After Flirting with the Wrong Stand-in, I Overturned (GL) - Chapter 16

Lush bamboo forests, the sound of gurgling water.

The woman in white brandished her sword with crisp precision, carving arcs of steel in the air like blossoming flowers. Moments later, she landed as light as a feather.

“Senior Sister.” Having just steadied herself, a boy who had been waiting nearby ran toward her. “Your swordsmanship has improved again.”

“For those of us on the path of martial arts, diligent practice is the only righteous way.” The woman’s voice was soft and cold, her gaze lingering on the boy’s face with an air of indifference.

“This disciple will keep Senior Sister’s teachings in mind; I will surely practice hard,” the sixteen-year-old boy promised immediately.

The woman’s footsteps paused slightly, her elegant brows knitting together. The words at the tip of her tongue were eventually suppressed, leaving the boy with nothing but a cold, detached silhouette.

“Cut.” Director Wu frowned, interrupting the performance directly. “Lin Shuyan, that’s not right.”

“Come over here!” Wu Wenshan called out.

Lin Shuyan stopped instantly and walked over with her head down, a trace of chagrin hidden in her eyes. Even without Director Wu saying it, she knew where the problem lay.

“Lin Shuyan,” the director’s reprimand hit her before she even reached the monitor, “what exactly should Bai Ling’s expression be in this scene? Have you actually studied it properly?”

“I have,” Lin Shuyan murmured. She had studied the entire script carefully; there was a subtle detail in this segment. The male lead liked his Senior Sister—it was practically love at first sight—and Bai Ling’s feelings for him had surfaced early as well. In this scene in the bamboo forest, Bai Ling had seen a female supporting character making advances toward the male lead first. At this point, Bai Ling hadn’t realized her feelings were different yet, but she should already be showing emotions distinct from how she treated other disciples.

As the Eldest Senior Sister, she was the role model for everyone. She had to lead by example, treating all disciples equally. Bai Ling would not carry her master’s hatred, nor should she carry her own affection; thus, this emotion had to be suppressed again and again.

“Bai Ling is cold on the outside, but her heart is warm,” Wu Wenshan emphasized again. “Everyone take a break. We film again in ten minutes.”

“Director Wu, I will think it over carefully.” Lin Shuyan clutched her script, not daring to waste a second.

“You can add some small details. People who are ‘cold outside, warm inside’ are inherently difficult to play.”

Lin Shuyan looked up; it was Yan Xun, who played the male lead. “Thank you for the reminder,” she thanked him politely.

“You’re welcome. Since I’m your scene partner, our chemistry is very important.” Yan Xun smiled. “Need some help?”

“Aren’t you going to rest?” Lin Shuyan asked.

“Me?” Yan Xun spread his arms, glanced at himself, and said confidently, “I’m great. I don’t need rest.”

“Thank you for your help.” Lin Shuyan didn’t refuse. She couldn’t allow herself to drag down the entire crew’s progress. With Yan Xun’s help, she might achieve more with less effort.

Ren Xuan only heard about this little episode two days later. The call was from Ning Yinman. “Xuan, do you have any idea what your ‘investment’ is doing on set?”

Ning Yinman didn’t wait for Ren Xuan to guess, answering her own question: “I heard she’s getting along exceptionally well with Yan Xun.”

“Yan Xun?” Ren Xuan frowned.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce him,” Ning Yinman said with a teasing expression. “He’s the male star from our company who’s skyrocketed in the last two years. Girls absolutely adore him.”

“Spending every day together on set… aren’t you worried something might happen?” Ning Yinman asked with genuine curiosity. She knew Ren Xuan had someone in her heart, but that person was far away—likely an impossible dream for this lifetime.

Since she finally had a good feeling about someone else, she couldn’t let them slip away.

“The male lead of The Dragon Emperor?” Ren Xuan remembered.

“So you have been secretly paying attention,” Ning Yinman teased.

“My dear beauty Ning,” Ren Xuan held her forehead. She was paying attention quite openly; secrecy wasn’t her style. “I am an investor in this production.”

“Right.” Ning Yinman nodded. In terms of joining Sheng Huang, she had only provided the contact info. But since the contact info came from her, it would be a waste not to fleece Ren Xuan a bit, so she had encouraged her to invest in the drama.

“Big boss, so do you want to visit the set?” Ning Yinman smirked. “If you’re too shy to go alone, I can accompany you!”

It had to be said, Ren Xuan was tempted. It would be a waste of a perfectly good opportunity not to use it.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you; if she runs off, it’ll be too late for regrets,” Ning Yinman reminded her helpfully.

“Yinman,” Ren Xuan finally found the right moment to say what she had been meaning to, “the two of us aren’t in ‘that kind’ of relationship yet. It’s not appropriate.”

“Understood.” With that one sentence, Ning Yinman got it instantly. “I’m just an investor visiting. I’ll act like I don’t know anything when the time comes, okay?”

“I’m a bit busy these few days,” Ren Xuan said, looking down at the files on her desk. “Pick a time in a couple of days.”

Ning Yinman agreed readily. The time was set for next Friday. By then, the crew of The Dragon Emperor would have moved to a relatively remote mountain village for location shooting.

