Chapter 2 Aftermath Unravels
"Cut."
The Director's voice comes through the walkie-talkie from the monitor.
"Good work, everyone. Clear the set and give the leads time and space to come out of character."
The Assistant Director gets it instantly and shares a meaningful smile with the cameramen.
He tugs at me, still dazed.
"Come on, move it. Haven't seen enough?"
Over half an hour later.
Lu Xiao and Shen Yining emerge fully dressed.
Both look flushed and awkward, yet they deliberately keep distance, one in front, one behind.
The more they try to act distant and unfamiliar as before, the harder it is to hide the undercurrent between them.
The Director acts like it's nothing new.
He even jokes.
"Why so shy? Plenty of on-set couples out there. If it's not real, how can you act it well?"
Shen Yining blushes and runs back to her trailer.
Lu Xiao looks around nervously, as if afraid someone hears.
When he doesn't spot me, he relaxes and perks up to please the Director.
I stand in the corner, watching Lu Xiao from afar, and realize he looks nothing like the boy he once was.
He's become cunning, hypocritical, and opportunistic in a way that feels alien to me.
I turn and find the Head Stagehand to quit my job.
While packing, my phone keeps buzzing with messages.
From Lu Xiao.
[Where are you? Props room or equipment shed?]
[The Director praised me, said this drama will blow up. Whatever you want then, I'll buy it for you.]
[Why no reply? Jealous? Su Mo, be mature. Can't tell play from reality?]
[Stop being unreasonable, okay? I'm already... so tired.]
I'm busy packing and don't have time to respond.
Until I lean over the bed to grab the plush toy from the nightstand.
Suddenly, a hot body presses against my back, reeking of alcohol.
I instinctively resist and dodge, but Lu Xiao's hands grip my waist firmly toward him.
"Okay, Su Mo, I was wrong. Isn't that enough? Don't reject me. You're the only one in my heart, always have been. You know that."
"What perfume did you use today? You smell so good."
Lu Xiao buries himself eagerly in my hair, sniffing and kissing.
I feel overwhelmingly disgusted, a physical urge to retch.
Lu Xiao behind me freezes, his face darkening completely.
"Do I disgust you that much?"
"I've explained, I've apologized. Su Mo, even killing someone has limits."
"I'll say it one last time: that was fake, it was acting."
I finally stop the nausea, turn, wipe my mouth, smile, and mock mercilessly.
"Heh, acting? Lu Xiao, you're just a traffic star. Where does your acting skill come from?"
This enrages Lu Xiao completely.
He's always struggled with his transition.
What he craves most is recognition of his acting.
Now exposed by me, Lu Xiao bristles.
"Even if I'm bad, I earned my jobs myself. What about you? Without me, you wouldn't even have work."
"On-set flings, drama couples—you think I want this? Who understands my grievances!"
"To give you a better life, I endure the Director treating me like crap, then come home to your attitude. I'm sick of this life."
I stuff the plush into the suitcase and zip it up.
"Then let's not."