After sending Jiang Yu off, Yu Shiqing quickly returned to set. Lin Anjin, gathering courage, decided to speak up. With less than ten days to wrap filming, he didn’t want to drift apart again as before. But he lacked experience and always hesitated.
Recently, Yu noticed Lin acting oddly after meals. Instead of rehearsing, Lin would mention random fun topics, then avoid eye contact, trying to start a conversation but failing.
“Shiqing,” Lin finally said tonight after wrap, when no one else was around. He inhaled deeply, fists clenched, and began, “Shiqing, actually I—”
Yu waited. Lin hesitated. Yu smiled calmly, “Is something wrong at home?”
Lin blinked. Asking for money was hard. But Yu face got serious. He asked, “How much?”
Lin gulped. Was it that obvious? He blushed, “One hundred thousand. I’ll repay next month.” Borrowing seemed like a good excuse.
“It’s okay no rush.” Yu said, and transferred the money right then. Lin’s face burned. With four days left, he whispered, “See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow,” Yu replied with a smile.
Director Shi Zhefing approached. “Still here?”
Lin replied, “Just about to leave.” Shi walked them to the exit. “Jiang Yu joins tomorrow. I planned to welcome him tonight, but looks like I’ll see him on set in the morning.”
Hearing that name, Lin looked at Yu. Shi asked Yu, “You knew?”
Yu nodded. He suggested that to protect Jiang’s rest, he skips last night’s flight.
Filming had dragged on two months everyone was tired. No one chatted much.
Next morning, Yu arrived on set. Shi Zhefing was on the phone: “Jiang Yu is here.”
Shi smiled, “Last four tough days, and then you’re free.” Since Yu is the lead, he’d have more scenes than others.
They heard a stir at the entrance. Shi whispered, “That’ll be Jiang.”
Yu watched as Jiang Yu strode in pulling luggage in one hand, guitar on his back, assistant Meng Chen trailing with a suitcase. Crew parted for him like the Red Sea. He was tall, confident, and magnetic.
Jiang nodded to Shi, then to Yu: “I’m here.” Well-rested, his eyes looked bright and lips softer than usual.
Yu took the bag from him. “Here, let me carry it.”
“Where to put it?”
Yu said, “Let me take you to the lounge.”
“Okay,” Jiang replied. Meng caught up with the suitcase. Jiang handed it to Yu and said, “Let’s go.”
Shi watched them leave arm in arm. They’re close, he thought. When they returned, he planned to discuss the upcoming scene but saw Yu already explaining the role to Jiang.
Yu asked: “Difficult?”
“Let’s give it a try,” Jiang answered.
The movie “Mist” is about a college student framed in a case, forced to answer, then pursued by criminals, and protected by police. After a mix of tense and comedic investigation, the truth comes out.
Jiang plays a cheeky, unlicensed detective who stumbles upon a clue. The meeting scene: after Yu’s character is attacked, he escapes the burning home to an alley. Relaxed, about to call police, he’s interrupted by Jiang arriving on a sleek motorcycle, offering help.
The director wanted to boost fan appeal present Jiang as handsome to attract viewers. The camera zoomed up from the bike’s front to highlight Jiang’s tall frame and sharp face as he removed his helmet, fixing a stray lock of hair with intense eyes.
Shi saw his female screenwriter holding back a scream obvious proof that this shot would make the trailer.
Then the tone shifted: Jiang looked at Yu, held up a photo, and said, “It’s you.” He kicked a bamboo stick that fell toward them, knocking Jiang off balance. As Jiang stumbled in pain and Yu watched, Yu covered Jiang’s mouth when he tried to scream. They froze as off-screen footsteps approached. Yu bolted Jiang shouted, “Wait! Help me!” and Yu swung the motorcycle to block, keeping ahead.
At the alley corner, Jiang remembered something, pulled out a camera, and held it up:
“Why’s it dark?”
Yu eyed him teasingly: “Lens cap on.”
Jiang realized. Removed it, steadied himself.
“Cut!” The scene ended. Jiang swung the camera toward Yu: “Smile.”
Yu gently deflected it. “Who are you? Some paparazzi? No filming allowed.”
Jiang smirked, moved Yu’s hand off. “I’m not paparazzi, just filming in plain sight.”
Shi laughed and noted to Lin: “Didn’t expect Yu to relax here too.” Their chemistry felt natural, like family. Lin agreed but he’d been left with no chance to be close to Yu today. He felt both admiration and envy.
Filming wrapped. During the wrap party, Lin waited for Yu after Jiang left.
Ren Bai was gossiping. He said, “Actor Du Han’s rumored with Qiu Chang clear PR stunt. Two similar films released together Du Han wants to overshadow Yu Shiqing.”
Lin asked cautiously. Ren answered, “Jiang is in the restroom, want me to call?”
“No, it’s not that. I want to talk to Yu alone.”
Yu nodded, and Ren left. Lin led Yu away from the crowd.
He spoke softly: “Yu, I never told you when we filmed Sunny Days together, I admired you.”
Yu listened; expression unreadable. Lin continued: “I always wondered what it would feel like to be friends with someone like you but I never had courage.”
Then, now on Mist, Shi invited him and fate allowed them to meet again.
Lin clenched his thumb, heart pounding, then looked at Yu: “God gave me a second chance to tell you, Yu Shiqing I like you.”
At that moment, footsteps stopped at the end of the corridor.
