Not long after Yan Ji uploaded her video, several of the major Weibo bloggers who had actively weaponized the rumor slid into her private messages. They offered profuse apologies, desperately begging her to show mercy just this once.
Yan Ji narrowed her eyes slightly, her slender fingers typing unhurriedly across the keyboard.
【Yan Ji: Who gave you the information?】
She interrogated each of them systematically. In the end, every single reply pointed to the exact same source.
The material had been dropped into their inboxes anonymously by a single, untraceable Weibo account. Seeing how Yan Ji’s popularity had been skyrocketing, the bloggers threw caution to the wind for clout, rapidly organizing the content to capitalize on the massive traffic wave.
Once she secured the burner account’s handle, Yan Ji forwarded it straight to Zhang Tong, instructing him to trace the IP address.
As for the bloggers who had groveled in her DMs? She graciously accepted their apologies.
Children who learned from their mistakes were still salvageable, after all.
As for the remaining accounts— the ones who chose to play dead, offering neither a word nor an apology……
Yan Ji smiled faintly and snapped her laptop shut.
None of them was getting off easy.
……
The following morning, Yan Ji woke up early and rode to the set with Weiwei in the company’s nanny van.
By the time they arrived, the director, screenwriter, and production crew were already out in full force. Even Meng Yiming and Qin Yu had already finished their wardrobe changes and styling.
Yan Ji offered a polite, apologetic smile. “Good morning, everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Not late at all, not late at all!” Director Liu waved her off with an incredibly cheerful grin. The way he looked at Yan Ji now resembled a merchant staring at a legendary wealth-bringing mascot.
Thanks to her alone, their production had dominated the hot searches twice before they had even started filming. It was marvelous— absolutely marvelous.
“Xiao Yan, hurry up and change into your wardrobe. We’re about to kick off the first shot.”
Yan Ji nodded and glided toward the dressing room.
Two pairs of eyes tracked her every movement until she disappeared behind the curtain.
Qin Yu slowly unclasped her tightly clenched fists. Pulling out her phone, she fired off a quick message to Xue Yang, a smug smirk breaking across her face.
It didn’t matter that her first attempt to crush Yan Ji had gone up in flames. She had an arsenal of underhanded tactics left to make Yan Ji’s life a living hell.
A short while later, Yan Ji reemerged in full costume, instantly paralyzing the set with her visuals all over again.
The intoxicating charm woven into her every gesture made it perilously easy for anyone in her vicinity to lose their train of thought.
Director Liu was the first to snap back to reality. While secretly ecstatic about her star quality, a shadow of professional anxiety suddenly crossed his mind.
Yan Ji’s screen presence was simply too dominant. Standing anywhere near her, Qin Yu appeared entirely washed out— dim and completely overshadowed.
Having the female lead utterly eclipsed by the second female lead was rarely a good omen for a television drama……
Whatever.
He shook his head. They would just have to take it one scene at a time.
“Everyone, clear the frame! 《Twins》, Scene One, Take One. Ready…… and action!”
On the bustling street, the chaotic cries of roadside vendors rose and fell in a lively rhythm.
Fu Zheng strolled leisurely through the crowd, a loyal servant trailing close behind his heels.
After a few paces, he cocked his head sideways, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Are there any other lively places around here? You know, somewhere a gentleman can indulge in a bit of…… proper recreation?”
“Young Master, are you referring to Chunfeng Hall?”
“I don’t care if it’s Chunfeng[1]Spring Breeze jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2454304_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2454304_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); Hall or Dongfeng[2]Winter Breeze jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2454304_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2454304_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); Hall. Just get me there first.” Fu Zheng delivered a playful smack to the servant’s head, his entire demeanor oozing the effortless swagger of a wealthy rogue.
“Right away, Young Master!”
Chunfeng Hall was widely known as a paradise for men. More accurately, it was a playground reserved strictly for the rich and powerful.
The moment Fu Zheng crossed the threshold, the madam— dressed in a rich, dark brown qipao— swung her plump hips and glided over with an effusive smile. “Oh my, if it isn’t Young Master Fu! What auspicious wind blew you into our establishment today?”
The Fu family wielded immense authority in the region, and as the clan’s sole male heir, Fu Zheng was a face that everyone recognized.
“Cut the pleasantries. Bring out your finest girls.” Fu Zheng commanded, sinking into an armchair. He crossed one leg over the other, bouncing his foot with restless, aristocratic impatience.
The madam dared not offend such a heavyweight. She could only maintain her flattering smile as she leaned in. “Young Master truly arrives at the perfect time. Our Chunfeng Hall happens to have a pair of stunning twin sisters debuting on the floor today. Would you care to see them?”
