Chapter 43 p2
Within a week, Li Xu’s fan club had contacted Liu Nuan Nuan, inviting her to join their VIP group.
The dog system, feigning reluctance, had accepted, successfully infiltrating the enemy ranks.
The group chat had been filled with hate towards Xin Yao, even discussing plans to attack her social media accounts.
But Liu Nuan Nuan had been more interested in another topic, a major event for the fan club: Li Xu’s birthday.
[And you know what I discovered?]
“What? Don’t keep me in suspense.”
[Every single person in that VIP group is a young, wealthy woman, just like me.]
What were the characteristics of such people?
Young, impulsive, easily influenced, and devoted to Li Xu.
And most importantly, wealthy and willing to spend their money on him.
They had been planning his birthday celebration for months.
[You won’t believe the gifts they’re planning to give him! Gold, watches, jewels, even a helicopter! And someone’s buying him naming rights to a star!]
[He’s good at keeping his fans happy.]
[And clearly using them to make money.]
“Do you have any proof?”
[Of course! Who do you think I am?!]
[I found evidence of them selling defective merchandise to fans, manipulating them into spending money, and scalping autographs and photos.]
[And guess what? He’s the one scalping his own autographs and photos!]
He was even more despicable than she had imagined.
Xin Yao scoffed, then leaned back in her chair, a smile playing on her lips as she looked out the window at the sunlight.
She had known it.
Someone like Li Xu couldn’t possibly operate alone.
There had to be others involved.
She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “He wouldn’t have the time or energy to manage the fan club himself. So, he must have an accomplice.”
[The fan club president!]
“The fan club president,” Xin Yao and Liu Nuan Nuan said in unison.
[Mwahahaha! Leave it to me! The president must have even more evidence! This is a big fish!]
Then, Xin Yao watched as the dog system’s paws flew across the keyboard, typing:
[Oh my god, he’s so handsome! I’m buying all the new magazines!]
[But where’s our president? I haven’t seen her lately! Cute emoji.jpg]
Xin Yao shook her head, a mixture of amusement and disbelief in her eyes.
The internet, a strange and wondrous place.
Who knew the adoring fan girl on the other side of the screen might actually be a mischievous little dog?
But regardless, the second bomb was in place.
After discussing the mission with Liu Nuan Nuan, and having lunch, it was time for Xin Yao to go to work.
That afternoon, they would be filming the beginning of the movie, the scene where the two female leads first met.
Xin Yao arrived on set early, changed into her costume, and had her makeup done, then sat quietly, reviewing the script.
Xu Jingyu arrived a little later, with the director.
Seeing them approach, Xin Yao stood up and greeted them politely.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Xu, Director Gao.”
“Good afternoon,” Director Gao replied cheerfully.
Xu Jingyu, standing beside her, towered over everyone, her gaze cool and distant as she looked down at Xin Yao, her gold-rimmed glasses giving her a professional air.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Xin.”
They held hands and kissed in private, yet in public, they had to maintain a professional distance.
Xin Yao glanced at Xu Jingyu’s hands. She wasn’t wearing gloves today.
After their brief exchange, filming began.
Thanks to Director Gao’s lucky streak, it was raining lightly, the soft drizzle creating the perfect atmosphere for the scene, set in a beautiful, traditional Suzhou garden.
The raindrops fell on the stone pathways and the lush green leaves, the world appearing fresh and vibrant.
This scene was a return to normalcy.
The set wasn’t cleared, and Xin Yao wouldn’t be acting solely with Xu Jingyu.
She stood beneath the eaves of a traditional building, watching the rain, the crew bustling around her, and suddenly felt a sense of enjoyment, a newfound appreciation for the craft of filmmaking.
Then, she walked towards the building where they would be filming, greeting the two actresses waiting inside.
One was a veteran actress, known for playing motherly roles, who would be playing Xin Yao’s mother in the film.
The other, slightly younger and less famous, but also a talented actress, would be playing her cousin.
Both women were kind and welcoming, their smiles genuine as they returned Xin Yao’s greeting.
They chatted for a while, their conversation easy and comfortable.
But soon, the lights and cameras were in place, and the director called for everyone to get into character.
Xin Yao’s third scene, her first with other actors, was about to begin.
Lu Duanjing’s mother was ill.
She had always been frail and sickly, and now, during the rainy season, a slight cold had turned into a lingering illness.
Lu Duanjing’s father hadn’t visited her, presumably preoccupied with his new concubine, or perhaps simply indulging in his usual vices.
The Lu family was wealthy and influential now.
Lu Duanjing’s father, a shrewd and ambitious man, had taken over the family business at a young age and, through cunning and hard work, had transformed it into a thriving enterprise.
He had risen from humble beginnings to become a wealthy merchant.
His only regret was his lack of a prestigious lineage, his nouveau riche status sometimes looked down upon by the old money families and the social elite.
He had no feelings for Lu Duanjing’s mother, his wife, whom he had married when he was still poor and unknown.
But he was wealthy now, and he cared about his image, so he hadn’t abandoned her.
While he never visited her, he spared no expense on her medical care, hiring the best doctors and providing the most expensive medicine.
Coincidentally, during Lu’s mother’s illness, news arrived of the Wen family’s youngest daughter returning from abroad, having studied medicine and acquired impressive skills.
Those who studied abroad were always highly regarded.
Lu’s father, a traditional and conservative man, had always insisted on female doctors for his wife, not wanting her to interact with men.
