A game of verbal sparring

Li Wei exhaled deeply, his breath visible in the crisp morning air, as he slid his hands into his coat pockets and leaned closer to Chen Lin. "I think it's better if I stay here with you today."

Chen Lin's eyes narrowed, a mixture of surprise and suspicion flickering across her face. "You usually just asks me about the shoot. What's with the sudden change?"

Li Wei hesitated, his gaze shifting to the bustling set around them. "Well..."

"Li Wei," she pressed, her voice tinged with impatience. "What is it?"

He met her eyes, his own filled with a reluctant resolve. "An Yuexin is the female lead."

The name hung in the air between them, heavy and oppressive.

Chen Lin's expression darkened instantly.

Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag, knuckles whitening as a deep frown etched itself onto her face. "You're joking."

Before he could respond, a ripple of excitement coursed through the crew near the entrance.