The moment the words fell, she grabbed the broom from the corner and tiptoed towards the cubicle where the strange noise was coming from.
Unexpectedly, the moment Shi Xinxin peeked into the cubicle, she was stunned by what she saw.
In the cubicle stood a tall, lean, handsome man in a black hoodie. This man was none other than Yue Ran, the male actor she was working with.
He had his back to her, his hands moving rapidly on the table, tinkering with something. Unfortunately, his back was too broad, and the angle was not good. From Shi Xinxin's vantage point, she couldn't see what Yue Ran was up to.
Gazing at Yue Ran's back, Shi Xinxin listened intently and was shocked to discover that the incredibly eerie "hissing" sound was coming from his hands.
Suddenly, the events that had been happening to her continuously in the past few days flashed through Shi Xinxin's mind—her acting props being swapped, her costumes deliberately cut, and pepper maliciously sprinkled into her powder puff...
Those suspicious incidents immediately connected with what was happening before her eyes.
Did this guy do it?
"Yue Ran? What are you doing there?" Shi Xinxin called out to the figure in front of her.
Hearing Shi Xinxin's voice, Yue Ran's body trembled slightly.
As he slowly turned around, he quickly tucked something on the table into his pocket and replied in a nonchalant tone, "Good morning, Shi Xinxin. You're quite early."
Although Shi Xinxin was full of confusion and suspicion, the other person had already greeted her politely. She couldn't possibly give him a poker face, could she?
"Good morning, Yue Ran. You haven't answered my question yet."
Shi Xinxin tilted her head slightly, trying to see what was on the table behind him.
Unexpectedly, Yue Ran didn't seem to want her to see. He straightened his back, blocking whatever was on the table behind him.
A sly smile appeared on his handsome, clean face. "Is this question that important? Or are you secretly in love with me? Otherwise, why would you care so much about me?"
Shi Xinxin was about to speak when Yue Ran's words almost made her choke. She chuckled helplessly and patted her chest, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Just then, the director's voice came from behind Shi Xinxin, "You two are here? It happens that you're acting together today, so come and rehearse in advance."
Shi Xinxin's tightly clenched heart finally relaxed. Although she hadn't figured out what trick Yue Ran was playing just now, she could finally escape this awkward situation.
But the "answer" would be revealed soon.
At precisely nine o'clock in the morning, the crew's shooting was in full swing...
The scene being filmed at the moment was one where the female lead, Shi Xinxin, was supposed to present her masterpiece to the male lead, Yue Ran—a blueberry cheesecake.
This blueberry cheesecake had been prepared by the crew the day before and had been kept in the prop room's freezer.
The director had intended to bring out this pre-prepared cake when they reached this scene. So, he had handed the cake to Shi Xinxin the day before.
But when Shi Xinxin opened the cake now, a shocking and horrifying scene unfolded.
On the cake, frosted with cherry blossom pink and sky-blue cream, the delicate and lovely blueberries were gone. In their place were plump, wriggling white maggots.
The maggots let out "hissing" noises as they frantically wriggled their nauseating bodies.
"Ahhhh—" In an instant, screams erupted from the crew.
Especially the actresses. Several younger ones burst into tears upon seeing this sight.
The director quickly dealt with the cake. At this moment, Yue Ran's voice suddenly rang out coldly, "This cake became like this because you did it on purpose, didn't you, Shi Xinxin?"
Instantly, all eyes in the room focused on Shi Xinxin.
Being stared at by so many people, Shi Xinxin became flustered, "What do you mean I did it on purpose? This has absolutely nothing to do with me."
However, Yue Ran didn't let her off. His lips curved into a playful smile, "But you're the only one in the crew who knew where the blueberry cheesecake was kept."
Shi Xinxin pursed her lips, somewhat speechless.
She suddenly recalled the scene in the cubicle that morning. In her opinion, this prank was likely done by Yue Ran. Unfortunately, these were just subjective guesses, and she had no reliable evidence.
Seeing her silence, Yue Ran raised his voice and continued, "Hey, Shi Xinxin, just tell the truth. You did this, didn't you? Let me guess, your goal was to scare the other actresses here? Because they bullied you before?"
Pushed into such a corner, Shi Xinxin could no longer tolerate it.
This wasn't her doing, so even if she were beaten to death, she wouldn't admit it! This was a matter of principle.
Shi Xinxin clenched her fists, raised her eyebrows, and retorted loudly, "Hey, Yue Ran, don't twist the truth and slander me. What makes you say I did this?"
The two argued back and forth, reaching a stalemate for a long time. A crowd surrounded them, but no one could mediate.
Seeing this, the director sighed helplessly, walked up to them, and played the role of a peacemaker.
"Alright, alright, it doesn't matter who played this prank with the cake. It's not important anymore. Hurry up and focus your minds and bodies on the upcoming shooting!" He gently patted Shi Xinxin's shoulder and said, "As for the cake, I'll have Assistant Huang prepare another one. It will be delivered in half an hour!"
Shi Xinxin sighed and responded exhaustedly, "Okay."
Xiao Mi walked over, handed Shi Xinxin a clean white towel, and comforted her, "Don't take it too hard. Everyone here knows clearly that the cake just now must have been planted on you by someone else. Cheer up!"
Shi Xinxin took the towel, wiped the sweat from her temples, and glanced at Yue Ran from the corner of her eye.
Unexpectedly, Yue Ran was also looking at her. However, his gaze was complex and playful, devoid of any surprise or shock. It was as if everything happening at this moment was within his grasp.
Damn it, this must have been him. Shi Xinxin thought through gritted teeth. Unfortunately, she had no evidence and couldn't do anything to him!
"Xinxin, don't space out! Hurry up and come to shoot!" the director urged from the side.
Shi Xinxin angrily moved her gaze away, forcing a smile, "Okay."