**1.** On the first day of filming at the new location, I texted my boyfriend: “Hey, how’s the new set?” To my surprise, the usually reserved him shared: “The new leading actress is pretty clumsy.” “We just rehearsed a scene, and she was so clumsy it gave me a headache.” “Haha, but she’s kind of cute. We’re doing a variety show together next week, so that should be fun.” I looked at my phone with a bitter smile. Trying to sound casual, I replied: “What a coincidence, I fell on set today. The second male lead saw me hurt, and his eyes turned red with worry. He practically carried me to the medical station.” “He wouldn’t leave, afraid I might have broken something, and insisted on going to the hospital with me. It took a lot to convince him otherwise.” “Are all actors this gentle and caring?” He was silent for a long time. Then, he called me frantically: “Hey, I’m sorry. I thought you didn’t care about me anymore. My friends suggested this might make you jealous and care more.” “I made it all up. You did too, right?” Me: “……” Oops, I wasn’t making it up. **2.** On the first day of shooting the new series, Liam led the entire crew to Hengdian World Studios. I habitually texted him: “Hey, how’s the new set?” Honestly, I didn’t expect much of a response. After all, my famous director boyfriend is always so reserved. No matter what I ask, his replies are usually short: “Mm.” “Oh.” “Okay.” When he’s busy, he might just reply with a “1.” But this time, he broke his usual cold demeanor. He sent me a long message: “The new leading actress is quite clumsy.” “We just rehearsed a scene, and she was so clumsy it gave me a headache.” “Haha, but she’s kind of cute. We’re doing a variety show together next week, so that should be fun.” His words were filled with unexpected joy. I never thought I’d hear him call someone cute. Especially another actress. My heart ached, and I felt like crying. **3.** I’ve been pursuing Liam for five years. And doting on him for five years as well. Late nights on set, I brought him hot boxed lunches; When he was overwhelmed with work, I stood by him with coffee near the monitors; Even when he had a fever while editing, I delivered medicine to him. Every time he prepared for a new film, I was the first to audition, even for the smallest extra role. He said he wanted to create a film that would change the landscape of Chinese cinema. So, I pushed myself to the limit, taking on roles back-to-back, improving my acting skills, and finally became the first Chinese Best Actress at an international film festival. Everyone knew I liked Liam. Except him. Until last year, at the company annual meeting, after a few drinks, I gathered the courage to confess. He coldly replied, “Mm.” But that indifferent word excited me for the whole night. I naively thought that once we were official, he’d be more gentle and proactive. Reality slapped me hard. He remained distant. But he’d start sending me bubble tea, bring me food when the film crew’s meals didn’t suit me, and occasionally pick me up after work. I kept telling myself not to ask for too much. That’s just Liam’s nature, and these gestures were already a lot from him. But today, I realized. He isn’t inherently cold; he just hasn’t met someone worth his warmth. I even doubted if he ever liked me. I really like Liam. But I also have self-respect. The year I graduated, my social media account was hacked once. A self-proclaimed “gossip columnist” promotional account screenshotted everything I wrote about my admiration for Liam on my private account and posted it, tagging all mainstream media in the comments section. My secret infatuation was edited into a melodramatic script, paired with exaggerated expressions. Promotional accounts swarmed, reposting it. My comments section was filled with mockery: “An 18th-tier nobody like you thinks you’re worthy of Liam? Look at yourself, he’s a rising director.” “That’s hilarious, Director Liam’s new film attracts top actors for auditions. Your acting hasn’t even started; what are you thinking?” “Give up, Liam would never like someone like you, a pretty face.” Humiliated, I wanted the promotional account to delete the post. But they pushed further, fabricating stories about me buying followers and riding on fame. Public opinion spiraled out of control, and I thought my budding career was over. That day, Liam, at his press conference, tore up that promotional account’s work badge right in front of the cameras. He then looked at the media present, his voice cold: “You think such despicable behavior is professional? I’ve seen enough disgusting tricks.” “And, I fully recognize Olivia’s acting skills and attitude. She’ll become a great actress.” **4.