DTBS - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Huge Surprise

"OK, OK, Camera 3, quickly get into position! Qingshang's blocking is great, everyone else switch positions! Switch positions! Yes, hold it! Camera 2, push in!"

After finishing the promotional poster shoot for the two leads, the crew immediately moved into filming. Having been delayed by Jiang Yueping for half a month, Ning Pingliu changed the shooting schedule.

She didn't want to reshoot the scenes Jiang Yueping had already filmed right after dealing with that unpleasantness. It was better to push those scenes back, making the shoot smoother.

Fortunately, the contract was clearly written. Although Jiang Yueping breached the contract by not filming, she didn't dare to casually leak the script information, or no one would dare to hire her in the future.

Besides, with Ming Siwen, the Golden Rooster Award Best Actress, returning to film a TV drama, shouldn't there be a visual feast of acting skills?

Ning Pingliu was not disappointed. This very complicated and difficult scene only required two takes before it passed.

One time was due to an extra's mistake, shoveling dirt onto Ming Siwen's face, which the camera couldn't capture, leading to a retake.

Another time was Ming Siwen's mistake; her hand resting on the soil moved accidentally because an earthworm crawled over it, resulting in an NG and a retake.

"Cut! Excellent, perfect this time."

The director called cut. Qin Qingshang, who was lying in the mud, finally lifted her head. Dirty, murky mud and water slowly dripped down from her forehead and hair, her entire face almost unrecognizable.

"Sister!" Wen Yu came over with a wet towel. "You're amazing. You cried so hard just now, it tore my heart. No wonder everyone says your crying scenes are incredible."

The netizens were right; Qin Qingshang was very suited for crying scenes. Her crying was so immersive.

"Are you saying I'm not good at other scenes? Only crying?" Qin Qingshang teased her while wiping her face.

"Of course not~" Wen Yu giggled foolishly.

However, she noticed that directors seemed to love tormenting Qin Qingshang. The more miserable she looked, the happier the directors behind the cameras became.

They were all malicious people! They just wanted to see beautiful women looking miserable, they just wanted to torment the audience!

"Sister Ming," Assistant Li helped dig Ming Siwen out of the dirt, "Are you okay?"

"I, spit, spit, spit —" Ming Siwen spat out the black mud from her mouth. "I'm fine."

As long as she had scenes to film, she was fine.

"Hard work, hard work! Both teachers worked hard." Ning Pingliu truly admired these two.

One was performing the process from life to death in a dirt pit. Because the camera was on her the whole time, it required extremely strong self-control. Clearly, although Ming Siwen was afraid of slippery, slimy things like earthworms, she ultimately endured it.

The other was being beaten in the mud, needing to show two different feelings in a short time. Due to many close-up shots, she also had to display the struggle for survival and the sorrow of losing hope. Qin Qingshang showed her incredible explosive power and infectiousness with almost no mistakes.

It must be said, a beauty crying is truly beautiful. A battle-damaged beauty crying, hiss, hiss —

Ning Pingliu wiped the corner of her eye. She was so moved!

Qin Qingshang and Ming Siwen were simply treasures of the entertainment industry! She heard that Qin Qingshang collaborated with Ming Siwen not long after entering the industry. It seemed she had to dig out that drama and watch it.

"Sister, she can really act," Wen Yu whispered to Qin Qingshang. "Ming Siwen, I thought she wouldn't be able to handle this kind of scene."

"She's always been very good at acting." Qin Qingshang's words had a double meaning. She climbed up from the ground, ready to take a shower. The discomfort of rolling in the mud was unbearable if she waited until she got back to the hotel.

Also, she had to admit, although she disliked Ming Siwen and found her two-faced tactics disgusting, her acting skills had indeed improved a lot. It had been a long time since she had acted with someone and felt so liberated.

"Sister Ming," seeing her looking at Qin Qingshang's retreating figure, Assistant Li asked with concern, "Do you want to go shower first too?"

"Okay," Ming Siwen smiled and comforted her, "Don't look so worried. Qin Qingshang won't let CEO Tao suppress me."

"But aren't others also eyeing you like a tiger?" Assistant Li was very worried.

"Don't worry, I'm not completely dead yet." Ming Siwen patted the mud off her shirt. "What if there's still a chance? Let's do the current work well. This drama... I have a feeling it will be a hit."

