Early December.
A city was swept by an unprecedented cold snap.
Snow fell in torrents, the temperature plummeted, and the desolate streets were deserted.
Song Xi, sensitive to the cold, basically stayed huddled in bed on days without work, not wanting to move an inch.
However, after receiving the payment for her previous guest appearance, she went to the hospital immediately.
The ward was warm, and her younger brother was well taken care of. Song Xi thought it was the nurses' doing until she saw a middle-aged woman enter the ward carrying a basin of water.
"You... are Miss Song Xi, right?"
Song Xi paused.
The next second, the woman introduced herself, "Hello, I'm the caregiver hired to look after Song Yang. My surname is Wang, you can call me Sister Wang."
Caregiver?
Song Xi didn't remember hiring one.
Sister Wang quickly explained, "Mr. Ye asked me to come."
Song Xi's brow furrowed, her expression turning serious, "How long have you been here?"
"Almost a month."
Sister Wang, thinking Song Xi was unhappy with her care, hurriedly said, "Miss Song, don't worry, I've been in this line of work for many years. I can definitely take good care of him! It's hard to find work in this weather, please don't dismiss me, I have two children in school!"
Tears welled up as she prepared to kneel.
Song Xi quickly supported her, "...I won't dismiss you."
"Thank you, Miss Song, you are truly a kind person!"
"But," Song Xi interrupted her, "From now on, I will pay your salary. Please pass a message to Ye Hai for me: I don't need him to do this, and tell him to stop meddling."
Sister Wang was taken aback, "...Okay, okay."
Sister Wang's salary was not low, but she was very professional. Song Xi had observed that her brother's nails were trimmed neatly, his hair was soft, and he was clean and tidy from head to toe.
So, the money was well spent.
At three in the afternoon, Song Xi glanced at the time and then got into the van heading for the filming location.
The brand Dai Ze had mentioned before was a niche lipstick brand, requiring little on-screen presence, focusing mainly on the lips.
Upon arriving at the filming site, she was greeted by a man with a scruffy beard.
Song Xi blinked.
The man extended his hand, "Hello, my name is Fang Ze. Sister Yao Yao has an engagement, so I'm in charge of Teacher Song's shoot this time."
Song Xi was not one to judge by appearance, but Fang Ze's gaze felt less than friendly.
Whether it was her imagination or not, he seemed to have grazed the palm of her hand with his fingertip during the handshake.
Song Xi suppressed her discomfort and smiled, greeting him.
Fang Ze smiled slightly, "Quickly, take Miss Song to get her makeup done!"
The filming area was small, with no separate dressing room. Song Xi had to sit outside, watching the crew members bustle about.
During the process, a young man accidentally bumped into the makeup artist, causing their hand to tremble. The eyeliner pen streaked across Song Xi's eye corner, narrowly missing her eyeball.
"Oh no, Teacher Song, please don't move."
"..."
So, it was her fault.
Xiao Mo, standing beside her, was fuming and indignantly said, "Sister Song Xi didn't move at all."
The makeup artist paused, glanced at Xiao Mo, likely surprised by the assistant's temper.
After the makeup artist finished and left, Song Xi told Xiao Mo, "Hold back, don't lose your temper."
Xiao Mo felt wronged on her behalf, "She's clearly bullying us! Sister Song Xi, look at this filming location, it's too shabby. They..."
Fang Ze walked over.
Song Xi gave Xiao Mo a look, signaling her to stay quiet.
"Teacher Song's face is truly a work of art!"
He bent down casually and whispered, "To be honest, Miss Song, this shoot was something I strongly recommended to the director. Look at your lips, perfectly shaped, like small cherries, ideal for our lipstick."
Song Xi thanked him distantly.
But the next second, she heard him say in an extremely vulgar tone, "If you were holding something else, it would surely be even more tempting!"
Song Xi's expression froze.
Fang Ze was clearly experienced. After saying that, he immediately acted as if nothing had happened and called out, "Let's start filming!"
His speed was such that Song Xi didn't even have time to get angry.
Seeing her change in expression, Xiao Mo asked with concern, "Sister Song Xi, what's wrong? What did he say to you just now?"
Song Xi chuckled coldly and curled her lips, "It's nothing. Xiao Mo, start filming me with your phone from now on. Don't miss a single second!"
"Okay!"