Ms. Wen, being a woman and a skilled physician, was the perfect solution.
And more importantly, Lu’s father was eager to curry favor with the prestigious Wen family, hoping to gain entry into their social circle, to elevate his own status.
The Wen family, on the other hand, facing uncertain times, saw the wealthy Lu family as a valuable ally.
With similar motives, the two families had been exploring a potential alliance, and this presented a perfect opportunity to strengthen their ties.
So, Ms. Wen was invited to treat Lu’s mother.
The room was filled with the bitter scent of medicine.
Lu Duanjing’s cousin, visiting her aunt, was gossiping.
“It’s strange, isn’t it? The Wen family, so traditional and scholarly, allowing their daughter to study medicine, to interact with strangers. And Western medicine… they cut people open! How terrifying!”
Lu’s mother, her face pale and her body weak, coughed softly, covering her mouth with a handkerchief.
“Is that so? Ms. Wen must be a remarkable woman.”
Her cousin, after a moment’s thought, shook her head.
“But she’ll have to marry someday. Who would dare to marry such a woman?”
Lu Duanjing, standing beside her mother, helping her take her medicine, listened to their conversation, her thoughts filled with admiration for Ms. Wen.
She had dared to study such a gruesome and unconventional field, and had even excelled at it. She must be an extraordinary person!
She couldn’t wait to meet her.
And she didn’t have to wait long.
Ms. Wen arrived shortly after.
Just then, the weather took a turn for the worse, the rain intensifying, the soft drizzle turning into a downpour.
The door, which had been open earlier, had been closed to keep out the cold.
Lu Duanjing, needing to retrieve something for her mother, walked towards the door.
As she opened it, the sound of rain and the dim light from outside spilled into the room, revealing a figure standing in the doorway.
The person was tall, and Lu Duanjing had to tilt her head back to see their face. And as she did, she was struck by their beauty.
Their features were delicate and refined, their eyes framed by gold-rimmed glasses.
They seemed to have been caught in the rain, their hair and clothes slightly damp, a cool aura clinging to them.
But as they looked down at Lu Duanjing, a soft smile touched their lips, their eyes warming, their voice cool yet gentle.
“Miss Lu, I presume? Hello, I’m Wen Sigu.”
Lu Duanjing’s father was a traditional and conservative man, his rules strict and unforgiving.
In the Lu household, women were expected to be demure and obedient, their roles limited to managing the household and raising children.
They didn’t need education or independence, only obedience and subservience. Even their smiles were expected to be restrained and discreet.
Lu Duanjing, sheltered and naive, had never met anyone like Wen Sigu, had never been addressed so directly, so casually.
Ms. Wen’s confidence, her warm smile, her education, it all intimidated Lu Duanjing, who instinctively lowered her gaze, her usual shyness amplified by Ms. Wen’s presence.
She murmured a soft greeting.
“Hello, Ms. Wen.”
“Okay!”
The director’s voice echoed from the hallway.
This scene, depicting the first meeting between Lu Duanjing and Wen Sigu, was simple, the required emotions straightforward.
Xin Yao, despite her busy schedule, had been practicing her acting.
Her efforts had clearly paid off. The scene was completed smoothly.
Director Gao, reviewing the footage, was satisfied. The actors’ emotions were perfect, the lighting and the gentle rain creating the perfect atmosphere.
She nodded, pleased.
“While it’s still raining, let’s film Wen Sigu’s close-up.”
It was a solo scene for Xu Jingyu, not requiring the other actors, so the actresses playing Lu’s mother and cousin left the room.
Xin Yao smiled politely as they passed, her demeanor gentle and respectful.
Having grown up in poverty, Xin Yao was small and slender, her appearance soft and vulnerable.
Despite her slightly seductive features, her large, expressive eyes and warm smile made her appear innocent and endearing.
She was the type of person who was naturally liked by older people.
The two actresses, charmed by her gentle nature, bid her farewell before leaving.
As the crew prepared for the close-up, adjusting the lighting and the camera, the room became a flurry of activity.
Not wanting to be in the way, Xin Yao moved to a quiet corner.
And then, unnoticed by the others, Xu Jingyu followed her, standing beside her, her tall frame blocking the light.
Xin Yao glanced at her.
Xu Jingyu didn’t look at her, her gaze fixed on the rain outside the window, her gold-rimmed glasses reflecting the gray sky.
But her fingers twitched, brushing against Xin Yao’s hand, then sliding down to intertwine their fingers.
Her hand, unlike the cool, damp air of the rainy day, was warm.
It enveloped Xin Yao’s hand, its heat like a flame, a burning desire for touch, for connection.
The warmth spread through Xin Yao’s hand, making her palm tingle.
But what made her heart pound, her body flush with a sudden heat, was the realization that they were on set, in full view of the crew, the cameras rolling!
And yet, they were holding hands, a secret intimacy hidden in plain sight.
Xin Yao’s heart raced. She glanced around nervously, like a meerkat, then quickly lowered her sleeve, covering their joined hands.
She tried to pull her hand away, but Xu Jingyu’s grip tightened.
She leaned closer, her voice a low whisper.
“What are you doing?!”
“We’re on set! Are you crazy?! What if someone sees us?!”
“We agreed to hold hands only when you couldn’t bear it anymore!”
Xu Jingyu turned to look at her, her dark eyes serious and intense in the soft light, a small smile playing on her lips.
“I can’t bear it anymore.”
“I miss you.”
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