He spoke with increasing agitation, "Just because your acting is good doesn't mean everyone else's is particularly bad. I never said I didn't want this script."
Jiang Ling's face turned cold. "Take it or leave it. Consider me meddling unnecessarily."
Jian Zhou looked at her, a knot of anger tightening in his chest.
He had been so ruthless and decisive when they parted ways before. Now, he was rambling on, all he wanted was for her to say something to soften her stance. Was that really so difficult?
Seemingly provoked, Jian Zhou picked up the script and made as if to throw it into the trash can at his feet.
Jiang Ling gasped in surprise and rushed to stop him in a panic.
To her surprise, as Jian Zhou dropped the script with his left hand, letting it fall, he swiftly pinched it with two fingers of his right hand. The movement was fluid and natural as he tucked the script into a pocket within the lining of his overcoat.
"Jian Zhou, you did that on purpose, didn't you?" Jiang Ling was exasperated.
"I absolutely did it on purpose!" Jian Zhou smiled, revealing his pearly white teeth, and said in a low voice, "Don't you know who I am by now?"
Jiang Ling wished she could grab a cake and smear it all over his infuriatingly smug face. "Stop putting on airs of a young master in front of me. Your idol drama tropes of a wealthy young master and a Cinderella are completely useless on me. Anyway, I've done what I needed to do. If you act this role well, we can still talk. If you mess this role up, then I... I'll..."
"You'll what?"
"I'll find a cake shop, order a life-sized cake with your photo on it, and then I'll grab that cake and smash it into a million pieces, smearing it all over that little bitch An Qiuyan's face."
(The innocent An, caught in the crossfire: Are you being polite?)
After saying these defiant words, Jiang Ling really wanted to slap herself.
Jian Zhou chuckled, surprised to see such a innocent and cute side to Jiang Ling.
"Alright, alright, I promise I'll act this script well. Is that enough?"
Seeing Jiang Ling puffed up like a pufferfish, Jian Zhou chuckled merrily. He picked up a strawberry with a fork and offered it to Jiang Ling's mouth.
Jiang Ling treated the strawberry as Jian Zhou and bit down fiercely.
Jian Zhou took a sip of strong tea to wash down the richness of the Black Forest cake, his gaze fixed on Jiang Ling.
He had seen her face a few times in his previous life and found it beautiful, yet vulgar and unpleasant.
Now, reborn into this life, it was the same face, but why did it captivate his very soul?
Jiang Ling's cheeks warmed slightly under his gaze, and she instinctively turned her face away, avoiding his direct stare.
"Alright, I've said what I needed to say, and we've mostly finished our refreshments. I'm leaving!"
Jiang Ling stood up, preparing to depart.
Jian Zhou grabbed her hand. "Wait..."
Jiang Ling turned back and smiled. "Trying to get fresh?"
Jian Zhou's smile widened. "I'd like to, but will you let me?"
"That depends on whether you have the skill for it."
"Oh?" Jian Zhou tightened his grip.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ling's fair and delicate hand suddenly became as slippery as an eel. Using some unknown technique, she swiftly slipped out of his grasp.
Jian Zhou was startled. "You know martial arts?"
"Of course. There are so many perverts out there. It's dangerous for a beautiful woman like me to walk around alone. If I don't learn some self-defense, how can I manage?"
Jiang Ling said this with pride. The description 'beautiful woman' was not merely self-praise; it was an objective fact.
"Fancy moves are just for show. They won't protect you from real scoundrels," Jian Zhou scoffed.
"Whether they are just for show or not, why don't you try and find out?"