Acting Out of Character (GL) - Chapter 23

Chen Ge had driven with extreme caution the entire way, afraid of scraping or bumping Feng Yunxin’s car. If she had to pay for the damage, she would probably go bald from stress.

Now Sister Si was listing every item she wore and explaining how she had nearly ten thousand yuan’s worth of clothing on her body. The obscure little actress could barely sit still, terrified she might snag or scratch something.

“Luo Xin?” Sister Si rubbed her chin, contemplating the name. “Director Feng’s good friend? Luo Xin? I’ve never heard of her. Are you certain that’s her name?”

Chen Ge said, “Yes, that’s her name.”

Sister Si’s mind worked quickly. “Could she have invented a fake name to appear on the program?”

Chen Ge concentrated on the road ahead. “Probably not. Sister Luo is an amateur. It’s perfectly normal that you’ve never heard her name.”

Although Sister Si was merely a third-rate manager whose artists were all eighteenth-tier nobodies, she had struggled within the industry for nearly ten years.

She still possessed some basic professional instincts.

Sister Si said, “I’ll know whether I recognize her once I see her.”

When they reached the hospital and were about to search for the production team, Song Ruyu finally returned Sister Si’s call.

“Sister Si… you’re here?”

Her voice sounded as though it had risen from beneath the ground. It felt like she had already died once and only recently returned to life.

Sister Si said, “I’m here, I’m here! Are you all right? Where are you?!”

After learning the ward number, she and Chen Ge went upstairs together.

The hospital was genuinely tiny. The inpatient department was located directly above the outpatient clinic.

The moment Chen Ge and Sister Si reached the upper floor, they saw one of the production’s cameramen being supported on his way to the bathroom…

The cameraman was over 180 centimeters tall. Previously, he had carried his camera back and forth across the fields several times without becoming breathless. He was a thoroughly muscular man.

Now, even while someone supported him, he was trembling, and his face was yellower than the shredded potatoes in the production’s boxed meals…

One glance told Chen Ge that his condition was terrible.

When she and Sister Si finally found Song Ruyu, all four beds in her room were occupied by members of the production.

Ren Yan lay curled up in the corner like a shrimp dried beneath the sun.

The moment Song Ruyu saw Sister Si, she began crying. Sister Si exclaimed, “Oh my goodness,” and gathered her into her arms, like an old mother seeing her youngest daughter immediately after childbirth. No amount of stroking or comforting seemed sufficient.

Sister Si asked her, “How did things become this bad? Everyone suffered food poisoning? What did the production feed you?”

Before answering, Song Ruyu immediately looked toward Chen Ge standing nearby.

She feared Chen Ge would expose how Song Ruyu had poisoned the entire production and nearly poisoned herself half to death in the process.

Chen Ge was not gossipy and had no interest in dealing with her. She walked to the side to check on Ren Yan.

The other two beds in the room were occupied by production staff.

Some had family members who had rushed over, while others had representatives from their companies visiting them. Everyone had someone by their side except Ren Yan, who lay there alone and helpless.

Ren Yan had nothing left to expel from either end.

She glanced at the cup on the low cabinet and wanted a drink.

With no one nearby to care for her, Ren Yan could only force herself to sit up and pour the water herself.

Just as she attempted to rise, a hand gently landed on her shoulder.

“Don’t move. Rest. I’ll pour it for you.”

Ren Yan looked up and discovered that it was Chen Ge.

The fresh, beautiful, and gentle Chen Ge!

Ren Yan began crying. “Thank goodness you’re here, Gege. Otherwise, this lonely old woman would die of thirst…”

Chen Ge looked around but found no thermos, so she went outside to fetch water.

She handed the cup to Ren Yan and reminded her, “It’s a little hot. Drink slowly.”

Ren Yan held the cup in both hands and sipped carefully.

After several mouthfuls, she feared that drinking too much might make her vomit again. She tried to turn and place the cup back, but Chen Ge took it and set it down securely for her.

Ren Yan was deeply moved. She pulled Chen Ge down beside her, wrapped her arms around Chen Ge’s waist, and rested her head against her shoulder.

“How can our Gege be this wonderful… Is it still possible for me to marry you now?”

Chen Ge chatted casually with Ren Yan when Sister Si suddenly shouted:

“You’re the one who poisoned everyone?!”

Everyone in the ward, including those passing outside the door, could not resist glancing inside.

But they quickly lost interest.

Clearly, the entire production already knew what Song Ruyu had done.

