Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 26

Shen Xi felt like she had been electrocuted. She looked up at her and quickly put on a serious expression, arming herself with formality. “This is a workplace. You can call me Editor Shen,” she said sternly before pushing the door open and walking out.

Actually, calling her Ning Ning was quite normal. On set, everyone who was familiar with Han Ning called her that. Shen Xi’s reaction was clearly an overcompensation, as if she was deliberately keeping her distance and pretending not to be close.

Han Ning watched her leave with a smile in her eyes. She elegantly crossed one leg over the other, looking confident, as if she was sure of her victory. She took a satisfied sip of coffee and murmured, “Not only will I make you call me Ning Ning, but sooner or later, you’ll be calling me ‘wife’ too!”

She stayed in the lounge for about ten more minutes before Kou Kou walked in and called out, “Sister Ning, Director Zhou is asking for you.”

“Okay, got it.” Han Ning put down her coffee, stood up, and walked out of the lounge.

Since Han Ning had taken a day off yesterday, she needed to catch up on her scenes today to avoid delaying the filming schedule. Her scenes stretched until almost 1 p.m., by which time Zhou Heyang was starving. After taking off his headset, he jogged off to grab lunch.

Han Ning looked around for Shen Xi but didn’t see her. She took her phone from Kou Kou at the door and called her.

The phone vibrated twice. Shen Xi glanced at the caller ID, smiled, and excused herself to Chen, the scriptwriter. “Sorry, I need to take this call.”

“Go ahead.”

Shen Xi stepped outside and answered, “Where are you? Have you eaten yet?”

“I’m in the meeting room with Editor Chen discussing the new script. I already had lunch.”

Shen Xi glanced back at the meeting room, not wanting to keep her waiting, knowing Han Ning was a chatterbox. She quickly added, “You should eat now. You must be busy today.

Let’s meet after work tonight, okay?”

Her tone was a little rushed, as if she couldn’t wait to hang up and get back to work.

“Hmm… okay then…” The light in Han Ning’s eyes dimmed slightly, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment. Knowing Shen Xi was probably busy, she didn’t want to push her. “See you tonight, then…”

“Mm.” Shen Xi ended the call and returned to the meeting room.

Since lunch with Shen Xi was out of the question, Han Ning lost her appetite. She grabbed a salad and a black coffee, chewing absentmindedly with a blank expression.

Shen Xi had mentioned discussing a new script with Chen Rong. But Shen Xi, like Han Ning, worked for Zhou Heyang’s company. If the company was starting a new project, Han Ning would have heard about it. Even if she hadn’t asked, Liang Xun’s loose tongue would have spilled the details.

But she hadn’t heard anything…

So, was it not a project from Zhou Heyang’s studio?

Chewing on a lettuce leaf, Han Ning pondered. After a few minutes, she figured it out—Shen Xi might be leaving her side for a while.

She put down her salad, sighed, and completely lost her appetite.

After lunch, filming continued smoothly. The busy schedule made time fly, and soon, the sun began to set. In the meeting room, Shen Xi was still deep in discussion with Chen Rong, going through references and passionately brainstorming. Chen Rong recommended several books on military themes, and Shen Xi eagerly accepted them all.

“Do you usually watch military dramas?” Chen Rong asked.

Shen Xi thought for a moment and answered honestly, “Not really.”

“Then you’ll need to do some serious homework. Watch clips carefully, analyze frame by frame, take notes, and study the camera work,” she said with a smile. “It’s a tedious process, but every scriptwriter has to go through it.”

As they got up to leave the meeting room, Shen Xi hesitated before asking, “Editor Chen, I have a question.”

Chen Rong nodded. “What is it?”

“Is our new script still confidential?”

“Yes, I prefer to keep things under wraps until everything is finalized.” She looked at Shen Xi curiously. “Why do you ask?”

“Well… Can I ask who will ultimately produce this script?” Shen Xi gathered her courage.

She knew it wasn’t really her place as a newcomer to ask such a question.

Chen Rong was silent for a few seconds, observing her expression. Then she smiled knowingly. “This is about Han Ning, isn’t it?”

Shen Xi sighed internally—experience really did come with age. She admired Chen Rong’s sharp instincts.

Since she had been seen through, Shen Xi admitted, “Yes.”

Chen Rong chuckled. “Zhou Heyang is straightforward and easy to work with. I’ve collaborated with him several times, and his company’s actors are good. So, my first choice is definitely his studio.”

Joy flashed across Shen Xi’s face, but Chen Rong quickly added a dose of reality. “But I have to tell you, I don’t control casting. Cheng Nian is back, and she hasn’t acted in a long time. There’s a high chance this role will go to her.”

Watching the setting sun, Chen Rong continued, “Two female leads—one will inevitably be favored over the other. Your friend Han Ning, with her status, talent, and resources, may not be willing to play second fiddle to Cheng Nian.”

Her words were realistic and logical. Shen Xi couldn’t help feeling a little down.

Chen Rong smiled. “If both of them accept the roles, that would be ideal, though the chances are slim.” She checked the time. “Alright, I’m heading back. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” Shen Xi waved.

At the set, Han Ning was in good form, her performance unaffected by her emotions. She wrapped up filming half an hour earlier than Xu Lier. Taking her phone from Kou Kou, she said, “Let’s go home. You’re off work now.”

Kou Kou sensed her mood and didn’t say much, simply nodding and leaving.

In the lounge, Han Ning looked at herself in the mirror, feeling restless. She grabbed her cleansing oil and started removing her makeup. Just as she was rubbing it in, she heard someone enter. She opened her eyes—it was Shen Xi.

“Wait a moment. I’ll wash my face and change, then we can go,” Han Ning said before quickly cleaning up and changing. Then, the two of them left the film studio together.

On the way out, neither spoke. Shen Xi guessed what Han Ning was thinking, and Han Ning, knowing they might be apart for a while, felt a dull ache in her heart.

“Where are we going?” Shen Xi stopped and asked.

Han Ning thought for a moment. “Didn’t we say we’d visit your mom? We’ll eat afterward—I have no appetite right now.” She added, “Are you hungry?”

“Not really.” Shen Xi nodded with a determined expression. “Then let’s go see my mom first.”

They took Shen Xi’s car. Han Ning was quiet the whole way, looking listless. Unable to help herself, Shen Xi asked, “What’s wrong? You were filming well today. Did Director Zhou scold you?”

Han Ning scoffed. “I always get it right in one take. As a top-quality actress, why would he scold me?” Resting her head on her hand, she gazed at the trees outside the window. “I just… feel awful.”

Normally, Shen Xi would comfort her, but right now, they were ten minutes from seeing Shen Fengmei. Her heart pounded—she could already picture her mother throwing a tantrum and demanding money.

She bit her lip, looking at the congested road ahead, secretly wishing the traffic would stay this way forever.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Shen Fengmei’s house.

Unfastening her seatbelt, Shen Xi told herself she couldn’t keep avoiding this. At least this time, she had Han Ning by her side—even if it was embarrassing, she would endure it once.

She turned to look at Han Ning’s profile. An unfamiliar but strong feeling rose within her—a belief that no matter what, she and Han Ning wouldn’t drift apart.