CHAPTER 72

Han Yuping made a gesture.

The camera focused on Qin Yinong in the room.

Shen Muqing sat upright at the desk, lips slightly pursed. The slender joints of her fingers curled and the pen she held in her hand loosened and tightened repeatedly. Several lines were drawn over the red corrections on the student's assignment sheet spread out in front of her—it was a mistake she made while absent-minded.

"Teacher Shen—" The voice coming in through the window was incessant, slowly tinged with anxiety and worry.

Shen Muqing slightly turned her head away from the window, refusing to meet the gaze.

Her eyebrows furrowed lightly, a hint of annoyance crept onto her forehead.

Wasn't she having a good time playing with others? Why did she come looking for her?

She made up her mind to ignore her.

The girl downstairs, waiting eagerly for a response, eventually quieted down.

There was no sound, only the cicadas' chirping in the summer night, making the silence even more pronounced.

Unable to resist, Shen Muqing set aside her pen, stood up, and walked to the window. She quietly opened it slightly.

There was no one in the courtyard.

Shen Muqing's fingers, which were gripping the window sill, suddenly loosened, and she felt a sense of loss.

Did she really just leave like that?

She didn't even exchange a greeting with her.

Shen Muqing gazed absentmindedly at the tranquil courtyard.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the staircase on the second floor. It was the sound of someone running up the stairs. She turned her head and saw a figure full of youth rushing up from the staircase.

"Teacher Shen, you're home! I called you, why didn't you respond? You scared me!" The girl placed the jujubes on the nearby table, panting with her hands on her knees. There was still a hint of worry on her young face that hadn't completely disappeared.

Shen Muqing stared at her in a daze.

She couldn't describe the feeling she had in that moment. It was like a helmsman sailing in the vast darkness of the sea, unable to find a direction. Suddenly, a brilliant ray of light rose in the distance, illuminating the surface of the sea in an instant, as bright as daylight.

Her heartbeat slowed for a moment, then began pounding fiercely, even causing a tingling sensation at the tip of her nose that she couldn't control.

"Teacher Shen?" Han Zifei grabbed a handful of jujubes from a small basket and walked over. "Why aren't you speaking? Are you feeling unwell?"

Shen Muqing lowered her eyelids, suppressing the sudden sourness deep in her eyes. She withdrew her hand that was still resting on the edge of the window, returned to the desk, picked up the pen, and calmly corrected the assignments handed in by the students, saying, "I didn't hear anything."

"I called out so loudly, and you still didn't hear?" Han Zifei joked with a smile, "Time spares no one, Teacher Shen."

From the moment Shen Muqing moved in next door to her, becoming her neighbor, she was initially clueless and unconsciously drew closer to the other person. But later, a dream made her realize her true feelings, and now three or four years have passed. Han Zifei has become like another family member to Shen Muqing. Her way of speaking has always been casual, but she didn't expect that her usual tone would suddenly upset the other person.

Shen Muqing raised her gaze coolly and indifferently, "Do you... " paused for a moment, "think I'm getting old?"

Han Zifei was barely nineteen or twenty, in the prime of her youth, the best age for a girl.

Shen Muqing was already thirty years old, and both her body and her life were on the decline.

Han Zifei was taken aback and said, "No, not at all."

Shen Muqing frowned in annoyance and said, "Just pretend I didn't say anything."

The atmosphere became strange.

Han Zifei felt that Shen Muqing's mood seemed a bit off and nervously pursed her lips, trying to cheer her up.

Shen Muqing was bothered and distracted by the pile of assignments in front of her. She forcefully suppressed her feelings, calmed her mind, and finally managed to read the first line. Suddenly, her line of sight was interrupted by a slender and fair hand.

"I picked some jujubes today, they're very sweet. Want to taste them?"

Shen Muqing lifted her eyes and saw the bright smile on the young girl's face.

Han Zifei pouted and coquettishly said to her, "Give me face and taste it, Teacher Shen. I've been busy for a long time."

She had a natural ability to make people feel better, and Shen Muqing involuntarily curved her lips and looked at the red jujube in her snow-white palm. The hint of a smile in her eyes faded slightly.

