Appearance

Ran Xinxin and the others didn't expect Director Qiao to come over, as they were just about to go check the filming results.

"Director Qiao, what's the matter?"

"Xinxin, although the recording just now was decent, your presence was practically overshadowed by Alice. That won't do..." Director Qiao explained the key points for the next shot and then urged Ran Xinxin to exaggerate her movements and expressions even more.

"Xinxin, you must let go of your actor's inhibitions and boldly break free from people's fixed impressions of you. A nonsensical script can't be played too seriously, understand? If you keep this up, you'll never improve."

Director Qiao's tone was stern, his brows furrowed. Though Ran Xinxin was a rising star, it meant little to him.

"Got it, Director Qiao." Ran Xinxin had thought she performed well, but after being criticized, she could only nod obediently. Meanwhile, Director Qiao's gaze shifted to Ye Shuang and his group.

"They're my friends, just visiting by chance," Ran Xinxin quickly explained.

"I see. Feel free to look around." But as Director Qiao spoke, his eyes lingered on Ye Shuang standing nearby. He squinted slightly, then looked surprised.

"You... Mr. Ye?!"

"Huh?" Ye Shuang was taken aback. "You know me?"

"Ah, Mr. Ye, you must have forgotten—we met at the annual party, the one hosted by President Chen... We even chatted briefly back then."

Ye Shuang suddenly remembered—it must have been at Chen Qin's company's annual party. Back then, Chen Qin couldn't drink much, so Ye Shuang had helped fend off the toasts. Maybe that led people to assume some special connection between them?

"So, Mr. Ye is friends with Xinxin?" Director Qiao immediately began praising Ran Xinxin. "Xinxin performed wonderfully. Actually, what I said earlier might not be entirely correct. The most important thing is how she interprets the role herself."

"Right, Xinxin?"

Ran Xinxin was still a little dazed. Seeing Director Qiao's suddenly amiable demeanor, she wondered if this was the same person who had just scolded her for not being exaggerated enough.

"Well, criticism leads to improvement," Ye Shuang chimed in.

"Exactly, you're absolutely right."

The two exchanged polite words, and then Director Qiao noticed Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke beside Ye Shuang, seemingly struck by Bai Yuyou's delicate beauty and Tang Keke's striking presence with her backpack.

"Um, are these two... Mr. Ye's...?"

"Big brother's friends!" Tang Keke blurted out, while Tang Duoduo raised her hand and added, "Little sister friends!"

Bai Yuyou, however, simply said, "Husband and wife."

Husband and wife?

Director Qiao froze for a moment, then immediately recalled the relationship between Chen Qin and Ye Shuang. But in their circles, such arrangements weren’t unusual, so he tactfully avoided probing further and instead asked,

"Would you two be interested in acting in a short film I'm shooting?"

"Huh?" Not just Bai Yuyou and the other girls, even Ye Shuang looked surprised. "They'd act in a film?"

"We happen to have two roles that fit them perfectly—just a friendly cameo. Of course, it's fine if they’re not interested." Director Qiao smiled.

"I think Director Qiao just wants them for their looks," Alice interjected with a deadpan expression, mercilessly exposing him.

"Pretty faces attract viewers, after all." Director Qiao coughed lightly, completely unashamed.

"If it's just a small part, I don’t mind..." Ye Shuang was somewhat surprised that Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke had been invited for such a quirky short film—though it felt oddly random.

Still, it would be a unique life experience.

"Sis, are you gonna be a big star?!" Tang Duoduo shook Tang Keke's arm excitedly.

"I'm not the lead."

"Acting..." Bai Yuyou was also a little lost, as this was unfamiliar territory for her. But the girl was a quick learner—Ye Shuang only had to explain briefly before she understood, especially after seeing Alice demonstrate earlier.

"The two roles are: a highly skilled swordswoman and a demon king who’s crossed into another world."

Ye Shuang: "..."

This script is... quite the patchwork, huh?

Still, they ended up having a blast.

Bai Yuyou played the swordswoman, standing before the green screen with a prop sword, looking every bit the part. Her character was a cold, silent warrior—exactly the vibe Director Qiao wanted.

Tang Keke, meanwhile, played the demon king, clad in a costume that accentuated her figure. In one scene, she sat on a male actor’s back as if he were a chair, then whipped another actor with a prop flogger.

Watching Tang Keke’s flushed face, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she swung the whip, it was as if she had awakened some dangerous new side of herself.

But they all had fun.

As the sky turned orange, it was time to wrap up.

Today seemed to be Alice and her group’s last day of filming here, so Director Qiao invited Ye Shuang and the others to dinner.

"Care to join us?" Ye Shuang didn’t refuse, but he felt a little guilty as a guest at Tang Keke’s house—would it be impolite not to return for the evening?

"No problem, I’ll call and ask!" Tang Keke and Tang Duoduo, eager for a feast, immediately phoned home.

After getting permission from Tang's father and mother, Ye Shuang’s group boarded the bus to a nearby restaurant.

Ye Shuang sat in his seat while the girls, exhausted, dozed off around him—Bai Yuyou resting her head on his shoulder, Tang Keke and Tang Duoduo leaning against each other in deep sleep.

In contrast, Alice and Ran Xinxin weren’t as worn out, still energetic.

"Amateurs, tiring out so easily," Alice huffed. "I once filmed for a full day and night without sleep, you know."

"Miss Alice, napping in the company van doesn’t count."

"I did no such thing!"

Ran Xinxin covered her mouth, giggling at Alice’s bristling reaction. Then her gaze drifted and settled on Ye Shuang.

"Brother Ye, thank you."

"Hm? For what?" Ye Shuang adjusted his shoulder slightly to let Bai Yuyou rest more comfortably before turning to her.

"Just... thank you, hehe." Ran Xinxin didn’t elaborate, simply smiling.

"I see..."

Ye Shuang returned a faint smile, not pressing further.

Between adults, some things were better left unsaid.