[Film Set · Early Morning Light]
The first time Ye Xiaoxiao stepped onto a film set as "Qiao Fei," her heart was racing faster than it ever had on stage.
But then—
She went quiet.
Because this place…
was painfully familiar.
The metallic clank of light rigs being raised.
Crackling commands flying through walkie-talkies.
Crew members pushing equipment carts at full speed.
Makeup artists touching up actors while walking.
It was all exactly the same as before.
Exactly like when she used to be a nobody production assistant.
Ye Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up.
A smile crept onto her lips without her noticing.
—So nostalgic.
—So comforting.
Floating lazily by her shoulder, Qiao Fei's spirit raised a brow.
"Don't tell me you're getting emotional just from seeing tangled cables, equipment cases, and power cords all over the floor."
Ye Xiaoxiao hesitated.
"…A little."
Qiao Fei scoffed. "Do you have some kind of weird professional nostalgia or something?"
Before Ye Xiaoxiao could defend herself—
A junior assistant jogged up to her, nearly slipping.
"Good morning, Miss Qiao!!"
The tone was so respectful and tense it was like greeting an international movie star.
Ye Xiaoxiao almost tripped over her own tongue.
"G-Good morning! You've worked hard!"
The assistant beamed like she'd just won the lottery.
"I'll take you to your private lounge first. The director will hold a short meeting soon so the main cast can get to know each other. It helps the shoot go more smoothly."
Qiao Fei crossed her arms mid-air.
"Well, look at that. Perks have improved. You used to carry water for people—now someone escorts you."
Ye Xiaoxiao muttered under her breath,
"I used to get yelled at for 'Why aren't you in position yet'…"
The assistant continued cheerfully,
"Wayne will also stop by later to confirm your styling!"
The moment Ye Xiaoxiao heard Wayne's name, she stiffened.
Qiao Fei smirked.
"What are you nervous for? He's not going to eat you."
Ye Xiaoxiao whispered back,
"That's somehow worse."
Halfway there—
She stopped.
She saw the lighting crew, the grips, the makeup team—people she used to work with—moving busily just like before.
Someone rushed past her and instinctively called out,
"Sorry—coming through! Watch your step!"
And just like that—
Her nose stung.
This was the place where she had worked herself to exhaustion.
Where she'd stumbled, cried, fallen asleep in the prop room.
Where she'd felt insignificant… yet undeniably alive.
And now—
She was back.
As the female lead.
Qiao Fei glanced at her quietly.
Her voice softened, just this once.
"…Welcome back."
Ye Xiaoxiao inhaled deeply and nodded to the assistant.
"Let's go. I'm ready."
[Film Set · Beside the Lighting Rigs]
Qin Mu had just finished his morning makeup shoot, script materials still in his hands.
Out of habit, he glanced toward the set entrance—
And froze.
A slender, upright figure stepped inside, carrying a calm, subtle presence.
That was—
Qiao Fei.
Assistant Xiao Zhang leaned over immediately, gossip mode fully activated.
"Brother Qin! That must be Miss Qiao Fei—the female lead! She's insanely beautiful, and her dancing is next-level!"
Xiao Zhang got more excited by the second.
"And get this—she's a Qiao Group heiress! Born winning, looks winning, talent winning—she's got everything!"
Still talking—
"I wonder if someone like that is hard to work with. I heard the ballet company treats her like royalty…"
Qin Mu cut in flatly.
"That's enough."
Xiao Zhang blinked. "Huh?"
Qin Mu lowered his gaze, gripping the folder tighter.
"I'll keep my distance."
Xiao Zhang frowned. "Why? Afraid of rumors?"
Qin Mu walked toward another shooting area, his back steady.
"…I don't like rich heiresses."
It wasn't about Qiao Fei.
That title reminded him of his sister-in-law—the woman who had torn his family apart.
So he chose distance.
And yet—
As he turned away, he couldn't help but glance back one last time.
Qiao Fei—no, Ye Xiaoxiao—was bowing politely to a junior assistant.
Clumsy. Awkward.
Nothing like the untouchable ice queen everyone described.
Qin Mu paused.
…A rich heiress bows to assistants?
That didn't fit the template at all.
What he didn't know—
Was that the person he was trying hardest to avoid
was the one he wanted to be closest to.
Suddenly—
A roar exploded in Ye Xiaoxiao's ear.
"YE—XIAO—XIAO!!!"
Qiao Fei's spirit shot out of the air, volume louder than the boom mic.
"You are. ME.
QIAO. FEI.
Not Ye Xiaoxiao the assistant!"
She spun in circles mid-air.
"And what did you do?!
You bowed.
You BOWED.
To a junior assistant?!
Are you in debt to them or something?!"
Ye Xiaoxiao froze, face burning red.
"I—I'm just used to it…"
Qiao Fei jabbed a finger toward the mirror in the lounge area.
"Go.
Right now.
Stand in front of that mirror and repeat fifty times:
'I am Qiao Fei, not Ye Xiaoxiao.'
Now. Start."
Ye Xiaoxiao whimpered.
"Isn't fifty a bit much…?"
Qiao Fei snapped,
"Say another word and it becomes a hundred!"
Ye Xiaoxiao sprinted to the mirror and stood straight.
Qiao Fei hovered beside her like a drill sergeant.
"Louder! Project your presence! Chin up!!"
Ye Xiaoxiao muttered weakly,
"I am Qiao Fei… not Ye Xiaoxiao…"
Qiao Fei narrowed her eyes.
"Are you reciting to ants?! LOUDER!"
Ye Xiaoxiao nearly cried.
"I AM QIAO FEI! NOT YE XIAOXIAO!"
Qiao Fei nodded, satisfied.
"Better. Forty-nine more times."
Ye Xiaoxiao groaned.
"…Can I at least drink some water first?"
Qiao Fei pointed sharply.
"No!
Qiao Fei never gets thirsty just from reciting lines!"
Ye Xiaoxiao, internally screaming:
(Miss Qiao, you're human, not a crane! Why are you just as brutal as Wayne?!)