Acting Out of Character (GL) - Chapter 17

“I’m actually your CP.”

Chen Ge stared at the crisp, unwrinkled slip of paper in her palm, momentarily dazed.

Sister Luo is my CP?

Chen Ge looked toward Feng Yunxin with a bewildered expression. Song Ruyu, having just witnessed Luo Jingyi perform a “magic trick” that essentially made her own partner vanish, also shot a questioning look at the director.

There were only eight people; where did a Number 9 come from? Was she seeing ghosts? Everyone in the room turned toward Feng Yunxin for an explanation—everyone except the culprit, Luo Jingyi.

Feng Yunxin: “…”

Luo Jingyi was already leisurely selecting a cup. Out of the stack of paper cups, only the most perfect-looking one was worthy of being bitten by her.

Feng Yunxin (Thinking): …This Empress Dowager dug a massive hole and is leaving me to fill it? Is this how you treat your best friend?

Seeing Luo Jingyi’s composed demeanor, Feng Yunxin knew she was being played. It was clear that the partner swap was now a settled matter. Fine… since she was the one who invited this “Buddha” to the show, she had to serve her well.

Besides, Xiao Song had gone too far. She didn’t know what grudge the girl held against Xiao Chen, but even as colleagues from the same agency, she kept splashing water in her face, grabbing her collar, and stepping on her feet. While variety shows often featured behavior more extreme than this for the sake of “hooks” and “effects,” letting them stay together risked a real fight breaking out on set.

A swap was fine; it was just for the game. They could swap back later, and their agency wouldn’t have much to complain about.

Song Ruyu: “There is no Number 9! And how could you be Number 6? Chen Ge and I are from the same company, we already agreed—”

Feng Yunxin (Interrupting): “Oh right, there was a mistake earlier. The script actually says Luo Xin and Chen Ge are a team.”

Song Ruyu: “??”

Luo Jingyi: “Then let’s re-film this game. Xiao Sun, Xiao Yin, what do you think?”

As the opposing team for the shoot, Sun Ruibin and Yin Yin were young, but they weren’t blind. This “Sister Luo” exuded an air of nobility, and Director Feng’s subservient attitude made it clear she was someone of significant status.

Both: “Sure! We have no problem with that!”

Luo Jingyi’s eyes flickered toward Chen Ge. Holding a paper cup in each hand, she walked up as if approaching a skittish, injured pet and asked softly, “Is this okay?”

Chen Ge (Looking up): “It’s okay…”

A faint smile touched Luo Jingyi’s eyes, softening the sharp lines of her face. She took off her jacket and draped it over Chen Ge’s shoulders, leaving herself in just a plain white T-shirt.

Though the T-shirt looked ordinary, Yin Yin (a fashion-conscious singer) and Qian Yu (who hadn’t moved his eyes from the scene) both noticed it was a high-end luxury item from the current season, costing thousands. The jacket now on Chen Ge’s shoulders was from the same brand—worth tens of thousands.

Chen Ge, originally wearing a 199 RMB fast-fashion linen top, suddenly looked high-end, as if the price tag on her shirt had gained an extra zero. She looked flattered and slightly panicked.

Chen Ge: “Sister Luo, this…”

Luo Jingyi: “Your clothes are wet. They’re a bit… see-through.”

Chen Ge remembered Song Ruyu’s splashing. She had been so focused on her anger and wiping her face that she hadn’t noticed her clothes. Reminded, she immediately pulled the jacket tight. “Thank you…”

Luo Jingyi: “Are you hot?”

Chen Ge: “It’s fine, there’s air conditioning.”

Luo Jingyi: “Then button it up so it doesn’t gap when you move. Change as soon as we finish this scene.”

Chen Ge immediately began buttoning up. Luo Jingyi found it slightly amusing. Why is she always so obedient?

Luo Jingyi held a paper cup to Chen Ge’s lips. Chen Ge, looking as serious as if she were on a peacekeeping mission, took the cup in her teeth.

Luo Jingyi (Smiling): “Good girl.”

Then, with a hint of resignation and distaste, Luo Jingyi bit into her own cup. Watching them interact like they were in a movie, Feng Yunxin began to wonder… Wait, why is the notoriously homophobic Teacher Luo taking such good care of this young girl?

Song Ruyu was reassigned to Qian Yu’s team. Fuming, she stomped her feet and hammered Qian Yu with the inflatable hammer.

Qian Yu: “Are you crazy? I didn’t even do anything to you!”

