Film and Television Variety Show: The Jade Girl's Love Affair

"Then let's answer it, I'm bored anyway."

Before joining the film crew, Tang Yu had a meal with Su Mingyu in Beijing.

Su Mingyu has been working independently for half a year now, and things are going quite well so far.

"Sister, you have a talent for business. You will definitely be on the list of richest women in the future."

Su Mingyu had gotten used to Tang Yu's flattery. In the past, when her own younger sister flattered her, she thought it was just a form of comfort.

But after working for a few years, she felt that she might have some talent.

“The bald, beer-bellied men who pursued you before always boasted that they were billionaires.”

"My sister will also give it her all; let's become billionaires together, just like we sisters."

"That's a great idea! Cheers!"

After the party, Su Mingyu continued to work in the business world, while Tang Yu went to Hengdian, Zhejiang to join a film crew.

During the makeup trial, her assistant laughed in her ear.

"Sister Yu, the second male lead seems to be shorter than you. He might have to carry a box when you're filming later."

"Keep your voice down, this is something you can talk about in private."

Actually, the second male lead isn't very short either, just over 1.7 meters tall.

But Tang Yu is also over 1.7 meters tall, so wouldn't it be awkward if the two of them stood together?

However, this kind of problem is easy for the production crew to solve; they can just wear height-increasing insoles or stand on boxes.

Fortunately, most famous male celebrities these days are over 1.8 meters tall, and some are even 1.9 meters tall, so finding a male co-star isn't too difficult.

After a few days of test shooting, the director invited Li Yan and Tang Yu to dinner together.

"You two are the male and female leads, and you're supposed to have a passionate romance. You can't act awkwardly when you're acting together. Can you quickly become familiar with each other?"

Seeing the director's troubled expression, Tang Yu and Li Yan exchanged a glance and both laughed sheepishly.

"Director, we'll get to know each other after a few more meals. Don't worry, I'll be in good shape tomorrow."

After Tang Yu finished speaking, Li Yan quickly made his own promise.

"Don't worry, Director! We definitely won't affect the production schedule!"

After the meal, as soon as the director left, the two of them started asking questions.

"When you invited me to be the female lead in this drama, I thought you were a very outgoing person."

But once you're on set, you're either reading the script or a book, and hardly anyone dares to joke with you.

"That made me think you have a somewhat cold personality, so I was a little reserved and hesitant to act freely with you."

After Tang Yu finished explaining her reasons, Li Yan quickly followed suit.

"I am not an extroverted person, but once you get to know me, I am actually quite easygoing."

During these past few days of rehearsing, the male and female leads had some intimate interactions. Sometimes I was afraid that if I acted too intimately, it would make you feel like I was taking advantage of you.

But I don't know how to talk to you about this.

After the two talked things out, they both understood the reason for each other's restraint.

"Isn't the male lead in this play the flute? Can you play it?"

Li Yan shook his head.

"I only learned to play the guitar, but Teacher Tang seems to know many kinds of instruments."

I saw a summary from your fans online. They said that during your concerts, you perform on more than ten different musical instruments, and attending your concerts is definitely worthwhile.

Tang Yu chuckled lightly, knowing that the other party already knew about it.

"To help us get to know each other quickly, how about I teach you to play the flute after we finish filming these next few days? Let's have a few more meals together and get to know each other as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan also became excited.

"Actually, I used to want to debut as a singer, but I don't have much talent in that area."

After reading the script, I composed a piece of music myself, but I feel it still has many shortcomings. Could you please take a look at it, Professor Tang?

After a deeper conversation, his personality indeed became more easygoing and lively.

Unlike when we met a few days ago, it felt a bit cold.

"In order to get to know each other better, I think you don't have to call me Teacher Tang."

"Can I call you Yuyu?"

Upon hearing Li Yan's impatient words, Tang Yu smiled thoughtfully.

“When I participate in programs, the hosts and guests call me that, and the fans call me that too. You can call me that if you want.”

These words made Li Yan feel somewhat disappointed, so Tang Yu took the initiative to ask another question.

"I have a personal question for you. You can choose not to answer. Are you secretly married or have a girlfriend?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan was quite taken aback, and he quickly shook his head.

"Did you believe the rumors circulating online? I am not secretly married; these are all rumors."

There are only so many resources in the entertainment industry. Sometimes, when competing for the same role, rivals will bribe marketing accounts to publish articles and spread rumors. That's how rumors about secret marriages came about.

