Huayu: Starting with Hextech

The atmosphere on the set of "Storm Riders 2" was completely different from that on the set of "The Myth".

Director Oxide Pang has high standards, with numerous and intense action scenes, and the overall pace is tense and high-pressure.

Although Tang Yan's character, Chu Chu, has a lot of dramatic scenes, as the second female lead, she has a heavy workload and a lot of pressure.

Since the incident of secretly filming that night and Sister Xu's stern warning, Tang Yan has become much more well-behaved on the surface and dares not sneak to the "Myth" film crew again.

But one's heart cannot be completely controlled, especially the heart of a girl in love.

"Tang Yan! Let's try again!"

Peng Shun's slightly disgruntled voice came from outside, startling Tang Yan out of her reverie.

She hurriedly apologized and tried to concentrate, but her condition was clearly not as stable as before.

Several takes were NG'd due to insufficient emotional expression or incorrect positioning.

"Tang Yan, what's wrong with you today? You seem distracted! Take a ten-minute break and get yourself together!"

Peng Shun frowned, his tone stern.

Tang Yan lowered her head and walked to the rest area, feeling both wronged and guilty.

It wasn't that she didn't want to act well, it's just... she couldn't stop thinking about Lin Xiao, those awful rumors, and Sister Xu's warning; the more she thought about it, the more confused she became.

"Sister Tangtang, have some water." Assistant Xiaowei handed her a water glass with concern. "Don't think too much, just focus on filming."

Tang Yan nodded, slapped her cheeks hard, and tried to drive away those chaotic thoughts.

However, the trouble didn't end there.

Liu Shi, an actress in the same drama, keenly noticed Tang Yan's unusual behavior.

She had noticed that Tang Yan often left work early and then left without paying attention. Later, she saw the gossip post on the forum, and combined with Tang Yan's recent absent-mindedness and low spirits, she began to have a guess.

During the lunch break that day, everyone gathered together for a meal.

Liu Shi sat down next to Tang Yan as if by accident, and said with a smile in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the people around them to hear, "Tangtang, have you been in love lately? You seem so absent-minded."

Tang Yan's heart tightened, and she quickly denied it: "No, Shishi, don't talk nonsense."

"Oh, you're keeping it a secret from me?"

Liu Shi blinked, lowered her voice, but teased, "I heard... that super handsome newcomer Lin Xiao from the 'Myth' drama crew, you two are really close, right? There are even photos of you having dinner together on the forum! They're a bit blurry, but you look quite intimate!"

Those around them looked on with curiosity.

Tang Yan's face flushed instantly, both anxious and angry: "Those were all random photos! We're just ordinary friends who happened to run into each other!"

"Can ordinary friends take a walk together in the middle of the night?"

Liu Shi persisted, her smile becoming even more meaningful.

"Tangtang, we're all girls, I understand. Lin Xiao is indeed handsome and has potential, it's normal to be attracted to him! But..."

She changed the subject, her voice carrying a hint of "kind" advice, "Our priority right now is filming. Director Lin is so strict, so don't let personal matters interfere with our work. Not only will we get scolded, but it won't sound good if word gets out, don't you think?"

Tang Yan was so angry that her fingers trembled, and she couldn't eat anymore. She put down her chopsticks and replied curtly, "My affairs are none of your concern."

He got up and left, hiding in a secluded corner.

Liu Shi watched her retreating figure, pursed her lips, and whispered to the person next to her, "See, you got your secret out of her. Young people, they just can't keep their composure."

These rumors and Liu Shi's occasional "concern" made Tang Yan's already tense nerves even more exhausted, both physically and mentally.

She had to cope with the intense filming schedule while also guarding against the ever-present probing and gossip.

Back at the hotel that evening, she finally couldn't resist and called Lin Xiao.

As soon as the call connected and she heard Lin Xiao's familiar "feed," Tang Yan could no longer hold back her grievances and choked out, "Lin Xiao..."

"What's wrong? Did you suffer some injustice?" Lin Xiao immediately noticed that something was wrong with her voice.

Tang Yan, sobbing, recounted how she had been criticized by the director and bullied by Liu Shi that day, becoming increasingly upset as she spoke:

"...They're all talking about me behind my back, saying I'm not focusing on acting and only thinking about dating...Sister Xu won't let me see you either...I'm so tired, Lin Xiao..."

Hearing the tearful outpouring on the other end of the phone, Lin Xiao's heart clenched.

He could imagine the pressure Tang Yan was under. It was indeed difficult for a young girl who had just gained some fame to face the pressure from her peers and the director in the complicated film crew environment.

"Tangtang, listen to me."

