The film production progressed steadily according to plan. With the studio set undergoing adjustments these past few days, Director He Zhanpeng arranged for some outdoor scenes to be shot during this time.

Today’s location was a shopping mall, filming the two leads on a date, browsing shops, and watching a movie.

The crew chose a relatively secluded mall on a weekday. Even so, there were still scattered customers around. Seeing the group of crew members gathered in one spot—some carrying lights, others with cameras or reflectors—looking very professional, naturally drew curious onlookers.

Though Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin weren’t traffic stars, they were both tall, handsome, and well-built. Their appearance on set immediately prompted spectators to raise their phones and take photos, even if they couldn’t quite place who the actors were.

However, both actors had ample experience with outdoor shoots and could complete their tasks efficiently and skillfully.

As they filmed for most of the day, word spread and more people came to watch the excitement.

At dusk, they reached today’s most crucial scene: the two leads having dessert together in a shop after watching a movie.

The crew had already arranged to rent out the chosen dessert shop, but the shot still required some background customers. The assistant director simply picked crew members as extras, even roping in Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ding.

The crew rented a van where Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin rested while waiting for their cue. The makeup artist touched up their makeup and helped Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ding with theirs as well.

Only when they received notification did the four of them head to the dessert shop together.

The shop door was closed, but both the door and walls were glass, with a crowd of onlookers gathered outside. The assistant director purposely sent several people to the elevator to escort the four inside, fearing something might happen to their precious lead actors.

Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin went to listen to He Zhanpeng’s instructions.

Xiao Zhu glanced at the crowd outside and whispered to Xiao Ding, “We should’ve filmed this scene first, before word spread and so many people showed up.”

Xiao Ding pointed at the balcony where they were about to film, “Can’t be helped. Director He wanted the sunset glow as a backdrop. The lighting is best at this time.”

Xiao Zhu sighed softly before being called by the assistant director to prepare. As she walked out onto the balcony and looked around, she was startled.

While this shop had been rented by the crew, the neighboring ones hadn’t. All the shops in this row had balconies, and now there were people with cameras set up on both sides. Looking further, across the street, she could see several long lenses as well.

Xiao Zhu gasped, following the assistant director’s instructions to find a seat while muttering to Xiao Ding, “They look so professional. Are those paparazzi¹“代拍” (dài pāi) literally means “substitute photography.” It refers to the practice of taking photos of celebrities on behalf of others, usually fans. This phenomenon has become particularly common at airports and other public venues where celebrities frequently appear. I’m not exactly sure how to translate that. They’re not exactly fansites nor traditional paparazzi. Maybe a “proxy”? Let me know if you prefer paparazzi or proxy. In the meantime, I will continue calling them paparazzi.?”

Xiao Ding replied, “Seems like it.”

Xiao Zhu wondered, “Does Teacher Jiang have fans wealthy enough to hire paparazzi?”

Xiao Ding shrugged, “No idea. Lin-ge isn’t exactly popular, and the company doesn’t really manage his fanbase. It’s probably for Teacher Li. He’s been famous longer and has more fans.”

Xiao Zhu countered, “But there are very few candids in Li-ge’s super topic. His fans seem pretty laid-back, not the type to hire paparazzi. Besides, I’ve never seen such a big operation when filming outdoors with Li-ge before.”

Xiao Ding mused, “I’ve seen it, but always for other people. Lin-ge was just incidental at most.”

Xiao Zhu was surprised, “Teacher Jiang is so handsome. How come the paparazzi don’t pay attention to him?”

Xiao Ding scratched his head, “Maybe his photos don’t sell well? There are rarely high-quality candids in his super topic either, mostly just casual phone snaps.”

Xiao Zhu glanced at the cameras next door, “Surely they don’t expect to sell these to gossip accounts…”

As Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin began to take their positions, a flurry of shutter clicks erupted from both sides.

Fortunately, both actors maintained high concentration. Despite being surrounded by onlookers and cameras, they smoothly completed the take.

Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin walked over to He Zhanpeng to review the playback together.

On the monitor, the final shot showed Ji Ming’an scooping up some ice cream, smilingly offering it to Cheng Yue’s lips. Cheng Yue paused, then slowly took the spoon into his mouth.

He Zhanpeng watched this segment twice, stroking his chin thoughtfully, “It feels like… something’s missing…”

Jiang Lin suggested, “Should I make my emotions more apparent?”

He Zhanpeng shook his head, “No, you both conveyed enough emotion. It’s the overall…”

Li Qianxing interjected, “Here, I think Ji Ming’an could actually just kiss him directly.”

Jiang Lin and He Zhanpeng both started, turning to look at him.

Li Qianxing elaborated, “This date happens after Cheng Yue’s earnest confession. They’re in the honeymoon phase, rekindling an old flame. They’d quickly return to their previous level of intimacy. Given Ji Ming’an’s personality, a spontaneous kiss when he’s happy would be natural.

