In addition to filming, the film city is also a tourist attraction, naturally full of various local snacks.
Sheng Xiangsi took Zhong Pei to the nearby snack street.
"Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
"Just get what you like."
Zhong Pei didn't mind what they ate; it was more about who he was eating with.
Sheng Xiangsi made the decision, "Let's have osmanthus cake."
With the weather getting cooler recently, warm osmanthus cakes, freshly made, were fragrant, sweet, and glutinous.
"Boss, I'll take two!"
"Alright!"
Sheng Xiangsi paid and handed two osmanthus cakes to Zhong Pei, holding them high.
Zhong Pei misunderstood and leaned in to take a bite from her hand, not expecting it to be so hot.
"Wow! It's hot!"
Since it was something Xiangsi bought, he didn't want to spit it out, so he covered his mouth with his hand, enduring the heat.
"Haha..."
His flustered reaction made Sheng Xiangsi burst out laughing.
Zhong Pei frowned and glared at her lightly, his speech muffled, "You're laughing at me?"
"No, I'm not..."
Sheng Xiangsi pressed her lips together, trying to hold back her laughter, "Is it good?"
"Yes." Zhong Pei's expression softened instantly, "It's delicious, sweet, and glutinous."
Just like her.
...
The next day, in Shanhaicheng.
Fu Hanjiang and Zhou Junting arrived first and were playing billiards.
Not long after, Qin Yanzhi arrived, followed by Zhong Pei.
Fu Hanjiang glanced at him, wondering why Zhong Pei was here. Shouldn't he be with Sheng Xiangsi?
Aren't couples supposed to have dates at night?
"Brother Fu, Brother Junting."
Zhong Pei greeted them one by one and walked over to Zhou Junting, thanking him earnestly, "Thanks for your help with Xiangsi. What does Auntie like? Tell me so I can prepare a thank-you gift."
Zhou Junting was confused, "What about Xiangsi? What thank-you gift? I don't understand."
"It's about Xiangsi going back to the dance troupe."
Zhong Pei explained, "She returned to the dance troupe, thanks to Auntie's help."
Oh?
Zhou Junting was surprised. Sheng Xiangsi returned to the dance troupe? But he didn't know about this.
Suddenly, he glanced at Fu Hanjiang.
Fu Hanjiang remained silent, focused on his billiards game, looking unconcerned.
It was obvious. Zhou Junting understood immediately.
He smiled, "It was nothing. No need to thank me."
"I insist." Zhong Pei said with a smile, "If you don't tell me, I'll figure something out myself."
"Alright, do as you see fit."
Zhong Pei turned to discuss it with Qin Yanzhi.
Meanwhile, Zhou Junting looked at Fu Hanjiang with a meaningful smile, "What's going on, Mr. Fu? Doing good without wanting recognition?"
Fu Hanjiang concentrated on his game, not looking at him.
"What's the point of getting recognition?"
"So it was you who helped her? And you don't plan to let Sheng Xiangsi know?"
"Why should she know?"
"Isn't it..." Zhou Junting was astonished, "You're doing it for nothing?"
Hmph.
Fu Hanjiang chuckled softly. How was it for nothing? Didn't Xiangsi return to the dance troupe?
"Telling her wouldn't change anything. She wouldn't leave Zhong Pei and come back to me, would she?"
That was impossible.
Zhou Junting shivered, "At least let her be grateful to you, remember your kindness?"
Fu Hanjiang shook his head. What would he do with a mere 'thank you'?
"I don't need it."
Really? Zhou Junting narrowed his eyes, "Then tell me, what did you gain from helping her?"
Fu Hanjiang continued playing, not answering.
"Could it be..."
Zhou Junting didn't expect an answer, "You can't let her go, can you?"
Thud!
Fu Hanjiang's shot missed, scattering the balls.
...
On the day Sheng Xiangsi reported back to the dance troupe, the place was in an uproar.
"Teacher Gu, you need to explain why Sheng Xiangsi can return to the troupe, don't you?"
The most disgruntled was Diao Yan.
She thought she had the lead dancer position secured.
But unexpectedly, Sheng Xiangsi returned?
"Teacher Gu, her return breaks the rules of the troupe!"
"That's right."
"Exactly..."
Facing everyone's criticism, Gu Shaohua was prepared.
She calmly looked at Sheng Xiangsi standing aside, "Last time, I didn't investigate properly. Sheng Xiangsi had signed a contract with the production team before joining the troupe, so strictly speaking, she didn't break any rules."
What?
Diao Yan was stunned, "She claims it was before joining, but is that true?"
"If you don't believe it."
Sheng Xiangsi was prepared and brought a copy of the contract, "I have the contract here. You can take a look."
With this, everyone was speechless.
Diao Yan was still unconvinced, "But, Teacher Gu, she did take roles after joining the troupe!"
"That's correct."
Teacher Gu didn't deny it, "That's why I asked her to leave, finish the filming, and then come back."
"I fired her and rehired her. Any problem?"
?
Diao Yan was shocked. Can it work like this?
Everyone understood then. Teacher Gu intended to support Sheng Xiangsi. It seemed the rumors of her having a powerful backer were true.
Gu Shaohua looked around. She did bend the rules for Sheng Xiangsi, but since it was done, there was no regret.
"No need to be upset. Xiangsi will show you on stage in 'Qinghuan Du' why I made an exception for her."
The statement was strong and clear, leaving everyone silent.
"What are you all standing around for? Shouldn't you be practicing?"
"Let's go."
"Yes, let's go..."
Gradually, people dispersed.
Sheng Xiangsi looked at Gu Shaohua with mixed feelings, "Teacher Gu, I'm sorry for the trouble."
"There's no need to say that."
Gu Shaohua was impatient with such words, "If you really feel sorry, prepare well. The first performance must succeed without fail!"
"Yes, Teacher Gu."
...
Another evening.
Yao Leyi returned to the Fu residence, and Qi Si was coming downstairs.
"Are you leaving?"
"Yes." Qi Si smiled, "Goodbye, Miss Yao."
"Goodbye."
As Qi Si walked away, Yao Leyi frowned. Why did Qi Si keep visiting Han Chuan? What was going on?
In Han Chuan's current state, he couldn't give Qi Si any instructions.
But Qi Si kept coming, did Han Chuan give him some task before he fell unconscious?
Yao Leyi, full of doubts, went upstairs. She purposely didn't knock and directly pushed the door open.
"Han Chuan?"
As soon as she entered, she smelled something burning.
"Han Chuan, what are you doing?"
Yao Leyi quickened her pace, only to see...
Fu Hanchuan, surprised by her sudden entrance, was trying to throw a burning card-like item into an ashtray.
His movements were unsteady, and in his panic, he almost burned his hand.
"Be careful!"
Yao Leyi was startled and quickly grabbed his hand.
"Are you okay? Did you get burned?"
Fu Hanchuan frowned at her and shook his head.
Looking at the ashtray, the card had already burned up, and his expression relaxed.