Got a Happy Ending With My Ex’s Sister? (GL) - Chapter 13: Sweetness

Chapter 13: Sweetness

As Tao Ziyan reached the door, Chang Qing stepped out, and Tao Ziyan froze briefly before peering inside, smiling. “Is this from Teacher Tang for me? I brought chocolates too, what a coincidence.”

“Huh?” Chang Qing glanced down, spotting the same brand of chocolate in Tao Ziyan’s hand. This chocolate wasn’t sold domestically; Ye Rong had bought it abroad at a specialty store.

Calling it a coincidence was a stretch.

Tao Ziyan added, “I heard each flavor’s unique. Perfect, I’ll swap with Teacher Tang.” With shameless finesse, she reached for Chang Qing’s box.

Chang Qing hesitated, unsure whether to hand it over, and glanced at Tang Yiqiu. Tang Yiqiu spoke, her voice icy, “Why haven’t you delivered it yet?” She didn’t spare Tao Ziyan a look.

The door was open, and Tao Ziyan’s voice was loud; Tang Yiqiu had clearly heard but said this deliberately. Chang Qing pulled back her hand. “Sorry, this is from Teacher Tang for Huanhuan.”

Tao Ziyan’s movement froze, her forced smile twitching. Shi Huan, lingering at the door, heard this and darted over, eyeing the box. “Teacher Tang’s giving this to me?”

Chang Qing nodded firmly. “Teacher Tang saw you were down this morning, so she asked me to bring you two boxes.”

Shi Huan blinked, tilting to look at Tang Yiqiu. Could this be Teacher Tang cheering her up? Tang Yiqiu, not expecting Chang Qing’s bluntness, called her name coldly.

Chang Qing winked at Shi Huan, shoving the chocolates into her hands.

The gold tin nearly went to Tao Ziyan. Shi Huan whispered, “Better not humiliate yourself.”

Tao Ziyan feigned confusion. “Since Teacher Tang gave you that box, I’ll give mine to her. Perfect.”

Shi Huan smirked. “Let’s see if Teacher Tang wants it.”

She carried the chocolates into the lounge, Tao Ziyan trailing. Trying to beat her to Tang Yiqiu’s side, Tao Ziyan faltered when Tang Yiqiu looked up, her eyes cold, freezing her in place.

Shi Huan, used to this, wasn’t fazed, knowing Tang Yiqiu’s chill wasn’t aimed at her. She plopped down cheerfully, placing the chocolates on the table. “Teacher Tang, thanks for the chocolates.”

Tang Yiqiu looked away, humming in acknowledgment.

Tao Ziyan steadied herself, smiling as she offered her chocolates. “Teacher Tang, I heard you like this brand. I specially asked a friend to get it. Hope you like it.”

“Oh, specially asked a friend?” Shi Huan echoed her words. “Didn’t you just say it was a coincidence?”

Tao Ziyan faltered, speechless. “It was a coincidence. I just happened to see this box…”

“Enough with the excuses. We’re not clueless.” Shi Huan turned to Tang Yiqiu. “Teacher Tang, you eating her chocolates?”

“No.”

Tang Yiqiu’s rejection was blunt, ignoring Tao Ziyan’s feelings. No matter how shamelessly she offered, Tang Yiqiu refused flat-out.

Shi Huan’s heart soared. She pulled up a chair beside Tang Yiqiu, opened the chocolate box, unwrapped a piece, and popped it in her mouth. The sweetness dazzled her. “Teacher Tang’s gift tastes amazing.”

Tao Ziyan’s face flashed with anger, but she couldn’t break character. Her brows twitched, a spectacle of suppressed frustration.

Shi Huan didn’t care, hugging the box after eating and sliding her script forward. “Teacher Tang, I don’t get parts of today’s scene. Can you walk me through it?”

Tang Yiqiu said, “I’ll only cover the serious parts. Listen carefully.”

“Got it! I’ll listen hard!” Shi Huan nodded obediently, sitting close, smarter this time. She listened attentively to Tang Yiqiu’s breakdown, determined to stay as long as possible, glued to her side.

Tang Yiqiu was a natural at acting—industry folks said she wasn’t just a best actress, she was born for the craft. Explaining the scene, she was focused, dissecting lines and emotions, less stern, with a rare softness.

Despite her playful antics, Shi Huan was a diligent student when serious. She jotted down Tang Yiqiu’s key points, their talk seamless, leaving no room for interruption.

Tao Ziyan, standing nearby, became invisible, mouth open but silent. Even her assistants, embarrassed for her, whispered, asking when she’d leave.

After waiting over ten minutes, Tao Ziyan gritted her teeth, smiling. “Teacher Tang, you and Huanhuan keep working on the script. I’ve got things to do, so I won’t disturb you.”

“You know you’re disturbing?” Shi Huan raised a brow. “Standing here, people might say you’re shamelessly chasing clout. Know what clout-chasing is?”

