"It's no trouble at all; it's my job. Short of picking stars from the sky, I can do my best to fulfill any of your requests."
Most people, when pushed to such an extent, would either get angry or feel wronged.
Su Qi, however, remained composed and even injected a bit of humor.
Her words drew laughter from those around her.
Su Qi speaking only made Xu Linyun appear more sharp-tongued and unreasonable.
Xu Linyun's expression turned somewhat unpleasant as she murmured, "How could I possibly ask you to pick stars from the sky?"
"That is indeed difficult to pick, but drinks are much easier to get. It's only a two-hour round trip, far easier than picking stars."
With that, Su Qi turned and left.
Everyone in the lounge burst into laughter.
Xu Linyun's face grew even more unsightly. She clenched her fists tightly, her fingernails digging into her flesh.
Su Qi hadn't uttered a single curse word, yet her entire statement was a form of humiliation.
But she couldn't find any words to refute Su Qi. She could only suffer in silence, accepting the unfair treatment.
"Is it that funny?"
Xu Linyun, angered for the first time on set, stomped her foot forcefully.
The others dared not make a sound.
Xu Linyun, fuming, left the lounge and entered the makeup room.
Mo Yu knocked and entered, "Why are you so angry?"
"It's all because..." Xu Linyun stopped herself. "Is there something you need?"
"Don't get worked up over someone like that. You're a double award-winning actress and about to marry into a wealthy family. She's just an employee. What's there to be angry about? What's the use of being so pretty?"
Su Qi stood at the entrance of the film studio and opened her phone, searching for the nearest beverage store.
It was a bit further than the coffee shop.
If she walked there to buy them, her body wouldn't be able to handle it...
As she was contemplating a solution, a car slowly pulled up in front of Su Qi.
"Get in, I'll give you a ride."
The car window rolled down, revealing Song Heqing.
The last time, Su Qi had only caught a glimpse of Song Heqing.
Though it was a fleeting glance, there was no interaction, and she hadn't looked a second time.
This was their second meeting.
Su Qi recognized Song Heqing immediately.
The mature man sat within the black sedan, his voice deep and resonant. His features were obscured by the car's interior, lending him an air of mystery and allure.
Any other girl would have been unable to resist and would have gotten into the car.
Su Qi pursed her lips, "Thank you, Director Song, but I won't trouble you."
How would Song Heqing know what she was about to do?
It seemed the news within the crew traveled remarkably fast.
"The commencement ceremony is about to begin. If you don't complete your task, you'll be troubled again later. Get in the car."
Seeing Su Qi still unmoving, Song Heqing chuckled inwardly, thinking how stubborn this girl was.
"You've lowered yourself to come to the film set. What does a little dignity or two matter then?"
Chided by Song Heqing, Su Qi directly opened the door and got into the car.
Without any pretense, she sat in the back seat, next to Song Heqing.
Su Qi's action caused not only the driver but even Song Heqing to raise an eyebrow.
"You're so bold, just getting into the car. Aren't you afraid I'll kidnap you?"
The mature man's presence emanated from beside her.
Su Qi raised an eyebrow, "Director Song appears to be a true gentleman, and I am a true scoundrel. Director Song shouldn't be interested in me."
There were so many beautiful women in the entertainment industry, and it was rumored that Song Heqing had many women around him. He shouldn't be so desperate as to "handle" her in the car.
Song Heqing let out a laugh, merely gesturing for the driver to proceed.
The car drove off and reached the beverage store in just a few minutes.
Su Qi hopped out of the car, placed her order, and bought a few extra just in case.
The driver helped her load them into the trunk. After Su Qi secured them, she returned to the car.
They chatted about trivial matters along the way, in a desultory fashion. In just a few minutes, Song Heqing spoke non-stop. Su Qi patiently replied, and as soon as the car stopped, she immediately pushed the door open and got out.
She gave Song Heqing a bright smile.
"Thank you, Director Song, bye-bye!"
The car door slammed shut.
Within the car, the woman's lingering fragrance still circulated.
Whether it was detergent or hair fragrance, it was a faint, pleasant scent, not an overpowering perfume.
It was intoxicating just to smell it.
With the driver's help, Su Qi placed all the cold drinks into the insulated trolley.
Su Qi expressed her thanks. As she looked up, she felt someone staring at her and turned to look.
It was Huo Tingyun.
Xu Linyun was linked arm-in-arm with Huo Tingyun.
They stood not far away, as if surrounded by a constellation of stars.
From a distance, Su Qi's gaze met Huo Tingyun's.
When she came back to her senses, Su Qi realized that Song Heqing had gotten out of the car at some point and was standing beside her.
"Old Wu, help Miss Su carry them up."
Song Heqing gave a faint instruction.
Su Qi wanted to decline, but the driver, Old Wu, had already picked up the insulated trolley, hoisting the entire case of cold drinks.
Over there, Xu Linyun witnessed this scene and was greatly surprised.
"Su Qi? Why is she standing with Director Song? My brother said he wanted to ask her out yesterday, how did she get involved with Director Song today?"
Song Heqing was known for being a playboy. After divorcing his ex-wife, he had been surrounded by beautiful women over the years, changing girlfriends as if they were clothes, never without one.
"However, it's not surprising that Director Song would be interested in Su Qi's looks."
Xu Linyun murmured, completely oblivious to the change in the man beside her.
"Ah!"
Xu Linyun cried out in pain. Looking down, she discovered that Huo Tingyun's hand had tightened its grip at some point.
The pain made Xu Linyun gasp, and when she pulled her hand away from Huo Tingyun's, she saw that her hand had been squeezed red by the man.
"Tingyun, you've been very strange lately. What's wrong? It seems like you've changed since a few months ago. I feel like I don't even recognize you anymore."
Huo Tingyun withdrew his gaze, "We're preparing for the commencement ceremony. Don't overthink things."
With that, he turned and headed back to the lounge.
Xu Linyun wanted to follow, but she was urged by the director to prepare for the incense offering at the commencement ceremony, so she had to give up.
Meanwhile, Old Wu helped carry the drinks up. Su Qi directly distributed them to the staff and placed Xu Linyun's requested drinks in the insulated cabinet in the lounge.
After finishing these tasks, Su Qi let out a sigh of relief.
She glanced outside; the staff were all busy preparing for the commencement ceremony.
Su Qi shifted her feet, about to head out.
The door was pushed open from the outside.
The man who entered had a sinister look in his eyes.
Su Qi's heart leaped. She feigned composure, her fists clenched tightly.
"Mr. Huo..."
"I truly underestimated your ability to charm people."
The man's opening words left Su Qi bewildered.
After a moment, Su Qi pulled at her lips, feeling an urge to laugh.
"Mr. Huo's energy is quite vigorous; you're truly a master of time management."
One moment he was being affectionate with Xu Linyun, and the next he was cornering her in a room.
"Mr. Huo is such a gentleman. I never expected the male god, the diamond bachelor, who is the object of affection for countless young women in Shencheng, to be so despicable and shameless."