When Zhou Huaiyi rushed frantically to the center of the film set, he was already drenched in sweat from the scorching sun.
Speaking of the leading lady Jiang Wei, she had a delicate and charming appearance, her figure was slender and tall. She was a few years older than Xiang Qichen, started her career early, and has been struggling in the entertainment industry for ten years, but she remains a nationally beloved actress who has not faded into obscurity.
Zhou Huaiyi is a die-hard face enthusiast, always having a favorable impression of good-looking people. Although Jiang Wei's good temper and charisma are well-known in the entertainment industry, facing the national goddess up close, Zhou Huaiyi couldn't help but feel a wave of nervousness.
Seeing Zhou Huaiyi's delicate, fair face sunburned to a rosy red, Jiang Wei felt a bit of pity and had her assistant move the umbrella towards her.
Suddenly feeling a cool shade, Zhou Huaiyi instinctively looked up, only to find herself sharing an umbrella with Jiang Wei. Startled and flattered, she paused her hands' work of attaching the wireless mic, promptly saying: "Teacher Jiang, I'm fine, thank you."
Jiang Wei smiled nonchalantly: "It's alright, the umbrella is big enough."
"Thank you, Teacher Jiang." Zhou Huaiyi wiped the sweat from her temples, smiled at her, and continued her work.
Jiang Wei, holding a mini fan blowing at her face, glanced down at the wireless mic in Zhou Huaiyi's hands and asked: "Are you an intern?"
Zhou Huaiyi was surprised she was talking to her, nodded: "Yes."
Jiang Wei immediately understood: "No need to be nervous, take your time."
Zhou Huaiyi was stunned inside, realizing... she had seen right through her...
"All done." Zhou Huaiyi adjusted the position, carefully covering the mic with her outer garment, and smiled at Jiang Wei triumphantly.
Jiang Wei gently curved her lips: "Thank you for your hard work."
Zhou Huaiyi politely waved her hand and turned back to look after the equipment.
Liu Yang had just finished setting up the wireless mic for Xiang Qichen and returned, seeing Zhou Huaiyi's temples wet with sweat, he asked: "Can you hold up?"
"Of course." Zhou Huaiyi wiped her forehead with a tissue, only thinking about removing her makeup, foolishly put it on, and all morning, she only saw Xiang Qichen from afar without any chance of interaction. Her face, layered with sweat and foundation, was almost suffocating her.
Liu Yang raised an eyebrow, admiring the little girl's determination. She looked delicate and slender but was not the least bit pampered. After being in the team for more than ten days, working hard, she never complained.
The cameramen, soundmen, and actors were all in position. The clapboard clicked, followed by the director's "action," and the scene officially began filming.
Zhou Huaiyi silently watched Xiang Qichen, who was seriously performing with Jiang Wei in the distance. After the take was done, she pondered for a while, then glanced at Liu Yang beside her: "Senior, did you set up Xiang Qichen's mic just now?"
Liu Yang, focused on the recorder, hummed without looking up.
Zhou Huaiyi replied with an "Oh," and after a while, asked again: "Then... did you talk to him?"
Liu Yang paused, looked over with a profound smile: "Why? Are you also a fan of Xiang Qichen?"
Zhou Huaiyi pursed her lips, a bit guilty as she waved her hands: "… Just asking, because he's so good-looking..."
Liu Yang suddenly leaned in: "This afternoon, I'll give you a chance to get closer?"
Zhou Huaiyi felt a surge of joy, extremely excited but afraid to show it, coughed nonchalantly: "If needed... I could help you..."
Liu Yang, looking as if he saw through everything, simply smiled without revealing her secret.
——
With the director shouting "Cut! Lunch!" twice, the whole crew paused the morning shoot. After a bit of tidying up, everyone grabbed their boxed lunches and ate in the shade.
Zhou Huaiyi rushed to the makeup room to borrow cleansing oil from Liang Lufei, then quickly went to the restroom to remove the makeup that had already been washed away by sweat.
She wiped off the water on her face, applied some lotion, and put on sunscreen again.
She patted her clean and clear face in the mirror, muttering to herself: "Anyway, I'll only be able to see Xiang Qichen from afar, can't meet him up close. Who am I putting on such pretty makeup for..."
Finished with her tidying, Zhou Huaiyi returned Liang Lufei's stuff with thanks, then grabbed her boxed lunch and sat under a tree, eating quietly.
She had only taken two bites of rice when her dear mom called, her sharp voice, as usual, ringing in her ears—
"Zhou Huaiyi, are you coming back for summer vacation?"
"Probably not..." Zhou Huaiyi steadied her mind, her gaze inadvertently falling on Xiang Qichen, who was eating and discussing the scenes with the director not far away. Firmly, she finished her sentence, "I won't be coming back!"
Mrs. Zhou, hearing this, suddenly "cackled" with joy, unable to hide her happiness in her words: "Good, good, good, it's better if you don't come back. It'll save me some trouble; just taking care of your brother is enough!"
Zhou Huaiyi: "..."
Mrs. Zhou laughed for a bit more, then said: "Your dad's clinic is busy these days, can't find time to talk to you on the phone. He told me to tell you not to tire yourself out, if you can't handle it, come back. It's just one summer; we can still afford to take care of you."
Zhou Huaiyi: "Mom... why does that sound... so awkward?"
"Oh, I'm not talking to you anymore, a patient came, I need to grab some medicine, bye-bye."
Clack! Beep... beep... beep...
Zhou Huaiyi: "..."