Chapter 35: Does TA Like Me?

Han Shuangshuang’s forced laughter, which meant “Director Ning, you’re really good at joking,” should have helped ease the awkwardness. 

But after she finished laughing, Director Ning still stared at her intently, as if he absolutely needed a definitive answer from her.

Han Shuangshuang really wanted to shake Director Ning’s shoulders and yell at him: 

“Director Ning, wake up! The world is still governed by science!”

But… to be honest, from the camera’s perspective, Xiao Bai, who looked different from his usual self, really seemed like the embodiment of a dog demon, with a very distinct “human aura.”

She knew Xiao Bai was smart, but she hadn’t expected that a change in costume and make-up  would make her look so different.

Han Shuangshuang reluctantly pulled herself back from her wandering thoughts and continued in a joking tone: 

“If Xiao Bai were a dog demon, why would she follow me?”

Director Ning’s gaze gradually shifted, perhaps reminded of the plot of the fantasy drama he was currently directing.

Han Shuangshuang: “Xiao Bai is female!”

Only then did Director Ning reluctantly look away, though Han Shuangshuang still felt his eyes were telling her that he didn’t think gender was an issue.

Han Shuangshuang wanted to clutch her head and scream for help.

Director Hua Lanxin was generally a very serious and earnest person, so Han Shuangshuang hadn’t expected her friend to have such a whimsical and overly youthful mindset.

Although Director Ning did look quite young, probably only in his thirties.

Since Director Ning was no longer looking at her, Han Shuangshuang decided to let it go.

Because Xiao Bai performed so well, the filming went very smoothly. 

Most of the subsequent shots were done in one take. 

During a break, the young actress playing the female lead stayed by Xiao Bai’s side and cautiously asked, 

“Teacher Xiao Bai, will you suddenly start talking?”

She had the most scenes with Xiao Bai, so she felt it the most. 

She really thought the way the dog looked at her was very human-like, and it felt like she was actually talking to a dog demon during filming!

Han Shuangshuang: “…Teacher Mu, Xiao Bai is just a dog.”

Mu Yan, who was not yet twenty, wasn’t discouraged by this and turned to ask Han Shuangshuang, 

“Can I take a photo with Teacher Xiao Bai?” 

Unlike her proud and willful character in the drama, Mu Yan’s real personality was quite soft.

When her big, watery eyes looked at Han Shuangshuang, Han Shuangshuang felt like she wanted to give all her savings to her!

Han Shuangshuang said, “Of course!”

Mu Yan handed over her phone, hugged Xiao Bai, and tilted her head to rest it against Xiao Bai’s.

After Han Shuangshuang returned the phone, Mu Yan said, 

“If Teacher Han wants to take a photo, you can also take one of me and Teacher Xiao Bai. I know Teacher Han is doing self-media, so you can post it!”

Mu Yan was a somewhat famous young actress, and her fan base was definitely much larger than Han Shuangshuang’s. 

Her offer was a gesture of goodwill.

Han Shuangshuang was more than willing and quickly took out her phone to take the photo, even showing it to Mu Yan afterward.

Mu Yan was very happy that she and Xiao Bai looked so harmonious in Han Shuangshuang’s shot.

Mu Yan kept playing with Xiao Bai, even though she was somewhat indifferent, until the next scene started, and they both went to prepare.

After two hours, all of Xiao Bai’s scenes were finished, and Mu Yan was a bit reluctant to part with him.

She sat beside Xiao Bai, watching from a distance as the actor playing the dog demon prepared. 

She turned her head slightly and whispered to Han Shuangshuang, “Teacher Han…”

“Teacher, do you know what my first reaction was when I saw that actor?”

Han Shuangshuang: “What?”

Mu Yan: “Change back!”

Han Shuangshuang: “?”

Mu Yan laughed at her own words, then whispered to Han Shuangshuang, 

“This is our secret conversation, Teacher Han. Don’t tell anyone, okay? Otherwise, the gossip accounts will twist it, saying I thought the other person was ugly… even though it’s true.”

Han Shuangshuang: “…”

Mu Yan reluctantly hugged Xiao Bai: “Teacher Xiao Bai, I’m so glad I got to act with you today. Your acting is truly amazing, and I believe you’ll definitely… haha, sorry, wrong script. It’s a shame there’s no acting award for animals, or else you’d definitely win it year after year!”

Han Shuangshuang was at a loss for words. 

She could tell that Mu Yan really liked Xiao Bai.

But she thought it was completely normal-who wouldn’t like Xiao Bai? 

Thankfully, Xiao Bai was her dog, and no one could take him away!

After resting and bidding farewell to Director Ning, Han Shuangshuang took Xiao Bai home.

Of course, before leaving, she added quite a few people on WeChat. 

Lying in bed before sleep, scrolling through her contact list, Han Shuangshuang couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Her WeChat friends now included some very famous actors and directors, something she wouldn’t have dared to imagine three months ago.

The next day, the duo continued working in Director Hua’s crew. 

The dog, stripped of its glamour, returned to being a scruffy little mutt raised in the countryside.

Perhaps due to the fame gained from the cameo in Director Ning’s project, several invitations for Xiao Bai came through different connections in the film city. 

However, these people had no ties with Director Hua. 

After some discussions, some agreed to wait until Xiao Bai finished his work with Director Hua before proceeding further. 

After all, they were already here, and it wasn’t like they weren’t paying.

Han Shuangshuang lay in bed, listing out the upcoming jobs to Xiao Bai, watching his reactions as she spoke. 

