Chapter 289 - 287: Set Visit

The film crew’s RVs were all parked in a clearing in the village. Holding a cup of coffee, Connie stood by the side of the road, lost in thought as she gazed at the distant mountain forest.

"Connie!"

Lily came running over as soon as she heard the news. Connie turned at the sound of her voice, and a smile couldn’t help but spread across her face when she saw Lily.

"Connie!" Drawing near, Lily looked at Connie with a mix of surprise and delight. "What are you doing here? You didn’t even give me a heads-up!"

Connie smiled warmly and naturally took Lily’s hand. But just as she was about to explain, her expression faltered. Looking down at Lily’s hand, she asked with concern, "Why are your hands so icy?"

Lily just smiled and answered casually, "I was just filming a scene by the river and got them wet. It’s nothing."

Connie nodded, visibly relieved. "Heather is in Beldon for a gala, and when I realized it wasn’t too far from here, I thought I’d come over and see you."

When Lily first arrived, she had also landed at the airport in the City of Beldon. But from there, it was a nearly two-hour high-speed train ride to the closest town, and getting into the mountains was even more inconvenient, mostly done by local motorcycles.

The whole journey must have been grueling.

Lily was deeply touched.

"I’m doing great, but really, Connie, you shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble. The mountain roads are so hard to travel on."

Connie’s smile only widened at her words. "You think I’m that delicate."

As she spoke, Connie’s gaze drifted toward the distant mountains, her tone growing wistful. "I grew up in a mountain village just like this. The conditions back then were much tougher than they are here."

"But you... taking on a project like this for only your second movie. Even with two assistants, I can’t help but worry. A place like this, out in the sticks, must be completely alien to you."

At this, Connie’s tone grew even more concerned. "How are you holding up? Are you adjusting alright?"

Lily nodded. "I’m adjusting well. I’m actually having a wonderful time filming. I even learned how to wash clothes on the stone slabs by the river."

Hearing that, Connie laughed. "It sounds like you really are adjusting well. I used to have to go to the river to do laundry when I was a kid, too."

But just as Connie finished speaking, Finn showed up again.

"Connie. Lily." He had an odd expression on his face. He looked at the two of them and paused for a moment before adding, "Andrew Sutton is here to visit the set!"

"Huh?"

Lily started, instinctively glancing at Connie, but Connie showed no reaction, appearing perfectly calm.

"Looks like you made a good friend on your last film," Connie said softly, her tone neutral.

Lily’s brows furrowed slightly. She considered Andrew Sutton a friend, but she wouldn’t say they were especially close—she had been deliberately keeping her distance from him.

For his sake, and for her own.

Before Lily could say more, she saw Andrew Sutton’s figure in the distance. Drake trailed behind him, carrying a bulging backpack and looking like a total pack mule.

He seemed to have spotted Lily, too, and waved excitedly.

Lily walked forward to meet him. She was not only surprised by Andrew Sutton’s arrival but also a little flustered, since he hadn’t given her any time to prepare.

"What are you doing here?" Lily asked Andrew Sutton.

A faint smile touched Andrew Sutton’s lips. The rough journey had exhausted him, but the moment he saw Lily, his spirits lifted, and all his physical weariness seemed to melt away.

"I was in Beldon for an event, so I figured I was close enough to stop by and see you."

Just then, Connie walked over. Seeing her, Andrew Sutton quickly greeted her with respect. "Connie, we meet again."

Connie smiled faintly and explained to Lily, "Andrew and I just saw each other at the event yesterday."

Lily realized then that Andrew Sutton and Heather Keaton had been at the same event.

"Aren’t you still filming? Don’t you need to rush back to your set?"

"It’s fine. The round trip to see you will only cost me a day at most. I already cleared it with my production."

Sensing that his sudden appearance had flustered Lily, Andrew Sutton said sheepishly, "I was hoping to surprise you."

Lily’s feelings were complicated. She certainly wasn’t unhappy, but she felt a sense of unease. After all, this wasn’t like being at a film studio. For Andrew Sutton to come all the way out to this mountain ravine to visit her... the gesture was incredibly sincere.

She just wasn’t sure how to respond to that sincerity.

"Let’s not just stand around here. We can go sit in the RV and talk," Connie interjected smoothly, gently patting Lily’s shoulder as if to soothe her and tell her to relax.

Once on the RV, Drake shrugged off the backpack and let out a huge sigh of relief. "Lily, these are some supplies Andrew brought for you. There’s stuff to eat, drink, and use in here!"

"Thanks," Lily said. She didn’t refuse; it wouldn’t be right to make Andrew Sutton take everything back with him.

Drake would only have to carry it back, and he already looked exhausted.

Andrew had noticed the moment he saw Lily that she’d lost a lot of weight. He couldn’t help but ask with concern, "You’ve gotten so thin. This movie must be really grueling, huh?"

"No, I’ve been losing weight on purpose," Lily explained. "All the young women in this village are very thin. I’m just trying to fit the character."

Andrew Sutton nodded in understanding. ’She’s still just as serious about her roles.’ Even wearing a coarse, patched costume with her hair and makeup done to look grimy, he found her just as captivating as ever.

The atmosphere had become a little awkward. Connie seized the moment and said softly to Lily, "Lily, your online buzz has dropped off sharply lately. Whether it’s on your fan pages or in terms of fan engagement and new follower counts, the metrics are plummeting every day."

"*Heavenly Destiny as Phoenix* won’t be out until the summer season at the earliest, and while you’re filming this movie, you’ve basically fallen off the map. Your last social media post was from New Year’s."

"This business isn’t like it used to be. New talent pops up in waves practically every single day. One wrong move, and your name could just disappear from the scene."

"So I wanted to ask what you want to do. If you’re willing, the agency can employ some marketing tactics to guarantee you maintain a constant level of exposure."

But Lily quickly shook her head. "Absolutely not, Connie. This is perfect. If I can disappear from the public eye, it will give the audience a greater sense of novelty and immersion when my character finally appears on screen."

"I don’t need that kind of hype!"

She was direct and earnest, but at her words, Andrew Sutton’s head drooped slightly.

"Andrew, I didn’t mean I look down on ’hype-driven’ stars," Lily quickly explained, noticing his reaction. "I just personally want to..."

"I know." Andrew Sutton cut her off, giving her a reassuring smile. "I get it. You don’t have to explain it to me. I’m not ashamed of being a star who relies on popularity. It’s just... I really admire you. You know what you want so clearly and can pursue it so resolutely."