After the conversation ended, Zhou Xinyuan left the restaurant in a daze, feeling like she had just woken up from a dream, still deeply moved.
Meanwhile, Li Chu sent the script to Ning Manqing. Her eyes drifted upwards, rereading the message she had just sent.
【Xiao Chu】: One script, we can fall in love four times, get married at least once. Interested?
【Ning Manqing】: Absolutely! Who else could play the other role?
【Xiao Chu】: The production is a bit low-budget, so the pay might not be great. Our salaries will be lower.
【Ning Manqing】: Give my share to you. I’ll do it for free. Submitting my salary to my wife in advance.
【Ning Manqing】: cat-with-hands-on-hips.jpg
Li Chu reread the endearing term Ning Manqing used before “submitting my salary” and nodded with satisfaction. Excellent. Comrade Ning has a high level of awareness.
Upon learning which artist would be starring in this drama, Tang Congnan could only tearfully agree. He knew Li Chu was stubborn. Though she seemed cheerful, amiable, and easy to talk to, once she made up her mind, ten oxen couldn’t pull her back.
However, upon learning that Li Chu had also pulled Ning Manqing in, Tang Congnan’s expression became complicated. “Although I know there’s nothing going on between you two, if you keep being tied together like this, you know what the consequences could be, right?”
Tang Congnan had a headache. For the sake of Li Chu’s career development, he didn’t want her to co-star with Ning Manqing again. There were already a considerable number of CP fans online, but both Ning Manqing and Li Chu were known for their acting skills and didn’t particularly need this kind of traffic.
But Tang Congnan didn’t completely shut down the idea. The “bundling” between Li Chu and Ning Manqing was unique. Others bundled to hype up sweetness and create buzz for fans to enjoy. These two had just finished a drama with a tragic ending. Although the show hadn’t aired the BE part yet, there were already hints, and both drama fans and CP fans were panicking, begging the director and screenwriter to be merciful.
Their next drama, though not a BE, was similar to one. This situation would definitely bring considerable traffic, and even if they “unbundled,” it wouldn’t cause significant damage or lead to a messy fan war. So, Tang Congnan was hesitant, wavering between stopping the bundling and letting it continue.
While Tang Congnan worried, Li Chu focused on why her mother-hen manager so firmly believed there was nothing between her and Ning Manqing. They had done everything except the final step of marking and pregnancy. And sometimes, their concealment wasn’t even that good. At least Zhao Zhichun had noticed something, and on the set of Die at Dawn and Dusk , Teacher San Qiu’s gaze was sometimes quite meaningful.
How could her manager, who was always by her side, so firmly believe there was nothing between them?
Nevertheless, Li Chu replied, “I know, but the truth will come out. Besides, some buzz isn’t a bad thing. Teacher Ning is my acting mentor, and I’ve learned so much from her. She’s willing to join me in this low-budget drama, so why should I worry about the consequences after it airs?”
Li Chu said “the truth will come out” without a trace of guilt, maintaining a strong facade.
Tang Congnan was moved by their “friendship” and nodded. “Alright, go ahead.”
Since Zhou Xinyuan was still raising funds and the actors and locations weren’t ready yet, the drama hadn’t officially started filming. So, before officially joining the crew, Li Chu took on other engagements, including shooting a new endorsement for Yan Meng.
The Yan Meng summer campaign launched during the hottest part of August. The commercial played on loop on giant screens across the city, catching the attention of every passerby.
What do people usually associate with summer? Humidity, heat, sultriness, irritability, scorching… This time, Yan Meng’s summer campaign didn’t use the usual vibrant and hot keywords. Instead, they used a very summery word—shade. It was precisely because it was summer that shade was needed.
The first reaction people had when they saw the commercial was coldness, a chill that emanated from within, contrasting sharply with the vibrant summer, making it hard to look away. The woman at the center had snow-white skin, black hair, and pale lips. Her eyes were clear and distinct, and when she gazed at you, you felt your soul tremble. She held a silver chain with a pendant in her mouth, like a beautiful snake.
Unsurprisingly, Yan Meng’s summer collection sold out. Qin Mu was the most phenomenal and talked-about character this summer, and Li Chu’s portrayal in the commercial had distinct “Qin Mu” characteristics, as if the cold, poisonous flower had stepped out of the drama and transformed into a snake slithering over people’s souls.
The commercial aired just as the drama reached the episode where Qin Mu killed Li Sudong. Watching the drama and then the commercial was like a double explosion.
@GiveMyHeartToYou: It ends here this week??? So cruel!! Painfully waiting for next week!
@ImperialPalace: In the previous episodes, I kept saying I wanted to kill Li Sudong, but now that he’s really dead, I feel sad. Of course, it’s not for him. Although Qin Mu got her revenge, I have a stronger bad feeling.
