Second Version: Lu Zhiheng’s Solo Shoot
Lu Zhiheng changed seats and sat in the other chair. Facing the camera, he still wore that same calm, indifferent expression, though the corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly, probably due to the director’s request for a touch more “warmth.”
The clapperboard snapped shut.
“Lu Hotel promotional segment, Lu Zhiheng solo version, take one, action!”
Looking into the camera, Lu Zhiheng began: “When traveling for business or leisure, choosing the right hotel is important. Lu Hotels, a nationwide chain with guaranteed quality.”
He paused, glanced at the cue card, then continued.
“Whether you’re on a business trip or enjoying a family vacation, we have room options to suit your needs. Clean accommodations and attentive service will make your journey more comfortable.”
From beside the monitor, the director prompted quietly, “President Lu, could you make it a little more natural? Maybe smile a bit?”
The curve of Lu Zhiheng’s lips increased by approximately one millimeter.
Director: “……Alright, this one passes too.”
Liu Yinuo was struggling not to laugh as she whispered to Shen Ci, “Do you know what true forced professionalism looks like?”
Shen Ci replied, “Isn’t this the perfect example?”
Su Qinghe was also suppressing a smile.
She realized that the way Lu Zhiheng filmed advertisements was not all that different from his usual Iceberg Face expression.
Yet, for some reason, watching him make an effort to appear “approachable” was oddly amusing.
Third Version: Joint Shoot
The staff adjusted the camera setup again, placing the two chairs side by side.
Jiang Nian sat on the left while Lu Zhiheng sat on the right. About twenty centimeters separated them, neither too close nor too distant, precisely the social distance expected between business partners.
Turning toward him, Jiang Nian smiled.
“President Lu, should we rehearse the lines together first?”
Lu Zhiheng nodded. “Mhm.”
The two lowered their gazes to the cue cards and began practicing.
Jiang Nian read, “After a busy stretch of work, I wanted to give myself a vacation. But choosing a hotel left me completely overwhelmed…”
When she finished, she looked at Lu Zhiheng.
He continued, “Then choose Lu Hotels. With swimming pools and fitness centers, all your fatigue will disappear and your energy will be fully recharged.”
After finishing the line, he paused.
“Is it ‘fully recharged’ or ‘fully charged’?”
A staff member leaned over to check the card.
“It’s ‘fully recharged,’ President Lu.”
Lu Zhiheng nodded and continued reviewing the script.
Jiang Nian resumed.
“Really? Won’t it be expensive?”
Lu Zhiheng replied, “There is currently an exclusive discount for viewers of Our Little Courtyard. Download the Lu Hotels app and enter ‘Our Little Courtyard’ to receive a twenty percent discount coupon.”
Jiang Nian smiled. “Then I’ll download it right away!”
Lu Zhiheng delivered the final line.
“Choosing Lu Hotels is always the right decision.”
After running through the script once, Jiang Nian smiled at him.
“President Lu, your delivery is really good.”
Lu Zhiheng answered evenly.
“It’s alright.”
The clapperboard snapped.
“Lu Hotels promotional segment, Lu Zhiheng and Jiang Nian joint version, take one, action!”
Jiang Nian faced the camera, her smile gentle.
“After a busy stretch of work, I wanted to give myself a vacation. But choosing a hotel left me completely overwhelmed…”
She turned toward Lu Zhiheng, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Lu Zhiheng picked up the line steadily.
“Then choose Lu Hotels. With swimming pools and fitness centers, all your fatigue will disappear and your energy will be fully recharged.”
When he said “fully recharged,” there was the slightest hesitation in his tone.
The phrase did sound somewhat awkward coming from him.
Still, the shoot progressed smoothly.
Jiang Nian continued,
“Really? Won’t it be expensive?”
Lu Zhiheng replied, “There is currently an exclusive discount for viewers of Our Little Courtyard. Download the Lu Hotels app and enter ‘Our Little Courtyard’ to receive a twenty percent discount coupon.”
Jiang Nian smiled. “Then I’ll download it right away!”
