Chapter 401

The mobile phone suddenly rang.

The caller ID displayed, "Brother."

Shen Ci adjusted her mood and pressed the answer button.

"Brother?"

Yan Wenxi on the other end of the line was silent for a moment before speaking: "Are you out?"

"Just came out." Fearing her brother would feel guilty, Shen Ci chuckled and asked with feigned ease: "Did Uncle Yang tell you?"

"Did the police give you a hard time?" Yan Wenxi answered the question with another, his heart solely concerned with Shen Ci.

"No, I answered exactly how they asked," Shen Ci said, a sudden surge of emotion welling up in her heart, her tone becoming sentimental: "Brother, I understand why you wouldn't tell me more. Just now, sitting in the interrogation room, I was exceptionally calm because my conscience was clear. I didn't have to worry that my words would threaten you, nor did I have to fret over whether or not to lie to help you cover anything up."

Shen Ci didn't know if she would have lied to shield her brother at a critical moment had she known more.

And her brother had cut off that possibility from the very beginning; he simply hadn't given her the chance to "shield" him.

How was this not a form of absolute protection?

"Lying and committing perjury are illegal. Since you call me brother, I have to protect you; I won't let you have any possibility of being implicated."

"Besides, I've already entrusted you with so many things; I have my own selfish motives for protecting you, too. You don't need to have too many thoughts about it. If there comes a day when I get out, I will repay you."

He was always like this, unwilling to let her have too much emotional entanglement with him, even if it was just the bond between siblings.

Because he foresaw his own path ahead, those cold iron gates that would only leave this emotion between them with nowhere to rest.

Shen Ci understood, so she didn't say any more unnecessary words.

Yan Wenxi said: "Let's leave it at that for now. Later, if anything comes up, your sister-in-law will contact you. A-Ci... take care of yourself."

Hanging up the phone, Shen Ci sat in the car and calmed herself for a long time, then she took out her phone and deleted all contact information related to Tang Song.

"Jin Xiao Entertainment."

After several months, Shen Li knocked on the door of Sister Kuan's office once again.

"Oh? A-Li?"

Seeing Shen Li, Sister Kuan was very surprised. She put down her work and stood up to welcome her: "You haven't made a sound for several months, why did you suddenly come here?"

Shen Li greeted her first, then stated her purpose: "Sister Kuan, I've finished reading the script you gave me before, and I've made my decision."

Sister Kuan's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "Willing to take it?"

Shen Li nodded gently.

"That's right. I told you that after you read this script, you would definitely be interested in this role. It's also a brand-new challenge for you."

"I was also attracted by this character. She isn't just rebellious on the surface; her inner world is actually very complex and rich. I want to give it a try, I just don't know if I can play it well."

Sister Kuan happily took Shen Li's hand to encourage her: "No problem. Besides, this drama is a serious production, and most of the leads and supporting roles are veteran actors with superb acting skills in the industry. If you can join the cast, you will definitely learn a lot."

"Did Sister Chuhe take it?"

"Of course. How could she not take such a good script?" Sister Kuan laughed: "This way, she is the female lead, and you are the second female lead. Since you are both my people, she can still look after you."

Shen Li smiled happily upon hearing this; she was very much looking forward to collaborating with Ji Chuhe.

"Then since you've confirmed it, I'll finalize it with the production team!"

"Okay. By the way, Sister Kuan, I heard that the 'Jade Bird' production team is currently filming in Longcheng. I want to go see Sister Xiaoyun and Brother A-Pan."

During her break, Xiaoyun and A-Pan had been temporarily assigned by the company to other artists.

Sister Kuan nodded upon hearing this: "No problem. They seem to be in Fang Qi's team now. Do you need me to say a word?"

"That would be good; it would be a bit presumptuous to just go over there."

Sister Kuan smiled: "You're so sensible. I'll notify them now, and in a while, I'll give you an access pass to the film base so you can just go over directly."

After leaving the company, Shen Li took a taxi directly to a certain film base.

On the way, she even sent a message to Xiaoyun in advance, but the other party never replied.

With an access pass, getting in was smooth. If the various filming locations within the base were in use, signs for the relevant production teams would be set up outside.

Shen Li quickly found the 'Jade Bird' production team.

"Teacher Shen Li?"

At the entrance, she actually ran into a staff member from the same company. Although Shen Li didn't recognize the person, the other party recognized her immediately: "Why are you here? Here for a cameo?"

Shen Li quickly denied it: "No, no, I'm here to visit the set."

As she spoke, she showed her access pass.

The person realized upon hearing this: "Who are you visiting? They are filming inside right now, I'll take you in!"

"I'm here to see Xiaoyun and A-Pan."

As fellow staff members, the person naturally knew that Xiaoyun and A-Pan were artist assistants.

They were a bit surprised and stunned; they had seen stars visiting stars on set, but never a star visiting assistants.

"They are my assistants. I've been resting for a few months recently, so the company temporarily transferred them to Teacher Fang Qi's team."

"Oh..." The person nodded in response: "I just saw Teacher Fang Qi at Studio One. I'll take you in first."

"Thank you!"

Entering the set, Shen Li kept quiet. This was a drama set in the Republic of China era, and the actors on site were dressed very strikingly. Shen Li was also a strange face walking onto the set, causing many people to glance over frequently.

Arriving at a relatively safe position, the person pointed to a spot not far away and whispered: "Teacher Shen Li, Teacher Fang Qi is over there. Look, is that your assistant Xiaoyun next to her?"

Shen Li looked in the direction of his finger. She saw a half-reclining rocking chair where Fang Qi was dressed in casual clothes, leaning against it. Xiaoyun was holding an umbrella for her with one hand and a handheld fan with the other, crouching in a half-squat to provide shade and relief from the heat.

The outdoor temperature today reached 34 degrees, while Xiaoyun herself was completely exposed to the sun, her face drenched in sweat, and her skin much darker than when they last met.

Not only that, she also had a bulging backpack on her shoulders. She didn't know what was stuffed inside, but in the side pocket was an extra-large stainless steel thermos.

Xiaoyun's slender body was swaying under the scorching sun; Shen Li felt like she was going to faint the next second just by looking at her.

And there were other artists resting on the sidelines, but they all consciously found shade to sit in. Even if they had assistants with them, it was at most a matter of handing over whatever was needed.

As a result, Xiaoyun's situation was even more conspicuous, isolated and helpless as if she were being punished.

Shen Li's heart sank, and her anger surged up immediately.

(End of chapter)