Chapter 29 Giving a Piece of Candy Li Yan couldn't imagine it, Mo…
Li Yan had never been able to imagine what it would be like for Mo Ningzhi to be someone's assistant, and now that she had seen Qin Weijin, that imagination became even more unreal.
Before today, Li Yan's understanding of Qin Weijin was limited to the retouched photos in advertisements. He was handsome, but his good looks were more of a carefully crafted, effeminate quality, which could easily amaze young girls at first glance and make their eyes light up. But after meeting him today, Li Yan found that his appearance was indeed sharp and striking, belonging to the type that most easily catches the eye in a crowd.
It's just that his gaze wasn't very polite.
The way she stared at him was a bit fierce and cold.
Is this how big stars always go out?
Before Li Yan could figure out why Qin Weijin was in the elevator, he heard his former good brother standing beside him obediently call out, "Brother Jin."
Who are you calling "brother"?
Li Yan looked at Mo Ningzhi as if she had seen a ghost.
Well... how should I put it? In that instant, he seemed to see a student bumping into his homeroom teacher on his way to skip school, with the dean of students standing next to the homeroom teacher, and the student having to stand at attention and pretend to be well-behaved.
Qin Weijin's gaze remained fixed. "Good morning."
Mo Ningzhi noticed Qin Weijin's gaze and remembered that Li Yan's hand was still on her. Before she could even process why she was doing this, she instinctively took a step back to the side, acting completely irrationally.
With the fulcrum gone, Li Yan stumbled: "..."
Having seen so many ghosts, Li Yan was no longer surprised. Once inside the elevator, he kept glancing back and forth between the two people behind him, his expression quite interesting.
After being looked at by him seven or eight times, Mo Ningzhi couldn't take it anymore, "If you keep looking, my neck will break."
"..." Li Yan changed his approach, tilting his head to peek at the mirror next to him.
Mo Ningzhi ignored his sudden outburst, turned her head and yawned. Qin Weijin seemed to turn his head slightly through his blurry, tearful eyes.
Didn't sleep well last night?
Mo Ningzhi blinked quickly, hiding the moisture on her eyelashes. "No, it's just that I slept too late."
Li Yan: "???"
He turned around: "Didn't you say you dreamed of ghosts?"
In the distance, a certain "ghost" with a name and surname looked back again.
Mo Ningzhi: "..."
Sometimes it can be really annoying to have a silly friend who always tries to sabotage you.
Li Yan's words instantly shattered the atmosphere in the elevator, and no one spoke again. At the exit, two cars were parked outside. Li Yan quickened his pace, then, remembering something, turned back: "By the way, Ning Zhi, I won't be home for dinner tonight. You don't need to wait for me or save any food for me."
Qin Weijin's steps visibly faltered. Mo Ningzhi, oblivious, waved to Li Yan, "I know."
After Li Yan's car left, Mo Ningzhi opened the car door and found Qin Weijin still standing not far away, staring unfocused at the rear of Li Yan's car, his attitude even somewhat serious.
Mo Ningzhi tightened her grip on the car door. "Aren't you leaving?"
Qin Weijin turned around. "Is he your friend?"
Mo Ningzhi narrowed her eyes. "Mm."
Are you very familiar with each other?
"right."
"You live together?"
"...That's right."
"Why? Doesn't he have his own home?"
"..."
That's a bit too much interference.
Mo Ningzhi has always hated people prying into his privacy, no matter how close they are; such questioning makes him impatient. But a strange thing always happens, because after Qin Weijin asked the question, he didn't seem annoyed at all.
"It's just a temporary arrangement; he'll be moving out soon," Mo Ningzhi explained unusually. If Li Yan were there, he would definitely think he'd seen a ghost in broad daylight.
Qin Weijin felt a tightness in his chest, a feeling of unease that seemed to rise from his heart to his throat after hearing Mo Ningzhi's words. However, his questions had crossed the line between boss and assistant, bordering on intrusive. He couldn't continue; otherwise, his assistant would eventually snap.
But he couldn't help wondering how long Li Yan would stay at Mo Ningzhi's house, when she moved in, and how close they were. Was staying there just some excuse that couldn't be made public?
However, Qin had no grounds to investigate further since it was part of Jin.
When they arrived at the film set, it was much more lively than usual. Ling Mo was very good at managing his relationships. It was his first day on set, and he arrived very early, mingling with the director and crew. He had debuted through a talent show, had good looks, and was very approachable, which amused several young women in the crew, who praised his humor and wit.
"Good morning, Brother Jin. The weather is really nice today. The director said that the scene we're going to shoot later is quite challenging. We've gone over the process with the cinematographer several times, which is making me a little nervous." Ling Mo's makeup and styling weren't difficult today. He had just changed his wig and clothes and swayed into Qin Weijin's dressing room like a butterfly, and his address became more intimate.