** Since that press conference, no one in the industry dared to target me openly. And because of Liam’s action, I liked him even more. But he was so hard to pursue. I had countless moments of wanting to give up, but he would give me hope just when I was about to. I was like a dog, led on by him, falling for it every time. But today, his different attitude towards another woman became the last straw that broke me. I’m tired. And I’m at peace. With a vengeful sense of sarcasm, I replied with a smile: “What a coincidence, I fell on set today. The second male lead saw me hurt, and his eyes turned red with worry. He practically carried me to the medical station.” “He wouldn’t leave, afraid I might have broken something, and insisted on going to the hospital with me. It took a lot to convince him otherwise.” “Are all actors this gentle and caring?” He was silent for a long time. So long that the smile on my lips began to stiffen. I even began to wonder what he’d reply. Would it be another “1”? After all, he really liked to reply with
Those short ten minutes felt like an eternity to me. Forget it. It’s pointless. I sent him another message: “Liam, let’s break up.” The next second, Liam’s call came in. I just picked up. Before I could speak, I heard his urgent breathing. Then came Liam’s series of anxious explanations: “Hey, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tested you like this.” “Lately, you haven’t visited the set. I thought you didn’t care or love me anymore. My friends suggested this might make you jealous and care more.” “I made it all up. You did too, right?” Me: “……” Oops, I wasn’t making it up. **5.** That morning, I was filming a group fight scene. I lost my balance during a turn and fell. The injury wasn’t serious. Just some scrapes on my elbow and knee, a little blood. I was about to get up when a boy rushed over. Looking up, it was Ethan, who just finished another scene. He saw the wound on my knee, and his eyes instantly turned red. He carefully helped me up, urgently asking: “Olivia, does it hurt?” “It looks serious. Let me take you to the medical station.” I moved my arm to test it. Just as I was about to say it’s fine, I saw tears on Ethan’s long eyelashes, looking as if he might cry. I was stunned. My gaze involuntarily fell on his face. Ethan’s features were extremely delicate, with fair skin that seemed to glow, and his deep-set eyes hinted at a mixed-race heritage. When his bright eyes turned red, he looked innocent and pitiful, his thin lips pressed tight, making one want to tease him. With him crying, I couldn’t refuse. My heart skipped a beat. I quickly reassured him: “Then, thank you, Ethan.” Before I finished speaking, he picked me up. He jogged all the way, asking if I felt uncomfortable elsewhere. After chatting a bit, I found out we graduated from the same university, him being two years below me. Coincidentally, we attended the same high school too. At the medical station, the doctor said it was just a surface wound and needed disinfecting and bandaging. The doctor had other things to do, so he handed the medicine to Ethan and left. Before I could reach for it, Ethan was already kneeling in front of me. He gently blew on the wound and carefully applied the medicine. Afraid to hurt me, he was very gentle. After finishing, I sat at the medical station to let it dry while he went out. When he returned, he was sweating profusely. Only then did I realize he was worried about delaying the shooting schedule, so he communicated with the director and producer and rearranged today’s shooting sequence for me. He even brought me a hot boxed lunch from outside the set. I was genuinely touched. All along, I’ve been the one chasing after Liam, taking care of others, with few caring for me. I gripped my phone tightly. Intending to exchange contacts and invite him for a meal another day. He didn’t decline, and we added each other on SnapChat. When he raised his hand, I noticed bloodstains on his jacket. It must’ve been from when he held me earlier. I recently discovered that he was worried about delaying the filming schedule, so he took the initiative to talk to the director and producer and even helped me rearrange today’s shooting sequence. He also went out of his way to bring me a warm meal from outside the set—a gesture that deeply moved me. I’ve been the one running after Liam all this time, while juggling my family responsibilities, and rarely receiving such care from others. I clutched my phone, contemplating adding him on social media to perhaps invite him for dinner another day. He didn’t hesitate and added me on SnapChat. As he lifted his arm, I noticed bloodstains on his jacket, likely from holding me earlier. I felt a sense of obligation. Most of our filming outfits are brand-sponsored and quite expensive, so when he escorted me back to the makeup room, I offered to have his clothes dry-cleaned. He agreed promptly, but his smile seemed to carry a hidden meaning. 