The filming location was so quiet that only the slight sound of camera movements sliding on tracks could be heard.

Ji Qinghe half-leaned and half-stood, eyes lowered, focused on watching Fu Yang surrounded by numerous camera positions.

It wasn’t until his arm was lightly patted that Ji Qinghe looked sideways slightly, shifting his gaze. Seeing the person was Qiao Xin, he instinctively first glanced behind her, didn’t see Shen Qianzhan, his facial expression showed nothing, only slightly lowering his eyes, waiting for her to speak.

Qiao Xin came to relay a message from Shen Qianzhan. Before she could speak, the walkie-talkie hanging from the executive director’s waist made a light static sound, emitting a weak electrical noise.

Ji Qinghe glanced at the other person, seeming to find the walkie-talkie inconsiderate. He modestly bent down slightly, accommodating Qiao Xin’s height: “She’s looking for me?”

“Sister Zhan asked me to take you to rest.” Qiao Xin didn’t need to stand on tiptoes, gesturing toward Shen Qianzhan sitting behind the monitor: “One shot in the script requires multiple camera angles. Who knows when it’ll be done. Sister Zhan is afraid you’ll get tired…”

Ji Qinghe looked in the direction her finger pointed, just meeting eyes with Shen Qianzhan who was watching the situation here.

Shen Qianzhan apparently hadn’t expected him to suddenly look over. Her gaze drifted, wanting to pretend nonchalance, but because of her instinctive avoidance she lost the initiative. Finally, in embarrassed anger, she glared at him and turned to look elsewhere first.

Ji Qinghe curved his lips, suddenly finding her attempt to cover up quite interesting. When he lowered his eyes and saw Qiao Xin quietly examining the corner of his mouth, he reached up to touch it, feeling the wound, couldn’t help but smile, indicating for her to lead the way.

Seeing him approach, Shen Qianzhan suddenly became nervous. She couldn’t maintain her crossed legs anymore, sitting up straight with her back against the chair cushion. She even glanced at the empty seat beside her, wondering whether to move farther away, when the planner came over with a computer to show her photos.

Not noticing that the empty seat beside Shen Qianzhan was reserved for Ji Qinghe, she boldly sat down, diligently bringing the computer screen close to her: “Producer Shen.”

The planner, completely unaware she had taken the big boss’s seat, inexplicably felt a chill down her spine. She touched the back of her neck, suspiciously looking around, found nothing unusual, and then felt slightly reassured: “We’ve selected a batch of opening ceremony photos here. Could you see if there’s anything that needs adjusting?”

On the computer screen was an enlarged high-definition group photo.

She stood in the very center, with Shao Chouxie and Su Zan on either side. Fu Yang and Song Yan stood separately on both sides, like they were in a boxing match, the kings never meeting.

Shen Qianzhan touched her nose bridge, took control of the cursor, and continuously enlarged the photo to examine her facial details: “Has the photo been retouched?”

The planner, remembering the sincere attitude toward Shen Qianzhan that predecessors had earnestly instructed, immediately blinked sincerely: “Just added some lighting and brightening. Sister Zhan, your condition and Teachers Fu and Song’s were so good, no retouching was needed at all.”

Shen Qianzhan glanced at the photo editing software icon in the toolbar that hadn’t been properly cleaned up, saying nothing.

She continued to look at the next photo.

After reviewing nine photos in succession, she perfunctorily suggested some improvements and was about to wrap up when the mouse slipped, revealing an opening ceremony photo in the gallery.

It was the scene of unveiling the red cloth to start filming.

Shen Qianzhan and Ji Qinghe stood on either side of the camera, each holding a corner of the red cloth.

She had positioned herself more forward and hadn’t noticed Ji Qinghe behind and to the side. Only now seeing the picture did she discover that Ji Qinghe’s gaze was focused on her, while everyone else looked at the camera smiling, only he was coldly detached and out of place.

