This director only directs blockbusters.

The dinner continued. The conversation revolved around business: who was starting a new film, which project had secured funding, and which company was in talks for collaboration.

Xue Kaiqi couldn't get a word in edgewise; she just sat there quietly, barely touching her chopsticks. She picked up a piece of green vegetable, chewed it for a long time, but couldn't taste it; she only felt her throat was dry.

Halfway through the meal, Mr. Yang suddenly turned to look at her.

"Ms. Xue, what has Director Yang Ning been up to lately?"

Xue Kaiqi was taken aback. She hadn't expected Mr. Yang to speak to her first, and she certainly hadn't expected his first question to be about Yang Ning.

"He..." Her voice was a little tense. She cleared her throat. "He's working on the post-production of 'Dragon Shield.' He's quite busy."

"I know." Mr. Yang nodded, smiling gently with a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "He just called me."

Xue Kaiqi didn't respond, unsure how to respond. She tightened her grip on her chopsticks.

"They said you're a promising talent and we should encourage you more," Mr. Yang said, glancing at the others at the table. "Director Yang rarely speaks, but he made a special call this time. It seems he really treats you like a younger sister."

There was a moment of silence at the table after he said that.

Xue Kaiqi was stunned. "Younger sister." Mr. Yang was referring to her as "younger sister."

Although Yang Ning had indeed told her before that if she encountered any problems outside, she should call him and he would help.

But when that moment truly arrived, when these influential seniors in the Hong Kong entertainment industry treated her gently because of Yang Ning's phone call, she realized what it felt like to be cared for in this way.

The weight that had been hanging over my heart finally lifted.

Mrs. Xiang chimed in from the side, her tone friendly: "I was there when he made the call. He said Ms. Xue is new to the industry and doesn't know anyone, so he asked us to take care of her. It's not easy for a young woman to come to Hong Kong alone to develop her career, so it's only right that we help each other out."

She smiled and reached out to pat Xue Kaiqi's hand. The hand was warm, and the pat was gentle, like an elder to a younger person: "You're a really lucky girl. You've got a brother like Director Yang to encourage you right from the start. In Hong Kong, if you don't understand anything, just ask. Don't be shy."

Xue Kaiqi sat there, completely frozen in place.

My mind was buzzing, with only those few words echoing in my head—sister, brother, encouragement.

Yang Ning just made a phone call?

Just because of that text message she sent? Just because she was afraid?

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. Her throat tightened, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears; something surged up and blocked her throat.

She quickly lowered her head, pretending to straighten her skirt. Only when her fingers touched the fabric of the skirt did she realize that she was trembling violently.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore," Mr. Yang said, trying to smooth things over. "Let's eat. Miss Xue, try this lobster; it was just air-freighted in, it's very fresh."

At the subsequent dinner, Xue Kaiqi was completely out of control.

The way people looked at her was noticeably different now. Before, it was polite but distant; now it was genuinely warm, even with the affection of an elder looking at a younger person.

When someone offered her a drink, she refused, and the other person didn't force her, saying with a smile, "It's good for girls not to drink alcohol; it's good for their health."

When asked what kind of movies she wanted to make in the future, she stammered and said she wanted to try music films. The other person nodded seriously and said, "You have ideas. It's a good thing for young people to have ideas."

She slowly relaxed. Her back was no longer so straight, and her hands were no longer icy cold. She even dared to pick up food with her chopsticks, dared to eat in small bites, and dared to nod slightly when others spoke.

After the dinner, Mrs. Xiang personally escorted her to the door.

The Peninsula Hotel's corridors are long, with thick carpets that make no sound when you step on them. The light from the crystal chandeliers shines down, illuminating everything brightly without being glaring.

"Girl," Mrs. Xiang said, holding her hand. Her voice was low but sincere. "Hong Kong is a place with many opportunities, but also many things to adapt to. If this meal you had today had happened to be with a newcomer to the industry, they might have been too nervous to know what to do. But you did a great job."

