The Nation's Ideal Wife Lover

"Lian!" Tang Mao shouted as he hurriedly ran towards Zhang Lian, the ideal wife of the nation, "There's a new project that was offered, would you like to take it? Here's the manuscript." Tang Mao handed a pile of documents to Zhang Lian.

Zhang Lian was known as the ideal wife of the nation. She was currently the most popular actress in the industry. She was known for her innocent yet beautiful face. Her acting skills could match those who were veteran in the entertainment industry. Her emotions were always well expressed, most of the time newbie actors could not even keep up with her.

Zhang Lian also graduated in a top university while rising as an actress. She has a very nice voice, there were times that she sings the theme song of her own drama or movie. Apart from her talent, her personality was pleasant. She can easily befriended a variety of people from crew to the artiste she worked with! There were rarely rumors about her.

Every man would want her, such a girl was an ideal wife.

Zhang Lian skimmed through the script and smiled towards her manager, "I'll take it Manager Tang."

Tang Mao smiled at her, "The story is really interesting, isn't it? It suits you." Zhang Lian nodded, "When we receive the offer, the producer informed me that the male lead would be played by Li Zuo Jin. I wonder what connection did he have right now? That guy is just a face, no talent at all." Tang Mao who was just happy a moment ago, was now grumpy.

Zhang Lian just forced a smile, gossiping about other people was certainly not her attitude.

After confirmation of the drama, the production team scheduled a meeting for the reading of script and introduction of the artistes that would play in the drama.

On the day of the scheduled meeting, all the heads of the drama and their assistants were already there except for Li Zuo Jin, the one who would play as the main lead. The meeting was supposed to start at 9:00 A.M but it's already 9:25 A.M. There's still no sign of Li Zuo Jin.

A lot of the people in the conference room were infuriated by Li Zuo Jin's bahavior. It was the first meeting and yet he haven't showed his face. First meeting gives a long lasting impression and they were already disappointed. This was not a professional attitude at all! They can't even start because he's the leading man. How can he make Zhang Lian, the nation's ideal wife wait? There were a lot of A-list artiste here. It was too shameful for the production team to have them wait.

One of the assistant came over to the producer's seat and whisper to the producer, which was 3 seats away from Zhang Lian. "Okay, okay. It seems like Mr. Li is stuck in the traffic, but he'll be here soon." The producer said, he was relaxed and he wasn't pissed by Li Zuo Jin's behavior.

'Hmm.. It seems like the producer likes Li Zuo Ji,' Zhang Lian thought.

The introduction started even without the male lead. It went from the crew to the actors and actresses. The main cast weren't stranger to Zhang Lian. The second male lead, Han Lue was Zhang Lian's second lead in her last drama while Jian Shufen was a close friend of Zhang Lian in the industry. Li Zuo Jin was the only person Zhang Lian hasn't work with.

Just before the main cast introduced themselves, Li Zuo Jin arrived. He apologized for his behavior and sat next to Zhang Lian. Everyone just accepted the apology half-heartedly just so the introduction can continue.

"Hi Ms. Zhang, " Li Zuo Jin greeted Zhang Lian as he took his seat, "I'm Li Zuo Jin. Please nice to meet you." Li Zuo Jin extended his arms for handshake.

Zhang Lian shook his hands, "Nice to meet you too. You're too polite. Just call me Lian. We're just at the same age after all." Zhang Lian said politely.

The next one to introduced already stood up, "Hi! I'm Jian Shufen, I'll playing as Tao Rie, the second female lead and Zhang Lian's rival," then she winked at Zhang Lian, "I look forward working with you all and please guide me." Jian Shufen said, bowed and sat at her sit.

The staff looks pleased. Everyone was thinking that it was so nice to work with the two most popular actresses right now. This project was really big, with 150 million yuan budget. Having Jian Shufen and Zhang Lian in the same project can already predict that the outcome would be successful.

Even though Zhang Lian and Jian Shufen were known to be good friends, they only worked in the same drama and movie when they were rookies, aside from modeling and TV shows, they weren't normally casted in the same drama and movie. Both always become the leads of their own, to have them work in the same drama, it really was a really huge project.

"Hi. I'm Han Lue, known as nation's second lead guy in dramas! Kidding," the staffs laughed, "I'll be playing as Xie Jun, the main lead's twin and rival. I look forward to work with you all." Han Lue bowed and sat at his seat.

Han Lue was known for his good characterizations of second leads, he would be the best male lead in the industry if he only accepted such roles. He already had numerous offer of becoming main lead but he always turn it down, his reason was that he was the National Second Male Lead. Aside from it, he had a bright and funny atmosphere which most of the staffs like, even his friends would often say that Han Lue was really a bubbly person.

"Hello." Zhang Lian bowed, "I'm Zhang Lian, playing the role of main lead Wei Meirin. Thank you for giving me opportunity to play for the female lead. I look forward working with you all." Zhang Lian said and bowed once again.

