Chapter 97: Embarrassing
When faced with multiple problems, we tend to prioritize the most urgent one.
As the chauffeured car approached the set, and the time for the first scene drew near, Ji Junxin’s biggest worry shifted from no longer being able to use the prosthetic belly as an excuse for closeness with Mi Hongdou to the impending embarrassment of the birthing scene.
However, no one else seemed to share her anxiety. Even Mi Hongdou was engrossed in reviewing the script, oblivious to Ji Junxin’s unease. And Director Pan, after giving Mi Hongdou some last-minute instructions, didn’t seem to think there would be any problem with Ji Junxin, whose only task in this scene was to lie down and groan.
The main actors in this scene were Ji Junxin, giving birth, and Mi Hongdou, the midwife. Assisting them were Ye Xin and Hao Ba, also from Mengguan. Four months ago, the three of them had joined the “Imperial Secrets” crew, their paths diverging since then. Mi Hongdou had become the second female lead, practically a co-lead, while Ye Xin and Hao Ba were just two of the many concubines, insignificant background characters in the palace scenes, only gaining more screen time in the estate scenes after their characters sided with the empress and Miao Qianye.
Regardless, as supporting actresses, Ye Xin and Hao Ba’s attitudes were much better than Jiang Duo’s. Although their acting skills were average, they were reliable and rarely caused NGs.
The first scene this morning was the birthing scene, and the second was of Ji Junxin, after giving birth, exhausted but wanting to see her child. The baby and its mother had also arrived early.
Although the birthing scene was short, it was a crucial part of the estate arc. With Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin as the main actors, and the reliable Ye Xin and Hao Ba assisting, and without Jiang Duo, the crew expected a smooth, one-take pass. So, as soon as filming started, they notified the baby’s mother to be ready.
But this notification was… premature.
Ji Junxin had known this scene would be embarrassing, so she had been mentally preparing herself for days. Because of this, she was only slightly anxious this morning, not completely dreading it.
As filming began, Ji Junxin lay in bed, covered by the blanket, and started groaning. Her demeanor and emotions were on point.
But when Mi Hongdou, after instructing Ye Xin and Hao Ba to check on the hot water and the alcohol, walked towards the bed, Ji Junxin started to feel nervous.
According to the script, after giving instructions, the young empress would take charge and deliver Miao Qianye’s baby.
Ji Junxin, lying down, couldn’t see the other three, only hearing their conversation. After Mi Hongdou finished speaking, her palms started to sweat.
Hearing Mi Hongdou’s approaching footsteps, Ji Junxin clutched the bedsheet, her nervousness adding to the realism of the birthing scene.
“Don’t be afraid… I’m here…”
In the script, the young empress’s calm and reassuring words comforted Miao Qianye, easing her pain and fear.
But now, hearing the familiar voice, Ji Junxin felt even more nervous! However, to avoid NGing, she regulated her breathing, relaxed her face, and softened her groans.
Everything was going according to the script, but both Director Pan and Pan Xiang, watching the monitor, frowned. Director Pan didn’t call cut, there weren’t any mistakes, it just… lacked something… he couldn’t pinpoint it, but compared to Ji Junxin’s recent performances, this scene felt… lacking.
On screen, Miao Qianye continued groaning softly, seemingly enduring labor pains.
The young empress walked from the head of the bed to the foot, her words calm and gentle, comforting Miao Qianye. Only when she reached the foot of the bed, out of Miao Qianye’s sight, did a flicker of panic appear in her eyes. The trembling of her lips contrasted sharply with her steady voice.
Director Pan, watching intently, relaxed slightly. Mi Hongdou’s performance was good, she portrayed the young empress’s inexperience and her determination perfectly. He dismissed his earlier doubts.
But Pan Xiang’s frown remained.
Mi Hongdou’s voice was gentle as always, and because of the character’s role, it also had a reassuring calmness, as if everything was under control. Ji Junxin, who should have been comforted according to the script, felt even more nervous. Because… Mi Hongdou was now at the foot of the bed!
But there was no time to think. Mi Hongdou, following the script, was approaching the part Ji Junxin dreaded the most.
“Don’t be afraid, I’ll help you, just do as I say.” Mi Hongdou rubbed her hands together to warm them and reached under the covers. “Now, let’s bend your legs.”
As soon as she said this, a lump appeared under Ji Junxin’s covers.
Mi Hongdou, her hand almost touching Ji Junxin’s ankle, froze… followed by Director Pan’s booming “Cut!”
“Shouldn’t I be holding your ankle, showing you how to bend your knees, helping you into position?” Mi Hongdou withdrew her hand and looked at Ji Junxin, who was lying in bed with her knees bent. “Did I misremember the script?”
Ji Junxin shook her head, her face burning.
“From the point where the young empress reaches the foot of the bed, action!” Director Pan, dismissing it as an accident, didn’t give them any further instructions and just called for another take.
