[Private Crew Chat: #OnSetObservations]
It was lunch break. The heat was sweltering, and tempers were frayed. But the most pressing issue wasn't the crew fighting over drinks or the extras scrambling for shade—it was a single question:
"What is Wayne wearing today?"
In the unspoken survival code of the film set, Wayne's outfit was the ultimate weather report. If you got too close, you risked a physical attack from his sequin reflections.
〈Gossip #1〉 The Lighting Department
Old Wang, the lighting lead, delivered a golden nugget of wisdom while chewing on a pork rib:
"I think Wayne's sequin blazer... could save us at least two fill lights."
The junior technician beside him nodded while munching on dried bamboo shoots. "For real. I just checked the light meter. The brightness spiked to 120 lux when he walked past."
Another frowned. "Wait. If he takes three more steps, is he going to outshine our entire lighting design?"
Old Wang thought for a moment. "That's fine by me. I can collect my paycheck without ever turning on a lamp."
The group nodded in solemn agreement.
〈Gossip #2〉 The Camera Department
Old Zhang, the cinematographer, took a sip of iced soy milk and spoke with gravitas:
"I almost caught Wayne in the frame this morning."
The intern's eyes widened. "Why?"
"Because he was dressed exactly like the 'Golden Battle Flag' from the props department. He just... blended into the background."
The intern shivered. "So... what do we do?"
Old Zhang patted his shoulder. "Just be careful not to film him directly. Otherwise, the audience will think the CG rendering failed."
The intern's eyelashes fluttered. "Is Wayne so bright that he's practically a special effect?"
Old Zhang nodded deeply. "He is the special effect."
〈Gossip #3〉 The Extras' Corner
Xiao Fang, an extra playing a Qing Dynasty maid, lowered her voice:
"Did you guys know? Yesterday, I brushed past Wayne... and the scratches from his sequins are still on my sleeve."
Xiao Li, playing a guard, gasped. "Are you serious?"
"Dead serious. It looked like I got hit by a lightsaber... I thought my skin was going to peel off."
Another extra chimed in: "Don't you know? Everyone says Wayne is the 'Combat-Class Fashion Organism' of this set."
The group burst into laughter.
〈Gossip #4〉 The Production Manager's Summary
Old Zhou, the most stoic of the bunch, suddenly dropped a line:
"Wayne is wearing a green scarf with gold sequins today. He must be in a great mood."
Everyone was stunned. "How can you tell?"
Old Zhou didn't even look up as he unwrapped his straw. "Last time he was in a bad mood, he wore all-black sequins. The reflections were menacing. Today is 'Fresh and Breezy'."
The crew exchanged looks. Apparently, Wayne's sequin palette was the set's official mood forecast.
〈Gossip #5〉 The "Qin Mu Fan Club"
A few assistants huddled together, whispering:
"Did you see Qin Mu's face when he saw Wayne earlier? He actually knit his brows."
"No way! The stoic Qin Mu actually had an expression?!"
"Yeah, and he looked... exactly like a cat being blinded by a flashlight. It was so cute!"
"Wayne's sequins... might be Qin Mu's only natural predator."
〈Gossip #6〉 Ye Xiaoxiao's Internal Monologue
Xiaoxiao sat quietly eating her lunch, listening to the gossip about Wayne's "light pollution." She stole a glance at Wayne in the distance. He whipped his head to adjust his blazer, and for a second, it looked like a sun had exploded.
She thought to herself: This set is bright enough with Wayne around. I'll just... happily remain as a background character.
But a second later, she smiled. It wasn't envy or jealousy. She just felt that someone who could be so bravely themselves was truly impressive.
The set was nearly empty after wrap. The lights dimmed one by one, and the studio felt like a different world. Xiaoxiao was still squatting amidst piles of clothes and props, sorting accessories and tidying the chaotic styling table.
She was lost in her work when a shadow suddenly leaned in close.
"Shh... keep it down."
"WAAAH!" Xiaoxiao jumped, nearly using a coat hanger as a weapon.
Wayne had appeared behind her like a ghost, looking mysterious as he shoved something into her arms.
"Here," he whispered, sounding like he was smuggling contraband. "Don't say your 'big brother' only bullies you."
"What is...?"
Xiaoxiao looked down. A second later, her voice and soul leaped in unison: "AHH?!"
Wayne recoiled. "Look at you, getting all excited."
It was a book... a photo book of muscular male models, their oily abs glistening under heavy filters.
"This is from my private collection," Wayne said with the certainty of a professor recommending a required course. "Look at it when you get home! Guaranteed to make you feel refreshed for work tomorrow! I'm off to get my beauty sleep now~"
With that, he strutted away in his rainbow platforms and shimmering gold blazer.
Xiaoxiao stared at his retreating back and muttered, "I don't need this... you exploit me so much I sleep just fine from exhaustion."
She tossed the book aside and continued sorting. Then, a deep voice came from the doorway:
"...You haven't left yet?"
Xiaoxiao nearly threw a wig into the air. It was Qin Mu.
He stood under a dim side light, his aura calm and cool, like the only steady lamp in the dark.
"Y-y-y-you—" Xiaoxiao's tongue tied into knots.
Qin Mu found it amusing. He wondered if she realized she started picking at her fingers whenever she was nervous.
He pointed to the script in his hand. "I came back for the revised version."
"Oh! Right!" Xiaoxiao nodded frantically.
Qin Mu's gaze then drifted to the table—specifically, the macho man photo book. He was silent for two seconds. His voice was calm, yet dangerously low:
"...Is that photo book yours?"
"NO!" Xiaoxiao lunged at the book like a reflex, pinning it down with both hands. Her face was redder than an overheated stage light. "It's Way—Wayne's! He forgot it! It's really not mine!"
Qin Mu: "..."
He was certain she was nervous. He was certain she was talking so fast she was about to choke. And he was certain—she really wasn't the type to collect books like that.
The corner of his mouth twitched. Mentioning Wayne reminded him of the morning's sequin flash-bang. "Right. He always dresses... uniquely." He paused, his tone carrying a rare hint of playfulness. "But he certainly made my eyes 'brighten' today."
"Pffft—hahahaha!" Xiaoxiao nearly doubled over, her shoulders shaking like a deflating balloon. "Brighten... he was literally blinding..."
Qin Mu watched her laugh. Her round cheeks wobbled with her giggles, and her eyes curved into two clean little crescents.
He suddenly felt an impulse—a desire to reach out and pinch her cheek. The urge was so real his heart skipped a beat.
He quickly raised a hand to mask his mouth and cleared his throat. He wasn't one for long conversations, but for some reason, he felt like he could stand here and talk to Ye Xiaoxiao for a very long time.
Much longer than he had imagined.
As the final lights on the set flickered out, leaving them in the quiet dark, Qin Mu realized for the first time: being with Ye Xiaoxiao in the middle of a quiet night was... unexpectedly relaxing.