The scene of Han Zifei and Qiao Lingling playing and laughing in the afternoon appeared in her mind.

.....

Han Yuping crossed her hands and rested her chin on them, habitually furrowing her brow without saying anything.

This scene was progressing very smoothly. Every point of Qin Yinong's handling was just right, and the emotional changes were subtly embedded in the rich details. Some lines didn't need to be said; the audience could perceive them from her performance.

Han Yuping held her breath, and now it was Tang Ruoyao's turn to take the lead. She squinted her eyes, reached for the water beside her, but froze in the next moment, her eyes fixed and unblinking.

.....

"I won't eat it." Qin Yinong pushed away Tang Ruoyao's hand. She was playing the role of a knowledgeable and reasonable teacher, both angry and reluctant. Therefore, her actions were handled with a balance of strength and softness, not too forceful. She resisted but also welcomed, only pushing Tang Ruoyao's hand away a few inches.

Their skin touched.

Her hands were always cold, like ice that never melted at the bottom of a freezing lake. It felt the same as when Tang Ruoyao accidentally touched her fingertips during their last scene together, the one where they forgot their keys.

At this moment, she was thinking about Qin Yinong, not Shen Muqing.

Tang Ruoyao's gaze briefly went out of character, and she suddenly snapped back to reality.

Oh no, she had messed up.

As expected, Han Yuping, sitting behind the monitor, coldly spoke up, "Cut."

Tang Ruoyao immediately apologized, "I'm sorry, Director. I'm sorry, Senior Qin."

Qin Yinong reached out and took the jujube from her hand, eating it.

Tang Ruoyao's expression was blank.

... Is this a prop?

Qin Yinong not only ate the jujube but also commented expressionlessly, "Where's the sweetness?"

Tang Ruoyao: "???"

Was she still in character or had she gone out of character? Why did it feel more bitter than the scene itself?

Qin Yinong finished eating the jujube in a few bites, spat the pit into the tissue handed to her by Guan Han, and calmly wiped her fingers with another tissue. She lightly said, "Why are you staring blankly? Quickly adjust your emotions. Do you want me to accompany you in messing up again next time?"

Tang Ruoyao awkwardly said, "Okay."

When she acted opposite Qin Yinong, her biggest fear was dragging the other person down. Qin Yinong never made mistakes, it was like she had a cheat code. If there were ever retakes, it was because Han Yuping wanted a different effect and asked her to change her performance approach.

In the past month, Tang Ruoyao had been coached by both Han Yuping and Qin Yinong, and her progress was rapid. She was on par with Qin Yinong when filming their scenes together.

She didn't want to be set back today.

The jujube that Qin Yinong had eaten earlier was gone. Tang Ruoyao picked up another one and held it in her hand. She lowered her head and examined it for a moment. It was indeed big and red, and when she sniffed it, there was a sweet fragrance.

Why wasn't it sweet?

The next take started directly from the scene where Tang Ruoyao coaxed Qin Yinong to eat the jujube.The script supervisor clapped the board, "Scene X, take two, action!"

"I won't eat it." Shen Muqing pushed away Han Zifei's hand.

Her hand was still in contact with the other person's, and when she withdrew her slender fingertips, they unintentionally brushed against the warm palm of the other person, causing her to tremble slightly.

She belatedly realized, with such dullness, that she had developed a improper desire for Han Zifei, a desire born out of her own slow-wittedness.

However, this was wrong.

"I need to work on my assignment, so you should go home." She took a slow breath to compose herself, then lowered her head and wrote a line of comments on the paper, issuing a blunt dismissal.

Han Zifei didn't notice her subtle actions, but she increasingly felt that Shen Muqing was in a bad mood. In that case, she definitely couldn't leave.

"Teacher Shen." Han Zifei cautiously asked, allowing a glimpse of the affection hidden in her amber eyes to show, "Are you... unhappy?"

Shen Muqing's pen paused, and she said each word clearly, "No."

It was easy to tell whether words were spoken with or without emotion. She was unhappy, Han Zifei was certain.

Shen Muqing kept her head lowered, and Han Zifei couldn't see her expression.

Feeling somewhat anxious, Han Zifei bent down, unexpectedly bringing her face closer. Suddenly, she was face-to-face with Shen Muqing.

