Transmigrating into the Rival's Fanfiction - Chapter 11

Sheng Mingluo’s phone slipped from the stone steps in front of the company entrance, its screen shattering into an unsightly mess.

She barely had time to worry about the phone. Just as she was about to apologize and thank Qin Zhi, Qin Zhi bent down and picked it up first.

“The screen’s broken.”

After a half-second of stunned silence, Sheng Mingluo hesitantly took her phone. Before she could even thank him, Qin Zhi turned and opened the company’s glass door, leaving only her aloof silhouette behind.

Though Sheng Mingluo herself couldn’t understand what was so compelling about this, CP fans had sprung up like mushrooms after rain, seemingly editing together clips of her past supporting roles in dramas with scenes featuring Qin Zhi.

Sheng Mingluo had stumbled upon these edits a few times, and they were surprisingly well-made. At least the fanfiction, while a bit Mary Sue-ish, lacked the nauseatingly melodramatic tropes.

Panting heavily, she finally reached the mountain peak.

Sheng Mingluo dragged her suitcase up. The mountain villa’s signboard had already been replaced with a new one, its gilded characters written in a bold, calligraphic style personally commissioned by Director Zhao from a renowned calligrapher.

Exhausted, Sheng Mingluo leaned against her waist, panting for breath. A ginkgo tree stood in the courtyard, its green canopy swaying gently in the breeze.

“Not bad! It’s much cooler up here on the mountain than I expected!”

Xu Yun took Sheng Mingluo’s suitcase. The main cast members had been assigned rooms in the villa, but space was limited, so many actors had to share.

This was also depicted in the fanfiction. Sheng Mingluo remembered the plot well, mainly because the author had written a lot of… indescribable scenes during this part.

“Your room is the same as mine,” Qin Zhi said, having already received the notification. She planned to lead Sheng Mingluo to their shared room.

“My assistant tidied up earlier, so you can move right in. But there’s only one bed, Mingluo… do you mind?”

Qin Zhi instinctively wanted to call her “Miss Sheng” but quickly corrected herself.

“Of course not! I’m more worried my restless sleeping might disturb you.”

The three walked side-by-side through the villa’s courtyard, which featured artificial mountains, pavilions, and towers. A cool breeze swept through the open corridors, where koi fish surfaced to breathe, rippling the jade-green water.

The pond was also planted with ornamental plants, round lotus leaves floating on the surface, their pleasing shapes adding to the serene atmosphere.

Qin Zhi smiled faintly and crossed the small bridge to the guest room, where Fang Qing was arranging the tables and chairs outside.

“Boss, you’re back!”

“Miss Sheng is here too—you must be the new assistant who joined the company a few days ago. I remember seeing you in the cafeteria.”

“Ah, I’ve heard so much about you.”

The two assistants exchanged polite greetings. Sheng Mingluo stepped inside first. Perhaps it was the author’s quirk, but the guest room was quaint and antique, with a pond of green water outside. Fang Qing had already lit mosquito-repelling mugwort to keep the insects away at night.

Normally, who would choose to live by the water?

There was also a windowsill. Sheng Mingluo’s mind couldn’t help but wander to the descriptions in fanfiction, vivid and provocative scenes flashing through her mind, making her bl00d rush.

“The room isn’t very big… I’m sorry you have to squeeze in with me.”

Indeed, the room was small. Their luggage nearly filled half the space. Qin Zhi didn’t mind at all. During the desert filming of Peak Velocity, she and the crew had endured a grueling month in the desert just to shoot a single sand race scene.

“Not at all. I’ll be asking you to teach me acting in the future.”

This was genuinely meant.

Sheng Mingluo knew she wasn’t a professionally trained actress; she had learned everything through trial and error. In today’s industry, an actor’s background mattered more than ever, with emphasis placed on their alma mater, mentor, and the directors they had worked with.

Aware of her lack of systematic training, Sheng Mingluo recognized the flaws and common pitfalls in her acting. She desperately wanted guidance from someone with status and influence in the industry.

If not for this fanfiction, she might never have had the chance to interact with someone as dazzling as Qin Zhi in her lifetime.

“You’re remarkably sincere.”

“Once we’re settled in, let’s go over the script together and rehearse our scenes.”

“Okay.”

After unpacking her luggage, night had already fallen. Sheng Mingluo had brought a few changes of clothes for daily use. The mountain villa served as a film and television production base, so there were communal bathing facilities. The lead actors had their own small bathrooms, so there was no need to wait in long lines.

Returning from her shower in a T-shirt, Sheng Mingluo knew exactly what was coming next in the plot. She stood at the doorway, her feet hesitating to move forward.

Heaven, please don’t leave me in this awkward situation alone!

“Why aren’t you coming in? Standing out in the cold?”

Qin Zhi had already finished showering, her hair mostly dry from the blow-dryer. Sheng Mingluo’s hair was still damp, only half-dried with a towel.

“Um… just tell me what to do, and I’ll follow your lead.”

A blush spread across Sheng Mingluo’s fair cheeks. Despite her embarrassment, she looked up at Qin Zhi, her fingers gripping the wooden doorframe tightly, biting her lip.

I have to mentally prepare myself.

Sheng Mingluo, remember, if you want to go back, you have to stick to the script. Otherwise, you’ll be trapped in this fake world forever!

It’s just… this kind of thing isn’t a big deal. Sheng Mingluo, you’re a mature adult now!

After giving herself this pep talk, Sheng Mingluo felt a little more at ease. At least she wasn’t being paired up with the ugly, spoiled children of those entertainment industry tycoons.

Qin Zhi was the nation’s goddess, the dream girl of countless people. Thinking about it that way, she wasn’t exactly getting the short end of the stick, was she?

Entering the room, Sheng Mingluo’s hair was damp, and her white T-shirt clung to her skin. She approached Qin Zhi, who remained obediently still, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as if anticipating what was to come.

Sheng Mingluo cupped Qin Zhi’s cheeks, rose onto her tiptoes, and pressed her nose against Qin Zhi’s upturned nose. Her red lips closed over Qin Zhi’s, mingling with the scent of her bath gel that wafted between them.

An intimate warmth enveloped their skin as Sheng Mingluo’s dripping water droplets landed on Qin Zhi, gradually evaporating from the heat of her body. Qin Zhi closed her eyes, her heart pounding.

Sheng Mingluo’s kisses were clumsy, her lips nibbling awkwardly. Their breaths grew increasingly rapid, and Qin Zhi could feel Sheng Mingluo’s legs trembling slightly.

Her hand, which had been hovering hesitantly, finally settled on Sheng Mingluo’s slender waist, remaining there until both women were breathless.

Panting, Sheng Mingluo collapsed against Qin Zhi, drawn to the faint, pleasant scent that clung to her skin, like a gentle spring breeze. She wondered how a simple kiss could have made her legs go weak.

Her body’s reaction was overwhelming.

Another one of the author’s bizarre fetishes, I suppose.

“You know what comes next… I don’t need to teach you, do I?”

Forcing down her embarrassment, Sheng Mingluo bit her lip and delivered the line from the novel.