The more she looked, the more it felt as if her whole body was being burned by fire, her heart restless and uneasy.
Just thinking that most of these filthy jokes were between her and Jiang Xiao made her scalp tingle, and she couldn’t help but feel nervous.
To be honest, those jokes were crude, but in terms of helping Jiang Xiao get out of his current predicament, they might actually be somewhat beneficial—provided Jiang Xiao didn’t overapply his scholarly research and learning spirit.
Some things only need to be tasted lightly!
There absolutely must be a clear line between on-stage and off-stage.
With that in mind, Song Qiuyu stole a glance at Jiang Xiao, who was seriously reading the new script.
Unluckily, Jiang Xiao happened to look over as well.
They exchanged a glance from a distance, then, with perfect tacit understanding, both quickly looked away.
Both of them wore somewhat embarrassed expressions.
Since Party A was satisfied with the script, the next steps were props and locations.
Costumes and similar props all needed to be prepared.
Fortunately, they had the creative incentive bonus, so the financial pressure wasn’t that great.
They quickly placed orders online and expedited delivery for the urgently needed props.
Because the vendor was close by and city logistics were very convenient, they could start filming tomorrow.
As for the location, they could only ask the Class Counselor and the Drama Club for help.
“Today is Saturday, it’s nine in the morning now. The props will arrive tomorrow, so we only have half a day left after that… filming time is really tight.”
Lin An glanced at their packed class schedule and sighed.
“There’s no helping it. Next semester in sophomore year will probably be just as busy; it won’t ease up until junior year.”
Song Qiuyu sighed in agreement, her tone helpless.
“High school teachers are such liars. They said college life would be good, but where’s the good? It’s still nine-to-five.”
Lin An sighed again.
“Maybe it’s a matter of phrasing.”
Xie Zhuran said.
“Party A just said the script wasn’t risqué enough, so you took it too far?” Lin An teased.
Actually, the reason they were so busy was because they themselves were cramming.
Other people’s college lives were actually pretty good.
The library was full of sighs, but Jiang Xiao was quietly reading the script.
Seeing their roommate so focused, the three sighing guys fell silent for a few seconds, exchanged looks, and set aside their complaints, focusing all their attention on the matter at hand.
Sang Tian joined them.
The next day, afternoon.
Props for filming arrived one after another.
They gathered at the Drama Club, determined to make the most of the remaining half-day of the weekend and race against time to film.
Although it was an ancient-style script, it was a low-budget production, so they couldn’t afford a big setup.
The commercial order was only worth tens of thousands of yuan, and their own funds barely reached a few thousand, so they couldn’t afford to splurge.
They had to make do.
Luckily, their school’s Drama Club was very supportive and even provided a bed prop.
That saved some budget and effort.
After confirming the props were fine, they each took their costumes and headed to the dressing room.
They were about to officially start filming the first commercial short video.
Song Qiuyu stared at the bed set to the side, her brows tightly furrowed.
In the upcoming scene, she was to be pressed down on this bed by Jiang Xiao’s character, Xu Xian…
Of course, they weren’t shooting a movie, so nothing inappropriate would appear.
But still, just the idea of being pressed down on the bed was already giving her a headache, especially in front of so many people.
She was sure Jiang Xiao felt the same way.
What normal man would want to pounce on another normal man, and get overly close on a bed… Uh, the hotel incident before was purely accidental.
“Song, drink some water.”
Sang Tian handed Song Qiuyu a bottle of mineral water.
She looked her over with admiration—Qiuyu’s simple white outfit perfectly accentuated her slender, tall figure, and even the fake chest looked completely natural.
Song Qiuyu had really captured the aura of the White Snake well.
It was a completely different vibe from her Keqing cosplay at the scenic spot.
Who knew if Jiang Xiao was captivated by Song Qiuyu?
Thinking this, Sang Tian turned to look at Jiang Xiao.
Coincidentally, Jiang Xiao was indeed watching Song Qiuyu.
But when he noticed her gaze, he nonchalantly averted his eyes again.
Jiang Xiao’s Xu Xian was a bit too handsome.
Though wearing plain cloth, he carried the refined charm of a “noble gentleman,” warm and gentle like jade.
