After Filming A Lesbian Movie With The Straight Girl I Like - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: “Want me to help you get into the mood?”

They wrapped up the birthday cake wish scene smoothly, as well as the strawberry-feeding scene. Now, the two of them were lying in bed.

Wen Xi had pulled a thin blanket tightly over herself, as if trying to shield her body from intrusion.

Jian Yu lifted the blanket and snuggled up next to her.

“Cut!” Chang Ning removed one side of her headset and said, “The vibe is good, but Jian Yu, control your breathing—it’s affecting the audio.”

Xu Ling quickly let go of Qin Cong’an and turned to the other side to catch her breath.

The effects of last night’s lack of sleep were kicking in now—she felt like every cell in her body was on fire.

Alright, she’d clearly overestimated herself. She thought that sleeping with her once would make her “get used to it.” Turns out, she couldn’t even touch her without getting overwhelmed. The moment she brushed her skin, her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.

So many people were watching. She was afraid someone would see right through her feelings for Qin Cong’an.

Then again… maybe they had already seen through her?

“And also…” Chang Ning continued. She had been focused on watching Xu Ling earlier and hadn’t paid close attention to Qin Cong’an. But upon reviewing the footage, she noticed a problem. “Wen Xi’s reaction is too flat. Pay attention to that.”

Chang Ning didn’t elaborate further, trusting Qin Cong’an to get what she meant.

Xu Ling was stunned. What was that supposed to mean? She was over here practically having a heart attack, and the other woman acted like she was just being hugged by some random acquaintance?

And this was the first time since filming began that Chang Ning had ever critiqued Qin Cong’an’s acting.

So… she’s fine in all other scenes, but the moment she has to film a back-hug with her, she loses focus?

Xu Ling was a little upset. Her breathing calmed right down—how could it not, with her heart going cold like that?

They adjusted their state and started filming again.

The cameraman held the camera above them, shooting a close-up of their faces in bed.

Xu Ling leaned over carefully, a little nervous.

Qin Cong’an shifted slightly, frowning.

“Jie jie, is it not okay for me to hold you like this?” Xu Ling recited her line softly, her tone tentative with a hint of fear—afraid she might get pushed away.

She couldn’t see Qin Cong’an’s expression, but she could feel her resistance easing. Her restrained movements softened.

Xu Ling continued, “Jiejie, can’t I kiss you?”

As she spoke, her nose brushed lightly against Qin Cong’an’s shoulder—intentionally or not.

That bit hadn’t been discussed in rehearsal, but she felt it worked well.

Chang Ning didn’t yell “cut,” but she still wasn’t satisfied. She scratched her face, visibly annoyed.

“Xu Ling’s performance was okay. But Qin Cong’an—what’s going on with you? Your reaction was too bland. Where’s your inner conflict? Your turmoil? It’s all missing. Take a look yourself—apart from the moment Xu Ling brushed against you, what were you doing?”

Perhaps her expectations for Qin Cong’an were too high, which made her more agitated.

Qin Cong’an simply said, “Sorry. Give me three minutes, please.”

“Alright,” Chang Ning replied, still trusting her. She gave her the time to recalibrate.

Xu Ling watched her walk away and asked the director, “Do I need to adjust anything else?”

Chang Ning discussed a few things with her. Three minutes later, Qin Cong’an said she was ready and returned to sit on the bed.

They prepared to shoot again.

Before the camera rolled, Xu Ling leaned over to Qin Cong’an and whispered, “Want me to help you get into the mood?”

Qin Cong’an glanced at her but didn’t say anything.

Xu Ling took that as consent.

Once filming started, she slid into the familiar mindset of Jian Yu and snuggled closer.

This time, her hand under the blanket slid lower, slipping toward Qin Cong’an’s thigh.

Qin Cong’an’s body tensed, her brows furrowed immediately.

Chang Ning watched the monitor carefully and saw Wen Xi’s wary expression. Her face looked like she was holding back strong emotion, eyes filled with tension—struggling, resisting, and yearning all at once.

This take felt just right to Chang Ning. Both actors nailed it. She was even a bit moved watching it.

Qin Cong’an’s flushed ears and Xu Ling’s tightly pursed lips created the perfect tension.

Liang He, watching from the side, was blushing. The performance was so compelling. They didn’t even do anything, yet it still felt like they were completely entangled.

“Is that it?” Xu Ling asked in surprise.

“What, you want to do another take?” Chang Ning asked.

Xu Ling thought, I wouldn’t mind, but also wondered—was it really just brushing her thigh that got Qin Cong’an into character? Or did she simply need that three-minute break to adjust herself? She wasn’t sure which was the real reason.

She watched the playback and found her attention completely drawn to Qin Cong’an’s expression.

So restrained…

That suppressed look made it all feel even more intimate.

Everyone started chatting:

“Why does it feel like Jian Yu has more of a big-sister vibe now?”

