Secretary Li, who had rushed over: ??? What just happened here? This Miss Lin really has some tricks up her sleeve!
Zhou Yanyan, wearing a complicated expression: The fool was me all along. Who would have thought this newbie junior had such a deep connection with Director Ye!
A glimmer flashed through Ye Ruihuan's eyes before she turned and left with her entourage.
Lin Ruijiao, looking bewildered: Wait, what's gotten into Ye Ruihuan?
Sister Wang nearby, equally puzzled: "Hold on, why did Director Ye leave? Wait—Ruijiao, what's your relationship with Director Ye?" She leaned close to whisper in her ear.
"Sister Wang, we're just colleagues in a superior-subordinate relationship." Lin Ruijiao curled up in her chair again, scribbling notes and sketches.
Sister Wang: "?"
That definitely doesn't look like it!
Wherever Ye Ruihuan passed, everyone respectfully called out "Hello, Director Ye" and "Hello, Sister Ye"... Ye Ruihuan slightly raised her chin and nodded without responding.
Assistant Li, holding an umbrella for her, knew Ye Ruihuan's temperament well. Though Director Ye showed no expression, her mood was definitely good! This Miss Lin really had something! The days ahead would be much easier!
"Xiao Li, are there any supporting role scenes being filmed right now?" Ye Ruihuan looked up at the sky, where the setting sun had paused halfway behind the clouds. Colorful cotton candy clouds hung in clusters against the azure sky, like splashes of oil paint—quite beautiful.
"Sister Ye, right now it's all scenes with the leads," Zhou Yanyan immediately responded.
"Then what's she doing here?"
"Probably here to learn," Assistant Li mused thoughtfully.
"Yes, yes! The little sister has been observing all day, asking us many questions and taking lots of notes," Zhou Yanyan smiled at Ye Ruihuan, her words full of approval.
"I see." Ye Ruihuan changed direction and walked toward the director.
"Director Ye, come sit, come sit!" Director Chen quickly waved, and the producer beside him immediately vacated his seat.
"Director Chen, don't mind me. Just do whatever you need to do—I'm just here to observe."
"Alright, let's roll! Break's over!" Director Chen's command sent everyone to their positions.
Zhou Yanyan and the male lead, Jiang Xian, quickly got into character and continued with the scene.
"Cut! Very good, very good! Next take!" Director Chen looked at the monitor with satisfaction.
"Director Chen, let's do it one more time," Ye Ruihuan said leisurely from her seat, staring intently at the two actors in the center with a serious expression.
"Of course, of course! Both of you, do it again!" Director Chen's works had always been lukewarm in the industry, so naturally he had little say. He still had to listen to the opinions of Director Ye, who had won every major award.
The two leads, who had just been pleased with their performance, stood in the center looking somewhat confused. How had Best Actress Ye started taking control of the set? This was quite stressful. They had no choice but to grit their teeth and do it again.
"Stop! You two, come here!" Before they could finish the scene, Ye Ruihuan called them over, while Director Chen hadn't even had time to react.
"Everyone take a break! Leads, come over—our Best Actress Ye is giving you special coaching!" Director Chen finally gave the order.
Lin Ruijiao, who had been observing from afar, couldn't help but sigh softly at the interruption. Ye Ruihuan was really domineering! But upon hearing the director's words, she secretly dragged her small stool closer. Though Ye Ruihuan's personality left much to be desired, her acting skills were absolutely top-notch. How could she miss such a great learning opportunity?
"Yanyan, watch your expression—pay attention to your expression! Your eyes are too vacant!" Ye Ruihuan seriously pointed out their flaws. "And you, male lead—you have too many unnecessary movements! Control your body language."
"Okay, thank you for your guidance, Sister Ye," Zhou Yanyan immediately smiled and accepted the feedback.
"Alright... thank you, Director Ye," actor Jiang Xian replied somewhat awkwardly.
Ye Ruihuan immediately spotted Lin Ruijiao nearby, listening intently with perked ears. Her eyes couldn't help but contain a hint of amusement—this flower vase really was like a little white rabbit.
"You, come here," Ye Ruihuan looked directly at her.
Instantly, everyone around turned to look at her with various expressions—confusion, surprise, disdain... Sister Wang behind her smiled widely. Director Ye really seems to like our Ruijiao—this is wonderful! Her future career prospects are secure!
"Me?" Lin Ruijiao looked around. The nearby crew members all silently moved away from her, all watching her. She had already been trying so hard to minimize her presence.
Lin Ruijiao felt speechless but had no choice but to resign herself to her fate, moving over slowly like a snail. Being singled out in this situation couldn't be good.
Seeing her like this, the amusement in Ye Ruihuan's eyes deepened. How was this little white rabbit acting like an ostrich too? What was there to be shy about? She wasn't going to eat her.
Under everyone's gaze, Lin Ruijiao stood behind Assistant Li, not wanting to become famous in such a setting as a nobody!
"Come here, sit down." Ye Ruihuan gave the order, and Assistant Li immediately stepped aside to reveal Lin Ruijiao, bringing a small stool from behind and placing it next to Ye Ruihuan.
Lin Ruijiao hesitated for a moment, licked her upper lip, then softened her expression and obediently sat down as the "tyrannical" Director Ye commanded, burying her head with an attitude of "everyone pretend I'm invisible."