Song Ruyu shook her shoulders unhappily. “How can you blame me for this? Qian Yu was the one who insisted on picking them. I told him not to, but he made the decision himself because he wanted to show off in front of Director Feng. Besides… who knew those wild vegetables were poisonous? They looked exactly like the cold vegetable dishes sold in ordinary restaurants. They looked so normal. How shameless of them to be poisonous.”

Sister Si said, “So this is entirely Qian Yu’s and the vegetables’ fault, and you did nothing wrong? Say that only to me. Don’t go outside recklessly shifting responsibility! Qian Yu’s manager is already here, and his company is formidable. Their publicity tactics are first-rate, and they control a whole group of marketing accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers! If they release a pile of articles attacking you, you’ll regret it too late!”

Song Ruyu wanted to say something else, but she suddenly heard Qian Yu’s voice passing outside and immediately closed her mouth.

Sister Si patiently instructed her not to create trouble and to finish filming properly. Wasn’t it nice to earn money while lying down? If she wanted to eat random things, she could eat them herself. Could she please stop sending the entire production to the hospital with her?

“Do you know how much our company will have to compensate for this production shutdown and everyone’s medical expenses?” Sister Si lowered her voice significantly.

The moment money was mentioned, Song Ruyu became nervous. “How much?”

Sister Si said, “Now you’re worried? Once I finish negotiating with the production, I’ll immediately report the amount to Your Excellency.”

Song Ruyu asked, “The company will pay for me, right?”

Sister Si smiled pleasantly. “Of course.”

Song Ruyu let out a delighted squeal and prepared to hug her, only to hear Sister Si continue:

“The company will pay first, then deduct it from your compensation. Don’t worry. Not a single cent will be missing.”

Song Ruyu: “…”

Sister Si’s head hurt terribly.

There was already hope of placing Xiao Mao in a web drama. She would be the fifth-billed third female lead, with roughly a hundred scenes. It was the best opportunity she had received since debuting.

Sister Si absolutely had to secure that role.

She had been halfway through negotiations with the creative team when she learned about Song Ruyu and Chen Ge’s production-wide food poisoning incident. Afraid that someone might die, she immediately rushed over.

On the journey, she had even spoken with the company’s legal department about how much compensation they should demand from the production.

Unexpectedly, after arriving and asking what happened, she discovered that the culprit was none other than their own Song Ruyu.

Demanding compensation from the production was now impossible. They would probably have to compensate the production until nothing remained.

She needed to discuss the matter with Qian Yu’s manager and split the cost equally.

No—it would be better to make his company pay the larger share.

Sister Si went to test Feng Yunxin’s attitude first. Chen Ge refilled Ren Yan’s water cup, then worried that Sister Si might begin arguing with the production and planned to follow.

Feng Yunxin was staying upstairs in one of only two private rooms in the entire inpatient department equipped with its own bathroom.

When Luo Jingyi came to visit, Feng Yunxin was video-calling her parents.

“…How could I have known it was food poisoning? My tongue isn’t a silver needle that can test for poison. Can you stop nagging? I told you to let me spend a few years outside doing what I enjoy. Can you please stop controlling me?”

Luo Jingyi heard Feng Yunxin’s father say:

“I don’t want to control you either, but you keep embarrassing us outside! My daughter, Old Feng’s daughter, is directing some web variety show? Huh? What kind of rubbish are you filming? It possesses absolutely no artistic value! Forget examining it a hundred years from now—even today, it’s nothing but cultural garbage! I advise you—”

Feng Yunxin directly ended the video call, tossed her phone aside, closed her eyes while clutching her stomach, and frowned as she rested and tried to calm down.

Luo Jingyi walked beside her and handed her an insulated container.

The moment Feng Yunxin smelled the aroma, her eyes brightened.

Luo Jingyi poured the soup into a bowl. “I bought old-duck soup with radish from the hotel. Xiao Zhao said it should suit your current condition. Try it.”

For once, Feng Yunxin did not joke around. She accepted the bowl and smelled the duck soup, feeling slightly comforted.

“Fortunately, I still have you.”

Standing beside the bed, Luo Jingyi smiled. “Xiao Zhao recommended it. You should say you’re fortunate to have Xiao Zhao.”

Feng Yunxin knew Luo Jingyi was trying to cheer her up. She drank only two mouthfuls before stopping.

“Still uncomfortable?”

“I don’t have much of an appetite.”

“Then I’ll close the container for now. Drink it whenever you feel like it.”

As Luo Jingyi tightened the lid, she asked, “Did they pump your stomach?”

“I didn’t eat much, so no. I only vomited, had diarrhea, and received an IV.”

“Judging by the production’s condition, can filming resume tomorrow?”

Feng Yunxin sighed. “Probably. Everyone can endure it.”

“They’re already like this, and you still expect them to endure?”

