Rose Manor: Tycoon's Relentless Chase-Chapter 314 - 295: I Booked the Whole Theater
"Are you really not going to reconsider?"
Wu Heng knew that Shen Jianian didn’t plan to develop her career in the entertainment industry, but he didn’t expect her to refuse so decisively.
Director Wang Kelun’s name was much more prominent than his, someone he admired as a role model, yet Shen Jianian was unmoved. He even wondered if she didn’t know who Wang Kelun was.
"Director Wu, I’m not joking with you," Shen Jianian said with a smile, "I have my own career to focus on, acting is not my passion."
Unrelenting, Wu Heng asked, "Are you worried about Boss Dong?" He assured Shen Jianian, "Once you get on Director Wang’s big ship, Boss Dong won’t be able to reach that far, and it’s not up to him alone to blacklist you. I hope you’ll seriously consider it, this opportunity is too rare."
Not wanting to offend him, Shen Jianian relented, "I’ll seriously consider it, thank you for the trouble."
"Ah, I’m just passing the message, the specifics depend on Director Wang’s opinion." Wu Heng repeatedly advised, "My suggestion is to try out different fields while you’re young, it won’t hurt."
After exchanging a few polite words, the call ended.
Bai Changxia had already ordered a few dishes and handed the menu to Shen Jianian to let her order too: "I overheard a bit, is this director wanting you to act?"
"It’s not him, he’s just helping to make the introduction." Shen Jianian flipped through the menu, looking calm, "The one who really wants me is Director Wang Kelun, he attended the premiere of ’命中旋律’ and saw the movie in advance, he wants me to audition for his new film."
Bai Changxia was amazed, she froze there, not moving for a long time: "You turned him down?"
"Yes."
"Jianian, do you even know who you refused? Director Wang Kelun, the box office champion!"
Shen Jianian called over the waiter, ordered the dishes she liked, and closed the menu, continuing the conversation with Bai Changxia: "No need to tell me, I know his fame, I’ve seen several of his movies, especially his fantasy films, the worlds he creates are incredibly amazing. Every time he releases a new movie, audiences are amazed at his creativity."
"And you still turned him down!" Bai Changxia almost slammed the table, "This opportunity is so rare, every time his films cast, countless actors fight for the chance, and you just gave it up!"
Shen Jianian propped her chin up with one hand, fully aware of her capabilities: "I don’t have the skills, so I won’t take on the job." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
"If he sees something in your performance, there must be something worth noting," Bai Changxia tried to persuade her to give it a try, "Besides, some big directors love to polish rough stones, Wang Kelun is one of them. His films usually have a lot of newcomers, many aren’t professionally trained, but they rise to fame after working with him."
The first dish of Thai curry shrimp was served, Shen Jianian was hungry and took one for herself: "Do you think I should agree?"
"Of course!" Bai Changxia wished she could nod for her.
"But..." Shen Jianian tilted her head, "Director Wu said, Director Wang only wants me to audition, which means it’s not certain that I’ll be chosen."
"That’s still better than not having the opportunity!"
"Don’t be so loud," Shen Jianian switched chopsticks and offered her a curry shrimp, "Try it, this place has great flavors."
If Shen Jianian missed such a good opportunity, Bai Changxia truly felt sorry for her: "You just told Director Wu that you have your own business to take care of, what are you busy with?"
"The symphony orchestra," Shen Jianian replied, "I’m still preparing materials."
"That doesn’t stop you from acting on the side, I remember Tong Yan in the entertainment industry is a cellist, she does well in both professions, you should aim for that!"
"Thank you for the encouragement, I’ll consider it seriously," Shen Jianian said with a half smile.
Bai Changxia raised her chopsticks as if to tap her: "Don’t think I don’t know, you’re just brushing me off."
*
On Sunday afternoon, Fu Jichen finally had half a day off.
He got home a little after two in the afternoon, brewed a pot of tea for himself, and pulled Shen Jianian onto his lap—he liked this position, where he could wrap her completely in his arms.
"Don’t tell me you don’t have time to have dinner and watch a movie with me tonight."
Fu Jichen didn’t think his words sounded resentful, but Shen Jianian could sense it, she found it amusing: "Do you want to go see a movie?"
"Your movie, I haven’t seen it yet."
When Fu Jichen first found out about Shen Jianian’s whereabouts, he had Qu Mo investigate her and was surprised to learn she had joined a film crew.
Of course, he wanted to see the outcome of her efforts.
Shen Jianian thought he probably wouldn’t like that type of romance movie, and said objectively, "I have very few scenes in the movie. If that’s your motive for going, it seems unnecessary."
