Is This How the Entertainment Industry Works? (GL) - Chapter 34

The fight scene was for Qing Zhu; Ning An only needed to watch from the sidelines, with additional shots to be added in post-production. Acting opposite Yan Zhen was a male actor playing a passerby who provides clues in the drama. In the story, Qing Zhu must win this fight to obtain information regarding the extermination of the Ning family.

This actor came from a background as a martial arts stunt double. He said to Yan Zhen, “I might use a lot of force when I fight. Do you want a double to do this for you?”

“No need,” Yan Zhen said.

“So confident?” The actor swung his sword, leaving a white trail in the air.

Yan Zhen nodded. “It’s fine. I know a little bit about swordsmanship; I shouldn’t hurt anyone.”

The actor burst out laughing. “I’m afraid of hurting you. How could you possibly hurt me?” Seeing her so confident, he developed a bit of a mischievous streak. He decided to fight with full strength; even if she got injured, he could blame it on her own arrogance.

The actor took his sword and struck a pose. Director Xu shouted from the side, “Remember to bring out the aura! These blades are made of stainless steel and are quite heavy. I’m afraid you won’t be able to hold them for long, so try to get it in one take. Start!”

The actor swung his sword directly at Yan Zhen. She blocked it with her own. His expression shifted as he attacked her openings several times, only to have Yan Zhen parry every single one. Unbelieving, he swung down with all his might, deciding to win through brute strength.

Yan Zhen had long seen through his intention. Holding her breath and focusing her mind, she suddenly emitted a burst of “sword qi.” Using the blade as a medium, she gave the actor’s sword a light flick. The blade shattered into two pieces on the spot.

Shards flew outward. On the remaining blade fragment, the actor’s expression of distorted shock was reflected. Others relied on brute force; here was someone using a “cheat code” like sword qi. Anyone would be dumbfounded.

“Is your prop… a real sword?!” The actor ran over in disbelief, grabbing Yan Zhen’s weapon to inspect it. He looked closely at the edge; it was half a centimeter thick and definitely unsharpened. Where was the gimmick? He turned it over and over, wanting to study it further, but his hand slipped, and he accidentally threw the entire sword.

A streak of white light arched through the air, flying at extreme speed toward Zhao Baoshang. Yan Zhen was startled.

“Watch out!” She lunged forward, throwing herself onto Zhao Baoshang to prevent the sword from striking her.

With a clack, the sword hit the dirt, missing everyone. Yan Zhen held Zhao Baoshang in a death grip, squeezing her so hard her back hurt.

W-what is she doing!

Zhao Baoshang’s face turned red. It seemed she had pampered her little fan too much, allowing her to behave like this in public. What if the paparazzi caught this? How would she explain it?

“Let go.” Zhao Baoshang gave Yan Zhen a push.

Yan Zhen stood up quickly. “Are you hurt?”

“What?” Zhao Baoshang hadn’t even seen the flying sword.

Yan Zhen searched the area and found the stainless steel prop. She breathed a sigh of relief. “It was this. Luckily it fell straight to the ground.”

Zhao Baoshang snorted coldly. “Do you enjoy making excuses that much?”

Yan Zhen was blank. “What?”

Her oblivious look infuriated Zhao Baoshang. Zhao Baoshang felt she was a truly excellent idol; otherwise, how could she tolerate her little fan’s constant provocations? It was bad enough that the fan was making eyes at that male actor today, but then she had to lunge at her and act spoiled in front of everyone.

Zhao Baoshang was beyond agitated. “Do you even know who you are?!”

The crowd nearby pricked up their ears to eavesdrop. Yan Zhen, even more confused, hesitated before asking, “Am I not the maid?”

Zhao Baoshang’s ears turned red with rage. “What maid! Do you think I like that setting? I’m talking about your identity in reality. Have you recognized your place yet?”

Yan Zhen thought for a moment and said cautiously, “I… I don’t think I quite understand.”

“You are my—” Fan! Zhao Baoshang almost jumped. Do I really have to say it so clearly!

But there were too many people. Zhao Baoshang lowered her voice slightly. “Don’t forget what you did to me. If you dare keep staring at others, I’ll cut all your scenes.”

