4 Conjugal Affection

Ge Qiuling booked a private room at a restaurant to discuss this business deal with Liao Sheng while they had dinner.

The conversation grew so intense that Liao Sheng panicked: "Yi Feichen might recover by tomorrow! Why do you need so much?"

Ge Qiuling remained calm and composed: "What about public opinion? If it weren't for Yi Feichen, would my Ranyun have been dragged into such a storm? Whether Yi Feichen recovers tomorrow or right now, if you want to keep this under wraps and get through this wave smoothly, you need my Ranyun’s cooperation. Otherwise, our company will issue a clarification tomorrow: there is no marriage, and Yi Feichen just hit his head."

Liao Sheng’s confidence instantly deflated. She was speaking the hard truth; after all, Yi Feichen was the one who caused this, and Jiang Ranyun was the victim.

Taking a deep breath, Liao Sheng said, "News spreads fast these days... The Yi family has already asked as well. This is what I told them: Yi Feichen and Jiang Ranyun are not together; it’s just a 'contract couple' publicity stunt. Once things cool down, in three to five months, we'll just announce a breakup. As for why we’re doing this, my excuse is that, firstly, it’s for promotion, and secondly, there were so many 'CP fans' for Feichen and Ranyun before that we were worried it would affect his future dating and marriage. By taking this opportunity to have them 'date' and then break up, fewer people will take their relationship seriously."

Jiang Ranyun, who had been burying her head in her food, looked up suspiciously upon hearing this: "You thought this through so well? You two aren't teaming up to trick me, are you?"

Liao Sheng gave a bitter smile: "I’m really not..."

Jiang Ranyun smiled craftily: "In that case, besides the business resources we just discussed, add one more thing."

So, she was "upping the price"...

Having to swallow the bitter fruit he had brewed himself, Liao Sheng gritted his teeth and asked, "Add what?"

Jiang Ranyun said, "I want an audition opportunity for Director Wen Shuchan’s new film."

The name Wen Shuchan didn't have much mainstream recognition, but she was highly revered among film buffs. Her arthouse films possessed a unique aesthetic and had swept domestic and international film awards.

However, Wen Shuchan only made a film every five or six years, and she had a fixed team of collaborators. She used actors she knew, and ordinary people couldn't get into her circle. What was special was that her last film starred Yi Feichen, reportedly because she had a good relationship with his mother.

Liao Sheng paused, then immediately agreed: "Fine, I’ll go try to secure that for you."

*

After dinner, Jiang Ranyun wrapped herself up tight, left the private room, and got into a car.

Her phone kept lighting up.

After the "Marriage" entry hit the hot search, messages and calls poured in. Parents, relatives, friends, classmates—both close and distant...

Jiang Ranyun hadn't known how to reply before, so she had ignored them all.

Now that the narrative was agreed upon, she returned to the hotel and called her parents first, telling them not to worry, that it was just a work arrangement. She hadn't kept the marriage registration from them, but she would explain the details later.

Then came the dozens of WeChat messages from her four best friends, and the group chat had over 99+ notifications. Jiang Ranyun sent a unified reply: things were not as they thought, she hadn't married Yi Feichen, and they would know the truth in a while.

As soon as she appeared, her friends chimed in.

[What do you mean "not as we thought"?]
[Not married? Dating?]
[If you’re dating and didn't tell us, you’re dead.]
[I wasted my time two days ago debunking rumors online saying you weren't with Yi Feichen!]

Jiang Ranyun: "..."

Forget it, it was too complicated to explain. She chose to mute the group chat.

As for other irrelevant people asking, Jiang Ranyun simply acted as if she hadn't seen them.

At this moment, a dialogue box jumped to the top of her message list. It was a message from Yi Feichen.

[Is work finished?]

Earlier, Jiang Ranyun had parted ways with Yi Feichen at the Qingtian Building, saying she still had work to do, and went to the restaurant with Ge Qiuling.

Unsure of Yi Feichen's current state, she deliberated and carefully chose her words: [It's finished. I'm back at the hotel.]

Above the chat box, it showed "The other party is typing..."

