Chapter 8

In the spirit of "you know, I know, but you don't know," Zuo Mingran confidently made up a story in the face of the obvious disbelief from the costume assistant, insisting that they had a stomach like a goldfish and that there was absolutely no overeating happening.

After all, Yan Yunyang wasn't present, who could prove that she hadn't only eaten three thinly stuffed large buns in the morning but also had a fried egg and a big bowl of rice porridge?

Zuo Mingran spoke with such certainty that even if the costume assistant doubted it, they couldn't pry open Zuo Mingran's mouth to see what exactly they had eaten. They could only gently remind, "The camera magnifies people's flaws. What we see here and what is presented by the camera will have a big difference. There are also issues with shooting angles and exposure on-site. Even the least noticeable details can be exaggerated and magnified."

When saying this, the costume assistant's gaze fell on Zuo Mingran's stomach. Although they didn't say anything, everything was understood without words.

However, Zuo Mingran was thick-skinned. Not only did they not blush, but they also confidently found an excuse for themselves. "I didn't get enough sleep yesterday, didn't rest well, so I'm a bit bloated today."

Costume assistant: "..."

"Where's the bloating? Whose water retention is only in the stomach!" The clothing assistant glanced at Zuo Mingran with resentment, but seeing her lack of shame, she turned and went to discuss how to effectively "reduce water retention" with Mao Mao.

Zuo alone in the dressing room, Zuo Mingran admired her graceful figure in the mirror for a while, exclaiming with satisfaction, "Not bad, this is a win."

In her previous life, she had a naturally slim physique, but compared to the devilishly attractive Zuo Mingran, there was still some gap. In the past, no matter how many times she tried to control her diet or exercise, she had not succeeded. But now, after entering the story, everything seemed to be within her reach.

The sound of her phone ringing interrupted her thoughts. Zuo Mingran lifted the layers of clothes on the chair to find her phone when she heard a brief knock on the door.

At this time, only staff members would come over, so while busy checking her messages, Zuo Mingran didn't even lift her head and said, "Come in."

"It's me." No one opened the door, but a man's voice pierced through the door panel. He paused and then added, "Is it a convenient time now?"

Hearing this voice, Zuo Mingran was stunned and almost dropped her phone. She asked uncertainly, "Yan Yunyang?"

"Yeah."

After receiving a confirmation, Zuo Mingran lifted her skirt and moved towards the door to help him open it.

In the quiet corridor, there was only Yan Yunyang standing outside the door. Seeing him, Zuo Mingran couldn't help but recall the words she had just said two minutes ago. Indeed, one should not make false claims. It was embarrassing to speak nonsense and coincidentally encounter the person involved. The level of awkwardness could probably only be compared to entering the wrong restroom.

Pretending to be calm, she coughed twice and asked, "When did you arrive?"

Yan Yunyang was very tall. Zuo Mingran, wearing flat shoes, only reached his shoulder. They were only a door's length apart, with Yan Yunyang having to slightly lower his head to meet Zuo Mingran's face looking up.

"Just now," he said.

The words took a turn, changing their meaning when spoken. Although he didn't know why he would hide when others Zuo, not wanting to be found, seeing Zuo Mingran before him, Yan Yunyang felt he had found a reason.

Zuo Mingran visibly breathed a sigh of relief, "I see."

Yan Yunyang's gaze fell upon her relaxed shoulders, remembering a few minutes ago when she confidently claimed to have only eaten vegetable leaves for breakfast. A hint of amusement appeared in his eyes.

Translation:

"Where's the bloating? Whose water retention is only in the stomach!" The clothing assistant glanced resentfully at Zuo Mingran, who showed no signs of embarrassment. Turning her head, the assistant went to discuss effective methods of "reducing water retention" with Mao Mao.

Zuo alone in the dressing room, Zuo Mingran admired her graceful figure in the mirror for a while. Wholeheartedly, she exclaimed, "Not bad, this is a win."

In her previous life, she had a naturally slim physique, but when compared to the enchanting figure of Zuo Mingran, there was still some gap. Reflecting on her countless failed attempts to control her diet and exercise, she was amazed that now, after being transported into this book, she had everything she desired.

As her phone rang, Zuo Mingran lifted the piled-up clothes on the chair to find her phone. Just as she retrieved it, she heard a brief knock on the door.

Knowing that only staff members would come at this time, Zuo Mingran was absorbed in reading her messages and nonchalantly said without lifting her head, "Come in."

