Chapter 19 – Resuming Filming

After a few days of walking on thin ice, the crew finally resumed filming. When the news came, Yu Shuinao packed her things with a huge sigh of relief and couldn’t wait to leave this anxiety-inducing place.

When she left, Xie Yixuan wasn’t there.

As soon as she arrived at the crew hotel, Song Feici rushed over and gave her a big hug.

“Sister Shuinao!” Song Feici buried her face in her shoulder, her voice muffled and carrying a coquettish, tearful tone. “I missed you so much, it felt like three years apart… I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Yu Shuinao raised her hand and gently stroked her soft hair, teasing her, “Oh~ Did you really miss me? Or did you just miss having a break?”

Song Feici lifted her face abruptly to look at her, her adorable puppy eyes blinking innocently. “How could I? You’re the one I care about the most, sister!” She shook Yu Shuinao’s arm.

Yu Shuinao couldn’t resist pinching her soft cheek.

Song Feici let go, tilted her head, and scanned Yu Shuinao’s face with bright eyes. Suddenly she exclaimed, “Why do you look even more beautiful after coming back? You were already so beautiful before. If you keep this up, I’m really going to fall in love with you.”

All nonsense.

But Yu Shuinao still laughed. “You’re just saying nice things to flatter me.”

“I’m not flattering you! I mean it from the bottom of my heart!” Song Feici Read on BaiLianTales vowed solemnly, almost raising her hand to swear.

As if she had been holding it in for too long, the moment Song Feici saw her, she couldn’t stop talking. She vividly described what happened at the dinner that night. “They explained hundreds of times, but that guy kept yelling for you to come over. I wanted to curse him out. Sister Lan suddenly slammed the table, interrupted his bullshit, and scolded him. It was so satisfying!”

Yu Shuinao listened thoughtfully, resting her chin on her hand as she watched Song Feici’s animated expression. Seeing how excited she was, Yu Shuinao smiled and changed the subject. “Xiao Ci, I have a question I’ve been curious about for a long time.”

“What is it?” Song Feici leaned in curiously.

“Well… I’m really curious,” Yu Shuinao chose her words carefully, her eyes carrying a hint of inquiry. “What exactly is your relationship with Director Wei in private?”

“Ah?” Song Feici was caught completely off guard and froze, looking dazed.

Her reaction confirmed Yu Shuinao’s suspicion. Yu Shuinao’s eyes curved into crescents, looking as if she understood everything. “I see.”

“No, Sister?” Song Feici looked like she had been struck by lightning. She almost jumped up, staring at Yu Shuinao in disbelief. “What do you see?!”

Yu Shuinao: “You like her?”

Song Feici’s eyes widened instantly. Her mouth fell slightly open, as if she had heard something absurd. She looked at Yu Shuinao in utter disbelief.

The two stared at each other. The air froze for a few seconds.

“No… no…” Song Feici found her voice again, speaking incoherently. “W-why would you think that?” read the original at bailiantales.comHer face was full of absurdity.

Yu Shuinao recalled: “It really looks like it. You two are very close on set, and…” She paused, her smile deepening. “When you talk to me, you mention her a lot, and your tone is very strange. Usually, people only act like that when they really like someone, right?”

Song Feici covered her face with both hands, completely speechless.

“Alright,” Yu Shuinao comforted her gently, patting her shoulder. “Director Wei is indeed very charming. It’s normal.”

Song Feici suddenly grabbed her hand and shook it, looking utterly hopeless. “No no no no no no! I don’t like her, and she doesn’t like me. It’s a huge misunderstanding! It’s all… rumors… Don’t listen to those people online talking nonsense!!”

Now it was Yu Shuinao’s turn to be surprised. “You really don’t like her?”

“I really, really don’t like her!” Song Feici spoke with absolute certainty, almost swearing on her life.

“I won’t tell anyone.”

