Chapter 51
“…and then, following her force, you pull her in front of you, hit her nose with your head, and we’ll cut it there, OK?”
The two of them nodded. There were no highly difficult moves, but the set would look very cool when completed. In a dim area to the side, they tried it a few times to make sure the moves were smooth.
Again and again, Xu Ling was pulled by Qin Cong’an to a position where their faces were almost touching. She wasn’t worried at all that Qin Cong’an would really hit her, trusting her completely. It was just that her breathing was getting a little messy. She really wanted to steal a kiss in this place where everyone was watching, but no one could see clearly.
“Don’t get distracted,” Qin Cong’an said in a low voice. “If you don’t dodge, I’m really going to hit you.”
“Oh.” Xu Ling touched her beloved nose. “I think that’s about enough.”
If they practiced any more, her chaotic heartbeat would make her unable to coordinate well.
The audience all took out their phones to film. Qin Cong’an had received a lot of training, and Xu Ling had long limbs and good posture, so any move she made looked good. The few moves they did were as smooth as flowing water.
At the end, Qin Cong’an grabbed the wrist Xu Ling had sent towards her and pulled forward. Xu Ling stumbled forward, and an accident that hadn’t happened during rehearsal occurred. She accidentally stepped on Qin Cong’an’s foot. She subconsciously looked down, and Qin Cong’an happened to look up.
For a moment, the audience forgot to breathe. The screening hall was terrifyingly quiet. This was the perfect time to kiss. Someone, quick! Push their heads together!
At this moment, both of their bodies were as taut as two bows.
Qin Cong’an was the first to react. She let go, took two steps back, and returned to her previous position. She took the microphone that was handed to her but didn’t say anything, just looked down at the footprint on her white canvas shoe.
Xu Ling quickly also returned to stand next to Qin Cong’an and said into the microphone, “Okay, that’s it. We almost had an accident.”
Someone in the audience shouted, “It’s a pity it didn’t happen!”
A burst of laughter erupted. Xu Ling also laughed along. What else could she do? Not laughing would be even more awkward. She glanced at Qin Cong’an. This person was really calm.
If she had known, she would have just kissed her just now and seen if she could still be so calm—it was a pity that Xu Ling only dared to have such thoughts in hindsight.
Qin Cong’an finally brought the microphone to her lips. “Are there any other questions about the movie?”
Her voice was a textured cold, which instantly cooled down the atmosphere, telling everyone to stop focusing on the CP and pay more attention to the movie.
But it didn’t matter. The CP fans had their own reasonable interpretation. What was this if not shyness? It was just that An An’s way of being shy was different from everyone else’s.
Everyone did indeed have a lot of curiosity about the movie and the two characters. The following was some related discussion, from the plot to the characters’ motivations, to the atmosphere of the city in the story’s background, to the movie’s soundtrack.
Host: “Okay, we have our last audience question now. Let’s choose this one.”
“An An, I love you so much!” The girl was so excited as soon as she got the microphone, and said a little chaotically, “I want to ask, will you be in this kind of movie in the future? The dual-female-lead kind. And also, can you have a kissing scene? I really want to see you in a kissing scene, preferably with a female actress! I originally thought there would be one in this movie!”
“It all depends on the situation,” Qin Cong’an said. “If there’s a suitable script, I’ll act in anything.”
The audience let out a disappointed “ah.” They naturally understood the implication of her words. Given Qin Cong’an’s way of choosing scripts, they probably wouldn’t see it in this lifetime. She continued to ask enthusiastically, “Then do you have any female actresses you’d like to work with? To co-star in this kind of dual-female-lead movie again?”
Xu Ling, at the side, her eyes already lifeless, thought, when can humans evolve to be able to close their ears when they hear topics they don’t want to hear?
Some CP fans in the audience couldn’t sit still anymore. What kind of question was this? How could she try to snatch their food bowl like this?