"It's me." Although nobody opened the door, a man's voice penetrated through the door panel. Pausing for a moment, the man continued, "Is now a convenient time?"

Hearing this voice, Zuo Mingran was startled and nearly dropped her phone. Uncertain, she asked, "Yan Yunyang?"

"Yeah."

Receiving a confirmation, Zuo Mingran gathered her skirt and moved towards the door to help him open it.

In the silent corridor, only Yan Yunyang stood outside. Seeing him, Zuo Mingran couldn't help but recall the words she had spoken just two minutes ago. Truly, one should not hastily make claims without considering the consequences. It was a coincidence that she happened to be caught in the act. The awkwardness of this situation could be likened only to mistakenly walking into the wrong restroom.

Pretending to be composed, she coughed twice and asked, "When did you arrive?"

Yan Yunyang was quite tall, and Zuo Mingran, wearing flat shoes, only reached his shoulder. One in the room and the other outside, they were not far apart. Yan Yunyang had to slightly lower his head to meet Zuo Mingran's upturned face.

"Just now," he said.

His words took a twist, altering their meaning upon being spoken. Although he didn't know why he had hidden when others Zuo, evading detection, seeing Zuo Mingran before him, Yan Yunyang felt he had found a justification.

Zuo Mingran visibly sighed in relief, "I see."

Yan Yunyang's gaze fell upon her relaxed shoulders, remembering a few minutes ago when she confidently claimed to have eaten only vegetable leaves for breakfast. A smile appeared in the depths of his eyes.

Zuo Mingran thought for a moment. If Yan Yunyang had arrived a few minutes earlier, Mao Mao and the costume assistant would have definitely run into him when they were leaving. He would have told her at that time instead of leaving without saying anything.

Feeling relieved that Yan Yunyang hadn't heard anything, Zuo Mingran leaned against the doorframe and asked, "Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to go to work?"

Yan Yunyang had returned shortly after leaving and handed a sapphire bracelet to Zuo Mingran. "You dropped your bracelet."

The silver chain was adorned with eleven equally-sized sapphires, beautifully crafted. Even without light shining on it, the brilliance unique to gemstones could still be seen.

Seeing the bracelet, Zuo Mingran was a bit confused. "But I didn't wear my bracelet today."

She wasn't in the habit of wearing accessories, and in order to try on clothes more conveniently, she was wearing casual clothes today, which didn't match this extravagant bracelet at all. "Could it be someone else's that was Zuo in your car?"

Yan Yunyang looked at her deeply. "No."

"Are you sure?" Zuo Mingran raised an eyebrow, flipping the bracelet back and forth.

Yan Yunyang calmly replied, "Only you sat in the passenger seat."

Zuo Mingran froze for a moment, her hand on the bracelet, and lifted her eyes to look at him. Yan Yunyang's expression remained unchanged, a gentle smile hanging on his face, exuding a warm and considerate vibe even from three meters away.

Nodding without confirming or denying, Zuo Mingran put away the bracelet and changed the subject. "I don't remember if I have such a bracelet. I'll ask my assistant later, and if it's not mine, I'll give it back to you."

As she casually spoke, Yan Yunyang lowered his eyes, hiding the smile in his eyes.

While the owner of the bracelet hadn't been found, the door to the neighboring fitting room opened, and Guan Xinrui and her assistant came out, chatting and laughing.

Zuo Mingran turned to look, and when she saw the dress Guan Xinrui was wearing, her eyelids twitched.

Usually, when female celebrities appear together, they try to avoid wearing clothes of the same color or style, both to avoid the embarrassment of clashing outfits and to prevent comparisons.

Guan Xinrui's dress was a fluffy skirt that reached her calves, with a youthful and energetic style. Although it had luxurious elements, the overall style leaned more towards a pure and bright princess style, in stark contrast to the gentle and dignified vintage-style dress Zuo Mingran was wearing.

Translation:

Zuo Mingran thought for a moment. If Yan Yunyang had arrived a few minutes earlier, Mao Mao and the costume assistant would have definitely run into him when they were leaving. He would have told her at that time instead of leaving without saying anything.

Feeling relieved that Yan Yunyang hadn't heard anything, Zuo Mingran leaned against the doorframe and asked, "Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to go to work?"

Yan Yunyang had returned shortly after leaving and handed a sapphire bracelet to Zuo Mingran. "You dropped your bracelet."

