Silver Linings

Chapter Twenty - Mei Ma?

[19 June 2020]

⁂ Zhang Zhe Han ⁂

He left Jing Hua behind, just outside the Fan Dan Temple by the Qingming river, saying that he would be fine on his own. He walked up the road and towards his trailer hunkered under the large black umbrella. The pouring rain had subsided to something slightly above a drizzle, but it was enough to warrant the protection for his wig. He had left his robes with the styling assistants, leaving only the white inner shirt from his costume to cover his own t-shirt and shorts. He needed to change his t-shirt, but a small part of him didn't want to change it.

It was drenched with sweat and it was seriously uncomfortable under the four layers of cloaks, robes and shirts. However, his skin was tingling in an exhilarating kind of way. His back was still sending out little waves of shivers from that steady and warm hand that was still ghosting the small of his back and his waist. And if he took the t-shirt off to put a dry one on, it might break the spell.

He closed the door behind him and leaned back against it, resting his head against the hard surface, closed his eyes and smiled. He had always enjoyed acting. The thrill, the emotions, the pressure, the new people, the new roles he stepped in and out of. As always, when he found a script that he liked, he would long for the thrill of making the black and white words come alive through visuals and spoken dialogues. But acting alongside Gong Jun, after having had the revelation of wanting to kiss those pink lips, now, he felt a different sort of thrill in the pit of his stomach. And that was one that he hadn't experienced before on set. Not like this. Or in moments like these. Any previous thoughts of kissing had been from his character kissing the female lead's character. This was him wanting to kiss Gong Jun.

He knew that they would be filming scenes late into the night today, for this part of the drama, and they were both busy so there would be no joint dinner today—which was something that they had done during other late night shootings. But they would be staying here for a total of four days, which meant spending a few nights in their trailers. So maybe he could invite Gong Jun over in a few days?

They were filming on location because this was the part where Zhou Zi Shu and Zhang Cheng Ling fled after the Mirror Lake was annihilated by assassins, taking up refuge inside an abandoned temple, spending the night. It was inside this forgotten place of worship where their fated bond would be established, setting the four of them up as the main characters for the audience. This was also where the audience would experience Wen Ke Xing's shameless and over-the-top flirting for the first time.

It was thrilling.

And he already found himself flustered from time to time. For the most part, he was able to keep it professional—he had been in this business for a decade so he was nothing if not a pro—but then there were these moments when he couldn't hold back. Like not being able to resist smiling when he was watching Gong Jun absorb everything that the martial arts director was instructing. Or like being unable to not turn towards wherever he heard his co-star's laughter originate, just so that he could soak up part of that smile and sound. Or like getting all hot and heavy when his co-star's gaze was turned on and aimed all over his body. Or when he got touched, both deliberately by Wen Ke Xing or just naturally by Gong Jun.

A small part of him was a little bit jealous of his own character having the full attention of those wanting eyes and that seductive smirk. A small part of him was also back to overreacting over Zhou Ye. In his defense, she was everywhere during these scenes, since it was inherently her character that would save them from assassins following them to the temple. She was also the one cooking them food and squabbling with his future disciple.