Chapter 31: You Can't Keep This Kind of Person by Your Side!

Chapter 31: You Can't Keep This Kind of Person Around You!

The shoot was proceeding exceptionally smoothly. It was rare to encounter such talented newcomers; even the photographer couldn't resist taking extra sets of shots for them, and even the manager, who was in a rush, didn't intervene.

It wasn't until the photography assistant raised a hand to signal they were finished that Shen Li withdrew from her state and bowed to the instructors in gratitude: "Thank you all for your hard work!"

Then, turning around, her pretty face flushed red as she ran toward Wang Chuhan, her heart thumping uncontrollably.

In all her years, this was the first time she had had such intimate contact with a member of the opposite sex—embracing the waist, pressing close, tilting the chin, and gazing deeply into each other's eyes. Fortunately, her sense of conviction was strong enough that she had completely immersed herself as "Hua Xixi" while doing it.

However, even after stepping out of character, her cheeks still burned with heat.

Wang Chuhan's eyes were sparkling, and she was so excited she was almost moved to tears: "Oh my god, baby, the chemistry is insane! The drama hasn't even started filming and I'm already shipping you. Thank you for bringing me along to witness this today."

"How was it? Did it look okay?" Shen Li asked in a low voice.

Wang Chuhan nodded like a chick pecking at grain. "Okay" was an understatement; the two of them were practically the real "Hua Xixi" and "Chu Yan."

"The photographer's eyes were practically glowing when he looked at you."

Hearing Wang Chuhan say this, Shen Li couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. This was her first time shooting promotional stills; she had no experience and had relied entirely on her intuition.

On the other side, Song Anyu had already been led away to remove his makeup, while a capable-looking female manager suddenly walked briskly toward Shen Li.

"Shen Li, right?"

Shen Li froze and quickly nodded: "Hello, Ma'am."

"Let me introduce myself. I am Yu Hong, a manager from Dawn Entertainment. Here is my business card."

As Yu Hong spoke, she handed over a red business card.

Shen Li took it and smiled apologetically: "I'm sorry, Ma'am, I don't have a business card."

"It's fine. You're a newcomer, aren't you?" Yu Hong asked.

"Yes, I'm a freshman at the Film Academy. This is my first production."

Yu Hong's eyes brightened, an undisguised admiration overflowing in her gaze: "You are very talented. If you haven't signed with an agency yet, we could have a chat."

Hearing this, Wang Chuhan wanted to scream on Shen Li's behalf and instinctively covered her own mouth: "Mmph—"

Shen Li was naturally overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. She hadn't even officially entered the industry yet, and a manager from an agency was proactively trying to sign her?

"You can think about it first, or go back and ask your professors at school. It's much easier for a newcomer if they have company support. If you're willing to come, I can personally mentor you."

As she spoke, Yu Hong glanced at the time: "I'll be going now. Contact me once you've decided."

Shen Li nodded vigorously, her eyes rimmed with red as she watched Yu Hong leave in excitement.

"Oh my god, Shen Li, you are literally a legend!" Wang Chuhan grabbed Shen Li's hand, her own voice trembling with excitement: "You're definitely going to be famous. You are absolutely going to be famous!"

Shen Li, who had been somewhat lost after just entering university to study acting, now saw hope for her future and her ideals in the business card held in her hand.

***

Xiangcheng District, Jinli Andrology Private Hospital.

Inpatient Department, VIP Single Room.

Li Xiao was leaning back against the hospital bed, looking utterly despondent. Two days had passed, and the area heavily injured by Shen Ci was still aching faintly.

The ward door pushed open, and a female doctor in a white coat walked in carrying medical records.

Coming back to his senses, Li Xiao realized a female doctor had entered and instinctively looked behind her: "Where is Dr. Sun?"

"Dr. Sun is seeing patients in the department. I will be responsible for your daily clinical observations from now on." The female doctor didn't look very old, perhaps around twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

She walked to the bedside and gave a slight tilt of her chin: "Take off your pants so I can take a look."

Li Xiao's eyes widened instantly, his face contorting into an expression of extreme resistance.

Is this a joke? He was a twenty-year-old man in the prime of his youth; he was supposed to take his pants off in front of a woman?

Since he had grown up, even his mother hadn't seen "that place"—only Shen Ci had!

Seeing his expression, the female doctor frowned impatiently: "What are you being shy about, young man? There is no gender in front of a physician. Hurry up and let me see."

"No. Get Dr. Sun, or another male doctor." Li Xiao gripped the waistband of his hospital pants, holding them as if protecting his last shred of dignity, his attitude resolute.

The female doctor, of course, would not force the patient to strip. She could only sigh and ask, "Does it still hurt?"

Li Xiao nodded: "A little. Just a dull ache."

"Is there any swelling?"

Li Xiao hesitated: "Turn around first."

The female doctor rolled her eyes helplessly and turned toward the window. Through the reflection on the glass, she saw Li Xiao lift his pants to inspect himself.

"It doesn't seem to be swollen," Li Xiao said.

The doctor turned back, writing the results in the medical record while speaking: "The scans show no major issues, but if the pain doesn't subside in three days, you'll need further examinations. I'll come by again tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiao panicked: "Wait, Doctor, what do you mean by 'further examinations'? I won't..."

"You won't," the doctor said, not wanting to scare him. "The reproductive organs are not as fragile as you think, but external blunt force trauma can still cause internal inflammation, so we need to keep observing."

The doctor's words allowed Li Xiao to breathe a sigh of relief.

Just then, Li Xiao's mother entered the room carrying supplements, followed by Lin Biqi.

Seeing Lin Biqi, the anger in Li Xiao's chest flared up instantly. If it weren't for her, he wouldn't be lying here today, nor would he have had such a massive misunderstanding and conflict with Shen Ci.

"What are you doing here?" Li Xiao glared at her, displeased.

"Why can't she come?" Li's mother had a terrible expression. She tossed the supplements onto the table and looked at Li Xiao: "That Shen Ci turned you into this mess; don't take your misplaced anger out on Biqi!"

Li Xiao's expression froze, then he whipped his head toward Lin Biqi and shouted: "Why are you everywhere?! Who told you to tell my mother!"

Lin Biqi was immediately moved to tears by his outburst, looking at him with a mix of anger and grievance: "Brother Li Xiao, you're lying here because of Shen Ci, and even now you're still defending her! What kind of spell has she cast on you!"

"I'll say it one more time: my business with Shen Ci is none of your concern!"

"Xiao-zai!" Hearing her son being so stubbornly obsessed, Li's mother slammed the table in fury: "Why are you shouting at Biqi? That Shen Ci kept saying she agreed to break up with you, yet she's still clinging to you. I truly underestimated that girl; she actually has the schemes to make you so devoted to her."

"I'm going to take your pathology report to your school to see the principal this afternoon. You can't keep this kind of person around you. She must leave the University, and she must leave Longcheng!"