Chapter 88: CH 88

Not long after Zhou Ling Ling’s issue was settled, 《Questioning Deity Sect》 successfully broadcasted the finale.

The plot was compact and the rhythm was fast, with the acting skills of the actors coming together to present a good show for the audience.

The male and female leads immediately exploded in popularity.

Sang Wan Ci’s “Qiao Jing” was a beloved character, with plenty of netizens liking her look and asking her to film more ancient dramas.

[@Singing in the long night]: Sang Sang, film more of these, mommy likes to watch it

[@Agitatedly firing]: Mommy, she’s so pretty, I wanna marry her!!!

[@The two realms of Yin and Yang]: Save me, mommy fans are becoming looks fans every day

[@Let me touch]: She’s so good at picking scripts, I’ll definitely watch her shows from now on!! Fan +1! [hug] [hug]

After ending work, Lu Zhi Wei stayed in her room and scrolled through Weibo, reading the comments.

Director Guo Hui and the scriptwriter Wen Shuang had pushed back against the investors’ desire to extend the show, ensuring the appropriate length in terms of episodes.

The actors were skilled and the rhythm was comfortable.

The whole show was well-liked by the audience, and each actor had gained fans from it.

Aside from the leading roles, Lu Zhi Wei’s little junior sister was the role that had attracted the most fans.

Many career fans had popped up on her Weibo overnight.

They felt like her acting skills were excellent and really hoped for her to play more roles. Knowing that she had a leading role in a show, they were genuinely happy for her.

Lu Zhi Wei held her phone up and looked at the encouraging and excited comments.

Her eyes were bright, like the sparkles of light on the surface of a lake.

In the next second, they curved into crescents.

She hugged her phone and rolled around happily on the bed.

Friendship, kinship, love, the liking and affirmation from her fans, they all shot towards her like beams of light.

In the past, she had nothing. Now, she had everything.

This feeling was too great!

Then, she touched the air above her head, knowing there was an invisible halo there.

She knew her luck was granted by the halo, so maybe she wasn’t really that excellent.

If everything was to be done over, if she didn’t have the transparent physique and the male protagonist halo, she actually didn’t know if she could have all this.

But she knew that even without the female protagonist halo, Sang Wan Ci would shine just as brightly.

After all, the Sang Wan Ci in her eyes didn’t have a halo, but even under those circumstances, Sang Wan Ci was so excellent that people couldn’t help but like her and be impressed.

Both the female and male leads had to be the most excellent people in the world, this was indeed correct.

Lao Wu’s head popped out from a bunch of programs, he was finally able to take a break and have a cup of coffee.

Seeing Lu Zhi Wei lost in her own thoughts, he asked what she was thinking.

So she casually told him.

Lao Wu calmly said: 【You don’t doubt Sang Wan Ci’s work capabilities, and you shouldn’t doubt your own work capabilities too.】

Lu Zhi Wei blinked as she looked at the ceiling.

Lao Wu was serious: 【Zhi Wei, remember this. The halo is just taking what already exists and amplifying it. You’re excellent, so the halo can amplify your excellence. Everything you have today is because you have the capability, so don’t doubt yourself.】

Lu Zhi Wei replied: “Is that so……”

Then she said: “Lao Wu, you’re really good at comforting people. Did you have to do it a lot in the past?”

Lao Wu said: 【No, all the people I’ve met before were blessed by heaven. They knew they had been born like that, so they never doubted their own ability.

【Only you’re different.】

Your experience is completely different from theirs.

Because you’re different, so I’ve become different too.

Hearing that, Lu Zhi Wei smiled and praised herself: “Is that so, so I was the one who influenced you. Then I’m pretty impressive, I can actually influence a high-level administrator……”

Lao Wu sighed helplessly, looking at her like he was looking at a fool.

Then, it was as if he had been infected by her. As he sipped his coffee, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“What are you laughing at? Influenced by me again?”

