This director only directs blockbusters.

When Yang Ning opened his eyes, it was not yet fully light.

A ray of light, pale gray, shone through the gap in the curtains and fell precisely on the clothes piled haphazardly at the foot of the bed—his shirt and Gao Yuanyuan's skirt overlapped.

The air was filled with the scent of last night, mixed with a faint fragrance and a hint of weariness.

He looked down.

Gao Yuanyuan curled up in his arms, one leg draped naturally over his waist. Her long hair was spread out on the pillow, a few strands clinging to her sweaty forehead. The morning light outlined the soft contours of her profile, and her lips appeared fuller than usual.

Yang Ningjing looked at her quietly for a moment. She had indeed been working too hard lately.

The celebration party ended close to midnight last night. Gao Yuanyuan was flushed with alcohol, her cheeks rosy and her eyes watery. Back in her hotel room, as soon as the door closed, she tiptoed and kissed him.

The kiss was tinged with a slightly tipsy urgency, and the breath was unsteady.

"Yang Ning..." she whispered against his lips, "I can't hold on much longer these past three months..."

He didn't answer, but instead pinned her against the wall in the entryway. From the entrance to the living room, and then to the bedroom, clothes were scattered all the way. Two buttons on her skirt had popped open, and the lamp had been knocked over in the movement, rolling halfway across the carpet. The sheets were completely ruined, and the pillows had slipped to the floor.

Her eyes reddened, and her fingers unconsciously clenched his sleeve. It wasn't just simple pleasure; it was more like a release. Intermittently, she recounted the thrilling scene on the mountain road, the dizziness while suspended by wires, and the self-doubt she felt during the final, crucial crying scene.

"But I can't mess this up..." she buried her face in the crook of his neck, her voice muffled, "Everyone's counting on me."

After calming down, she seemed like a different person, her eyes bright and she took the initiative to cling to him. Strands of hair brushed against his cheek, and beads of sweat dripped down her jawline and onto his chest.

"Yang Ning," she kissed him, "let's continue."

That night, they barely slept. Only when dawn broke did she collapse onto him, utterly exhausted, and fall into a deep sleep. Even the aftermath was cleaned up by him carrying her to the bathroom for a quick rinse.

At this moment, she was fast asleep, her breathing even and deep, one hand unconsciously resting on his waist, with complete dependence.

Yang Ning moved slightly, trying to pull his arm away. She unconsciously hummed, but instead of waking up, she pressed herself even closer, rubbing her leg against his.

He had no choice but to give up.

He reached for the cigarette pack on the bedside table, shook out a cigarette, and lit it.

Amidst the swirling smoke, he suddenly remembered—

I had arranged to take everyone shopping today.

He, Gao Yuanyuan, Li Binbin, Nicholas Tse, Deng Chao, Xue Kaiqi, Chen Wei... a group of more than a dozen people, chartered two cars to go to Johannesburg's largest shopping center.

The issue is--

He is now lying in her bed.

How should we explain this to Li Binbin?

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, he and Li Binbin had already developed a tacit understanding during their months in South Africa. Last night at the banquet, the way she looked at him held unspoken words.

It's only a matter of time before we neglect one thing for another.

Yang Ning exhaled a smoke ring, looking at the fine cracks on the ceiling, and felt a rare sense of annoyance.

As the cigarette butt burned out, he glanced at the person in his arms. A trickle of saliva escaped Gao Yuanyuan's lips, leaving a small damp patch on his chest. He leaned down and placed a very light kiss on her forehead.

She didn't react at all.

He carefully moved her aside, got up, and got out of bed. His feet touched a soft fabric—her discarded undergarments. He pulled on his trousers and walked to the window.

Outside the window, Johannesburg's morning was shrouded in a thin mist. In the distance, tall buildings stood tall, and the rising sun slowly climbed through the gaps between them.

He thought for a moment, then picked up his phone.

I sent a message to Lao Xu: "There are many people today, so security has been doubled."

Old Xu replied instantly: "All arranged. Twenty security personnel, two vehicles accompanying us."

Yang Ning then sent another message: "Notify Chen Wei to prepare the car; we'll depart at nine o'clock."

"receive."

After finishing, he stood by the window and lit another cigarette.

A rustling sound came from behind.

Gao Yuanyuan woke up.

She sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. The thin blanket slipped down to her waist, revealing her delicate collarbone. In the morning light, she looked somewhat tired, yet still radiant.

"Yang Ning?" The voice was hoarse. "What time is it?"

"Seven o'clock."

She said "Oh," her gaze falling on his tall, straight back, and a smile suddenly appeared on her face.

"You look quite charming when you smoke."

Yang Ning turned around.

She sat in the middle of the messy bed, her long hair disheveled, her cheeks still bearing the marks of the pillow. But her eyes were strikingly bright, her smile tinged with the lingering allure of the previous night.

"Get up when you're awake," Yang Ning said. "We'll leave at nine."

"Where to?"

"The shopping mall, which I mentioned yesterday."

Gao Yuanyuan was stunned for a moment, then her smile deepened.

"You actually remember that?"

"The budget has been approved, so we can't let it go to waste."

She threw back the covers and got out of bed, walking barefoot towards him. When she reached him, she tiptoed and pecked him on the cheek, her fingertips sliding down in a teasing motion.