@zhuanzhua: Aaaah, although I know this was Qin Mu’s wish, when it really happened, I felt like that bastard Li Sudong dirtied her hands. By the way, I just ordered the new items endorsed by my girl. It’s perfect! I feel like Qin Mu is personally recommending them to me!
@YiXing: Who can refuse Qin Mu! Who can refuse Li Chu! I can’t!
@DreamingOfADreamICantWakeFrom: As a drama fan, I feel like the CP I’m genuinely invested in is about to BE. It’s hard to see a happy ending at this point. They’re naturally on opposing sides. No matter what, a police officer can’t be with a murderer.
@IHaveAQingLiTree: I’m really holding on because the leads are so sweet in real life, trying to believe there will be a reversal. Please QWQ
@SweetLiWorldNumberOne: My girl’s acting is amazing! The preparation, the determination, and the decisiveness before the act truly showed me her soul. And the commercial is stunning! On my way home yesterday, I heard someone asking who she was, and I immediately and proudly introduced her. My girl is the best!
@DestinationIsLiLiWaitingForMe: Aaaah, my girl is absolutely gorgeous! Whispering quietly, I actually want to buy the necklace she was holding in her mouth!
This comment sparked numerous responses. Which fan wouldn’t want the necklace kissed and held by Li Chu during the shoot?
@TaoTaoOfficialGirlfriend: That necklace is with me ww
@ShuYao: How delusional are you guys? It’s not even dark yet, and you’re already daydreaming?
@ZhouGuanWantsToLightALamp: Don’t say it, don’t say it. Not only do I have the necklace, Li Li is right next to me [dog head]
@NoRedemptionForMe: If you keep talking like this, I’ll get angry, and my girl will have to comfort me [cat head]
Ning Manqing, looking at the replies on her phone: …………
No matter what they said, the necklace kissed by her wife was now around her neck. She not only wore the necklace Li Chu had kissed, but she also kissed Li Chu. Let these people be envious and talk all they want.
Li Chu saw Ning Manqing’s comment on her alt account because Ning Manqing had reposted it to her main page. As a follower of Ning Manqing’s alt account, Li Chu was bound to see the update. My wife is so cute, Li Chu thought, and sent Ning Manqing some more suggestive pictures.
They would be officially joining the crew soon, and they hadn’t had time to see each other or be intimate lately due to their busy schedules. But once they were on set, they would definitely have time.
Li Chu started preparing in advance. She wanted to try something new recently. Although her sister was gentle and dominant, Li Chu believed that such things should always be kept fresh and exciting. They hadn’t tried dirty talk yet.
Li Chu was easily shy but also straightforward. If she hadn’t discovered Ning Manqing’s alt account, she might have found it difficult to openly discuss these things with Ning Manqing because she would be embarrassed. She could only passively wait for Ning Manqing to initiate and then go with the flow.
But now that she had discovered Ning Manqing’s alt account, it was incredibly convenient for her “operations.”
Li Chu cheered inwardly. Wife is the best!
After the new week’s episodes of the drama aired, featuring the intimate scenes between Qin Mu and Xi Yiyun, Li Chu and Ning Manqing joined the crew. The internet erupted in a tsunami of reactions. When the episode of Qin Mu’s death aired, Li Chu’s comment section was filled with lamentations.
Some even went to Ning Manqing’s Weibo to criticize her: “As an alpha, how could you get stabbed at that moment? You should have done this and that so Qin Mu wouldn’t die.”
In short, it was a lively scene.
Countless people felt unfulfilled, but they also felt that this was the best outcome. Qin Mu, having avenged herself, died by her own hand, better than dying at the hands of the person she loved. She was too ruthless, too cruel, a sharp knife to herself and others.
@LuoJingXiaShi: Die at Dawn and Dusk , each gets what they deserve. There’s nothing to regret.
The story had ended, and the two leads, now filming a new drama, were unaware of the online discussions.
Li Chu had been brimming with anticipation, wanting to have sex before filming started, but her mother-hen manager’s presence completely dampened her spirits. She had no choice but to start filming properly with Ning Manqing. Zhou Xinyuan chose to use flashbacks, following the drama’s broadcast order.
Logically, they should have filmed the mental training first and the reality show later. However, due to set arrangements, they started with the reality show scenes.
The story began with the protagonists standing at the registration area. The omega was called Fu Yuan, and the alpha was called Lin Lang. They stood calmly under the spotlight, and the audience began placing bets before the round started. They didn’t look like they were passionately in love, at least compared to the couples or married couples who had participated in previous reality shows. They seemed somewhat indifferent, so more people bet on their failure.
Mental data connection in progress, clearing memories, waiting to enter the simulation.
To increase audience participation, the company hosting the reality show held a vote.
Please choose a love story scenario for their first life:
A. Eldest Princess x Regent 【Power Struggle】
B. Foster Daughter x Privileged Son 【Difference in Status】
C. Demonic Cult Woman x Righteous Swordsman 【Opposing Sides】
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