As for the bed scene that followed—
It was nothing more than a shot of the two of them lying under the covers, showing just their heads and shoulders. That kind of scene was easy to fake. Both actors wore off-shoulder clothes, and the blanket was draped perfectly, leaving the rest to the audience's imagination.
There was also a farewell scene that day—Shou Aimei took the initiative to kiss Nanshan goodbye.
Having broken through her mental block, Yu Youqing managed to pull it off after just three takes.
Two hours later, the day's filming was finally wrapped up.
Which also meant—
The filming for Episode 1 of 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' was officially complete.
Starting tomorrow, they'd begin shooting content for Episode 2, which wouldn't air until December 12.
The production schedule had finally caught up, and the entire crew breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Jing Yu, as usual, drove Yu Youqing home—but tonight, the atmosphere was… awkward.
Her cheeks still bore a faint, lingering flush.
Of course, she knew that these things were perfectly normal in the entertainment industry. What successful actor hasn't done a scene like that?
But reason and emotion rarely walk in step.
"You know, Jing Yu-laoshi, there's no need for you to be this tense," Yu Youqing finally broke the silence, trying to ease the mood.
Jing Yu glanced at her, paused a moment, then said:
"I'm a guy, it's not like I have anything to be nervous about. I was just… worried you might not be comfortable, so I—"
Didn't want to say too much and end up offending you.
"What could I possibly be thinking?" Yu Youqing took a deep breath.
"I've loved acting since I was five years old. I've always known this is part of the job."
"There's no reason for me to regret anything now," she said.
"If anything, it was my own hesitation during filming that was unprofessional. I caused trouble for the whole crew."
"Not at all!" Jing Yu replied quickly. "Your performance has impressed me since the day you joined the cast. It's been nothing short of professional. Honestly, if I have the chance to keep working with someone like you, I'd consider it a real honor as a screenwriter."
"Oh? So you're saying you want to make me your go-to leading lady?" Yu Youqing blinked playfully.
In the Zhou Federation, many well-known screenwriters and popular actors had tight working relationships. Some actors would drop everything if a particular writer invited them, and some writers would always prioritize their most familiar actors—sometimes even tailoring scripts specifically for them. Just like Stephen Chow and Ng Man-tat, or Wong Jing, in Jing Yu's past life.
"If 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' performs well, and I get another chance to write a new drama… and you're willing to star in it, then yes—I'd absolutely want to keep working with you," Jing Yu said seriously.
"Hmm, is that so…" A flicker of hope passed through Yu Youqing's eyes.
"If this drama airs and does well in ratings and popularity, maybe the network will allocate funding for a new show, and I could be the writer again."
"If that happens, Jing Yu-laoshi, you'd better watch out," Yu Youqing said with a grin.
"Why's that?" he asked.
"You remember that blind date you had with my best friend, Zhao Xin?"
"She's still mad about how abruptly you left that day. Thinks you're rude. And now she's going to watch this drama and see me and you like that…"
Yu Youqing squinted at him playfully.
"Worried she'll misunderstand?" Jing Yu asked.
"No. I'm afraid she'll think I got tricked by you, and she'll be so upset she'll come after you with a brick for deceiving a naïve girl like me!" Yu Youqing burst out laughing.
"Don't be fooled by her being a girl—my bestie is fierce."
"I'm not worried. If she comes at me, I'll hide behind you."
Soon, the car pulled up in front of Yu Youqing's home. Under the glow of the streetlight, she smiled and waved goodbye to Jing Yu.
"I feel bad making you go home this late every night," Jing Yu said as he waved back.
"But just a little over a week more. Once Episode 2 finishes filming, we can all finally sleep in, no more early mornings, no more rush to set."
With that, he drove away.
Yu Youqing stood watching the car's taillights until they completely disappeared into the night.
"One more week," she whispered.
—
November 28.
The day Episode 9 of White Lover aired.
The episode ended with the female lead attempting suicide, jumping off the third floor after the male lead tried to break up with her. The male lead then dramatically dove after her, completely ignoring Newtonian physics, caught her mid-air, cushioned her fall with his own body, and ended up with no life-threatening injuries.
But when he woke up, he had amnesia.
A classic "plot twist" ending.
The White Lover fandom immediately exploded.
Online, fans were furious that the episode ended on such a major cliffhanger. And what's worse? Due to Tang Yidong's injury, the drama would be paused for two weeks, replaced by another show in the same time slot.
They'd have to wait three whole weeks to see the resolution.
