Failed to Run Away After Transmigrating as the Scummy Alpha's Wife of the Villain - Chapter 19

Jiang Ci entered the studio building, walked through the noisy front lobby, took the elevator up to the third floor.

 

 

The entire third floor was dedicated to shooting spaces. Opposite the elevator, a massive green screen hung on the wall, with various lighting and broadcasting equipment piled on the floor. Thick cables, as wide as fingers, coiled across the ground like serpents.

 

 

Jiang Ci exchanged greetings with a few familiar staff members but suddenly stopped in front of a towering spotlight.

 

 

She turned her head, eyeing the woman who was looking around as if touring a scenic spot, and sighed helplessly. “You’ve been following me all this way. What exactly do you want?”

 

 

Chi Yuan scratched her head and cleared her throat. “I’m just inspecting the shooting location, checking for potential safety hazards.”

 

 

Jiang Ci scoffed. “What kind of safety hazards could there be? If you want to shoot an ad, Director Chi, just take the elevator down to the front desk on the first floor. I’m sure they’d be happy to work with you.”

 

 

Chi Yuan also found it odd and silently asked her system: What could possibly happen here? It looks perfectly safe.

 

 

System: I don’t know either, but the detection confirms Jiang Ci will face danger.

 

 

Left with no choice, Chi Yuan shamelessly stuck to Jiang Ci like glue.

 

 

Jiang Ci had no idea what Chi Yuan was up to. As she walked forward, she wondered if this was some kind of retaliation for her winning the game.

 

 

Then, without warning, her foot caught on a tangle of crisscrossed cables, sending her stumbling forward.

 

 

Chi Yuan was startled and quickly reached out to catch her, grumbling, “How can someone your age trip on flat ground? Watch your step.”

 

 

So much for the studio being safe.

 

 

Jiang Ci rubbed her tingling earlobe and shot her a glare before striding ahead.

 

 

Chi Yuan complained internally to her system: Why does it feel like Jiang Ci’s temper is getting worse? She keeps glaring at me and giving me the cold shoulder. If I hadn’t caught her just now, she would’ve face-planted right here. Imagine her trying to maintain her elegant composure while forcing a smile as she got up.

 

 

The mental image suddenly popped into her head, and Chi Yuan couldn’t help but lower her gaze to stifle a laugh.

 

 

With so many people around, Jiang Ci’s aloof and graceful persona would’ve been ruined.

 

 

Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Ci caught Chi Yuan’s suppressed smirk and immediately knew she was up to no good. Gritting her teeth, she hissed under her breath, “Don’t you dare cause any trouble later. This endorsement shoot can’t be delayed—if I miss my slot, someone else will take it. Don’t waste my time.”

 

 

Chi Yuan straightened up and saluted playfully. “I promise not to disrupt Teacher Jiang’s work.”

 

 

“Games are games, work is work. They shouldn’t be mixed together.”

 

 

Chi Yuan grinned. “I’m just here to observe the ad filming process. I won’t get in your way. But…” Her eyes gleamed mischievously. “I have noted down that game incident. You owe me one. Don’t even think about backing out.”

 

 

Jiang Ci turned serious. “What do you want?”

 

 

Chi Yuan’s gaze lingered on Jiang Ci’s fair, jade-like neck for a long moment—so long that Jiang Ci’s expression darkened, and she subconsciously covered her throat. Only then did Chi Yuan suddenly burst into laughter.

 

 

“What are you thinking about?”

 

 

“Oh my, oh my. So this is what Teacher Jiang’s mind is full of?”

 

 

Jiang Ci scoffed. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

 

 

Chi Yuan flicked the fringe of her dangling earring, her eyes brimming with amusement. “Relax, Teacher Jiang. I’d never ask for something like that.”

 

 

“I, Chi Yuan, am a respectable person.”

 

 

Jiang Ci: …Hmph.

 

 

System: …

 

 

 

Jiang Ci’s endorsement was for Rainbow Bubblegum, a newly popular product with uniquely beautiful packaging that had attracted many influencers to promote it. The flavor added jelly-like crushed bits to the traditional bubblegum base, creating a rainbow-like effect when viewed under sunlight.

 

 

The brand, named “Mai Mai,” had invited Jiang Ci to endorse their new product—Stretchy Bubblegum.

 

 

Chi Yuan followed Jiang Ci to the green screen set, where the crew had already prepared all the equipment. The advertising director, visibly excited, rushed forward upon seeing Jiang Ci.

 

 

“Ms. Jiang, we’ll be counting on you today.”

 

 

Jiang Ci smiled and nodded. “We’re following the script that was sent over, right? Any changes?”

 

 

The director pulled out the script and pointed to a section marked in red. “We might need to add a wire stunt here.”

 

 

Jiang Ci flipped through the script. “Then let’s shoot it together with this part—no need to rig the wires twice.”

 

 

“But staying suspended for too long might be hard on your body—”

 

 

“I’ll be fine. Filming wire stunts for movies takes much longer. Just follow the script.”

 

 

“Great, great! Xiao Wang, please take Ms. Jiang to change first.”

 

 

The director was delighted—Jiang Ci was not only professional but also easy to work with.

 

 

“Mai Mai” was originally a niche brand that had unexpectedly gained popularity through a viral trend. In terms of prestige, it couldn’t compare to major brands, so they hadn’t held much hope when reaching out to Jiang Ci.

 

 

To their surprise, she accepted the offer the very next day.