【Yes, so don’t laugh.】

“Then I have to laugh even more. There are so many problematic things, it’s good to laugh more if you can.”

【…… That’s true.】

He was frustrated at having to fiddle with the programs every day. If he could laugh, it would be better to laugh.

And the opponent was indeed someone capable and not so easily dealt with.

Most importantly, he had vaguely detected a hint of familiarity in his opponent’s methods……

He held onto his coffee, frozen.

After a moment, his eyelashes fluttered as he lowered his head and took a sip.

—— It’s probably just a wrong feeling.

…… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 香港独立

Not long after 《Questioning Deity Sect》 ended, Guo Hui’s movie finally announced the other female lead.

—— Lu Zhi Wei.

“Wei Shi Bu Wan”‘s CP fans were celebrating in the super topic.

The video editors amongst the CP fans were already prepared to cut and edit videos of them in four lifetimes, now they just had to wait for the show and movie to air!

The other CP fans were all eyeing them enviously.

Other people’s CP had three or four collaborations, while it’s so hard for my CP to even hold hands.

They’re all CPs, why is the difference so big……

The rest of the cast would be announced one by one in the upcoming days, and the movie would start filming this year.

Many people expressed their anticipation, and some even ran to the scriptwriter Wen Shuang’s Weibo to beg her to be humane this time.

Lu Si Jiao didn’t care about those.

She was just a little excited.

Her jie was going to be in a same-sex movie with Sang Wan Ci, it sounded exciting just listening to it……

If she did well, maybe her sister would be able to win the film empress award and explode in popularity!

Regardless of whether the movie started filming yet or not, she had already started dreaming.

—— Her jie definitely could do it!

……

《Symphony of Dreams》was overall, a light-hearted modern show.

Not only was the script light-hearted, but the filming location was light-hearted too.

Everybody would peacefully discuss their views and help to improve the script.

Even without Meng Lian Yu around to discuss the filming, there were still other veteran actors.

Because of filming this show, the younger actors not only learnt an instrument, but their acting skills improved too.

As it was her first time playing a female lead, Lu Zhi Wei was exceptionally serious.

Adding on to the fact that this was an opportunity that Sang Wan Ci had gotten for her, Lu Zhi Wei didn’t want to waste it even more.

She would constantly be hugging her notebook and sitting by the side taking notes.

Taking notes on acting, taking notes on how to make the role believable and moving in every scene, able to let the audience relate and not feel like it’s perfunctory.

Sang Wan Ci would also help her rehearse the scenes.

The young couple would constantly go to each other’s rooms to rehearse the scenes and discuss the script.

Working hard together and helping each other, to improve together.

Honestly, they quite liked this.

Being able to work hard together with the person they liked and witnessing each other’s growth, this was a very satisfying thing for them.

Because of this, when someone went to look for them, they would constantly be able to see the other person in either person’s room.

If they asked, it was to rehearse their scenes.

As a result of that, everybody had gotten used to it. If they couldn’t find one of them in their room, they would go and knock on the neighbouring door.

Thankfully, if there wasn’t anything, nobody would disturb them either. So whatever the two of them did after practicing their scenes progressed very smoothly too.

With regards to pleasing each other, the two of them clearly improved quite a bit.

In June, the summer rain was continuous, one after another.

More than half of the month was rainy.

《Symphony of Dreams》 also wrapped up filming during this rainy season.

But on that one day, it was a pleasant sunny day, as if God was celebrating their successful finish as well.

This was Lu Zhi Wei’s first time staying such a long time in a production crew.

After zoning out for a while, she finally came back to her senses.

After wrapping up filming, Liu Zhao’s heart was also settled.

There was a danger of the delay at the start of filming ruining the schedule, luckily everything went smoothly and the show was successfully finished.

It’s said that good things take time. Maybe the accident before filming started had already used up all the bad luck.

He was happy and moved, paying to book a restaurant to treat everybody to a meal.

