After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 10

For a scene that would ultimately last only a minute on screen, Han Bei had filmed nearly ten takes. She couldn’t understand what was happening; every mistake seemed to stem from her own errors. Either she lost her balance and nearly fell, or she flubbed her lines.

She knelt, rose, knelt again, her palms swelling from the repeated strikes. The crew blamed her, and what was most baffling was that whenever she felt the urge to lash out, even raising her hand, she would lose her nerve within seconds when facing Xia Youxi, who was dressed as Senior Sister. She would meekly revert to playing the Junior Sister.

Something was wrong. This was all wrong.

Xia Weixi was a random person the company had plucked off the street. She hadn’t even attended film school, and a director she’d worked with on a short film had previously declared her talentless. How had she suddenly become capable of acting in this production?

This wasn’t even her natural demeanor.

Han Bei couldn’t comprehend it. The pain in her knees and hands reminded her of the humiliation she’d endured. She couldn’t let this brazen minor artist get away with it. As long as Mu Huayue hadn’t signed Xia Weixi, she would have plenty of opportunities to settle the score.

Just as Han Bei was plotting how to torment Xia Youxi, the director called out, “Since everyone’s already in costume, let’s shoot all the flashback scenes now! Come on, come on, we’re losing daylight!”

Han Bei frantically flipped through the script, her lips twitching in anger as she read the stark black words on the white page: “Kneel on the ground and wail.” Her knees already ached—how could she possibly kneel again?

“Jiaojiao, run!” Xia Youxi shielded Han Bei, blocking the black-clad assassin’s longsword. The blade pierced Xia Youxi’s chest and was swiftly withdrawn, spraying bl00d onto Han Bei’s face.

Han Bei stood frozen as her fellow disciples dragged her away. Her stiff body remained fixed on her Senior Sister’s retreating figure. She saw Xia Youxi turn her head, a gentle, relieved smile curving her lips.

In the next scene, Han Bei reached safety. As her companions released her, she collapsed to her knees with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly toward her Senior Sister’s direction. Her brow furrowed as she wailed, “Senior Sister! Waaah, Senior Sister! It’s all my fault!”

Her voice boomed, but no tears came. During filming, she had relied entirely on onions to produce the effect, making the scene look somewhat comical.

In the studio, the director watched the playback, sighing in exasperation. “Ah, it’s getting dark. This is the best we’ll get. They’re even from the same company, and Young Han is three years older. How can her acting be so stiff? I wonder what the Senior Sister actress did to offend her. Not only did she get the supporting role revoked, but she’s also making her work as an assistant.”

He turned to Mu Huayue, who was standing beside him. “CEO Mu, are you dissatisfied with Young Han’s performance? Should we switch her role with the actress playing Senior Sister?”

Mu Huayue glanced indifferently at the small screen. The thought of Xia Youxi kneeling at Han Bei’s feet, accepting punishment, made her brow furrow slightly. “No need,” she replied. “Just change the Junior Sister’s name.”

“You mean Jiaojiao?” The Director paused, then nodded. “Easy enough. We’ll be doing post-production dubbing anyway. I’ll change it to Qiaoqiao.”

Mu Huayue hummed in acknowledgment.

The Director gazed at the screen with a hint of regret. “Still, Xia Youxi has such a sweet look—she’s far more suited to play the Junior Sister than Han Bei. And her acting is so natural. CEO Mu, have you considered signing her?”

Mu Huayue shot him a sidelong glance. “You seem quite interested in her.”

The Director froze the screen on a shot of Xia Youxi turning back, a bloody smile curving her lips. He zoomed in on her face, tapping the screen. “Look at this scene. Senior Sister’s eyes are veiled with tears, though the script doesn’t mention it. This was the actress’s own interpretation, and it’s perfect. The last time I saw such raw talent was with Chen Ziyu.”

Chen Ziyu was currently the most accomplished actress in the film industry. She had won so many global awards that she was practically drowning in them, and she served as a judge at major film festivals. Within the Chinese entertainment industry, she had already been deified and was jokingly referred to as “Goddess Ziyu.”

Mu Huayue greatly admired Chen Ziyu, but it was still too early to say whether her little pet could reach such heights. For one thing, her current second-rate agency simply wouldn’t do.

Should she sign her to her own company?

Mu Huayue instructed her assistant, Wen An, “Tell Ba Feng Entertainment…”

She had just begun speaking when she suddenly remembered Sang Rourou, the female lead she had met that morning. Sang Rourou was her younger brother’s new flame, and like Xia Youxi, she appeared exceptionally docile. Mu Huayue worried that her detestable brother might snatch her little pet away.

If that happened, her secret would be exposed.

She changed her instructions: “Book a private room for a cast and crew dinner.”

Wen An acknowledged the order, then, with her usual expressionless face, asked for further instructions: “CEO Mu, the on-set producer mentioned a commotion in the crew’s break area. Should I deliver this coffee there first?”

That silly girl is being bullied again?

Mu Huayue nodded grimly. “Have Xia Weixi brought to me later.”

“Understood, CEO Mu,” Wen An said before leaving.

In the film set’s break area, Xia Youxi watched Han Bei sitting on a recliner, massaging her knee, with a helpless expression.