Mo Ningzhi was pouring water nearby. Upon hearing this, she didn't even turn her head. She took out a disposable straw from her bag, put it in a cup, and handed it to Qin Weijin.
Qin Weijin was applying eye makeup and couldn't move, so Mo Ningzhi put a straw to his mouth.
The makeup artist glanced at it casually and smiled, "Ningzhi, you're so thoughtful. I just finished my lip makeup, and with the straw, I don't have to worry about it smudging."
Ling Mo's expression stiffened for a moment.
Mo Ningzhi smiled modestly, then looked away from the distance.
"Alright, that's about it." The makeup artist examined Qin Weijin's face and said with satisfaction, "Brother Jin, you can change your clothes now."
Xiao Guo and Mo Ningzhi had already put their ironed costumes into the dressing room. After the makeup artist left, the stylist arrived quickly.
"Hmm, not bad. The wrinkles on the shoulders are smoothed out, and the belt can be tightened a bit." The stylist tightened the belt tail behind Qin Weijin's waist. At this moment, his view was obstructed. "Someone, can you check if the belt hook in front of him is straight?"
Ling Mo was chatting and laughing with Zhang Yuyu when he heard this. He immediately raised his hand and ran over, "Let me do it, teacher. I have good eyesight and I'm most familiar with this kind of ancient clothing."
The stylist, head down studying the costume, didn't see who had answered him. "Okay, this belt hook is for the Qilin, is it for a single hook ceremony? After you're done, hang the jade pendant over there too, on the right side."
Qin Weijin frowned as he watched Ling Mo get closer and closer. Just as he was about to refuse, he suddenly saw out of the corner of his eye that Mo Ningzhi glanced in his direction and then got up and walked over.
Qin Weijin hesitated for a second, then slowly closed his mouth.
"Brother Jin, let me help you tidy up." Ling Mo stood in front of Qin Weijin with a smile and extended his hand.
Just as he was about to touch Qin Weijin's abdomen, a pair of hands came from the side. The arms looked weak and thin, but they blocked him away in an instant.
Ling Mo stumbled and fell a few steps: "You..."
“Teacher Ling works hard filming, let our assistant do this little thing.” Mo Ningzhi stood in front of Qin Weijin without turning her head and gestured for him to raise his arm.
Qin Weijin seemed to be in a good mood, smiled, and spread his arms to the sides. Mo Ningzhi stood in front of him, and for a moment he had the illusion that Qin Weijin was opening his arms to him, ready to embrace him at any moment.
"I'm just worried that Assistant Mo is working too hard. He's been busy all morning, and I'm just a free person, so I thought I'd lend a hand," Ling Mo said.
Mo Ningzhi had worked as an entertainment reporter and knew all too well how much negative impact unsubstantiated rumors could have on Qin Weijin. Take today's incident for example. There were many people and eyes on the set. Once the scene of Ling Mo adjusting Qin Weijin's belt was leaked, no one would think they were brothers with deep affection and mutual respect. They would only think that Qin Weijin was bullying a newcomer because of his seniority.
Some media outlets with stronger language might even link this role change to Qin Weijin, forcibly adding a filter of money and sex transactions to the contact between Qin Weijin and Ling Mo.
Because he understood this, he was willing to offend Ling Mo to snatch it: "How could I trouble Teacher Ling?"
"No trouble at all. I just arrived, so this is a good opportunity for me to get to know everyone and build some chemistry on set. Or, I can do it..."
“Teacher Ling.” Mo Ningzhi turned around and looked directly at him.
Ling Mo was stunned for a moment: "What?"
Mo Ningzhi said with a smile, "Your makeup is smudged. It seems you didn't help at all and even caused trouble for the makeup artist."
Ling Mo: "..."
These words were a barbed rebuke, and apart from Ling Mo, no one felt any pain. Some even laughed, thinking that Mo Ningzhi was joking.
Ling Mo's expression changed drastically. He was also worried that there were too many people here and he would lose face. He tried his best to laugh back, but because he was so frustrated and agitated, the smile he forced was very ugly.
Qin Weijin couldn't help but laugh.
Mo Ningzhi looked up and saw a handsome man in ancient costume looking at him, unable to suppress his laughter. He paused for a moment, then quickly lowered his eyes and straightened his clothes.
"Hmm, not bad." The stylist checked it over and was very satisfied: "The single crochet technique is beautiful. Did you study it before?"
Mo Ningzhi: "No."
The stylist hissed, examining the belt. "It doesn't look right; you tied it very well. Ms. Qin, the outfit is all set. I think it's about time; shall we head out?"
Qin said "good" to Jin.