The silver chain was adorned with eleven equally-sized sapphires, beautifully crafted. Even without light shining on it, the brilliance unique to gemstones could still be seen.

Seeing the bracelet, Zuo Mingran was a bit confused. "But I didn't wear my bracelet today."

She wasn't in the habit of wearing accessories, and in order to try on clothes more conveniently, she was wearing casual clothes today, which didn't match this extravagant bracelet at all. "Could it be someone else's that was Zuo in your car?"

Yan Yunyang looked at her deeply. "No."

"Are you sure?" Zuo Mingran raised an eyebrow, flipping the bracelet back and forth.

Yan Yunyang calmly replied, "Only you sat in the passenger seat."

Zuo Mingran froze for a moment, her hand on the bracelet, and lifted her eyes to look at him. Yan Yunyang's expression remained unchanged, a gentle smile hanging on his face, exuding a warm and considerate vibe even from three meters away.

Nodding without confirming or denying, Zuo Mingran put away the bracelet and changed the subject. "I don't remember if I have such a bracelet. I'll ask my assistant later, and if it's not mine, I'll give it back to you."

As she casually spoke, Yan Yunyang lowered his eyes, hiding the smile in his eyes.

While the owner of the bracelet hadn't been found, the door to the neighboring fitting room opened, and Guan Xinrui and her assistant came out, chatting and laughing.

Zuo Mingran turned to look, and when she saw the dress Guan Xinrui was wearing, her eyelids twitched.

Usually, when female celebrities appear together, they try to avoid wearing clothes of the same color or style, both to avoid the embarrassment of clashing outfits and to prevent comparisons.

Guan Xinrui's dress was a fluffy skirt that reached her calves, with a youthful and energetic style. Although it had luxurious elements, the overall style leaned more towards a pure and bright princess style, in stark contrast to the gentle and dignified vintage-style dress Zuo Mingran was wearing.

The problem lies in the color of the clothes, they are the exact same shade of sky blue, even the lace decoration on the shoulders and hem is so familiar.

If it weren't for the fact that her own dress was still on, Zuomingran would have suspected that Guan Xinrui's dress was made from her own fabric.

Similarly, Guan Xinrui also noticed Zuomingran standing at the door and saw her dress. A hint of hostility flashed in Guan Xinrui's eyes.

However, her current target was not Zuomingran. Out of the corner of her eye, Guan Xinrui saw the tall man standing in the corridor. She took a deep breath and then screamed loudly, as if she had seen something terrifying. She took a few steps back and trembled behind her assistant.

The scream quickly attracted the attention of others, and the staff were startled and rushed out, asking, "What happened? What happened? Is there a fire?"

Mao Mao, who heard the sound, also rushed over quickly. However, she stopped in her tracks when she saw Yan Yunyang standing next to Zuomingran. She also pulled the confused costume assistant a few steps away and said, "It's nothing, we don't need to go over."

Zuomingran crossed her arms and listened to the staff's inquiries. She raised her chin towards Guan Xinrui and said, "I don't know, ask her."

Surrounded by everyone, Guan Xinrui looked like she was about to cry in fear. She lowered her head and whispered, "I... I just changed my clothes and didn't expect to see a boy in the corridor. I'm sorry for worrying everyone."

Saying that, Guan Xinrui bowed apologetically to everyone.

Zuomingran silently rolled her eyes and pointed at Yan Yunyang beside her, whispering, "See, it's because of you."

Yan Yunyang rubbed his nose and said nothing.

The commotion attracted a lot of people, even Wen Feifei came out of her dressing room. Seeing Guan Xinrui's embarrassed appearance, she stepped forward and held her hand to comfort her, "It's okay, it's okay. We know you didn't mean it."

Zuomingran felt annoyed hearing this and couldn't help but mutter, "It's not that she didn't mean it, it's intentional."

Knowing that it was a false alarm, the busy staff gradually dispersed. Some people were curious about the man beside Zuomingran and just as they were about to ask, they were pulled aside by their colleagues who whispered mysteriously, "You don't know about this? Look at what's trending on Weibo right now!"

Wen Feifei wanted to take Guan Xinrui away, but her goal was not achieved. Guan Xinrui could only avoid Wen Feifei, feeling embarrassed, and say, "Feifei, I scared someone, let's go apologize."

Wen Feifei looked back and rolled her eyes, saying, "Who can scare her? She's the one scaring others."