Shen Muqing: "..."

Han Zifei maintained a slightly awkward posture with her head tilted and blinked innocently with her large eyes.

Shen Muqing sighed and gently straightened her head, reprimanding softly without a hint of blame, "You're twenty years old. What kind of behavior is this?"

"A beautiful one." Han Zifei playfully replied.

Shen Muqing couldn't help but smile, "Who says they're beautiful on their own?"

Han Zifei, with long limbs, found it tiring to constantly look down while talking to her. So, she propped one hand on the elm table to stretch and relax her muscles. The girl had fair skin, and the lines on her forearm were smooth and clean. Faint blue veins were faintly visible beneath her skin, pulsating subtly, and the light reflected off it, making her skin appear even smoother and tempting, evoking an impulse to bury one's face and kiss it.

Shen Muqing was captivated, staring at the girl's snow-white arm.

"It was you who said I was beautiful, remember?" Han Zifei's voice seemed to come from afar, bringing her back from her trance.

Shen Muqing snapped out of her daze, feeling a sudden panic and shortness of breath. She involuntarily curled her fingers and took a while to regain her voice, dryly responding, "Did I say that?"

"You did. The second time we met, you said I was beautiful."

"It's been too long, I don't remember." Shen Muqing averted her eyes to a book on the corner of the table, deliberately avoiding looking at her. "Anyway, you should go home quickly." She was afraid that if they stayed in the same room any longer, she wouldn't be able to resist getting closer to her.

She needed time to calm herself down.

She repeatedly issued a dismissal, and Han Zifei understood. She brought over a small basket of jujubes she had placed near the stairs earlier and put it on the desk. She gently reminded her, "Remember to eat them. They won't stay fresh if you leave them for too long."

She had picked out the best ones for her from the jujubes she had collected in the afternoon. It would be a waste if she didn't eat them.

Shen Muqing responded with a sound of acknowledgment.

"Should I go then?" Han Zifei asked.

"Mhm."

Han Zifei clapped her hands, reluctantly gazing at her for a moment, and then started walking towards the staircase.

Shen Muqing stared at her slender and upright figure, and suddenly, as if possessed, she called out to her, "Xiao Fei."

Han Zifei turned around, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, and a slight indulgence in her eyes. "Yes?"

"The one who came back with you this afternoon..." Shen Muqing opened her mouth, but when she met the smiling gaze of the other party, she suddenly couldn't bring herself to say the rest.

She thought in a near-panicked confusion: What am I doing?

What does it have to do with you?

That suppressed thought gradually became clear, emerging to the surface, causing Shen Muqing to shiver lightly, feeling a chill.

Han Zifei gently inquired, "What is it?"

Shen Muqing shook her head, her thin lips trembling slightly as she softly said, "It's nothing, just go home."

However, Han Zifei walked towards her with large strides.

Shen Muqing instinctively sensed the danger and wanted to escape, but her feet were firmly rooted in place. She could only watch helplessly as the other person approached, getting closer and closer, so close that she could see the delicate fuzz on her face.

"She's my classmate." Han Zifei stared into her eyes intensely, intentionally pausing for two seconds before adding, "Just a regular classmate."

Shen Muqing met her gaze, slightly flustered, and looked away.

Han Zifei's eyes, however, lit up slightly. Suspicion, joy, and restraint flashed across her expression. She placed both hands on the armrest of the chair, encircling Shen Muqing within her embrace, and the warm breath enveloped her forcefully.

"Teacher Shen." she whispered, leaning close to her ear.

Shen Muqing attempted to evade the warm breath brushing against her ear, but it clung to her like a shadow.

She couldn't escape, couldn't avoid it.

The girl's voice was like that of a skilled enchantress, soft threads that entangled and wrapped around her tightly. She was charmed by this voice, willingly sinking deeper.

The girl's voice lowered again, gently saying, "Shen Muqing..." The last word was barely audible, and her lips brushed against her ear.

The taut string in Shen Muqing's mind completely snapped.

Her fingers, resting on her knee, clenched tightly, turning white with force.

Her heart couldn't help but flutter in her chest.

