Got a Happy Ending With My Ex’s Sister? (GL) - Chapter 4: Filming

Chapter 4: Filming

Shi Huan froze at the door, rooted to the spot, unable to move. The sound of water from the bathroom grew louder, and her gaze cautiously slipped through the slightly open door, searching for that captivating figure.

The door swung open, and Tang Yiqiu stepped out, wearing only a white bath towel. Her damp hair, not yet dried, hung over her shoulders, droplets rolling from the tips, lingering on her bare chest.

“What, thought I’d come out naked?”

Shi Huan huffed, one hand pulling her suitcase, the other unzipping it. Her down jacket dangled from her wrist as she entered, jumping onto the sofa, kicking the suitcase aside to reveal a crystal crown inside.

Tang Yiqiu’s eyes flicked up as she glanced at it, then back to her usual cool demeanor. “You won?”

Shi Huan’s brows arched, joy spilling from her eyes. She paced the living room, then sat cross-legged on the sofa, looking at her expectantly, waiting for praise. “Don’t you know who I am?”

“You’re Ji Yuan.”

Tang Yiqiu suddenly leaned down, grabbing her wrist with such force it felt like she’d crush it. A strange fear surged. Shi Huan couldn’t see her face, instinctively tried to stand, but Tang Yiqiu pinned her back down.

Shi Huan swallowed, feeling hot breath by her ear. The next second, she heard Qin Zhiyan say, “The prize is a million. You can rent a place and move out.”

Instantly, all her anticipation shattered. Shi Huan stared in disbelief, then looked away, forcing a weak laugh. “What’d you say? I didn’t hear.”

Tang Yiqiu didn’t speak, instead pressing Shi Huan deeper into the sofa. Shi Huan, eyes red, fought back, biting her hand, only to have her legs pinned the next moment.

As lips were about to descend, Tang Yiqiu’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly, but Shi Huan caught it. Her emotions exploded.

“Let me go!”

Tang Yiqiu didn’t release her, yet didn’t kiss her.

Shi Huan stared at the person before her, all hope obliterated, unable to tell if it was Qin Zhiyan or Tang Yiqiu. She lashed out, words like daggers.

“Qin Zhiyan, I won the award! I can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you! Say something! Why’s your face red—angry or shy? Want me to feed you milk again?”

Tang Yiqiu’s long lashes flickered, her eyes flashing with warning as if provoked.

Shi Huan mimicked her usual serious demeanor, smirking smugly. “You’re so hot, do you want to…”

Before she finished, a sharp “Cut!” rang out.

Shi Huan froze, her raw emotions still raw. Turning toward the sound, she saw Chen Ling’s livid face at the door, flanked by the assistant director and script supervisor. Tears streamed down her face.

This scene… they were already filming?

“What kind of line delivery was that!” Chen Ling showed no mercy, tearing into her. “The start felt so right, then you go and add random plot? What’s this about drinking milk? She’s twenty-seven, and you’re feeding her?”

Then he turned on Tang Yiqiu. “And you, why the hesitation? Just kiss her already!”

Shi Huan was still dazed, her face wet. She wiped her tears, glancing at Tang Yiqiu, catching a fleeting glint in her eyes.

“But, Director Chen, weren’t we just rehearsing blocking?”

Chen Ling, stone-faced, didn’t answer, still lamenting the ruined atmosphere. The assistant director stepped in. “Here’s the thing: before shooting, Teacher Tang suggested we surprise you to heighten your shock, so we came up with this. It worked well.” She eyed Shi Huan curiously. “But that milk comment, did you mean…”

“Cow’s milk!” Shi Huan’s face flushed red. “This morning, Teacher Tang had a cold, so I gave her a carton of milk. Nothing else!”

“Oh…” The assistant director clearly wasn’t convinced.

Shi Huan turned away, glancing at Tang Yiqiu, who was on a lounge chair getting her makeup touched up.

Shi Huan covered her face, mortified. Clutching the script to calm down, she locked eyes with Tang Yiqiu a few times. Tang Yiqiu kept glancing at her lips, her expression complex, though Shi Huan couldn’t guess why.

The earlier scene had good vibe and energy, so Chen Ling decided to keep it, asking them to shoot the kiss to complete it. For the second take, Shi Huan lay on the sofa, waiting for Tang Yiqiu to pin her.

Her heart raced, excited and expectant, waiting for Tang Yiqiu’s lips to land. But, for the same reason, just as the kiss was about to happen, Tang Yiqiu froze.

Shi Huan, impatient, leaned up, and, unsurprisingly, was stopped again.

“Kiss her, Tang Yiqiu! Kiss her!”

Chen Ling shouted through a megaphone, making everyone cover their ears.

Tang Yiqiu pulled back her hands from the sofa, voice hoarse. “Sorry.”

“It’s… fine.” Shi Huan let go too. This was their second NG. The first was also because Tang Yiqiu couldn’t kiss, causing Shi Huan to break character.

Chen Ling tapped the script on the table, face dark. “Tang Yiqiu, what’s wrong with you? Making the same mistake twice?”

Tang Yiqiu pressed her lips, her eyes dazed.

Chen Ling had Chang Qing bring Tang Yiqiu’s script. Shi Huan peeked over. Tang Yiqiu’s script was cleaner than hers, with key points underlined. Shi Huan spotted “deep kiss” with two dots beneath, showing Tang Yiqiu knew a kiss was coming.

