One Pet Gets Married

Chapter 13

"What?" Tang You'an was taken aback by Song Xici's words.

"No, I'm just kidding. Do I look like some terrible villain?" Song Xici also startled, quickly rearranging her stool and sitting down. She ran a hand through her hair and popped a piece of sushi in her mouth.

"By the way, why did you come so late?" Tang You'an asked.

"I told you earlier, didn't I? I was worried you'd cause trouble, so I came. My set isn't far from here anyway, so it was convenient," Song Xici replied.

"Are you done filming for today?" Tang You'an inquired.

"One drama wrapped up today, just 'Merfolk of the Azure Sea' left. Then I've got a month's vacation coming up. I can finally relax a bit. I haven't really rested in two years," Song Xici picked up another piece of sushi.

After swallowing, Song Xici cleared her throat. "How was filming today? Any embarrassing moments?"

"It hasn't been my turn yet," Tang You'an answered. "So far I've only discussed things with the martial arts instructor."

"I see..." Song Xici held her chopsticks, turning to look at Tang You'an. "Are you doing an outdoor scene later?"

"No," Tang You'an shook her head.

"Then why are you sitting out here?" Song Xici asked.

"Watching how they act, learning," Tang You'an replied.

"Look at you, not bad, so eager to improve. I'll give you an extra chicken leg when we get home!" Song Xici gave her a thumbs up.

"I don't want to embarrass you," Tang You'an responded.

"Tang You'an—" The director's voice called from across the set.

"You'd better go," Song Xici said after glancing over.

"Alright," Tang You'an nodded, removing her coat and standing up.

"Have you memorized all your lines?" Song Xici took the coat and helped adjust Tang You'an's costume along with the stylist.

"Yes, I have," Tang You'an nodded.

"Good, don't be nervous, don't panic, do your best! Take it slow!" Song Xici stared at her, raising a clenched fist.

"Alright," Tang You'an smiled.

Tang You'an then turned and walked towards the set. After observing the filming all day, it was finally her turn, and she felt a bit excited.

Song Xici stood holding the coat, letting out a long breath before taking a step forward.

"Miss Song and Miss Tang seem to get along so well..." The stylist came up beside her, smiling.

"Huh?" Song Xici turned to look at her.

"You're so sweet together in private, why are there always rumors about you not getting along?" The stylist continued with a grin.

"Sweet? Really?" Song Xici was stunned by this description.

"Yes, the way Miss Tang looks at you is so tender," the stylist said, then pouted. "To still be like this after two years of marriage, it's enviable. My partner and I have only been dating for a year, and we're already sick of each other."

Song Xici laughed softly and shook her head, then continued walking with the group. Outsiders had no idea what was really going on. That girl was still someone who didn't even understand love.

After entering a courtyard and setting up all the camera positions, the director sat behind the monitor. Chen Qingguo, who was playing the enemy general Wei Yue opposite Tang You'an, looked at her with disdain.

After all, Tang You'an was labeled as having poor character, requiring many takes, being a diva, and leading an absurd private life.

"Hello, Teacher Chen. Please guide me," Tang You'an approached him before filming began, clasping her hands in greeting.

Chen Qingguo was taken aback, looking up at her. "No... no need for formalities. Let's both do our best."

"Actors to your positions, prepare—" Director Chen Feng called out.

Tang You'an returned to her spot outside the room.

"Wei Yue tests Gu Moyan's adaptability, scene one take one, Action!"

At Chen Feng's steady, powerful command, Song Xici gripped the clothes in her hands, staring intently at Tang You'an in the distance.

Hearing Chen Feng's voice, Tang You'an looked at the ground, grasping the sword at her waist. She strode purposefully across the large courtyard, jogged up the stone steps, and entered the grand hall. She paused, raising her head to look at the general seated in the center, holding a cup of tea.

Tang You'an released her sword and quickly raised both hands in salute: "General."

However, the general did not respond, merely closing his eyes slightly and tapping his fingers on the table three times.

Instantly, four or five black-clad figures surged out from all sides, drawing gleaming swords and rushing at Tang You'an!

With a flicker of her eyes and a slight tilt of her head, Tang You'an's sword flashed from its scabbard. Gripping the hilt, she spun around, sweeping her blade to deflect all the incoming attacks. The black-clad figures retreated slightly, while the general raised his left hand, signaling them to stand down.

Tang You'an held her sword stance for a second or two, then sheathed it, turned to face the general, and saluted again.

The general's lips curved in a slight smile, his eyes narrowing as he applauded: "Good! You'll do."

"Cut—" Director Chen Feng called out.

Everyone on set was a bit stunned. It was a perfect take! Most crucially, her martial arts moves were clean and precise, as if she had trained professionally.

