I'd Rather Be Honest

"Wow! That's really beautiful, Yun-ge!" Shen Linqin exclaimed, admiration clearly written on her face.

"Because your Li-jie deserves beautiful things," Li Yun smiled sweetly.

"Li-jie, look how sweet Yun-ge is," Shen Linqin began teasing Xu Jia Li as she poked her waist.

Xu Jia Li felt helpless as she tried to ignore Shen Linqin's teasing. Even the presence of Li Yun gave her uneasiness.

"I told you not to give me anything, Yun-ge," Xu Jia Li looked seriously at Li Yun's eyes. She still didn't take the bouquet from him even if his eyes were pleading.

"Don't worry about other people, Xiao Li. I'm just doing –"

"I don't care about other people, Yun-ge. I care about what you'll feel… and think… I don't want you to think that I'm leading you on because I'm not. If I accept that, then I'm no better than those women who give men false hope. You know me, I'd rather be honest to you than give you the wrong impression. "

"Just accept this, like a big brother giving flowers to his sister. Please?" Li Yun's eyes were akin to a child deprive of his favorite candies. He pleaded her as he handed the flowers to her.

Xu Jia Li stared helplessly at Li Yun's form. She couldn't help but sigh as she reluctantly pushed the bouquet of roses towards him, "I'm really sorry, Yun-ge."

She didn't budge even when she saw Li Yun's defeated expression. His shoulders were drooping and his eyes showed an unspeakable sorrow.

She might be considered cold and heartless but it was better than leading him on.

She was about to walk away when Shen Linqin stopped her, "Li-jie, don't go. Just don't accept the flowers. It's not good for the two of you if you leave like that."

Hearing Shen Linqin, she sighed heavily as she stood on the spot. What would Si Weimin think if she accepted that flowers? He would be hurt and she would never want him to feel that.

Shen Linqn took the flowers from Li Yun and placed it on the table. She was clearly trying to change the atmosphere. She continued talking to Li Yun while Xu Jia Li sat silently on her chair.

All of a sudden, Li Yun spoke, "Xiao Li, let's have dinner later with Linqin. I heard that a new Israeli Restaurant just opened. I remember you like to try their dishes."

"Woah, Li-jie, let's go."

Xu Jia Li didn't respond and focused herself as she took her script on the table. She pretended to read even if she already memorized all her lines.

Seeing Xu Jia Li not responding to him, Li Yun flashed a sad smile on his face.

"Li-jie is quite busy but she will join us, Yun-ge when she's free."

"That's settled, then," Li Yun responded woefully, his eyes never leaving Xu Jia Li. He stayed there for a while as he chitchatted with Shen Linqin, letting Xu Jia Li focused on her script.

****

Li Yun's charming aura made the crews around them swoon. They observed the two as they talked with each other. They couldn't help but feel deep admiration from them.

"Miss Xu is really lucky, no? Look how handsome Li Yun is," the female crew whispered to another.

"You're right. Maybe she saved the universe in her previous life. She's really lucky and the gods sure favor her."

"Ugh, I think life is really unfair. Look how beautiful she is. Many handsome men vie for her attention."

"You bet. I won't even be surprised if Luo Daming will like her, too."

"She really has it all. Looks, talent and even charm, how can I ever be like Miss Xu? For me, she's the leading actress for the Golden Phoenix Award."

"Sigh. She's really awesome."

The crews giggled as they continued with their tasks.

****

"Lu -mei," Tang Xie called out Meng Lulu who was sitting inside her car.

Since it wasn't her scenes yet, she was told to stay inside her car to rest. She scanned her phone for recent news when her assistant, Tang Xie called her. She tilted her head before she asked, "What is it, Xiexie?"

"It's already your scene. Assistant Director Chua is looking for you."

"Okay. I'll be there," she left her phone on her bag. Then, she took with her a small pink paper bag before she exited her car.

Tang Xie followed behind. Meng Lulu asked her, "Is Senior Xu there?"

"Yes, Lu- mei."

She smiled as she glanced at the pink paper bag on her hand. She walked fast and once she saw Xu Jia Li, her face lit up. However, she saw that Li Yun was there with her. She also saw the bouquet of red roses on the table. It was probably given by Li Yun. The two looked good together and the scene would have been perfect if Xu Jia Li's assistant wasn't there.

She slightly fidgeted as she approached them, "Hello, Senior Xu! Hello, Senior Li! Hi, Linqin!"

"Lulu," Xu Jia Li smiled at her before she stood.

"I'll go now, Xiao Li" Li Yun excused himself after Meng Lulu arrived, "Hi, Miss Meng!" then, he strode towards his manager.

Meng Lulu couldn't help but gaze at the handsome man's back. She turned towards Xu Jia Li and gave the pink paper bag to her, "Senior Xu, this is persimmon candies. I heard that you love persimmon so I bought one at Green Leaf."

"You really shouldn't bother, Lulu."

"It's nothing, Senior Xu. You're my idol and I really want to be like you," Meng Lulu's eyes brightened upon the mention of becoming like Xu Jia Li.

"Hmm," Xu Jia Li smiled meekly before she continued, "You can be who you wanted to be. Thank you, Lulu!"

"You're welcome, Senior Xu. I'll get going now and prepare for my scene."