CHAPTER 60

Han Yuping: "Do you two know each other?"

Qin Yinong: "No, we don't."

Tang Ruoyao: "Yes, we do."

They spoke in unison.

Han Yuping: "Huh?"

Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao's gazes quickly crossed paths in the air, then swiftly averted.

Qin Yinong: "We know each other."

Tang Ruoyao: "We don't know each other."

Once again, they spoke in unison.

The furrow between Han Yuping's eyebrows deepened instantly. With a stern face, he said, "Why don't you two settle your conflicting statements with a fight first? So you can get your stories straight."

Following proper etiquette, Tang Ruoyao wisely kept her mouth shut, while Qin Yinong took less than a second to gather her jumbled emotions and composed herself. With a calm expression, she succinctly explained, "We've crossed paths before." Pausing for a moment, she added in a soft voice, "But we're not familiar."

Tang Ruoyao's lips moved slightly as she echoed Qin Yinong, "That's right."

After finishing her statement, she poured herself a cup of tea, gracefully lifted the cup with a corner of her eyes curved into a smile, and said to Qin Yinong, "Leading actress Qin has always been a senior whom I greatly respect. It's an honor for me to have the opportunity to work with you this time. I offer you a cup of tea in place of alcohol, as a toast to you."

Since she had said so, Qin Yinong couldn't easily refuse and picked up the wine glass, finishing it in one gulp.

Her hand, which had been injured by broken glass just two days ago, had only recently healed completely. She had just been freed from an alcohol ban and couldn't stomach the tasteless tea, so she took the chance to have some wine. However, she always maintained moderation and rarely drank so hastily like this.

A fleeting complex expression flashed in Tang Ruoyao's eyes as she looked at Qin Yinong, whose brooding nature couldn't be concealed between her brows.

Qin Yinong didn't welcome her.

Just like she didn't welcome Qin Yinong.

Tang Ruoyao wasn't saddened by this matter. She was just wondering, why?

Was it because she made Qin Yinong wait for three to four hours that night?

Most of the time, their communication was through a third party. Guan Han was responsible for conveying Qin Yinong's requests and thoughts, and Tang Ruoyao wouldn't disturb her unless it was necessary. Since their last parting, almost two months had passed without any contact between them. Tang Ruoyao thought that Qin Yinong was too busy with work, and such a situation had occurred before. They didn't need to meet, which happened to align with her own preferences.

Little did she expect that upon seeing each other again, she would encounter such an... unfamiliar Qin Yinong. 

She could sense her emotions, not the kind that was always perfectly controlled in front of her, but rather the uncontrollable ones. In that initial moment of eye contact, Tang Ruoyao could even distinctly perceive her despair, struggle, and the impulsive urge to turn away.

It mirrored her own experience.

She had fallen in love with her, with genuine feelings that had been trampled upon, leaving her battered and forced painfully let go.

But what about her? What reasons did she have for not wanting to see her?

Unconsciously, Tang Ruoyao let her gaze linger a second longer on Qin Yinong before another second passed and she lowered her long eyelashes, concealing any trace of contemplation in her eyes.

Even though the wound had already healed, when Qin Yinong clenched her left hand, she could faintly feel the pain of the glass piercing her flesh. She could barely muster a genuine friendly smile, so she decided not to force herself and instead withdrew into the background, becoming a stubborn ostrich.

Qin Yinong, the renowned actress, remained silent, solely focused on eating and drinking. Han Yuping occasionally ask her a question, and she reluctantly respond with one or two words. Han Yuping was a man of few words, unlike Lin Guoan, who could easily get along with actors. He had already asked Tang Ruoyao the necessary questions during the auditions. Thus, the table remained eerily quiet, with Tang Ruoyao trying her best to liven up the atmosphere.

But small talk has its limits, and once they finished speaking, Tang Ruoyao noticed that neither of them seemed enthusiastic, so she consciously closed her mouth as well.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Qin Yinong picking up her chopsticks and carefully removing a fishbone from a piece of fish. It reminded her of the time they met on set, when Director Lin saw through them and Qin Yinong picked up a piece of fish for her. It was the first and only time it had happened.

Why was there such a stark difference in her attitude towards her now, compared to that previous meeting with the director?

