CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 25: HAS SHE BEEN CANCELED?

The summer heat was oppressive, and Jiang Ruan spent her days shuttling between two places: the film set and the hotel.

The weather was so hot, and filming required wearing heavy historical costumes. The crew had to film for over ten hours each day, and the hardship was unbearable.

It was noon.

Several people wearing uniform from a tea shop carried in boxes of iced watermelon juice and ice cream, stirring up conversations among the staff. The team leader pulled out a list.

"Hello, this is the milk tea and ice cream Ms. Jiang Ruan ordered from our shop. Please sign for it."

The staff were pleasantly surprised and quickly reached out to receive it: "Thank you so much."

The people from the milk tea shop left.

The staff on-site started whispering among themselves.

Soon, everyone in the crew knew Jiang Ruan had bought drinks for them.

At the time, Jiang Ruan was rehearsing lines with Bai Yi.

The staff reported this to the director, who said, "Since she bought it, everyone should enjoy it. Don’t forget to save some for them."

"Sure thing!"

This further improved the impression of Jiang Ruan.

After all, this wasn’t the first time Jiang Ruan spent money buying things for everyone.

In the extreme summer heat, everyone sipped iced watermelon juice and enjoyed perfectly preserved, still ice-cold ice cream.

The temperature instantly seemed to drop.

Moved, the staff couldn’t resist taking photos and posting on Weibo.

The caption read: Thanks to @JiangRuan the fairy for the iced watermelon juice and ice cream, beautiful and kind-hearted. Love you, mwah mwah.

Half an hour later, Jiang Ruan finished filming.

Covered in sweat from the heat.

As she sat down to rest, the makeup artist quickly helped her wipe sweat and touch up her makeup.

"It’s really too hot today," Jiang Ruan remarked, "I feel like I’m getting tanned."

Sister Qin glanced at her and joked with a smile, "No worries, after filming ends, you’ll get a month off to take good care of yourself."

Jiang Ruan’s eyes lit up instantly: "Really?"

Sister Qin’s next words shattered the illusion: "Just kidding, don’t you want to be on prime time and win awards?"

Jiang Ruan pouted: "Of course I do."

Sister Qin asked her, "You bought drinks for everyone again?"

She hadn’t missed that the staff had been drinking iced watermelon juice.

Jiang Ruan: "It’s too hot, and everyone is working hard."

Sister Qin praised: "You’re the kind one."

But it was also a good thing.

At least it was something tangible. It was indeed hot, and after drinking, everyone would definitely have a better impression of Jiang Ruan.

This was good for building her reputation.

At this point, the director arrived, carrying ice cream and iced watermelon juice: "Taking a break, Jiang Ruan? Here, have something to cool down. Thank you on behalf of everyone for the treat."

Jiang Ruan smiled: "No problem, Director, it’s just a little gesture."

"Everyone is working hard filming, and the weather is too hot."

The director handed it over, and Jiang Ruan accepted without hesitation.

She opened the ice cream and started eating. It was chocolate-flavored, smooth and sweet.

Normally, Sister Qin wouldn’t allow her to eat it, since chocolate could easily make her gain weight.

But today was an exception; filming under the scorching sun was punishment enough.

The director sighed: "It is indeed too hot."

"How about the afternoon scenes, can you still manage?"

Jiang Ruan paused and replied without hesitation: "Of course."

With a spoon in hand, she smiled so widely her dimples showed: "Please don’t underestimate an actress’s love for acting."

This comment made the director laugh heartily.

Sister Qin also chuckled.

"What’s so funny, you’re all laughing so happily."

A gentle and charismatic male voice sounded, and everyone turned to see Bai Yi coming over, holding a small fan in his left hand and a cup of watermelon juice in his right.

Looking at Jiang Ruan: "Thanks for the watermelon juice, it instantly cooled me down."

Jiang Ruan: "You’re welcome."

She quickly moved aside to make room for Bai Yi: "Please sit, Brother Bai Yi."

Bai Yi didn’t hesitate, sitting down with gentlemanly ease, his outfit a historical costume, resembling someone who walked out of a TV show.

The director: "According to our current schedule, we might finish early, maybe by the end of September."

Jiang Ruan was delighted: "Wow, a month early."

The director: "Indeed, mostly thanks to the great cooperation between you two."

Bai Yi smiled, a diplomatic comment: "Everyone’s been working well together."

The director: "Hahaha, indeed."

"You two must ensure sun protection, can’t have you looking tanned at the press conference when the media and journalists are around."

The director chuckled.

Jiang Ruan smiled wryly: "I don’t want to tan either, I’ll try my best."

Bai Yi, not worried, sipped the watermelon juice and smiled cheerfully: "It’s alright; a bit of a tan adds masculinity. Who knows, maybe my next role could be a rugged and handsome rogue from the northwest."

Jiang Ruan burst out laughing, unable to resist, looking at Bai Yi: "A handsome rogue? Like wearing a tank top and big sunglasses?"

Jiang Ruan had a vivid picture in her mind.

And it was a strong one, causing laughter.

"Why?" Bai Yi smiled with elegance: "Wouldn’t that look cool?"

When asked, Jiang Ruan praised: "Cool, Brother Bai Yi looks the coolest in any role!"

This made Bai Yi laugh joyfully.

"Hahaha."

"Thanks for the compliment, and can’t let you always spend money. For the next three days, milk tea and ice cream are on me!" Bai Yi generously declared.

Jiang Ruan: "Wow!"

"Brother Bai Yi is indeed generous!"

The director quickly chimed in: "Thanks a lot, Brother Bai Yi."

The director was laughing happily.

An afternoon treat on Bai Yi, for the whole crew, why not enjoy it.

Sister Qin also laughed: "Thanks, Brother Bai Yi."

The atmosphere was joyful, filled with occasional bursts of laughter.

Meanwhile, Li Xin’s side felt cold and quiet.

She looked away, coldly sneering: "What’s so funny? Isn’t he just a film emperor, and Jiang Ruan is just sucking up to him!"

The agent sighed: "Don’t talk like that, Xiao Xin, you need to be smarter."

"Things aren’t like they used to be. Jiang Ruan has been in the spotlight these past two years, and look at the newcomers, none of them surpass her in popularity. Mainly because her fans support her fervently."

"So what!"

Li Xin, unconvinced: "Even if she’s more popular, she’s still from a humble background, a graduate of a third-rate university. I just look down on her."

The manager couldn’t help but think she was being foolish: "You can’t say that. In the entertainment industry, are there few stars from humble beginnings who now reign supreme? Not to mention, isn’t Bai Yi also from a humble background? Look at him now."

"Are you suggesting I befriend Jiang Ruan?"

The agent: "It would be best if you could."

"You need to consider, if you want to continue in the entertainment industry, with all the people you’ve offended before, things won’t go smoothly for you in the future."

"By making friends with Jiang Ruan, even if she doesn’t help you, at least she won’t step on you. It’s only beneficial."

Li Xin disagreed.

Who says Jiang Ruan wouldn’t step on her?

Looking at the watermelon juice and ice cream on the table that the staff delivered earlier.

The ice cream was already melting.

Li Xin hadn’t touched any of it.

Her eyes were full of disdain.

Jiang Ruan was just playing the good person, buying some cheap milk tea and ice cream.

What era is it now, who’s still interested in these things?

She really thought everyone was as uninformed as her.

Thinking to herself, her agent’s shocked voice came: "Jiang Ruan is trending on social media!"

Li Xin was thrilled and quickly asked: "What’s trending, is it a scandal? Has she fallen from grace?"