【Su Qinghe’s Inner Monologue · 2.0】
Standing in the kitchen, Su Qinghe stared at the remaining dishes in the sink and fell into deep thought.
If he had really heard it, then what exactly was his attitude now?
The fact that he had not reacted on the spot meant one of two things. Either he had not heard her at all, or he had heard it and simply did not care.
But that pause…
What did that mean?
Shaking her head, Su Qinghe rinsed the last bowl clean and placed it back on the rack.
Forget it, whatever.
Let things be.
After all, Su Qinghe was an upright and honorable person. If she said something, then she said it. She dared to take responsibility for her actions.
Although next time, she should still… watch what she said… watch what she said…
（Her imposing aura gradually weakened.）
【Second Floor · Lu Zhiheng’s Room】
Carrying his cup back to his room, Lu Zhiheng stopped by the window.
He recalled the glance he had cast toward the kitchen while climbing the stairs. That figure had still been bustling about inside.
He thought of her reaction in the kitchen just now.
Her entire body had tensed, and the bowl in her hands had nearly slipped from her grasp.
She had been nervous.
Was she afraid of him? Or feeling guilty?
Taking a sip of water, the slight curve at the corners of his lips had yet to disappear.
Iceberg face?
Coming from her mouth, the term did not seem all that unpleasant.
In fact, it was beginning to become somewhat interesting.
The morning had been designated as free time for rest and personal activities.
After all, everyone had spent the previous day traveling and settling in, unpacking their luggage and adjusting to their surroundings. The production team had been quite considerate.
In the afternoon, they needed to record some additional promotional segments and supplemental footage. Lu Zhiheng himself had to film an inserted advertisement because the Lu family’s business happened to be one of the sponsors of the program. As a result, the responsibility for filming the advertisement had fallen to both him and Jiang Nian.
Since Lu Zhiheng was the heir of the Lu family, appearing in his own company’s commercial was perfectly reasonable.
As for Jiang Nian, she was one of the actresses he held in high regard for future collaborations. After discussing matters with Jiang Nian and the production team, he had expressed his hope that she would participate in filming the Lu Hotel promotional segment.
It was a win-win situation, and everyone was satisfied.
Thus, three versions of the Lu Hotel advertisement were prepared.
A solo version featuring Jiang Nian. A solo version featuring Lu Zhiheng.
And a version featuring the two of them together.
The three versions would be aired in rotation.
Before that, however, everyone needed to film some additional footage.
Facing the cameras, they were asked to share their thoughts on the scenery around the little courtyard. According to the staff, the material they had captured yesterday was not quite sufficient for editing purposes.
What followed was a long tracking shot.
Zhou Yichen said, “Wow, this place is so beautiful! The mountains and the bamboo forests are completely different from my hometown!”
Liu Yinuo remarked, “The air here is amazing. I don’t even want to go back to Taipei anymore.”
Shen Ci replied, “You only just arrived.”
Liu Yinuo shrugged. “If the feeling’s right, that’s all that matters.”
Jiang Nian smiled gently at the camera.
“I heard this was the filming location for the first season of Our Little Courtyard. I’ve always wanted to come and see it for myself. I never expected the production team would invite me this time, so I’m really happy to finally have the chance to visit.”
Zhao Muyan commented, “The vegetable gardens here are maintained really well. Later on, I’ll have to learn a few things from the villagers.”
The camera shifted toward Lu Zhiheng.
He said nothing. The post production caption appeared on screen.
【What is President Lu thinking about?】
（After all, he was the sponsor. The production team would not dare arrange anything troublesome for President Lu. Everyone else received payment, but this particular gentleman was the one footing the bill.）
The camera then turned toward Su Qinghe.
Holding an action camera as she recorded a vlog, she said,
“Friends, I’ve arrived at the filming location. I heard there’s a reservoir here, and there’s also Turtle Island. I’ll take some footage for you all later. Oh, right, I heard the local specialty here is dried bamboo shoots. Maybe I’ll send some to everyone afterward…”
She paused.
“Let me think. Maybe I can give them away through a lucky draw.”
Then, pretending to have only just noticed the production team’s camera, she smiled at the lens and said,
“Hello, everyone. I’m Su Qinghe. The scenery here is absolutely beautiful, so please look forward to and support my vlogs as well!”
The production team promptly added a caption.
【@Su Qinghe’s Vlog
Douyin: Su Qinghe Isn’t Crazy Today】
At two o’clock in the afternoon, the group’s promotional recording session finally came to an end.
The seven guests had recited the list of sponsors in perfect unison before the cameras.
