Didn’t Expect That, Did You?

Very Good

Shao Cixin is tone-deaf.

Last time, her self-made background music was too short, had no lyrics, and was off-tune. Wen Zhihan, who didn’t watch many TV dramas, couldn’t discern what was wrong with it.

This time, she couldn’t escape it and was exposed.

Wen Zhihan had previously noticed that Shao Cixin couldn’t sing.

Back then, she thought it was self-deprecation, not really being unable to sing, at worst being just mediocre.

She had never expected that it wasn’t mediocrity, Shao Cixin truly couldn’t sing…

Shao Cixin sneakily watched Wen Zhihan.

She loved singing but was bad at it. She seldom sang in public, but she was a karaoke hog in front of her acquaintances[1]. Liang Xuefei’s ears had suffered quite a bit because of her.

Today, she even dared to sing a full Happy Birthday song to Wen Zhihan… She didn’t know when Wen Zhihan had been quietly classified into the category of people she was familiar with and could tease.

But looking at Wen Zhihan… did she seem to mind?

“Ah,” Shao Cixin broke the silence, touching her nose, “No one is perfect. I look so good, God has to give me a flaw to comfort others.”

She sneaked another look at Wen Zhihan and quickly said, “If you don’t like it, I won’t sing next time. I’ll get a professional to sing for you…”

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhihan laughed lightly: “No need for a professional. It’s cute this way. I like it.”

Shao Cixin looked back at her, unexpectedly stunned.

The warm candlelight flickered in Wen’s sapphire-like eyes, in which there was light, and her, tightly wrapped in tenderness.

Like a dream, it made her heart flutter.

A surge of emotions suddenly welled up in Shao Cixin’s heart.

The uncontrollable thought of “being with Wen Zhihan seems nice” emerged in her mind.

But this idea had just emerged briefly before she pushed it down.

She was astonished, puzzled, and even thought her idea was absurd.

– “Shao Cixin, are you so easily deceived? Can a little tenderness take your heart? Wake up, her gentleness is just her nature, not because of you. Don’t be self-conscious and don’t repeat the same mistakes.”

She talked herself down and calmed down.

Yes, Wen Zhihan was gentle because she was inherently gentle, not because of Shao Cixin.

Everyone could receive this gentleness, and it would be ridiculous if she got moved because of it.

Shifting her gaze, she pointed at the cake and said, “Stop looking at me, look at the cake, you can make a wish.”

Wen Zhihan looked at the cake in front of her following Shao’s words.

A moment later, she asked, “Cixin, do you believe that wishes come true?”

Shao Cixin answered without thinking, “If the heart is sincere, it will respond.”

Wen Zhihan gave a smile: “You believe this?”

Shao Cixin said, “My mother believes it, so I follow suit.

I also believe in good karma.

So Wen Zhihan, you’re so good, I believe destiny will treat you well and your wishes will be fulfilled.”

Wen Zhihan gazed into her eyes. Her dense eyelashes swept up and down, and her eyes were filled with watery tenderness.

Shao Cixin knew Wen Zhihan was always like this, gentle to everyone she looked at, seeming non-threatening, but exceptionally captivating.

“I hope so.”

Wen Zhihan slowly closed her eyes, opening them again a few seconds later.

“I’ve made my wish.”

Shao Cixin asked curiously, “What did you wish for?”

She wouldn’t be curious about others’ wishes, but she was indeed curious about Wen Zhihan’s.

Wishes were about what you didn’t have but wanted. Wen Zhihan had whatever she wanted. Shao couldn’t think of anything in this world that Wen Zhihan couldn’t get.

Wen Zhihan just smiled, not saying anything.

Shao Cixin knew better than to ask any further.

“Done making your wish, blow out the candle.”

Wen Zhihan blew out the candle.

“Cut the cake, cut the cake!”

Wen Zhihan picked up the knife and cut her a piece.

“That’s too big, Wen Zhihan, cut me a smaller piece.”

Wen Zhihan didn’t indulge her this time, placed the cut cake in front of her: “You’ve worked hard filming all day, eat more.”

She also pushed some barbecue towards her, saying softly, “I’ll accompany you to exercise later.”

Shao Cixin paused, holding her fork.

Their eyes met, instantly catching onto each other’s train of thought.

Wen Zhihan couldn’t help but chuckle: “Not that meaning.”

Shao Cixin responded with an “oh”.

Wen Zhihan added: “It could also mean that.”

Shao Cixin raised an eyebrow.

She found that Wen Zhihan’s scale of talking had been expanding, and the innocent goddess she remembered was no longer there.

“Wen Zhihan,” she said, “You’ve grown up, you don’t even blush anymore.”

