After Being Marked by the Popular Female Lead O (GL) - Chapter 6

Everyone held their breath, concentrating. Without realizing it, Xie Qingshu had finished her performance, and they only snapped back to reality when she stepped down.

This was the most difficult segment of Ju Zhan’s role to act. Not only were the lines minimal, but a poor performance would result in a character with a blank expression.

Other actors chose a more conservative approach, quickly highlighting their character’s personality and their own advantages in a short time. Xie Qingshu was the first to use the opening scene for her audition, which was extremely risky, but it now appeared to be a successful gamble.

Xie Qingshu had acted in many dramas, but this was the first time she had encountered a role like this. The moment she disengaged from the emotional state, she saw Zhou Que and was slightly stunned.

Why was she here?

A beam of sunlight fell on Zhou Que’s face, highlighting skin so fair it seemed transparent. As if she had just noticed Xie Qingshu’s gaze, she returned an impeccable smile, even her signature phoenix eyes curving into crescents.

She was inherently strikingly beautiful; calling her an ancient spirit in the book wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Yet, she put on a harmless, pitiable demeanor. She was the one who sucked the essence out of others, and also the one who was pitied.

Xie Qingshu looked away for some reason. She suddenly understood why those scum Alphas in the book resorted to forceful seizure.

This thought appeared for only an instant before she fiercely cast it aside.

“Sister, you performed so well. I feel so much pressure…” Although Zhou Que spoke these words, there was a hint of a smile in her eyes, as if she was greatly amused by something.

Xie Qingshu nodded faintly. This was probably the maximum reaction she could manage right now.

Although she hadn’t read much of the original book, she knew Zhou Que hadn’t been cast in this drama, let alone auditioned. But then she remembered she had already changed many of the original plot points, even taking the place of the main male lead’s appearance.

For just an audition, it was still somewhat reasonable.

Xie Qingshu reassured herself this way, and her expression slightly softened.

Zhou Que was skilled at reading people’s expressions and remained silent, standing obediently to the side. The distance was maintained perfectly—neither close enough to be overly intimate nor far enough to be too aloof.

Everyone present was somewhat nervous, and the atmosphere felt subtly condensed, so no one noticed Xie Qingshu’s oddity. They were all aware of the ‘grudge’ between the two.

While maintaining poker faces, the inner roars in their hearts were louder than the next, and all their behaviors were given different interpretations:

Xie Qingshu ignoring Zhou Que was her suppressing her rage.

Zhou Que smiling was a dagger concealed in cotton.

In short, the two people despised each other but were forced to cooperate.

…Oh my God, what a Shura Field.

Just sharing the frame for an audition caused such a commotion. If they were to join the cast, it would be an explosion.

Everyone exchanged glances, seeing the same sentiment in each other’s expressions.

Deng Yue didn’t notice the atmosphere on the set and was gloating over his good eye for talent. “Excellent performance. Since the other actor for Qin Yun is right here, why don’t you partner up for a scene?”

Up until now, an acting partnership during an audition was unprecedented, but thinking that it was Xie Qingshu made it all seem reasonable.

A trace of hesitation flashed in Xie Qingshu’s eyes. She hadn’t expected Qin Yun to be played by Zhou Que.

No wonder Deng Yue had that strange request back then. She should have realized it from the moment she was at Qiyu.

She had been set up!

Xie Qingshu’s expression was displeased.

Deng Yue sneezed, sheepishly rubbing his nose, pretending he knew nothing.

“Sister, I know my acting isn’t as good as yours, so if you’re unwilling, you can switch to another actor to partner with you, but right now, there doesn’t seem to be an actor who is particularly suitable for Qin Yun.”

Zhou Que whispered, a look of disappointment flashing across her face right on cue when mentioning the switch.

This made the rejection that Xie Qingshu was about to utter get stuck in her throat. Her scalp tingled, and her tone was chilly. “No need. We’ll proceed as is.”

Zhou Que curled her lips, looking as though her scheme had succeeded, though no one paid her any attention.

Although Xie Qingshu was unwilling, in all honesty, after reading the script, the impression of the role of Qin Yun in her mind was Zhou Que.

The character suppresses herself in the early stages and later falls into degradation due to demonization. For Zhou Que, who possessed a natural advantage in appearance, the image couldn’t be a closer fit.

However, the transition between the two phases was too great, and the character could easily collapse if handled carelessly.

But that was not Xie Qingshu’s concern.

Everyone braced themselves. In fact, they didn’t need to; just the sight of the two standing there was enough to make people excited. They were truly beautiful to look at.

Xie Qingshu and Zhou Que both chose the same scene, which was highly intense and instantly pulled the audience in. Of course, poor coordination or one person underperforming could destroy the entire segment.

The scene: After Ju Zhan discovers the descent of the demonic star, she unseals the cave residence that had been sealed for a hundred years, goes to the mortal world herself, and brings back a young girl.

She was just a tiny, pitiful thing. Who would have thought she was the demonic star?

This part would be completed by another child actor, and the screen time was very little. At Xie Qingshu’s speed, three days was slow.

Zhou Que’s scenes were set after the girl grew up and involved a lot of interactions with Xie Qingshu, mostly intimate ones.

