Chapter 2 Unexpected Partner
The next morning, my agent sent me my first job offer in three months.
My first reaction wasn’t gratitude toward the golden patron.
It was that after being cursed at all night, I deserved this.
But no one told me the magazine cover partner was Song Nanzhou.
That dog of an agent, terrified I’d back out, dropped me at the shoot location before breaking the news.
I had just learned yesterday that the person I dumped was Best Actor Song Nanzhou himself, and now the next morning I was standing in front of him.
“Teacher Cheng, pleasure to meet you.” Song Nanzhou smiled warmly, eyes curving, and extended his hand.
If I hadn’t just survived a storm yesterday, as a certified face-con, I would’ve held his hand as long as possible.
Right now I only wanted to run, but my agent’s glare forced me to shake his hand and offer polite words. “Senior Song, please guide me.”
Song Nanzhou nodded slightly, released my hand, and walked past me into the studio.
I let out a breath. I had assumed he would make things difficult on the spot. Looked like I overthought it.
Someone of his status wouldn’t bother with a nobody like me.
But I forgot one thing.
Someone of his status also wouldn’t shoot a magazine with an eighteenth-tier actress like me.
Before the shoot, I received the prepared outfit—school uniforms. I had a guess. Playing young? I was good at that.
I changed quickly and appeared in front of the staff. Everyone’s eyes lit up.
Who would’ve thought a twenty-five-year-old could still pull off that campus vibe?
On the other side, Song Nanzhou had also changed.
I stared, stunned. I often saw Song Nanzhou’s face online, but never this close.
He wore a simple white shirt and black pants, standing against the light. The sunlight cast a soft golden glow around him.
Song Nanzhou walked toward me, tilted his head slightly, lazy and casual. “What, already starstruck?”
I snapped back to reality and unexpectedly met his gaze.
I didn’t know how to describe the feeling.
Maybe that was what “love at first sight” felt like.
I pretended to be relaxed. “Having the Best Actor right in front of me, getting starstruck is normal, right?”
Song Nanzhou chuckled lightly, saying nothing.
A staff member called, “Let’s start.”
The photographer gave instructions, then let us improvise.
I struck a pose. The photographer wasn’t satisfied. “Cheng Zhi, get closer to Senior Song. Don’t stand like you’re enemies.”
I thought, aren’t we enemies? I dumped him.
I obediently moved closer. Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought I could hear Song Nanzhou’s heartbeat.
Curious, I turned and looked up at him. His eyes were full of gentleness, reflecting only me.
Thump—thump—
My own heart started racing.
At the same time, I marveled at his acting. It was too good.
I forced down the flutter, turned to face the camera, and smiled.
“Perfect, hold that.”
“Cheng Zhi, tilt your head toward Senior Song.”
I did. Click, click. Then the photographer said, “Now face each other.”
We immediately got into position. Professionalism wouldn’t let me avoid his eyes.
I looked calm, but inside I was panicking.
The affection in Song Nanzhou’s eyes moved me too much.
“Both of you sit on that bench under the tree, share earphones, lean in closer.”
…
By the time we wrapped, my heart still hadn’t calmed down.
If I didn’t know I was the one who dumped him, I would really think I was his white moonlight.