The director, who was directing the staff on set layout, saw Su Zhiyi arrive and waved at her. "Perfect timing. While they're setting up, rehearse with Yumo first. Your next scene is with her."
"Okay, Director Zhou."
Before Su Zhiyi could reach the leads, the female lead, who was looking down rehearsing lines with the male lead, seemed to sense something, looked up, and happened to look in Su Zhiyi's direction.
As soon as the girl saw Su Zhiyi, she couldn't hide the joy on her face. She turned away from the male lead, who was still reciting lines, closed her script, and quickly walked over to Su Zhiyi, grabbing her hand.
"Sister Zhiyi, it's truly an honor to work with you! I was thrilled all night when I found out you'd be in this drama. Now I can finally make a drama with you!"
The more she looked at Su Zhiyi, the more excited she got. Her movements were relatively restrained, just pulling Su Zhiyi's hand and shaking it, not giving her a bear hug.
"Hey, what's this?" Su Zhiyi's red lips parted in surprise.
She remembered... she wasn't familiar with this girl?
"Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself!" Gu Yumo enthusiastically introduced herself. "I'm Gu Yumo, Yu as in rainy, Mo as in jasmine."
Su Zhiyi sort of knew Gu Yumo.
An artist under Starlight Entertainment, a popular influencer with average acting but strong variety show skills. Last year, she starred in a romance variety show and created a CP called 'Xia Yu' with the male lead of this drama, Xia Xu. Both of them became famous overnight because of that show.
Gu Yumo had a cute and innocent idol face, known as the number one sweetheart in the domestic entertainment industry, winning over many older sister fans and mother fans.
"I know who you are," Su Zhiyi blinked, pointing at her own nose. "Do you... know me?"
No way? Wasn't she an unknown D-list star?
"Of course I do! Why wouldn't I?"
Gu Yumo's sweet persona wasn't fake at all. Her voice was as lively as a bird's, and her eyes curved into crescent moons.
"I'm your fan! This drama..."
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she stopped mid-sentence and cautiously glanced around.
Before Su Zhiyi could follow her gaze, she quickly withdrew her gaze.
Su Zhiyi pressed on. "What about this drama?"
Gu Yumo covered her mouth and laughed, laughing a bit awkwardly. Her mumbled words exposed her nervousness.
"N-nothing! I really am your fan! I've liked you even before entering the entertainment industry~ I've seen all the dramas you've acted in."
She examined Su Zhiyi's face, looking left and right without any ill intent, as if admiring an art piece in a museum, her eyes sparkling.
"I've only seen you on screen before, and to see you up close... I once went to pick you up at the airport before I entered the industry."
Joy spread across Gu Yumo's brow, making her look like a fangirl who had successfully met her idol.
"Now that I truly see you up close, you look even prettier than on TV! By the way, can we take a photo together later? I want to post it on Weibo..."
Realizing her request might be a bit presumptuous, she lowered her voice and tentatively asked, "Would you be willing?"
After hearing Gu Yumo's sincere words, Su Zhiyi was caught between laughter and tears, and she now truly believed Gu Yumo was her fan.
"I see."
"Of course I'm willing," she said generously. "Right now? We still have some time. We can rehearse after the photo."
"Now, now, right now!"
"Lingling, give me my phone!"
Gu Yumo quickly called to her assistant standing nearby. The assistant trotted over and handed her phone to her.
She stood very close to Su Zhiyi, their cheeks almost touching. Her smile was youthful and radiant. Su Zhiyi also curled her lips into her trademark sweet smile, which, with the heavy makeup, added a touch of brightness.
The phone clicked, and their selfie appeared on the screen.
Gu Yumo took several photos in a row, then opened the album to admire the freshly taken pictures. The more she looked, the happier she became. She then stuffed the phone into her assistant's hand, took Su Zhiyi's arm, and made an affectionate gesture.
"Can we take a few more group photos?"
"Of course."
The assistant held up the phone and took several more photos, considerately arranging suitable poses for them.
"Gu Yumo."
Suddenly, a deep male voice tinged with suppressed anger rang out.
A moment ago, Gu Yumo was still smiling. The next second, upon hearing the voice, she immediately let go of Su Zhiyi's arm like a startled rabbit, stood up straight, and her smile vanished.
Quickly, she snatched the script from the male lead standing nearby, held it with both hands, and lowered her head pretending to read it.
After the man walked up to her step by step and stopped, she looked up and asked with feigned surprise, "Brother, why are you here? I was just going over lines with Sister Zhiyi."
Su Zhiyi followed Gu Yumo's gaze to the newcomer.
The man Gu Yumo called 'Brother' had a stern, handsome face. His brows were deep, his pupils a deep graphite color, his jawline sharp and bony, and his thin, light-colored lips slightly pursed, like the most perfect statue carved by an ancient Greek sculptor.
Looking closely, his features were somewhat similar to Gu Yumo's.
Was this... some male supporting role?
Seeing the suit the man wore and his mature, steady demeanor, Su Zhiyi immediately shook her head, dismissing the thought.
This was an ancient costume drama—who wore suits in an ancient costume drama?
Soon, her confusion was resolved by Gu Yumo.
"Sister Zhiyi, let me introduce you. This is my brother, Gu Yu."