Chapter 40 Can I Not Call You Sister Tang Yuan?

Such an astonishing frame. With a figure and face like that, he is bound to become a star.

He curved the corner of his lips and turned, continuing his walk toward the dressing room.

The makeup artist assigned to him breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing him return. When he had suddenly stood up and walked out earlier, she had feared he was dissatisfied with the styling and makeup.

The photo shoot today featured an indoor set with an antique European style, centered around a black chair. Fu Yansheng’s facial features were naturally deep-set, requiring no heavy makeup to be intensely photogenic.

The photographer had initially intended to give him some direction, but seeing his exceptional camera presence and innate ability to capture the frame, he set his mind at ease.

"Good, turn your body slightly. Lighting engineer, adjust the left light upward just a bit to cast shadows over half of his face. Yes, perfect!"

"Teacher Fu, look this way. Give me a more captivating gaze."

Tang Yuan stood alongside the staff members. Though she wore a baseball cap and a face mask, her striking figure still stood out.

Watching Fu Yansheng radiate brilliance before the camera, a flicker of satisfaction passed through her eyes.

The photographer showered him with nonstop praise, even stepping in during a break to personally adjust Fu Yansheng's hair.

A staff member whispered to Tang Yuan, "This is the first time I've seen the photographer get this excited. Not long ago, there was a moderately popular young actor who was so wooden in front of the lens that it took an entire day just to get his gaze right."

Tang Yuan responded with a soft "mhm," her peripheral vision catching Fu Yansheng leaning back slightly, revealing a prominent Adam's apple. Under the overhead lighting, the shadow of his jawline fell against his exposed collarbone as he fixed a half-seductive, half-alluring look upon the camera.

His legs were exceptionally long, almost to the point of having nowhere to properly rest.

The photographer’s cheeks were flushed with excitement. "Don't move! Yes, right there!"

After taking a dozen or so shots, he took a few steps forward to tidy the black shawl draped over the chair before returning to shoot some more.

Tang Yuan had initially expected Fu Yansheng to suffer from stage fright given this was his first major endorsement, but to her surprise, he performed brilliantly.

When the shoot wrapped up, the photographer and staff swarmed around him.

"Teacher Fu, you've worked hard! Your camera presence is extraordinary, and your facial bone structure is simply peerless!"

Fu Yansheng lowered his long eyelashes, nodded, and bowed in thanks before walking over to Tang Yuan.

After treating the photographer and crew to bubble tea, Tang Yuan instructed him to head to the car first while she stayed behind to discuss a few matters with the project manager.

Fu Yansheng walked outside, stepping through the main entrance of Fenghua Entertainment just as he collided with a woman who carried the aura of a wealthy matron.

He sidestepped slightly. "Pardon me."

Yao Mei’s gaze fell upon his face. After a few seconds of processing, her expression twisted into a ferocious scowl.

She hurriedly turned back, retreated to her car, and stared with venomous intensity at that distant face.

It was that harlot’s child! Damn it, why wasn't he dead yet!

She felt an overwhelming urge to floor the accelerator and smash straight into the car carrying Fu Yansheng.

Her hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white, as if she intended to snap the wheel in half.

When a woman wearing a cap and face mask climbed into the vehicle, the car pulled away.

Yao Mei did not give chase. All the elegance and dignity of a wealthy socialite vanished completely.

She whipped out her phone, grinding her teeth in hatred. "Investigate that harlot's kid. Wasn't he forced to drop out of school back then? Why is he still in Imperial City? Find out who saved him in the first place, and seize the chance to finish him off—ruin his reputation completely!"

Meanwhile, after driving away, Tang Yuan glanced into the rearview mirror.

Whether it was her imagination or not, the luxury car parked nearby earlier looked somewhat familiar.

But now that they were farther away, the license plate was obscured.

The interior of the car was too quiet, prompting her to make conversation. "Are you tired? Get some rest tonight, and head back to the set tomorrow morning."

Fu Yansheng sat in the passenger seat, offering a soft "mhm" as he clasped his hands together. "Tang... Tang Yuan, I'm hungry."

Tang Yuan's expression remained unchanged. "Just call me Sister Tang from now on."

He turned his head to look at her profile, his lips pressing into a thin line.

Tang Yuan's palms grew slick with sweat. Sensing his slightly wounded gaze, she forced herself not to meet his eyes.

The car stopped near his current residence. She still refused to turn her head to look at him. "Get out. Go eat some bread at home, and I'll have a driver pick you up tomorrow morning."

He did not open the door, remaining motionless in his seat.

"Yansheng?"

She called out his name, only to watch him lower his eyelashes, his tone gentle and subdued. "Does being around me... cause you trouble?"

"No, I..."

Before she could finish, he leaned over and pressed a light kiss to her cheek.

Her voice cut off abruptly. She lifted her gaze in sheer disbelief.

He quickly pulled back, averting his eyes toward the window. "I want to call you Tang Yuan. Is it not okay to drop the 'Sister'?"

Tang Yuan took a deep breath, her eyes turning resolute. "Get out of the car. If you ever try something like this again, I'll have Chen Meng manage you instead, and I will strictly limit my role to negotiating scripts for you."

His throat bobbed. He raised a finger and pushed the door open.

As he closed it behind him, he murmured quietly, "I'm sorry."

Tang Yuan drove off immediately. After driving a short distance, she pulled over to the side of the road and massaged her temples.

She had never dealt with a situation like this before.

Her heart was beating too fast—a panic born from the imminent shattering of family rules and dogmas.

She leaned back against her seat, feeling the chill of sweat dampening her back.

Betrayal of Shen Zhou would not end well. She only wanted to accumulate enough capital for herself so that future divorce proceedings wouldn't leave her utterly pathetic.

As for anything else, she dared not think about it now.

Nor would she.

Shen Zhou could afford to lack a moral baseline, but she could not.