Like Strangers

Moji smiled faintly at these words and replied, "No, it's just that I've figured some things out."

"No, Moji, what on earth is going on between you and Brother Shen?" Xiao Zhang asked, growing somewhat anxious.

"Brother Xiao Zhang, there's nothing going on between us. Please don't jump to conclusions," Moji said.

Having witnessed their journey from the moment they met up to the present, Xiao Zhang believed both Brother Shen and Moji were good people. Naturally, he hoped the two of them would be well.

"Alright. If anything happens, you must tell me," Xiao Zhang nodded.

Moji did not want to pursue the topic further, so she changed the subject. "What about you? Are you heading back to City B to help out?"

"Brother Guan said he doesn't need me and told me to stay on as your assistant," Xiao Zhang said. "Shall we go get breakfast now, then?"

"Okay." Moji thought for a moment and said, "Brother Xiao Zhang, please check out of the room later. We're heading back to the production crew."

"Back to the crew? What about your injuries?" Xiao Zhang frowned. "I already asked Director Tang for leave for you yesterday. You can change your dressing once before heading back."

"There's no need," Moji said. "Once filming starts, every delayed day incurs massive costs. Besides, my character's storyline involves injuries in the later stages anyway; wrapping a strip of gauze around my head won't affect anything."

"But I'm worried your body won't be able to handle it."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't make a joke of my own health," Moji smiled. "I don't have many scenes left either. At most, three more days of filming and it will be wrapped. It'll be fine."

"Alright," Xiao Zhang finally agreed with a nod.

He knew very well that Moji always thought things through thoroughly before making a decision. Since she was certain she was fine, he no longer tried to stop her.

After finishing breakfast, the two checked out of the room.

Xiao Zhang had not yet returned when Shen Yijue left, so the car was still there.

Once they got into the car, Xiao Zhang said, "I think I'll try calling Brother Shen again." He had already tried during breakfast, but the line had been busy.

"Okay." Moji remained calm. Xiao Zhang secretly glanced at her through the rearview mirror several times, but could not read anything from her expression.

Xiao Zhang sighed and dialed Shen Yijue's number, only to be told by the automated voice that the phone was turned off. "His phone might be out of battery."

"Hmm, let's head back to the crew then."

Because of the mudslide, the entire production crew had relocated down from the mountain. It was unknown what methods Tang Bin had used, but he had ultimately managed to temporarily rent the warehouse behind the natural forest park. It had even been arranged directly through the county government; no matter how unhappy the park management was, they no longer dared to object.

The entire crew had worked busily all day yesterday, pushing through overtime into the night, just to set up the tents and basic living facilities. Sets had also been erected inside the warehouse, and two night scenes had been filmed overnight.

Fortunately, the management finally agreed to let the crew leave the cameras mounted on the mountain so they could still capture footage of the wolves' natural habitat.

Meanwhile, the actors could film the dramatic sequences here, leaving the post-production synthesis and editing for later.

Moji still had five scenes left before her character died in a wolf stampede. However, as the younger sister of the male lead, her character's death served as a major plot catalyst and emotional elevation, making it exceptionally crucial.

Carrying Zeus, Moji returned to the set, and Hu Ye, the actor playing the male lead, was the first to spot her.

"Moji, aren't you injured? Why are you back so soon?" Hu Ye was accustomed to practicing his martial arts forms early in the morning. Seeing Moji approach, he brought his hands back in a closing stance and asked with concern.

Neither Tang Bin nor Xiao Zhang had mentioned the kidnapping when they returned to the crew; they had only said that Moji was injured in the mudslide.

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Hu. The doctor said it wasn't serious, so I came back to avoid delaying the crew's filming schedule," Moji replied with a gentle smile.

Throughout the course of filming, Hu Ye, as a seasoned middle-aged actor who had weathered many hardships, greatly appreciated young actors like Moji who were not afraid of hardship or fatigue. Especially since Moji's acting skills were quite good.

"While the filming schedule is important, you shouldn't push yourself too hard," Hu Ye said. "You're young now, so you might not feel the toll. You'll only understand how vital good health is when you reach my age, so you must seize your youth to exercise more. Especially in our industry, where jet lag keeps our days and nights inverted. Sometimes when rushing a deadline, getting two or three hours of sleep a day is considered lucky. It really wrecks your body."

"A man is established at forty, right in his golden years. No matter how others see it, I think Brother Hu is top-notch," Moji said, giving Hu Ye a thumbs-up with a deeply sincere smile.

Hu Ye had spent half his life making movies and had once won the Best Actor award, originally believing his life would ascend to different heights from then on. Instead, the box office returns for his subsequent films grew progressively worse. What good is acting ability if you cannot market yourself and lack box-office security? Even as a Best Actor, no one was willing to cast you.

Hu Ye was somewhat touched. "You should work hard too. With your acting skills, you'll make it out sooner or later."

"Perhaps Brother Hu will think I'm overestimating myself by saying this," Moji said, "I want to be famous, but I want to make good movies even more. I love acting, regardless of whether it's popular or not."

"The first time I saw you, I knew you were different from the others," Hu Ye smiled. "Keep it up. If you ever need help with anything in the future, you can come to me."

"Then let me thank Brother Hu in advance," Moji expressed her gratitude with a sincere smile.

In truth, she had accurately targeted Hu Ye's weakness. Hu Ye no longer held box-office appeal, yet he persisted in acting. Aside from a genuine love for the industry, Moji could think of no other reason than wanting to redeem himself through hard work.

That was why she had intentionally spoken those words to make Hu Ye feel a sense of shared empathy, thereby paving the way for a useful connection.

Whether it would ultimately prove useful or not, having one more friend meant one less obstacle.

Hu Ye smiled and suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, aren't you and the Heavenly King Shen master and apprentice? Did you know he came to the set last night?"

"What?" Moji thought her mind was wandering and she had misheard.

"You didn't know Heavenly King Shen came to visit the set?" Hu Ye said. "He came by last night, and we even had a few drinks together. Since you were in the county town, didn't he contact you first?"

Moji's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained unchanged. "My phone was left in the tent the night before last."

"No wonder," Hu Ye nodded, changing the subject. "Is that a puppy you bought in the county town?"

"Mm, we crossed paths by chance. It took a liking to me, so I brought it back," Moji smiled. "You go on with your workout, Brother Hu, I'll take it back to the tent first."

"Go ahead, before it runs off."

Moji carried Zeus forward a few steps when she saw the tent flap directly ahead suddenly lift, and Shen Yijue stepped out, bowing slightly.

Shen Yijue raised his head and caught sight of Moji standing right in front of him.

All around was silence. A gentle breeze blew from the side, rustling a wave of emerald grass.

The two stood about five meters apart, locking eyes.

Shen Yijue looked at Moji expressionlessly, his gaze as deep as an abyss, cold and calm without a trace of emotion.

The fingers Moji used to hold Zeus tightened involuntarily.

Meeting again, the look in his eyes was as if they were strangers.