CH 33

Chapter 33

Before coming, Bai Lu had pictured Ning Xi as a gaudy woman; beautiful, but with questionable moral conduct.

However, after meeting the actual person, she realised that she had judged a person’s character based on her own prejudice. Ning Xi was indeed gorgeous but she was not ostentatious. Contrary to her expectations, she was actually a beautiful and charismatic woman.

Despite knowing in her head that she should hate this woman, deep down in her heart she could not bring herself to dislike her.

“Watch out!” Ning Xi, who was sitting opposite of her, suddenly stood up and used her hand to block something coming from above Bai Lu’s head. She turned her head to look and what dropped onto the floor was a bamboo pole, possibly a prop that was prepared by the production team for Ning Xi to use.

“Are you okay?” Bai Lu saw Ning Xi used quite some strength just now and she felt somewhat apologetic.

“I’m fine,” Ning Xi waved her hand, not letting Bai Lu see her arm, “There are all sorts of props on the production set and everyone has filmed many scenes consecutively today. The prop master wasn’t able to pack everything in time. I hope you weren’t too scared just now?”

Bai Lu shook her head as her gaze once again swept over Ning Xi’s arm. Unfortunately, as Ning Xi’s sleeves were too tight for her to see underneath, she was unable to determine whether Ning Xi was injured.

Noticing Bai Lu’s actions, Ning Xi could not help but let out a laugh. This great beauty was pretty softhearted.

“I have once seen Miss Bai,” Ning Xi held up the stool and shifted it to face outwards. This way, even if any object come over, it would not land on Bai Lu. “That night, Miss Bai Lu was driving a red sports car. When stepping out from the car, you were stunning and because I stole a few more glances at you, my manager criticised me.”

Getting so sincerely complimented for her looks by Ning Xi, Bai Lu could not help but feel guilty. She should not have brought so many people with her, and now she didn’t even know what Ning Xi thought of her currently.

“Just because I looked at you a few more times under the streetlamp, my manager even suspected my sexuality. Even when nothing was going on, he would worry about me getting too close to a great beauty like you,” Ning Xi said with a helpless look. As she was sitting too close to the outside, the canopy that was meant to shield them from the sun was unable to cover her back, making her appear to be shining faintly.

Perhaps it was because the other’s smile was too glorious, or perhaps it was due to the other having inadvertently protected her, that made Bai Lu soften her heart. She smiled, “You are such a stunner yourself, yet you still compliment others?”

“What is there to look at my own face,” Ning Xi spoke until here and again, irresistibly took a few more looks at Bai Lu. Once she saw that Bai Lu had noticed her actions, she shifted her gaze away in embarrassment, “Right?”

Her heart that was filled with complicated emotions unexpectedly transformed into joy as Bai Lu gently chuckled out, “You are right.”

“Cheng-zi, there is something off about this sequence,” A young man moved beside Jiang Cheng, “Didn’t Sister Lu come here to find trouble with that actress? How…did she end up chatting so happily with her instead?”

As Jiang Cheng had just been embarrassed by Ning Xi, his heart still bore resentment against her. When he heard the question, he immediately burst out angrily: “Didn’t you guys follow Bai Lu over earlier? If none of you know, how would I know!”

Hearing Jiang Cheng’s furious voice, Du Kang wiped at the sweat on his face. Could it be that both beauties were attracted by each other’s charms?

Wasn’t it said that two beauties couldn’t be compatible? Why was it that when it came to Sister Bai Lu, the situation seemed to be different?

Ning Xi didn’t probe any further as to the reason behind Bai Lu’s visit and Bai Lu had intentionally avoided this awkward question. The two had a harmonious atmosphere around them and if it wasn’t because Ning Xi still had to film, Bai Lu would most probably have continued to chat with Ning Xi.

“I heard that you still have one more scene?” Bai Lu saw that the sun was getting warmer and understood that if she continued to delay her, Ning Xi would have to endure the humid weather during noon to film, “It just so happens that I am curious as to how the filming process works, you can go and handle your business. I’ll just sit here and watch.”

“Sure,” Ning Xi stood up and said with a radiant smile, “That’s perfect, the next scene is be the most important scene for today. You can see my serious acting.”

Influenced by Ning Xi’s smile, Bai Lu’s face also subconsciously revealed a warm smile.

After waiting for Ning Xi to leave, Jiang Cheng, Du Kang and the others walked over.

“Sister Bai Lu, aren’t you here to settle scores with the hussy that seduced Brother Chang?”

“What hussy,” Bai Lu stared at the person who dared utter those words, “I am just here to take a look, who said I was here to settle scores?”

“Oh……”

As expected, a woman’s heart was just too complex. They could never understand it.

Bai Lu looked at Ning Xi who was currently touching up her makeup, slowly lowering her eyes to say, “These kind of words should not be said again, Ning Xi……”

When she mentioned Chang Shi Gui, she paid special attention to Ning Xi’s expression. Her gaze did not have any movement, let alone arrogance. This was not the reaction of a woman who heard the name of her beloved and all the more, not the reaction of a materialistic woman who heard the name of her financial backer.

“Bai Lu,” Jiang Cheng noticed Bai Lu was having hidden thoughts that could not be easily said, “If it is inconvenient for you to take action, I can help you to teach her a lesson.” Even if he could not hit women, he still had other methods to take care of her.