The meeting between the two lead actresses felt like a battlefield where the smoke had cleared after a bloody battle. They had signed a peace agreement, and soldiers from both sides met each other, silently acknowledging one another.

After Tang Ruoyao left, Qin Yinong spread her hands helplessly and said, "Director Han, I can't act in this film. You can only choose either her or me."

"Do you two have a grudge against each other?"

"No." Qin Yinong hurriedly spoke before he could ask the next question. "I just don't have a good impression of her, as I mentioned earlier, we're not familiar with each other."

"Then why do I feel quite good about her?" Han Yuping said. "It's not easy to find someone as exceptional as you. Do you know how much effort I've put into finding the female lead for you? I haven't had a good night's sleep during this period."

"I know, thank you, Uncle Han." Qin Yinong smiled gratefully at him and then hesitated. "But really, it won't work. The chemistry between actors is crucial, and the two of us..."

Han Yuping interrupted her fallacious reasoning without hesitation and reprimanded her gently, "Nonsense! Where did you come up with such absurd ideas?"

Qin Yinong: "..."

Han Yuping continued, "Only third-rate directors would let themselves be limited by the presence of their actors. What kind of director can't even manage their actors properly? Oh, so everything is left for the actors to figure out, while the director waits for opportunities to take credit? Besides, you're already judging that it won't work without even having any scenes together? Is it my judgment that's accurate, or is it yours? I thought the two of you were a good match when I first saw you."

Qin Yinong absentmindedly rubbed the tablecloth with her fingers and reluctantly said, "Uncle Han, I really can't do it."

Han Yuping stared at her intently.

After a while, he took a deep breath and said, "Are you hiding something from me?"

Qin Yinong shook her head, feigning a seamless expression with a smile. "No, really."

"Then what's going on with you?" Han Yuping's eyes were as sharp as a hawk, and he lowered his voice, enunciating each word, "I've never heard you say 'I can't do it' before. When I asked you to take a break at home, I didn't mean for you to retire and lose all the vitality of an actor."

"I..." Qin Yinong slowly sat up straight.

Han Yuping's face darkened. "I don't care if you have a good impression of her or not. When you're on my set, you're under my control. Besides your character, there's nothing else. Now tell me, can you do it or not?"

Qin Yinong remained silent for a moment and nodded.

Han Yuping shouted, "Speak!"

Qin Yinong said loudly, "I can do it!"

In that instant, it felt like she had returned to the time when she first entered the film industry, and Han Yuping was gradually boosting her confidence in the same way, bit by bit.

During the three years she worked in TV dramas, she was constantly overwhelmed by endless schedules, moving from one set to another, from one production notice to another. She felt like an unstoppable money-making machine with no time to rest. She wanted to attend acting classes to improve herself, but her manager's relentless work assignments left her with no gaps in her schedule. Later, some serious issues occurred, and she couldn't bear it any longer. The conflicts with her manager escalated, and shortly after, she was blacklisted. She refused to comply with the company's arrangements and was put on hold. That period of time was the lowest point in her acting career and her entire life.

After joining Han Yuping's production team, she lacked experience in film acting, and there were various rumors circulating about her. Even if she put on a facade of not caring and appearing strong, she couldn't hide her underlying insecurities and timidity beneath her prosperous appearance.

One day, during the lunch break on set, the morning scene had been very challenging. No matter how Qin Yinong acted, she couldn't meet Han Yuping's expectations. In front of the entire crew, she was scolded relentlessly throughout the morning.

She sat in a corner, unusually silent, eating her boxed lunch. Suddenly, she felt an overwhelming urge to cry, and she couldn't hold back anymore. Tears started streaming down her face, but she didn't dare make any sound. She quietly let the tears flow, lowering her head. The salty tears mixed with her food as she continued to eat.

She heard footsteps approaching, but Qin Yinong didn't have time to wipe her face before a shadow fell over her.

She didn't want anyone to see her, so she lowered her head even further.

The person approaching was Han Yuping.

Han Yuping brought a small stool with him and sat down in front of her. He said, "I've cleared everyone around us. You can lift your head now."

Qin Yinong remained motionless.

