31 - Crazy! Criticizing the Prime Minister for Being a Servant

### Chapter 24: [Dream] Ning Songwu came to a sudden halt, ignoring the fresh wounds that opened up on her body, and raised her long sword horizontally in front of her, blocking the person who had been relentlessly chasing her. Was this person some kind of demon that crawled out from the depths of hell? How could they have managed to chase her with such relentless determination?! Once again, she found herself pondering the question that had plagued her endlessly: What exactly had Ning Songwu done to offend Lin Yuxue to warrant such vehement hatred? Using the last of her strength, Ning Songwu trembled as she spoke, “Lin Yuxue, please come to your senses! This is a cliff—there's molten lava below!” --- “What happened?” Ran Fanyin looked up in confusion. Fang Qing didn’t meet her gaze and instead stood up, directing, “Songwu, redo the shot from the left side. Kids, don't be too tense.” “Okay.” Ning Songwu bowed her head, contemplating for a moment. She then bent down to gently hold the small actor’s hand, speaking softly, “Let's give it another try, alright? You can do it.” Her voice was so quiet that it didn’t get picked up by the on-set microphone. Ran Fanyin merely saw her lean down with a gentle smile and say a few words, which made the little actor nod happily and blow her a kiss, their energy seemingly restored. “See, she seems to have some kind of magic,” Fang Qing observed for a while before confirming both were ready and then returned to the monitoring equipment. He turned his head to glance at Ran Fanyin, “Make sure you’re ready. You’re up next.” The next shot went smoothly, and soon it was time for the older sister’s grown-up apprentice to enter. The scene required the apprentice to lay her head in her older sister’s lap while listening to her talk. The young actor remained reluctant as she lay in Ning Songwu's lap, finally saying in a naive voice that hadn’t yet lost its childish lisp, “Auntie, you can do it!” Ning Songwu gently pinched her cheek. Ran Fanyin watched all this, but felt a bit nervous. As she walked to the now-seated and perfectly poised Ning Songwu, her hand subconsciously tugged at the ribbon on her long dress. “Apprentice sister,” Ning Songwu’s eyes curved into a soft smile as she raised her hand to hold Ran Fanyin’s, startling her for a moment. She looked down at their intertwined hands and found herself looking straight into a pair of eyes as gentle as water. Those were the senior sister’s eyes, not Ning Songwu’s. Ning Songwu was never this gentle, no matter how she smiled. There was always a certain maturity that created a sense of distance. Ran Fanyin took a deep breath and whispered, “Senior sister.” --- “...To walk the great road, the whole world...” “Senior sister is reciting this boring stuff again.” The young apprentice playfully tugged at a strand of the senior sister’s long hair that had fallen to her waist, twirling it around in her hand. The senior sister raised her hand and knocked away the mischievous hand, feigning seriousness as she said in a slightly cool tone, “Master said if you don’t memorize this today, you won’t have dinner.” “Who will I recite it for?” “I…” Just as she began to speak, the senior sister regretted it. She should have grabbed any of the other second or third elders instead. Reciting to her just gave the young apprentice an excuse to be lazy. She was always helpless against this girl. “Right? Senior sister would never let me skip dinner, would you?” The big, round eyes were filled with cuteness as they looked at their beloved senior sister. “Senior sister is so strict.” The little one pouted but obediently picked up her sword by the wrist, raising it higher. Practicing must not be lazy; a slight slackness today would pile up and lead to major gaps tomorrow. “Yes, yes, senior sister, what’s the next move?” The girl held her sword with a charming smile, contemplating before casually twirling it in a simple flourish. Her pride was evident. The senior sister, slightly startled, reached out and brushed away a peach blossom petal that had fallen on her head, averting her gaze to compose herself, before stepping back. “The next move should be like this.” She tilted the sword point upwards, then quickly thrust it down, turned her body, and struck towards her rear. Clean and