Everyone was pleased. The cast was too good to be true. Even those who have minor roles were A-list artiste.

Li Zuo Jin stood up, "Hi. Once again, I'm sorry for my tardiness earlier. My flight got delayed and I was stuck in the traffic. I'm sorry." Li Zuo Jin bowed apologetically for few seconds before continuing,"I'm Li Zuo Jin. I will play as Xie Yuan of the drama. I look forward working with you all."

After the introduction, actors practiced reading their lines. This went for the whole day.

The story of the drama was about the four childhood friends separated by their fate. The twins, Xie Yuan and Xie Jun, were discovered to be the missing heirs of the emperor, Wei Meirin became the finest and dignified painter in the empire and currently favored by the emperor and Tao Rie, daughter of prime minister, became the fiancé of the future emperor. Their fates tangled, and their childhood can't be back. The forbidden love between the heir and Emperor's favorite painter; the rivalry of the twins for the throne and for a girl; and the women who fell for the same man. Such a complicated story.

When the day wrap up, the main cast including the directors and producers had a dinner together at an private restaurant located inside the Imperial Pearl Hotel where the meeting took place.

Just before entering the reserved room, Li Zuo Jin pulled Zhang Lian wrist and lead her into a corner.

Lian was shock, but who wouldn't be? She look at Li Zuo Jin who was smiling anxiously at her, "Hi Ms. Zhang!"

"Yes?" Zhang Lian forced a smile. She was clueless what this guy wanted from her.

"Hmm.. Can I get your number?" Li Zuo Jin awkwardly asked. Zhang Lian was puzzled.. She doesn't get how Li Zuo Jin thinks..

"This is a big project, I'm afraid I won't be able to play this well so I hope you can practice with me." Li Zuo Jin bowed at Zhang Lian.

Zhang Lian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She was embarrassed at the same time she wants to laugh. The atmosphere was so serious, she was nervous what Li Zuo Jin would do to her. In turn outs that he just wanted someone who guide him.

Zhang Lian ended up giving her number to Li Zuo Jin. Together, they went to the reserve room which caused suspicions to other casts.

For the following months, during their break time, staffs would see Zhang Lian and Li Zuo Jin together which made the staffs think that something was going on between the two. She became his mentor in acting. She guides him well that even the staffs could see Li Zuo Jin's improvements.

This was a rare case, Zhang Lian was friendly towards his male co-leads but never get close to them as much as possible. People didn't know whether it was to avoid issues or just because she's not used with boys around.

As for Li Zuo Jin's improvements, this made some staffs like him, they see how he exerted effort to improve but there were still who thinks that it was all for his public image. He was branded as a model but not an actor after all. Nobody knows how he got his acting offers. Especially for this one, where big celebrities were casted. There were plenty of experienced male leads who can take the role but the producer chose him. Due to this, many people criticized the drama even though it hasn't been aired. Some of those Li Zuo Jin's haters in the crew wished that there a rumor would sprout that him and Zhang Lian were dating so the people would hate him, but that would also tarnish Zhang Lian's image.. They could only watch as they see Zhang Lian being friendly to him.

"Lian, how would you act this part?" Li Zuo Jin asked as he showed his script, full of notes, to Zhang Lian.

It was Jian Shufen and Han Lue's scene that was being shoot, so the two was practically on break. Zhang Lian looked at the script and saw that it was the scene where they would almost kiss.. Zhang Lian was supposed to be used to this, she had been in the industry since she was 14 years old, her first project which had kidding scene was when she was 19 years old. It's been 5 years since then, she already took countless of drama and movie that has kissing scenes. But why did she feel flustered and embarrassed like it was her first time doing this kind of scene?

"Lian?" Li Zuo Jin peeked at her, Zhang Lian was not responding at all! But Li Zuo Jin saw Zhang Lian blushed. "..."

"Uh.. you want to practice the kissing scene?" Zhang Lian asked but because of this, Li Zuo Jin became flustered.

"What? No! I mean.. You've been in the industry long enough.. How would you do... this scene? How should I start it...?"

Li Zuo Jin was also lost, what did he want to do..? He just approached Zhang Lian because he thought that he want to practice the scene.. But how do they do that?

The two went into somewhere private to practice the scene. They were so friendly with each other that they would talk about anything whenever they had free time but when they were walking towards Zhang Lian's changing room to practice, it was practically a dead air. No one spoke a word.

When they practiced their lines, it went well however they were too awkward in the kissing scene.. Both didn't know why. They didn't get anywhere, they were called out by the staff to act the scene before they could even finished the scene properly. They were nervous. It was their first kissing scene in drama.

"Ready, start!" The director shouted.

The scene was in the went well but the problem was Zhang Lian and Li Zuo Jin can't act the kissing scene properly. Their chemistry was good the whole time maybe because of their closeness. However the kissing scene was awkward. Everyone can see it. They all wondered why, it was obvious that it was not their first kisses in the industry. How come they can't do it?

