After Filming A Lesbian Movie With The Straight Girl I Like - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: How Could Qin Cong’an Call Her a Flirt?

 

The peaks were green, the clouds idle, and the breeze sweet. For once, the weather wasn’t muggy or oppressive.

 

As they reached the final stretch of the climb, Xu Ling grabbed Qin Cong’an’s hand, gritted her teeth, and reminded herself that she was almost off work. With that, she pulled herself up. Once they made it over the ridge, the camera could no longer capture them.

 

Standing firmly on solid ground, Xu Ling didn’t let go of Qin Cong’an’s hand. She was this exhausted—wasn’t she entitled to a little reward? If anyone asked, she’d just say she forgot.

 

“Snake.”

 

Huh?

 

Xu Ling looked down at her feet but saw nothing. Still, it only took a second for her to react—she immediately curled up and dove into Qin Cong’an’s arms like an oversized dog unaware of her own size, begging for affection from her owner.

 

“You’re not actually scared, are you?” Qin Cong’an saw right through her so-called fear, picked up a long tree branch, and swung it at the “snake.” “Oh, turns out it’s just a rope.”

 

Xu Ling followed her gaze. That “snake” was clearly a rope—you could tell at a glance. She looked up at her. “You didn’t really think it was a snake, did you?”

 

“No. I’m not wearing my contacts.”

 

“Oh.” Xu Ling knew she was a bit nearsighted—but to mistake it for a snake? Well, if that’s her story, sure, she could have it. “I am really afraid of snakes, though.”

 

“Are you.”

 

“Who isn’t scared of snakes? Isn’t that kind of fear coded into human DNA?” Though, in truth, Xu Ling wasn’t that afraid. She was actually more terrified of mosquitoes.

 

Qin Cong’an seemed to believe her and nodded before tossing the branch aside.

 

“You can come down now!” Liang He shouted from below with a megaphone. “Follow the safety guide—be careful!”

 

Xu Ling finally let go of Qin Cong’an’s hand.

 

Chang Ning reviewed the footage they’d just shot and asked the two of them once they were down, “Do you still have the energy for one more take?”

 

“…”

 

“We can.”

 

Xu Ling raised her hand. “But I want to rest a bit first.”

 

“Of course, I wouldn’t make you go again immediately,” Chang Ning said. “Take a moment and catch your breath.”

 

The wardrobe assistant brushed off the mud from their clothes. One outfit was dark, the other light, both featuring matching red accent patches. Paired with the surrounding greenery on camera, the colors popped beautifully—vibrant and fresh.

 

A behind-the-scenes cameraman approached and asked the two, “Was that last climb tiring?”

 

They glanced at each other. “Not too bad.”

 

The cameraman popped his head out from behind the lens. “Can you act a bit more intimate? This scene is really important—it’ll be used for the promotional reel.”

 

Xu Ling’s eyes darted quickly toward Qin Cong’an, then she poked her shoulder and said, “Look at those strong arms—honestly, I think she dragged me up the mountain. I barely did anything. Didn’t even break a sweat. You tired?”

 

Qin Cong’an gave her usual reply: “I’m fine.”

 

There it was—her signature business-like attitude. Always distant, never indulging the shippers.

 

Xu Ling wrinkled her nose and looked at the camera. “She’s faking it. Her hands were trembling just now.”

 

“Were they?” Qin Cong’an held up her hand and opened it.

 

Xu Ling squinted as if inspecting closely—then, just two seconds later, that big hand came toward her face and ruffled her hair.

 

Then Qin Cong’an walked away.

 

…?

 

Xu Ling stood frozen, staring at Qin Cong’an’s retreating back. Who even are you? Who said you don’t do fan service? You’re really good at it!

 

They climbed the mountain one more time. This time, they had experience and knew how to navigate better. It went more smoothly, and the footage looked more relaxed—closer to how Jian Yu and Wen Xi would behave in that scene.

 

Chang Ning was pleased after reviewing the footage. “Perfect! That’s it for this location. Pack it up and head back.”

 

She checked the return schedule with the driver. “Everyone can rest on the bus. Once we’re back, I’m treating everyone to hot pot for a late-night meal. Eat well, sleep tight, and we continue tomorrow.”