Tao Ziyan glanced at Tang Yiqiu, who squinted, saying nothing but her gaze approving. Tao Ziyan nearly crushed her chocolate box. “Huanhuan, you’re so funny.”

“Hope I’m just joking.” Shi Huan stood. “If you’re leaving, I’ll walk you out. We’re from the same agency, always tied together. Gotta give you something to write about since you came all this way.”

Leaning close, audible only to them, she said, “Teacher Tang’s clout is mine alone to chase.”

Tao Ziyan clenched her jaw, refusing the escort. Shi Huan hummed, returning to sit by Tang Yiqiu, propping her chin, staring as if afraid she’d vanish.

“Read the script. Why stare at me?” Tang Yiqiu’s slender fingers tapped the page, frowning at Shi Huan’s distraction.

“Huh?” Shi Huan snapped back, repeating Tang Yiqiu’s words with her own take. “You know why Ji Yu’an, even after being kicked out, keeps clinging to Qin Zhiyan?”

Tang Yiqiu stayed silent. Shi Huan continued, “Because Qin Zhiyan’s her faith, her lifeline. She loves her to the bone.”

Tang Yiqiu handed back the script. “You already get it. Why ask me?”

“No way.” Shi Huan played coy. “I know Ji Yu’an loves Qin Zhiyan, but does Qin Zhiyan love her? Show me how you read Qin Zhiyan.”

Tang Yiqiu’s hand shot to the script on the table. “Want to know? Ask Director Chen.”

“Come on, just a peek. Don’t be stingy.” Shi Huan lunged, her fingers brushing Tang Yiqiu’s hand, slipping between them, almost interlocking as she tugged.

“Don’t grope.” Tang Yiqiu warned.

Shi Huan played innocent. “Just looking at the script, not doing anything.”

Tang Yiqiu gritted her teeth, faintly angry, but didn’t shoo her away. Her warning glance held no threat for Shi Huan, who, ever bold, sensed indulgence and pushed further. “Just a look, nothing else. Chen won’t know, right?”

Her hushed, coaxing voice, fingers grazing fingers, stirred something unreadable in Tang Yiqiu’s eyes. She grabbed Shi Huan’s wrist, pulling her hand away, and said coldly, “Director Chen’s here.”

“Where? I didn’t see—”

“Didn’t see what?” Chen Ling’s voice cut in behind her.

Tang Yiqiu said flatly, “She wants to see my script.”

“What?” Chen Ling exploded. “Shi Huan, what’s with you? How many times have I warned you? Why don’t you learn?”

“It’s not…” Shi Huan was just teasing Tang Yiqiu, not really after the script, but hadn’t expected her to snitch. She glanced at Tang Yiqiu, who flipped through her script casually, acting uninvolved.

So sly… Shi Huan wanted to bite her.

But Chen Ling was still fuming. Shi Huan bowed her head, apologizing. “I get it, I was wrong. Director Chen, I’ll film well later. I won’t peek at Teacher Tang’s script again.”

Chen Ling ranted for ages. “Stop grinning so happily. Today’s scene is the toughest. I’ve said enough before; I won’t give you extra time to find the vibe.”

Shi Huan’s head ached from the scolding. Glancing aside, she saw Tao Ziyan had returned, chatting with a staff member.

Whatever was said, Tao Ziyan smirked, as if mocking Shi Huan for being tricked by Tang Yiqiu and chewed out by Chen Ling.

As they left the lounge, Tao Ziyan stopped Chen Ling, smiling. “Director Chen, can I watch your shoot? Maybe I can offer Shi Huan some tips. I’m experienced with this kind of scene.”

Chen Ling ignored her, heading to the set with his script, instructing the crew to clear out irrelevant people later.

Tao Ziyan pressed on, shamelessly. “Just yesterday, I nailed a scene like this in one take. Director Yang praised my feel for it.”

Everyone glanced at her, expressions mixed. Tao Ziyan boasted, “I’ve done it several times, with Director Yang’s personal guidance. I’m seasoned.”

Shi Huan was speechless. “Do you even know what I’m filming, and you’re ‘seasoned’? With Yang’s ‘personal guidance’?”

Tao Ziyan nodded. She’d overheard bits of Tang Yiqiu’s breakdown, thinking it was simple interaction.

“Watch if you want. Let you see real clout-chasing.” Shi Huan told Chen Ling, “Since she’s got Yang’s hands-on training, her pointers might help me and Teacher Tang nail it in one take.”

Once Chen Ling agreed, Shi Huan headed to makeup.

Tao Ziyan wandered around, inspecting the set like a hidden expert.

When filming began, Shi Huan emerged from makeup, her face pale and sickly. Tang Yiqiu, in contrast, looked normal, hair slightly messy, exuding exhaustion.

The scene was set in a bedroom, the lighting crew dimming the room. Shi Huan was nestled in blankets, but at the sound of footsteps outside, she sprang out, bare feet on the floor, wearing only a nightgown, tightly hugging the newcomer.