Transmigrating into the Rival's Fanfiction - Chapter 14

Qin Zhi also carried a saber.

In the novel, this saber was crafted by imperial artisans for use by royalty and nobility. Its blade was exceptionally sharp and resilient, its black scabbard adorned with golden patterns and a gilded hook.

A priceless treasure.

The director had spared no expense on this scabbard, commissioning a genuine, solid gold piece inlaid with precious metals.

Under the bright studio lights, the gold gleamed brilliantly.

Sheng Mingluo found it captivating, her gaze lingering on the saber at Qin Zhi’s side.

“Alright, everyone ready? We’re starting the shoot.”

Wind machines billowed their robes dramatically. Following the photographer’s instructions, Sheng Mingluo drew her sword, its blade clashing against Qin Zhi’s saber. Their eyes locked—a mix of mutual respect and simmering rivalry.

There were also individual shots. This set of photos would soon be released on Weibo, where book fans eagerly awaited them.

Rumors of Qin Zhi’s involvement in Long Blade’s Bitter Regret had been circulating for weeks, fueling anticipation among fans. Even Qin Zhi’s own fanbase had been subtly promoting the news, with some members connected to her agency confirming the casting before daring to publicize it.

Long Blade’s Bitter Regret Official: Congratulations to actresses Qin Zhi and Sheng Mingluo on their roles in Long Blade’s Bitter Regret, adapted from the classic IP! Promotional photos have been released—please check them out, young heroes!

However, the comments beneath the official post were far from harmonious. While some praised the casting, others erupted in outrage.

What’s wrong with your taste? How could you cast an 18th-tier nobody to play our Jiang Li?! Rnm! Refund!

Seriously? You’re casting a pretty face? What’s the point? Does Sheng Mingluo even deserve to share the screen with Big Shot Qin?

Boycott! If you don’t replace this nobody, I won’t contribute a single penny to the box office!

Pity Qin Yinghou… This must be some brain-dead move by the company, forcing her to mentor a junior. They’re vampires, and this nobody sucks even harder than a vampire! Ugh.

With spotty cell service in the mountains, Sheng Mingluo had already kicked half her internet addiction. She knew that her casting alongside Qin Zhi would inevitably spark a fierce debate among fans and casual viewers alike, all over billing order.

So she simply avoided reading the comments altogether, not wanting to let the drama affect her mood during filming.

The first day was dedicated to shooting wardrobe and makeup tests, a relatively light workload. The crew was still working overtime preparing the sets, aiming to film all the scenes set at the mountain villa in one go.

“Want some?”

Qin Zhi produced a chilled bottle of mineral water from somewhere, condensation still clinging to the plastic, making it look refreshingly cool.

“Thank you, Teacher Qin.”

Sheng Mingluo took the bottle, their fingertips brushing.

“No need to thank me. The crew provided it for everyone.”

“Can’t I thank you for bringing it over anyway? Teacher Qin, are you… incapable?”

Sheng Mingluo took a sip, her lips glistening red, her eyes still sparkling with amusement.

Her tone was playful, yet carried a hint of teasing, even flirtation.

Qin Zhi stood frozen, unable to decipher Sheng Mingluo’s true intentions. Was she harboring resentment, or simply teasing her?

“Yes, I have a mental illness.”

Qin Zhi closed her eyes briefly and sat down. From childhood, she had possessed an extreme possessiveness over her belongings. She had seen numerous doctors and taken various psychiatric medications, all to no avail.

She had always suppressed her emotions for people and things, believing that without connection, there could be no possessiveness.

But when she recalled the tender, clumsy kisses they had shared the previous day, her chest began to burn again. When had her self-control become so weak? Or was this world playing tricks on her?

“In that case, Teacher Qin and I might be trapped in this world forever.”

It wasn’t all bad. Aside from the occasional feeling of unreality, her company, parents, and family remained the same. The only difference was this sudden, fleeting romance that had materialized out of thin air.

“I’ll overcome it… starting with kissing.”

“We’ll practice tonight.”

Those dark, piercing eyes stared straight at her, and Sheng Mingluo suddenly felt like she was the one being judged. She swallowed nervously, unsure if her desires would erupt again.

Qin Zhi’s fingers dug tightly into her palm, forcing herself to appear normal. Her expression remained cold and impassive, her face an icy mask.

She couldn’t control herself, couldn’t stop herself from acting so maliciously. When she was a child, her sister had merely snatched her doll, and Qin Zhi had flown into a rage, throwing herself into a fight with Qin Li. But being younger and weaker, she was quickly pinned to the ground by Qin Li, unable to move.

The recurring illness had harmed so many people.

Sheng Mingluo hadn’t expected Qin Zhi to answer her question so earnestly.

“Alright, then I’ll look forward to Teacher Qin’s performance.”

“Also, I don’t quite understand this part of the script… could you explain it to me?”

Sheng Mingluo handed over the script, pointing out the passages she struggled with. Qin Zhi took the script.

“Let me see.”

Qin Zhi carefully explained the scene to Sheng Mingluo, who asked clarifying questions until she understood. The leaves rustled in the courtyard breeze as their heads leaned close together.

Her fingertips flipped through the pages, reviewing the later scenes one by one, until evening fell.

“Boss, I brought dinner boxes.”

Fang Qing and Xu Yun approached, carrying plastic bags filled with boxed meals. They set the meals on a small portable wooden table. Sheng Mingluo had little appetite for the crew’s boxed lunches, but she knew she had to eat something—skipping a meal would leave her feeling weak and hungry.

Opening the white plastic container, Sheng Mingluo ate slowly and deliberately. Qin Zhi noticed her lack of appetite; she was picking at her food.

“I’ll be heading down the mountain in a couple of days for other business. Is there anything you’d like me to bring back for you?”

Qin Zhi transferred a piece of beef from her own box to Sheng Mingluo’s, intending to start small and gradually grow accustomed to intimacy. Her fingertips trembled slightly as she gripped her chopsticks.

Sheng Mingluo was too focused on the delicious beef to notice Qin Zhi’s nervousness.

“Thank you, Teacher Qin.”

Her mouth was always so annoying. She only found the beef worth eating in the entire meal. Popping the beef into her mouth, Sheng Mingluo closed her eyes and chewed thoughtfully.

“No need to thank me. Just make a list of what you need and give it to my assistant later.”

“Okay.”

Knowing she was going down the mountain to help him get supplies, Sheng Mingluo tried not to get too carried away. He started mentally listing what he was missing.

Fang Qing stood nearby, eavesdropping intently. Good grief… I can’t let my guard down for a second. I need to be extra vigilant when Miss Sheng starts shopping.

After finishing his meal, Sheng Mingluo cleaned up his lunchbox and went to take a shower as usual. He knew he had to shower early to avoid the later queues.

The male lead this time was a young, handsome actor. He was delayed due to scheduling conflicts and wouldn’t arrive for a couple of days.

Although his role as the Crown Prince wasn’t large, it was still a significant part. Sheng Mingluo had some scenes with the male lead, but filming couldn’t begin until the actor playing the Crown Prince arrived on the mountain.