moyu:
Ling Cang: I love you, Yan'er, will you marry me?
Zi Yan: I do. [kiss]
After he finished speaking, everyone's eyes locked on Ye Peicheng and Qiao Moyu.
It was customary for fans to prepare lines for interactive theatres. Generally speaking, as long as the fan's requests weren't too excessive, the actors will go ahead and act the script.
At this moment, the host hesitantly stared at Ye Peicheng. She was aware that this actor never shot scenes with kisses or bed scenes ever since he entered the entertainment circle. If he really needed to do close-ups, he would have the stand-in actor do it. Also, during the road shows, premiers and other activities, he had never kissed another actress.
So the host thought to herself: 'this Ye Peicheng will most likely refuse. Even if he doesn't refuse it out loud, the fan's request for a kiss scene will most likely be cut out of the broadcast.'
Xing Wanshuang couldn't hold back her joy at this time. She wants to see Qiao Moyu hide her face in shame after being rejected by the Film Emperor in public.
In addition, her brother was also present, being the man that Qiao Moyu loved but could never get. If Qiao Moyu was rejected by another man in front of Xing Yichen's current girlfriend, how distraught will she be?
But just as Xing Wanshuang waited to see Qiao Moyu's next reaction, she suddenly heard Ye Peicheng beside her respond in a gentle voice: "Alright." The actor leaned over and waved to Qiao Moyu, then spoke with an indifferent tone, but with a firmness that couldn't be refused: "Come over."
Author's Afterword:
What do you think of Film Emperor's words 'Come over'?
Ye Peicheng: Come over.
Qiao Moyu: You have to get through my son first before you can come close.
Luo Luo: Mama, Baobei will come and kiss you instead!
Ye Peicheng: …