Wen Zhihan just smiled upon hearing this.

“I’ve gotten used to it.”

Used to her closeness, used to her touch, used to the intimate contact with her.

They gradually got used to each other, and even their bodies were imprinting memories of each other.

Shao Cixin didn’t eat, she just quietly watched the person across her.

Under the warm orange light, Wen Zhihan was delicate and beautiful, with a gentle expression, as beautiful as a mirage.

She always liked beautiful things. Looking at Wen Zhihan like this, she suddenly felt the desire to get closer.

“Wen Zhihan, Director Long said I can go a bit later tomorrow.”

Shao Cixin said this as if hinting at something.

Wen Zhihan looked up at her.

“So… do you want me to repay my debt?”

……

Shao Cixin came out of the bathroom.

The main lights in the room had been turned off, leaving only a few soft-toned warm lights.

Wen Zhihan was sitting propped up at the head of the bed, holding her laptop, her legs covered with a blanket, and still wearing her favorite pair of gold-rimmed glasses, exuding an elegant and lazy aura.

Shao Cixin stopped in her tracks, silently appreciating the view.

She admitted to herself that she loved to gaze upon beautiful faces. She had no resistance against a beautiful older sister like Wen Zhihan, especially when the latter put on these glasses. She wished she could appreciate such beauty up close every day.

Seeing her return, Wen Zhihan closed her laptop, took off her glasses, and pulled back the blanket.

Shao Cixin crawled into bed, looking up at her and said straightforwardly: “Wen Zhihan, you’re so beautiful. Do you know how beautiful you are?”

“How beautiful?”

Wen Zhihan’s eyes were filled with amusement, her gaze wandering between her lips and eyes.

—Beautiful enough to make one selfishly want to possess you.

Shao Cixin silently answered in her heart.

She curved her lips, her fingers gently fiddling with Wen Zhihan’s button, responding to the question in a different way: “I’ll show you.”

Their lips met softly, their breaths closely intertwined, and the nightgown was tossed under the bed, leaving no cover.

Shao Cixin took the initiative.

“Today is your birthday, lie down, let me.”

“Cixin…”

“I hope you’ll like it, senior sister.”

“Mm.”

Shao Cixin’s kiss fell on her lips.

Wrapped in a gentle yet irresistible heat, her breath was gradually taken away.

They briefly separated, their chests heaving, their eyes filled with desire.

Shao Cixin’s kisses didn’t stop there, irresistibly moving elsewhere.

The atmosphere was ambiguous, tenderness rolling on the tip of their tongues, staining their fingertips, carrying a moist temperature.

Even Wen Zhihan’s eyes were filled with a thin layer of moisture, sparkling and moving.

Shao Cixin heard her voice, heard her calling her name.

It was soft and delicate, carrying a rare impatience: “Cixin…”

Shao Cixin felt her ears soften, her heart wanting more.

She didn’t want to be entangled in their relationship at this moment. Regardless of their status, at this moment, she only wanted her, only wanted to indulge in this long night with her.

“Cixin…”

Shao Cixin unconsciously stopped her movements, obediently lifting her head, leaning close to her, responding to her.

“I’m here, sister, I’m here.”

Wen Zhihan’s hands slowly wrapped around her neck, buried in her hair, pulling her towards herself.

The distance became even more intimate, skin to skin, every inch carrying the other’s warmth.

Their gazes intertwined in this embrace, as if their souls were also merging into one, inseparable.

Shao Cixin looked at the person beneath her.

She saw her flushed face, slightly parted lips, those blue eyes imbued with moisture, like sapphires fallen into water, alluring and captivating.

Inexpressibly beautiful.

She was deeply attracted to her like this, couldn’t help but lean down to kiss her.

“Wen Zhihan, how can there be someone as beautiful as you in this world?

“Did the gods have a lot of personal bias when they created you?”

Wen Zhihan touched her cheek, quietly listening to her speak, her eyes warm and smiling, like the gentlest wind in spring, never annoying.

Shao Cixin seemed to be bewitched, instinctively gripping her hand, devoutly kissing her palm.

“But I’m not jealous of you at all, I even feel…”

“What do you feel?” Wen Zhihan encouraged her to finish her thought, with a smile.

Once again enveloped in gentleness, Shao Cixin didn’t know why she had become so emotional. She suddenly felt shy looking into her eyes, so she buried her head in her neck like a shy child.

“—I feel honored to have met you.”

Honored, and fortunate.

Wen Zhihan was the timely rain she received after her rebirth, helping her solve many problems.

Honestly, sometimes she didn’t know how to repay her, especially when she lacked nothing…

Wen Zhihan held her, occasionally stroking her hair.

