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

### Chapter 26: A Mentor Like This "[So... the author doesn't know what she did with it, they just know she took it?]" "[But if it's not a transmigration story, what else could it be?]" "[Why do I feel a strange chill above my head?]" "[What on earth is with Master’s jealous tone...]" "[Did the vinegar jar spill over?]" "[Hmm... feels like the conversation shift was a bit too quick.]" "[But, Master... are you jealous...?]" "You can’t be nervous, Ran, focus your gaze back!" Fang Qing’s voice was cold, sounding somewhat displeased. Ning Songwu smiled as he watched Fang Qing directing Ran Fanyin through a screen. Fang Qing never allowed anyone to think a scene was difficult during filming. In her view, if someone thought a task was tough at that moment, they would take it too seriously, adversely affecting the portrayal of their character. So today, she wanted this girl, whose cheeks often turned rosy, to overcome her mental hurdles. "What does it matter if Ning Songwu is opposite you? Even if he were an immortal descending, you should tease him if that’s required, assert dominance if needed, and go in for the kiss if the script says so. Junior sister, you’re number one, you can't be timid! Besides, what’s there about Ning Songwu to make you nervous?" Fang Qing didn’t hold back, expressing disdain openly, causing Ran Fanyin to try her best to stay calm despite her bright red face. Her long, black hair was loosely tied in a ponytail behind her head, and the bangs on either side of her cheeks made her face look longer, not as round. This scene, paired with Fang Qing’s voice, fell into Ning Songwu's ears, evoking a few chuckles. Ran Fanyin instinctively looked toward the sound, seeing a woman leaning against the table, her fair arm supporting her head sideways, red lips slightly open, letting out a few light laughs. Ran Fanyin, you’re done for. She heard a voice in her heart say. “Yes! That’s the look! Enamored, infatuated! But it can’t be so direct; it needs to be subtle. There should still be a slight distance between the senior and junior sister.” Fang Qing’s voice was near her ear but seemed to drift farther away along with her breathing, gradually fading. "You did great; you’re going to be an excellent actor.” Ning Songwu's words were gentle, tainted with a dash of color from a mountain spring, leisurely pulling her back. The woman had already collected her previous demeanor, sitting upright again, a distant smile on her lips as though everything earlier was just to help Fanyin find the right emotion. Indeed, that was probably the only possibility. Those hidden thoughts, once again, were stored away by Ran Fanyin, crammed into the corners of her heart that were already overflowing. No one knew in that brief moment when their eyes met through the screen, the overflowing infatuation and longing in Ran Fanyin’s eyes. Ning Songwu’s heart was thrown into disarray. * Once the two had composed themselves, the script reading went much smoother. When the screenwriter and singer entered the conference room, a peculiar silence permeated the room. None of the three had muted their microphones, so only their breathing could be heard in the room. Both lead actors had their cameras on, staring directly at the screen. "I was having them look at each other through the distance to capture the right feeling," Fang Qing whispered, “You guys missed it; the instant the overflowing affection between the two shone through, it was just perfect.” Seeing everyone was present, Ning Songwu retracted his gaze, gave a light cough, and said calmly, "Let's begin." "Okay," Ran Fanyin followed suit. Both voices had none of the previous affection, much calmer, returning to their work mode. Indeed. After all, it was for the sake of work. Ning was an excellent actor, and she aspired to become a remarkable one. Maybe. Out of the camera's view and away from Li Ke'er's sight, Ran Fanyin tightly clutched her clothes. Only by doing so could she maintain her composure. For the first time, she regretted using Shuangmeng to get closer to Ning Songwu. She was scared. She feared everything was just Ning’s preparation for the role. Could it be? Could that kind, lightly smiling, occasionally mischievous Ning, who shared numerous emojis and showed a side so different from usual, be just a temporary illusion of Shuangmeng? Even if it was, let her finish this dream. The script reading went from 4 p.m. until deep into the night. Though the final product was only five minutes, Fang Qing was exceptionally meticulous, perusing every detail. Even though only Ning Songwu and Ran Fanyin were required to keep their cameras on the whole time, Fanyin could see from the dimmed icon of the screenwriter that his forehead was densely dotted with sweat. The screenwriter is the first creator of a script, and the director is the second. Fang Qing’s familiarity with it indicated she was a very responsible director. Responsible to an intimidating degree. After everyone had said their goodbyes, Ran Fanyin exited the conference, turning off the computer. When only static remained in her earphones, Li Ke'er, who had been sitting on the other side this whole time, finally let out a trembling sigh, "My god, that was terrifying!" "What?" "All of you were terrifying. That director, the screenwriter, Ning Songwu, and you, all of you were terrifying." "How was I terrifying?" Ran Fanyin pouted as she stretched her stiff neck and shoulders after sitting all afternoon. "Ran, I won’t lie. When the director was guiding you, the infatuation and longing in your eyes were so real. Even from here, I felt like I was watching you pursue your true love with all your heart. You’re an excellent actor. Keep at it, and you’ll be a big star!" The body-stretching Ran paused for a moment but, as her