CHAPTER 58

Tang Ruoyao's pre-prepared script went down the drain, and the slight unease and helplessness lingering in her heart turned into embarrassment.

It was so embarrassing that she felt her entire neck heating up, spreading to the tips of her ears.

Because Lin Guoan called out to the person there, "Old Han!"

The person standing there was not a graceful and charming woman with a seductive figure but a middle-aged man who appeared to have aged. He had a crew cut, didn't wear glasses, and was dressed in a casual jacket and gray sweatpants. He looked plain, except for his sharp eyes that resembled two knives. There was a deep line in the center of his forehead, and at first glance, he seemed like a serious person.

He was one of Qin Yinong's "rumored partners" - Director Han Yuping.

Facing Lin Guoan's warm welcome, Han Yuping didn't show much expression. He shook hands and hugged his old friend briefly, then gave a faint nod to Tang Ruoyao as a greeting.

Lin Guoan introduced with a smile, "This is Tang Ruoyao, the leading actress in my film."

Tang Ruoyao suppressed her embarrassment and awkwardness, speaking confidently, "Hello, Director Han."

Han Yuping responded with a plain "Hmm."

Lin Guoan said, "Old Han, let me tell you, this little Tang..."

He was about to give Tang Ruoyao a face in front of Han Yuping, but Han Yuping interrupted him expressionlessly and coldly said, "Enough with the idle talk. Has she arrived?"

Tang Ruoyao wondered: She?

Lin Guoan smiled, accustomed to Han Yuping's style, and pulled Tang Ruoyao to the side, whispering, "Old Han is not in a good mood today. I'll introduce you next time. You should go back to the hotel for now."

Tang Ruoyao nodded.

Being inexplicably dragged over and spoken to in just three words before being "dismissed," Tang Ruoyao shook her head helplessly on the way back. Han Yuping's words briefly brushed her ear, but she didn't dwell on them.

Exit of the set.

Han Yuping and Lin Guoan got into the same car and headed to a certain restaurant.

As Han Yuping's brows furrowed deeper and even his breathing became heavy, he sat restlessly in the back seat. Lin Guoan couldn't help but speak up, "Hey, can you calm down a bit? It's been so many days, why are you still so worked up?"

Han Yuping's eyebrows tightened, and he let out a sigh, "Who said I've been angry all this time? I had forgotten about it a few days ago, but it came back to me today!"

"Okay, okay, okay." Lin Guoan raised his hands in surrender, "I want to make it clear in advance, this matter has nothing to do with me. Don't take it out on me."

"How is it unrelated to you? If I hadn't heard the news from someone else, were you planning to keep it from me? Until it was too late?" Han Yuping gritted his teeth, his voice almost squeezing out from between them. "Well done, Old Lin. You've learned to keep secrets, secretly taking on her film."

Lin Guoan felt guilty and quickly zipped his mouth shut, staying quiet like a chicken on the side.

The more he said, the more mistakes he made. He was just an innocent scapegoat.

.....

Qin Yinong had made an appointment with Lin Guoan to come here today to sign the contract for their new film. Instead of going to the set, she decided to stay in a private room at the hotel. Ever since her initial agreement with Lin Guoan, she had a lingering sense of unease in her heart, feeling that something might have changed.

As her car approached the destination, this premonition grew even stronger.

Qin Yinong's eyelid inexplicably twitched, and she raised her hand to press against her chest.

Guan Han asked, "Qin Jie?"

Feeling her heart suddenly skip a beat, Qin Yinong said, "Water."

Guan Han handed it over to her.

Qin Yinong took a couple of sips to calm herself down, waved her hand for Guan Han to take it back, closed her eyes, and said, "Call Director Lin for me."

Guan Han, inexplicably, still dialed Lin Guoan's phone number.

Qin Yinong held the phone to her ear and spoke lazily, "Director Lin, have you arrived?"

After seeing the name displayed on his phone as he answered the call, which belonged to Qin Yinong, Lin Guoan glanced at Han Yuping, and responded calmly, "Yes, I've arrived. I'm currently in the private room."