“Twins?” Fu Zheng’s eyes ignited with interest as he slapped the armrest. “Well, don’t just stand there. Hurry up and bring them out!”
The madam let out a delighted laugh, instantly waving her hand to summon the girls. She enthusiastically poured a fresh cup of tea for Fu Zheng, her lips never ceasing to praise just how exceptional the pair was.
Amid the madam’s endless stream of compliments, two beauties dressed in matching jade-green qipaos stepped through the doorway. They moved with graceful swaying steps, their intricate vintage updos completely identical.
The leading woman’s long, breathtaking legs instantly stole the focus of the room. Looking further up, her waist was impossibly slender, her curves accentuating the silk fabric flawlessly, filling out the dress in all the right places. The woman walking a half-step behind her was undeniably beautiful in her own right.
Fu Zheng’s gaze shifted up to lock onto their faces.
The woman in the lead wore a light palette of makeup. Yet, her beautiful eyes shimmered with a knowing trace of a smile, and the slight tilt at the corners of her lids exuded an effortlessly seductive charm.
The woman behind her was equally alluring— her gaze calculated to be half-inviting and half-reclusive, extremely flirtatious.
Yet, when placed directly against the blinding radiance of the woman in front, she still visibly paled in comparison.
“Cut! Good!” Director Liu called out.
The first scene was officially wrapped.
But as the director replayed the captured footage on his reference monitor, his brows knitted into a tight, anxious frown.
It was exactly as he had feared. Under Yan Ji’s suffocating, high-definition contrast, Qin Yu’s visual appeal completely evaporated. Instead of looking like the central focus of the scene, she resembled nothing more than a generic supporting actress trying too hard.
“The female lead and the second female lead look like they’ve completely swapped roles.” The screenwriter muttered quietly from the side, a look of profound worry crossing her face.
The director furrowed his brows deeply. “Yan Ji’s screen presence is simply too overwhelming. Qin Yu lacks the weight to suppress her. There’s nothing we can do but leave it as is for now. Moving on to the next scene.”
The moment he finished speaking, Xue Yang stepped onto the set.
……
The twin sisters each possessed their own unique allure, leaving Fu Zheng momentarily paralyzed with indecision.
Finally, a roguish grin broke across his face. “I’ll give each of you ten minutes. Whoever can successfully charm me wins, and I’ll claim her for tonight. You— go first.”
He pointed toward Lian Dong, who stood on the left.
Lian Dong stepped forward, a flirtatious shimmer dancing in her eyes. She glided directly into Fu Zheng’s personal space, pressing her entire body flush against his before exhaling a soft, warm breath right past his ear. “Young Master……”
She swayed gently against him, her figure as supple and yielding as spring water. Her crimson lips parted just a fraction, a tacit invitation waiting to be claimed.
Then, she called out to him again, her voice dropping into a breathless, trembling purr, “Young Master……”
Her intoxicating gaze, soft silhouette, and fragrant body were a potent, undeniable temptation.
Fu Zheng swallowed hard, his throat tightening before he forced his gaze away and gestured toward Lian Chuchun. “Your turn.”
“Young Master, may I borrow a cigarette?” Lian Chuchun asked smoothly.
Fu Zheng raised an eyebrow in intrigue. He pulled a cigarette from his silver case and handed it over without a word.
“Thanks.”
Lian Chuchun glided leisurely toward the armchair opposite him and sat down with unhurried grace. As she crossed her legs, the slit of her jade qipao slid upward, unveiling an enticing expanse of porcelain white thigh.
She placed the cigarette between her lips and flicked open a lighter, the small flame illuminating her sharp features.
With her slender, fair fingers, she gently pulled the cigarette away, leaving a perfect crimson lipstick stain on the filter.
Noticing Fu Zheng staring at her with rapt attention, she cast a casual, sidelong glance his way. Her eyes seemed to hold the depth of rippling autumn waters.
That single, fleeting look completely transfixed not only Fu Zheng, but also caused the staff standing to the side to subconsciously hold their collective breath.
She brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. As she exhaled, a thin veil of smoke drifted upwards, obscuring her eyes and making her look even more hopelessly mesmerizing through the haze.
Every micro-expression and every shift in posture from Lian Chuchun carried an effortless, intoxicating charm. She had clearly done nothing overtly aggressive, yet every subtle movement teased, taunted, and directly ensnared the soul.
Sensing Qin Yu’s gaze burning with venomous rage from across the set, Yan Ji caught her eye through the camera’s blind spot and let a slow, mocking smile play on her lips.
Little brat.
Trying to compete with me in the art of seduction?
Go train for another thousand years first.
