[Film Set · Conference Room]
The air in the conference room felt like an early-morning classroom—
heavy, tense, yet oddly expectant.
Seated around the long table were all the main cast members:
Male Lead He Zhan,
Male Lead No.2 Qin Mu,
Male Lead No.3 Lu Gang,
the female lead Qiao Fei,
and two assistant directors.
The director snapped his folder shut.
"Alright, let's take some time to get to know each other.
It'll make filming smoother later on."
Ye Xiaoxiao
(in Qiao Fei's body)
sat at the far end of the table, hands neatly folded on her lap—
—but her heart was pounding hard enough to create its own background music.
Because—
Qin Mu's seat
was directly opposite hers.
Close enough that if she lifted her head,
their eyes would meet instantly.
Her mind screamed:
—Who arranged these seats?!
—Step forward right now, I promise I won't kill you!
—Should I be grateful… or furious?! AHHHH!
The more she thought about it, the more nervous she became,
her head lowering unconsciously as she started picking at her fingers.
Just then—
Qiao Fei's spirit exploded at her left like thunder.
"YE. XIAO. XIAO—!"
Hands on her hips, furious beyond words.
"You are Qiao Fei right now, not some timid assistant!
Head up! Chest out! Chin lifted—!"
Ye Xiaoxiao snapped her head up immediately.
Qiao Fei took one look and nearly flipped through the ceiling.
"I told you to lift your head—
NOT to introduce yourself with your NOSTRILS!!!"
Ye Xiaoxiao panicked and quickly adjusted.
"L-like this…?"
Qiao Fei squinted.
"…Alright. At least now you don't look like you're about to challenge the whole table."
The director began introductions.
"This is our male lead, Yu Heng—played by He Zhan.
Stage actor, incredible range, an outstanding performer."
He Zhan looked toward "Qiao Fei" and smiled politely.
Ye Xiaoxiao nodded back—
the movement so small it looked like she was brushing dust off the air.
Qiao Fei's spirit hissed at her:
"Qiao Fei does not get shy.
Qiao Fei enters social settings in Queen Mode.
Please… have some confidence."
Ye Xiaoxiao stiffened.
"…Okay."
The director turned to the other side.
"This is Sheng Yuan, played by Lu Gang.
Excellent in action scenes, very strong villain presence."
Lu Gang immediately straightened, introducing himself in a low, husky voice.
"Miss Qiao, it's a pleasure working with you."
Then—
he smiled.
A smile that was smug, sharp, overly confident—
paired with a deliberate eyebrow lift, perfectly fitting his role as the "man who steals love."
As if saying:
In the drama, I'll take you.
Off set—you'd better watch yourself too.
Ye Xiaoxiao froze.
Qiao Fei's spirit muttered coldly:
"…Don't pass out yet.
That's just a veteran actor being dramatic.
The villain smirk is part of the job."
Ye Xiaoxiao whispered, "But… it feels like he's really looking at me…"
Qiao Fei replied flatly:
"You're using my body. Of course he's looking."
The director moved on.
"This is Qi Mo, played by Qin Mu.
Widely recognized as a powerhouse actor.
Exceptional in action scenes."
Qin Mu lifted his gaze.
His eyes—clear, calm, and clean—fell on Ye Xiaoxiao.
Her entire body jolted.
Her throat tightened.
Breathing went off rhythm.
Fingers stiffened.
Even her legs trembled uncontrollably.
He nodded gently.
"Miss Qiao. Looking forward to working with you."
—How can his voice sound THIS good?!
—How can his eyes be THIS clean?!
—How is this man even LEGAL?!
Her brain drowned in static.
"AAAAAAHHHH—"
Qiao Fei's spirit erupted.
"YE XIAOXIAO! BREATHE!!
BREATHE—!!"
Ye Xiaoxiao let out a barely audible sound.
"I… I'm trying…"
"And you're BLUSHING?!
Qiao Fei does NOT blush in situations like this!
Qiao Fei makes OTHER PEOPLE blush!!"
At that moment, Qin Mu frowned slightly.
He observed "Qiao Fei's" stiff posture,
the ears red like a fully steamed shrimp—
A thought surfaced unexpectedly.
—Strange.
—This legendary cold heiress…
—doesn't look cold at all.
She looked… nervous.
Almost like… she was afraid of him.
For the first time,
Qin Mu felt curious.
