The crew of “Bai Mei Sheng” chose a relatively unknown ancient-style architectural complex located in City C. While it may not compete with large-scale film and television bases like Hengdian that have been in operation for many years, it boasts a beautiful and luxurious Tang Dynasty-style palace, nestled against the mountains and by the water. This location allows for both indoor and outdoor shooting, catering to the visual quality and style suitable for the big screen.
The commencement of filming this time was discreet, with no public announcement to the outside world. Both Yan Chi and Gu Qingtong traveled to City C as part of a private itinerary. Despite this, Gu Qingtong remained quite low-profile, and on the way to the set, there was no interaction between her and Yan Chi.
Asia Star Media, as usual, was unreliable. Although they did arrange an assistant for Gu Qingtong, they provided her with several resumes to choose from.
As a result, when Yan Chi casually checked these individuals, it turned out that they were either intrusive fans or assistants with a history of leaking information and being terminated by other artists. Therefore, the matter of hiring an assistant was once again shelved.
Various trivial matters in Gu Qingtong’s life were mostly handled by Yan Chi and Xiao Jun. So when Gu Qingtong arrived at the film set, Xiao Jun had already sent her luggage back to the room. When Gu Qingtong received the room key from Xiao Jun, she hesitated for a moment. Seeing that there were quite a few people around, she led Xiao Jun to a secluded place.
After a moment of hesitation, she quietly asked, “Xiao Jun, do you have a spare room key for Teacher Yan’s room here?” Xiao Jun was taken aback. She did have one, but she didn’t know why Tongtong was asking for it.
“It’s just…..that, um, the crew doesn’t know about my relationship with Teacher Yan. When it gets late at night, I might have to sneak into Teacher Yan’s room secretly…..”
Gu Qingtong went to great lengths to obtain Yan Chi’s room key, making her intentions abundantly clear. Sharing this with someone else, her face couldn’t help but turn red. It was evident that Xiao Jun finally understood what Gu Qingtong was up to.
However, being a devoted fan of Gu Qingtong, Xiao Jun regarded her as her own female goose1implying person that is innocent/naive. Seeing her so determined and hearing her talk about sneaking into Teacher Yan’s room, Xiao Jun’s expression was a mix of shock and distress. It seemed like Teacher Yan’s eccentricities were corrupting our dear Tongtong, wuwuwu! Return my innocent, clueless female goose!
If Xiao Jun were to discover Gu Qingtong’s proactive and even provocative behavior since her enlightenment, she might not even be able to maintain her status as a devoted fan. Under the intense scrutiny, Gu Qingtong felt an inexplicable sense of shame and guilt, as if she had been caught engaging in some inappropriate behavior by an elder.
Given Gu Qingtong’s already thin skin, she only asked for the room key because Xiao Jun was already aware of their marital relationship, and there had been a misunderstanding about her and Yan Chi zipping up each other’s clothes before. Gu Qingtong had assumed that Xiao Jun had long become accustomed to their shameless and unrestrained daily life.
Now, feeling embarrassed to continue asking for the room key under Xiao Jun’s gaze, Gu Qingtong fled the scene, leaving behind a parting remark: “…..It’s nothing, just forget I said anything!”
Holding the spare room key, Xiao Jun initially thought of chasing after her, but Gu Qingtong ran as fast as a rabbit and disappeared in an instant. In the end, Xiao Jun could only sigh deeply and, turning around, posted a message in Gu Qingtong’s fan forum:
[Oh no! The female goose has grown up, and the mother’s love has taken a turn for the worse. What should I do?!]
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Today, the film crew did not officially start shooting. The prop team was busy setting up scenes and adjusting equipment, while actors were doing makeup and discussing the script. Gu Qingtong needed to meet the director first to get her script. Previously, when Sun Xiao and Yuan Jingyu signed the contract, they only discussed the specific number of scenes, and the script wasn’t given to Gu Qingtong. After meeting with the director, Gu Qingtong finally obtained the script that had been kept hidden by Yuan Jingyu for a long time. Yuan, valuing the actor’s interpretation, even said: “The script I wrote is just my vision of He Haomei. If you have new ideas while reading the script or acting, feel free to embody the character as you see fit.”
