Xia Ruyun and Wu Linjie hiked through the forest, listening to the chirping of birds and basking under the morning sunbeams. Once the greenery made way for the set’s tents, tables, and people, the two of them craned their necks while shielding their eyes from the sun. Locating Zhang Jingsong alone by the coffee, the two walked over with fast steps.
“Director Zhang,” Xia Ruyun waved, jogging up before pointing to Wu Linjie trailing behind her. “He needs a day off. Some personal stuff happened and he’s not doing so great right now. It’s clear at a glance, but he hasn’t even slept since yesterday.”
“That’s... certainly not good,” Zhang Jingsong pushed his glasses up, glancing at Wu Linjie. He sighed, reaching over and grabbing the clipboard sitting nearby. Flipping through the pages, he pursed his lips while scanning the schedule. “... Hmm. Okay, you only have two scenes today, but they aren’t time sensitive. We can push it to tomorrow. I’ll talk to you later for more clarification, but go rest. She’s right, I can tell you’re not in good shape.”
“... Thank you, Director Zhang,” Wu Linjie bowed his head and cupped his hands. “I’ll make sure to be back in tip-top form.”
Director Zhang murmured an “mhm” before turning away as another cast member walked up. Left alone, Xia Ruyun dragged Wu Linjie back towards the rest of the set, searching for his manager.
A couple minutes later, with the manager found, Xia Ruyun returned from the refreshments booth with two bottles of water and leaned back against a folding table as Wu Linjie explained the situation to his manager. “I’m taking the day off today. Mind if I trouble you to take me back to the hotel? I didn’t end up sleeping last night.”
“Hm? Sounds good,” The manager downed his coffee and dusted their hands of pastry crumbs. “Let’s talk on the road. I’ll drive. Since you haven’t slept... wait how did you get here?”
“I drove.” Wu Linjie coughed, scratching the back of his head.
“Cool. An extremely dumb choice you made right there,” His manager surmised before turning towards Xia Ruyun. “Thanks for helping him out. I’ll take it from here so try and get some rest before shooting starts. Let me know if you want me to get you something.”
“No need, thank you though,” Xia Ruyun bobbed her head with a slight smile before handing over the bottles of water. “Also, these are for Wu Linjie to hydrate himself with.”
“Ahh, thank you again. I’ll owe you then,” His manager shrugged before turning and walking off. “Just let me know!”
Watching their two figures get smaller and disappear into the parking lot, Xia Ruyun pushed herself off the table. She stretched her arms upward as she walked back into the set’s breakfast tent—after all, the dietician ordered “three full meals a day, no excuses”. While walking, she pulled out her phone and sent a few quick texts to Li Feiling.
[By the way]
[I talked to him]
[Didn’t end up using the pepper sprayヽ(・∀・)ﾉ]
[On a more serious note though, he was actually in a... tough place. I think I smoothed things out a bit, but consider reaching out to his manager if you’re still worried. He confessed to considering some darker intrusive thoughts and the like. Product of a very poor decision to go look at online forums. Should be ok now though. I did my best]
Without a second’s delay, Li Feiling’s reply came buzzing back on her phone.
[Ok sounds good]
[Busy now, will reply more later]
[Thanks again though]
---
Shooting continued, unfettered by the personal drama transpiring among the leads. Zhang Jingsong ended up rescheduling both of Wu Linjie’s scenes to the next day in favor of having more rest time in preparation for night shooting. The cast, grungy after the day's shooting, scavenged for dinner as the sun set.
Once the day’s last light disappeared, Zhang Jingsong grabbed his clipboard, held it under his arm, and clapped his hands. “Everyone! Please report to the filming location in three minutes. I’d like to get this scene done before the moon travels too far across the sky.”
Xia Ruyun, in the makeup tent, sighed as she heard his booming voice reach her ears. Looking down, she flexed her hands. Deep breaths. In and out. In... and out.
“You’re good to go. Good luck, Murong An,” The makeup artist smiled. “Big night tonight.”
Silent, Xia Ruyun nodded and managed a weak smile before walking out of the tent and towards the filming location. As gravel crunched under her feet, she squinted her eyes from the flame-like lights crew members held up to illuminate the set. It felt chaotic as Zhang Jingsong barking out orders filled her ears...
“Group 3A! Get over to your left. You’re part of the Cao Warlord’s invading army!”
“Hey, stay in the bushes! Don’t move until shooting starts! What kind of ambush group wanders back toward the food area! We need you here! Right! Now!”
“Li Feiling, a few steps further from the tent!”
“Group 6B, spread yourselves over the ground, you’re dead bodies!”
“Crew! Can we get that ripped tent adjusted? It’s not quite natural right now! And fray the edges a little more if possible!”
“Battle groups, be on standby! Make sure everyone who’s getting killed knows how and when it’s going to happen! I don’t want any fraternizing with the enemy happening in the background like we saw earlier in the day! Stay focused!”
“Xia Ruyun! You’re just in time! Near Li Feiling for now. Seven or eight paces behind her though! And make your clothing a little more disheveled! Do you have everything on you? Yes?”
“Okay! Everyone! Prepare for the beginning of the scene!”
---
The sound of war trumpets, screaming, and fighting filled the air. Though night, the orange glow of flames seemed to brighten the sky. Yang Guiying ran through the camp, leaping over the torn tents strewn across the pathways as Murong An trailed behind her. As of now, the heart of the camp remained untouched.
“Where’s Long Fei?” Yang Guiying shouted to the officer who turned the corner and joined her.
“On the frontlines, trying to reorganize the soldiers!” The officer glanced back towards where he came from. He frowned as their flag went crashing to the floor. “Warlord Cao’s invading army is hoisting their own flags right now.”
“We don’t have time to care for flags. RUN!” Yang Guiying slapped the man on the back, urging him forward.
The group of three ran through the camp and came sliding to a halt before disappearing into Yang Guiying’s command tent. Over the course of a few minutes, a handful of other officers came into the tent.
“What’s the situation?” Yang Guiying spread a map across the table.
“Warlord Cao’s platoon ambushed us and is currently engaging with the north side of camp. Somehow they managed to strike without being noticed, so they’ve breached the outer wall.”
“More spies... Note down who was on watch. This is the third time we’ve been ambushed by Warlord Cao, I thought we cleaned out the ranks already,” Yang Guiying pointed to an officer in the corner before turning back towards the rest of the group. “Do we need to evacuate?”
“No, the situation seems fairly under control.”
“No one has truly broken through so far. Though the wall has been breached the soldiers have kept them restrained.”
“Hmm... then we should be able to hold out long enough for all the soldiers to wake up and drive off the ambush party,” Yang Guiying murmured, her hands fidgeting as she fell into thought. “If they’re not already on the battlefield by now.”
As silence descended on the group though, one officer in the corner began taking slow, unnoticed steps around the edge. He slipped one hand behind his back, drawing out a dagger. Its long blade glinted in the moonlight as he kept it behind himself—everyone else none the wiser.
Clearing her throat, Yang Guiying rolled up the map. “I think we sit tight and wait for the situation to stabaliz-”
The officer leapt forward from the back of the group, aiming at Yang Guiying’s unshielded back.
A figure, though, leapt forward.
Splurrrt...
Murong An’s knees shook. Her hands clung onto Yang Guiying’s shoulders as she stumbled forward. Looking down, she could only muster a faint “A-Ah...” as her eyes registered the blade’s tip now piercing through her chest.