 

Everyone began packing up. There were plenty of crew members, but Xu Ling and Qin Cong’an still helped carry lighter items—the equipment was overwhelming in quantity.

 

By the time they finally got back to the hotel in the city, the whole crew visibly relaxed, sighing like they’d returned home.

 

Xu Ling felt like she was the only one who still wanted to live in that cramped little one-room motel. As long as she could stay with Qin Cong’an, she’d gladly trade a billion-dollar mansion or luxury car for it.

 

Many were too tired to go for supper and just wanted to crash. Xu Ling felt the same, but Yi Huai dragged her downstairs to eat.

 

A while later, Qin Cong’an came down too.

 

The hot pot restaurant was packed with six tables of crew members. Each table had a crate of beer beside it.

 

Xu Ling only had half a bottle before Yi Huai snatched it away, filling her bowl with various dishes—lean meat, vegetables, sweet potato noodles—all cooked in a clear broth. A perfectly balanced meal. “Eat more.”

 

“At worst, you’ll just have to drink two iced Americanos tomorrow to de-bloat,” Yi Huai said, knowing she didn’t gain weight easily, but would puff up slightly on camera.

 

Xu Ling couldn’t bear the idea of bitter things. She just wanted to eat sweet and savory food. At the mere thought of an iced Americano, she frowned and pleaded, “Can I eat from the spicy pot instead? Eating this bland stuff and drinking bitter coffee—how is that fair?”

 

“Fine. Just a little, then.”

 

At the table behind them, Liang He pulled Qin Cong’an to sit next to her.

 

She’d had two beers and was feeling a bit tipsy. After some chatting, she suddenly turned to Qin Cong’an. “Hey, I just realized—we’re more than halfway through filming, and your boyfriend hasn’t visited the set once?”

 

“Who?”

 

“Heh—” Liang He smirked and leaned in. “No need to hide it. We all know. So, what did he say when he found out you took this role?”

 

Qin Cong’an subtly shifted away and just shrugged.

 

“Well, I guess it makes sense. His drama is airing and doing great. He must be busy. No time to visit,” Liang He added.

 

Qin Cong’an barely heard her. Most of what she said was drowned out by Xu Ling’s laughter behind her—uncontrollable giggles over something no one else could hear.

 

“Did you drink too much?” Yi Huai frowned at Xu Ling. “It was just half a beer. Are you that stressed from filming this week?”

 

Xu Ling shook her head, eyes sparkling, as she stared at the salted egg yolk shrimp paste in her bowl. “Sis! This is so good! I’m laughing from how delicious it is!”

 

“…” Yi Huai just shook her head. Yep—definitely stressed out.

 

Xu Ling stuffed herself, even downed a bowl of egg fried rice. Who knew hot pot restaurants made such amazing fried rice? She overate for real. Looked like tomorrow she would need two iced Americanos.

 

Back in her room, she felt like half of her body wanted to stay awake, while the other half was practically dead. The past few days had utterly scrambled her sense of day and night—her mental state was fraying.

 

While showering, Xu Ling heard a knock at the door.

 

She thought she imagined it. But after turning off the water, she heard it again—and it was a knock pattern she recognized.

 

She quickly wrapped herself in a towel and opened the door.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“You able to sleep?”

 

“Yeah, I’ll fall asleep the second my head hits the pillow.”

 

Qin Cong’an still had her hand on the doorknob. Hearing that, she stepped back and began to pull the door shut. But Xu Ling grabbed her hand.

 

Staring at Qin Cong’an’s calm expression, Xu Ling swallowed nervously and pulled her inside.

 

She then darted back into the bathroom. Just as she was closing the door, it tugged from the outside. Xu Ling gripped it tightly—thankfully the pull stopped soon after. She locked it quickly.

 

How could Qin Cong’an accuse her of being a flirt?

 

After her shower, Xu Ling blow-dried her hair only to realize—she hadn’t brought her pajamas into the bathroom. And this time, she really hadn’t. Unlike Qin Cong’an’s little “accident.”

 

When she came out, she saw Qin Cong’an already lying on her bed, sipping red wine. Another glass sat waiting for her on the nightstand.

