Chapter 14: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not
In response to the host’s cry for help, 021 said: [Of course, our domineering CEOs never back down from a direct confrontation!]
Dong Ling: [F*** you.]
Song Mingzhi leisurely watched Dong Ling’s reaction. She didn’t actually know what kind of answer she wanted from Dong Ling, but she hoped it wouldn’t disappoint her and dampen her interest.
Looking at Song Mingzhi’s eyes, Dong Ling was still struggling. If she answered “yes,” her selfish motives would be completely exposed, but if she answered “no,” it would contradict her actions driven by the system’s tasks.
She did have ulterior motives towards Song Mingzhi, but not the kind Song Mingzhi thought.
Dong Ling suddenly realized she had fallen into Song Mingzhi’s verbal trap and was caught in a thought loop, so she simply answered: “Yes, and no.”
“The reason I initially included that clause in the agreement was because I was worried. There are too many temptations here. If you become an artist, your privacy will inevitably be scrutinized by many people. But this is temporary, I just can’t say for sure how long it will last. But you’re an actor, not an idol. Once you’re established, you won’t have to worry about these things.”
Dong Ling spoke more and more fluently. She truly thought this way. Even without the system’s rigid requirements, Dong Ling would require her artists to avoid relationships during their rise, or at least report them.
“As for me… I do have some selfish motives. You’re so beautiful, I’m afraid others will have ideas.” Dong Ling said very sincerely, then smiled, “But I’m different, we’re friends, I wouldn’t have any improper thoughts about you.”
If she said camera angles, then it would be camera angles, she wouldn’t do anything inappropriate.
As for adding a kissing scene, that was the investor’s doing, it had nothing to do with her, Dong Ling!
Dong Ling’s reaction was somewhat unexpected to Song Mingzhi, a mixture of truth and falsehood that was difficult to discern.
“It seems I’m not attractive enough to move your heart.”
Song Mingzhi said jokingly, lightening the mood.
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, Song Mingzhi mentally warned herself against crossing the line.
Song Mingzhi never made such ambiguous jokes. She felt she was being unusual today.
And the source of her unusual behavior simply laughed off the joke, even patting her shoulder and saying: “You’ll capture the hearts of many, no one could dislike you.”
Dong Ling could foresee how popular Song Mingzhi would be after the film was released and she officially entered the entertainment industry. Song Mingzhi would definitely capture the hearts of many.
Of course, not including her current self. Dong Ling knew there might be more shameless tasks later, but thinking of the loopholes she could exploit, and the possibility that 021 might contact headquarters and Wen Han might wake up anytime, she didn’t worry too much, deciding to take things one step at a time.
Song Mingzhi didn’t press further, she looked at Dong Ling’s eyes and thanked her with a smile.
Perhaps she was being too sensitive and suspicious. Suspicion was never pleasant, and the easily derived self-deception also troubled her. Perhaps no one had ever been so selflessly kind to her, she shouldn’t be so speculative.
“It’s so cold outside, the set isn’t ready yet, let’s go to the lounge.”
The dry, cold winter wind numbed her face. Dong Ling rubbed her face and made a suggestion.
They were originally going to film some scenes, but because of the plot added by Tong Ao, Cheng Ge had other ideas and wanted to film some establishing shots first. The actors didn’t have to be on set yet.
“Okay.”
Song Mingzhi nodded. She was wearing her costume from the movie. The season in the movie was early autumn, so her clothes were relatively thin and felt cold in the winter wind.
There was a small path from the initial filming location to the lounge. The surrounding area, originally filled with lush flowers and plants, was now withered and desolate, with a few unswept fallen leaves scattered on the pebble path, making it feel cold.
[Task: Hold the female lead’s hand and put it in your pocket to warm it up. Completing this task will reward 1% progress.]
Dong Ling, who had been staring at the pebbles in a daze, was startled by the sudden voice in her mind.
Okay, Wen Han, you’re something else. Not only did you come up with this sugar daddy agreement and that kissing scene, you also want to play the warm man.
Dong Ling thought of Wen Han’s usual arrogant and aloof demeanor, gritting her teeth inwardly. Why was it her, the vicious female supporting character, who had to suffer because of the original novel’s protagonists’ love affair? Was this appropriate, was this reasonable, was there any justice?!
021: [Host, do it, for world peace, just bear with it a little longer!]
021 also had unspoken grievances. Their domineering CEO system was always about being rich and powerful, when had they ever had to beg the host so humbly not to give up on tasks?
It wasn’t that Dong Ling didn’t want to bear with it, the problem was that her coat had no pockets!
The coat she was wearing, a new winter release from a light luxury brand, had no pockets, no pockets!
Her pants did have pockets, but could she tenderly hold Song Mingzhi’s hand and then awkwardly stuff both their hands into her pants pockets?
Could she???
That wasn’t a domineering CEO novel, that was a rural romance drama, right? She definitely couldn’t do that, she had never been so foolish in her life.
021 also fell silent, it didn’t even dare to imagine the scene Dong Ling described.
021 suddenly had a bright idea: [It only said pocket, but it didn’t specify whose pocket. Song Mingzhi also has pockets, go for it, girl! Put your hand in! Be bold, you’ve already added a kissing scene!]
Dong Ling glanced at Song Mingzhi’s hand in her coat pocket, and started to question whether she really needed this 1% task progress.
But that was 1%! Not 0.1%, not 0.2%, but 1%!
If it were a month and a half ago, when she had 24%, she would have scoffed, it was just 1%. But after painstakingly working on tasks for a month and a half, gaining only 2% progress and having 4% deducted, she felt the hardships of life.
What was the difference between this and a 996 office worker who worked hard all month only to find out they had to pay the company 200 yuan?
“What’s wrong?”
Song Mingzhi felt Dong Ling’s gaze and looked at herself in confusion.
“I’m not very resistant to cold, my hands are so cold.”
Dong Ling said subconsciously and held out her hand for Song Mingzhi to see. While still hesitating whether to complete the task, her body had already honestly started the task.
Song Mingzhi’s gaze fell on the back of her hand. The blue veins were particularly prominent due to the cold, even her usually pinkish fingertips had lost their color, trembling slightly from the chill.
“Can I warm my hands in your pocket?”
Dong Ling pointed to Song Mingzhi’s pocket, her expression innocent.
Song Mingzhi, who had just been reflecting on her repeated suspicions of Dong Ling: …………
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