The person in her arms tonight was somewhat emotional, but even her emotionality was cute, and she even knew how to feel shy.

Her mood suddenly improved.

Hearing heartfelt compliments would make anyone happy.

“Cixin,” she said softly into Shao Cixin’s ear, “you are also the honor of many people.”

Shao Cixin looked up.

Wen Zhihan patted her head, changed the subject: “Thank you for spending my birthday with me.”

After saying this, she took the initiative to kiss her again, continuing the lingering moment.

Shao Cixin gradually lost herself in her kiss.

While not forgetting to use her hands as lips, accomplishing the mission of the night.

—Tonight, she had to make sure the Bodhisattva was completely comfortable!

…

The day was not bad, no snow, and the sun was out.

Shao Cixin put on her down jacket, wrapped herself up in a scarf, very well-insulated. She looked like a bear and inexplicably appeared somewhat well-behaved.

She turned to look at Wen Zhihan, who was still in her pajamas. Beneath the slightly open pajamas, traces of the ambiguity from the night before were faintly visible.

Those were her “spoils of war” from last night.

The only pity was that they had done it a few times and then fell asleep. She didn’t have time to let Wen Zhihan experience the difficulty of getting up in the morning[2].

“So I’m going out, you, President Wen, continue to rest.”

Wen Zhihan smiled, casually asking her: “When is your scene?”

Shao Cixin, who had no defenses against her, casually answered, only then thought: “Why are you asking this?”

Wen Zhihan confessed: “I’ve never seen you acting, I want to watch.”

Shao Cixin nodded: “Oh, as you wish, I’m off, bye.”

“Bye.”

Just as Wen Zhihan finished speaking, she saw Shao Cixin returning.

Shao Cixin anxiously asked: “Wen Zhihan, was I good last night?”

Wen Zhihan couldn’t help but laugh.

Just to ask this question…

“Very good.” Wen Zhihan gave a five-star review.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Lying is for dogs[3]!”

“Mm.”

“Great!”

Shao Cixin cheerfully went off to work.

If her skills were poor and Wen Zhihan was left uncomfortable, she would have ruined Wen Zhihan’s birthday—fortunately, that didn’t happen!

…

Today, Shao Cixin had to dress as a goddess, and the scene she had to shoot was “The Emperor’s Dream Lover”.

After seeing the female general disguised as a goddess, the hedonistic emperor had dirty thoughts.

But the female general had long sworn not to marry, and she had repeatedly protected the country and won the people’s hearts so they couldn’t make a hasty decision.

This “can’t make a hasty decision” made the emperor start to fear the female general, fearing she might become too powerful.

He began to hesitate between incorporating the female general into his harem, dispersing her power, even overthrowing her, and supporting a new official.

In the end, he had a dream that reflected his inner fears and helped him make a decision.

In the dream, the emperor saw the female general dressed as a goddess again, seeing her walking towards him, her face compassionate and gentle, just like a real goddess.

He couldn’t help but go up to her, expressing his fleeting and absurd affection.

The female general smiled at him, seemingly reciprocating his affection, willing to share an intimate moment with him.

The emperor was overjoyed, his mind elated.

However, the next moment, the sky changed drastically, the previously calm sky was covered with dark clouds, thunder rolling in, overwhelming.

Looking again, the compassionate female general in front of him had a cold look in her eyes, her fingers turned into claws, and she suddenly strangled his fragile neck.

“Snap—”

The emperor woke up from the dream in a cold sweat, determined that this was divine will, and decided to get rid of the female general who was loyal to the country.

Shao Cixin was doing her makeup while reading the script.

The script described the dreamland as a vast snowy field, for the sake of realism, so she had to wear the least amount of clothes and perform in the coldest snowfield.

Long Hui said that after shooting today’s scenes, she would be given a day’s rest tomorrow.

In order to align with compassion, Shao Cixin flipped through the script and opened videos of various goddess statues, focusing on close-ups, studying their divine demeanor.

Before the shooting, Shao Cixin was wrapped in a down jacket, holding the script, listening earnestly to Long Hui’s instructions, and then earnestly rehearsing with the actor playing the emperor.

The other party looked at her makeup, couldn’t help but say: “It’s hard work, let’s try to get through this as quickly as possible.”

Shao Cixin politely replied: “You’re working hard too, let’s do our best.”

“Alright, everyone pay attention, get ready to start shooting—”

Everyone immediately returned to their positions.

Shao Cixin also took off her winter gear, put down the script, and made a fist pump to motivate herself.

……

Wen Zhihan chose a good time to visit the set, as they were just preparing to shoot the dream sequence.

—The goddess, stepping through the wind and snow, with ribbons flying, bells jingling at each step, coming into the dream from afar.

