Xiao Wenqiang had not seen Situ Chen for some time. The last time they met was when filming a scene, and he lent her his RV. Subsequently, a series of events unfolded. Xiao Wenqiang had sent him a message on "Weishu" to thank him for clarifying things for her. However, he had replied perfunctorily with "You're welcome." Later, when Xiao Wenqiang offered to treat him to a meal, Situ Chen politely declined again.
Therefore, upon arriving at the set and finishing her makeup and hair, Xiao Wenqiang took the initiative to knock on Situ Chen's dressing room door. "Teacher Situ, good morning. I still want to thank you in person again." She then placed the thermos cup she had prepared earlier on his makeup table.
Situ Chen was in the process of having a costume wig attached. In the private dressing room, only he and his personal makeup artist, Andy, were present. Hearing her, he looked at Xiao Wenqiang in the mirror and said, "Didn't I tell you not to be polite about it? Don't dwell on such a small matter. Besides, we're in the same company now, so we should help each other. Also, can you please stop calling me 'Teacher'? I haven't taught you anything, and it makes me uncomfortable to hear it!"
"Okay, then can I call you Ge Situ?" Seeing that he didn't look displeased, she breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "It's mainly because you're quite busy, and I couldn't find a good way to express my gratitude. This is lotus root and pork rib soup that I stewed before leaving home this morning. Ge Situ, if you don't mind, you can try it." Xiao Wenqiang inwardly grumbled, thinking that in this society, especially in this industry, everyone called each other 'Teacher.' If she didn't, she might seem impolite!
"Oh? Lotus root and pork rib soup!" Situ Chen's eyes lit up for a moment, but he quickly coughed as if to cover it up. "Well, since you made it yourself, just leave it here. I'll try it when I have time later."
Seeing that her task of expressing gratitude was complete, Xiao Wenqiang also showed a joyful smile. "Okay, then you continue with your work. I won't disturb you. Goodbye, Ge Situ!" With that, she quickly ran out of his dressing room.
Andy asked curiously, "Is Su Ling from your company? The young lady looks quite cute."
Situ Chen closed his eyes and remained silent, merely letting out a soft "Mm," his expression unreadable.
The scene today was directed by Assistant Director Zhang Hong. Once everything was ready, he shouted, "Action!"
Inside the dimly lit and damp water dungeon, Meng Wan, beaten and bruised, was chained to a rack. It was evident that she was nearing her breaking point.
Xuanyuan Zhuo dismissed his subordinates and entered the water dungeon alone. Seeing the bloodied and disfigured Meng Wan, he couldn't help but frown.
"Wan'er, why are you so stubborn? If you obediently tell me the hiding place of the third brother, out of our past affection, I can grant you a quick death." Xuanyuan Zhuo spoke with the sweetest tone, but his words were incredibly cruel.
Meng Wan slowly raised her head and spat at Xuanyuan Zhuo's face. "You caused my entire family to be executed, forty-eight lives! And you talk about some damn affection? If it weren't for the third master's secret rescue, I would have been beheaded long ago. I will never reveal the benefactor's whereabouts, no matter what! Give up!"
Slowly wiping the saliva from his face, Xuanyuan Zhuo managed a contorted smile. "Your father, as the prime minister, colluded with the third brother to secretly conspire with other countries. His execution was just desserts. Do you still think Xuanyuan Ke is genuinely saving you? If he truly had intentions, why didn't he save your brothers? At least he could have left an heir for your Meng family. Yet, he only saved you, a young girl, so that he could control you better. Wan'er, you are clearly a smart girl, why are you so inflexible!"
Xuanyuan Zhuo gently caressed Meng Wan's face, carefully wiping away the bloodstains. "Wan'er, through our years together, I did truly like you. How about this: tell me the third brother's hiding place to atone for your sins. I can overlook your assassination attempt and give you a new name, allowing you to stay in my harem, alright?"
"Like? Affection?" Tears slid from Meng Wan's eyes. "Xuanyuan Zhuo, do you have a heart? Do you know what 'like' means? Are you worthy?"
Seeing Xuanyuan Zhuo's increasingly displeased expression, Meng Wan instead burst into laughter. "Hahahaha... Xuanyuan Zhuo, you don't need to waste your efforts. I'm already a cripple anyway, and there's no point in living." Her voice gradually weakened. "I miss my father and mother too. Wan'er can finally reunite with them." Gradually, her head drooped permanently...
"Okay, cut! Meng Wan is finished!" Director Zhang announced with satisfaction.
Upon hearing this, Situ Chen quickly untied the ropes binding her. Xiao Wenqiang, suddenly losing support, stumbled and almost fell into the water. Fortunately, Situ Chen was quick to catch her. Seeing the red marks left by the ropes on her hands and feet, as well as the genuine wounds from struggling during the torture scene, he inexplicably felt a pang of sympathy. "Go back and take a good bath. Disinfect the wounds with iodophor. I'll have Xiao Yang bring you a bottle of hemostatic medicine later."
Situ Chen looked at Su Ling, the actress he had been filming with for a long time. For some reason, his feelings towards this girl, who refused to give up and was so hard on herself, gradually grew special. Before, he had only thought that her eyes could speak and that she was a promising actress. As they interacted more, he realized she was not only talented but also an incredibly hardworking actress.
However, when she interacted with others, it always felt as if there was a layer of glass between them. She seemed polite and friendly, but in reality, she didn't truly put people in her heart. It seemed only when she was acting that Situ Chen could see her genuine passion.
Of course, Xiao Wenqiang was unaware of Situ Chen's thoughts. However, it had to be said that a film emperor's intuition was very sharp. For Xiao Wenqiang, she was merely an executor of a supporting role's mission. Each time she entered someone else's life, it was like acting in a new play, creating a new character. Therefore, she would sometimes distance herself to avoid becoming too emotionally invested, making it difficult to move on when the mission ended.
Two months after wrapping up filming, Xiao Wenqiang, besides shooting a beverage advertisement arranged by Qiao Jia, spent most of her time on vacation. She also occasionally browsed the internet for the latest news to pass the time. Then, she saw a piece of news that piqued her interest: the drama "The Bravest Us" had premiered and trended on hot search.
This drama was the first work of Ye Ruoyan, the original female protagonist in the novel "Top Stream Queen," where Su Ling was a character. It was also her transformative work. This time, without the interference of capital for casting changes, the original cast participated in the filming.
However, without the incident involving Su Ling, the drama's popularity was not as high as in the original novel. To the general public, it was just an ordinary campus idol drama. Although the actors were all good-looking, their acting skills were still quite raw. So, why did it trend on hot search this time?