Han Yuping continued, "It's not the first time you've cried. Last time, during your audition, you cried even more intensely than this. There's nothing I haven't seen before. Lift your head."

Qin Yinong lifted a tear-streaked face.

Han Yuping didn't wipe her tears nor showed any sign of sympathy. He simply said, "Plenty of people have cried because of me. You're not the first, and you won't be the last."

Qin Yinong was taken aback.

Han Yuping continued, seemingly absorbed in his own thoughts, "There was an actress before who would cry three times a day after being scolded by me, as punctual as her meal times. After that, the assistant in charge of boxed lunches didn't need to check the clock anymore. Whenever they saw her crying, they knew it was time to order food."

Qin Yinong broke into a smile through her tears.Qin Yinong asked him, "Director, am I not suitable for acting?"

Han Yuping replied with a question, "What do you think?"

Qin Yinong recalled the frequent NGs (filming retakes) from the morning and a wave of exhaustion washed over her. She said, "Maybe, I really can't do it."

Han Yuping calmly lit a cigarette for himself, held it in his mouth and asked casually, "So, apart from doing well in my film, do you have any other path to take?"

Qin Yinong fell silent.

Han Yuping took a risk by casting her, and Qin Yinong took a gamble by starring in this film. It was either a path to success or a complete failure.

"I thought I was doing a good deed, didn't I?" Han Yuping took a puff of his cigarette and flicked her nose, saying, "The worst thing an actor can do is lack belief in their own role. I can tell you that you're acting like a pile of crap, and you're not capable enough."

Qin Yinong's eyes welled up, and she almost cried again from his words.

"You're catching up to that actress who used to cry on schedule three times a day. I haven't scolded you as much as her." Han Yuping mocked her.

Qin Yinong held back her tears, but a flicker of anger appeared in her eyes.

Han Yuping flicked the ash off his cigarette and casually said, "When others are scolded by me, they can humbly accept it and learn to improve. But when I scold you, you just sit here and cry. Can't you figure out a solution for yourself? Do you have a chamber pot around your neck?" He glanced at Qin Yinong, almost pressing his face against her hand, and said with frustration, "The director is sitting right in front of you, and you don't even know how to ask!"

Qin Yinong belatedly realized her mistake and eagerly grasped onto this lifeline.

As Han Yuping's cigarette burned down to its end, he casually dropped it to the ground, extinguished it with the tip of his shoe, stood up, and looked down at Qin Yinong. He said, "In my set, Besides your character, there's nothing else. Your only job is to perform the role well. Now tell me, can you do it or not?"

Qin Yinong also stood up from her chair and met his gaze.

"Okay." she said firmly, with one decisive word.

She was fearless, even barefooted. This was the only path for her, even if it meant breaking down a brick wall!

"If you say you can't do it, I'll kick you out of the set right now." Han Yuping said coldly.

...Qin Yinong's expression flickered for a moment, and she smiled to herself, propping her chin up.

Han Yuping had a stern face. "What are you smiling at? Let me tell you, don't think that you're safe just because you agreed. If I find out that you bring personal emotions onto the set, I'll still kick you out."

"Got it." Qin Yinong replied cheerfully.

Every time he threatened to kick her out, she would get anxious and fired up, running faster than anyone else when there was a problem.

Han Yuping was getting older. After his birthday this year, he would be sixty-one. He had a perfectionist personality and making films took a toll on him. He had always had plans for semi-retirement, and in recent years, the frequency of film productions had decreased compared to before. According to normal circumstances, he would need at least a year or more of rest after finishing a film. However, this time, he seamlessly took on a new film project and tirelessly organized the crew, all for the sake of Qin Yinong.

Qin Yinong couldn't help but feel moved.

Nearly a decade had passed, and the lines on Han Yuping's face had become deeper, extending all the way to his chin, marking the relentless passage of time.

Han Yuping touched his chin, feeling a bit uneasy under her affectionate gaze. "Why are you looking at me like that? I'm already married!"

He crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Qin Yinong: "..."

She shouldn't have harbored the illusion that she could have a good conversation with this old man. Just look at the words he spoke. Were they even human?

Qin Yinong sneered, "With your wrinkled face and old skin, if I were to look for someone, I would find someone... good-looking."

