The director thoughtfully brought her a pair of flat shoes to change into. Shi Xinxin even felt a bit guilty. The director was very busy, yet was delayed because of her injury.
"Why don't you go ahead and take care of your work! I'm fine, I can manage myself."
Shi Xinxin's hands didn't know where to go. Her right leg was propped up in front of the director. The director was a beautiful and young woman.
The first time Shi Xinxin saw her was on the day of the audition. That beautiful blonde woman spoke words that could not be refused. Shi Xinxin never imagined that a Hollywood blockbuster director would be so young.
"You are also a Hollywood actor, and you are within my scope of work. Don't move, get some good rest. Your scenes will be filmed in the afternoon, let the lead actor shoot first."
Shi Xinxin was deeply moved to hear such words in a foreign land. Her eyes, full of moisture, looked at the director. What the director remembered was the diligent Shi Xinxin engrossed in her acting. She was an extremely conscientious woman.
"Do you feel like crying?" Shi Xinxin heard the director's voice but didn't look up. Shi Xinxin couldn't see her expression, but the voice was exceptionally warm.
"Time can see a person clearly. You are a serious actor, and we all see it."
The director massaged Shi Xinxin's ankle and, seeing that Shi Xinxin showed no reaction of pain, felt relieved.
"Mm," Shi Xinxin nodded. Having been away from home for so long, Shi Xinxin truly missed it. Her eyes dimmed as she recalled some scenes from her hometown.
Seeing the look in Shi Xinxin's eyes, the director didn't want to disturb her. She brought her a glass of orange juice and found a new pair of shoes. Shi Xinxin was busy all day, and being idle and resting like this was truly unaccustomed.
Shi Xinxin tried to get up and walk. Her ankle didn't seem to react. She moved slowly on the ground; it didn't hurt as much as before. She got up to do what she could for everyone.
"You go rest! I'll do it."
When she was about to pick up props that the prop team hadn't yet tidied, she saw actors reaching out to help, people who had previously harbored ill will towards her. Time truly could see a person clearly. Shi Xinxin had earned their change of heart during this period, and she had also gained these friends. She was no longer lonely in America.
Time spent working diligently always passed quickly, but for Shi Xinxin, this morning felt the longest. Just as she was about to get up, an actor from the crew walked over.
"What do you want to eat? I'll get it for you!" As soon as Shi Xinxin stood up, she was pushed back into the chair. Looking at Shi Xinxin's expression, she still felt a bit overwhelmed.
"What's wrong?" Shi Xinxin kept looking at her, suspecting something strange was on her face. Shi Xinxin was just recalling when she had made things difficult for her upon her arrival.
"Nothing, anything is fine."
Memories thus rushed back. She watched the figure walking out the door and felt that everything she had done was worth it. She wiped away the tears on her face, her heart still warm. As long as she worked hard, someone would surely notice.
As for those who had never acknowledged her, she didn't care. Shi Xinxin had never lived her life based on others' opinions.
Shi Xinxin got up, picked up their scattered clothes, and refilled their water cups with hot water. Shi Xinxin was already very happy; at least she could still work hard.
Shi Xinxin looked at heaven, her heart filled with gratitude. Countless times, the figures of Sheng Chenjin and Wen Xiaoxiao appeared in her mind. When she saw so many hardworking souls tirelessly striving for their goals, Shi Xinxin felt she wasn't working hard enough.
She was also becoming one of those souls, tirelessly fighting for her ideals.
Shi Xinxin massaged her ankle, allowing it to better adapt to normal walking and gradually to running. Shi Xinxin hoped to return to work quickly.
The sunset always served as a reminder to a group of busy people who had forgotten time. Shi Xinxin finished her work unusually early today. Everyone walked out of the set together and, with a tacit understanding, looked at each other. Shi Xinxin saw the joy in the director's eyes.
"Let's go out for a meal! We haven't had a good meal together in such a long time," the director suggested. Shi Xinxin looked on with satisfaction as a group of men and women cheered. When the director spoke, Shi Xinxin could no longer hear her voice; her ears were filled with cheers and laughter.
"The director is treating! The director is treating!"
The boisterous voices were overwhelming. Shi Xinxin already saw the director's defeated expression. The group headed towards the sunset. The evening glow painted everyone red, and their hearts felt warm.
They walked side by side, with arms around each other's shoulders. On the wide roads of Los Angeles, the laughing group frolicked like a group of young children. Shi Xinxin's shoulders were full of arms, but this feeling of being surrounded by warmth was something she loved.
Under the setting sun, a group of dark figures walked towards the light. That light was like brilliance itself. Shi Xinxin flashed her most brilliant smile at the director.
Because she had slept exceptionally well last night, Shi Xinxin woke up very early this morning. As the sky just began to show a rosy dawn, Shi Xinxin was ready to go. Carrying a bag of small buns, she ran and ate, heading straight for the film set.
She had wanted to call her new assistant, Xiao Mi, to come with her, but Xiao Mi had worked too late last night and was still asleep.
Shi Xinxin pondered carefully. Normally, Xiao Mi was diligent and dedicated. Today, she would let her sleep in. Thus, she went to the set alone first.
Perhaps it was because she arrived too early. The usually bustling film set was as quiet as a needle drop. Shi Xinxin walked around and found only a few cleaning aunties busy sweeping away trash in the vast set; no one else was there.
It was fine that way. She could stay in the lounge and focus on practicing the lines she needed for today. Without distractions, she was sure to achieve twice the result with half the effort.
"Come on!" she silently encouraged herself.
However, just as Shi Xinxin opened her script, a strange sound entered her ears. The sound was incredibly odd and stood out starkly in the empty and quiet film set. As soon as the sound appeared, Shi Xinxin caught it.
"Hiss hiss—"
Shi Xinxin pricked up her ears and listened carefully. The sound was like the chirping of insects or the squeaking of mice. However, no matter which it was, Shi Xinxin felt scared. Could it be that there were cockroaches and mice on the set?
She tried her best to focus her attention on the script in her hands, but the strange "hissing" sound in her ear continued incessantly, endlessly.
"Damn it! Are you going to let me practice my lines properly or not?" Shi Xinxin stomped her foot in exasperation, stood up with a puffed-out chest, and grumbled, "Whether you're a mouse or a cockroach! Although I'm terrified of you, today I'm going all out!"