Before dawn, everyone got up and started getting busy. First, they got their makeup and hair done on set. Once it was light out, they went to the location in the mountains for filming.
The filming location had been selected and set up a few days in advance. Once the actors arrived, just a few adjustments were needed before shooting could begin.
Today's scenes involved escape, which was simple in description—the imperial envoy's troops would split into two groups to flee along separate routes. The envoy would lead one group along the official road to distract the enemy. They would deliberately act like they were taking Gong Lan away in a hurry.
The other group was Zhao Yu's team of three, taking Gong Lan along the mountain road back to the capital.
It sounded simple, but Director Yuan had many demands—she wanted different versions and all kinds of details.
There was no arguing with her because she had organized everyone to read the script far in advance. They had read and analyzed each version.
So her script was complex, her drama hard to film, her box office great, her achievements impressive.
Director Yuan came over and said:
"For this scene now, they get ambushed by assassins from the enemy country in the mountain forest. The whole scene is pure action. We've already blocked the choreography, so let's try to get it done in one day if possible.
Then the next scene has two versions—Zhao Yu and Gong Lan have a disagreement and end up fighting again. You two should go over the fight choreography a couple times in private..."
...
The camera shook as it focused on some rustling bushes. Then came hurried footsteps, and the camera panned to Su Yang's handsome face as Lu Wei, hiding behind a tree. He nodded at someone opposite him.
Zhao Yu on the other side also nodded. They both wore dark clothes to better conceal themselves.
The instant the enemy came through the bushes, the youth hiding in the tree drew his bow and shot one assassin dead!
The enemy was thrown into disarray, a perfect chance for Lu Wei and Zhao Yu to charge out together as trusted battle companions with flawless teamwork.
But even perfection had flaws. One enemy who had feigned death tried to sneak attack them, but fell again with a knife in hand before he could strike—and behind him stood Gong Lan with a bloody dagger.
The assassin fell, blood dripping from Gong Lan's short sword.
Zhao Yu glanced indifferently at Gong Lan, casually wiping the blood off the blade on his arm guard before going to check the enemy corpses, while Lu Wei couldn't take his eyes off Gong Lan's face for a long time.
"Look enough?"
As Gong Lan spoke, she already raised her hand to slap him, but Lu Wei reacted and started to block, yet chose to lower his guard and let her hit him.
"Enough."
A hand grabbed Gong Lan's slender wrist—it was Zhao Yu blocking her from Lu Wei, clearly displeased with her attitude.
Slap!
The slap landed on Zhao Yu's face. Gong Lan smiled obliquely:
"How generous of the young master to let his sworn brother ogle his woman without a care!"
Zhao Yu said nothing while Lu Wei behind him was shocked to the core!
Tears welled up as Lu Wei started bawling:
"Zhao Yu? Zhao Yu! When did this happen? Ah? Have you forgotten that you are..."
Zhao Yu turned to Lu Wei:
"She's trying to sow discord. Can't you tell?"
"You two, stop messing around."
Their teammate Lin Cong jumped down from a tree, ears twitching. His face was grave.
"Enemies, many, still on their way here."
"Cut! Well done! Actors take five! All departments prepare!"
That was the first version.
Director Yuan started reviewing the playback while on set, Qiao Sixiao was already coaxing her partner.
The slap's timing had been a little off—Gong Lan did it a bit early while Zhao Yu was half a beat slow.
The result was Qiao Sixiao really slapped her.
But they had been in character so they kept going very cooperatively without stopping, naturally playing out the rest of the scene.
Now that the director called cut, Qin Wei's grievance welled up. The slap had hurt, and her cheek was still red.
She covered her face and said nothing, convinced that Qiao Sixiao had hit her on purpose.
Su Yang had seen the whole thing. Half of his shocked reaction was acting, the other half genuine astonishment at the resounding slap.
Qiao Sixiao doted on this ordinary roommate like a sister. To pursue realism today, she had actually hit her!
Biting her lip with tears brimming, covering her face—the picture of wronged but not daring to complain, Qiao Sixiao knew she was in the wrong. She also knew the slap had been too hard. So she took the initiative to check on Qin Wei, but was refused.
"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean it. Let me see, is it very red?"
It was rare for Qiao Sixiao to show weakness, but she also had no confidence. The slap had seemed intentional. Going overboard was her mistake, and innocent Qin Wei was truly aggrieved.
"Then tell me, how can I avoid crying? You hit me..."
Su Yang and Li Hanming watched the drama unfold. Li Hanming asked:
"Bro Yang, is Sis Wei really angry?"
Su Yang shook his head:
"She's not angry, she's taking advantage of the situation. Go closer and listen, you'll understand..."
Li Hanming, not privy to what was happening, quietly scooted nearer and pricked up his ears to listen—
"22nd floor!"
"Too greedy!"
"Bugatti!"
"I spit on that!"
"All the treasures on the 22nd floor!"
"Don't even think about it! The 22nd floor also has an $18 million diamond crown!"
"Tell me bedtime stories for a year!"
"Deal."
[A slightly childish bonus scene↓]
Little Qin had chubby round cheeks in preschool. She looked soft and sticky, and her skin must feel amazing, but she dodged Little Qiao's attempts to pinch her cheeks and self-righteously told her:
"Don't touch my face, or I'll get mad."
Little Qiao was afraid of making her mad, even more afraid of making her cry. The little crybaby's tears were heartbreaking, and Little Qiao couldn't bear it.
But she still wanted to pinch those cheeks... Agonizing...
Over winter break, after eating dumplings on New Year's, their parents allowed the two girls to go see the fireworks together. Little Qiao's mom drove them to the riverside and opened the trunk of the SUV for them to sit.
"Look at the fireworks!"
Little Qiao pointed at the night sky. Little Qin looked where she pointed.
"I don't see anythi— Hey, what are you doing?"
The sky was pitch black with only a few twinkling stars.
But her cheek was in someone's grasp.
"Huh?"
Little Qiao held her cheek, reluctant to let go.
"So soft!"
Little Qin looked at her indignantly, cheeks puffed up.
Little Qiao was nervous, afraid Little Qin would cry, and hurried to placate her.
Little Qin protested in an airy, milky voice:
"Unfair!"
Little Qiao coaxed: "I'm wrong! What can I do to avoid you crying?"
"Look, fireworks!"
Little Qin suddenly pointed at the night sky.
Oh, just little kids being kids. She got tricked so she had to trick back.
Fine, she'd play along!
Little Qiao looked where she pointed, and fireworks really bloomed against the sky, reflected in the lake.
"Wow!"
She couldn't help exclaiming at the beautiful sight.
Suddenly her cheek felt a soft warmth—Little Qin's mouth against her skin.
"Yummy!"
Little Qin smiled contentedly.
