Chapter 26: So Deeply Affectionate?

At that moment, I felt my blood run cold.

My mind raced back to when I arrived at the set this morning and saw that familiar black Maybach. I had felt a flicker of anxiety, only to convince myself it was just my imagination. After all, this drama was invested in by a friend of Gu Yan’s; how could Fu Shuhua possibly show up here so frequently?

But now, the man stood right before me, a smile that lacked any warmth playing on his handsome face. With elegant grace, he rolled up his sleeves and extended a hand toward me.

"Miss Jiang, I look forward to working with you. This is my first time acting, so I have no experience."

I stared at him intensely, wishing I could burn holes through him with my gaze. His hand hung casually in the air, his expression one of smug confidence. I bit my lip, my teeth itching with sheer irritation.

Fu Shuhua, you are truly like a haunting specter!

I was already with Gu Yan, and it had been so long since we parted ways, yet Fu Shuhua refused to let go, clinging to me with relentless persistence. I felt like a butterfly caught in a spider’s web—no matter how I struggled, I could not escape his control.

"Miss Jiang." Shen Baibai nudged my shoulder.

I snapped back to reality, realizing that so many people were watching. Their gazes were filled with anticipation; given Fu Shuhua’s status, the entire crew had to be on their best behavior.

"Jiang Dian," the director prompted, frowning.

Forced by circumstance, I lifted my hand and gripped his. "The pleasure is mine, President Fu. Do go easy on me." I glared at him, putting all my strength into the handshake.

But his hand was large, his knuckles defined and rock-hard. No matter how much force I applied, I couldn't hurt him in the slightest; instead, our struggle looked more like an act of flirtation.

"It seems Miss Jiang is quite spirited," Fu Shuhua remarked with a tease.

I was indeed spirited—spirited enough to want to strangle him!

Once the new lead actor was introduced to the cast, the director told everyone to prepare, with filming set to begin in two hours. Inside the dressing room, the chatter regarding Fu Shuhua never ceased. Everyone was aware of the CEO’s identity, yet they couldn't fathom why he would lower himself to act. Coupled with the minor skirmish between us and Sun Manni on set a few days prior, along with the various rumors—true or false—circulating on Weibo, I could clearly sense the pointed nature of their whispers. However, out of social etiquette and fear of his background, they dared not speak openly.

"Sweetie, relax a bit." The makeup artist patted my shoulder, and only then did I notice that I had been frowning, my body taut with tension.

"Right." I loosened my grip on my skirt and took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

Just then, Shen Baibai walked in. "The director says the shooting schedule has been slightly adjusted. We're filming this scene first this morning."

I took the script and was struck to find it was a scene opposite Fu Shuhua. The authorship of such a petty trick was all too obvious. I suppressed my rage, doing my best to immerse myself in the script.

In this drama, Fu Shuhua played Zhou Yu, a wealthy heir vacationing in France. Sitting on a fortune of tens of millions, Zhou Yu was also a dashing artist, his every gesture radiating charm. Could a man as cold and stoic as Fu Shuhua really pull off the role of such a playboy?

In my heart, I didn't believe it for a second.

Yet, when the makeup artist finished his transformation and Fu Shuhua stepped out wearing soft French lambskin, looking at me with such profound tenderness, I felt the world grow so quiet that I could hear nothing but my own heartbeat.

"We’ve only just met, and already Fang Er is looking at Zhou Yu with such deep affection? Jiang Dian, your gaze is far too revealing!" the director teased from the sidelines.

My face flushed a deep crimson, and I hung my head low, though I couldn't stop myself from stealing glances at Fu Shuhua.