Chapter 544

"Uncle Jiang?"

Shen Ci blinked in confusion and looked at her mother: "He took the initiative to come?"

Based on her understanding of her mother, her mother's personality wasn't the type to actively invite Uncle Jiang to be a guest at home. The main reason was that Uncle Jiang's social status brought a sense of pressure and distance.

Including herself, although she had a good relationship with Uncle Jiang and would even think of asking him for help when encountering problems, she still maintained respect and a sense of propriety in her heart, never belittling the vast disparity in their status just because of their interactions or his attitude toward her.

She had always had this awareness. Although she was a "Heavenly Dao Favorite," she clearly understood that she wasn't the world's richest person, or even the richest in Longcheng. In terms of wealth and status, she wasn't the most arrogant person in the world; there were many big shots far more powerful than her, so she constantly reminded herself to remain low-key and maintain a sense of awe.

She had a "cheat," but it wasn't an "all-powerful cheat."

"Didn't he have a fever a while ago? I happened to run into him going to the hospital for an IV drip by himself that day, so I just took care of him a little." Shen Jingjing explained with a calm expression: "After he recovered, he kept wanting to treat me to a meal to thank me. I said let's not go out to eat; he likes my cooking, so he might as well come home."

Shen Ci laughed upon hearing this: "You've ended up owing Uncle Jiang another favor instead. People wanted to thank you, and you ended up busy working yourself; this Buddha Jumps Over the Wall alone takes nearly two days to stew."

Shen Jingjing didn't mind: "Oh, that doesn't matter. I just thought he always eats out, which isn't as appetizing as home-cooked food."

Shen Ci didn't intend to interfere much in the plans made by her mother and Uncle Jiang, so she immediately reminded her mother: "But I won't be back tomorrow night; Shi Ye asked me out for a meal."

"Is that the boy from Longda who is currently pursuing you?" Shen Jingjing asked.

Shen Ci nodded.

"Do you like him? Are you going to date?" Shen Jingjing asked again.

Shen Ci didn't hide it: "I like him quite a bit; I think we will date."

Shen Jingjing nodded upon hearing this. She didn't give much advice on her daughter's romantic problems, leaving it entirely to her daughter's preference, but as a mother, she didn't forget to remind her: "Young people have high spirits and are prone to impulsiveness; you must take protective measures yourself."

"I know." Shen Ci was caught between laughter and tears and asked back: "Have you said this to A-Li?"

"I said it once." Shen Jingjing covered her mouth and laughed: "I thought it was just a mother giving her daughter a reminder—a quite important and normal thing, after all, A-Li is grown up too. But I only said one sentence, and she blushed so hard, she immediately told me to stop!"

Shen Ci laughed too; she already had a picture of shy A-Li in her mind.

Her younger sister had an introverted personality and was relatively conservative, but her mother never neglected to provide them with sex education, safety reminders, and popular science just because these topics were too private or explicit.

Because in her mother's view, although such topics were subtle, they were not shameful and were a necessary growth process for every girl. If parents could guide them correctly, the children's perspective on these issues would also be positive and healthy.

"A-Li is like that." Shen Ci said with a smile: "And don't look at how you start businesses and I invest in our family; actually, A-Li is the one with the strongest career ambition. Maybe she won't date until very, very late."

"And they say that once a person is enlightened in one aspect, there must be a defect in another. A-Li is so talented at acting; maybe she has a dull sense in romance—she might be a bit thick-headed."

Shen Jingjing listened, her face filled with a soft glow: "I don't restrict you from dating, and I won't interfere with things like marriage or having children in the future either. I just hope you can be happy and always do what you want to do; let everything else take its natural course."

"It's November already; A-Li's drama should be wrapping up soon. I wonder how many days she can stay after filming this time."

Jinghai City, a red-eye flight landing at 12:00 AM.

At the VIP channel, A-Pan pushed the luggage and walked out first, with Xiaoyun accompanying Shen Li behind. Because it was a temporary schedule and a red-eye flight in the middle of the night, there were no fans picking her up at the airport.

But even so, Shen Li, wearing a baseball cap, was still recognized by passersby as soon as she appeared.

"Oh, Shen Li?" A pretty girl in her early twenties exclaimed, but she kept her distance very politely: "Is it really Shen Li? I'm your fan. Aren't you on set? Why are you in Jinghai?"

Shen Li smiled and responded while walking: "I'm here to see Director 'Gu Lian' for an audition."

"Ah!" The girl covered her mouth and exclaimed: "Then A-Li, you must do your best! Director 'Gu Lian's' films are all award-winning; you can definitely do it."

"Thank you. It's very late; you should pay attention to your safety alone." Shen Li reminded her.

The girl asked cautiously: "Can we take a photo together, A-Li?"

Xiaoyun subconsciously glanced at Shen Li. Company assistants are trained upon starting, and one of the training items is that when encountering such situations, the artist only needs to give them a look, and they will speak up to refuse on the artist's behalf.

But Shen Li was clearly not that kind of artist. She responded without any resistance: "Of course, let's go to a brighter spot in front."

She was always like this; as long as it was convenient, she would never refuse a fan's request.

Afterward, they got into the pre-arranged business car. After the car door closed, Xiaoyun said: "Sister Kuan said that you have an appointment with the director at the hotel restaurant tomorrow morning to chat over breakfast. She reminds you not to wear makeup; Director Gu Lian likes to see the actor's pure, natural, bare-faced state when auditioning."

Shen Li nodded while looking at the script in her hand.

"A-Li, are you nervous?" Xiaoyun asked.

Shen Li looked up, took a deep breath, and nodded without hiding it: "Nervous."

Director Gu Lian was a world-renowned director. Having the opportunity to audition for his film was an opportunity all actors dreamed of; she really longed to be chosen.

Regarding roles, she was never humble; if she wanted it, she wanted it, and she would try her best to fight for it.

So, she had already read the script in her hand several times since Sister Kuan sent it to her.

"Don't be afraid, Sister Kuan is here too. And Sister Kuan said this time it was Director Gu Lian who took the initiative to meet you offline; he is very interested in you."

"It's not really fear; actually, it's more excitement than nervousness." Shen Li smiled: "But with Sister Kuan here, I can definitely be much more at ease. All I can do is do my best and leave the rest to fate."

As soon as she finished speaking, a faint snoring sound came from A-Pan in the passenger seat.

The two were stunned, then both laughed.

"You've both worked hard lately. Get some good rest tonight; you don't need to get up too early tomorrow. I'll just go find Sister Kuan myself."