Over the next few days, Violet had been trying to avoid Sebastian, though she had noticed he suffered several cuts and bruises from the action pack filming. Pei Li, instead, was the one who had been sleeping over with her very often, as Wayne was involved in late-night filming with Sebastian.
Instead of sleeping most of the hours, the girls had been enjoying catching up on the latest drama till late at night.
"You know I half wish you would end up with Sebastian like this couple… Soooo sweet and pretty…" Pei Li genuinely confessed as Violet chuckled.
"Why do you always tell me this? I don't think we are a perfect match." Violet tried denying.
"Vivi, you're in denial… The past few days, he had been having cuts and bruises. You didn't prepare those medications for my convenience or for Wayne. It was for him. Don't think I didn't knew." Pei Li revealed as Violet chuckled.
"Sshh… Let him feel how bad his assistant is. Well, you ain't that bad with Wayne too, Peipei… How far have you advanced?" Violet teased as Pei Li blushed before they heard an urgent doorbell.
They both shared a worried gaze as Violet gently patted Pei Li's shoulder to comfort her. Violet went to open the door as Pei Li hid under the blanket. Violet was surprised to see three men looking back at her but one was supported. She frowned when she saw Sebastian struggling in pain.
"What the…" Violet cursed under her breath as Sam and Wayne quickly rushed into her room.
"Can we put him on your bed?" Wayne asked as Violet nodded.
Upon hearing familiar voices, Pei Li revealed herself under the blanket and met with Wayne's gaze.
"Wayne?" Pei Li climbed out of bed to let them put Sebastian in bed.
"Pei Li? What are you doing here?" Wayne went up to her to check on her.
"She's always with me. Don't worry about it. Now, what's wrong with him?" Violet pestered as Sam caught his breath.
"He had food poisoning… He has been enduring since lunch and skipped dinner…" Wayne explained while holding onto Pei Li's waist, who was leaning on him.
"Medicine Vi." Sam instructed, as he knew she always came prepared. She rushed to get them as Sam fed Sebastian before letting him rest.
"Do you remember what he had for lunch?" Violet questioned the men.
"Sushi! I heard Fang Li was saying something about the company wanting to change his diet to have more protein…" Pei Li said, which made Violet stare fiercely at Sam.
"You have to bring him to the hospital now. This is bad. It probably was raw and contaminated." Violet said through her gritted teeth as Sam nodded before lifting Sebastian again with Wayne as Violet took the car keys from Sam.
"Rest… Don't come." Violet instructed Pei Li, but she pouted as she held Violet's left arm as though begging her.
"Alright. Grab a jacket! And Wayne's disguise clothes and accessories!" Violet urged, knowing Pei Li must have had her reasons for staying with her over the nights when the men had night filming. Though she didn't ask, Violet could sense Pei Li's fears sometimes.
Fortunately, Sebastian's condition was not severe, as he didn't finish his meal during lunch, but it still took him hours to finish his antibiotic and saline drips. The nurse was also taking care of his cuts and bruises.
Seeing Sebastian was much more stable, Sam urged Wayne to bring Pei Li, who was half asleep by his side, back to the hotel to rest.
"Here… The car keys…" Sam offered.
"No, it's fine. I can hail a taxi." Wayne declined as his gaze averted to Sebastian. "It would be easier for you to send him back to the hotel later, discreetly. We are fine. We will make a move first." Wayne said as Pei Li groggily said goodbye to Violet and Sam.
"Do you think it was on purpose?" Violet asked Sam sternly.
"This is very ambiguous. This move could affect the filming time and many elements. They wouldn't make do with delays, else she deliberately caused it for other schedules…" Sam explained.
"How's my replacement search doing?" Violet asked since they were on a work topic. Sam averted his gaze, knowing it was never going to happen at this rate.
"Still looking…" He lied. In fact, he was actually busy with Maliwei's publication of his comic launch soon.
"Do you think I'm stupid?" Violet finally confronted him. Maliwei had been her best friend since school times. It was impossible for him not to keep her posted, no matter how busy they were.
"Maliwei is on the verge of publishing… You… Have been checking on my sister-in-law's news all the time. When do you even have time for any of these? Else why would you miss out on such a mistake?" Violet didn't give him a chance to deny at all as he raised his hands up to surrender.
"Let me arrange a trap for Fang Li… At the very least you need to get rid of her and use this case as an excuse…" Before she could finish talking, she felt her right arm being held.
"Stay. You will replace Fang Li. I'm going to make a fuss out of this tomorrow. So, stay." Sebastian said to her as though in a pleading voice before meeting Sam's gaze.
"You… Go focus on the publication. It's important since it's our company's debut." Sebastian added, knowing it was supposed to be this arrangement all the while.
