Peng Yue

The press conference for The Knot was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel as scheduled. The area around the hotel was packed with fans, and when Ji Dongyang’s figure appeared in the distance, screams erupted one after another.

As Ji Dongyang walked into the venue, the media reporters aimed their cameras at him. Fans who had managed to get tickets also stood up. Unable to scream, they could only excitedly discuss in low, suppressed voices. The name “Dong-ge” echoed throughout the hall.

The press conference began promptly at 3:00 PM.

The host was skilled at hype, quickly setting the atmosphere on fire. Director Wei Zhong took the stage first, and under his introduction, Ji Dongyang, Yu Yuanhang, and Lu Ling came up one after another. The host offered the microphone, and Ji Dongyang started the round of greetings to the media and fans.

After everyone had greeted the crowd, the host laughed and asked, “Director Wei, you’ve kept our female lead hidden for so long. Aren’t you going to release her now? Are you trying to drive everyone crazy?”

Wei Zhong smiled, glanced at the curious crowd, and then turned to the backstage area. “Her name is Zhou Yining. Welcome!”

The scene was silent for a second, then applause roared like thunder. Wait, wasn’t the female lead supposed to be Shen Qing? Why the change? The name Zhou Yining was certainly unfamiliar. If you hadn’t been following the entertainment news recently, you wouldn’t recognize this girl at all.

A calmly charismatic, beautiful, and captivating girl walked out from the side of the venue and bowed to everyone. “Hello, everyone.”

Her makeup today looked cold and stunning. Ji Dongyang watched her walk up beside him. Their eyes briefly met. Her gaze held no warmth.

Ji Dongyang frowned imperceptibly. If she was being fickle, she was being fickle too fast.

A reporter asked, “Miss Zhou Yining, you are starring as the female lead in your first film, directed by Wei Zhong and opposite the accomplished Movie King Dong-ge. Are you under a lot of pressure?”

Zhou Yining finally offered a hint of a smile. “Of course, the pressure is huge, but since I’ve accepted the role, I have to finish the film.”

Finish the film? Don’t people usually say they will work hard to hone their skills and make a good film?

No one thought too deeply about it. They just felt that this young woman was not diplomatic enough in her speech. The press conference proceeded as normal. Since filming was scheduled to begin immediately after the conference, there wouldn’t be any interviews or set visits arranged in the near future, so reporters asked every question they could think of.

Director Wei was reluctant to spoil too much, so throughout the press conference, little information was revealed apart from the long-hidden female lead finally being unveiled. All they knew was that The Knot was a psychological film. Ji Dongyang played a psychiatrist named Lu Yanzhou, and Zhou Yining’s character, Pei Yuan, was a patient with mental health issues, including aspects of autistic children, psychiatric patients, and so on.

It sounded like a heavy and realistic film, but the subject matter was undeniably appealing to audiences, especially since Ji Dongyang had never played a doctor before, making it a brand new attempt. Film fans’ expectations were high.

The press conference video and photos were uploaded to Weibo, forums, and other platforms, and fans were abuzz. Wasn’t the female lead Shen Qing? Why was it her? Some people didn’t recognize Zhou Yining at all, and soon the old exposé posts were brought back out. Zhou Yining’s identity was quickly scrutinized by the masses yet again.

“So she has connections, no wonder she can play the female lead in her first movie. Poor Goddess Qingqing, being shoved aside by a newcomer.”

“She worked with Dong-ge in the Taiping Dynasty, okay? They released a clip before. I think her acting is decent. Stop assuming everyone relies on connections. The world isn’t that dark, is it?”

“If it weren’t for Dong-ge and Yu Yuanhang, my excitement for this movie would be zero.”

“I’ll offer an impartial opinion: Zhou Yining is beautiful and unique. That mole on her face is gorgeous. I love her look!”

…

The press conference ended after an hour. After the media finished taking photos, Ji Dongyang and Zhou Yining stayed for a dedicated interview. Zhou Yining said very little the entire time. Ji Dongyang wasn’t usually verbose, but today he spoke more than usual, maneuvering with the media on her behalf. This was rare. Yet, the reporters largely continued to ignore the female lead, focusing entirely on Ji Dongyang.

For the entire interview, Zhou Yining was like a cold, stunning vase, an accessory next to Ji Dongyang, but the two created a surprisingly harmonious picture.

This was the consensus among netizens.

When everything was over, Wan Wei, who was below the stage, finally let out a sigh of relief. Yang Xun, standing beside her, chuckled. “Zhou Yining is tough to manage, isn’t she?”

Wan Wei glanced at him. “You’re overthinking it.”

Zhou Yining and Ji Dongyang walked toward their respective managers and left the venue. The Knot was confirmed to be filmed in S City, and they had to fly out immediately. Filming would start first thing tomorrow morning, which was one of the reasons Zhou Yining had wanted to reject the role.

Wan Wei was a bit uneasy. Her luggage was already packed, and she planned to go along for a couple of days to supervise.

Zhou Yining went home to pack her luggage. Wan Wei waited downstairs. Her phone rang just as Zhou Yining was stuffing Ji Dongyang’s two sweaters into her suitcase. She looked down at the screen and answered on the third ring.

Zhou Lihui: “Xiao Ning, we’re not doing this movie.”

She laughed in response. “Why aren’t we doing it? Didn’t you ask Shen Yanjun to mention me to Director Wei precisely because you wanted to please me? Or did you just not bother to understand the film’s subject matter or the female lead’s role, and now that you’ve seen the press conference, you regret it?”

