Exchange of Movie Queens - Chapter 24

At five o’clock the next morning, Ruan Yesheng was already up. She couldn’t shake off the shadow she’d seen the night before, her mind preoccupied all morning.

 

 

Feng Tangtang had been waiting in her room early, bustling about as Xi Mo’s personal assistant. She even went downstairs to buy breakfast, presenting it to Ruan Yesheng with eager deference. “Sister Xi, eat while it’s hot. Once makeup starts, you probably won’t have time.”

 

 

Ruan Yesheng was still lost in thought, momentarily forgetting her current circumstances. Feng Tangtang had been such a familiar presence in her past life that some things had become second nature. Without thinking, she replied gently, “Tangtang, I’m not really hungry. You have it.”

 

 

Feng Tangtang shuddered in shock: “…”

 

 

Was Sister Xi still half-asleep, or was this some unique form of morning grumpiness?

 

 

But upon reflection, these past few days of interacting with Sister Xi had indeed felt different—gentler, though still somewhat aloof. At times, she even sensed genuine concern from Sister Xi, as if her gaze carried real warmth. Feng Tangtang began to wonder if she’d grown so accustomed to being mistreated that she’d developed Stockholm syndrome, deluding herself into thinking Sister Xi was being kind. She nearly considered seeing a psychologist.

 

 

Noticing Feng Tangtang’s thunderstruck expression, Ruan Yesheng quickly realized her slip. She straightened her demeanor and cast Feng Tangtang a cool glance. “I was imitating your dear Ruan Ruan. Did I do well?”

 

 

Feng Tangtang: “…”

 

 

Then she immediately clapped. “You’re an award-winning actress—of course you did! Too… too convincing! You practically are Ruan Ruan!”

 

 

Ruan Yesheng gave an enigmatic smile.

 

 

Feng Tangtang suddenly worried whether her flattery had backfired spectacularly.

 

 

Ruan Yesheng adjusted her clothes in the mirror. Since she was about to get her makeup done, she hadn’t bothered with any cosmetics. “From now on, I’ll call you Tangtang.”

 

 

Feng Tangtang: “…”

 

 

Ruan Yesheng deliberately turned to look at her, smirking coldly. “Is ‘Tangtang’ Ruan Yesheng’s exclusive nickname?”

 

 

Seizing the moment to prove her loyalty, Feng Tangtang stammered, “N-no, no! Sister Xi, I actually love it when you call me that! Lots of people call me that—it’s very endearing!”

 

 

Ruan Yesheng kept a straight face and said nothing more, heading for the door—only then allowing herself a small smile.

 

 

By the time she reached the makeup room, most of the crew had already arrived, including Xi Mo. Yan Tinghuan had drunk the night before and likely wouldn’t wake until noon, so Xi Mo hadn’t bothered waiting for her. Free from clingy company, she was in high spirits.

 

 

Period dramas required extensive makeup sessions, with hairstyling alone taking hours. To save time, the stylists had already started on Xi Mo’s hair. Without a word, Ruan Yesheng took the empty seat beside her. Xi Mo caught sight of her in the mirror.

 

 

The stylist chatted with Xi Mo as she worked. “Miss Ruan, your skin is amazing.”

 

 

Xi Mo smiled faintly. “Not at all. I think Xi Mo’s skin is far better than mine.”

 

 

Ruan Yesheng shot her a glare—though it carried more of a sultry charm than any real hostility.

 

 

 

The makeup artist noticed Ruan Yesheng sitting nearby, momentarily stunned before breaking into a smile. Trying to stay diplomatic, she said cheerfully, “Haha, Sister Xi’s flawless skin is common knowledge here. Team leader, Sister Xi has arrived—she’s right here!”

 

 

Ruan Yesheng then enjoyed the VIP treatment originally meant for Xi Mo, personally attended by the head of the makeup team.

 

 

The two women sat side by side, their gazes intersecting briefly before each turned to observe their true reflections in the mirror.

 

 

The atmosphere grew palpably eerie.

 

 

The two makeup artists assumed both actresses had simultaneously woken up with stiff necks.

