Transmigrating into the Rival's Fanfiction - Chapter 10

Qin Family Mansion.

A woman in a long black dress sat on the sofa, her green jade earrings swaying gently from her lobes. She held a slender cigarette between her fingers, her red lips parting slightly as she lit it with a lighter.

Her demeanor exuded noble elegance.

“Mother, A-Zhi is indeed keeping someone outside.”

“What are your thoughts on this?”

“She resents my interference in her affairs.”

She flicked the ash from her cigarette, the gray-white dust falling into the crystal ashtray. The light refracted through the glass, and the woman smiled faintly, time leaving no visible mark on her face.

“She’s not getting any younger. What’s the point of suppressing herself like this? She’ll probably tire of it in a few days.”

“Mother, you know A-Zhi is sentimental and attached to the past… I can’t help but worry about her.”

“That woman… she’s clearly after her money.”

Between showering her with resources and contacting her privately, Qin Zhi’s indifference toward her family made this the first time Qin Li had ever seen her so invested in someone.

Qin Li naturally looked down on Sheng Mingluo’s background. As a third-rate actress who had floundered in the industry for years with little success, she might have a certain seductive charm, but Qin Li didn’t believe her younger sister was the type to be easily swayed by mere physical attraction.

She must have resorted to some underhanded tactics, Qin Li thought.

“If A-Zhi likes her, let her be… But your concerns are valid. A-Zhi’s mental state is already fragile; we can’t risk any further complications. I’m afraid she won’t be able to handle it.”

“Have someone keep a close watch on that woman. We’ll intervene if necessary, but remember to keep it hidden from A-Zhi.”

Raising her gaze, the woman fixed her eldest daughter with a steady look.

“I’ve always trusted your judgment. Take full responsibility for handling A-Zhi’s affairs.”

“I’ll be out of Rong City in a few days.”

“Understood, Mother. Your daughter will handle everything.”

Qin Li and Qin Zhi were polar opposites in temperament. Qin Li, with her countless lovers and extensive experience with people, knew exactly what these caged birds were plotting. Sooner or later, when their master grew tired of his pets, the golden canary’s claws would scratch out his eyes.

The first half of the shoot took place at a mountain villa, a well-known film and television production base. Several other crews were also filming nearby. Sheng Mingluo had landed a major production this time, so the company assigned her a dedicated assistant.

Sheng Mingluo felt a little embarrassed about bringing so much luggage. Her young assistant, Xu Yun, fresh out of college and newly assigned to her, seemed a bit inexperienced but was eager to help.

“Sister, let me carry that,” Xu Yun offered. “These stone steps are long, and we’ll probably have to prepare for the opening ceremony once we reach the top.”

Xu Yun, in her early twenties, wore thick glasses and had her long hair tied back in a ponytail, radiating youthful energy. Sheng Mingluo and Xu Yun each hauled a suitcase, slowly making their way up the mountain. The production base was built on the summit, overlooking a small village below, which also served as a filming location for historical dramas.

“It’s fine, we can each carry one up,” Sheng Mingluo said. “I’m sorry, Xu Yun, I brought a bit too much this time.”

Sheng Mingluo hadn’t thought much about packing, simply cramming everything she might need into her bags. But when she saw the seemingly endless stone staircase stretching before her, she nearly burst into tears.

“Don’t worry about it, Sister,” Xu Yun replied. “We’ll be staying on the mountain for months, so of course you need to bring extra supplies. I’ll just think of it as you’re looking out for me—otherwise, I’d have to keep running back and forth!”

Xu Yun took it in stride, and Sheng Mingluo conceded her point, though she still declined the offer.

The two women shuffled along, step by step, until they finally reached the halfway point of the mountain. Sheng Mingluo felt like her back was about to break. The author must have written something about her being delicate, frail, and easily pushed over, she thought. I’m not this weak in the real world!

She used to be able to climb to the summit in one go without any trouble.

They paused to rest on a stone platform. When Sheng Mingluo looked up, she saw Qin Zhi standing nearby, helping a crew member organize their equipment. The crew member seemed flustered, apologizing profusely.

“I completely forgot to bring it… Oh no, what do we do? Director Zhao needs this soon!” The staff member, wearing a cap, looked anxious.

“Don’t worry, I’ll carry it up for you.”

“Really? Thank you so much! Please give it to Director Zhao when you get there.”

Qin Zhi’s long hair cascaded down her back, swaying gently in the mountain breeze. She nodded slightly. Sheng Mingluo glanced at her and realized she was wearing absolutely no makeup—yet her features were strikingly clear and delicate, with bright eyes, rosy lips, and pearly white teeth.

The staff member, overwhelmed with gratitude, handed the equipment to Qin Zhi and hurried back down the stone steps, his footsteps quick and urgent.

“Teacher Qin, hello!”

Xu Yun parked the suitcase and greeted Qin Zhi respectfully. Only then did Qin Zhi notice Sheng Mingluo had also come up. Sheng Mingluo turned around, a backpack slung over her shoulder, and smiled at them.

“Hello, long time no see.”

It had probably been about a week.

“It hasn’t been that long,” Xu Yun replied.

Sheng Mingluo’s eyes curved slightly as she smiled. Her hair had already been dyed black for her role in a historical drama, where all the actors were required to have dark hair. She brushed a strand aside, her forehead glistening with fine beads of sweat from the steep climb, dampening the wisps of hair at her hairline.

“Alright, let’s head up together.”

“Is your suitcase heavy?”

“No, not at all… it’s just this slope is so hard to climb.” Sheng Mingluo waved her hand dismissively, trying to appear less frail, though she was actually gasping for breath.

So the author’s bizarre fetishes are all focused on me!

“Then give me your purse. It’ll be easier to carry.”

According to the fanfiction’s plot, Qin Zhi reasoned, the storyline should be no different from a typical idol drama. She needed to take the initiative.

Sure enough, a ding sounded in her mind.

Congratulations, Host! Clearance value +1!

Please keep up the effort! Your score remains negative!

The same voice echoed in Sheng Mingluo’s mind. She almost stubbornly insisted she could carry it herself, but her mouth opened and closed, and she swallowed the words she’d been about to say.

No choice, she thought bitterly. After all, I’m just the beautiful golden flower in this story.

How infuriating.

“Then thank you, Teacher Qin.”

“No problem. Don’t rush, and watch your step.”

The three of them continued up the stone steps, which were bustling with crew members hurrying to transport equipment up the mountain before the day’s shoot.

The scenery was quite lovely. The path was well-maintained, and the wind rustled through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the stones.

Sheng Mingluo gazed at Qin Zhi’s back. They weren’t complete strangers—they’d crossed paths at the company—but beyond that, she knew little about her.

Many fans likely shipped them after paparazzi caught them returning to the company together. At the time, Sheng Mingluo had been engrossed in her phone, nearly tripping over the steps at the entrance.

Fortunately, Qin Zhi, who was entering the building with her, reached out to steady her, preventing a face-first fall. However, Sheng Mingluo’s phone crashed heavily onto Qin Zhi’s foot.