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

Shu Zi was speechless. After a two-second silence, she obediently picked up the menu:

"...Okay, I'll order myself."

She glanced at the menu, deftly ordered a few signature dishes, and then handed the menu back to Qu Xuan:

"Okay, I've ordered. Do you want to add anything else you like?"

Qu Xuan took the menu, glanced at it, added two more dishes, then closed the menu and handed it to the waiter:

"That'll do for now, we'll add more if needed."

The waiter responded and turned to leave.

The private room fell silent.

Shu Zi's phone vibrated. She looked down and saw a message from Gu Yan:

First, there was a photograph.

The picture shows a steaming bowl of tomato and beef brisket noodles, with a side dish on the side; it looks very appealing.

This was followed by a message:

The clingy big dog: "Lunch report for today √"

Shu Zi looked at the photo, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved up.

In the video last night, she told him that he had to report his meals for the day from now on, and she didn't expect him to carry it out so well on the very first day.

Just as she was about to reply, another message came through:

The clingy big dog: "Finished work? Have you eaten?"

Shu Zi replied to the photo first, "Great, here's a kiss as a reward (˘³˘)♡"

She sent another picture of her desktop with the caption, "Waiting for food~"

Qu Xuan sat opposite her, watching the barely concealed smile on her lips as she typed, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and asked:

"Is your boyfriend checking up on you?"

Shu Zi looked up, didn't deny it, and smiled as she flipped her phone face down on the table:

"The requirement to report lunch dates was just established last night, and it's being enforced today."

Qu Xuan raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a cryptic smile:

"Someone like Gu Yan actually complied with reporting this?"

Shu Zi picked up her cup, took a sip of water, and said calmly, "That depends on the person."

Qu Xuan chuckled, leaned back in her chair, and slowly added, "Then it seems that little brother really has no chance."

Shu Zi put down her cup, wiped her mouth, and corrected him earnestly:

"It's not a question of whether there's a chance or not, it's that he's simply not my type. I don't like people younger than me."

Qu Xuan waved her hand with a smile: "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore."

No sooner had the words been spoken than there was a knock on the door of the private room, and a waiter came in carrying a tray, placing dishes on the table one after another.

Spicy fish head, stir-fried beef with yellow peppers, stir-fried minced pork with pickled cowpeas, and steaming water spinach with garlic sauce covered half the table.

Qu Xuan picked up her chopsticks and gestured with her chin towards Shu Zi:

"Try it, their chopped chili fish head is their signature dish, it's exceptionally well made."

Shu Zi didn't stand on ceremony, picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth, her eyes lighting up: "Mmm! Delicious!"

Qu Xuan smiled and also picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks.

The two chatted while eating, discussing everything from the script to the filming plan, and then from the filming plan to their respective experiences entering the industry.

Qu Xuan spoke slowly and deliberately, occasionally asking Shu Zi a question or two, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

During the conversation, when a certain scene between the two characters in the script came up, Shu Zi put down her chopsticks and asked seriously:

"Sister Qu, the emotional shift this afternoon was quite dramatic. What are your plans?"

Qu Xuan also put down her chopsticks and thought about it seriously:

"Let's go with it. I think the key to that scene wasn't the outburst, but the restraint in the performance."

She glanced at Shu Zi. "And you?"

"I think so too."

Shu Zi nodded, "It's harder to keep it hidden than to leave it out, but the result will be more realistic."

The two chatted about the script for a while longer, and the meal lasted for nearly an hour.

The afternoon's shooting schedule was packed, and the two of them immediately got back to work after returning to the set.

Shu Zi filmed three scenes in a row, with only a break of less than twenty minutes in between, and then filmed two more close-up shots.

When it got completely dark, the night shoot resumed.

When the lights came on, Shu Zi stood in front of the camera. Her makeup had been touched up for the third time, and her eyelids were starting to feel heavy, but she still managed to finish filming the last scene.

The moment the director yelled "Cut!", Shu Zi felt as if her supporting skeleton had been removed, and her shoulders slumped down.

She greeted the staff, changed her clothes, and got into the car back to the hotel.

She leaned back in her seat the whole way, her eyes half-closed. Fang Zhizi asked her quietly if she wanted some late-night snacks, but she shook her head and only said, "I want to go back, take a shower, and then go to sleep."

Back in her room, she forced herself to take a hot shower, changed into her pajamas, and collapsed onto the bed before her hair was even completely dry.

She reached for her phone on the bedside table, opened Gu Yan's WeChat, and limply tapped the screen with her fingers, typing out a message which she sent:

"Your girlfriend's battery has run out and she's automatically shut down. Please do not disturb her. To wake her up, please send a picture of her abs tomorrow to request a restart. Goodnight~"

After sending the message, she tossed her phone onto her pillow, closed her eyes, and fell asleep almost the instant it touched the pillow.

The next morning, Shu Zi got up in a daze, went to the film set in a daze, climbed into the RV, barely opened her eyes, and didn't even touch her phone.

She sat down, closed her eyes, and let the makeup artist work on her face. As her consciousness gradually returned, she began to go over the lines and emotional moments of the scenes she was going to film that day.

I was halfway through doing my makeup when there was a knock on the car window.

Fang Zhizi peeked in:

"Sister Zizi, Qu Xuan's side has already started filming. Director Fei said there's no rush for you, just proceed at your own pace."

Shu Zi hummed in agreement and closed her eyes as the makeup artist continued to draw her eyebrows.

The morning's filming schedule wasn't too packed; it consisted of two indoor scenes and one transitional scene, which she filmed fairly smoothly.

There was only one NG (no good) in the middle, which was because I stepped on the cable on the ground while moving.

Director Fei didn't say anything, just waved her hand and told her to do it again.

When Shu Zi returned from work at noon, she had just sat down in the RV when Fang Zhizi had already set out lunch.

Her phone rang, and when she picked it up, she saw it was a video call from Gu Yan.

Fang Zhizi wisely put down her chopsticks, then slipped out of the car under the pretext of "going to chat with the props team ladies," making sure to close the car door behind her.

The carriage quieted down, and Shuzi answered the video call.

Gu Yan's face appeared on the screen, with his office in the background.

"Finished work?"

Gu Yan's voice came through the speaker, tinged with laughter.

"Um~ We finished filming this morning, and are taking a break to eat."

Shu Zi placed her phone against the edge of her water glass, unpacking chopsticks as she looked at him. "Have you eaten?"

"Yes, I've already informed you."

"Really? I was so busy today, I didn't even check my phone."

She switched to another app and opened her chat window with him.