"Cut!" the director yelled from behind. "Su Qingmu, what's going on? This scene is about a maid falling into the water, but you're the protagonist! As long as the camera is rolling, you can't slack off!"
Su Ding was pulled out of the water again, dripping wet.
Her chest ached with a dull pain where she'd been kicked, and she shivered from the cold.
Her agent, Xiao Yuan, worriedly wrapped her in a blanket and directed the borrowed fan heater straight at her.
Over there, Su Qingmu's eyes were red, her head bowed.
The director didn't know what else to say. Although this was a big production with plenty of actors eager to join, Su Qingmu had just been awarded Best Supporting Actress. Perhaps she was just having an off day.
"Everyone take a break!"
As soon as the director spoke, Su Ding breathed a sigh of relief, holding her throbbing chest and finding it a little difficult to breathe.
She wrapped herself tightly in a thick coat. "Sister Yuan, pour me some water."
Xiao Yuan quickly went to get it.
Su Ding drank the water and rested. Her hair was also blown dry before she put on makeup again.
The third take.
After Su Ding was predictably kicked into the lake again, she felt utterly exhausted.
"Cut! Another take! Xia Hao, you need to hold Qingmu tighter. Qingmu, you need to act scared, understand?"
The director was getting a headache and couldn't help but stand up. "You're not new actors anymore, don't you know the basic acting skills..."
"Director Wang, why would you cast someone who can't act?"
A deep, cold voice came from behind. Everyone's eyes widened in shock as they looked at the newcomer.
Jin Ye, dressed in a sharp suit, had an unusually indifferent expression on his handsome face.
He strode forward, his long legs carrying him to Su Ding. He took the large towel from a crew member and wrapped it around Su Ding's disheveled, shivering body.
"Mr. Jin... Mr. Jin?" Director Wang's legs went weak.
He was the head of the Jin family, the richest family in Jiangcheng, controlling the city's economic lifeline.
A single stomp from him could shake the entire city's industries. The Jin family were not only business legends but were rumored to have noble bloodlines, with generations of wealthy ancestors.
The young actors and crew members present had all seen his photo on television and in the media.
They hadn't expected him to be so young in person.
Jin Ye carried a cold, imposing aura that silenced everyone present.
The film crew, hundreds strong, fell into a hushed silence.
Su Ding had absolutely not expected Jin Ye to come.
After sending a car full of roses earlier, he had now personally graced the set to find her.
It was as if he was afraid people wouldn't know she had hitched herself to the city's most powerful patron.
"Mr. Jin, what brings you here?" Director Wang quickly dismissed his earlier anger, forcing a smile as he approached.
Jin Ye glanced at him, his dark gaze sending a chill down to the bone.
He said coldly, "The crew should promote actors with good acting skills. This way, filming efficiency is higher."
Director Wang cautiously glanced at Su Ding, whom Jin Ye was shielding, and nodded understandingly. "Yes, yes, Mr. Jin, you're absolutely right. I'll arrange it immediately!"
Jin Ye grunted. "I'm taking a friend to the hospital. I need to take leave."
Director Wang nodded quickly. How could he possibly refuse?
Su Ding was completely bewildered.
So Jin Ye had come to stick up for her and was now taking her away?
This scene hadn't even finished filming.
Then, she heard the director say, "Su Ding, you should go to the hospital quickly."
Before Su Ding could respond, Jin Ye half-supported her and left under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Sitting in the familiar car, Su Ding felt a sense of surreal detachment. Everything that had happened today was too dramatic!
The car started moving.
Su Ding glanced at Jin Ye, who sat beside her with a cool demeanor. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Mr. Jin, why did you send me flowers?"
"Xiao Xi sent them."
Jin Ye's earlobes turned slightly red.
Su Ding noticed and felt a desire to laugh. She then asked, "Did you come looking for me?"
"..." Jin Ye was silent for a long moment before letting out a low, soft "En."
For some reason, Su Ding was certain that this aloof CEO was being awkward and shy.
She couldn't help but turn and gaze at the silent, handsome man beside her, her heart beating faster and faster.
When she had suspected Xiao Xi was her child, she had developed a strange feeling towards Jin Ye.
Now, this feeling was becoming increasingly apparent.
She liked the feeling of being with Jin Ye and Xiao Xi, yet she instinctively resisted getting too close to them.
Ultimately, they were not the same kind of people.
Moreover, Jin Ye's relationship with Shao Lin was not simple. Thinking of this, she felt a sense of resistance again.
Su Ding sighed. She felt so conflicted.