Chapter 32
In the evening, they were filming Qin Cong’an’s scenes in the old district’s alleyways. The two of them had no scenes together today, but Xu Ling could have gone back to the hotel early, yet she didn’t.
Yi Huai said to her, “Aren’t you tired? You ran all afternoon. Go back and rest early.”
“I’m just sitting here, which is also a form of rest,” Xu Ling said very seriously. “And I can learn a lot from watching my senior act and Director Chang direct.”
Qin Cong’an, who was listening to Chang Ning, suddenly glanced over at Xu Ling.
Xu Ling happened not to be looking at her. She was thinking about something. Why does that sentence sound so familiar?
Right. Before, when she was filming in the morning and Qin Cong’an had no scenes but came anyway, Director Chang had asked her, and she had said she was there to watch her direct.
The difference between people was so vast. The same sentence, one said it out of professionalism and a genuine desire to learn, while the other… well, Xu Ling had to admit it, she was just lovesick.
Anyway, there were less than ten days left. What was wrong with being a little lovesick? Was it a crime? It wasn’t real love anyway. She was just indulging herself.
“Then I’ll go get you some bread,” Yi Huai said, getting up.
Xu Ling hummed in agreement and looked at Qin Cong’an again.
Although Qin Cong’an could pull off extravagant red carpet gowns, Xu Ling still thought she looked best in simple clothes.
A plain white utility tank top, seemingly cheap jeans, yet she could wear them in a way that made you want to collect them.
Of course, not just the clothes, but to collect her whole person. Xu Ling stared at her, thinking, it would be nice to collect the clothes she’s worn.
Xu Ling remembered the top that had stolen her tears last night and that she had bitten so hard. If she had quietly worn it and left, Qin Cong’an probably wouldn’t have said anything.
Wait, was that a little too perverted? Xu Ling flinched for a second, then straightened her back. How was it perverted if she accidentally wore the wrong clothes? At most, she was just a little muddle-headed!
“Here, I even heated it up for you.”
The sudden appearance of the bread in front of her startled Xu Ling. She guiltily opened it. It was a custard bun. It smelled pretty good. “Thank you, Sister Huai.”
As Xu Ling ate, she watched Qin Cong’an rehearsing. She detached herself from her role as a crew member and imagined herself as Qin Cong’an’s girlfriend, visiting the set.
Humans were so strange, able to get pleasure from just a few fantasies. A self-deprecating voice in her head saying, this will never happen, even became part of the pleasure.
After Xu Ling finished the bun, their rehearsal was also over. Xu Ling sat next to Chang Ning, watching the monitor, seeing how Chang Ning arranged the shots, and watching the two actors’ tense scene.
The actor playing Feng Xuelin, Dong Li, was very experienced, a senior in the industry, and also Qin Cong’an’s teacher at the film academy. He hadn’t been in a film for a while. Qin Cong’an had also helped in getting him for this role.
Dong Li had played various roles before, but most of them were positive characters because of his kind face. Feng Xuelin, on the other hand, was a born villain, a type he rarely played.
Although Xu Ling was just there with the mindset of visiting her girlfriend on set, she still learned a lot.
Both of them were experienced, their eyes full of drama, and their control was perfect, not exaggerated. It was as if this tense encounter in the story was really happening somewhere.
Especially Dong Li. He clearly had a kind face, but one look from him sent a chill down Xu Ling’s spine.
“Cut!” Chang Ning shouted through the megaphone. “That was okay, but it lacked a sense of explosion. Adjust and let’s do it again.”
They were so good. Xu Ling felt she could never act out that kind of feeling. The gap between her and these real actors seemed to be more than just time and experience.
Qin Cong’an had said she was suited to be an actress. Was that just a polite remark? But was she the type to be polite? Or was she just spouting nonsense because they were filming behind-the-scenes, just for the sake of fan service?
In the alley, Wen Xi was knocked out by Feng Xuelin. Feng Xuelin grabbed Wen Xi’s hair and dragged her into the depths of the alley.
Of course, they couldn’t really have Dong Li drag Qin Cong’an by the hair. They just used some filming techniques to make it look that way.
The focus of this part was more on Dong Li’s expression, a face so calm it was maddening.
Even though her hair wasn’t really being pulled, it still made Xu Ling’s heart ache to watch. She couldn’t bear to look anymore. It hurt so much.
When they filmed the shot of Qin Cong’an’s lower body being dragged, her shoe accidentally fell off. Wen Xi was unconscious and couldn’t have been aware, so her heel was just dragged along the ground.
Chang Ning didn’t call cut. Dong Li, with his back to her, didn’t know and kept walking forward. It was only after this take was cut that they realized Qin Cong’an’s left heel was scraped, and a piece of flesh had even come off.
Liang He and a few medical staff rushed over. Gao Quan also rushed over immediately.
Xu Ling didn’t hesitate and walked over. As a colleague, she had the right to be concerned, right?
“I’m fine,” Qin Cong’an said to everyone, then looked at Xu Ling and said, “I’m fine.”
