The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Can we just say it directly in Chapter 160?

When Zhou Yan asked this question, Shang Yibo unconsciously looked at Jian Zheng with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

While enjoying the food, Ding Jiajia seized the opportunity to say, "It was me who talked to President Jian about it. Is there a problem? Everyone has witnessed Sister Yanruo's abilities. I was just stating the facts and didn't exaggerate. I remember when we had dinner at Dr. Zhou's house last time, I mentioned to President Jian that we were about to start filming and would be very busy, but at least we would just be staying on set and unable to come back. Sister Yanruo, however, has to juggle both and travel back and forth."

Zhou Yanruo did not directly respond to Ding Jiajia's words. Instead, she scrutinized Jian Zheng with a sharper gaze and said meaningfully, "Oh? Is that so?"

Jian Zheng felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, his eyes darting around. He forced a smile and said, "Yes, Jiajia praised Yan Ruo to me, saying that she is a real strong person. She is not only a capable agent for big stars, but also the assistant to the chairman of a large group. She even regards her as a role model."

Hearing Jian Zheng's straightforward praise of Zhou Yanruo, Shang Yibo's face showed a hint of pride, and he echoed, "Zhou Yanruo is indeed capable, but she doesn't know how to take care of herself. Look, it hasn't been that long since we last met, and she's already lost weight, and her eye bags are almost drooping."

"That's enough, stop bringing me up." Zhou Yanruo felt a little embarrassed by Shang Yibo's words, so she changed the subject and asked Ding Jiajia, "Jiajia, are we going to that new studio in the suburbs for filming this afternoon?"

Ding Jiajia was engrossed in the last of the 'wine-boiled shrimp' when she mumbled, "Yeah, I heard the facilities and environment there are pretty good."

Before she could finish speaking, her phone rang. Ding Jiajia took her backpack off the back of the chair, quickly found her phone, glanced at the caller ID, and then answered the phone: "Hello, Sister Qingnan, what's up?"

"Yes, Yibo and I are having dinner together right now," Ding Jiajia replied, then confirmed the location, "at the Yishang Hotel, I've noted it down."

After hanging up the phone, she turned to Shang Yibo and said, "Sister Qingnan called about the photo shoot in the suburbs and reminded us to pay attention to the departure time. She doesn't recommend that we drive there ourselves and has already arranged for Lao Zhang to pick us up in a van."

“That’s right, I also disagree with driving there myself. Old Zhang can take a nap on the way in his minivan.” Zhou Yanruo chimed in, her eyes mischievous but her tone revealing a hint of concern. “Especially you, Shang Yibo, you didn’t sleep a wink last night while filming the night scene, and you started showing off again this morning. Your eye bags are practically falling off the ground. You’re going to be on camera, and your appearance can’t compare to mine, hehe.”

Jian Zheng, not wanting to miss out on trouble, deliberately stirred things up, saying, "Look at her, she's really vengeful now. Zhou Yanruo truly lives up to her reputation as 'Abbess Miejue's' top disciple."

Upon hearing this, Shang Yibo quickly glanced at Zhou Yanruo, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He then turned his face away, as if he hadn't heard anything, trying his best to maintain a calm demeanor. Zhou Yanruo pursed her lips tightly, Wang Jie's smiling face flashing through her mind, but she quickly pulled herself back to look at Shang Yibo. Seeing his nonchalant expression, she felt a mix of emotions.

Shang Yibo suggested, "Zhou Yanruo, don't go to the studio this afternoon. Jiajia can come with me, and Xiaoguangzi will pick up the costumes and go directly there. If you're done with your work, go home and rest. Didn't you only sleep for two hours last night?"

Zhou Yanruo responded, "Actually, I have basically finished my work. I have no other plans for this afternoon, so I would like to go with you all and discuss the follow-up business arrangements with Qingnan and the others."

Shang Yibo insisted, "If you don't have any other plans this afternoon, go home and rest. Didn't you only sleep for two hours yesterday?"

Seeing that Zhou Yanruo still wanted to insist, he added, "Rest well today. I want you to definitely come with me on tomorrow's itinerary."

Zhou Yanruo said, "Tomorrow morning, to the recording studio, the one near the Third Ring Road?"

Shang Yibo said, "Yes, we're recording Ling Shaojing's character song, 'Lingbo Jing.' I've already heard the demo, and the lyrics really touched me. I hope you can be there during the recording."

Ding Jiajia's phone rang again; it was Mr. Zhang calling. She answered, "Hello, Mr. Zhang, have you arrived yet? Okay, we'll be right out." After hanging up, she said, "Old Zhang is already at the door. Let's hurry up and set off; it's quite a journey to the suburbs, we don't want to be late."

Shang Yibo immediately stood up and decided, "Then it's settled. Zhou Yanruo, pick me up at Rushang Garden tomorrow morning, and we'll go to the recording studio together. Ding Jiajia, you don't need to come with me tomorrow; take a day off and rest."

"Okay!" Ding Jiajia happily agreed.

Jian Zheng immediately interjected, "Why don't you come with me for a walk tomorrow? I've been to the capital several times, but I haven't had a chance to properly explore it. I happen to be free tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Shang Yibo laughed and said, "I told her to rest, but you're planning to have her be your tour guide?"

Jian Zheng retorted without backing down: "Who says resting means only sleeping at home? Going for a walk or strolling around is also a way to relax, don't you understand?"

Shang Yibo waved his hand and said, "Alright, you decide for yourselves, see if Ding Jiajia is willing."

After speaking, the group walked towards the hotel entrance. Upon arrival, Shang Yibo and Ding Jiajia got into the waiting Mercedes-Benz van. As the vehicle slowly drove away, Zhou Yanruo softly said to Jian Zheng, "Let's talk."

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Jian Zheng replied without hesitation.

The two entered the hotel's first-floor coffee shop and chose a quiet table to sit at. A waiter followed, about to ask what was wrong, when Zhou Yanruo gently waved her hand, indicating that service was unnecessary. The waiter smiled and said, "Ms. Zhou, please call me anytime if you need anything," before politely leaving.

Zhou Yanruo stared intently at Jian Zheng, her eyes filled with complex emotions—a longing for the past, and confusion and wariness about the current situation. Her voice held a hint of questioning, yet was also tinged with deep disappointment and persistence: "Jian Zheng, did you know my identity from the beginning, as the chairman's assistant of Rushang Group? Did your appearance come with some specific purpose? Did you want to use me to indirectly get close to Chu Fanqing? Or was this reunion itself part of your carefully planned scheme? What I didn't expect was that you also got to know Shang Yibo because of this. This surprised you, didn't it? What exactly are you trying to do? Can you just say it directly? Don't try this trick on me."

After hearing this, Jian Zheng remained silent, one hand resting lightly on the table, his fingertips tapping rhythmically, as if he were thinking about something.