Jiang Lai’s gaze was locked on Xu Ruobing, her fingers unconsciously gripping the hem of her coat. But the winter wind was biting cold, and she instinctively pulled her coat tighter, yet her eyes never strayed from that cream-white figure.
Xu Ruobing stood under the lights, wearing very little. She should have been shivering from the cold, but every expression and movement she made was steady and assured. Even the inflections in her lines were perfectly timed.
Though nothing seemed out of the ordinary, in such cold weather, wearing so little would definitely chill her to the bone. Jiang Lai’s heart clenched.
‘I should hold Ruobing’s hands later and warm them up,’ she thought.
When the director called “Cut,”
Xu Ruobing, who had been perfectly immersed in her role moments before, seemed to suddenly lose strength and stepped back half a pace. An assistant quickly handed her a down jacket, but she didn’t take it. Instead, she refocused her gaze on the script in the assistant’s hand. She said she needed to quickly master the lines and continue with the next scene—couldn’t waste any time.
Even the director was about to persuade Xu Ruobing to rest, take it easy, not to push herself too hard, but Xu Ruobing refused.
“If it’s my scene partner who’s cold, then switch to another scene with other actors. I can still hold on.”
Xu Ruobing’s current demeanor could almost be described as stubbornly headstrong, which was exactly what her manager feared most. In this situation, only Jiang Lai could persuade her.
“I can only count on you for this. Please, let Ruobing take a break.”
Jiang Lai listened to the manager’s plea beside her, and her own heart suddenly raced as if it might leap out of her chest. She instinctively took half a step forward and raised her hand to wave lightly.
“Ruobing.”
The voice wasn’t loud, but it was like a stone thrown into Xu Ruobing’s world.
She jerked her head up. The furrow between her brows instantly smoothed, and the exhaustion in her eyes seemed to be swept away by the wind, leaving only a stunned disbelief.
The crew around was still preparing things. Someone called out to her,
“Teacher Xu, do you need a hand warmer?”
But as if she hadn’t heard any of those voices, Xu Ruobing casually shoved the script into her assistant’s hands and immediately ran toward Jiang Lai.
Watching Xu Ruobing sprint toward her without caring about her image, Jiang Lai hurried to meet her. Before she could even speak, she was tightly wrapped in a cool embrace.
Xu Ruobing rested her chin on Jiang Lai’s shoulder, her breath rapid and warm, carrying the chill of her body along with it.
“What are you doing here?”
Xu Ruobing’s voice trembled a little, and her arms kept tightening, as if afraid that Jiang Lai would disappear if she let go.
Jiang Lai could feel her shoulder getting a little wet from her nuzzling.
She raised her hand and gently patted Xu Ruobing’s back, her voice soft.
“Just came to see you, or else someone would run herself ragged.”
Only then did Xu Ruobing loosen her grip a little, looking up at Jiang Lai with very red eyes, but still grinning. She reached out and pinched Jiang Lai’s cheek.
Even without knowing anything for sure, she could guess a little about why Jiang Lai was here.
“How did you know I was here? Did the studio people give me away?”
“They’re worried about you too.”
Jiang Lai tucked the stray hair behind her ear, her fingertip brushing against her frozen earlobe.
“If I hadn’t come, you really would have worn yourself out.”
“No, I wouldn’t. I just wanted to see you sooner.”
Xu Ruobing’s smile became more genuine, but her hold on Jiang Lai’s wrist didn’t loosen.
“If you want to see me, just tell me earlier, and I’ll come to you.”
After all, Jiang Lai was also very busy right now.
Xu Ruobing felt a moment of small disappointment, burying her head back into the crook of Jiang Lai’s neck, her voice muffled.
“Really? That’s okay?”
“Of course it is.”
“I really missed you.”
Jiang Lai could clearly feel Xu Ruobing’s head nuzzling lightly in the hollow of her neck, like a little cat seeking warmth, the cold in her breath wrapped in grievance.
She said nothing, only raised her hand to circle Xu Ruobing’s waist and pulled her closer into her embrace.
She wanted her own warmth to envelop Xu Ruobing a little more.
“I missed you too.”
“Really?”
“Of course it’s true.”
Jiang Lai’s voice, close to Xu Ruobing’s ear, was as soft as a handful of cotton.
“I miss you, so if you miss me, just tell me directly. No matter the circumstances, I’ll come to you. So you don’t have to force yourself.”
Her hand gently patted along the lines of Xu Ruobing’s back; her fingertips could feel the shoulder blades beneath the shirt, and her heart was both soft and aching.
“Look at you—you’re as cold as ice, and you didn’t even put on your coat just now.”
Xu Ruobing didn’t respond, only tightened her arms further, rubbed her chin against Jiang Lai’s shoulder, her nose brushing her collar, as if drawing in a familiar scent.
Because she just wanted to see more of her, and that way she could finish the shoot sooner.
The wind on the set was still blowing, carrying the sounds of equipment moving in the distance, but the small space where the two embraced seemed to be separated by an invisible barrier, blocking out all the noise.
Jiang Lai could feel Xu Ruobing’s breath gradually steady, no longer as rapid as before, and her tense back slowly relaxed a bit.
Xu Ruobing’s voice was still muffled.
“Let’s go rest in the car now.”
Now the two of them had drawn everyone’s attention on the set. Being watched like that—Xu Ruobing was fine with it, but she didn’t like exposing Jiang Lai to so many people.
Right now, she had an almost intense possessiveness toward Jiang Lai.
Her fingers gently pinched the hem of Jiang Lai’s coat, her fingertip rubbing against the texture of the fabric.
“In a bit, when we get to the car, I want to hold you more.”
“Okay~”
Jiang Lai’s heart clenched. She raised her hand to touch Xu Ruobing’s hair, her fingertips brushing against the soft strands on top of her head.
Xu Ruobing led Jiang Lai by the hand toward the nanny van, her fingertips wrapped in the other’s warm temperature. Subconsciously, she tucked their joined hands into her own coat pocket, gently rubbing her palm against Jiang Lai’s.
She walked very slowly, her gaze fixed on Jiang Lai’s profile, not even noticing the wind lifting the stray hair by her ears. She only felt that the hand she held was warm enough to soothe her heart.
The nanny van was parked at the edge of the set. The manager had already opened the car door in advance and thoughtfully adjusted the heater inside.
Jiang Lai helped Xu Ruobing into the car first, then bent down and got in herself.
As soon as the door closed, Xu Ruobing turned and threw herself into Jiang Lai’s arms.
This hug was heavier than the one on set, carrying a dependence that had completely let down its guard. Her cheek pressed against Jiang Lai’s chest, and even her breathing became lighter.
“Now no one’s watching, so I can be myself.”
“Jiang Lai… can I kiss you?”
“When I saw you outside just now, I was holding back the whole time.”
“My lips are so cold. I want you to warm them up for me.”
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