All the Female Protagonists Who Have Been Saved Have Become Obsessed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 29.1

In the makeup room, Chunshui removed the comical makeup from her face.

Her assistant, Huang Xiaoyun, handed her the phone. Chunshui opened it, saw some messages, and replied slowly. Hua Yun had sent the most.

Hua Yun: How’d it go? Did you ask? What did Doctor Zhou say?

Chunshui: I asked. Doctor Zhou didn’t answer.

Hua Yun, as Chunshui’s advisor, comforted: Don’t lose heart or rush. Be patient.

Chunshui turned off the screen, placing the phone on the makeup table. She’d already startled the snake; this time, she’d be patient, waiting like a hunter for Zhou Xi to take the bait.

At night, the city showed few stars.

Director Zhang took the whole crew for barbecue. He raised his glass, “Thanks to everyone for joining this film. Let’s make a great work!”

Everyone raised their glasses. Zhou Xi drank a cold beer, letting out a satisfied sigh.

Chunshui sipped daintily, lifting her glass twice, only half-finishing her beer. Zhou Xi looked at her glass, chuckling, “I remember your tolerance isn’t this low.”

Chunshui picked up a grilled vegetable, chewing slowly. Swallowing, she said, “Drinking too fast makes me drunk.” Eating out with others, she stayed cautious, avoiding getting too drunk.

Zhou Xi took another gulp, looking refreshed.

Chunshui advised, “Eat something. An empty stomach gets you drunk faster.”

Zhou Xi listened, grabbing a skewer, eating while observing. Their table held the crew’s core—director, screenwriter, actors. Scanning, she didn’t see Litchi.

Zhou Xi asked, “Is someone missing?”

Chunshui countered, “Who do you mean?”

Zhou Xi glanced around, leaning close to Chunshui’s ear, whispering, “Litchi.”

Chunshui’s lips curved into a smile, “Maybe they forgot to notify her. She wrapped early today.”

“Oh,” Zhou Xi nodded, sensing something off. Director Zhang had said this was the crew’s first gathering to bond. Everyone was notified, yet the other female lead was absent. Wasn’t this excluding Litchi? It seemed Director Zhang’s clash with Litchi’s agent over lead ranking was a big deal.

Zhou Xi overheard at the set that Litchi wanted the first lead spot, causing Leading Entertainment to clash with Director Zhang.

The entertainment industry was too complicated, Zhou Xi thought. Just a billing issue, and it caused such a fuss. She leaned closer to Chunshui, “I saw online that your global fan club disbanded. What’s up with that?”

Chunshui’s lips held a gentle smile, “Doctor Zhou pays such close attention to me? Even knowing this.”

Zhou Xi scratched her cheek, “Stumbled across it.”

“Quite a stumble,” Chunshui said.

Zhou Xi sighed inwardly. Why did Chunshui always have the upper hand? She was usually eloquent, but with Chunshui, her skills had no stage.

“It’s no big deal,” Chunshui said. “My fan club disbanded three years ago. The news just broke now.”

Zhou Xi didn’t understand, “Why disband?” Didn’t stars need fans to shine? Why else enter this industry?

“I’m an actor. I want my work to speak.”

“If they really like me, when my movie releases, they can buy a ticket if they like it or criticize it online if they don’t, not just blindly praise me, manipulate data, or fight online.”

“I have my life. I hope they do too.”

Zhou Xi paused, then said softly, “You’re right.”

Chunshui suddenly asked, “What kind of life does Doctor Zhou want in the future?”

Zhou Xi froze.

Future life? She hadn’t thought about it. Maybe like now, fretting over Fast-Travel Bureau tasks, finishing this one, starting the next. Her timeline was much longer than Chunshui’s.

Zhou Xi deflected, “Haven’t thought about it. Just seize the day.”

“Seize the day?” Chunshui smiled, “Doctor Zhou’s got a clear view.”

They drank quietly.