Chen Qingguo was speechless after filming this scene.

"Fantastic..." Chen Feng watched Tang You'an on the monitor, clenching his fist slightly, his eyes sparkling. Song Xici, standing beside Chen Feng, was also amazed. The movements were beautifully executed, and her facial expressions were truly professional.

In the subsequent takes, Tang You'an performed just as steadily. Everyone on set looked at her with newfound respect.

After filming, Song Xici immediately went up to her and held out both hands.

"What's this..." Tang You'an, just out of character, looked at her hands while holding the sword hilt.

"A high five! Don't you high five when you do a great job?!" Song Xici grinned.

Tang You'an smiled, let go of the sword, and gave her a high five.

"Alright, go change clothes. We'll head home after you're done," Song Xici said.

"Mm," Tang You'an nodded.

A while later, after changing, Tang You'an came out and followed Song Xici towards the car.

"When did you start acting?" Tang You'an asked.

Song Xici turned to look at her, thought for a moment, then gazed into the distance. "In university, I guess. Once, I got up at 4 AM to rush to the set for makeup. After finishing, I waited and waited until evening. When the lead actors finished, I thought it was my turn, but the director said we'd film tomorrow instead."

"So I took a taxi back to school alone. I don't know why, maybe because I'd been spoiled and never experienced such disappointment before, but I cried all night. The next day... my eyes were swollen. When I got to the set, I lectured the director, saying that as a singer, one must protect their voice, and as an actor, one must maintain their best condition." Song Xici's lips curved slightly as she spoke.

"That director was quite mean," Tang You'an said.

"Well, you can't really say that. Every job has its hardships, right? It's through experiencing various things that people grow up," Song Xici said, patting her chest and turning to Tang You'an. "That's how I've grown to where I am now. If I couldn't handle those difficulties, I would've lost at the very beginning."

Although Song Xici appeared cheerful, Tang You'an's brow furrowed slightly.

"If growing up means getting hurt along the way, then I'd rather you never grow up," Tang You'an said, hands behind her back.

Song Xici opened her mouth to look at her, then laughed and playfully hit Tang You'an's shoulder. "What are you saying?!"

"Just speaking from the heart," Tang You'an swayed slightly.

"If I don't grow up, are you going to support me and shelter me from everything?" Song Xici rolled her eyes, adjusting her sleeve.

"I will," Tang You'an said, looking at her steadily.

Hearing this, Song Xici's hand froze mid-adjustment. Her eyes inexplicably misted over, a faint acidic feeling crossing her nose bridge and rushing to her eyes.

"You're being weird again!" Song Xici said with a laugh, running a hand through her hair and loosely interlacing her fingers in front of her. "They say when birds first hatch, they imprint on the first living thing they see as their mother. You saw me first when you arrived here. Don't tell me you've really taken me for your mother and plan to be filial to me?"

Tang You'an smiled without answering.

"I knew it," Song Xici chuckled.

Reaching the car, they both sat in the back seat. Song Xici took out a bag of chips from her purse, opened it, and started munching on one.

"Help yourself if you want some," Song Xici gestured at the chips.

"Alright," Tang You'an nodded, then turned slightly to look out the window.

"Xici, it's so beautiful here..." Tang You'an said softly as the car crossed an elevated bridge, watching the streetlights flashing by and the myriad lights of distant skyscrapers through the car window.

However, after waiting a moment, she received no reply from Song Xici.

So Tang You'an pulled her gaze from the window and turned to look at Song Xici sitting beside her.

She saw Song Xici still clutching the large bag of chips, its opening tilting slightly downward, but she had fallen asleep. Her head swayed with the car's movement, occasionally bumping against the back seat or the window.

She was sleeping as soundly as a little pig that had eaten and slept its fill.

"Miss Song, I..." the driver suddenly spoke up loudly.

"Shh—" Tang You'an frowned slightly, pressing her index finger to her lips. "Speak softly, Xici is asleep."

Hearing this, the driver quickly nodded and asked in a low voice, "I wanted to request a day off the day after tomorrow. My granddaughter is participating in a ballet performance, so I was wondering if it would be possible..."

"We'll discuss it later," Tang You'an said with a slight smile.

"Yes, of course," the driver nodded hastily.

Then, Tang You'an looked at Song Xici for a moment before carefully reaching out to gently remove the snacks from Song Xici's hand and place them aside. She then eased Song Xici's head onto her own shoulder.

Song Xici didn't wake during this process, only shifting slightly to find a comfortable position, smacking her lips before nestling her head on Tang You'an's shoulder and continuing to sleep.

With the fluffy head resting on her shoulder, Tang You'an looked back out the window, a smile touching her lips.

For the first time, she discovered how beautiful the night could be.