Chapter 803: A Million Times for You (165)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
An Xiaoning noticed the look of fear and panic in Jin Qingyan’s eyes when he was speaking; he had completely lost his usual composure.
“I’m right here, aren’t I? Are you bothered by the fact that we can only meet each other secretly like how we are now?” An Xiaoning asked.
“That’s not an issue for me. I’m just bothered by how you feel about me.”
“What else are you worried about, then? You’re the only person I love, Jin Qingyan,” An Xiaoning said reassuringly with a smile.
He turned over and pinned her beneath him. Staring at her with glistening eyes that were devoid of his initial panic, he said while smiling, “I’m hungry.”
“What would you like to eat? I’ll get No. 13 to prepare it for you.”
“Nothing, I just want to devour you.”
“You haven’t eaten yet, are you sure you have the energy?”
“You’ll know after we try.”
She grabbed his wandering hand and said, “Let’s eat first…”
“No.”
“You’re already in your thirties, how are you still so willful?”
“I’m three years old.”
“…”
——
“I’m so sick of the packed lunches provided by the caterers. Erlan, I’ll treat you to some nice food for lunch.”
Gazing at Jing Shui, Fang Erlan said, “I really can’t make you treat me anymore. I’ve yet to treat you to make up for the supper you bought for me last night.”
“Don’t mention it, it doesn’t cost much anyway. Men ought to get the tab when dining with women. Besides, we’re friends. Don’t stand on ceremony with me,” Jing Shui said nonchalantly.
“How about we go dutch for lunch today? I’ll agree to go with you only if you promise me that.”
“Since you’ve already said that, can I say no? It’s a deal then,” Jing Shui said with a smile.
“Alright.” Noticing that he had already left, Fang Erlan picked up her cup and sipped on some tea.
Dressed in the ancient costume with an extra coat above the layer, Yan Ge remarked casually, “Look how wide you were smiling just now. Your jaw is about to drop.”
“Since when? Senior Yan Ge, shall we have lunch together later?” Fang Erlan asked.
“Nah, I don’t want to play gooseberry.”
“Don’t spout nonsense. There’s nothing between me and Co-director Jing at all.”
Yan Ge rolled his eyes at her and said apprehensively, “You two just haven’t made it official yet. Don’t try denying it, you’re clearly smitten with him. It was so obvious.”
“I really am not. He and I are really just friends.”
“Can there really be pure friendship between a man and a woman?” Yan Ge remarked calmly.
“My relationship with him is just like mine and yours. No more than ordinary friends,” Fang Erlan said truthfully.
“Who said we were ordinary friends? I don’t have a friend like you,” said Yan Ge.
Fang Erlan froze and said softly, “I already consider you my friend, yet you don’t see me as your friend at all. To think that I still massage you every day.”
“It’s only your duty to give me a shoulder massage. We’ve had an agreement at the start.”
“You…”
Fang Erlan sat up straight and cocked her head toward the side, her face turning hot and red in embarrassment.
I’ve been filming alongside him for so long and I really thought he saw me as his friend. Turns out I’m just an insignificant nobody to him.
Well, he’s an A-lister who’s received several accolades for his works. I’m just an insignificant small fry who used to only play minor roles in television drama series. How could we possibly be friends?
It was just wishful thinking on my part. How embarrassing!
Both their assistants looked away quietly, not daring to utter another word.
When noontime arrived, Jing Shui approached Fang Erlan, who headed to the restaurant with him, appearing rather troubled.
She did not bring Xiao Yue along and sat opposite him in the restaurant.
“You seem a little upset. What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing, let’s eat.” She picked up a pair of chopsticks and casually glanced at the figures outside the window. It was Yan Ge and his assistant, Xiao Li, who happened to be passing by.
“By the way, I heard from my brother that Ms. An will be coming by in the afternoon to check on our progress,” said Jing Shui.
“Sis Xiaoning?”
“Yes. You’re the first actress whom she and Mei Yangyang have signed onto their studio, and they immediately offered you the chance to star as the female lead of the television series. Seems like she has very high expectations of you,” Jing Shui said with a smile.
“I know, that’s why I dare not make any blunders when I’m acting. I’m a newbie, and I ought to step up my game and acting chops. I must do my best not to disappoint her and Sis Yangyang.”
“Newbies like you are rare to come by. Rookie actresses nowadays just love to create trouble instead of further improving their acting skills. Although they may seem glamorous on the surface since they’ve achieved wealth and fame, insiders of the industry all know that those rookies don’t actually have what it takes. There’s a difference between celebrities and actors,” Jing Shui said truthfully.
“You’ve flattered me. I come from a humble background, and it’s my blessing to have received so much help from Sis Xiaoning. I ought to put my best foot forward in order not to let Sis Xiaoning down.”
Jing Shui smiled and nodded. “By the way, there’s something I almost forgot to ask you. You know Jing Yang, don’t you?”
Fang Erlan nodded and asked, “Yes, what’s the matter?”
“He said that he has something to talk to you about. He asked me for your mobile number and I gave it to him.”
Fang Erlan was peeved upon hearing his words and questioned, “How could you just give my number away without my consent?”
“He and I are friends. I gave him your number because he said that he wanted to talk to you about something. He won’t harass you. Jing Yang is a polite person. I reckon he must be looking for you for something important.”
“I doubt there’s anything important he needs to talk to me about. He’s a huge celebrity, and we don’t know each other. Why would he be looking me up?” said Fang Erlan, who felt disgusted at the thought of Jing Yang. She did not even feel like telling Jing Shui about the five years that she had been idolizing Jing Yang for.
“I guess he’ll be contacting you very soon since he’s already asked for your number. You may just ask him then.”
Fang Erlan did not enjoy herself at all during the meal.
There was going to be a kiss scene between her and Yan Ge, which was going to be filmed in the afternoon.
It was their first time filming a kiss scene.
Fang Erlan even asked Jing Tian about it.
“Director, will we be stage-kissing for the scene this afternoon?”
“Of course not, it’s going to be the real thing. Brush your teeth properly. Yan Ge initially suggested that we do a stage kiss, but he finally gave in after my vehement persuasion. He hates women who have bad breath.”
“Director, I don’t have bad breath.”
“That’s good.”
“But…” Fang Erlan hesitated and said, “Director, since you had to force Senior Yan Ge to do it, we might as well just do a stage kiss. Or we could leave a sheet of glass in between.”
“Impossible, you must do the real thing.”
Seeing how insistent he was, Fang Erlan did not try to refuse any further and proceeded to brush her teeth.
After brushing her teeth thrice, to the point that her gums were almost swollen, she sprayed her mouth with a fruity-flavored breath freshener.
She finally decided that it was enough.
She was filled with nervousness, such that her limbs were trembling uncontrollably.
It was not just her first onscreen kiss, but also her very first kiss in real life.