Xu Jia Li walked with confidence as she left Jay Chou and Assistant Director Chua outside. He didn't give her an answer but she knew he would come back. It was challenging enough to convince Jay Chou to continue with the shoot but she was confident that he would take the wager with her. She believed that the table would turn.
Once she entered inside the studio, everyone's gaze landed on her. They still wore the scorn on their faces. She disregarded them all and walked with her chin up. She would handle those that conspired against her later. She would focus on the task at hand for the meantime.
The crews began whispering as she walked passed them. Their voices were so loud that Xu Jia Li wondered why they bothered whispering when they could be heard anyway. She only smirked inside.
"How dare she come back? Doesn't she have any shame?"
"Hmph, she still has the guts to show her face. I thought she ran away in embarrassment."
"I'm starting to believe that she isn't what we think she is. She's so thick-faced."
"Lower your voices, she might hear us."
"So what? Because of her, we wasted an entire day."
"Shut up!" Shen Linqin shot a reproving gaze at the crews before she immediately approached Xu Jia Li. The concern was evident on her face, "Li-jie, what happened?"
"I'll explain it to you later, Linqin," she simply smiled at Shen Linqin, "For now, get me a pair of clean shoes."
While Shen Linqin went to get the shoes, Li Yun approached her. He had a worried look on his face. He held Xu Jia Li's hand as he asked gently, "Xiao Li, are you okay? Why did you run just to follow that man?"
Xu Jia Li could hear the anger in Li Yun's voice. She immediately took her hand from him before she assured him, "I'm okay. It's my fault so I have to do something for the movie."
"But he's clearly out of the line! That man –"
"It's not for you to worry, Yun-ge. Please go back to your place. I need to get ready for the shoot."
She turned around as she headed to where Director Han was seated. However, Meng Lulu approached her, "Senior Xu, it'll be alright. Don't take it to heart."
"I really don't, Lulu," Xu Jia Li smiled at her.
"Senior Xu, I know you didn't mean it. I believe in you."
Xu Jia Li only nodded as she excused herself and headed straight to Director Han,
"Director Han."
"It's okay, Miss Xu. It's not your fault. I guess we have to find a new photographer. Let's pack up for now."
Xu Jia Li just stared at Director Han's defeated expression. She took a deep breath before she said, "We don't need to pack up, Director Han."
At that moment, loud gasps could be heard inside the studio as Jay Chou and his assistants together with Assistant Director Chua entered inside.
"Am I seeing things? Is that Jay Chou?"
"Oh my gosh! Did Assistant Director Chua convince him to resume the shoot?"
"Wow! Assistant Director Chua is really capable! We owe it to him."
The crews gathered around Assistant Director Chua as they showered him with praises. However, the loud voice of Jay Chou echoed inside.
"Stop making noise! How can I concentrate?!"
The crews dispersed immediately, leaving Assistant Director Chua alone.
"Let's begin!"
The look that Jay Chou gave Xu Jia Li was akin to someone ready to defeat its opponent. He even sneered as he motioned her to go forward.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you swallow your words. I'll be very happy to win our wager," Jay Chou mocked Xu Jia Li when she walked passed him.
Xu Jia Li didn't even bother looking at him as she walked in the middle of the set. The lights focused on her and the reflectors where placed in the right places. She already wore a new pair of shoes that was brought by Shen Linqin.
Since she had to portray a young, bubbly and carefree university student, she must do her best to appear what the character needed. She inhaled deeply as she gazed at Jay Chou without any emotion.
"Hmph, is that what she called good? How could she think highly of herself? I really had enough of Liuliang star!" Jay Chou had a stern expression as he aimed to take the first shot. He didn't even give proper instructions as he let Xu Jia Li stood there.
"Are you a statue?!"
Xu Jia Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry at how childish Jay Chou was. He didn't even say when to start and yet he bombarded her with mockery.
"Get your act together! I'm not going to waste my time with someone untalented and irresponsible like you!"
The movie crews who watched what was happening, all threw her a look of disdain. They were thwarted at the scene unfolding in front of them. To them, Xu Jia Li made things even more difficult.
Meng Lulu gazed worriedly at Xu Jia Li while Lou Daming stayed emotionless as he held his phone, playing with it. Li Yun's face was full of anger as he glared at Jay Chou. He had enough of his stuck- up personality. He clenched his jaw as he swallowed his anger.
"Move! Get lost! A Liuliang star like you should quit the industry!"
Xu Jia Li stayed calm even when she saw him kicked another chair. It landed on the wall with a loud bang. She had to stay focused and unperturbed.
"Miss Xu, let's make Miss Meng take her pictures first," Director Han nervously said as he walked beside Jay Chou, "Miss Meng, come here and be ready!"
"It's okay, Director Han. I'll do it," she nodded at Director Han, showing her determination. She couldn't let this day passed that she didn't make Jay Chou swallowed his words.
She looked at Jay Chou and saw how he sneered at her. She knew that the day would be longer.