Sang Wan Ci still had a spokesperson advertising job, so she couldn’t stay.

Lu Zhi Wei stood nearby, watching her and Xiao Qiu get into the car in a hurry.

Only to see Sang Wan Ci suddenly stop in front of the door, turning around to look at her.

Those beautiful amber eyes showed her constantly present liking for Lu Zhi Wei.

But this time…… It looked like there was a bit of regret too.

What was there to regret?

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t know.

Sang Wan Ci had already turned around and gotten into the car.

Once the car door closed, it covered up all the longing.

She was gone.

Lu Zhi Wei stood there, like a wife-gazing stone[1].

She watched the car pull out and drive away, before finally tearing her gaze away.

Thinking of Sang Wan Ci’s expression, she pulled out her phone.

[Lu Zhi Wei]: What is it Wan Ci, did you want to say something to me just now?

[Baby Sang]: Didn’t want to say anything.

[Baby Sang]: But I wanted to do something.

[Lu Zhi Wei]: ?

[Baby Sang]: I wanted to kiss you before I leave.

Lu Zhi Wei’s fingers paused.

Her eyes curved as she chuckled.

[Lu Zhi Wei]: You already kissed me many times last night.

[Baby Sang]: Not enough.

[Baby Sang]: It’s never enough no matter how much I kiss you.

[Baby Sang]: Could it be Zhi Wei is satisfied after kissing me just a few times?

Lu Zhi Wei smiled and replied: [Not satisfied, of course I’m not satisfied. When it comes to kissing our Teacher Sang, of course I’ll want to kiss you as much as I can!]

[Lu Zhi Wei]: Speaking of which, do you have a lot of work?

[Baby Sang]: Mm, there are a lot of brands looking to collaborate lately.

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t even have to think to know that it was because of how popular 《Questioning Deity Sect》 had gotten.

If actors got popular, of course good resources would start following for them to choose from.

But……

[Lu Zhi Wei]: We’re going to enter the production crew again in a few days, it’ll be better if you ask Zhang jie for two days off to rest, I’m worried your body can’t take it

She didn’t know how frequent Sang Wan Ci’s headaches were, she was just afraid it would affect Sang Wan Ci’s work.

If she still kept working day and night under these circumstances, her body would definitely not be able to withstand it.

[Baby Sang]: Mm, don’t worry, Zhang jie said she’ll let me rest.

[Baby Sang]: Zhi Wei has to rest well too.

[Baby Sang]: See you in the next production crew.

[Lu Zhi Wei]: Mm, see you in the next production crew.

…… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 台湾独立

In the middle of July, Lu Zhi Wei followed Wen Yao to the production crew.

This time, she finally had an assistant with her. It was a young, obedient young lady called Wen Wen.

Ever since Sheng Yue’s upper management had been changed to people from Xing Yi, Wen Yao had been in a good mood.

With Lu Zhi Wei’s hard work, she was in an even better mood.

Standing in front of the hotel, she instructed Wen Wen to take good care of Lu Zhi Wei. Then she held onto Lu Zhi Wei’s hand and said seriously: “Zhi Wei jie, good luck with the filming. If there’s anything, call me, I’ll handle it.

“If anybody bullies you, tell me immediately. Our Sheng Yue is different now, we’ll definitely stand up for you!”

Since Xing Yi had acquired Sheng Yue, Meng Lang Cheng figured he would try to get into the entertainment industry.

So Sheng Yue now treated every artiste signed with them equally. As long as they had potential, they would be trained well. They would no longer foolishly support one person like in the past.

Lu Zhi Wei had the skills and she was naturally the most important person to train now. If she was bullied, Sheng Yue would definitely step out to protect her.

Lu Zhi Wei smiled and patted her hand, thinking: My girlfriend, our behind-the-scenes boss, is in the production crew, who would dare to bully me……

After putting down her luggage and closing the room door, Wen Wen carefully put the card into her bag.

