Chapter 125: Scenery of the Little Courtyard!

After asking, Jiang Ning seemed to have a sudden realization. She grabbed Jiang Lun’s arm and exclaimed, "Oh, so those media reports about you having a girlfriend are true? Is it Sister Yingying?"

"Yes!" Jiang Lun did not intend to hide it; his family would find out eventually.

Chen Yingying nodded, her face flushing red.

Jiang Ning looked back and forth between them, then demanded, "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"Uh..." Jiang Lun rubbed his nose. Once you’ve figured it out, is it really necessary to say it out loud?

"Who is this..." Zhao Rong, standing nearby, looked at Jiang Lun with confusion after hearing Jiang Ning’s tone.

"This is my younger sister, Jiang Ning," Jiang Lun introduced.

"Oh! You’re Jiang Lun’s sister?" Zhao Rong immediately put on a friendly, elder-like expression. "Welcome, welcome! Such a pretty girl; you’ll surely get a lot of attention in the future!"

"Thank you, Uncle!" Jiang Ning smiled and nodded, instantly transforming into a well-mannered young lady, a stark contrast to the girl who had just been grabbing Jiang Lun and questioning him.

"Uncle?" Zhao Rong was stunned. Am I really that old? Looking at her sudden shift in demeanor, he wondered, is she really just a fifteen or sixteen-year-old kid?

"Ahem..." Jiang Lun frowned. "What are you calling him? Call him brother!"

"Oh!" Jiang Ning nodded aggrievedly, then turned to Zhao Rong and apologized, "Big brother, I’m sorry, I didn't mean it that way!"

"Hey, it’s fine. I’m over thirty, so being called uncle isn't that bad!" Zhao Rong smiled, though he felt a bit stung inside. This brat really knew how to bruise an ego.

Because Jiang Ning was a complete novice, the production crew had specially found her a "teacher" for an intensive crash course: Sun Lin. Sun Lin did not refuse the task, and with her expertise, she could teach far more than just academic theory; she could pass on the practical nuances of filming. As she put it, good actors aren't just taught; they are shaped. The birth of a great actor is inseparable from the people they act opposite.

"Thank you, Sister Sun. I’ll leave her in your hands. If the child is ever difficult or doesn't understand something, please be patient with her!" Jiang Lun thanked her repeatedly and found them a private room.

"It’s no trouble at all; we’re all here for the sake of the film," Sun Lin said. "Besides, I should be the one thanking you. You’re the one who helped me rediscover my dream of acting."

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony," Jiang Lun smiled, then reached out to pat Jiang Ning’s head. "Study hard, and don't embarrass me!"

"Tsk! You're so naggy!" Jiang Ning rolled her eyes and muttered. But the next second, she was beaming, turning to face Sun Lin. "Teacher Sun, let’s begin!"

"No need to call me Teacher Sun, just call me Sister Sun," Sun Lin said with a laugh. "What a sweet child." She hadn't heard Jiang Ning’s mutterings, nor did she know what had just happened with Zhao Rong. Seeing only Jiang Ning’s current demeanor, she looked on kindly and with great appreciation.

Jiang Lun shook his head helplessly and stepped out of the room. Standing in the hallway, he said apologetically to Zhao Rong, "I’m sorry! She’s the only girl in our family, and she’s been a bit spoiled by the adults."

"It’s fine, she’s just like my own sister—spoiled by her parents," Zhao Rong waved it off, then smiled at Chen Yingying. "You two haven't seen each other for a long time, go ahead and chat. I have things to take care of, so I’ll leave you to it!"

He patted Jiang Lun on the shoulder, implying he should rest easy about the crew and focus on wooing his girlfriend.

After Zhao Rong left, Jiang Lun let out a sigh of relief. "That Ningning, she’s such a headache!"

"You’re the one who asked her to come, why blame her now?" Chen Yingying laughed. "She’s your sister; you know her personality better than anyone!"

"Actually, she’s quite mature most of the time," Jiang Lun said with a wry smile. "But for some reason, whenever she’s around family, she acts so reckless and heartless!"

"Haha! Is that how you talk about your own sister?" Chen Yingying giggled behind her hand.

"Forget about her!" Jiang Lun reached out to pull Chen Yingying close, his hand giving a playful squeeze to a certain spot. "Hey, it’s gotten perkier!"

"You... you’re annoying!" Chen Yingying was shocked, hurriedly glancing around. Finding no one watching, she pinched him with a glare. "This is a public place, watch your image!"

"What are you afraid of? Everyone knows you’re my girlfriend!" Jiang Lun said with a righteous air, though his smile was thick with mischief. "Shall we go for a walk?"

"Alright!" Chen Yingying agreed immediately. She had grown up without ever visiting a village filled with ancient architecture, and while on the road, she had already been itching to get out of the car and explore.

Jiang Lun chuckled and led her downstairs. Once they left the Tongfu Inn, they began wandering the streets of the ancient village.

