The next day, the shoot resumed. The set was already buzzing with staff arranging props, testing lights, and adjusting costumes. Wei Xing stood quietly to the side, clipboard in hand, her expression calm yet distant. She kept herself busy, helping crew members, giving nods, and checking schedules.
When Zhou Yu entered, dressed in his costume, the air seemed to shift—several staff turned their heads, admiring his presence. But Wei Xing's reaction was the opposite. The faint, polite smile she usually wore vanished. Her gaze grew cold, guarded, as though she were hiding behind an invisible wall.
Zhou Yu noticed instantly. He tried to catch her eye, even walked near with the intention to greet her. But each time, she turned away, her responses clipped, her tone polite yet distant. A silent war brewed between them, one he didn't understand.
Why… why is she looking at me like that?
Did I do something?
He kept searching her face for a crack, a sign, anything—but Wei Xing held her mask firmly in place, giving him no chance to break through. The more she avoided him, the more unsettled he became.
Hours passed, and filming ended and director told the crew to took a break. and then the crew is on their things.
Zhou Yu went back to his room, waiting, watching her gather her things.
Finally, when she tried to leave the room, he stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"Wei Xing," his voice was low but firm. "What's wrong? Why are you acting like this?"
She avoided his gaze, clutching her bag tighter. "Nothing. I'm just tired, Mr. Zhou." Her tone was polite, but her distance cut sharper than any insult.
She tried to walk past, but he caught her wrist, pulling her gently yet firmly toward him. Her back brushed against the wall, the sudden closeness stealing her breath.
Zhou Yu stared into her eyes, searching for answers, confusion clouding his own. "Tell me," he urged softly. "What happened?"
But the moment stretched too long. Wei Xing stiffened, her discomfort visible, her silence louder than words. Realizing what he had done, Zhou Yu released her instantly, guilt flashing in his eyes. "Sorry," he said quickly, stepping back. "I didn't mean—"
Wei Xing straightened her clothes, regaining her composure in a heartbeat. Her lips curved into a small, mocking smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Seems like you're in high spirits today," she said coldly. "Take care, Mr. Zhou."
With that, she turned and walked away, her figure disappearing into the corridor lights.
Zhou Yu remained rooted to the spot, his heart pounding with frustration and confusion. He replayed the entire day in his mind, searching for a reason, an answer. But all he was left with was silence and the faint sting of her distance.
"Why is she pushing me away?"
Throughwindow overlooking the hallway, someone else had seen everything.
It was Lin Xinyao, Zhou Yu's co-actress in the film. She had been watching quietly, pretending to scroll through her phone, when Zhou Yu reached for Wei Xing's wrist and pressed her against the wall.
Her eyes narrowed, a bitter laugh slipping past her lips. "So that's how it is. No wonder he's been so distracted lately."
"For years, I had tried—smiles on set, carefully chosen words, little gestures to catch his attention—but Zhou Yu had always kept a polite distance. His indifference had been humiliating at times, but I convinced myself that one day he would notice me. One day, he would choose me."
"And yet now… this woman, Wei Xing, had managed to slip past his defenses?"
Lin Xinyao's nails dug into her palm as she clenched her fist. Jealousy burned in her chest, twisting into something darker. "If she thinks she can steal the spotlight that belongs to me, she's wrong."
Her lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She had decided. "Wei Xing would pay for this. Revenge wasn't just a desire, but..."
As then, later... the director called for another shot. Upon Brother Mo's instructions, Wei Xing walked over to Zhou Yu.
"Mr. Zhou, the director is calling," she said quietly.
Zhou Yu, still unsettled and confused about what had happened the night before, glanced at her.
"Did I do something wrong"
"Did I hurt her somehow?"
The thought weighed heavily in his mind. But seeing how cold she had become, he didn't press further. Instead, he masked his unease and replied curtly, "Okk."
The cameras rolled again. The scene was tense, dramatic—Zhou Yu and Lin Xinyao facing each other under the set lights. Zhou Yu stayed professional, focused on his lines and expressions. But Lin Xinyao's eyes weren't acting. They lingered too long, burning with a possessive fire as if she wanted the entire set to believe the script wasn't just a performance.
When the director called "Cut!" Lin Xinyao sauntered over to Wei Xing, who had just set down some props.
"Assistant Wei,why don't you let me see your face" Lin Xinyao began with a honeyed smile, though her words dripped with poison.
Wei xing rejected.
Lin Xinyao continued, "You must be working so hard, following Mr. Zhou everywhere. But you don't need to overexert yourself, you know. After all, Zhou Yu already has someone looking after him."
Wei Xing paused, her hands tightening slightly on the clipboard she held. "What do you mean?" she asked evenly.
Lin Xinyao leaned closer, lowering her voice just enough for others not to hear, though her tone was sharp enough to cut. "Zhou Yu and I… we've been close for years. Everyone knows it. Honestly, you don't need to keep hovering. It must be exhausting to chase after someone who already belongs to another."
The words hit like a dagger, and for a moment, Wei Xing's heart wavered. "Already in love With her?" The thought stung more than she expected. But instead of showing her pain, she bit down her emotions and steadied her breath.
Lin Xinyao's smirk widened as she saw Wei Xing's silence, mistaking it for defeat. "Don't take it personally," she added, feigning pity. "But some people should know their place. Assistants don't belong in their artist's private life."
Finally, Wei Xing lifted her eyes, her voice calm but firm. "Look, Miss Lin. If you have something to say to me, just say it directly—you don't need to beat around the bush. And also…" she paused, her tone sharpening, "although we are not what you're thinking, if you and Mr. Zhou are truly in love, then ask him. What's the point of dragging me into it?"
Lin Xinyao blinked, momentarily thrown off by Wei Xing's composure.
Wei Xing set down the clipboard, her words carrying a quiet strength. "And if you need something done, talk to your assistant. If you don't have one, ask your agency. Don't treat me as your servant. I'm here to do my job, not to play in your little games."
With that, she walked away, leaving Lin Xinyao frozen, her fake smile cracking under the weight of Wei Xing's unexpected resistance.