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The position they were standing in shielded them from most of the crew. Old Feng and Tang Xin hadn’t seen anything, but the cameras were still rolling, capturing everything. The entire incident had been recorded, especially witnessed by the stunned photographers, who stood frozen like statues.
Equally stunned was the lead actress, Tang Dingding.
Her forehead rested against Lu Zhixing’s shoulder, too shy and embarrassed to lift her head. Who could have predicted such an accident would happen…
Lu Zhixing glanced at the nearby photographers, his expression tinged with awkwardness—not toward anyone else, but solely for Tang Dingding. Just moments ago, he had asked her if this was her first kiss and whether she’d regret giving it to the screen. In the blink of an eye, he had inadvertently taken her first kiss.
Though it was an uncontrollable accident, no matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t deny feeling guilty.
Beyond that, there was a faint sense of relief deep within him—but now wasn’t the time to dwell on those emotions. He gently pulled her away, straightened up slightly, and looked down at the flushed young girl. Clearing his throat softly, he said: “Sorry… you…”
Would you be angry?
Lu Zhixing thought that if Tang Dingding slapped him right then, he’d accept it without complaint.
Tang Dingding quickly snapped out of her daze and hurriedly replied: “It’s fine, just an accident… Thank you for catching me earlier. Otherwise, I might have fallen badly.”
Lu Zhixing glanced at the few photographers who had witnessed the scene, his demeanor icy and threatening as he silently conveyed: Keep your mouths shut about this.
Tang Dingding’s words suggested she didn’t want anyone to know.
And well…
It was indeed embarrassing.
The photographers opened their mouths as if to speak, then tightly closed them again, silently vowing not to breathe a word.
Lu Zhixing lowered his gaze and noticed Tang Dingding’s bare right foot—pale, slender, smooth, with toenails painted in a light polish. Even her feet were delicate and beautiful. He averted his eyes, took a step forward, bent down, and retrieved her high heel from the tangled mess of wires, placing it in front of her.
Tang Dingding blushed as she slipped her foot back into the shoe, murmuring softly: “Thank you…”
She hesitated to turn around. Kissing Pengzhou was part of the script, so nobody would bat an eyelash. But with Director Lu… it was far too mortifying.
Meanwhile, Tang Xin noticed something seemed off and called out: “What’s wrong? Did Dingding twist her ankle?”
Lu Zhixing walked back toward the monitor, intending to stop anyone from reviewing the footage. Pausing mid-step, he turned back to look at her foot.
Though young, Tang Dingding had years of refined upbringing behind her. Taking a few deep breaths, she turned around and smiled faintly: “No, I didn’t twist it—I was just startled…”
Startled?
Lu Zhixing pressed his tongue against his cheek, lost in thought for a moment before turning back. Picking up the water bottle from his seat, he took a couple of sips to clear his throat: “Let’s take a break for a few minutes. We’ll try again later. Dingding… take some time to get back into character.”
Pengzhou: “….”
Were they not going to try anymore?
Lu Zhixing thought for a moment, then turned to Pengzhou: “When will your hand be better?”
Pengzhou replied: “Probably in two or three days.”
Lu Zhixing glanced at Tang Dingding, whose ears were still red. Judging that filming tonight was impossible, he sighed inwardly and said to Pengzhou: “Take good care of your right hand. Let’s postpone this scene until three days from now.”
The others were momentarily surprised. Old Feng asked: “Why?”
Lu Zhixing shot him a glance, his expression unreadable: “We’ll wait until Pengzhou’s right hand heals.”
No one questioned further, assuming the director was simply being perfectionistic. Perhaps he felt the left-hand embrace wouldn’t look as good on camera. Someone asked what they’d shoot today instead. Glancing at the time—it was already ten o’clock at night—Lu Zhixing looked over at Tang Dingding, who was sitting with Tang Xin.
“Let’s treat everyone to late-night snacks. Afterward, we can call it a night. Those who don’t want to eat can leave early.”
“Wait,” Pengzhou interjected. “I’ll treat everyone tonight. It’s my fault the schedule got delayed.”
Lu Zhixing leaned back in his chair, lazily waving his hand to pass the opportunity to host.
________________________________________
Elsewhere.
Tang Dingding was dragged outside by Tang Xin, who scrutinized her closely and whispered: “Why was your face so red just now? Did Director Lu accidentally touch your chest?”
Tang Dingding: “….”
She stared blankly at her, momentarily unsure whether having her chest touched was worse or losing her first kiss was worse.
Tang Xin gasped: “No way! He really touched you?”
Otherwise, why would she blush so intensely for so long?
Tang Dingding quickly explained: “No, no, no—it’s not that… um…” She hesitated, then whispered: “Earlier, when Director Lu caught me, we accidentally collided… and kissed.”
Tang Xin: “!!!”
After a pause…
Tang Xin cautiously asked: “Little Lamb, was that your first kiss?”
Tang Dingding: “…Yes.”
Tang Xin cupped her chin: “So, did you lose out or gain from it? You were supposed to film the kissing scene with Pengzhou, but now Director Lu beat him to it… Hmm, should I tell your brother?”
