Aurora’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up at the staff member.
Director Z shot her an impatient glare. "What are you filming? Delete all of it. The MV is under strict confidentiality. If you don’t want to lose your job, stop filming randomly."
The female staffer blinked. "Alright, I’ll delete it right away."
But before she did, she slyly sent the photo to Everett’s email—clearly trying to win him over.
Aurora didn’t think much of it.
The next two shots were kissing scenes between her and Brown. When the cameraman saw them, he looked heartbroken. He tossed a handkerchief he’d found earlier in the woods—and had meant to return to Aurora—into a nearby trash can.
Aurora felt a little tense in the upcoming scene. Even though the kiss was faked with camera angles, she still felt awkward and unnatural.
Everett’s expression turned dark and cold. He glanced at the visibly nervous Aurora. "Ms. Wilson isn’t suited for kissing scenes. Get a stand-in."
The moment he said it, everyone’s eyes widened and turned toward him.
But Everett’s entire presence was ice-cold, his face clouded with a heavy gloom. Even Director Z felt his scalp tingle with unease.
Everyone knew Everett liked Aurora. Of course, he didn’t want Brown filming a kiss scene with her.
"Um... Aurora, what do you think?" Director Z asked cautiously. Everett wasn’t a traditional celebrity, but his status was on par with one, and his influence was massive—intimidating, even.
If Aurora agreed, Director Z would immediately find her a stand-in.
"Uh... sure, let’s use a stand-in. I... I’m not very experienced with this kind of scene." Aurora looked down, her face and ears flushed red.
Director Z nodded and quickly called over newcomer Selene to fill in.
Selene was a fresh face. Director Z had brought her along just in case—she might be the next rising star under LXL. This was her chance to observe and maybe even participate.
Turns out, she came in handy. Now they had someone to use as a double.
Brown was visibly annoyed. Looked like Aurora didn’t want to kiss him—or was it just because Everett was here?
A flicker of disappointment and frustration passed through Brown’s eyes. Meanwhile, Selene was thrilled. She had dreamed of working with Brown, and now, even before she’d officially debuted, she got the chance.
Only then did Everett’s mood improve a little. After all the drama, it was finally his turn.
The sun was nearly touching the sea, casting a wide stretch of orange light across the lake. The reflection shimmered and scattered, dancing in Everett’s eyes.
His expression was calm—deathly calm. He silently held a handkerchief while his girlfriend (Amanda) sat beside him, talking while scrolling on her phone.
He acted like he didn’t hear her. His gaze shifted from across the lake as he gently stroked the red rose embroidered on the handkerchief.
A deep sorrow emerged in his eyes. The mood of the scene turned heavy. Finally, he tossed the handkerchief into a trash can beside him.
Aurora had been watching the whole time.
Everett was incredibly talented.
This role suited him perfectly. He reminded her of the lead in Farewell My Concubine—the same kind of sadness, the same kind of beauty.
Except Everett’s features were sharper, colder, more striking.
A man like that, in a scene —if it were real, it would break your heart.
After the scene ended, everyone applauded. Even the spectators at Sharp Lake were amazed by his looks and his aura.
Aurora finally let out a sigh of relief. The scenes at Snow Goose Lake were done. Just four more to go.
From now on, she was done. There would be no more connection between her and Everett.
From now on, she swore she’d never agree to act opposite that man again.
He might be new to acting, but his presence was overwhelming. She constantly felt cornered—dragged into the scene emotionally.
"Alright, everyone take a 30-minute break. Then head over to the road by the park. Once we shoot the next four scenes, we’ll have a full day off. Tomorrow, we’re heading back to Country S!"
Director Z’s announcement lifted Aurora’s spirits. After this MV, she still had two more to shoot—probably right up to New Year’s Eve.
The boat moved toward the shore. Aurora stood up, thinking she’d take a picture of Snow Goose Lake under the sunset. But then a wave of dizziness hit her, and she fell straight into the lake!
Brown was too slow to react. He let out a scream and lunged forward, but the boat rocked violently—and with a loud splash, Aurora had already fallen into the lake.
It happened because she had been squatting for too long. When she suddenly stood up, the dizziness hit her hard.
Why was she squatting instead of sitting? Because she had just realized she got her period—and it had gotten on her skirt. She didn’t want to leave early or stain the boat owner’s seat, so she squatted instead...
She hadn’t expected to faint the moment she stood up.
People around her gasped in shock. Everett didn’t even have time to take off his clothes—he dove in with a loud splash, like a fish, heading straight for Aurora, who was struggling in the water.
Aurora couldn’t swim.
Director Z quickly threw two life rings into the lake.
"Aurora, how did you fall in so suddenly? Oh my god..." Dominic’s palms were slick with sweat. He watched helplessly as Aurora sank, only to be lifted back up moments later by Everett. He was anxious and frustrated.
Since she couldn’t swim, Everett had to come up behind her and support her from the back. If he tried from the front, her panic might’ve pulled him under too—making it even more dangerous.
Once Everett brought Aurora back to shore, Brown gave up the idea of jumping in.
Aurora’s face was pale, her chest barely moving. Without saying a word, Everett pressed his hands firmly against her chest and began CPR.
Water trickled from the corners of her mouth.
"Oh no, she looks like she’s not breathing."
"She was under for a few minutes—someone who can’t swim wouldn’t stand a chance. She probably swallowed a lot of water."
"Aurora, please be okay!" Amanda and Dominic were visibly panicked.
Director Z watched as Everett performed several chest compressions, and water came pouring out of Aurora’s mouth. He quickly shouted, "Everett! Give her mouth-to-mouth! Don’t wait!"
He knew plenty of the guys on set probably wanted to offer mouth-to-mouth, but with Everett there, no one dared step forward.
Everett steadied her head and began giving her mouth-to-mouth, fast and focused.
Everyone was tense, nearly freaking out. If Aurora died... this MV would go down as the most tragically ironic production ever made.
In a daze, Aurora felt like she was suffocating—her chest hurt, it felt like something heavy was pressing down on her...
Suddenly, it was like a gust of air pushed life back into her. The blockage in her throat cleared in an instant. Her eyes flew open, and she gasped for breath.
And then—shock. Aurora realized someone was kissing her!