Alex beamed as he saw Rose running towards him. He opened his arms and bent down to lift Rose up, spinning her around three times in his excitement. Rose, her face radiant with joy, clung tightly to Alex's neck, her earlier backache completely forgotten.
Alex gently set Rose down and softly caressed her cheek. "Rose, you seem thinner. Has filming been tiring?"
"Filming isn't tiring; I've lost weight from missing my husband," Rose's eyes overflowed with tender affection. She closed her eyes, stood on tiptoe, and placed a passionate kiss on Alex's lips, their embrace drawing the gaze of everyone around them.
Jude clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Did you see that? This kiss perfectly expressed their heartfelt love. In the film, you and Rose need to kiss with that level of emotion, so the audience laughs and cries with you."
Arlo, however, didn't share Jude's enthusiasm. He nodded curtly, his face stern. Ever since joining the crew, he had fallen for Rose. It was the first time he genuinely liked someone, and although Rose was indifferent to him, he believed his true love would eventually win her over. Watching Alex and Rose embrace felt like a painful squeeze on his heart, mixing discomfort with a pang of jealousy.
"Rose, you only care about this big bad guy and have forgotten all about me," Kate pouted, tears brimming in her eyes as she approached Alex and Rose.
Rose blushed, disentangled herself from Alex, and took Kate's hand. Smiling, she said, "Kate, how could I ever forget you?"
Alex licked his lips, savoring the memory of their kiss, which had poured out a month's worth of longing.
Naturally gregarious, Rose, Kate, and Ella quickly became engrossed in their conversation.
Alex didn't interrupt their bonding; in fact, he hoped the three would get along like sisters. With his hands in his pockets, he strolled around the filming site, feeling as if he had stepped back in time. The surrounding buildings were modeled after the architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the cast members were all dressed in period costumes. Alex couldn't help but chuckle when he saw them holding lunch boxes and bottled water, thinking it was the perfect blend of ancient and modern times.
Jude's eyes gleamed as he watched the strikingly handsome Alex. He thought Alex was ideal for the movies, his exceptional looks and demeanor surpassing those of any current male star. With a little promotion, he could surely become immensely popular.
After circling the set, Alex approached Jude, smiling. "I've watched your films since I was a child, and I've always admired your work. I'd love to collaborate with you someday."
"Sure, no problem. You'd make a great leading man," Jude replied happily.
Alex chuckled. "You misunderstand, Director Jude. I don't want to be the leading man. I want to be an investor, helping you create a Chinese blockbuster that could win you an Oscar."
Jude's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious about investing?" He knew that producing a true blockbuster would require nearly US$500 million. If the film didn't appeal to audiences, that money would be lost. The film industry was highly profitable but also came with significant risks, and he couldn't believe this young man would invest such a large sum in his film.
"Why, Director Jude, don't you believe in my capabilities? Do I really look like a fraud?" Alex asked playfully.
"No, no, I believe in your capabilities. I'm just... well, I don't know what to say," Jude stammered, rubbing his hands together nervously.
Kate and the others joined Alex, and Rose, seeing the usually eloquent Jude at a loss for words, laughed. "Alex, stop teasing Director Jude."
"Rose, even you don't believe me? I genuinely want to invest in a film. As long as Director Jude has a good script and a competent production team, I'll definitely invest," Alex said seriously.
"I have an excellent fantasy script that I've wanted to produce for a long time but couldn't due to lack of funds. If you can invest US$500 million, I can make it a fantasy epic comparable to 'The Lord of the Rings'," Jude said excitedly. He knew that if the film succeeded, he would finally have a chance to win the Oscar he had dreamed of for so long.
"Director Jude, don't worry. When Alex says something, he means it. I will have my people discuss the details with you. For now, the most important thing is to give Rose a few days off," Alex said with a smile.
"Of course, Rose's scenes are nearly finished. Giving her a few days off won't affect the production schedule," Jude said with a broad smile. Alex's promise to invest in his film was worth much more than a few days off for Rose; he would have gladly called Alex "dad" if it meant securing the investment.
"Rose, Director Jude has given you a break. Let's have a few days of fun," Alex said, playfully pinching the noses of both Kate and Rose.
He pinched Kate and Rose's noses but skipped Ella's, which made her pout. She tilted her head and said, "Alex, you're bullying me. You pinched Kate and Rose but not me. Do you think my nose is that ugly?"
Alex quickly reached out and pinched Ella's nose, grinning sheepishly. "There are so many of you; I just couldn't keep up."
"Smooth talker!" the three exclaimed in unison. They exchanged glances and then burst into laughter. With their delicate looks and bell-like laughter, they captivated the men in the crew, who couldn't help but stare and swallow hard.
Alex looked at Kate, Rose, and Ella with a wave of relief. He had dreaded the possibility of conflict, but seeing them get along so well was his greatest joy.
"Let's explore the bustling city of S today," Alex said, exhilarated by his happiness.
"Yay! Alex is taking us shopping! How wonderful!" Ella exclaimed.
Alex noticed the excited sparkles in their eyes, and his legs started to tremble as cold sweat formed on his forehead. He regretted his words as soon as he spoke them.
"We haven't had lunch yet. Let's eat first and go shopping afterward," Alex suggested cautiously.
"Alright, let's eat first and then shop," Rose agreed with a smile.
Alex steeled himself. There was no taking back his words now. Regret wouldn't help; shopping it would be. After changing clothes, the three women dragged Alex to a Rolls-Royce.
Arlo watched the departing cars with a vacant look. Jude walked up to him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Don't pursue what isn't meant for you; it will only exhaust you."
"You're right, Director. Rose will never love me, but I'll always love her silently," Arlo said painfully.
Jude sighed, shook his head, and walked away. The intricacies of love were beyond his understanding.