After Breaking Up, I Married the Dying Tycoon in a Flash-Chapter 373 - 15: Tender Trap (Part 15)

He fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "Jiayi, I’ve been with you in the film crew all day today, is that okay?"

An Jiayi felt like Xie Zhang had completely changed.

His change was so drastic that often, An Jiayi would be taken aback.

Can a person change so much?

Or is it because his feelings for her had undergone a significant transformation?

An Jiayi preferred to believe the latter.

She nodded, like a girl experiencing her first brush with romance, timidly and happily said, "Yes, having you with me sounds wonderful..."

The next day on the film set, Xie Zhang sat in the only recliner, watching An Jiayi act.

The director beside him was serious, afraid that a single misstep might displease this major sponsor, which made everyone in the crew even more attentive to An Jiayi’s scenes.

After filming, An Jiayi would walk over to Xie Zhang, like a child, her eyes bright, eagerly asking him, "Did I do well just now?"

Xie Zhang said she did well, paused, then added, "Jiayi, I think everything you do is wonderful."

An Jiayi looked into Xie Zhang’s eyes, which carried a gentle smile, but it was veiled with a shadow, making it not so genuine.

An Jiayi didn’t want to be the one prying too deeply.

Sometimes, playing a bit less wise is also a smart approach.

Her smile deepened, laughing she said, "Then after filming, take me somewhere nice to eat."

"Okay, what would you like?"

An Jiayi mentioned that there were several good rural restaurants nearby, asking if he would like to try.

"What’s a rural restaurant?" Xie Zhang paused, then said, "I haven’t tried it, but we can."

An Jiayi nodded, her smile genuinely joyful.

Xie Zhang thought about what he was about to do; he lowered his gaze to hide the dimness in his eyes, murmuring, "Otherwise, let’s invite the film crew too. I’ll treat everyone."

Young Master Xie, inherently cold and proud, has never done anything considerate like this before. Everyone was pleasantly surprised, repeatedly thanking An Jiayi.

That night at the rural restaurant, everyone had a great time.

Xie Zhang’s attention was entirely on An Jiayi, doting over her, carefully serving her food, offering warm concerns.

Such caring behavior was even rarer than luxury clothes, jewelry, or treasures from before.

An Jiayi, looking at Xie Zhang’s elegant and handsome face, uncontrollably harbored a forbidden thought: how wonderful it would be if this man could stay by her side forever, never to leave.

Thinking so, her eyes grew moist.

The table atmosphere was lively with clinking glasses.

Under the table, for the first time, An Jiayi mustered the courage to tightly hold Xie Zhang’s hand in a public setting.

Xie Zhang was momentarily surprised; he looked at An Jiayi without any outward emotion and ultimately didn’t say anything but gripped her hand back tightly.

As the drinks flowed, someone else gathered the courage to toast Xie Zhang.

Xie Zhang looked at the director’s flushed face, smiled and picked up a teacup beside him, "I have to drive Jiayi back to the hotel, so I’ll drink tea in place of alcohol."

"Good...great! Thanks so much, Mr. Xie, for the opportunity! Please rest assured, Mr. Xie, our crew will not let down the trust you and Miss An have placed in us. We will definitely make a success of this drama!"

These were all pleasantries, and Xie Zhang listened with an unchanging expression, his smile faint.

An Jiayi ate a bit much and leaned close to Xie Zhang, whispering, "I’m going to the restroom."

Xie Zhang looked at her, furrowing his brows, and asked softly, "Are you feeling unwell?"

"No..." An Jiayi blushed, "Just a bit overate."

Xie Zhang’s expression relaxed, and he said gently, "Then go ahead."

An Jiayi nodded and left the private room.

Inside the restroom, as An Jiayi was about to come out from a stall, she heard voices from outside.

"This An Jiayi really has some tricks, you didn’t see Xie Zhang just now, he was being incredibly attentive."

Amid the sound of running water, another woman laughed and said, "What does it matter? It’s inevitably going to be a relationship that won’t make it into the public eye. Don’t you know? Xie Zhang is about to get engaged."

An Jiayi stood frozen in place, her mind blank.

And the other woman continued, "No way? I thought Young Master Xie really likes An Jiayi..."

"In their social sphere, does liking someone really matter? I heard that the Xie Family has arranged a marriage partner for Xie Zhang, it’s Miss Lin from the Lin Family, a match of equal social status, a perfect pair."

An Jiayi felt dizzy, barely able to stand, and weakly leaned on the door frame without collapsing.

"To tell you the truth, this An Jiayi is rather unlucky, with her current status, how could the Xie Family accept her?"

The two continued talking, their voices fading away.

An Jiayi used her last bit of strength to open the door and walked to the washbasin.

She saw her reflection in the mirror, her complexion pale as paper, almost ghostly.

After a long while, staring at her reflection, she forced a desolate smile.

Indeed, one should not yearn for things that don’t belong to them, An Jiayi, you were wrong.

On the way back, An Jiayi pretended to be asleep.

Xie Zhang was still reminiscing about the moment An Jiayi firmly grasped the back of his hand under the table. He smiled faintly, driving and softly said, "Why did you suddenly hold my hand today? You are usually very reserved when we’re outside."

An Jiayi opened her eyes, looking at the dark, bottomless road ahead, the high beams unable to illuminate all the scenery, "I got carried away for a moment, forgot my place. It won’t happen again."

Xie Zhang’s good mood suddenly diminished by half.

He frowned at An Jiayi and said coldly, "What do you mean by that? Jiayi, was there something I did to upset you again?"

"No."

"Then why is there suddenly a sting in your words?"

An Jiayi looked at Xie Zhang and said, "You also suddenly started lying to me, didn’t you?"

A harsh screeching of brakes.

Xie Zhang pulled the car over to the side of the road.

His expression grave, he turned to An Jiayi and said sternly, "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said, you lied to me."

"What did I lie to you about? An Jiayi, I’ve been busy all day trying to make you happy, is this how you treat me now?"

"So, Mr. Xie, you were just trying to make me happy? Why would you suddenly try to cheer me up?" An Jiayi chuckled lightly, her eyes starting to redden, "Is it because you’re hiding something from me?"

Xie Zhang’s expression changed slightly, and for some reason, he suddenly felt an unprecedented guilt, "I’m not hiding anything from you."

"Xie Zhang, I already know, are you still planning to lie to me?" An Jiayi, upon hearing Xie Zhang’s words, looked utterly disappointed, "I thought you would at least tell me, but you treated me like a fool! You’re getting married, why didn’t you say so!"