Xu Ming arrived on set to a storm of flashing cameras and fans calling his name, banners waving like restless waves behind the barricades. The director greeted him warmly while the crew rushed around, preparing for the shoot.
A little later, Lin Ya, Zhu Lu, and Tao Ling reached the entrance, only to be stopped by security.
Lin Ya quickly called Xu Ming."Hey, we're here, but the guards aren't letting us in."
"Wait there," he replied before hanging up.
Moments later, a guard hurried over, opened the gate, and gestured them inside.
The three girls stepped in, eyes shining with excitement. Xu Ming was already waiting near the entrance.
He looked at Lin Ya—and lifted his hand in a small wave.
She smiled and nodded back.
Just then, Yan Yue and Ming Lang arrived, greeted by another wave of screams from outside.
Zhu Lu and Tao Ling clutched Lin Ya's arms."Lin Ya… are we dreaming?"
Lin Ya let out a soft laugh. "No… this is real."
Yan Yue glanced at them, puzzled. "Who are they?" he asked the director.
"Xu Ming's friends," the director replied casually.
Yan Yue paused, muttering under his breath, "Since when did that cold guy have friends?" A smirk tugged at his lips. "Interesting."
Ming Lang overheard him and nudged his arm. "Hey, don't start trouble. It's rare for him."
Yan Yue scoffed lightly, but his gaze shifted. He caught Xu Ming stealing brief glances at Lin Ya.
"Friends?" Yan Yue murmured again. "Looks more like something else… maybe girlfriend territory."
"What did you say?" Ming Lang asked.
"Nothing," Yan Yue waved it off. "Just saying… the iron tree is finally blooming."
Ming Lang sighed. "Stop teasing him."
The director clapped his hands. "We're ready, but we're still waiting for Li Xiang."
"Li Xiang?" Yan Yue frowned. "Why is she late?"
"Something with her family," the director replied.
Yan Yue nodded, then pointed toward Lin Ya and her friends. "Let's go talk to them."
They walked over. Yan Yue tapped Lin Ya's shoulder. She turned, slightly startled.
"So… you're the 'shorty' Xu Ming calls his friend?" he teased.
Lin Ya shot him a glare.
Yan Yue chuckled. "Relax, I'm joking. It's rare seeing him with people." He extended his hand. "Yan Yue."
She hesitated for a second, then shook it. "Lin Ya."
Ming Lang stepped forward. "Don't mind him. I'm Ming Lang."
Lin Ya smiled politely and shook his hand as well.
Soon, the director called them away for scripts, and they left after briefly greeting Zhu Lu and Tao Ling.
And then—
The noise outside surged again.
Li Xiang arrived.
She stepped out of the car, sunglasses shielding her eyes, her presence commanding with every sharp click of her heels against the ground. The crowd roared louder.
As she entered, her gaze landed on Lin Ya.
Without hesitation, she walked straight toward her and extended her hand.
"Hello, Senior Lin Ya."
Lin Ya froze, shock flickering across her face. Still, she managed to shake her hand.
Before anything more could be said, the director rushed over and led Li Xiang away.
Zhu Lu and Tao Ling stared at Lin Ya.
"Senior? You know her?"
But Lin Ya didn't answer.
She stood still, her mind racing, expression blank… as if the past had just walked in, called her name, and left her behind to catch up.