Song Ruyu: “I’m in a bad mood! What’s wrong with hitting you a few times!”

Qian Yu (Laughing): “You went crazy and got put in your place. What, do you have a grudge against your colleague?”

Song Ruyu (Sharp but quiet): “No grudge!” She glared at Chen Ge and Luo Jingyi, who were smiling at each other. “I just hate her fake act!”

Qian Yu: “Tsk tsk, you’re just jealous that a rich lady is looking out for her. You’re being ‘tea-y,’ but you directed it at the wrong person. Pitiful.”

Song Ruyu’s eyes widened, pointing the hammer at him. “You—die!”

Feng Yunxin: “Let’s go again! A-group and B-group re-shoot together!”

The competition restarted. Despite her usual cold and steady demeanor, once the game began, Luo Jingyi was fully committed, sprinting to scoop water. With her long legs, she was back in front of Chen Ge in two strides.

“Squat lower.” Luo Jingyi pressed on Chen Ge’s shoulder to control the height difference, tilted her head, and poured—fast, accurate, and steady. Not a drop was wasted.

Sister Luo is amazing. Chen Ge’s spirit soared. She ran to the container and poured the water in. First cup, perfect!

The two coordinated like flowing water. Both were competitive by nature and treated the game with intense seriousness. Meanwhile, Sun Ruibin and Yin Yin grew desperate. Yin Yin even lunged and jumped onto Sun Ruibin’s waist to pour the water faster.

On the “uncles and aunties” side, the inflatable hammer game was peaceful, but on the same-sex side, it was a heated battle. The water levels in the two containers kept trading the lead.

Near the end, Chen Ge’s legs began to shake. She had already used a lot of strength during the first “failed” round with Song Ruyu. Holding a horse stance for this long was taxing even for someone who exercised regularly.

As Luo Jingyi approached with the final cup to clinch the lead, she noticed Chen Ge was wobbling. As she tilted her head to pour, some water leaked out. Luo Jingyi immediately steadied her.

Their faces were very close. Chen Ge, upset that her fatigue had caused a mistake, was breathing heavily.

“Endure it.” Luo Jingyi cupped Chen Ge’s cheeks with both hands.

Chen Ge hadn’t expected this. Being held in Luo Jingyi’s palms brought their faces even closer. Chen Ge could smell the distinct white musk scent on Luo Jingyi—a complex aroma of sandalwood, amber, and musk. It wasn’t soft; it was unique and soul-snatching.

Chen Ge (Nervous): “Sister Luo, this… isn’t very good.”

Chen Ge looked toward Feng Yunxin, only to see her smiling and admiring their “wonderful cooperation.”

Luo Jingyi: “It’s just a game for the shoot.”

Luo Jingyi assumed she was shy, unaware that Chen Ge still mistakenly believed she was Feng Yunxin’s lover. Chen Ge knew she was right—it was a professional task. As an actor, she had to be professional, even if the person holding her face was taken. But while she was an actor, “Luo Xin” was a non-celebrity. Chen Ge felt Luo Xin shouldn’t have to “sacrifice” herself like this.

Chen Ge gritted her teeth and steadied her stance. “I’m okay now. Sister, go ahead.”

Luo Jingyi let go, her palms still holding the warmth of Chen Ge’s cheeks. Her skin is so soft and smooth. Chen Ge bit down on her cup with the intensity of a month-old leopard cub guarding its prey. Luo Jingyi thought to herself: Are all lesbians this cute? Why was my mom’s girlfriend never this interesting?

“Five, four, three, two, one…”

Splash! Chen Ge poured the final cup in.

“Game over! Team Chen Ge and Luo Xin wins!”

Chen Ge (Excited): “Yes!” She turned to give Luo Jingyi a high-five.

Luo Jingyi froze. She had never done something so childish. Since childhood, she had handled everything with cold detachment. Even when she won “Best Screenwriter,” she had only offered a polite smile while her friends went wild.

But Chen Ge was beaming, her eyes curved like crescent moons. Luo Jingyi sighed internally. A kid is a kid. She raised her hand and gave a light high-five. If every ‘White Moonlight’ in the world were as benevolent as me, would anyone ever suffer from unrequited love?

As the long day ended, Feng Yunxin personally saw Luo Jingyi to her car.

Feng Yunxin: “Take this waist-pain spray. It’ll revitalize your old back.”

Luo Jingyi: “Does it work?”

Feng Yunxin: “My grandfather uses it! He raves about it!”

