The Eleventh Year of Secretly Loving Her - Chapter 10

All morning, Qi Sinian stayed in his study room while Zhong Xiran sat in the living room, the two keeping to their own spaces without interfering with each other.

They barely exchanged any words during lunch.

Before heading out, Zhong Xiran hesitated for half a minute over whether she should let him know her plans, but in the end decided better not.

After all, Qi Sinian had never once asked about her schedule. If she suddenly volunteered her whereabouts, it would only make her look overeager.

Just as she finished changing and was ready to leave, Qi Sinian happened to come downstairs.

He was wearing a black short-sleeved sports shirt and shorts, drenched with sweat and clinging to his body, outlining the muscles of his chest. Clearly, he had just finished a run.

As he looked at her, beads of sweat dripped down from his damp, tousled hair onto his forehead.

Almost instinctively, Zhong Xiran reported her plans, “I’m meeting someone from Hua Cheng to discuss a film investment.”

Qi Sinian nodded. “What time?”

Zhong Xiran, “Four o’clock.”

He glanced at the time. “Wait a few minutes. I need to head out, too. I’ll give you a ride on the way.”

She froze slightly, her breath unconsciously slowing. “Okay.”

She sat on the sofa, watching the second hand tick across the wall clock, listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom, feeling a little dazed.

She couldn’t figure out why Qi Sinian suddenly wanted to drive her.

Maybe it was because of Huo Xin’s recent reckless moves?

Qi Sinian was ready in just ten minutes, not making her wait.

The two said almost nothing during the ride, an extended silent pantomime of awkwardness.

Yin Tai was in his early forties, with short stubble on his chin and the artistic air of a cultured middle-aged man.

Rolling up the thin film script in his hand, he said, “Director Zhong, honestly, your script reminded me of the girl I secretly liked when I was eighteen or nineteen. It really moved me.”

Zhong Xiran smiled. “Thank you.”

Yin Tai said, “It feels so real and relatable. I wonder if it’s actually your own story?”

Zhong Xiran sipped the tea in front of her without answering.

Her scandal with Huo Xin had stirred up so much noise that the entire industry probably already knew about it.

Yin Tai chuckled. “Sorry, I don’t mean to pry. I just feel filmmakers should be genuine, open themselves up, and pour their emotions into their work. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that.”

Setting down the disposable cup, Zhong Xiran said gently, “Of course, I did put my feelings into it. Many of the details were personally revised by me. But the story itself isn’t mine. It was written by a second-year graduate student at the Beijing Film Academy.”

The implication was clear, the story was told from a male perspective, one she couldn’t have created so convincingly herself.

“I see.” Yin Tai nodded. “No problem with the investment. I just hope the film can start shooting quickly, so we can hit next summer’s box office season. Small-budget films can’t afford delays.”

Zhong Xiran said, “I understand. I’ll start preparations with the producer right after this.”

“Then let’s sign the contract today.” Yin Tai extended his hand. “Director Zhong, looking forward to working together.”

She hadn’t expected him to be so efficient, but immediately agreed. “Thank you, Mr. Yin. Looking forward to our cooperation.”

After signing the contract, Zhong Xiran left, and Yin Tai dialed a number.

“The contract’s signed. It’s a pity Mr. Huo couldn’t come in person.”

Huo Xin stood by the window of his office, gazing at the Qi Corporation building across the street. “Thank you, Mr. Yin. It’s not time yet.”

Right now, Zhong Xiran wanted nothing more than to avoid him; he couldn’t even find a chance to talk to her.

After hanging up, he turned to the real estate agent behind him. “I’ll take this place.”

Before leaving Hua Cheng, Zhong Xiran stopped by the restroom.

While washing her hands, she received a call from Chen Sheng, the head of Jiahe. His tone was eager, “Ms. Zhong, I read your script Secretly Crush on You1. It’s truly wonderful. When would you have time for us to discuss the investment details?”

After her relationship with Qi Sinian was completely exposed, people had been approaching her with investment offers these past two days, only because of her connection with him.

Only Yin Tai had contacted her beforehand.

She politely declined. “Sorry, Mr. Chen, I’ve already signed with Hua Cheng.”

Chen Sheng had assumed she’d been too busy dealing with her scandal a few days ago to focus on films, so he had deliberately waited before reaching out. He hadn’t expected that crafty brat Yin Tai had beaten him.

Unable to latch onto Qi Sinian’s thigh, he nearly gnashed his teeth in frustration, but could only say, “What a pity. Next time you have a script, please keep me in mind.”

After the call, he immediately reported the situation to Qi Sinian.

“In that case, no need to trouble Mr. Chen further,” Qi Sinian said evenly. “But I’ll remember this favor.”