swift. --- “Cut!” The previous takes went smoothly in one go, but this unexpected call to stop left the crew momentarily stunned before they reacted. Thanks to the smooth earlier takes, Fang Qing was in a rather good mood and just called out, “Ran, why were you just standing there like a block? The apprentice shouldn’t be stiff, she needs to be lively.” Ran Fanyin didn't turn around. Instead, she looked at the "senior sister" before her. Since the director called cut, she had placed her sword behind her back, her presence ethereal, as if she had already departed this world. The faint breeze ruffled her dark hair, making her look like a fairy ascending to the heavens, detached from the mortal realm. Senior sister was like that, gentle yet aloof, looking at others as if they were trees, devoid of emotional fluctuations. Was this what it meant to be in character? Ran Fanyin turned her head and responded, “Director Fang, I think the apprentice should be a bit stunned at this moment.” Her idol had just executed such a flawless sword move, and she was already in a state of budding feelings. Whether admiring the sword play or the person, or the slender waist during the turn, the apprentice shouldn’t be lively at this moment. She would be dazed but would emerge from it quickly. This is, the apprentice. As the role told her once she got into character. Fang Qing walked over and asked for a detailed explanation of her reasoning. Ran Fanyin laid it all out clearly. Ning Songwu, who seemed like she had taken root like bamboo, swayed a bit and turned her body, “I agree with Ran’s idea.” “At this moment, the senior sister’s heart is in turmoil, let alone the apprentice’s,” Ning Songwu added softly, her voice still retaining some coldness but regaining some of her own essence. How could someone switch in and out of character so quickly? Ran Fanyin’s admiration grew even more. “Well, let’s settle for a little less stiffness than previously. That brief moment was too rigid, like a mortal seeing a deity descend in front of her,” Fang Qing finally decided, patting Ran Fanyin before walking away. “You’re much more composed and steady than I imagined. Not bad, keep it up.” Ran Fanyin winced slightly. He had hit the exact spot where she had received a heavy slap earlier. It’s surely bruised! This is an occupational injury, compensation is due! “Get ready, let's go again!” --- … Senior sister finished a move, sheathed her sword, and turned to face an apprentice with a somewhat frozen expression. She waved her hand gently, asking softly, “What’s wrong?” “Ah, nothing, nothing,” the apprentice scratched her head, stepping to an empty spot, “It should be like this.” She tried to mimic her senior sister’s movements: raising the sword, turning, and striking. But it was always a bit off. “This is how it should be,” the senior sister approached, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing down on her shoulder with the other hand, “Lower it a bit more.” The faint fragrance of the senior sister continually enveloped the young apprentice, making it impossible for her to concentrate. Finally, another thrust sent her off balance; holding onto the senior sister’s belt, both ended up falling to the ground. “Luckily, I threw the sword away,” the apprentice laughed, mouth grinning wide. “Still laughing!” the senior sister scolded softly, reaching to rub the back of the apprentice’s head, “Did you hit your head? Don’t become a silly little thing that only laughs foolishly, or you’ll be even dumber.” “Senior sister!” The senior sister’s gentle laughter followed, “Looks like you didn’t hit it that hard after all.” --- The fragrance of wine permeated the entire peach blossom grove, making the apprentice pause as she approached with her sword. Who dared to drink wine in the grove? Weren’t they afraid of getting slashed by the senior sister? She parted the peach branches that had bowed under the weight of the blossoms, and peeked towards the usual training spot. Someone was leaning against a branch, their clothes fluttering as they raised a wine jug. From her angle, she could even see the clear wine glinting in the sunlight as it flowed into the slightly open red lips. Her gaze moved downward, to the slightly exposed fair neck and the straight shoulders... --- “Cut!” Ran Fanyin called for a cut herself, hurriedly turning around and