 

 

It wasn’t until the production coordinator entered to distribute the day’s schedule and script pages for the afternoon scenes that they finally looked away, each burying themselves in the stack of papers.

 

 

The schedule was packed tighter than a drum—after finalizing their looks came the opening ceremony, followed by afternoon filming and night scenes. The workload was brutal.

 

 

As Deng Sui’s maid, Ding E’s styling was deliberately understated. Older than her mistress, she’d already passed her coming-of-age ceremony when introduced, her first hairstyle adorned only with two subtle hairpins—one jade, one ivory. Thus Xi Mo’s makeup was finalized faster. The eyes of Ruan Yesheng’s borrowed face naturally carried a sultry allure with their slightly upturned corners, but the makeup artist deliberately sharpened them with cooler eyeliner, adjusting the brows and eye shapes to rein in that overflowing sensuality. Combined with Xi Mo’s characteristically composed stillness and unreadable gaze, the transformation perfectly embodied Ding E’s essence. Onlookers felt they were witnessing an ancient beauty stepping from history—she was Ding E incarnate.

 

 

Her first finalized costume was a deep cyan quju robe with pressed patterns along the hems, layered over pristine white underrobes. Though appearing simple from afar, the intricate embroidery revealed peerless elegance upon closer inspection. When she emerged from the fitting room, all eyes locked onto her.

 

 

Xi Mo operated with military efficiency. Once her look was approved by director Lin Qitang, she immediately headed for the photo shoot.

 

 

Meanwhile, Deng Sui’s noble lineage demanded exquisite attention to makeup, costumes, and accessories. For visual impact, her hanfu-inspired wardrobe incorporated modernized designs, with dozens of outfits planned to reflect her character’s evolution. The production would later select representative looks from each story phase for promotional releases across official channels.

 

 

To manifest the script’s description of Deng Sui as “peerlessly radiant, beauty beyond compare,” the makeup team revised tirelessly. Ruan Yesheng contributed suggestions until they perfected the vision.

 

 

When she finally entered the studio, Ruan Yesheng wore palace robes in refined pink, adorned with jade pendants and tassels that enhanced her graceful movements—opulent yet never ostentatious. Makeup’s alchemy had completely masked the icy sharpness of Xi Mo’s features. Gathering her sleeves with practiced elegance, Ruan Yesheng stepped into the lights, her luminous glances instantly conjuring Deng Sui’s regal charisma.

 

 

“Magnificent!” Lin Qitang applauded.

 

 

Murmurs of admiration rippled through the crew: “No wonder it’s Sister Xi.”

 

 

Seated off-camera, Xi Mo watched as Ruan Yesheng followed directions—lowering her gaze in thought, tilting her head demurely, flashing a radiant smile over her shoulder. When the close-up captured her face, it bloomed like sudden peach blossoms, dazzling enough to steal one’s breath.

 

 

 

Even though that face was her own, at this moment, she couldn’t seem to see her own reflection.

 

 

Ruan Yesheng concealed it, instead donning the guise of Deng Sui.

 

 

Perhaps she was born to be an actress.

 

 

Xi Mo thought this as she averted her gaze, calmly flipping a page of the script in her hands.

 

 

After a long while, the first batch of costume photos was finally completed and handed over to post-production for editing. Lin Qitang clapped his hands to gather everyone’s attention and announced, “There are still several more sets of costume photos to be taken later. Everyone, please refer to the schedule distributed by the coordinator. For now, let’s head over to the opening ceremony.”

 

 

Ruan Yesheng quietly asked Lu Qingming beside her, “How many media outlets will be present?”

 

 

Lu Qingming replied, “Director Lin didn’t invite many this time—just insiders. The fans don’t know about it either, so you can relax.”

 

 

Ruan Yesheng lifted her eyelids slightly, her tone indifferent. “When the media takes photos, they won’t capture my full figure, will they? Just a deliberate brush past the camera, leaving half a silhouette in some corner?”

 

 

Lu Qingming chuckled. “I knew you’d figure it out even if I didn’t say anything.”

