Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 13

The opening ceremony was set for 10:18 AM and started on time. Han Ning and Shen Xi stood together, each holding three incense sticks as they walked to the incense burner. They placed the incense in the burner with their left hands and then stepped back into the group. In the crowd, Shen Xi closed her eyes silently, making a sincere wish in her heart.

Han Ning glanced at her. Shen Xi’s slightly furrowed brows, long curled eyelashes, and angelic face were captivating. Han Ning’s eyes softened with a smile as she turned back and closed her eyes to make a wish as well.

They didn’t notice that from a black van parked near a neighboring film crew, a pair of eyes filled with hatred and malice were watching them.

Nie Lan’s gaze was like sharp blades and poisonous arrows, wishing to tear them apart. She sneered, her eyes shifting to a timid yet curious Xu Lier, dressed in white among the crowd. Narrowing her eyes, she reached out with her slender fingers, pale like a skeleton’s, pointing first at Xu Lier, then at Han Ning and Shen Xi. Her red lips parted slightly as she murmured playfully, “One… two… three… None of you can escape~”

By the time the opening ceremony ended, it was already mealtime. For their first meal after starting work, the entire crew gathered on the third floor of a restaurant near the film studio. Han Ning kept placing food into Shen Xi’s bowl.

“Eat more. You’re too thin.”

“Are you thirsty? Want juice or cola?”

“Do you want some cake?”

“This fish looks really spicy. Here, take it!”

“…Why aren’t you eating?”

Shen Xi looked at the mountain of food on her plate, awkwardly smiling as she covered her face with her hand under the amused gazes of others.

An hour later, the meal that felt endless for Shen Xi finally ended. The crew resumed work. The props team quickly set up the stage, Han Ning was getting her makeup done while memorizing lines, and Xu Lier sat beside Shen Xi, looking at her with admiration, eyes sparkling like little stars.

Xu Lier was born after 2000 and had just graduated at the age of 22. Her face was youthful and fair, with a soft pinkish glow. Under the sunlight, the fine fuzz on her skin was visible, making her look even more innocent.

She had a good mindset and wasn’t affected by the unpleasant incident from the previous day. Shen Xi had a positive impression of her. On the day of the costume fitting, when Xu Lier walked out in her school uniform, Shen Xi was momentarily stunned—it felt as if Zhou Yan, the character from her novel, had come to life.

“Shen… Writer Shen…” Xu Lier cautiously called out in a soft voice.

Shen Xi looked up into her clear, bright eyes and smiled. “What is it?”

Xu Lier swallowed nervously and stammered, “Your… novel… is really, really good. Also, about the recasting… thank you for standing your ground.”

Shen Xi chuckled and looked at her collagen-rich, adorable face, feeling a wave of maternal affection. She gently reassured her, “I should be the one thanking you. You brought Zhou Yan to life. Keep up the good work!”

While memorizing her lines, Han Ning glanced at them casually and saw the two chatting and laughing. She frowned slightly before looking back at her script. She couldn’t help but recall how, on the first day, she had eagerly tried to strike up conversations with Shen Xi, only to be met with indifference. Yet now, Shen Xi was smiling so brightly at the young, fresh-faced girl. The thought left Han Ning feeling sour. A few seconds later, she mumbled under her breath, “Since when did those two become so close…? Wasn’t Shen Xi supposed to be an ice queen?”

The makeup artist, An An, asked curiously, “What did you say?”

Han Ning shook her head. “Nothing…”

The props team worked efficiently, and soon, the actors were in place for the first scene.

The filming sequence for a TV drama is different from the order in a novel. The first scene today was an emotional moment between Zhou Yan and Lin Nan.

Shen Xi sat behind Director Zhou Heyang, watching Han Ning on the monitor. The scene involved Lin Nan explaining a misunderstanding to Zhou Yan. Once the misunderstanding was cleared, Zhou Yan remained unmoved. Lin Nan turned to leave, but Zhou Yan pulled her back, and they reconciled. In the novel, this moment happened near the end.

Han Ning finished her last line and turned to leave, but Xu Lier grabbed her. The scene should have ended there, but before Zhou Heyang could call “Cut,” Han Ning slowly leaned closer to Xu Lier, creating an unexpectedly intimate atmosphere. As a rookie, Xu Lier was caught off guard and stood frozen like a frightened bunny, slightly leaning backward.

At that moment, Shen Xi stared unblinkingly at the monitor, her fingers gripping her knee tightly.

Xu Lier looked at Han Ning nervously. Han Ning had a faint yet pleasant fragrance. Xu Lier’s face turned red, overwhelmed, and she quickly pretended to laugh to break the tension. Zhou Heyang sighed regretfully, “Cut! What happened? The mood was perfect…”

“Sorry, Director… I didn’t expect my first scene to be a kissing scene…” Xu Lier blinked innocently, looking pitiful.

“You need to improve your improvisation skills,” Zhou Heyang said, taking a sip of water.

“I understand…”

Han Ning felt uneasy. Even after the main scene wrapped, she didn’t touch the coffee and snacks that Koko had brought her. Instead, she muttered about getting some air and disappeared.

The filming location was picturesque, with mountains and rivers. Though inside the film studio, it was near a scenic area with some tourists around.

Han Ning sat alone on a long stone bench, holding a small yellow flower in her fingers, resting her chin on her hand, sighing occasionally.

Meanwhile, Shen Xi had gone to the restroom, and when she returned, Han Ning was nowhere to be seen. She looked around, searching for her. Koko, carrying some clothes, accidentally bumped into her and quickly apologized.

Recognizing her, Shen Xi asked excitedly, “Where’s your Ning Jie?”

Koko shook her head. “I don’t know… She’s been quiet today, barely talking or eating. She said she felt stifled and went out for fresh air.” She looked around and pointed toward the riverbank. “She usually goes there.”

Shen Xi nodded and thanked her before walking quickly in that direction.

Sure enough, Han Ning was sitting on the bench, looking a bit down. Shen Xi walked over quietly and sat beside her, hoping to startle her for fun.

“You sure know how to play both sides.” Han Ning’s voice drifted over before she turned to look at Shen Xi directly. Without hesitation, she asked, “Why aren’t you off laughing with your ‘leading lady’?”

Shen Xi laughed in surprise. “How did you know I was here?”

“Your footsteps.” Han Ning said irritably. Realizing how well she knew Shen Xi, she got annoyed with herself. She pursed her lips, tossed the little yellow flower away, and stood up to leave.

“Hey…” Shen Xi pulled her back down and looked into her eyes. “Why are you leaving the moment I arrive? Did I offend you?”

“Hmph.” Han Ning rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to get in the way of your fun with the little rookie.”

Shen Xi crossed her arms, smirking. “I was just talking with Xu Lier. Unlike someone who tried to kiss her on the first day… Are you addicted to it?”

“You wrote the kiss scene. Are you blaming me?”

“Did I write a kiss scene in the first episode?”

The two glared at each other, neither backing down, and walked away in frustration.