With Ye Can’s nod, plus assistant Xiao Cai and Tong Lin, the group of five headed low-key to Barbecue City in Film City.
It was deep into the night, but Barbecue City was still bustling with activity. Here, big and small stars mingled with road extras, gathering in lively clusters.
Meng Zhiqiu was, after all, a top-tier actress, so she came fully armed with disguises to eat at a place like this. Ye Can, on the other hand, was far more casual. Sporting her stunning face, she led the four women straight to a corner table in the main hall, grabbed the menu, and started ordering a massive spread.
She ordered a huge amount in one go. Meng Zhiqiu, who had been chatting with Lin Zixi, turned to look at her with wide-eyed surprise. “Ye Can, can you really eat all that?”
The pile of food was enough for nearly ten people.
Ye Can glanced at her. “I’m paying, so I’m treating you.” So don’t worry about how much I can eat.
Lin Zixi caught the edge in her tone and quickly smoothed things over. “She has a great appetite—always eats like this.”
Meng Zhiqiu sighed enviously. “Youth is truly wonderful. You can devour so much without a care. Unlike me—if I overeat even a little, I have to double my workouts.”
Lin Zixi switched into professional mode, flashing her perfectly measured smile. “That’s because Miss Meng is such a dedicated actress, always holding herself to the highest standards.”
Meng Zhiqiu let out another sigh. “Costume dramas demand a certain figure, so I have to stay disciplined with exercise.” She turned to Lin Zixi with a bright smile. “But Teacher Lin, your figure is amazing too. Do you work out regularly?”
Ye Can, who was taking a tray of grilled fatty beef from the server, perked up her ears at that.
Exercise? She pictured Lin Zixi’s frail form from before—unable to mount a horse or even hold a bow—and found it utterly baffling.
How does stumbling into Avici Hell make someone suddenly so diligent?
Lin Zixi smiled faintly. “Not really. Work keeps me too busy. Aside from some shoulder and neck stretches, I hardly have time.”
Meng Zhiqiu pressed on with the topic. “But you maintain your condition so well. You must be strict about your diet.”
She was trying to chat with Lin Zixi like normal friends, delving into everyday life. Their previous conversations had stuck to films and art—safe industry small talk. Meng Zhiqiu wanted to get closer, so she aimed to learn more about Lin Zixi’s personal side.
Lin Zixi smiled again. “No matter how careful I am, I can’t compare to Miss Meng.”
Ye Can couldn’t take it anymore. She shoved the barbecue toward them and, skewer of grilled beef in her mouth, said, “Food’s ready. Eat up.”
Meng Zhiqiu’s awkward small talk was interrupted. She shifted her attention to Ye Can. “By the way, Ye Can, your acting was incredible. Do you usually study your roles on your own?”
Ye Can really didn’t want to answer, but she remembered she’d arranged this meeting between Meng Zhiqiu and Lin Zixi. So she said, “No.”
Meng Zhiqiu tried again. “Do you watch movies or dramas, then?”
Ye Can replied, “Not really.” Realizing how curt that sounded, she paused and added, “I just observe people, read some books, listen to the director. That’s enough.”
Meng Zhiqiu couldn’t help but marvel. “Your sense for the camera and those precise facial expressions—it’s all so spot-on. You must have real talent. Have you ever thought about developing a career in entertainment?”
Lin Zixi turned her gaze over too, sneakily watching Ye Can, waiting for more.
Ye Can didn’t even know how long she’d stick around here, let alone plan for the future. Until the task was done, she was living day by day. Afterward? Who knew what other weirdness awaited.
Live in the moment, she thought. No point dwelling on tomorrow. She said flatly, “We’ll see.” Right now, just finishing her extra role without mishap would be a miracle.
But Meng Zhiqiu had other ideas. “I run my own studio. If you’re ever interested in signing with an agent, come join me.”
Her generous offer surprised Lin Zixi. She’d worked with Meng Zhiqiu before and seen how others fawned over her. Meng was approachable and down-to-earth, but she’d clawed her way up in the industry since childhood—shrewd, polished, and cautious.
For her to extend this invite meant she truly admired Ye Can’s talent. So tonight’s pairing must have been for Ye Can’s sake too.
That explained why Meng Zhiqiu was so warm to her after barely a day.
Lin Zixi recalled Ye Shen’s praise for Ye Can and felt more convinced she was a genius. At least in acting—outstanding was the word.
After her pitch, Meng Zhiqiu turned to Lin Zixi. “Teacher Lin, if Ye Can wants to debut, please send her my way.”
Lin Zixi had no say in Ye Can’s choices. She glanced at her. “Miss Meng’s studio is top-notch. I doubt Ye Can would turn it down.”