Upon hearing his voice, Qin Yinong felt slightly relieved and said, "I'll be there soon."

Lin Guoan replied, "Alright, I'll be waiting here for you."

Pausing for a moment, Qin Yinong asked, "You didn't tell her about me coming, did you?"

Lin Guoan shivered, turned to look at Han Yuping, wondering how Qin Yinong found out that he had betrayed her?

Without receiving a response from Lin Guoan, the panic in Qin Yinong's heart surged again, and she said, "Didn't I tell you not to tell Tang... her?"

"Tang?" Lin Guoan realized, the "her" here was not the same as the "him." He patted his chest in relief and said, "No, don't worry. I promised you that I wouldn't mess up."

"Then why did you hesitate?"

"I'm getting old, my ears aren't working well. I just didn't hear clearly for a moment."

"...Fine."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Guoan heard a loud thud beside his ear as Han Yuping heavily placed his teacup on the glass turntable.

Lin Guoan thought to himself, "Ah, you've come to wait for the rabbit. Why are you mad at me?"

Qin Yinong's ominous premonition turned into reality as she entered the room.

Lin Guoan kept his head down, afraid to look at her, while Han Yuping gazed at her with a smile that seemed both mocking and ambiguous.

She was momentarily stunned, but then put on an impeccable elegant smile, raising her eyebrows with a hint of perfectly timed surprise, and greeted, "Director Han is here too. When did Director Han finish shooting?"

Han Yuping didn't fall for her sweet words and responded coldly, "Don't pretend. You probably wish I would stay at the far North for three or four years, preferably until you've finished everything you wanted to do, and then inform me symbolically at the end."

Qin Yinong covered her mouth and smiled, saying, "Director Han, what are you talking about?"

She continued to play a game of wits with Han Yuping, but he had run out of patience. He went straight to the point and said, "What's the deal with the new film? I told you to take a break and this is how you rest?"

Qin Yinong sat down, and even her delicate facade revealed a small crack, as she forced a bitter smile and said, "I can't just stay idle, can I?"

"Nonsense!" Han Yuping furrowed his brows and almost slammed the table, shouting, "If you really wanted to take a break, who can force you to work?!"

Qin Yinong awkwardly touched the tip of her nose.

Guan Han picked up a teacup from the side and poured a cup of tea for Qin Yinong.

Han Yuping noticed her and his expression softened slightly. He found a moment to say, "Guan, please have a seat too. Don't stand there."

"Thank you, Director Han."

Qin Yinong lowered her head, took a small sip of hot tea, then looked up and tugged at her drooping hair, showing a troubled expression. "I've secured all the funding, and the project has been submitted for registration. If I back out now, I won't be able to explain it to the investors." She pointed to a document folder beside her. "Take a look, the contract with Lin has already been drafted as well."

Her tone was sincere and helpless, without a trace of flaw, but Han Yuping, being who he was, couldn't trust the professional actress's performance in front of him.

Han Yuping's gaze became deep. "Let me see the contract."

Qin Yinong hesitated.

Han Yuping took it from her himself.

Qin Yinong glared at Lin Guoan, and as their eyes met, Lin Guoan trembled, avoiding her gaze by looking at the ceiling and the floor, anywhere but at her.

Although it wasn't him who leaked the news about her planning a new film, when Han Yuping questioned him, he spilled everything, including the details of Qin Yinong wanting to sign a contract with him and the signing date.

Han Yuping pulled out the paper contract from the document folder, not even bothering to look at it. He took a pen out of his pocket, unscrewed the cap, and prepared to sign the contract.

In an instant, Qin Yinong guessed what was going to happen and blurted out, "Uncle!"

Now she knew to call him "Uncle." Wasn't she enthusiastically calling him "Director Han" just a moment ago? Han Yuping's pen paused, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his eyes as he looked up. "What is it?"

Qin Yinong said, "Lin and I have already discussed everything."

"Oh," Han Yuping replied, "then what does it have to do with me?"

Qin Yinong: "..."