Tang Dingding’s face reddened, and she hastily waved her hands: “No, no, no! Please don’t! It was just an accident…”
Whether it was accidental or not, her first kiss was gone.
After the late-night snack, everyone gradually returned to the hotel to rest. The equipment remained in the office, guarded overnight.
Late into the night, Lu Zhixing leaned back in his chair, watching the playback. Feeling restless, he lit a cigarette, reclined lazily, and reviewed the footage from the cameras. The eight-camera setup truly delivered unparalleled results.
Every angle had captured everything, including the wide-eyed shock on the young girl’s face.
Every subtle expression had been recorded in perfect detail.
This footage couldn’t stay.
If it leaked, it would harm Tang Dingding’s reputation.
Lu Zhixing hovered his finger over the delete button but paused once more.
Leaning his head back and closing his eyes, he slumped fully into the chair, muttering under his breath: “Damn.”
To hesitate over something like this… What a beast.
________________________________________
The next day’s schedule focused on supporting roles, giving Tang Dingding a much-needed day off. She slept in and didn’t wake up until nearly noon. During lunch, she video-called Zeng Wan and Tang Haiming. In the evening, she took Linlin out for seafood.
She tried her best to ignore yesterday’s accidental first kiss.
That way, she wouldn’t feel awkward seeing Director Lu on set in the future.
However, fate had other plans. On their way back, they passed by a nougat shop. Linlin turned to her: “Should we bring some candy for Director Lu today?”
Oh right—it was time to deliver candy again.
Tang Dingding felt too embarrassed to give it to him this time. She mumbled: “Let’s skip it today.”
Linlin: “Why?”
They were nearing the end of filming, and only two more deliveries remained to complete the tradition. She still believed in seeing things through to the end.
Tang Dingding spoke earnestly: “Director Lu told me last time that if he eats any more candy, he’ll need to visit the dentist when he gets back.”
Linlin: “….”
Director Lu sure had a sense of humor. She herself had been eating so much candy lately—should she also see a dentist?
The ten-day cycle of delivering candy bribes was forcibly terminated by Tang Dingding.
After a full day of filming scenes for the supporting roles, the crew wrapped up at nine o’clock in the evening. On the way back, Lu Zhixing calculated the days—it was time again for Miss Dingding to bribe him with candy. However…
She probably wouldn’t come today.
As the car passed by a nougat shop, he raised his hand: “Stop the car.”
The assistant pulled over and turned around to ask: “What’s wrong?”
Lu Zhixing pushed open the car door and casually tossed out a sentence: “I’m going to buy something.” As soon as the words left his mouth, the car door slammed shut, and he was already walking away.
Old Feng and the assistant watched as he walked into a store. The two stared at the large sign above the shop, exchanging glances.
The assistant muttered: “Director Lu already has a ton of candy in his wardrobe. Why is he still buying more?”
Old Feng: “What? A ton?”
The assistant: “Yeah, it seems like Miss Dingding sends some every week.”
Old Feng’s eyes lit up: “Every week?”
He had thought it was only one or two times! So she’d been sending candy every week?!
Well, well. Lu Zhixing was quietly accepting bribes from Miss Dingding without saying a word.
Lu Zhixing bought a few flavors of the same nougat that Tang Dingding had previously given him, along with two boxes of Western pastries. The packaging was elegant—something girls generally liked. Occasionally, the younger actresses on set would buy similar items.
After getting back into the car, Old Feng gave him a look that said, How long are you going to pretend?
Lu Zhixing frowned: “Are your eyes twitching?”
Old Feng smirked: “You’re giving candy to Dingding?”
Lu Zhixing casually glanced out the window: “It’s a return gift.”
Old Feng chuckled knowingly, not exposing him in front of the assistant. His expression clearly said, I know everything.
Lu Zhixing didn’t even need to guess what Old Feng was thinking. He ignored him, unwilling to give the old man any encouragement to meddle and try to play matchmaker between him and Dingding.
By the time they returned to the hotel, it was already half-past nine. After taking a shower, Lu Zhixing slipped on a pair of casual pants and a black T-shirt. Glancing at the clock—it was already past ten—he hesitated for two seconds before sending Tang Dingding a WeChat message: “Dingding, asleep?”
Tang Dingding had just finished applying a face mask and was curled up on the couch in her pink loungewear, holding the script.
Seeing the message, she nervously replied: “Not yet. Is there something, Director?”
A moment later…
Lu Zhixing: “No candy today?”
Tang Dingding: “…You said you’d have to see a dentist if you ate any more. I felt too embarrassed to bring you any.”
Was that all?
Definitely not.
Lu Zhixing shoved his phone into his pocket, leaned against the table, and thought for a moment. Then, he picked up the items and headed out, knocking on Tang Dingding’s door. Tang Dingding’s heart suddenly tightened. She sat stiffly, staring at the door from afar, then glanced down at her phone.
Suddenly, a new message popped up.
Lu Zhixing: “Open the door. I’ve got something for you.”