The three of them went out to meet the director and the rest of the crew.

Not long after walking out of the hotel, they saw Sang Wan Ci and Zhang Xian Rui.

Wen Yao said in surprise: “It feels like we met just not long ago……”

Lu Zhi Wei smiled: “Yes, I just wrapped up filming with her for 《Symphony of Dreams》 a few days ago.”

Wen Yao rubbed her head in embarrassment: “That’s right……”

Lu Zhi Wei patted Wen Yao’s shoulder compassionately.

The two of them had indeed worked together quite a bit these two years, to the point that both their managers and assistants were familiar with each other.

She was just about to walk over to greet Sang Wan Ci when she suddenly heard Wen Yao say: “It feels like it won’t even be a surprise if you two tell me that you’re dating one day.”

Lu Zhi Wei froze, turning her head: “?”

Were we already this obvious?

But she saw Wen Yao laugh: “Just joking.”

She continued in a low voice: “Also, don’t you think Sang Wan Ci looks a bit abstinent?”

Lu Zhi Wei: “?”

Wen Yao continued analysing it: “There’s a sort of beauty that exists in this world, the more beautiful you are, the more abstinent you look. To the point where people feel like you have no worldly desires and no desire for love. Sang Wan Ci is like that in my heart.”

Lu Zhi Wei: “……”

Then you’re sorely mistaken, sister……

She was definitely not abstinent at all……

Wen Wen joined in the discussion with a hushed voice: “Really? Is Teacher Sang very pure-hearted?”

Wen Yao rubbed her chin and nodded: “I don’t know, but it might be possible.”

Wen Wen’s face had a “I see” expression: “I really like her looks, but she does look quite aloof. Almost like an angel who won’t fall in love. If she really dates in the future, the person who can move her heart must be ——”

She raised her thumb.

Wen Yao raised her thumb too: “Indeed.”

Lu · Sang Wan Ci’s girlfriend · Zhi Wei: “……”

If they kept talking about it, she wouldn’t be able to hold back her laughter!

So she raised her hands and patted the heads of these two kids: “Alright, stop guessing blindly here, what nonsense……”

Sang Wan Ci turned and saw Lu Zhi Wei, her calm eyes suddenly had a bit more gentleness to them.

“Zhi Wei, you’re here.”

Hearing that, Lu Zhi Wei immediately abandoned the two kids and walked over.

…

Guo Hui’s new movie was called 《Shackles》.

It was set in ancient times, chronicling the love story of a young matriarch and a goddess.

The young matriarch was forever glamorous and rule-abiding in the eyes of others, but she was bound by all the shackles placed on her by the world. It was only when she was in front of the goddess’ statue, that her heart could find a moment of peace.

The mighty goddess was moved by her believer, willingly descending from the heavens to be by her believer’s side —— She wanted to have her believer’s love.

Sang Wan Ci was playing the role of the young matriarch, and Lu Zhi Wei was playing the role of the goddess.

These were the roles that Guo Hui had decided on from the start, and it was a new challenge for both of them too.

Before filming started, Guo Hui organised a get-together as usual to get the actors to familiarise themselves with each other.

Then, it was the group script reading session and costume fitting.

Sang Wan Ci was a dignified young matriarch, her family didn’t lack money so she had quite a few costumes.

She was quiet and gentle in private, but dignified and elegant when meeting guests.

No matter which costume it was, it was so beautiful nobody could stop their hearts from being moved. It was as if she was born to be so elegant and beautiful, to be loved and protected by people.

Lu Zhi Wei was very visibly moved, unable to tear her eyes away.

The scriptwriter Wen Shuang teased: “Did the goddess’ heart fall prematurely?”

Lu Zhi Wei touched her ear in embarrassment: “It’s hard not to be moved……”

Wen Shuang agreed: “You’re right.”

There was a bit more work to do for the goddess.

