Chapter One Hundred Seventeen: Playing Hard to Get
The driver gripped the wheel, feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles. Had it not been for his superb professional skills, an accident would have been inevitable. The atmosphere inside the car was terrifying—Wang Fengwan and Jiang Yun sat in silence. At first, the driver attempted to inquire after their well-being. Out of courtesy, they responded briefly, but afterward, neither spoke a word for the remainder of the journey, leaving the driver to force a smile alone.
“Whew...” The driver exhaled in relief as the car finally arrived at the hotel. The trip from Wushang City to Hengdian had lasted forty minutes, every second fraught with tension.
Bang! Both got out and shut the car doors behind them. The driver, still polite, said, “Goodbye, Teacher Jiang Yun, Teacher Fengwan!” Jiang Yun and Wang Fengwan nodded in acknowledgment.
It was already night. Neither had eaten since their flight. Jiang Yun, having slept through the flight, missed the airplane meal, and Wang Fengwan had little appetite herself. Thus, they returned to the hotel with empty stomachs.
Jiang Yun entered his room and glanced at the clock—it was midnight. Thankfully, the hotel offered room service. He picked up the phone and dialed the dining department.
“Hello? I’d like a serving of dumplings in sour soup, vegetarian only.”
“And a bowl of sweet rice balls. That’s all.”
After hanging up, the staff member commented to colleagues, “Guess what? A guest just ordered dumplings and sweet rice balls together. Dumplings and sweet rice balls, what a pairing—I’ve never seen it before!”
“Heh!”
“Ha-ha!”
The staff’s colleagues chuckled in agreement. Pleased with himself, the staff member left, thinking he’d acquired a new story to share.
Knock, knock, knock!
Jiang Yun opened the door. The staff member wasn’t surprised—management had already informed them that a certain film crew was staying, and everyone had signed confidentiality agreements.
“Your dumplings and sweet rice balls, sir.”
“Send the sweet rice balls to room 306,” Jiang Yun said.
The staff member paused, “Sir, aren’t you having them yourself?”
Jiang Yun sighed, “Have you ever seen someone eat dumplings with sweet rice balls?”
The staff member was stunned, inwardly cursing himself—so the fool was himself after all. Jiang Yun accepted the dumplings and closed the door.
The staff member went to room 306.
Knock, knock, knock!
“Who is it?”
“Hello, room service!”
Click! Wang Fengwan opened the door. “What is it?”
“Good evening, miss. Your sweet rice balls.”
Wang Fengwan frowned, “I didn’t order sweet rice balls.”
“They’re from the guest in room 205.”
“205?” Wang Fengwan suddenly understood. Wasn’t 205 Jiang Yun’s room?
She chuckled softly, a hint of allure in her smile. That Jiang Yun—didn’t he know that eating sweet rice balls makes you gain weight?
“All right, I understand. Leave them on the table,” she said.
“Certainly.” The staff member entered, placed the sweet rice balls on the table, and left, closing the door behind him.
Wang Fengwan looked at the sweet rice balls, thought for a moment, and ate them quietly.
The next morning, Jiang Yun rose early and went out for breakfast. He wore a mask and sunglasses as he entered the breakfast shop.
“Boss, one bowl of mung bean juice and five fried dough rings!”
“Oh, you’re back again?” the shop owner greeted.
Jiang Yun nodded. After his order was packed, he considered, “Boss, add two steamed buns and a glass of soy milk.”
“Coming right up!”
Jiang Yun took the breakfast back to the hotel, heading straight to the third floor.
Knock, knock, knock!
He tapped on Wang Fengwan’s door.
Click!
The door opened from inside.
“Jiang Yun?”
“Here, your breakfast,” Jiang Yun handed it to Wang Fengwan.
She was surprised, but took it. “Thank you.”
“Mm,” Jiang Yun turned and left.
Wang Fengwan laughed in exasperation. This man—what’s he so proud about?
Jiang Yun returned to his room and ate his breakfast heartily. It was only eight o’clock. He grabbed his red jacket and made his way to the set at a leisurely pace.
As he walked, a red Porsche pulled up beside him.
“Beep beep!”
Jiang Yun turned to look. Wang Fengwan lowered the window. “Get in!”
Jiang Yun hesitated.
“Stop dawdling. Are you a man or not?” Wang Fengwan teased.
At once, Jiang Yun’s temper flared. Damn it, she dared question his manhood—he’d show her today.
He strode to the car, yanked the door open, and plopped into the seat. “Drive!”
Wang Fengwan chuckled and shook her head, starting the car.
The red Porsche glided along the road, with a Cantonese song playing from the speakers.
“My hometown is in this village, I was born and raised here…”
“Who sings this song? It sounds so familiar,” Jiang Yun asked, puzzled.
“You don’t recognize your own song?” Wang Fengwan replied.
Jiang Yun thought for a moment, and indeed, it was his own.
They arrived at the set. Wang Fengwan parked, and they walked in together.
Director Liu Guoqiang was already busy.
“Hurry to makeup, both of you. Today we’re filming the great battle at Yunlan Sect!”
“Alright!”
“Yes, Director Liu!”
Jiang Yun entered the makeup room, where the artist began working. The character Xiao Yan in the original novel had exquisitely styled, flowing short hair. Jiang Yun’s hair was short, but not quite the right length, so he wore a wig.
Changed into a black robe, Jiang Yun emerged looking rather stern.
He bumped into Wang Fengwan, who had just finished her own makeup.
Wang Fengwan wore a dazzling red fishtail dress that accentuated her alluring figure. Standing at one meter eighty, she sparkled in the red gown.
Today, she was playing Medusa—her slender waist and every movement exuded enchantment.
“What a temptress!” Jiang Yun thought to himself. Wang Fengwan was a paradoxical being—the more he got to know her, the more uneasy he felt.
Being around her, he might get sold off without ever realizing it.
He sighed inwardly, “Indeed, a woman’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the ocean.”
Jiang Yun and Wang Fengwan left the makeup room and arrived at the set.
Director Liu Guoqiang nodded in satisfaction upon seeing them.
The two began their preparations.
“All departments ready. Three, two, one!”
“Scene forty-two, shot forty-two! Action!”
At the summit of Yunlan Mountain, forty or fifty extras sat cross-legged in the plaza, their eyes lowered in meditation.
Zhu Yin, playing Nalan Yanran, sat in the center of the plaza.
Zhu Yin sat cross-legged, eyes lowered, a serpentine longsword resting across her knees.
Tap, tap!
Footsteps echoed on the stone steps. The extras playing elders opened their eyes and looked toward the staircase.
Only Zhu Yin remained unmoved, her eyes still lowered.
A figure slowly appeared—Jiang Yun clad in black, a large ruler strapped to his back.
“Xiao Clan! Xiao Yan!”
“Wow!”
“That’s Xiao Yan?”
“The waste of the Xiao Clan?”
Zhu Yin slowly opened her eyes, glanced at Jiang Yun, and said, “Nalan Clan, Nalan Yanran.”
PS: Thanks to “Book Friend 20190509160438251” for two monthly votes!
Thanks to “Who Is It” for two monthly votes!
Thanks to “Xuantian Little Demon” for one monthly vote!
Thanks to “RANK” for one monthly vote!
Thanks to “Paper Urban Reader” for six recommended votes!