Jiang Ranyun couldn't help but wonder if his next sentence would be "Wife, I miss you" or "I'm sorry, my brain wasn't working right before, but I'm clear-headed now."

Involuntarily, she felt a sense of curiosity and anticipation toward him.

Yi Feichen: [I am in the hotel lobby.]

Jiang Ranyun was stunned. Which hotel? It couldn't be...

Yi Feichen: [I have something I want to give you.]

It really was in the lobby of her hotel!

Jiang Ranyun subconsciously peered out the window, worried that a swarm of paparazzi and reporters might already be surrounding the building. It looked quite peaceful outside.

*

She hurried to put on her mask, hat, and sunglasses and rushed downstairs.

As soon as she reached the lobby, she saw Yi Feichen sitting on the sofa in the waiting area. He was also wearing a mask and a pair of spectacles. Without his usual polished makeup and styling, he looked refined, relaxed, and gentle.

Jiang Ranyun hurried over.

Upon seeing her, Yi Feichen’s eyes filled with a smile. He pulled down his mask and was about to speak when Jiang Ranyun lunged forward and pulled it back up for him.

Yi Feichen: ?

Jiang Ranyun looked around, very worried about being noticed. She said, "Just say what you need to say with your mask on, otherwise it won't be good if we get photographed."

Yi Feichen whispered, "This area isn't facing the windows or the main entrance. We won't be caught."

"We still have to be careful. It’s easy for someone passing by to recognize you after a second look."

"If they recognize me, they recognize me," Yi Feichen said earnestly. "Everyone already knows our relationship anyway."

"..." Jiang Ranyun looked at his handsome head. "Does your head still hurt?"

Yi Feichen shook his head.

Jiang Ranyun said sincerely, "I hope you recover soon."

Yi Feichen laughed.

His eyes... when they held a hint of a smile, they were very affectionate and beautiful. It was just that Jiang Ranyun had almost never seen him smile at anyone like this off-camera.

Now, doing it to her over and over, it was almost to the point of being extravagant.

"I'm fine," Yi Feichen said. "The doctor said I’m fine."

There was no reasoning with a patient. Jiang Ranyun slightly avoided his gaze, which felt like an electric current, and asked directly, "You said you had something for me, what is it?"

Yi Feichen remembered.

He reached behind his neck and unclasped the pendant he always wore. It was a black braided cord hanging with a transparent, bright white jade peace buckle.

Jiang Ranyun had seen him wearing this pendant since she first met him. The cord must have been changed several times; she remembered it being a red cord at first. However, the cleverly designed pure gold accessories on the cord were still there.

"The thing you wanted to give me is this?" Jiang Ranyun confirmed.

"Yes."

Yi Feichen dared to give it, but Jiang Ranyun didn't dare to take it.

Not to mention the value of the pendant, the fact that Yi Feichen had worn it on his person for years—something known to his co-stars, staff, and fans alike—meant she couldn't accept it.

Yi Feichen leaned closer to her and whispered, "Let me put it on for you."

"It must be very valuable..." Jiang Ranyun declined politely.

Yi Feichen thought for a moment: "It shouldn't be expensive. My grandmother got it for me at a temple when I was a child because I was in poor health. It’s said to be very effective; after I started wearing it, I really didn't get sick as often, so I've just kept wearing it."

There were many speculations about this pendant online. Since he never took it off, people always wondered if there was a story behind it. This was the first time Jiang Ranyun had learned its origin.

She thought, if not for Yi Feichen's accident this time, she would probably never have had the chance to know. That was just how distant her relationship with him was.

Jiang Ranyun said, "Then I definitely can't take it. If your grandmother finds out..."

"She would be very happy," Yi Feichen insisted on giving it to her.

Jiang Ranyun wanted to find another excuse to decline, but Yi Feichen whispered, "Actually, I originally wanted to go buy a ring... It seems we didn't have a wedding, and I didn't give you a diamond ring. That’s unfair to you. I want to make up for all of it, but I don't want to be too rushed. So, can you wear my pendant for now, wife?"

Good heavens.

