Chapter 64: Have You Cheated?

Tang Xi subconsciously knitted her brows.

She had no quarrel with Shen Lingfeng, nor were they particularly close; she had only designed costumes for one of his films. However, his appearance here meant that Gu Yu would soon track down her whereabouts.

"There's no need for Director Xu to introduce us, Team Leader Tang and I already know each other." Shen Lingfeng walked over, his imposing figure entirely enveloping Tang Xi. His lowered gaze carried an unreadable, scrutinizing look as he added, "We've collaborated before."

"Since the two of you have already worked together, that couldn't be better." After saying this, Director Xu was called away by someone over the walkie-talkie.

He walked toward the nearby set while continuing his radio conversation.

Left alone with Tang Xi, Shen Lingfeng asked, "What brought you to Hong Kong?"

He knew that Gu Yu hadn't allowed Tang Xi to work for a year.

"For the exact same reason you came here." Tang Xi raised her chin. "I already have all your measurements on file from before, so there's no need for you to give me another copy."

Seeing that she was about to leave, Shen Lingfeng hurried to block her path. "The last time you made costumes for me was two years ago. In two years, my measurements aren't going to stay completely unchanged."

That film had won Tang Xi the Best Costume Design Award and had also earned Shen Lingfeng the title of Best Actor at the tender age of twenty-two.

"Then just have your manager send me a copy." Given that Shen Lingfeng was Gu Yu's close friend, Tang Xi wished to avoid any private entanglements with him.

"What happened between you and Brother Yu?" Shen Lingfeng wasn't a fool; Tang Xi's lukewarm attitude toward him was clearly on account of Gu Yu.

Before Tang Xi could reply, she saw Gong Weiwei and Shi Yehua approaching.

"Best Actor Shen, long time no see." Shi Yehua stepped forward to shake hands with Shen Lingfeng.

"Teacher Shi, just call me Xiao Shen. I hardly deserve to be called Best Actor." Shen Lingfeng enjoyed an impeccable reputation in the industry, and everyone who had worked with him praised him without reservation.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Xiao Shen, this is my apprentice, Gong Weiwei. This time, she will primarily assist me with the makeup for you and the female lead."

Gong Weiwei had been staring intently at Shen Lingfeng ever since he arrived, her eyes brimming with undisguised adoration and awe.

As a dedicated fan and admirer of Shen Lingfeng, she had been thrilled beyond measure upon hearing that the male lead was her idol, rushing over the very first moment she could.

"Hello." Shen Lingfeng gave her a polite nod. Instead of shaking her outstretched hand, his gaze wandered off in the direction where Tang Xi had departed, lost in thought.

Gong Weiwei's hand remained suspended in mid-air, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Following his line of sight, she caught sight of a graceful figure walking away into the distance.

"Best Actor Shen, do you know Team Leader Tang?" Gong Weiwei asked tentatively.

Shen Lingfeng withdrew his gaze. "We've collaborated."

"I heard she hasn't done any costume work for two years," Gong Weiwei said, her tone laced with worry. "The fashion industry progresses so rapidly nowadays. Forget a year—even a single quarter can bring several rounds of reinvention."

"What are you trying to say?" Shen Lingfeng frowned.

"Best Actor Shen probably doesn't know this, but Team Leader Tang managed to get into our crew only because someone pulled strings directly with Young Master Huo."

When Huo Tian was drinking with her that night, she had probed him for information about Tang Xi.

To her surprise, Huo Tian had been deeply mysterious, merely stating that Tang Xi's background was extraordinary and warning her not to provoke her.

As for anything else, he refused to utter a single word.

To allow someone who hadn't worked in two years to step directly into such a massive production upon her return must surely be due to a formidable background.

With her figure and looks, heaven knows how many powerful men she had slept with to secure such an opportunity.

"Gong Weiwei, was it?" Shen Lingfeng looked at her with a chilling gaze. "Costume and makeup are inextricably linked. I hope you can cooperate properly with the costume department. Everyone shares only one goal: to make this film a box office smash. As for other matters, they are none of your concern."

