Fu Shinian arrived at the film city just before 10 o’clock, while Qin Nianwan was struggling with a scene where she was being slapped by Sun Raorao. No matter what she did, Qin Nianwan could not get into character, resulting in repeated NGs, but the director couldn’t really say much and only managed through gritted teeth to call for a break.
Sun Raorao felt that Qin Nianwan was deliberately having issues today, and if it wasn’t on purpose, then she must have had something on her mind. However, since the two were not close, it wasn’t Raorao’s place to say much. After the director called for the break, Raorao was ready to return to her own place to rest.
It was at this time that Qin Nianwan grabbed her wrist:
"Raorao, I want to discuss that scene with you."
Although Sun Raorao had fought her way through the entertainment circle for many years, using some underhanded methods, her love and passion for acting were genuine, so she agreed without hesitation when Qin Nianwan approached her, never expecting that Qin Nianwan would ask to be really slapped.
"You want me to really slap you during the take?"
"Yes," Qin Nianwan looked at Sun Raorao. "I’m not quite in the right headspace today, and I just haven’t been able to immerse myself in the role. If we continue to fake it, I don’t know how much longer I’ll delay everyone. If it can really help, I don’t mind at all."
Sun Raorao wanted to say, you might not mind, but I do!
Everyone on the crew knew that Fu Shinian was coming to visit the set today, and Qin Nianwan’s relationship with Fu Shinian was common knowledge. What if Fu Shinian happened to see her filming this particular scene, would he, in a fit of rage over his beloved woman, replace her character on the spot?
But Sun Raorao didn’t immediately refuse Qin Nianwan’s request; she just fell silent for a few seconds:
"Let me think about it. After all, I’ve never really hit anyone before. If you get into the right state, but I lose my emotion, it’s not good for you either."
After thanking her, Qin Nianwan returned to her rest area, and Sun Raorao watched her leave for a few seconds before turning to go back to Wei Shaoqin.
Wei Shaoqin was sitting in his own resting area at this time, leisurely cracking sunflower seeds behind his sunglasses, and when Sun Raorao approached, she mentioned Qin Nianwan’s request. Wei Shaoqin offhandedly said:
"Slap her! Haven’t you always wanted to vent your frustration? Why miss such a good opportunity?"
"But Mr. Fu is coming to visit the set later, and what if he witnesses it..."
Wei Shaoqin chuckled nonchalantly:
"You’re worried that Fu Shinian will kick you out of the crew? Don’t worry, he won’t. If he really were a person who couldn’t separate public from private life, he wouldn’t have been able to grow Fu Corporation so rapidly in just a few years. Besides, hasn’t this film been shooting for a month already? Changing the actress would not only cause them to lose a considerable amount of money, but they’d also have to pay you a settlement. Do they look crazy to you?"
"I’ve heard that she might marry Mr. Fu and become the future Mrs. Fu. If I really slap her in front of Mr. Fu, wouldn’t that be like slapping Mr. Fu’s face?"
Wei Shaoqin licked his teeth and curved his lips into a smile:
"She won’t become Mrs. Fu."
With Wei Shaoqin’s support, Sun Raorao lost her reservations, and when filming resumed, she told Qin Nianwan they could give it a try. Qin Nianwan sincerely thanked her, and after consulting with the director, they started shooting again.
But Qin Nianwan still couldn’t get into the right state, not until Fu Shinian appeared...
Even with Wei Shaoqin backing her, Sun Raorao still didn’t dare to be too presumptuous in the face of Qin Nianwan’s significant influence. After three tries, Sun Raorao finally couldn’t hold back and called for a pause, suggesting another break. The director didn’t want to, given that this was the last scene in the location, and after it, they would move on. However, he hadn’t expected Qin Nianwan to be entirely out of it today, but with Fu Shinian standing right behind him, he could only nod in agreement.
"So, let’s..."
"Director," Qin Nianwan spoke up, "I can still go on, let’s try one more time."
"This..." The director sneaked a glance at Fu Shinian, noticed he seemed completely indifferent, and clenched his teeth, "Okay, one more take."
It was at this moment that Wei Shaoqin walked up beside Fu Shinian, watching the monitor with him, and spoke softly:
"Mr. Fu doesn’t feel distressed?"
Fu Shinian seemed to have known that he would be here, showing not the slightest hint of surprise. He simply glanced around him and saw no other figures, then said indifferently,
"Even if I am distressed, what can I do about it? Will Junior President Wei rub it for me?"
Wei Shaoqin: "..."
Just as Qin Nianwan’s scene was about to wrap up, Wei Shaoqin called Su Mu to pick him up from the set so they could head straight back to Shen City. Su Mu had been extremely impatient, so when she answered the call, her tone was laced with irritation. However, Wei Shaoqin didn’t mind and simply instructed her,
"Drive carefully and buckle your seatbelt."
When Wei Shaoqin hung up and returned to Fu Shinian’s side, Qin Nianwan had already finished her last scene, with half her face swollen. Upon seeing this, Wei Shaoqin couldn’t help but click his tongue twice,
"Such delicate skin and tender flesh, what a pity."
Fu Shinian looked at him coolly:
"Why is Junior President Wei not keeping an eye on your construction deadlines and instead coming here? Could it be that you’ve come to chase after stars?"
"I’m not here to chase stars; I’m here to rise among them."
Fu Shinian understood instantly and, with a light snort, no longer paid attention to him and strode towards Qin Nianwan.
Standing in front of Fu Shinian, Qin Nianwan had thought he would offer her some comfort, but he just looked at her calmly,
"You seemed very distracted today. Is something bothering you?"
Qin Nianwan shook her head:
"No, maybe I just didn’t rest well last night, and I’m not in great shape."
"Do you have any more scenes after this?"
"No more." Qin Nianwan looked at him, "Knowing you were coming, I rushed through the work in the last few days."
Fu Shinian remained without much emotional fluctuation:
"In that case, go back to the hotel and rest well."
"Shall we have lunch together then?"
Fu Shinian lightly assented, signaling agreement, and Qin Nianwan smiled softly. Then she cautiously looped her arm through his, and seeing other people watching them, Fu Shinian didn’t say anything else and walked away with her.
Qin Nianwan quietly breathed a sigh of relief; she had been afraid he would reject her.
Side by side, they walked to the nanny van outside the set. Qin Nianwan had just gotten into the car and was about to shift over to make room for Fu Shinian when she suddenly heard someone shout, "Careful——"
Before Qin Nianwan could understand what was happening, Wei Shaoqin’s voice, full of panic, reached her ears. In that moment, Qin Nianwan knew that her lunch with Fu Shinian probably wouldn’t happen, because she heard Wei Shaoqin shout,
"Su Mu——"
Fu Shinian’s action of getting into the car came to an abrupt halt, and almost reflexively, he lifted his gaze towards the source of the sound, instantly spotting Su Mu, pale-faced, in the driver’s seat of the out-of-control vehicle.