Xue Kaiqi looked at her. The light from the streetlamp shone through the hotel entrance and fell on Xiang Tai's face. Her face was well-maintained, with smooth skin, but there were fine lines at the corners of her eyes, the marks etched by time and experience.

"But you're different," Mrs. Xiang said, smiling with a warm, experienced smile. "With just one phone call from Director Yang, everyone will treat you well tonight. He's protecting you like a younger sister."

She paused, then gently patted Xue Kaiqi's hand. The gesture was light, but warm.

"You'll gradually get used to the feeling of being protected. Cherish your brother; it's a blessing to meet someone who truly cares for you in this industry."

The car arrived; it was a black car. The driver got out, opened the door, and Mrs. Xiang helped her into the car.

"Go back and get some rest. If you need anything in the future, you can call us."

The car door closed, shutting out the outside world.

Xue Kaiqi sat in the back seat, looking out at the Hong Kong night view. Neon lights flashed, skyscrapers stood tall, and the city was bustling and vibrant. But tonight, she felt that the city didn't seem so stressful anymore.

She took out her phone, the screen faintly glowing in the dimly lit carriage. She found the number and sent a text message:

"Brother, I'm alright. Thank you."

The reply came very quickly, just one word:

"Um."

She stared at that word for a long time. Then she put away her phone, leaned back in her seat, and closed her eyes.

The lights from outside the car window swept across her face, creating a play of light and shadow.

She remembered what Mrs. Xiang had said—

You gradually get used to the feeling of being protected.

She thought that she might actually get used to it gradually.

I'm used to having someone who's far away, but I know they'll be there.

I'm used to calling him "brother".

Yang Ning had just arrived home in Beijing.

He inserted the key into the lock, turned it, and the door opened. The room was dark; he turned on the switch, and the light shone down, illuminating the living room.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and saw a text message from Xue Kaiqi: "Brother, I'm fine. Thank you."

He replied with an "Mm" and put his phone on the sofa.

Then he went to the kitchen, poured himself a glass of water, and stood by the window to drink it. The water was cold, and as it went down his throat, he felt a little more awake.

Outside the window, the night in Beijing is quiet, with a few buildings lit up in the distance, like scattered stars.

He recalled the phone calls he had made that afternoon: to Mr. Yang, to Mrs. Xiang, and to Mr. Jiang. The words were few, but the meaning was clear—Xue Kaiqi is my sister, she's just starting out, please take good care of her.

They were all very accommodating. Mr. Yang said, "Don't worry, we'll take care of her." Mrs. Xiang said, "Since you asked, we'll definitely take it to heart." Mr. Jiang said, "The young lady seems quite well-behaved; we'll help her out."

He knew that these seniors were all warm-hearted people.

In this circle, exchanging favors is commonplace. What he asks for today, he will naturally repay in the future when the opportunity arises.

It could be a collaboration on the next film, support for a certain project, or something else entirely.

But sometimes, you have to speak up.

What you entrust is a favor, what you get in return is peace of mind.

This puts Xue Kaiqi at ease.

This also puts his mind at ease—since he's decided to take care of her, he has to do it well. He wants to help her navigate this circle, where she needs time to adapt, more steadily.

His phone vibrated again on the sofa. He went over to check it.

Xue Kaiqi said, "Brother, I'm home. Don't worry. Also, brother, I missed you."

He stared at the screen for a few seconds, a slight smile playing on his lips. His fingers moved across the keyboard:

"Okay, go to sleep early. I miss you too. I'll come to Hong Kong to see you when I have time."

After sending the message, he put his phone on the coffee table and went into the bedroom.

The lights were off, and the room became dark. The curtains weren't fully drawn, and a ray of light from the streetlamp outside shone in, cutting diagonally across the floor.

He lay on the bed with his eyes closed.

I should be able to get a good night's sleep tonight.