Luo Jingyi: “…So I’m using the same gear as your grandpa?”

As they bickered, Chen Ge came out for a night run, fully geared up. She saw them talking through the car window and felt a twinge of envy at their close relationship. She thought: Sister Luo sacrificed so much to support Director Feng’s career. I shouldn’t pair with her next time; it’s too much pressure having her lover watching from the sidelines.

Chen Ge ran past them and ran into Ren Yan, who was dressed in “Death Barbie Pink.”

Ren Yan: “Gē-gē! You’re night running too?” (鸽鸽 – a pun on Chen Ge’s name meaning ‘pigeon’)

Ren Yan was incredibly familiar, already giving out nicknames. They ran together. Chen Ge found that Ren Yan had surprising stamina; she talked nonstop for a kilometer without losing her breath.

Meanwhile, Zhao Lian was driving Luo Jingyi out of the village. They passed the two runners.

Zhao Lian: “That was Chen Ge, Teacher Luo! I can’t believe she’s in this cast too. What a coincidence.”

Luo Jingyi: “You know her?”

Zhao Lian: “You forgot? She played the lead in your movie—Zhou Qiang in Nude Swim!”

Luo Jingyi’s expression shifted. So that’s why she looked familiar. She was the lead actress of one of her own scripts. “I really didn’t recognize her.”

Zhao Lian (Teasing): “Did you not recognize her, or did you just never actually watch the movie? It was your first script, and you hated it so much.”

It was true. Nude Swim was an embarrassing memory for Luo Jingyi, and the box office had been dismal. She had only glanced at it before tossing it aside.

“I didn’t expect her to end up in a web variety show,” Luo Jingyi sighed.

“She probably had to for a living,” Zhao Lian replied. “After Nude Swim, she went a long time without good work. She almost vanished from the industry.”

Luo Jingyi: “Just like me.”

Zhao Lian: “You’re different! You’re here as a Bodhisattva to save the suffering.”

The next morning, Chen Ge was woken up by the heat. Song Ruyu was gone, and the AC was off. Chen Ge went downstairs to the living room and heard Song Ruyu’s high-pitched laughter. Song Ruyu was chasing Qian Yu with a fried dough stick (youtiao), spilling soy milk everywhere.

Director Hu: “Stop it! Finish eating and get ready for the shoot!”

Qian Yu: “Did you hear that? Stop f*cking around.”

Song Ruyu: “Me? You’re the one who provoked me! If you weren’t such a jerk, would I be doing this?”

Qian Yu: “But your legs are short. Am I wrong? You can touch the ground with your head just by bending over.”

Song Ruyu grabbed a cup of soy milk and threw it at him. He dodged, and the milk exploded across the floor, splashing several staff members.

Qian Yu: “Are you sick? That was the soy milk meant for Chen Ge.”

Song Ruyu: “Well, I wouldn’t have thrown it if you hadn’t annoyed me!”

Luo Jingyi and Feng Yunxin walked in.

Luo Jingyi: “Why are we wasting food?”

Song Ruyu: “I didn’t want to waste it, but Qian Yu is a jerk. Do you like me or something?”

Assistant Director (to Chen Ge): “We’re short one soy milk. I’ll have someone buy more later.”

Chen Ge: “Don’t bother. I’ll just have a dough stick.”

Director Hu: “Those are gone too. Song Ruyu, why did you eat four? Those other two were Chen Ge’s.”

Song Ruyu, halfway through her last one, offered the bitten half to Chen Ge. “Here.”

Chen Ge: “…You eat it.”

Song Ruyu (to the Director): “She doesn’t want it.”

Song Ruyu gloated internally. Yesterday you were so good at stealing scenes; today I’ll make sure you don’t even get breakfast! She watched Chen Ge, a smug smile on her face. No food, no milk, and no one is coming to help her. No matter how many scenes you get, you’re still just a nobody.

Luo Jingyi had watched the entire exchange.

“Chen Ge, come here.” Luo Jingyi beckoned her over. Chen Ge walked over quickly.

Luo Jingyi handed her a plastic bag with a hotel logo on it. “For you. Fill your stomach.”

Chen Ge: “This is…”

Luo Jingyi (loud enough for the whole room to hear): “Roast squab I brought from the hotel. The kind with the extra crispy skin.”

The room went silent. That logo… was it from HY, the only five-star hotel in Wuyi Mountain? Everyone who had just eaten “mop-like” dough sticks and watered-down soy milk began to salivate in envy.

Song Ruyu: “??”