 

Back at the tiny motel, Xu Ling felt like they were poor girlfriends living in a shabby co-rented apartment. Now, it felt like she was Qin Cong’an’s spoiled mistress in a fancy hotel—of course, with Qin Cong’an also “sponsoring” someone else on the side.

 

Clutching her towel to her chest, Xu Ling walked toward her pajamas under those cat-like eyes. But halfway there, she suddenly felt—why bother?

 

Instead, she veered and climbed up from the foot of the bed, kneeling on top of her.

 

Qin Cong’an glanced at her smooth, slender legs and raised her wine glass in a toast.

 

Xu Ling didn’t grab her own glass. She just held out a fist and bumped hers against it. “I had some beer earlier. Not drinking more. I’ll get a headache tomorrow.”

 

“Oh.” Qin Cong’an didn’t press. She just drank.

 

Xu Ling stared at her wine-wet lips—shiny and fragrant with a mix of grapes and her natural scent. She leaned in for a kiss but was gently pushed away.

 

“Didn’t you say you weren’t drinking?”

 

“It’s just a little—it doesn’t count.”

 

Qin Cong’an tilted her head back, sipping again. “No.”

 

What do you mean ‘no’? Xu Ling leaned in again—this time kissing from her exposed throat up to her full, perfectly-shaped lips. She tasted the rich bouquet of the wine.

 

Back in the hotel, Qin Cong’an seemed to have regained her cool, distant aura. But with just one kiss, she melted all over again.

 

Xu Ling asked softly, “Why’d you come find me? You’re exhausted.”

 

“Thought you might not be able to sleep.”

 

“Oh… oh?” Xu Ling was a little stunned. She came here because she thought I couldn’t sleep?

 

She wanted to ask more, but Qin Cong’an looked like she’d already dozed off.

 

Xu Ling whispered, “Hey… An’an…”

 

No response. Just soft, steady breathing.

 

Xu Ling studied her face for a while—long lashes, a tiny mole at the corner of her eye, lips red from kissing.

 

“An’an,” she whispered again, even softer. “I really, really like you.”

 

Having said that, she snuggled under the covers, a giddy thrill coursing through her—then suddenly, a pang of sadness. She only dared express her feelings when the other girl was asleep.

 

Wait—Xu Ling remembered something.

 

The day before they went up the mountain, when she was half-asleep, she’d felt Qin Cong’an petting her hair. She hadn’t said anything at the time, but she remembered hearing her sigh.

 

Could it be… Qin Cong’an had thought she was asleep back then?

 

Was she in that same half-awake state now?

 

Xu Ling peeked out from the covers, nervously staring at her. If she opened her eyes now and was looking right at her… Xu Ling swore she’d have a heart attack like that driver who thought he saw a ghost.

 

But no—Qin Cong’an remained fast asleep, like a feather resting quietly on the pillow.

 

Xu Ling felt disappointed. I wish she had heard me.

 

The next few days after returning to the city were relatively relaxed. One reason was to help everyone readjust their sleep schedule and prepare for the most difficult scene ahead. The other was that there were still tons of short scenes to catch up on.

 

The crew was exhausted. The actors had it a bit easier but had to move around constantly.

 

Xu Ling spent every spare moment on set and in the van devouring a novel. She finally finished a painful but sweet second-chance lesbian romance. It had her bawling midway, but by the end, she was grinning so hard her cheek muscles cramped.

 

Qin Cong’an, meanwhile, alternated between a cold and neutral expression—her inner battle between anger and forgiveness raged on. Neither side was winning.

 

Eventually, she just rolled her eyes and picked up her own book.

 

She was reading The Dark Room—a book she’d first read when she was little, back then just for fun. She’d read it again in film school, to understand more about psychology through literary classics. This time, she was reading it for a different reason—a stage play adaptation of the novel was underway, and she wanted to audition.

 

She’d never done theatre before. If she could land a role in it, it would be a huge step forward.

 

Xu Ling noticed her reading and suddenly remembered—back at the motel, she’d seen her reading that same book too. She hadn’t caught the title then.

 

Now that she had, she thought, Wait… isn’t this one of the world’s most famous infidelity novels?