In the afternoon, the crew welcomed the visit of the investors. The director had prepared seats for them, allowing the tycoon investors to watch the main actors perform.
Everyone in the crew knew that Shen Shuyao had an extraordinary relationship with the investor Ye Jingzhan, so they were also curious about it.
"Zhan, how do you have time to come today?" Shen Shuyao's eyes shone with delight.
"If I didn't come, you'd have forgotten me already," Ye Jingzhan frowned, "I haven't seen you for half a month. Don't you miss me at all? What kind of work keeps you so busy that you're never around?"
Shen Shuyao was taken aback, then realized what the man meant. She sat beside him, took his hand, and said softly, "I'll take a vacation soon to keep you company."
Ye Jingzhan still looked displeased, never imagining that one day he would be chasing after a woman.
Pei Yuchen had also come to visit the set today, mainly because he happened to be nearby, so he came along.
Ji Nian sensibly chose not to be a third wheel and sat quietly on the other side.
"Miss Ji, may I sit here?" Pei Yuchen came over with a smile, then raised his eyebrows and said, "I don't want to disturb the couple."
You don't mind disturbing me? Ji Nian thought to herself, but despite her reluctance, she still smiled and said, "You're too kind, Mr. Pei. As our guest today, you can sit wherever you like."
When He Yi saw the investors arrive, she found an excuse to leave, not wanting to interrupt the important guests.
Ji Nian watched He Yi leave, leaving just her and the villain. Although she appeared calm on the surface, inside she was a mess, afraid the villain would pull some stunt.
"Miss Ji seems well-suited for period dramas," Pei Yuchen looked over the woman's costume, clearly impressed by her appearance today.
As the plot had progressed to the later stages, Ji Nian's character had turned darker, requiring more elaborate and glamorous makeup.
"Thank you," Ji Nian smiled awkwardly.
"Why do I always feel like you're uncomfortable around me?" Pei Yuchen chuckled, appearing scholarly and refined in his well-tailored suit.
Ji Nian was caught off guard. He had noticed? She felt embarrassed and said, "Not at all, Mr. Pei, you misunderstand."
Pei Yuchen raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. He was curious about this woman. Although he had checked her background and knew her identity, she didn't seem eager to get close to him, but rather wanted to keep her distance.
Ji Nian fidgeted uncomfortably. She and the villain had nothing to talk about, but she didn't know how to excuse herself.
"Actors, get into position, we're starting," the director called out. "Nian, Shuyao, you're up for your scene together."
Ji Nian breathed a sigh of relief, feeling grateful to the director for the first time. She turned to the villain and smiled, "Mr. Pei, please excuse me, I need to get to work."
Pei Yuchen's eyes darkened behind his gold-rimmed glasses as he nodded, "Very well."
On set, the actors were ready. Ji Nian hung a prop sword on her waist, preparing for her action scene with Shen Shuyao.
Shen Shuyao also quickly got into character. In the later stages of the female lead's growth, her expressions would be more resolute, no longer like an innocent young girl.
"Actors, get into position, action!" the director shouted.
Ji Nian followed the martial arts instructor's guidance, launching herself towards Shen Shuyao from above.
Shen Shuyao was in character, looking alert as she picked up her sword and began fighting with Ji Nian.
The pink and red figures clashed in mid-air, and although it was just an action scene, the visuals were breathtaking.
"Ah!" Ji Nian cried out in pain as she fell to the ground, spitting out the fake blood she had prepared.
Shen Shuyao held her sword to Ji Nian's throat and said, "I never wanted to be your enemy."
"Hahahahaha," Ji Nian laughed, but before she could deliver her line, the director called cut.
"Nian! Your expression should be more frantic, with envy, resentment, and hatred in your eyes," the director stopped to give notes.
Pei Yuchen watched with interest from the side, suddenly finding the acting profession fascinating.
Ji Nian wanted to cry but had no tears. Another emotional scene, with the male lead and villain present - she knew her performance would suffer.
"Director, let me try again," Ji Nian said miserably.
"Okay," the director nodded. "Pick up from your laugh."
Ji Nian adjusted her emotions, trying her best to look vicious as she glared at the female lead.
"Cut! Your eyes are wrong, Nian. Where's the envy? Show me the envy!" The director wasn't satisfied and called cut again.
...
After being cut seven times that afternoon, Ji Nian finally managed a passable take.
"Nian, emotional scenes are your weakest area. You really need to practice more. But you have improved, so keep working hard," the director encouraged her.
"Thank you, director," Ji Nian humbly accepted the feedback. After the director left, she finally relaxed, feeling utterly drained. Being an actor was exhausting. Having the villain and male lead present had put unnecessary pressure on her.
"Nian, Zhan and I are having dinner together tonight. You should join us," Shen Shuyao smiled.
Ji Nian looked at the aloof male lead and hurriedly shook her head with a smile, "You two are on a date, why would I want to tag along? I'm tired from working all day. I just want to go home, take a shower, and lie in bed playing on my phone."
Shen Shuyao pouted unhappily, "Come on, just dinner."
Ji Nian would never agree to that - she didn't want to be a third wheel on the leads' date.
"Maybe next time. I need to work on my emotional acting tonight," Ji Nian laughed.
Shen Shuyao pouted reluctantly before nodding, "Okay then."
"Have fun," Ji Nian winked at the female lead.
"Well, I won't bother being your third wheel either," Pei Yuchen walked over with a smile.
Ye Jingzhan coldly nodded, "Where to?"
Pei Yuchen raised an eyebrow with a gentle smile, "Home, I suppose."
"We'll head out first," Shen Shuyao took Ye Jingzhan's hand and smiled.
"Bye," Ji Nian waved.
After they left, Pei Yuchen turned to her with a smile, "I almost forgot, I still owe you a meal, Miss Ji. Are you free tonight?"
"No!" Ji Nian immediately refused. Was he kidding? She'd rather go home and watch videos on her phone.
"No?" Pei Yuchen raised an eyebrow, amused. "But I just heard Miss Ji say she was going home to take a shower and play on her phone."
"Haha, just joking," Ji Nian was mortified, quickly asking, "Where are we eating?"
Pei Yuchen's lips curved into a smile, "A restaurant owned by a friend of mine. I think it's quite good."
"Okay then," Ji Nian wanted to cry. Why could she never refuse the villain? It was too tragic. She was mainly afraid he would turn evil...
Meanwhile, online, a large group of fans had started stirring up drama again, this time because a survival show had issued an apology statement. Even the arrogant Jiang Zhe had posted an apology on Weibo.
This left netizens baffled. It was one thing for contestants to apologize, but for a capitalist to apologize too? What was this move?