Although Gu Qingtong is very grateful for the director’s recognition, she has never considered herself a naturally gifted actress. Every time she performs well in a role, it’s because she diligently studies the script, thoroughly understanding the character. She is so proficient that she even memorizes the lines of other characters who have scenes with her. So, upon receiving the script, Gu Qingtong temporarily put the room card incident out of her mind. As soon as she left Yuan Jingyu’s director’s lounge, she started reading the script while walking. The content of the script was not much different from the various scenarios she had previously deduced from Xuan Yao’s script. However, with just a casual flip, she could see many passionate and intense scenes.
Kisses, bites, licks, and even scenes involving bondage, captivity, and forced love, everything was included. Quite intense……no wonder the director is known as the master of passionate art. Gu Qingtong has never taken on such explicit roles before, and she feels uncertain about it. There’s even a sense of embarrassment, akin to reading explicit web novels. Now, not only does she have to read such scenes, but she must also immerse herself in them to portray the characters. A sudden blush crawls up her cheeks.
Just at this moment, a voice calls her name, sounding surprised: “Gu Qingtong? You’re here too?” Startled by the sudden call, Gu Qingtong’s hand trembles, and the script almost slips from her grasp. She didn’t even have time to calm the blush on her face before looking at the other person, who turned out to be Tan Siying.
It was the little flower that Gu Qingtong had saved on the set before, also the actress who played the third female lead, Xuan Yao.
Since the last time they bid farewell during the audition, the two haven’t met again. Although Tan Siying has invited her out, Gu Qingtong has politely declined each time, citing a busy schedule. After all, she knows that her “Teacher Yan” has a jealous and possessive nature. They’ve exchanged a few messages online, mainly because Tan Siying had spoken up for Gu Qingtong when she was falsely accused, prompting Gu Qingtong to express her gratitude. Seeing Tan Siying again now brings joy to Gu Qingtong. Initially, Tan Siying even considered giving up the role of Xuan Yao to Gu Qingtong, and the fact that both of them can now portray their respective characters is a perfect outcome.
So, Gu Qingtong felt somewhat embarrassed and said: “Hehe, Director Yuan invited me to audition for other roles, and that’s how I got the opportunity to be in the cast.” Seeing the thickness of her script, Tan Siying playfully asked: “Are those ‘other roles’ by any chance the mysterious second female lead, He Haomei?”
He Haomei can be considered one of the most anticipated characters, and until now, there hasn’t been any information about the actress playing her. Whether they are fans of Yan Chi or admirers of Yuan Jingyu, everyone is eagerly awaiting the official announcement of the lead cast. Due to the incredibly high popularity and attention this role receives, fans of all young actresses are vying for it. There’s even a saying that whoever takes on this role will instantly skyrocket in their career. After all, acting alongside the award-winning actress Yan Chi in a film with Yuan Jingyu as the female lead is a combination of buffs that’s hard to resist.
Tan Siying’s question was just a casual attempt to lighten the mood. Little did she know, Gu Qingtong, holding her script, exclaimed in surprise: “You know about this? The role I got is indeed the second female lead.”
Even someone like Tan Siying, who is an industry insider, couldn’t help but laugh in astonishment: “It’s really you? No one online even guessed it right.”
Everyone knew that Gu Qingtong auditioned for Xuan Yao, and many assumed she wouldn’t get the role. Even Gu Qingtong’s fans didn’t discuss this particular film much.
“I wonder how chaotic it will be when they make the official announcement…..” Gu Qingtong said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
However, she never thought she couldn’t play the role. As long as the character was portrayed successfully, all criticism could be turned into attention and appreciation. Gu Qingtong herself had never failed to capture people’s attention.
At this moment, a familiar voice calmly spoke: “Tongtong.”
Even though they had already expressed their feelings for each other, it was rare for Yan Chi to address her like this in front of others. Saying it now, neither too hurried nor too slow, seemed like a declaration of sovereignty.
Gu Qingtong naturally knew the reason behind it. Her face, still blushing from reading the script and talking with Tan Siying, looked like she was blushing alongside the other person. Most likely, it was another misunderstanding, and Yan Chi was feeling jealous again!
Gu Qingtong reflexively wanted to move towards Yan Chi, but when she turned her head and saw her with the golden-rimmed glasses and her attire, she suddenly remembered Yan Chi’s annoying behavior earlier in the morning. She abruptly stopped herself.
