"Are you exaggerating?"
"Don't play dumb. I don't believe you haven't noticed."
"The only thing I notice is that he's not in his right mind."
"Top stars are all a little off—you think you're perfectly normal?"
"Thanks for the compliment. I'm about to become a top star myself."
"Just because top stars are a bit unhinged doesn't mean everyone who's unhinged becomes a top star." Lan glanced sideways at Zoe. "And don't think you can avoid the topic. Be honest—do you have feelings for him or not?"
"Does it even matter if I do? It's not like the two of us could date anyway." Zoe shrugged.
"So, you do have feelings for him," Lan concluded.
"That's your interpretation, not mine," Zoe emphasized.
"You can keep lying to yourself," Lan challenged. "Why exactly can't you two date right now?"
"Do you think his fans would just let that happen?" Zoe's eyes widened, as if to say, Why would you even ask? "Right now, everyone already thinks the two of us are dating."
Lan rolled her eyes. "Go check his super-topic right now, and you'll see how much his fans believe in your joint statement."
"Wait—you're actually keeping tabs on his super-topic? And you still claim you don't have feelings for him?" Lan seized the chance to tease.
"Just because I look at his super-topic doesn't mean I have feelings for him. Your logic is flawed," Zoe retorted stubbornly.
The two bickered back and forth until both grew tired.
"Do you realize how much easier your life would be if you just dated Song?" Lan shifted to a practical tone, revealing her true thoughts.
Zoe smiled faintly and said, "Any career built on a relationship with a man—what happens to it when the relationship ends? Would it survive?"
"Gisele Bündchen didn't hit a career slump after breaking up with DiCaprio," Lan pointed out.
"That's because she was already a top supermodel before she dated him, okay?"
"Whatever you say."
"Exactly. It's my choice, after all. You guys aren't going to force me to date him, are you?"
"If anyone would, it'd be He," Lan laughed.
Zoe thought about it. Considering He's usual methods, it wasn't entirely out of the question.
"If he dares, I'll expose him online as a pimp," Zoe joked.
"That doesn't sound threatening at all," Lan said as she got up to pour water. "You should focus on what you'll do after wrapping The Eighth Heartbeat. If you don't take on another project soon, they might rope you into a sequel."
"I've thoroughly reviewed my contract. The company can't force me to take roles I don't want," Zoe said.
"Contracts are contracts. Don't underestimate their ability to pressure you. After this, you should've learned—only when you're strong enough will others think twice before stepping on you," Lan replied as she returned with a glass of water.
"I've been trying to find the right script. So many production companies have sent me offers. Are you saying none of them are suitable?" Zoe frowned.
"Some are, but the company won't let you take them."
"Why not?"
"The pay's too low," Lan said bluntly. "Some scripts are good, but the compensation doesn't meet market standards. Spending half a year on one project that only earns the company a few million? They'd rather push you into more variety shows."
Zoe sighed. "So realistic."
"For high-quality projects with fair pay, competition is fierce. They don't lack popular actors. Unless you reach Song's level, never mind."
"Can you stop bringing him up all the time?" Zoe picked up her phone and froze for a moment. Speak of the devil—he'd called her twenty minutes ago, and she'd missed it.
She stood up and headed to her bedroom to return the call. She definitely didn't want Lan overhearing this one, or she'd never stop teasing.
"Are you going to sleep?" Lan asked.
"Just returning a call," Zoe replied.
Lan smirked. "Let me guess—calling Song back?"
Zoe shot her an exasperated look. "Why don't you just go be his manager already?"
"If you two become a power couple, I wouldn't mind working for you," Lan teased.
Zoe rolled her eyes and closed the door behind her.
As soon as Zoe returned the call, Song picked up.
"Were you on a date with your secret boyfriend? Took you long enough to notice my missed call," he quipped.
Zoe let out a cold laugh. "Isn't my secret boyfriend you? Shouldn't you know if I was on a date?"
"…Who said I was your secret boyfriend?" Song muttered.
"Spit it out. If you have questions, go ask the pesky paparazzi."
"You're so grumpy," Song grumbled.
Zoe clenched her teeth in frustration.
Finally, Song got to the point. "I need a favor."
This was the first time Song had ever seriously asked for her help.
"What do you need?"
"I need to meet someone for dinner, but I can't let my manager know who it is. Can you cover for me?"
"What? Who are you meeting that's so secretive? Is it your secret daughter or something?"
"Get lost! You're the one with a secret daughter," Song retorted, exasperated.
Zoe chuckled. "Sure, no problem. Just give me a heads-up when and where."
"Send me your available time slots in Shanghai, and I'll set it up," Song said.
"Got it. I'll check with Lan and send them over."
Song hummed in agreement.
"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
"Wait," Song interrupted.
"What now?"
"You… really don't have a boyfriend?" Song hesitated before asking.
Zoe frowned. "Why are you even asking? Do you think I can have a boyfriend right now?"
"True," Song chuckled softly.
For some reason, Zoe thought she caught a hint of melancholy in his laugh.
"Alright, nothing else. Bye," Song said before hanging up.
Zoe stared at her phone, her heart beating a little faster.
She touched her face—it felt warm.
Was she losing her mind?
Had Lan's teasing actually gotten to her?
Zoe patted her cheeks, trying to snap herself out of it, but her mind wandered to Song's image.
They hadn't known each other long and had only met a handful of times. But thanks to the surrounding circumstances, it felt like they already shared a deep familiarity.
Was it an illusion or a hidden desire?