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

Chapter 26 Such a Master 【Did the author not know what she took it for, only that it was taken by her?】 【But if it's not transversing through books, what else could it be?】 【Why do I feel a chill on top of my head, so strange.】 【What's with this sour tone from the master…】 【Did someone knock over the vinegar jar?** 【Hmm… I feel the topic is changing too quickly.** 【But, was the master… jealous...?** "You mustn't be nervous, Little Ran, focus your gaze!" Fang Qing's voice was cold and clearly showing displeasure. Ning Songwu smiled as he watched Fang Qing direct Ran Fanyin through a screen. Fang Qing wouldn't allow anyone to feel a scene was difficult while acting. In her view, if someone thinks something is hard, they will become overly serious, affecting their portrayal. Today, she wanted this girl, who's often blushing, to overcome her psychological barriers. "What does it matter that Ning Songwu is across from you? Even if the person in front of you is a celestial being, you tease if you need to tease, be strong if you need to be strong, and kiss if you need to kiss. You can't back down! Besides, what's there about Ning Songwu that makes you nervous?" Fang Qing didn't hold back, straightforwardly accusing, while Ran Fanyin tried hard to stay calm. She had her long black hair tied loosely into a ponytail, with strands falling on both sides, making her face seem more elongated and less round. This scene, with Fang Qing's voice, fell into Ning Songwu’s ears, drawing out a few chuckles. Ran Fanyin instinctively looked towards the sound. The woman was leaning against a table, resting her head on her pale arms, lips slightly parted, letting out a few light laughs. Ran Fanyin, you’re doomed. A voice in her heart said. "Yes! That's the look! Adoring, infatuated! But it can't be too direct—you need to be subtle since there should be a slight distance between senior and junior sisters." Fang Qing's voice was close to her ears but gradually faded away, along with her breathing. "Well done, you'll make a great actress." Ning Songwu's tone was gentle, like a spring bubbling up with color, effortlessly pulling her back. The woman had already withdrawn her previous demeanor, sitting upright again, with a smile tinged with aloofness on her lips, as if all she had done was to help Ran Fanyin find the right feel. Indeed, that must be it. Those hidden feelings were once again tucked away by Ran Fanyin, folded into a corner of her heart, already filled. No one knew, in that split second when their eyes met across the screen, the longing and desire overflowing in Ran Fanyin’s eyes. Ning Songwu's heart, in turmoil. * After the two adjusted their mindsets, the script read-through went much smoother. When the screenwriter and singer entered the meeting room, there was a strange silence in the air. None of the three had muted their mics, but only their breaths could be heard, with the two main actors staring directly at the screen. "I was having them look at each other across the screen to find the right feeling," Fang Qing whispered, "you didn’t see it earlier, the affection that overflowed in that instant, tsk tsk tsk, such chemistry." Ning Songwu, seeing everyone there, withdrew her gaze, lightly coughed, and said calmly, “Let’s begin.” “Alright,” Ran Fanyin followed suit. Neither of their voices carried the traces of earlier emotions, returning to a more composed working state. Indeed. After all, this is work. Ning is a great actor, and she too must become an excellent actor. Perhaps. Out of the camera's sight, where Li Ke'er couldn’t see, Ran Fanyin’s fingers were tightly gripping the hem of her clothes. Only this way could she calm herself temporarily. For the first time, she regretted using Double Dream to approach Ning Songwu. She was afraid. She feared that everything was just part of Ning Songwu’s preparation for the scene. Could it be? Would that person who smiles gently, who smiles mischievously, who sends many emoticons, who shows a completely different side than usual, only be a facade of Double Dream? Even if so, let her finish this dream. The script read-through continued from four in the afternoon to late into the night. Though the final product was only five minutes, Fang Qing’s meticulous nature meant every single detail was scrutinized. Even though Ning Songwu and Ran Fanyin were the only ones required to keep their cameras on throughout, Ran Fanyin could see from the dimly lit icon of the screenwriter that his forehead was covered in sweat. A screenwriter is the first creator of a script, and a director is the second. Fang Qing's familiarity with the material shows she is a very responsible director. So responsible, it's a bit scary. After everyone said their goodbyes, Ran Fanyin exited the meeting, turned off her computer. When the only thing left in her headphones was electronic noise, Li Ke'er, who had been sitting on the other side, let out a trembling breath and exclaimed, “Oh my God, that was terrifying!” “What?” “You all were. The director, the screenwriter, Ning Songwu, and you—you were all terrifying.” “How was I terrifying?” Ran Fanyin asked playfully, stretching her shoulders and neck that had become stiff from sitting all afternoon. “Ran Ran, no kidding, when that director was guiding you, the affection and yearning in your eyes were so real, I was almost getting sucked in here, as if the person across was truly the lover you're pursuing. You’re a great actor. Keep going, and you’ll definitely make it big!” The one stretching stood stunned for a moment, but as her friend said, she’s a good actor. It's not difficult for her to pull herself together right now, so she simply smiled playfully, "Is that right~ Mainly, Mr. Ning was giving his full effort