Then both of them turned toward the camera.
Lu Zhiheng said, “Choose Lu Hotels…”
Jiang Nian finished,
“You won’t regret it.”
The director called out, “Cut!”
Nodding with satisfaction, he said, “Very good, very good! That was really smooth!”
【The Spectators】
Zhou Yichen leaned closer to Su Qinghe and whispered, “Sister Qinghe, don’t you think those advertising lines are a little… strange?”
Su Qinghe asked, “Which part is strange?”
Scratching his head, Zhou Yichen replied, “‘Fully recharged.’ It sounds like you’re charging a phone.”
A soft laugh escaped Su Qinghe.
Her laughter was quiet, but unfortunately it happened during one of those rare moments when the entire set had gone silent.
Lu Zhiheng had just finished his final line and was about to stand when he heard that burst of laughter.
He turned his head.
His gaze crossed the courtyard and landed beneath the locust tree.
Su Qinghe was smiling so hard that her eyes had curved into crescents as she chatted with Zhou Yichen. But as if sensing something, she suddenly looked up.
Their eyes met.
Su Qinghe’s smile froze. Lu Zhiheng looked at her, his expression unchanged, yet the tips of his ears gradually turned red.
It was not the blush of embarrassment from affection.
Rather, it was the awkward flush of someone realizing another person had witnessed them reciting particularly cringe worthy lines.
Su Qinghe immediately turned away, pretending to talk with Liu Yinuo instead.
Seeing her reaction, Liu Yinuo smiled knowingly.
“What were you laughing about just now?”
Su Qinghe answered without hesitation, “Nothing! I wasn’t laughing.”
From beside her, Zhou Yichen exposed her immediately.
“You were! You laughed really loudly!”
Su Qinghe glared at him.
“When was I loud?”
“You totally were!”
【Meanwhile】
Lu Zhiheng withdrew his gaze and stood, handing the cue cards back to the staff.
Jiang Nian softly asked beside him, “President Lu, would you like to watch the playback?”
“No.”
He headed toward the resting area, though the redness at the tips of his ears had yet to fade completely.
Reclining in his chair, Shen Ci remarked lazily when he saw Lu Zhiheng approaching,
“Those advertisement lines were pretty creative.”
Lu Zhiheng glanced at him without speaking.
Shen Ci continued, “‘Fully recharged.’ Was that your marketing department’s idea?”
Lu Zhiheng replied after a brief pause, “…I don’t know.”
Shen Ci laughed.
【Another Perspective】
After finishing her banter with Zhou Yichen, Su Qinghe’s gaze drifted toward Zhao Muyan.
He was still seated there, staring at Jiang Nian without blinking.
Jiang Nian was speaking with the staff, her smile gentle as ever, completely unaware of his attention.
Su Qinghe sighed inwardly.
Brother, your expression is way too obvious. Try showing a little restraint.
As she was thinking this, she suddenly noticed Liu Yinuo watching Zhao Muyan as well.
The two women exchanged a glance.
Liu Yinuo raised an eyebrow, her expression clearly asking:
You saw that too?
Su Qinghe gave an almost imperceptible nod.
I saw it.
The corners of Liu Yinuo’s lips lifted slightly.
Let’s not say anything.
A faint smile appeared on Su Qinghe’s face as well.
Understood! The two of them tacitly shifted their gazes away and resumed chatting.
Watching the silent exchange between Liu Yinuo and Su Qinghe, Shen Ci looked thoughtful.
He leaned toward Liu Yinuo and asked quietly, “What kind of secret code were you two using just now?”
Liu Yinuo blinked innocently.
“There wasn’t any.”
“I saw the two of you communicating with your eyes.”
“You must’ve seen wrong.”
Shen Ci: “……”
Su Qinghe merely smiled without offering any explanation.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yichen looked completely baffled.
“What are you all talking about?”
Everyone suddenly burst into laughter.
Having no idea why they were laughing, Zhou Yichen laughed along with them.
The atmosphere became increasingly chaotic and hilarious.