One Pet Gets Married

Chapter 12

Rongcheng boasted a massive film and television base, surrounded by scenic areas, attracting numerous productions year-round. "The Subject" was no exception.

However, the studio was quite far from Tang You'an's residence. Even driving on the highway took a full hour. When Tang You'an arrived in the production van, dawn was breaking.

Throughout the journey, her new assistant Wu Yin noticed Tang You'an's closed eyes and silence, and didn't dare speak.

Wu Yin had heard about Tang You'an's temperament. She was unpredictable, prone to cursing and throwing things when angered.

Unbeknownst to Wu Yin, Tang You'an was silently reviewing the film set terminology Song Xici had taught her, along with the movies she'd crammed recently.

After all, she had no acting experience.

Upon arrival, Tang You'an changed into a black hanfu with red-trimmed waistband. She was then led to the makeup station. The look was simple - hair pulled up into a high ponytail secured with a two-finger-wide band.

Tang You'an had few scenes in this first episode. Mainly filming a ceremony where Gu Moyan accepts her mission, then a costume change.

Originally scheduled earlier, the scene was pushed back due to lead actors Zhao Zixi and Jiang Chengkun's limited availability. Tang You'an, known for multiple takes, was relegated to later.

Though ready in costume and makeup, she could only wait on the sidelines.

Unfamiliar with the crew and facing their prejudice, Tang You'an sat alone quietly.

During a break, when Ye Qing was asked to give Tang You'an a piece of pomelo, Tang You'an accepted with a smile, saying, "Thank you, Miss Ye."

"My, Teacher Tang, your speech has changed completely. So refined now?" Ye Qing looked at her, mocking.

Ye Qing had debuted around the same time as Tang You'an but remained obscure, lacking both popularity and notable works. She believed she just needed the right opportunity. Her goal in joining this production was clear - to connect with Zhao Zixi.

"Perhaps from reading too many ancient texts lately, I've been unable to extricate myself," Tang You'an replied languidly, using the phrase Song Xici had taught her.

"What ancient texts? 'The Plum in the Golden Vase'?" Ye Qing laughed.

Her words elicited raucous laughter from those around.

"No, texts on fortune-telling and physiognomy," Tang You'an shook her head.

"So impressive? How proficient are you?" Ye Qing probed.

"I've made some progress," Tang You'an smiled.

"Then why don't you read mine?" Zhao Zixi approached. People moved aside, including Ye Qing.

"Miss Zhao, you're in your late twenties. Your star path is very smooth; you won many awards shortly after entering the industry..." Tang You'an observed her briefly before speaking.

Before she could finish, laughter erupted around them. What nonsense, fortune-telling? This must be recited from an encyclopedia! Who didn't know Zhao Zixi won awards early in her career? It was laughable; by that logic, everyone could tell fortunes!

As people shook their heads and Zhao Zixi scoffed lightly, about to check her phone, Tang You'an continued.

"You weren't close with your family in youth, lived with relatives for a time, had many conflicts with your parents - the worst landing you in the hospital."

Hearing this, Zhao Zixi gripped her phone tightly, staring at Tang You'an.

"How do you know that?" Zhao Zixi asked. No one outside knew these things.

The crowd, previously mocking Tang You'an, fell silent.

"I can see it," Tang You'an rubbed her philtrum, then looked up at Zhao Zixi. "Though details are unclear, I can see the general picture. Has your family experienced any misfortune in the past month or so?"

"Looks like the first part was just coincidence. She's wrong now; there's been no news about any misfortune in Miss Zhao's family..." Ye Jia and another person glanced at Tang You'an, smirking coldly.

However, Zhao Zixi stared at Tang You'an, almost dropping her phone in shock.

"I moved to a new house in August. Last month, somehow the housekeeper nearly set the storage room on fire. Luckily my corgi noticed early and kept barking, so we discovered it in time. Only the curtains burned..." Zhao Zixi explained.

"Mm..." Tang You'an nodded. "Does your new house have many sharp angles? Or is the road outside curved like a reversed bow?"

"There are some pointed roofs, is that what you mean?" Zhao Zixi asked urgently.

"Yes," Tang You'an answered.

"What should I do? Have them removed and rebuilt?" Zhao Zixi pressed.

"No need, just dig a pond in front of the house," Tang You'an smiled.

Zhao Zixi sighed in relief. "Thank you so much. By the way, shall we add each other on WeChat?" With Tang You'an's ability to see so much, how could she not seize this opportunity?

Tang You'an's lips curved upward. "Certainly."

Ye Qing watched from the side, fuming but unable to act out. She had long wanted to curry favor with Zhao Zixi, trying every method. Finally in this production, seemingly closer to Zhao Zixi, Tang You'an suddenly appeared, leaving her out in the cold. It was infuriating!