“There are many actresses I admire, but whether I can create sparks with them, I can’t tell from my own perspective.” Qin Cong’an looked at Chang Ning. “Thank you, Director Chang, for discovering the combination of me and Xu Ling. Every day during the filming was very happy, and I also thought the final cut looked very good just now. If there’s a chance to film something with Xu Ling again, I would look forward to it.”
Chang Ning was already rubbing her hands together. On the day of the wrap, she had asked Qin Cong’an what she thought about casting her and Xu Ling in another film. She hadn’t given a direct answer then, but now she had given her one in front of everyone.
Xu Ling was completely stunned. Another film with Qin Cong’an? Wait, was Qin Cong’an serious, or was she just saying that because this was the premiere of She and Her and the Knife?
Xu Ling didn’t even dare to think about filming another one. How awkward would it be on set? It was like, to sleep or not to sleep, that was the question. How had their relationship turned into this?
The screams from the CP fans in the audience were the kind that they didn’t even try to hide, wishing they could just tie the two of them up and send them to Hengdian right away.
After the audience Q&A session, there was a media Q&A next door, which was more professional and conducive to the movie’s promotion.
After the entire premiere was over, Qin Cong’an got into the car and closed her eyes to rest.
“Sister, your CP is trending again,” Lin Xinnuo said from the side, scrolling through various updates and reporting to Sister An. “And there’s this picture. Look, Sister, look!”
Qin Cong’an kept her eyes closed. “I don’t want to see it. Has anyone written a review yet? How is it?”
“Oh… let me see.” Lin Xinnuo didn’t know what was wrong with them again. Why was she not even paying attention to these things, only the movie? “Someone has. The ones I’ve seen so far are all positive reviews. They even said they’re waiting to watch it a second time to see the details.”
“Mhm.”
“Sister, are you really not going to look at this picture? You two kissed.” Lin Xinnuo held the phone in front of Qin Cong’an’s face, waiting for her to see it as soon as she opened her eyes.
Her description did indeed pique Qin Cong’an’s curiosity. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw that someone had taken a screenshot of the last frame of their fight and photoshopped it to look like they were kissing directly. The photoshop was very good, enough to pass for the real thing, making even the person involved dazed for a moment.
Qin Cong’an closed her eyes again, showing no reaction.
Lin Xinnuo silently took back her phone. What was going on? They had seemed fine during the magazine shoot last time.
That day had indeed been a little too good to be true. The promises made had no results, as if no one had taken them seriously when they were said. So after leaving that island, it was as if nothing had happened again.
Just like those brilliant stars, that enormous moon, were left only on the island.
Lin Xinnuo was scrolling through her phone and saw another post. Her body trembled. “Sister, I saw a hot post shipping Sister Ling and Ming Yao’s CP.”
“Ming Yao? They’re in contact?”
So you can’t help but ask, Lin Xinnuo thought, secretly laughing to herself. She checked to see what was going on. “Oh, it’s because the show Sister Ling was on with him aired last night, so some people started shipping them.”
Normal. Qin Cong’an didn’t think much of it. Every time she attended any event, netizens would ship her with every guest there. There were even those who shipped her with Xie Jing. It was a little funny, but also reasonable, since no one knew their relationship.
But… wait, a hot post. How hot?
“Is it good to ship?”
“Uh,” Lin Xinnuo had a troubled expression. “Honestly, I don’t see how they started shipping them. The video they could edit is less than half a minute, and part of it is a slow-motion of an eye contact that lasted less than a second.”
Then there was no need to care. There were plenty of such CP edit videos online. The hot post was probably hot because the fans of both sides were arguing.
After a while, Qin Cong’an heard Lin Xinnuo let out a small, huffing laugh. It was clear she had shipped something.
She opened her eyes, her tone serious. “What is it now?”
“Nothing, Sister. I switched videos a long time ago. I’m watching a video edited by your CP fans.” Lin Xinnuo took off her headphones and said, “In yesterday’s show, Sister Ling said she wanted a sister like you, so the CP fans edited some… uh, messy stuff.”