Clearly not an ordinary scholar.
Though silent off-stage, once in character and speaking, maybe he would really sound like Xu Xian?
Sang Tian looked back at Song Qiuyu, a smile playing at her lips.
This Xu Xian and White Snake were such a perfect pair.
Though their acting might not compare to the professional White Snake Legend TV actors, just based on looks alone, they felt like winners.
Song Qiuyu stole a glance at Jiang Xiao, sharing the sentiment.
It was a pity—she still felt Jiang Xiao was better suited to play Fahai and form a couple with Sang Tian.
But every time she tried to matchmake them, it ended up with her and Jiang Xiao paired together instead.
If this was fate, she was determined to defy it!
No way would she allow Jiang Xiao to keep drowning in the past!
No chance to set them up this time, but there would be plenty later. No rush.
After drinking some water and reviewing the script again, she gathered her courage and prepared to start filming.
The first scene was a rain scene, which troubled them a bit.
But at this moment, the Class Counselor stepped forward, saying she could create artificial rain.
They were stunned.
The Class Counselor had such power?!
Artificial rain?
Isn’t that usually something only the government can arrange?
And it requires higher-level approval—not something one can just do on a whim.
Who knew the counselor was hiding such talent?
Then, the counselor contacted the school and got them a garden hose normally used for watering flowers, to simulate rain.
“Artificial rain, huh? This is the first time I’ve seen artificial rain up close, though it’s not quite what I imagined, Laolin…”
Xie Zhuran said to Lin An, who was dressed as the bald Fahai, then burst out laughing mischievously.
“No way, Laolin, your bald head is way too shiny!”
Lin An no longer wore glasses but had on contact lenses.
He habitually pushed at the empty space where his glasses used to rest, and with a sly smile, responded to his roommate’s teasing.
He remembered that insult.
“Jiang Xiao, what’s wrong? Are your eyes uncomfortable?”
Song Qiuyu noticed Jiang Xiao’s odd behavior and asked with concern.
“A bit… maybe from overusing them.”
Jiang Xiao’s face showed a trace of awkwardness as he turned away, avoiding her gaze.
“Wait, I heard of a method to make eyes feel really comfortable!”
Song Qiuyu rubbed her hands together, then stepped in front of Jiang Xiao, stood on tiptoe, stretched out her arms, and gently covered his eyes with her warmed palms.
She wasn’t going to let Jiang Xiao’s poor condition ruin the take and force them all to reshoot over and over.
Time was tight; they had to finish as quickly as possible.
“Jiang Xiao, close your eyes.”
“…”
Jiang Xiao’s lips moved slightly.
“This scene is hilarious!”
That was Xie Zhuran’s comment, but at the same time, two people pulled out their phones.
One of them was Sang Tian.
“Click.”
Song Qiuyu withdrew her hands and returned to her spot, face full of anticipation.
“How is it? Feeling better?”
Jiang Xiao pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly, fingers curling inward discreetly.
“More great behind-the-scenes footage,” Xie Zhuran said with a raised brow and a smile.
“Another photo for Song and the others.”
Sang Tian admired the group shot.
Was this really free for her?
Filming began, and everyone stopped joking.
The plot started with Lin An holding a board, and Xie Zhuran filming with his phone.
“Click.”
First action.
Then the counselor started spraying water.
Rain poured down.
Song Qiuyu, playing White Snake, and Xu Xian appeared together, preparing for a secret meeting.
But they were troubled because of the heavy rain and no umbrella at home.
At this moment, Sang Tian, playing Qing She, came out soaked by the rain, covered her mouth with a smile, and said, “Sister, I know you urgently need an umbrella, so I brought one for you!”
“Where’s the umbrella? And why are you still getting soaked if you brought us an umbrella?” Song Qiuyu asked elegantly.
“Here.”
Sang Tian shook her head coquettishly, then looked left and right, pulled out a box of Couple Umbrellas from her sleeve, and opened her palm to show it fully.
Sang Tian giggled, then walked forward, put away her oil-paper umbrella, and briefly explained the use of the Couple Umbrella.
Basically, the advertising line.
“So this is what the umbrella is…” Jiang Xiao’s Xu Xian instantly became the sarcastic commentator.
