Achieving A Happy Ending With The Tragic Female Lead [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 65

Hearing this, Su Mi took a step forward. Her face was cold and her sharp gaze was fixed directly on Guan Yue, even sweeping over the hem of her clothes as if she were seriously considering Guan Yue’s earlier “proposition.”

Stunned by the look, Guan Yue’s heart skipped a beat. She gripped the doorknob tightly and took a small, cautious step back.

Su Mi lowered her eyes, her brow twitching slightly, before looking back up at her. “This is very important to me, so I hope you aren’t lying to me.”

Perhaps intimidated by the coldness Su Mi had just displayed, Guan Yue no longer possessed her previous confidence. “Who would bother lying to you?”

“Really?” Su Mi’s brow furrowed deeply, forming a tight crease.

Guan Yue bit her lip. “How about you tell me then, do you hope I have it, or hope I don’t?”

Su Mi didn’t answer. Her eyes flashed with a chilling light, and the aura surrounding her turned cold. “If you are lying to me!”

“So what if I am?!” Guan Yue hated being looked at like that. She threw the ointment directly at Su Mi. “I don’t want your things!”

Su Mi caught the thrown ointment just as the door was slammed shut in her face.

The ointment still held the warmth of the other woman’s body, feeling tepid in her palm. The hotel’s soundproofing wasn’t great. Su Mi heard hurried footsteps inside, and suddenly the door swung open again.

She watched as Guan Yue stuffed the bag of medicine Su Mi had brought earlier back into her hands. “Take it all back.”

She acted exactly like a sulking child. Then, Su Mi was shut out for a second time.

Fortunately, there was no one else around. Considering Su Mi’s special status, the production crew hadn’t arranged for anyone else to stay on this floor to avoid interference. Since the crew’s budget was tight, Su Mi had chosen to reimburse the extra expense herself. It was lucky no one was there to witness this; otherwise, rumors of the lead actresses of Jade Waist Slave being at odds would be confirmed.

Su Mi, suffering from a lack of sleep, pressed her aching temples. She stood at Guan Yue’s door for a moment before taking the items back to her own room.

Inside, Guan Yue leaned against the door, not moving. Only after she heard the door next door close did her heart finally settle. She lowered her eyes and reached back to touch her own spine. It was as if she could still hear those sharp, ugly words in her ears, clinging to her like a curse.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Su Mi finished washing up and prepared to head out. As she opened her door, she heard the door next door open as well.

Guan Yue emerged with a bare face, yawning. When she spotted Su Mi out of the corner of her eye, she immediately turned away, clearly intending to ignore her.

Although Su Mi still didn’t know which specific word had offended her yesterday, she didn’t believe what Guan Yue had said the night before. Afterward, she had tried to contact the “System,” but because it was undergoing maintenance, only basic functions were available, even the portable system couldn’t provide data.

In the elevator, the two were inevitably forced into a confined space. Su Mi watched Guan Yue’s profile reflected in the elevator wall. Their eyes met for a split second before Guan Yue looked away. Su Mi wanted to say something to break the tension, but they quickly reached the next floor.

The doors opened, and many members of the crew living on the lower floors swarmed in, packing the elevator to capacity. Su Mi and Guan Yue’s assistants entered as well, but the crowd prevented them from reaching their bosses.

During the descent, Guan Yue refrained from showing any obvious hostility because of the audience, but that was the extent of her civility. Once out, they boarded their respective cars for the set.

Upon arrival, they were informed of a last minute change to the schedule. It turned out the director had re-watched their “NG” (no good) takes from the night before countless times. The more she watched, the more she felt their chemistry was “unclean” a state perfect for an upcoming high-tension scene.

Originally, the director planned to wait for them to bond more before filming this particular scene to achieve the necessary intensity, but she hadn’t expected them to be so naturally suited for it now.

Su Mi reacted calmly, flipping through the script to review the scene.

“Director, isn’t this too sudden? Shouldn’t we take it step by step?” Guan Yue’s voice came from nearby.

The director ran a hand through her frizzy hair. “Teacher Guan, you know filming isn’t always a linear process. Sometimes we have to capture a specific moment. The state you two were in last night was excellent. I want to strike while the iron is hot.”

The director was firm. Guan Yue wanted to argue further but felt she lacked the standing. She looked away in frustration, only to meet Su Mi’s gaze. An idea struck her.

“Director, I’m fine with it, of course, but what about Teacher Su? She’s never filmed an intimate scene. Rumor has it she has a germophobia and dislikes physical proximity. We’ve only known each other for a day…”

Guan Yue glanced guiltily at Su Mi, who was walking toward them. She bit her lip and continued, “So, shouldn’t we push this scene back a bit?”

