Tao Ningchu was an optimistic person and rarely got this angry.
She badly wanted to slap back, but with Lin Zijin present, Director Zhou had only given her this chance to vent her frustration under the guise of “swapping roles.” She figured she’d only get this one shot, and the more she thought about it, the more dissatisfied she felt.
Across from her, Dong Menglian looked uneasy. Facing Tao Ningchu, she could clearly see the shifting expressions on Tao’s face.
Especially seeing Tao Ningchu’s swollen cheek, she felt a surge of panic, fearing that Tao Ningchu would pay her back blow for blow.
“Action!”
At Director Zhou’s command, Tao Ningchu instantly adopted a piercingly cold expression and stepped toward Dong Menglian.
“Sister, you truly are my ‘dear’ sister.” Tao Ningchu’s doll-like face was devoid of emotion. “You knew clearly that Xiaoyao and I love each other. How could you confess to him behind my back?”
Dong Menglian replied piteously, “I didn’t know at the time that you liked General Chu as well, sister. Otherwise, I would never—”
Calculating the timing in her mind, Tao Ningchu suddenly raised her hand and delivered a swift, accurate, and powerful slap.
Smack!
Dong Menglian had been on guard, but she was still dazed when the palm actually connected.
A stinging pain radiated from her cheek. She raised a hand to cover her face, glaring at Tao Ningchu.
Watching from the side, Yun Ni felt it was a bit of a pity. If she had a scene where she could hit Dong Menglian, she would definitely do it herself. She would guarantee that while the surface wouldn’t show much, the internal pain would last for quite a while.
“Cut—”
Zhou Sheng was dissatisfied with Dong Menglian’s reaction. However, out of respect for Lin Zijin’s presence, he couldn’t scold her. His expression shifted several times before he finally looked at Lin Zijin, hoping this “Great Buddha” would leave soon.
Lin Zijin sat with her legs crossed, arms folded against the back of her chair. Her brow was slightly furrowed. “Director Zhou, is this how a sister who has been hit is supposed to glare at her older sister?”
The director explained, “The younger sister should feel guilty; she ought to lower her head to accept the accusation and apologize.”
Lin Zijin looked at the person whose eyes were full of fury after just one hit, then turned to Zhou Sheng. “In that case, let’s film it a few more times. We’ll resume the proper drama only once the acting is good.”
Everyone was shocked by these words, including Yun Ni.
She remembered Tao Ningchu being surprised by Lin Zijin’s help, which suggested they weren’t close. That meant Lin Zijin was simply displeased with Dong Menglian. But no matter how stupid Dong Menglian was, she wouldn’t be dumb enough to provoke Lin Zijin directly, would she?
Yun Ni couldn’t figure it out. But she quickly stopped trying; as long as Tao Ningchu could vent her anger openly, it was a good thing.
When Lin Zijin speaks, who dares to disobey? Unless they want to be blacklisted.
Thus, the filming turned into a cycle of constant NGs.
Furthermore, seeing that Dong Menglian’s face was swollen, Lin Zijin had them change positions relative to the camera so Tao Ningchu could switch hands and hit the other side of Dong’s face.
At first, Tao Ningchu was in the mood to count the slaps, but eventually, her own hand started to ache, and she gave up. When she looked at Dong Menglian, whose face was red and swollen like a pig’s head, she felt a momentary flash of pity. But it was only a flash; the rest was the pure joy of retribution.
After a full hour, Lin Zijin finally waved her hand to signal the director to stop. “Her face is in no condition to continue filming. Give her a day off and film other scenes first.”
Zhou Sheng’s plan was disrupted, but he couldn’t say anything. In truth, he also detested Dong Menglian’s behavior of bringing personal grudges into the shoot, which was the main reason he had accepted Yun Ni’s suggestion.
Dong Menglian was truly terrified of Lin Zijin. The moment she heard she could rest, she didn’t even bother to thank anyone; she covered her face and ran off. Her manager was left to handle the aftermath, apologizing frantically while packing up to follow her artist.
With Dong Menglian gone, the crew remained cautious because Lin Zijin was still sitting there.
Zhou Sheng gave everyone a thirty-minute break and sat down next to Lin Zijin. “President Lin, what exactly brings you here today?”
Lin Zijin retracted her gaze from Yun Ni. “I just wanted to see how the filming was going.”
Zhou Sheng didn’t believe a word of it, but he didn’t call her out. After confirming she wasn’t leaving yet, he let it be and went to arrange the day’s scenes for Yun Ni and the other actors.
Since Dong Menglian was absent, her scenes were pushed back, and others’ scenes were moved forward. Because of different locations and costumes, Yun Ni and the others had to change their looks.
While the makeup artist touched up her face, Tao Ningchu gossiped with Yun Ni. “Sister Yun, what do you think is going on with President Lin?”
Yun Ni replied, “I don’t know.”
“It’s probably a private grudge,” Tao Ningchu analyzed to herself. “Maybe Dong Menglian stole President Lin’s lover.”
Yun Ni: “???”