 

 

Some crews go all out for their opening ceremonies, eager to invite every media outlet and pack the venue with fans. But Lin Qitang had already teased the leads’ identities online, stirring up endless speculation. This time, he deliberately kept the ceremony low-key. Later, they would release a few carefully curated photos—hinting but not revealing—like dropping a depth charge into already boiling waters, ensuring even more heated discussions. It would undoubtedly be more effective than a straightforward announcement.

 

 

“Lin Qitang, that old fox,” Ruan Yesheng remarked, glancing toward Xi Mo. Xi Mo didn’t look back, turning away instead.

 

 

The opening ceremony was set in the Deng family garden, the same location scheduled for filming that afternoon. As usual, an incense altar was arranged, with incense sticks, roasted suckling pig offerings, and a large red banner emblazoned with Chinese socialist flair: “Good Fortune for the ‘Sui Ting’ Crew!” It was amusing—every crew, once filming began, went all out with rituals resembling feudal Taoist ceremonies, as if missing only a sword-wielding priest spraying water at the altar and shouting, “Evil spirits, begone!” Who even came up with these traditions?

 

 

Lin Qitang led the main creative team and actors in offering incense, putting on a show for the invited media.

 

 

A photographer approached Ruan Yesheng, greeting her with a respectful, “Sister Xi, thank you for your hard work.” Ruan Yesheng understood perfectly, nodding in acknowledgment before turning and walking toward a more crowded area—her steps deliberately casual, a performance in itself. After a few strides, she stopped in front of Lu Qingming to chat, tilting her head slightly so only half her face was visible to the camera. Since she still had scenes to film in the afternoon, she hadn’t removed her makeup. The jade hairpin in her styled bun accentuated her allure—like a veiled beauty hinting at untold secrets, with Lu Qingming standing stiffly behind her like a wooden backdrop.

 

 

The photographer, thrilled to capture such naturally staged shots, took numerous photos and repeatedly thanked Ruan Yesheng.

 

 

Ruan Yesheng glanced around and noticed Xi Mo standing alone by an ancient-looking wall. Lush tree branches stretched over the wall, casting dappled shadows on Xi Mo’s blue-and-white costume, flecked with golden light. The scene gave her an air of detached coolness, removed from the bustling crowd.

 

 

It made Ruan Yesheng want to go over.

 

 

The weather was sweltering, yet for some reason, seeing Xi Mo standing there made her feel cooler.

 

 

 

Thinking this, she did exactly that. Lu Qingming, seeing her take a step forward, asked, “Where are you going? Have Gu Qisong accompany you. Don’t wander too far.”

 

 

After the hotel incident, Lu Qingming often displayed mother-hen levels of concern, frequently insisting that Gu Qisong—her assistant and bodyguard—follow her around.

 

 

Gu Qisong was tall and taciturn, the epitome of someone who wouldn’t utter a word even if beaten with a stick. Occasionally, he’d crack an ice-cold joke from who-knows-where, leaving everyone frozen in awkward silence. Yet Feng Tangtang seemed to adore him, telling everyone how humorous Brother Gu was and how hilarious his jokes were—making Ruan Yesheng suspect that her poor intelligence had not only clouded her judgment but also obliterated her hearing, vision, and comprehension.

 

 

“No need, I’m just going over to that wall to cool off. There’s a tree there, isn’t there?” Ruan Yesheng waved her hand dismissively. Gu Qisong, who had been holding an umbrella for her, took the hint and followed at a respectful distance. Only after seeing Gu Qisong accompany her did Lu Qingming feel reassured enough to attend to other matters.

 

 

Halfway there, Xi Mo noticed her approach, her expression turning slightly peculiar.

 

 

Yet Xi Mo didn’t walk away.

 

 

Ruan Yesheng strolled into the shade beneath the tree.

 

 

The two stood side by side, neither speaking, each gazing ahead. The midsummer sunlight seemed to absorb all surrounding noise, leaving only the cicadas’ shrill chorus in the trees—making even their cries feel hollow.

 

 

A long while passed, and still, neither made a sound, rooted like two trees in silence. Strangely, despite the sweltering heat, the presence of someone she disliked (who also happened to be wearing her own skin), and the awkward quiet that could easily have ignited fireworks, Xi Mo didn’t feel the slightest bit irritated.

 

 

She found the current situation perfectly reasonable—a rare moment of peace, even pleasant enough that she hesitated to break it.

