Chapter 12

Once all the logistics were sorted out, filming began on schedule.

On the first day of shooting, Jiang Lai had basically nothing to do, so she sat on set with great interest and watched everyone act.

“3, 2, 1—action!”

At the director’s command, the actors immediately slipped into character. Jiang Lai had read the script, and overall, it was quite good.

In the drama, Cheng Shuyang played a dignified and elegant Republic-era lady, calm and poised; Qin Huaicheng played Chu Zhou, the young master of the Chu family, gifted, quick-witted, and humorous.

Today’s scene was Chu Zhou falling in love at first sight with Zheng Waning, the young lady of the Zheng family, on the street. The two of them hit it off immediately, and Zheng Waning’s unusual insight made Chu Zhou look at her in a new light. At the same time, he silently resolved to marry Zheng Waning.

Unexpectedly, before long, Madam Chu had already seen through the feelings between the two and, with lightning speed, arranged for him to marry a girl from another family, as if she were determined to have nothing to do with the Zheng family. After that, however, Madam Zheng took the initiative and came calling.

With two Best Actress winners acting opposite each other, everyone on set held their breath. Watching the two of them gradually sink into their roles, Jiang Lai slowly became absorbed as well.

Having seized the initiative, Madam Zheng cornered Madam Chu. Looking down at the woman, her gaze seemed almost seductive, making the other woman too afraid to meet her eyes. Madam Zheng reached out and wrapped an arm around the woman’s slender waist; there was almost no distance between them, their bodies pressed tightly together.

The atmosphere was so charged that Jiang Lai even had the illusion that, the next second, the two of them would be unable to resist kissing.

“Cut! Thanks for your hard work, both seniors.”

But as soon as the director’s voice rang out, that atmosphere vanished in an instant. Cheng Shuyang and Xu Zhiyi immediately moved away from each other, as if they couldn’t bear to stay beside one another for even another second.

In the changing room, Jiang Lai was quietly tidying costumes in a corner when two people who came in afterward failed to notice her. One of them glanced around, then said excitedly to the other, “Did you go to the set today?”

“No. Why? Did something happen?”

The speaker gestured wildly. “You have no idea. I was this close to dying of shipping Best Actress Xu and Teacher Cheng today!”

That piqued the other person’s interest too. “How so?”

“You really don’t know...”

Perhaps their voices had dropped, because Jiang Lai couldn’t make out what came next.

“...They’re not really a thing, are they?”

“I’m telling you, there used to be rumors in the industry that Best Actress Xu and Teacher Cheng had been together once, but for some reason they broke up...”

Thunk!

Something in Jiang Lai’s hand suddenly fell to the floor, drawing the two women’s attention. Seeing that it was Jiang Lai, they both relaxed. “Alai, when did you get here?”

Jiang Lai bent down and silently picked up the fallen item. “Just before you came in.”

Before the two could say anything else, the changing-room door was pushed open. Xiaoman stood there looking extremely displeased, glaring at them as if she wanted to eat them alive. In contrast, Cheng Shuyang’s expression remained as calm and unreadable as ever.

Caught gossiping about the person standing right in front of them, the two looked awkward. “Ah... well, I suddenly remembered I have something to do, so I won’t keep you company. I’m leaving first!”

The two of them fled the changing room as if running for their lives. Xiaoman stormed in and grabbed Jiang Lai by the arm. “See? Nosy people are everywhere. So annoying!”

Jiang Lai tapped Xiaoman on the nose and coaxed her with a few soft words, then looked at Cheng Shuyang. “Aunt Cheng, did you need something from me?”

Cheng Shuyang shook the bag in her hand. “This dress is a little loose at the waist. Please help me alter it, Alai.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Lai reached out to take the bag. Whether it was just her imagination or not, she only felt that Cheng Shuyang seemed very down today.

When it was time to leave, Cheng Shuyang looked at Jiang Lai, who was bent over and busy, and couldn’t help calling her back. “Alai.”

“Yes? Does Aunt Cheng still need something?”

Seeing the girl look up, her clear eyes still carrying a trace of confusion, Cheng Shuyang’s gaze darkened. “...Nothing.”

“Aunt Cheng...”

Cheng Shuyang stopped, but did not turn back.

“About what we were just saying...”

Before Jiang Lai could finish, Cheng Shuyang cut her off.

“Jiang Lai, you’ve overstepped.”

With that, Cheng Shuyang left the changing room without looking back, leaving Jiang Lai standing there in a daze, at a loss. The disappointment in her eyes was plain to see.

Outside the door, Cheng Shuyang let out a frustrated sigh.