The barbecue ended. Zhou Xi, with low tolerance, was five parts drunk but not completely gone.

Director Zhang asked, “How’s Doctor Zhou getting back?”

“I’ll take her,” Chunshui said.

“Taxi,” Zhou Xi said.

Director Zhang relaxed, “I’ll arrange for others.”

“I’ll take you,” Chunshui told Zhou Xi. Zhou Xi shook her head, “You drank too.”

Chunshui smiled, “My assistant’s waiting with a driver.”

Zhou Xi nodded, not refusing.

Her face flushed from alcohol, cheeks pink, eyes watery, striking in the deep night.

Chunshui looked at her, unmoving. People bustled around, but only they remained seated.

Zhou Xi felt dizzy from the booze. A cool night breeze made her shiver, and she hiccuped. Chunshui laughed, “Ready to go?”

“Go,” Zhou Xi said but didn’t move, laziness taking over.

Chunshui extended her hand, “Need help?”

Zhou Xi looked up, head spinning. Chunshui’s eyes shone brighter than the stars, lips softly curved, no longer sharp and mocking. Her open palm faced Zhou Xi.

Zhou Xi reached out. Chunshui pulled her up gently.

Their hands touched—one cold, one warm. Letting go, Zhou Xi clenched her fist, as if to hold that coolness.

“Xiao Huang’s here. The car’s in the mall’s underground lot.”

The street was packed, no parking allowed. They said goodbye to Director Zhang and the crew, crossing a narrow alley to the lot.

It was late. Zhou Xi checked her phone—past midnight. The alley had one dim streetlamp. She edged closer to Chunshui.

As they walked, a stone rolled, and a cat yowled, darting past. Zhou Xi jumped, grabbing Chunshui’s arm, clinging as they moved, her drunkenness half-scared away.

Chunshui hadn’t expected Zhou Xi to be so timid. She didn’t pick this path to scare her; she wasn’t familiar with it, just following the shortest route on navigation.

Chunshui quickened her pace. They passed through safely. Zhou Xi exhaled.

Chunshui laughed, “Doctor Zhou’s not cut out for horror movies.”

Zhou Xi bluffed, “I don’t like them anyway.”

“What movies does Doctor Zhou like?” Chunshui teased, “I’ll act in whatever you like.”

Zhou Xi sighed, “I’d break immersion.”

They laughed, tension dissolving.

Zhou Xi let go, “Thanks.”

Chunshui flexed her elbow, smiling, “Serving Doctor Zhou? I’m happy to.”

Zhou Xi glared, looking around, “Where’s the car?”

They’d reached the mall entrance, still under construction, roads empty.

Chunshui texted, then looked up, “We’ll wait here. She’ll drive up faster.”

“Okay,” Zhou Xi nodded.

The area had more streetlights than the alley. One stood beside them, casting paired shadows. Zhou Xi’s hands were in her pockets, Chunshui beside her, waiting.

Chunshui saw their shadows, found it amusing, stepped forward, and their shadows overlapped. She smiled secretly.

Liking someone felt like this—everything about them brought joy.

Car headlights lit their feet. Zhou Xi waved. Huang Xiaoyun sped up, opened the window, thrilled to see Zhou Xi, “Doctor Zhou, you’re here too?”

Chunshui got in, telling Huang Xiaoyun, “Drop Doctor Zhou off first.”

“Okay.”

After the scare and drinks, Zhou Xi was exhausted, leaning against the window, weary. The system spoke in her head, “Host, Li Xia’s planning to move against the female lead.”

Zhou Xi sat up straight.

“Doctor Zhou?” Chunshui looked at her. Zhou Xi relaxed slowly, “Just remembered something.” She leaned back, eyes half-closed, asking, “When?”

System: “No specific time, but soon. Li Xia’s angry about what Director Zhang said to Li Zhi. After Li Zhi left, she hired someone to teach the female lead a lesson.”