“Oh.”
Lin Xinnuo continued to watch the “messy stuff.” Things like, “Would a sister only perform a hot dance for her younger sister?” and “Can the younger sister’s eyes move away from the area between her sister’s neck and abdomen?” They even used Xu Ling’s heart-making confession expression as a comma. It was hard for Lin Xinnuo not to ship it and laugh out loud at the same time.
***
When Xu Ling saw that kissing picture, she was about to faint from shock. She even suspected that it had really happened, but the impact was so great that her brain had activated a defense mechanism and deleted it.
There were also many comments below asking, “Is this real???” When they learned it was photoshopped, they were all very disappointed. Only Xu Ling breathed a sigh of relief.
[But guess why it could be photoshopped so seamlessly?]
Someone posted the original picture and even drew some arrows, clearly showing where the two of them were looking at that moment.
[They were both staring at each other’s lips. It feels like if no one else was there, they would have really kissed.]
[Kissing is too conservative. This is the prelude to doing it. And watching their fight scenes, I just want to say, if you’re going to fight, fight in bed.]
Many people also tagged @Xu Ling @Qin Cong’an: [Just asking, is this the kind of sticking close that sisters do?]
So scary—
Xu Ling had never thought that CP fans could really imagine to this extent. It was too much. She would dream about this tonight.
With only a few days left until the official release, a large amount of new material and behind-the-scenes footage was released every day. The CP fans were overjoyed. There was so much food to chase after, and they were so full. Under the attack of the fragrant food, the AnLing Super Topic fans directly rushed to the third place.
At the same time, a new CP Super Topic was quietly established.
And because there had been another event recently where they were in the same frame, there was material to build on.
At the event, Xu Ling and Ming Yao had said a few words, just some small talk. But there was no sound recording, and they both covered their mouths from time to time, which naturally gave people a lot of room for interpretation.
The day before the movie’s release.
The promotion team arranged for a dual livestream. Xu Ling and Qin Cong’an would play some small games, interact with the online comments, and connect with the other main creators.
The two of them were still wearing that “couple outfit,” sitting on the sofa. This time, because they had to be framed in a relatively narrow shot, there was no space in the middle. This time, they were really sticking close, very close.
As soon as the livestream started, the comments were all: [Here to see the little couple!]
It made Xu Ling’s scalp tingle. And the familiar yet unfamiliar touch on the side of her thigh from time to time made it impossible for her to focus on her work.
Qin Cong’an’s leg was always fidgeting. The person who usually stood as straight as a pine tree and sat as steady as a bell, she didn’t know how she had suddenly become so hyperactive.
Xu Ling simply pressed down on her knee, leaned forward, and casually took a piece of candy. Now, Qin Cong’an was finally still.
This livestream was relatively casual and relaxed, with only a rough schedule. First was the game segment, waiting for more people to see the livestream and click in before they started the promotion.
But they hadn’t decided what game to play. A staff member asked, “Is there anything you want to play?”
Xu Ling squeezed the candy in her hand and said, “Do you have a hand gripper? I’ve been practicing a lot recently, and I’m in good condition today. I’m going to win.”
“No, we don’t. I’ll go ask next door.” The staff member ran out of the room.
Qin Cong’an said, “Do you want to arm wrestle?”
“No.” Who would want to arm wrestle with the person they liked? Xu Ling looked at the constantly scrolling comments and read out loud, “Play the Pocky game. What does that mean? How do you play with Pocky?”
A staff member immediately said, “We have Pocky! It’s a game where two people eat from each end and see how much is left.”
“…”
Both of them were silent and didn’t answer.
Xu Ling even wanted to slap herself. If you don’t know what it is, don’t read it out loud! How awkward is this now!
She had just seen it and wanted to eat it. Her mouth had watered, and she had read it out. Who would have thought it was this kind of game!
The staff member, not minding the drama, said, “You’re not going to play? We have Pocky.”
