Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 305 After finishing work in the bamboo forest

When the filming in the bamboo forest came to an end, it was nearly dusk.

The afterglow of the setting sun gilded the green bamboo with a warm gold, and also made Wei Qingyi's costume appear even more ethereal and otherworldly.

Director Hu called "Cut off the day," but the atmosphere on set didn't immediately relax. As the staff packed up the equipment, they couldn't help but steal glances at Wei Qingyi, who was surrounded by her assistant and costume designer, their eyes filled with awe and wonder.

Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu did not immediately step forward. They stood a little distance away, watching Wei Qingyi exchange a few words with Director Hu and then talk to the other lead actors who had gathered around.

The lead actors were all incredibly enthusiastic, and at this point, they were completely convinced of Wei Qingyi's talent. Some of the actors had privately harbored some complaints about Wei Qingyi's "special treatment," but the afternoon's actual filming, which required no wire work and featured her graceful, ethereal movements, completely shattered any doubts. This wasn't about connections; it was clearly a true "master" condescending to act!

The veteran actor who played the Demon Lord was the first to approach, his attitude showing even more respect than before: "Teacher Wei, today has truly been an eye-opener. Those few movements just now... to be honest, in my more than 30 years of acting, this is the first time I've seen something so realistic."

A young actress playing a fairy maiden beside her nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining: "Sister Qingyi, I was stunned when you flew up just now! You were so beautiful, just like a real fairy!"

Surrounded by the crowd, Wei Qingyi remained calm, merely nodding slightly: "You flatter me. It's just some rudimentary skill."

These words sounded plain, but to everyone else they seemed incredibly profound—this was hardly rudimentary skill?

Director Hu squeezed in, his face beaming: "Teacher Wei, you've worked so hard! Today's shots are definitely going to be classics! It's getting late, you should go back and rest. Tomorrow we'll be filming the interior scenes of the side hall, so what's the schedule for you..."

"Just do it the way it was originally planned," Wei Qingyi said.

"Alright! Then you should go back and rest!" Director Hu said solicitously, then called to his assistant, "Xiao Zhou, quickly get Teacher Wei the water and the small fan, and take Teacher Wei back to rest!"

"No need." Wei Qingyi politely declined her assistant's offer to follow, her gaze sweeping over the crowd towards Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu.

Chen Anran understood and said to Feng Xiaolu, "Let's go pick up Second Senior Sister and take her back to the mountain for dinner."

The two walked past the gradually dispersing staff and the reluctant fans who were still taking pictures with their phones, and walked to Wei Qingyi's side.

"Are you tired?" Chen Anran asked.

Wei Qingyi shook her head and glanced at Feng Xiaolu: "I agreed to have dinner together."

Feng Xiaolu immediately beamed, "Yes! I've already thought of the ingredients. There are a few kinds of spiritual vegetables we can pick from the back mountain, and I'll ask Fatty Li to save a fresh fish for us to steam when we get back! Second Senior Sister, you used up a lot today, you need to replenish yourself!"

The setting sun cast long shadows of the three as they slowly strolled out of the bamboo forest and onto the stone steps leading back up the mountain. The clamor and exclamations behind them gradually faded away, and the mountain forest was once again enveloped in tranquility, with only birdsong and the sound of the wind remaining.

"Second Senior Sister, you were amazing today!" Feng Xiaolu linked arms with Wei Qingyi and chattered, "You didn't see the expressions on Director Hu's and the others' faces, their eyes were practically popping out! And those fans, they were shouting until their voices were hoarse."

Wei Qingyi let her hold her arm, listening silently, her steps steady. Only when Feng Xiaolu's throat was dry from talking did she softly hum in agreement, saying, "It's nothing. I just don't want to be suspended by those ropes."

Chen Anran walked half a step ahead, turned around and smiled when she heard this: "Second Senior Sister has always been afraid of trouble."

Wei Qingyi looked up at him, the golden rays of the setting sun falling into her clear eyes, reflecting a faint warmth. "Mm."

Feng Xiaolu glanced at Wei Qingyi, then at Chen Anran, and suddenly felt that this scene was exceptionally peaceful and beautiful. The mountain breeze caressed her face, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees. Beside her were her dearest senior and junior brothers. Below the mountain was the bustling world of human life, while on the mountain was their peaceful home.

The frustration she had been feeling for various reasons suddenly dissipated at that moment.

When the three returned to the mountain, only the last rays of sunset remained on the horizon. Zhao Mengmeng and Lin Xiaoman were busy in the kitchen, with wisps of smoke rising and the aroma of food wafting through the air. Xiao Ling'er was squatting in the corner of the yard, carefully watering a wildflower. Although she had grown taller and officially entered the Qi Refining stage, her childlike nature remained unchanged.

Hearing footsteps, Xiao Ling'er ran over excitedly, "Second Uncle! Third Uncle! Junior Uncle! You're back! Dinner's almost ready!"

Warm lights, delicious food, familiar companions. As they sat around the table, Feng Xiaolu suddenly felt that cultivation bottlenecks and external disturbances were no longer important at this moment.

She picked up a piece of tender fish and put it in Wei Qingyi's bowl: "Second Senior Sister, eat more. You've worked the hardest today."

Wei Qingyi looked at the fish in the bowl, then at Feng Xiaolu's bright eyes, picked up her chopsticks, and softly replied, "Okay."

Chen Anran smiled and served everyone a bowl of spirit rice. At the table, Zhao Mengmeng chattered excitedly about the interesting things that happened in the herb field behind the mountain, Lin Xiaoman added details, and Xiao Ling'er occasionally chimed in with innocent questions, which Feng Xiaolu responded with a smile. Wei Qingyi ate quietly, occasionally glancing at everyone with a very faint smile on her lips.

After dinner, Chen Anran did not immediately return to her room.

He came alone to the platform outside the main hall, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed at the scattered lights of the resort below. The night breeze, carrying the coolness of the mountains, ruffled the hem of his clothes.

He heard very light footsteps behind him, but Chen Anran did not turn around.

"Is Third Senior Sister still awake?" he asked.

Feng Xiaolu walked to his side, leaned on the railing, and rested her chin on the back of her hand: "I can't sleep. My mind is a bit of a mess."

"Because of what happened during the day?" Chen Anran turned to look at her.

"Hmm...not entirely." Feng Xiaolu stared at a light shining down the mountain. "The sight of Second Senior Sister filming, Patriarch Han's visit, and..." She paused, "Junior Brother, do you think Patriarch Han...really just came to have dinner and discuss cooperation?"

Chen Anran was silent for a moment: "What do you think?"

"I don't think so." Feng Xiaolu straightened up, her expression becoming serious. "The way he looked at the direction where Senior Sister was in seclusion... I didn't like it. Although it was only for a moment, I saw it."

Chen Anran asked, "What did you see?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it." Feng Xiaolu frowned, trying hard to recall. "It's just... very eager, a bit like... like someone who's been starving for a long time seeing something delicious. But then quickly hides it away."

Chen Anran didn't reply, but just stared into the distance.

"Junior brother," Feng Xiaolu hesitated for a moment, "Am I overthinking things?"

Chen Anran did not answer, but only said, "With me here, no one can run wild in the Cloud Hidden Sect."

Looking at his calm profile, Feng Xiaolu suddenly felt much more at ease. She leaned back on the railing. "After we avenge Old Master Zhang and the situation in our cultivation world stabilizes, let's go back to being wandering Taoists, Junior Brother. You'll still be my 'Senior Brother' then."