An Ting smiled faintly. "Your eyes are just being tricked by the lens cap."
Xing Tang frowned, feeling déjà vu. That sounded familiar—he had just said something similar to Sun Yiling not long ago.
He glanced back at Ye Qianqian, who was still filming. When she turned and smiled, the acne scars on her face were glaringly obvious.
Xing Tang: "…"
He muttered under his breath, frowning. "Is it possible for someone to change so drastically in just one day?"
In the morning, her skin had been flawless, with no visible pores. By afternoon, it was covered in acne scars.
An Ting lowered her eyes and mentally typed: "Your effects aren't working properly. The filter's flaw was discovered too quickly."
According to Photoshop itself, once a filter is applied, the person being filtered doesn't realize their perception has been altered—they only feel like their vision before and after is "natural."
PS spoke in a low, clinical tone: "Whether it's the Love Buff or my effect, it's essentially hypnotic suggestion. People with strong willpower aren't easily influenced. Sun Yiling can be hypnotized because he's honest and naive. Song Qian can be hypnotized because… well, he doesn't use his brain. Life's been too smooth for him—he just accepts whatever happens."
"Everyone has biases," PS continued. "The Admiration Buff amplifies—or even fabricates—these biases in Ye Qianqian, hitting them perfectly. People with strong wills, like Xing Tang, aren't as easily affected. Even if he thinks Ye Qianqian is perfect, it's purely aesthetic. In reality, he might not even be interested. And once the buff fades, he'll immediately realize he was abnormal before."
PS's tone turned strange. "If the Love Buff continues to evolve, it will transition from hypnotic suggestion to full control. The stronger the initial attraction, the more energy the buff gains. You've successfully removed the filter from Sun Yiling and Xing Tang, but don't forget Song Qian. Only when their affection for Ye Qianqian disappears will your interventions be fully effective. Even if you slap a dog's head on her, Song Qian will still be affected—yet the love remains."
An Ting gave a fake smile. "Thanks for the reminder, but could you stop nagging me about making money to upgrade you? Do you think earning ten million is that easy, you piece of trash? If it were anyone else, they'd rather die than give you ten million cheaply."
PS snorted.
Xing Tang couldn't understand why he had thought Ye Qianqian was perfect that morning, but gradually, his shock faded, and he calmed down.
Just then, Xiao Gong walked over. "Boss, the performance over there isn't great. The photographer isn't satisfied. Want to go fix it?"
Xing Tang shoved the script into his hands. "No need. I'll check the establishing shots we're planning. Let the cinematographer improvise—I trust his abilities."
Originally, he hadn't planned to film personally. The reason he had been so meticulous earlier was to push Ye Qianqian to perform better. But now, for some reason, his interest had vanished completely.
Xiao Gong let out a relieved sigh. Honestly, he didn't want his boss handling ordinary commercial shoots—not only was it unnecessary, but Xing Tang's standards were far too high, and the lead actor wasn't performing well, making the shoot difficult.
Just as Xing Tang was about to leave, he paused, turning back to An Ting.
"Do you know how to operate a drone?"
An Ting nodded.
"You know the campus better. Can you help me shoot a few establishing shots?"
Her eyes lit up. "Is there a reward?"
Xing Tang smirked. "Payment is based on usable shots. If your shots are good, you won't be paid poorly."
An Ting patted her butt and immediately leapt up. "Let's go! Let me show you what a video master can do."
Xing Tang instructed Xiao Gong to hand her a drone, then followed her in long strides to find the best shooting spots on campus.
The main reason: she didn't want to stay in one place and risk being reminded of Ye Qianqian.
An Ting headed straight for the red-and-white running track. It was two o'clock, and the track was empty. She picked a random student on a bicycle and asked him to ride a lap. Then she maneuvered the drone to follow him, capturing every motion.
"If you don't have specific instructions, I'll just handle it myself. But don't expect me to squeeze poor students for extra shots," she teased.
Xing Tang observed her skilled control. "You've filmed before?"
An Ting smirked. "Of course… well, technically, no. I only started two weeks ago. Pure talent, obviously."
"…Right," Xing Tang muttered, inexplicably believing her.
"If I shoot well, remember me next time. I can handle pre-production, post-production, costumes, makeup… even carry a five-pound camera all day. Money talks," An Ting boasted. Despite her current modest circumstances, her previous life had left her with incredible Photoshop skills and industry know-how.
Xing Tang's interest piqued. "You can do all that?"
She nodded. "Absolutely. I'm versatile."
"Then come to my studio," Xing Tang said suddenly. "My former assistant resigned. Xiao Gong's just filling in—he's technically a makeup artist. If you can handle it, come. But be warned: waste my time, and I'll erase you from my memory."
An Ting raised an eyebrow. "Salary?"
"Perform well, and you'll get the highest benefits," he replied.
Meanwhile, Ye Qianqian, still filming, glanced around during breaks, but half the afternoon passed without spotting Xing Tang. Her restlessness began affecting her performance.
The cameraman finally snapped. "Student, can you focus?"
Ye Qianqian forced a smile, lowering her gaze. During a break, Sun Yiling approached, worried.
"Feeling unwell from filming too long?"
"A little." She smiled weakly. "By the way… did Director Xing leave? I performed terribly this morning—was he too disappointed and left?"
Sun Yiling reassured her. "He asked An Ting to take him for some establishing shots. Don't worry, you did well."
Ye Qianqian's eyes widened. "He went with An Ting? Why her? There are so many better people here—why An Ting?"
Even with Sun Yiling's filtered view, he frowned. "An Ting has potential. She's improved greatly recently. Better than everyone else here. It makes sense Xing Tang noticed her."
"That's Xing Tang," Ye Qianqian said, gripping Sun Yiling's hand. "Who is he? He's made multiple films. How could he possibly notice a useless student like me? Did An Ting trick him?"
Sun Yiling pursed his lips, displeased. "Qianqian… do you not like An Ting?"