"Shen Muqing," the girl softly called out again, turning towards her and meeting her eyes.

Those amber eyes, which had always been clear and occasionally lively or mischievous, suddenly became extremely deep and tranquil, concealing an unfathomable affection.

Shen Muqing was stunned. "You..."

The rest of her words were drowned in the lips and teeth that pressed against hers.

Their lips touched.

The unprecedented softness made Shen Muqing involuntarily emit a soft hum.

In the camera, Tang Ruoyao's mind was shaken, and she was directly pulled out of Han Zifei's soul by this sound from Qin Yinong.

Outside the surveillance monitor, Han Yuping furrowed his brow tightly, the word "cut" forming in his throat, about to be spoken aloud.

No more retakes!

Tang Ruoyao quickly composed herself.

She pressed her lips against Qin Yinong's, not moving, just gently pressing. She closed her eyes, as if searching for treasure, tracing along the corners of the lips, the cheeks, and then circling back, lightly pecking her fragrant and soft lips.

Patience to the extreme.

Outside the surveillance monitor, Director Han Yuping's furrowed brow slightly relaxed, and he swallowed the word "cut".

Tang Ruoyao, who was in the midst of filming, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

At that moment, Qin Yinong suddenly extended the tip of her tongue, unexpectedly slipping into the seam of her lips and quickly retreating.

It was like seduction, like an invitation, and also like provocation.

Tang Ruoyao: "!!!"

Tang Ruoyao was unsure of the intention behind her sudden deviation from the script. Her heart skipped a beat, and all rationality vanished. Regardless of everything, she instinctively reached behind Qin Yinong's head, her cool hair falling through her fingers, and she kissed her directly.

This time, it was not gentle and tepid, but a direct immersion into the main theme.

Tang Ruoyao kissed her, sucking on her soft red lips, and Qin Yinong refused to be outdone. She lifted her hand, hooking it around the back of Tang Ruoyao's neck, reversing the roles.

Back and forth they went.

Seconds and minutes passed by.

The temperature in the filming center rose steadily under the intense collaboration of the two, approaching the boiling point.

The young man holding the sound microphone blushed, his heart racing, sweat pouring down his forehead, and his legs nearly giving out.

He was having a tough time. In his previous life, he must have been solving math problems.

The few people holding reflector boards glanced at each other, feeling somewhat embarrassed as they averted their eyes, but their ears were perked up high.

Guan Han felt her mouth dry and her tongue parched. She opened the spare mineral water prepared for Qin Yinong and took a couple of sips for herself.

If it weren't for the prohibition on personal filming on set, she would have captured this scene of the two of them with her camera!

Han Yuping, in front of the surveillance monitor, had a face wrinkled like a bun. He occasionally wiped his sweat with a towel in his hand. He hadn't called "cut," he rubbed his face and now felt a bit confused.

The script definitely didn't have it written like this, but this improvisation seemed to work.

At first, he was startled by Tang Ruoyao's assertiveness and was about to immediately call "cut." Wasn't she taking advantage of filming to get close to Qin Yinong? Although Han Yuping carried himself upright, he knew about the existence of gay people in the industry. Tang Ruoyao may not appear to be one, but you can never judge a book by its cover. What if she was queer? He couldn't let Qin Yinong be taken advantage of.

But what he didn't expect was that Qin Yinong managed to turn the tables and take advantage instead!

Han Yuping, who could barely keep up with what he was witnessing, watched as the two beauties embraced and kissed each other. After a while, he thought, 'Hmm, it's quite pleasing to the eye.'

Pleasing to the eye was one thing, but these two individuals didn't stop there. They seemed determined to turn the kissing scene into a full-blown intimate scene. Han Yuping couldn't bear it any longer. He raised the megaphone and loudly shouted, "Cut! NG!"

Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao separated as if struck by lightning.

They glanced at each other briefly and then averted their eyes.

Han Yuping didn't have time to scold them. He first asked in a puzzled manner, "What on earth were you two doing? What kind of nonsense were you trying to act out?"

Qin Yinong cleared her throat and said, "Ahem." She waved at Guan Han to call her over. Guan Han brought a new bottle of mineral water, and Qin Yinong, absentmindedly, brought it to her lips before remembering to check it. Her movement paused for a moment, and she slowed down her drinking action.

