Love Signals
Love Signals Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Mechanically walking out of the makeup room and heading to Director Zhong with Tong Tong, Sheng Qingli was still in a state of soul-shaking shock.

Of course, “soul-shaking” was a bit of an exaggeration.

She was surprised, but after thinking it over carefully… it wasn’t that surprising either.

Fortunately, Director Zhong had called Sheng Qingli over not to officially start filming.

He just wanted to discuss some final thoughts on today’s scene, as well as the lighting adjustments and positioning.

After the discussion, Sheng Qingli went to rest nearby, waiting for the crew to make the final adjustments to the set before shooting.

Everyone around was busy, and Sheng Qingli stood a short distance away, a bit absent-minded.

Tong Tong came over to give her some water and noticed her distraction. “Sister Lili.”

She waved her hand in front of her. “Are you daydreaming?”

“…”

Sheng Qingli glanced at her. “Sort of.”

Tong Tong: “Huh?”

“It’s nothing.” Sheng Qingli pursed her lips a bit awkwardly. Just as she was about to find a chair to sit on, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a man walking from the other side.

Almost instinctively, Sheng Qingli hid behind Tong Tong.

“?”

Tong Tong looked at Sheng Qingli’s actions in confusion. “Sister Lili, what are you doing—”

“I’m going over there to look at the script again,” Sheng Qingli interrupted her. “Call me when it’s time.”

As she watched Sheng Qingli hurriedly run off, Tong Tong couldn’t help but turn her head toward the man who had cast a glance in their direction and was now raising an eyebrow slowly.

Did Mr. Pei do something to her Sister Lili that she didn’t know about?!

If it weren’t for that, how could Sister Lili avoid Mr. Pei like a mouse seeing a cat?

Sheng Qingli didn’t know what Tong Tong was thinking. If she wanted to know, she would tell her; she just gave a quick hug.

It lasted only about three seconds.

And she wasn’t trying to avoid him; she just didn’t know how to react to him yet.

Finding a corner to rest, Sheng Qingli prepared to continue reading the script but found she couldn’t concentrate on it at all.

Her mind was filled with the embrace Pei Qingci had just given her, the scent of him was clean, rich, and familiar. His shoulders were broad, and when he held her, it felt like he was enveloping her in a protective circle.

His embrace was warm, like the bright sunshine above, wrapping around her with an almost intangible comfort.

This wasn’t her first time hugging Pei Qingci.

They had done much more than just hug before, but Sheng Qingli couldn’t understand why she was so captivated by this sudden, extremely polite hug.

It shouldn’t be like this.

But she clearly knew how much she liked hugging Pei Qingci.

He was aware of this too.

Sheng Qingli had always believed that hugs could give people more strength than kisses.

Whenever she felt nervous while being with Pei Qingci, he would hug her. Even when they weren’t together, he would send her emoticons that felt like hugs through the screen.


One time Sheng Qingli remembered clearly was when they attended the premiere of “Love Vow.”

The premiere was scheduled just a few hours before the movie’s public screening. Once the event was over, the film would be released.

That was the first project Sheng Qingli shot since entering the industry, and it was also her first film as a co-lead with Pei Qingci. While the director and crew believed the film would do well, Sheng Qingli was still anxious and nervous.

She feared she would mess up.

At that time, she and Pei Qingci were secretly dating.

They only officially got together after filming had wrapped, so not many people knew about it.

To avoid drawing attention, they both wore masks to appear as if they hadn’t seen each other for a long time.

However, it was still difficult to look away when their eyes accidentally met.

In the months leading up to the premiere, Sheng Qingli had taken on numerous odd jobs and attended various events.

Pei Qingci was aware of her nervousness.

So, while they were waiting for the event to begin in the banquet hall, as everyone was chatting, anxious Sheng Qingli received a message from the man diagonally across from her, asking if she wanted to go to the bathroom.

Sheng Qingli glanced at her phone and cautiously raised her head to look at him.

She lowered her eyelashes and replied with pursed lips, “If we go together, won’t that be too obvious?”

Pei Qingci responded, “Do you want to go first or should I?”

“…Either is fine,” she said.