Lin Xiao's voice was soft, yet it possessed a reassuring power.

"First of all, the director criticized you because you were genuinely distracted. We have to acknowledge that and correct it. Acting is our job, and we can't bring any emotions into our work. This is being responsible to ourselves and to the crew. Next time before filming, take a deep breath, clear your mind of everything else, and focus only on the character and the scene at hand, okay?"

"Um……"

Tang Yan responded softly. Lin Xiao didn't just try to appease her; instead, he pointed out the problems, which made her feel more at ease.

"As for that Liu Shi,"

Lin Xiao's tone was slightly cold, "Every production crew has people like this who like to stir up trouble and belittle others while praising others. The more you care, the more they'll act up. The best way is to ignore them and let your work and performance speak for themselves."

If you play Chu Chu well, the director will naturally notice, and those idle gossips will lose their appeal.

Next time she says something, just pretend you didn't hear it, or smile and ask her, "Sister Shishi, are you done filming today? Have you memorized all your lines?", shifting the focus back to her.

Tang Yan burst into laughter through her tears at his words: "I'm not that amazing..."

"You can do it," Lin Xiao affirmed. "Don't forget, you're a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama. Your talent doesn't need to be proven to anyone; you just need to show it in front of the camera."

After hearing Lin Xiao's words, Tang Yan felt her frustration and grievances dissipate considerably.

"Also," Lin Xiao paused, "my scenes finish early tomorrow afternoon. I'll visit you on the set of 'Storm Riders 2'."

"Really?!" Tang Yan exclaimed in surprise, then added worriedly, "But... what about Sister Xu, and that Liu Shi..."

Go openly and honestly.

Lin Xiao said calmly, "It's perfectly normal for a good friend to visit someone on set. If we're open and honest, it makes us seem like we have nothing to hide. As for the gossip... they might talk even more enthusiastically if I go, but at least they'll talk about 'Tang Yan has someone visiting her on set, they have a good relationship,' instead of 'Tang Yan is all alone and being ostracized.' Sometimes, the attitude itself is a kind of confidence and composure."

As Tang Yan listened to his clear and logical analysis and arrangements, she felt a great sense of security.

It seems that as long as Lin Xiao is around, even the most difficult problems can be solved.

"Okay! I'll wait for you!"

……

The next afternoon, Lin Xiao arrived as promised.

He wasn't dressed up; he was just wearing simple casual clothes. But his tall figure and outstanding temperament attracted a lot of attention as soon as he appeared outside the "Storm Riders 2" crew.

He was carrying two large bags of drinks and cakes, and explained his purpose to the staff with a polite smile: "Hello, I'm Lin Xiao, a friend of Tang Yan. I'm here to visit the set and brought some drinks for everyone."

The staff recognized him as Chonglou from "Chinese Paladin 3" and Yi Dachuan from "The Myth," who had recently gained some attention, and politely led him inside.

Tang Yan was filming when she saw Lin Xiao coming from afar. Her eyes lit up, but she tried her best to restrain herself and finish filming the scene.

"Cut! That's a wrap!" the director yelled.

Tang Yan immediately jogged over, her face beaming with uncontainable joy: "Lin Xiao! You really came!"

"I promised you, didn't I?" Lin Xiao smiled and handed her a bag of drinks. "Share this with everyone, thank you for your hard work."

Tang Yan took the drinks and snacks, then called her assistant Xiao Wei to distribute them to the director, main actors, and nearby staff, introducing them with a graceful and generous manner:

"This is my friend Lin Xiao, who is also an actor. He came to visit the set and offered to treat everyone to something to eat."

Lin Xiao also greeted director Oxide Pang and the male lead politely, with a humble attitude and proper speech.

Liu Shi also received a drink. Seeing Tang Yan looking radiant again after Lin Xiao arrived, Liu Shi felt even more bitter, but on the surface she could only force a smile and thank him.

Lin Xiao didn't stay long. He spent less than half an hour chatting briefly with Tang Yan about her recent situation, encouraging her to do well in filming, before saying goodbye and leaving.

He came and went like the wind, with an open and unpretentious demeanor, which caused quite a stir on the set of "Storm Riders 2".

"Tang Yan's friend is pretty good. He's handsome and polite."

"I've heard he has a lot of potential."

"Is it the one who's been rumored to be dating Tang Yan lately? They seem pretty open about it, like there's nothing going on."

"It's so nice to have someone visit the set; Tang Yan seems to be in much better spirits today."

……

Lin Xiao's arrival seemed to infuse her with an invisible force, making her stand up straighter.

"I'm not afraid of what you guys say."

Tang Yan no longer cared much about the gossip.