"Why does it seem like there’s nobody here?" After walking for a while, Chen Yingying noticed the silence and asked.

"There really isn't anyone. The original residents moved away over a decade ago."

"Oh?" Chen Yingying looked around, saying with great regret, "Such a beautiful place, why don't they turn it into a tourist attraction?"

"Actually, it was open to tourists before," Jiang Lun explained. "But nobody ever came. It couldn't generate revenue, and they had to pay staff to monitor it, so it was a net loss. Eventually, they just closed it down."

"What a shame!" Chen Yingying shook her head. "The local authorities really don't know how to manage things. Look, if you guys could pick this place for filming, why couldn't they turn it into a film studio base?"

"Heh, it’s not that simple," Jiang Lun said with a bitter smile. "Look at the road we took to get here—bumpy and time-consuming. With so many film bases near the capital with better road conditions and closer locations, why would other crews come all the way out here?"

"That’s true!" Chen Yingying asked, "Then why didn't you go to those film bases instead of coming to a desolate place like this to shoot?"

"Because..." Jiang Lun said with a straight face, "the budget is limited. It’s cheap here!"

"You guys... have no money for this production?" Chen Yingying whispered, "Did you not secure any sponsors?"

"Hey, the situation is too complicated to explain all at once!" Jiang Lun looked back at the path. They had walked quite far from the shooting site. Looking around, he spotted a garden not far away where a pavilion could be faintly seen. "Let’s go, let’s go sit over there for a while!"

"We’ve only walked a few steps and you’re already tired?" Although she said this, Chen Yingying followed him anyway.

The garden had no gate, only a dilapidated wall made of modern materials, with the words "Small Courtyard" inscribed on it. In the center was a pond with greenish water, though it was flowing, likely connected to the river in front of the village. The ground along the lakeside was littered with trash—cigarette packs and snack wrappers—all clearly left in recent months.

Jiang Lun looked around and spotted a red banner lying on the ground in the corner. It read: "XX City Literature and Art Federation, Women’s Federation Field Trip and Exchange Event." The date at the bottom was from May, just three months ago.

"Looks like people do come here after all!" Chen Yingying observed.

"Let’s go, there’s a pavilion over there, let’s take a look!"

"Okay!" Chen Yingying nodded, pulling out her phone to take some selfies.

They entered the pavilion. Just as Jiang Lun was about to sit down, Chen Yingying pulled him back. "Wait, let me wipe it clean with paper first!" She took out a tissue and meticulously cleaned off a stone stool. "Alright, you sit! I’ll wipe another one."

As she bent down to clean the next one, Jiang Lun moved faster. He wrapped his arms around her waist and sat down on the stool himself. "Just sit on my lap!"

"Why? It’s not like wiping another one is any trouble!" Chen Yingying didn't yet grasp his intent. As she spoke, she suddenly felt his hand slide inside her clothes, moving quickly and accurately to her chest. She gasped, her entire body softening as she collapsed into his arms.

"Hmph! So that... was your plan all along..." She murmured, pouting. She never expected that entering this garden and coming to this pavilion was Jiang Lun's premeditated scheme.

Although they were already living together, the thrill of being out in the wilderness with no preparations made her nervous yet excited. However, she didn't want to move at all, letting Jiang Lun have his way.

"You’ve been home for so long, did you miss me?" Jiang Lun whispered in her ear, pecking at her earlobe and blowing soft breaths against it.

Chen Yingying was enjoying the moment but hadn't lost her senses. Hearing his question, she retorted, "Did you miss me this past month?"

"Of course I did!" Jiang Lun swore, "Especially when I went home and you weren't there, I missed you even more!"

"Hmph, your tongue is too sweet!"

"Is it? Why don't you taste and see?" Jiang Lun smiled and leaned in to kiss her.

Their lips locked, and his other hand wasn't idle either, roaming over her legs until she trembled and clamped her thighs together with a muffled moan. Only then did he reach the waist of her pants, and with a small movement, undid the button.

"No!" Chen Yingying suddenly snapped back to reality. She pulled away, frowning at him and grabbing his hand to stop him.

"There’s no one here, don't worry!" Jiang Lun comforted her.

"That’s not the point!" Chen Yingying feigned anger. "We’re outside, it’s not safe!"

"What’s not safe about it?"

"What if someone comes?"

"You’re overthinking it!" Jiang Lun smiled. "The whole village is just our crew, and they’re all busy. Who would come here?"

"It’s still a no!" Chen Yingying shook her head, threatening him, "If you bully me here, I’m telling Ningning!"

Jiang Lun chuckled. "If you’re shameless enough to tell her, I can't stop you!"

"You..." Chen Yingying pouted, then switched to pleading, "Can we wait until we get home? You can do whatever you want when we’re home, okay?"

"We still have several days before we go home!" Jiang Lun whispered.

"..."

Chen Yingying took a deep breath and simply closed her eyes. Since she couldn't fight it, she might as well... enjoy it.