After Filming A Lesbian Movie With The Straight Girl I Like - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: A Reward Exclusive to Teacher Xu

 

This was the fourth question in a row answered by Qin Cong’an. Xu Ling seemed completely checked out.

 

She felt a hand brush her arm from across the sofa. When she looked over, Qin Cong’an was watching her with genuine concern.

 

“You okay? Feeling hot?” sounded in Xu Ling’s ears, but her mind didn’t interpret it as actual care from Qin Cong’an.

 

Shaking her head, Xu Ling reached for the cup of coffee before her and took a sip. It was all over—all she’d done was drink water again, and she’d already been called “strategic water drinking” at the last fan meeting. She hadn’t been able to help it this time either.

 

The host fell silent, watching their awkward but strangely compelling interaction. The stiff atmosphere was oddly delightful, and Xu Ling found herself strangely buzzed.

 

Qin Cong’an looked at her. “Go ahead.”

 

“Alright,” the host continued, “Next question: Outside of filming, what is the most memorable thing about each other?”

 

Qin Cong’an tapped Xu Ling’s arm to indicate that Xu Ling should answer first—it had been a while since she’d spoken, giving her a chance to respond.

 

This question was on the script. The pink flush on Xu Ling’s neck gradually faded as she said, “Definitely when I got hurt—and Teacher Qin brought medicine to me. I always thought Qin Cong’an was aloof and hard to approach, but after that, I realized she’s actually very kind.”

 

Host: “They’ve worked hard, both of you! And judging by the trailer, your action scenes look amazing—everyone’s really excited! How about you, Teacher Qin?”

 

Qin Cong’an answered sincerely, glancing at Xu Ling: “What impressed me most was how often she’d come to rehearse scenes with me at night. Sorry if this is intrusive, but honestly, I was surprised—didn’t expect her to suddenly come find me. She worked really hard and acted excellently. As her scene partner, I was very pleased.”

 

The host exclaimed in awe at their professional dedication—and suddenly noticed Xu Ling’s blush again. She hadn’t said anything unusual, yet in the mere moments she’d looked down and then up, she’d completely softened.

 

Xu Ling, struggling to cool down and think, had a clear thought: Qin Cong’an was doing this deliberately. If she’d called her “scene partner,” it would’ve been fine—but she said “as the other party.” That choice of words struck her deeply.

 

The host moved on: “Both of you live in Beicheng. Now that filming’s done, do you keep in touch? Do you ever eat together, or visit each other’s homes?”

 

“Yeah,” Qin Cong’an replied instantly.

 

Xu Ling turned to her, stunned. They do? She hadn’t known.

 

“Really? You visit each other’s homes?” the host followed up, surprised.

 

When she saw Qin Cong’an nod, she asked: “Do you have any photos? Could you share them with us?”

 

“Sure, we’ll post them on Weibo later.”

 

The host laughed lightly: “Okay then—we’ll be watching for them! We’ll clip this segment and rally the audience to keep an eye on you two, make sure photos get posted.”

 

“No problem,” Qin Cong’an smiled.

 

Xu Ling was speechless. Did I sleepwalk to her place? But she had no idea where Qin Cong’an lived. What was going on? Surely she hadn’t confused Qin Cong’an with someone else?

 

“Now, after seeing all this, our audience might have formed some impressions. Could both of you summarize your relationship?”

 

Xu Ling stammered out the prepared phrase: “Mentor and friend.”

 

Qin Cong’an looked slightly surprised at the synchronicity before saying, “Xu Ling truly taught me a lot—‘mentor and friend’ is quite fitting.”

 

Host: “So both of you learned from each other—you seem both sincere and humble. Just one thing—someone said Teacher Qin calls you ‘An’an’ sometimes? Ha ha!”

 

…

 

They took a 15-minute break.

 

Qin Cong’an stayed in place and asked for a small fan from the production crew.

 

Xu Ling took off her mic and went to the restroom, staying inside for some time, waiting for Qin Cong’an to come in and clarify what she meant about house visits. But Qin Cong’an never appeared. When the break ended, Xu Ling returned to the studio.

 

This time she sat closer to Qin Cong’an, and caught her eye. Xu Ling looked back openly: “What’s wrong?”

 

Qin Cong’an didn’t respond; instead, she handed her the small fan and subtly edged away, resting her arm on the sofa’s side.

 

“Ready to continue?” The host checked both of them and began a lighter segment: “Let’s play some mini-games.”

 

During the break, the crew set up props on the table—a Crocodile Dentist game, a grip strength tester, and two mechanical pencils of unknown purpose.

