Chapter 29
He felt a lump in his throat, and the discomfort spread throughout his limbs, face, and body, especially the wound on his knee, which felt like it was on fire.
Luo Mingxiu frowned slightly, enduring the pain to stand up straight, and stood there silently, as if he were being punished. He could stand there indefinitely unless she gave him a command.
Shen Li saw his lips pressed tightly together, his face pale. She longed to care for him as before, to check his injuries and apply medicine, but now, these things could no longer be done naturally.
She could only swallow her worries, pretending not to see his pained expression, and said, "Because of the fight, the crew was forced to stop filming, and your scenes with Li Nan will have to wait until you recover before we can shoot." "Can you buy some food and drinks and bring them to the set tomorrow to apologize to the whole crew?"
Luo Mingxiu agreed: "I've already asked Xiaowen to buy the things."
She was quite quick-witted and showed a good attitude in admitting her mistake, which calmed Shen Li down a bit: "Then go back and rest. Let Xiao Wen take good care of your injuries."
"Okay, goodnight." Even though it was just a casual remark from her, Luo Mingxiu could only be content.
Shen Li wouldn't be soft-hearted towards him forever. The more he schemed and plotted to gain her attention, the further he pushed her away.
The moment the door closed, Shen Li finally stopped sitting upright and relaxed.
She could sense from Li Nan's few words that he wanted to obscure the reason for the fight, but even without him saying it, she knew perfectly well what it was about.
Luo Mingxiu had developed romantic feelings for her, but she didn't know if it was a momentary impulse or the result of long-term dependence. She dared not think about it too deeply, because no matter how she thought about it, she couldn't accept it.
She was glad that Luo Mingxiu hadn't said it outright, so she wouldn't suddenly feel lost and unsure how to respond. This way, she could avoid the topic in their daily interactions, gradually letting him know her attitude and making him back down.
Fortunately, Luo Mingxiu did not cause her any trouble in the following week. Apart from filming, they did not communicate much on WeChat. After filming, he did not follow her around or wait for her to have breakfast.
He seemed to have returned to the time when he first joined the crew, and he started avoiding her again.
Putting aside the slight discomfort and emptiness in her heart, Shen Li felt that this was good. Before, she would have been angry if he did this, but now she only felt at ease.
As filming drew to a close, supporting actors gradually finished their scenes, leaving fewer and fewer actors in the crew.
The day before New Year's Day, Li Nan also finished filming. On New Year's Eve, the director wrapped up before sunset, and the production crew bought sparklers and distributed them to everyone.
With this atmosphere in mind, Shen Li also cheered: "Then let's all go to the lounge. I'll treat you to food, and after we eat, we'll all set off fireworks together."
"Yay!" A group of people who were about to leave cheered and crowded around. Xiaoyu raised her hand and asked everyone to send the list of things they wanted to eat and drink to the group chat.
The logistics team quickly pushed two long tables together in the lounge, and once the food, fruit, and drinks arrived, they were set on the tables. Everyone moved chairs and sat in a circle, and an impromptu New Year's Eve party was held.
Shen Li sat down next to Director Liu. She looked around and didn't see Luo Mingxiu and Xiao Wen. Just as she was about to get up to ask Sun Qi, Li Nan walked over and sat down next to her: "He went to the restroom."
Shen Li nodded and didn't move.
"Hey, the way we've done it, it's starting to look like a party," the director said.
The production manager chimed in, "Of course! If we also put up a red banner and print 'Detective Crew New Year's Eve Gala,' it'll have that feel to it."
"In that case, let's put on some entertainment!" someone suggested, and everyone in the room chimed in, "Yeah, we have sunflower seeds and snacks, I want to see a performance."
"You guys are always on set, haven't you had enough of watching the performances yet?" Director Liu laughed.
"We're talking about a song and dance performance!" everyone shouted in unison.
A male actor said to Sun Qi, "Sun Qi, could you sing the song you recorded for New Year's Eve for us again? We don't even need to prepare. I heard you're a music student, and I've been wanting to hear you sing a song live for a long time."
“Sure, but you all have to perform too!” Sun Qi stood up and glanced around at everyone. “Anyway, there aren’t many actors, so no one can escape. If you can’t sing or dance, just tell stories or jokes. Show off what you can.”
"Alright, let's get this party started!" Director Zhang took a sip of beer and slammed his hand on the table as if he were drunk. "I'll show you a thing or two later."
After a burst of laughter, the production manager, cracking sunflower seeds, said, "Let's get serious and have two hosts. What do you all think?"