“Oh my god, I really don’t like her.” Song Feici stared at the ceiling helplessly, took a deep breath, and poked Yu Shuinao’s shoulder with her finger. “Sister, please. Don’t say I like her anymore! If you keep this up, I’m going to send you a lawyer’s letter.”

“Sending a lawyer’s letter would make it sound even more real.” Yu Shuinao couldn’t help laughing, her eyes full of amusement.

“Sister…” Song Feici dragged out the word pitifully, looking like she was about to cry.

“Alright, alright,” Yu Shuinao dropped the joke and put on a serious expression. “I know. You don’t like her.”

“I really, really don’t like her.” Song Feici emphasized word by word once again.

“I really, really believe you.” Yu Shuinao mimicked her tone, nodding solemnly.

Song Feici stared at her suspiciously for a long while. Only after seeing her sincere expression did she reluctantly believe that Yu Shuinao had truly accepted it.

…

The first night scene after resuming filming. The summer heat from the day hadn’t fully dissipated, but the mountain breeze at night carried a chill. Wearing a jacket felt too hot, but taking it off felt too cold.

Wei Lan had her jacket half-draped over her shoulders while explaining the scene. Her voice was lower than usual, exceptionally clear in the night.

Yu Shuinao held her script, occasionally discussing a few points with her. She was fully immersed in the role and didn’t notice Wei Lan’s gaze occasionally landing on her, as if confirming something.

After returning to the crew, Wei Lan had sincerely apologized to her. Her words were earnest as she admitted that her negligence had caused Yu Shuinao harm. She felt deeply ashamed and promised to strengthen management and prevention measures going forward. In truth, Yu Shuinao didn’t blame her at all. How could a director possibly control everything? The real responsibility wouldn’t fall on her anyway. But she wasn’t surprised by Wei Lan’s attitude. After working together for some time, she had somewhat figured out her personality. Aside from occasional impatience and sharp tongue, she was indeed talented and responsible — toward herself, the actors, and the project. No wonder so many actors, even after being scolded to tears by her, still wanted to work with her.

“Good. That’s roughly it.” After careful discussion, Wei Lan pushed up the large black-framed glasses on her nose.

The strong lights set up at the back of the set cast long, slender shadows of the two at their feet.

Song Feici leaned to the side, holding her script ​unauthorized copy​rolled up like a tube, covering her mouth as she yawned. Watching the two talking in front, she pouted and secretly complained in her heart.

Some people really waste such a heavenly face.

Wei Lan looked up at the sky. Dark clouds were gathering — exactly the mountain rain they had been expecting. She signaled the departments to prepare, then sat down in front of the monitor. Song Feici also slowly shuffled over to watch.

The old man hunched over, packing up and preparing to close the shop. The rain during the day had finally stopped, but the sky was darkening again, brewing another heavy downpour. A trace of indescribable worry flashed through the old man’s cloudy eyes.

He walked to the door and was about to bolt it.

A fair, jade-like hand with distinct knuckles pressed silently and soundlessly against the door panel at a speed too fast to catch. This seemingly light press contained immense force. No matter how hard the old man pushed, he couldn’t close the door.

The old man suddenly looked up. The moment he saw the figure outside, that aura also drifted over. His pupils shrank violently. His expression changed several times — shock, anger, fear, and disbelief. He seemed seized by this sudden terror and instinctively pushed the door even harder, but the hand on the door was immovable like a boulder.

At that moment, a blinding white lightning tore across the sky, illuminating the cold face of the visitor.

Boom—!

A deafening thunder exploded. Heavy raindrops suddenly poured down, slamming against the ground.

That hand ignored the old man’s struggle and pushed casually.

“Bang!” The old man was pushed back by the force and staggered, falling to the ground.

A tall, slender white figure, against the backdrop of lightning and pouring rain, stepped unhurriedly into the sword shop. The pale light perfectly illuminated her face — perfect beyond mortal beauty. It was Xue Zhao, who should have been in Lingtian City!