at the time. You didn’t see his actions—anyone would be deeply attracted." She is her fan, so she loves her and is drawn to her. Seeing her so effortlessly manage her emotions, she’s delighted. Just like that. Elsewhere, after the meeting ended, Ning Songwu let out a long breath, setting down a burden. After a long day, a sudden break, and the first thought that popped into her head was, what to eat? She didn’t visit the new city often—too dry. But she couldn’t deny the vast number of delicious foods it offered, too many she hadn’t tried. Maybe she should pack some to take back, share it with the kids? As for Lin Xinran, if she wants to eat, she can buy it herself. While eyeing her phone, contemplating dinner, a familiar consciousness invaded her barrier and then paused. What’s wrong with her, coming but needing her to greet her? In a breath, just where she was sitting was now only starlight. In the alley beside the hotel, a girl dressed in black stood silently, blindfolded. “You came, but still need your master to greet you?” Ning Songwu stepped out of the void, the starlight converging, appearing at the other end of the alley, her voice drifting over. “I thought you wouldn’t come.” She tilted her head slightly, her expression unclear. “Master Ning, I apologize for any lackings in hospitality during your previous stay.” “Did you come just to say that?” “No, my master instructed me before leaving, said Master Ning would surely come, and said Master Ning could resolve my confusion.” Ning Songwu’s expression shifted slightly, “Jin Chen, is she…?” “That’s precisely my question for you today. Do you accept fate?” The girl held her head high arrogantly. The alley had tall buildings on one side, and unrenovated low houses on the other. The moon hung above the buildings, half obscured, casting light on the girl’s sharply defined cheek, adding a touch of cold arrogance. “What meaning does the answer hold?” “If you believe, then you should know your destiny, requiring no answers. If not, the answer is meaningless to you, requiring no inquiry.” Ning Songwu chuckled softly, “What do you think? Since you follow the path of fate, how could you not discern my choice?” “Then why did Master Ning seek this question?” “What if I said it was to tease you?” The proud girl finally showed a slight concession, her expression odd. After a moment, she spoke again, “You should not tease me like this.” “Teasing you is quite enjoyable. Speak of Jin Chen.” “Master did not believe in fate, twenty years ago secured a rebirth path for a spirit, enduring the backlash of fate every day, and passed last year.” The proud girl lowered her head, uncharacteristically showing confusion. “Do you think she was right?” “You know what path I follow?” “I do.” “Then you should know, I advocate doing as one pleases, without regret. Did Jin Chen regret it?” “Never.” “Then she was right, in my view.” “Is that so?” The corners of the girl’s lips tinged with bitterness, but too far away for Ning Songwu to see clearly. She sighed deeply, tilting her head slightly, “Then I return these words to you, live without regrets.” Ning Songwu smiled. With her goal achieved, it seemed she could set off at dawn, heading back. Ning Songwu's name would be on the Saturday flight, but she wouldn’t be on it. She planned to return early, back to her turf, and have some quiet time. “By the way, how much longer can you and that little one survive?” “The funds left by my master are sufficient for a year.” “I had advised her long back, setting up a shop in that area wouldn’t make money. She wouldn’t listen. Forget it!” Ning Songwu stepped closer, lightly resting her iron fan on Xu Yueping's shoulder. "Pack your things, you and that little one, and come with me tomorrow." "Where to?" "To my senior sister's welfare institute. Don't misunderstand, you won't be freeloading. You have a strong body—find a job and make a living. It's better than starving in the new city." Xu Yueping's lips trembled lightly, and finally, she whispered, "Thank you." A Tianque, born with the destiny of a Dao cultivator, she couldn't see the path of the mortal world but could see the way of stardust. Just moments ago, when Ning Songwu placed her iron fan on her shoulder, she saw a path of death dissolve before her eyes, replaced by a clear and open road ahead. That was her destiny. Was this the true meaning of “Master Ning can dissolve my confusion”? Xu Yueping raised her hand to her cheek, feeling the wetness there. Were these her tears, or the tears of her late master watching over her from the heavens? Master, is this the answer you wanted to tell me? What is the value of the path of destiny? In that brief moment, her Dao heart wavered, and a sweetness rose in her throat. With a cough, she spat out a mouthful of blood that splattered onto Ning Songwu standing in front of her. Ning Songwu did not pull back in disgust. She retracted her iron fan back into her body and quickly formed a seal with her remaining hand, pressing it on Xu Yueping's head, and spoke in a deep voice, "Calm your mind, don’t overthink." “Okay.” The girl exhaled shakily. 【Is this really what it means?】 【Will my master think I'm crazy if I suddenly say this out loud?】 【But if I miss tonight, there might not be another suitable opportunity to say it.】 【The resources and connections I can leverage alone are very limited. Right now, I can still struggle to change some plot points, but the ones up ahead… I’m afraid I won't be able to manage them on my own.】 【Master is so gentle, sob sob, having a master like this, what more could I ask for, sob sob…】 【Why am I so lucky to meet someone this kind, gentle, beautiful, and wealthy? Sister, please don’t turn me away if I dedicate myself to you.】 This site has no pop-up ads, permanent domain (xbanxia.com)