Transmigrating into the Rival's Fanfiction - Chapter 34

After impulsively acting on her feelings the previous night, Qin Zhi woke the next morning to a scene of utter chaos. Overwhelmed, she fled the scene. Now, she sat on a bench, watching the extras in their traditional costumes bustling back and forth, preparing for the day’s filming.

Another film crew was also shooting in the town, and she sat at a distance, lost in thought about the previous night. Her emotions had spiraled out of control again, but not severely… More than anything, she had wanted to act that way.

What’s wrong with me?

Frustrated, Qin Zhi flicked open her lighter, watching the flickering flame. She gently blew it out, but the flame sprang back to life with another click.

She vaguely understood the root of her emotional instability, but she resisted acknowledging it. Could she really fall so hopelessly in love with someone after just a few casual flirtations?

That’s pathetic.

Memories of the previous night flashed through her mind. For the first time in her life, Qin Zhi felt genuine remorse. Had she gone too far? Had she been too intense?

Was this how she should treat Sheng Mingluo…?

She repeatedly questioned herself, but she couldn’t find an answer that satisfied her.

“Huff… Boss, I finally found you.”

Fang Qing had originally planned to go straight to the hotel to find Qin Zhi, but Qin Zhi had texted her saying she wasn’t there and was out for a walk.

What kind of walk does this boss take at dawn? Fang Qing wondered, but she didn’t dare ask too closely, fearing she’d upset her boss. Judging by Qin Zhi’s demeanor, something was clearly on her mind.

So Fang Qing had no choice but to search door-to-door. The small town wasn’t exactly big, but it wasn’t tiny either.

Still, she eventually found her.

“What is it?” Qin Zhi asked, a white cigarette held between her fingers. She’d just bought it from a roadside shop but hadn’t lit it yet.

“Boss, you’re not going to smoke again, are you?” Fang Qing asked. “Sister Chu told me to keep a close eye on you and stop you from smoking.”

Qin Zhi silently snapped the cigarette in half, stood up, and tossed it into a nearby trash can. She kept the lighter, though, slipping it back into her pocket.

“I didn’t smoke.”

…Well, she hadn’t, technically.

Fang Qing was speechless at this display. She could only pretend she hadn’t seen anything. After all, you can’t spin the lazy Susan just because your boss is reaching for a dish.

What kind of social intelligence would that be?!

“What did you need me for?” Qin Zhi asked.

Qin Zhi glanced at Fang Qing, her expression indifferent, revealing nothing. Fang Qing unconsciously swallowed, wondering if her boss was angry about her earlier, slightly presumptuous actions.

“It’s like this, Boss,” Fang Qing began, “Miss Sheng’s assistant said… she needs to wake up early to prepare for her scenes.”

The sentence trailed off, but Qin Zhi understood perfectly.

Sheng Mingluo was in her hotel room, and her assistant felt it inappropriate to disturb the two of them directly, so she had subtly approached Fang Qing instead.

“I understand. I’ll go wake her up right away.”

“Tell her assistant not to worry.”

Qin Zhi turned to leave, heading straight back to the hotel. Fang Qing hesitated for a moment but decided not to follow. She needed to show some tact in this situation.

Otherwise, she might walk in on a rather intimate scene… which would be terribly disrespectful.

She’d better go inform Sheng Mingluo’s assistant. This kind of situation might become a regular occurrence.

It wasn’t like they could ask Fang Qing to wake up their artist every time. She didn’t want to risk incurring her boss’s displeasure. Fang Qing had been working for Qin Zhi for a moderate amount of time—not too long, not too short—but she had learned to read her boss’s basic emotions. Qin Zhi was clearly in a foul mood right now, and it was best to stay out of her sight.

Opening the hotel room door, Qin Zhi found Sheng Mingluo still sleeping like a dead pig. She approached the bed and cleared her throat softly.

The sound had no effect. Sheng Mingluo frowned irritably, covered her ears with a pillow, and continued sleeping.

Her pale arms were covered in a dense network of marks, a sight that made Qin Zhi’s heart clench. Every time she saw Sheng Mingluo like this, her guilt surged anew.

“Sheng Mingluo, get up.”

The cold, detached words hung in the air. Sheng Mingluo jolted awake, startled. Damn it, not even in my dreams can I escape that dead woman, Qin Zhi?

Whatever, I’ll just ignore her in my dream.

Pretending not to hear, Sheng Mingluo resumed snoring. Qin Zhi glanced outside and saw the sun was already high in the sky. If Sheng Mingluo didn’t get up soon, she’d miss her classes at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

“Sheng Mingluo.”

She repeated the name, this time pulling back a corner of the blanket. A cold draft rushed in, and Qin Zhi glanced at Sheng Mingluo’s naked body before hastily covering her up again, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

In her urgency, she hadn’t thought clearly. She’d forgotten that Sheng Mingluo had stripped herself bare the night before.

“Y-you… you… you…!”

The sudden chill jolted Sheng Mingluo awake. She gripped the blanket tightly, pulling it up to cover her collarbones, clearly disoriented. When she saw Qin Zhi standing fully dressed at the foot of her bed, she let out a long sigh of relief.

But she was still a little annoyed.

Why did this person always act so presumptuous? Even waking her up was done with such rudeness. Still, she could only grumble inwardly. After all, he was her Sugar Daddy, and voicing her complaints would likely cost her progress points.

“Stop lazing around. Get up. We’ll be filming in a couple of hours.”

Seeing she was awake, Qin Zhi’s expression softened considerably.

“Oh, I know… Could you turn around for a moment?”

Sheng Mingluo still clutched the white sheet tightly. Qin Zhi understood and turned her back. Only then did Sheng Mingluo shakily crawl out of bed.

Damn… I feel dizzy. She realized skipping breakfast had been a mistake.

I think my bl00d sugar’s dropping.

Qin Zhi remained turned away, her eyes closed, not intending to look. If Sheng Mingluo was embarrassed, despite their intimate history… even if she didn’t want him to see the marks on her body.

She had put those marks there herself.

What was there to hide?

Getting out of bed, Sheng Mingluo nearly stumbled. She braced herself against the table, realizing she shouldn’t have rushed. She almost face-planted.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Zhi heard the faint noise and turned back. Sheng Mingluo stopped her with a hoarse voice.

“Nothing, Teacher Qin. Could you get me some clothes?”

Although Sheng Mingluo had mentally prepared for various possibilities when she came yesterday, she hadn’t brought any clothes.

“Alright… Be careful on your own.”

Qin Zhi remained uneasy, but she knew she had been wrong last night. Sheng Mingluo now harbored resentment toward her, and Qin Zhi had no right to argue.

With Qin Zhi’s assurance, Sheng Mingluo watched her slender figure leave the bedroom. Despite her delicate appearance, Qin Zhi possessed surprising strength.

Pushing open the bathroom door, Sheng Mingluo caught sight of her own disheveled body in the mirror. She quickly splashed cold water on her face, the icy droplets chasing away the lingering haze in her mind.

Her skin felt sticky and clammy—a shower was definitely needed.