Yun Chutong, who was on the phone, turned her back to the group one moment and faced them the next. The smiles on her cheeks were sometimes shy and sometimes unrestrained.
As time ticked by, the waiting crew members yawned. Everyone's gazes no longer lingered on Yun Chutong.
Qiao Xi drained a cup of iced Americano out of boredom. She went to the restroom twice and finally, with an empty stomach, slumped onto Wen Sining's shoulder.
"It's almost getting dark," she murmured.
Wen Sining stroked Qiao Xi's cheek and glanced at the sun still high in the sky.
The people around them were sprawled about. Some were even snoring on top of toolboxes.
"I'll go check," Wen Sining said, lifting Qiao Xi's head.
Before Qiao Xi could steady herself, Wen Sining had already walked towards Yun Chutong.
Taking several steps down the stairs in one go, Wen Sining reached Yun Chutong just as she hung up the phone.
"Ms. Amanda, are you done with your call?"
Yun Chutong's gaze flitted past Wen Sining. She then tossed her phone to Sister Fang, who was walking over.
"We originally scheduled the shooting to start at 9:30 sharp. It's already noon. Can we start now?" Wen Sining chased after her.
The venue, the photographer's time, and so on were all billed by the hour. The slower the progress, the greater the cost.
Under the tent, Yun Chutong sat down on a chair. She took the water cup from Xiaolan and took a small sip.
"Now?" Yun Chutong asked.
"Yes," Wen Sining replied. "Everyone is ready."
The implication was clear.
Yun Chutong wasn't stupid. She smoothed her hair and glanced at the entrance. After a moment of thought, she stood up from the chair.
"Everyone, get ready. We're about to start shooting," Wen Sining said, turning to face the waiting crew.
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone sprang into action.
The cameramen hoisted their cameras onto their shoulders. Everyone was waiting for Yun Chutong to reach the shooting position.
"Lu Chen!"
Amid the hustle and bustle, Yun Chutong's voice rang out.
Wen Sining put down the box in her hand and turned around. There, standing in the sunlight, was Lu Luochen in a suit, exuding an air of elegance. Yun Chutong flitted towards him like a graceful butterfly and landed in his arms.
Lu Luochen naturally put his arm around Yun Chutong's waist and gently stroked her forehead.
"Ugh, I've had so much of this sweet stuff that I don't even need lunch," Qiao Xi said, floating over to Wen Sining. She excitedly grabbed Wen Sining's arm and looked at the couple in front with envy.
The quiet atmosphere quickly dissipated. The onlookers let out a chorus of whistles.
Wen Sining felt Lu Luochen's actions and instinctively lifted the wooden box at her feet to shield herself.
Qiao Xi's arm slipped off. She looked at Wen Sining in confusion but didn't think much of it and continued to watch the couple.
"Did I interrupt your shooting?" Lu Luochen asked as he adjusted the hairband that had been messed up when Yun Chutong ran over. His eyes kept wandering towards the "cardboard box" under the tent.
Yun Chutong shrugged and nuzzled into his arms. "Don't you want to see me at work?"
"I do," Lu Luochen said, rubbing her shoulders. He turned her around and placed her at his side. The two of them walked towards the tent, their bodies close together.
The people present were no strangers to Lu Luochen, but some were seeing him in person for the first time. They were even more excited than when they saw a celebrity. Some young girls huddled together, their arms trembling with excitement.
Yun Chutong walked back. She was used to the envious looks from everyone and always carried herself with an air of superiority.
"I've ordered coffee for everyone. Don't mind my presence," Lu Luochen said, scanning the crowd.
He had come with his secretary and had asked the secretary to stop by a coffee shop to order coffee and snacks on the way.
Before everyone could react with excitement, a van drove into the shooting site.
Anna stepped out of the van in a business suit. She directed the coffee shop staff to set up all the items on the tables set up at the site within ten minutes.
"Lu Chen," Yun Chutong said, happily clasping Lu Luochen's fingers.
Everything he did was a show of his love for her. With his status, even if there were some jealous people in the crowd, they wouldn't dare to show her any disrespect.
"I asked Anna to order your favorite mango mille - feuille," Lu Luochen said, lowering his head. His lips brushed against Yun Chutong's ear.
Just a light touch made Yun Chutong sway. She shyly buried her face in his chest.
In a corner, Wen Sining hugged a box and felt so annoyed that she wanted to leave.
In this acknowledged relationship, why did she feel like the unacknowledged third party?
Her fingers got caught in the cardboard box, and she gasped in pain. Just as she was hesitating whether to drop the box and leave, a pair of leather shoes came into her line of sight.
Could it be...
"Ms. Wen, Lu Chen has ordered snacks for everyone. Go and have some," a voice said.
Before she could confirm the owner of the leather shoes, a pair of silver - white high heels appeared beside her.
Since she was already here, there was no way to escape.
Wen Sining pulled out her fingernails from the cardboard box, dropped the box, and smiled at the two in front of her. "I appreciate the thought, but I don't like sweet things."
"There are non - sweet ones. Wait for me. I'll go get you some," Yun Chutong said like an enthusiastic child. She let go of Lu Luochen and ran towards the snack area.
Wen Sining raised her hand halfway to stop her, but the words died in her throat. She lowered her head uncomfortably, only daring to look at Lu Luochen's shoe tips.
She had prepared herself to meet his gaze, but as soon as she saw the confusion in Lu Luochen's eyes, she felt guilty.
Qiao Xi rushed over to Wen Sining with a cup of coffee in her hand. She glanced at Lu Luochen and greeted him politely. "Mr. Lu is here too. Thank you for the coffee. We'll enjoy it."
With that, she held up the coffee cup.
"I'm glad you like it," Lu Luochen said, taking his gaze off Wen Sining and turning to look at Yun Chutong, who was shining in the sun.
After he left, Wen Sining let out a tired sigh as if she had just fought several battles. Her knees went weak, and she sat down on the ground.
"Hey," Qiao Xi called out. She couldn't even stop Wen Sining's arm in time. "The ground is cold."
Qiao Xi dragged Wen Sining out of the tent, and the two of them got into the company's car parked not far away.
Wen Sining took out a hair tie and pulled her hair up high. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she took the coffee from Qiao Xi. The coffee in her hand was like plain water, and she finished it in a few sips.
The bitterness filled her mouth. Qiao Xi frowned and looked at the strange Wen Sining.
"What's wrong with you?"
Wen Sining dropped the cup, rubbed her temples, and shook her head without saying a word.