 

Host: “In the trailer there’s a shot where Xu Ling pulls Teacher Qin out of a pit—it’s a close-up of your hands. Viewers noticed how beautiful your hands are and wonder: whose hands are bigger?”

 

Qin Cong’an gave the answer immediately: “Hers are.”

 

Host: “Oh? How do you know?”

 

“Obviously, she’s taller,” Qin Cong’an leaned forward and pressed a tooth on the Crocodile game. “No need to test—next game.”

 

The crew barely reacted before a tooth had already broken off.

 

Host quickly clarified, “Okay, since it’s a game, there must be penalties and rewards. The loser must perform something for the winner. Have you decided what you’ll perform?”

 

Silence. The moment was awkward.

 

Host cleared her throat: “This is the rule, okay?”

 

“Uh-huh, we’ve thought about it,” Xu Ling said, leaning forward and pressing. Click! The croc snapped down on her finger.

 

Host: “Yay! Then Teacher Xu, please perform!”

 

“Wait! She pressed before the rule was said—that one doesn’t count!” Xu Ling argued, familiar with these variety show loopholes.

 

Qin Cong’an agreed to another round—but Xu Ling lost again.

 

So she submitted to her fate and began a pre-planned coin trick. Qin Cong’an watched with an unenthused expression; only the host clapped along.

 

Next up: grip strength. Xu Ling worried—she’d exercised her arms yesterday and they felt sore. Qin Cong’an was thin but might still win.

 

And she did.

 

But Xu Ling only had one performance prepared. The host said: “You can also compliment each other—whatever makes the other happy.”

 

No thanks.

 

Xu Ling thought for a moment, then leaned forward toward Qin Cong’an and swept a strand of hair off her forehead. “You give my forehead a tap.”

 

Qin Cong’an didn’t lean back, meeting her gaze steadily. Xu Ling’s eyelashes quivered, even though her makeup was light and without mascara.

 

“You sure?” Qin Cong’an asked, studying her. “I won get stronger than you—this’ll hurt.”

 

“Loser must accept penalty.”

 

“Are you sure it isn’t a reward, since you’re so eager?”

 

“What are you even saying!?” Xu Ling shot a sharp look. The camera was on them, and Qin Cong’an seemed intent on embarrassing her.

 

Qin Cong’an tilted her head, inquisitive.
“Hmm?” Xu Ling shrugged, feigning ignorance.

 

“Never mind,” Qin Cong’an leaned back. “Let’s consider this an act of mercy. No penalty this time.”

 

“Alright then,” Xu Ling sat up straight, brushing the hair again awkwardly.

 

The atmosphere was strange—and everyone felt it.

 

The final game used the two mechanical pencils. “Inside is a full lead—you each press to finish the lead. First one to make it fall on the table wins.”

 

What kind of game?

 

Even her scalp tingled. But the bell rang, and they pressed furiously.

 

“Wow! Finally our teacher Xu wins!” the host cheered. “Now Teacher Qin, please perform your act.”

 

Xu Ling, still in the midst of winning joy, looked up in surprise as Qin Cong’an rose to her feet, standing in front of her. What was she going to do?

 

The cameraman rushed forward, but Qin Cong’an waved him off. “This is for the winner only—I’d rather not get filmed.”

 

It made sense. With her star status, it was a fair request. The crew reluctantly complied.

 

Qin Cong’an, expressionless, said to Xu Ling: “I recently learned a dance.”

 

Xu Ling blinked. Dance? Not martial arts? She couldn’t picture Qin Cong’an dancing.

 

Qin Cong’an swept her hair forward, tapped out a rhythm, softly hummed a tune, and began dancing.

 

Xu Ling was stunned. She only came to when Qin Cong’an’s toe brushed her thigh. Qin Cong’an swayed her hips enticingly, her gaze fixed on Xu Ling in a hypnotic way. Xu Ling felt a sudden urge to pull her into her lap and let her dance on her.

 

Where did she learn this? How many dance videos had she watched?

 

But…it was so beautiful. The hummed melody was nice, rhythm and body control perfect. She moved sensually, but tastefully—strikingly accomplished.

 

Bright studio lights reminded Xu Ling this was on air.

 

Finally Qin Cong’an ended the dance and let her expression cool. “Satisfied?”

 

Without waiting for a reply, she kicked Xu Ling lightly and asked again: “So? How was it?”

 

“…Very good.” Xu Ling stammered. She couldn’t decide if this “reward” or “punishment,” but she knew resisting felt impossible. Her fist clutched the cushion so hard it might split.

