Chapter 209: Teacher Chi, I Like You
In the makeup room.
The indoor lighting was soft yet bright, illuminating Sheng Ning’s sharp phoenix eyes.
The corners of her eyes lifted slightly, sharp like a blade, yet carrying a hint of lazy charm.
At this moment, she had just removed her makeup from the previous scene and was leaning sideways on the wide makeup chair, her long legs crossed, the tip of her high heels tapping lightly on the ground.
“Tap tap…”
“Tap tap…”
The sound stopped.
“What is this?”
Sheng Ning stubbed out her cigarette and looked at the milk tea held by the assistant.
“Um… Jin Xia just came to visit the set and brought… brought it for Sister Ning.”
Sheng Ning’s expression froze slightly, and after a few seconds, she reacted, waving her hand expressionlessly: “Take it away, throw it… you drink it.”
The assistant was stunned, but she knew Sheng Ning’s personality and didn’t waste words, nodding: “……Okay, thanks Sister Ning.”
Sheng Ning didn’t reply.
The assistant held the milk tea, waited a moment, and after seeing Sister Ning not paying attention here, stealthily inserted the straw and took a sip.
“!!”
Instantly, her eyes widened, and she couldn’t hold back, spitting it out with a “pfft.”
Sheng Ning: “?”
“Cough cough… I… Sister Ning sorry, I… I didn’t mean to…”
The assistant’s face was embarrassed, hurriedly explaining: “This… this milk tea… too… too… sweet…”
Sheng Ning glanced sideways: “How sweet?”
The assistant’s features twisted: “Feels… like it has ten pounds of sugar…”
“Heh.”
Sheng Ning suddenly sneered coldly, curling her lip disdainfully: “Childish.”
The assistant didn’t understand why she said that, and just as she was about to stand up to rinse her mouth, she saw a tall, graceful figure appear at the door.
Jin Xia blinked her peach blossom eyes, poking her little head in sneakily, her gaze locking onto Sheng Ning at once.
“Hm?!”
Sheng Ning’s phoenix eyes narrowed, spotting Jin Xia as well.
“……Sheng Ning.”
Jin Xia paused upon seeing Sheng Ning’s gaze, then walked in boldly, her beautiful peach blossom eyes smiling as she looked at Sheng Ning, calling out in a coquettish tone: “Hello Sister Ning, hello Older Sister.”
“!!”
“What did you call me?!”
Sheng Ning was dumbfounded, looking up in disbelief at Jin Xia.
“Sister Ning, aren’t you Teacher Chi’s older sister?”
The Empress Dowager said matter-of-factly, her little face serious: “Teacher Chi’s older sister is my older sister.”
“…” Sheng Ning took a full ten seconds to compose her facial expression, silent for a moment, then suddenly pointed at the door: “Get out.”
Jin Xia: “?”
She put away her smile, looking seriously at Sheng Ning: “Thank you for taking such good care of Teacher Chi back then.”
Sheng Ning fell silent again.
“Also.” Jin Xia paused, then said: “This project is invested by Chi Ye Studio, and I’m a major shareholder of Chi Ye Studio, so…”
“Creak.”
Sheng Ning suddenly stood up.
Jin Xia was stunned: “Where are you going?”
“If you won’t leave, I’ll leave.”
Jin Xia stared at her aggrievedly: “Do you hate me that much?”
Sheng Ning turned around, staring at her appraisingly for a long time, then smiled: “Since you know my relationship with Chi Ye, you should also know that I’m still his only ‘relative’ in this world now… or you could call me ‘guardian’.”
Jin Xia was stunned.
Sheng Ning’s red lips parted slightly, exhaling a faint smoke ring, her phoenix eyes actually carrying a hint of amusement: “When you two get married, you might even have to kowtow to me.”
The Empress Dowager narrowed her peach blossom eyes: “Don’t even think about it!”
“Won’t kowtow, huh.”
Sheng Ning seemed to have found some winning strategy, shaking her head: “Looks like you and Chi Ye aren’t at that stage yet.”
Jin Xia pouted: “Whether we are or not, doesn’t need you to say.”
“Hey.”
Sheng Ning continued: “I really do need to say something, as Chi Ye’s ‘guardian’, I’ve looked into your family situation…”
“Your family has only one old master left from the first generation, he’s getting on in years, the second generation is almost all trash, that money in your family… if the old master passes away… the family assets won’t be easy to hold onto.”
The Empress Dowager lifted her snow-white little chin: “Whether we can hold onto it or not, doesn’t need your concern, that’s all mine and Teacher Chi’s.”
“How could it not need my concern?”
Sheng Ning grew even happier, her face “serious”: “Let me tell you, I don’t plan to get married in this lifetime, nor will I have heirs, so… everything I have now will be Chi Ye’s in the future.”
Jin Xia raised an eyebrow: “What do you mean?”
