Translator: _Min
Not caring for appearance or wealth, then what was he after?
Yu Xihengâs eyebrows lifted slightly, his voice cool yet warm, âYou mentioned attending the offline anniversary event earlier. Perhaps heâll be there too.â
âThatâs true,â Si Fuqing pondered, flexing her wrist, âWhen I see him, Iâll definitely challenge him to a duel in person. Heâs gone too far. Why such double standards for men and women? His attitude changed the moment he knew I was a woman.â
In truth, after killing the sneak attacker in the game ten times yesterday, her anger had already dissipated.
But she resolved to keep her distance from this sneak attacker in the future.
After all, his mind seemed a bit off, and she couldnât stoop to his level.
Concluding her thoughts, Si Fuqing deduced, âHe definitely has issues. Look, he plays as a bard, a character model loved bv female players for its handsome appearance and aloof demeanor. I suspect heâs an older man trying to flirt in the game, deserving of condemnation.â
Unfortunately, he targeted the wrongperson.
In the game offlirtation, she was the superior one.
âOh?â Yu Xiheng smiled upon hearing this, âDo you also like it?â
âOf course, I like the bard. Iâm all about looks,â Si Fuqing admitted, finishing her chicken leg, âBut not the sneak attacker. No way, after he sneak attacked me. Letâs not talk about him anymore.â
Yu Xiheng casually pinched her cheek, offering her the rest of the fried chicken, âHere, eat this.â
Their meal concluded swiftly.
Yu Xiheng then took his leave.
Si Fuqing stared at the chicken bones in her lunchbox, deep in thought.
She had cured her bossâs leg, and he had served as her transportation when she was drunk, which seemed fair.
After all, previously no one could approach her when she was drunk without her master having to knock her out, causing her to wake up with a headache. But with Yu Xiheng around, she felt she could indulge in drinking again.
Yet, why did he also take care of the menial tasks for her?
Using those hands to peel chicken bones seemed almost sacrilegious.
Si Fuqing decided to consult Feng San and Xi Jiang further.
Yu Xiheng had left them behind before departing.
âMiss Si, your hands are crucial,â Xi Jiang said as if it were obvious, âYouâre a star and a bodyguard; both roles require the use of your hands. Isnât it normal for Brother Nine to take care of the little things for you?â
Feng San felt something was amiss but couldnât pinpoint what, only managing to agree.
Si Fuqing had her epiphany.
She patted Xi Jiang on the shoulder, acknowledging his insight, but reminded him that the salary he lost to her wouldnât be deducted.
Xi Jiang:
He could only weep inwardly, seeking advice from Chen Ying on delivering takeouts and courier packages fast, lest he be left to the mercy of the cold winds.
Ten days later, with the filming in the Demonâs Lair completed, it was time for Sui Yan to return to the Mortal Realm.
This meant a new batch of actors, including Meng Xue, was to join the crew.
The crew had grown familiar with Si Fuqing over these days and, knowing the dynamics within the Starry Star Girls, worried about potential conflicts between the two.
And indeed, trouble arose.
In the second scene, Meng Xue had three consecutive NGs (no good takes).
The scene involved her chasing Sui Yan, offering to become his servant, when they encounter Celestial Soldiers, leading to Sui Yanâs entrapment and injury by an arrow.
Three consecutive NGs also meant Si Fuqing was hit by the prop arrow three times, a first for the crew.
The way the actors and actresses looked at Meng Xue changed.
While they lacked the keen insight of MO Yishan to recognize that the seamless takes were often thanks to Si Fuqing, they felt something was amiss. Can Meng Xue really not handle this? How could she NG?
Tang Haiqiuâs expression grew increasingly grim.
Meng Xue, feeling guilty, repeatedly apologized, âIâm so sorry, Iâve been feeling unwell these past few days. Please, Teacher Si, one more time.â
She saw nothing wrong with her request.
Tang Haiqiu, known for his strictness, considered NGs quite common.
