The film set buzzed with movement and noise — crew members rushing from one end of the studio to the other under the harsh white glow of production lights.
Cameras were rolling, props being adjusted, and actors reciting lines from scripts worn at the edges.
It was the set of The Other Woman, a wildly popular drama about a cruel mistress and a desperate wife fighting to win her husband's love back.
The show had gripped the nation, drawing tears, rage, and endless online debates.
And because of that success, the filming schedule had doubled.
The air was thick with tension.
"Mike! Get the extra equipment, now!"
"On it!"
"Daisy! Touch up everyone's makeup. They're starting to look exhausted on camera!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Lulu! Make sure the actors have the updated script. And tell the crew to prep the next scene immediately!"
"Got it, Director Feng!"
Feng Yi Bai looked like he was on the verge of losing his mind. His voice carried above the chaos, sharp and strained. Then his gaze landed on her — the center of all his frustration today.
"Vannie Lung," he said through gritted teeth, "could you please stop making things harder for everyone?"
Vannie blinked, unimpressed, while absently brushing invisible lint off her sleeve.
The director pressed his fingers to his temple, fighting an oncoming headache.
"I respect your talent," he began, "I really do. But the crew already has their hands full! You can't just order them around like your personal staff. You should have hired an assistant to help you by now."
Murmurs of agreement rippled quietly among the crew.
No one could understand why Vannie Lung — one of the breakout stars of He Is My Husband — refused to hire even a single assistant.
Instead, she shamelessly borrowed members of the production staff to fetch, carry, or adjust things for her, acting as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Feng Yi Bai had given this lecture before. Dozens of times. Maybe hundreds.
This time, Vannie didn't even bother pretending to listen.
"Oh, Director Feng," she said lightly, her tone half-teasing, half-condescending.
"I only borrowed them for a few minutes. Don't be so stingy. You see me, right? I'm alone here — no manager, no assistant. Surely someone around here can spare a little kindness toward a poor actress?"
Her words earned several side-eyes from the crew — and a visible twitch in the director's jaw.
Feng Yi Bai stared at her, speechless. No wonder she plays the villain so well, he thought bitterly. She doesn't even need to act.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he finally snapped, "Can you not read the room? That's exactly why I told you to hire someone! If one assistant isn't enough, hire two! But instead, you're giving me attitude?"
Vannie studied her freshly painted nails as if he hadn't spoken at all.
"I've told you before," she said coolly, "I'll never hire an assistant. Ever."
Feng exhaled through his nose, on the edge of exploding. "Then where's David Huang? He's supposed to be handling you, isn't he? Did he just abandon you here?"
"How should I know?" she replied with a shrug. "That wild monkey disappears whenever he pleases. I'm sure he's off doing something he claims is important."
"Then call him!" the director barked. "Right now! I don't care how — just fix this mess yourself!"
Almost as if on cue, David Huang arrived, sliding into the chaos like a storm in human form.
"Hello, hello!" he said quickly, flashing his most diplomatic smile. "Sorry for the trouble, everyone!"
He moved close to Vannie and whispered through clenched teeth, "What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to get fired? Or are you done being an actress altogether?"
Vannie shot him a sharp look. "Where have you been? Father assigned you to keep an eye on me, remember? You've been gone for hours!"
David's jaw tightened. If they weren't surrounded by half the crew, he would've gladly smacked some sense into her.
"Come on, Vannie," he hissed. "You're selfish enough already — but do you really have to make everyone hate you?"
She ignored him, brushing past without a flicker of emotion.
"I'm going to change and fix my makeup," she said coolly. "You deal with the good director."
Then she walked off, leaving Feng Yi Bai standing frozen, jaw clenched, utterly ignored.
David sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Vannie!" he called after her — but she was already gone.
Turning back to Feng, he forced a sheepish smile.
"Director Feng, I'm… truly sorry about my sister. She tends to speak before her brain catches up."
Feng looked at him like he wasn't sure whether to laugh or throw something.
"If it weren't for this drama's success, I would've dropped her months ago," he admitted bitterly. "She's talented, yes — but impossible to work with!"
"I know," David said quickly, raising his hands in surrender. "I completely agree. But maybe for now… we should just move on to the next scene? You've got a tight schedule today."
Feng grumbled under his breath, but he nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But after this show, I swear — I'm never hiring her again!"
David managed a small, apologetic smile. "I'll… make sure she hears that," he said, and then quietly excused himself.
He found her in the dressing room, standing before the mirror — the bright bulbs framing her reflection like a halo of fire.
Her expression was unreadable as she retouched her lipstick.
Leaning against the doorframe, David crossed his arms.
"You were a little harsh back there," he said finally. "Director Feng's just trying to help. And maybe — just maybe — avoid another scene like that in front of everyone."
Without looking up, Vannie replied coldly, "I don't like him."
David scoffed. "Who asked whether you liked him or not? He's your director."
"He scolds me every day," she said, her tone clipped but calm. "If I didn't have control over my temper, you already know what would happen."
David's gaze softened slightly, though his voice stayed serious.
"Still — he's right about one thing. Why won't you hire an assistant? It would make everyone's life easier… including yours."
At that, Vannie finally stopped.
She turned toward him — her reflection staring back at both of them in the mirror.
***