Tang Ruoyao hadn't calmed down from her emotions just now. Qin Yinong had a chair to sit on, but Tang Ruoyao didn't even have one. She could only drag her two weak and sore legs to the wall, leaning against it to catch her breath.

Xin Qian handed her the water, and Tang Ruoyao said, "Can you open it for me?"

She didn't even have the strength to lift her hand.

If it weren't for Han Zifei's soul supporting her just now, her limbs would have been powerless. She would probably have uncontrollably sat on Qin Yinong's lap. That was the most they had ever been together.

Qin Yinong glanced over at her, taking in her limp and powerless appearance, and her lips curled up slightly.

You little troublemaker.

Guan Han kept her eyes lowered, observing her own mind. Her eyelids drooped as she indulged in wild daydreams of a beautiful love story.

Qin Yinong's mood improved, and as her eyes swept across the table that they had just passionately messed up, she felt even more refreshed. She mischievously handed a date to Guan Han, saying, "Try it, it's quite sweet."

Guan Han: "..."

Don't think she didn't hear it. Just earlier, Qin Yinong said that the dates weren't sweet.

Guan Han took a bite of the date and indeed tasted its sweetness.

Qin Yinong also picked up one and said, "The production team spent a lot of money to buy these, went all out for it." She turned her head and smiled at a girl from the props team, "Right, Xiao Zhao?"

Xiao Zhao from the props team inwardly complained: 'You know they spent a lot of money to buy it, and yet you're eating it. Not only are you eating it yourself, but you're also giving some to your assistant. What if there's none left later? Can you improvise as a date on the spot?'

"You know they spent a lot of money to buy it, and yet you're eating them one after another. If they run out later, I'll turn you into a date!"

Xiao Zhao almost covered her mouth in panic. Did she accidentally speak her mind?

Realizing it wasn't the case, oh no, it's Director Han.

Han Yuping scolded Qin Yinong indifferently, not caring too much. He mimicked her and picked up a date, spat out the pit with a couple of bites, and temporarily held it in his palm. He asked, "Do you have any new ideas? Tell me about them."

He turned to Xiao Zhao and said, "This date is indeed quite sweet. Go and inform the production team to buy more as snacks for the crew."

Xiao Zhao: "...Okay."

Who is Qin Yinong? She is the top actress among the active female actors in the domestic film industry. If there was a second place, no one would dare to claim the first. Han Yuping couldn't even imagine that she would get jealous to the point of losing her mind and openly blur the line between work and personal matters on set.

So he came over sincerely to exchange ideas with Qin Yinong.

Qin Yinong pursed her lips and said straightforwardly, "I feel that Shen Muqing is a rather repressed person."

Han Yuping nodded, "Hmm."

"And she is in a stage of naivety when it comes to emotions. She just realized that she clearly and openly likes this person, you know, like the blossoming of first love, do you understand?"

"I understand."

"So her restrained thoughts are not deeply rooted yet. At this moment, she is just a little girl immersed in love." Qin Yinong said seriously, even she almost believed it herself.

"That makes sense." Han Yuping pondered.

"Han Zifei's love is so passionate that she is naturally influenced by it and responds actively." Qin Yinong said, then sheepishly touched her nose, feeling guilty. "Of course, I have to admit that I went off-script a bit just now. I projected my strong and competitive personality onto Shen Muqing, which resulted in the uncontrolled scene you witnessed. I reflect on it."

This was the blunt truth.

Since the moment Tang Ruoyao kissed her, Qin Yinong was no longer Shen Muqing.

Han Yuping, not knowing which nerve he had crossed, suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "Do you also like women?"

Qin Yinong: "..."

Where did this question come from? Moreover, what does "also" mean? Who else likes women?

Han Yuping pondered for a moment on his own and felt that this speculation was somewhat absurd. Just because an actor plays a role in a same-sex film doesn't necessarily mean they are gay. Qin Yinong, at most, could be considered dedicated to her craft.

"Never mind." Han Yuping frowned and said, "I just got sidetracked by my own thoughts. Let's not have any more off-script moments during the reshoot. We can't make such basic mistakes a second time."