“Just say if you want it or not.”
“Want.”
With that, Xu Xian accepted the box of Couple Umbrellas and pulled Song Qiuyu into the room.
After finishing her part, Sang Tian immediately went over to Xie Zhuran, who was responsible for filming.
The two watched the interactions between White Snake and Xu Xian through the camera and couldn’t help but be surprised.
Especially with White Snake—even though they knew it was Song Qiuyu cross-dressing, they involuntarily treated her as a real girl.
No, even more girlish than a real girl.
There was not the slightest trace of a boy in her gestures.
Not even under a microscope.
After their interaction, the next scene was where Jiang Xiao’s Xu Xian unexpectedly ran into Lin An’s bald Fahai outside, and learned the true identity of his lady.
“I have a special elixir here. Just take it, then sleep with your lady tonight. After that, she’ll reveal her true form. Don’t worry about the shock.”
“Master, I can handle it.”
“Alright then.”
Fahai took out two pills.
“Isn’t it supposed to be one pill? Why two? Oh, I get it—you’re afraid I’ll lose one, so you gave me an extra.”
“Uh, no, that’s actually a booger I just picked.”
“Don’t put boogers with elixirs!”
“But if I don’t, it’s not stimulating enough.”
“So this is the kind of stimulation you mean?! Separate them immediately!”
“But I don’t remember which is the elixir anymore. How about you just take them both?”
With a heavy heart, Xu Xian returned inside.
“Husband, you seem flustered. What happened?”
Song Qiuyu had started shy and blushing, but now her face was calm and expressionless—pure acting.
“Nothing.”
Jiang Xiao shook his head guiltily.
No matter how many times he heard it, he still couldn’t get used to that word.
Or to Song Qiuyu’s appearance as the virtuous wife.
Suddenly, an outrageous thought struck him: if it were Xi’er standing in front of him, she’d probably look much like Song Qiuyu did now.
Xi’er would definitely be a good wife.
But the person in front of him was Song Qiuyu… Was it because she was too deep in character?
Seeing Jiang Xiao’s flustered expression, Song Qiuyu silently gave him a thumbs-up.
Not bad.
He portrayed Xu Xian’s nervousness perfectly.
His acting had improved a lot.
At this, Xie Zhuran, Sang Tian, and Lin An—who had finished filming and came over to check the camera— all held their breath in unison.
Here it comes!
The main event!
“Wife, tonight we…”
Jiang Xiao gripped the umbrella handle tightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he struggled to suppress his nervousness, looking into Song Qiuyu’s eyes with deep affection mixed with unease.
“Should we?”
“Mm.”
Song Qiuyu seemed to understand, shyly lowering her head, then producing the hidden Couple Umbrella from her sleeve, and letting out a soft laugh.
She stepped forward again, stood on tiptoe, and this time leaned in close to Jiang Xiao’s ear.
“Husband, it’s so late. Let’s go to bed early and rest.”
At the line, Jiang Xiao’s face gradually showed surprise, his ears turning red inch by inch.
After hearing it and locking eyes with her sparkling apricot-shaped eyes again, his affection almost overflowed.
Their warm interaction made everyone outside the scene’s eyes widen.
Not just Song Qiuyu—her acting was well recognized—but Jiang Xiao too.
No one expected his acting to suddenly surge.
He really looked nervous and emotional!
And so, Jiang Xiao pressed down on Song Qiuyu.
The scene ended there.
The next day, Jiang Xiao stormed over to Lin An.
“You liar! I used your method, but my lady didn’t turn into a snake at all! I suspect you just wanted me to eat a booger.”
“What if I said I did?”
Lin An smiled mysteriously.
The next second, Jiang Xiao put the large knife hidden behind his back to Lin An’s neck.
“Alright, I’m joking.”
Lin An immediately surrendered.
“But how could there be no effect? Could it be that you used that legendary Couple Umbrella?!”
Then Lin An smoothly recited a little ad about the Couple Umbrella.
Basically, it said that umbrella was so safe, the elixir he made couldn’t possibly break through its protection.
“So what do we do, Master?”
“Simple. Just don’t use that umbrella.”
As soon as those words fell, Jiang Xiao froze.