"Report! Your Highness! There's news—uh!"
He rushed in and saw his two masters kissing. He immediately lowered his head, not daring to look. He didn't know whether to go in or back. Chu Beiyao got up, looked at Hua Che lying obediently with affectionate and smiling eyes, and helplessly leaned in to kiss him hard before saying, "Speak!"
"Card!"
"Great! No need to change it, this shot is excellent!"
Whether it was eye contact or body language, their performance was impeccable. Qin Shuang reached out and pulled Xiao Shulang up. Xiao Shulang breathed a sigh of relief. He was calm and composed while filming, but his chest was actually about to explode.
With her eyes sparkling and her earlobes flushed, Qin Shuang's frantic heartbeat hadn't yet calmed down when she suddenly raised her sleeve, the long sleeve blocking the gazes of others that were fixed on Xiao Shulang.
Xiao Shulang was puzzled and looked up at him.
Qin Shuang leaned over and touched his forehead: "I don't want them to see."
Their first kiss, though on set, was genuine.
Xiao Shulang couldn't help but laugh out loud. His eyes were filled with tears, not belonging to Hua Che in the play, but to Xiao Shulang off-screen.
"Fine, we won't show them."
Using the wide sleeves as cover, Qin Shuang and Xiao Shulang leaned closer and secretly exchanged a kiss, a kiss that belonged only to the two of them.
Chapter 56 Learning certain things means having someone else to share them with.
Xiao Shulang and Qin Shuang were busy with work and dating, so they didn't have time to pay attention to the negative comments online. Anyway, there are bound to be people who like it and people who hate it. After a thousand praises, there will always be one inexplicable comment. If they cared about everyone, it would be too tiring.
However, small-scale smear campaigns are different from large-scale ones. Following the previous article "Qin Shuang and Xiao Shulang are not a good match," there seems to be a lot of negative information about Qin Shuang online recently.
Qin Shuang is not talkative, and some people have already used this to speculate that he has a bad temper. After those inexplicable negative rumors were spread, a video appeared online. It was only a few seconds long, and in the video, Qin Shuang had a cold look in his eyes and said sternly to the person in front of him who seemed to be a staff member: "Get out of the way."
The anger in his voice was very obvious.
As soon as the video was released, comments immediately followed, saying that Qin Shuang had a bad temper, acted like a diva, and was incredibly arrogant.
And very quickly, the hashtag "#QinShuangBigBrand#" trended on social media, gaining momentum rapidly.
When the topic first trended on social media, Xiao Shulang and Qin Shuang had just finished filming a fight scene under the scorching sun. Both of them were drenched in sweat, their clothes completely soaked.
Xiao Shulang plays Hua Che, who is physically weak but knows some martial arts. There are several scenes where he has to take up swords when he has no other choice. The more brutal the fight, the longer Hua Che remains weak and frail.
This was quite a disaster, and because the first blood pack wasn't bitten properly, the second blood pack had to be bitten again.
Xiao Shulang's mouth was now full of the taste of blood packets, and he had actually rolled around in the mud a few times. As he rinsed his mouth, he blinked and felt a little dizzy when he looked down.
The weather has been exceptionally hot these past two days. Some of the staff members who were waiting on the side wearing short sleeves have suffered from heatstroke, not to mention the actors who are wearing heavy clothes and wigs, which are kept warm in every way. The director is also considerate of everyone's health and basically has to let them get some fresh air after each scene.
Xiao Shulang filmed a rain scene last night, and today he rolled around in the mud. It's no exaggeration to say that the mud was hot under the scorching sun. He almost couldn't get up when he got up, but the effect of slipping due to exhaustion made Hua Che's struggle in the drama seem more real.
The director thought he had made the adjustments himself and even filmed his impromptu performance, saying it was quite good.
His mud-covered clothes were changed, and since there were no two main characters in the next scene, Xiao Shulang temporarily put his own clothes back on. He leaned back in his chair, covered his eyes with a cool towel, and said to Xiao Jiang beside him, "Xiao Jiang, get me some heatstroke medicine."
His lips are truly bloodless now.
Xiao Jiang noticed that Xiao Shulang sounded tired, so he quickly went to the crew's logistics department to get medicine. Qin Shuang also changed into casual clothes and came over. He was holding a glass of water. As soon as he got to Xiao Shulang, he noticed that Xiao Shulang swayed.
"Ah!" Qin Shuang quickly pressed his shoulder. Xiao Shulang paused, took the no-longer-cold towel from his eyes, and his vision was a little blurry. He closed his eyes and said, "I feel a little dizzy."
