Du Hexuan knew that the director was only bold enough to lecture his sister because of his position, so he didn't blindly rush in to defend her. More importantly, after today’s display, there was no guarantee that others wouldn't get curious and actually come to Du Anrao to have their fortunes told. Now, with the director’s verbal warning in place, his sister’s image as a mysterious, ethereal expert was at least preserved.
Once the director and Yang Jiantao had left, leaving only the two of them, Du Anrao finally exhaled the breath she had been holding.
"That scared me to death. I felt like Brother Yang really wanted to hit me just now."
"…Drop the 'felt like.' He definitely wanted to hit you."
"Well, if he had tried to hit me, would you have saved me, Brother?"
"…I would have stopped him, but I wouldn't have kept him from finishing the job."
Du Anrao looked at Du Hexuan with a touch of melancholy. So much for being each other’s guardian angels; he had kicked her off the pedestal halfway through. There was no need to be that treacherous.
Du Hexuan laughed. "I'm kidding. Don't worry, Brother Yang isn't that petty, and your second brother would never let anyone hurt a single hair on your head."
"That’s more like it. But Brother, how did you know I would help people with this?" Du Anrao squinted at him suspiciously. "You wouldn't happen to be…"
Cold sweat almost broke out on Du Hexuan’s forehead. "Don't let your imagination run wild. After you two got home that day, Mother couldn't wait to boast to everyone in the house about your heroic feat of standing up for Yuxi in the restaurant. She told it so vividly and miraculously that it left the rest of us stunned."
"When I heard Brother Yang mention that incident earlier, I don't know why, but it suddenly came to mind…"
As he said this, Du Hexuan put on a perfectly curious expression. "Is everything you said earlier true? Is Brother Yang really in danger?"
It must be said that with the number of Best Actor awards Du Hexuan had won, his acting skills were impeccable. Du Anrao, who had just managed to bewilder Yang Jiantao, couldn't find a single flaw in his expression.
*Looks like I was overthinking it. Although it’s quite a coincidence, perhaps even the heavens couldn't stand it and gave him a nudge from the shadows? Never mind, it’s a good thing regardless.*
Having reached this conclusion, Du Anrao stopped overthinking it and trotted out the same stock line she had used to fool Mother Du and the others.
"Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed. All things in the world are destined; if you believe, it is true; if you do not, it is nothing. Amitabha, may goodness prevail."
Du Hexuan: …
She sounded even more like a charlatan now. And why was someone from a Taoist temple reciting Buddhist phrases so fluently? His head itched; it felt like his brain was trying to grow.
Just as Du Hexuan had expected, because of the morning's little episode, the way many people looked at Du Anrao was a mix of curiosity and restlessness. However, mindful of the director's previous warning, no one dared to actually come over and ask for a reading.
Even without that, as the biological sister of Du Hexuan, Du Anrao was a target for many actors in the cast. Plus, she was naturally likable, always smiling and sweet-talking whenever someone greeted her. She quickly charmed several actresses who had approached her with ulterior motives, and within a short time, they were treating her like a younger sister, showering her with snacks.
As a result, on her first day on set, Du Anrao didn't do a thing. She just sat with her feet kicked up under the small umbrella tent set up for her brother, eating snacks and fruit, sipping juice and milk tea, and taking little naps whenever she felt bored or tired. She was perfectly at ease.
When Du Hexuan finally finished filming for the day, that was the scene he walked in on, leaving him feeling both exasperated and amused.
Du Hexuan’s manager, Zhou Shunche, a handsome man in his early thirties wearing a crisp striped suit and gold-rimmed glasses, had the look of a refined scoundrel. He had been keeping watch while Du Anrao slept. Seeing Du Hexuan approach, his expression was indescribable.
"And you told me to look after her? I think she’s doing just fine taking care of herself. Is she really your biological sister?"
Du Hexuan rolled his eyes at him. "Same father, same mother, same house. What do you think?"
Zhou Shunche sighed heavily. "How can there be such a difference when they came from the same womb? If you had been as clever as her back then, we both would have saved so much trouble."
Zhou Shunche looked at her with a hint of longing. "Is your sister really not planning to enter the entertainment industry? Her pure, 'little white flower' type is exactly what the industry is lacking. With a little bit of marketing, she’d definitely blow up. Why let good talent go to waste…"
"Don't get any ideas. She’s not interested in this."
"Then what is she interested in? Fortune-telling?"
Du Hexuan suddenly remembered Du Anrao saying she wanted to go back and inherit the temple, and his eyelid twitched violently.
Just then, Du Anrao heard their voices and woke up.
"Brother, are you done?" Du Anrao looked around, groggy, and realized most people had already left. "Where is Brother Yang?"
"His home is in the city, close by, so he already left."
"Oh, then we—"
"Hexuan." Before Du Anrao could finish, the director, who had suddenly rushed over, interrupted her. "Perfect, you’re still here. Let me introduce you. This is the biggest investor for our show, Mr. Xi. Mr. Xi, this is Mr. Du Hexuan."
Xi Jingyue, who had been following the director, finally found his chance to approach Du Anrao. He took the initiative to step forward and shake Du Hexuan’s hand, offering polite praise, yet his eyes couldn't help but steal glances at Du Anrao.
Xi Jingyue thought he was being subtle, but Du Hexuan caught it instantly and immediately took a step forward, shielding his sister completely behind him.
Du Anrao, failing to grasp her brother’s protective intent, leaned out from behind him and stared at Xi Jingyue, lost in thought.
*This handsome guy looks familiar. I think I’ve seen him somewhere before.*
Du Hexuan grew even more alert at her words, while Xi Jingyue felt a wave of disappointment—only a few days had passed, and she only remembered him as "familiar"!
"I’ve long admired the name of Actor Du. I’m hosting dinner tonight; would I have the honor of inviting Actor Du and Director Gao for a casual meal?"
Du Hexuan’s eyes flickered. "Wouldn't that be inappropriate? I’m only here for a guest appearance."
The implication was clear: if you want to invite people to dinner, go find the leads of this show; why bother a special guest who’s only here for a few days?
"I came here today specifically to meet you, not because of the production."
In other words, he had come specifically for Du Hexuan; he didn't care about the rookie leads of such a low-budget drama.
Pei Yiyuan, who had rushed to the set after hearing that the biggest investor had arrived, happened to hear this. His delicate, handsome face distorted with jealousy, and his eyes filled with hatred as he looked at Du Hexuan.
Du Anrao, hiding behind Du Hexuan, looked from one to the other, her expression becoming increasingly serious.
*Wait, don't tell me this President Xi…*
Du Hexuan and Zhou Shunche both stopped speaking, instinctively pricking up their ears, wanting to hear what Du Anrao was thinking now.
*...is trying to use his status to seduce my brother?! My God, is the entertainment industry really that indiscriminate?*