1.. 2.. 3.. 4.. 5 takes yet the two weren't able to act it. The director was already frustrated. It was the last scene they needed to take this day but they can't do it.

When the director decided to end the day without finishing the scene, both of them were feeling guilty. They also didn't know where did it go wrong. They felt uneasy and restless, random thoughts crossed in their minds.

What if she/he didn't like my kiss?

What if she/he doesn't want to kiss me?

Why do I suddenly feel uneasy?

Why does my heart feel warm whenever our lips touched?

Both gone home without answers. Why why why?

Next day was their rest day from the shooting in drama although a popular talk show invited the main cast.

"Good afternoon! Guess who are today's guests?" The host asked, "Who? They're the cast of an upcoming drama that was talked of the town right now!" The host of the show have always loved surprises, "Yeah! It's Mr. Dai and Mrs. Wo! The actress and actor who play the as Zhang Lian's parents in Love, Fate, War!" Host shouted as Zhang Lian and Li Zuo Jin walked towards the stage.

The talk show was live so fans were irritated by the hosts introduction, it was the main topic now in weibo.

"Kidding! It's Zhang Lian and Li Zuo Jin who would play as the lead actors of the upcoming drama Love, Fate, War!"

This MC...

Zhang Lian and Li Zuo Jin introduced themselves. The host gestured the two to sit at the sofa.

"You're here again Ms. Zhang! You were also here when you promoted your last drama right?" The host asked.

Zhang Lian nodded, "Yes. I was with Bai Kong Qiu that time. Thanks for having me here again." Zhang Lian stood up and bowed once again.

Host: "Today you are with Li Zuo Jin. How are you?"

Li Zuo Jin smiled, "It's my first time here, I'm quite nervous."

The host leaned back, "ohhhhh. We're you also nervous working with the Nation's ideal wife?"

Zhang Lian blushed, it's been a while since people started calling her that however she was still not used to it.

Li Zuo Jin looked at Zhang Lian, "Yes. Of course. She's Nation's Wife after all. Her acting skill is so good and she's so beautiful. Who wouldn't be nervous working with her?" Li Zuo Jin honestly answered.

"But were you able to improve your acting skills as the drama progress?"

"Yes. I think so.." Li Zuo Jin answered shyly.

"Was it because you are pressure by Zhang Lian?"

"Hmm... Yes." Li Zuo Jin hesitated. He was already expecting the question. He couldn't answer it as he planned!

"Ms. Zhang, Mr. Li hesitated. Do you think Mr. Li is pressured by you?"

Zhang Lian smiled, "Eh..? I don't actually know. But Mr. Li works hard to improve his acting. When we have time, we would often practice our lines together.. I think that's one of the reason of his improvements."

"So you practice together?"

".... Yes." Zhang Lian and Li Zuo Jin answered in unison.

The viewers, staffs in the studio and fans could clearly see that something was going on between the two! Are these two dating?!! They were going crazy!

"Your chemistry was really good, just like the rumors say! I thought it was just on the drama. I never thought your chemistry would be shown here too. I'm overwhelm."

"We'll.. That's perhaps we're good friends," Zhang Lian answered.

"Yep. We're really good friends." Li Zuo Jin agreed.

After the shooting, rumors about Zhang Lian and Li Zuo Jin dating began circulating. There were no proofs. Even some of the crew began to believe that the two was dating.

Tang Mao began panicking, it was Zhang Lian's first time to have such controversy. Everyone was curious.

We're they dating or not? Do they suit each other or not? A lot of discussion began in the internet. The respective entertainment didn't know how respond to the number of calls and emails they received.

Was the Nation's ideal wife bewitched by a rookies charm?

Was the Nation's ideal wife taken? How? When?

Do they already know each other before the filming?

How many months have they already dated?

Perhaps it was the reason why Zhang Lian not get too close to other male leads?

Zhang Lian was nervous. Never in her career this happened. She didn't know how to respond so she kept quiet. During this time, she also realized that dating Li Zuo Jin seems to be okay... It made her heart fluttered... She thought.

Every time she thought of it, she feels like her heart and mind were going to explode. She would become nervous every time her manager would mention Li Zuo Jin. What was this feeling.. It was Zhang Lian's all first time.

Zhang Lian and Li Zuo Jin, without the consent of their manager and agencies, decided to meet up to talk about their issue and the last scene they haven't perform..

They reserved a private room at a restaurant under Li Zuo Jin's name.

No one talked, they silently eat their meals.

"I'm not surehow I feel but should we try dating?" Li Zuo Jin sincerely asked.

Zhang Lian looked at Li Zuo Jin. She could see that he was anxious, dating seems easy for normal people but for them it has a huge impact on them and on their career. Deciding whether to date or not, whether they explore the unknown feelings or not, it's a huge risk.

"Sure." Zhang Lian answered while smiling. She was also worrying about this. But she felt like it was worth it.

The next day everyone was shook by the headline of the number one

legit gossip website.

NATION'S IDEAL WIFE CONFIRMED TO BE DATING LI ZUO JIN