Xiaoman asked cautiously, “Aunt Cheng...”

“Xiaoman, was I too harsh on Alai just now...”

“Cheng...”

Cheng Shuyang waved her off. “Let’s go. Don’t say anything.”

The next day, Jiang Lai was lying listlessly at the edge of the set, watching the staff get things ready, when a tall, sunny-looking person walked over and held out a hand. “Jiang Lai, hello. I’m Gu Xizhou.”

Jiang Lai stared blankly for a second, then took the other’s hand. “Ah... um, hello, hello.”

After shaking hands, Jiang Lai awkwardly withdrew her hand and tucked it behind her back.

The other person smiled at her. “You don’t need to be nervous. I’m a girl; my name just sounds a little like a boy’s.”

Jiang Lai tilted her head, as if thinking of something. “Ah! Right, your name goes really well with Zhiyi-senior’s!”

“Does it?”

“‘The southern breeze knows my longing; it blows my dream to Xizhou!’”

Hearing that, Gu Xizhou’s smile deepened. “Maybe it’s fate. Who knows? Maybe Senior Xu and I are even family!”

The two chatted so happily that they naturally ignored the looks from some of the people around them. Qin Huaicheng was going over the script with Lin Wanqiu, but he seemed distracted. Lin Wanqiu was seething inside, yet she couldn’t say anything.

Cheng Shuyang was looking at the script in her hands, but it was obvious her attention wasn’t on it. Only Xu Zhiyi, standing not far away, watched the two of them with great interest, clearly thoroughly entertained.

“I’m the stylist for this drama, and you’re the costume designer. The two of us go really well together too.”

When Gu Xizhou spoke, her eyes were always curved into crescents. Jiang Lai couldn’t help smiling back, revealing two deep dimples.

“Jiang Lai, I think there’s something wrong with the buttons on my clothes. Come help me check.”

“Oh, coming!”

Jiang Lai gave Gu Xizhou an apologetic smile before running over to Xu Zhiyi’s side. “Senior, is there somewhere in the outfit that feels uncomfortable?”

“Here.”

Xu Zhiyi lifted her chin, revealing her long swanlike neck, which made Jiang Lai glance twice. Since she often wore qipaos in the drama, she was basically dressed in one on set as well.

“It’s the very top button. Do you want to unfasten it and take a look?”

Xu Zhiyi suddenly leaned closer to the focused Jiang Lai. A wave of floral fragrance drifted over unexpectedly, and Jiang Lai was startled, instinctively stepping back.

Xu Zhiyi couldn’t help but laugh, looking at Jiang Lai like a little kid who had succeeded in a prank. Jiang Lai’s face flushed as she awkwardly continued with the work she had been doing.

“Senior, this button isn’t broken, is it?”

Xu Zhiyi raised an eyebrow and leaned in again. The warm breath she exhaled brushed Jiang Lai’s neck, making her tremble slightly. “What now? You saw through me.”

“Senior...”

“Xu Zhiyi.”

Cheng Shuyang spoke lightly. Though she was smiling, there was an icy chill to her expression. “You’re the senior here; don’t make things difficult for the junior.”

Xu Zhiyi straightened up and methodically fastened the top button. “Fine. Since even your Great Best Actress Cheng has spoken, how could I not comply? But Jiang Lai, you’d better keep your distance from everyone. Otherwise... you’ll have to bear the consequences yourself.”

After saying that, Xu Zhiyi drifted away gracefully. Cheng Shuyang also glanced silently at the group before leaving.

Gu Xizhou patted Jiang Lai on the head, baring two rows of big white teeth. “It’s my first day here. Do you have time to show me around?”

Before Jiang Lai could answer, a figure charged in. “She doesn’t have time, because she has to keep me company!”

The latter shrugged. “It’s fine. In that case, I can go by myself.”

“Sorry.”

Jiang Lai smiled apologetically and watched Gu Xizhou leave, then turned to the culprit. “Xia Wanwan, what exactly are you doing?”

“Oh, come on!”

Xia Wanwan hooked her arm intimately through Jiang Lai’s. “I finally got to come see you. How could I let anyone else interrupt? Come on, I’m treating you to dinner. Let’s go, let’s go!”

As she passed by Qin Huaicheng, Xia Wanwan shot him a ferocious glare before dragging Jiang Lai away at speed.

Qin Huaicheng watched the girl’s retreating figure, the wrinkled script in his hand revealing the irritation in his heart.

Author’s Note:

Xia Wanwan: “Reject any and all people with bad intentions who try to get close to our Alai!”