“My meaning is simple, don’t always use your family to bully Chi Ye, he has a ‘relative’ outside too.”
“I didn’t!! You’re talking nonsense!”
If before, the Empress Dowager was just bickering with Sheng Ning over “old grudges”, smugly “showing off”.
Now, the Empress Dowager was really anxious.
Because she actually cared a lot about this point deep down, so even knowing Sheng Ning was deliberately provoking her, she still pointed at Sheng Ning and shouted: “Sheng Ning, you old witch, don’t talk nonsense, I’ve never used my family against Teacher Chi!”
“Got anxious, got anxious.”
Sheng Ning shook her head: “Alright, if you say no, then no…”
“…”
After a long time, with no reply, she looked up to find Jin Xia lowering her head, grunting and holding back for a while, then suddenly leaning in, calling coquettishly: “Older Sister, in the future, Teacher Chi and I will support and see you off in old age together!”
Sheng Ning was stunned.
“Hmph hmph, Older Sister.” The Empress Dowager emphasized: “Older Sister, Sister Ning, good older sister, does it sound good to you?”
Sheng Ning’s face turned ashen, her body visibly trembling.
Seeing her on the verge of “losing control”, the Empress Dowager quickly turned and slipped away.
Before leaving, she even called out coquettishly to Sheng Ning: “Older Sister, remember to drink the milk tea, it’s a token from Teacher Chi and me, very sweet.”
Bang!
Sheng Ning couldn’t hold back and smashed a cup on the spot.
……
Chi Ye didn’t pay too much attention to the Empress Dowager wanting to see Sheng Ning.
Because based on these two’s past relationship, it definitely wouldn’t be a good result.
But this time, he clearly “miscalculated”.
Outside.
Chi Ye had just finished communicating the filming details of the next scene with the director when he saw the Empress Dowager come out beaming, and upon seeing him, she smugly waved her hand.
“Didn’t fight?”
Chi Ye was surprised.
“No no.”
“Why are you so happy?”
“Older Sister was moved to tears.”
“Ah?”
Chi Ye was dumbfounded: “Moved? Cried? Sheng Ning was moved to tears by you?”
He asked curiously: “What did you say to her? Would someone like her cry?”
The Empress Dowager was triumphant: “I told her I’d support and see you off in old age with you, of course she was moved.”
Chi Ye: “…”
“You’re indeed a bit vicious, just like me.”
“……No more about her, no more. Teacher Chi, don’t you have to film? Go film.”
“What about you?”
“I’m not in a hurry, I’ll wait here for you, you go.”
Seeing she was indeed in a good mood, Chi Ye didn’t say more, escorted the Empress Dowager to his hotel room, and continued filming.
……
Evening.
The film crew wrapped up, Chi Ye returned to the room, but found it very quiet inside, no movement at all.
“Where is she?”
Chi Ye found it strange and called out: “Xia Xia? Xia Xia!”
“Mm… wait a bit, Teacher Chi, I’m here.”
Jin Xia’s voice came from the bedroom—his bedroom!
Chi Ye was stunned, walked over, and opened the room door.
“Ah!”
The Empress Dowager, who was just about to set something down, yelped, instinctively clutching it to her chest: “You you you… didn’t I tell you to wait, why did you open the door suddenly.”
But Chi Ye was dumbfounded for two seconds by the Empress Dowager’s action.
Because at this moment, Jin Xia was only wearing a simple white camisole, holding a Golden Melody Awards trophy in her arms… no, not in her arms, but… trying to hold it against her chest.
#Shi Jinwei same hugging pose#
Can it really hold that much?
Chi Ye was stunned.
The Empress Dowager was also stunned, her little face flushing red as she stared at Chi Ye for a long time, then mumbled: “I can do it too!”
Chi Ye was taken aback, asking instinctively: “Do what?”
“I can ‘hold’ the trophy too, I just don’t dress like this usually, others don’t know.”
Seeing Chi Ye not leaving, the Empress Dowager’s pent-up emotions and feelings finally burst out; she ran over, hugged Chi Ye’s waist, looked up at him: “Take me with you next time you accept an award.”
Chi Ye paused, then nodded: “Okay.”
“……I want to make a movie with you.”
“I’ll write you a script.”
“I also want you to spend my birthday with me.”
“Will.”
“…” Jin Xia buried her head in Chi Ye’s arms: “Teacher Chi, I like you.”
Chi Ye was stunned, looking down at her again: “You…”
“Do you like me?”
Chi Ye paused for a moment, meeting those familiar peach blossom eyes: “I like you.”
“…”
The night was deep as ink, the neon glow outside filtering through the sheer curtains, casting hazy fragments on the hotel room carpet.
The air conditioner’s breeze brushed lightly, yet couldn’t dispel the floating warmth in the air.
“Why’d you suddenly go quiet?” Chi Ye couldn’t figure out why he was so nervous, his voice slightly hoarse with a hint of tentative unease.
