Chapter 26

An hour later.

Yang Mi, with sore legs, lay lazily on Zhou Jin's chest, her breathing not yet fully calmed down.

She and Zhou Jin hadn't seen each other for a long time, and all the longing accumulated during this period was vented in that "ball game" just now.

Although her body was tired and sore, and even felt a bit of hidden pain from the rough confrontation.

But she felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction in her heart.

Zhou Jin hugged Yang Mi's smooth back with one hand; he enjoyed this post-game intimacy with Yang Mi.

The usual Yang Mi was strong, domineering, and liked to take the initiative in everything.

But when playing a "ball game" with him, she was like a completely different person.

The side of a little woman was fully revealed; she would concede, show weakness, and even beg for mercy in a soft voice.

That contrast gave Zhou Jin an unprecedented sense of conquest.

"Mi-jie, can you say it now? What exactly is the surprise?"

Zhou Jin asked while very naturally reaching his other hand under the quilt.

Yang Mi's face flushed instantly, and she slapped his hand away in disgust. Zhou Jin was thick-skinned and didn't move his hand at all. Yang Mi hummed lightly, really having no strength to argue with him, so she let him be.

She squinted her eyes and said lazily: "The *Return of the Condor Heroes* crew, the actor playing Yelu Qi had some trouble. The crew needed to find someone to fill in temporarily, so I thought of you and was prepared to recommend you to the director."

*The Return of the Condor Heroes*?

Not *Nirvana in Fire*.

Although he guessed wrong, Zhou Jin was still somewhat pleasantly surprised. This was a Jin Yong drama, definitely a big production. Although Yelu Qi's scenes were few and couldn't compare to Ling Yue, being able to show his face in a drama of this level and let the audience get familiar with him was too important for a newcomer.

However, that Luck Card, the tiger didn't show its power; why was it a bit like a sick cat?

Zhou Jin hugged Yang Mi, just about to agree, when his phone suddenly vibrated.

He picked up his phone and took a look; it was an email notification. Zhou Jin's expression became serious, and he suddenly thought of something. He pulled his hand out from under the quilt and clicked on the email.

Yang Mi felt empty on her body and subconsciously asked: "What's wrong?"

Zhou Jin stared at the phone screen.

The reply email from the *Nirvana in Fire* crew had only one line of text.

"Hello, Mr. Zhou Jin, I am from the official *Nirvana in Fire* crew. Are you interested in trying the role of Prince Yu, Xiao Jingheng? The audition time is xxx. If you are interested..."

Zhou Jin's eyes lit up sharply.

He read that line twice, confirming he hadn't misread it.

Yelu Qi and Prince Yu—although both were supporting roles, their weight could not be mentioned in the same breath.

Yelu Qi had very few scenes, at most just getting familiar with the audience.

But Prince Yu Xiao Jingheng was different; this was a role that could shine, had highlights, had layers, and if acted well, the audience would remember it.

Zhou Jin felt a burst of joy in his heart.

Damn, the Luck Card is awesome!

He retracted all his disparagement of the Luck Card before.

This wasn't a sick cat; this was clearly a tiger descending the mountain.

Zhou Jin thought excitedly, I am no longer the ordinary me, but Nicholas "Strong Luck" Zhou Jin.

He was really looking forward to it now.

Zhou Jin handed the phone to Yang Mi.

"Mi-jie, take a look at this email."

Yang Mi took it, her gaze falling on the line of text on the screen, and she froze completely.

*Nirvana in Fire*!

Starring Hu Ge and Liu Tao.

Of course she knew this project; it was definitely a big production.

And the role of Prince Yu didn't have few scenes; it had a complete character arc and its own highlight moments. Compared to this, Yelu Qi was too inferior.

She had wanted to give Zhou Jin a surprise.

She didn't expect Zhou Jin to give her a surprise in return.

Yang Mi raised her head and looked at Zhou Jin with a complex gaze.

Originally, she wanted to feed Zhou Jin some soft rice, but she didn't expect this stinky younger brother to develop on his own.

Yang Mi propped herself up on the edge of the bed and stepped onto the floor, her knees bending slightly, her legs so weak she almost fell back.

Zhou Jin held her waist.

Yang Mi stood firm and glared at him.

"Isn't it because you were too rough."

Zhou Jin said with a smile, "Mi-jie, I'll wash you."

Yang Mi refused, "I can do it myself."

Women say one thing and mean another. Zhou Jin ignored her and picked her up directly.

Yang Mi exclaimed, her legs kicking wildly.

Half an hour later.

When they came out of the bathroom, Yang Mi was already dressed.

She picked up Zhou Jin's arm, opened her mouth, and bit his forearm, leaving two rows of shallow tooth marks, then glared at him again.

"Will I be caught by your roommates if I go out?"

"Then I'll go check."

Zhou Jin pushed the door open, checked the hallway and living room, and after confirming that Bai Lu and Meng Ziyi were not at home, he beckoned behind him.

Only then did Yang Mi come out of the room and sneak out the door.

Zhou Jin returned to the room and smelled the perfume Yang Mi had left in the air.

He walked to the living room and opened the window for ventilation.

Just as he pushed the window open, the door lock clicked.

Meng Ziyi and Bai Lu walked in one after another.

Seeing Zhou Jin standing in the living room, Meng Ziyi immediately leaned over excitedly, her eyes full of light, and said boastfully: "Guess who I just saw!"

"Who?"

"Yang Mi!" Meng Ziyi clapped her hands. "I saw a woman who looked exactly like Yang Mi!"

Bai Lu shook her head helplessly behind her: "Impossible. Yang Mi is filming in Hengdian; how could she appear in Yanjing, right Zhou Jin?"

Zhou Jin didn't change his expression, his voice slightly guilty: "Should be... right."

Meng Ziyi's shoulders slumped, the excitement on her face mostly faded, and she muttered "Alright."

Bai Lu had become familiar with everyone during this time and had long stopped pretending. She leaned over and asked Zhou Jin gossipingly: "You've been in contact with Yang Mi on the set, right? What is she like?"

"Pretty good."

"I heard she's very strong; is it true or false?"

Zhou Jin thought for a while and said: "It's alright. Actually, she's quite gentle when you get along with her."

Bai Lu nodded thoughtfully and muttered to herself: "It seems the rumors aren't accurate."

Zhou Jin smiled, cleared his throat, and said: "Tell you some good news. I'm going to audition for *Nirvana in Fire*."

"Ah!" Bai Lu raised her head sharply and exclaimed, "What a coincidence! I'm also auditioning for *Nirvana in Fire*!"

Zhou Jin:???

Such a coincidence?

Meng Ziyi stood by and raised her hand weakly.

"Actually... I'm also preparing to audition for *Nirvana in Fire*."

Zhou Jin:...

Bai Lu:...

The two turned their heads in unison and looked at Meng Ziyi in confusion.

Meng Ziyi put her hand down and explained embarrassedly: "My father was originally going to invest. I persuaded him to invest in *Nirvana in Fire*. At first, he had the same reaction as you, saying that such a big crew definitely wouldn't be short of money."

"But I acted like a spoiled brat, and he finally agreed to let me try, just to make me give up. Who knew *Nirvana in Fire* was actually short of money, and then they agreed to let me audition."

"*Nirvana in Fire* is short of money?"

Zhou Jin frowned, "How could a drama of such a big production be short of money?"

Meng Ziyi leaned closer and lowered her voice sneakily: "I thought so too at first, but it's true. I heard the director even went on stage to play a guest role, and many actors voluntarily lowered their salaries."