Seeing Shen Qianzhan staring at this photo, the planner feared she’d discovered flaws and make a big deal of it, quickly explaining: “In this opening photo, Teacher Ji wasn’t looking at the camera, and Producer Su’s expression wasn’t managed well either.”

Yes, he wasn’t looking at the camera.

That gaze seemed to fall on her through the screen.

Shen Qianzhan only felt a slight burning behind her ears, as if about to ignite. Before she could show any reaction, a shadow pressed down behind her. Ji Qinghe bent over, gripping her hand controlling the mouse and flipping through two pages: “Send these two to my email later.” After speaking, Shen Qianzhan’s shoulder felt heavy as his left hand pressed down, gripping her somewhat thin shoulder.

Shen Qianzhan turned her head, her gaze sweeping from his face to Qiao Xin. Seeing the latter wanting to speak but hesitating, looking troubled, she didn’t know how long Ji Qinghe had been standing behind her.

The planner sensed trouble, the chair beneath her suddenly becoming somewhat hot.

She hugged the computer, trembling as she stood up and retreated.

“Just those from earlier.” Shen Qianzhan glanced at the little planner, then added: “Teachers Fu and Song Yan’s agents have both seen them, right?”

“They have.” The planner quietly glanced at Ji Qinghe with his hands resting on the chair sides, her voice like a mosquito: “Then Teacher Ji’s…” requirements, are they satisfied?

Halfway through speaking, the planner got kicked.

The workplace newbie, knowing well what this kick represented, immediately shut up and lowered her head silently.

Shen Qianzhan wasn’t that sensitive. She saw Qiao Xin and the planner’s little movements but didn’t react, waving her hand to indicate they should get busy first. Once they left, she patted the chair armrest, indicating for Ji Qinghe to sit first: “One scene requires several shots. Standing there watching isn’t as good as sitting in front of the monitor – four camera positions, comprehensive observation.”

Ji Qinghe didn’t speak, but his gaze paused on her completely red ear tips.

The next second, Shao Chouxie’s “cut” made the air flow backward, the entire space like a play button had been pressed, from stillness to gradually coming alive, the whole world suddenly resumed operation.

Through the walkie-talkie came instructions for moving props, touching up makeup, one after another.

The film set bustled like a large nerve center, with everyone revolving around the core.

This busyness lasted until noon.

The crew took a brief break, with the production manager and crew bringing boxed lunches for the entire group.

Qiao Xin picked up four portions, including Su Zan’s. Afraid Ji Qinghe wouldn’t be used to it, she made two extra trips, ordering several side dishes and bringing them up at just the right time.

She didn’t dare openly provide special treatment, so she moved the boxed lunches into the workshop.

Shen Qianzhan had no appetite, randomly stuffing two bites while looking at the budget the finance department handed her. She was about to leave after hastily finishing lunch when there was a commotion of messy footsteps mixed with the sound of dragging chairs outside, sounding like quite a few people had arrived.

Now it wouldn’t be good to leave.

She raised her wrist to check the time. Seeing it wasn’t long before afternoon work started, she calmed herself and sat back down.

Unexpectedly, this sitting led to problems.

Outside at the long table, people sat in small groups chatting casually. Thinking this place was secluded and offered a panoramic view, seeing no one around, they began gossiping in low voices.

Initially, the topics were still normal – either fangirling over Fu Yang or discussing Song Yan’s beauty. But as they chatted, with more mouths talking, the topic veered off course.

“Why do I feel Song Yan is just average, not even as good-looking as her photos?”

“Song Yan’s looks aren’t good enough? Your standards for beauty are too high. If I had a face like hers, I’d wake up laughing from dreams every day.”

“Maybe seeing too many beauties raises the standards. Our producer is so stunning – great figure, great looks. I just can’t understand why she doesn’t go in front of the camera to act with such superior conditions. If she entered the entertainment industry, Xiang Qianqian wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Qiao Xin, who had hurt her tongue while eavesdropping, had tears in her eyes.

Sisters, the topic is too sensitive! The person in question is right here!