“See this? Kiss. You understand kiss, right? The moment you pin her on the sofa, you kiss her—forcefully, unleashing your possessiveness. You’re not the restrained machine anymore, got it?”

Tang Yiqiu nodded, listening intently until Chen Ling finished.

Chen Ling always admired Tang Yiqiu, and scolding her left him uneasy. He sipped hot tea, then turned to Shi Huan. “And you, the first take was decent. Why so eager to kiss in the second?”

Because she wanted to kiss.

Chen Ling, expecting more issues, tossed the script aside, telling them to sort themselves out. No one expected a kiss scene to be this stiff, especially from Tang Yiqiu, the textbook actress who nailed everything, for whom kissing scenes were child’s play.

Chang Qing, quick to smooth things, chimed in, “Director Chen, don’t be mad. Yiqiu’s got a bad cold, still running a fever at 38.3°C. She didn’t kiss to avoid infecting Shi Huan.”

“She’s never filmed while sick before? A kiss spreads it? What kind of dumb idol drama is she watching?”

Shi Huan, overhearing: “!!!”

She turned to Tang Yiqiu. Was that true?

Tang Yiqiu said nothing. Shi Huan, regardless, got thrilled, whispering, “Teacher Tang, kiss me boldly! I can handle it! I won’t catch a cold! I’m super healthy!”

Before she finished, Tang Yiqiu stood, heading to read her script elsewhere, her coldness practically saying Qin Zhiyan’s line: Don’t flatter yourself.

Minutes later, Tang Yiqiu set the script down.

Chen Ling asked coldly, “Ready to get in character? Know who you are? Can you kiss now?”

Tang Yiqiu nodded, glancing at Shi Huan, who subtly pointed at her lips. The next second, Tang Yiqiu pulled her into her arms.

Shi Huan instinctively pushed back, but Tang Yiqiu pinned her tightly, even covering her eyes. The rhythm and atmosphere went haywire, leaving only scorching breath and the heat of an unrelenting fever, with uncontrollable love and desire stirring.

Shi Huan fought to break free, removing the hand over her eyes, meeting those fever-red eyes. Tang Yiqiu’s kiss crashed down, neither gentle nor tender, like a raging beast venting.

Shi Huan had no chance to respond, to use her tongue or show off skills. The moves she’d imagined were useless. She could only surrender.

Yes, surrender.

Qin Zhiyan devoured her lips, biting without mercy, like a dam bursting, floodwaters raging, dragging her to the depths of hell.

A destructive kiss, it left Shi Huan unable to wonder if Qin Zhiyan loved her. She melted into it, gasping, eyes closed, facing a domineering stranger.

After the kiss, Tang Yiqiu coldly pushed her away. Shi Huan, exhausted yet desperate, reached out, grasping air, left staring blankly at the ceiling.

Her mind buzzed, unable to process, until the weight lifted and the devastating emotions faded. She slowly opened her eyes. Tang Yiqiu, in her down jacket, was talking to Chen Ling.

Chen Ling’s eyes held rare approval. “Very good, better than I expected. You nailed the character. I’ll shift your afternoon scenes. Go to the hospital.”

This time, Tang Yiqiu didn’t resist, taking a tissue from Chang Qing to wipe her mouth. Her lips, bitten during Shi Huan’s struggle, bled. She glanced at Shi Huan.

Shi Huan touched her lips unconsciously, bl00d on her fingertips, muttering, “It’s done? We passed?”

“Passed.” Tang Yiqiu handed her a tissue and left.

Shi Huan snapped out of it as Tang Yiqiu’s figure faded. Wen Jing wrapped her in a jacket, noting her dazed eyes. “You filmed great. Director Chen looked pleased.”

Chen Ling passed by. “Rest a bit. That grabbing move at the end was strong. You need two more close-ups.”

Hearing no reply, he added, “Tang Yiqiu’s intensity is powerful. It’s normal you couldn’t keep up. Don’t try to match her. Just play your part. Remember, you’re Ji Yuan.”

That grabbing move was Shi Huan’s instinct, added on her own. Even suffocating, she wanted Tang Yiqiu.

Shi Huan asked, “Was Teacher Tang in character? I felt she wasn’t Qin Zhiyan, more like herself. I’m a bit confused.”

Chen Ling, pleased with the take, patiently explained, “Good acting isn’t about mimicking someone. It’s making you realize, ‘That’s her, truly her,’ alive and real. Understand?”

Shi Huan pondered, half-getting it. From Ji Yuan’s view, Qin Zhiyan was moved, but whether Tang Yiqiu was moved or felt anything, she had no clue.

Chen Ling told her to process it, going to discuss with the assistant director. Wen Jing led her to the lounge, saying, “Scared me! I thought she’d force you. Thank goodness.”

“What’d you think of Teacher Tang’s acting?”

“Amazing! Her small roles before didn’t stand out, but the moment she kissed you, I felt she was Qin Zhiyan. Gave me chills. Really, I think Qin Zhiyan’s struggling. She must love Ji Yuan.”

Shi Huan nodded, sitting on a chair, unfolding the tissue, lost in thought. The scene reminded her of that night.

Blindfolded, she only knew the person was frantic, out of control, worse than today…