Huayu: Starting with Hextech

The day after Tang Yan visited the set of "Beauty's Rival in Palace," she was on set.

There's a large ensemble scene today, featuring major characters such as Dou Yifang, Mo Xueyuan, Shen'er, and Zhou Yafu.

The film set was bustling with people.

Tang Yan sat in the rest area, holding a cup of milk tea in her hand, her eyes always following Lin Xiao's figure.

"Action!"

In the scene, Lin Xiao, who plays Zhou Yafu, is wearing silver armor and holding a sword. He stands beside Dou Yifang, who plays Lin Xinru, with sharp eyes scanning the hall.

Meanwhile, Mo Xueyuan, played by Yang Mi, stands on the other side of Dou Yifang, her gaze occasionally drifting towards Zhou Yafu, her eyes filled with admiration.

After filming a scene, the director yelled "Cut!"

The actors relaxed and gathered in small groups to chat.

Lin Xiao walked up to Tang Yan, took the milk tea from her in front of everyone, took a sip, and then said with a smile, "It's a little sweet. I'll buy you three-tenths sugar next time."

This intimate gesture caused the surrounding staff to whisper among themselves.

"See that? Teacher Lin Xiao's girlfriend is so beautiful."

"I heard she's also an actress, she played Zi Xuan in 'Chinese Paladin 3'."

"No wonder, they are a perfect match..."

These words drifted into Tang Yan's ears, making her smile involuntarily.

At this moment, Yang Mi walked over.

As if oblivious to the intimacy between Lin Xiao and Tang Yan, she stepped between them and patted Lin Xiao's shoulder.

"Lin Xiao, was there something wrong with the angle of your turn just now? Director Wu said we should do another take."

"Okay, I'll check the replay." Lin Xiao nodded.

Yang Mi seemed to only just notice Tang Yan then, turning to her with a smile: "Tangtang, would you mind lending your Lin Xiao a few minutes? It's work, purely work!"

As she spoke of "work," she consciously leaned closer to Lin Xiao, almost touching him.

Tang Yan's smile froze for a moment, but she still said, "Of course I don't mind."

"That's good!" Yang Mi smiled brightly, then said to Lin Xiao, "Let's go, let's go to the monitor."

Tang Yan watched their retreating figures. Yang Mi said something, and Lin Xiao smiled and looked down.

That smile... Tang Yan felt as if she had been pricked by a needle.

At this moment, Wang Likun also came over.

She finished filming today and changed back into casual clothes, a white shirt and jeans, looking fresh and clean.

"Teacher Tang Yan," she greeted softly, her gaze lingering on Tang Yan's face for a moment before quickly shifting away. "Did you rest well yesterday?"

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern." Tang Yan tried her best to remain polite.

Wang Likun nodded, his gaze sweeping over Lin Xiao not far away, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

But soon, she looked away and smiled faintly at Tang Yan: "Teacher Lin Xiao takes good care of everyone on set. He's a very nice person."

These words left Tang Yan momentarily speechless.

Wang Likun didn't seem to expect her to answer. After saying that, he stood quietly to the side and turned his gaze back to the field.

Tang Yan looked at her, then at Lin Xiao, who was huddled together with Yang Mi in front of the monitor, their heads close together, and that feeling of unease welled up in her heart again.

In the afternoon, on the film set

"Action!"

The camera zooms in.

Lin Xiao grabbed Yang Mi's wrist, and Yang Mi hissed in pain.

"Who gave you permission to act on your own?!" Lin Xiao's voice was filled with anger. "Do you know the consequences if you get caught?!"

Yang Mi looked up at him, her eyes instantly reddening, but she stubbornly bit her lip: "This servant just... just didn't want Your Highness to get hurt..."

"you!"

Lin Xiao's gaze shifted from anger to suppressed emotion.

Holding her hand, he unconsciously loosened his grip, and his thumb even unconsciously rubbed the inside of her wrist.

This subtle movement wasn't in the script.

Director Wu Jinyuan's eyes lit up behind the monitor, but he didn't call "cut".

Yang Mi was clearly aware of this impromptu performance.

Her eyelashes trembled, and a single tear slid down her cheek at just the right moment. Her voice choked with sobs: "General Zhou... this servant knows she was wrong..."

Lin Xiao looked at her for a long time before finally letting go, turning his back to her, his voice hoarse: "...Go down. Don't do this again."

"Yes."

Yang Mi responded softly, but remained standing still.

Her gaze fell on Lin Xiao's tall but lonely back, her eyes filled with intense emotions.

"Cut! Perfect!" Wu Jinyuan stood up excitedly. "Lin Xiao, Yang Mi, your scene was amazing! Especially that little gesture at the end, a stroke of genius!"

Applause erupted from the audience.

Tang Yan sat in the rest area, the milk tea in her hand slightly deformed from being squeezed.

That scene just now... Lin Xiao's gesture of caressing Yang Mi's wrist was so natural, so... intimate.

And the way Yang Mi looked at him—that definitely couldn't be fully explained by acting skills alone.

Even after filming wrapped, Yang Mi was still immersed in the emotions, her eyes red.

Lin Xiao handed her a tissue, which she took, wiped her eyes, and then gave Lin Xiao a tearful smile: "Thank you... for earlier."

Lin Xiao shook his head: "You caught it well."

The two exchanged a smile, and the unspoken understanding between them stung Tang Yan's eyes.

After finishing work in the evening, the film crew had a dinner together.

Yu Zheng hosted the event, and Tang Yan, as Lin Xiao's girlfriend, was also invited.

She sat next to Lin Xiao, with Yang Mi on the other side.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.

Holding a wine glass, Yu Zheng, his face flushed, said, "Today our crew has two pieces of good news. First, filming is going smoothly, and second, General Zhou Yafu's 'family' has come to visit the set! Come on, Lin Xiao, Tang Yan, let me toast you!"

Everyone at the table laughed and raised their glasses.

Lin Xiao put his arm around Tang Yan's shoulder, stood up, and said generously, "Thank you, Teacher Yu Zheng, and thank you to all the teachers and colleagues in the crew for taking care of me during this time. Tang Tang is my girlfriend, so please continue to look after her in the future."

He spoke frankly and openly.

The private room was quiet for a moment, then erupted into even more enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Congratulations!

"A perfect match!"

"Absolutely! From now on, whenever Teacher Tang Yan comes, she'll be a very important guest to our crew!"

Tang Yan's face flushed instantly, but her heart felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey.

She subconsciously looked at Yang Mi.

Yang Mi was also clapping, her smile radiant and flawless.

She even picked up her wine glass and winked at Tang Yan: "Tangtang, are you relieved now? Your Lin Xiao 'vindicated' you in front of the whole crew!"

After she finished speaking, she tilted her head back and took a sip of wine.

When she put down her wine glass, the smile on her face did not diminish at all. Only Tang Yan, who was closest to her, caught the complex expression that flashed across her eyes.

When Wang Likun, who was sitting opposite, heard Lin Xiao's words, his fingers tightened slightly as he held his wine glass.

She lowered her eyes, remained silent for a few seconds, and when she looked up again, her face had returned to calm.

She raised her glass, gestured towards Lin Xiao and Tang Yan, and then took a small sip.

The light in his eyes dimmed for a moment, but quickly shone again.

This time, however, there was an added, subtle hint of stubbornness and resentment.