Transmigrating into the Rival's Fanfiction - Chapter 26

“I… I…”

The man was left speechless, utterly humiliated. Luo Hu, who had been watching the scene unfold from the sidelines, quietly pulled out his phone.

Qin Zhi, Qin Zhi, he thought to himself, you’ve been flaunting your power and bullying others all day. Sooner or later, you’ll pay the price for it.

He kept his expression neutral as he surreptitiously raised his phone. In the noisy crowd, no one noticed his movements.

“Don’t get angry, don’t get angry,” the assistant director hurriedly interjected. “And you don’t need to come back tomorrow.”

He feared that further questioning would implicate him as well.

“Does it hurt?” Sheng Mingluo leaned closer, her gaze fixed on the bl00d-stained white bandages wrapped around Qin Zhi’s hand. She had lost all interest in confronting the negligent staff member.

“It’s nothing,” Qin Zhi replied. “But you fell from such a height—weren’t you scared?”

With a flick of her crimson sleeve, Qin Zhi hid her injured hand behind her back and smiled radiantly at Sheng Mingluo’s worried expression.

“Not at all. See? I’m perfectly fine now.”

Even if one person slipped up, the other two were holding onto her. At worst, she might have fallen flat on her face—a bit undignified, but nothing as serious as Qin Zhi had made it out to be.

In the end, the part-time staff member was fired, and the matter was considered closed. The person felt guilty and didn’t argue, taking their wages and leaving in a hurry.

Today, the entire film crew went down the mountain to eat out. The Director’s main intention was to reconcile the three leads. If their bickering continued, he feared the film might never get finished.

The hotel at the foot of the mountain was mostly occupied by film crews, including other teams dining there as well.

The dishes featured local specialties, undoubtedly far better than the mountain cafeteria’s fare.

Sheng Mingluo took her seat. She had attended many such banquets before, where socializing and networking were more important than the food itself.

Not a single drop of alcohol could be spared.

The crew planned to return to the mountain tomorrow, staying overnight at the hotel, which had already been booked.

“As your director,” the Director began, “I first want to wish everyone harmony during filming. Only then can we deliver a truly exceptional cinematic experience to our audience.”

Zhao Le spoke in official platitudes, naturally avoiding any public mention of the minor friction between the leads—such a display of low emotional intelligence would be unbecoming.

“You’re right, Director,” Luo Hu said, immediately raising his glass in a sycophantic toast. “We’ll do our utmost to maintain harmony on set and ensure smooth progress.”

Luo Hu’s large hand gripped his glass as the others rose to their feet, offering toasts to Director Zhao Le. The entire group drained their glasses in unison.

The fiery white liquor made Sheng Mingluo’s brow furrow involuntarily, but she forced herself to swallow it all.

No matter how many times she drank, she never acquired a taste for alcohol. Yet drinking and toasting were essential social skills; refusing would be seen as a grave insult.

Thus, despite her aversion to white liquor, Sheng Mingluo had trained herself to manage a few small cups. Any more, and she’d likely become so drunk she couldn’t tell east from west.

She stuffed a few mouthfuls of food into her mouth, hoping to clear the fog in her mind. By the end of the evening, Sheng Mingluo was swaying on her feet, barely holding herself upright.

Qin Zhi acted as if nothing were amiss, drinking wine as easily as water. Her tolerance was remarkable; even now, she showed only a slight tipsiness.

Her fingers gripped the rim of her glass, the fragrant alcohol spreading across her palate. Beside her, Sheng Mingluo swayed unsteadily, draining the last drop from her glass before collapsing against Qin Zhi. Her long black hair cascaded over Qin Zhi’s shoulder, her face flushed with a rosy, tipsy glow.

Perhaps finding the position comfortable, Sheng Mingluo nuzzled closer, her cheek rubbing against Qin Zhi’s coat. Qin Zhi’s crimson lips pressed against Sheng Mingluo’s white inner shirt, leaving a faint red mark.

“Xiao Sheng must be drunk,” the Director said. “Qin Zhi, take her home first.”

“Mm, Director.”

“No need to come back after dropping her off. Get some rest yourself; we’re heading up the mountain tomorrow.”

The assistant and lead actress weren’t seated at the main table. Xu Yun and Fang Qing had finished eating early and were waiting by the door.

The door swung open, and Qin Zhi emerged, her arm wrapped around Sheng Mingluo’s slender waist, supporting her as they stepped outside.

“Teacher Qin, thank you for your trouble. I’ll take her from here,” Xu Yun offered.

Xu Yun froze, reaching out to take Sheng Mingluo. But Sheng Mingluo clung fiercely to Qin Zhi’s back, her legs wrapped around Qin Zhi’s hips, clinging to her like an octopus.

Her cheek pressed against Qin Zhi’s jaw, she rubbed against her, tangling Qin Zhi’s dark hair into a messy tangle. Static electricity made strands cling to her pale cheek. Qin Zhi frowned, trying to hand Sheng Mingluo over to Xu Yun, but Sheng Mingluo refused to let go.

“You smell so good… Sister, you really smell so good… Mmm… I like you so much.”

Her unconscious murmurs brushed against Qin Zhi’s neck as her red lips pressed against it, feeling the pulse beneath her skin. A damp sensation spread across Qin Zhi’s neck.

Qin Zhi froze mid-motion, nearly losing her balance. Fortunately, the closed door behind her supported her back.

The other two exchanged bewildered glances.

With a sigh, Qin Zhi reluctantly replied, “I’ll take Miss Sheng home myself. You two should go back and rest.”

“Then… then alright.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Teacher Qin.”

“This is supposed to be my job anyway.”

Given the current situation, it was clear that Sheng Mingluo wouldn’t be able to be moved anytime soon.

Sheng Mingluo clung to Teacher Qin, refusing to let go. Xu Yun quickly interjected, “It’s no trouble at all. Just a small favor, nothing to worry about.”

“Then this is Mingluo’s room key. You’re in the same building, Teacher Qin.”

“Mm.”

Qin Zhi took the room key Xu Yun offered and noticed it was right next to her own room. She figured she might as well walk Sheng Mingluo back as she was heading that way anyway.

However, Sheng Mingluo’s actions along the way were hardly comforting. Lost in her drunken haze, she seemed to have a sudden thought and gently kissed Qin Zhi’s collarbone.

Her fingertips tugged down Qin Zhi’s white inner shirt, exposing her skin. Sheng Mingluo nibbled lightly at the collarbone, her teeth grinding softly.

Qin Zhi’s hand, which had been holding Sheng Mingluo’s back, froze. She hadn’t expected this person to start acting so recklessly in the hallway.

“Esteemed Host, a plot point has been detected ahead. Please complete the mission!”

“Completing this major plot point will erase your previous negative score, as an encouragement from the Fan Girl CP Wish System!”

The System’s urgent reminder suddenly flashed through Qin Zhi’s mind. She swallowed hard, her throat tightening. With slightly trembling hands, she swiped the room key, gripped the door handle, and pushed the door open.

“I understand.”

Her lashes lowered as she gazed into Sheng Mingluo’s hazy, drunken eyes. Sheng Mingluo still had her arms around Qin Zhi’s neck, smiling softly as she leaned in for a kiss.