 

 

Yet after a while, Ruan Yesheng did: “Have you seen anything unsettling these past few days?”

 

 

The question was oddly abrupt. Xi Mo replied indifferently, “Yes.”

 

 

“Where? What did it look like?”

 

 

“Right here.” Xi Mo said. “You.”

 

 

Ruan Yesheng: “…”

 

 

Then, narrowing her eyes with a smile, Ruan Yesheng countered, “That’s not the right answer. I asked about unsettling things—and clearly, ‘someone like me’ doesn’t qualify as a thing.”

 

 

Since “someone like her” was actually Xi Mo’s original appearance, Xi Mo took the verbal jab head-on and finally exploded internally like those hypothetical fireworks. Sooner or later, she was bound to blow.

 

 

Crossing her arms, Xi Mo shot her a sidelong glance. “Well, you really can’t compare to me—at least I think ‘someone like me’ is a thing.” Whether or not it counted as a thing, it wasn’t her, so she could say whatever she wanted.

 

 

Ruan Yesheng: “…”

 

 

Putting on an exaggerated act, Xi Mo leaned slightly toward her, leaving just enough space between them, and added, “Though I wonder what kind of thing ‘someone like me’ is exactly? Care to enlighten me?”

 

 

 

Ruan Yesheng shook her head and playfully examined the skin that originally belonged to her, now draped over Xi Mo’s figure. After a deliberate once-over, as if appraising it, she finally said, “Forgive my poor eyesight, but all I can see is how stunning ‘this look’ is. Who cares what it is? As long as it’s beautiful, right?”

 

 

“Right, who cares what it is? As long as the face is thick-skinned enough, right?” Xi Mo replied with a humorless smile.

 

 

Seeing Xi Mo retort so smoothly without mentioning anything unusual, Ruan Yesheng felt reassured that she hadn’t noticed anything strange.

 

 

Just then, a dark shadow was suddenly hurled over the wall, wrapped in what appeared to be black cloth.

 

 

The object appeared so abruptly that Xi Mo caught it in her peripheral vision. Reacting purely on instinct, she dodged while swiftly pulling Ruan Yesheng aside. However, still wearing the cumbersome quju robe, her movements were restricted. As she sidestepped, her foot twisted, nearly causing her to stumble.

 

 

Gu Qisong, who had witnessed the scene from a distance, immediately darkened his expression and rushed over.

 

 

Thankfully, they avoided being hit. Xi Mo discreetly shifted her slightly aching foot and released Ruan Yesheng.

 

 

Ruan Yesheng remained silent the entire time, only breathing heavily, her back damp with cold sweat. She stared fixedly at the object, which had landed less than half a meter away from her, splattering bl00d and scattering a few disheveled feathers.

 

 

It was a rooster.

 

 

Already dead.

 

 

Someone had cleanly slit its throat before tossing it over. The black cloth wrapped around its corpse had loosened, leaving the rooster lying there with its neck twisted, eyes open—its cloudy whites glaring at Ruan Yesheng.

 

 

The sight was eerie, resembling a human corpse with its throat slit, bleeding profusely.

 

 

Gu Qisong, a retired special forces soldier, reacted swiftly. Fortunately, few people had noticed the incident. To prevent panic, he quickly folded his umbrella and used it to tightly wrap the dead rooster. Ruan Yesheng still seemed dazed, so since Xi Mo was standing beside her, Gu Qisong handed the bundle to her.

 

 

Xi Mo suddenly found herself holding a dead rooster: “…”

 

 

Gu Qisong wasted no time, scaling the wall in a few quick strides and disappearing over it.

 

 

Xi Mo clutched the rooster and stared at Ruan Yesheng.

 

 

Ruan Yesheng still wore a distant, shell-shocked expression. Xi Mo assumed she was terrified out of her wits, and an inexplicable, uncomfortable tightness twisted in her chest. She hesitated, wanting to offer comfort—but having never learned how to console anyone in her life, she stood there stiffly before finally forcing out:

 

 

“Don’t be scared. The chicken’s with me now.”

 

 

Only then did Ruan Yesheng slowly lift her head to look at her: “…”