Yu Cheng finds it difficult to describe the exact feeling that emerged after watching the video. They had no connection, yet inexplicably shared a sense of understanding. This led to contemplation about the deviation of unisex toilets from their original purpose, and who should bear the consequences of such occurrences. The answer becomes clear from the intersection of these two events — it is the minority groups themselves.
He locked his phone, picked up the script, but hesitated to turn the pages.
Zhong Shao sat next to Yu Cheng, handing him a bottle of water and asking, "What are you so engrossed in?"
"Is it that obvious?" Yu Cheng chuckled and glanced at the script spread out, "Caught in the act of slacking off, rare indeed." Zhong Shao raised an eyebrow, "So, are we not allowed to slack off occasionally?"
Yu Cheng tapped the script thoughtfully, pondering, "Feeling guilty about the current pay?"
"Then why not do more practical things?"
"Hmm?" Zhong Shao repeated, "If you don't feel at ease, then do something more." Many aspire to be stars for wealth and fame, while others enter the industry striving for excellence, yet never feeling satisfied.
Closing the script, Yu Cheng imitated the character's tone, "How about some guidance?"
Yu Cheng's personality was gradually revealed; it was only in the presence of those close and familiar that he displayed his hidden playful side. Zhong Shao shook his head, smiling lightly, and as he looked up, he appeared as Ji Chen, "Once the play is over, I'll offer you some guidance."
The distance to the lounge chair is 20 meters. Miao Miao patted Tan Ye on the shoulder and asked, "Ye, is it not too dangerous for them to collide like this head-on?"
Despite her title as an assistant, she receives the pay of an agent, handles agent-related tasks, and has obtained the agent's certification. She is just a step away from getting her own certification, thanks to He Cheng's assistance. While as a childhood friend of Yu Cheng, she understands his personality better than anyone else.
Tan Ye, with the eyes of experience, glanced over and then back at his phone, saying with a seemingly innocent and cheeky tone, "Dangerous? What danger?"
The scenes in the afternoon were not difficult to shoot, so the crew wrapped up half an hour early.
Upon opening the door to the rest area, Zhong Shao saw Yu Cheng leaning against the wall, holding an empty mineral water bottle. It was the same bottle he had given during break time.
Zhong Shao was momentarily taken aback, as memories of the day in the safety corridor appeared in his mind when Yu Cheng was holding a cigarette, asking, "Why waiting outside?"
"I was planning to smoke and gather my thoughts," Yu Cheng answered honestly but not awkwardly, picking up the empty water bottle. "Later, I realised I had no cigarettes, so I just drank water outside."
Zhong Shao's lips curled up slightly, "You don't smoke often? Are you addicted?" "Not really, but sometimes when I'm thinking, I crave one."
"Then have one." Zhong Shao magically produced a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out, and handed it to Yu Cheng.
Yu Cheng raised an eyebrow, "Giving it to me so openly, not afraid I'll report to Director Lu?"
Lu Cheng was strict about smoking on set, apart from the rules in the contract, he added another one: during filming, no actors or crew members could smoke on or off set.
Zhong Shao smirked appropriately, "It's Tan Ye's."
Indeed, the cigarette belonged to Tan Ye, but it was Zhong Shao who had asked for it.
Yu Cheng took the cigarette from the pack, held it in his hand, and savored the moment.
Upon boarding the nanny car, Zhong Shao suddenly said, "Yu Cheng, has anyone ever told you that you are actually a very sensitive person?"
"Yes," Yu Cheng replied, "You are the second person to say that, the first one was Prof. Wang Shuo."
"He once told me that we are quite similar."
Yu Cheng was unaware of this, but it did not prevent him from responding directly to Zhong Shao's question, "Does that mean you are also a very sensitive person?"
Beyond the work lens, Zhong Shao always wore a dignified and expressionless face, giving off a sense of aloofness. However, when he appeared online, he would make a few straightforward comments, showing a stark contrast without being too extreme.
"We are born with emotions and desires, being a bit sensitive is not a bad thing." Zhong Shao's dark eyes shimmered, "Maintaining sensitivity within rationality, I think that's quite romantic."
Yu Cheng nodded, "Indeed."
"In a more sensitive way, what are your thoughts on that child's situation?"
Although Zhong Shao did not specify, Yu Cheng knew he was referring to Little B.
After a moment of silence, Zhong Shao summarised in eight words, "As the tree is, so the people feel."
Whether in a unisex toilet or concerning AIDS, people have always enjoyed discussing those who are different from the masses. These individuals are often pushed to the forefront and become targets of criticism. Whether they are innocent or not, we cannot definitively define, but the public's prioritization of entertainment and superficial judgments have clouded everything. How can we bear it, and how should we bear it?
Upon returning to the hotel, Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng headed to the private little garden.
Tan Ye brought their meals and Zhong Shao's laptop.
After Tan Ye left, Zhong Shao wasted no time and asked, "Yu Cheng, how much do you know about AIDS?"
Yu Cheng paused with the fork in his hand, as if he had talked too much on the way back and hadn't even had a sip of water to moisten his throat. His voice sounded somewhat hoarse as he replied, "My sister passed away because of this disease." Zhong Shao furrowed his brows, "Your sister?"
"My aunt's daughter," Yu Cheng explained, "It happened many years ago, she passed away around the same age as Little B..."
This story dated back quite a few years, and Yu Cheng wasn't entirely sure why he felt compelled to share this long-held memory with Zhong Shao at that moment. Perhaps it was because the person across from him was Zhong Shao, allowing him to narrate it calmly.