Chapter 54: Are You Doing This on Purpose?

Chapter 54: Are You Doing This on Purpose?

She began to regret, drowning in pain every day, digging out old photos and love letters between her and Chen Lin, utterly heartbroken. Later, her secret crush on Chen Lin was discovered by his wife, leading to a heated argument between them. The next day, Chen Lin came to confront her, his gaze cold as a stranger’s, his tone laced with anger.

After Chen Lin left, Xiao Ying collapsed onto the sofa, recalling their shared memories from childhood until now, crying until she passed out. When she woke up, everything around her had drastically changed—the upscale downtown apartment had transformed into a modest three-bedroom unit in a middle-class neighborhood. It had all just been a dream.

When Song Jia walked back in, she saw An Wen still holding the script for Zeng Ji Fou and asked, "Interested in this one?"

"This story is deeply moving. The time-travel premise is fresh, and it tackles domestic violence while highlighting modern young people’s dissatisfaction with their realities. I think it’s really good," An Wen replied.

"I also think it’s a solid film, but it’s a small production. Are you sure you want to do it?" Song Jia asked.

"Even if it’s small-scale, Director Wu wouldn’t cast recklessly. The acting quality is guaranteed," An Wen said.

"Alright, then we’ll go with this one," Song Jia agreed.

The next day, however, Hua Luo Chang An called to inform An Wen that she had passed the audition. Song Jia was stunned for a long moment after hanging up, while An Wen, still absorbed in her game, cursed Xia Jin for being a noob.

She was the most talented newcomer Song Jia had ever managed—and the luckiest.

With three to four months of pre-production left for Hua Luo Chang An, there was enough time for An Wen to finish filming Zeng Ji Fou.

Wu Yan never expected his small-budget film to attract someone as high-profile as An Wen, who not only didn’t demand a hefty fee but also stunned everyone with her audition performance.

When Zeng Ji Fou officially announced An Wen’s casting on Weibo, it immediately trended on Hot Search. The official account’s followers skyrocketed from a few thousand to 150,000 in a single day.

Netizens were intensely curious about a beauty like An Wen, and forums quickly circulated the news.

To stay on schedule, An Wen joined the production early. The actor playing Chen Lin was Qi Ming, a skilled but underrated actor with high public recognition due to his child star background.

He seemed to dislike An Wen, avoiding any interaction with her outside of filming.

Song Jia warned An Wen that Qi Ming was close friends with Lu Man'er, but An Wen didn’t care. They were just co-stars—they didn’t have to be friends.

That day, during the scene where Chen Lin comforts Xiao Ying, Wu Yan felt the emotions were lacking and the atmosphere wasn’t right. After several NGs, he finally snapped at Qi Ming, "Chen Lin, you love Xiao Ying. Seeing her so heartbroken and miserable pains you deeply, and you’re suffering too—you’re portraying those aspects well. But where’s the love? You need to show the love. Why does it look like you’re the one being abused? You’re suffering for the person you love, understand? Let’s go again!"

An Wen was starting to suspect Qi Ming was deliberately making things difficult for her. She had cried so many times her eyes ached. But Qi Ming was equally frustrated—he genuinely disliked An Wen, and every time he had to act out affection, he felt an inexplicable resistance.

The girl in his arms seemed to be getting angry, her beautiful eyes glaring at him red-rimmed as she wiped her tears. "Qi Ming," she asked, "are you doing this on purpose?"

"What do you mean?" Qi Ming shot back.

"Better not be. You've been famous for your acting since childhood. Don't be as unprofessional as some people when it comes to acting." An Wen handed the tissue she used to wipe tears to Jiang Shiyu, sweeping her long hair back over her shoulder, her slender white fingers flashing briefly before his eyes.