Though Guan Yue claimed she was fine, she actually had zero experience with intimate scenes herself. The director looked hesitant. Just as Guan Yue thought she had succeeded.

“I have no problem with it,” Su Mi said, stepping up with her script in hand.

Those five words instantly steadied the director’s resolve. The director beamed. “Great! Since Teacher Su said so, I’m relieved. Teacher Guan, no need to worry. You two go to makeup. I’ll wait at the set.”

Guan Yue forced a smile and nodded.

On the way to the makeup room, Guan Yue was visibly displeased, walking rapidly to avoid being side by side with Su Mi. However, Su Mi’s legs were long, a few large strides were all it took to keep pace.

Just before entering, Guan Yue stopped. Sensing no staff were in immediate earshot, she hissed, “Su, are you doing this on purpose?”

Su Mi paused. “Which part?”

Guan Yue grew visibly angrier.

Su Mi watched her storm into the makeup room before following. Guan Yue was already seated, and Su Mi’s chair was right behind hers. As they waited for the makeup artists, Su Mi looked over the scene again.

It was a scene where Duan Yuebai, having realized her feelings, goes to find Qi Youwei. It involved a certain level of coercion. Most importantly, it took place in a bathroom, and Guan Yue’s character would be semi-naked.

Su Mi had been looking for a way to see Guan Yue’s back, and this opportunity had practically delivered itself. This was exactly why she had agreed to the director’s request.

Since the scene involved one character bathing and the other preparing for bed, their makeup was kept minimal, appearing almost like a “no makeup” look. Su Mi changed into apricot silk pajamas, while Guan Yue wore a cream colored lace-up bathrobe.

Despite her personal feelings, Guan Yue remained professional during work. They moved to the indoor set. To emphasize the sultry atmosphere, the bathroom set was cramped, lit by an orange-yellow glow that cast a warm, hazy film over their skin.

Before filming, the director gave a few pointers but didn’t interfere too much with the acting, hoping to capture something raw.

The scene occurred about two-thirds into the script. Duan Yuebai had returned because of her father’s illness. In this silent, dull mansion, the similarly aged Qi Youwei became her only source of interest. She shared her travels with her, taught her tea and painting, and their relationship warmed over time. Duan Yuebai was the first to realize the nature of their bond and wanted to take the next step, but Qi Youwei was hesitant. This scene depicted Duan Yuebai, fueled by longing and frustration over the other’s avoidance, acting uncontrollably.

Because the scene involved drinking, the prop master brought a bottle of red wine. “Teacher Su, Teacher Guan, how is your tolerance? If it’s low, I can swap it for grape juice.”

“I’m fine,” Su Mi said, taking the wine glass. Guan Yue nodded in agreement.

Guan Yue was assisted into the bathtub. Her back was pressed against the side, making it impossible to see anything yet. Considering the intimacy of the scene, the director cleared the set of all unnecessary personnel, leaving only a few female staff members.

The clapperboard snapped.

Su Mi entered the room, her steps slightly unsteady. The person in the tub had her head tilted, looking as if she were asleep. Only when the wine glass was set on the ledge with a sharp clink did she slowly open her eyes.

Su Mi looked down at her, her fingers just touching the other’s jaw.

“Cut!”

The director was merciless. “Teacher Guan, where is the fear from yesterday? Why are you looking at her like she’s your mortal enemy?”

Guan Yue’s face flushed. She cursed Su Mi in her head. “Sorry, I didn’t find the right emotion.”

The director wasn’t angry; NGs were normal. This time, Guan Yue immersed herself in the character. Her performance was technically sound. However, the director behind the monitor felt something was missing, but decided to let it play out.

In the scene, Qi Youwei tried to pull away, but was held firmly by the jaw. Above her, Su Mi’s hair was slightly messy, her eyes filled with suppressed desire.

Su Mi spoke her lines: “Why? Why can’t you be as crazy as I am?”

She released her grip and drained the wine glass. The red liquid overflowed, trickling down her elegant neck. She held the wine in her mouth without swallowing.

Splash!

A huge spray of water rose from the tub. Su Mi plunged half her arm into the water, grabbing the other’s bare shoulder. Her thumb grazed the skin, as if searching for something.

Su Mi’s other hand gripped the back of Guan Yue’s neck, forcing her to look up as water droplets fell onto her collarbone. She leaned down, covering Guan Yue’s lips with her own, carrying the taste of the red wine.

It didn’t matter if she couldn’t see it. As long as she could touch it, she would know. As for the location of that mark, she had traced it thousands of times in her mind, it was etched into her soul.