Chapter 145: Was it all in vain?

Shen Ci's words could no longer be considered a mere hint; they were a naked, explicit declaration. How could Li Mu possibly fail to understand?

With eyes filled with suspicion and a hint of shock, she looked at Shen Ci: "What do you mean by that?"

Shen Ci gave a cold laugh: "I think you know very well what I mean, Auntie. You'd better go back and ask your precious son what he's been doing out there."

Having dropped this, Shen Ci couldn't be bothered to say more and turned directly into the dormitory building.

Li Mu felt a wave of dizziness; she stumbled, nearly losing her footing.

Could it be that Xiao Zai is out there...

Is it Qiqi?!

Almost instantly, the image of Lin Biqi surfaced in Li Mu's mind. Recalling the events at the dinner table that day, every action between Xiao Zai and Qiqi had been nothing but strange!

She had been puzzled at the time, but since Qiqi looked so uncomfortable, she hadn't thought much of it. But looking back now, it couldn't have been more obvious!

Xiao Zai and Qiqi...

Li Mu dared not think any further. She steadied her heart, opened her umbrella, and walked away quickly.

Shen Li's workload had surged in recent days, mainly because the screenwriter and director kept adding scenes for her and Song Anyu, stretching their storyline significantly longer than originally planned.

At this moment, Shen Li was filming her individual scenes; the next was a two-person scene with Song Anyu, which also included a kiss.

This kiss had been added later.

The director told the screenwriter that the two looked good kissing, so they should let them do it more.

"Kissing again? Might as well sew their mouths together."

Off-camera, Brother Xiaolong stood in the shade and sighed irritably.

The assistant beside him nodded in agreement: "Exactly, there are too many kissing scenes. Sister Hong doesn't even intervene."

"Sister Hong would like to intervene." Brother Xiaolong curled his lip and snorted: "It's just that Anyu himself seems quite happy to kiss."

After saying this, he looked left and right but didn't see Song Anyu: "Where is Anyu?"

"He just said he was going to the restroom, and he's been gone for quite a while." The assistant was also puzzled: "Should I go look for him?"

Just as they were speaking, Song Anyu arrived.

His face was slightly flushed, and seeing that Shen Li was still filming, he deliberately lightened his footsteps.

"Anyu, why did you take so long? Is your stomach upset?" The assistant quickly opened a parasol and hurried over.

Song Anyu's expression was uncomfortable at the mention, but he quickly masked it.

He wasn't sick; he had gone to take care of himself, otherwise, he would react during the kissing scene later.

It was fine at night, but in broad daylight, he was afraid of being found out.

"Cut!"

"Ali, this take is over, it's excellent. Let's take a ten-minute break on the sidelines, we'll film the second scene in this set later. I see Anyu is here too." The assistant director said, and Song Anyu raised his hand to signal he was ready.

Shen Li nodded upon hearing this. She stood in the middle of the set, hesitated for a moment, and then suddenly walked toward Director Ke.

Director Ke was reviewing the footage and couldn't help but smile subconsciously when he saw Shen Li approach: "Ali, you've come at the right time. Look for yourself at how photogenic you are on camera."

Shen Li's expression was reserved, looking as if she had something to say but was holding back.

At this point, the assistant director and Song Anyu also curiously followed over.

"What's wrong, Ali?" Director Ke asked directly.

Shen Li struggled for a moment before finally speaking: "Director Ke, I feel like the kissing scenes between Teacher Anyu and me are a bit too many. For example, I feel the next kissing scene is completely unnecessary from the perspective of the plot."

"Uh..." Director Ke seemed not to have expected this from Shen Li and was momentarily stunned.

The assistant director interjected from the side: "Silly girl, the audience loves to watch it!"

Director Ke nodded: "That's right. We thought that without affecting the plot, we'd give the audience a little extra treat. Everyone likes to see the CP kiss. Besides, the sweeter you are early on, the more heartbreaking it will be when you break up later, and the sense of fate will be stronger."

"I know, I can understand that."

Having said this, Shen Li was no longer nervous and continued to express her thoughts: "But we have already added many kissing scenes. Everything in moderation; if it's too sweet, people will find it cloying."

"Ali, do you not want to film the kissing scenes? Or is it that Sister Kuan from your company..."

Because Shen Li had always been gentle and obedient on set, never interfering with the director's filming, her actions were seen by others as a sudden act of rebellion. Thus, the assistant director subconsciously thought it might be that Sister Kuan didn't allow her to film kissing scenes anymore.

As soon as the assistant director asked this, Song Anyu looked at Shen Li with some nervousness.

Did she not want to film kissing scenes with him?

Shen Li just shook her head gently: "No, I don't resist any scenes. As long as the plot requires it, I can film anything. What I'm expressing now is just my personal concern and suggestion. Of course, Director Ke, your experience is certainly richer and you know more than I do. In the end, it should be based on your ideas; I'm just offering an opinion."

Shen Li's attitude was not aggressive. Mainly, she wasn't sure if her idea was definitely correct, but the recent scenes had involved too much kissing, making even her feel it was a bit much, which was why she couldn't help but propose her personal thoughts to the director.

Having finished speaking, Shen Li began to feel anxious again. This was the first time she had done such a thing, and she was terrified that Director Ke would be angry. After all, directors have big tempers; although Director Ke had never scolded her, she had seen him scold others.

He was fierce!

And most directors indeed do not like actors interfering with their filming ideas; Director Ke was the same.

But Shen Li was truly too good a girl. Since joining the crew, her talent and professionalism had won the praise of almost the entire crew, especially since she was well-behaved and never caused any trouble.

Directors like such actors: focused and low-maintenance.

He immediately called over a few screenwriters to discuss it. It seemed everyone felt Shen Li's words were not without reason; some unnecessary kissing scenes added in did seem a bit forced.

The audience would certainly like it at first, but watching too much would inevitably lead to aesthetic fatigue, and might even cause a rebellious reaction.

"We just discussed it. For the next scene, we will follow the original plot and delete the added kissing scene. If the actors themselves feel uncomfortable, then there must be a problem with this part of the plot."

As he spoke, Director Ke looked at Song Anyu and asked: "Anyu, you think so too, right?"

Song Anyu: Huh?

He... he actually thought it was fine...

But on the surface, he nodded: "I think Ali is right. Too much of a good thing can be bad."

"Good, then we'll delete this kissing scene." The director clapped his hands with a smile: "Come, everyone prepare, next scene!"

Song Anyu looked at the director, then at Shen Li.

Then he...

Was it all in vain?

There is another chapter before midnight.

At least two chapters every day, if it's less than two, there's more to come.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 146 =====