Constantly traveling through time to change the predetermined course to save others, only to become the butterfly that flapped its wings and caused a huge disaster. Although the premise was a bit cliché, the analysis of human nature was very thorough.

It was a pity it was a unit drama. If it were a movie, maybe there would be a chance to win an award.

Back at the hotel, Qin Qingshang was still very excited. The plot was indeed stimulating, and her emotions were stirred up, not calming down so quickly. She picked up her phone and saw it was already four in the morning. No wonder Director Ning said he would give her and Ming Siwen a day off and film other scenes first, letting them rest.

Lying on the big bed in the hotel, Qin Qingshang scrolled through her phone boredly. Suddenly, she remembered her conversation with Ming Siwen today.

Tao Qiuyun...

She clicked into the chat box for 【Tao Qiuyi】.

CEO Tao spoke without airs and was very gentle, but was this her true nature, or was it because of Qinqin? Or was it because of the agreement that she spoke to her so softly?

However, CEO Tao clearly had only a stranger relationship with her back then, yet she still took her to the hotel and didn't leave her on the streets, which showed that Tao Qiuyun was a very kind person.

But Qin Qingshang, kindness doesn't mean she has to be good to you. You're just a small celebrity, and she's the Eldest Miss of the Tao family, born at the pinnacle. What can she get from you? The only value you have to her is because Qinqin likes you and sees you as her mother from a parallel universe.

"Oh no!" Qin Qingshang saw the "poke" notification suddenly appear on her phone screen and immediately sat up.

【I poked "Tao Qiuyi"】

Before she could type an explanation, almost instantly, Tao Qiuyun also poked her.

【"Tao Qiuyi" poked my door and kowtowed】

【Tao Qiuyi: ?】

Looking at the words displayed on the screen, Qin Qingshang was so embarrassed she almost died on the spot. She quickly went into settings to change her "poke" text.

It was her private WeChat, so she set it up with something funny to avoid annoying pokes from bored people. Who knew CEO Tao would poke her!

After changing it, Qin Qingshang immediately typed:

【Big Cat: CEO Tao, poke me again?】

【Big Cat: (Cat lying flat)】

The other side seemed to hesitate, and after two seconds, poked her profile picture.

【"Tao Qiuyi" poked me and conveniently set off a [firework]】

A rising firework effect appeared on the screen. Although not as dazzling as that night, it still managed to distract. Qin Qingshang smiled and typed:

【Big Cat: Thank you for the firework, CEO Tao (Cat covering mouth laughing)】

Tao Qiuyun on the other side poked her again, and fireworks exploded on the screen once more...

【Tao Qiuyi: How can you set off fireworks?】

【Big Cat: It just happens with WeChat's built-in emojis~ (Cat rubbing)】

Qin Qingshang lay back on the bed, satisfied.

As expected of me, I easily resolved the awkwardness of CEO Tao kowtowing to me.

【Tao Qiuyi: Then why did I kowtow to you just now?】

【Big Cat: ...】

【Big Cat: CEO Tao, don't ask, you saw wrong】

【Tao Qiuyi: (Screenshot) No, I really kowtowed to you】

Qin Qingshang was amused by her words and rolled around on the big bed. Then she held her phone, thinking about how to reply.

【Tao Qiuyi: Miss Qin, why are you still awake so late? It should be past four there, right?】

【Big Cat: What about you, CEO Tao? Are you still working?】

【Tao Qiuyi: I've washed up and am in bed】

【Big Cat: (Cat peeking)】

【Tao Qiuyi invited you to a video call】

The sudden video invitation startled Qin Qingshang, but her hand honestly clicked accept, seemingly without her brain making the decision.

What am I doing...

Cat confused.

"Miss Qin," Tao Qiuyun placed her phone upright on a stand on the desk, then sat on the chair with a proper posture. "You can look openly, no need to peek."

Seeing Qin Qingshang seemingly lying in bed in a daze, the woman reminded her, "Miss Qin, your shoulder is showing."

"Oh!" Qin Qingshang sat up, adjusting the neckline of her pajamas. "CEO Tao, why did you suddenly video call? You scared me to death, I almost hung up on you!"

"Maybe I had video conferences for too long today," Tao Qiuyun pondered with her arms crossed. "It's okay if you hang up. If I'm disturbing Miss Qin's sleep, I'll hang up now."