friend said, she was a good actor. Managing her emotions wasn’t hard, so she merely gave a playful smile, “Really~? Ning Songwu was giving it her all; anyone watching her would have been deeply captivated." She was her fan, so she loved her and was drawn to her. Seeing her master emotions so freely made her happy. Just like that. Meanwhile, after the meeting, Ning Songwu let out a long sigh of relief, feeling a load off her mind. After a tiring day, her first thought was, what to eat? She didn’t come to Xin City often – it was too dry – but there was no denying Xin City had many delicacies she hadn’t finished tasting yet. Perhaps she could pack some to take back and share with the little ones? As for Lin Xinran, she could buy her own if she wanted some. Just as she was contemplating her dinner options, a familiar spiritual sense intruded into her barrier and then stopped motionless. What a bother; coming all this way just to wait for her greeting. In an instant, the place she sat had only faint starry spots left, and in the small alley next to the hotel, a girl dressed in black stood quietly, blindfolded. "Coming all the way and still waiting for your master-uncle to greet you?" Ning Songwu stepped out of the void, stars coalescing as she appeared at the other end of the alley, her voice drifting over. "I thought you wouldn’t come." She tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "Master-uncle Ning, I am truly sorry for the inadequate hospitality some days ago." "Did you come just to say that?" "No, my master instructed me before she left that Master-uncle Ning would surely come and that Master-uncle had the answers to my doubts." Ning Songwu’s expression slightly changed, “Jin Chen has passed?” “That’s the question I came to ask you today. Do you believe in fate?” the girl asked proudly, lifting her head. One side of the alley was tall buildings, while the other was low, under-renovated houses. The moon hovered over the tall buildings, half obscured, shining on the girl's defined profile, adding a touch of aloofness. “Does the answer even matter?” “If you believe, then you should understand the path of your fate and have no need for answers. If you don’t believe, then the answer is meaningless to you and still unnecessary.” Ning Songwu chuckled, “What do you think? If you practice the Path of Fate, how can you not see my choice?” “Then why did Master-uncle seek this question?” “What if I say it was just to tease you?” The aloof girl finally lost some of her imposing aura, her expression curious, “Could you not mock me?” “Teasing you is quite amusing. Tell me about Jin Chen.” “Master didn’t believe in fate. Over twenty years ago, she planned a reincarnation path for a spiritual being, enduring the backlash of the Path of Fate each day. She passed last year.” The proud girl lowered her head, rare confusion crossing her face. “Do you think she was right?” “You know what path I practice, right?” “I do.” “Then you should know I always act freely and without regret. Did Jin Chen regret?” “Never.” “Then I believe she was right.” “Really?” The girl’s lips curled in bitterness, though the distance made it impossible for Ning Songwu to see her tears. She sighed softly, tilting her head, “Then I’ll return your words to you: Just don’t regret it.” Ning Songwu smiled. With what she sought already in hand, she could leave at dawn. There would be Ning Songwu's name on Saturday’s flight but not her in person. She planned to head back early, to her own turf, for some quiet time. “By the way, how long can you and that little one last?” “The money Master left is enough for us to live for a year.” “I told her long ago, opening a shop in that place wouldn’t make money, but she didn’t listen. Never mind!” Ning Songwu stepped forward, gently placing his iron fan on Xu Yueping’s shoulder. "Pack up your things with the little one and leave with me tomorrow." "Where to?" "To my senior sister's orphanage. Don’t get the wrong idea, you won't be freeloading. With your good arms and legs, find a job and make a living. It’s better than starving in Xin City." Xu Yueping's lips quivered, and she finally said softly, "Thank you." Those deficient at birth, natural cultivators of the Path of Fate, cannot see the mundane path but can perceive the celestial dust. Just then, when Ning Songwu's iron fan touched her shoulder, she witnessed a path of death unravel, revealing a clear way forward. That was her destined path. So, this is the true meaning of Master Ning resolving my doubts? Xu Yueping raised her hand to her cheek, feeling a dampness. Was it her tears, or the tears shed by her master’s spirit in the heavens on her behalf? Master, is this the answer you wished to convey to me? What is the value of the Path of Fate? In that instant, her resolve wavered, resulting in the metallic taste of blood rising in her throat, and she spat out a mouthful, splattering it all over Ning Songwu standing in front of her. Ning Songwu did not recoil in disgust. Instead, he retracted the iron fan into his body, quickly formed a hand seal with the other hand, and pressed it on Xu Yueping’s head, speaking sternly, "Calm your mind, don’t think recklessly." "Okay." The girl let out a trembling breath. [Is this really what it means?] [If I speak up suddenly, will Master think I’m crazy?] [But if I miss tonight, there might not be another suitable opportunity to say it.] [With my limited resources and connections, I can only attempt to change some plot points now. Those to come... I fear I won't be able to handle on my own.] [Master is so gentle, waaa, to have a mentor like this, what more could one ask for, waaa...] [How am I so lucky to meet someone so gentle, beautiful, and wealthy? Sister, I promise to reciprocate with my life; please don’t disdain me.] No pop-up ads on this site, permanent domain.