While the two pairs—adults and children—along with little Mo Yan and the cameraman rested peacefully beneath the trees that shielded them from the harsh sunlight, other people nearby were dealing with their own plans and difficulties.
Only a short distance away from the peaceful group, PD Xu Cui stood with a phone pressed to his ear. Every trace of his usual mischievous, jolly expression had vanished.
His face was serious, almost severe, the lines around his eyes and mouth drawn tight with controlled tension. The light that filtered through the leaves painted shifting patterns across his shoulders, but none of the warmth reached his expression.
"What?" he asked, voice low and carrying a dangerous pressure that made the air around him feel heavier.
On the other end of the line the staff member shivered. His tone turned meek and careful, as if he were speaking to a sleeping tiger that might wake at any second. "Gu Chengze is making trouble for our company."
