At first, Zhou Zhi thought about Yu Ze's actions, but as soon as the filming began, she pushed it out of her mind.
After work, a few actors invited each other to their rooms for hot pot, while the assistants were busy buying ingredients, spinning around like tops.
Zhou Zhi answered a call from home. "Mom, you're still awake?"
"No, your dad and I are watching TV," her mother replied, "Sweetheart, are you done with filming?"
Zhou Zhi moved to a sheltered spot under a roll-up door to avoid the rain. "Yeah."
"Then remember to have something nice to eat," her mom said. "Today's your birthday, don't forget."
"I won't, Mom. You and Dad take care of yourselves. Okay, good night."
Zhou Zhi put her phone in the pocket of her hoodie. She lowered her head, walking along the wall, thinking about how thirty is supposed to be a turning point. As she rounded a corner, a beam of light hit her.
Zhou Zhi reflexively shielded her eyes.
The passenger-side window of the car rolled down, and Yu Ze's face was obscured by the dim streetlights, blurry. "Get in."
Zhou Zhi stood still. If she didn't have amnesia, she remembered turning him down earlier.
Yu Ze opened the car door, furrowing his brow. "Are you coming in yourself, or should I carry you?"
Looking around, Zhou Zhi's forehead twitched. She pulled her hood up and dialed Feng Hao on her phone. "I have something to do, so I won't be coming over tonight."
The city lights shimmered as light rain fell. The film set was ablaze with lights.
In a quiet corner, Zhou Zhi gazed out the window at the blurred nightscape. The soft sound of a saxophone filled her ears, everything felt peaceful and serene.
Yu Ze put down his knife and fork, his deep, magnetic voice low and pleasant. "Not to your taste?"
"It's fine," Zhou Zhi sipped her water, speaking slowly, "Yu Ze, you must have heard about it. A few years ago, I had a serious car accident. Though I survived, my appearance was damaged, and I have scars. There's also a possibility of side effects that could cause sudden facial paralysis or loss of bladder control at any time."
Her intuition told her this dinner wasn't the end. Zhou Zhi was reminding Yu Ze that there was no need to waste time on her.
Yu Ze's lips twitched. This woman really didn't hold back.
"Talking so much, are you thirsty?"
"..."
Zhou Zhi couldn't help but think there were many rumors about this man—cold, rigid, ruthless, and unscrupulous in his pursuit of goals, which didn't quite match the person she saw.
Yu Ze interlocked his fingers, staring at the woman in front of him. He smirked. "I'm not someone who likes to beat around the bush."
Zhou Zhi instinctively wanted to leave the table, but Yu Ze spoke first, stopping her.
"I'll formally introduce myself. I'm from City A, my surname is Yu, single character Ze, the third-born. I just turned 28 last month. Male, fond of women, healthy, good kidney function, no diseases, no pain."
"I like traveling, and when I have time, I go. I like animals, especially Golden Retrievers. I had a girlfriend, but we broke up after high school graduation. I have no bad habits, no violence tendencies."
"Miss Zhou, is there anything else you want to know?"
After hearing his perfect speech, Zhou Zhi was speechless.
Yu Ze raised an eyebrow. "Since Miss Zhou has no more questions, I'll take that as an agreement."
Zhou Zhi's expression remained unchanged. "Agree to what?"
"To date me," Yu Ze's tone softened, making his words sound pleasant and easy to overlook the teasing, "No matter if you get a crooked mouth or lose bladder control in the future, I'll take care of you."
This sounded appealing, especially coming from a popular bachelor. For others, it would be moving, but Zhou Zhi was past the age of being easily touched. She felt the situation was going in the wrong direction. "Yu Ze, today is our first time meeting."
Yu Ze shrugged. "Miss Zhou, to be honest, I'm a vulgar person. I also follow celebrities."
After a few seconds, Zhou Zhi furrowed her brows, her tone shifting, "I don't like people younger than me."
Yu Ze spoke with a serious tone, but his words remained light and flirtatious, "I assure you, everything that matters is more than enough."
The chair scraped against the floor as Zhou Zhi stood up.
Yu Ze pinched the bridge of his nose. When it came to this woman, he wasn't just losing his heartbeat, but also his body temperature and his rationality.
The rain fell heavily, with many pedestrians walking under umbrellas. A woman in a light gray hoodie walked out of an upscale restaurant, the hood pulled low, followed by a handsome man in designer clothes. Their combination caused a few passersby to glance at them twice.
Yu Ze grabbed Zhou Zhi and led her to the underground parking lot.
Inside the cramped car, Zhou Zhi's nose filled with the smell of leather seats, mixed with the scent of the man beside her.
Yu Ze leaned over to fasten Zhou Zhi's seatbelt. He lowered his head slightly, his warm breath brushing her cheek, barely noticeable.
Unconsciously, Yu Ze stared at the woman's face, his fiery gaze fixed on her slightly pursed lips, which were full and seemed perfect for kissing.
Zhou Zhi was locked in his gaze, her face heating up. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to shake off the rising warmth.
"I said earlier, think about it," Yu Ze leaned back, his voice slightly hoarse.
The pressure lifted, and Zhou Zhi subtly sighed in relief.
The city's neon lights flickered. Zhou Zhi tilted her head, drifting into sleep. She didn't know how much time passed before the car stopped. She looked at Yu Ze in confusion.
Yu Ze's finger curled, tapping lightly on the steering wheel. His deep voice said, "It's blocked."
Tonight's traffic seemed particularly bad. Time passed, and the night grew deeper.
Yu Ze made a call, his commanding tone cold, a stark contrast to the relaxed banter he had with Zhou Zhi earlier.
"Sorry."
Zhou Zhi shook her head. "It's fine."
There was a long silence. The two adults sat in the car, slightly awkward.
Zhou Zhi checked her phone. Several missed calls and a message—four simple words: "Happy Birthday."
Who was this show for? She mocked herself inwardly and deleted the message.
Yu Ze ran a hand through his hair, his throat trembling a little. "Miss Zhou, do you mind if I smoke now?"
Hearing his polite tone, Zhou Zhi was a bit surprised. "Do as you like."
A soft click sounded, and the black lighter sparked a bright orange flame. Yu Ze took a puff of his cigarette, his brows loosening slightly.
Zhou Zhi shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She checked her phone—just past midnight, and she wasn't spending her 30th birthday alone.