However, Xie Qingshu was unaware that the script had been revised.

Huan Lang Tian, Cold Mountain. The area was originally barren, with only ice and snow covering the ground. Now, with the addition of one person, it had gained a touch of life.

Ju Zhan walked out. Her nose caught the scent of plum blossoms. She was briefly lost in thought, then as if realizing something, she instantly appeared in the plum grove.

The flowers bloomed magnificently, each tree more abundant and fragrant than the last. In this monotonous world of only white, this was the only splash of color. No plants could survive the temperature of Cold Mountain, showing the immense care the owner put into their upkeep.

“Master, you’ve left seclusion!” A cheerful voice was heard from afar, running towards her.

Ju Zhan nodded. Looking at the girl in front of her, she could barely recognize her. She was a tiny bundle back then, but now, to look at her straight, Ju Zhan had to slightly lift her head to see her expression clearly.

Her divine sense had been watching all this time, and the girl hadn’t consumed any special elixirs, so how did she grow up like this…?

The girl lowered her eyes, concealing her true emotions. Her fingertips curled, but when she looked up, she had a beaming smile. “Master, while you were in seclusion, I always thought the other mountains were more lively than ours. The junior siblings are fine, but Master belongs only to me.”

“Mhm,” Ju Zhan didn’t detect any other meaning in the words and genuinely responded. She was usually busy with cultivation and managing various affairs. Taking care of one Qin Yun was already busy enough; she really didn’t have the extra energy to raise another.

Qin Yun’s eyes immediately lit up. “I was thinking if I could plant some flowers, and after much thought, I planted plum blossoms. Does Master find them beautiful?”

A gust of wind blew by. The fragile petals easily fell, accompanying the snowflakes, dancing in the air. It was an extremely beautiful sight, but Ju Zhan frowned, her thoughts seeming to drift to something else.

“You can plant anything, but don’t plant these.”

They reminded her of someone, causing her breathing to stop for an instant.

“If Master doesn’t like them, then forget it.”

Qin Yun remained silent, a hint of mockery crossing her lips. With a raised hand, spiritual energy scattered, and none of the surrounding plum trees were spared. They all fell, leaving broken branches and withered flowers everywhere.

Ju Zhan’s pupils dilated, realizing that this plum grove was merely an illusion. With a collision of spiritual energy, nothing remained.

Qin Yun looked indifferent. “Did Master forget? Nothing grows on Cold Mountain.”

“You…”

Before Ju Zhan could react, a warmth suddenly appeared in her arms. For a moment, she forgot to push her away.

“Master, you’ve been in seclusion for ten years this time. I’m already at the Golden Core stage.”

The girl’s voice was sweetly innocent and held the coyness of a close person. She completely embraced Ju Zhan, her warm breath hitting the back of the other’s neck.

Ju Zhan’s neck tingled. She had never been in this situation, or rather, no one had ever dared to get this close.

“G-get down.”

Qin Yun shook her head, greedily inhaling Ju Zhan’s scent where she couldn’t see. “I won’t!”

Ju Zhan pursed her lips, unsure what to do. A flash of confusion crossed her eyes. She instinctively wanted to push the other party away with spiritual energy, but she withdrew the thought.

What if she injured Qin Yun?

However, the warmth in her arms suddenly vanished a moment later. Qin Yun’s eyes curved with a smile. “Master, you won’t go back into seclusion this time, will you? I missed you so much.”

…Missed seeing the most ruthless immortal lord in the world cry, wondering what that would look like.

The directors didn’t call ‘cut,’ so they had to maintain the scene.

Xie Qingshu bit her lower lip, feeling the person in her arms releasing a subtle pheromone scent. It wasn’t much, but it was just enough to envelop her, full of the scent of blue water lily.

Xie Qingshu forced herself not to smell it, yet her body instinctively wanted to pursue it.

The two were pressed extremely close. A slight observation would reveal that even their breathing was on the same frequency.

Zhou Que’s hand was wrapped around Xie Qingshu’s waist, which was so slender she almost suspected she could break it with a little force. From this angle, her peripheral vision could clearly see her profile—her jawline smooth, her expression indifferent, as if she didn’t take anyone seriously.

This scene seemed almost identical to what happened in the restroom that day, but strictly speaking, it wasn’t their first meeting.

Their true first meeting was at a banquet, where stars gathered, bright and dazzling. The newly debuted Zhou Que was like a white rabbit thrown into a pack of wolves.

Everyone could bully her.

A few people gathered around, instructed by who knows whom, and poured a glass of red wine over her. Laughter was constant, and the surrounding gazes were either indifferent or mocking.

It was Xie Qingshu who stood up and gave up her lounge. However, her words were directed at the waiter, her face cold and aloof. She walked away in high heels without looking back, not even sparing her a glance.

But she certainly had the right to ignore her.

Zhou Que looked at the pink-tinged scent gland on the curve of her neck, a smile creeping onto her lips. Would a person like this ever lose control, forget restraint for someone or something?

That would be so much fun.

But in an instant, Zhou Que discovered something even more interesting, and her heartbeat quickened slightly.

Xie Qingshu was trembling.

Under her.