For a moment, Jiang Ranyun couldn't tell if Yi Feichen was doing this on purpose. He wanted to give her a pendant, but she didn't dare take it. But if he wanted to give her a diamond ring... she’d rather take the pendant. She would return it as soon as he recovered.

Jiang Ranyun said, "Alright."

Yi Feichen's eyes grew even brighter with joy. He leaned in front of Jiang Ranyun, brushed her long black hair aside, and gently put it on her.

Behind the masks, only the sound of slightly muffled breathing could be heard.

The distance between them became so close again.

And there was no one else around, just the two of them. It was different from the intimacy of the stairwell; this was a semi-open space where strangers could pass by at any moment and recognize them.

...There was an inexplicable, illicit tension, like a clandestine affair.

Once it was on, Yi Feichen stepped back slightly.

Jiang Ranyun reached out to touch the peace buckle resting against her skin; the jade felt warm and smooth.

Yi Feichen stared at her without blinking.

Jiang Ranyun: "What’s wrong?"

Yi Feichen hesitated, then said, "Do you want to give me something, too?"

Jiang Ranyun was stunned: "What?"

Yi Feichen said, "Any accessory would do. I can wear it all the time, so it will be like you are by my side, and it can also... let others see it."

*

The *Shi Xiu* magazine dual-cover shoot, originally scheduled for yesterday morning, was moved to this afternoon.

When Jiang Ranyun woke up in the morning and stood in front of the bathroom mirror, seeing the peace buckle pendant on her neck felt like a lifetime ago.

Everything that happened yesterday... was actually real.

It was too absurd.

She looked at her phone. Thirty minutes ago, Yi Feichen had sent her a message.

[Good morning]

Well, it seemed he still hadn't recovered.

Jiang Ranyun replied: [Morning.]

Yi Feichen replied instantly: [I didn't sleep well last night, my head hurts a bit again this morning.]

Jiang Ranyun weirdly understood the subtext. She slowly typed a line, hesitated for two seconds, and then sent it.

[Do you want a head pat?]

The other side showed "Typing..." for a while before replying.

[I miss you very much.]

So... the version of Yi Feichen that was in love was a clingy one?

Jiang Ranyun replied: [We’ll see each other soon.]

She put down her phone and looked up to see her own expression in the mirror; Jiang Ranyun was startled. Why was she smiling?

It must be because Yi Feichen’s current situation was just too funny!

*

She headed to the set early to get her hair and makeup done.

On the way, Jiang Ranyun followed the news and hot searches. Her "official announcement" with Yi Feichen yesterday was a huge topic. Media outlets of all sizes had written articles, and the hot search had never fully dropped since yesterday; it was still hanging on the rankings.

CP fans were celebrating, holding a giveaway.

The "solo fans" on both sides were still struggling: [The company hasn’t issued a statement, so it must be fake] [It’s just hype for the new drama, it’s too naive to take it seriously] [I only believe it if Sister Ranyun says it herself] [Brother Feichen, blink if you’ve been kidnapped] [Garbage agency, dragging down my sister/brother, come out and sue these rumor-mongers!] ...

Then, the paparazzi released photos in the morning, and the struggling fans instantly felt their hearts die.

It was July, and it was hot.

Jiang Ranyun had left the hotel in a casual short-sleeved shirt and jeans, and was photographed by paparazzi wearing Yi Feichen’s peace buckle pendant around her neck.

The situation on Yi Feichen’s side was even more shocking.

Around his neck was... a pink kitten ring strung on a black cord.

Fans identified it in seconds.

Three days ago, when a fan site admin picked up Jiang Ranyun at the S City airport, they had photographed her wearing a cute pink kitten ring on her finger. A nine-yuan-ninety-cent trinket from a certain shopping app, fans knew Jiang Ranyun loved buying these things.

At the same time, everyone knew Yi Feichen’s family was very wealthy, and he had never worn anything so cheap in his life.

[There is no other possibility except that his wife gave it to him.]
[Laughing to death, they’ve completely stopped hiding after the official announcement.]
[It’s beautiful, I love it. Please, Feiran, keep showing off your love!]