However, Qiao Xin’s internal screaming was useless. The topic outside went from beauty comparisons all the way to last night’s wrap party.

“Producer Shen didn’t return to the hotel last night, right? This morning when I went next door to deliver a hair dryer, I saw her planning assistant leave with the driver, not returning until before the opening ceremony.”

“Seems like after getting drunk she stayed at Ji Spring Bay…”

“Do you all remember that consultant beside Producer Shen?”

“Remember, remember! Feels quite different from Producer Shen’s usual taste, a bit high-class.”

A burst of laughter came from outside.

Qiao Xin’s face was almost green. She carefully observed Shen Qianzhan and Ji Qinghe’s expressions, seeing Shen Qianzhan sitting gloomily in her chair without saying a word, her heart sank heavily.

It’s over, it’s over.

“Speaking of which, the consultant teacher came in the same car as Producer Shen this morning.”

As soon as these words fell, another round of meaningful, ambiguous laughter.

Suddenly, someone slammed the table, voice slightly raised, seeming displeased: “Even managing whether someone stays out overnight – are you her parents?”

The girl who was choked paused, defending: “Why are you getting serious? Everyone’s just chatting casually.”

“Chatting casually my ass.”

After these words, there was a commotion of tables and chairs being moved, and the people outside scattered completely.

Shen Qianzhan sat without moving. Besides looking somewhat unpleasant, nothing abnormal could be seen.

Ji Qinghe maintained his usual expression, as if he hadn’t been the one being discussed, even having the mind to resolve the situation for both of them: “Go see who those people outside were, write down their names.”

Qiao Xin, like a drowning person grasping driftwood, immediately responded: “I’ll go.”

Su Zan, getting Ji Qinghe’s signal, put down his chopsticks and followed: “Me, me, me, I’ll help.”

After only he and Shen Qianzhan remained in the workshop, Ji Qinghe stood up, pulled a paper cup from the box, went to the water dispenser to get warm water and handed it to her.

Shen Qianzhan didn’t take it.

Ji Qinghe, seeing her reaction, guessed he was being blamed by association. After brief consideration, he asked: “Want to hear the solution or what I’m thinking now?”

Shen Qianzhan looked up, the displeasure in her eyes unconcealed, letting him see it clearly.

She was smart. When Ji Qinghe instructed Qiao Xin to go out and check names, she had guessed what he wanted to do. The solution was nothing more than finding fault in a few days and firing them, replacing them with a new batch. Clean and efficient, leaving no handle for others to grasp.

She already held the power of life and death over all crew personnel anyway. Personnel retention was just a matter of her word. This kind of behind-the-back gossip was nothing new to Shen Qianzhan, requiring no brainpower to think of solutions.

What Shen Qianzhan was interested in was Ji Qinghe’s reaction to hearing others discuss him as her kept man.

In the entire crew, except for Shao Chouxie, Su Zan and Qiao Xin, no one knew he was the investor of “Time,” much less that he was Bu Zhong Sui’s executive president. They only thought he was a clock repair master who, due to his outstanding looks, was chosen by her as a consultant.

Thinking of this, Shen Qianzhan, feeling somewhat more comfortable, raised her eyebrows slightly, giving him an imperious look: “Kept man.”

Ji Qinghe didn’t refute. He bent his finger to lightly push his nose bridge, seeming to accept it.

Shen Qianzhan suddenly remembered the scene when Qiao Xin went to find him – how he instinctively looked behind Qiao Xin searching for her.

Women are easily soft-hearted. Shen Qianzhan felt she was particularly womanly in this regard – anger came quickly and left quickly, she could even selflessly reflect on her own moodiness.

Blaming Ji Qinghe was indeed somewhat unreasonable.

She was the one who slept with him, she was satisfied with the quality, and the after-service was impeccable. If…

She secretly glanced at Ji Qinghe, a thought growing wildly like weeds.

If they developed into a long-term stable friends-with-benefits relationship, it seemed… quite good?