It was said that during the filming of âSword Immortal,â a single scene took a whole month to perfect.
Though the prop arrows werenât lethal, they still hurt.
This brought Meng Xue some satisfaction.
Si Fuqing, unperturbed, removed the prop arrow from her chest, âDirector
Tang, may I discuss something with you?â
Just a second before, Tang Haiqiu had been frowning, but now he wore a smile, eagerly asking, âWhatâs up? Tell me.â
Meng Xue watched Si Fuqing approach, her gaze icy.
Could Si Fuqing be dreaming of changing the script?
She thought it served her right to feel the pain.
Minutes later, Si Fuqing returned to her spot, signaling the crew, âLetâs start.â.
This time, Meng Xue had no intention of causing another NG, aware that too many mistakes could irritate the director.
She performed methodically until it was time for Sui Yan to fend off the
Celestial Soldiers and Generals. As she prepared to rush forward with concern, Si Fuqing didnât simply walk away; instead, she lifted her sword, pointing it directly at Meng Xueâs throat.
Si Fuqingâs gaze was indifferent, devoid of any warmth, as if the person before her was mere dust, unworthy of her attention. âFollow me again, and you die.â With a swift motion, the blade stirred a gust of sword energy.
Before Meng Xue could react, she was sent flying backward, crashing into a tree and then plummeting to the ground.
Wracked with pain and unable to rise, her mind fogged, she lifted her head with difficulty, staring in disbelief at Si Fuqing, who was walking away.
âCut,â Tang Haiqiu called out. âExcellent, thatâs a wrap.â
Applause broke out among the actors.
âTeacher Si is truly impressive.â
âIndeed, the first three takes couldnât bring us into the scene, but this one did it instantly.â
âFinally, we can rest. Never seen anyone need so many takes with Teacher Si before.â
The crew went off to rest, and Tang Haiqiu, beaming, beckoned Si Fuqing over. âQingqing, you really are a natural talent. You understand the character even better than its creators. We should discuss more often; this change was brilliant.â
After all, the drama was titled âCrossing the Demon Realm.â
The protagonist Sui Yan, emerging from the Demonâs Lair, had become a half-demon herself.
Seven hundred years of battling in the Demonâs Lair had hardened her heart.
A mere mortal, eventually commanding both Celestial and Demonic realms, could be kind but never soft-hearted.
âThatâs too kind of you,â Si Fuqing nodded. âDirector, I think we can adjust the role of Su He. What do you think of this change?
Tang Haiqiu agreed enthusiastically. âGreat, Iâll go revise the script right away.
No need to keep much of her part.â
He wasnât too pleased with Meng Xue either.
But that moment of shock she portrayed was genuinely impressive.
Si Fuqing waved and went off to rest.
âYour quick response was impressive too,â Tang Haiqiu praised the props team. âWas that flying arc carefully designed? Amazing how you calculated it so quickly.â
At his words, the props team and the chief looked at him with terrified eyes.
Even the usually composed Tang Haiqiu felt a jolt of alarm.
âDirector Tang, we didnât even get to use the pressure,â the props team lead
said nes1tant1Y. â1 was aDout to ask It you mtroaucea some new Kina or prop.â Tang Haiqiu fell silent, turning statue-like.
Meanwhile, Meng Xue struggled to stand, eventually helped up by two people.
Regaining her senses, she was both shocked and furious. âThis isnât in the script!â
Si Fuqing dared to alter the script on a whim?!
âOf course, itâs not written in the script. You couldnât perform what was written, could you?â the assistant director said without any emotions in his voice. âTeacher Si just spoke with Director Tang about changing the script, saying you lacked acting skills and needed to be caught off guard. See, you performed quite well, didnât you?â
âAnd your little schemes, donât think theyâre well hidden. Director Tang is strict, but with Teacher Si here, filming has been smooth.. So why did it suddenly go awry with so many NGs on your part?â