Yu Yu, you're a singer, you don't have much acting experience. You need to be more careful in the future and not trust people in this industry too much.

If a big production sends you a script in the future, they will actually have several actors who are interested in acting at the same time.

If a fellow actor has access to information about their rivals, they might actually buy press releases and launch a massive campaign to spread rumors about you.

Hearing this, Tang Yu understood why this guy seemed to have a somewhat cold personality.

Have you already experienced this once?

Li Yan smiled sheepishly.

"I've been through this several times, but once I've established myself, these kinds of rumors no longer affect my career unless I break the law myself."

Tang Yu could sense the other person's sincerity. Such honesty is usually only discussed between close friends and family, so Tang Yu voiced her guess.

Why did you recommend me to the producer? Was it just because I'm suitable for the female lead?

Don't answer immediately; I want to hear a definite answer.

Li Yan hesitated for a moment. Instead of answering directly, he asked a question in return.

Are you single now? Have you gotten back together with Gu Yang?

Having gotten to this point in the conversation, Tang Yu understood everything. She picked up her phone and sent Li Yan a link.

"Beginners don't need expensive instruments. Just buy one through this link, and I'll start teaching you tomorrow."

[I feel that winning Best Actress or Best TV Actress awards in the entertainment industry is useless, and neither is winning Best Actor in film; it all comes down to box office success. Those older directors were very selective in their casting, and their subject matter wasn't very interesting, so the leading lady didn't pursue the Best Actress route—she didn't have the acting skills, hahaha. Singers really have a lot of freedom.]

Chapter 12 All Is Well

Two weeks later, the two finally became familiar with each other and could joke around on set. They also didn't feel awkward when filming sweet scenes between the male and female leads, and they officially got into their roles.

As long as there are no night shoots that day, Li Yan would come to Tang Yu's place to learn musical instruments after the daytime shoots were over.

Having a meal and chatting can increase familiarity between us.

On this day, Li Yan sat to the side, intently playing the xiao (a type of vertical bamboo flute) in his hands.

After several days of hard practice, he was able to play a simple tune, albeit haltingly.

When the song ended, Tang Yu's eyes curved slightly, and she clapped her hands to praise the person in front of her.

"You've made good progress. By the time this play is over, you should be able to play several pieces."

Upon hearing the praise, Li Yan's originally cold and stern expression softened instantly, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

"I'm just an amateur. I'm already very happy to be able to learn to play a few tunes."

How long have you been learning? How come you're so proficient in so many instruments? These past few days, when you played the xiao for me, I don't know why, but the music made me feel very sad. Is it because that's how the xiao is supposed to sound?

I remember a line I learned in school: "A guest played the flute, accompanying a song. Its sound was mournful, like a lament, like a sob, like a complaint, the lingering notes faint and continuous."

I get that feeling when I listen to your music, but when I play the xiao myself, I seem to only be able to learn the most basic expressions. Is this the difference between a genius and an amateur?

Upon hearing Li Yan's question, Tang Yu was slightly taken aback. A blurry image seemed to flash through her mind, something she tried to grasp but it vanished.

Although she chose to forget her memories, she did not forget her emotions and habits.

When immersed in music, feelings of longing and sadness would always well up unconsciously, causing her to subconsciously choose familiar melodies when playing.

"The melody I chose was too sad. I can play a cheerful tune right now."

Tang Yu's lips curled up again, revealing a reassuring smile.

As she spoke, she slowly picked up the xiao (vertical bamboo flute), her slender fingers dancing nimbly between the holes, and cheerful notes flowed from the flute.

Li Yan sat there quietly, listening to the cheerful tune.

After a while, he raised his head, his voice tinged with a cautious probing.

"I may be being a bit presumptuous, but you can choose not to answer. Were you unhappy as a child?"

I feel that your parents have high expectations for you and forced you to learn a lot of things. It feels like you didn't have any time to play and relax throughout your childhood.

I've heard that learning a musical instrument is very hard work. Even though you're talented, I think learning so many instruments must be exhausting.

Li Yan's guess surprised Tang Yu. She widened her eyes slightly and looked up and down at the seemingly cold but gentle and sensitive man in front of her.

Although Li Yan's guess was not entirely the same as the facts, she did indeed have few memories of playing and relaxing during her childhood.

It seems like I've never experienced any childlike innocence or joy in my life.

So she turned her head and asked Li Yan curiously.

Why do you have this guess?

Li Yan looked up and spoke in a self-deprecating tone.

"You just played a cheerful children's song for me, but I can't feel the childlike fun."