Han Yuping didn't notice the sudden change in her choice of words. He scratched his neck and instructed, "The film is scheduled to start shooting after the new year. Get yourself ready."

With no other choice, Qin Yinong could only nod.

Looking at the positive side, as long as Tang Ruoyao continued to develop in the industry, there would never be a day when they wouldn't cross paths. This could be seen as an early rehearsal. If she could endure this wave, there would be no more dangerous situations in the future.

"Oh, by the way, your aunt asked when you'll have time to go over for dinner. She's learned a few new dishes recently." Han Yuping said.

Qin Yinong's mind was elsewhere as she replied, "I'm available anytime."

......

Tang Ruoyao sat in the car, looking gloomy and melancholic.

During the meal, her assistant and manager were not allowed to accompany her. Seeing her in this state, Mu Qingwu's heart sank, and she asked, "Things didn't go well?"

Tang Ruoyao shook her head.

Mu Qingwu was on the verge of pulling her hair out in frustration. "Then why? What happened?"
x

Tang Ruoyao looked at her deeply.

"I saw the other lead actor."

"Who?" Mu Qingwu asked.

"Qin Yinong."

"Ah?" Mu Qingwu's initial joy turned into worry. Her motherly instincts kicked in. "This time, I must accompany you to the set." With Qin Yinong being such a formidable person, if she didn't stick by Tang Ruoyao's side, she feared there would be nothing left of her but bone fragments.

Without Tang Ruoyao needing to explain further, Mu Qingwu had already automatically imagined the reasons and started devising strategies in her mind.

After meeting with Qin Yinong, Tang Ruoyao received the complete script sent by the production team. The film was titled "True Colors." Tang Ruoyao raised an eyebrow, a trace of confusion appearing in her mind.She sat in the study and read the script from beginning to end, finally understanding the meaning behind the name. Everyone is born with their own color, but it becomes blurred by the environment and society, adding layers of colors that gradually obscure their true self. Until one day, you meet someone who reignites the essence of your life.

Tang Ruoyao caressed the last page of the script, still smelling the ink on the freshly printed paper, unable to come back to her senses for a long time.

She didn't expect it to have such an ending.

It was unexpected, yet somehow within reason. In the middle of it all, she had thought...

.....

"Chai Ziqiu's script has gone through many revisions." Qin Yinong said to Han Yuping on the phone. "This version, he rewrote everything from the middle, almost overturning the entire beginning."

Han Yuping replied, "I've sent it to Tang Ruoyao, and she has raised some questions. I'm considering having a small-scale script workshop to discuss them."

For a dedicated and responsible director, a script workshop was essential step before filming. The key creative team members would gather to raise questions, discuss them, and ultimately have the screenwriter make unified revisions based on their opinions.

"I'm fine with it." Qin Yinong said, in a state of resignation. "But she might not have the time."

Han Yuping frowned. "How do you know?"

Qin Yinong remained indifferent, coolly saying, "Just guessing. Don't think everyone is as free as me."

"You won't be free once filming starts" Han Yuping didn't entertain her further. "I'll have the assistant director ask."

Within just a week, Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong met twice.

The first time was for a meal, and the second time was for a script workshop. Qin Yinong was significantly different from their previous encounter, leaning more towards the Qin Yinong Tang Ruoyao was familiar with. Tang Ruoyao held a pencil in her hand, and her grip on the pen was quite elegant. Sitting across from her, Tang Ruoyao she curiously stretched her neck to catch a glimpse of what she was writing while Qin Yinong was looking down.

Upon seeing it, it was a shocking and horrifying sight... of ugly handwriting.

Tang Ruoyao discreetly averted her gaze, but a slight smile formed at the corner of her lips.

No wonder Qin Yinong never wrote in front of her. It turned out that her signature was the only thing with a decent appearance.

Qin Yinong looked up and glanced at her, her expression calm and inscrutable. Tang Ruoyao quickly composed herself and continued, "I think being intelligent and composed doesn't mean one can't be impulsive. Emotions always need an outlet, especially for a young person in their early twenties. In my personal opinion, the conflicts in the explosive scenes seem insufficient."

Qin Yinong agreed, "I feel the same way. From the perspective of 'me,' I would let her have her outburst."

