We stayed overnight at a hotel in town; the conditions were basic. During the day, we drove 100 kilometers south to film. In winter, the temperature here is lower than other places, and the wind and sand are strong, stinging our faces.
Su Ying has a sensitive constitution and very delicate skin. This environment often caused her eyes to become red, watery, and inflamed. The sand and gravel carried by the wind rubbed against her skin, and even after wearing makeup all day and then removing it, her face would turn red at the slightest touch. Despite all this, Su Ying didn't utter a single complaint or even a sigh over the past few days.
It wasn't time for night scenes yet, so she had plenty of free time in the evenings. Zhao Xiyin noticed that Su Ying wasn't very social; when she wasn't filming, she was alone in her room and rarely opened the door. That day, after much hesitation, she finally knocked on her door.
After about ten seconds, the door slowly opened. When she saw it was her, Su Ying had no expression and was still talking on the phone with her phone to her ear.
"I'm really fine, my eyes are just inflamed, I'm not blind. Why are you making such a fuss? I said I'm fine, so I'm fine! If you dare come, I'll divorce you." Su Ying hung up impatiently, then glanced at Zhao Xiyin, and regained her composure. "My husband is so annoying."
Zhao Xiyin still remembered that her husband's name was Qiao Shinan. She had seen him in the hospital room the last time; he was a middle-aged man with an outstanding demeanor.
"What is it?" Su Ying asked.
Zhao Xiyin handed over the ointment, saying, "This is what my dad bought for me. It's an allergy herbal ointment. Apply it before bed, and your skin will feel much better the next day."
Su Ying accepted it, "Thank you, please sit down."
Zhao Xiyin sat on the sofa quite properly, remaining silent for a moment.
While looking at the ingredients of the ointment, Su Ying asked, "Do you have something to say to me?"
Zhao Xiyin looked up and said, "Teacher Su, I've made up my mind about coming to the art center the other day, after you told me about it."
Su Ying looked at her.
"I'm sorry, I've decided not to go." Zhao Xiyin said in one breath, steeling her resolve.
The air was still, and even the airflow slowed down.
A few seconds later, Su Ying calmly said, "I understand."
Emerging from her room, Zhao Xiyin stood at the door for a long time without taking a step. Her head was bowed, staring at the hallway carpet, its grayish-brown plum blossom pattern still stained and unsightly. The longer she stared, the more her vision blurred, mirroring her current emotions—floating, lost in a jumble of conflicting thoughts, without any anchor.
The next day, a scene of a master and apprentice dancing together was to be filmed. Because the original plot involved traveling through dreams, which had a beautiful and historical feel, a backdrop was set up at the filming location in advance.
The wind and sand were strong today, making the frame sway precariously.
Zhao Xiyin has a small frame and had to wear a thin gauze dress. Even with five heat packs stuck to her abdomen and legs, she was still shivering from the cold. Filming was about to begin, but Su Ying was nowhere to be seen. The assistant director said, "Wait a while, Sister Ying has someone coming to visit the set."
As they were talking, Su Ying walked over from a distance. Her clothes fluttered, and her face was as cold as ice; she truly had the air of a fairy descending to earth. Then, Zhao Xiyin noticed a face that had suddenly appeared among the staff.
Su Ying's husband actually came.
The man was unassuming, dressed in a black overcoat, refined and handsome, standing at the back of the crowd watching his wife. He seemed displeased by the women's thin clothing, frowning throughout.
But when the dance begins, the wind, sand, and bitter cold become secondary. Su Ying's postures are grand and majestic, while Zhao Xiyin's are gentle and moving—a perfect match of stillness and movement. With each spin and leap, they ride the wind to embrace the moon, stealing a wisp of the plum blossom's soul in the cold winter.
It went smoothly; we got the shot right in just two takes.
The staff spontaneously applauded, and assistants draped cotton coats over them. Hot water and a thermal stove were provided, but Zhao Xiyin's nose stung from the cold air. Everyone was busy, and no one noticed that the backdrop was slowly tilting downwards.
Just as Zhao Xiyin was about to go down, a gust of wind whistled past, and someone screamed, "Watch out!!!"
The background wall, unable to withstand the force, collapsed directly.
Zhao Xiyin froze, her body too cold to react. Just as the object was about to hit her, someone rushed over and forcefully pushed her aside!
"Bang!"
With a dull thud, the man behind Zhao Xiyin let out a muffled groan.
He is Su Ying's husband, Qiao Shinan.
Su Ying ran over in a panic and knelt down in front of him. "Are you... are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I wasn't hit." Qiao Shinan stood up and asked Zhao Xiyin, "How are you?"
Zhao Xiyin thanked her and apologized without being able to react, "Thank you, I'm so sorry."
Su Ying turned her head and lashed out at the crew, "Who built this wall! Is it going to kill someone?!"
Fearing that others might write that Su Ying was being arrogant, Zhao Xiyin quickly grabbed her hand, "Teacher Su, please don't..."
Su Ying glared at her coldly, her aura truly imposing, "Spoiled!"
Qiao Shinan watched his wife from the side, his smile gentle and doting, their deep affection evident to everyone who saw it.
Back at the hotel in town, Zhao Xiyin felt guilty and apologized to them again.
Contrary to her usual behavior, Su Ying raised an eyebrow and said, "I won't accept your apology unless you come to my art center to dance."
Zhao Xiyin was stunned.
Su Ying's expression softened, then she coldly scoffed, "I was just kidding."
Zhao Xiyin remained silent.
Qiao Shinan said gently, "Xiao Zhao, don't take it to heart. In a situation like today, anyone would lend a hand. It's a small matter, it'll be over soon."
Su Ying turned her head and snapped at him, "Shut up and lie down to rest."
Qiao Shinan quietly covered himself with the blanket.
Zhao Xiyin scoffed and laughed.
After leaving the room with Su Ying, the two wrapped themselves in their coats and went for a walk outside the hotel. The night sky in the northwest was high and clear, unlike Beijing, where towering buildings meant that most of the time you could only see a small patch when you looked up.
Su Ying said calmly, "Old Qiao is a kind-hearted person, you don't need to keep this to yourself. He would have helped anyone in that situation."