Not only were there the costumes, but someone had to come to carve a statue of the goddess.

After that, they had to do the group script reading.

During that time, the actors’ costumes would continue to be modified.

When the group reading ended, the costumes would have finished being modified and the statue would have been completed too.

The carver was experienced and skilled, the compassionate, ethereal statue of the goddess appeared in front of everybody’s eyes, looking similar to Lu Zhi Wei.

Lu Zhi Wei was shocked. It somehow felt like she had really become a goddess who had descended to earth when she was looking at the statue.

She snuck a glance at Sang Wan Ci.

Sang Wan Ci was also looking at the statue seriously.

In that moment, Lu Zhi Wei suddenly thought: If I really was a goddess, I would definitely also be willing to descend from the heavens for her and sacrifice everything……

Sang Wan Ci felt the gaze on her, turning her head to look.

The two of them locked eyes.

After a second, they smiled, lighting up the room.

But she was a bit luckier than the goddess.

Because she had already gotten Sang Wan Ci’s love.

…… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 人权

With everything prepared, 《Shackles》 started filming.

The person playing the role of the matriarch’s husband was Ying Xi Ze’s friend, Luo Xin Han.

He had straight eyebrows and star-like eyes, with a tall stature and a constant serious expression. He didn’t like to talk, but Guo Hui had approved his acting skills.

In the end, Ying Xi Ze said he actually had social anxiety. Besides filming, he didn’t like or dare to have too much interaction with others.

He had chosen to enter this industry because he really liked acting too much, so he had bravely taken it on.

Lu Zhi Wei and Sang Wan Ci saw him standing five meters away from them, a look of “don’t disturb me” on his face. When someone greeted him, he would startle, then stiffly raise a hand in return.

“……”

—— It was obvious he had social anxiety.

But no matter what, as long as the film could be shot properly and without problems, it was fine.

This movie was not only important to Guo Hui, but it was also very important to Sang Wan Ci, nothing could go wrong.

Or it would be even more difficult to get three film empress awards in two years.

But even so, Sang Wan Ci didn’t ask Lu Zhi Wei to accommodate her.

Since it was a dual female lead movie, they were competing on a fair basis. If she acted well, she would naturally be able to capture the hearts of the audience. If she acted poorly, she wouldn’t be able to win the award even if Lu Zhi Wei went easy on her.

She had to rely on her own abilities to prove it to her stubborn father.

Lu Zhi Wei understood what she was thinking.

At this moment, they were lovers, coworkers and also competitors.

The first scene of the movie was the matriarch praying alone to the statue of the goddess.

The matriarch’s name was Lin Huai Rou, she was young, beautiful and generous. As the daughter of a famous family, she was currently the matriarch of the Zhou family.

In the spacious hall, her slender figure was the only one kneeling on a thin mat.

The statue of the goddess had a solemn posture, holding a ribbon in her hand and looking down, as if she was only looking at Lin Huai Rou, but also as if she was looking upon all living beings.

Lin Huai Rou clasped her hands together and shut her eyes tightly, not saying a single word from beginning to end.

This scene had no dialogue.

The atmosphere was quiet, the bells in the temple were ringing in her ears and the chaos in her heart finally quietened.

Guo Hui looked carefully at the monitor for a while, then shouted to cut.

Sang Wan Ci got up and went to change her costume, preparing to continue filming the praying scenes.

The costume was different, the gaze was different, Lin Huai Rou’s attitude was different too. But she was still silent, only her eyebrows knitting together tightly from time to time, or a tear falling silently.

After these few scenes, it was time for Lu Zhi Wei’s goddess to enter.

She wore the same clothes as the statue, with a plain ribbon on her arms and golden bells around her ankles. She walked out from behind the statue bare-footed and looked quietly in the direction that the believer was leaving.

There was no warmth in her eyes, but there was a trace of doubt.

After a moment of silence, she murmured, as if asking the heavens, but also as if asking herself: “…… Why does she always not speak?”

