Acting Out of Character (GL) - Chapter 12

The morning session finally wrapped up. Luo Jingyi, feeling stiff all over, decided to step outside for some air.

“Sister Luo.”

Chen Ge caught up from behind, calling out softly. She glanced around to make sure no one was watching before squeezing into the small vegetable garden behind the house with Luo Jingyi.

Luo Jingyi: “Mhm?”

“Giving this back to you.” Chen Ge handed over a slightly crumpled Queen of Hearts.

The Queen of Hearts was the card Chen Ge had actually drawn. The Seven of Clubs, however, had been secretly passed to her from under the coffee table by Luo Jingyi while she was distracting everyone with her one-handed shuffle.

At the time, Chen Ge had felt someone touch her leg and nearly jumped out of her skin. Luo Jingyi had misjudged the distance; she’d meant to give a light nudge to prompt her to take the card but ended up patting her leg instead. After a quick look of realization, Chen Ge understood and discreetly took the card. Luo Jingyi had chosen her as the “plant” from the very beginning.

When the time came to draw, Chen Ge hid her real card and revealed the Seven of Clubs, naturally matching Luo Jingyi’s prediction perfectly.

Luo Jingyi held the Queen of Hearts between two fingers, waving it slightly. “Quick reflexes.”

“As long as I didn’t ruin the scene. I’m heading back.”

“Mhm.”

During the lunch break, Zhao Lian packed several dishes from the hotel’s Chinese restaurant that she knew Luo Jingyi would like. She packed them in insulated containers and drove the twenty kilometers to Li Village in her rental van to deliver lunch to Teacher Luo.

One could guess with their eyes closed that someone as picky as Teacher Luo wouldn’t be able to eat comfortably in Li Village. Although Zhao Lian was a scheduling assistant and not a personal one—meaning lunch delivery wasn’t technically her job—the thought of Teacher Luo struggling to find a decent meal even in a big city made her heart soften. She felt she had developed a bit of “Stockholm Syndrome” regarding Luo Jingyi; having been bossed around for so long, she had actually started to care about her well-being.

To be fair, aside from being picky about life, food, and work, Teacher Luo was a good person. If you served her well, she was pleasant and cared for you like a parent. Most importantly, she paid exceptionally well and was very generous. Zhao Lian had been her assistant since graduation and already had a five-figure monthly income plus a hefty year-end bonus—earning far more than her peers.

When Zhao Lian stepped out of the car, a wave of heat rolled over her. The scorching sun felt like it could set her hair on fire. She swapped into slippers, which felt like they were melting against the pavement.

In this deadly weather, they’re actually filming an outdoor labor show? Aren’t they afraid of heatstroke?

Zhao Lian made her way into the farmhouse and found Luo Jingyi in Feng Yunxin’s lounge. Feng Yunxin was eating a crew-provided bento, and there was one in front of Luo Jingyi as well, though it looked like it had been opened and immediately closed. As expected, Teacher Luo hadn’t touched a bite.

“Teacher Luo, guess what delicious things I brought you!” Zhao Lian chirped as she entered.

The air conditioning was humming. Luo Jingyi sat in Feng Yunxin’s recliner with her eyes closed. Without opening them, she said softly, “You drove all this way in this heat.”

“Of course! I was worried you wouldn’t find anything to your taste.”

Sensing Luo Jingyi’s low energy, Zhao Lian softened her tone and opened the containers. Feng Yunxin, who was midway through her potato-beef stew, leaned over immediately.

“Let me see what Xiao Zhao brought. Honestly, coming all this way in this heat—Teacher Luo really hasn’t doted on you for nothing. When it comes to being thoughtful, Xiao Zhao is the best.”

Feng Yunxin was a regular in Luo Jingyi’s circle, so she and Zhao Lian were quite familiar. Zhao Lian set out the dishes: Dongshan Lamb, Wenchang Coconut Chicken, Cold Green Beans, and Fish Head Soup.

Feng Yunxin teased, “Eating lamb in the height of summer? Aren’t you afraid of ‘internal heat’?”

Zhao Lian replied seriously, “Eating lamb in summer has many benefits! It’s warm in nature, whets the appetite, benefits the kidneys, and nourishes the blood!”

“That sounds great! Sister Yi, can I have a piece?” Feng Yunxin acted coquettishly.

Luo Jingyi frowned. “Speak properly. Xiao Zhao, have you eaten? If not, join us.”