“Then I’ll go first.”

“Okay.”

After they agreed, Pei Qingci chatted a bit more with the director beside him, then stood up calmly and walked out.

Five minutes after he left, Sheng Qingli pretended to be composed and told her assistant, “I’m going to the bathroom.”

After stepping out of the banquet hall and checking with the staff, she headed towards the restroom.

But before she could reach the door, a warm, large hand pulled her into a safe passage. The door opened and closed.

Sheng Qingli’s heart raced as she used the light coming from the corridor and the staircase to see who was in front of her. “What are you doing?”

Her heart was about to leap out.

Pei Qingci’s hand rested lightly on her waist, and he chuckled softly, “What are you so nervous about?”

“…” Sheng Qingli was taken aback by his calm demeanor and exhaled nervously, “It’s all media reporters.”

Pei Qingci nodded and playfully flicked her forehead, saying quietly, “Don’t worry, no one saw us.”

Sheng Qingli responded with a soft “oh” and wanted to say something else, but Pei Qingci suddenly leaned down, resting his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling.

“Did you miss me?” he asked in a low voice.

Although they hadn’t shown it, it had indeed been nearly a month since they last met.

Pei Qingci had been filming, and Sheng Qingli had other work.

Even if they hadn’t been busy, they wouldn’t have dared to visit each other on set. At least, Sheng Qingli wouldn’t have had the courage to visit Pei Qingci’s crew.

Upon hearing his question, Sheng Qingli blinked softly and whispered, “You didn’t say anything.”

“What didn’t I say?” Pei Qingci teased her deliberately.

Sheng Qingli pouted, casting him a sidelong glance.

Pei Qingci couldn’t help but smile, the corners of his mouth lifting. “Am I not being obvious enough?”

Sheng Qingli gasped, about to say where it wasn’t obvious.

Pei Qingci pinched her earlobe and lowered his voice, “I’ve been unable to resist calling you out.”

“…”

Sheng Qingli, caught off guard, just said “oh,” tilting her face to look at him. “Not obvious at all.”

Hearing the implication in her words, Pei Qingci pinched her finger again, raising an eyebrow. “Then should I be more obvious tonight?”

Sheng Qingli felt choked by his words, her face turning red. “Don’t say things like that here.”

In private moments, Sheng Qingli was bold. But in public, she was shy and timid; she couldn’t be as carefree as Pei Qingci.

Watching her flustered expression, Pei Qingci smirked slightly. “Alright, let’s talk in the room later.”

Their roadshow would last for almost half a month, and during this time, they would be together every day.

Sheng Qingli glared at him, her cheeks and ears flushed. “You…”

Before she could finish, Pei Qingci leaned down as if to kiss her. Just as their lips were about to meet, he hesitated. “Did you bring lip gloss?”

He was afraid of ruining her makeup.

Sheng Qingli replied, “… No, don’t kiss me.”

She knew what he wanted to do.

She whispered a reminder, “People will notice.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Qingci paused for a few seconds. “I’ll kiss somewhere that nobody can see.”

Sheng Qingli’s eyes widened, just about to ask where that invisible place was when Pei Qingci tilted his head and pressed a kiss to her delicate earlobe. The damp sensation sent warmth through her ear and body.

Sheng Qingli tensed up, her legs growing weak.

Fortunately, Pei Qingci still had a bit of restraint.

He only kissed her once and gently sucked before pulling back.

Before Sheng Qingli could say anything, he suddenly opened his arms and asked, “Want to hug again?”

Sheng Qingli was taken aback, and before she could answer, he had already moved.

He pulled her into an embrace, holding her closely as he whispered in her ear, “Don’t be nervous, I’m right here with you.”

The hug calmed Sheng Qingli’s anxiety.

She paused her breathing, resting her chin on Pei Qingci’s shoulder, and softly said, “Just for a minute.”

Pei Qingci smiled and agreed, “Alright, just a minute.”

During that minute, neither of them spoke.

When the minute was up, Pei Qingci released her. “You should head back.”

Sheng Qingli replied, “What about you?”

“I’ll be back a bit later.” Pei Qingci patted her head. “I’ll just make a call and come back.”