"Lift your head!" Ye Ruihuan could barely suppress her rising smile—this little white rabbit was quite entertaining.
Lin Ruijiao obediently lifted her head, looking as innocent as possible, though a barely perceptible flash of impatience crossed her eyes. What was Ye Ruihuan trying to do?
Ye Ruihuan composed her expression, blinked, and her face immediately transformed completely. The youthful shyness and bold eagerness of the male lead's character came alive.
She turned to face Lin Ruijiao directly, reached out to grasp her small hand, her bright eyes tender and affectionate, containing three parts shyness, five parts excitement, and six parts anticipation.
Ye Ruihuan's thick lashes fluttered like a dancing butterfly. Caught off guard, Lin Ruijiao couldn't help but become mesmerized, her face flushing red.
Just as Lin Ruijiao was still lost in the romantic atmosphere Ye Ruihuan had created, not even noticing when her hand was released, she heard Ye Ruihuan say: "Good, just like that. Did you all see clearly?" She looked seriously at the two leads.
Everyone was stunned by her words, then quickly nodded once they realized Best Actress Ye was giving a live demonstration.
"Sister Ye acted so well, thank you, Sister Ye!" Zhou Yanyan smiled lightly, glancing at Lin Ruijiao beside her who was still looking down—the little sister's ears were completely red! Director Ye truly deserved to be someone who had won every award!
The director immediately chimed in with praise: "That's our Best Actress Ye! Those acting skills are incredible! You all should learn from her."
Coming to her senses, Lin Ruijiao immediately buried her head. How had she been so easily led around by Ye Ruihuan! It must be because her acting was too good! This was so embarrassing! So infuriating! She had no face to show anyone. She hadn't performed at all just now.
Lin Ruijiao looked down and gave herself a mental pep talk: That was just for the character in the script, it had nothing to do with Ye Ruihuan herself. After consoling herself, she quietly grabbed her small stool and tried to sneak away.
Ye Ruihuan, watching the leads perform, caught this in her peripheral vision but didn't intervene, letting her go.
The two leads being watched by Ye Ruihuan throughout became increasingly nervous, getting NG'd over ten times without passing. They didn't even dare look in Ye Ruihuan's direction anymore.
"Director Ye, should we take a break?" Director Chen saw her expression growing more serious and quickly spoke up. Not only were the leads nervous—even he was getting anxious. He hadn't expected Ye Ruihuan to be so meticulous about acting. Her Best Actress awards truly weren't just for show.
"Mm." Ye Ruihuan sighed softly, waving at Zhou Yanyan who was approaching. The other woman tactfully returned to her position to rest.
Ye Ruihuan, handling company matters on her tablet, looked up and scanned around, searching for that quail-like shy little rabbit, but after looking around, she couldn't find her.
Lin Ruijiao had long since hidden in a small corner of the set with Sister Wang, specifically to stay far from Ye Ruihuan.
After the break, everyone returned to their positions. The leads, having regained their composure, got it in one take, and the subsequent filming went much more smoothly. Even the demanding Ye Ruihuan could only give a reluctant nod of approval. As the sun set and darkness fell, today's scenes were finally completed.
"Director Ye, let's go have dinner together," Director Chen had already sent someone to make reservations. "All of today's actors should come too, including those who had scenes with our Director Ye," he instructed the producer.
"No need, thank you for your kind offer." Lin Ruijiao didn't even think before immediately refusing. It was better to avoid occasions with Ye Ruihuan.
"Little sister, you should come along. We're all from the same company—how can you not go? With Director Ye there, no one would dare bully you," Zhou Yanyan kindly persuaded from nearby.
Lin Ruijiao: "...Alright, Sister Zhou. I'll go." She was afraid of Director Ye bullying her!
Having no choice but to follow behind everyone, Lin Ruijiao could only try her best to minimize her presence. However, Zhou Yanyan came over and put an arm around her, giving her no such opportunity, enthusiastically inviting them to walk together.
"Ruijiao, let's ride in Sister Ye's car together, come on, come on." Zhou Yanyan pulled her toward the car.
Seeing Ye Ruihuan in the car, unmoved and showing no reaction, Lin Ruijiao had no choice but to grit her teeth and get in.
"Oh my, looks like there's no room. I'll go ride with Jiang Xian instead." Zhou Yanyan dropped this line and shut the car door.
Lin Ruijiao smiled on the surface but was crying inside: ...Sister Zhou, how is there no room in such a spacious car?! You're setting me up...
Zhou Yanyan thought: Ruijiao, this is a great opportunity to make a good impression on Director Ye—make sure to seize it!
Lin Ruijiao's mind was racing now. How had she ended up with Ye Ruihuan again? Her luck... She couldn't help but let various expressions cycle across her face.
Ye Ruihuan propped her chin and watched the little rabbit beside her, whose face changed like a Sichuan opera performance. Her eyes were full of amusement. This little rabbit was truly interesting. Did she really dislike her that much? Was she that frightening?
Assistant Li in the passenger seat, silently observing: How is this Miss Li so different from others? Hurry up and cling to Director Ye's golden thigh!
"Jiaojiao, how do you find working on the set?" Ye Ruihuan asked with playful amusement.