Yan Zhen remembered the agreement regarding the Love Gu and nodded quickly. “I’ll listen to you.”

“Good,” Zhao Baoshang said, satisfied.

After this disastrous dialogue ended, the surroundings erupted in a buzz of gossip.

“What exactly did Yan Zhen do to Zhao Baoshang?” a young assistant asked in shock. “Aren’t they just strangers?”

“Have you ever seen strangers like that?” another assistant said. “Zhao Baoshang brought Yan Zhen into the crew personally. What’s their relationship? Hehehe…”

A third assistant chimed in authoritatively, “I know! Yan Zhen is Zhao Baoshang’s fan. She kept saying how much she liked her during the competition. Maybe she forced herself on her! And then feelings developed over time.”

The group stared with wide eyes and open mouths, looking as if they had swallowed live rabbits. Yan Zhen had no choice but to minimize eye contact with others as she went back to filming with her sword.

In the center of the set, the male actor said apologetically to Yan Zhen, “Are you okay? Did you get scolded?”

“Scolded?” Yan Zhen thought about it. “I don’t think so.”

“That’s good.” The actor breathed a sigh of relief.

“Zhao Baoshang is a very good person; she doesn’t scold people,” Yan Zhen explained.

The actor’s expression instantly soured. He looked as if he had a thousand things to say, which eventually condensed into a look reserved for a lunatic. “Whatever makes you happy.”

Afterward, the actor swung his sword with great seriousness and showed Yan Zhen immense respect, nearly kneeling to ask her to be his master, which she refused.

After the day’s filming, Zhao Baoshang hauled Yan Zhen back to her home, saying they needed to discuss tomorrow’s plot. Yan Zhen poured two glasses of water and asked curiously, “What were you going to say I was to you today?”

Zhao Baoshang’s face went cold. “It’s been so long and you still haven’t figured it out?”

“Is the correct answer really not ‘the maid’?”

“How can you be so stupid?” Zhao Baoshang asked. “Think about it yourself. I’ll tell you once you understand!”

Yan Zhen fell silent, sensing something was off about that statement. Zhao Baoshang pulled out the script and pointed to a page for Yan Zhen to read—the scene they would film tomorrow.

It was the first encounter between the male and female leads. When Ning An first meets the male lead, she and Qing Zhu are disguised as men eating in a tavern. A group enters to drink and begins discussing the martial arts world and the extermination of Ning An’s family, using insulting language. Ning An is furious and wants to teach them a lesson, but the male lead acts first, praising her family and teaching the group a harsh lesson. Once Ning An calms down, she feels the male lead is different from other men and possesses the air of a true hero, thus remembering his name.

Yan Zhen didn’t think this was difficult. “You just need to sit on the stool.”

“But if I just sit there, I’ll be overshadowed by the male lead,” Zhao Baoshang argued. Yan Zhen hadn’t realized Zhao Baoshang cared so much about her “spotlight.”

“Then you need to focus on the emotional transition,” Yan Zhen suggested. “The change should be from anger to calmness, and because the lead is hiding her identity, this anger needs to be expressed with great restraint.”

Yan Zhen thought back to a time in the Imperial Court when a civil official was framed—furious but not daring to speak. She demonstrated a look of being so angry she was almost moved to tears.

Zhao Baoshang watched with widening eyes. Even after Yan Zhen finished, she was still immersed in that indescribable atmosphere. When Zhao Baoshang didn’t speak, Yan Zhen asked, “What’s wrong? Is the Love Gu acting up?”

Zhao Baoshang snapped out of it, looked at Yan Zhen awkwardly, and turned her head slightly. “You almost cried just now.”

Yan Zhen stiffened, realizing Zhao Baoshang was worried about her. She smiled. “That was just for the performance.”

“How can you perform with that kind of feeling?”

“I’ve probably seen a lot of it.”

Zhao Baoshang frowned. “How old are you? Where would you have seen so much?”

Yan Zhen wanted to mention the court and the martial world, but remembering the woman sitting opposite her was the Eldest Princess without memories, she suppressed the urge. “I saw it on the streets,” she said casually.

