Blossoming friendship

Chapter 36

(Unedited)

…

"Cut!" an angry shout from the director echoed through the set.

Everyone feels a bit distraught because it has already taken them a while and the scene is not yet done. Although Yu Qi was able to finish some parts of the scene, right now she is already having a hard time with the last part due to the pressure that Tang Arjin is giving her.

This and coupled with the mocking tone from the people around the set, made Yu Qi wanted to cry.

Although Ma Mian did not want to intervene at this time, she could not help but feel a hint of pity towards Yu Qi.

She remembers when she started entering showbiz; she was faced with many criticisms for being a newbie. However, she learned really fast and also developed a set of skills that made her rose to the top and become an A-list star.

Her Ma Liling cameo became really famous because of her ability to act and affect her co-stars in acting. In a positive way, Ma Liling became a well-sought-after actress in the industry.

And in her career, she has a chance to work with Tang Arjin. At that time, she is still a newbie in the industry but has already gained her set of skills.

Tang Arjin did this same fiasco against her, trying to manipulate her emotion and affect her acting skill. However, due to her talents and will, and of course her set of skills, she was able to over Tang Arjin's aura and rose above it.

This is the reason why Tang Arjin became her close acquaintance and respected her a lot. It was her first time losing in acting against a newbie. But for some reason, Tang Arjin was not angry at her, but instead accepted her defeat.

Now seeing this scene in front of her, Ma Mian knew that the same thing is happening, with Yu Qi. But the difference is that Yu Qi has a week mind and she is easily affected by the pressure coming from Tang Arjin.

Ma Mian shook her head as she helplessly walks towards Yu Qi and acted like she is retouching Yu Qi's makeup.

While acting like putting some retouch on Yu Qi's face, she suddenly waved her hand to attract Yu Qi's gaze.

Seeing Ma Mian waving, Yu Qi subconsciously looks at her.

"Look at me, and don't say anything… just look at me…" Ma Mian said in a low voice.

When their eyes met, Ma Mian's expression slowly changes from happy to sad to lonely to crying and etc… She showed different emotions which made some of the people, who noticed her, give her a weird look.

Ma Mian did not mind those people as she is concentrated on changing the damages that Tang Arjin has given Yu Qi. She wanted to set Yu Qi's emotions back to normal.

The expression of Yu Qi slowly changes as her confidence seems to have returned.

"I will be standing behind Tang Arjin, if you feel pressured, just look at me, okay?" she said with a smile.

Yu Qi seems to feel the concern in Ma Mian and her heart feels warm. In truth, she was already in a panic state and could not get into the right state of mind no matter how hard she tries. And with just the changes in Ma Mian's expression, she soon found herself back.

When the set was once again ready, the director sternly signaled for the scene to once again start.

Yu Qi closes her eyes and visualizes the expressions of Ma Mian. Some of her expressions made her want to laugh, some made her want to feel sad, and some wanted her to feel angry. Those rich ranges of emotions made Yu Qi's mind became calm.

As the filming proceeds, Tang Arjin was once again emitting her pressure at poor Yu Qi. But this time, she was ready.

As the dialogue proceeds, Tang Arjin found something weird and her reaction was a bit off.

"Cut! What is happening? Miss Arjin?" the director this time shouted.

He is already angry at this woman for trying to ruin the scenes. This time, he could vent his frustrations a little bit. He knew that she is trying to pressure Yu Qi, but he feels helpless as they are trying to chase after a deadline.

"Again!" he shouted.

Tang Arjin gritted her teeth as she did not expect that she would make a mistake at this time. She glared at Yu Qi and Yu Qi feels that a dark aura seem to have enveloped her whole being as if it wanted to eat her alive. It was suffocating and dreadful at the same time; her body seems to tremble in fear of that invisible yet dark force.

She feels like drowning, lost, and unable to return. Her confidence was once again gone and she did not know how to get it back.

Suddenly, she seems to recall that calm and warm voice that said, "Look at me… if you are in trouble… look at me…"

The gaze of Yu Qi slowly focuses on that figure standing a few distances behind Tang Arjin. And when their eyes met, the darkness seems to have cleared up and Yu Qi seems to have gained her mind back.

…

The filming finished without a hitch and the crew began congratulating Yu Qi for a well-played scene and her well-timed emotion which added to the beauty of her scene.

Yu Qi grabs Ma Mian's hands and hugged her.

"Thank you very much for helping me… I… I did not know what would have happened if you were not there…" Yu Qi said while a hint of sobbing could be heard in her tone.

"Hey, hey… Don't cry, it would be bad…" Ma Mian said while patting her back.

"Mian… you will be my best friend from now on." Yu Qi declared as she let go of Ma Mian and then held her hand.

"I will treat you to dinner today… and this would be the start of your friendship…" Yu Qi said as she drags Ma Mian who helplessly followed behind.

As the two left, two glaring eyes are glued on them. Gritting her teeth, Tang Arjin glared at the two leaving the filming set.

"Do you think this is over? You've ruined my plan… You must pay…" she muttered as her expression turned into an ugly scowl.