Tang Dingding’s hand trembled slightly, nearly dropping her phone. Flustered, she scrambled to her feet, hurried toward the door, but then rushed back to rummage through her closet. In a frenzy, she threw on a pair of shorts and a loose T-shirt.
She ran her fingers through her hair twice, took two deep breaths, and finally jogged over to open the door.
From outside, Lu Zhixing faintly heard some commotion. Imagining the flustered state of the young girl, he couldn’t help but smile softly.
The door suddenly opened.
Tang Dingding stood behind it, looking charming and delicate. She smiled faintly as she looked up at him, but her smile froze when she saw what he was holding. Lu Zhixing slid his phone into his pocket and handed her the items with a low, gentle voice: “A return gift.”
Tang Dingding hesitated for a moment, speaking softly: “Didn’t you say there was no need to return gifts?”
Lu Zhixing didn’t move, lowering his gaze to look at her. With a hint of helplessness, he said: “Then consider it an apology.”
Tang Dingding: “….”
For that accidental kiss?
Not mentioning it was fine, but now that he brought it up, her mental fortifications crumbled. All day, she had been telling herself it was just an accident, not to overthink it—but his words easily dismantled her defenses.
Her ears quietly flushed with embarrassment.
She looked up at him, her clear eyes tinged with shyness, biting her lip as she accepted the apology gift. Just as she held it in her arms, before she could say anything, his deep, warm voice came from above: “Though it was an accident, I’m still sorry. There’s no need to avoid me—we’ll inevitably meet during filming and promotions.” He paused, chuckling softly: “If you feel this apology isn’t enough…”
“Enough, enough,” Tang Dingding interrupted, her face red. She couldn’t bear to look at him anymore, instead staring at the opposite door. “It was just an accident. I don’t blame you, Director. You don’t need to… feel guilty.”
She knew Lu Zhixing was a gentleman.
He was like a lazy yet principled gentleman—gentle and earnest.
Tang Dingding had always respected him deeply. No matter what, she couldn’t dislike such a man, and she even liked him quite a bit. She hadn’t delved into whether this liking stemmed purely from admiration or something deeper. Looking up at him again, she spoke earnestly: “I’m not angry, and I don’t blame you. I’ll accept your apology. This matter… let’s just… move on.”
Lu Zhixing gazed at her clear, black-and-white eyes, hands shoved into his pockets, smirking softly: “That’s good. Get some rest early.”
Tang Dingding: “Mm, goodnight.”
Lu Zhixing lazily replied: “Goodnight.”
He turned around, and after two seconds, Tang Dingding closed the door.
Standing behind the door, Tang Dingding spaced out for a few seconds, muttering softly: “So nervous…” She rubbed her cheeks, biting her lip as she walked back, placing the items on the table. Opening them, she peeked inside.
An apology for her first kiss?
A bag of candy.
When Lu Zhixing had left his room earlier, he hadn’t closed the door all the way—it was left slightly ajar. Just as he reached the doorway, the door across opened. Old Feng spotted him and immediately grinned: “Ah, I was just about to look for you. What did you go out for?”
Lu Zhixing walked into the room, ignoring the previous question: “Just went for a walk.”
Old Feng liked to hang out in his room at night to chat, often joined by Old Yuan. Old Yuan had once joked: “You spend all your time with us two married middle-aged men. How come you haven’t been influenced at all?”
Lu Zhixing smirked: “Seeing how you two turned out, I’m even less likely to be influenced. I don’t want to end up like you guys when I reach your age.”
Sharp, indeed.
But he had always been kind to others.
Especially to women—he was a true gentleman.
Old Feng followed him into the room, sighing: “Tell me, you’re handsome, talented, and yet you don’t have a girlfriend?”
Lu Zhixing stretched his neck, the sound of cracking bones echoing softly. He casually grabbed a pack of candy from the table and tossed it to Old Feng: “Here, eat some candy. Can’t it shut you up?”
Old Feng: “….”
He tore open a candy and sat down on the chair, watching Lu Zhixing on the couch with a mischievous grin: “Are you interested in Dingding? She’s great—beautiful, comes from a wealthy family. If you really end up with her, you’ll never have to worry about funding for your movies.”
Lu Zhixing’s lips twitched slightly: “How old is she, and how old am I?” He paused, his gaze shifting toward the window. “She’s too young. Besides, if she were with me, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to take good care of her. That girl… deserves to be cherished.”
Old Feng did the math and said: “There’s only an eight-year difference. Not much. Look at Old Xu—he’s over fifty and married a wife in her twenties. Young and beautiful. What’s so strange about that?”
Old Xu was also a director in the industry, and it was his second marriage. He had married a newcomer in the entertainment circle who was twenty years younger than him. Everyone knew about it. Lu Zhixing was quite familiar with Old Xu.
He spoke indifferently: “That’s why I call him an old bastard.”
Old Feng gasped: “You dare say that to his face?”
Lu Zhixing turned to look at him, smirking lazily: “Even when he’s in front of me, I say it.”
Later, Old Feng looked at Lu Zhixing with the same kind of disdainful gaze one would give an animal: “….”
Lu Zhixing: “….”
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