"Hey, look. Qin Qiao'er and Xia Hankong seem quite a match, don't they?" said a bearded man.
He was a handyman for the actors in the theater. Since he was often bored, he would gossip with others.
"I didn't notice that until you mentioned it. They do make a good pair," said a young girl. She was plain-looking and only about 1.56 meters tall.
She glanced at Qin Qiao'er with her small eyes, a flash of jealousy crossing them. She thought to herself, "No matter how famous she is, she's still an unwed mother."
The sarcasm in her words was obvious. The middle - aged man opposite her asked in confusion, "What? Do you have a problem with her?"
"Who would I dare to have a problem with?" she quickly shook her head and explained.
"I just didn't expect her to get to where she is today. I heard this time it was her entertainment company that arranged this resource for her. Now she's the lead actress in this idol drama. You have to admit she's really lucky. It's so enviable."
The sour words came out of her mouth. The other two were a bit helpless, but there was nothing they could do. After all, Qin Qiao'er was good - looking, had a nice figure, and was connected to many rich and powerful people.
People like them from ordinary families could only watch from the side.
The two whispered for a long time in a very low voice, so Qin Qiao'er and Xia Hankong didn't hear them.
The two actors quickly ran through their lines and found they had them down pat. Then they started walking out.
The scorching sun hung brightly above their heads. The sky was so bright that as soon as they stepped out, they were almost blinded.
Qin Qiao'er quickly raised her hand to shield her eyes. Just then, Xia Hankong walked out from under the work shed, holding a parasol. He gently held it over her head. "Sister Qiao'er, the sun is too strong. This should help."
His tone was very gentle. Qin Qiao'er, seeing his thoughtfulness, didn't think much of it. She laughed heartily. "Sure, thanks. But right now you look like my little attendant. Aren't you afraid people will say something bad when they see this?"
Qin Qiao'er was a bit worried. After all, Xia Hankong was a popular star. She was afraid the staff on - site would think she was bullying a new actor if they saw her treating him like an attendant.
But Xia Hankong just smiled. He was extremely good - looking. "Sister Qiao'er, how could that be? I'm doing this willingly. Don't worry. No one will say anything."
Then he started striding forward. Qin Qiao'er didn't think much of it. She was an open - hearted person and didn't dwell on it.
When they got outside, it was very lively. Many actors were chatting there. After all, this was a big - budget production. Besides popular stars like them, there were also some second - and third - tier actors. Although they were not top - tier, their acting skills were excellent.
There were several veteran actors on - site. An older, handsome middle - aged man was sitting on a chair under a large sunshade, carefully studying the script. He seemed a bit lonely with no one around him. Qin Qiao'er walked towards him, and Xia Hankong, following her lead, walked over too.
"Hello, senior. I'm Qin Qiao'er," Qin Qiao'er said, quickly reaching out her hand to greet the actor named Li Ao politely.
"Qin Qiao'er? Hello, hello," he stood up and gave a shy smile. "You don't need to call me senior. I don't deserve it."
"How could that be, senior? I used to watch your TV shows all the time. I've watched *The Flames of War* four or five times. Your performance as the second male lead was really eye - opening."
*The Flames of War* was a TV show from decades ago. Back then, Li Ao was a popular online star. He was very handsome and had a clean - cut look, not as weather - beaten as he was now. So it was easy for him to land the role of the second male lead in that show.
Li Ao laughed heartily and then said modestly, "Miss Qin, you don't need to praise me so much. I'm an old man now. Unlike you young people, you still have room to grow."
"Not at all, senior. We still have a lot to learn from you," she said, leaning forward slightly to look at his script.
"Senior, it seems I'll have some scenes with you in this show."
Li Ao was playing the role of the emperor in the show, who was the uncle of the female lead.
Hearing this, Xia Hankong immediately took a closer look at the script. They had already studied the script quite a bit, but they didn't expect Li Ao to be playing the emperor.
"Senior, it seems we'll have quite a few scenes together," Xia Hankong said with a smile, then bowed respectfully to him.
"I just hope senior will go easy on me and give me some guidance."
"You two are being too modest," Li Ao said.
They exchanged a few more polite words, and the atmosphere on - site was quite lively.
"Alright, everyone, get ready," a loud voice came from behind. It was the director.
"Male lead, second male lead, and female lead, come here. Next, it's the scene between the male and female leads. Get ready, change your clothes, and the makeup artists, get prepared right away."
The director gave his instructions in a well - practiced manner. Qin Qiao'er and Xia Hankong immediately started running towards their work area.
Today they were shooting the second scene, which was the scene where the male and female leads met by chance on the street.
The two cooperated very well on - site and didn't have too many retakes. The director was very pleased and finally roared, "Alright, that's it for now."
After they finished shooting, they walked to the side to watch the supporting actors. In the meantime, they discussed how they should use certain expressions or tones in certain parts.
Qin Qiao'er and Xia Hankong's actions caught the attention of all the staff on - site. One of the gazes was particularly intense.
Tu Qinqin was standing there angrily, holding a big bag of water. She had come to visit Qin Qiao'er today. Who would have thought that as soon as she arrived, she saw Qin Qiao'er chatting intimately with Xia Hankong.
Didn't this woman know she shouldn't be so intimate with other men in public?