Gong Weiwei hadn't expected Shen Lingfeng to reprimand her so ruthlessly right in front of Shi Yehua.

Her face instantly drained of color, leaving her utterly humiliated.

"Xiao Shen, Weiwei only meant well. Your acting skills are beyond question, but if you're held back by someone who got into the crew through the back door, the loss would outweigh the gains." Shi Yehua couldn't bear to see his apprentice wronged, especially since what Gong Weiwei said was the truth.

That arrogant, disrespectful Tang Xi had clearly bought her way into the production through capital connections; what was wrong with pointing that out?

At that moment, Shen Lingfeng's mind was consumed with questions, leaving him in no mood to listen to their master-apprentice duet.

"Pardon me, Teacher Shi, I have things to attend to."

With that, he walked straight toward the costume department's location.

"Teacher," Gong Weiwei stomped her foot in frustration, "what kind of charm does that Tang Xi possess? Every man she meets seems to glue his eyes to her."

Shi Yehua remarked, "I looked into her. A married woman whose husband is the CEO of some film and television company—chances are her husband is pulling strings behind the scenes."

"She's already taken yet she acts so loose, flirting with men the second she sees them," Gong Weiwei sneered. "Her poor husband, marrying a woman like that. His head is destined to be a vast green pasture."

Shen Lingfeng walked over to a quiet, secluded spot and dialed Gu Yu's number.

"Brother Yu, where is Tang Xi right now?"

"Naturally, she's in Kyoto. What are you up to this time?" Having been in Hong Kong for days without managing to track down Tang Xi, Gu Yu was already burning with anxiety and frustration.

And yet Shen Lingfeng kept calling to ask about her.

Shen Lingfeng's eyes narrowed.

Was Gu Yu lying to him, or did he genuinely have no idea that Tang Xi had already arrived in Hong Kong?

Just what kind of trouble had arisen between this married couple?

"Did you two have a fight?"

"Lingfeng, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Tang Xi is currently with my film crew."

After a brief moment of shock, Gu Yu's tone turned ecstatic. "Where are you? Send me the address, I'm coming right now."

"I can give you the address, but you have to tell me what on earth happened between you two."

It was impossible for Gu Yu not to know Tang Xi's whereabouts.

For the longest time, Gu Yu had pampered her so thoroughly that he couldn't bear to let her go out and face the public eye. Even when she occasionally went out for a breath of fresh air, she would never stay away for more than a week.

He once witnessed Gu Yu making a phone call every few minutes and sending messages every few seconds during a gathering of their peers.

Everyone had teased him for being whipped by his wife.

Yet Gu Yu had replied that he couldn't rest easy when Tang Xi went out to play and wished he could video-call her twenty-four hours a day.

"It's not something that can be explained in a few words. Just give me the address."

Shen Lingfeng remained silent.

After pressing him a few more times, Gu Yu finally relented, knowing Shen Lingfeng's stubborn and unyielding character all too well.

"She and I had a falling out, and she asked me for a divorce." Gu Yu's voice was heavy with desolation and sorrow, making him sound like the deeply aggrieved party.

"And you agreed?" Shen Lingfeng was thoroughly astonished.

He had assumed that anyone in this world could part ways, but Gu Yu and Tang Xi never would.

Gu Yu's silence served as his answer.

"Brother Yu, did you cheat on her?"

If Gu Yu and Tang Xi were to separate, the fault had to lie with Gu Yu.

From the very first moment he laid eyes on Tang Xi, Shen Lingfeng had held this unwavering conviction.

"It's all just a misunderstanding," Gu Yu hastily explained.

It seemed his guess was spot on. Regardless of whether it was a misunderstanding or not, Gu Yu was the primary culprit behind the collapse of this marriage.

"I'll ask Tang Xi first. If she consents, I'll give you the address."

Gu Yu: ???