Reborn! Entangled with the Obsessive Best Actress - Chapter 41

Tang Tang was thrilled about this development, mainly because she was a devoted shipper. The more Xie Jingcheng relied on Song Qingxing, the more “sweet moments” she could witness and obsess over.

Throughout the morning, Xie Jingcheng rarely left Song Qingxing’s side. Her presence undoubtedly complicated the shoot, causing the male lead to repeatedly flub his lines.

It was infuriating.

“Cut!”

The director, veins bulging on his forehead, halted the scene. If they continued like this, they’d waste countless hours and still fail to capture the scene.

“You’re supposed to be a science prodigy, the aloof type! Do you even understand what ‘aloof’ means? Don’t think you can grasp it just by reading a few trending terms online!” the director roared, jabbing a finger at the male actor’s nose.

“This feeling needs to permeate from your very bones to your expression, not just be a stiff, forced look!”

Song Qingxing sat demurely on the edge of her chair, inwardly marveling. No wonder he’s a genius director! His grasp of the aloof vibe is impeccable.

He had instantly pinpointed the rookie actor’s flaw.

“Director, if you’re finding it difficult, I can give him some pointers,” Xie Jingcheng said as she approached.

She didn’t find her presence here strange at all. After all, the Xie Family had invested in this web drama, and she had personally arranged for the school’s location to be used as a filming site.

Although the school wasn’t owned by the Xie Family, she knew the right people, so getting permission was no problem.

“Jingcheng, thank you for your help,” the director said, immediately straightening up. He had his own ulterior motives: since Xie Jingcheng clearly cared about Song Qingxing, he figured he could use this opportunity to build a relationship with her.

That way, for his next project, he could simply announce that Xie Jingcheng would be the lead actress, and funding would be guaranteed.

Unlike his peers who had to repeatedly beg for investment, drinking themselves sick to secure funding for their films or TV dramas, he wouldn’t have to go through any of that.

Xie Jingcheng nodded.

She merely rolled up her sleeves, glanced at the seat the male lead had vacated, accepted a tissue from the assistant, and wiped the chair clean before sitting down.

She really can’t drop her obsessive-compulsive persona for a moment, Song Qingxing thought with a small sigh.

Xie Jingcheng picked up a tissue and meticulously wiped her pen and the table. Then, with eyes as sharp as a black panther’s, she fixed her gaze on the male lead.

“Watch closely. I’ll only demonstrate this once.”

Such a pretentious line, Song Qingxing thought.

But coming from Xie Jingcheng, it wasn’t mere posturing. She genuinely possessed the skill to look down on all other actors.

“If you still can’t grasp this after my demonstration, I don’t think you’re cut out to be an actor,” Xie Jingcheng continued.

“You should switch careers and become an idol. Even if your dancing is atrocious, as long as your face is passable, you’ll have fans willing to worship you.”

Song Qingxing: ……

Xie Jingcheng earned her title as the “Poison-Tongued Best Actress” for good reason. Her insults were devastating, leaving no room for defense.

The male lead lowered his head, his face flushed crimson, and dared not utter a word. As the son of a company shareholder, he was accustomed to others holding their breath in his presence, always treated with utmost deference.

Now, being so thoroughly humiliated by the reigning Best Actress, he couldn’t muster a single word in rebuttal.

“Understood,” he replied meekly.

Before arriving, Xie Jingcheng had studied the script countless times. With her exceptional memory, she had already memorized most of the thin script, able to recite the plot backwards and forwards.

Reaching the pinnacle of success in acting wasn’t just about hard work overcoming mediocrity; it required 99% innate talent.

Xie Jingcheng closed her eyes. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her face. In an instant, she transformed the room into a noisy classroom in her mind.

Despite lacking firsthand experience of such situations, Xie Jingcheng could perfectly embody the backgrounds and emotional states of each character.

This was her innate gift.

She had never considered applying to drama school. It was only because a close friend was interested in acting that she accompanied them to a few classes.

The acting coach recognized her talent, noting her ability to empathize with the joys and sorrows of others. He recommended her to the best drama school abroad.

However, Xie Jingcheng politely declined.

She told the coach, “If gold shines wherever it is, I don’t need to go abroad specifically to acquire knowledge.”

Having played numerous male roles in cross-gender performances, Xie Jingcheng could also embody male psychology. At this moment, the male lead felt seven parts impatience and three parts something different toward the female lead.

The key was to capture that raw, innocent feeling—like looking through frosted glass.

Someone who knew too much wouldn’t be able to pull it off.

Seeing Xie Jingcheng fully immersed in the role, actually starting to solve the problem on the script, Song Qingxing immediately jumped in, poking Xie Jingcheng’s back with her pen cap.

When Xie Jingcheng still didn’t respond, continuing to write, Song Qingxing gritted her teeth and poked harder.

Xie Jingcheng suddenly turned around, her movements light and graceful, and asked in a low voice, “What?”

Song Qingxing was startled by the question, freezing for a moment before remembering to play along.

“I have a question about this problem.”

“It’s class time. Don’t you understand?” Xie Jingcheng’s eyes flickered across Song Qingxing’s face before she turned back around.

Just when Song Qingxing thought her attempt had failed, a crumpled paper ball floated over from the desk in front and hit her right between the eyebrows.

Unfolding the paper, she found a neatly written solution to the problem, complete with explanations of the reasoning and three different methods of solving it.

This… this is real.

Who said acting required mastering the material?

Though Song Qingxing had attended school, she’d forgotten most of it.

After Xie Jingcheng finished her performance and stood up, the surrounding people stared in stunned silence for a long moment before snapping back to reality. Compared to the male lead, Xie Jingcheng’s performance was like a dimensional strike—utterly overwhelming.

If the other actor’s fee hadn’t been so exorbitant, the director would have insisted on cross-dressing.

After finishing her scene, Xie Jingcheng stood up, her gaze lingering on Song Qingxing’s face. The other woman’s delicate, rosy lips involuntarily reminded her of that night.

Her warm, smooth skin made Xie Jingcheng yearn to touch her again.

If not for Song Qingxing’s filming schedule today, Xie Jingcheng would have indulged her desires without restraint. After all, who wouldn’t want to leave their mark on something—or someone—they cherished?

“Qingxing,” Xie Jingcheng said, her slender fingertip resting on the blank notebook, her meaning unmistakable. “Someone determined to change their life wouldn’t leave this notebook empty.”

Though this drama wasn’t a strictly realistic portrayal of campus life, it couldn’t be entirely fabricated either. The audience’s eyes couldn’t be easily deceived; to win their applause, they needed genuine performances.

Song Qingxing nodded, quickly flipping through her textbooks to copy down key points.

By the time Song Qingxing finished filming her scene that day, it was already eight or nine in the evening, her legs aching terribly.

Xie Jingcheng had been away all afternoon, returning late and dusty. Yet she carried a thermos container, its contents a mystery.