"Alright, alright, let Teacher Shen and Teacher Li host."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked in their direction. Ever since Li Nan started openly pursuing her, everyone in the crew had seen it. It's human nature to love gossip, and now that they finally had a chance, they couldn't help but cheer and try to match them up.
"I... okay." Shen Li couldn't think of a way to refuse. She was just hosting, so there was no need to be coy and waste time, spoiling everyone's fun.
It's just a pity that we can't sit comfortably, eat snacks, and watch the show.
She took a sip of water, stood up, and Li Nan said that he was still not letting her go even though filming was over, but he had a happy look on his face and stood to the side with Shen Li.
He smiled at her, which reminded her of the freshman welcome party at the performing arts academy many years ago. Back then, Li Nan was the host on stage. Li Nan was a year ahead of her. When she entered the school, he had already become famous with a well-known movie and was a prominent figure in the academy.
The cameraman pulled out two microphones from somewhere, and Shen Li couldn't help but tease Li Nan after taking them: "Senior Li, you're hosting again."
Li Nan paused in his hand holding the microphone, looking at her with tenderness in his eyes: "Yes, I've never hosted a show with you at school, this is a good opportunity to make up for that regret."
Shen Li instantly felt embarrassed. She turned her face away and cleared her throat into the microphone to test it.
At that moment, the door to the lounge opened.
Luo Mingxiu and Xiao Wen appeared at the door. Luo Mingxiu glanced at them, then lowered his dark eyes and walked quickly along the wall.
Yuan Haoxuan and his assistant, who were at the end of the long table, waved to them and placed two chairs next to them.
"Didn't you tell me you were tired and wanted to go back to rest? Why are you here again?" Yuan Haoxuan asked Luo Mingxiu after he sat down.
Luo Mingxiu: "I washed my face with cold water and I'm not sleepy anymore."
Yuan Haoxuan found it unbelievable: "Brother, if you want to sleep, go to sleep. This is supposed to be a relaxing place, it doesn't matter whether you come or not."
Luo Mingxiu pursed his lips and remained silent, raising his eyes to look at Chen Li. How could he not come? It was the last day; Li Nan wouldn't be on set tomorrow. He was happy and had to come in person to see him off on his final journey.
Shen Li's gentle and pleasant voice slowly came through the microphone. She delivered her opening remarks smoothly, appearing poised, elegant, and charming. The dim yellow light from the lounge shone around her, as if the light had been created specifically for her.
Shen Li first called on Sun Qi to go on stage and sing.
Sun Qi truly lived up to her reputation as a professional singer; as soon as her voice rang out, everyone was immersed in her heavenly music, and the air itself seemed to quiet down.
While having his assistant take the photos he promised to give to Sun Qi, Yuan Haoxuan said to Luo Mingxiu, "Hey, let's perform together later, how about we do a sword flourish for everyone?"
After speaking, seeing that Luo Mingxiu ignored him, he poked his hand again, but still didn't move. Yuan Haoxuan turned around and saw that the man was staring in one direction, his eyes fixed on him.
Yuan Haoxuan followed his gaze and saw Shen Li, who had just finished her opening remarks and walked to the table, being fed fruit by her assistant.
He raised his hand and swept it in front of Luo Mingxiu's eyes, asking curiously, "Why are you staring at Sister Shen Li?"
“It’s nothing,” Luo Mingxiu said, looking away. “I heard what you just said. We can perform together.”
"Oh, that's good. I thought you didn't want to come with me." Yuan Haoxuan grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, silently cracked them for a while, as if he was thinking about something, and then suddenly turned his head to stare at Luo Mingxiu again, his eyes narrowing: "Brother Ming, something's not right with you."
"What?" Luo Mingxiu looked at him.
"You wouldn't have something going on with Sister Shen Li..."
Before he could finish speaking, Luo Mingxiu quickly covered his mouth, his face turning red instantly: "Don't talk nonsense."
"I'm talking nonsense, you know what I'm going to say, don't you?"
"I'm wondering if you have some kind of problem with her? I've noticed you haven't been talking to her about the script much lately while filming. Before, you were always very attentive to her, eager to learn and ask questions."
Yuan Haoxuan paused for a moment, then chuckled, "Oh, I see. Is it because Sister Shen Li is your boss, and you're afraid she'll think you're too stupid, so you're too embarrassed to ask her? Well, having a movie star as your boss can be stressful. Relax a bit."
After he finished speaking, he patted him on the shoulder.
Luo Mingxiu breathed a sigh of relief. He shouldn't have been nervous. What could Yuan Haoxuan possibly guess with that kind of brain? He casually replied, "You're right."
