Lin Qiu Tong wasn't one to sit idly by. The moment filming began on the new drama, she made her move, arriving on set with a container of freshly stewed bird's nest soup for Gu Zhiyan.
Her strategy was straightforward enough: get Gu Zhiyan on her side first, then accelerate Shen Chi Yan and Song Qi Nian's divorce. After that, securing her position as the future matriarch of the Shen family would be within reach.
The production was a gritty, realistic drama, with most scenes set in a rural village. Gu Zhiyan had thrown herself completely into her role – her clothes were tattered and dirty, her hair a mess of tangles and frizz. She'd been standing in the blistering sun day after day, until her face was raw and her lips began to peel.
Lin Qiu Tong could barely suppress her disdain. Why go to such lengths when modern makeup effects could achieve the same look? It seemed absurd to her.
The cast's rest area was nothing fancy – just a few canvas tents pitched in the dirt. Lin Qiu Tong approached with what she hoped was her most winning smile.
"Auntie Gu, you must be exhausted from filming," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I prepared this bird's nest soup myself this morning. Please, I'd be honored if you'd try some." She set the container down carefully, maintaining a deferential pose before the older woman.
Even dressed as a village woman, Gu Zhiyan commanded respect. She was untouchable – a legend both in the entertainment world and among the social elite. And more importantly, she was Shen Chi Yan's aunt by blood.
Gu Zhiyan's eyes swept over Lin Qiu Tong with cold indifference before her hands began moving in fluid signs. The sight of sign language made Lin Qiu Tong's stomach clench – an unwelcome reminder of Song Qi Nian.
Gu Zhiyan's assistant stepped forward to translate. "Miss Lin, Teacher Gu appreciates the gesture, but she's maintaining character as Miss Shu right now. Bird's nest soup wouldn't be appropriate for her role."
Lin Qiu Tong kept her smile fixed in place. "It's just a bowl of bird's nest soup. Surely that won't affect your performance?"
But Gu Zhiyan's head shake left no room for argument. She took her craft seriously – these past few days, she'd worn nothing but threadbare clothes, eaten nothing but plain grains, even slept on a farmer's heated brick bed. She wasn't about to compromise her standards now, not even for expensive soup.
Lin Qiu Tong felt her smile growing stiff. The rejection stung – after all, she was a Lin. Who did this woman think she was? But she remembered why she was here and quickly masked her irritation with an apologetic expression.
"I'm so sorry, Auntie Gu. I was just concerned about your health, wanting to make sure you kept up your strength."
Gu Zhiyan's hands moved again, and her assistant spoke up: "Teacher Gu says not to worry. She'd also like to know if there's something specific you needed from her?"
"Oh... well..." Lin Qiu Tong gave a nervous laugh. "This is my first time filming, and I'm a bit anxious. I was hoping Auntie Gu might guide me through the process."
Gu Zhiyan acknowledged this with a curt nod, then glanced meaningfully at her assistant.
The message was clear. "Miss Lin, Teacher Gu needs to prepare for her next scene. She requires rest now. If you wouldn't mind..."
Lin Qiu Tong watched as Gu Zhiyan closed her eyes, dismissing her entirely. Her fingers curled into tight fists, but she kept her composure.
As the assistant walked her out, she managed to force another smile. "I've been wondering... What happened to Auntie Gu's voice? Why does she use sign language instead of speaking?"
The assistant's response was blunt. "There's nothing wrong with Teacher Gu's voice. She's playing a mute character in this drama, so she stopped speaking yesterday to stay in character."
That's when it clicked for Lin Qiu Tong – in 'Hello, Miss Shu', Gu Zhiyan played a mute woman. The film was a harsh look at society's underbelly, showing how people crush others beneath them for their own gain. The main character, a mute girl, endures brutal treatment, constant mockery, and dehumanizing abuse.
The story started with all the right ingredients – love, family, friendship. But by the end, everyone's masks slip away, revealing the ugliness underneath. It was the kind of role that could make or break an actor's career, and when Gu Zhiyan first read through the script, it had struck a deep chord in her.
She hadn't encountered such a powerful story in years. But with that came pressure – could she really capture the essence of such a layered character? She'd gone as far as hiring someone to teach her sign language, but something still felt off. This sense of falling short had been eating at her.
And Lin Qiu Tong had walked right into the crossfire.
Finding out that Gu Zhiyan's use of sign language had nothing to do with Song Qi Nian – that she wasn't being deliberately snubbed – Lin Qiu Tong felt herself relax slightly. Still, getting Gu Zhiyan on her side was proving harder than expected.
Then it hit her. Her eyes brightened as she pulled out her phone and dialed Shen Chi Yan's number.
"Qiuqiu..."
"Ah Yan..." Her voice softened. "When will you come see me?"
"What's wrong?"
"I know I went to film school, but being in a coma for three years... I'm worried I won't measure up."
"You'll manage."
"But Director Yang is so demanding! Everyone else has years of experience, and I'm just... me. My hands are shaking, I'm so nervous. I really need you here."
She paused for a moment before adding, "Plus the mosquitoes are awful. My legs are covered in bites – I can barely sleep at night. Please, can't you come see me?"
Her voice trembled with vulnerability and fear.
Shen Chi Yan's schedule had lightened up recently, and hearing the distress in her voice, he agreed to visit. When Li Nanxun called in sick before the trip to Baiyun Village, he brought Song Qi Nian along instead.
Song Qi Nian had no clue where they were headed, but the prospect of her first business trip with Shen Chi Yan had her feeling oddly thrilled. The excitement lasted until they pulled up to the set of Hello, Miss Shu after a three-hour drive. When she realized they were here to visit Lin Qiu Tong, her mood soured instantly.
Shen Chi Yan's arrival caused quite a stir – a CEO showing up on set tends to do that. He'd brought supplies with him: tents, drinks, mosquito repellent, even gourmet food and fresh fruit for the crew. The director and producers flocked to him, eager to please their biggest investor.
Lin Qiu Tong was in makeup when she heard he'd arrived. She bolted out immediately, rushing toward him.
"Ah Yan!"
She ran straight for him, arms outstretched, ready to embrace him. But before she could reach him, a voice cut through the air, sharp and clear—
"Chi Yan..."
The name stopped Lin Qiu Tong dead in her tracks, her face darkening.
Of course.
How could she have forgotten that Gu Zhiyan would be here?
Now that Shen Chi Yan was married, Gu Zhiyan would never tolerate him showing affection to another woman in public—not to protect the Shen family name, and certainly not for Shen Chi Yan's reputation.
"Mom..."
Song Qi Nian noticed Gu Zhiyan too, giving her a polite nod.
Gu Zhiyan barely acknowledged Song Qi Nian with a fleeting look before motioning Shen Chi Yan to join her in the rest area.
Whatever passed between them remained private, but when Shen Chi Yan walked out, his face had turned stormy.
Seeing his expression, Lin Qiu Tong quickly typed out a WeChat message:
"Ah Yan, I'll wait for you in the small grove up ahead."
0 Comments