Luo Jingyi walked to the bathroom door and looked inside. After determining it was barely usable, she took disinfectant spray and wet wipes inside.

Leaning against the bed, Feng Yunxin said, “We have no choice. We signed contracts, and exceeding the schedule means paying penalties. This incident was caused by Qian Yu and Xiao Song…”

While Feng Yunxin was speaking, someone knocked on the door.

She weakly said, “Come in.”

Sister Si poked her head inside and whispered, “Director Feng, I came to visit you.”

Feng Yunxin said, “You’re… Oh, Xiao Si, the manager from White Horse Pictures.”

They had communicated frequently through WeChat but had only met once in person.

Sister Si carried a fruit basket purchased from the shop downstairs and placed it on the nearby table. “Yes, that’s me. I came to see how you’re doing, Director Feng.”

Luo Jingyi had originally intended to use the bathroom, but the sudden arrival of a stranger instantly eliminated the urge. She pulled her trousers back up and did not emerge.

White Horse Pictures. Wasn’t that Chen Ge and Song Ruyu’s agency?

White Horse…

The more Luo Jingyi considered it, the more familiar it sounded.

She suddenly remembered the person who had barged into her office some time ago, sat in her chair without permission, and cried until Luo Jingyi had replaced her entire set of office furniture.

Hadn’t that person also come from this miserable company?

Chen Ge belonged to this company too?

Luo Jingyi: “…”

After a moment of silence, Luo Jingyi shook her head.

How could actors from the same company be so completely different?

Sister Si first came to coordinate with Feng Yunxin and apologize on Song Ruyu’s behalf.

She said the child was usually clever and did not know why she had acted foolishly this time.

Song Ruyu’s intentions had been good. She had wanted to find everyone something extra to eat, but her limited life experience had caused this tragedy.

Sister Si said, “We will certainly accept the responsibility that belongs to us. I only hope Director Feng won’t blame her too harshly. She didn’t do it deliberately. Her heart was in the right place.”

Feng Yunxin said, “I’ll discuss this with the entire production team. Don’t worry. We all know she didn’t do it intentionally. If it had been deliberate, that would be terrifying. We would need to call the police and have her arrested.”

Sister Si smiled apologetically and repeatedly agreed. While apologizing, she removed an apple and prepared to peel it for Feng Yunxin.

Feng Yunxin knew Luo Jingyi did not want to meet managers like this. Trapped inside the bathroom, she was probably silently furious.

Feng Yunxin said to Sister Si, “You don’t need to peel it. I’m not eating apples. My stomach has barely improved. If I eat, I’ll need to run to the bathroom again.”

Her meaning was that Sister Si should leave quickly.

Unexpectedly, Sister Si was exceptionally attentive.

“Then I’ll turn the apple into juice. I happened to bring a portable juicer!”

As she spoke, she pulled a juicer from her bag.

It was one of her long-standing habits. She needed to drink juice wherever she went, and it happened to be useful now.

Feng Yunxin silently glanced toward the bathroom, feeling as though the thin door might be kicked open by the Empress Dowager at any moment.

“…You’re remarkably well-equipped. But I don’t particularly want juice either. I’m not feeling well right now. Why don’t we speak later?”

Sister Si said seriously, “I can’t stay here for very long. I still have work involving my other artists. I may need to leave this afternoon.”

At that moment, Chen Ge knocked and entered. Feng Yunxin immediately beamed when she saw her.

“Xiao Chen is here? How are you? You can still walk, so you look better than I do.”

Sister Si noticed that Director Feng looked gentle and kind toward Chen Ge. She clearly liked her.

Sister Si picked up several pieces of fruit. “I’m going to make juice for Director Feng.”

Then she headed toward the bathroom.

Feng Yunxin hurriedly said, “Someone’s inside. Wash them downstairs. Thank you.”

Sister Si glanced at the bathroom. The door was indeed closed.

As she prepared to leave, Feng Yunxin wanted to send her as far away as possible to give Luo Jingyi more time to escape.

“Please wash every piece of fruit in the basket!”

Sister Si: “…”

Didn’t she say she wasn’t eating?

Carrying the entire fruit basket, Sister Si whispered beside Chen Ge’s ear before leaving:

“I think Director Feng has a favorable impression of you. Persuade her properly and ask her to reduce the compensation as much as possible.”

Chen Ge looked troubled. “How am I supposed to persuade her?”

Sister Si said, “Don’t you know how to please someone? Flatter her properly.”

Chen Ge: “…”

Sister Si turned and smiled at Feng Yunxin before leaving.