She gestured to Lin Guoan, who did his best to blend into thin air, avoiding any involvement in their conflict. Before coming here, Han Yuping had already discussed with him that their relationship, which couldn't be measured by just one film, wasn't to be meddled with.

With no one stopping him, Han Yuping drew a diagonal line across the paper with the pen tip, crossing out Lin Guoan's name, and filled in his own name instead.

Han Yuping threw the modified contract back and said in a deep voice, "Since you insist on finding a director, I don't believe there's anyone more suitable than me. But I have one condition: I'll be the director, and I personally choose the actors. You're not allowed to interfere in this matter."

Qin Yinong sighed helplessly, "Uncle..."

Han Yuping interrupted her, "You're just an actress. Just focus on doing your job well and leave the actor selection to me. What do you know about casting actors? Amateurs shouldn't meddle in the expertise of professionals."

Qin Yinong fell silent for a moment, smiled lightly, and said, "Alright, I'll listen to you. I trust Uncle's judgment."

Having known Han Yuping for so long, how could she not understand that he was wrapping his soft kindness in sharp words? Casting actors and holding auditions is a tedious task, and Qin Yinong had no intention of switching careers to become a director. Han Yuping taking care of everything would save her a lot of effort.

Qin Yinong asked, "I have a few promising actors in my studio. Can I let them audition? Give them a chance."

Han Yuping waved his hand casually and said, "You're the producer, you have the final say." Whether he agreed or not was the ultimate decision.

Qin Yinong joked, "What if I want to directly cast someone?"

Han Yuping's expression immediately turned serious, "No way!"

Qin Yinong burst into laughter.

Han Yuping's previously tense expression softened.

Seeing the harmonious atmosphere between the two, Lin Guoan raised his head, which had been tucked into his neck, picked up his teacup, and calmly defused the situation, saying, "Let's toast with tea instead of wine and wish for another pleasant collaboration between the two of you."

Qin Yinong and Han Yuping both turned to look at him, wearing identical dangerous smiles on their faces.

Even though one was described as stunningly beautiful and the other unremarkable, Lin Guoan rarely saw a father-daughter resemblance. A sly old fox and a cunning young fox, both of them staring at him with profound meaning.

Qin Yinong smirked, "Director Lin, how did Uncle know that I was coming here today?"

Lin Guoan's hand holding the teacup became sweaty, "Uh, well..."

Han Yuping's face remained as calm as water, "Old Lin, aren't we good buddies who trust each other with our lives?"

Cold sweat slowly seeped from Lin Guoan's back as he stuttered, "Um, well..."

When immortals fight, mortals suffer.

"I have a stomachache. I need to go to the restroom!" Lin Guoan decisively put down his cup and swiftly employed the "Three Urgencies" technique—slipping away.

With Lin Guoan's departure, the private room relaxed once again.

Qin Yinong propped her chin up with her right hand, watching Lin Guoan's figure fade away. She clicked her tongue and teasingly remarked, "Uncle intercepted me from Director Lin, his 'good buddy who trusts each other with our lives.' That's not fair."

She deliberately emphasized the phrase "good buddy who trusts each other with our lives."

"Are you pushing your luck and making fun of me now?" Han Yuping grumbled in an unfriendly tone, nodded his chin, and frowned. "What happened to your hand? How did you end up with all these bruises when you're not even filming?"

He hadn't even had a chance to ask while they were discussing business.

Qin Yinong lowered her head to look at her bandaged hand and smiled at him. "I accidentally cut it, and the wound was a bit deep. Band-Aids wouldn't work, so I just wrapped it up."

Han Yuping scolded her, "You're already grown up, yet you're still so careless."

Qin Yinong obediently accepted his scolding with a smile.

The two of them exchanged banter for a while, and Guan Han timely interjected, saying, "Qin Jie, Director Han, it's time to order."