At that moment, Qi Sinian was playing billiards with his friends Xu Jin and Zhou Xuyao at a private club.

As he put down his phone, a teasing voice came from beside him, “Well, look at our dear Xixi, people are competing for her and for her projects too?”

Expressionless, Qi Sinian pocketed his phone, swung his cue, and declared, “You lost.”

“Are you f—ing kidding me…” Zhou Xuyao cursed. “Seriously, ending every game after just a few shots, don’t you find that boring?”

Xu Jin clicked his tongue. “Serves you right.”

Zhou Xuyao: “…”

What kind of karmic sin had he committed to end up friends with these two?

Resting one hand on his cue, Qi Sinian said, as if answering something else entirely, “No one can take someone away from me.”

Zhou Xuyao gave him a thumbs-up. “Now that’s dominance.”

The three grew tired and sat down for some water. With a teasing tone, Zhou Xuyao said, “That day I saw Zhong Xiran and Huo Xin meeting at Ting Club and reported it to you. I thought you’d seize the chance to divorce her, but instead it seems to have fired up your fighting spirit.”

He draped an arm casually over Qi Sinian’s shoulder. “You keep saying you don’t even like her, so why put in all this effort?”

Qi Sinian didn’t answer.

Zhou Xuyao turned to ask, “Jin-ge2, don’t you think so too?”

Xu Jin raised his hand. “Leave me out of this. Only you could ask such a dumbass question.”

Zhou Xuyao immediately derailed the topic. “What do you mean by ‘not you’? Who are you cursing at…?”

Finding him noisy, Qi Sinian stood up and walked off to the side to call Zhong Xiran.

Zhong Xiran had just dried her hands and was about to leave the restroom when a figure appeared in the mirror. Yan Yike, her old college classmate from the directing program.

Strangely enough, Zhong Xiran couldn’t recall ever offending her, yet for some reason, Yan Yike had always looked at her with disdain.

As expected, the moment Yan Yike spotted her, she couldn’t resist saying, “Well, isn’t this Ms. Zhong? Didn’t you already rely on your husband to secure Jiahe’s investment? Why bother lowering yourself to come here and beg Huacheng for money personally?”

When had she ever used Qi Sinian to get Jiahe’s investment?

Zhong Xiran looked up at her. “You really have gone backward in this business, you can’t even get firsthand news anymore?”

Yan Yike sneered. “Chen Sheng himself said he was moving the investment for my film to yours. If that doesn’t count…”

Just then, her phone rang. It was Chen Sheng. She quickly answered, “Mr. Chen.”

Chen Sheng said, “Director Yan, Mrs. Qi’s film has already secured investment. When do you have time? Let’s talk again about your project.”

Yan Yike, “…Alright.”

Zhong Xiran smiled at her. “Embarrassed much?”

Yan Yike: “…”

Zhong Xiran couldn’t be bothered to continue and walked out.

After hesitating a moment, Yan Yike followed her out. “Fine, this time I was wrong.”

Zhong Xiran, “Heh.”

Yan Yike’s breath caught in her chest in frustration.

As she walked out the main entrance, Zhong Xiran’s phone rang.

To her surprise, it was Qi Sinian.

Since Qi Sinian rarely ever called her, Zhong Xiran answered immediately.

Qi Sinian’s voice was calm and faint, “Are you done? I’ll come pick you up.”

Yan Yike watched as the icy expression from just a moment ago instantly melted into a sweet, obedient little-rabbit smile.

“I just finished. If you’re busy, you don’t have to come. I can take a cab home.”

She didn’t know what he said on the other end, but Zhong Xiran’s voice turned so sugary it was almost cloying. “Okay, I’ll wait for you then.”

Yan Yike nearly thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.

Zhong Xiran seemed like a completely different person.

Back in college, she had always been strong-willed, proud, and bossy, as if everyone should listen to her. Since when had she changed so completely?

The two of them stood at the steps outside, each waiting for their car, neither speaking to the other.

After a long while, Yan Yike couldn’t resist sneering. “Looks like the rumors online weren’t wrong, being a wealthy man’s wife isn’t easy.”

“You wouldn’t understand.” Zhong Xiran shot her a playful glance. “I just can’t help being obedient around my husband. That’s probably the magic of love.”

Yan Yike: “…”

So many years had passed, and her tea art3 had only improved.

Zhong Xiran gave her a coy, tea-like smile4, then turned her head just in time to see Qi Sinian.

She didn’t know when he had arrived, but his car window was down, and he was watching her expressionlessly. She couldn’t tell if he had heard her just now.

Zhong Xiran immediately clutched her bag and nervously got into the car.