"No, I don't want to sleep yet. I'm off tomorrow, no, today." Qin Qingshang held her phone in one hand and grabbed a pillow with the other, hugging it. "What about you, CEO Tao? What are you doing tomorrow?"

"There are some issues that need to be discussed in a meeting," Tao Qiuyun's brows were clear and her eyes bright. She already gave off a refined feeling, and her serious explanation at this moment was even more captivating. "Chunjin has a collaboration with new technology. If this project goes smoothly, it should be a big change. So, the parameter settings and subsequent promotion control need to be more cautious. After I return to the country, I still need to talk to the government. This is an achievement that will be watched globally, and its full functions might not be announced publicly in the short term."

"Ah, that's amazing~" Qin Qingshang praised her.

"Actually, it's uncertain whether such development is good or bad," Tao Qiuyun lowered her arms, resting them properly on the desk. "But everything will still be based on the final discussion results. I do hope our world can get better and better."

"Everything is a double-edged sword," the cat comforted her. "You can't achieve perfection. Just do your best."

"Miss Qin..." Staring at the woman on the screen, Tao Qiuyun couldn't help but reach out and poke her.

"What are you doing, CEO Tao?" The cat was confused.

"I thought you weren't moving, but now you're fine again," Tao Qiuyun lied smoothly, her expression unchanged. "It seems your side is a bit laggy, Miss Qin."

"Ah? Really?" Qin Qingshang changed direction. "I feel like my signal is pretty good here, and it didn't warn me about a bad network?"

"Ding dong—"

Tao Qiuyun's doorbell rang.

"Is someone looking for you?" The cat was tactful. "Should I hang up?"

"No need!" Tao Qiuyun refused subconsciously, then said, "It's unlikely anyone would look for me to talk about work at this hour. You don't need to avoid it. I'll go see, please wait."

Seeing the woman in the camera get up and leave, Qin Qingshang pursed her lips.

No need to avoid if it's not about work. Did Tao Qiuyun mean she didn't need to be discreet about her personal matters?

Goodness, she was so good at this. Being a contract wife was truly pleasant!

Tearing off the tape on the peephole of the room door, Tao Qiuyun looked out. It was a room service staff member. She frowned, "It's so late, is something wrong?"

"CEO Tao, well... there's a lady insisting on seeing you."

"Who is it?"

"She said... she's the woman you love most."

"Nonsense, she's not. Tell her to go back where she came from."

After saying that, Tao Qiuyun paused and added, "Arrange for someone to escort her. Don't let anything happen late at night."

"She, she won't leave, CEO Tao. How about you see her?"

"Can't you call security?"

"But we don't dare to drive her away, CEO Tao. She's really difficult to deal with, we can't afford to offend her. Please, just see her."

Tao Qiuyun didn't want to make things difficult for the staff. She opened the door and said, "Who is it?"

She wanted to see who it was...

"Surprise!"

The mature and beautiful woman instantly lifted the cover off the cart behind the staff member and swiftly threw herself into her arms. "Qiu Bao~ Hugs! I missed you so much!"

"Mom? How did you..." Tao Qiuyun suddenly remembered that her mother and her group were vacationing in Paris.

"I missed my Domineering CEO baby too much. As soon as your dad said you flew over, I packed my bags overnight and came."

"Wuwuwu, let Mom take a good look. Qiu Bao, you were so cool just now! And, you even specially arranged a bodyguard to see me off. You were worried about me walking alone at night, you have me in your heart~"

"Mom, don't be like this," Tao Qiuyun tried to pull her off. "I'm scared."

"CEO Tao, Madam Xia, I'll be leaving now." The staff member quickly pushed the disguised cart away.

Tao Qiuyun watched her quickly escaping back and knew this was all a play her mother had put on for her.

"Mom, it's so late, what are you doing here?" Tao Qiuyun was helpless.

"It's only ten o'clock! How is that late?"

"Qiu Bao, you're young. To others, ten o'clock is just the beginning of nightlife. Don't be so naive. You should go to lively places like bars and clubs more often, broaden your horizons. Maybe you'll start a new chapter in life."

"Mom, I'm twenty-eight, almost thirty. I'm not young anymore."

"Who says so! Oh, it's not good talking to you at the door. Let's go inside first."