The menu was on the table, closer to Han Yuping's side. Although Qin Yinong only injured one hand, it slightly affected her movements. Han Yuping picked up the menu, walked over, and placed it in front of Qin Yinong, saying lightly, "Go ahead and order."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Lin Guoan peeped his head in at the door for a while, seeing that nothing was amiss, he quietly slipped in and joined the ordering expedition.

Han Yuping extended his kindness to Guan Han, who was always by Qin Yinong's side, and asked her to choose two dishes that she liked. Guan Han looked at Qin Yinong and, upon receiving her permission, added two dishes.

There was hardly any discussion about work at the table. Qin Yinong had been afraid that Han Yuping would discover her hidden motives and hadn't contacted him for several months. Han Yuping had just returned from the filming in the far north and had a basket full of things to talk about. With the presence of a junior who was like a daughter, the three of them engaged in lively conversation.

In the midst of the excitement, Qin Yinong picked up her wine glass, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Guan Han quietly reminded her, "The doctor said you can't drink alcohol."

Qin Yinong, perhaps feeling too relaxed, made a rare pitiful pleading expression to her, "Just a little sip."

Guan Han's mind wavered, and she quickly steadied herself. In reality, she couldn't really control Qin Yinong. She symbolically tried to stop her, but Qin Yinong had a sense of propriety. She drank about half a glass of white wine, dabbed her lips, satisfied her craving, and then instructed Guan Han to take the glass away.

The two gentlemen, one after another, kept drinking, and by the second half, their faces were flushed, and their tongues were visibly swollen as they sat face to face, chuckling.

The banquet came to an end.

Han Yuping and Lin Guoan were completely drunk, slumping over the table without moving. Guan Han made a phone call and called the bodyguards who were waiting at the hotel entrance for Qin Yinong. They half-supported, half-carried the two directors downstairs and stuffed them into the car.

As the car arrived at the hotel entrance, Lin Guoan and Han Yuping had already woken up, their gazes still hazy. They were still being supported as they walked inside.

Qin Yinong instructed Guan Han to handle the check-in procedures for Han Yuping. Lin Guoan, with his drunken eyes, yelled loudly, "What kind of room? Old Han and I will share a room! I... hiccup... the bed in the room is big!"

After saying that, he struggled out of one bodyguard's grip, grabbed Han Yuping's shoulder, who was being supported by another bodyguard. Han Yuping's lower body was unstable, and with Lin Guoan's pulling, they nearly fell to the ground together. Fortunately, Qin Yinong's bodyguards were well-trained and firmly held them in place.

Guan Han: "Uh..."

Qin Yinong lightly closed her eyelids and then raised them, indicating her tacit approval.

Perhaps this is the friendship between older men.

Abandoning the plan to get a separate room, Qin Yinong accompanied the two of them to Lin Guoan's room. Lin Guoan, in a dazed state, used his card to open the door himself. Qin Yinong glanced inside from the doorway and saw that the bed was large and the sofa was also spacious—more than enough for the two of them to stay comfortably.

She didn't step inside and instructed the bodyguards to take them in. Then she bid farewell.

The door was closed from the outside, and the lock clicked softly.

Han Yuping let out a belch filled with alcohol. He struggled to sit up from the sofa and reached for a bottle of mineral water on the coffee table. He unscrewed the cap and took a few sips, which slightly relieved his numbed nerves due to alcohol.

Lin Guoan made a sound of discomfort, covering his mouth as he rushed into the bathroom, supporting himself on the toilet bowl as he vomited heavily.

Late at night, after taking separate showers, they settled down to sleep.

Lin Guoan kicked Han Yuping's leg and whispered softly, "Old Han."

Han Yuping's eyelids fluttered slightly, and he made a nasal sound, "Hmm?"

Lin Guoan looked at the ceiling above him and said, "So, you really want to take on that new film with Yinong."

Han Yuping still had his eyes closed lazily and said, "Didn't you hear and see just now? Or do you have a problem with me stealing your thunder?"

Lin Guoan said, "No, no, I'll make any film. If not this one, then another. I agreed earlier partly because of Yinong's face."

Han Yuping frowned, "But what about your own preferences, Old Lin... Your talent shouldn't be dictated by capital."

