After finishing the al and tidying up the dishes, Zhao Chun took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Tian Sangsang.
Tian Sangsang took the business card without warning, and upon seeing the na on it, a scene from her mory flashed through her mind. She raised her eyes slightly: "...Hmm?"
Zhao Chun said, "Your photo was in Air Magazine, which also announced your performance in ’Lushan Love.’ Sister Xia saw the magazine, rembered you, and asked to invite you to play the female lead Feng Chengcheng in ’Shanghai Beach.’
"The company you participated with in the script contest happens to be their company, and she is also the producer responsible for this script. From her words, it seems she genuinely wants to do a good job with this production."
"I told her that you’re pregnant, and she said she would wait for your response after you’ve given birth."
Tian Sangsang genuinely liked acting. After performing in ’Lushan Love’ last ti, she fell in love with the feeling of being in front of the cara. She thought she was the kind of person who enjoyed being in the spotlight.
After all, with her god-given looks, she truly felt she should contribute sothing to the dostic entertainnt scene.
"You said she wants to play the lead role, Feng Chengcheng?" Tian Sangsang asked skeptically.
It was a drama she loved. Being asked to act in a show she adored made her naturally nervous. But what worried her wasn’t her inability to perform as Feng Chengcheng; it was who the male lead actor would be.
"That’s correct. So, what do you think?" Zhao Chun nodded slightly. "I can sense her sincerity; she’s willing to wait for you until after childbirth to discuss this. Sister Xia wouldn’t have ntioned it otherwise. After hearing her say it though, even I feel like you could handle the role of Feng Chengcheng. There’s sothing about you that seems to echo her essence. As for the rest, it will depend on your acting skills."
There’s no rule that says a naive young girl must be played by a naive young girl. Married won can also embody that feeling.
"There are still a few months before delivery. I’ll think it over carefully." She would consider the impact acting might have on her personally, on her family, and on society. This wasn’t a decision to make lightly—she might live in the spotlight of acting for the rest of her life.
Zhao Chun, knowing more or less the reason behind her conflict with Ye Binyi, also agreed that she should think it through.
**
Under the blazing midday sun, Tian Sangsang walked along the road to the cultural palace, carrying a bag in her hand.
The road was bustling with people, occasionally dotted with groups of students heading ho together, all wearing their little red scarves.
At the entrance to the cultural palace, however, there were noticeably fewer people. Nowadays, parents seldom ca to pick up their kids. They trusted their children fully, unlike how, in later years, school gates would be packed with cars and parents after classes ended, and they’d frantically worry if their children were late coming ho.
Tian Sangsang was no exception. Influenced by modern sensibilities, she often ca to pick up ng Shuyan. She couldn’t bear the thought of letting a four-year-old child walk ho by himself; it felt too unsafe.
ng Shuyan had just co out of the building. When he saw her, his big eyes lit up. He waved at his teacher with little hands and walked briskly toward her, smiling sweetly: "Mama."
"Let’s go, son." Tian Sangsang patted his head and pulled out a cup from the bag. The cup was filled with iced bayberries. She offered warmly, "Here, have one."
ng Shuyan opened his mouth with a soft "ah." The bayberry was a bit too big for his little mouth, and his cheeks puffed out as he ate.
Tian Sangsang was thirsty too and ate one herself. Holding her son’s hand, they began walking ho.
The little tot followed his mother, suddenly tightening his grip on her hand and leaning his small body toward her.
As her own child, any unusual behavior from him didn’t escape Tian Sangsang’s notice. She didn’t stop walking but glanced downward with a slightly puzzled look.
After finishing the bayberry and spitting the seed into his tiny hand, ng Shuyan tilted up his head and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Mama, there’s a strange sound of footsteps. Soone’s following us."
Tian Sangsang’s breath hitched. It reminded her of that other night when her son had heard footsteps, too. She walked forward with him, maintaining her calm exterior, her pounding heartbeat known only to herself.
If he acted decisively, it would be easier, but he had this unwillingness to cut ties, hanging on ambiguously instead. It was frustrating—not breaking in openly but sneaking around and following instead, leaving her unsure of what to do.
As they reached the door to their house, ng Shuyan suddenly turned his head: "The footsteps are gone."
Tian Sangsang let out a small breath of relief, but it was only temporary.
"Yanyan, are you scared?" she asked gently.
"I’m not scared when I’m with Mama. If he gets closer, I can hear him clearly." ng Shuyan said seriously, his little face solemn.
"Good boy." Tian Sangsang wanted to lift him up, but her six-month pregnant belly, already high and protruding, made it truly inconvenient.
At noon, ng Shuyan went back to the cultural palace, while Tian Sangsang headed to Qingyao Alley.
It was precisely noon, and the air felt sluggish and drowsy. Most people were likely taking naps, so the alley was quiet with few inhabitants—just two or three children at its end playing gas like "Drop the Handkerchief" and kicking pebbles. Here, the silence was prominent.
And because it was so quiet, the sound of a door opening felt particularly drawn-out and piercing.
"Sangsang?" Zhao Chun’s eyes showed a flicker of surprise. In three quick moves, he shut the door and locked it. In fact, he’d been about to co looking for her.
Tian Sangsang gave him a look. He seed perfectly unhard, still as spirited as ever. Her tense nerves relaxed slightly.
"I have sothing to discuss with you."
"I need to talk to you about sothing as well."
For a mont, they both froze in awkwardness.
"You go ahead."
"You first."
Speaking simultaneously again, their eyes t. Tian Sangsang suddenly laughed, letting go of her anxiety in the process.
"Why are you stealing my lines?"
You’re the pregnant one; you win. Zhao Chun scratched his head, finally deciding to let her go first. In verbal sparring, he’d never won anyway—better not to dig his own grave.
He muttered weakly, "You go first."
Tian Sangsang shrugged, "Alright, you first then." She already knew what she wanted to say, but her curiosity about his topic made her give way—it might be more intriguing.
Zhao Chun’s expression turned serious, and nervously checking his surroundings, he finally spoke: "I sensed soone following today while I was outside. What about you...?"
"Sa here." Tian Sangsang leaned closer. But, with her big belly in the way, she couldn’t lean very far.
"So, you’d better be cautious during this ti."
Zhao Chun nodded: "Sa for you."
"Since we’ve discussed it, I’ll head out now. You should go back inside; don’t wander around unnecessarily." Tian Sangsang advised. Living in constant vigilance wasn’t sustainable, but since the other party had yet to show their face directly, they were completely passive.
"Let escort you." Zhao Chun urged nobly, raising his brows: "Bright daylight, under the vast open sky—they wouldn’t dare try anything."
"Why wouldn’t they?" Tian Sangsang countered with helplessness, reminding him, "Rember how you ended up in the hospital the last ti?" She thought he was too naive—wasn’t the saying "Once bitten, twice shy" supposed to apply?
"True." Zhao Chun’s handso face suddenly paled, his stomach tightening in discomfort. "But at least I don’t have one in my belly—you do. Let see you off. I was going out anyway, and the door is already locked. It’s unrealistic to imagine staying indoors forever just because there’s soone unknown outside.
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