Part 9：So, did you two know each other before?

Yan's sitting next to Liu Qing Qing and Zoe. She leans over with a curious look and asks, "So, did you two know each other before?"Liu Qing Qing quickly responds, "It's our first time meeting today. What about you and Zoe?""Oh, I'm meeting her for the first time too." Yan laughs. "But I was definitely surprised when I saw the trending topic this morning."Zoe looks innocent and says, "The paparazzi made stuff up."Liu Qing Qing asks, "I thought you were filming with Song? You should know if Zoe's his girlfriend, right?"At the mention of Song, Yan's eyes shift for a second. She laughs awkwardly and says, "We're in the same drama, but how would I know about this stuff?"It sounds like a normal answer, but it's still kind of dodgy. Liu Qing Qing had hoped Yan would clear up the rumor, but instead, she gave a vague answer, implying that even if Song and Zoe were dating, she wouldn't know.Zoe quickly adds, "I don't even know Song."Liu Qing Qing pats Zoe's hand reassuringly, "It's fine, don't worry. Fans are smart these days. They won't get fooled by the paparazzi."Zoe smiles gratefully at Liu Qing Qing.Meanwhile, Yan takes out her sunglasses and puts them on.Noticing this, Chen Quan Ying, who's chatting with someone else, suddenly says, "Yan, why are you wearing sunglasses? The sun's already gone down. Trying to look cool or something?"Yan almost lost her cool.Zoe notices her lips twitching.She'd heard that Chen Quan Ying was blunt and often made others uncomfortable in the industry, and now she's seeing it firsthand. This is definitely... something. Zoe's never seen anyone so direct with others, not even with the obvious tension between Liu Qing Qing and Yan.Yan takes off her sunglasses, pouts, and says, "Ah, Ying Jie, I'm just tired. I wanted to take a nap in the car." Even she doesn't dare go head-to-head with Chen Quan Ying.Liu Qing Qing doesn't let the chance go, adding, "How about I switch seats with you? I wanted to chat with Ying Jie anyway. I used to love your songs when I was in school, and I even went to your concert with my friends."Yan shoots Liu Qing Qing a sharp look.Chen Quan Ying looks surprised and says, "You went to my concert?""Yeah, five years ago at the Beijing Workers' Stadium." Liu Qing Qing says. "Do you remember?""Of course I remember my concerts." Chen Quan Ying says, then turns to Yan, "Aren't you supposed to be napping? Since Liu Qing Qing wants to switch, why don't you go ahead?"Yan's expression turns awkward. She feels like she's being pushed out.Swallowing her frustration, she switches seats with Liu Qing Qing.The cameras are still rolling, and Zoe smiles, calling out, "Yanyan Jie!"Yan doesn't respond, her face blank, as she puts her sunglasses back on, though it's unclear if she's really sleeping.Zoe takes out her phone and turns slightly so Yan can't see her screen. She sends a message to Lan: Did you see what happened this afternoon?Lan replies: What happened?Zoe says: Yan kicked me.Lan: What? During the game? She didn't do it on purpose, right?Zoe: No, she did it on purpose. I didn't take her side, and I got close to Liu Qing Qing.Lan: Are they really not getting along?Zoe: They had a falling out when they changed clothes.Lan: Don't act rashly. Finish the filming first, remember to keep your image.Zoe: I know, but make sure to get a backup of the video.Lan: Got it, don't worry.Once everything is settled, Zoe sighs in relief and turns to glance at Yan. Yan suddenly speaks, her tone cold, "Got something to say?"As expected, Yan hasn't really slept.Zoe, confused, says, "Huh? Yanyan Jie, what's up?"Yan snorts but says nothing, falling silent again.Zoe smiles helplessly, turning her head to look outside, and the smile fades.When they get to the dinner spot, everyone sits at a large table. The director and cameramen are all set up. There are people standing in front of the table, but only the artists are in front of the cameras.Yan looks like she's starving and says, "I'm so hungry, I feel like I could eat a whole cow right now!"Liu Qing Qing immediately says, "Me too! So hungry! Director, is there any more work? Can we just eat already?"Both girls look at the camera with pleading expressions.Pretty girls pulling these kinds of faces are hard to resist.But the director isn't moved."Of course... there's work."Yan and Liu Qing Qing both sigh at the same time but don't argue.The men complain too."Director, what about showing us some love?""Not recording anymore, I'm calling this my last episode!""This is too much!"...It's all for the cameras, all for show, all about creating the right image.Zoe isn't the main star, so she just smiles helplessly.Look good, be the pretty face."Xiao Yun, sit next to me." Liu Qing Qing says, gesturing for Zoe to come over.Zoe sits down next to her."Liu Qing Qing, are you doing this on purpose?" Zhang Hai Chen suddenly glares, "I already said I wanted to sit next to Xiao Yun tonight!"Zoe freezes and looks at Zhang Hai Chen.Liu Qing Qing smiles smugly and says, "Hmph, stop bothering Xiao Yun, she's so pure!"Zoe's completely confused.Zhang Hai Chen sighs and looks frustrated, facing the camera.Zoe gets it now, it's all part of the show.She smiles sweetly and links arms with Liu Qing Qing.Yan watches this and doesn't look happy. Her eyes show a bit of disgust toward Zoe.Of course, she hides it from the cameras.Zoe didn't want to get caught in the middle of Yan and Liu Qing Qing's rivalry, but Yan's little kick earlier made Zoe mad.No matter how much Liu Qing Qing's playing for the cameras, at least Liu Qing Qing didn't pull stunts like that.Zoe enjoys getting close to Liu Qing Qing, knowing it'll drive Yan crazy.As the filming continues, Zoe gets even closer to Liu Qing Qing, frequently linking arms or hugging her.They act like they've been best friends forever.