Chai Ziqiu, the introverted male lead, spoke bluntly, "Turn the kissing scene into a bed scene?"

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Qin Yinong: "..."

Han Yuping pondered for a moment. "I think it's possible. Can you two handle it?"

Tang Ruoyao hesitated and stumbled over her words.

When she read the script, she had intentionally or unintentionally paid attention to the intimate scenes. Apart from the scene where Qin Yinong's character clearly responded to her, giving a light peck, the rest were initiated by her.

She couldn't answer. If this bed scene were to be added, it would make her... feel somewhat embarrassed.

Qin Yinong appeared much more composed. She turned the pen around and tapped the script page, saying seriously, "I have no objections."

Tang Ruoyao felt a moment of embarrassment and impurity. She looked at Qin Yinong and realized that this was what it meant to wholeheartedly dedicate oneself to art.

After Qin Yinong finished speaking, she once again assumed her role as a producer and spoke with a sense of righteousness, saying, "However, when changing the scenes, we need to consider if it is necessary. If it's just for the sake of sensation, then it deviates from our original intention. Director Han, what do you think?"

Han Yuping responded with a thoughtful sound.

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Chai Ziqiu: "That could work too, the two of you..."

He got carried away and seeing both lead actors present, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He forcefully brought their heads together and made them demonstrate the scene. He wasn't a professional director, so he repeatedly made adjustments while working with the real actors. The two of them "entangled" for a while before finally separating. Qin Yinong felt mentally exhausted and inadvertently glanced down, catching a glimpse of Tang Ruoyao's equally blank expression. A small smile appeared at the corner of Qin Yinong's lips.

Tang Ruoyao had been looking out the window but suddenly turned her head and happened to capture the smile on Qin Yinong's lips.

The collision of their gazes sparked countless memories and unspoken words, filled with tenderness and affection.

Chai Ziqiu suddenly clapped his hands and exclaimed, "That's right! Yes!"

Both of them snapped back to reality at the same time. Tang Ruoyao lowered her long eyelashes, and Qin Yinong's fingers involuntarily trembled as she withdrew her gaze. With a smile, she asked Chai Ziqiu, "What's right?"

"That look just now, it was perfect!" Chai Ziqiu exclaimed repeatedly. "Absolutely amazing! It's outstanding! Let's shoot it exactly like that on set!"

Han Yuping solemnly called back the enthusiastic Chai Ziqiu, "You just focus on your script. Why are you arguing with me? I have a new idea. Let's not change this scene for now. We'll see how it goes on set."

Han Yuping made the final decision.

He noticed the intriguing chemistry between Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao. Even when they sat there without speaking, one could sense the subtle, unbreakable connection between them.

Han Yuping was a straightforward guy and didn't think about any underlying implications between the two of them. He simply felt that these two actors were well-suited for their roles and had confidence in creating an excellent film.

Due to the script workshop, the main creative team formed a small group chat for easier communication. On the day the group was created, Tang Ruoyao stared at one of the WeChat profile pictures for ten minutes.

The profile picture was completely white, devoid of any person, object, or scenery. The ID was a string of random characters, seemingly the result of randomly rolling over the keyboard.

Qin Yinong's WeChat profile looked like this.

Tang Ruoyao clicked into her profile, but her Moments were blank, and she had set restrictions on her settings.

Perhaps it was because of her presence in the group, but apart from being mentioned by others, Qin Yinong rarely spoke. She remained quietly lurking, and it wasn't guaranteed that she would engage in conversation even once a day.

Could it be an alternate account?

Tang Ruoyao bit her lower lip and continued to contemplate.

.....

Qin Yinong was currently feeling regret, a deep sense of regret. Why didn't she sharply refuse when Chai Ziqiu mentioned it to her? As a result, she was pulled into the discussion group by Chai Ziqiu, and among the group members was the formidable Tang Ruoyao.

In just a few days, her phone seemed to have grown attached to her hand, and she couldn't put it down.

She had resisted for three years without exchanging contact information with the other party, only to end up in this situation before even turning on her phone!

She wanted to strangle Chai Ziqiu!

