Chapter 124: Are you and my brother dating?

When Jiang Lun descended from Flying Dragon Valley and arrived at the train station, there were still twenty minutes left before the arrival of the train carrying Chen Yingying and Jiang Ning. Due to his status, he had to wait inside the car, leaving Ma Le in charge of picking them up.

About half an hour later, two young women dressed in cool, summer attire, wearing sunglasses and sun hats, emerged from the crowd. Ma Le followed behind them, pulling two large suitcases and gesturing toward the car. Although Jiang Ning was only two years younger than Chen Yingying, she was half a head shorter, making her look like a child from a distance.

As the car door opened, Jiang Ning’s ladylike demeanor suddenly vanished. She shouted excitedly, "Brother! Why are you hiding in the car?"

"Shh!" Jiang Lun glanced around to ensure no one was watching and hurriedly gestured, "Get in, get in! We’ll talk once you're inside!"

"Haha! You’re a celebrity, yet you act like a thief!" Jiang Ning took off her sunglasses and squeezed into the car, leaning close to Jiang Lun. "Brother, let me take a good look at you. Why do you always seem so different on TV compared to how I remember you?" She scanned his face with curious eyes, as if determined to find a flaw.

Jiang Lun asked with a self-satisfied air, "Do I look more handsome than before?"

"Hmm!" Jiang Ning nodded. "Your hair is styled, and your clothes aren't as tacky as they used to be. I guess the environment really does change a person!"

"That's for sure!" Jiang Lun smiled smugly.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Ning added, "But after a few more looks, it’s nothing special. You're just the same as before!"

"Same as what?" Chen Yingying asked with a smile from the side.

"That 'loser' vibe is still there," Jiang Ning said flatly.

"You..." Jiang Lun’s face stiffened. He was so angry he almost coughed up blood. That jab was a critical hit, dealing ten thousand points of damage! He hurriedly corrected her, "What loser vibe? I’m still maintaining my grassroots spirit!"

"No, no, no!" Jiang Ning shook her head and waved her hands. "Grassroots and losers are different. Grassroots are just ordinary young people, while losers are those who act like idiots!"

"You..." Jiang Lun retorted, "Where am I acting like an idiot? Besides, I’m an intellectual youth!"

"Intellectual youths are filled with a melancholy temperament. Where do you have any of that?" Jiang Ning scoffed. "You’re a singer, yet you insist on producing your own TV show. Isn't that acting like an idiot?"

Jiang Lun rolled his eyes. "If you think that way, why did you agree to come?"

"Sigh! I was bored at home and wanted to use this opportunity to get out and relax!" Jiang Ning suddenly adopted the persona of a melancholy young girl. "Life should be spent traveling while you're still young, shouldn't it?"

"Who taught you that?" Jiang Lun asked suspiciously.

Jiang Ning looked at him with disdain. "Haven't you read Zhu Ailin's novel, *Fading Spring Water*? You call yourself a writer? What is this stuff you write? Grave robbing, Feng Shui divination... My classmates read your novel and thought our family were tomb raiders. Even my homeroom teacher asked me about it. It was so embarrassing!"

Jiang Lun felt ashamed, rubbing his nose and scratching his head. He hadn't realized that *Ghost Blows Out the Light* was not a point of pride for his sister, but rather a source of trouble.

Ma Le, who was driving, couldn't help but laugh when he heard the topic. "Yeah, yeah! At first, I thought your family were tomb raiders too. Jiang Lun writes so realistically that it doesn't feel like fiction at all!"

"Heh!" Jiang Ning made a sound without emotion and stared at Jiang Lun, as if to say: Look at the mess you've made!

Instead of tearfully embracing upon meeting, these two siblings had started bickering right away. Watching Jiang Lun stare wide-eyed at his sister’s insults, Chen Yingying laughed until she couldn't stop. "Alright, Ningning! Give your brother some face. He’s a public figure now, and once we're on set, you have to listen to him!"

"I know that!" Jiang Ning nodded, looking mature and steady. "I only say these things in private. In public, I have my own sense of propriety."

"Sigh..." Jiang Lun had a headache. He had thought that with his current capabilities, he could handle his sister. As the saying goes, "When parents are away, the elder brother is in charge." But he had forgotten one thing: his sister was someone even their parents couldn't control at home.

The car didn't head back to Jiang Lun’s home but went directly to the filming site in Pinggu. Seeing the desolate surroundings, Jiang Ning frowned. "Brother, you’re filming in such a harsh environment?"

"Yes!" Jiang Lun nodded and added, "When we get there, you can't complain about everything. Do it for my sake, we agreed on this, okay?"

"Sigh! Having a brother like you is just..." Jiang Ning shook her head helplessly. "You’re a big star, yet you make your sister suffer like this. I was hoping for a bright and glamorous future, but now I see the hard times are yet to come!"