covering her nose as she ran out. Ermao quickly followed her, and Fang Qing, fearing something might be wrong, also didn’t delay and followed suit. Only Ning Songwu remained somewhat baffled, even reaching up to adjust a piece of fabric draped across her chest. Honestly, it looked rather good. Moments later, Fang Qing returned with a peculiar expression and walked over to Ning Songwu, standing beside her. “Why are you looking at me that way?” “Why can’t I sense any of your charm? Why do all these young actors seem so mesmerized by you?” Fang Qing asked, propping his chin on his hand with genuine curiosity. Ning Songwu gently pushed a lock of wind-tousled hair behind her ear and gave a soft smile, “If you felt it, your partner would probably slay me.” “But I’ve never felt it before. I don’t think I’ve lost my appreciation for beauty.” “What’s the matter?” “Ran had a nosebleed.” Ning Songwu’s hand paused. “Maybe she’s overheated?” “Sis, that thing came briefly and now it's gone again,” the cold voice of a young girl echoed in Ning Songwu’s mind, quickly cooling her down. So, it specifically appeared when she and I were close? Teacher Ning noted this. Ran Fanyin returned to the set after a brief treatment, her pace cautious, her face blushing brightly under both Fang Qing and Ning Songwu’s gazes. “I think I haven’t drunk enough water lately,” Ran Fanyin stammered, pausing for several deep breaths. “I’m fine now, ready to shoot!” Fang Qing: “Do you need any more mental preparation?” Miss Ran shook her head resolutely. --- … The apprentice moved forward slowly, adjusting the fabric over the senior sister’s chest to cover most of the spring scenery. “Senior Sister, you’re drunk.” She turned her head aside, unable to meet those hazy eyes brimming with intoxication. She felt a sudden chill on her neck. A sword that had appeared out of nowhere sliced open her clothes and held a piece of the fabric against her chin. “...Senior Sister?” “Why won’t my little apprentice sister look at me? Even in a moment like this, you only focus on the sword and not on me?” The apprentice sister stiffly turned her head. Before she could say anything, rain suddenly began to pour from the sky. In an instant, the two of them were drenched. The rain blurred everything, and the sword that had been holding her clothes disappeared. Instead, a pair of warm hands took its place, pressing down on the sliding fabric with a burning warmth. Before she knew it, separated only by the curtain of rain, she felt something hot press against her lips. It took her a moment to realize it was her senior sister’s thin lips, pressing against hers without allowing retreat. And yet, she pulled away herself. --- When Fang Qing finally called cut, Ermao and Yuan Qiao hurried over with umbrellas. Ran Fanyin was still in a bit of a daze. Ning Songwu wasn’t in a hurry either, quietly standing by, letting her recover at her own pace. From the moment the senior sister’s sword had teased the clothes, it diverged from the script, but Ran Fanyin adapted. That’s why when the sudden downpour started, she had the courage to follow through with the unplanned kiss. “My apologies for not asking your permission in advance.” “No... it’s fine…” Ran Fanyin took a few deep breaths, touched the corner of her lips, and smiled. “Teacher Ning, that final addition was simply amazing.” Ning Songwu smiled warmly, patted her on the head, ruffling her hair, and also helped shake off the water. “Hurry and go get yourself cleaned up. You don’t want to catch a cold. This rain is pretty chilly.” “Yes, how is it almost June but still raining so coldly?” Yes, how indeed? Ning Songwu looked beyond the edge of the umbrella, gazing into the sky. High above, Xu Yueping looked at the half of the shattered shadow and a camera in his hands, sighing. “Ning Shishu, sorry, it got away, but I’ve retrieved the tool.” “Another one of those demons being driven?” “No, this one had a consciousness of its own.” Ning Songwu lowered her gaze, chuckling softly. This was getting more interesting by the minute. --- 【This magma, it seems endless. Am I going to completely melt away here?】 【Will it hurt a lot to reach the bottom of the magma?】 【So, this is what the bottom of magma is like. It's so warm, so soft...】 【And fragrant too.】 【It smells like Master...】 This site has no pop-up ads. Permanent domain.