After dark, she and Young Miss Han had returned to the break area to await news. If no reshoots were needed, they could wrap up for the day. Remembering her current role as the young miss’s assistant, Xia Youxi noticed her groaning in pain and knelt down to apply medicine.

As she approached, Young Miss Han flinched back like a startled bird, pushing Xia Youxi to the ground in her panic.

Xia Youxi brushed off the dust and stood up, only to find Young Miss Han kneeling before her, babbling in terror, “S-Senior Sister, I’m sorry! D-Don’t hit me!”

Huh?

Xia Youxi admitted she had deliberately used her role to exert both authority and kindness, hoping to teach Young Miss Han a lesson. But she hadn’t expected such a strong reaction.

Could Young Miss Han be a method actor?

Softening her tone, Xia Youxi said, “Good girl, I won’t hit you. Don’t be afraid.”

Han Bei let out a relieved breath. At that moment, one of the extras watching nearby burst into laughter, mocking Young Miss Han for having scolded her assistant earlier but now cowering in fear.

Hearing this, Han Bei gradually regained her composure.

That’s right, I’m the young miss! Why should I be afraid of her?

Besides, even now, she was still just the Female Third Lead, and Xia Weixi hadn’t even secured the main role. Clearly, Mu Huayue wasn’t impressed with her—there was nothing to fear.

With this realization, Han Bei frowned, making her face appear even more severe. She settled back into her lounge chair and haughtily ordered Xia Youxi, “My leg hurts, and I can’t stand properly. Go buy me some medicine.”

Xia Youxi bit her lip, troubled. She was broke.

Interpreting her silence as defiance, Han Bei slammed her fist on the armrest, furious. “Go when I tell you to! Are you still expecting CEO Mu to stick up for you? You’re just playing a minor role—don’t think you’re the star of the show!”

Xia Youxi ignored her, about to demand money when a production assistant suddenly announced that they could wrap up for the day. CEO Mu was treating the entire crew to dinner.

Han Bei’s smugness intensified. She raised an eyebrow at Xia Youxi. “CEO Mu invited the whole crew, but you’re just my assistant—not part of the crew. You won’t be going.”

Xia Youxi found Han Bei’s brainless arrogance laughable. As she was about to ask for money again, a cup of coffee materialized before her, handed directly to Han Bei by Wen An, who stood in a black suit. His voice was flat and polite as he asked, “Miss Han, is this coffee to your liking?”

Remembering her past offense against Mu Huayue, Han Bei’s smug expression instantly transformed into a fawning smile. She grabbed the coffee and gulped it down, coughing violently.

Though she usually preferred lattes, Wen An had ordered an espresso—strong, black, and unsweetened. The first sip sent Han Bei reeling, her mouth burning with bitterness, yet she forced a smile. “Delicious! Please thank CEO Mu for me.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Wen An replied, his tone strictly professional. He turned to Xia Youxi. “Miss Xia, please change into your costume. I’ll come back for you shortly.”

“Pfft!” Han Bei spat out her coffee, staring at Wen An in disbelief. “Did… did CEO Mu specifically ask for her?”

The way she phrased it made Xia Youxi feel like she was being put on display.

Xia Youxi shot Wen An a warning glance, remembering CEO Mu’s instructions in the car: Don’t reveal our relationship.

Wen An understood immediately. “I’m here to pick up Miss Xia. Did you need to speak with CEO Mu, Miss Han?”

“No, no,” Han Bei stammered, taking another nervous sip of coffee. The bitterness made her wince, but inwardly she was laughing. She’d assumed Mu Huayue had taken a liking to Xia Weixi, but now it seemed the CEO’s personal assistant was the one interested in her.

The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. After Wen An left, Han Bei grinned at Xia Youxi. “Congratulations! You’ve landed yourself a golden-turtle husband!”

Xia Youxi didn’t understand Han Bei’s words and didn’t believe her congratulations were sincere. She lowered her head, then looked up, transforming back into her authoritative Senior Sister role from the drama. With a lowered gaze, she asked Han Bei, “Shall I apply the ointment, Young Miss?”

Han Bei nearly choked on her coffee, hastily straightening her posture. Hearing the background actors laughing, she glared at them and snapped, “What are you laughing at? Hurry up and change back into your own clothes!”

Oh my god, she scared me to death.

After Xia Youxi changed, Wen An arrived promptly at the makeup building to pick her up. Han Bei followed them out, and seeing only Wen An in the car, her suspicions deepened. She waved playfully at Xia Youxi, grinning, “Have fun with CEO Mu’s assistant! I’m off to see CEO Mu now.”

Xia Youxi smiled politely and climbed into the passenger seat. As she settled in, Wen An said, “Young CEO Mu is here. CEO Mu is discussing business with him, so he asked me to take you to the hotel first.”

Young CEO Mu? That’s Mu Shengyang, the male lead from the novel!

In the original story, to showcase the male lead’s cool, domineering aura, her poor villainess, Sister Mu, would be injured by his Alpha pheromones even when she had the upper hand.

A sudden image flashed through Xia Youxi’s mind: Mu Huayue curled up, clutching her chest in pain. She turned to Wen An with a sweet smile. “I have something very important to tell Sister Mu. Could you take me to her first?”