Ye Can twisted around, meat skewer in mouth, and grinned at Meng Zhiqiu. “I’ll let you know if I need it.” Why are we talking about me? Change the subject. She turned to Lin Zixi. “What did you think of our scene tonight?”
Meng Zhiqiu looked at Lin Zixi too. “Yeah, Teacher Lin, how was my chemistry with Ye Can?”
Lin Zixi smiled. “A brilliant performance. The dramatic tension, the sparks flying between the characters—it was all fantastic.”
“Miss Meng’s skills have matured even beyond that award-winning role. To be honest, I love Luo Ji as a character…”
Once films came up, it was Lin Zixi’s turn to talk nonstop. Meng Zhiqiu relaxed into the comfortable topic and dove in, chatting about the Above the Throne script, the team, and similar roles she’d played before.
Ye Can couldn’t get a word in edgewise. She silently noted all the films they mentioned, furiously gnawing her skewers, cheeks puffed out like a steamed bun.
Xiao Cai, Meng Zhiqiu’s assistant, wasn’t the chatty type, but she clearly saw her boss’s enthusiasm for Lin Zixi. A popular actress outing as gay? Not exactly welcome news, even with Meng’s status. It’d be hard for the public to accept.
Before her Best Actress win, Meng had kept up grueling schedules and ironclad professionalism. Aside from promo hype like fake dating scandals, she’d never actually dated.
Now, with the crown and the right age, her agent gave her some leeway on romance—as long as it stayed low-key, no big interventions.
But someone of Meng Zhiqiu’s profile? Any whiff of romance drew eyes. Low-key was a pipe dream.
Xiao Cai worried about the fallout, but her position meant she couldn’t speak up. The barbecue tasted like ash.
Tong Lin, sticking close to Ye Can, felt a pang of sympathy watching her stuff her face. As a “love expert” versed in countless romances, Tong Lin quickly sniffed out the romantic battlefield.
Meng Zhiqiu was undoubtedly smitten with Lin Zixi. But Ye Can liked her too. Happy work buddies were about to clash over feelings.
Ye Can’s prospects weren’t bad, but Meng Zhiqiu outshone her—mature, intellectual, glamorous, generous. Tong Lin had heard of that trend in certain circles: little sisters crushing on big sisters, and big sisters crushing right back. In this matchup, Ye Can’s odds looked slim.
Tong Lin eyed the romantic battlefield, fretting over Ye Can’s budding crush. Winning Lin Zixi against such a stellar rival? Tough sledding.
At the table of five, two chatted happily while the other three nursed their own thoughts. By the time Ye Can polished off all the barbecue, it was nearing 2 a.m.
Meng Zhiqiu had shoots the next afternoon. Once Ye Can finished, she bid Lin Zixi a reluctant farewell and headed back to her hotel first. Ye Can had rarely overeaten like this. With Meng gone, she rubbed her belly, brow furrowed, looking miserable.
Lin Zixi noticed. “What’s wrong?”
Ye Can’s expression turned downright pitiful. “I feel awful.” Tong Lin tensed immediately. “I’ll rush you to the hospital right now.”
Ye Can shot her a deadpan look, as if annoyed by the fuss. Tong Lin caught the vibe and wisely shut up. Ye Can then said, “It’s fine. Not gonna die.”
Besides, dying isn’t a big deal anyway.
Lin Zixi fretted too. “Ye Can, where does it hurt? Stomach? Belly?”
Ye Can hunched in her chair, enduring the pain as she looked at Lin Zixi. “Bellyache. Overstuffed. Let me rest a bit.”
Lin Zixi’s gaze softened. “Want to walk it off? Aid digestion?”
Ye Can shook her head. “No. Tired.” Truth was, she was a bona fide sloth—sit if you can, never stand. Especially not when feeling this rotten.
Blame Meng Zhiqiu for yapping with Lin Zixi so long, Ye Can grumbled inwardly. Made me stuff myself silly. She admitted she was her own worst enemy. Clutching her stomach, she breathed deep, then gazed at Lin Zixi with puppy-dog eyes. “Lin Zixi, what do you think of Meng Zhiqiu?”
The topic switch was abrupt. Lin Zixi blinked. “Miss Meng’s great.”
Yeah, knew you’d say that, Ye Can thought. She stared straight at her, a mix of hope and curiosity. “Do you… like her?”
Lin Zixi nodded. “Someone like Miss Meng? Hard not to like.”
Ye Can knew Lin Zixi might not have caught her real meaning, but in that instant, it felt like a massive hook tore into her chest, ripping it bloody.
It hurt. But she didn’t hate the pain.
The ache drowned out her stuffed gut. Ye Can looked at Lin Zixi and asked quietly, “Would you marry her, then?”
Her eyes sparkled like stars. “You’ve been alone so long. Must get lonely.”
