Originally, it was just an ordinary rehearsal, but now it’s turning into something like a secret tryst. Louis held back, stiffening his whole body, stuttering his lines.
As for professional ethics and demeanor, he had long cast them aside. But as he rehearsed with Elisa, he gradually got into character. Elisa was impressed by his acting skills and couldn’t help but admire him.
Louis’s casual rehearsal was enough to rival Sebastian, and his natural talent was truly enviable. However, Elisa gradually felt the gap between them during the rehearsal.
…
After rehearsing for several hours during the day, Louis dreamt at night. In the dream, Elisa clutched his sleeve, calling him “brother” in a flirtatious manner, causing him to feel flustered.
When he woke up, Louis was still caught up in the dream, feeling numb all over, weak in the limbs. Blushing with embarrassment, he buried himself under the covers, covering his face and shrugging his back, his ears twitching vigorously.
…
On Wednesday morning, as usual, Elisa got up at six o’clock. She didn’t have breakfast as she found it easier to get into character when hungry. The recording would take all day, and now that everyone orders takeout on their phones, Elisa wasn’t worried about going hungry later.
By the time the program’s recording began at just half past seven, about half of the artists had arrived and were getting their makeup done in different dressing rooms.
Elisa didn’t have a makeup artist, so she did her own makeup, finding a corner to face away from the camera while applying it, multitasking by also going over her lines.
At nine o’clock, Sebastian and Filippa arrived. Both had their own makeup artists, and as they did their makeup, they discussed their upcoming performance. It was clear that being from the same background, they had a mutual understanding, making it difficult for anyone else to join in.
“Why is Xiu Xiu working so hard, doing her makeup and still not forgetting her lines?” someone quipped.
“Since she’s participating in the competition, of course, she has to strive to improve. I don’t want to hold back my senior brother, nor do I want to waste time like some people.”
The person understood her implication and followed up with a question, “By the way, what about Elisa, who’s in your group?”
“She rehearsed with us once, and then she never showed up again. Even when we invited her, she didn’t come. Maybe she’s naturally confident.”
…
As they were talking, there was a commotion around them, and the atmosphere became tense. Filippa was irritated at being interrupted and furrowed her brow, looking towards the crowded doorway.
“What’s going on?”
“It seems like Louis has arrived.”
Filippa’s eyes lit up. Louis was here? Could it be that he had come to see her? After all, the two of them had once acted in a movie together. Although she had played an insignificant supporting role in that film, at least she and Louis had appeared in the same scene.
Moreover, Louis was aloof and never liked interacting with strangers. His sudden appearance in the makeup room must have been to see someone he knew.
As she thought about who Louis might be here for, Filippa’s heart raced. She blushed and stared intently at the doorway, hoping Louis would come in and see her.
All of Louis’s warmth was reserved exclusively for Elisa, and this kind of blatant favoritism probably indicated as much. In front of others, he wouldn’t spare an extra glance. Casting a chilly glance around, his intimidating presence cleared a path for him as people made way for him to pass.
He glanced at Filippa and then walked toward her.
Some people whispered from a distance, “Could he be here specifically to see Filippa?”
“How is that possible? How could Louis be involved with Filippa? Don’t spread rumors about them.”
“You don’t know, Filippa was in Louis’s second film. Although she played an insignificant supporting role, she still worked with him. It’s not unusual to see former colleagues or friends, is it…”
Filippa covered her chest. Seeing Louis approach her, she felt her heart stop. She stood up, her face red with nervousness, her voice trembling, “Whi… why…”
She wanted to greet Louis, but she didn’t know how to address him. Calling him “Teacher White” seemed too distant, calling him Louis seemed too intimate, and addressing him by name seemed impolite. She considered calling him by the nickname they had used during their movie collaboration, “big brother”?
Before Filippa could speak, Louis coldly glanced at her and walked past without acknowledging her.
From his expression and demeanor, he appeared entirely indifferent to her, leaving her perplexed. What was happening? A sense of embarrassment overwhelmed Filippa as she realized that Louis had avoided her like a stranger. Her excitement turned into shame as she thought about her earlier eagerness. Louis had looked in her direction, but not at her.
Stiffening, she turned to follow everyone else’s gaze, watching his figure intently.
It seemed as though Louis was covertly observing everyone. He engaged in polite conversation as he circled the makeup tables, gradually making his way to the corner. Sneakily, he took a piece of chocolate from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“Don’t forget to eat. Good luck with the competition. I’ll be watching from below,” he said. Although directed at Elisa, he didn’t mention her by name, making it sound like encouragement for everyone present.
“Thank you, Louis.”
“We will remember to eat well.”
“Teacher White is really kind.”
“Who said he’s difficult to get along with? Come on, stop badmouthing him.”
Every casual gesture was part of his long-planned scheme. Louis glanced at Elisa, giving her a faint smile before leaving after handing out the candy.
Elisa raised an eyebrow as she watched Louis, only shifting her gaze to the chocolate after he had disappeared through the door.
Their subtle actions didn’t attract much attention, except from one person.
Filippa. After Louis had avoided her like a stranger, she couldn’t help but stare at him. She noticed how he had discreetly placed a piece of chocolate on Elisa’s table. Why Elisa? Why did it have to be Elisa? How did Louis and Elisa know each other? Was Elisa trying to seduce him?
After Louis left, Filippa felt the weight of malicious gazes directed at her, as if knives were cutting into her flesh.
At that moment, her hearing seemed to fail her, amidst the continuous clamor around her. Nevertheless, she could distinctly make out the whispers about her.
“Did you see that? Filippa stood up to greet Louis, and he completely ignored her. Didn’t you say Louis knew her? Why does it seem like he treats her like a stranger, or even worse?”
“I think Louis probably didn’t even recognize Filippa.”
“I was watching Filippa the whole time. My embarrassing habit of feeling secondhand embarrassment is back.”
…
After Elisa finished her makeup, the program’s crew brought in the costumes. She changed into a simple cheongsam, loosely tying her hair with a wooden hairpin. The bright lights in the makeup room made her look flawless, with her fair and delicate skin, and her eyes sparkling like gemstones.
Elisa was exceptionally beautiful, capable of overshadowing others even without makeup. As she made her entrance, the room fell silent.
Many of the artists present had looked down on Elisa to some extent. Initially, they had seen her as a seductive and cheap fox spirit. Although they later realized that the rumors about her natural beauty were true, they couldn’t muster any positive feelings for her, turning the notion of her being just a plain face into that of a useless vase.
But who wouldn’t want to be a beautiful vase?
The cheongsam truly tested a woman’s figure, and it seemed tailored for Elisa. Her graceful and well-proportioned figure was on full display.
Elisa seemed unfazed by the curious glances. As she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her hair, she noticed Filippa’s reflection and turned around.
“Fox spirit!” Filippa cursed, “always seducing others!”
Elisa was puzzled by the sudden outburst. “How did you and Louis meet?”
Elisa instantly understood; it must have been because Filippa had seen Louis surreptitiously give her the chocolate earlier.
Narrowing her eyes, Elisa approached Filippa with an elegant smile. “None of your business.”