"I only know how to make films, and as long as I have a film to make, I'm satisfied." Lin Guoan happily interrupted Han Yuping's unfinished words and said, "I wanted to recommend a good actress to you who would be perfect for the role in your new film."

"Who?"

"Tang Ruoyao."

A vague image of a young woman flashed through Han Yuping's mind, and he made a sound, "The one from earlier today?"

"Yes."

"A talented actress, just as outstanding as Yinong." Lin Guoan praised without hesitation.

Han Yuping scoffed: "Be careful not to get tongue-tied in the strong winds of flattery."

Lin Guoan chuckled, "I know you treasure Qin Yinong. You think she's the most outstanding actress you've ever seen. But sometimes you need to look beyond her as well. The only thing Tang Ruoyao loses to her is perhaps a wealth of experience. Given ten more years, she might become the next Qin Yinong."

Qin Yinong is a terrifyingly talented actress, and that talent is inherent and unconscious, as if she was born with it. When she was 21, she starred in "Hazy," her every glance, movement, frown, smile, and gesture were filled with a mysterious storytelling quality. Even without words, she exuded an irresistible desire to understand her.

It is often said that TV dramas are the art of screenwriters, while films or movies are the art of directors. Han Yuping often found himself captivated while reviewing the footage on set. Even the director himself would be immersed in the atmosphere she created, almost becoming a part of the actor's art.

Qin Yinong's debut work, "Hazy," won consecutive awards both domestically and internationally. This was not a coincidence or luck, it was the emergence of a natural genius. Han Yuping believed that the best and proudest decision he had ever made in his life was to go against popular opinion and cast Qin Yinong, who had been banned, sidelined by the company, and entangled in scandals.

He didn't believe there could be a better actress than Qin Yinong or anyone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with her.

Han Yuping opened his eyes and corrected Lin Guoan sternly, "Firstly, it's not that I think she is, she is currently the most outstanding actress in the film industry. Secondly, there will never be another Qin Yinong in the world. She is who she is, unique and incomparable."

"Alright, alright, alright." Han Yuping became quite serious and rigid. Lin Gu'an didn't argue with him and said, "Remember the person I recommended. Send her an audition invitation when the time comes."

"Tang Ruoyao, right?" Han Yuping said. "I'll remember."

He turned to the side, tugged at the blanket, closed his eyes, and said, "As for the audition invitation, I'll study the script when I get back and decide if she's suitable or not."

Lin Guoan was confident. "She's definitely suitable. Trust me, we'll see."

"I'm going to sleep," Han Yuping said.

.....

Lin Guoan woke up with a hangover and got up late. Rubbing his throbbing head, he hurried to the film set, where the actors and props were already prepared.

"Director Lin," Tang Ruoyao glanced at Han Yuping, who looked serious beside him. She lowered her voice and respectfully said, "Director Han."

Why hadn't Director Han left yet?

"What scene are you shooting today?" Han Yuping asked.

Lin Guoan didn't answer. Tang Ruoyao was taken aback for a moment before realizing that Han Yuping was speaking to her. She quickly unfolded the two pages of the script she had stuffed in her pocket and handed them to Han Yuping, succinctly saying, "He Peilan and her friends joined an underground study society, but their actions were accidentally exposed multiple times, resulting in mission failures and alerting the enemy. Several classmates and a teacher who were leading the operation were arrested and imprisoned. She suspects there's a mole."

Han Yuping looked at the cast list on the top left corner of the script page and knowingly asked, "Are you playing He Peilan?"

Tang Ruoyao remained composed. "Yes."

Han Yuping handed the script page back to her and emotionlessly said, "Act well."

Tang Ruoyao was puzzled but responded with a simple "Okay."

Han Yuping found a chair and sat down, joining Lin Guoan next to him to watch the monitor. He didn't have any urgent matters and hadn't met with Lin Guoan for a long time. He planned to stay a bit longer and take a look around the set.

.....