Translated into English:

The problem lies in the color of the clothes, they are the exact same shade of sky blue, even the lace decoration on the shoulders and hem is so familiar.

If it weren't for the fact that her own dress was still on, Zuomingran would have suspected that Guan Xinrui's dress was made from her own fabric.

Similarly, Guan Xinrui also noticed Zuomingran standing at the door and saw her dress. A hint of hostility flashed in Guan Xinrui's eyes.

However, her current target was not Zuomingran. Out of the corner of her eye, Guan Xinrui saw the tall man standing in the corridor. She took a deep breath and then screamed loudly, as if she had seen something terrifying. She took a few steps back and trembled behind her assistant.

The scream quickly attracted the attention of others, and the staff were startled and rushed out, asking, "What happened? What happened? Is there a fire?"

Mao Mao, who heard the sound, also rushed over quickly. However, she stopped in her tracks when she saw Yan Yunyang standing next to Zuomingran. She also pulled the confused costume assistant a few steps away and said, "It's nothing, we don't need to go over."

Zuomingran crossed her arms and listened to the staff's inquiries. She raised her chin towards Guan Xinrui and said, "I don't know, ask her."

Surrounded by everyone, Guan Xinrui looked like she was about to cry in fear. She lowered her head and whispered, "I... I just changed my clothes and didn't expect to see a boy in the corridor. I'm sorry for worrying everyone."

Saying that, Guan Xinrui bowed apologetically to everyone.

Zuomingran silently rolled her eyes and pointed at Yan Yunyang beside her, whispering, "See, it's because of you."

Yan Yunyang rubbed his nose and said nothing.

The commotion attracted a lot of people, even Wen Feifei came out of her dressing room. Seeing Guan Xinrui's embarrassed appearance, she stepped forward and held her hand to comfort her, "It's okay, it's okay. We know you didn't mean it."

Zuomingran felt annoyed hearing this and couldn't help but mutter, "It's not that she didn't mean it, it's intentional."

Knowing that it was a false alarm, the busy staff gradually dispersed. Some people were curious about the man beside Zuomingran and just as they were about to ask, they were pulled aside by their colleagues who whispered mysteriously, "You don't know about this? Look at what's trending on Weibo right now!"

Wen Feifei wanted to take Guan Xinrui away, but her goal was not achieved. Guan Xinrui could only avoid Wen Feifei, feeling embarrassed, and say, "Feifei, I scared someone, let's go apologize."

Wen Feifei looked back and rolled her eyes, saying, "Who can scare her? She's the one scaring others."

Guan Xinrui furrowed her brows and said softly, "Let's not say that. After all, we all work together and should get along well."

"Okay, okay, I give up," Wen Feifei said helplessly, letting go of her hand. "Xinrui, you're just too kind. Fine, go ahead. I don't want to talk to her anyway."

Guan Xinrui smiled gratefully at her and said, "Thank you, Feifei."

Wen Feifei waved her hand indifferently and Zuo with her assistant.

When most of the people Zuo, Guan Xinrui turned her head cautiously and looked at Yan Yunyang.

Guan Xinrui was young, with a small face and long flowing hair. When she debuted, she was once called the most beautiful school flower. However, the entertainment industry never lacked handsome men and beautiful women. Guan Xinrui's appearance was like throwing a pebble into the sea, causing ripples for a moment but soon disappearing.

After her debut, Guan Xinrui had a long period of time without good opportunities. Despite her agent's repeated advice to stay calm and accumulate experience, not getting any opportunities was futile no matter what.

The role in this TV series was obtained by Guan Xinrui through a producer. When her agent found out, they didn't say anything, silently accepting her approach. However, the producer had limited abilities, and the given role was just an insignificant supporting role. If she wanted more opportunities, she had to find another way.

Hesitating, Guan Xinrui took two steps forward. She bit her lip, her eyes slightly reddened as she looked at Yan Yunyang. In a pitiful tone, she said, "Yan Jie, I'm sorry for scaring you just now."

Zuo Mingran initially wanted to mind her own business and leave the mess to Yan Yunyang. However, Guan Xinrui insisted on involving her, so she straightforwardly said, "Yes, you scared me, and you know it. So, how do you plan to make it up to me?"

"Make it up to you?" Guan Xinrui was taken aback. She hadn't expected Zuo Mingran to completely disregard common sense.