When someone came to pray to her, they would always kneel down and earnestly say their wishes, asking her to fulfil them.

But this matriarch was different.

She only kneeled down and closed her eyes, not saying a word.

She wouldn’t say anything to the goddess, but she would always come to pray with a face full of sorrow.

—— What a strange believer.

The goddess thought.

If a believer was unwilling to speak, the gods would have no way of knowing their difficulties.

Her interest in this believer was sparked, as she took a few steps forward, stepping on the alter as the golden bells jingled.

With a light leap, her figure suddenly disappeared into smoke.

In the majestic hall, only the sound of bells were left, drifting further and further away.

The goddess could disappear into smoke, but Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t, so she could only step on the floor with bare feet.

She stepped here and there, climbed up and down. The golden bells on her ankles never stayed silent.

After a few tries, Guo Hui was finally satisfied.

Lu Zhi Wei sighed in her heart: Being this goddess isn’t easy either……

Although Sang Wan Ci was distressed Lu Zhi Wei had to keep climbing up and down and jumping around, but she felt that it was very cute with the bells jingling.

Looking at her, Sang Wan Ci wanted to pull this goddess off her divine altar and bring her to earth.

After filming, Lu Zhi Wei wore her shoes and ran to the side.

There were a few more scenes that had to be shot here before they could change to another set.

If Guo Hui felt any scene was lacking, they would have to come back to reshoot.

After the whole morning, it was almost done.

Guo Hui got up and called for a break, letting everybody have lunch first.

Xiao Qiu and Wen Wen had already prepared the food, waiting for them in a shaded area.

Sang Wan Ci and Lu Zhi Wei chatted as they walked over.

Sang Wan Ci asked if Lu Zhi Wei was satisfied with her current assistant, if she didn’t like her, they could switch for another one.

Lu Zhi Wei smiled: “No need to change, Wen Wen is fine. She’s even your looks fan.”

Sang Wan Ci nodded and then asked: “Then what fan is Zhi Wei?”

Lu Zhi Wei paused, looking around to make sure there was nobody.

She leaned towards Sang Wan Ci’s ear and lightly said: “Wife fan.”

Sang Wan Ci laughed lightly and leaned towards her ear too: “Yes, I’ve approved it, the only one.”

Not far away, Wen Wen looked at them chatting and laughing and she rubbed her head.

It seems like Teacher Sang…… isn’t as indifferent as she looks?

Lu Zhi Wei asked Sang Wan Ci again: “You haven’t had headaches these few days right?”

Sang Wan Ci smiled slightly: “It’s alright.”

Lu Zhi Wei: “What does ‘it’s alright’ mean?”

Sang Wan Ci: “Means Zhi Wei doesn’t have to worry.”

Lu Zhi Wei’s eyebrows knitted together, but Sang Wan Ci had already taken her hand and said gently: “Be good, Zhi Wei, let’s have lunch first, we still have to film later.”

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t say anything else.

But in her heart, she started paging Lao Wu.

【Lao Wu, how goes the capture of the invader, did you discover anything lately? When can my girlfriend stop having headaches?】

【I can’t answer your last question now,】 Lao Wu said. 【But I can answer your first one.】

There was a discovery?!

Lu Zhi Wei curiously urged: 【What, what, tell me!】

【This invader……】

Lao Wu’s words paused, then he continued.

【Seems to be someone in our system.】

Lu Zhi Wei: “……?”

Lao Wu: 【More accurately, it seems like someone who’s left our system in the past is attacking this world.】

Lu Zhi Wei: “?”

What?

T/N: It’s been a whole year since I started translating Outrageous! Oh, how far we’ve come.

[1] 望妻石 – This actual stone is called the husband-gazing stone and it’s supposed to be shaped like a woman. The story goes that a husband left his family to work and his wife faithfully waited for him every day, looking out to sea until she eventually turned into a stone.