#this is a mess phew pls pretend you do not see if there's an error sdlkfj

[yuexias]

(˶˃⤙˂˶) for @xinxiins / continued from here

this is, undoubtedly, lu mengran's biggest project to date. just by looking at the cast list, one would easily wonder just how her name ends up there. it's a question that she has asked herself multiple times, but if luck has decided to be on her favor for once, there only remains one thing for her to do: seize the opportunity and make the best out of it. such chances don't come easy and often, and one would think it's the perfect timing for some networking, also known as one of the most important skills and assets that someone could have in this industry. however, she also faintly recalls reading somewhere before that leaving a strong impression is important for any effective networking, which is why she's tucked herself into a corner, script in a hand, pen in the other as she scribbles down tidbits as her thoughts flow.

she'll need to perform in her role well --maybe earn a compliment or two if she's lucky -- and then she'll think about networking.

she's been stuck at the same scene for the past half an hour now, memorizing lines alone is easy, but what's effective would be getting to rehearse with a scene partner... who turns out to be ren xinyu in this scene. the man captures attention everywhere he goes, and she isn't sure--

looking up instinctively when she notices the approaching presence, mengran scrambles to her feet, immediately recognizing who it is. speak of the devil. "ā... xiè xie--" the bottle is accepted with a little smile, and she makes a face trying to twist the bottle cap open.

it's the only way to pretend she hasn't just almost failed at keeping her expression neutral at what he's saying. if there's one thing she learnt from all the part time jobs she's had and film productions she's joined is that "we are a family" always rings some alarms and raises some red flags. she could only hope this wouldn't be the case, or ren xinyu might have just lost a fan. though, a smile is on her face when she responds in between: "nǎ kě néng yǒu rén bú rèn shi ní ā?"

the sudden nosebleed catches her off guard; frowning when he turns away, she only follows to move in front of him without thinking. "rèn lǎo shī...!" a hand reaches out to grip his arm, and then she's urging him to sit at her chair earlier. "nǐ hái hǎo ma?" she asks, bending down a little to see better, only to get horrified at the sight of the bloodied cloth. "please don't tell me those are real blood on your towel. or that it's fresh from today. actually, please tell me if it is, so i can help if you want me to tell someone. because i do that too, the entire hiding your health condition so it doesn't slow filming down kinda thing. so just... let me know.” she rambles distractedly, still eyeing him carefully.