"Mom!" Tao Qiuyun stopped her. "It's so late, I need to sleep. How about I get you a room?"

"Can't we mother and daughter have a heart-to-heart talk all night?"

"No, I have a meeting tomorrow and need to sleep early. Look, I've already changed into my pajamas, I'm already in bed."

"Your hair looks like you styled it in front of the mirror. I don't believe you just switched out of sleep mode."

After saying that, she prepared to enter the room, but was stopped by Tao Qiuyun again.

"...Mom, I'm really tired. Can we talk tomorrow?"

Seeing her usually compliant daughter like this, Xia Xianglu instantly understood. She covered her mouth and cried tears of joy, "Qiu, Qiuqiu, Qiuqiu, you finally... finally have a domineering CEO look!"

She reached out and poked Tao Qiuyun's chest, looking soft and delicate. "Are you secretly hiding someone in the room? Have you finally tasted the sweetness of love after being single for twenty-eight years? Are you keeping someone hidden?!"

"Mom... there's no woman."

"Did I say it was a woman? Why are you so eager to explain? Does the person hidden away have to be a woman?" Xia Xianglu looked excited. "Let me tell you, I'm a genius! I told your dad a long time ago, I said I think you're a lesbian, you must be a lesbian!"

"See, no wonder you look so radiant and refreshed. You don't look like someone who's worked all day. Turns out you have a recharge potion hidden in the room! Let me see which little girl you brought with you even on a business trip."

"Mom, don't talk nonsense!" Tao Qiuyun stopped her. "I'm the only one in the room."

"I don't believe it. Who knows if you're secretly playing some animal games in there. Unless you let me see."

"I'm really tired, hiss —" Tao Qiuyun bent over. This improper mother of hers, she actually stepped on her daughter's toes!

Taking advantage of Tao Qiuyun's moment of slack, Xia Xianglu decisively slipped into the room.

"Mom!" Tao Qiuyun cried out softly in pain and immediately rushed over.

You're wearing high heels and I'm wearing slippers, your daughter is truly grateful!

Xia Xianglu passed through the somewhat luxurious outer room and entered the bedroom next to it. She happened to see the phone on the desk, with Qin Qingshang's face clearly visible.

"Ahhhhh, Qingshang! Mom loves you!" Xia Xianglu immediately ran over.

What was this? So Qiuqiu was staying up late alone, secretly watching celebrity videos and fangirling. What was so hard to say about that? She was also a fan of Qin Qingshang, she was even a mom fan. Even if Qiu Bao was a wife fan, they could still communicate with each other.

And it was rare for her and her daughter to have a common hobby, which was even more worth celebrating!

"Mom!" Tao Qiuyun hurriedly opened the door.

Qin Qingshang on the phone screen blinked, looking at the beautiful woman who appeared in the camera, and then heard Tao Qiuyun say "Mom". Combining that with what this auntie just said...

Didn't Tao Qiuyun not want to tell her mother about her marriage? Why did she still say it?

"Eh?" Xia Xianglu was stunned.

That's not right, this wasn't a celebrity video, this was a video call!

"Um, hello Mom~" Qin Qingshang acted obediently, displaying her professional acting skills, smiling sweetly. "Did Tao... Qiuqiu introduce me to you?"

"Ah?" Xia Xianglu blinked, turning her head to look at Tao Qiuyun, who had just reached her.

The woman's hair was slightly messy from running. She looked at Qin Qingshang on the screen, wanting to speak but hesitating.

"Um," Xia Xianglu had a guess in her heart and asked Qin Qingshang, "Did she introduce you as her girlfriend?"

"Ah?" The cat was shocked. "Not wife?"

Xia Xianglu gasped, grabbed the collar of her shirt, and slowly fell backward.

"Mom!" Tao Qiuyun quickly squatted down to catch her.

"Qiu, Qiu Bao~" Xia Xianglu trembled, reaching out and grabbing her shoulder. "You... you..."

The next moment, she gave a thumbs-up, her voice filled with overflowing joy and full of energy: "You did well!"

Tao Qiuyun: "..."

She looked up at Qin Qingshang on the phone screen, who had a question mark above her head, her voice rarely showing a hint of nervousness: "I haven't told my mom anything yet."

Hearing this, the cat choked.

So I blew my cover?

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