The man faintly lifted his eyelids, his pupils shallow and clear like glass beads, rolling discreetly over her body. That one look seemed indifferent, yet it had the calm before the storm, harboring an undercurrent difficult to discern.
After that glance, he quickly looked away, making it seem as though their eye contact had merely been her illusion.
...
Xia Siyu arrived too late, missing the standard procedure of red carpet walks, autographs, and interviews. She hadn't planned on posing for photos either, but after greeting the hosts, she headed straight for the main venue.
Just as she entered, her phone rang inside her purse. The sender's name brought an immediate smile to Xia Siyu's face that had been so dismissive just moments ago. It was her good friend Zhou Weiwei: "I just watched the red carpet live, you looked beautiful."
Xia Siyu typed back with haughty playfulness: "When am I not beautiful?"
Zhou Weiwei's next message was: "Your husband is very handsome too."
Xia Siyu's phone almost dropped to the ground.
**
Throughout the entire awards ceremony, Xia Siyu was in a daze.
She too was here with her work; her movie from last year was nominated for Best Actress. But she had no interest in who would win the award—she knew it wouldn't be her. If it weren't for her agent, Qin Baizhou, insisting she attend, she would have preferred to be lying in bed and "dreaming of Duke Zhou."
It wasn't until the intermission when the camera focused on the front row, that a female artist stood up. Shedding her shawl, she revealed a deep V-back dress, and with a smile, she headed towards Bo Yan.
The female artist was Li Yiru, known for her sultry roles. Xia Siyu knew her because Li had once posted an article about herself online, claiming she had "beauty that didn't lose to Xia Siyu and a figure far superior to hers."
Seeing Li Yiru approaching, Shang Feifei, who had been sitting primly on her own, preserving her distance, feared being overshadowed. Under the guise of adjusting her seating, she subtly inched a bit closer towards Bo Yan.
Two women vying for one man, all under the watchful eyes of the audience, guests, and judges—it was a battlefield. Xia Siyu instantly felt awake, crossed her legs, propped up her chin, and watched from afar with no consciousness of being Mrs. Bo, just like someone enjoying the drama with popcorn.
Tsk, have to say, the guy's still got it with the ladies.
Just like back in his day.
Thinking of those times, Xia Siyu, originally sporting a jesting expression, became slightly overcast. But soon, she was drawn back in by the excitement of the unfolding scene.
With Li Yiru and Shang Feifei both making their moves, Bo Yan kept his composure, his eyes bright and clear. But when Li Yiru flaunted her cleavage near him, he imperceptibly furrowed his brow.
"Long time no see, Mr. Bo..."
Bo Yan cut her off: "We know each other?"
Li Yiru felt slightly embarrassed: "I played a backup dancer in your first production, you might not have noticed me then."
"Excuse me," Bo Yan spoke indifferently, "step aside, you're blocking the light."
Shang Feifei couldn't hold back and let out a laugh, and Li Yiru, receiving not an ounce of face from Bo Yan, stiffened in expression, her face reddening as she awkwardly retreated.
The intermission came to an end just in time, and the host, noticing the situation, cued him directly, "Bo Yan is also a hot favorite tonight, especially among the female guests. Out of the many actresses here tonight, who would you like to work with in your next film?"
The camera, following the host's words, began to move slowly. From Shang Feifei, to Li Yiru, then to other actresses.
In the end, it settled on Xia Siyu's face.
ps: Update coming after midnight, this chapter is a trial run