Because of the uproar caused by 《 Cicada 》's official announcement, the drama originally scheduled to begin filming a month later was moved up by more than half a month. Over the past few days, all the actors had been assigned to the production, and everything needed for filming had been prepared in full swing. The actors had also received their individual scene schedules.
Chi Xue and Fu Yeran joined the production on the same day. As the female lead and Male lead, they had the most scenes between opposing characters.
“Yeran’s acting is excellent. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask Yeran more often. He’ll be happy to answer any questions you encounter regarding acting.” Director Ji was somewhat worried about Chi Xue. After all, she was a newcomer who had never acted before, so he could only find her a teacher to guide her.
“Yeran, if Xiao Xue wants to ask you about acting, you must teach her properly!” After speaking to Chi Xue, Director Ji addressed another man standing not far away.
Following Director Ji’s gaze, Chi Xue happened to meet Fu Yeran’s eyes as he looked toward her.
“Hello, Teacher Fu. I’m Chi Xue. I never expected to have the chance to act alongside you. It’s an honor. I don’t have much experience with acting, so I may have to trouble you a lot in the future.” Chi Xue pressed her lips together, a trace of embarrassment showing on her lovely face.
Fu Yeran nodded. His gray suit made his tall, slender, and straight figure appear even more striking. His features were handsome and refined, and simply standing there, he gave off a steady air.
Hearing Director Ji mention his name, Fu Yeran raised his eyes toward them. His dark brown eyes were calm and composed, as though nothing could ever stir their depths.
Once everyone was in place, filming began soon afterward.
The first shot was the two characters’ initial meeting. Chi Xue was not a professional actress, so she lacked a strong sense of the camera. When Fu Yeran acted opposite her, he guided her slightly. After two or three takes, Chi Xue understood a little.
“Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Fu.” When it came to acting, Chi Xue was practically an elementary school student, so she was extremely grateful to Fu Yeran.
“I don’t want to NG. It wastes too much time.” Fu Yeran maintained the same expression and turned to leave.
Chi Xue shrugged. The aloof male idol seemed to be somewhat sharp-tongued as well.
Chi Xue was given little time to rest before the next scene began filming.
This was a Group scene with more people involved. Chi Xue was delivering her lines when someone behind her suddenly pushed her. She stumbled and fell straight into Fu Yeran’s arms.
Chi Xue immediately flailed as she regained her balance. “I’m sorry, Teacher Fu. I didn’t stand steadily. Did I hurt you?”
Fu Yeran’s gaze turned several degrees colder. He casually patted his chest, his tone carrying a hint of chill as well. “It’s fine. Let’s film.”
Naturally, that segment could not be used. After filming it two or three more times, the scene finally passed.
After filming ended, Chi Xue returned to her resting area, where assistant Xiao Ruan handed her a cup of coffee.
“Sis, I saw someone push you just now.” Xiao Ruan had been sent by Lan Bei. She was not only an assistant but also a Bodyguard, and kept a constant watch over Chi Xue.
“Did you see who it was clearly?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t deal with it for now. Just keep an eye on them.”
“Okay.”
If it had been accidental, then the matter would end there.
If it had been intentional, then she would see how far the other party could go.
No one paid attention to the minor incident. After work, Chi Xue immediately went back to rest. By the time she woke up, it was already the next day, and the news about her and Fu Yeran had remained on the hot search rankings all night.
And she had once again been attacked by the entire internet.
The news report was simple: just one picture.
It was the scene from the previous day when she had fallen into Fu Yeran’s arms. Someone had somehow exposed it online.
As she saw the news, Yu Jinnan called. His tone was unpleasant. “Chi Xue, I told you to go film, not seduce men. Do you want to become famous, or do you want to become an infamous celebrity?”
“Being an infamous celebrity is still being famous. That’s pretty good.”
Chi Xue’s unconcerned attitude made Yu Jinnan so furious that he smashed the ashtray.
“Chi Xue, you’re really crazy.”
“I’m not crazy. Someone deliberately smeared me. Get the trending searches removed. I don’t want to implicate anyone else.”
As for the insults directed at her, she had long since grown accustomed to them. Such verbal attacks could not compare at all with the agony of being tortured in prison.
She had been tempered into steel and had long since forged herself a suit of iron armor.
“Pay more attention to yourself. Don’t get involved in this kind of scandal again. I don’t want to spend all day dealing with this mess for you. Acting well is what matters most.”
“It won’t happen again.” She did not want to get entangled in scandals either.
After washing up, Chi Xue left to go to the film set, only to find that the underground parking lot had already been blocked off.
When those people saw Chi Xue, they rushed toward her like mad, hurling eggs and milk at her. Xiao Ruan shielded Chi Xue from behind, but she could not dodge in time, and egg liquid stuck to the ends of Chi Xue’s hair.
“Sis, go home quickly. Don’t come out for now. I’ll hold them off.”
Xiao Ruan told her to leave first. Chi Xue changed direction, but it was blocked as well. She could not get away.
Just as Chi Xue was becoming extremely troubled, the black car door at her back suddenly opened. A large hand reached out, grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her inside.
“Ah…” Chi Xue cried out in panic and fell awkwardly onto someone.
The most embarrassing part was that the other person was seated, while she had plunged headfirst inside, landing directly between his legs. The egg yolk in her hair was smeared all over his suit trousers.
Gu Cishen’s face was filled with disgust as he pushed her away. “Chi Xue, are you really that desperate for men? Why do you keep provoking one after another?”
“Gu Cishen, your temper is getting worse and worse.”
Chi Xue fell onto the floor, rubbing her knee as she sat to one side and cast him a faint glance.
“You’re making a fool of yourself.”
“Did I make you lose face?” she retorted.
“Yes.”
Chi Xue narrowed her eyes and gave a mocking laugh. “We’re already divorced. We don’t have the slightest relationship anymore. Whatever I do can’t embarrass anyone in the Gu family. So you don’t need to lecture me, President Gu.”
She took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her heart, then tugged at the car door handle and snapped, “Open the door. I’m getting out.”
Gu Cishen threw away the handkerchief, which had already become dirty, then leaned back and closed his eyes to rest, clearly having no intention of paying attention to her.
“Speaking of which, President Gu arrived beneath my apartment early in the morning. Did you come here specifically to pick me up?”
“No.”
“I think you did.” Chi Xue smiled brightly, a smile that would make anyone unable to look away, yet coldness ran rampant in the depths of her eyes. “It’s only seven-thirty in the morning. If you weren’t still hung up on me, President Gu, why would you appear here so early?”
She raised an eyebrow. The smile curling across her lips carried a hint of smugness and was exceptionally alluring.
“Shut up.”
Gu Cishen did not open his eyes and merely spoke coldly.
“Aren’t you afraid… Miss Xia will get jealous?”
Gu Cishen frowned, then abruptly opened his eyes and moved close to her. His gaze was icy and concentrated. “Chi Xue, don’t speak to me in that sarcastic tone again. Dad told me to pick you up. I didn’t want to come.”
“Oh, is that so!” Chi Xue gave an awkward laugh, wiping the false expression from her face and replacing it with indifference. “Perfect. I don’t particularly want to see President Gu’s face either. Pull over ahead.”
“Stop making trouble. Be quiet for a while.” Gu Cishen shouted impatiently.
Chi Xue was thoroughly provoked. “I said stop the car. Stop immediately. I’m getting out. I don’t need the concern of the Gu family, and I don’t need anyone else’s either.”
She had severed ties with the Gu family long ago and did not want any further entanglement.
Gu Cishen’s patience had also run out. “Stop the car.”