Chapter 24: Years Away From Home

When she spoke, Sheng Xiangsi was very nervous. She needed the job and hadn't expected such an opportunity. Without much thought, she jumped at it.

The assistant director eyed her, skeptical.

"Really?"

"Really."

Sheng Xiangsi nodded eagerly. "Dancing requires skill; I can't fake that."

Pressed for time, the assistant director glanced at his watch. "Alright, you have only half an hour to learn a new dance. We're filming, so can you handle that?"

"No problem."

Sheng Xiangsi nodded. "I just need to follow along twice, and I'll get the hang of it."

"Oh?"

The assistant director chuckled, thinking she might be exaggerating. "Alright, I'll see your skills! If you can't get it in two tries, you leave."

"Okay!"

"Come on, follow me."

The assistant director led her to join the other dancers.

"This is her. You guys run her through it twice. After two times, I need to see results."

"Okay, assistant director."

The other dancers were also temporary hires. After one run-through, Sheng Xiangsi had basically got it. The dance wasn't difficult, just a basic group dance, suitable as a background in the TV show.

The assistant director watched from the side. After two times, he clapped enthusiastically. "Good!"

He gave Sheng Xiangsi a thumbs up. "You dance very well! You're hired!"

"Thank you, thank you."

The assistant director clapped his hands. "Get her into makeup and costume. We'll be filming soon!"

He then ran off to find the director and update him on the situation.

With Sheng Xiangsi ready, the shooting officially began and went smoothly without any issues. However, due to the leading actor's problems, they had to reshoot the dance several times.

Since the dancers were temporary hires, the production assistant came over to settle their pay.

"Thank you."

"Thank you."

Sheng Xiangsi received her share and opened it, finding 400 yuan inside. Her eyes lit up; it was more than she expected.

"Once you've received your payment, you can leave."

The rest of the filming had nothing to do with them. Sheng Xiangsi put away her money, quite pleased with this extra income.

"Hey, wait!"

As she was about to leave, someone called out to her. Sheng Xiangsi turned to see the assistant director. "Assistant Director?"

He ran up, panting. "Oh, thank goodness I caught you. You haven't left yet!"

Sheng Xiangsi was puzzled. "Do you need something?"

"Yes!"

The assistant director caught his breath and smiled at her. "I saw you dance, and you're really good."

"Thank you, you're too kind," Sheng Xiangsi said modestly.

"How about this," he said, pulling out his phone. "Let's add each other on WeChat. We often need dance doubles in the crew. Your looks and figure are great, and your skills speak for themselves. If an opportunity arises, I'll recommend you."

What?

Sheng Xiangsi hadn't thought about becoming a dance double. Seeing her hesitate, the assistant director added, "Dance doubles earn much more than you did today. Interested?"

At the mention of money, Sheng Xiangsi didn't hesitate anymore. "Thank you very much."

She took out her phone. "But I have work at night, so I'm only available during the day."

"No problem."

The assistant director scanned her code, adding her on WeChat. "I'll call you when we need someone, and if you're available, you can come."

"Okay, thank you!"

Unexpectedly, her part-time job problem was solved! Sheng Xiangsi felt that Jiangcheng was her lucky place. Indeed, home was the best. She was born and raised in Jiangcheng and would survive here. No one could force her to leave again, to be away from home for many years!

...

Because she earned an extra 400 yuan, Sheng Xiangsi rewarded herself with egg fried rice and a fried sausage for dinner. As she started to eat, her phone rang. Glancing at the screen—Fu Hanyang. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Hello? What's up? Divorce papers?"

"Is that all you think about?"

The man's voice dripped with sarcasm and inexplicable annoyance.

"Sheng Xiangsi, you're not just impolite, you're heartless."

"Huh?" Sheng Xiangsi didn't understand.

"Tomorrow!" Fu Hanyang's anger grew, nearly shouting. "Grandma's surgery is tomorrow!"

Oh.

Sheng Xiangsi understood but didn't feel guilty.

"Is it tomorrow? Got it, I'll be there early—also, don't call me heartless. You never told me about the surgery."

"Sheng Xiangsi!"

Fu Hanyang was frustrated. This girl now talked back tenfold! He disliked her sticking to him in the past, but now he disliked this even more!

Before he could say anything else, Sheng Xiangsi said, "Anything else? If not, I'm hanging up..."

"Wait!"

Fu Hanyang clenched his teeth, ordering, "Where do you live? I'll pick you up early tomorrow, and we'll go together."

"No need." Sheng Xiangsi refused without hesitation. "I can go on my own."

She actually rejected his offer? Fu Hanyang felt irritated. "I'm not asking for your opinion. We must go together tomorrow for Grandma's sake. You agreed to this."

Oh, they had to put on a show for Grandma. Sheng Xiangsi sighed. "Alright, together then."

"Where do you live?"

"Um..." Sheng Xiangsi hesitated.

She couldn't let Fu Hanyang come to her door. It wasn't about him mocking her; she just didn't want him in her space.

"Wait for me at the entrance of Wenchang Road."

"Alright."

Hanging up, Fu Hanyang pondered. "Wenchang Road? The old town? Living so far away? Troublesome!"

Early the next morning, Sheng Xiangsi left early. She arrived exactly on time at 8 AM, finding Fu Hanyang's car already there.

"Miss Xiangsi."

Chen Zhong got out to open the car door. "Please get in."

He opened the back door where Fu Hanyang sat.

Sheng Xiangsi smiled at Chen Zhong and closed the door. "Thanks, Uncle Chen, but I get carsick. I'll sit in the front."

With that, she opened the front passenger door and sat down. This...

Chen Zhong smiled awkwardly and got into the car.

In the back, Fu Hanyang's eyes narrowed, his face dark. Was she doing this on purpose? Avoiding him?

He smirked, chuckling softly. Did she think he'd care? It suited him just fine!

The traffic was light, and they arrived at the nursing home before 8:30 AM. Today was Grandma Fu Mingzhu's surgery, so they went to the surgical building.

Fu Hanyang and Sheng Xiangsi walked side by side into the building, heading to the elevator. Unexpectedly, they ran into Yao Leyi.

"Hanyang." Yao Leyi, accompanied by her assistant, was waiting for the elevator. Seeing them, she smiled and waved. "You're here..."

She then looked at Sheng Xiangsi, still smiling. "Xiangsi, you too."

"Yeah."

Fu Hanyang nodded. "Don't you have work today? Why are you here? With me here, you can come after your work is done."

"How can that be?" Yao Leyi glared at him playfully. "Grandma is not just your grandma but mine too. Work can't be more important than her."

Fu Hanyang didn't say more, pointing to her foot. "Still hurting?"

"Just a little, but it's fine."

As they spoke, the elevator arrived.

Fu Hanyang held the door, letting Yao Leyi and her assistant in first. Then, he got in and finally looked at Sheng Xiangsi.

He nodded. "Come in."