Chapter 24: A Dream of Lotuses

The surroundings were silent, with only the “sha-sha-sha” sound of a pen tip gliding across paper echoing softly in the air.

In the quiet of the night, the two of them were so close.

Under the dim yellow light, where light and shadow intertwined, their gazes inevitably became entangled.

The moment their eyes met, Song Jin suddenly looked away, a blush silently coloring her cheeks.

“There.” Duan Yan gently lifted her hand and offered Song Jin a warm smile.

Song Jin slightly raised her chin, straightening her neck, wanting to say thank you but appearing somewhat clumsy.

“Thank you… sister…”

Those words, like a shy little animal, were willing only to peek out timidly, as if not wanting to be heard by anyone else.

But Duan Yan heard them.

A smile flowed through her eyes, like a crescent moon in the night sky.

In that moment, the relationship between the two sisters seemed to begin a subtle change.

“Cut! That’s a wrap.”

Director Yuan Si’s voice suddenly broke the tranquility.

Duan Yan quickly returned to her usual self, while Song Jin was still immersed in her first scene with Duan Yan.

“I really didn’t expect a newcomer’s performance to be so brilliant,” a nearby staff member couldn’t help but exclaim in sincere admiration.

“Even us old veterans have had several NGs,” a senior actor said, shaking his head in self-deprecation, but a warm smile hung on his face.

“Is Director Yuan always so lenient with newcomers? She’s always cutting us old folks. What favoritism.”

Senior Zhao Chunying chimed in teasingly, holding her script.

The atmosphere around them lightened up, filled with laughter and cheerful voices.

Song Jin gradually returned to reality from the scene, chuckling at their jokes, two blushes appearing on her cheeks.

As Song Jin laughed, she secretly glanced at Duan Yan, observing her reaction.

Duan Yan’s lips curled up slightly as her gaze turned to Song Jin.

Song Jin’s breath hitched slightly.

She pricked up her ears alertly, her heart nervously awaiting Duan Yan’s next words.

“Indeed, very good.”

Duan Yan’s eyes were as clear as a mountain spring, sparkling with a light and bright glow.

Receiving Duan Yan’s approval, Song Jin’s mood instantly brightened, and she couldn’t help but let the corners of her mouth lift.

If she had a tail, it would surely be wagging happily in the air right now.

After filming ended.

Though exhausted, receiving affirmation from her professional rival left Song Jin feeling invigorated.

She tossed and turned in bed for a while before sleepiness gradually set in.

Song Jin sank deep into the soft, cloud-like bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.

In her dream, she transformed into a little orange cat with wings, flying freely through a shimmering lotus pond.

The endless green of lotus leaves reached for the sky, and the lotus blossoms, kissed by the sun, glowed with a special red.

In the center of the pond, a particularly vibrant lotus flower caught her eye.

It was like an ethereal fairy, rising from the mud unstained, cleansed by the clear water yet not bewitching, exuding a fragrant scent.

It was faint but not weak, rich but not overpowering, like the wind in the mountains, cool and light.

The little orange cat couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

The fragrance seemed to awaken something familiar from the depths of her memory.

Why was this scent so familiar?

Song Jin suddenly understood.

This fragrance was extremely similar to the scent on Duan Yan, making her feel incredibly close.

But why would Duan Yan appear in her dream?

Before she could think further, the dream continued to unfold uncontrollably.

The little orange cat seemed to be thirsty and actually stuck out its tongue, wanting to taste the dewdrops on the lotus flower.