The next day, Song JinXing and Zeng Mingsong asked for leave.
Song JinXing's progress in filming was very fast, and the fit between his personality and the role also made Zeng Mingsong very surprised. When he heard that he was going to Shanghai for the red carpet, Zeng Mingsong was quite happy for him: "Go, go, don't wait until tomorrow, in case you get delayed on the way. I'll move all your scenes today to the morning so you can set off in the afternoon."
Zeng Mingsong treated him like an elder looking after a junior, and Song JinXing was very grateful to him and also respected him a lot: "Thank you, Director Zeng."
Zeng Mingsong waved his hand to show it was nothing.
Soon, the whole crew knew that Zhong Ruanxing was going to Shanghai tomorrow to attend the red carpet ceremony of the Starlight Awards. After Kou An'an heard the news, she came specifically to ask him: "I'm going too, setting off tonight. Do you want to come with me? By the way, have you borrowed a tuxedo?"
After working together for a while, Kou An'an's attitude towards "Zhong Ruanxing" had become much more intimate. He was quiet and didn't cause trouble, and worked hard filming, so which actor wouldn't like him? And there was a kind of aloofness about "Zhong Ruanxing" that was quite rare. Kou An'an would often stare at him mesmerized.
She didn't tell anyone else that she had secretly followed Zhong Ruanxing's fan club account.
There weren't many fans in the fan club, just over a thousand. Every night after finishing filming, when Kou An'an was lying in bed with a face mask on, she would go and browse the fan club account, check in and so on.
She wanted to become friends with Zhong Ruanxing, but she herself looked too unapproachable. So she just felt out the fan club account instead. Wasn't it said that fans even knew what color underwear their idols liked? If she learned more about Zhong Ruanxing through the fan club, found some common interests and hobbies, it would probably be easier to become friends with her later, right?
Kou An'an thought this way, without realizing that her current behavior was extremely similar to a fan secretly chasing a celebrity.
Kou An'an's attendance at the Starlight Awards had long been set, and she had her own schedule. Song JinXing was also not used to traveling with people he was unfamiliar with, so he declined: "No need, thanks. My agent is working on getting a tuxedo."
Kou An'an had originally wanted to say that if he couldn't borrow a tuxedo, she could help. But then she thought, given Zhong Ruanxing's popularity over the past two days, not to mention big brands like DIOR and CHANEL, even some smaller brands should have no problem lending couture gowns. If she asked, it would make it seem as if Zhong Ruanxing was so unpopular that she couldn't even borrow a dress.
So she just smiled and left.
Sure enough, in the afternoon she heard her little agent excitedly say, "Ruanxing, I got a dress! The brand also provided a styling team, so we can go straight to the studio tomorrow!"
After finishing the morning's scenes, Song JinXing took Ran Ting and Wu Chengwang by car to Shanghai in the afternoon.
It was just over two hours' drive from Hangzhou to Shanghai. Song JinXing took a short nap in the car. With smooth driving all the way, they arrived at the hotel booked in advance.
Ran Ting pushed the suitcase in, "After shooting for so many days, treat this afternoon as a half-day vacation. Ruanxing, rest well in the room, conserve your energy! Get your spirits up to dazzle everyone on the red carpet tomorrow!"
Song JinXing nodded. After closing the door, he walked out to the balcony and gazed quietly at the Oriental Pearl Tower not far away.
The discussion had been held for two consecutive days. At this time, Zhong Ruanxing was probably still at the venue. He had sent her a message to check out videos related to walking the red carpet after getting back to her room.
In the evening, the road downstairs was jammed with traffic. The neon lights came on one after another, and the night view began to shine brilliantly in the sunset.
His phone vibrated. He received Zhong Ruanxing's reply: I just got back to the hotel, what's up?
Song JinXing glanced at his phone and put it away, then put on a mask and walked out of the room.
In the presidential suite, Zhong Ruanxing was sprawled out spread-eagle on the two-meter wide bed, holding her phone waiting for a reply.
She waited and waited, but there was no reply. Instead, there was a knock at the door. She thought it was room service, and walked lazily to open the door. The moment she saw who was outside, her eyes widened in disbelief, and she almost cried out, "Song JinXing! How did you get here?!"
He smiled and said in a low voice, "Let me in first."
Zhong Ruanxing grabbed his arm and pulled him in, then stuck her head out furtively to look left and right. Rarely, there was no one on the top floor, very quiet, before she finally closed the door with relief.
She was incredibly happy, her previous fatigue completely gone: "How did you get here?"
Counting the time, it had been more than half a month since they had seen each other. When they had just swapped identities, they saw each other every day. Now suddenly separated, they could only chat on the phone to "exchange information" every night. Zhong Ruanxing was ashamed to admit that she actually preferred the time when they saw each other every day.
She felt very reassured knowing he was there.
Song JinXing took off his mask and sat down on the sofa, "The TV Drama Starlight Awards will be held here tomorrow. I got an invitation."
"Starlight Awards?" Zhong Ruanxing found it unbelievable: "For which drama? I shouldn't qualify to attend the Starlight Awards!"
"'Drunk in Peach Blossoms with a Smile'."
As soon as he said it, Zhong Ruanxing reacted: "It was the endorsement announcement for Yunshan and Fengchi, right? Otherwise the crew wouldn't have invited me." As she spoke, she opened her phone and logged in to Weibo, which she hadn't been on for a long time.
Although the news was no longer trending, she could still see that it had high popularity after searching.
Zhong Ruanxing was very happy: "I've never properly walked the red carpet before. Did you get a dress? And a styling team?"
Song JinXing could see a hint of loss and envy in her eyes.
She had never walked the red carpet. She actually really wanted to walk that carpet representing fame herself, and experience being surrounded by spotlights.
That was the glory every actor wanted to feel.
But she didn't say anything, always only showing boundless vitality to the outside world.
"Ran Ting got it, a brand took the initiative to contact him and provided tomorrow night's dress." He named a brand, and Zhong Ruanxing nodded repeatedly: "They're good, their dresses are really nice! Great, looks like you've really made it big. You're a big star now!"
Song JinXing smiled wryly, "What does the big star want to eat tonight?"
Zhong Ruanxing thought for a moment: "I heard the hotel's Western food is delicious, how about we try it?"
Song JinXing understood and sent Fu Ling a message on his phone to arrange it. Zhong Ruanxing peeked at the side, and suddenly asked, "How did you know I was staying in this room?"
He said, "I stay here every time I travel to Shanghai on business."
The hotel was booked by Fu Ling, who knew his habits, of course he wouldn't suddenly change it.
"Which room are you staying in then?"
"A standard queen room downstairs, next to Ran Ting and the others."
Zhong Ruanxing felt a little embarrassed: "Then you should take this suite. What about me?"
"I'll go sleep in your room."
Song JinXing just laughed: "Then how do I explain to my agent tomorrow, about you coming out of my room?"