Chapter 41: World Two [5]

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“Sister Qingxu, your friend just asked me for the shooting location. She said she’d bring fruit to visit the set.” The little assistant spoke while taking the drenched coat and draping a new thick cotton jacket over Lin Qingxu’s shoulders. “I’ve already given her the address.”

Lin Qingxu, who had just been doused with cold water, shivered with chattering teeth. Her voice trembled as she asked, “Friend? Is it Xiao Qi?”

“Yes, it’s Miss Lu.” The little assistant’s worried gaze fell on Lin Qingxu. “Sister Qingxu, this is already the third time. It’s not even winter, but you can’t keep having ice water splashed directly on you like this over and over. Is Teacher Yu NGing on purpose?”

“It’s normal to reshoot a few times if you’re not in top form. Don’t overthink it.” Lin Qingxu comforted her good-naturedly. “I know my own body. If it doesn’t work this time, I’ll talk it over with Director Li. Besides, this is the last spare outfit. If it fails again, we probably won’t be able to do a second take.”

Lin Qingxu wasn’t entirely sure if Yu Zhe was doing it deliberately or simply couldn’t find his groove. After all, this scene had come up suddenly today. If he hadn’t prepared ahead of time, a subpar performance was understandable.

Still, Yu Zhe was professionally trained. One or two slip-ups were fine, but if he didn’t improve after three or four takes, she’d have to wonder if someone else was wielding him like a knife.

“Action!” With Director Li’s clapboard, the fourth take began.

After a grueling three-minute struggle, Yu Zhe and Lin Qingxu settled into their roles. The scene’s climax and challenges came in three parts. First: Lin Qingxu blocking the ice water meant for Yu Zhe while showing a fearless expression.

Second: Yu Zhe’s shifting expressions—from shock and disbelief to realization tinged with regret—followed by matching body language.

Third: The whole thing was a long take. Nearly five minutes of dialogue and confrontation had to flow seamlessly without a single flaw.

Lin Qingxu delivered her usual steady performance. Yu Zhe started strong too, but after nailing the regretful look, his physical movements lagged by two beats. The take fell just short.

“Director Li, Teacher Lin, sorry. I didn’t react fast enough.” Yu Zhe’s attitude was impeccable. He bowed deeply in apology, radiating sincerity.

“Director, do we need to go again?” Lin Qingxu showed no displeasure. She simply asked the question while peeling off the soaked cotton jacket.

“No need. Since you lagged a beat, we’ll just trim that section.” Director Li sounded irritated. “Go study the script more when you get back. Expect a lot more last-minute additions—you need to nail this character inside out!”

He had nearly twenty years as a director under his belt. He could spot the difference between a genuine flub and a deliberate slowdown.

Director Li knew crews had their share of conflicts and friction. The entertainment industry’s pie was finite; more mouths meant smaller slices. Drama was inevitable.

But understanding that didn’t mean he liked it when backchannel squabbles bled into his shoots—especially when they compromised the final product.

“Qingxu, can you tough it out for one more? I need a pickup shot from you.” Director Li approached Lin Qingxu for some one-on-one coaching.

“Of course, Director. No problem at all.” Lin Qingxu seized the opportunity. After going over it with him, she had the drenched cotton jacket draped back on and resumed filming.

Yu Zhe’s face darkened at the sight. He instinctively scanned the rest area for Chu Xiao.

Chu Xiao sprawled lazily in a soft chair, sipping steaming milk tea. She watched the set drama unfold with faint disdain.

Tch. Putting on a show for her benefit? As if she needed anyone fighting her battles. What a pointless stunt.

Oh well. For his good sense, maybe she’d toss him a bone—some scraps of resources.

A magazine cover? Or drag him onto a variety show as her paired guest?

As Chu Xiao mulled over how to reward Yu Zhe’s efforts, Lu Wuqi arrived at the set, flanked by a male and female bodyguard.

Outdoor shoots couldn’t be fully sealed off. The crew managed with warning lines to deter well-mannered tourists and fans.

Lu Wuqi flashed her prior work pass. The security guards remembered her and, after a quick “no filming” reminder, waved her through.

Lin Qingxu, deep in her role amid the ongoing shoot, had no idea her girlfriend had arrived. The little assistant, however, spotted her right away and hurried over.

“Miss Lu, Sister Qingxu’s still shooting. Why not sit in the rest area and wait?” The little assistant couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at the two bodyguards trailing Lu Wuqi.

Had Miss Lu heard about the bullying and hired a couple of enforcers on the spot?

Whoa, talk about cool! Now that’s a real friend!