Zhou Lihui did regret it. Faced with his sharp-tongued daughter, he didn’t know how to communicate. It had been this way since she was little. “I’m sorry, Xiao Ning. Dad didn’t think it through. Dad just wanted to make it up to you.”

Zhou Yining still laughed. “I accepted it. I will finish the film.”

She hung up without hesitation, sat on the floor, zoned out for a while, and then closed her suitcase.

As soon as she left her apartment, she ran into Ji Dongyang and A Ming. A Ming smiled broadly. “Miss Zhou, you and Dong-ge get to be in the same crew again!”

Many couples in the entertainment industry spend little time together, leading to high breakup rates. Zhou Yining and Ji Dongyang had just started, and if they were separated for a long time again, it would be difficult. Being in the same crew was a great way to nurture their relationship. A Ming wasn’t as worried as Yang Xun; he simply thought it was rare and wonderful that Ji Dongyang had finally taken a liking to someone.

Zhou Yining looked at Ji Dongyang, her lips curling into a smile. “That’s right, in the same crew again.”

Ji Dongyang took the suitcase from her hand. “Let’s go.”

Down in the underground parking lot, Zhou Yining took her suitcase back. Wan Wei still seemed unaware of her relationship with Ji Dongyang, so it was best to keep it a secret for now.

They arrived in S City right at dinner time. Wei Zhong waved his hand grandly. “The crew will have dinner tonight to build energy for the start of filming tomorrow.”

The group went to the restaurant. There were two tables, and drinking was inevitable. Zhou Yining accepted every toast, and everyone praised her. “This girl has a great capacity for alcohol; who would have guessed?”

Ji Dongyang watched her indulgently. He could tell she was in a bad mood. When she came over dramatically to toast him, he subtly took the glass from her and said, “Everyone, let’s drink less. We have filming tomorrow.”

Next to Wei Zhong, Ji Dongyang held the most authority. The moment he spoke, some of the younger cast members put down their glasses dejectedly. Wei Zhong followed suit. “That’s right, don’t drink too much, especially Zhou Yining. You still need to go over the script tonight at the hotel.”

The alcohol was cleared away, and after a satisfying meal, everyone returned to the hotel.

Zhou Yining’s room was right next to Ji Dongyang’s.

The main cast gathered in Wei Zhong’s room with their scripts to discuss the scenes. Director Wei looked at Zhou Yining. “You have the most scenes tomorrow. Start with your part.”

They broke up two hours later and returned to their rooms.

Zhou Yining went back to her room, lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. After a while, she got up. The night was deep, and the hallway was deserted.

She walked to Ji Dongyang’s door and tapped on it furtively. The door opened quickly. Ji Dongyang had just showered; his black hair was slightly damp and dripping. Zhou Yining immediately slipped inside, closed the door, and wrapped her arms around his lean, firm waist.

Ji Dongyang held his hands out, slowly dried his hair, tossed the towel back into the bathroom, and looked down at her. “You’re unhappy about coming back to S City, aren’t you?”

Zhou Yining hesitated, then nodded her head.

It wasn’t just that. Her biggest fear was: If Ji Dongyang knew what kind of person she used to be, would he still tolerate her like this? Hooking her arms around his neck, she suddenly stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, kissing him with urgent force. She whispered, “Ji Dongyang, kiss me.”

Ji Dongyang wrapped his arm around her waist. His hand reached for the wall and pulled out the door card, plunging the room into darkness instantly.

He cupped the back of her head and began to kiss her.

In the dark, only the sounds of their intimate kissing and their mutual gasps could be heard.

After a long time, he let her go. She obediently rested on his chest, breathing heavily, her mood calm and satisfied.

“Are you happy now?”

Zhou Yining nodded against his chest. “Happy.”

Ji Dongyang curved his lips slightly. One hand gently smoothed her hair back behind her ear. “If you’re happy, you should go back to sleep.”

Zhou Yining tilted her head back. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and she could clearly make out his outline. His eyes were dark black, hiding a hint of heat. She smiled delightedly. “Ji Dongyang, why stop?”

Ji Dongyang frowned, pressed her head back into his chest. The next second, he opened the door, picked her up, and set her outside. “Filming tomorrow. Go to bed early.”

Bang! The door closed.

Zhou Yining: “…”

Just as she turned around, she ran into Yu Yuanhang and his assistant walking from the elevator. Seeing her standing in the hallway, he asked, “Zhou Yining, what are you doing in the hallway?”

Zhou Yining quickly turned back and smiled. “Nothing, just getting some air.”

Fortunately, she hadn’t been seen.

Early the next morning, the crew was fully prepared. The clapper snapped, and the first scene began.

Zhou Yining wore a black silk slip dress. Her skin was fair and delicate. The stylist had curled her long hair into waves. From behind, she looked incredibly alluring, but from the front, her face looked pure and slightly immature.

Director Wei instructed, “Just pretend to smoke for the scene.”

Pei Yuan sat on her own balcony, her long legs exposed in the sunlight. She lit a cigarette, her movements practiced. Her slender fingers held the cigarette between her middle and ring fingers as she slowly brought it to her mouth, tilted her head back, and exhaled a puff of smoke, a hint of self-mockery on her lips.

NOTES

Xiao Ning: A familiar nickname for Zhou Yining, meaning “Little Ning,” used by her father.