 

Qin Cong’an sat back, tossing her hair off her shoulder.

 

Her familiar scent drifted over. Xu Ling instinctively grabbed her arm tightly. Her whole body itched emotionally—and no matter how she tried to relieve it, it wouldn’t.

 

Host, half surprised but professional, tried to recover: “Teacher Qin really left Teacher Xu speechless! I bet the front view was even better—but sadly, that was a bonus only for Teacher Xu here.”

 

“Right,” Qin Cong’an smiled.

 

Xu Ling was gone—mentally checked out.

 

They wrapped the show with regular questions and promoted the film. Finally: “Thanks, everyone—please sign this promo board.” The host offered a poster that both CP guests must sign.

 

Xu Ling signed first, marking the usual space, leaving room for Qin Cong’an. Then she passed the pen.

 

Qin Cong’an took it, paused for a moment—and Xu Ling watched, captivated—as she signed her name quickly, then drew a prominent heart in a corner and wrote the date.

 

“…” Xu Ling blinked. No way she was imagining it.

 

The producer called “Wrap!” Xu Ling, still in confusion from the earlier dance, saw Qin Cong’an standing up and leaving—with none of the hesitation or lingering she’d shown before.

 

Driven to catch up, Xu Ling stood—but Yi Huai held her back.

 

Yi Huai frowned. “Didn’t rest well last night? You seem off today—really not relaxed.”

 

“…Senior was there.”

 

“Precisely, you should’ve been more natural! Now it looks awkward—you looked like a board! You should’ve improvised during her dance!”

 

“…!” Xu Ling inwardly hissed. This was too much. To control herself, let alone improv?

 

Time slipped by. Xu Ling wanted to find Qin Cong’an after but couldn’t—she’d left like a flash. Too fast.

 

She’d said so many cryptic things during the interview, danced heatily, drew a heart—and then vanished? Why? Why was Qin Cong’an going this far in promoting their pairing?

 

Backstage, changing clothes, Xu Ling opened the film’s WeChat group and found Qin Cong’an’s contact, staring at the black-cat avatar, hesitating to send a friend request.

 

But Qin Cong’an had told her not to pester her. Leaving so fast today—it seemed she still didn’t want to be approached.

 

The black cat avatar now felt like it was watching her, and Xu Ling shivered.

 

The host had said they’d be watching her for photos. Xu Ling realized—the photos are Qin Cong’an’s idea. If they don’t appear… they’ll only be posted from her side.

 

Xu Ling put down her phone and pressed replay in her mind: Qin Cong’an dancing.

 

That simple outfit had looked amazing on her—what would she wear next time? Xu Ling’s imagination whirled with excitement and pain. She decided: no thinking. I’ll just dream about it tonight.

 

…

 

Xuen Ling should be very confused right now, Qin Cong’an thought, staring out the car window. Good—she deserves to be. I’m just giving her a taste of what it feels like.

 

She raised her hand and noticed it trembled slightly. She’d held back hard. During the hand-size comparison, she’d refused to match fingers—afraid they’d intertwine. During the dance, she’d fought the urge to pull Xu Ling to her lap.

 

“Jie,” Lin Xinnuo hesitated, “did Xu Ling actually go to your place?”

 

“No.”

 

Lin Xinnuo gasped. “So she went to yours?”

 

“Also no.”

 

“Then what did you mean? And what about those photos?”

 

“Ask Quan to coordinate with Huai—set up a gathering at Xu Ling’s place.”

 

“Oh…” Lin Xinnuo was confused. A promise of photo sharing, then a visit arrangement? She didn’t fully understand, but saw that Qin Cong’an had recently switched to an old phone. She thought maybe Qin Cong’an was going Buddhist.

 

But Lin Xinnuo knew one thing for sure: Qin Cong’an treated Xu Ling differently. Recently she’d told Qin Cong’an how Xu Ling had been attacked on social media for “CP marketing.” Since then, Qin Cong’an had always asked: “Any news about Xu Ling?”

 

Now Qin Cong’an asked, “Has the promo teaser dropped yet?”

 

“Sis—how could it be this fast?” They’d only just left the studio, and even a 15-second teaser might not be ready. Lin Xinnuo searched quickly and saw Gu Qi posted a birthday vlog in Beicheng featuring Xu Ling, tagging her.

 

Lin Xinnuo handed the phone over. “Look, Qi’s in town for promo. It’s her birthday and Xu Ling went to celebrate.”

 

Qin Cong’an put her face in the window: “I don’t want to see that.”