The scene outside was ready; the ancient-style courtyard with its blue-tiled roofs was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and guests gathered, creating a lively atmosphere. Today's filming was of the male lead Duan Yunfei's coming-of-age ceremony. Duan Yunfei's reputation was just beginning to emerge, and he had earned a considerable reputation for chivalry in the martial arts world. The coming-of-age ceremony was exceptionally grand, but a hidden murderous aura was still slowly approaching. Just as the guests and hosts were enjoying themselves, a group of imperial guards stormed in and slaughtered more than 430 people inside and outside the Duan family manor.
This is one of the main reasons for the male protagonist's transformation from a江湖草莽 (jianghu caoman, a kind of outlaw in the martial arts world) to a court strategist, and it is a highlight of the entire series.
It is a great test of the actors' acting skills and explosive power. In order to ensure the smooth progression of emotions and the final amazing explosion, the director prepared to take one take. If the supporting actors' performances were not up to par, they could be reshot.
"Alright, shot 19, first time, Action!"
After the clapperboard was struck, the lively scene slowly unfolded. Mo Ningzhi stood outside the mirror and watched Duan Yunfei, dressed in a red and black outfit, go out to greet guests with high spirits, drink heartily at the banquet, and carry a long sword and wear fast boots on the competition stage.
The young man, renowned throughout the martial arts world for his swordsmanship and handsome appearance, was even more dazzling than the dancing and singing performances on stage.
As she watched, Mo Ningzhi became engrossed without realizing it.
Until a team of assassins whose faces were obscured burst in from all directions, screams, cries of pain, and the sound of flesh being torn apart echoed everywhere, the once splendid banquet instantly turned into a living hell.
Duan Yunfei was no match for the four hands with his bare fists. He gradually fell into a disadvantageous position due to exhaustion. His face was stained with blood, and he knelt on one knee in the arena, supporting himself with his long sword.
"Close-up shot number one!" The director excitedly raised the walkie-talkie.
The camera zoomed in on Duan Yunfei's bloodshot right eye, his pupil contracting repeatedly in a painful tremor, deep red seeping from his eye socket, a tear of blood hanging on his lower eyelash, reflecting the fire and blood in the courtyard—a stunningly tragic scene.
A close-up pans across his right hand, gripping the hilt of his sword, the knuckles turning a bluish-gray from the force. The veins in his neck bulge, but only a few broken bellows-like sobs escape from his neck. Three seconds later, the studio's sound recorder picks up a soft "click"—like the sound of teeth being crushed.
Mo Ningzhi recalled that during the filming of "The Legend of Qin Demon," there were leaked photos showing Qin Weijin's intense emotional outburst in the drama, which caused him to lose control of his emotions after filming and take two hours to calm down on set.
Although it happened a few years ago, Qin Weijin's emotional scene had a great impact on Mo Ningzhi, and he was unsure whether Qin Weijin would lose control of his emotions again.
"Cut! Okay, passed!"
The director stood up, raised a megaphone, and spoke loudly.
"yeah!"
"sharp!"
"Yunfei is truly amazing."
"I didn't notice it before because Teacher Qin didn't have many crying scenes, but this time the one-shot scene really tested her acting skills. She cried so beautifully, it broke my heart to watch."
"Teacher Qin, you've worked hard. Please take a rest."
Qin Weijin took the tissue Xiao Guo handed him and wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes. His emotions came quickly and subsided just as quickly. Apart from his eyes being a little red, it was hard to tell that he had been crying.
Having acted for so many years, he has long since learned to evolve from "feeling" to "experiencing". He is no longer as overwhelmed as he was when he first returned to acting, unable to recover for hours after a crying scene. However, such scenes are very demanding, and he does need to rest for a while.
"Brother Jin, you've worked so hard. This scene was really difficult, but we really enjoyed watching it." Zhang Yuyu turned on the water for Qin Weijin and said, "I almost cried at the end."
"Did you cry?" Qin Weijin asked.
Zhang Yuyu sobbed for a moment, then said in a very unconvincing way, "No, I held it in."
After walking for a while, Qin Weijin still hadn't seen anyone familiar. He looked around and asked, "Where's Mo Ningzhi?"
"I don't know, he was just here a moment ago." Xiao Guo said, "He probably went to pack Jin Ge's things. You go back to the car and rest for a bit, I'll go find him later."
Qin Weijin finally found the person he wanted to see in the car.
"What are you doing?" He stood outside the car door, watching Mo Ningzhi bend over and rummage through her bag.
Mo Ningzhi was almost startled. She turned around to say something, but when her gaze fell on Qin Weijin's red eyes, she pursed her lips and said nothing.
He got out of the car in silence, walked to Qin Weijin's side, and gently placed a small object in his hand.
Qin was taken aback by Jin.
Slowly raising my hand, a piece of candy lay quietly in my palm. Its surface was crystal clear, reflecting a dazzling light in the sunlight.
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A note from the author: Goodnight, goodnight.
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