"Alright, but I will need you to attend a film festival over the next few days with me. This time, we are meeting a potential film which I am sure is a good deviation from your usual films, but you're not going to attend as Sebastian as usual. You're there to convince them that Sebastian would join the cast as Phor Tat. Having said so, this will be speculated more in tabloids. Are you prepared for this?" Sam explained as Sebastian closed his eyes and nodded, knowing he had not many choices.
"What could be worse than being on the drip all the time? Are we done? Let's head back and finish up filming." He said, noticing his drip was almost gone as he got up weakly with the help of Violet.
"Stay close to me. Don't even think of doing anything funny to Fang Li." Sebastian warned. Violet could only nod helplessly.
As Sebastian had a later filming session, he slept in, leaving Wayne busy on set as Pei Li assisted him. Out of boredom, all alone, Pei Li recalled an old song her mother used to sing during a peaceful night.
At first, she was humming the melancholy melody, but as she reached the chorus, she began to sing the words.
Even the meadows turn green in spring
Why wouldn't my love return to me?
Even the dark skies get sunlight in the day
Why wouldn't I be loved again?
Is it me, or is it just destiny?
Why won't my love shine?
The director, Poh, walked past the costume tent, accidentally heard Pei Li singing, and he was instantly captivated by her raw talent as he peered into the tent.
"Who is that?" He asked his assistant, Jing.
"Pei Li. Wayne's assistant." Jing said as Poh stepped inside quietly and stood to listen to her repeating the chorus till it faded. She didn't realise his present till she heard applause from Poh and Jing.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't realise there was somebody!" Pei Li exclaimed as the director chuckled and clapped for her.
"That was a very wonderful singing… I'm Poh. The director. And you are?" Poh introduced.
"I'm… I'm Pei Li. Wayne's assistant." Pei Li introduced herself embarrassingly.
"Pei Li, would you be interested if I let you sing the soundtrack of this drama?" Poh offered, which came as a huge surprise.
She was stunned for a moment. "I… I…" Pei Li didn't know what to say as Poh chuckled and waved his hand.
"Take your time and consider. I will discuss it with Wayne, too." Poh concluded while Pei Li still remained speechless.
Fortunately for her, Wayne stepped into the tent with Violet, who was on the way to prepare for Sebastian.
"Oh, hello, Director Poh… Didn't know you were here…" Wayne greeted as he noticed the awkward situation from Pei Li's uncomfortable look.
"Speak of the devil, Wayne! I was about to find you… I was suggesting to your assistant, why doesn't she try out to sing for the drama soundtrack's audition?" Poh instantly suggested, which took Wayne and Violet by surprise.
"Pei Li? Really? But she isn't trained…" Wayne said as Poh chuckled.
"Have you heard her sing?" Poh questioned, which made Wayne blink at Pei Li and try to recall. He shook his head.
"Young lady, why don't you sing that verse again?" Poh asked as Pei Li shook her head shyly.
Violet, being quick-witted, quickly went up to Pei Li to encourage her. "Try… I'm here. We will support you."
"I'm afraid, Vivi... I was just singing for fun…" She whispered to Violet, who giggled with an idea.
"Why don't you turn around and not face anyone?" Violet suggested as she turned Pei Li around.
"I won't see too. Now, sing like there's no one here?" Violet encouraged as Pei Li took a deep breath and gave it a try.
It was Wayne's first time listening to her. Though a little shaky in the beginning, he could feel the sadness in the melody. The punctuation and hooks she put in some part of the lyrics enhanced the meaning of the song, trying to convey.
At the end of the chorus, everyone clapped.
"So?" Poh asked Wayne as though expecting an instant agreement.
"I will make sure she heads to the recording studio. Don't worry…" Wayne nodded with a huge smile. With that, Poh left the tent, chuckling happily with Jing.
"That was awesome! You could sing so well!" Violet praised as Wayne walked up to Pei Li and hugged her as encouragement.
"Oh… Make sure no one sees you. Keep it brief…" Violet warned them.
Pei Li quickly pushed him away. "But… But it's too scary. I don't want. I can't sing." Pei Li quickly rejected.
"Go… It's your time to shine. Sing for me! It's only a soundtrack. You don't have to face anyone. They will record your voice in a studio, and they will fit into the drama. If it's a hit, then it's a hit. Otherwise, it's a gift from you to me. So, sing for me, Little Happiness." He encouraged Pei Li, who beamed with love.
"I will accompany you always! Don't be afraid…" Violet encouraged as Pei Li sceptically nodded in agreement in the end.
Violet clapped and cheered for her as Wayne did the same.
Can I really do this, Penny? Pei Li asked in her heart as their cheering grew, as though resembling Penny's response to her. Pei Li smiled, hoping she could do her best as a gift for Wayne as he had wished for.