"Peilan, something happened! The fake soldiers have infiltrated the school! They've taken Mr. Wang and Yizheng away!" From afar, a voice echoed through the mahogany corridors, reaching the garden pavilion in the backyard.

A figure stumbled and ran over.

He Peilan set aside the book in her hands, stood up gracefully, and raised her hand to support her friend's shoulder, gently exerting pressure to calm her down. Her cool and calm voice rang out slowly, "Don't worry, take your time to explain. I will find a way."

Her voice was young, and her face looked young as well, but it carried a sense of composure and trust that made people naturally feel at ease.

It seemed that even if a great crisis came her way, it wouldn't disturb her in the slightest.

.....

Behind the camera, Han Yuping habitually furrowed his eyebrows.

He thought to himself: This actress knows how to remain composed.

"Composure" was a skill, especially for young actors with little experience. Restlessness was their natural enemy, leading to stiffness or excessive performance. It wasn't about an actor sitting there with a blank face, not speaking, and being called composed. That was just a rigid and artificial pose. Tang Ruoyao's composure was ingrained in her, like bones made of cold jade. She had expressions, emotions, anger, and worry in her eyes when her teacher and classmates were arrested. But her overall demeanor remained unified. Just like a stone submerged in water, it might be polished by the flow, but it would only become more translucent, without changing the essence of the stone.

Being able to remain composed is the first step for an actor. The second step is whether they can rise and bring out their character's essence, fully showcasing their performance and captivating the audience.

Han Yuping squinted his eyes and quietly observed the situation.

.....

"Where are the others now?" He Peilan asked.

"They're at Yizhiguan. I'll take you there." her friend hurriedly replied, ready to lead the way.

He Peilan tightly grasped her friend's wrist, sensing a momentary tension in her friend. Her gaze subtly turned cold, and she called out her friend's name. Her friend slowly turned around, feigning calmness and saying, "Peilan, what's the hold-up? Everyone is waiting for you."

"I have something important to tell you." He Peilan cautiously glanced around, the garden pavilion offering a wide view with nothing to gide.

"What is it?"

He Peilan leaned in closer, lowering her voice with each word, "I suspect that among us... there is a traitor." The last four words were barely audible, almost just mouthed silently.

But the female student in front of her understood, comprehended it. Her eyes trembled, and she forced herself to put on a stern and guarded exterior, incredulously saying, "Are you suspecting me?"

"No." He Peilan shook her head. "If I suspected you, why would I tell you this?" She paused for a second, then smiled lightly, a smile filled with intimacy and trust. She held the other girl's hands in hers. "You are my best friend, after all."

The camera zoomed in, capturing a close-up of the two individuals' gaze.

Tang Ruoyao's eyes held sincerity, but this sincerity, when observed for too long, inexplicably sent shivers down the spine of the person in front of the camera.

Han Yuping rubbed the goosebumps on his arm and tightened his coat.

Lin Guoan called out, "Cut."

Tang Ruoyao broke character first, while the actress playing her friend followed suit, patting her chest and saying, "You really scared me. If you keep looking at me like that, I'll have a heart attack."

Tang Ruoyao hummed and handed over an unopened bottle of water, saying, "Here, calm your nerves."

The actress thanked her readily and graciously.

Suddenly, Tang Ruoyao felt a scrutinizing gaze on herself. She turned around and saw Han Yuping, expressionless. Han Yuping stared at her, and she politely nodded in acknowledgment, returning the gesture.

Han Yuping stayed on the set for two days and then went back to prepare for casting matters. Tang Ruoyao's name unexpectedly appeared on the initial audition list.

Mid-November, the depths of winter.

"Under the Southern Mountain [Nanshanxia]" successfully wrapped up filming, and Tang Ruoyao attended the wrap-up party. During the event, she received a message from Guan Han saying:

[What time will it end? Qin Jie is waiting for you at home.]

Tang Ruoyao gazed at the message, lost in thought. 

After a while, she involuntarily curved her lips in self-mockery.

She had almost forgotten that she had made plans with Qin Yinong to reserve the day of the wrap-up to accompany her.

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