Zhao Baoshang didn’t believe her. She saw right through the lie and wanted to press her, but she also felt a pang of heartache. Without experiencing it personally, how could one express such deep emotion? It’s okay. I’ll protect the little fan from now on; no one will hurt her. …But that doesn’t give her the right to lie to me!

Frustrated, Zhao Baoshang kissed Yan Zhen on the cheek with a “huff.” “Don’t you dare lie to me!”

Half an hour later, Yan Zhen went home with jelly-like legs. Zhao Baoshang returned to the Zhao family estate. Upon entering, she saw several elders sitting on the sofa. Old Zhao was smoking, the smoke curling through the living room. Once she sat down opposite them, Old Zhao was the first to speak.

“What happened with you and Xu Fengmei?”

“It’s over,” Zhao Baoshang replied steadily.

“Mhm?” The kindness on Old Zhao’s face was replaced by sternness. “You know what Xu Fengmei represents to you. I told you long ago she is your benefactor. No matter how wrong she is, you have to tolerate her!”

Zhao Baoshang’s expression darkened. “Are you showing your grandfather ‘face’ now?” Old Zhao asked.

“No, but regarding Xu Fengmei, when it’s over, it’s over. I won’t go looking for her again,” Zhao Baoshang said decisively.

Old Zhao slapped his cup down. “You dare?!”

“I’ve already given enough face by staying with her this long just because you told me to,” she said.

“You use the word ‘face’ with your own family?” Old Zhao was furious.

Zhao Baoshang pursed her lips. She didn’t want to explain, but knowing they meant well, she said a few words: “It’s just a Death Calamity; I don’t need to rely on others. If I have to rely on a woman like Xu Fengmei, I’d rather endure the calamity on my own.”

“Don’t forget, she saved your life once,” Old Zhao stared at her.

“She wants to harm me now,” Zhao Baoshang said flatly.

Old Zhao was startled. “What did you say?”

“A few days ago, she came to my house and placed a black toad inside. I don’t know what it was, but it certainly wasn’t for my benefit.”

“A black toad?” Old Zhao immediately told the butler, “Call Meng Yu quickly.”

Zhao Baoshang added, “And many people have saved me, not just her. If it’s about repaying kindness, I’m afraid I’ll never be able to finish repaying everyone else’s.”

Old Zhao ignored her, focusing entirely on the black toad. A moment later, the butler ran in. “Master Meng is here.”

Master Meng Yu, wearing a white Tang suit, walked in and sat down. After hearing the story, he looked thoughtful. Black bronze toads were often used in ancient times to suppress souls—specifically vengeful spirits. For someone to put such a thing in Zhao Baoshang’s house suggested a sinister plot.

“Where is the toad now?” Meng Yu asked.

“I threw it away,” Zhao Baoshang said.

Meng Yu’s expression soured. “That makes it difficult to deduce.” He pulled out six tortoise shells and performed a hexagram for her. Two years ago, he had calculated that Zhao Baoshang’s savior a year later would be her “destined benefactor.” He calculated again now, and the result was the same.

He shook his head, having no clue. “If Miss Zhao doesn’t mind, I’d like to see your house.”

Zhao Baoshang agreed. When they arrived at the mountain villa, a dense, pure spiritual aura hit them as soon as they entered. Master Meng froze. He walked inside and found the arrangement of the room to be incredibly logical—even a top-tier Feng Shui master would find it hard to create such a natural, spiritual-gathering work.

Zhao Baoshang pointed to the cabinet. “I saw the toad in here.”

Meng Yu walked over and touched the cabinet. When he touched a certain spot, a sharp, intense sensation hit his mind, nearly causing him to faint.

“This—” He pulled his hand back in disbelief. This “Ghost Soul Array” was incredibly sophisticated. There was perhaps only one person in the Capital capable of such work.

He pondered for a moment and said to Zhao Baoshang, “My specialty is merely the art of fate. Since you have a friend capable of creating a protective charm of that level, their ability is certainly not low. I advise you to ask that person to calculate this for you.”