“Because this is my work, and I’m responsible for my work.”
Qian Yuan stood beside her, stunned by these words.
Lin Xiaoman had already painfully stood up, comforting the staff around her: “I’m fine.”
When other staff returned, Lin Xiaoman resumed her previous bright, relaxed demeanor.
Repositioning herself at the starting point, the dazzling lights were somewhat glaring, and Lin Xiaoman momentarily lost her balance, swaying slightly.
“Are you okay?” The nearby staff rushed to ask.
“I’m fine,” Lin Xiaoman smiled radiantly, showing no signs of distress, “Let’s begin.”
The cameraman called “Action,” and Lin Xiaoman leaped up. The wind machine blew, her red clothes flowing, an immortal ascending. The camera followed rapidly, and just as she was about to descend, a deep male voice came from behind: “Quickly adjust the camera angle!”
“
★ Chapter Twenty-One: Dream
Qian Yuan’s childhood dream was to become a director.
When he watched “Cinema Paradiso,” this idea took root in his mind. By the time his first film won an award, he was already imagining walking the Oscar red carpet with his favorite actress.
However, what he thought was a starting point became his endpoint, and after that, his works went unnoticed.
This shouldn’t be the case.
It seemed the world had declined, with good works going unappreciated.
Despite this, he persisted in his dream, believing that one day people would discover his genius in the film industry. But he had to live to see that day.
He began accepting work he looked down on, which paid well but was meaningless, shooting carelessly, with many boasting about such projects. Qian Yuan despised these people from the bottom of his heart, believing he was different, that only he understood art, that he was a pure lotus untainted by the world.
Until he met Lin Xiaoman, saw her choosing to capture the best images regardless of shooting conditions—saw her performing her best without complaint even when injured—Qian Yuan felt dirty.
How could he differentiate in his own work? This was not the quality a director should have?
“I was wrong,” he sighed softly, unable to look at Lin Xiaoman after the shoot.
Lin Xiaoman was satisfied with this shoot and took out a card, telling Xiao Bai to take care of everyone that evening.”
As she prepared to go to the changing room, someone rushed in, creating a commotion and attracting everyone’s attention.
Lin Xiaoman approached and saw a cute young girl repeatedly hitting Xiao Bai with her bag: “Why didn’t you reply to my messages? Why didn’t you come find me? I waited for you all day! You big liar, bastard, and you said you loved me…”
Xiao Bai continued to be beaten, trying to say “Let me explain,” but Xiao Yin refused to listen, hitting even harder: “…How dare you not reply to my messages for hours, making me lose face in front of my friends. You’re done for today!”
As everyone gathered around, Lin Xiaoman grabbed Xiao Yin’s hand: “Enough. This is not the place to cause a scene.”
Xiao Yin turned back, stunned when she saw Lin Xiaoman. She had seen her on TV before and thought she was good-looking, but seeing her in person, she found her skin flawless and radiantly beautiful, with an aggressive beauty that surpassed anyone she had ever seen.
“It’s you!” Xiao Yin pointed at Lin Xiaoman, “It’s all because of you. Xiao Bai didn’t reply to my messages because of you! He never behaved like this before!”
“That’s right, it’s because of me,” Lin Xiaoman frankly admitted.
This was the first time she had seen Xiao Bai not playing with his phone during their long collaboration.
“I knew it was you, you vixen!” Xiao Yin glared at her. “The advertisement could have been shot this afternoon, so why drag it until the evening? Why won’t you let him go now? What are you thinking? Do you think I don’t know—”
“Xiao Yin!” Xiao Bai, worried she would say something worse, quickly stepped between them and grabbed her. “Come out with me.”
“What’s wrong with saying it in front of everyone?” Xiao Yin, seeing him protecting Lin Xiaoman, became even more furious. “You weren’t like this before. No matter how busy you were, you would always reply to my messages and never stand me up. It’s all because of this woman!”
“First, I’m not ‘this woman.’ I have a name. I’m Lin Xiaoman, your boyfriend’s artist,” Lin Xiaoman said slowly. “Second, as my manager, he is responsible for all my affairs. Your behavior will cause us trouble. Third, if the words you just said spread, they could damage my reputation, and I can pursue legal action against you. So, please be careful.”
Xiao Yin was intimidated by her tone but still tried to appear brave. “You… do you think I’m afraid of you?”
“Do you think I’m bluffing?” Lin Xiaoman stared directly at her, her momentum overwhelming. “Keep causing trouble, and I’ll make you understand fear.”
“Really,” Xiao Bai whispered in Xiao Yin’s ear, “She’s fierce. Just stop causing a scene.”
“Me, causing a scene?”
“Xiao Yin kicked Xiao Bai, “You heartless one. We clearly agreed you’d be with me today, but now you’re standing me up for this woman. And now you say I’m causing a scene. I think you’re just—”
Xiao Yin was about to say “vixen” but remembered Lin Xiaoman’s threat of legal action and stopped.
“Anyway, you must come with me. My girlfriends are waiting for you!”
“But I…” Xiao Bai was conflicted. In the past, he would have left without hesitation, but this was Lin Xiaoman, someone who had shot countless takes for a good advertisement and continued despite injuries. How could he betray her?
“Half past twelve, at Hu Tao,” Xiao Yin glared at him, “If you don’t come, forget about seeing me!”
Xiao Yin came quickly and left even faster. Xiao Bai wanted to chase after her but stopped when he saw Lin Xiaoman.
“I won’t make it difficult for you. Choose for yourself.”
“I…” Xiao Bai looked at the young woman before him. Her expression was so calm and serene that he felt if he left today, he would lose her forever.
It was different from arguing with a girlfriend.
“I’ll stay,” Xiao Bai said firmly. “This is my job, and I’ll do it well.”
Lin Xiaoman’s lips curved slightly, and her gaze softened.
After confirming things with Xiao Bai, she booked a flight ticket. When she came out of the changing room, everyone had already left.
Lin Xiaoman closed the door and found a thin, dejected figure standing at the corridor’s turn—it was Qian Yuan.
Her expression softened somewhat. From Qian Yuan’s concern about her injury to standing behind the camera again to direct, she discovered he wasn’t so unpleasant.
Walking up to Qian Yuan, he kept his head down, still not looking at her. Lin Xiaoman thought of a child who had done something wrong, standing obediently in the corner.
To her, Qian Yuan was a few years younger, just a kid in her eyes.
She didn’t want this child with endless possibilities to go astray, and slowly said, “A person who isn’t responsible for their work can never become a good director. As long as you’re on set, you’re the general of that battlefield. It’s your responsibility to fight the most beautiful battle.”
Qian Yuan remained silent, the blush on his pale face deepening.
“Goodbye,” Lin Xiaoman turned to leave.
“I’m sorry,” Qian Yuan suddenly spoke, his hoarse voice incredibly sincere.
Lin Xiaoman looked at him in surprise.
“I was too arrogant,” Qian Yuan awkwardly averted his gaze. “Thank you for opening my eyes.”
If not for Lin Xiaoman, he would have remained in his own world, never seeing what a terrible director he was, never able to move forward.
“Thank you,” he said again and extended his arm.
Lin Xiaoman was stunned.
“Let me carry the box to express my gratitude.”
Lin Xiaoman looked at him carefully.
His eyes held an innate melancholic air, and the teardrop mole at the corner of his eye made him look incredibly cute.