Sheng Qingli nodded and then stealthily slipped out through the emergency exit.

To make her trip to the restroom seem natural, she indeed went to the restroom.

Not long after returning, they were due on stage.

Interestingly, after Pei Qingci had kissed and hugged her, Sheng Qingli felt no nerves about the press conference anymore. Her focus had shifted, and she spoke confidently during the interview.

After the conference, some media outlets praised Sheng Qingli, saying that although she was a newcomer, she had the aura of a film queen.

Though such compliments were met with ridicule from many netizens, claiming she was too ambitious, they also proved Sheng Qingli’s calm and composure from another angle.

Soon after, when she won Best Actress, it was a slap in the face for those who had mocked her for being overly self-assured.

She proved with facts that she was indeed a young actress with the aura of a film queen.


Knowing that Pei Qingci was using a method he had employed years ago to ease his nerves, Sheng Qingli felt she couldn’t confront him with justification.

Thinking this, she sighed in annoyance.

Xu Xingyue suddenly appeared out of nowhere. “Qingli.”

Sheng Qingli snapped back to reality. “What’s up?”

Xu Xingyue looked at her with lowered eyes. “What are you doing here alone? Isn’t the shoot starting yet?”

Sheng Qingli replied, “Still adjusting. What about you?”

“I passed by,” Xu Xingyue said. “I saw you here daydreaming, so I came to check.”

At this, Sheng Qingli chuckled lightly. “I wasn’t daydreaming, just thinking.”

Xu Xingyue raised an eyebrow. “Oh, are you nervous about going on stage?”

“… Not nervous anymore,” Sheng Qingli responded. “What about you?”

Xu Xingyue admitted, “I’m a little nervous. I haven’t worked with Director Zhong before.”

Sheng Qingli was about to say a few words to reassure him when she heard Tong Tong’s voice in the distance. “Sister Lili.”

“Coming,” Sheng Qingli replied. “I’ll go shoot now.”

Xu Xingyue suggested, “Let’s go together.”

He went to observe.

The two of them arrived, and the makeup artist touched up Sheng Qingli’s makeup before they began the formal shoot.

Standing at her designated spot, Sheng Qingli closed her eyes. When the stage manager shouted “Action—” and the clapperboard clicked, she opened her eyes and got into character.

The set was silent.

Director Zhong preferred on-site sound, with the actors using their natural voices.

Pei Qingci watched her from behind the camera, his gaze deep and calm.

He kept his eyes on her.

Until Director Zhong called “Cut,” satisfied as he told Sheng Qingli, “That was good.”

The audience erupted in cheers.

The first scene was a one-take success, indicating that the subsequent shoots would likely go smoothly.

Hearing Director Zhong’s words, Sheng Qingli couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

She took the tissue her assistant handed her and wiped the tears from her face. “Director Zhong, let me take a look.”

Sheng Qingli was accustomed to reviewing her performance after shooting, and if she felt her emotions were off, she might request a retake.

Director Zhong knew her habit and smiled, offering her a place. “Don’t worry, you’ll definitely be satisfied with this take.”

If even this picky director was pleased, Sheng Qingli was sure to like it too.

While saying this, Director Zhong sought external validation. “If you don’t believe me, ask Qingci.”

“…”

Sheng Qingli instinctively turned to look at the man standing just behind her.

He hadn’t done his styling yet, wearing casual clothes from the start of the shoot—simple, loose black pants and a white T-shirt, tall and relaxed, looking fresh and clean.

Their eyes met.

Suddenly, Sheng Qingli thought of that hug in the dressing room. She gently bit her lip, her eyes flickering. “I won’t ask—”

Before she could finish, Pei Qingci walked closer to them, his voice low as he said, “Ms. Sheng really did well.”

Sheng Qingli: “…”

“See, even Qingci says so,” Director Zhong praised Sheng Qingli. “Believe in yourself.”

Sheng Qingli opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, when Pei Qingci suddenly raised his hand, bypassing Director Zhong to bring up the monitor, gazing deeply at her. “Look, Ms. Sheng.”

Director Zhong: “…”

Sheng Qingli: “…”

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