Even though my role as the evil monk was over, the crew was still as busy as ever. It really showed how the world kept going on even without you.
Auntie Ren told me that although I had no more scenes (unless if the monk gets revived as a zombie), I could still visit the set with my personnel pass. She instructed me to improve my English conversation skills so she could recommend me for more important roles.
Um… does she want to line up my future career path. Is she worried I would become a jobless man who stays at home and beats his wife?
I appreciate her kindness, but it’s fine. On one hand, I gave up all hope on my English abilities. On the other hand, even though the Americans are filming a movie with Asian backgrounds, East Orientals only play antagonists or minor characters. It really hurt my patriotism and pisses me off.
If I take another role, not only would I have to be kicked by Ai Mi (which is fine), but I might have to be kicked by Kyle (this I cannot accept).
I ran to the washroom with no intention of taking another role, and I passed by the bamboo forest where I first met Su Qiao.
Currently, everyone was hustling on set and the forest’s surrounding was quiet and devoid of life. I was lured by the call of nature and began wandering around the forest when I saw a familiar figure sobbing near the rocks.
Slender shoulders and a long black braid. I’m not sure why Su Qiao was so upset.
The screen on her wrist was still on like she just finished a conversation.
Was she scolded, or was it a family member who couldn’t understand her, or was it a friend in a bad mood?
Although I didn’t know how to comfort her, I still walked over. Su Qiao stopped sobbing when she heard footsteps.
When she saw me, she rubbed her bright red eyes and said quietly: “I’m sorry.”
Huh. What do you have to apologize for, it’s me who should apologize for peeking on you while you’re crying.
“I’m ashamed of being seen by Mr. Ye in this state…”
Compared to before, it seems Su Qiao has become even more reserved with her speech.
I’m uncomfortable with a girl older than me by 3 years calling me Mr. Ye, so I suggested:
“The past is the past, you don’t need to call me Mr. Ye.”
Su Qiao blinked, “Then what should I call you, sir.”
“You don’t need to add sir either, no need to use respectful speech.”
I also said half-jokingly: “Those insurance salesmen use polite speech all the time, but in the end, they’re only set on scamming you.”
Su Qiao’s lips quivered as if I hit a nerve and a sliver of panic appeared in her eyes.
I continued to speak: “Since you’re older than me by 3 years, you can call me Xiao Ye.”
Su Qiao repeated it: “Xiao Ye…”
“Uh.” I nodded, “How about I call you sis Qiao.”
Su Qiao quickly declined: “Uh, that’s not good sir… No, I mean you should call me Su Qiao, I have no rights to be anyone’s older sister…”
In the end, I was finally able to correct her polite speech and we began talking about why she was crying.
“If Ai Mi bullied you…”
“No, it wasn’t her.” Su Qiao interrupted and then said: “No one bullied me. I have a lot of scenes for my role, there are no problems with my life, I… I’m very grateful…”
I chatted with Su Qiao a while more, but in the end, I wasn’t able to find out what she was troubled about.
When I was leaving, she stopped me, and stammered out a sentence:
“Xiao Ye, I… am I a bad woman.”
“Huh, why would you say that.”
“I didn’t listen to my parents and ran away from home to become an actor, I even went to you at night to try and obtain a role…”
“It’s fine, everyone has times where they get muddled.” I persuaded, “Isn’t everything progressing nicely now.”
Su Qiao pulled her long braid to the front of her body and ran it slowly through her hands while gazing at the lake.
“I sometimes think it would have been better if you didn’t reject me that night.”
I was silent for a while, “How.”
Su Qiao slightly raised her head and I saw a smile with grief.
“If that was the case… I would have hated you, so I wouldn’t be wavering….”
I still had no idea what Su Qiao was trying to tell me. I could only feel the atmosphere getting strange. Along with her abnormal actions at yesterday’s buffet, I knew it was a bad sign.
What do you mean it would have been better if I didn’t reject you, what do you mean love or hate. This is a crisis, I have to escape or she might confess.
Thus I used an excuse that I had the runs to escape from the bamboo forest.
When she saw me run away, Su Qiao expressed a relived yet also hopeless look. Even after a while, that instant was deeply engraved in my mind.
That’s why young people should not casually talk about love.
I planned to head home after lunch, but I received a text from the class leader. It was completely different than Xiao Qin’s texts that are riddled with emojis. The class leader’s text was entirely composed of Chinese characters without a single emoticon or an incorrect character.
“Don’t tell anyone about what happened Friday, otherwise, please keep at least 100m distance away from me.”
100m. Isn’t 100m the effective range of a shotgun. Does she really plan to execute me? Would she not hesitate to purge her shame by killing me if I tell anyone.
Luckily, you don’t know that after you fainted, I also felt your legs, held your feet, and nearly pushed you down… If the class leader found out I would have long died.
After a while, I received a text from Shu Zhe. He began with a sinister face emoji and then he announced:
“I won’t be blackmailed by you anymore. Please prepare 500 and hand it to me on Monday.”
Fuck, are you rebelling? I can’t believe someone who wore strawberry panties at school dares to use that tone of voice.
I angrily gave him a call back but it seems his phone was not in a serviceable region, not sure where he went to fool around.
Right when I was hesitating about my next actions, I bumped into Director Cao.