The mountain roads were difficult. Ren Xuan had to walk a long stretch. In her past life, she had traveled extensively—mountain climbing and diving were second nature to her—so this mountain path was like walking on level ground. Ning Yinman also had a great attitude, snapping photos with her phone non-stop.

“Xuan, don’t say I didn’t tell you, the crew has a great eye. This place is perfect for tourism.”

“Unsculpted beauty,” Ren Xuan agreed as they walked.

Ning Yinman, remembering the purpose of this trip, smirked. “Of course, the people are even more beautiful.”

“Isn’t the great beauty right in front of me?” Ren Xuan replied directly, feigning ignorance.

“Ren Xuan,” Ning Yinman tucked away her phone and slung an arm around Ren Xuan’s shoulder, “your tongue has gotten so sweet. You never used to praise a commoner like me so much.”

“Of course!” Ning Yinman said smugly. “Everything you said is true. I’m beautiful and kind-hearted, risking my life to accompany a gentleman.” Was it easy for her to come all this way just to let Ren Xuan see her girl?

As they talked, they grew closer to the set. Aside from telling the producer, they hadn’t alerted anyone. So, when they appeared in everyone’s line of sight, the crew was caught off guard.

Few people might recognize Ren Xuan, but most were familiar with Ning Yinman. Not only did the Ning family hold many shares in entertainment companies, but they also frequently invested in TV and films. Over time, she had met many actors. Several of Ning Yinman’s ex-girlfriends were even A-list stars.

In the center of the theater, Yan Xun was rehearsing a scene with Lin Shuyan. The two, having just been unhooked from their wires, were steadying themselves to deliver their lines. This segment was the scene where the disciples unite to slay a demon.

While Wu Wenshan was focused on the monitor, the producer was the first to notice the two women.

“President Ning, President Ren.” Producer Wang ran over.

“Producer Wang,” Ning Yinman spoke with a smile, “the two of us are just out for a stroll and decided to drop by. Carry on, don’t mind us.”

“We’re about to wrap up for the session,” Producer Wang said. “The rest will be filmed in the afternoon.”

Ning Yinman had researched this in advance. She even knew Lin Shuyan had no scenes this afternoon. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have chosen this exact moment to strike.

The people at the monitor didn’t know visitors had arrived until the director shouted “Cut.” Lin Shuyan packed her things, preparing to return to her room. Yan Xun trotted over to her side. “Want to go grab lunch together?”

“Thank you.” Lin Shuyan shook her head. Yan Xun had asked this several times, and though she politely declined every time, he hadn’t given up.

By now, even the dense Lin Shuyan understood what was going on. “I prefer eating alone in my room.”

“Teacher Yan, thank you for the kind offer.” Lin Shuyan picked up her backpack and looked up to leave. About ten paces away, a dozen people had gathered. Lin Shuyan didn’t pay it much mind at first; she needed to go back and study her script.

Director Wu Wenshan certainly lived up to her reputation; Lin Shuyan had learned a lot but also suffered many criticisms. Now that they were a fair way into the shoot, the criticisms were fewer, which only made her want to work harder.

Suddenly, Lin Shuyan’s gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on the woman in the center. She felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, completely unable to believe her eyes. In the middle of this wilderness, she… she seemed to see Miss Ren.

How is that possible? Lin Shuyan shook her head; she must be seeing things.

The doubt was confirmed in the next instant. Ren Xuan looked up, and that familiar face appeared clearly in Lin Shuyan’s vision.

Miss… Miss Ren. It’s really Miss Ren…

Yan Xun, who had been watching Lin Shuyan, followed her gaze. A little assistant ran up to Rong Yu, who played the female lead of The Dragon Emperor. Although the voice was kept low, both Lin Shuyan and Yan Xun heard it: “Sister Rong, the big boss who invested in our drama is here.”

“It looks like Miss Ning.” Yan Xun recognized her now and suggested, “Shall we go take a look?”

Lin Shuyan had just lifted her foot to go when she hurriedly put it back down. Miss Ren was an investor in The Dragon Emperor; it was perfectly normal for an investor to visit the set. If she just rushed over recklessly…

No, she couldn’t just run over like that.

Ren Xuan, however, had already noticed them. As a popular figure in the crew, Ning Yinman was receiving most of the attention. Seizing a gap, Ren Xuan slipped away.

As she walked toward them step by step, Lin Shuyan panicked. Should I take the initiative to greet Miss Ren later? But we’re in public; would it cause her trouble?

What if Miss Ren greets me first?

Amidst her chaotic thoughts, Lin Shuyan couldn’t help but steal several more glances at Ren Xuan.

“Hello, everyone!” Ren Xuan greeted them proactively. “We brought a lot of delicious food. Would you like to try some?”

Yan Xun didn’t know Ren Xuan, but the producer’s attitude toward her made him realize she was someone significant. “Thank you.”

“You must be Teacher Yan?” Ren Xuan said politely, quietly observing the man’s appearance. Yan Xun wasn’t the rugged type—otherwise, he wouldn’t have become an overnight sensation with First Love.

He was tall with refined features. From his appearance alone, he looked scholarly and unthreatening, but his eyes were exceptionally beautiful—the kind that could captivate a person’s soul.