Qin Shuang frowned, touched Xiao Shulang's forehead, and found it covered in cold sweat. He sat down next to Xiao Shulang, let him lean on his shoulder, poured warm water from a thermos, and let Xiao Shulang drink it first.
"Don't drink anything cold yet," Qin Shuang said, noticing that Xiao Jiang wasn't there. "Did Xiao Jiang go to get the medicine?"
"Hmm." Xiao Shulang took a sip of warm water, his voice weak and listless. "I might have a bit of heatstroke."
"Lean on me and take a nap."
Qin Shuang gently patted Xiao Shulang's head, helping him find a comfortable position. Mild heatstroke should be fine after taking some medicine and resting. However, if Xiao Shulang was still feeling unwell, she would tell the director to change the order of scenes.
Then take the person to see a doctor.
Xiao Jiang brought the medicine, and after Xiao Shulang took it, he drank half a cup of warm water and then took a nap next to Qin Shuang. Qin Shuang used a small fan to blow air on the two of them, and she had no interest in playing on her phone.
Xiao Wu rushed over, and Qin Shuang noticed something was wrong. She raised her hand and stopped Xiao Wu from saying what he was about to say.
He gestured to Xiao Wu with his eyes: Xiao Shulang was still asleep. He then asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"
Xiao Wu swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue, handed the phone to Qin Shuang, and said that it was best to let Qin Shuang see it herself.
After reading it, Qin Shuang understood. It seemed that the main target of the article about the mismatched couple of days ago was him.
These people are quite careful in their criticism; they don't pick anything particularly offensive, they just start by saying they dislike or can't stand him, and then say some ambiguous things, very cleverly muddying the waters and stirring up trouble.
The video of him asking people to move aside is real. Just like the one with Xiao Shulang and Wang Shao, it's cut off from the beginning and end, only a short clip is released. However, the difference is that Qin Shuang can't find any surveillance footage to supplement it this time.
That was in an area without surveillance cameras, so the person who filmed it must have done it on purpose.
The incident began after a charity gala when a businessman pestered Qin Shuang, insisting that he take on a role in a certain film.
The dinner party wasn't their first meeting. Qin Shuang had already read the script for the play he mentioned; it was a standard rubbish film, and no matter how much money he offered, Qin Shuang would never act in it.
I had already refused, but I didn't expect to run into this person again at the charity gala, and he still kept pestering me.
The so-called "staff" in the video all came with that person. When Qin Shuang refused, they even tried to stop her from leaving, which is why Qin Shuang scolded them.
Later, that terrible movie was still made, and the actor who played the male lead later had good opportunities; he was clearly being promoted.
That happened eight hundred years ago. Who would have nothing better to do?
Qin Shuang thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and pulled up the list of nominated works for this year's film festival.
The film festival is fast approaching, and next week is no exception. Qin Shuang has a film on the list. He glanced at it and saw that a new film by the male lead of that terrible drama was also nominated.
As an actor, watching and learning is necessary. I've also seen this actor's new work, Qin Shuang. The work is above average, and its strength lies in its good theme. As for the rest... it's just a bunch of talented actors forcibly pushing the male lead, whose acting skills are lacking, forward.
The supporting roles, music, and other aspects are of an award-winning or even award-contending quality, but the male lead is not good enough, absolutely not good enough.
What, are you going to pour all your resources into promoting someone?
Qin Shuang is the most likely winner of this year's Best Actor award. The reason for hiring people to smear him on such a large scale at this critical juncture is probably to clear the way for someone else.
Xiao Shulang stirred slightly, and Qin Shuang gently patted his back, after which Xiao Shulang fell back asleep peacefully.
Qin Shuang mouthed to Xiao Wu: "I understand."
Xiao Wu had done what he was supposed to do and didn't say anything more.
Xiao Shulang slept for a while and felt much better when he opened his eyes. Qin Shuang had filmed while sick before, but he couldn't bear to do it to Xiao Shulang.
Qin Shuang wiped Xiao Shulang's sweat: "Do you need to ask for leave?"
"No need." Xiao Shulang drank some more water. "I can act."
Qin Shuang: "Don't force yourself."
Xiao Shulang teased, "Feeling sorry for me?"
Qin Shuang naturally nodded in agreement. Xiao Shulang smiled and pressed the cup against Qin Shuang's face: "I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Your face is covered in makeup and sweat, so I won't let you kiss it. Just use this instead."
Qin Shuang then took the cup, moved it to the spot where Xiao Shulang had just drunk water, tilted her head back, and drank the rest of the water in the cup.
