Mu Qiu sniffled and said okay.

Cheng Zhirang breathed a sigh of relief, opened the script that was set aside from the beginning, and placed it between the two of them.

"This is a histor—"

"No spoilers," Mu Qiu said muffledly, with a very serious attitude, "Spoiling the plot is a deadly sin."

"...Alright." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

She leaned her head on his shoulder and after finishing a page, she would tap the back of his hand to signal for the next page.

Quietly, when she poked him, she’d even switch fingers, touching his hand with her soft fingertips, just lightly brushing away, only occasionally scratching him lightly with her nails.

Cheng Zhirang found it amusing.

Mu Qiu didn’t care about him and focused entirely on the story in the script, leaning bonelessly against him, speed-reading quickly through the entire script.

"Is this an original script?" she asked, looking up.

"Yes, original by the director, it’s a light comedy. I seldom act in such dramas. Usually, what’s pitched are movies; it’s rare to get a TV drama."

"Are you the male lead?"

"Yes."

"Hmm... I still think the doomsday script from last time was better. You should be a trailblazer, not a beneficiary of a continued theme. But my perspective is different from yours, take it as a reference."

Cheng Zhirang nodded thoughtfully: "If comparing the two, I lean more toward that one as well. This one has many kissing scenes."

She saw it but didn’t point it out.

Mu Qiu flipped the last two pages briskly, seemingly unconcerned:

"I know filming kissing scenes doesn’t necessarily mean real kissing; you can use angles to fake it... But forget it, better not do this one."

Cheng Zhirang closed the script, holding back a smile: "Alright. Let’s look at others."

Mu Qiu casually turned her head back, busied herself with her phone, sneakily glancing at him.

He had already placed the script aside properly, appearing not upset at all.

She slowly turned her gaze back, continuing to open the next novel.

Slowly, time drifted by, and they spent the whole afternoon together. After dinner, Cheng Zhirang drove her to the villa to pick up some things.

Mu Qiu felt a bizarre sensation, like a new bride returning to her parental home to collect the last bit of her luggage.

The tablet had to be taken, a couple of sets of personal clothes, skincare products, personal toiletries, and some pretty clothes, all had to be brought along.

The sofa was piled up with stuff, and Mu Qiu sat cross-legged on the floor, seriously pondering.

"This is too much, it won’t do."

It really felt like going home to her parents’.

Cheng Zhirang suggested: "There are many newly bought clothes at Half Mountain, should I get Assistant Liang to bring them over?"

She thought for a while, then shook her head: "No, none of them will do. Let’s just drive out and buy new ones? I’m going to have dinner with your family the day after tomorrow; I need to dress a bit more formally."

"Actually, it’s not—"

"That’s settled. Let’s go, bring these things, we’ll go shopping."

Cheng Zhirang: "...Alright."

She was so proactive; once she made a decision, she couldn’t be dissuaded and insisted on doing it immediately.

And so, Cheng Zhirang, who seldom went out for meals or shopping, started shopping at nine in the evening.

Wearing masks and hats, he stayed close to Mu Qiu and walked into a boutique with few customers.

"If someone recognizes you later, I’ll push you into the fitting room, how about that?"

Cheng Zhirang was helpless: "That’s not necessary. They’re quite obedient; if we communicate, they won’t be too loud."

"Will Chen Song scold me?"

"No. If you want to shop, I’ll accompany you. Isn’t that normal for couples?"

"Wow, our Brother Cheng is so intelligent and emotionally aware, like something only celestial beings possess, unheard of on earth."

"Stop that."

Two words laced with tenderness instantly made Mu Qiu dizzy, as she wobbled the hand he was holding, swinging his arm back and forth, acting coyly.

"We need to choose two outfits today, you help me pick."

"Okay," he gently replied.

The shop owner immediately recognized them but was skillful, suppressing excitement to instruct the staff not to scream or take pictures, then personally guided them inside.

"Is Brother Cheng picking clothes for Mu Qiu? What style are you looking for?"

Mu Qiu politely replied: "We’ll choose for ourselves first, and bother you if we find something we like."

"Alright, please feel free to browse."

The two large storefronts were connected, and right now the store staff outside frequently peeked in their direction.

Other customers also kept glancing their way.

Mu Qiu tried to keep her voice low, picking up a dress and showing it to Cheng Zhirang: "Does this one look good?"

Cheng Zhirang, still holding her hand, leaned down and said intimately, "Looks great, it complements your skin tone in orange."

"Or maybe not; it looks too young."

"...How about that abstract painted mini-skirt? You have a white top that goes well with it."

"Let’s buy it. What’s next?"

Cheng Zhirang chuckled: "Decided so quickly?"

"I trust your taste. Quickly, let’s pick the next one, or you’ll be stuck when more people show up,"

She continued to move forward while speaking, "Later they’ll all crowd around like the fans mobbing Lin Banyan in Su Yan’s news segment; it’s terrifying."

He showed a slight detached expression, pulling her back to his side: "No, I don’t have that many crazy fans. Take your time, and only mention it if you see something you like."

Mu Qiu frowned: "But if more people really crowd in, it seriously affects the store."

Someone might take the opportunity to snatch something, or break glass, and a stampede would be terrible.

Cheng Zhirang pressed his lips tightly, unable to find words to argue back.

He had just agreed to accompany her, wanting to do everything she wanted, yet realized soon after he couldn’t even stay long for shopping.

A bit of frustration was inevitable.

Mu Qiu shook his hand to console him: "It’s okay, maybe next time wear a wig when you go out? Like a domineering CEO slicked-back hairstyle."

"Exposing my forehead will make them recognize me quicker."

"...Guess being too handsome comes with such troubles sometimes. How about this one? Chiffon, giving a ladylike intellectual vibe."

She changed the subject so overtly, clearly not wanting him to be bothered by this. Cheng Zhirang gently ruffled her hair, choosing not to dwell on it, and answered softly:

"You usually don’t wear such dresses, no need to choose it now. Pick what you like, not what others like."

"Then it’s that one."

There was a dress she had glanced at several times since arriving, a black dress resembling soft denim, with strap designs on the shoulders and neckline.

What a coincidence, it coordinated so well with the outfit he wore for yesterday’s magazine shoot.

Cheng Zhirang paused for a moment, then accompanied her to take a closer look at the dress.

It truly was soft denim; comfortable to wear alone if not wary of exposed shoulders and neckline, or layer a base shirt underneath if preferred. Mu Qiu seemed to like it quite a bit.

"Let’s buy this one, I really like it. I’ll wear it casually, and for dinner the day after tomorrow, the white skirt from two days ago."

"Didn’t you say those clothes didn’t suit you, that’s why we came out to buy something new?" Why is it different now?

Mu Qiu’s attention was on the dress and answered offhandedly: "Changing my mind is my privilege."

"...Alright."