Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 8

As soon as Han Ning heard the alarm bells ringing in her mind, she didn’t care who the other person was. Tilting her head with an unfriendly expression, she fired off three consecutive questions: “Why are you looking for her? What’s the matter? Is it work-related?”

Before she even finished speaking, Shen Xi glanced at her, pressed her lips together, and chuckled. Zhou Heyang rubbed his forehead with a helpless expression. “I can only say that it has nothing to do with you. No comment. Understood?”

“I’m free tonight…” Shen Xi interrupted the tense standoff between the two. “Same place as yesterday?”

Zhou Heyang nodded. “Yes, I was thinking of meeting at eight. Is that okay?”

“Alright.”

After Zhou Heyang left, Han Ning felt uneasy. And she was never one to keep her thoughts to herself. Frowning, she went to the dining hall, found a seat across from Shen Xi, and sat down with a sulky expression. Finally, she couldn’t help but ask, “Did you meet with him yesterday? What did you two even talk about…?”

Her voice carried undisguised resentment. Shen Xi set down her cup and rested her chin on her hand, looking at the top of Han Ning’s head.

Han Ning instinctively touched her own head. “What… what are you looking at?”

“I was just thinking…” Shen Xi sat up straight, crossed her arms, and looked into her eyes. “If this were an anime scene, you’d probably have black smoke coming out of your head right now. Full of resentment…”

Hearing this, Han Ning shot her an even more aggrieved look. Finally, Shen Xi explained, “Yesterday, I talked to him about work. Specifically, the casting change decision for today. As for tonight, I don’t know why he’s looking for me, but it’s probably still work-related.” She took a sip of juice after speaking.

Han Ning immediately understood. Her eyes lit up as she asked, “Really? You were the one who brought this up to Director Zhou?”

Shen Xi nodded. Han Ning’s eyes curved into a crescent moon with her smile.

“You have no idea how annoyed I was the past few days because I was going to have to work with that Nie Lan…” Han Ning let out a sigh of relief. A few dishes were served, none of them spicy. She looked at Shen Xi with a bright smile.

Shen Xi’s impression of Nie Lan was that she was arrogant and domineering, completely unlike the character in the script. Wanting her work to be interpreted properly without regrets, she pushed for the recast.

“Why do you dislike her so much?” Shen Xi had always wanted to ask. Han Ning’s dislike for Nie Lan was so blatant that she didn’t even bother hiding it in front of the media. Unlike most celebrities, she never played nice for appearances.

After eating a piece of fish, Han Ning sneered in disdain. “She’s infamous! She and her team are a bunch of scheming rats, constantly pulling diva stunts and refusing to cooperate—it’s their usual routine…” Han Ning glanced around cautiously, then lowered her voice and covered her mouth with her arm as she whispered, “A couple of years ago, she got bored of a small-time model she was dating and sent her off to some big shot’s bed. That poor girl… things happened to her. More than one person, they say. She was even threatened. Tried to end her own life but was rescued and eventually left the country…”

Shen Xi frowned deeply after hearing this. “That’s inhumane!”

“And that’s just one of many incidents. There are at least ten more like it. She’s obsessed with playing madam, pimping out both men and women—some willing, some forced. And she even takes part herself. Self-supplied and self-sold…” Han Ning mumbled through a mouthful of shrimp. “I bet she scratches the walls at night from withdrawal. I swear, I think she’s got issues. Filthy as hell…”

Han Ning’s unrestrained commentary painted quite the mental picture for Shen Xi, who let out a quiet laugh and continued eating.

Making Shen Xi laugh was an unexpected bonus for Han Ning. She paused mid-bite and studied her friend’s face. Shen Xi’s makeup was light, or maybe she wasn’t even wearing any. Her natural brows were dark, her skin smooth and flawless, so fair and translucent that not a single pore was visible.

Han Ning propped up her chin, her smile growing. Shen Xi noticed something was off and shot her a quick glance before warning in a low voice, “Watch your expression. Put those big teeth away.”

Han Ning instantly wiped the grin off her face and obediently lowered her head to eat.

Still, she muttered under her breath, “…Can’t even admire someone good-looking?” She sounded genuinely aggrieved.

Unfortunately, Shen Xi ignored her and said coldly, “You have ten minutes to finish your meal.”

Han Ning: “…”

Ten minutes later, Han Ning burped as she and Shen Xi left the restaurant. Shen Xi walked behind her, typing rapidly on her phone. Not paying attention to the road, she tripped over an uneven brick and nearly fell. Fortunately, Han Ning reacted quickly, turning around just in time to catch her. Shen Xi fell halfway into her arms, panting lightly from the scare. “Thanks…”

Falling wouldn’t have been a big deal, but tripping in public? That was a social disaster.

“Look at you…” Han Ning raised her voice in concern. “Can’t you just write when you get home? This is dangerous!”

“I know…” Shen Xi pressed her lips together and spoke softly.

Realizing she’d been a bit harsh, Han Ning touched her nose and lowered her voice. “I wasn’t scolding you. Just… walk properly.”

Shen Xi nodded, saved her document, put her phone away, and walked back with Han Ning.

They soon arrived at the film studio’s parking lot. Before they even got close, a sweet aroma filled the air.

“What’s that smell…? It’s so sweet.” Han Ning sniffed the air.

Shen Xi took a deep breath. “Smells like roasted chestnuts…” She walked a few steps forward and, sure enough, saw a small green cart with a middle-aged woman around fifty stirring chestnuts in a wok.

The woman saw them and greeted them warmly. “Want some chestnuts, girls? Freshly roasted—smells amazing!”

Shen Xi seemed interested and turned to Han Ning. “Do you want some? Should we buy two portions?”

Han Ning nodded and followed her over, flashing a sweet smile at the vendor. “Auntie, we’ll take two portions.”

The woman quickly packed two bags, weighed them, and handed them over. Han Ning paid via scan and took both bags. “Thank you, Auntie~”

“Come back if you like them, girls!”

As they walked forward, Shen Xi peeled a chestnut, held it up, and smiled. “Open your mouth.”

Han Ning’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Shen Xi, eyes filled with surprise. After hesitating for two seconds, she opened her mouth. A plump chestnut was placed inside, warm, fragrant, and just the right amount of sweet.

“Mmm~ So good… More!” Han Ning’s eyes curved in delight.

“You have your own, don’t you?” Shen Xi frowned, clutching her bag protectively like a dragon hoarding treasure.

Han Ning was stunned for a second, then burst out laughing. “Alright, alright, I won’t take yours! You act like I’m trying to steal your whole bag…” She held out her own bag. “Here, if you don’t have enough, take mine too.”

“I have enough myself…”

“Okay, okay… yourself, yourself…”