If Xiao Bai reacted unusually, she’d ask more questions.

Though Xiao Bai might not truly understand… but he probably did, right? 

It was her duty to ask!

Xiao Man found filming Director Hua’s movie quite relaxed, so she didn’t mind taking on new jobs. 

In fact, she thought it was quite fun. 

Everything went smoothly afterward-so smoothly that the movie The Secret of Xiao Gou Wangcai wrapped up five days ahead of schedule. 

During the wrap-up dinner, all the main actors were present, and Director Hua treated everyone to a meal.

Only Xiao Man, pitifully, ate dog food in the corner.

How annoying! 

Being a dog really meant no rights—not even a farewell meal!

Xiao Man watched the lively chatter in the private room and felt quite content. 

Director Hua’s crew had a great atmosphere, with no messy incidents -at least none that surfaced openly during her time there. 

Her filming experience had been wonderful.

The next day, Han Shuangshuang extended her hotel stay and began her days of hopping between different crews.

Xiao Man played a guide dog in one crew, a dog with supernatural abilities in another, a gentle and understanding dog one day, and a vicious killer dog the next.

Xiao Man: This is so much fun!

Since Han Shuangshuang kept a very close eye on Xiao Man in this bustling environment, Xiao Man had no chance to get injured and never returned to her own body.

The day after her work at the film studio was completely finished happened to be a Sunday.

At ten in the morning, Han Shuangshuang waited at the hotel entrance with Xiao Man for Lin Ci, who arrived by car.

Lin Ci had previously told Han Shuangshuang that he happened to have some business to attend to in the area and could conveniently give her and Xiao Bai a ride back.

Han Shuangshuang was both surprised and grateful. 

Xiao Man: “……” 

Xiao Han, are you really not sensing anything off here?

In any case, the issue of returning was successfully resolved.

In the afternoon, the two of them and the dog arrived at their destination. 

Han Shuangshuang wanted to treat Lin Ci to a meal, but since bringing the dog to a restaurant was inconvenient, she ended up ordering some more expensive takeout and invited Lin Ci to eat together.

The two returned to Han Shuangshuang’s apartment. 

While Han Shuangshuang went to the bathroom, Lin Ci sat by the coffee table, with Xiao Man lying nearby.

Lin Ci suddenly spoke up: “Xiao Bai, do you think Shuangshuang likes me?”

Xiao Man: “?”

Huh? 

Is he talking to me, the dog? 

She glanced at Lin Ci.

Lin Ci was actually looking at Xiao Man very seriously, his expression tense: 

“You’re her pet, you should know, right… Just give me a little hint, okay?”

Xiao Man:”….”

What hint do you want? 

Go figure out your own romance! 

This single dog doesn’t want to eat any dog food!

Xiao Man gave no hint and just lay back down.

Lin Ci seemed thoughtful: “Xiao Bai, are you saying I should go to sleep and let everything happen in my dreams?”

Xiao Man: “??”

Lin Ci’s expression immediately turned dejected: “You’re right.”

Xiao Man:”…”

Crazy! 

I’m a dog! 

I can’t talk! 

What do you mean I’m right?!

Xiao Man: “Woof!”

Lin Ci frowned: “I understand. You’re saying I should be bold and speak up, or I’ll regret it later.”

Xiao Man:”….”

She realized he didn’t actually need her response; he was just torn between two thoughts himself.

Hehe, then keep struggling!

Xiao Man lay down and pretended to sleep.

Lin Ci didn’t get another chance to consult “Xiao Bai” because Han Shuangshuang came out.

She had already shared many interesting stories from the set with Lin Ci on the way back, and she continued chatting until the takeout arrived.

The two sat together, eating and chatting in a harmonious atmosphere.

Xiao Man ate her dog food nearby.

And by the time Lin Ci left, he still hadn’t confessed.

After seeing Lin Ci off, Han Shuangshuang tidied up the room, scooped Xiao Bai into her arms, and gave her a big hug, whispering, 

“Xiao Bai, do you think Lin Ci likes me?”

Xiao Man: ‘Is this mutual pining?’

Han Shuangshuang said, “I don’t think it’s just a coincidence that he happened to be traveling when I was going next door, and now that I’m back, he just happened to have business here.”

Xiao Man thought, isn’t it obvious?

Han Shuangshuang: “Actually, Lin Ci is a really good person.”

Xiao Man: ‘Are you giving him a “good person card” already?’

Han Shuangshuang: “So I’m not sure if he’s just being kind by giving me rides.”

Xiao Man: ‘He’s not that kind, is he?’

Han Shuangshuang blushed a little, then patted her cheeks and said, 

“Forget it, I won’t overthink it. Let things take their course.”

She rubbed Xiao Man’s head thoughtfully and said, 

“Xiao Bai, do you think Director Xu visits Sister Man more often than I do? Does he like her? Hey, Xiao Bai, are you okay? Did you choke on something?”

Xiao Man: ‘On your nonsense, thank you.’

To others, Xu Yan’s frequent visits to her might seem odd, but Xiao Man feels she can understand. 

Firstly, she had indeed helped him before. 

Secondly, he might genuinely be curious about how she knew so much while in a coma.

Additionally, he might just be a creep.

He probably enjoys watching others get frustrated, wanting to hit him but unable to reach him.

How infuriating! 

She couldn’t help but recall the time when she wanted to hit him, but he misunderstood it as her trying to touch him, even accusing her of liking him!