She picked up the spread-out script and used it as a shield to hide her flushed cheeks, looking at Yan Chi with only her eyes. She replied with the exact same words Yan Chi had used that morning, “Teacher Yan….what’s going on?”
Her tone was innocent, and there was a hint of cunning in her eyes, indicating that she could finally respond with a playful tone.
Upon hearing this, Yan Chi looked at Gu Qingtong quietly. Her eyes moved, and although her lips curved into a smile, it lacked warmth. In the next moment, she looked at Tan Siying and spoke with a polite but somewhat distant tone: “Miss Tan, it’s been a while since we last met. Thank you for speaking up for Tongtong the last time our relationship was exposed.”
Yan Chi’s words didn’t dodge her relationship with Gu Qingtong at all. Tan Siying was momentarily stunned, her gaze sliding between the two. Suddenly realizing something, she hesitated before asking: “You two—are guys really together?”
“Yes.”
“No!”
Both spoke at the same time, and the gazes of Gu Qingtong and Yan Chi met in the air again. Gu Qingtong, as if deliberately trying to tease Yan Chi, squinted her eyes and raised her small nose. Facing Yan Chi, she pulled the script down, revealing her alluring lip shape, and made a mouth shape, saying: “You don’t even feed me; what kind of wife are you?”
Although Gu Qingtong’s words contradicted her true feelings, judging by the familiar interaction between her and Yan Chi, Tan Siying instantly understood. This was just a playful exchange between the couple. Smiling, she generously gave them some time alone: “You guys continue chatting. I’ll go find Director Yuan for the script discussion later.”
Gu Qingtong didn’t expect that Tan Siying, being so understanding, was about to leave! With no one else present, the arrogance from earlier instantly dissipated by half. She also knew that Yan Chi wouldn’t let her off the hook.
Quickly, she said with her tail between her legs: “I’m leaving too. I still need to find a place to read the script…..”
But before she could turn around, Yan Chi, embracing her waist, caught her, saying, “Not feeding me? What kind of wife are you?”
“I think what Tongtong said is right, so let’s eat before you go.”
The golden-rimmed glasses on Yan Chi’s face highlighted her elegant and composed demeanor as she spoke, and her light-colored eyes conveyed a sense of gentleness and refinement.
Gu Qingtong could feel Yan Chi’s fingers kneading the softness around her waist, which was undoubtedly a teasing gesture!
“Eat, eat what?” She looked around. Although they weren’t on a main road and less likely to be directly seen by people, it was still a public place. What could they possibly eat?
Yan Chi’s tongue lightly touched her own red lips: “Eat off the lipstick, it’s specially chosen in Tongtong’s favorite sweet flavor.”
As she spoke, she tightened her grip on Gu Qingtong’s slender waist. “It seems that big sister is still too good to Tongtong, nurturing such an unruly character.”
It was just a kiss, right? Saying it like this made it sound like they were kissing publicly!
“Now there’s no one, but it might not be the case later.”
Yan Chi’s eyes were lowered, patiently watching Gu Qingtong in her arms, showing no signs of impatience. Gu Qingtong knew Yan Chi’s habits. It seemed that due to the previous persistence, Yan Chi would occasionally seek a kiss from her. Each time, she had to take the initiative to kiss first for it to count, even though Yan Chi would then take control.
It was as if every time she kissed Yan Chi first, it was revealing her affection and love once again. Gu Qingtong quickly overcame any embarrassment she felt. What did she have to be afraid of? It’s not like she hadn’t kissed before, and after all, she was the one pursuing Yan Chi!
“Big sister, lower your head, I don’t want to tiptoe. I can’t reach!”
Now, Yan Chi was practically ‘asking’ her to take the initiative. No way was she going to tiptoe to reach her! Gu Qingtong utilized all her coquettish skills, appearing reluctant with an expression full of innocence.
Although there was a bit of impoliteness and teasing, Yan Chi clearly enjoyed Gu Qingtong’s coquettish demeanor.
Finally, she slightly lowered her head, keeping her lips just a fraction of an inch away from Gu Qingtong’s, yet not making the move to press them together.
The warm breaths of the two gradually synchronized, intertwining with each other. However, this entanglement quickly elevated the atmosphere between them to a peak of ambiguity.