 

 

Unable to afford a big-name director, the company had handled everything in-house, working tirelessly to finalize the script. The cinematographer, lighting crew, and editors were all their own people, striving for the best possible result.

 

 

While Jiang Ci changed, Chi Yuan carefully inspected the green screen setup, searching for potential issues.

 

 

The cinematographer, adjusting his camera, glanced at her. “Stop wandering around—you might knock something over.”

 

 

Chi Yuan: “I’m just checking if the equipment is secure.”

 

 

Assuming she was Jiang Ci’s assistant, the cinematographer reassured her, “We inspect all the gear before every shoot to ensure safety and functionality. Don’t worry about Ms. Jiang’s well-being.”

 

 

“Our team may be small, but we’re all professionals. Nothing will go wrong.”

 

 

Chi Yuan: Please don’t jinx it—that sounds like a death flag.

 

 

Just then, Jiang Ci emerged from the dressing room.

 

 

Chi Yuan’s eyes lit up as she stared, mesmerized, at the woman in a black off-shoulder tulle dress walking toward her. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, her gaze instinctively following Jiang Ci as if the world had narrowed to her alone.

 

 

Jiang Ci stopped in front of her and waved a hand. “What’s wrong? Does it not look good?”

 

 

Chi Yuan blinked. “No, it’s beautiful. Your hair—”

 

 

“Oh, the stylist worked on it. Seems like it turned out well.” Jiang Ci lightly brushed the loose curls cascading over her chest—soft, voluminous, and stunning.

 

 

 

She stepped onto the set in her sleek black high heels and settled onto the deep brown sofa in front of the green screen. Tilting slightly, she reclined against the backrest, her gaze toward the camera carrying a faint air of detachment and indifference.

 

 

At that moment, two crew members dressed in green on the elevated platform beside her began pouring a cascade of exquisitely packaged candies downward, letting them rain onto the black mesh below.

 

 

The striking contrast between the vibrant colors and the dark backdrop unfolded as another crew member hidden behind the sofa dramatically tore away its brown outer layer, revealing a dazzling, multicolored interior.

 

 

Chi Yuan had never been on a film set before and had no idea how special effects were typically shot. Watching Jiang Ci film this commercial was truly an eye-opening experience.

 

 

The floating candies? Achieved by green-clad crew members holding them aloft. The elevator-style ascent? Simply the background being rapidly pulled downward…

 

 

It was impressive how Jiang Ci maintained her composure, reacting with genuine surprise to these green-clad figures. Chi Yuan covered her mouth behind the camera, stifling her laughter.

 

 

During a prop change break, Jiang Ci approached with evident exasperation. “Busy CEO Chi, have you had your fill of the show yet?” The last words came through gritted teeth.

 

 

“Not at all,” Chi Yuan replied. “Teacher Jiang’s performance is absolutely captivating.”

 

 

Jiang Ci: “…”

 

 

The wire work scene made Chi Yuan particularly nervous. Her pre-shoot research had revealed that most on-set accidents involved faulty harness equipment. So before Jiang Ci was hoisted up, Chi Yuan personally inspected every inch of the rigging.

 

 

Under the curious gazes of the entire crew, Jiang Ci whispered to Chi Yuan, who was still fussing over the harness around her waist, “Are you done feeling me up? Can you leave now?”

 

 

“Just a moment,” Chi Yuan replied without looking up. “Let me check one more time.”

 

 

Jiang Ci: “…”

 

 

The warmth of Chi Yuan’s hands through the thin fabric, constantly shifting position, made Jiang Ci bite her lip to resist the urge to kick her away. What was this woman thinking, doing this in front of everyone!

 

 

Only after the system confirmed everything was safe did Chi Yuan finally step back, waving to the crew. “All good! Hoist her up, let’s start shooting.”

 

 

Jiang Ci covered her face, mortified beyond belief. Agreeing to ride with Chi Yuan had been her first mistake of the day.

 

 

The shoot progressed smoothly after that. Jiang Ci changed through increasingly colorful outfits until finally appearing in full rainbow hues.

 

 

“Maimei Bubblegum—taste the rainbow, you know.” The commercial concluded with Jiang Ci delivering this soon-to-be iconic line that would echo through streets and alleys.

 

 

Throughout it all, not a single mishap occurred.

 

 

Exhausted, Jiang Ci bid farewell to the crew and headed to change. Chi Yuan stood with hands in pockets, unsure how to feel.

 

 

It was like being a knight errant poised for heroic rescue, only to find all her frantic preparations utterly unnecessary—leaving her looking like an overbearing fool rather than a savior.

 

 

Chi Yuan: System, where was this danger you warned about? Maybe your detection needs an upgrade.

 

 

The system protested indignantly: I’m the latest model—highly efficient, fully capable, industry-leading technology!

 

 

 

Chi Yuan: Then explain the current situation to me. Did you not see how everyone was looking at me like I was an idiot just now?

 

 

System: So you did notice. Seeing how calm and unembarrassed you looked, I thought you hadn’t realized it.

 

 

Chi Yuan: …

 

 

Heh, if only the heavens knew how desperately she wanted to vanish from the face of the earth when she called “action” and became the center of attention.

 

 

System: System diagnostics show no issues. The red alert is still active, indicating the danger hasn’t passed.

 

 

Chi Yuan: But the shoot is already over, people are about to leave…

 

 

“Ah!” Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed throughout the studio.

 

 

The sound came from the dressing room Jiang Ci had just entered.

 

 

Chi Yuan’s heart tightened, a cold sensation creeping up her spine.