Chapter 49 Seventh Senior Sister, the Beautiful Superstar

At this moment, Zhao Ling'er eyed Chu Tian warily, confusion and caution mingling on her face. Just moments ago, she had been standing by the roadside—how was it that in the blink of an eye, she had ended up in a man's embrace?

With her clear, sparkling eyes fixed intently on Chu Tian, she seemed both guarded and bewildered.

"Seventh Senior Sister, are you alright?" Chu Tian asked, one arm wrapped around her slender waist, the other brushing aside a lock of hair from her ear as their gazes met.

"Junior Brother?" Zhao Ling'er was stunningly beautiful, her aura ethereal and pure, like a fairy untouched by the mortal world. She recognized Chu Tian at once, though she was surprised to see him here.

In the next instant, the door of a nearby van flew open and a fierce, brutish-looking middle-aged man leapt out, charging straight towards them.

"Zhao Ling'er!" he shouted, his face contorted with urgency as he rushed forward.

"Get lost!" Chu Tian flicked his hand, sending a gust of wind whirling through the air. It struck the man, who, like a kite with its string cut, was hurled backward and crashed heavily against the van's door, dazed and reeling from the impact.

Zhao Ling'er stared, wide-eyed in disbelief at the scene before her.

Just then, a group of people appeared in the distance.

"Seventh Sister, this is no place to talk. Come with me," Chu Tian said hurriedly. Without another word, he swept Zhao Ling'er up into his arms and dashed away.

In just a few moments, Chu Tian had left their pursuers far behind, arriving at a secluded clearing.

"Junior Brother, put me down this instant," Zhao Ling'er demanded, her arms around his neck as she struggled slightly, a hint of urgency in her tone.

At her words, Chu Tian finally set her down.

"Seventh Sister, who have you managed to offend?" Chu Tian glanced around; those people had been left far behind and hadn't caught up.

"I haven't offended anyone!" Zhao Ling'er replied, her face darkening as she struggled for an explanation.

"If you haven't, then why did someone try to run you down with a car, and why are so many people chasing after you?" Chu Tian was bewildered. If he hadn't sensed that those people meant no real harm, he might have resorted to more lethal means.

"Junior Brother, you've got it all wrong—we were filming a scene just now," Zhao Ling'er said, her tone heavier, torn between amusement and annoyance.

"Filming?" Chu Tian was taken aback, replaying the recent events in his mind. On closer reflection, those ordinary people, unskilled in martial arts, truly hadn't seemed like assassins. Had he made a mistake?

"You took me away without permission; this has seriously disrupted the crew's shoot. They're probably convinced I've been kidnapped by now," Zhao Ling'er shot him a glare, taking out her phone to send a clarifying message.

Chu Tian felt a wave of embarrassment. Perhaps, after Wei Qingqiu's recent brush with an assassination attempt, his nerves had been especially taut; that's why he'd been so protective of his Seventh Sister, forgetting that she was a famous actress.

"Well, since you've already brought me out here, you might as well keep me company for the afternoon," Zhao Ling'er sighed. Her workdays were always packed—either filming with the crew or busy with endorsements. She had almost no private time to herself. By accident or fate, Chu Tian had given her a rare chance to rest.

"No problem," Chu Tian replied with a light laugh. Spending an afternoon with his Seventh Sister was hardly a burden.

That afternoon, they strolled through a bustling food street.

The street was lined with dozens of restaurants, and countless food stalls crowded the roadside, the air thick with the aroma of sizzling delicacies. Chu Tian had imagined that Zhao Ling'er would take him somewhere fancy, but here she was, bringing him to eat barbecue. His Seventh Sister, it seemed, was quite the foodie.

It was just as well. He'd only had a bowl of noodles for lunch, and now his stomach was rumbling.

"Come on, I know which place serves the best barbecue," Zhao Ling'er declared, donning sunglasses and a mask to conceal her beauty. Even as she clung to Chu Tian's arm, she worried about being recognized.

"Seventh Sister, you seem very familiar with this place. Do you sneak out to eat here often?" Chu Tian asked curiously.

"Of course not," Zhao Ling'er retorted, though her tone betrayed a hint of guilt.

Joking and laughing, the two of them entered a barbecue restaurant.

"Junior Brother, what would you like to eat?" Zhao Ling'er inquired.

"Whatever you like, Seventh Sister. I love anything you do," Chu Tian replied, not even glancing at the menu.

"Alright then. Boss, we'll have thirty grilled oysters, thirty lamb skewers, thirty skewers of grilled chives, and half a dozen chilled beers," Zhao Ling'er said, choosing a quiet corner before removing her mask and sunglasses.

Soon, the owner brought over the beers. It was still early afternoon, and the place was nearly empty. Even with her face uncovered, no one paid them any mind.

She twisted open a beer bottle and poured two glasses, one for herself and one for Chu Tian.

"Come, let's toast to the bonds of our sect," Zhao Ling'er said, raising her glass and clinking it against Chu Tian's before downing the cold beer in a single gulp.

"Phew..." Zhao Ling'er exhaled softly. It had been a long time since she had relaxed like this.

The food soon arrived. Chu Tian looked somewhat awkward, hesitant to dig in.

"What is it? Doesn't the food suit your taste?" Zhao Ling'er asked.

"It's not that, it's just..." Chu Tian's thoughts took a strange turn. Was his Seventh Sister hinting at something?

"Junior Brother, men need to replenish their strength, especially you, living with your senior sisters. I'm sure you have plenty of hands-on work every night—it's not good for your health!" Zhao Ling'er said, her gaze earnest and sincere.

"Seventh Sister, I've not been doing any hands-on work," Chu Tian replied, his expression darkening as he forced a smile.

The beer wasn't even that strong—why was his Seventh Sister making off-color jokes after just two glasses?

"Alright, alright, I understand. Boys just out of adolescence are all talk. Let's hope your mouth and everything else that's supposed to be firm, really are," Zhao Ling'er quipped as she skewered another lamb kebab and took a swig of beer.

Her bold banter was nothing like the ethereal fairy she played on set.

"Seventh Sister, do you come here often?" Chu Tian asked.

"I used to, but ever since joining the entertainment industry, my every move has been strictly regulated. Even my diet is arranged according to a meal plan. It's been years since I've had barbecue," Zhao Ling'er said, tossing the empty skewer aside, a trace of helplessness flitting across her face.

Being a celebrity was far from free, but it was her dream, after all.

"Then today, eat to your heart's content," Chu Tian said with a smile.

"These thirty oysters are specially for you. Eat up—it's good for you!" Zhao Ling'er replied, grinning.