"One more time?" she blinked.

"There's no time." Yang Ning grabbed her restless hand. "Go wash up."

She pursed her lips, but turned and went into the bathroom with a smile. Just before closing the door, she poked her head out again: "Yang Ning."

"Um?"

"Last night..." Her ears turned slightly red, "I was very happy."

Before he could finish speaking, he had already disappeared behind the door.

Yang Ning stood there, finishing the last puff of his cigarette.

His gaze fell on the phone screen. Li Binbin's chat window was still open from last night—"Goodnight, Director Yang. See you tomorrow."

He paused for a moment, then typed: "Depart at nine o'clock, meet downstairs."

send.

8:30, restaurant.

The staff gradually arrived.

Nicholas Tse sat in the corner, his left arm in a cast, but he seemed to be in good spirits. Chen Wei sat beside him, the two talking quietly to each other on their phones. Deng Chao devoured his breakfast, mumbling, "Starving..."

Hu Jun joked, "How long has it been since you had a full meal?"

"I only get boxed lunches while filming, and I'm not even allowed to eat something nice?"

Li Binbin was the last to sit down. She wore a light blue dress, her long hair was draped over her shoulders, and her makeup was light. As the sound of high heels clicking on the floor drew closer, she sat down next to Yang Ning.

"Good morning," she said.

"morning."

A waiter came forward to pour coffee. Li Binbin took a small sip, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Gao Yuanyuan—who was talking to Xue Kaiqi, though her gait was slightly slow and she was extra careful when she sat down.

Li Binbin's gaze lingered for a moment on the silk scarf around her neck, then casually looked away. Gao Yuanyuan also noticed his gaze and nodded politely in response.

There was an invisible layer of thin ice between the two of them.

Even Deng Chao noticed the strange atmosphere in the air, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two women before finally choosing to bury himself in his food.

Hu Jun coughed lightly. Nicholas Tse was focused on his phone, seemingly unconcerned.

Yang Ning put down her coffee cup.

"Have you all finished eating?"

"That's about it," Old Xu replied.

"Then let's go."

At 9:00 AM sharp, two black minivans were waiting in front of the hotel.

Twenty security personnel were already in place. Paul nodded to Yang Ning upon seeing him, saying, "Director Yang, the perimeter has been checked; don't worry."

"Um."

There was a moment of hesitation when boarding the vehicle.

Li Binbin and Gao Yuanyuan walked towards the first car at the same time. The car door opened, and the two stood facing each other, their eyes meeting in the air.

Li Binbin smiled and said, "You go first."

Gao Yuanyuan smiled and said, "Please go first."

stalemate.

Yang Ning came from behind, breaking the deadlock.

"Vehicles have limited capacity, so passengers will be divided into groups." He said calmly, "First vehicle: Bingbing, Feng Ge, Chen Wei, Deng Chao, and Lao Xu. Second vehicle: Yuanyuan, Kaiqi, Jun Ge, and Paul."

Li Binbin glanced at him, his expression complex and unreadable, then turned and got into the first car.

Gao Yuanyuan didn't say much and went straight to the second car.

Yang Ning watched everyone take their seats before opening the door of the first car.

Old Xu leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Yang Zi, you..."

"Drive." Yang Ning looked ahead.

The convoy entered the highway. Morning traffic in Johannesburg was smooth, and sunlight streamed through the car windows, filling the cabins.

Li Binbin sat beside Yang Ning, gazing intently at the flowing street scene outside the window. After a long while, she suddenly spoke.

"Director Yang."

"Um?"

"The arrangements are quite thorough."

Yang Ning glanced sideways.

She didn't look at him, and said to herself, "No matter how we divide it, some people will be dissatisfied, so let's just separate it. At least on the surface, we can maintain a respectable appearance."

Yang Ning remained silent.

She finally turned her head and looked him straight in the eyes.

"you understand me."

Yang Ning's gaze fell on the street scene rushing past the window, and after a long while, he finally uttered two words.

"clear."

"So what are your plans?"

Yang Ning watched as the building outlines gradually became clearer in the distance.

"I haven't decided yet."

Li Binbin stared at him for a moment, a bitter smile curving her lips.

"Okay," she said softly, "I wasn't expecting an answer from you anyway."

She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Sunlight cast dappled shadows on her face.

Yang Ning continued to gaze out the window.

He recalled Gao Yuanyuan's vulnerability last night when she let her guard down in his arms.

I recalled Li Binbin's hesitant look at the celebration banquet.

I remembered Xue Kaiqi's unexpected hug the night before last.

A thousand and one things, impossible to unravel or untangle.

He couldn't make any promises.

At least, not now.

The convoy came to a smooth stop in front of the shopping center.

Yang Ning got out of the car and watched the crowd file out—Deng Chao rushed into the gate first, with Hu Jun calling after him; Nicholas Tse and Chen Wei walked leisurely; Li Binbin and Gao Yuanyuan walked one after the other, with just the right social distance between them.

The sun was blazing, and the air was warm and inviting.

He stood there and lit a cigarette.

Old Xu stepped forward: "Yangzi, aren't you going in to take a look?"

"Hold on."

He took his last drag and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.

Then he turned and merged into the surging crowd.

Let's set aside those troubles for now.

Enjoy this moment of noise and freedom.