"Hey! Where do you get all these thoughts?" To prevent Jiang Ning from backing out during filming, Jiang Lun said solemnly, "Your prediction is correct. I can tell you clearly that this shoot won't be easy. Since this is my first time doing this, you need to help me out. Don't quit or cause trouble, understand?"

"Hmm!" Jiang Ning nodded sullenly.

"Also, your role is quite significant. Since you have to go back to school in September, we’ve set up a special team just for you to shoot all your individual scenes. It’s very likely you’ll be shooting all day, every day. You have to be prepared for that hardship!" Jiang Lun warned her again.

"Hmm!" Jiang Ning nodded again. "Alright, it’s not like I haven't suffered before. Did we suffer any less when we were kids? But remember, I’m helping you this time, so whenever I have a request later, you have to agree to it no matter what!"

"Deal!" Jiang Lun laughed. "As long as I can do it, no problem!"

"Good! You’re going to buy me a cell phone!"

"A cell phone?" Jiang Lun thought about it. It was time for her to have one; she was a high school student now, and it would be convenient for him to call her without using the home landline. He agreed immediately, "No problem, I’ll buy you one tomorrow!"

"It’s not just that!" Jiang Ning added. "I want the latest Banana 7!"

"...Uh!" Jiang Lun gasped. The newly released American smartphone, the Banana 7, cost over ten thousand Chinese yuan! But to keep her compliant, he gritted his teeth and agreed. "Deal! But don't tell Mom and Dad the exact price!"

"I know that better than you!" Jiang Ning waved her hand. "That's the only request for now; I'll bring up others later!"

"Uh... alright!" Jiang Lun gave a bitter smile and told Ma Le, "Make a trip tomorrow morning and buy a Banana 7."

"Got it!" Ma Le nodded.

After another half hour of driving, they finally entered the scenic area. Jiang Ning’s eyes lit up. "Wow! I couldn't tell from the road—it looked like the middle of nowhere, but this place is a hidden gem!"

"See? It’s not as bad as you thought," Jiang Lun laughed.

"Hmm! Being able to film in a place like this, my satisfaction level went from 0 to 20!"

"What? Only 20?" Jiang Lun was speechless. "Well, I guess your satisfaction would only reach 100 if we were filming in an imperial palace!"

The car entered the village, wound through a bit more, and finally stopped. The bumpy ride had almost given Jiang Lun hemorrhoids. Walking through several alleys to reach the "Tongfu Inn," Jiang Lun said, "We're here. Let's go in!"

Jiang Ning straightened her clothes and stood tall. Although she hadn't fully matured yet, her figure was beginning to take shape, and she walked with such grace that it looked as if she were the real star.

"Producer Jiang, you're back!"
"Hello, Producer Jiang!"
"Brother Lun, you're back!"

Seeing Jiang Lun and his group enter, the crew members busy setting up on the first floor greeted him one after another, which helped him regain some confidence in front of his sister.

"Yes!" He nodded. "Where is Director Zhao?"

"Director Zhao is upstairs!" A crew member smiled and, seeing Chen Yingying and Jiang Ning, couldn't help but ask, "Are these two actresses?"

"Yes!" Jiang Lun took the opportunity to introduce Jiang Ning to everyone. "This young actress will be playing Mo Xiaobei. She’s young, so please take care of her!"

"Sure, no problem!"
"Haha, since Brother Lun has spoken, of course we will!"

Their attitude was quite satisfactory. Jiang Lun looked back at Jiang Ning, only to see her wearing a sweet and lovely smile, nodding and greeting everyone in a very reserved manner. However, once they reached the second floor, Jiang Ning took advantage of the crowd and pinched Jiang Lun’s arm, glaring at him. "Don't ever call me a 'young actress' again. Drop the 'young'!"

"This... fine!" Jiang Lun winced, dodging to the side and letting Chen Yingying stand between them to prevent another sneak attack.

Zhao Rong was making final adjustments with the core crew. Filming was set to start the next morning, and everything had to be in order tonight to avoid any mishaps on the first day—a common superstition in the industry.

"Director Zhao!" Jiang Lun entered the room and asked about the work. "How are the arrangements for tomorrow’s start?"

"Basically no major issues. I’ve been through the start of production many times, don't worry!" Zhao Rong patted his chest, then noticed Chen Yingying and Jiang Ning behind Jiang Lun. Although this was his first time meeting Chen Yingying in person, he had seen her photos and heard Jiang Lun talk about her many times, and he knew their relationship well, so he went over to greet her first.

"This must be the younger sister-in-law?" Zhao Rong laughed. "Lun showed me your photos, but you look even prettier in person!"

"Hello! I’ve heard him mention you too!" Chen Yingying smiled and nodded.

Just then, Jiang Ning suddenly asked, "Sister Yingying, are you dating my brother?"