“Cheng-zi, don’t be reckless,” Bai Lu cut him off, “I want to stay here to watch Ning Xi film, why don’t you return first.”

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Cheng looked at Bai Lu in disbelief, “Have you been brainwashed by this actress?”

“What actress not actress,” Bai Lu creased her eyebrows, “Cheng-zi, your words lack poise.”

“I don’t have poise?!” Jiang Cheng took a single foot to trample the plastic stool at the side that Ning Xi had used, “I reckon both you and Chang Shi Gui have gone mad!”

Finishing, he furiously turned away and walked off.

Bai Lu looked silently at the small stool in the corner without any words. Some people felt that the atmosphere was a little awkward and found excuses to leave. Only Du Kang remained standing in place.

“Sister Lu, Brother Cheng’s temper has always been this way. Please don’t mind it too much.” Du Kang was afraid that Bai Lu would be unable to let this go, and hence racked his brains to find suitable words to ease the situation.

“It’s okay, he has always looked down on female artists, “Bai Lu said and paused. Thinking that it was not good to reveal the Jiang family’s secrets to Du Kang, she asked, “Why haven’t you left?”

Du Kang simply grinned, “I am also here to take a peek. I feel that this actress is pretty good.”

Bai Lu smiled, not refuting his words.

Jiang Cheng had made quite a ruckus with the stool and everyone on the production team had already noticed the altercation. It was just that based on the director’s attitude, everyone knew that these people were not to be provoked and thus they turned a blind eye.

On the contrary, Xiao Yang, who was holding the umbrella for Ning Xi, snorted indignantly.

“What are you minding him for?” Ning Xi held her script as she chuckled, “Don’t make a fuss over a fool.”

Xiao Yang broke into laughter. What Sister Xixi said was right, that …..was indeed a fool.

“Ning Xi, the next scene is a fighting one, are you able to keep up?” Kong Yuheng finished briefing Ning Xi on the scene, “Do you want to use a body-double instead? You would just have to make up with a few close-up shots.”

“This scene has many close-up shots. If a body-double is used, not only will the effect be unsightly, the audience will be able to tell as well.” Ning Xi smiled at Kong Yuheng, “It’s fine, let’s get ready to shoot.”

As the first story was set in the period that the Chao dynasty took over people’s arduous livelihoods, the lead female role that Ning Xi had to portray required some action scenes. These scenes would give a glimpse into the challenging lives that the masses had to lead and their helplessness and resolution.

“Really?” Ning Xi tilted her head to look at Bai Lu.

“Really.” Bai Lu nodded.

Suddenly, she felt warmth around her waist. A pair of soft and fair arms circled around her waist. The other’s actions were very light, just like a kitten tickling her.

Poof.

Bai Lu felt her cheeks burning up.

Zhang Qingyun hadn’t expected that after receiving the news and frantically rushing over, he would witness this scene. His legs turned weak and almost gave way.

But before he could kneel down, he saw Mr Chang who was standing not far away with a face turning as dark as black ink with anger.

He turned his head and looked at Ning Xi, before switching back to Chang Shi Gui and silently stood straight. Perhaps from today onwards, this Mr. Chang really had to believe in his Ning Xi.

Ning Xi took back her hands and smiled with a face full of satisfaction, “Did I just obtain a backer?”

“I’ve already been here for quite awhile but seeing that you were chatting so happily with Bai family’s young mistress I didn’t come over to disturb you,” Zhang Qingyun put on a fake smile as he continued, “Has your shoot been going smoothly?”

“Brother Zhang, please do not overthink. I’ve only just met Miss Bai.”

“That’s right, just met and you’ve already grabbed on to her waist. Give you some more time to get to know her and you would be flying up into the sky.” Zhang Qingyun scoffed, “I have accepted a romance movie on your behalf. You will be the female lead. The shoot begins just as the current one ends.”

Initially, he was a little hesitant. However, by the looks of this situation, he had to help Ning Xi discover her feminine side.

“My apologies for interrupting.” Chang Shi Gui’s voice succeeded in making Zhang Qingyun quiet down. He looked at Ning Xi and then back at Chang Shi Gui, before deciding to tactfully leave.

“Sorry, I didn’t know they would come here to find you,” The corner of Chang Shi Gui’s mouth sank, “For causing you trouble, I apologize.”

“It’s nothing. Sister Lu was very courteous and did not make things difficult for me,” Ning Xi walked towards the canopy as she looked at Chang Shi Gui who was following behind her, “I just did not expect that these young noble masters and mistresses would notice me.”

“It was that post I made on Weibo that incited the trouble,” Chang Shi Gui frowned, “There will not be such an occurrence in the future, please be at ease.”

“Mr Chang, you do not have to apologize to me. That Weibo post was only meant to help me. If it wasn’t for you that stood up to help me say a word, those people who tried to …. wouldn’t retract their actions so quickly. Speaking of which, I should be the one thanking you instead.”

“The matter arose because of me. It is only right for me to clarify the matter,” Chang Shi Gui lifted his hands to pull at his necktie, apparently feeling that it was somewhat tight, “You, you don’t have to be courteous.”

“It’s just that, you mentioned on Weibo that we are old friends,” Ning Xi said. “Mr Chang, have we met before in the past?”

Chang Shi Gui turned his head, locking eyes with Ning Xi.

At present, her face revealed a perfect smile and yet Chang Shi Gui could see clearly that her eyes did not carry a single trace of happiness.