I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

After Shuzi finished washing up, eating breakfast, and drinking half a cup of hot water, she finally woke up completely.

She changed into comfortable clothes, her face bare, and followed Fang Zhizi out the door.

The film set is not far from the hotel; it only takes about ten minutes by car.

The RV was parked in the designated area. Fang Zhizi opened the door, and Shu Zi bent down and climbed inside.

The makeup artist was already waiting inside. Seeing her come up, she greeted her with a smile, "Good morning, Ms. Shu!"

Good morning, thank you for your hard work.

Shu Zi greeted everyone, changed into her costume, then sat down in front of the makeup mirror, tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and let the makeup artist begin applying her makeup.

After finishing her makeup, she looked at herself in the mirror from left to right before getting up and getting out of the RV.

On set, staff members were busy setting up.

Shu Zi took a deep breath and was about to walk towards the shooting area when she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye.

Qu Xuan got out of another RV, her hair and makeup already done.

After spending the past few days together, the two have become quite familiar with each other.

Qu Xuan looked up and saw Shu Zi, paused slightly, then smiled and walked over: "Good morning, Zi Zi."

Shu Zi smiled and stepped forward, saying, "Good morning, Sister Qu. Please go easy on me for the first scene today."

Qu Xuan smiled and said in a relaxed tone, "I should be the one saying that. Let's go, let's go together."

The two walked side by side toward the filming area.

This play tells the story of two women's brokenness, healing, and mutual redemption.

Shu Zi plays Shen Ji, a cool and restrained person who has recovered from trauma, while Qu Xuan plays Wen Yu, a person in a predicament who wears a sunny mask.

The first scene is Shen Ji and Wen Yu's first encounter in a coffee shop.

In the script, the two are strangers, sitting at adjacent tables. Shen Ji is looking down at his phone, while Wen Yu is waiting for someone.

There are no lines; emotions are conveyed entirely through eyes and micro-expressions.

After the director yelled "Action!", the two quickly got into character. One was cold and aloof, while the other was gentle and smiling. The camera panned across the subtle, almost imperceptible connection between them.

It was done in one take, and the director nodded in satisfaction: "That's the feeling, that's right."

After the performance, Qu Xuan came over and said there was a good Hunan restaurant nearby, asking Shu Zi if she wanted to have dinner together.

Just as Shu Zi was about to agree, the production assistant ran over and said that her next scene had to be filmed first.

Shu Zi could only shrug at Qu Xuan: "You take your pictures first, I'll come find you when I'm done."

Qu Xuan nodded: "Okay, then I'll wait for you."

Shu Zi touched up her makeup and followed the production crew to another shooting area to film a scene with Qi Yu.

Qi Yu had already arrived and was squatting next to the monitor chatting with the cameraman. When he saw Shu Zi coming over, he immediately stood up and greeted her with a smile:

"Sister Zizi!"

He was carrying a paper bag, which he handed to her.

"I brought this for you! A latte and a box of strawberries. I just had my assistant buy them; they're extra sweet."

Shu Zi took the paper bag, glanced down at it, and couldn't help but smile:

"Why are you bringing so much stuff? It's a movie shoot, not a spring outing."

Qi Yu scratched his head, smiling a little embarrassedly:

"I was worried you'd be hot; the sun's really strong today. And it's my first time acting with you, so I'm a little nervous. I brought something to bribe you, so don't complain about my poor acting later."

Shu Zi was amused by him, took out a latte from the bag, and took a sip:

"Alright, I've received the bribe. Now, put on a good performance and don't let me drink your coffee for nothing."

Qi Yu's eyes lit up, and he patted his chest: "Absolutely!"

The two went over their lines twice and practiced their positions once, their coordination was surprisingly good.

Qi Yu's delivery of lines was solid, and his emotions were conveyed effectively; he passed all three takes within three.

The director yelled "Cut!" and Qi Yu immediately dropped her acting expression, turned to Shu Zi, and winked.

"Sister Zizi, did I act alright?"

Shu Zi nodded: "Good, keep it up."

Qi Yu chuckled and added, "Then I'll bring you coffee again tomorrow!"

Shu Zi waved her hand: "No, no, no, we can't keep bullying the younger ones. You keep it for yourself."

After saying that, she smiled at him, turned around, and walked back.

Qi Yu stood there, still holding the bag of strawberries, staring at her retreating figure for a moment, then chuckled softly and muttered something under his breath:

"...Who's younger?"

When Shu Zi walked back to the filming area, she saw that Qu Xuan had also finished work.

When Qu Xuan saw Shu Zi walking over, she picked up her bag and gestured with her chin: "Let's go eat."

Shu Zi nodded: "Let's go, let's go, we're starving."

The two walked out of the film set side by side, and Qu Xuan's assistant had already driven her car to the door and was waiting for her.

Qu Xuan opened the driver's side door and tilted her head towards Shu Zi: "Get in the car, the shop isn't far, it's a five-minute drive."

Shu Zi walked around to the other side, got into the passenger seat, and the car slowly drove away from the film set.

After starting the car, Qu Xuan leaned back in her seat and glanced at Shu Zi: "How did your photos with Qi Yu go?"

"It's alright, it went pretty smoothly."

Shu Zi smiled:

"The little boy was quite lively. He brought a lot of food, including coffee and strawberries. I almost thought he wasn't there to film a movie, but to have a picnic."

Qu Xuan chuckled, a hint of mockery in her voice:

"Looks like someone has quite the charm; she managed to tether the male lead to her on her very first day on set."

Shu Zi was taken aback by her words and turned her head to look at her:

"Sister Qu, your talent for gossip is even more natural than your acting skills. How about we switch careers and become paparazzi?"

She paused, then added, "And besides, he's my fan! And he's just a kid!"

Qu Xuan raised an eyebrow but didn't reply, though the corners of her mouth remained upturned.

Whether he's a fan or not, only he himself probably knows.

The car stopped in front of an elegantly decorated Hunan restaurant.

The storefront is small, and the green plants at the entrance conceal the simple facade, exuding a quiet and comfortable atmosphere.

The two men each put on a hat, pulled down the brim, and got out of the car.

Qu Xuan locked the car and glanced back at Shu Zi:

"I ate here a long time ago. The food was good, and the environment was quiet, perfect for chatting."

Shu Zi got out of the car, glanced at the sign, and smiled slightly: "Okay, I'll stick with Sister Qu today."

The two were led by a waiter into a private room by the window.

The waiter handed over the menu, which Qu Xuan took and first presented to Shu Zi: "Take a look and see what you'd like to eat?"

Shu Zi waved her hand: "You order what you know best. I'll eat anything, I'm not picky."

Qu Xuan gave her a meaningful look: "You're not picky?"

Shu Zi nodded sincerely.

Qu Xuan put down the menu and raised an eyebrow:

"Then your assistant told me that you don't eat winter melon, bitter melon, celery, pork stomach, large intestine, wood ear fungus, fatty meat, or houttuynia cordata—"

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Shu Zi quickly interrupted her, looking shocked. "How could Fang Zhizi tell you even this?!"

Qu Xuan shrugged, looking completely innocent:

"It's a professional habit to find out my partner's dietary restrictions before joining the crew."