She could comfortably accompany Bai Changxia to watch it, but now that the person was Fu Jichen, she felt a bit awkward. It would be embarrassing for him to see her performance in the movie.
"Do you have indescribable scenes in the movie that you’re afraid I’ll see?" Fu Jichen leaned over to pick up the teacup, his eyebrows moving slightly, his tone teasing.
Shen Jianian turned to glare at him, "What do you mean indescribable scenes?"
Fu Jichen took a sip of tea, holding the teacup away to avoid accidentally burning her, then he gently tilted his neck and kissed her lips.
When the lingering, breath-taking kiss ended, Shen Jianian’s mouth was filled with the fragrance of tea, and a low, enchanting male voice sounded in her ear, "Do you understand now?"
"There are no such scenes, alright?" As soon as Shen Jianian opened her mouth, she realized her voice was soft and sweet, not sounding like herself.
Fu Jichen finished his cup of tea, set it down, and in the same posture, picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.
Jixiang jumped down from the cat tree and followed closely behind Fu Jichen’s footsteps. Then it got shut outside the door, almost getting its nose hit by the door panel.
Only when her back sank into the soft mattress did Shen Jianian become aware, her almond eyes wide open, "What are you doing?" It was the afternoon, not sleeping time.
"It’s still early, let’s take a nap before going out." Fu Jichen lay down beside her.
Shen Jianian blinked; knowing Fu Jichen, it wouldn’t be as simple as just napping, and sure enough, the next second, Fu Jichen propped himself up on one elbow to come over and kiss her.
The moment his breath neared, Shen Jianian quickly raised her hand to cover his lips, a crease forming between her brows, her voice a gentle whisper, "In broad daylight..."
Fu Jichen kissed her palm, making Shen Jianian feel as if burned; she pulled her hand away, her fingertips curling. Taking the chance, he lowered his head to capture the lips he longed for.
Shen Jianian pinched his arm, but it was useless. He held her round shoulder with one hand, the deepening kiss leaving her powerless to resist.
In the room where the curtains were drawn, an ambiguous atmosphere continually deepened, clothes fell to the floor, trousers and sweaters draped over slippers by the bed, the bedside table drawer opened but never closed.
When Shen Jianian woke up, over two hours had passed. She placed a hand over her eyelids, feeling as if hot sweat was dripping onto them.
She opened the door to see Fu Jichen carrying a bag of cat food, feeding Jixiang. Hearing the sound, he turned, a smile lingering on his lips, "Slept well?"
The man was wearing an all-black home outfit, with neat short hair and broad shoulders, appearing gentle, unlike the man full of aggression on the bed.
Fu Jichen put down the cat food, walked over to the dazed Shen Jianian, and gently brushed her cheek with his thumb, "If you haven’t slept enough, you can keep sleeping. I’ll keep you company."
Shen Jianian rubbed her face, still imprinted with the pattern from the pillowcase, her voice sticky and soft, "I’ve slept enough."
She went to the bathroom to wash her face and wake up, then went to change clothes and sat down to do her makeup.
When they arrived at the cinema, it was past six o’clock, already dark. It was completely different from last time when Shen Jianian came with Bai Changxia. It was the weekend, so there were many people around, and the elevator was packed.
Silently, Shen Jianian took out a mask from her pocket, worried about being recognized as she was the last time.
Only when she entered the screening hall did she realize her concern was unnecessary. Her eyes widened outside the mask. Not a single person sat in the rows of red seats, except for her and Fu Jichen, who had just walked in.
Fu Jichen led her to the best viewing spot in the center, saying casually, "I reserved the whole place."
Even after sitting down, Shen Jianian’s mind was still in a daze.
This wasn’t the first time the two sat together watching a movie. Fu Jichen was noticeably more serious than last time, no longer focusing on Shen Jianian, but rather concentrating fully on the big screen, not wanting to miss any scene that featured Shen Jianian.
Shen Jianian had seen it before and responsibly reminded him, "I won’t appear until halfway through the movie."
Fu Jichen let out a slight hum, "What was the director thinking, not giving you more scenes."
These words were purely domineering, Shen Jianian’s lips curved softly, thinking to herself, be content. She almost lost even this small amount of screen time because Boss Dong demanded to have the role recast at that time.
When Fu Jichen saw the scene in the movie where Shen Jianian played the violin on stage while Gu Chongli watched from the audience, his brows furrowed. The way Shen Jianian looked at that man made him uncomfortable.
Even on the second viewing, Shen Jianian was still quite engaged, but suddenly, her chin was cupped by a hand, and the person next to her leaned in for a kiss.
She froze for a moment, then reacted a few seconds later, pushing Fu Jichen’s shoulder away, exclaiming, "Hey! There’s surveillance in the screening hall!"
