Zhu Zhengchu originally thought Xiang Yutang would be overwhelmed by the camera flashes during the photo - shoot, but to his surprise, she adapted quite well.
Zhu Zhengchu whispered, "Why aren't you afraid of the flashes?"
Xiang Yutang replied, "I've had some photo - taking experience before."
"Really? What kind of photos did you take?"
"I once worked part - time as a campus backdrop model."
It made sense. With her beauty, Xiang Yutang must have been a great asset for school promotions.
"Brother Zhu, we've finished this set. Next, we'll take the shot of the two of you pretending to kiss," the photographer said.
Xiang Yutang and Zhu Zhengchu were each holding a rose. They were supposed to use the roses as a shield and pretend to be kissing. All they needed to do was get their lips closer.
Zhu Zhengchu looked at the lips so close to his and couldn't help but move a bit closer. Xiang Yutang was so startled that she took a few steps back.
Zhu Zhengchu then realized his impropriety and said awkwardly, "Sorry, I wasn't steady just now."
Ah, Xiang Yutang was just a young girl after all. How could he take advantage of her like this? He felt deeply ashamed of himself.
Xiang Yutang quickly said, "It's okay, it's okay."
"Brother Zhu, could you two get a bit closer? Yutang, you can put your hand on Brother Zhu's waist. That's right, just like this."
Xiang Yutang placed her hand on Zhu Zhengchu's waist and felt the lean and powerful torso. She couldn't resist pinching it gently.
Zhu Zhengchu whispered, "What are you doing?"
"Teacher Zhu, your waist is so slender."
Zhu Zhengchu smiled, "Don't be naughty. Focus on the shoot." Although his waist was slender, other parts of him were not.
The two worked together surprisingly well. They managed to finish the workload that was supposed to take a whole day in just half a day. While Xiang Yutang was removing her makeup, she looked at Zhu Zhengchu.
"We've finished ahead of schedule. Can we go out and play together?"
Zhu Zhengchu said helplessly, "Sure. Where do you want to go? But first, places like amusement parks with a large crowd are off - limits."
Xiang Yutang thought for a while. "Well... the places I want to go to seem to be quite crowded."
"How about going back to your home?" It had been a long time since she last saw her family. He wondered if this girl missed home.
Xiang Yutang waved her hand. "No way! If I go back, my old man will surely scold me. I've been away from home for so long, and he hasn't even called to comfort me. I'm not going to talk to him. Humph."
Xiang Yutang had just run away from home out of a petty quarrel with her father and boredom.
Zhu Zhengchu found her little proud look quite cute. "Then I'll take you to my place. My house is big. You can play around as you like, and I can have someone deliver whatever you want to eat."
"No need for delivery! I'll cook for you! Every time I cook in the dorm, I have to be so sneaky. Today, I can cook to my heart's content. I'll even make a love - filled bento for Ziyu tonight!"
Zhu Zhengchu nodded. "Okay. There's a supermarket near my place. I can take you there."
Xiang Yutang cheered, "Yay!"
The makeup artist swallowed hard as she listened to their conversation. They were really something. She hoped Brother Zhu wouldn't take her out for hearing so much.
Zhu Zhengchu just glanced at her and said nothing. All his staff had signed confidentiality agreements, so they were not allowed to disclose his private life. He wasn't worried about the makeup artist spreading rumors.
After they removed their makeup, they got back into the car. Xiang Yutang was playing with her phone excitedly when suddenly she received a call.
She didn't answer it immediately. Zhu Zhengchu was curious. "Why don't you answer the phone?"
Xiang Yutang shushed him and then slowly answered the call just before it hung up. "Hello? Who is this? If you have something to say, say it quickly. I'm very busy."
Even though she didn't put it on speakerphone, Zhu Zhengchu could hear the angry roar from the other end.
"You little brat! You did this on purpose, didn't you! I've sent you messages, and you didn't even reply!"
It must be her father.
Zhu Zhengchu didn't say a word and just listened quietly to their conversation.
"Sir, please don't be so excited. After all, I'm a popular contestant now. It's normal that I don't have time to check my phone," Xiang Yutang said in a sarcastic tone.
Xiang Zhengyun sneered, "You seem to be quite proud of showing yourself off in public."
Xiang Yutang snorted, "You don't respect my hard work! If you called just to scold me, I'll hang up. Next time, I won't answer your call."
"You dare to hang up! If you do, I'll have someone bring you back right now!"
Xiang Yutang said lazily, "So, what else do you want to say? Just say it. I'm busy."
"The stupid show you're participating in is so boring. Come back home soon!"
Xiang Yutang rolled her eyes. "I knew it. Bye."
"Wait. How many good people are there in the entertainment industry? You're so naive. You can't outsmart them!"
"You're the naive one. Who says there are no good people in the entertainment industry? My master is a good person," Xiang Yutang said proudly.
"Your master? Who is your master?!"
Xiang Yutang looked at Zhu Zhengchu. Zhu Zhengchu shook his head, so she changed the topic. "My master is a highly - respected monk, of course."
"Anyway, come back home soon. Do you hear me? Hey! You little brat."
Xiang Yutang hung up the phone. "Ugh, this old man. He doesn't even apologize to me. All he knows is to tell me to go back."
Zhu Zhengchu leaned back on the seat and looked at her. "Why did you quarrel with your father?"
Xiang Yutang pouted. "He said my singing was terrible."
Zhu Zhengchu thought to himself that her father might be right, but he wouldn't say it out loud.
"Master, can you teach me later? Maybe under your guidance, I'll become a world - class master."
Zhu Zhengchu smiled. "I haven't become a world - class master yet, and you think you will?"
"Students can outshine their teachers," Xiang Yutang said confidently.
Zhu Zhengchu asked her, "Why do you like singing so much?"
"Because I think it's so cool to stand on the stage with a microphone in hand!"
"You look cool when you dance on the stage, too."
"I don't want to dance. "
As they chatted, they soon arrived at the supermarket near Zhu Zhengchu's place. They put on their masks and hats and got out of the car.
When Xiang Yutang saw the long - awaited supermarket and was about to rush in, Zhu Zhengchu suddenly grabbed her and pushed her back into the car.
"Master, what are you doing?"
"Don't get out for now." Zhu Zhengchu put on his sunglasses, walked to the nearby security office, talked to the security guard for a while, and then came back.
Xiang Yutang asked nervously, "What's going on? Is there a bomb?"
"…No. There are paparazzi taking pictures. I don't know how they got in. I've had someone deal with them. You can get out now."
"Didn't you say it's hard for outsiders to get in here?"
"Hard doesn't mean impossible. Some people will do anything to get a scoop."
After Zhu Zhengchu took Xiang Yutang into the supermarket, he took off his mask. "It's okay now. Everyone here is on our side."
The cashier girl seemed to be used to it.
Xiang Yutang pushed a shopping cart and rushed towards the snack aisle excitedly.
"Aren't you going to cook? Are you going to eat snacks for dinner?"
"Come on. Let me buy some first. I haven't eaten them for a long time," Xiang Yutang said in a coquettish tone.
Zhu Zhengchu said helplessly, "Okay. Just take whatever you like."