Standing just off-camera, Xue Yang stared at the lingering, dangerous smile on Yan Ji’s lips, momentarily dazed.
Why did he suddenly feel like Yan Ji had transformed into a completely different person?
She had gone entirely cold, ignoring his messages and treating him with absolute indifference. Had all the gentle affection she had showered upon him during their relationship been nothing more than an illusion?
Choosing Qin Yu and discarding Yan Ji— had that decision been a catastrophic mistake?
Compared to Yan Ji’s masterclass in allure, Qin Yu’s earlier attempt at seduction instantly crossed the line from provocative to vulgar. She was completely, utterly crushed, without a single shred of room to fight back.
Staring into Yan Ji’s eyes, Meng Yiming had nearly lost his grip on the character and chosen Lian Chuchun instead. He inhaled a deep, steadying breath, forcing his racing pulse to calm down.
In character, Fu Zheng raised a brow, enduring a visible internal struggle before finally pointing an index finger at Lian Dong. “You. I choose you.”
“Cut! Excellent take!”
Meng Yiming accepted a pristine towel from his assistant and wiped the fine sheen of sweat from his forehead. When he looked at Yan Ji, a warmth he hadn’t yet consciously acknowledged flooded his eyes. “Your acting is incredible. I almost derailed the script and picked Lian Chuchun just now.”
“Then that just proves your taste is impeccable.” Yan Ji replied, throwing him a playful arch of her brows.
She stood up and turned around, only for her gaze to suddenly lock onto Xue Yang, who was standing just beside Director Liu.
Their eyes met in a direct, unblinking clash.
Xue Yang’s expression shifted instantly. But just as he took a tentative step forward, Qin Yu materialized out of nowhere, wrapping her arms tightly around his.
“You actually came.” Qin Yu beamed, her smile bright and radiant.
Seeing Yan Ji indifferently withdraw her gaze, Xue Yang looked down at Qin Yu, a sudden, suffocating wave of guilt and irritation washing over him. Suppressing the storm inside, he forced a doting smile onto his face. “You asked me to come. How could I possibly stay away, silly?”
Qin Yu smiled happily, the picture of smug satisfaction. The corner of her eye swept toward Yan Ji, a dark, calculating light flashing within her eyes.
Meng Yiming walked in step beside Yan Ji. Noting her sudden silence, he couldn’t help but ask, “Are you unhappy?”
Naturally, he had witnessed the silent exchange between her, Xue Yang, and Qin Yu. Witnessing the blatant display, his impression of Qin Yu plummeted even further into the negatives.
Yan Ji tilted her head. “Why on earth would you think that?”
“Then what are you plotting in that head of yours to make you so quiet?” Meng Yiming pressed, stepping closer.
What was she thinking about? Naturally, she was thinking about how to ensnare her next target.
That was Yan Ji’s internal truth, but outwardly, she offered a dismissive smile. “Do you honestly think I’d waste my peace of mind over certain people? They’re already relics of the past. I don’t squander my emotions on history.”
Hearing those words, an undeniable surge of joy rippled through Meng Yiming’s chest. After a brief beat, he eagerly suggested, “How about we run our lines together for the next scene?”
“Sure.” Yan Ji agreed, her smile turning soft and compliant.
But in Xue Yang’s eyes, that gentle smile directed at another man looked unbearably glaring— like a physical slap to his face.
Muttering a quick excuse to Qin Yu about needing the restroom, he walked briskly around a secluded corner, pulling out his phone to furiously dial Yan Ji’s number.
“Sorry, the number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later……”
Xue Yang’s grip tightened around the device until his knuckles turned white, his eyes darkening with a dangerous shadow. Unable to restrain his mounting frustration, he swore under his breath and punched the brick wall beside him. A wave of unprecedented, bitter regret threatened to swallow him whole.
Why had he been so utterly blind back then? Why had he allowed himself to be so easily bewitched into breaking things off with Yan Ji?
“Who was that calling?” Meng Yiming couldn’t help but probe after watching Yan Ji calmly glance at her screen and reject the call without a second thought.
Yan Ji offered a faint, unbothered smile, using her fingers to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Nothing important. Probably just an annoying telemarketer.”
Tsk.
Men truly were gluttons for punishment.
Back when the breakup first happened, no matter how desperately the body’s original owner had wept, called, and begged him to stay, he had never wavered for a single second. Now, he was blowing up her phone every few days. Did he honestly think women were just lapdogs he could summon and dismiss at his own leisure?
Yan Ji caught sight of Xue Yang emerging from the shadow of the corridor, putting on a front as he walked back toward Qin Yu.
The smile on Yan Ji’s face grew exponentially gentler, and infinitely more dangerous.
References[+]