"Alright." Qin Yinong went along with it, lightly pressing her lips with two fingers and playfully blowing a kiss.

Han Yuping shook his arm and walked away disdainfully.

Qin Yinong looked at Tang Ruoyao behind him and secretly chuckled to herself: I wasn't blowing that kiss for you.

However, Tang Ruoyao didn't see that kiss. She was deeply reflecting on herself, questioning why she lacked self-control so much that even if Qin Yinong tempted her, she...

But why would Qin Yinong seduce her in the first place?

Was she actually trying to seduce her?

Tang Ruoyao was confused and lost in her thoughts.

Suddenly, Xin Qian nudged her arm.

Tang Ruoyao raised her gaze and spoke seriously, "Director Han."

Han Yuping had a stern expression, "Hmm." He asked her, "What were you thinking?"

Tang Ruoyao had thinner skin in this regard compared to Qin Yinong, so she honestly replied, "I'm sorry, Director Han. I couldn't control myself for a moment." Whether it was Tang Ruoyao or Han Zifei, they couldn't resist when faced with the intentional invitations of Qin Yinong or Shen Muqing.

Han Yuping's expression changed, "What do you mean you couldn't control yourself?"

Tang Ruoyao couldn't possibly say that it was Qin Yinong who made the first move, so she lowered her head and said, "I... couldn't control my emotions. The suppressed feelings from before all came out, I'm sorry."

"You—" Han Yuping suddenly remembered something. It was when he confirmed Tang Ruoyao as the female lead of the film. Lin Guoan told him that Tang Ruoyao had talent but also had a problem. She tended to get too immersed in her role, making it easy for the emotions of the character to control her.

Han Yuping swallowed his reproachful words and said impartially, "Pay attention later and don't make the same mistake."

Tang Ruoyao responded with a "Okay."

Han Yuping thought for a moment and gave her some guidance, "Acting is not purely about emotions. Sometimes, rationality should surpass emotions. You should both immerse yourself in the role and distance yourself as an observer. That way, you can have a clearer understanding of yourself."

"I will remember that, Director Han."

"Take a break and prepare for the reshoot."

Han Yuping sat back in front of the monitor, and the props team restored the desk, replacing the old jujubes with new ones. Qin Yinong went to wash her hands, and both of them quickly touched up their makeup. The script supervisor clapped the slate for the reshoot.

"'True Colors'... action!"

.....

Tang Ruoyao once again kissed Qin Yinong, but this time she had learned her lesson. She kept herself tense and didn't let herself get distracted. Qin Yinong also didn't make any more impulsive moves. Instead, she obediently closed her eyes and let Tang Ruoyao take the lead.

The surroundings fell silent.

It had been a long time since Tang Ruoyao had been so intimately close to her, let alone with their lips and teeth intertwined.

A faintly familiar and cold fragrance brushed past their noses. Because of Qin Yinong's compliance and obedience, there seemed to be a warmth that enveloped them this time.

Tang Ruoyao greedily captured her warm breath, the corners of her closed eyes curved up gently. She tenderly stroked Qin Yinong's hair, her fingertips moved downward, touching her slightly warm cheek, lightly brushing against it, savoring the moment.

Unseen by the camera, Qin Yinong's fingers, hidden under the table, tightened one by one.

She couldn't control herself, her whole body tensed up, her chest heaving, and her breathing becoming heavier and heavier.

If Han Yuping, the director, didn't call a stop soon, she might take the initiative to NG [not good, indicating a failed take]

Time felt incredibly long.

Behind the monitor, Director Han Yuping rested his chin on his hand, his gaze deep and intense. The atmosphere of the scene was good, very provocative, yet strangely pure in terms of emotions. It was the feeling he wanted, so he decided to watch for a bit longer.

After a gentle lingering.

Tang Ruoyao slowly parted Qin Yinong's teeth and slipped inside.

It was warm, it was sweet.

It spread down from their throats.

Qin Yinong let out a soft moan, her mind going blank. Her right hand acted on its own, finding Tang Ruoyao's left hand and entwining their fingers, holding on tightly.

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