Transmigrating into the Rival's Fanfiction - Chapter 21

“That’s not quite right… Have you heard the rumors about Qin Zhi?”

As soon as the person started speaking, everyone immediately thought of the rumors surrounding Qin Zhi: aloof, arrogant, and quick to anger.

The reason for her haughty demeanor and disregard for others, yet her ability to maintain a spotless reputation in the entertainment industry, was, of course, her family background.

She was the second daughter of Qin Chengyi, the current head of the Bai Ling Group.

Ding! Fan Girl CP Wish System, Machine No. 48 reporting! Pleased to serve you, Host. A plot point has been detected ahead. Do you wish to proceed?

The sharp mechanical voice pierced Sheng Mingluo’s mind, causing her head to throb. The System’s reminder jolted her memory—there was indeed such a scene in the original plot.

If only I hadn’t skipped chapters when reading the novel!

After racking her brain, Sheng Mingluo finally recalled a vague impression of the scene.

Damn it, author! This is so out of character! My real self would never have gotten into a fight with these people!

Still, she conceded to the System.

“Proceed.”

With that, she gently patted the makeup artist’s trembling wrist.

“Sister, please stop for a moment.”

“Oh, okay, Luoluo. Is there something you need?”

“I’m going over there for a bit. I need to give them some instructions.”

“Alright, hurry back. We need to finish your special effects makeup soon for the next scene.”

“Okay, Sister. I’ll be right back.”

Sheng Mingluo rolled up her long sleeves, but hadn’t yet put on her wrist guards. A staff member would help her with that when she went online later.

She walked slowly and silently behind the group of gossiping staff members, her footsteps barely making a sound.

Only a few staff members facing her direction noticed her approach and immediately fell silent, too frightened to speak. The others, their backs to her, continued chatting happily about Qin Zhi’s scandals, occasionally throwing in a critical remark or two.

“Exactly! When you’ve got money and connections like that, you can get away with anything… Luo Hu’s really pitiful, getting bullied like this just days after joining the crew.”

The person sitting across from him kept trying to catch his eye, but he remained oblivious, growing increasingly impatient.

“What’s with all the winking? Got something in your eye?”

Suddenly, no one responded. Realizing something was wrong, the man followed everyone’s gaze and saw Sheng Mingluo standing right behind him.

Sheng Mingluo stood tall, clad in a long white robe with a jade pendant hanging at her waist, her arms crossed as she looked down at him.

“Hey, classmate, isn’t it a bit rude to talk behind people’s backs?”

What’s her problem? the man thought, I wasn’t even talking about her! Why is Sheng Mingluo getting so defensive?

But he plastered on a flattering smile, turned to face her respectfully, and apologized profusely. “Miss Sheng, please forgive us. We were just chatting idly, nothing serious. Don’t take it to heart—you’re too magnanimous to hold a grudge.”

Besides, they hadn’t even mentioned Sheng Mingluo by name.

Why is she making such a fuss?

It’s like I stepped on her tail. She smelled the gossip from miles away and came running.

“I don’t mind hearing it… but you should be careful not to let Big Shot Qin hear you.”

Gossip is human nature, and Sheng Mingluo wasn’t unreasonable. If the System hadn’t intervened, she wouldn’t have bothered with this at all.

To be fair, Qin Zhi’s mental state was indeed unstable.

If it weren’t for that cursed Fan Girl CP Wish System… she wouldn’t be entangled with a patient like Qin Zhi in the first place.

Her words left everyone who had been eavesdropping dumbfounded. So this guy wasn’t here to cause trouble after all?

“Alright, I’m going back to filming now.”

Leaving the staff staring at each other, Sheng Mingluo flicked her long robe’s sash and returned to her seat, having completed her task.

The System immediately protested, “Host, you’re just going through the motions! If you keep this up, you’ll really get thrown into the Extra Dungeon!”

“Just tell me if I stopped them,” Sheng Mingluo retorted, closing her eyes as the makeup artist continued applying her makeup. “Aren’t they being much more obedient now? No more gossiping?”

The System fell silent for a moment.

“This is a Mary Sue novel! We need to embody the essence of Mary Sue!”

“Are you serious?” Sheng Mingluo asked. “As the System, shouldn’t you know the core of this novel? If it were actually Mary Sue, I’d just treat it like a cheesy idol drama.”

The System was even more stubborn than she was. “It is a Mary Sue novel!”

“Then I’ll wash my hair upside down,” Sheng Mingluo muttered.

The set was ready, and Sheng Mingluo’s makeup was complete, making her look tragically pale with streaks of fresh bl00d.

“Action!” the Director called out.

The camera crew, sound team, and lighting crew immediately sprang into action. This scene depicted her character, the female lead, hunting down the remnants of her enemies with burning hatred in her heart.

At the manor gates, she encountered the Crown Prince and Princess, who had arrived late. Sheng Mingluo, playing the female lead, drew her sword in a flash and swung it backhand, aiming to pin the blade against the neck of the leader.

But the blade was instantly deflected with a flash of cold light. A crimson-robed figure fluttered before her eyes as a handsome, spirited woman used the scabbard of her black longsword to block the heavy blow. The blade grazed the scabbard, leaving only a faint scratch.

The force of the deflection sent Sheng Mingluo stumbling backward, knocking her to the ground. A fresh wound appeared on her cheek as she sprawled awkwardly on the ground.

Though the script called for this, and Sheng Mingluo had intended to act it out, she hadn’t expected Qin Zhi, that damn woman, to be so strong. The impact of the fall left her buttocks throbbing faintly.

“Cut!”

“Everyone, take a half-hour break. We’ll resume filming afterward. Props team, prepare the set!”

Qin Zhi watched Sheng Mingluo, who was still sprawled on the ground, and frowned as the Director called “Cut.” Sheng Mingluo, completely abandoning her composure, clutched her buttocks.

“Get up,” Qin Zhi said. “I was wrong just now. I went too hard.”

A pale hand appeared before Sheng Mingluo’s eyes. Qin Zhi leaned down, her red hair ribbon, adorned with cylindrical gold ornaments, draped over her shoulder. Her features were as exquisite as a painted scroll, and strands of dark hair framed her temples. A hint of apology flickered in her eyes.

In the past, when filming with others, Qin Zhi never considered their feelings.

But now, for some reason, a warmth stirred within her. It grew until the person before her placed their palm in her hand, and she pulled them up.

Qin Zhi suddenly smiled, her expression as radiant as the first rays of dawn striking snow-capped peaks, a gentle breeze carrying the warmth.

“It’s alright, Teacher Qin.”

Another classic, awkward smile.

Woc, if she’s so tough, let her fall on her butt and see if it hurts! What a pointless question!

“Do you think I don’t know what you’re really thinking?”

“Stop scolding me, you little kitten who gets hurt from a single fall.”

Qin Zhi always called people this way, treating them like her beloved teddy bear, as if they were precious treasures.

“I… I’m not a kitten!”

Due to the physical pain, Sheng Mingluo’s eyelashes glistened slightly. She glared fiercely at Qin Zhi, her brows furrowed.

“If I say you are, then you are.”

“You know I’ve never been one for logic.”