Not long after Sister Si departed, while Chen Ge was asking about Feng Yunxin’s condition, the sound of a toilet flushing came from the bathroom. Luo Jingyi emerged.

Chen Ge called, “Sister Luo.”

Luo Jingyi had heard every word of Sister Si instructing Chen Ge to curry favor with Feng Yunxin.

As expected, the people at White Horse Pictures never behaved properly.

Slightly angry, Luo Jingyi said, “You don’t need to please anyone. They should pay whatever they’re responsible for paying. This had nothing to do with you in the first place. You don’t need to humble yourself before anyone.”

Chen Ge stood frozen, not daring to move, as though she had genuinely done something wrong.

From Luo Jingyi’s expression, Feng Yunxin knew she was defending Chen Ge. She cared about her; she simply expressed it somewhat aggressively.

Feng Yunxin smiled and said, “Hey, Xiao Song didn’t do it deliberately. I’ll discuss this with the production team, and we should be able to reduce the compensation to a minimum. Although everyone was hospitalized, fortunately, nothing serious happened. A little vomiting and diarrhea can count as detoxifying and beautifying the skin. Resuming work tomorrow would be best. If we can’t, we’ll delay another day. Health is still the most important thing. Everyone works away from home, and no one has it easy. But I can negotiate only with the production staff. Xiao Si still needs to discuss compensation with the guests.”

Luo Jingyi said, “Does this concern Chen Ge? Why are you telling her?”

Chen Ge did not understand that these two old friends always spoke very directly.

Luo Jingyi was not trying to argue. For her and Feng Yunxin, this was simply the straightforward statement of an ordinary fact.

But in Chen Ge’s ears, it sounded as though Luo Jingyi might blow up the entire hospital in the next second.

Chen Ge hurried forward to calm her.

“Sister Luo, it’s all right. Director Feng is only discussing ways to resolve the situation. I’m also part of White Horse Pictures. If I can help communicate between them, then I’ll do it.”

From close range, Luo Jingyi looked at Chen Ge’s anxious expression. Without realizing it, Chen Ge had grasped the corner of Luo Jingyi’s clothes, like a little lamb accidentally separated from its flock and asking a big gray wolf for directions.

Chen Ge’s slightly inexperienced appearance suddenly aligned perfectly with an image Luo Jingyi had long held inside her mind but had never been able to match to anyone.

Chen Ge’s face and entire presence slipped seamlessly into the thrilling plot of the film that had yet to begin production.

There was not the slightest sense of incongruity.

After gazing at her quietly for a while, Luo Jingyi smiled.

“What are you afraid of? Old Feng and I always speak like this. I wasn’t planning to argue with her.”

Chen Ge said, “Really…? That’s good.”

Watching this beautiful scene from the side, Feng Yunxin felt it would pair perfectly with a mouthful of old-duck soup.

Sister Si would soon return. Luo Jingyi had already delivered the duck soup and checked on Feng Yunxin, so she planned to leave first.

Chen Ge said, “Sister Luo, I have something to tell you.”

Curious about what she wanted to say, Luo Jingyi replied, “Let’s go downstairs.”

The two walked to the small road outside the hospital.

Chen Ge said, “I didn’t know these clothes were so expensive. I’ll wash them and return them to you.”

Luo Jingyi raised her brows slightly. So that was what she wanted to discuss.

Chen Ge thought she was displeased and immediately added, “I can disinfect them too. If I weren’t genuinely too poor… I would buy you a new set.”

Luo Jingyi said, “They’re only clothes. Why worry so much? You don’t need to buy me replacements. But if you have time…”

Chen Ge’s eyes shone brightly as she waited for an alternative form of compensation.

Luo Jingyi said, “Add me on WeChat.”

Chen Ge took out her phone and opened her WeChat QR code. Luo Jingyi scanned it and added her as a friend.

Muge0411.

Wasn’t “Muge” simply the character Ge separated into its components?

Such an excessively serious name. The joke could be understood immediately.

“Is your birthday April 11?” Luo Jingyi asked.

Chen Ge said, “Yes.”

Luo Jingyi’s profile picture showed a balloon floating in midair. The vivid red balloon contrasted sharply with the pale sky.

Her nickname was Psycho.

Chen Ge was sensitive to the word Psycho. It was the title of Alfred Hitchcock’s film.

Did Sister Luo also enjoy movies, or had she merely chosen the same nickname by coincidence?

Although it was not exactly a pleasant nickname…

After adding her, Luo Jingyi sent her a document.

“When you have time, read this script and perform it for me.”

Author’s Note:

Chen Ge 0.0: What script is this?

Luo Jingyi: 108 Ways to Fall in Love with Luo Jingyi (just kidding)

Chen Ge: ?!