Dong Li stood to the side, very apologetic. “Sorry, sorry.”
“It’s fine, Teacher Dong. As long as we can keep this take,” Qin Cong’an said, then bowed slightly and went behind the scenes to treat her wound.
Because it was bleeding, the medical staff elevated Qin Cong’an’s foot and pressed gauze on the wound. “Let’s see if we can stop the bleeding first.”
Just as Qin Cong’an had come to her side before, Xu Ling also walked over to her. As soon as she reached out her hand, it was grabbed by Qin Cong’an.
The bleeding stopped. It wasn’t a big deal. The medical staff started to clean the dirt and small sand particles from the wound. Qin Cong’an’s expression didn’t change. She just gritted her teeth, not putting much force into her hand.
“Okay, this take is good,” Chang Ning came over and said. “Good work. Then for the subsequent scenes at Feng Xuelin’s house, you can only wear one shoe.”
Qin Cong’an nodded. “Okay.”
Hotel.
Xu Ling guessed that Sister Quan was in Qin Cong’an’s room and didn’t dare to go find her. But then she stood at the door and thought, so what if I go find her? It’s just concern. Just like when Qin Cong’an came to give her ointment before. Sister Huai saw it and didn’t misunderstand anything.
As she was hesitating, the lock on her door suddenly clicked. Someone was opening her door with a key card.
“You scared me. What are you doing standing at the door?” Qin Cong’an walked into the room and closed the door.
Xu Ling looked at her, still a little dazed, but then she hugged her tightly. “I was debating whether to go find you.”
Qin Cong’an hugged her back and patted her. “What, were you worried about me?”
“Mhm.”
“It’s just a scrape. I won’t die.”
Xu Ling quickly looked down at her foot. “How is it just a scrape? Such a big piece of flesh came off! How is it now? Does it still hurt?”
“Now,” Qin Cong’an looked up at her slightly, “it still hurts a little. What should I do?”
“Do you want to take a painkiller? I have some.”
Qin Cong’an pulled her by the collar, kissed her, and then walked inside. “It’s better now.”
“…?” For a moment, Xu Ling didn’t know who was being treated like a child.
Qin Cong’an sat down on the sofa and beckoned for Xu Ling to come over.
Xu Ling walked up to her, first kneeling on one knee, and lifted her left foot to look at it. The wound was covered with a dressing. Of course, she trusted the professionalism of the medical staff, but she was still very worried.
Qin Cong’an looked at her and said lazily, “There will be plenty of chances to get injured in the next few days. You should be prepared too.”
Xu Ling pouted and suddenly lowered her head to bite her ankle.
Qin Cong’an quickly pulled her foot back and lightly kicked her shoulder with her right foot. “Are you crazy? You even bite feet. So dirty.”
“It’s not dirty. It just smells like medicine.” Xu Ling grabbed her ankle and leaned in, bumping into her embrace. “The scent on your body is better. An An, let’s not get injured anymore.”
Qin Cong’an grabbed her wrist, turned to the side, and pressed her onto the sofa. Xu Ling hadn’t had any such intentions, but being pushed down like that, her hands held behind her, her legs went weak.
But after Qin Cong’an let go of her hands, she just placed them on her calves and started to knead them, very properly.
“Are your legs sore from running up the stairs this afternoon?”
Xu Ling was stunned. “You still have the mind to care about me?” And she was even giving her a massage.
“I’m fine.” Qin Cong’an’s thumb kneaded the tight muscle in Xu Ling’s leg, making her cry out in pain. Qin Cong’an said, “Looking at you like this, you’ll definitely be sore tomorrow. A massage will help.”
Xu Ling felt that she was more tired than her and didn’t want her to massage her. She wanted her to rest well. Just as she was struggling to get up, her inner thigh was slapped.
“Try moving again.”
Xu Ling’s whole body froze for a second, then she moved again deliberately, but this time, no slap came.
“On purpose?” Qin Cong’an pressed down on her leg. “You want to be hit?”
Haha. Xu Ling couldn’t help but let out an awkward laugh. “How could there be such a person?”
“Is that so? I think you’re just that kind of person.”
Xu Ling pulled over a cushion to prop up her upper body, a little dejected. But how was it that being seen through was also so thrilling?
After massaging for a while, Qin Cong’an asked, “Why did you get a motorcycle license abroad?”
“Hmm?” So suddenly. Xu Ling said, “I just got one.”
“For commuting?”
“No, our apartment was near the school, so we could just walk. The motorcycle was for going out to play.”
Qin Cong’an increased the pressure, making Xu Ling cry out in pain. Her tone was serious. “Sorry, but it has to hurt to feel good.”
Xu Ling did feel a little good. Even if Qin Cong’an broke her leg, she would still say it felt good.
“With your roommate?” Qin Cong’an continued to ask.
“Mhm, and university classmates, other models, and so on.”
“You gave her a ride?”
“Who, my roommate? Don’t think she’s some— ” Xu Ling was in too much pain to speak again and cried out, “Don’t press so hard!”
“Oh, you were saying.”