Seeing that they didn’t react, what was going on? Didn’t they hear? “We have it. We can play now.”
The comments were also scrolling like crazy: [They said they have it!! Don’t pretend you didn’t hear!! Play!!]
“Um, Teacher Qin doesn’t eat sweets, so it’s not convenient to play,” Xu Ling finally found a reason to refuse.
“No, I’ve been eating them recently,” Qin Cong’an said. “When you start making them yourself, it’s hard not to eat them.”
Xu Ling slowly turned her head. What are you trying to do?
At this moment, the staff member who had gone to find the hand gripper came back. “The hand gripper is here.”
“Good, good.” Xu Ling quickly took it and declared to the audience, “I’m definitely going to win today.”
After saying that, she handed it to Qin Cong’an first. “You go first.”
Qin Cong’an flexed her wrist and then squeezed with all her might.
Xu Ling was flustered when she saw the number. “How are you even higher than last time?”
The comments could ship it at any moment: [Ling Yu actually remembers An An’s score from last time? I’ve watched that video several times, and honestly, I don’t even remember.]
Xu Ling cracked her knuckles and even swung her hand for a long time before she started. She had learned from last time that it was about a burst of strength. This time, she squeezed hard—well, she still lost.
Seeing her defeated expression, Qin Cong’an looked at the number on the hand gripper. “That’s good. You’re also higher than last time.”
“…Mhm.” Xu Ling was really unwilling to admit it. “Why? Did you practice too?”
“I’ve always been practicing. And recently, I’ve been kneading dough. I should have trained this part more than you,” Qin Cong’an said, squeezing her forearm. You could even see the alluring muscle lines as she turned it.
Who are you trying to kill with that handsomeness? Xu Ling averted her gaze. “You really make it?”
“Mhm, when are you coming to my house to eat? I’m very successful at it now.”
“?!” Xu Ling’s eyes widened as she looked at her. “Are you serious?”
Qin Cong’an nodded. “Really. I basically don’t fail anymore.”
That wasn’t what Xu Ling was asking! She was really asking her to come to her house to eat? Didn’t she say last time that only her lover could go to her house?
“I’m asking you, when are you coming?” Qin Cong’an said, while handing the hand gripper back to the staff, in a very casual tone.
Xu Ling turned her head to look at the screen. It was all “aahhh” screams. She was a little scared. “We’ll see.”
Faced with this reply, which could only be interpreted as a refusal, Qin Cong’an didn’t show any reaction. She just lowered her eyes and picked off a piece of lint from her clothes.
But the stiffness in the atmosphere was quite obvious.
For the CP fans, this feeling was very familiar. It was this atmosphere of being oblivious to everyone else one moment, chatting about things that only the two of them seemed to understand, and then suddenly becoming cold the next, that was the flavor of the AnLing CP.
The comments were scrolling like crazy:
[I really feel like there’s something between you two.]
[If there is something between you two, please continue to keep that something.]
[If there’s nothing between you two, can there be something?]
[If there was something between you two before and now there isn’t, can you that something something again?]
Xu Ling was starting to not even recognize the word “something.” She didn’t want to look anymore, but there was a wall behind her, CP fans in front, Qin Cong’an to her left, and to her right… to her right was a staff member taking out the Pocky.
“So are you going to play or not? Teacher Qin eats sweets, right?”
“Bring it,” Qin Cong’an said, holding out her hand. “But isn’t this a competition? How do we decide who wins?”
“You can just compete with us,” a staff member said, taking one out and finding someone to bite it off with. Then she took out a ruler from somewhere and started to measure. “Oh! 1.4 centimeters! You’re not going to lose to us, are you?”
Xu Ling watched their speedy performance, dumbfounded. In her despair, she silently held up her fingers to estimate how much that was. To be shorter than that, they would probably have to kiss directly.
Qin Cong’an poked Xu Ling’s shoulder. “Scared?”
