As the shooting for the movie continued, the work for the commercial also parallely started. Yating had now solely dedicated his focus on the commercial so as to do his best and not embarrass Chyou in the process.
Just as when the take was about to begin, Yin, too, had arrived on the commercial set. The staff immediately erupted into a chaos of gushes as he waved a grinning smile at them.
“Yin!”
Pleasantly surprised, Chyou dove into his hug. “What are you doing here?”
He grinned. “Well I was done with my other assignments so I thought why not come here to support you?”
“You are the best boyfriend!” She chirped.
She peered into his eyes a moment longer and heaved a sigh of relief. She hadn’t wanted to upset him so she wanted to withdraw from this commercial but Xiaosi assured her otherwise. But looking at his bright and cheerful self now, she wondered if she had been overthinking.
“Hey, hey it’s Cheng Yin and Gu Yating! Queen Chyou’s boyfriend and ex-blind date at the same place!”
“Ssh lower your voice. What if they hear you?”
“But doesn’t it look odd to you? I wonder if Cheng Yin came here because he was uncomfortable with Gu Yating’s presence. Does he think that Gu Yating is actually interested in Queen Chyou?”
“Didn’t you hear that Queen Chyou said that they are just good friends?”
“No, no, no, there is definitely some chemistry going on there. Cheng Yin can feel it, that’s why he is so alert.”
She frowned. “Why did Queen Chyou agree to this commercial? Gu Yating might be a nice man but he is someone with whom her family was thinking of tying the knot. Obviously, any boyfriend would be uncomfortable. I don’t want Yin Gege to get hurt!”
Yating felt the change in the atmosphere and sighed. “I am gonna become a clown.”
Chyou smacked him. “You will do great. Just follow my lead.”
The first take started and Chyou and Yating walked hand in hand according to the script. They walked and talked and laughed until one point when Yating turned her shoulders and made her face him. It was supposed to be a romantic scene that matched with the brand’s theme of safety and protection.
Yating gazed into her eyes ready to speak his line but forgot at the last moment.
“Um, what was it again?”
There was silence for a moment after which everybody burst into laughter.
Yating cleared his throat and scratched the back of his head. “Sorry…”
“No problem,” the director gave him a thumbs up and repeated his line. “Hm while we do the next take, I thought that you are standing too far apart from Zhu Chyou. Step a little closer and…” the director imagined the scene and said, “Yup it will be more impactful if you hold her cheek and look into her eyes.” .𝒎
Yin’s brow twitched.
Chyou gave it a thought and nodded as well. Yating threw a look at Yin and asked, “Will you be fine with it?” .
“Yeah of course. Anything to make the ad a success hahaha!”
“…I also mean if Cheng Yin will be fine with it?”
“Oh,” Chyou stared at him and wondered. She nervously looked back at him for his answer. Yin waved his hand in dismissal and gave a cheery thumbs up. “You don’t have to ask me. It’s your commercial.”
Chyou found some relief in his confidence and her bright demeanor was back again. But unknown to her, Yin had been secretly clenching his fist the whole time, extremely sour of the director’s change in script at the last moment.
The second take started and as the director had instructed, Yating bridged the gap between him and Chyou and slowly raised his hand. He didn’t know why it trembled as it reached closer and closer but he felt a slight jolt in his fingertips as it came into contact with her cheek. He held her gaze as he cupped her cheek in his palm more and more.
Chyou mouthed.
‘Your line.’
“…Ha? What did you say?” he blinked, confused.
“…”
Chyou’s jaw trembled and she couldn’t hold back her laughter. The second take failed but this time because of Chyou which left everybody in deep shock. Chyou hardly made any mistakes with her performance.
“S-sorry…” she stuck out her tongue to the director to which he just shrugged.
“As long as you enjoy and have fun. But don’t bully my cameraman too much.”
Yating tilted his head. “Why are you laughing?”
Chyou pinched his cheek, still continuing to laugh. “Well when I mouthed you to say your line, you didn’t understand it and seemed so confused. *Ahem* you looked so cute~”
He squinted his eyes. “You mean dumb.”
“I mean cute. Don’t you twist my innocent emotions,” she blinked.
Yating scoffed. “What I was afraid of is becoming true. I am becoming the clown Gu Yating, am I not?”
She shook her head hard. “You are doing great! Plus, we aren’t really in a hurry for this commercial’s shooting so you can take your time in becoming familiar and used to the camera~ Queen Chyou will guide you every step of the way. Let’s see. The first thing is you should try to forget the people around you.”
“Everybody is literally looking at us. How am I supposed to ignore them?” He asked with furrowed brows.
“By looking at me. Me and only me.”
Yating almost stumbled off balance. “S-sorry?”
“Just imagine that I am the only one here. Forget about the commercial or the shooting or the brand. Just focus on me. You are looking at me. You are talking to me. Nobody else should come in your view. I know it’s easy to say but you will catch the drift the more you will practice.”
Chyou curiously leaned and asked, “How does it feel to be in love?”
Yating’s eyelashes ever so faintly trembled. Just for a small moment, Ai flashed in front of his eyes.
“Nothing else really matters…”
She smiled. “Yup. Nothing else matters when you are with the person you love. That’s how we are supposed to be. And that’s how I want you to look at me.”
𝑖𝘦𝑎.𝗇t