“Where was I? Ah, anyway, she thought I rode too slow, so she wouldn’t get on my bike. She had her own.” Xu Ling hugged the cushion, savoring the feeling of holding her waist on the back of the motorcycle that afternoon. “Actually, I don’t like giving people rides either. It’s uncomfortable to be so close to someone.”
“Is that so.” Qin Cong’an’s expression was blank. She continued to increase the pressure, but Xu Ling didn’t cry out, as if she were used to it. “Then it must have been hard for you today. And we still have to film the motorcycle scene together.”
“It has nothing to do with you.”
“What?”
“I said it has nothing to do with you,” Xu Ling said, her voice briefly rising, then softening. “I’m used to being close to you. And, it’s for the movie.”
After Xu Ling said that, she felt the person behind her lie down on her back, pressing tightly. And not just pressing. Xu Ling felt like her hands and feet were bound, and her heart was also squeezed tight by Qin Cong’an.
Her ear was suddenly licked, wet and hot, making Xu Ling shiver.
“Let’s rest early tonight,” Qin Cong’an whispered in her ear.
“Mhm…” They were both very tired, and tomorrow’s task was also heavy. Xu Ling turned her face to the side and said, “Then let’s just kiss.”
“I’m going to take a shower.” Qin Cong’an propped herself up and left.
Xu Ling tsked inwardly but couldn’t chase after her. She touched her burning ear. So pathetic.
Seventh day countdown.
Today was not a filming day. Because this most important action scene was long and complicated, and the makeup and styling for the official shoot would take a long time, to not waste time, they needed to spend a whole day rehearsing, finalizing the overall framework and details.
Xu Ling didn’t have as many moves to remember as Qin Cong’an. Although she had never filmed an action scene before She and Her and the Knife, she had pretty much memorized them.
But just memorizing the moves wasn’t enough. She also had to have emotions. Facing the man who had killed her parents, facing the possibility that her only family member might lose her life because of her, Jian Yu’s emotions were very volatile.
As for Wen Xi, it was even harder to act. She was locked in a bathroom by Feng Xuelin, one hand cuffed to a stainless steel window guard.
When she woke up and realized this, she calmly tried to find a way to get free, but when she heard the voices of Jian Yu and Feng Xuelin outside, she couldn’t stay calm anymore. She directly broke her arm and ran out.
Qin Cong’an had been in many action films before, but she had never filmed an action scene with one arm.
“Is this the hardest scene you’ve ever filmed?” Liang He asked Qin Cong’an.
“Maybe,” Qin Cong’an replied as calmly as ever.
Gao Quan, standing to the side, knew that Qin Cong’an was very experienced in fight scenes, but she was still very worried, looking much more anxious than Qin Cong’an.
Fortunately, the rehearsal went smoothly.
Even though it was just a rehearsal, Xu Ling was exhausted. That night, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, but it was in Qin Cong’an’s embrace, smelling her scent.
Why, even when they weren’t doing anything, did they have to be in the same bed? Why, even when there were no more ambiguous scenes, did they have to hold each other? She didn’t know.
Xu Ling was too tired to think, and she didn’t want to think.
Sixth day countdown.
Filming.
Fifth day countdown.
Filming.
Xu Ling’s body started to get bruised. So did Qin Cong’an’s.
Xu Ling could no longer smell the pleasant scent on Qin Cong’an. It was all the pungent smell of medicine.
But seeing that the wrap date could be counted on one hand, Xu Ling even wanted to remember this bitter smell of the plaster.
On the morning of the fourth day countdown, it was a break.
The two of them slept until 10:30, woken up by the vibration of Qin Cong’an’s phone.
Xu Ling opened her eyes blearily and saw Qin Cong’an pick up her phone. The two characters displayed on it were: Xie Jing.
Xu Ling was instantly wide awake and turned her back. Qin Cong’an didn’t seem to answer the phone. Xu Ling heard the sound of the phone being tossed onto the nightstand.
Then, Xu Ling’s inexplicably cold body was pressed against. Qin Cong’an nuzzled her neck. Xu Ling knew she wasn’t fully awake yet, like a little kitten again.
“So tired,” Qin Cong’an’s voice was husky. “How many days left?”
“Today is the fourth day countdown,” Xu Ling said, startled by the stiffness and strange calmness of her own voice.
“Why are there still four days?” Qin Cong’an mumbled, burying her face deeper. After rubbing against the plaster on Xu Ling’s neck, she asked, “Does it hurt?”
Xu Ling wanted to ask, why didn’t you answer his call? Didn’t you answer it after we were done before? You would also lie with me and look at Xie Jing’s cat, the black cat you use as your main profile picture.
Did you break up? Or are you just fighting? Do you want to hurry up and wrap so you can go back to him?
Xu Ling’s hundred questions turned into one word: “It hurts.”
“Let me rub it for you.” Qin Cong’an tore off the plaster on the back of her neck, placed her warm palm on it, and gently kneaded it. But Xu Ling’s shoulders and neck grew stiffer and stiffer under her hand.
