Extreme Pampering
Chapter 143: The Last Kiss.

Chapter 143: Chapter 143: The Last Kiss.

Shen Zhiyi didn’t realize the position of her fans had changed until it was time to walk the red carpet. They had moved from the middle-back to a very front position, and during breaks in the photoshoot, several girls enthusiastically greeted her.

There wasn’t time to think deeply about it; Zhiyi signed her name on the signature wall at the end of the red carpet, paused for a while, and then entered the interior of the convention center where the photographer, whom she had scheduled in advance, was already waiting.

After changing into another silk, dark red slip dress, Shen Zhiyi cooperated with the photographer for over an hour and was finally able to return to the resting room prepared by the organizers for a brief rest.

As soon as she stepped into the rest room, Pei Yu followed right behind her, almost pressing against her back. Then the door was locked from the inside, and as she turned around, she was lifted up into his arms.

"Hey—" Shen Zhiyi hooked her arms around his neck, as he carried her to a chair.

Before she could say anything, Pei Yu had already removed the particularly uncomfortable high heels she had been wearing. Despite the blister prevention pads she’d used, her ankles were still rubbed red.

Pei Yu frowned, "Does it hurt?"

"A little," Zhiyi didn’t expect him to notice, as she thought she had endured it quite well. She hadn’t limped, scrunched her brows, or gasped in pain; probably even Xiaodong hadn’t noticed, "When did you realize?"

"When you were descending the stairs," Pei Yu was not in a great mood, having accompanied her for an entire afternoon of work, only to see her tired and struggling with such uncomfortable shoes while having to repeatedly pose for the photographer.

"I thought I endured it pretty well."

In front of him, Shen Zhiyi always felt like her acting skills were awful, as if he could see through any pretense at a glance. However, she didn’t dislike this feeling.

Pei Yu remained silent, propping her foot up on his leg, his eyebrows still furrowed, and he appeared both aloof and fierce.

"Don’t be upset," Shen Zhiyi tried to cheer him up and, after thinking for a bit, she whispered in his ear, "Do you want a kiss?"

Pei Yu lifted his eyes, his gaze deepening as it reflected her blurry face. After a moment, the cold expression on his face faded, and he smiled slightly, "Aren’t we at work?"

"Not now," Zhiyi, feeling shy under his gaze, especially after her suggestion, rested her head on Pei Yu’s shoulder, avoiding his eyes as she murmured softly, "There’s just one interview tonight, we can rest for a while."

Pei Yu didn’t move, seemingly not particularly interested in her offer. His voice low and persuasive, he whispered, "Then come here."

The two were already close enough that a slight turn of their heads would allow them to kiss. Pei Yu said this to indicate that he wanted her to make the first move. Understanding his intent, Shen Zhiyi was also willing to oblige.

Chairman Pei had been with her all day, accompanying her during makeup, styling, and photo shoots—all very time-consuming. He patiently waited quietly for one or two hours at a time, which was also hard for him.

Not usually the one to initiate, each time Shen Zhiyi did, she felt nervous. She closed her eyes, reached out to touch Pei Yu’s face, and mimicked how he had kissed her before, pressing her lips to his.

The next second, Pei Yu reversed the roles, prying open her lips, while a light, suppressed chuckle came from his throat.

She had pleased him.

——

The red carpet interview was also broadcast live; Shen Zhiyi had her makeup redone and waited for the person before her to finish their interview.

Because it was in the same space and not too far away, Zhiyi could hear the interviewees’ answers clearly. The host had questions ranging from career to personal life; coincidentally, the actress being interviewed had just had a baby and shared her feelings as a new mother during the interview.

A few minutes later, it was Shen Zhiyi’s turn. As usual, there were a few work-related questions to warm up the audience, and she responded to each one.

"Zhiyi is really easygoing, answering whatever is asked," the host said with a smile, "Not evasive at all."

She handed Shen Zhiyi a draw tube, "Would you play a game with us, Zhiyi? The tube contains different questions, and you’ll answer whatever you draw, okay?"

Shen Zhiyi looked at the draw tube, feeling like this was a setup. She smiled slightly but didn’t immediately agree, "Are they personal questions?"

"There are personal ones," the host admitted frankly, "and there are also non-personal ones. Zhiyi, you draw three times and answer whatever you draw. Don’t worry, we won’t ask overly private questions."

Shen Zhiyi asked candidly, "If I draw something I don’t want to answer, can I avoid it?"

"Hmm..." the host thought for a moment, "If you avoid it, then you’ll have to draw again, and you can only avoid once throughout the whole process. Is that okay?"

She wasn’t exaggerating; half of the questions inside really were personal, since they intended to dig up some material. Even if Shen Zhiyi were extremely lucky, she couldn’t possibly avoid drawing a single personal question, could she?

The host emphasized, "There really aren’t any questions that are too invasive of privacy; we are, after all, a respectable media outlet."

Shen Zhiyi smiled, "Alright."

She drew twice, and the questions on the slips were not related to privacy. Shen Zhiyi answered them smoothly.

Now the host felt slightly embarrassed, "Zhiyi, your luck is really something. But maybe it won’t be so good the third time, right?"

Shen Zhiyi drew the third question and handed the slip to the host, who deliberately created a tense atmosphere, slowly unfolding the slip.

Seeing the content, the host’s smile widened, "It seems I do have a bit of a fortune-teller’s touch. Zhiyi, this time you’ve drawn a personal question."

She raised her voice, "The third question is—when was the last time you kissed?"

That was indeed quite personal.

Shen Zhiyi momentarily hesitated.

"This question isn’t too bad, right?" the host hoped she would answer. "But you have to be precise with the timing, don’t be too perfunctory, as the live audience is watching."

She looked at Shen Zhiyi, "Are you going to answer, or avoid it?"

Drawing again might not yield an easier question to answer. Shen Zhiyi looked at the camera, smiled shallowly, and appeared slightly embarrassed, "The most recent time... half an hour ago."

As soon as she finished speaking, even the host was taken aback, and the fans in the live-stream stirred.

It had been over two hours since the red-carpet event began, so half an hour ago, wasn’t Shen Zhiyi still at the venue?

[I boldly guess, could the brother-in-law also have been there?!]

[Is it really not someone from within the industry? I really suspect it’s some male actor...]

[I think I have a suspect... I am a staff member on site.]

Shen Zhiyi had no intention of continuing the response and looked toward the host, "May I end the interview now?"

"You may..." The host actually really wanted to ask a few more questions, but she knew it was time to draw the line.

After this interview, several photos of "suspected brother-in-laws" circulated in the fan forums and chat groups. Xiaodong looked at everyone discussing incessantly, shook his head, and revealed a knowing and meaningful expression.

They still couldn’t get it; no one had managed to capture a photo of the real person involved.