“Moreover, this date ends with Cheng Yue dropping Ji Ming’an off at home and being invited in, but we only film them entering. So this scene is the focal point of the entire date. A kiss would have more visual impact and create a stronger contrast with their later arguments and compromises.”

He Zhanpeng looked at him, then at Jiang Lin, suddenly smiling, “Actually, that idea flashed through my mind while watching you two perform.”

Jiang Lin raised an eyebrow, “Then let’s change the scene and try it this way.”

He Zhanpeng glanced at the balcony, “But we can’t clear the area for this outdoor shoot. There are paparazzi all around. Are you both okay with that?”

Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin exchanged a look, both nodding.

He Zhanpeng grinned, “Great, I love your professional attitude. Let’s do it quickly while we still have the sunset glow. We’ll shoot one more take.”

He grabbed his sketchbook, called over the cameraman, and quickly drew out a storyboard, efficiently discussing and refining it. Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin took their positions again, following He Zhanpeng’s instructions to adjust their poses, allowing the camera and lighting crew to make adjustments.

When Li Qianxing leaned close to Jiang Lin, it wasn’t too noticeable, but when Jiang Lin pushed him back, seemingly pinning him against the sofa, the people on the neighboring balconies finally reacted. A wave of gasps erupted, followed by a barrage of camera clicks rivaling a red carpet event.

The two actors, however, seemed utterly oblivious. Having completed their preparations, they began filming once more.

◆

Ji Ming’an and Cheng Yue sat down at a booth on the balcony. A waiter immediately approached with menus.

Cheng Yue took one and asked, “What would you like?”

Ji Ming’an, typing on his phone, casually replied, “You choose.”

Cheng Yue quickly ordered, giving specific instructions. The waiter left with their order.

Ji Ming’an finished and looked up with a smile, “The restaurant just notified me of some changes to tonight’s menu.”

Cheng Yue paused, “You made reservations?”

Ji Ming’an replied, “You treat for the movie, I treat for dinner. Isn’t that our old rule?”

Cheng Yue’s eyes flickered, but he said nothing, changing the subject to the movie they’d just watched. He took out his phone, pretending to handle a message while canceling his own reservation.

Soon, the waiter brought two ice cream sundaes.

Cheng Yue frowned, “I specifically said no raisins in the chocolate one.”

The waiter froze, bowing apologetically.

Cheng Yue waved his hand, “Bring another one.”

The waiter, looking contrite, said, “That was our last chocolate. If you want to change it, we can only change it to a different flavor…”

Ji Ming’an smiled, taking the sundae, “It’s fine, no need to change it.”

The waiter apologized again before leaving.

Cheng Yue glanced at Ji Ming’an, then used his spoon to pick out the raisins from Ji Ming’an’s sundae.

Ji Ming’an’s eyes crinkled, “You still remember I don’t like raisins.”

Cheng Yue continued picking, “With your picky eating habits, it’d be hard to forget.”

He started listing things Ji Ming’an wouldn’t eat.

However, after naming five or six items, he was interrupted.

Ji Ming’an said, “Cheng Yue, look up.”

Cheng Yue raised his head, “Hm?”

The next moment, Ji Ming’an leaned in.

Their lips met.

Ji Ming’an lingered for a moment before pulling back slightly, licking his lips, “This, I like.”

A fire ignited in Cheng Yue’s eyes. He grabbed Ji Ming’an’s shoulders, pushing him against the sofa back and leaning in.

Ji Ming’an raised his hands, wrapping them around Cheng Yue’s neck.

◆

When He Zhanpeng called cut, Jiang Lin immediately pulled back, waiting for Li Qianxing to remove his hands before standing up.

The kiss wasn’t intense, and both quickly composed themselves before walking over to review the playback.

Behind the monitor, He Zhanpeng slapped his thigh, grinning, “That’s it! This feels right!”

He patted their arms, “Good, we’ve got it. That’s a wrap. You’d better leave first, or the crowd won’t disperse.”

Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin didn’t linger. They left with Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ding, escorted by staff back to their van.

In the van, Jiang Lin couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Paparazzi actually showed up. Will we be on the hot search list later?”

Li Qianxing leaned back, eyes closed, looking unconcerned, “If we do, we do.”

Xiao Zhu muttered, “That depends on if anyone’s willing to pay…”

However, that night, a topic did climb the trending list: #Li Qianxing Jiang Lin Dual Award Winning Actors First Screen Kiss#.

Xiao Zhu scrolled through the posts in surprise, finding all the leaked photos came from the previously quiet 99CP super topic.

She couldn’t help but exclaim, “CP fans are really generous!”

TL Notes

• 1
  “代拍” (dài pāi) literally means “substitute photography.” It refers to the practice of taking photos of celebrities on behalf of others, usually fans. This phenomenon has become particularly common at airports and other public venues where celebrities frequently appear. I’m not exactly sure how to translate that. They’re not exactly fansites nor traditional paparazzi. Maybe a “proxy”? Let me know if you prefer paparazzi or proxy. In the meantime, I will continue calling them paparazzi.