The studio lights blazed mercilessly overhead as Li Na adjusted her costume for the fifteenth time that night. Today, she was supposed to be seventeen again, playing the younger version of the female lead in a romantic drama that had already seen more behind-the-scenes drama than the script itself contained.
Across the makeup trailer, Yin Hao sat in stony silence as stylists worked on his hair, his usual easy charm replaced by a rigid formality that made everyone uncomfortable.
"Li Na, Yin Hao, you're needed on set in five," called Assistant Director, his voice carrying the strain of someone trying to manage a situation spiralling beyond his control.
Li Na rose gracefully, her professional mask sliding into place with practiced ease. She had learned early in her career that personal dramas had no place on set, that the show must always, always go on.
