Chapter 8: An Expired Man Is Like Gum Chewed for Too Long

The next day, Tang Yuan woke up very early. After a night of high fever, her body felt parched, yet she forced herself to head to the studio first.

Someone, however, was already there.

Fu Yansheng was facing the wall, reciting the lines for the second male lead in the upcoming audition. His voice was unique—not the typical, dime-a-dozen bass, but something akin to wind brushing through pine needles, carrying a cool, crisp quality. He had a fine physique, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist; the way his arms flexed as he gripped the script revealed well-defined, attractive muscles. He wasn't overly muscular; that subtle sense of youthful rawness was exactly what girls nowadays found most appealing.

Tang Yuan had majored in film in college. After hearing him recite the lines once more, she couldn't help but correct him, "The stress on the last line is slightly off."

Fu Yansheng stiffened, his eyelashes drooping. She walked closer, peering at the script clutched in his hands. His fingers were slender and clearly defined, showing a hint of tension.

"Have you started practicing already? With your hard work, Yansheng, you’ll definitely make it big one day."

Fu Yansheng repeated the line. "Is this better?"

She nodded and glanced at her phone. "Time to go. Let's head out."

Fu Yansheng put on his cap and followed obediently behind her. Halfway through the drive, he looked out the window and said, "Wait for me for a few minutes."

Thinking he needed to step out to buy cigarettes or something similar, Tang Yuan pulled the car over to the side of the road. "Make it quick."

He was tall; as he opened the door and stepped out, even wearing a cap, his silhouette was on par with a professional model. Tang Yuan didn't linger on the sight, closing her eyes to soothe the throbbing in her head and the soreness in her eyes.

Just then, her phone rang. She saw the word "Husband" flashing on the screen. She pressed the answer button, and a casual, indifferent voice came from the other end.

"When I got home this morning, the maid said you had a fever last night?"

Shen Zhou hadn't come home last night, claiming he was working overtime. Over the past two years, he had used the "working overtime" excuse many times, and every single time, Tang Yuan had believed him—until recently, when that text message shattered her illusions.

"Yes, the fever has already broken."

"Why didn't you call me?"

In the past, whenever she felt unwell, she would call him. Even if she only reached his assistant, Shen Zhou at least made an effort to respond—though his concern always arrived belatedly, only after she was already on the mend. She had been moved by his concern countless times, but now, clear-headed, she realized it was nothing more than lip service; he was merely going through the motions.

With the pain in her head, her patience wore thin. "Shen Zhou, is there anything else?"

For the past two years, she had almost never used such an impatient tone with him. Shen Zhou frowned, his fingertips tapping lightly against the heavy desk. He heard the sound of a car door opening on the other end. Was there someone with her? Tang Yuan had been a full-time housewife for two years and had cut ties with her former social circle.

"Is there someone with you?"

"It's an artist from my studio."

Tang Yuan had always been gentle; even when she called to act spoiled, she maintained a soft, tender demeanor. These past two days, however, she had been inexplicably cold. He hadn't returned home last night, and yet he hadn't received a single call from her. He assumed she was still throwing a tantrum. He couldn't be bothered to indulge her and hung up directly.

Tang Yuan stared at the disconnected call and tugged at the corner of her lips. How had she ever thought Shen Zhou was gentle? It was nothing more than a carefully packaged image. After all, a solid marital relationship was good for the company's stock.

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. Beside her, Fu Yansheng took off his cap and handed her a cup of cold medicine he had prepared. Catching the bitter-sweet scent of the medicine, she slowly opened her eyes. He looked at her for only two seconds before turning his head away, his handsome face seemingly veiled by a subtle emotion. "Drink it."

She didn't refuse. Just as she finished the medicine, he handed her a bottle of warm grapefruit water. Tang Yuan smiled, her voice slightly hoarse. "Thank you."

He said nothing, merely disposing of the paper cup in the trash bag. Tang Yuan gripped the steering wheel and pressed the gas pedal. The warm, sweet liquid settled in her stomach, making her feel a little better. "You're not professionally trained in acting, are you?"

"No."

"I will help you correct your lines more often in the future. You have a great look and decent acting skills. I watched your performance last night; you have natural talent."

She hadn't been able to sleep last night, so she had simply gotten up and watched all the edited clips of his work. He clutched the trash bag, looking out the window, lost in thought.

An hour later, the car pulled up outside Fenghua Entertainment. While it was a small company compared to the Shen Group, it was a respectable firm in the entertainment industry. She had designed her own business card the night before, omitting her real name in favor of an English professional alias.

The staff member who came to meet her led the way with a smile. "Ms. Tessa, right this way."

Noticing the solemn atmosphere, Tang Yuan couldn't help but ask, "Is some big shot here?"

The staff member looked starstruck. "The big boss just came for an inspection; he should be upstairs now."

Tang Yuan paused. Why would Shen Zhou suddenly come to inspect such a small company? Her gaze lifted to the end of the hallway, and upon spotting Song Qianqian, she understood in an instant. Her heart stung sharply.

Just then, Song Qianqian reached the corner of the staircase, and a slender hand reached out to hand her a bottle of water. Tang Yuan could never fail to recognize the hands of the man she shared a bed with. She was already shocked that Shen Zhou would visit a small company for an inspection, but she hadn't expected him to go out of his way to accompany Song Qianqian to her audition.

Song Qianqian lifted her chin, like a proud little peacock spoiled by a man. She took the water, her eyes sparkling as she said something to him. That same hand reached out to stroke her head, filled with extreme indulgence.

He was actually willing to set aside his work and stoop to come here. For the past two years, Shen Zhou had always told her that work was the most important thing. Because of his work, she had endured many grievances, all of which she had to be understanding about.

She took a deep breath, looked away, calmed her emotions, pushed the door open, and walked in. An expired man was like chewing gum that had been chewed for too long—it was disgusting to chew any further, especially when it had already been chewed by someone else.