Xiao Shulang thought that Qin Shuang must have put sugar in the water, otherwise why would his mouth still taste sweet?
He smoothly transitioned into the next part of the filming. Fortunately, Xiao Shulang's main scenes for today had already been filmed, and the remaining scenes were not difficult.
His acting skills have improved rapidly. He was already quite talented, and with his hard work, the results he achieved were excellent.
When it was his turn to rest, he immediately hid in the shade. Xiao Shulang knew that he was not feeling well today and could not afford to be disturbed. He had to avoid aggravating his symptoms. He was careful and thought that going back to sleep might make him feel better.
He stayed in the shade watching Qin Shuang film. The staff handed out refreshing soup to everyone. When it came to Xiao Shulang, the person chatted with him for a bit: "Teacher Xiao, those people on the internet are just talking nonsense. Teacher Qin is a very nice person. It's all thanks to their mouths that she's spouting nonsense."
When you can't muster the energy to lift your limbs, you also feel lethargic. Xiao Shulang didn't even want to look at his phone, thinking the staff were talking about some of the bad things that had been circulating about Qin Shuang these past few days, and nodded, "Yes."
The staff also brought out some refreshing soup for others, so they didn't chat much. Xiao Shulang also took Qin Shuang's bowl and put it next to him. Anyway, everyone knew about their relationship and knew that Qin Shuang would be the first person to come to his side after filming.
Today's filming lasted until 9 pm. After wrapping up, everyone rushed back to the hotel, wanting nothing more than to return to the comfort of air conditioning.
Although Xiao Shulang was still not very energetic, his head was no longer so dizzy. He parted ways with Qin Shuang in front of the hotel room, and Qin Shuang told him, "If you are not feeling well, get some rest."
Xiao Shulang nodded; that was exactly what he had planned.
After taking a shower back in his room, Xiao Shulang took another dose of his medicine. He was about to lie down and go to sleep when he suddenly remembered that he had emails to deal with at the company, so he opened his laptop again.
He used to never install news pop-ups on his computer, but now that he needs to read entertainment news, he simply installed one for convenience. As soon as he turns on his computer, today's hot entertainment news pops up.
Qin Shuang's name was so prominent that it startled Xiao Shulang. Connecting it with what the staff had said today, he quickly clicked in and sure enough, he saw that it was a negative trending topic.
Qin Shuang must have already seen it.
Did I not tell him anything today because I was worried about my own discomfort?
Xiao Shulang's fingertip slid across the mouse.
He clicked away from the news window, opened his email, and began to deal with it seriously.
After returning to his room, Qin Shuang kept in touch with people. He had already started dealing with public opinion issues during the day. After sending out another message, his doorbell rang.
When Qin Shuang looked at the video screen, she saw that the person outside was Xiao Shulang.
Xiao Shulang was wearing pajamas, clearly having already washed up. Qin Shuang quickly opened the door to let him in. Although everyone on this floor knew each other, and Xiao Shulang's pajamas were a very casual, homey style, there was nothing to be embarrassed about. But it wouldn't do to leave him standing outside for so long.
The main reason is that Qin Shuang doesn't want others to see her.
Qin Shuang led Xiao Shulang into the house and touched his face with her hand: "Why haven't you rested yet? Are you feeling unwell again?"
Xiao Shulang shook his head: "I just saw the entertainment news."
So that means you know you've been hacked. Qin Shuang said, "It's being dealt with."
“I don’t doubt your abilities,” Xiao Shulang turned his head and pressed his cheek against Qin Shuang’s palm, “but… tell me about it too.”
"I'm afraid I'll cause you even more headaches." Qin Shuang's heart softened completely at Xiao Shulang's affection. "I'll tell you everything from now on."
I didn't mean to blame you.
Xiao Shulang pulled Qin Shuang's hand and led her to sit down: "We are both the type of people who like to handle things independently. I just thought of that. Not only you, but I myself may not have changed yet."
"But now that we're dating, besides sharing the sweetness, we definitely need to learn to share and confide in each other. Let's learn together, okay?"
Qin Shuang's throat bobbed: Xiao Shulang is right. It's not a bad thing that they're used to bearing things on their own, but they also need to realize that now they have someone else to share things with, so they don't have to bear them all alone anymore.
Qin Shuang gave him a light kiss on the lips, her voice soft and sincere: "Okay."
So without Xiao Shulang asking, he took the initiative to say that he had contacted the person who filmed the video. The other party was not someone who would refuse money; as long as he was paid, he was willing to sell the complete video to Qin Shuang.