“When two women have a conflict, it’s usually a matter of the heart,” Tao Ningchu continued before Yun Ni could answer. “I heard Dong Menglian changes boyfriends constantly—from male actors to lawyers. It’s highly possible that someone President Lin used to like was snatched away by her, and now she’s taking the chance to get even.”
Yun Ni laughed, shaking her head at the flawed logic. “If she hated her that much, why would she sign her to her own company?”
Tao Ningchu thought for a moment. “Maybe it’s easier to get revenge that way?”
That’s not impossible, Yun Ni thought, nodding.
Suddenly, she heard Tao Ningchu gasp. “What is it?”
“I thought of another possibility.” Tao Ningchu looked around and leaned into Yun Ni’s ear, lowering her voice. “Love-hate relationship.”
Yun Ni stared at her, wondering where she got that conclusion.
Tao Ningchu analyzed, “I’ve never heard of your President Lin dating anyone—not even a rumor. It’s unlikely she was a love rival.” After all, paparazzi aren’t small; they wouldn’t miss such a huge scoop.
Yun Ni raised an eyebrow. “And?”
“So, it might be that President Lin has an unrequited love for Dong Menglian, so she wanted to use my hand to—”
Tao Ningchu was in the middle of her excitement when she saw Yun Ni winking at her and tugging her sleeve. She stopped. “What’s wrong? Is your eye uncomfortable?”
Yun Ni massaged her forehead and called out, “President Lin.”
Sure enough, standing right behind Tao Ningchu was the very person she was gossiping about.
Lin Zijin had heard them from the doorway. As the analysis grew more and more ridiculous, she couldn’t take it and walked in. Unfortunately, Tao Ningchu was so immersed in her own imagination that she hadn’t noticed.
Tao Ningchu hadn’t expected to be caught red-handed. She wished she could dig a hole and bury herself. Recalling Lin Zijin’s methods with Dong Menglian, she shuddered, stood up quickly, and apologized sincerely. “President Lin, I was just talking nonsense. Please be the bigger person and don’t take it to heart.”
Yun Ni also stood up to apologize.
Lin Zijin glanced at her, then looked at Tao Ningchu. “I have absolutely no relationship with Dong Menglian. We are not rivals, and certainly not lovers.”
Tao Ningchu felt her face—the one Dong Menglian had hit—sting again and apologized repeatedly.
Lin Zijin waved her off. “The director is looking for you to film.”
Tao Ningchu didn’t have time to wonder why the CEO was the one delivering messages. She grabbed her phone and fled after a quick thanks.
Yun Ni also grabbed her phone to leave, but she was blocked by Lin Zijin before she could take two steps.
The atmosphere froze.
Lin Zijin spoke first. “Director Zhou didn’t call for you.”
Yun Ni caught the implication but remained stoic. “Even if he didn’t, I should go and wait.”
Lin Zijin pressed her lips together and finally stated her purpose. “I have something to say to you.”
Yun Ni finally nodded and signaled Tao Ningchu to go ahead. Tao Ningchu was worried but knew Lin Zijin wouldn’t do anything beneath her status on set, so she nodded and left.
Yun Ni pulled out a chair and sat. “What does President Lin wish to discuss?”
Lin Zijin pulled out the chair Tao Ningchu had just vacated and sat across from her, her eyes locked onto Yun Ni. “You are not Yun Ni.”
Yun Ni’s heart skipped a beat, but she let out a laugh as if she had heard a ridiculous joke. “President Lin, are you kidding me?”
The experience of inhabiting someone else’s body to start a second life was something that shouldn’t exist in either world. If discovered, she would certainly be captured for research.
Having been an emperor, she understood the psychology of those in power. Everyone wants to live forever; if people knew there was a second chance at life, they would do many crazy things.
The confusion in her eyes was extremely natural. Lin Zijin couldn’t tell if she was lying.
Lin Zijin had the same reservations; she had never told a soul about her past for the same reason. She only felt Yun Ni wasn’t herself because her gaze had changed—but it was possible the original Yun Ni had simply hidden her true nature until now.
Her own appearance had changed; maybe Yun Ni had changed her appearance too when she came across? Lin Zijin made excuses for the change while feeling a sense of frustration.
Yun Ni was busy thinking about where she had slipped up while trying to keep her expression natural. Just then, a staff member came in to see if she was ready. Yun Ni took the chance to stand up. “President Lin, I have to go film.”
Lin Zijin nodded and watched her leave.
She wasn’t willing to give up just like that. She sat for a while to organize her thoughts before heading out as well.
Yun Ni noticed Lin Zijin returning to her seat, clearly intending to stay. Alarm bells rang in her head, but she maintained her composure.
Her scenes for the morning were few, so she finished by noon. Since Tao Ningchu had to film until evening, Yun Ni prepared to return to the hotel alone. After removing her makeup and changing clothes, she stepped out only to find Lin Zijin standing by the door.
Lin Zijin tilted her head toward her. “Miss Yun, do you have time for lunch?”
Yun Ni raised an eyebrow.