Gu Qingtong, at this moment, naturally wanted to kiss. Finally making a move, she extended her tender tongue, licking the lipstick on Yan Chi’s lips.
Surprisingly, it was sweet, a delicious chocolate flavor.
Who would have thought that Yan Chi’s usually icy and indifferent lips would carry such a soft, tender sweetness.
However, all these subtle thoughts were known only to Gu Qingtong. She was aware of all the secrets hidden beneath Yan Chi’s cold and restrained facade. Just thinking about these secrets made Gu Qingtong’s breath quicken.
What started as a slow lick gradually turned into nibbling, as if she truly intended to devour the entire lipstick.
Indeed, she was a child who loved sweet flavors. Yan Chi restrained herself for a while before finally reciprocating, savoring Gu Qingtong’s passion.
At that moment, distant footsteps suddenly echoed.
But only Yan Chi heard it. Gu Qingtong, who had been cautious about being discovered just now, seemed completely oblivious to any self-awareness.
Yan Chi reached out, slipping her hand between their lips, inevitably getting licked by Gu Qingtong, leaving behind a hint of warmth and moisture.
“Little glutton,” Yan Chi said with a light laugh, meeting Gu Qingtong’s puzzled and frustrated gaze. “Someone is coming.”
The hazy look in Gu Qingtong’s eyes quickly faded. Holding the script to cover up, she took a few steps to the side, pretending that nothing had happened with Yan Chi.
The newcomers were a few other actors who seemed to be looking for the director. However, upon seeing Yan Chi, they couldn’t help but stop and greet the senior: “Hello, Teacher Yan.”
The lipstick on Yan Chi’s lips had been nibbled away by Gu Qingtong, leaving them rosy and glistening.
However, she concealed the blush of emotions deep within her eyes, and her expression remained distant and chilly as usual.
Gu Qingtong faced sideways to the group, staying alone in a corner, engrossed in reading the script, silently praying that those people wouldn’t notice her.
Yan Chi attracted their attention, and those people looked at Gu Qingtong from a distance but didn’t recognize her. After a brief greeting, they left.
Finally relieved, Gu Qingtong took out her phone and opened the selfie mode, checking if her current appearance was presentable. When she finished fixing herself up and looked up, Yan Chi hadn’t moved; she was just silently staring at her.
Looking at Yan Chi’s lips, Gu Qingtong finally realized how much she had eaten. There was an endless sense of shyness in her eyes as she softly reminded her: “Big sister, do you need to reapply your lipstick? I did eat too much of it…..”
“We’re going to a makeup trial later. Tongtong helped me remove the lipstick. It saves me the trouble of wiping it off later, doesn’t it?”
Yan Chi obviously had no intention of helping Gu Qingtong conceal anything, and she seemed fine with appearing in public with this partially eaten lipstick.
Gu Qingtong felt even more embarrassed. She knew that Yan Chi liked showcasing the marks she left in front of others. Maybe she was secretly excited about biting and wetting her shirt earlier in the morning! Thinking about this, Gu Qingtong felt that she had been cleverly tricked by Yan Chi again.
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The makeup trial was scheduled during the daytime, and Gu Qingtong and Yan Chi, the two lead actors, had a dedicated makeup and styling team. They were assigned to a specially arranged makeup room.
It was Gu Qingtong’s first experience with the treatment given to lead actors. The makeup room alone was larger than the place where she, as a supporting actor before, used to rush to get her makeup done alongside all the other supporting actors.
The makeup team was a whole crew, with dedicated individuals handling makeup, hairstyles, and costume coordination, each with clearly defined roles. It truly lived up to the standards of the top-level styling guidance in the current historical drama industry.
As the name suggests, the makeup trial involved trying out every planned look for the entire film.
Sitting here almost the entire day for makeup, makeup removal, and changing costumes was quite exhausting. Yan Chi was accustomed to it, but for Gu Qingtong, it was her first experience. In front of the stylists, she behaved exceptionally well, doing whatever they instructed.
Gu Qingtong sat at her designated spot, with Yan Chi not far away. Despite the proximity, the busy atmosphere and constant flow of people made communication difficult, and even looking at each other wasn’t very convenient.
So, Gu Qingtong focused on studying her script. Her brain capacity could only accommodate one thing at a time, and when she directed her attention to work, thoughts of being a wife were nowhere to be found.