“Thank you to XX Brand for its generous support of this program.”
“Search for Our Little Courtyard on XX App to receive exclusive benefits.”
By the end of it, Zhou Yichen’s tongue practically felt twisted.
The moment the director called out, “Cut!” he collapsed into his chair.
“My mouth doesn’t even feel like my own anymore.”
Laughing, Liu Yinuo patted him on the shoulder.
“It was only a few lines. You’re already exhausted?”
Zhou Yichen wailed dramatically.
“I’ve been terrible with words ever since I was little. Memorizing lines is my greatest fear!”
Quietly sipping water nearby, Su Qinghe thought to herself that if he knew that in her previous world she sometimes had to recite pages upon pages of dialogue for a single scene, he would probably be scared to death.
A staff member approached, script in hand, and addressed Lu Zhiheng and Jiang Nian.
“President Lu, Teacher Jiang Nian, next up is the exclusive promotional segment for Lu Hotel. We’ll be filming three versions: a solo version for Teacher Jiang Nian, a solo version for President Lu, and a version featuring both of you together.”
Lu Zhiheng nodded and accepted the script.
Jiang Nian took hers as well. After glancing through it, she smiled at Lu Zhiheng.
“President Lu, this is my first time filming a hotel advertisement. Is there anything I should pay attention to?”
Lu Zhiheng replied indifferently, “No, just follow the script.”
Jiang Nian smiled and nodded, but a trace of something subtle flickered through her gaze.
The truth was, she had hoped to use this opportunity to exchange a few more words with him.
The staff began clearing the area.
“Teachers, could everyone please move back a little? We need to free up the courtyard and kitchen area so we can set up the scene.”
Zhou Yichen was the first to jump up, carrying his small bamboo chair beneath the shade of the scholar tree.
Liu Yinuo followed lazily behind him.
Su Qinghe retreated as well, water cup in hand.
Shen Ci and Zhao Muyan moved two chairs to the side and sat down.
The spot Zhao Muyan chose happened to offer a perfect view of Jiang Nian’s profile.
【Set Preparation】
The staff erected a light gray backdrop in front of the main house entrance, printed with the Lu Hotel logo and its slogan:
“Lu Hotel, Your Home Away From Home.”
Two white lounge chairs were placed before it, accompanied by a potted plant to resemble a hotel lobby waiting area.
The lighting technicians adjusted the lights.
The cameramen searched for the best angles.
The script supervisor stood nearby, holding a clapperboard.
Lu Zhiheng had changed clothes.
He now wore a dark gray casual suit jacket layered over a simple white T shirt.
The outfit softened his appearance slightly, but the aura of keeping strangers at arm’s length remained unchanged.
Jiang Nian had changed as well.
Dressed in a pale pink dress, with her hair cascading over her shoulders and her makeup more refined than it had been that morning, she resembled a delicate white flower standing there.
Zhou Yichen leaned toward Su Qinghe and whispered,
“Sister Jiang Nian is so pretty.”
Su Qinghe nodded.
“Mm.”
Overhearing them, Liu Yinuo smiled.
“Yichen, do you like girls like Jiang Nian?”
Zhou Yichen immediately shook his head.
“No, no! I’m just making an objective observation!”
Shen Ci mercilessly added, “Your face is red.”
Touching his cheeks, Zhou Yichen looked confused.
“Is it? I don’t think so?”
Suppressing a laugh, Su Qinghe thought to herself that this kid really was genuinely innocent.
【Version One: Jiang Nian Solo】
The clapperboard snapped shut.
“Lu Hotel promotional segment. Jiang Nian solo version. Take one. Action!”
Seated gracefully in the white lounge chair, Jiang Nian turned toward the camera with a gentle smile.
“After being busy with work for so long, I wanted to give myself a vacation. But booking a hotel left me overwhelmed. One place had beautiful surroundings but an inconvenient location. Another had a great location but expensive prices…”
Pausing briefly, her tone became lighter.
“Thankfully, I discovered Lu Hotel. Beautiful surroundings, convenient transportation, and attentive concierge service. Once you’ve stayed there, you’ll want to stay again. Lu Hotel, Your Home Away From Home.”
“Cut!”
The director nodded approvingly.
“Excellent! Teacher Jiang Nian, this take is approved.”
Zhou Yichen applauded quietly.
Seated nearby, Zhao Muyan’s gaze remained fixed in Jiang Nian’s direction, his expression somewhat dazed.
Su Qinghe noticed.
She glanced at Zhao Muyan, then at Jiang Nian, and silently sighed to herself.
Big brother, your feelings are written all over your face.