"What else?" Zuo Mingran coldly looked at her. "Since you apologized, show some sincerity. Otherwise, if everyone can just apologize with lip service and not pay any price, then what's the point?"

Guan Xinrui couldn't help but hiccup at the strict gaze, realizing she had embarrassed herself. She quickly covered her mouth, but no matter how much she tried to take deep breaths, hiccups kept escaping from her mouth, preventing her from speaking a complete sentence.

Zuo Mingran teased, "Are you just saying it without meaning it?"

Guan Xinrui: "..."

Can she really say that she is?

Guan Xinrui looked at Yan Yunyang as if seeking help, knowing deep inside that men loved girls like her, innocent and adorable, especially when they appeared vulnerable and helpless. Seeing Yan Yunyang today was unexpected, and despite Zuo Mingran's presence, Guan Xinrui was determined not to give up this opportunity. She was willing to take risks if it meant being with Yan Yunyang and improving her future.

Anyway, their so-called marriage was fake. Zuo Mingran didn't have any feelings for Yan Yunyang, and he had other women around him that Zuo Mingran didn't care about.

Guan Xinrui looked at Yan Yunyang with hope in her eyes.

"My wife is timid," Yan Yunyang spoke, but his words were different from Guan Xinrui's expectations. He reached out and pulled Zuo Mingran towards him, looking down at her tenderly, and said, "I don't want anyone to harm her."

Guan Xinrui left in a daze, with her assistant supporting her shoulders. Even so, she still stumbled as if she might fall at any moment.

Although Zuo Mingran didn't make any demands in the end, Guan Xinrui knew deep down that she was completely finished.

Offending Zuo Mingran, Yan Yunyang didn't even spare a glance at her. He entered the dressing room, and Guan Xinrui couldn't help but collapse to the ground.

The assistant was frantic, asking, "What should we do? Should we call Wang Ge? Are we going to be blacklisted?"

Wang Ge was Guan Xinrui's manager, who had never approved of her desperate ways. Today, she took matters into her own hands and messed things up. If Wang Ge found out, she would definitely be abandoned.

Stopping the assistant from making the call, Guan Xinrui snatched the phone and dialed a number from her contacts. The call was quickly answered, and before the other person could say anything, Guan Xinrui shouted, "Tang Wenbin, how dare you deceive me?!"

Author's Note: Yan Yunyang: I don't know why, but watching you act makes me happy.

Zuo Mingran: ...What's wrong with you?

Translation into English:

Guan Xinrui looked at Yan Yunyang as if pleading for help. She knew deep down that men liked girls like her, innocent and cute, especially when they appeared vulnerable and helpless. Seeing Yan Yunyang today was unexpected, and even though Zuo Mingran was present, Guan Xinrui still didn't want to give up this opportunity. She was willing to take risks if it meant being able to climb up to Yan Yunyang, as it would make her future much better.

Anyway, their so-called marriage was completely fake; Zuo Mingran didn't actually like Yan Yunyang, and she wouldn't care even if Yan Yunyang was involved with other women.

Guan Xinrui looked towards Yan Yunyang with hopeful eyes.

"My wife is timid," Yan Yunyang spoke up, but it was different from what Guan Xinrui had expected. He reached out and pulled Zuo Mingran towards him, looking down at her tenderly and said, "I don't want anyone to hurt her."

Guan Xinrui left in a daze, her assistant supporting her shoulders. Despite that, Guan Xinrui still walked unsteadily, as if she might stumble at any moment.

Although Zuo Mingran didn't make any demands in the end, Guan Xinrui knew deep down that she was completely finished.

Having offended Zuo Mingran, Yan Yunyang didn't even spare her an extra glance. He entered the changing room, and Guan Xinrui finally couldn't help but collapse to the ground.

The assistant became frantic, constantly asking, "What do we do? Should we call Manager Wang? Will we be blacklisted?"

Manager Wang was Guan Xinrui's agent, who had never agreed with her desperate actions. Today, she had taken matters into her own hands and messed things up. If Manager Wang found out, she would surely be discarded like a castaway.

Stopping the assistant from making the call, Guan Xinrui snatched the phone and quickly dialed a number from her contacts. The call was quickly answered, and before the other person could speak, Guan Xinrui shouted angrily, "Tang Wenbin, how dare you deceive me?!"

Author's Note: Yan Yunyang: Although I don't know why, I enjoy watching you act.

Zuo Mingran: ... Are you crazy?