The face that was usually as cold as an immortal from the heavens now held only icy ruthlessness. She glanced indifferently at the old man on the ground, her eyes looking at him as if he were already a corpse.

The old man was so overwhelmed by this terrifying pressure that he could barely breathe. He struggled to prop himself up, his throat hoarse: “It’s you… exactly the same… why…”

Xue Zhao frowned impatiently, as if annoyed by his noise. Her wide sleeve flicked lightly, and her fingertip pointed casually.

Countless sharp, invisible sword qi appeared out of thin air and instantly pierced the old man’s chest. The old man’s body stiffened. There wasn’t a single visible wound on him, nor any blood, yet his breath had already stopped.

Recalling the old man’s earlier unclear words, Xue Zhao concentrated. Her divine sense spread out like a net, carefully searching the sword shop. After a moment, she let out a nearly inaudible, ice-cold snort.

With clear purpose, she walked to the corner. With a slight movement of her finger, an ancient wooden box hidden in a secret compartment flew into her hand. When she opened it, a wisp of aura identical to her own drifted out and lingered around her fair fingertips. Xue Zhao narrowed her eyes, twirling that wisp of aura between her fingers as she considered certain possibilities. Countless solutions flashed through her mind.

“To think a trace was left behind,” she murmured.

Then, as if thinking of something amusing, the corners of her lips slowly curved into a cruel smile like a cat toying with a mouse. Her fair hand clenched in the air.

Several swords on the wall suddenly unsheathed, whistling through the air with shrill sounds, and instantly pierced the old man’s corpse, nailing him firmly to the mottled white wall. Blood immediately spread across it like spilled ink.

Xue Zhao’s smile deepened. She was still wearing that snow-white robe. ​unauthorized copy​Earlier she had looked like a heavenly maiden; now she looked like a demon stepping out of a sea of blood from hell.

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, which remained coldly empty.

After dealing with everything, the white figure disappeared into the stormy night of lightning and thunder.

The sword shop was left in chaos, filled with the stench of blood, as if waiting like a trap for someone’s arrival.

“Cut! This take was especially good,” Wei Lan called stop.

Yu Shuinao let out a breath of relief. If they could get this scene in one take matching the weather, the effect would be best. If they had to reshoot, it wouldn’t be too bad, but it still couldn’t compare to the smooth emotional flow of a single take.

Even at night, the heavy costume made her sweat. Someone nearby handed her a small fan, which she took. The cool breeze felt refreshing. She was about to tell Xiao Tang she wanted some water when she turned her head and realized it was actually Wei Lan standing beside her.

Wei Lan had her jacket half-draped over the back of a chair and was only wearing a white sleeveless T-shirt. Her smooth shoulder lines were fully visible. Her arms, which usually looked slender, revealed clear muscle definition when exposed.

She had a pretty good figure.

Yu Shuinao’s thoughts unconsciously drifted back to that night, remembering the pair of arms breaking through the water’s surface under the moonlight.

“Sister, here’s some water.” Xiao Tang jogged over with a cup and explained, “The small fridge door got stuck earlier. It took a while to fix.”

Yu Shuinao nodded and tilted her head ​Read on BaiLianTales​back to drink. The cool liquid slid down her throat, dispelling the heat.

Wei Lan’s gaze briefly and quickly swept across her moving throat and fair neck. She then opened the script in her hand. The large black-framed glasses hid her eyes, making her expression unreadable.

After drinking, Yu Shuinao cleared her throat and asked, “Director Wei, is there anything that needs to be reshot in this take?”

Wei Lan shook her head. “This take was very good. No need to reshoot. Let me talk to you about the next scene…”

Tonight Song Feici’s scenes were scheduled for the second half of the night. She could have slept for a while before coming down, but she still forced herself to stay awake and watch. She leaned back in a folding chair, watching the two discuss the scene. As she watched, she covered her face with the script and fell sound asleep without any grace.