So, when Mi Hongdou’s hand reached under the covers again, Ji Junxin, not wanting to NG because of her own reflexes, stiffened her body. And when Mi Hongdou held her ankle, she tensed her muscles, preventing her legs from instinctively recoiling. The result was that Mi Hongdou, pushing her ankle upwards, couldn’t bend her leg… it was like pushing a stiff, jointless stick.
Naturally… NG…
This second NG, Director Pan realized, wasn’t an accident. But even if he racked his brains, he couldn’t understand why a simple act of bending a leg would result in two NGs.
And he didn’t expect that it wouldn’t just be two NGs.
Ji Junxin was trying her best. But having the person you liked reach under the covers, grab your ankle, and then push it upwards, putting you in that position, it was just… The first time, she had instinctively recoiled. The second time, she had tried to stay still, but her muscles were too tense. The third time, she had relaxed, but the touch on her ankle was so ticklish that she couldn’t help but twitch. The fourth time… her leg was finally bent, but she couldn’t stop herself from bringing her knees together. The fifth time, knees together… the sixth time, knees together…
Three consecutive NGs because her legs wouldn’t stay apart. Director Pan was speechless, he couldn’t understand what Ji Junxin was doing.
Break time.
The staff member informed the baby’s mother that she could continue resting, the second scene wouldn’t be filmed anytime soon.
Ji Junxin sat up in bed but didn’t get out.
Bai Tang brought them warm honey pomelo tea and snacks. Ji Junxin didn’t touch them. Mi Hongdou took the tea and snacks, sat next to Ji Junxin, and told Bai Tang to leave. After Bai Tang left, Mi Hongdou wanted to speak, but she didn’t know what to say.
To be precise, she was a little afraid.
During the first two NGs, she had been worried about Ji Junxin’s state, but with the cameras rolling, she hadn’t been able to ask. But after a few more NGs, especially when Ji Junxin kept bringing her knees together, Mi Hongdou felt that something was definitely wrong.
This scene… was a bit… much. If the screenwriter were Jiang Lingling, she would have subtly hinted at changing it, removing those… suggestive actions. But the screenwriter was Pan Xiang, and although Mi Hongdou had learned that Pan Xiang also wrote and read yuri, they weren’t close. She didn’t want anyone else to know about her feelings for Ji Junxin, Jiang Lingling’s sharp intuition was already enough of an exception.
But unlike Ji Junxin, Mi Hongdou just found the whole “touching ankles under the covers” thing a bit torturous, considering her own hidden feelings. During filming, she had focused on suppressing her own strange urges and had managed to perform normally.
But Ji Junxin’s repeated NGs made her wary. Such a simple scene, even Jiang Duo wouldn’t NG because of her legs. There had to be a reason. Mi Hongdou’s first thought was, could Ji Junxin have seen through her feelings?
Because she had seen through her feelings, she found the intimate contact unbearable, hence the initial recoiling, the later stiffening of her body? She was wearing pants, and the covers were only pulled halfway down… Because she knew her feelings, Ji Junxin couldn’t… be touched like that? Mi Hongdou was startled by her own thoughts, thankfully Director Pan called for a break, or she would have been the one NGing.
Now, during the break, with Ji Junxin silent and refusing food and drink, Mi Hongdou also found it difficult to speak. She really didn’t want to test whether Ji Junxin had seen through her… if it were true, she wouldn’t know what to do.
Ji Junxin silently reflected on her poor performance. Mi Hongdou silently observed her, trying to find any clues.
They sat in silence, one on the bed, one by the bed.
Pan Xiang, seeing their unusual quietness, sighed and walked over.
“Hey, can you two handle this scene? Should I revise the script?” She could tell that these two, usually so close and playful, their unintentional displays of affection blinding single dogs everywhere, weren’t actually… together! Otherwise, this scene wouldn’t be so awkward and filled with NGs! Although single herself, Pan Xiang, as a screenwriter, could tell that these two were probably still in the “mutual pining” stage, their feelings unspoken. They were so sweet even in this stage, if they ever got together, just a glance at them would be blinding!
But Pan Xiang always had a wait-and-see attitude towards same-sex relationships in the entertainment industry, so she wouldn’t say anything. She wasn’t sure if she wanted them to become even closer, or… to take an easier path.
Judging by Ji Junxin’s NGs, Pan Xiang guessed that this scene might be difficult for her. She also felt a pang of guilt. She had written the scene with pure friendship in mind, it shouldn’t have been a problem. Who knew their feelings would develop like this, making the scene… somewhat suggestive! Pan Xiang could imagine Ji Junxin’s struggle, so she offered to revise the script, to make it less awkward.
Her kind offer startled both Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou.
Had she seen through them?
Had others seen through them too?
These two thoughts appeared simultaneously, their minds synchronized.
They looked at Pan Xiang, their gazes questioning, making Pan Xiang uncomfortable.
