During lunch, the two artists sat together to eat as arranged by the director, who said eating together would increase their rapport.
But...
Their agents were also sitting beside them, not eating, just staring at their own artists silently.
The four of them sat together without saying anything.
Forget about talking, Qin Wei didn't even dare to look at her phone under this eerie atmosphere, and could only keep her head down wolfing down food.
Su Yang was also like this, and the two finished their food in a few bites.
Yao Director was so angry he wanted to find a knife on set and stab the two agents. This was worse than not arranging it at all. Now the relationship was more estranged.
They went from "still able to get along as strangers" to "wanting to escape this suffocating atmosphere as adversaries".
Yao Director pushed and nudged the two agents out:
"Let the young people make friends, you can come back to nip it in the bud if it doesn't look right!"
...
With the agents gone, Qin Wei started browsing her phone again. Su Yang wanted to say something but held back. Helplessly he could only keep his head down looking at his phone.
The whole lunch break, neither said a word to each other. The stalemate continued until the crew came back and started working.
The two agents, however, got a lot closer, having lunch together. Now they were chatting away.
Su Yang's agent Zhao Ruixue sounded like a girl but was actually a middle-aged man. He Qing attaches great importance to Su Yang and doesn't want him to fall in love prematurely. So all the staff around him are male.
Fortunately Su Yang doesn't mind, and has told his agent he appreciates these arrangements and also hopes nothing will distract him from work.
Zhao Ruixue walked to the entrance of the set and put out his unfinished cigarette. He said to Li Yao:
"I think Director Yao is right. No need to interfere too much. To us they're kids but they're actually very career-driven adults. Meddling too much will only stress them out."
Li Yao agreed with this very much. The trust built between him and Qin Wei these months seemed to exceed that of the previous years combined. His artist used to be rebellious and difficult to manage, cold and wary. She insisted on doing whatever he told her not to do. Now although still rebellious, she was...
Still herself, just much milder...
Making you feel like you can trust her.
Li Yao gave Zhao Ruixue a pack of chewing gum to get rid of the smoke smell, then said to him:
"Then let's stay at the set. I've arranged all other work anyway. Let's stay here this time till the end. Don't worry, my kid has a great sense of propriety and isn't interested in male artists..."
She's interested in food and making money...
But Li Yao couldn't say that. After all his little ancestor had national popularity. Better come up with something more dignified...
"I know Qin Wei is good. She gets along well with the female artists from our company. Although Qiao is not my artist, I've watched her grow step by step. She's very prudent in choosing friends and not easy to befriend. That Qin Wei can become good friends with her means her character can't be bad... Hahahaha..."
Li Yao didn't know what was so funny but went along laughing since Zhao Ruixue was laughing too.
"Hahahaha..."
When the two agents went back into the studio, it happened to be break time. They saw Qin Wei chatting and laughing about something with the new actor, while Su Yang sat alone watching them, with a trace of...
Envy in his eyes?
"Why doesn't she play with Su Yang too?"
Li Yao grumbled, wanting to educate Qin Wei, but Zhao Ruixue stopped him:
"You said not to interfere, so don't interfere. We need to be like parents, staying aside and letting the kids take their natural course."
...
In the afternoon, Qin Wei didn't say a word to Su Yang. The two kept their heads down on their phones awkwardly until someone's arrival livened up the atmosphere.
"Hey, Vivi, you good lately? Miss me? I dreamt about you rapping yo!"
That lilting accent left no doubt who it was even without looking.
"Miss you too! You finally joined the crew!"
"Yep! Vivian, give me five!"
Qin Wei obliged and high-fived him. Though it was small talk, they grinned like they were truly delighted to see each other.
Su Yang watched Qin Wei. She had been aloof for hours. Su Yang wondered whether the real her was actually aloof, unlike her screen image.
But now she seemed cheerful again.
And the one cheering her up was...
"Hi, I'm Daniel, singer and actor."
A little spaced out, he took the initiative to introduce himself to Su Yang, who immediately stood up to shake his hand:
"Hello, I'm Su Yang. Nice to meet you."
Yes, Daniel had arrived after earning the role through audition and selection.
Qin Wei was quite surprised to learn this. The boy could sing, dance, compose, what couldn't he do? She didn't expect him to have acting skills too!
Daniel was naturally familiar with everyone. Seeing Su Yang being courteous without arrogance, he dropped his own restraint:
"Bro, I'm saying this from my heart. You're so handsome. If you were a girl I'd definitely pursue you!"
Su Yang froze on the spot while Qin Wei couldn't hold back her laughter:
"Pfft hahahaha, he's not a girl but you can still pursue him! I can't control my grin hahahaha!"
Daniel shook his head, hurriedly defending himself in garbled speech:
"No, Vivian, I mean...umm...he looks handsome, you know?"
Qin Wei nodded:
"I know! Daniel, Su Yang... hm..."
Qin Wei quietly took out her phone and gingerly asked:
"Let me take a pic of you two, won't share it, just keeping it myself."
Daniel was taken aback, then realized he was still holding Su Yang's hand.
He reflexively tried to let go but Su Yang held on tighter.
"So Qin Wei, you like me this way?"
Su Yang pointed at his and Daniel's clasped hands and asked.
"Oh no, not really..."
She denied it verbally but couldn't hide her smile.
No need to elaborate on Su Yang's refined elegance. Daniel's tea-colored brocade robes also gave him a sunny and handsome youthful look. The two holding hands like this, it was hard not to feel happy.
"Go ahead and take what you like. I'll cooperate however you want, as long as you're happy. I don't mind."
Su Yang said, smiling at Daniel:
"What about you? Will you humor her to make her happy?"
Daniel didn't quite understand but knew Qin Wei seemed happy about this. So he nodded.
Qin Wei quickly snapped several shots, afraid they'd change their minds. Then she made an unreasonable request:
"Can you two move closer? And look at each other."
"No problem."
Not only did Su Yang cooperate, he even flashed an attractive smile at Qin Wei:
"As long as my good friend likes it, that's fine. I won't let my friend be unhappy."