As an investor, Wen Zhihan was not someone anyone could ignore, and naturally, everyone knew why she was there.

But she didn’t disturb the shooting; disturbing it for even a minute equated to a minute’s delay.

After exchanging business cards with Long Hui, she accepted Long Hui’s invitation and sat behind the monitor to watch Shao Cixin act.

On the screen, Shao Cixin was dressed barefoot in a costume resembling a Buddha statue, looking graceful and beautiful.

But she was wearing very little, standing barefoot in the snow, so she must very cold.

Wen Zhihan suddenly remembered New Year’s Day when Shao Cixin said on the phone that it was too cold outside to go out.

But today, for the job she loved, she was willing to stand barefoot in the snow, without even complaining about the cold… She believed that Shao Cixin’s skills would only get better.

With a command from Long Hui, the shoot officially began.

Shao Cixin immediately got into character.

Wen Zhihan’s attention was instantly captivated by her.

The cold wind drifted over the snowy field.

Suddenly, the sound of jingling bells drifted over, resonating ethereally in the vast snowy field.

The male actor, dressed in luxurious black clothes, slowly turned around.

He saw a woman coming from afar.

Her figure was graceful, her face was beautiful and dignified, and there was compassion in her eyes.

The snow fog that had been cleared was devotedly lifting her ribbons, as if it didn’t want them to touch the ground and be tainted by the mundane world.

The whole picture was graceful and sacred.

Wen Zhihan saw the male actor walk up joyfully, taking Shao Cixin’s slender white hand.

Her eyebrows moved slightly, but she didn’t say anything.

After the character poured out his heart, Wen Zhihan saw the silent Shao Cixin’s expression finally change, she slowly, gradually, cracked a smile.

In an instant, it was as if all the flowers in the world bloomed at that moment, stunningly beautiful.

Wen Zhihan was slightly mesmerized.

The male actor closest to Shao Cixin was almost dazzled to the point of forgetting his lines but managed to pull through with his solid professionalism.

When Long Hui yelled cut, Shao Cixin instantly returned to her true self, stepping on her right foot with her left, loudly complaining about the cold.

Wen Zhihan immediately took a down jacket and shoes from Lin Mumu’s hands and went over to help her put them on.

Long Hui directed the editing area: “Check carefully, see if there are any missing shots.”

Then turned to the two actors: “Thank you for your hard work. You go warm yourselves up and rest a bit, and we’ll continue shooting later.”

Shao Cixin agreed and went with Wen Zhihan to the back room to warm up.

The male actor claimed he wasn’t cold, and turned to look at the script, tactfully not disturbing the couple.

There was no one else in the room, just the two of them, and the conversation became much more relaxed.

As soon as she sat down, Shao Cixin asked, “Wen Zhihan, did I perform well?”

Wen Zhihan said yes.

Even though she didn’t know what the plot was supposed to be, but judging by Long Hui’s reaction, it seemed to be a performance meeting expectations, which naturally could be considered good.

“You’re very beautiful,” she said.

Shao Cixin raised her eyebrows, and couldn’t help but ask with a smile, “How beautiful?”

Yesterday she asked her, now it was her turn to ask her.

Wen Zhihan didn’t answer directly, “I just heard Mumu say, you’re taking a day off tomorrow.”

Shao Cixin: “?”

Wen Zhihan said in a gentle voice, “I’ll tell you the answer tonight.”

Shao Cixin: “…”

She suspected that she wouldn’t be able to get out of bed tomorrow.

“So how many times does this make?” she asked curiously.

“Once,” Wen Zhihan replied coolly.

Upon hearing this, Shao Cixin did some serious calculations.

Upon doing so, she realized something—Wen Zhihan’s count couldn’t be counted per instance, it should be counted per day!

She lowered her voice in surprise, “When will I ever be able to pay it all back?!”

There were still twelve times, excluding yesterday’s, and each week added one more… If she went at this slow rate of once a week, she wouldn’t be able to pay off this debt in her next life!

She nonchalantly said, “If that’s the case, I might as well just live at your place, and leave after I’ve paid off these twelve debts, wouldn’t that be convenient…”

“Good,” Wen Zhihan caught her words with a smile, “let’s do that.”

Shao Cixin: “…?”

I was just saying it as a joke!??

[1] “麦霸” (maiba) is a term used in Chinese to describe a person who loves to hog the microphone during karaoke sessions, not letting others have a chance to sing.[2] “新式起床困难症” (New-style difficulty of getting up): This is a joking way to describe someone being worn out due to late-night intimate activities.[3] “骗人是狗” (Lying is for dogs): A commonly used slang in China, often said by kids, which means that if someone lies, they will become a dog.