“Hey, can you two do this or not?” Pan Xiang, feeling their scrutiny, took a step back and asked again.
It wasn’t her first time witnessing NGs, and she hadn’t offered to revise the script before. Even after Mi Hongdou, at Jiang Lingling’s recommendation, had read all her yuri novels on Jinjiang, she still couldn’t figure out Pan Xiang’s intentions.
Mi Hongdou turned to Ji Junxin, their eyes meeting.
Regardless of Pan Xiang’s reasons, Ji Junxin felt that if she didn’t want to be seen through, it was best to refuse…
“I won’t NG next time,” Ji Junxin said, her voice calm and firm.
“Me neither,” Mi Hongdou said, always supporting Ji Junxin’s decisions.
They had seemed distant earlier, but as soon as she approached, they united against her. Pan Xiang, her kind offer rejected, snorted and left.
Pan Xiang’s interruption eased the tension between Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou. Mi Hongdou opened the thermos and handed it to Ji Junxin.
The warm honey pomelo tea, made with Mi Hongdou’s homemade honey pomelo jam, was one of Ji Junxin’s favorites. A few sips, and the knot of anxiety in her stomach seemed to loosen.
Seeing Ji Junxin’s expression soften, Mi Hongdou offered her a small rice cake.
Having just caused Mi Hongdou so many NGs, was it okay to accept her food? … Ji Junxin looked at the small, square cake, a little embarrassed.
But for a foodie, what was embarrassment compared to food?
The rice cakes were made by Yang Lianyi’s skilled pastry chef. When they arrived, Ji Junxin had felt embarrassed, receiving food from Mi Hongdou’s boss. But Mi Hongdou had just said, “As a boss and a manager, that’s all she can do.” So, Ji Junxin had accepted half the rice cakes and finished them in two days…
This was one of the remaining ones.
The rice cake, fragrant and slightly sweet, with a fruity filling, was a perfect pairing with the honey pomelo tea. Ji Junxin quickly finished it, and Mi Hongdou immediately offered her another one.
The tea and the snack comforted Ji Junxin, giving her the confidence to face the next take.
Just then, Mi Hongdou spoke.
“Is it… because… you’re embarrassed?” Her voice was soft and hesitant.
Ji Junxin’s mind went blank, and she almost dropped her thermos. She froze for a moment, then nodded.
Fortunately, it was a question that could be answered with a simple nod. If Mi Hongdou had asked, “Why did you keep NGing?” she wouldn’t have been able to answer so easily.
So it was because of embarrassment, that’s why she hadn’t seen anything in Ji Junxin’s behavior to suggest that she had seen through her feelings. Mi Hongdou was greatly relieved, then felt a slight twinge of disappointment. If Ji Junxin had seen through her and was still willing to be so close… perhaps it would mean… Mi Hongdou quickly stopped herself. She was supposed to be a good friend!
After Ji Junxin’s nod, Mi Hongdou’s thoughts raced.
Ji Junxin had admitted to being embarrassed and expected some comforting words, but Mi Hongdou remained silent. Ji Junxin, spoiled by Mi Hongdou’s attentiveness, was a little unhappy!
She was the one who was embarrassed, conflicted, NGing, even in love! Ji Junxin pouted, pulled down her rolled-up pants, covering her exposed legs, and went to find Bai Tang for more rice cakes, to soothe her wounded heart.
Having had enough tea and snacks, Ji Junxin resolutely climbed into bed and lay down.
Next take, action!
The scene started with the young empress comforting Miao Qianye and helping her bend her knees.
As Ji Junxin had promised Pan Xiang, this time, despite her embarrassment, she cooperated with Mi Hongdou’s every move.
Fortunately, this was a birthing scene, a blushing face, a conflicted expression, a tight grip on the blanket, even biting her lip, it was all understandable.
Everything was ready, Mi Hongdou just had to reach between Ji Junxin’s bent legs, pretend to deliver the baby, and say a few encouraging words, and the scene would be over.
Victory was within reach… Ji Junxin gritted her teeth, ignoring her embarrassing position, trying to forget where Mi Hongdou’s hand, according to the script, should be.
She regretted reading so many yuri novels recently, secretly at night. She had seen… some explicit chapters. If she hadn’t, even this embarrassing position wouldn’t have triggered so many blush-inducing, heart-racing, body-melting fantasies!
Just as she was regretting it, she felt something brush against her inner thigh.
Ji Junxin, almost driven mad by her own imagination, froze. Even through her pants, she couldn’t feel it clearly, but she knew it was Mi Hongdou’s hand.
Her inner thigh… a sensitive area. The touch made her tremble. And then… Mi Hongdou’s hand retreated.
It was a good thing, the touch gone. But as Mi Hongdou pulled her hand away, she accidentally brushed against Ji Junxin’s leg again…
Ji Junxin bit her lip, suppressing a moan.
Leave a Reply