The three sat around the small table. Luo Jingyi took two pieces of lamb, three slices of chicken, and a portion of vegetables, placing them on her own rice. This was her habit; she didn’t like “clashing chopsticks” with others in a shared dish. What was on her rice was what she would eat. Knowing her quirks, Feng Yunxin and Zhao Lian waited until she was done before they started.

Luo Jingyi took one bite of the lamb and stopped, leaving it there. She only ate the chicken and vegetables, followed by a bowl of fish soup and a tiny bit of rice.

Zhao Lian was puzzled. “Teacher Luo, is the lamb not to your taste? I remember you used to love Dongshan Lamb.”

“This isn’t Dongshan Lamb,” Luo Jingyi said, setting down her chopsticks. “I’m full. I’m going for a walk.”

As she left, Zhao Lian took a bite of the lamb. “How could she tell? It tastes about the same to me. What other flavor could lamb have?”

Feng Yunxin: “You don’t know her by now? Just that foul habit of hers—too picky. I wonder if anyone in this world could ever truly satisfy her palate.”

Luo Jingyi didn’t have much of an appetite because of the heat. After sitting in the air-conditioned room for a while, she felt the chronic ache in her back and legs returning, so she decided to stand outside for a bit.

The lounge was on the third floor. The first and second floors were guest rooms, while the third had been converted into staff areas. Most guests and crew were napping after lunch. As Luo Jingyi walked down the hallway, her phone rang. It was Director Tao.

“I’m only out for a week,” Luo Jingyi answered. “As soon as I’m back in Beijing, I’ll finalize the lead for you, okay?”

Before Tao could speak, she knew he was there to nag her. He let out a long sigh. “I know you’re a perfectionist. I’ll wait for you in Beijing then. I’ve found three more actresses for you to look at; they’re all quite good. Actually, aside from the lead, I have another urgent matter.”

“Why are you whispering? What are you feeling guilty about?”

“Teacher Luo, please don’t tease me. It really is urgent… but I’m afraid you won’t be happy.”

“Spit it out. Who does the production company want to shove in now?”

Director Tao was both the director and producer of Minor’s Last Wish, meaning he spent his days wining and dining investors. The production side was full of drama; they’d promote whoever they felt like and pull them out halfway if they got bored. Although Luo Jingyi had veto power, the investors were always causing trouble. They were the ones with the money, after all. Luo Jingyi would snap at them directly, but Tao was much more mild-tempered, forced to mediate between two stubborn sides.

As she spoke, Luo Jingyi saw Chen Ge walk out of her room below, stretching her arms and rotating her waist. When she raised her arms, her shirt rode up slightly, revealing a small section of her flat, toned stomach. Thinking she was alone, Chen Ge didn’t bother covering up, unaware that Luo Jingyi was watching her from above.

Seeing the faint outline of abs, Luo Jingyi recalled the girl’s one-handed push-ups.

“…Teacher Luo, are you listening?” Tao had asked several questions without an answer.

Luo Jingyi: “…”

She really wasn’t listening, and not wanting to be caught, she said, “I’ll take a look later.”

Tao grew anxious. “Don’t wait! This actress is definitely better! Guaranteed to satisfy you! I’ll send you her audition clip.”

“Audition? Who?”

“…So you really weren’t listening.”

Luo Jingyi indeed wasn’t listening; she was watching Chen Ge play with a cat. An orange cat that often begged for food in the courtyard had just finished eating and was licking its paws. Chen Ge noticed it and knelt down.

Luo Jingyi thought: Silly girl, cats won’t pay you any mind.

To her surprise, the orange cat walked over to Chen Ge, rubbing back and forth against her legs before shamelessly flopping over, exposing its belly and meowing at her.

Luo Jingyi: “…” What kind of cat are you? A dog in disguise?

Chen Ge tilted her head and smiled, gently scratching its belly. The cat rolled around, seemingly very satisfied with the service. Luo Jingyi thought to herself: Look at that pathetic display. You’re a disgrace to cats. Zuzong really needs to teach you how to be a cat.

As Chen Ge scratched up to its head, her high ponytail exposed her beautiful neck. Luo Jingyi noticed the girl’s skin was incredibly fair—so white it seemed to reflect the sunlight. Chen Ge was so engrossed in the cat that she didn’t notice her collar had dipped quite low. As her legs grew numb, she shifted her position, facing directly toward Luo Jingyi’s direction.

Luo Jingyi accidentally caught a glimpse into her collar and frowned.

Director Tao was repeating himself tirelessly: “The actress cast for the role of Huang Yitong in Minor’s Last Wish is involved in a cheating scandal. It’s blowing up online. Both the production side and I want to replace her. We’ve mostly settled on a candidate. I’ll send the video; take a look when you have time and give me a final word. If it’s a go, we’ll sign her.”