“She looks like a little white rabbit, but she’s actually a big bad wolf out to eat her jie jie.”

“Nice, nice—classic ‘raised-you-up-and-got-raised-by-you-in-return’ dynamic. Audiences are gonna ship them so hard.”

Qin Cong’an had returned to her usual, cool expression—unshakable as ever.

Xu Ling sat nearby, sipping water. There were still some other camera angles they needed to shoot. But her eyes kept drifting toward Qin Cong’an.

Qin Cong’an, on the other hand, didn’t so much as glance back.

The rest of the day’s filming went smoothly. After checking the footage, Chang Ning announced they could wrap up for the day.

On the way back to the hotel, Xu Ling nearly passed out—she was so exhausted. Barely any sleep and a whole day of emotional acting.

The moment she entered her room, she fell asleep immediately.

…

The next morning, Xu Ling got up early. Since there was still time before departure, she took a relaxing bath and felt refreshed.

When she stepped out of her room, she ran into Qin Cong’an and Lin Xinnuo.

Lin Xinnuo greeted her enthusiastically.

Xu Ling nodded back. “Good morning.”

She turned to Qin Cong’an. “Good morning.”

Qin Cong’an ignored her. Although she’d always been quiet, she would at least look at her before. Today, she didn’t even glance her way.

Xu Ling could tell something was off. Was she… mad at her?

But why?

Surely it couldn’t be because she didn’t go see her last night at the hotel, right? She was exhausted—she figured Qin Cong’an must be too and would want to rest.

If not that absurd reason, then what else could it be?

The elevator reached the ground floor.

Xu Ling thought maybe she’d ask her once Lin Xinnuo left, but Lin Xinnuo stuck close today, giving her no chance.

And all day, she never got the opportunity to talk to her.

During a break, Yi Huai came over and said, “I remember you said you liked Jiang Ruzhi, right?”

“Mm…”

“You look tired. What’s wrong?” Yi Huai asked. Anyone else would think she didn’t actually like Jiang Ruzhi.

“I’m just a bit worn out,” Xu Ling forced a smile. “What about Jiang Ruzhi?”

“She’s having a concert in Mist City. I got tickets—want to go?”

Xu Ling instantly perked up. “Of course!”

She’d been trying to get tickets but couldn’t. No connections. “But will Director Chang give me time off?”

“It’s still a while away. Ask her early—I think she’ll approve.”

Xu Ling felt touched. Yi Huai could be stern, but she was still the best.

“You can bring someone else too. I’ve got two tickets,” Yi Huai added.

“You’re not going?”

“Not really my thing. Besides, if I go, you think you’ll be able to enjoy the concert properly?”

Xu Ling felt even more grateful. Huai-jie, you’ll always be my big sis!

Yi Huai said, “I’ll give you both tickets the day before the concert. They’re VIP.”

“Oh wow, thank you Huai-jie!” Xu Ling immediately looked toward Qin Cong’an, who was quietly reading her script with a mini fan blowing on her.

Would she agree to go to the concert with her?

Xu Ling remembered reading online that Qin Cong’an didn’t like music. Her interests were movies, theater, books, and hiking.

And it might be inconvenient—if someone saw her there, rumors would start about her and Jiang Ruzhi being close. It’d be a hassle.

At that moment, Gu Qi—who’d overheard their conversation—spoke up: “Xu Ling, Xu Ling! Uh, do you have someone in mind already? If not…” She nervously pointed at herself.

“Oh,” Xu Ling turned toward the actress who played the character who hands out flyers to Wen Xi, “Sure! I was wondering who to bring. So you’re a fan too?”

“Yeah, I love her! Been a fan for ten years!”

“Wow, same here!” Xu Ling got excited. “Which album is your favorite?”

They hadn’t really spoken before, but now they were chatting like old friends.

Once they had a break, Xu Ling and Gu Qi were still excitedly talking about Jiang Ruzhi’s music, thrilled to find someone with the same passion.

That night, after they returned to the hotel, Xu Ling collapsed on the bed and watched fan videos of Jiang Ruzhi’s past concerts, determined to sing along from beginning to end.

After a few videos, she remembered Qin Cong’an, who hadn’t spoken to her all day.

They hadn’t had many scenes together today, and even when they did, they didn’t exchange a word.

Xu Ling opened WeChat and looked at that tiny orange emoji name on Qin Cong’an’s alt account—everything else was blank.

She debated whether to send a message.

But what would she say?

She didn’t even know what she’d done wrong. Should she just apologize and see what happens?

Start with a “Sorry”?

But why should she apologize? What had she done wrong?

She hated the silent treatment.

Then she realized something—this wasn’t even a cold war. They weren’t lovers. Not even really friends. So how could it be a cold war?

Still, not knowing why Qin Cong’an was acting like this made her chest feel tight.

She was about to return to watching Jiang Ruzhi videos when her phone vibrated twice and the screen changed.

Orange sent her a message:
“Are you in your room?”