After reading for Zhao Zixi, the crew members exchanged glances before eagerly gathering around Tang You'an for readings.

Just then, the director and staff returned from their smoke break, calling everyone back to work. The crowd dispersed reluctantly, leaving only Zhao Zixi seated beside Tang You'an.

Ye Qing, seeing Zhao Zixi and Tang You'an chatting and exchanging WeChat contacts, could only sit aside, seething with discontent but unable to express it.

"You're quite amiable. How did those rumors about you start? It's completely different," Zhao Zixi remarked, watching the crew resume work. "The stories and reality don't match at all."

"Perhaps it's just an unlucky year, beset by petty people," Tang You'an adjusted her collar, brushing her wide left sleeve.

"Mm," Zhao Zixi nodded. "By the way, could you read for my friend too?"

"Of course," Tang You'an smiled.

Zhao Zixi grinned, quickly retrieving her phone from her assistant. Unlocking the screen, she opened her photo gallery, revealing a flood of colorful images.

Tang You'an noticed that in the photos Zhao Zixi scrolled through, she appeared very intimate with her female friends.

Some showed them sharing bites of food, others embracing in swimwear by pools, or hugging and kissing cheeks. The level of intimacy made Tang You'an's eyes widen.

"Between you..." Tang You'an hesitated before asking, "Such contact is acceptable?"

"Huh?" Zhao Zixi turned to her, puzzled.

"I mean, being so close..."

"Because we're good friends, besties, and we're all straight girls. Since we don't like women, and we're just friends, what's the problem?" Zhao Zixi looked at Tang You'an as if she were an alien. "If there's nothing untoward, why can't we hug and be close?"

Tang You'an's mind reeled at this.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Zhao Zixi asked.

"Nothing," Tang You'an shook her head.

She felt somewhat dejected. Seeing others so close with their friends while Song Xici kept her at arm's length was disheartening. Moreover, Song Xici's Weibo showed photos of her embracing friends' waists, yet with Tang You'an...

Forget waist-hugging, she insisted on maintaining all sorts of distance.

Later that afternoon, someone suddenly shouted, "Teacher Song Xici has brought food for everyone!" Those not busy immediately swarmed over.

Hearing Song Xici's name, Tang You'an stood up and looked in that direction.

Song Xici stood nearby, wearing a long white coat.

As Song Xici approached, Tang You'an straightened up.

"Well... I came to see if you've caused any trouble," After effortlessly distributing food to the crew, Song Xici maneuvered around props on the ground to sit beside Tang You'an, placing a large box of food in front of her. "If you've caused any trouble, you're in big trouble."

Tang You'an smiled at this.

"Alright, have some food," Song Xici said, opening the box to reveal an array of beautiful sushi.

However, Tang You'an didn't reach for the chopsticks.

"Eat, why aren't you eating?" Song Xici gestured at the food.

"I saw some photos today," Tang You'an said.

"Hmm?" Song Xici looked at her curiously while eating a rice ball.

"Miss Zhao Zixi and her friend were sharing food from the same bite," Tang You'an said, poking at the sushi with her chopsticks.

"So... what about it?" Song Xici's eyes shifted.

"I want to do that with you too," Tang You'an looked up, staring intently at her.

Song Xici froze, nearly biting her tongue.

"Is it not allowed?" Tang You'an narrowed her eyes.

"I..."

"Or do you truly dislike me? Perhaps your willingness to be friends was just to comfort me," Tang You'an couldn't understand why others could do such things with friends, but she and Song Xici could not.

"What are you thinking?" Song Xici said, torn between laughter and exasperation. "Fine, let's... let's eat together then..."

Song Xici held up a rice ball between them, biting her lip. "I'll count to three and we'll start eating."

Tang You'an nodded.

"One, two, three..." Song Xici closed her eyes and leaned in to bite the rice ball.

Simultaneously, Tang You'an leaned forward, tilting her head to bite the other end.

Tang You'an's breath tickled Song Xici's face.

Song Xici slowly opened her eyes, only to find herself gazing directly into Tang You'an's deep eyes at close range.

Too, too close...

Eyes wide, Song Xici jerked backward, nearly falling.

Tang You'an quickly caught her, while Song Xici's hands reflexively clung to Tang You'an's neck...

But once there, she didn't know how to remove them. Swaying slightly, Song Xici swallowed hard, her mind blank.

Tang You'an simply gazed at her steadily: "It's okay to hold onto me. With me... you can do whatever you want..."

Song Xici's hands remained on Tang You'an's neck. She collected herself, paused for a moment, her earlobes faintly warm. Finally, with an awkward yet bold laugh, she joked: "Is that so? What if I wanted to take advantage of you? Would that be okay too?"