Chapter 1: Brother, There’s Something Wrong with Your Sister-in-law

August 2014, in the summer, on the set of "The Left Ear."

"Ms. Chen Dulian, do you know who the very first idol in history was?"

Chen Dulian glanced helplessly at the teenage boy crouching in front of her, acting as if they were old friends, but she didn't reply.

"It was the First Emperor of Qin. Because so many people fell for him back then!"

Her long lashes quivered, the corners of her mouth twitched uncontrollably before she quickly restored her cool, distant expression.

"Sister Dudu," the boy pressed his advantage, edging closer, "here’s another question for you: when you're driving, which celebrity do you least want to see?"

Chen Dulian's fingers unconsciously gripped the edge of her script.

"It's A Du!" The boy's smile was bright as sunshine. "He says I should be under the car, not in it!"

"……"

"One last question, Dudu!" He raised his index finger. "Whose barbecue in the entertainment industry should you definitely never eat?"

Dudu???

Chen Dulian's delicate hand was already clenched into a fist.

"It's the Little Tigers! They say, thread your heart and mine together…"

"Jiang Ye, what are you doing?!"

A loud shout cut off the boy’s string of cold jokes.

Striding toward them was a middle-aged man of about forty, his forehead veins faintly visible.

It was Gao Chuan, the assistant director of the crew.

Gao Chuan nodded to Chen Dulian first, "Sorry, Xiao Chen, hope this kid wasn’t bothering you?"

"He doesn’t know the rules, don’t be angry."

Chen Dulian smoothed her hair, tousled by the sea breeze, and her voice was cool and clear, "It’s fine, Director Gao."

"Brother Jiang Ye was just telling me jokes."

Her tone was measured and polite, maintaining just the right distance.

Gao Chuan breathed a sigh of relief and yanked Jiang Ye up by the collar, "Come here!"

Turning back, he smiled apologetically at Chen Dulian, "Xiao Chen, carry on preparing. Your scene’s up soon."

Dragged away, Jiang Ye still managed to wink at Chen Dulian, mouthing silently, "Next time, I’ll tell even funnier ones…"

Chen Dulian watched their retreating figures and suddenly let out a soft laugh.

Today, she wore a simple white dress, her skin as fair as snow. When she smiled, her eyes curved like crescents, dimples flickering on her oval face, transforming her instantly from an icy beauty into the girl next door.

But in the next moment, she pressed her lips together, reverting to her cool demeanor, as if that smile had never existed.

Those jokes were actually pretty funny…

Meanwhile, Gao Chuan dragged Jiang Ye to a deserted corner.

"Are you out of your mind?" Gao Chuan’s voice was low. "Chen Dulian was personally recommended to Director Su by Rao Xuemian. Everyone in the crew is guessing what powerful backer she has."

He jabbed Jiang Ye’s chest, "Didn’t you notice everyone keeps their distance from her? And you, a mere assistant script supervisor, who gave you the guts to get so close?"

"Uncle Gao, I was just asking her a few acting questions…" Jiang Ye put on his innocent smile.

"Nonsense!" Gao Chuan nearly broke his voice, then hurriedly lowered it. "I heard everything! Qin Shi Huang, A Du, threading hearts together—what, you want to court her?"

"No way…" Jiang Ye scratched his head. "She’s three years older than me…"

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Gao Chuan’s eyes widened. "You’re actually picky?"

Seeing Jiang Ye about to explain, Gao Chuan cut him off, "In this business, the most important thing is knowing the rules."

He raised three fingers, "Remember the three don’ts: don’t look where you shouldn’t, don’t ask what you shouldn’t, don’t touch what you shouldn’t…" His gaze swept over Chen Dulian, who was touching up her makeup nearby, "Especially the ones you really shouldn’t touch!"

"But you told me to learn as much as I could in the crew…" Jiang Ye blinked. "Chatting with the leads is learning, too."

"Your uncle asked me to get you into the crew so you could gain experience, not chase girls!" Gao Chuan was so angry he was breathing hard. "If it weren’t for those two bottles of Moutai…"

"Got it, Uncle Gao. From now on, I’ll be absolutely obedient. If you say east, I won’t go west…"

"Cut the nonsense! Remember your place…" Gao Chuan straightened his jacket. "Assistant script supervisor. When school starts in September, get yourself back to campus!"

"And another thing…" He eyed Jiang Ye’s dangerously attractive face, adding with a headache, "Stay away from the actresses and ladies in the crew!"

Jiang Ye snapped to attention and saluted, "I promise to complete the task!"

"Go get to work!" Gao Chuan threatened to kick him. "The props team is waiting to move equipment!"

"Okay!"

After working hard to move two boxes, Jiang Ye’s T-shirt was soaked through with sweat.

He wiped his brow, about to grab a bottle of water, when someone pulled him into the shadows of the props room.

"Shh…" Ou Hao pressed a finger to his lips, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, and whispered, "Jiang, I need your help."

Jiang Ye blinked, looking at the young actor in front of him, only a few years older but already somewhat famous.

After Jiang Ye joined the crew, the leads treated him courteously, seeing he was young, had connections with the assistant director, and was about to enroll at the Beijing Film Academy.

Especially Ou Hao, with whom he hit it off right away; within days, they were calling each other brothers.

Today, Ou Hao wore the school uniform from the film, his hair styled for his character, but his furrowed brow was nothing like the sunny boy he played.

"Tell me, Brother Ou." Jiang Ye lowered his voice in cooperation.

Ou Hao’s Adam’s apple bobbed; his voice dropped even lower. "I suspect… my girlfriend might be cheating."

Jiang Ye’s heart skipped a beat, his smile freezing.

He knew exactly who Ou Hao was referring to.

It was Ma Sicun, who had recently grown close to Ou Hao on set!

Though their relationship wasn’t public, everyone in the crew knew about their ambiguous interactions.

"That… seems unlikely, right?" Jiang Ye laughed awkwardly.

Ou Hao scratched his hair in agitation. "She’s been distracted lately, slow to reply to messages. Last night after work she said she was meeting the screenwriter to discuss the script, but when I asked Teacher Rao, she said she hadn’t seen her at all."

"Most suspicious," Ou Hao continued, "she’s always smiling at her phone lately. When I ask what’s so funny, she immediately locks the screen."

"Brother Ou," Jiang Ye ventured gently, "maybe you’re overthinking? Teacher Ma might just be…"

"I’ve got a night shoot tonight, so I can’t keep an eye on her." Ou Hao cut him off, pulling a hotel room card from his pocket and pressing it into Jiang Ye’s hand. "This is my room, right next to hers. Keep an eye on who she meets tonight."

"You’re sharp, and as assistant script supervisor, you move around without attracting attention." Ou Hao patted his shoulder, his mind clouded by emotion. "If you find anything, tell me immediately."

"I’m off now. I’m counting on you, my brother!"

Jiang Ye bumped fists with him, watching him leave. Suddenly, he felt a burden far heavier than his years press down on him.

Ou Hao treated him like a brother, trusted him without reservation; it was hard to refuse such a request, even if it meant spying.

Just then, his phone vibrated.

He pulled it out to see a message from Ma Sicun:

"Tonight at 8, my room. I have a surprise for you!"