"Who the hell wants to watch some no-name filler drama by rookie writers and actors? We want White Lover back next week!"
"Boycott! Protest!"
"Ugh, this sucks. But what can we do? Guess we just have to wait it out. I hope that the fill-in show with the ridiculously long name is at least watchable. I'm used to watching Jin Hui TV on Sunday nights—I don't want to switch channels."
"I hope the male lead, after losing his memory, gets back together with Song Xin's character. I cannot stand the female lead anymore. The writers should just make Song Xin the new main love interest."
"Right? Song Xin's popularity is overtaking Tang Yidong's. The show films and airs simultaneously—if we keep pushing Song Xin's popularity, maybe they'll rewrite the ending and let her win."
"Any other cliffhanger would've been fine. But this one? What was Jin Hui TV thinking? With White Lover on pause, who's even in the mood to watch that 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' thing?"
"Though I did hear tonight's variety show will feature both the White Lover and the 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' cast. Might as well check it out."
On Jin Hui TV's official forums, loyal viewers launched into a heated discussion the moment Episode 9 ended.
Jing Yu, naturally, was one of the many lurkers.
The plot of White Lover—in his previous life—was so cliché it was painful. But in the Zhou Federation, the audience loved it. Every comment read like: "So emotional! So good! So heartbreaking!"
Jing Yu wore a complicated expression.
Wow, audiences in this world are really easy to please.
But he didn't have time to keep scrolling—it was almost showtime.
Tonight, Jing Yu wasn't on set filming. Instead, he, Gao Wencang, and Yu Youqing had come to record a variety show for the TV station.
Tang Yidong's leg injury had mostly healed, and White Lover would resume production in the coming days.
But since the show would be paused next week, the station arranged for the cast to appear on the variety program tonight to issue a formal apology to fans.
Meanwhile, Programming Director Chu You, ever the opportunist, invited the main cast of 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' to appear on the same show.
After all, Jing Yu was his pick for this "emergency script", and if the drama ended up doing well, Chu You could also take credit.
Might as well ride the wave while it's hot.
He gave Jing Yu a last-minute call to come and join the show.
The network had already invested nearly one million yuan into producing 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday'. While there likely wouldn't be any budget for additional marketing, letting the cast appear on a few in-house variety programs was doable. It would boost the show's visibility without extra cost.
Chu You's proposal was quickly approved by senior management.
And so, tonight—
Inside the TV station's waiting room, Jing Yu had changed into a sleek black suit. Gao Wencang wore something similar.
As for Yu Youqing—
She wore a flowing light red gown, her hair neatly tied back. With her delicate features enhanced by light makeup, she looked pure and radiant.
But unlike the guys—whose suits were fleece-lined and warm—Yu Youqing had to sacrifice comfort for beauty.
Though it was almost December, not every corner of the TV station's headquarters had heating.
The waiting room, for instance, had none.
Yu Youqing, wrapped in Jing Yu's jacket, was still shivering slightly.
Jing Yu looked at her with concern.
"I'm fine," she said, taking a deep breath.
This was a promotional appearance. She couldn't exactly show up dressed like a dumpling.
Jing Yu knew there was nothing he could do about it either.
Soon, the time came, and the three of them entered the recording studio.
The temperature inside was much warmer, and Yu Youqing finally stopped trembling.
But the moment they walked in, Jing Yu, Gao Wencang, and Yu Youqing instinctively turned their eyes toward the couch on stage—
Where four people were already seated:
Jiang Shiqing, Song Xin, Tang Yidong, and White Lover's director Lin Qi.
Lin Qi, in his thirties—tall and lanky—was a gentle person. He even greeted Gao Wencang, who had once worked under him as an assistant. The two had a decent relationship.
But Jing Yu's eyes were locked onto Jiang Shiqing and Song Xin.
He had eventually found out the truth about Song Xin ghosting him.
There had never been any White Lover reshoots. That excuse was pure nonsense.
The reason?
Obvious—Jiang Shiqing was behind it.
Back when Jiang worked for Jing Yu's father, he couldn't stand the man's discipline. He'd even had a major fight with him. Then, right after Jing Yu and Song Xin broke up, Jiang had swooped in and started dating her.
The guy was clearly messed up in the head.
Jing Yu also knew from various sources that Jiang had a hand in his original body's long-term contract being downgraded to a short-term one at the station.
Meanwhile, Yu Youqing and Tang Yidong locked eyes.
Two years since graduation—
This was the first time they'd seen each other again.