Following Sun Qi's performance, one by one, the audience members went up to perform, some singing and some dancing. When it was Director Zhang's turn, he and Director Liu performed a crosstalk routine for everyone. This was a skill that no one would have expected before, and it surprised everyone.
Finally, when it was time to go last, everyone's eyes were on Yuan Haoxuan and Luo Mingxiu. They invited the martial arts instructor to come up on stage, and someone played music for them. As the music started, sword energy arose.
The ceremony began, and everyone held their breath. The martial arts instructor stood at the front, with Luo Mingxiu and Yuan Haoxuan on either side.
Luo Ming stood tall and straight, spinning his sword with one hand, creating a sword shadow. The sword in his hand seemed to be an extension of himself, never slipping out of his grasp. He handled it with ease, accompanied by a melodious Chinese-style background music, giving him a unique and otherworldly charm.
Shen Li watched intently. In fact, Luo Mingxiu had been making progress since filming began, whether it was in action scenes, which he was already good at, or in the delivery of lines and emotions.
These were not just her personal feelings; Director Liu, Sun Qi, and Yuan Haoxuan had all told him this, and mentioned more than once that his eye acting was particularly good.
As a result, when Shen Li was acting with him recently, she paid special attention to his eye acting, which was indeed very effective in drawing her co-stars into the role.
Luo Mingxiu's scenes are almost finished filming, with less than a week left. These past few days, many times when the director yelled "cut," she wanted to go over and praise him. She was reluctant to part with the days she had worked with him and wanted to say more words of encouragement to him.
But she suppressed it all. A voice in her heart kept reminding her that they had to keep their distance. Luo Mingxiu liked her, and she couldn't do anything more that would cause him to misunderstand.
The music ended, and it wasn't until everyone applauded that Shen Li came to her senses and realized what she was doing, giving her closing remarks. All of this was witnessed by Li Nan, who was standing next to her.
As dusk settled, the actors, in small groups, ran with sparklers in hand, reaching the edge of the film studio, to the riverbank near the bridge. Across the river were residential areas, the closest place to the warmth of everyday life.
On the bridge, Li Nan pulled Shen Li away from the crowd and walked to the other side of the bridge. He stopped and asked, turning to look at her with serious eyes, "Shen Li, I like you."
Shen Li was startled, then smiled gently: "I know why you suddenly said it again."
Li Nan continued looking at her: "If possible, I'd like to tell you this every day. Maybe, as you listen, it will touch your heart."
Shen Li pursed her lips and remained silent.
Li Nan was used to her lack of response and gave a slight smile: "Hmm, it's okay. So, do you have someone you're interested in right now?"
He was confirming this matter again.
Shen Li didn't look at him, she just shook her head: "No."
"That's good, we'll take it slow."
A gust of cold wind blew by, ruffling Shen Li's hair. Shen Li watched as the man took a gift box out of his pocket. It was the latest perfume from a high-end luxury brand, a pear scent, which matched the fragrance she was used to.
“It’s almost New Year’s Day, this is a New Year’s gift for you.” Li Nan handed her the perfume and reached out to tidy the hair on her forehead.
Shen Li took a step back, fixed her hair, and looked at the gift in his hand, hesitating whether to accept it.
The atmosphere and the deep affection in Li Nan's eyes clearly indicated that his confession in the underground parking garage that day was too hasty, and he wanted to say it again.
Fireworks were going off at the other end of the bridge, and laughter echoed from the crowd running around in circles.
Seeing that she didn't move, Li Nan simply bypassed her hand and put the gift into her pocket.
Before Shen Li could say anything more, Li Nan put a finger to his lips and shushed her: "Three, two, one."
As soon as he finished speaking, fireworks lit up the sky on the opposite bank of the river, and firecrackers went off one after another.
"Happy New Year, Shen Li." After saying this to her, Li Nan leaned against the bridge and shouted towards the river, "Can I be your boyfriend?"
Shen Li was startled and unconsciously looked back, seeing Luo Mingxiu being chased by Yuan Haoxuan on the other side of the bridge, still running wildly.
She sighed inwardly. For some reason, the thought of Luo Mingxiu over there made it impossible for her to concentrate on listening to Li Nan.
"Don't look at him." Suddenly everything went black as Li Nan's hand blocked her view.
He gradually approached her, and Shen Li could feel his breath very close, lingering on her forehead. She lost her balance and took a step back, but Li Nan caught her and pulled her close. She leaned forward, placing her hands on his chest, creating some distance between them.
In the distance, Luo Mingxiu turned around from the noisy crowd, the light and shadows flashing around him. He looked at the two people embracing on the other side of the bridge, and the sparkler in his hand fell to the ground.
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