Chapter Thirty-Two: You acted as if you were truly heartbroken.

“Where are the crew members? Didn’t they say someone would come to pick us up?” Tang Yan asked, looking confused.

“They should be here soon. Director Teng is quite reliable,” replied her companion, Li Nian, who was no stranger to Teng Huatao, having just finished filming “Dwelling Narrowness” under his direction, playing the role of Haizao.

She had even made a cameo in the original version.

However, having Orange Sky Entertainment people appear in a Huayi Pictures production was somewhat unusual.

“Hey, I heard the male lead for this film is Xu Ming. Have you met him? I saw in the news that he has quite a temper,” Li Nian gossiped.

“No, but I checked—he was born in ’89, only twenty years old, pretty young,” Tang Yan replied, shaking her head.

Mentioning his age, both women showed a hint of envy in their eyes.

In show business, fame must come early; only the famous get access to resources.

As members of Orange Sky Entertainment, their subordinates looked up to them, and in turn, they admired prodigies like Xu Ming who rose to prominence overnight.

Speak of the devil.

A business van pulled up beside them.

Wearing sunglasses, Xu Ming stepped out and called out, “We’re from the ‘Love Is Not Blind’ crew. Let’s go, get in.”

Without waiting for their response, he tossed their luggage into the trunk.

The two girls, bewildered, got into the car.

After a while, they realized and began to worry whether they had been tricked.

“I’ll call Director Teng to confirm...” Li Nian said, stopping in her tracks.

With Xu Ming removing his sunglasses, his highly recognizable face was known by everyone in 2009’s Huaxia.

“The set isn’t far; we’ll be there soon. Nice to meet you, I’m Xu Ming,” he extended his hand with a smile.

He had recognized Li Nian — the second daughter-in-law from “All Is Well.”

A promising start, but what a pity...

“Hello, I’m Li Nian.”

“I’m Tang Yan.”

Xu Ming shook Tang Yan’s hand and casually pinched her finger.

Startled, Tang Yan retracted her hand, eyeing him suspiciously.

But Xu Ming acted as if nothing had happened and said, “Our hotel is a bit far. It’s best to head back with the main group after filming. Once you get your room card at the set, the assistant director will arrange everything...”

His rambling words of concern gradually put the two women at ease.

Mainly because his face and status naturally exuded a sense of security.

It’s like the difference between riding in a Geely versus a BBA (BMW, Benz, Audi) when taking a girl home—the latter gains trust more easily, making it easier to get her into the car.

(Low bow and apologies to Geely owners ▄█▔▉●)

Looking at the familiar broad forehead, Xu Ming felt nostalgic. At this time, he still lacked the star aura he would later possess, looking rather naïve.

He suspected that “Chinese Paladin 3”’s Zixuan became a classic partly because of the headpiece adorning Tang Yan’s forehead.

Their costume and makeup team was indeed top-notch.

By the time the car reached the set, the three had become acquainted.

Xu Ming had already learned their basic info: both graduated in 2002 from acting programs, with Li Nian from Shanghai Theatre Academy and Tang Yan from Central Academy of Drama.

“Sugar Sugar is playing Feng Jiaqi, the best friend who steals the female lead’s boyfriend. Xiao Nian plays the female lead’s cello teacher. Since you’re both professionally trained, acting will come naturally.”

To be honest, Xu Ming was a bit worried about the former, since she only had the wrong name, but not the wrong nickname.

The notorious “Disgrace of Central Academy of Drama” was a well-known title.

Though the two women felt a bit uncomfortable being so familiar so soon, they acquiesced.

They began discussing acting with Xu Ming.

From their perspective, Xu Ming was busy running around but was quite warm-hearted.

When Director Teng Huatao and Xiao Songjia walked over, they saw Xu Ming performing the role of Wang Xiao Jian, making the two girls laugh uncontrollably.

“I thought I sent someone to pick you up? Why is Xu Ming here?” Teng asked the driver.

“I don’t know. Brother Ming said to come along, so I brought them,” the driver replied.

What a joke—Xu Ming was the one buying chicken legs and hot drinks for the crew daily, not Teng Huatao.

Who had more authority was self-evident.

Teng Huatao rubbed his forehead. Damn, he’d overlooked that guy. This was like a lamb walking into a tiger’s den.

“You’re acting quite passionately; having young ladies as the audience really makes a difference,” Xiao Songjia sneered.

“To be precise, all the women here are my sisters, right, Sister Song?” Xu Ming corrected.

“You...” Xiao Songjia gritted her teeth. Because of their roles, they deliberately kept some distance, but this guy was infuriating.

Thinking of this, her understanding of Huang Xiaoxian deepened.

“Assistant director, please take them to get their props and finalize makeup and costumes.”

“Teacher Xu, we’re about to shoot the next scene. Hurry and touch up your makeup.”

Teng Huatao ordered the assistant director to take Tang Yan and Li Nian away and urged Xu Ming to freshen up.

They couldn’t let this guy continue to charm everyone on set.

He didn’t care after filming wrapped, but during shooting, it was better to keep relationships pure.

“Watch yourself; they’re our juniors at the company. Don’t get any funny ideas,” Xiao Songjia warned.

“Sis, first, I’m just being helpful, no ulterior motives. Second, don’t you think you’re being overbearing? Do you live by the sea or what?” Xu Ming paused and added, “Don’t forget, we’re just cooperating for publicity.”

He felt Xiao Songjia was too immersed in her role and needed a reality check.

As he’d said when they first met: why must acquaintances turn into lovers? Isn’t it better to maintain a pure physical relationship?

Xiao Songjia was stunned, looked at Xu Ming deeply, but said nothing.

She walked away with measured steps.

She refused to admit she had feelings first. Why? Why could this bastard act so nonchalant?

When filming began, Teng Huatao watched Xiao Songjia passionately acting out a scene with her ex-boyfriend, Guo Jingfei, confused.

Has she finally gotten the hang of it?

Her performance had improved by leaps and bounds, acting as if she were truly heartbroken.

He glanced sharply at Xu Ming, who was watching from behind the monitor, and whispered, “Did you two have a fight?”

“I went to great lengths just to get her to nail this scene. Sacrificed myself for the team,” Xu Ming said.

Teng Huatao smirked; don’t expect the truth from this guy.

When Tang Yan appeared, playing the best friend who stole Huang Xiaoxian’s boyfriend, the emotions in Xiao Songjia’s eyes seemed tangible, completely overpowering Tang Yan with just her gaze.

Even the seasoned stage actor Guo Jingfei nearly couldn’t hold it together.

The emotional intensity was overwhelming.

He and Xiao Songjia had been classmates in the 2000 acting undergraduate class at Shanghai Theatre Academy.

After a few years apart, had she really evolved this much?