[@ChaiChaiChaiZiqiu Come out and take a beating]

The phone vibrated, and Tang Ruoyao picked it up immediately. She didn't want to, but she couldn't control herself. The defense line she had painstakingly built collapsed as soon as she had two encounters with Qin Yinong, creating cracks in her carefully constructed barriers.

If their meetings were still just between a sponsor and a lover, she might have been able to maintain her composure. But now, Qin Yinong was her colleague, and their work and personal lives were intertwined.

Since Qin Yinong wouldn't be able to notice anyway, Tang Ruoyao indulged herself a little. The novelty of the past few days would fade away soon.

Upon receiving Qin Yinong's mention, Chai Ziqiu came out confusedly: [Huh? Why do you want to hit me?]

Qin Yinong: [[I'll hit you if I want to. Do I need a reason? -image.jpg]]

Tang Ruoyao burst into laughter.

After sending the meme, Qin Yinong disappeared. On the other side of the internet connection, Tang Ruoyao couldn't stop laughing on the couch for several minutes. She even took the opportunity to steal Qin Yinong's meme.

Time passed both quickly and slowly. As the New Year approached, Tang Ruoyao's vacation also arrived. She had to join a new film project after the New Year, and Mu Qingwu kindly granted her a one-week holiday.

Tang Ruoyao went back to her hometown for the Lunar New Year. Tang Fei had grown taller since half a year ago, dressed in a festive red outfit, looking even more handsome with his rosy lips and white teeth. Jiang Xuezhen, for once, showed her a pleasant expression, warmly asking about her work outside and whether it was difficult. Tang Ruoyao's gaze deepened as she stared at her.

Jiang Xuezhen guiltily averted her eyes.

Tang Ruoyao's lips curled into a cold smile as she glanced at Tang Fei, who was unwrapping gifts nearby, a trace of sadness flickering in her eyes.

On New Year's Eve, Tang Ruoyao gave Tang Fei a red envelope. Jiang Xuezhen shamelessly asked for one, so Tang Ruoyao thought for a moment and gave her one as well. Nowadays, there's a "fireworks ban" in the city, so if you want to set off firecrackers, you have to go to designated areas. Tang Fei, still having a childlike nature, was eager to try it. So Tang Ruoyao took him there.

Before leaving, she specifically called out to Jiang Xuezhen, "Auntie, do you want to come with us?"

Jiang Xuezhen was watching the Spring Festival Gala in the living room with the volume turned up high and didn't even lift her head. "I'm not going. You two go ahead."

"Then we'll go first." Tang Ruoyao closed the door and stood still in place.

Tang Fei tugged at her hand, and Tang Ruoyao made a hushing gesture to him. She reached into her pocket, took out the keys, and opened the door again. Upon hearing the sound, Jiang Xuezhen hurriedly stuffed her phone under the pillow, her heart pounding. She cleared her throat and asked, "Um, did you forget something?"

"A scarf." Tang Ruoyao waved the item in her hand. "Let's go."

Jiang Xuezhen had learned her lesson this time. She waited for a long time before patting her chest, which was still in shock, and picked up her phone again.

If Tang Ruoyao found out... she would be in big trouble.

The only source of light at night was the street lamps. Tang Ruoyao put on her mask and the hood of her down jacket. She slightly hunching her straight back. making it even more difficult for Tang Fei to recognize her, let alone other passersby.

The two of them arrived smoothly at the designated fireworks area. Tang Fei set off the firecrackers he had brought, while Tang Ruoyao stood with her hands in her pockets, feeling lost in the night and amidst the starry sky.

Her phone kept vibrating in her pocket. The chatterbox from the 405 group was at it again, and Tang Ruoyao's hand in her pocket was almost numb from the vibrations. She took it out and glanced at it.

Before entering the dormitory group chat, her gaze casually swept over the script discussion group below the 405 group, but there were no new messages.

Author's note:

Author: Do you want to add her on WeChat?

Qin Jiejie/Tang Tang: No, I don't want to.

Author: Do you want to pursue her?

Qin Jiejie/Tang Tang: No, I don't want to.

Author: Do you want to get married?

Qin Jiejie/Tang Tang: No, I don't want to.

Author: I'm saying that if you want to, you can. Who can stop you? Tomorrow, we'll start filming for "Roar of the Dragon."

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