Luo Jingyi let out a loud cough. Chen Ge heard it, and the orange cat, startled, bolted away. Chen Ge stood up, her collar returning to its proper place. Still unaware of the “exposure,” she gave a bright, radiant smile to Luo Jingyi on the balcony.

Luo Jingyi said into the phone, “The one previously cast as Huang Yitong… Xiao Su… I wasn’t that impressed anyway. Send the new audition video over and I’ll see.”

“Sent it to your email ages ago!” Tao said. “Luckily you’re not in Beijing; Xiao Su has gone completely mad, showing up at my place and the CEO’s office every day. If you were here, she’d pester you to death.”

“I’ll tell you after I watch it. I’m hanging up.”

Luo Jingyi ended the call just as the crew came out to prepare for the afternoon shoot: digging up taro.

Luo Jingyi found it bizarre. “Digging taro in this heat? Aren’t you afraid of heatstroke?”

Feng Yunxin: “Can’t be helped. We’re a farm labor show.”

Luo Jingyi: “Why are they holding hoes?”

Feng Yunxin didn’t understand. “For farm work, obviously.”

“It’s the 21st century. Shouldn’t there be high-tech tools for farming? You’re still using products from the Neolithic Age? Is 1.8 million years of human history meant to be wasted like this?”

“Sister, have mercy. What did we agree on before you came? I made it clear: you have to do farm work. You promised, so it’s not right to back out now, is it?”

It was a rare moment where Feng Yunxin managed to leave Luo Jingyi speechless.

“Think carefully about why I agreed to this,” Luo Jingyi said, heading inside to get her sun protection gear.

Feng Yunxin followed her playfully, leaning against the doorframe and twisting her body like a worm. “Isn’t it because you love your dear friend so much—”

Love my ass. If you hadn’t used threats and coercion, would I be here?

Luo Jingyi was about to toss her sun hat at her when she turned and saw Chen Ge standing at the door. She looked like a little hamster who had just overheard something she shouldn’t have, staring at the wriggling Feng Yunxin in confusion.

“Director Feng.”

The moment Chen Ge spoke, Feng Yunxin snapped back into a straight posture, much like a soldier when a drill sergeant appears.

“What is it?” Feng Yunxin felt a bit awkward being caught acting silly by an outsider.

Chen Ge was even more awkward, wishing she could spiral into the sky on the spot. Why did I have to walk in on the couple’s intimate moment?

“Director Hu said the props are lacking. There’s an issue with the prop team, so he asked me to come ask you about it.”

“Right. I’ll head down now.”

As Feng Yunxin left, Chen Ge turned to leave too, but Luo Jingyi called out: “Come here.”

Chen Ge’s scalp tingled. She turned back mechanically. “Is… is something wrong?”

“Come.”

Maintaining a stiff smile, Chen Ge stood before Luo Jingyi. As Luo Jingyi leaned forward, Chen Ge instinctively stepped back.

“Why are you hiding?” Luo Jingyi said. “Stand still.”

Chen Ge had thought she was just going to get a lecture, but now she wasn’t sure. Sister Luo was very tall. Chen Ge was 1.72m, but Sister Luo was at least 1.75m. Her height, combined with the cold aura she radiated, was suffocating. Chen Ge felt like she might be “silenced” in the next second.

She couldn’t back up any further; the door was right behind her. Being so close, Chen Ge didn’t know where to look. Her gaze flickered past Luo Jingyi’s vibrant red lips.

Luo Jingyi raised her hand toward Chen Ge’s chest. Chen Ge’s breath hitched. In the next second, Luo Jingyi pulled the zipper of Chen Ge’s sun-protective jacket up a notch.

Chen Ge: “?”

“Better this way.” Luo Jingyi studied the zipper. At this height, there was no risk of accidental exposure. This girl is an actress, yet she’s so careless while working?

In Chen Ge’s mind, however, the gesture carried a different meaning. Sister Luo means… I should ‘zip my lip.’ She’s telling me to keep quiet and not tell anyone about her relationship with Director Feng.

Chen Ge immediately pulled the zipper all the way to the top, nearly tucking it under her chin.

Luo Jingyi: “?”

With sparkling eyes, Chen Ge gave a solemn promise: “Don’t worry, Sister Luo. I understand what to do.”

With that, she turned and left as if carrying a heavy responsibility. Luo Jingyi watched her receding back and mused…

Why is she so obedient?