The director clapped his hands.
"Alright. Since everyone's acquainted, we'll move into script discussion.
Relax today. The hard work starts soon."
Ye Xiaoxiao cried internally.
(I'm already dying.)
Qiao Fei snorted.
"You wanted to see your dream guy?
He's right in front of you.
Pull yourself together—!"
Her tone shifted, suddenly like a battlefield general.
"This is your first test of 'Qiao Fei acting.'
Survive it."
[Film Set · Morning Shoot]
Sunlight bathed the open lot outside,
but inside the set, war had already begun.
Scene One: Lu Gang vs. Qin Mu — Action Sequence
The stunt coordinator raised the clapperboard.
"Scene 12. Qi Mo rescues Shen Xu. Fight—Action!"
"BANG—!"
Lu Gang's punch cut through the air.
Qin Mu dodged sideways, movements sharp and clean.
They clashed like real street combat—not rehearsal.
Lu Gang sneered, delivering his line:
"Qi Mo, you can't protect her."
Qin Mu countered, locking his wrist and slamming him down.
"Try me."
The stunt coordinator shouted excitedly:
"Good—very good! Keep it! Power's great, eyes sharp—one more!"
Scene Two: He Zhan's Emotional Scene
On the other side of the set,
He Zhan filmed Yu Heng's memory scene with Shen Xu.
Soft lighting.
He lifted his gaze—
controlled, layered emotion, restrained affection.
The director nodded.
"Good. Emotion's beautiful. One more close-up and we're done."
The crew moved efficiently. Everything ran smoothly.
Scene Three: Styling Room — Qiao Fei (Ye Xiaoxiao)
The white lights in the styling room were so bright
they felt like they pierced straight into the soul.
Ye Xiaoxiao sat rigidly, palms sweating.
In the mirror—
her reflection,
and beside her, Qiao Fei's spirit floating, barely holding back laughter.
Then—
The door opened gracefully.
Wayne stepped in.
Dressed in a calm, tailored outfit—
eyes still sparkling like stage lights.
He stopped behind her, hands resting naturally on the chair back—
part blockade, part protection.
He met her gaze in the mirror and smiled.
"—We meet again, classmate."
Ye Xiaoxiao's heart jumped.
Qiao Fei rolled her eyes.
"Why does everything he says sound like flirting?"
Wayne leaned closer, like a jewelry commercial.
"Your look is my responsibility."
His finger tapped the chair lightly, tone relaxed yet inevitable.
"Now—
I'm going to start your styling."
Ye Xiaoxiao trembled.
"O-oh… okay, Wayne-ge—"
—The air froze.
Wayne's hand stopped midair.
In the mirror, his eyes lifted slowly—
as if he'd heard something he shouldn't have.
Only Ye Xiaoxiao ever called him that.
"…What did you just say?"
Inside, Ye Xiaoxiao screamed.
(I'm dead. I'm dead. I can't call him that—I'm QIAO FEI!!)
Qiao Fei's spirit lunged forward.
"YE XIAOXIAO!!!
ARE YOU TRYING TO EXPOSE US?!"
Her mind went blank.
Instinctively, she chose the worst possible option—
She lifted her chin, forced a cold heiress expression.
"…I mean—"
She took a deep breath.
"If you dare make me ugly…"
Her eyes flickered, then she forced a fierce glare.
"I'll take you out."
—Complete silence.
Qiao Fei: "??? WHERE DID YOU LEARN THAT MOB BOSS LINE?!"
Wayne: "..."
Then he laughed.
Softly.
"Classmate… you really haven't changed. Still feisty."
He turned to pick up a brush.
"Relax. How could I ever make you ugly?"
When he returned, his demeanor shifted—
professional, focused, sharp.
He lifted her chin with familiar authority.
"From now on—
leave yourself to me."
Ye Xiaoxiao nearly fainted.
(WHY DID I JUST THREATEN WAYNE-GE—?!)
As he worked, Wayne said calmly:
"Remember, Miss Qiao—"
His eyes met her flushed ears in the mirror.
"Beauty is your duty.
And making you even more beautiful—
is my responsibility."
Qiao Fei covered her face.
"I swear, I will NEVER admit I know this man."
Ye Xiaoxiao: …?!
(Wait—Wayne-ge, aren't you supposed to like men?!
Why is that look so dangerous—?)