Zhou Xi frowned, “What else did you find?” Knowing Li Xia caused the accident, Zhou Xi had the system monitor her constantly, fearing another move against Chunshui.

System: “I found that when others in Litchi’s crew had accidents, Li Xia orchestrated them. She feared their growth would boost rival companies, impacting Li Zhi’s rise and her own position. She had her agent offer contracts; when refused, she retaliated.”

Zhou Xi sighed inwardly. Another extreme.

Unable to control, Li Xia destroyed. Afraid of her glimpsed future, she didn’t realize futures have many paths. Her choices were leading her to that future.

“Got it,” Zhou Xi opened her eyes. Chunshui was watching her.

“Not there yet. Rest more, Doctor Zhou. You didn’t sleep well. Is that issue so tough?” Chunshui asked.

Zhou Xi paused, recalling her excuse.

“It’s tricky,” Zhou Xi smiled, “But I’ve found a solution.”

“Good,” Chunshui nodded.

“Be careful on set lately,” Zhou Xi couldn’t help warning.

Chunshui, though puzzled, nodded.

At the hospital, Zhou Xi got out, watching Chunshui leave. Her expression hardened, telling the system, “Report the new time breach to HQ. If they don’t intervene, I’ll handle it my way.”

System: Received.

HQ’s response would take time. Worried for Chunshui, Zhou Xi put hospital work aside, following the crew daily.

Director Zhang was relaxed lately. Industry news spread fast. After his clash with Leading Entertainment, another investor, disliking them, offered to fully fund if they withdrew, without interfering in casting or filming. The catch was splitting future theater profits.

Director Zhang estimated this art film wouldn’t earn much—a loss-making deal for acclaim. He could yield on profits, waiting for Leading Entertainment’s next move.

Chunshui finished a scene. The male actor, increasingly distressed, hit Tang Huai, then apologized profusely after “cut,” a stark contrast.

Chunshui waved, preparing for the next scene.

Domestic shooting was tight, aiming to finish indoor scenes in a month before going abroad. The crew’s venues were set, and filming grew intense.

Huang Xiaoyun handed Chunshui water. Looking for Zhou Xi and not seeing her, Chunshui asked quietly, “Where’s Doctor Zhou?”

Huang Xiaoyun was puzzled, “She was just here.”

Zhou Xi had been on set daily, and Chunshui grew used to her presence, joking with her after scenes to lighten her mood. The recent scenes were heavy, and though she managed, seeing Zhou Xi made her happier.

Chunshui rested on a stool while the makeup artist touched her up. Director Zhang approached with the script, “Next scene has issues. The screenwriter revised it. Here’s the new script, take a look.”

Chunshui opened her eyes, taking it, frowning, “Changed? Isn’t time tight?”

Director Zhang apologized, “I’m calling the others to run through it.”

“Where’s Litchi and Mao Xin? Someone get them to rehearse!” Director Zhang shouted. Someone fetched the other actors. The four sat together. Director Zhang said, “Start!” They ran the script like a real performance.

Director Zhang read the voiceover, “Tang Huai’s husband comes home, sees a pair of pearl earrings in her hand, and snatches them. Tang Huai refuses, and they argue.”

Chunshui: “These earrings belong to a client!”

Mao Xin: “What client wears women’s stuff? Is this your hidden dowry? You came to me with nothing. This is what you hid, right?”

Director Zhang continued, “The husband beats Tang Huai. When she sees Fule again, she’s deeply guilty.”

Chunshui: “You bought me food, gave me clothes, but I couldn’t keep your earrings. He must’ve pawned them!”

Litchi: “It’s no big deal. Look at your bruises, Tang Huai. Do you want a divorce?”

Chunshui: “Divorce? That’s not a thing in our country!”

Litchi: “You’re with me now. Why follow those outdated rules? This isn’t the Republic era! Tang Huai, you’re educated, cultured. You shouldn’t suffer like this!”