Lin Qinghe almost thought she had misread her own eyes. She rubbed them and looked again, only to find that You Rong's ears were indeed red!
Lin Qinghe felt like she had discovered a new continent. She hurried over, about to ask You Rong what was going on, when the director spoke first, "Qinghe, you're here, just in time! I was just telling You Rong about the scene we're about to shoot. You're filming a kiss scene today. It's where the male and female protagonists are trapped in a cave, believing they're going to die. The female protagonist, played by you, forcefully kisses the male protagonist, and they confess their feelings for each other."
Lin Qinghe suddenly understood.
You Rong's ears were red, was it because of the kiss scene they were about to film?
Had he never filmed a kiss scene with a female actress before?
Lin Qinghe had no idea that You Rong indeed had never filmed a kiss scene with a female actress. The drama that made him incredibly popular was about family affection, and he had no romantic pairing in that show. He had just started taking on idol dramas when he was hit with scandals and blacklisted. All his ongoing projects were halted midway and never resumed.
Yuan Xiaoai, who was behind Lin Qinghe, frowned when she heard about the kiss scene. Seeing Lin Qinghe remain silent, she assumed she was still the same as before.
Yuan Xiaoai's expression was full of apology, "Director Wang... when we film the kiss scene later, could you please let us..."
Before she could finish, Lin Qinghe, realizing what Yuan Xiaoai was about to say, quickly covered her mouth and, under the director's puzzled gaze, forced a laugh and explained, "Director Wang, it's fine, it's fine... I'll go get my makeup done first. As for the kiss scene, however it needs to be filmed, I'll cooperate fully!"
"Alright, then hurry back and get your makeup done!"
Lin Qinghe pulled Yuan Xiaoai away to get ready. Once they reached their destination, Yuan Xiaoai, now free from Lin Qinghe's grip, took deep breaths of fresh air. After recovering her senses, she asked in confusion, "Sister Qinghe, why didn't you let me talk to the director just now? You've always been a germaphobe. All the kiss scenes you've filmed since your debut have been faked. If you had discussed it with the director, you could have faked this one too."
She had finally gotten a chance to get close to You Rong. Who knew if this could increase their progress? How could you have ruined it?
Lin Qinghe didn't voice her true thoughts. She faced Yuan Xiaoai, her face not flushing, and blabbered, "As an actor, one must be professional. Kiss scenes are part of the job, it's nothing. To become a professional and dedicated actor, I must overcome my germaphobia and take this step!"
"Uh..."
Lin Qinghe spoke with great passion, but Yuan Xiaoai felt that it wasn't quite as she described.
After Lin Qinghe finished her makeup, she entered the built studio to film. Director Wang was briefing them on the scene.
"Qinghe, your character, Gu Yuening, likes Gu Fan. She's jealous of his childhood friend, Ye Xueer, and mistakenly believes Gu Fan likes Ye Xueer. After You Rong finishes his lines, you should be very angry and furious. Your tone should be very unpleasant... When You Rong continues his lines and you realize Gu Fan likes you and is jealous of you and your second senior brother, you should be inwardly delighted. However, you're someone who doesn't easily show your emotions, so you must restrain your expression. You'll ponder for a moment... thinking about how to tell Gu Fan about your feelings, then suddenly you have an idea, and you push him against a rock and kiss him forcefully. Do you understand?"
As the director spoke, he stepped forward and demonstrated. You Rong, who was pushed against the rock, had his ears turn completely red.
"Yes, Director, I understand."
Lin Qinghe replied to the director with a surface-level of professionalism and seriousness, but inwardly she was dying of laughter.
She hadn't even started acting, and he was already like this. Wouldn't he be so shy that he'd turn completely red later!
After Director Wang finished briefing the two, he announced that they would begin filming. Everyone took their positions. Upon hearing "Action," Lin Qinghe and You Rong quickly got into character.
You Rong circled around the cave, examining it carefully. He then spoke with a blade of grass dangling from his lips, teasing, "Senior Sister, I've checked this cave. Besides the entrance, there's no other way out. I fear we may perish here."
Lin Qinghe furrowed her brows, her face coldly stern. She completely ignored You Rong and began to observe the surroundings closely. Upon discovering there was indeed no exit, her expression finally shifted. Her eyes, as she looked at You Rong, were filled with hidden worry, but what came out of her mouth were sharp, biting words: "Why did you interfere and save me!"
You Rong's smile froze for a second, then quickly returned to its flippant demeanor. "That's right, it's my fault. I interfered. After all, Senior Sister would have preferred to be trapped here with her second senior brother, wouldn't she? But it's bad luck... I'm the one who has to be trapped here waiting to die with Senior Sister now. I didn't want this either. I didn't see clearly at first, and I thought it was Xue'er who fell, so I jumped down..."
Hearing Ye Xue'er's name, Lin Qinghe's face turned pale. She felt deeply wronged. "Gu Fan! You jumped down because you didn't see clearly, what does that have to do with me! You want to be with your childhood friend, I didn't stop you! Why did you have to jump down and wait to die with me!"
You Rong looked at the furious Lin Qinghe, slowly dropping the flippant smile from his face. A bitter curve appeared at the corner of his lips. "Forget it. Since death is imminent, I don't care if Senior Sister hates me. I'm afraid if I don't say it now, I'll never have the chance."
You Rong looked directly at Lin Qinghe. "Senior Sister, I knew it was you who fell. I jumped down to save you! If I couldn't save you, then I'd die with you. That's the mindset I had when I jumped down!"
Lin Qinghe's eyes widened in shock. "Gu Fan, why..."
"Why else? I like Senior Sister! The person I like is Senior Sister. The first time I was reprimanded by Senior Sister after entering Qi Yue Peak, I fell hopelessly in love with Senior Sister! All my efforts to provoke Senior Sister and make her hate me were just so Senior Sister would spare me a few more glances." Gu Fan lowered his head and smiled bitterly. "I know the person Senior Sister likes is second senior brother. You don't think highly of me, and liking you is just my foolish fantasy..."
Lin Qinghe's usually serene expression couldn't hide her surprise. She looked at You Rong, her hand tightening around the hilt of her sword. An emotion surged within her chest.
You Rong continued his lines with a bitter smile. "Senior Sister must hate me even more after hearing this, right? But I still want to say it, because I'm afraid I won't have the chance later..."
At this moment, Lin Qinghe strode forward, pushed him against a rock, and stared intently into his eyes.
You Rong's expression was one of shock. "Senior Sister, what is this..."
You Rong's words faltered. He stared, wide-eyed and disbelieving, at Lin Qinghe as she kissed him. The soft touch of her lips made the hand hidden within his wide sleeve clench involuntarily.
The sound of a rapid heartbeat pounded in You Rong's eardrums.
Why was he so nervous?
It felt like the first time he had ever been so nervous during a scene.
Lin Qinghe, who was kissing You Rong, observed him subtly. Just as she was wondering why he wasn't reacting, the system's prompt sounded in her mind: "Progress increased by 2%, total progress is 24%."