5. Reflecting on Ethan’s knowing smile and Liam’s puzzled tone on the phone, I felt at a loss. Liam said I had been distant. For the past two months, I’ve deliberately kept my distance. I used to want to be around him every day, but he seldom responded. I’m just a person, and I get tired too. I thought about giving up, but I couldn’t bear to. So, I devised a plan. I mirrored his behavior, gradually cooling off and holding back my concern for him. I stopped staying on set every day, ceased keeping tabs on his social media, and focused on improving my acting and social skills. That way, it wouldn’t hurt as much if I ever decided to break up. But now Liam claims his indifference was all an act, and I couldn’t believe it. I told him so directly. The phone went silent for a moment: “It’s okay if you don’t believe me. I’m downstairs at your hotel—can you come down? I’ll explain in person.” After heading downstairs, he immediately handed me his phone, looking somewhat helpless as he explained: “I wasn’t lying. I’ve actually liked you since you were in the theater club. But I didn’t know how to pursue you, so I followed an industry-famous relationship blogger. He promised that for $998, he could create a custom plan to win you over, guaranteeing success or a full refund if it failed.” “He told me that girls today prefer mature, steady, quiet, and aloof men. They dislike hot-tempered directors like me, so I tried to change. I’m sorry, baby.” “I just didn’t want you to dislike me.” I glanced through his chat history and was at a loss for words. Liam: “How do you act mature and steady?” WarmHerAllDay: “Talk less, keep each sentence under two words, ideally just say 1.” Liam: “Are you serious? Won’t that seem arrogant?” WarmHerAllDay: “What do you know? Mature men are like that. Do you still want to pursue her or not?” Scrolling to the latest conversation, unsurprisingly, it was: Liam: “My baby has been so cold to me lately, what should I do, blogger?! Help me!” WarmHerAllDay: “Send her this message directly. Guaranteed to reconcile.” Me: …… 6. No wonder Liam always felt off to me. When I first fell for him, he wasn’t like this. The reason I fell for him is quite cliché. He’s a renowned genius director, and I was just an ordinary theater club member, not even an extra. Logically, we should never have crossed paths. But one day, I went for an audition at a small, remote theater. I realized things were off only after I arrived, but there was no turning back. A group claiming to be agents targeted girls like me aspiring to break into the industry. If you didn’t sign their unfair contracts, you’d get beaten. I had no other options, so I agreed to hand over most of my income to them monthly. Until one day, I couldn’t pay. After an audition, when I only handed over half the money, the leader’s demeanor shifted immediately. I still remember him holding the cash, snapping it against my face, eyeing me with ill intentions. “I just realized you’re quite a catch. How about this, spend a night with our producer, and we’ll wipe the penalty fee clean. You might even get some good opportunities?” I was terrified and wanted to escape, but they surrounded me. I said I could find a way to borrow money. They didn’t relent, and their gazes grew more unscrupulous. Just when I was in despair, Liam appeared. Without a word, he took on five of them, knocked them down, called the police, and recorded evidence of their crimes. Afterward, he scolded me angrily: “Don’t you know these small theaters aren’t safe?” “In the future, don’t go to auditions alone. It’s not safe.” Later, during a month of auditions, I would always see a figure watching from afar. He wouldn’t speak or show his face. When I looked back, he’d hide. But I knew, with no assistant or friends, I had to go alone. He wasn’t at ease and was protecting me. To thank him, I would leave a strawberry lollipop on the corner stone pillar every time. When I met him on set later, I’d proactively greet him. Back then, he seemed a bit prideful. He’d act reluctant, but his cheeks and ears would turn red as if about to drip blood. He’d even have his assistant bring me food and coffee. Unfortunately, that phase didn’t last long. He said he wanted to aim for international film festivals, and he became cold. After being cold for a long time, I almost forgot that Liam originally had an impulsive and explosive personality. 7. After learning the truth, I felt a bit confused. That’s when Ethan suddenly showed up. He handed me a box of desserts and sweetly called me “Olivia.” Liam immediately became wary. His eyes darted between me and Ethan, his voice impatient: “What are you doing here?” Ethan ignored him and instead tugged at my sleeve, sounding pitiful: “Olivia, is he your boyfriend?” “He’s so fierce. Will he hit me?” I instinctively shielded him behind me. While rummaging through my bag for the script, I reassured him: “It’s okay, he just has a bit of a temper.” When I retrieved his jacket, I realized his room key was still in the pocket. We had arranged for him to pick it up in the evening, but we ran into each other here. Seeing me protect Ethan, Liam’s face darkened even more. He tried to divert my attention by taking his phone from me. “Baby, I’m telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, I’ll message that relationship blogger again.” Then, just as the message was sent, Ethan’s phone rang.
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