Lu Wuqi stayed put. She glanced at the filming site from afar, then at the items in the little assistant’s hands. “What’s with the bath towel? Who’s it for?”

The little assistant blinked and whispered, “It’s for Sister Qingxu. Teacher Yu NGed four times already, dragging her into four ice-water splashes.”

“What? I didn’t catch that.” Lu Wuqi’s eyelashes quivered faintly. The look in her eyes darkened.

Now that she’d started, the little assistant held nothing back. She recounted the last half hour in vivid detail at a hushed volume, capping it with her theory.

“Teacher Yu and Sister Qingxu used to sync up great—over half their takes passed on the first go. But after yesterday’s mess, he’s been botching it left and right tonight. There has to be a link.”

Lu Wuqi hummed in acknowledgment. “Could you share Xuxu’s manager’s contact with me?”

“Uh…” The little assistant wavered. “Sorry, that might not be appropriate.”

Her own number? Sure—she could keep her mouth shut. But handing out the manager’s? That crossed a line. The little assistant wasn’t about to risk her job.

“I’ve met Xuxu’s manager, Sister Jin. She knows me. If you’re unsure, text her to confirm.” Lu Wuqi waited patiently for an answer.

Lu Wuqi’s demeanor eased the little assistant’s doubts by half. Still cautious, she escorted her to the artist’s rest area, pulled out her phone, and called Sister Jin.

Three minutes later, a WeChat friend request pinged on Lu Wuqi’s screen. Verification message: Sister Jin.

She’d barely hit accept when Director Li’s excited “Cut!” rang out. The little assistant, who’d been standing by, bolted over. She draped the dry bath towel over Lin Qingxu and murmured a few words.

The little assistant mentioned that her friend Miss Lu had arrived. Lin Qingxu glanced instinctively toward the rest area. Meeting Lu Wuqi’s concerned eyes, she breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Thank goodness the remote outdoor location had bought her time. Lu Wuqi hadn’t caught her at her most disheveled.

“Xuxu, your clothes underneath are soaked through. Got a spare?” Lu Wuqi stepped up, layering her own jacket over the bath towel.

“Yeah, I’ll change in the van.” Lin Qingxu glanced sidelong at the two bodyguards, each around 1.8 meters tall. “I told you to wait at the hotel. What brings you here?”

“Woke up with nothing going on, so I figured I’d drop by.” Lu Wuqi slung an arm around Lin Qingxu’s shoulders. “Where’s the nanny van? I’ll walk you.”

Lin Qingxu didn’t protest. Next up was Chu Xiao and the male lead’s scene anyway—she had time to rest.

When the pair emerged after changing, two more male bodyguards approached, each lugging a large box. Inside: fifty trays of neatly cut fruit.

“Xuxu, night shoots this late are brutal. Hand these out based on the crew roster.” Lu Wuqi smiled.

Before Lin Qingxu could respond, the little assistant called out loudly, “Fresh cut fruit from Sister Qingxu’s friend! See me if you want some!”

“Sister Qingxu’s the best—friends bringing us snacks! One for me!”

“Three people on my end. Can I grab for them?”

Lin Qingxu’s popularity shone through. Idle crew members swarmed over, snagging portions for themselves and their busy colleagues.

“Teacher Yu, care for some?” Lin Qingxu pulled a tray from the box and offered it.

Guilt flickered in Yu Zhe’s eyes. “No thanks. Dieting right now.”

Lin Qingxu smiled. “Got it. Then take two shares for Teacher Xiao Chu later. There’s a bit of a misunderstanding between us, so it’s awkward to deliver directly.”

“Ah, sure. Okay.” Yu Zhe sneaked a glance at Lu Wuqi standing beside Lin Qingxu.

Their eyes locked for all of two seconds before Yu Zhe averted his.

What an icy stare. Was this really Lin Qingxu’s friend? Or someone she’d brought for payback?

“Xuxu, I don’t need a full bodyguard detail day-to-day. Borrow two for your shoots—beats them cooped up at the hotel tailing me.” Lu Wuqi announced it right in front of Yu Zhe.

“Bodyguards? My nanny van might not squeeze in two.” Surprise lifted Lin Qingxu’s fine brows. She caught Lu Wuqi’s drift instantly. “If you’re concerned, Xiao Qi, just send one along with me.”

“No worries—they’ve got two cars and will follow in their own. Meals are on them; I’ll cover the budget for purchases. Pros all the way. They know target protection protocols.” Lu Wuqi’s lips curved faintly upward.

Yu Zhe grew uneasy at her words. Were they aimed straight at him?

He hadn’t overstepped that badly, had he? She wouldn’t sic bodyguards on him in front of everyone… right?