——Clearly, you said it to me first!
Jin Xia bit her lower lip, her lashes trembling lightly, then as if making up her mind, turned and knelt in front of him.
Their distance shortened abruptly, close enough for her to smell Chi Ye’s familiar scent, close enough to see the flash of surprise in his eyes.
Before he could react, she reached up to cup his face, closed her eyes, and kissed him.
The instant their lips met, Chi Ye’s breathing hitched obviously.
Eyes wide, completely dumbfounded.
He hadn’t expected the Empress Dowager to be so “proactive”.
Yes, before it was always him taking initiative, but this time, Jin Xia was exceptionally proactive; Chi Ye could feel her deep attachment and liking for him.
Her kiss was clumsy yet firm, with a slight tremble, like a tentative butterfly landing lightly then wanting to flee.
Chi Ye instinctively reached out, his palm cupping her nape, fingers threading into her soft hair, locking her firmly between his lips and teeth.
“Mm~”
Jin Xia let out a soft pained “mm”, her fingertips unconsciously gripping Chi Ye’s collar tightly, letting his breath invade every sense.
Chi Ye’s hand continued downward.
“Teacher Chi, don’t… I… spend my birthday with me, okay?”
Jin Xia’s trembling voice rang out; her body went soft, burying her face in Chi Ye’s neck, letting his kisses trail from her ear all the way, her fair skin burning hot.
“…”
Chi Ye suddenly calmed down, looking at the Empress Dowager who seemed startled, thought for a moment, then said: “No.”
Jin Xia: “?!”
Chi Ye’s palm slid down her nape, fingertips lightly tracing the curve of her spine; through the thin fabric, he could feel her skin’s temperature rising.
Jin Xia shivered slightly, her breathing growing more rapid.
Chi Ye’s kisses gradually moved downward, landing on her slender collarbone, sucking lightly, leaving a faint red mark.
She tilted her head back, fingers unconsciously threading through his hair, a low whimper escaping her throat, like shyness or a silent invitation: “Teacher Chi… no no, really can’t…”
Chi Ye’s voice was a bit dry: “Scared now?”
“No no, you haven’t showered! Can’t do this, you need to shower first with Iceland Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater, then detox and nourish with Himalayan pink salt bath, and… why didn’t you use the perfume I gave you?”
Chi Ye was dumbfounded: “Ah?”
Jin Xia said angrily: “That bottle has a cedar mixed with white musk base note, perfect for kissing… you just smell like body wash now, not romantic enough!”
Chi Ye was at least stunned for five seconds before slowly standing up: “Wait, let me see if I brought it…”
“Wait first.”
Jin Xia called after him: “……I suddenly want strawberry ice cream, the Hokkaido milk kind, right now!”
Chi Ye: “……Don’t go too far.”
“Teacher Chi, can’t handle this? I… I’m just getting started…”
The Empress Dowager said aggrievedly: “How are we supposed to get by in the future? You… you’re too impatient!”
Chi Ye was silent for a moment, seeing the slyness deep in her eyes, paused, then said: “I’m uncomfortable.”
Jin Xia was stunned: “Uncomfortable?”
“……Holding it in is uncomfortable.”
The Empress Dowager looked down, her little face turning bright red, thought for a moment and said: “Then wait, I’ll help you… I need to shower first, hands with honey water… sterile environment…”
Chi Ye’s eyelids twitched as he listened, suddenly standing up: “Never mind, I’m not holding it anymore.”
“Ah?”
“Really not.”
If he held it any longer, he’d be treated like food and “done”.
Too damn scary, what kind of special fetishes are these?
……
That night, after getting a preliminary understanding of the Empress Dowager’s “more real” side, Chi Ye tossed and turned sleeplessly.
He actually knew he’d been impulsive today; the Empress Dowager had just “confessed” to him, and rushing in like that—let alone a picky person like the Empress Dowager finding it un-beautiful, he himself felt it lacked something.
But… no matter.
There was still the birthday.
Last year, the Empress Dowager’s birthday coincided with the 《Circulation》 launch, so it was quite rushed.
This year, no 《Circulation》, but added 《Big Shot》.
Jin Xia had specially taken leave this time to come, one for the birthday, more importantly…
——Teacher Chi had promised to “make up” for her birthday.
But because of the 《Big Shot》’s importance to Chi Ye’s career, he couldn’t ditch publicity and distribution to play with her.
So…
Jin Xia decided to come, to accompany Chi Ye and watch his lead actor debut movie in his life.
……
Early June, weather warming up, Chi Ye officially started running publicity and distribution for 《Big Shot》.
On the other side, preparations, publicity and distribution for the 《Magic City Fortress》 roadshow had also begun in full swing.
The final trailer for Sheng Ning’s only new movie releasing this year, which she filmed last year, was released.
The entire summer slot grew increasingly heated along with the rising temperatures.