“This is the first time I’ve seen an actor so devoted to studying the script. Indeed, newcomers cherish opportunities quite a bit. You can look in the mirror to see if you like this makeup. If there are no issues, we might have to go for a costume fitting later,” the styling director remarked without disturbing Gu Qingtong, waiting until the entire makeup process was completed before giving her a reminder.
Gu Qingtong quickly laid her script aside and looked at herself in the mirror, only to be stunned for a moment. Although she had worn glamorous makeup before, today was the first time she had taken the inherent allure and charm to the extreme.
It truly embodied the saying “natural allure.” She hadn’t styled her hair yet, and it naturally cascaded over her shoulders, appearing slightly disheveled but adding to the atmosphere. The fair skin didn’t carry a heavy makeup feel.
With adjustments to the makeup, her peach-blossom eyes now had a subtle upward slant at the outer corners, and the red shading seemed like a natural addition. When she opened her eyes, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, giving her a pitiable look as if she held a pool of water within.
A crimson floral hairpin at her forehead elevated the aristocratic charm and enchantment of her splendid appearance, adding a touch of inexplicable allure.
There couldn’t be anyone more suitable for adorning a floral hairpin at the forehead than Gu Qingtong. While she was engrossed in reading the script and hadn’t raised her eyes, the stylist was satisfied with her well-sculpted facial features. When she finally lifted her gaze, it felt like the breath was momentarily suspended.
It became clear that her eyes were the reason why the director dared to use such a relatively unknown actress.
“Wow, Teacher is amazing!” Gu Qingtong exclaimed. Thinking that she would soon have to remove the makeup for the next look, she couldn’t help but feel reluctant and asked: “Teacher, can I take a few selfies now and share them? It won’t reveal our makeup, right?”
“This is just the basic Tang Dynasty-inspired makeup; it’s fine. You can take some pictures. We’ll arrange the previously tailored costumes for you once you’re done.”
Although the stylist was renowned, surprisingly, their temperament was quite good. Perhaps it was because Gu Qingtong was easy to work with and cooperated well in creating the looks.
Coincidentally, Gu Qingtong hadn’t managed her beauty on her official account for quite a while. So, she happily took selfies from different angles and created a 3×3 grid.
The lighting in the room was excellent, and the original camera photos were almost flawless. Gu Qingtong casually blurred the background, feeling that she could directly share the pictures.
While the stylist hadn’t returned yet, Gu Qingtong, thinking of taking a few more photos to indulge in some vanity, accidentally pressed the switch button and switched to the rear camera.
Suddenly, a distant and cool side profile appeared on her phone screen. Having already removed her makeup and waiting for the second look, it seemed that influenced by Gu Qingtong, even though she had shifted her focus to the script in her hands.
Without makeup, her appearance showed little difference from her usual light makeup. If anything, it seemed even colder and paler, lacking a certain warmth. The sharp contours on her profile were flawless, and her eyes, permeated with an icy chill, hung down seemingly effortlessly. In the silence, an innate nobility and coldness emanated from her.
Gu Qingtong gazed at this face that captivated her, her breath slowing down. Like countless times before, she silently pressed the capture button, immortalizing this moment of silence with Yan Chi
After doing all this, Gu Qingtong switched the camera back to the front. Once done, not forgetting the initial purpose of showcasing her beauty, she moved to a certain platform, changing from her alternate account to her main one.
“Qingtong, it’s about time to come and try on the costumes.”
Hearing this reminder, Gu Qingtong felt a sense of urgency. She swiftly uploaded the nine pictures, creating a 3×3 grid. Without checking, she wrote a caption that said “Girlfriend’s Perspective~” and hurriedly posted it.
Placing her phone on the table, she hurried off to try on the costumes. Meanwhile, all the netizens suddenly noticed a distinctive touch of color among the eight stunning images of a prosperous and rich appearance. Wasn’t it the picture of Yan Chi that Gu Qingtong had just taken?
Originally, Gu Qingtong’s caption “Girlfriend’s Perspective” was intended to convey how others perceive her. Little did she know that, unintentionally capturing that shot of Yan Chi, it seemed as if she was presenting Yan Chi from a girlfriend’s perspective!
Gu Qingtong was completely unaware of the unintended photo she took and the waves it would create.
