Acting as the Vicious Second Lead [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 10

It was eight o’clock in the morning, and the sun had climbed halfway into the sky. With only half an hour left before departure, many people had already finished breakfast and were sitting in the production vehicles playing on their phones or gathered in small groups chatting.

Among them were two people who had just stepped out of a restaurant and were now talking under the shade of a tree. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, covering the ground in a mosaic of shattered light. A cool breeze brushed past, making the spots of light dance and the white gardenia blossoms rustle.

Within the wind, Qin Xiaoxiao’s voice drifted: “Do you plan on following me forever?”

Indeed, this highly sought-after star had followed her the entire way. Had it been anyone else, they would likely have ascended to heaven from pure bliss, but the object of this pursuit just happened to be her…

Friend, can we still play together happily?

It was the same back in the restaurant. Out of nowhere, Qu Li had asked, “How much longer do you intend to keep looking at me?” If you don’t want me to look, just say so; it’s not like I have to look at you. Qin Xiaoxiao thought huffily, her logic as straight as a rod.

At this point, Qin Xiaoxiao had no inkling of “that” direction. She didn’t understand ambiguity, let alone realize that the other woman was flirting with her. It would only be much later, when she finally understood, that she would want to strangle her current self for constantly provoking the “Little Flower.”

Beside her, the breeze ruffled Qu Li’s curly hair. Her dress fluttered, giving her an ethereal, fairy-like appearance. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she gazed ahead. The scene was tranquil, time seemingly frozen, with only the soft sound of breathing filling the space.

“I’m not following you,” Qu Li said calmly. “There are thousands of roads in this world. The fact that we happened to take the same one—is that not a form of fate?”

The implication was clear: they were simply heading the same way. She was clearing herself of any stalking suspicions.

“You certainly have a knack for bluffing,” Qin Xiaoxiao remarked, half-mocking and half-impressed. She didn’t press the matter further.

Then, as if remembering something, Qin Xiaoxiao looked into her eyes and asked curiously, “You seem very familiar with this place. You even knew the owner’s specialty dish. Did you live here before?”

Qu Li denied it. “Never.”

“I like collecting information. Every time I go somewhere, I make an effort to understand the customs and local cuisine.”

“Call it a personal hobby,” Qu Li explained patiently, gesturing with the phone in her hand. “The things that happen in a city more or less leave a trail on the internet. Not just the owner’s signature dish—I’ve heard rumors about other strange things, too. For example, a statue in the city center that weeps, or a door in a hotel that can never be opened…”

“Beyond that, I also learned that this area used to be fully inhabited. Later, some things happened, and the residents moved away one after another.”

Looking at Qu Li’s brilliant smile, Qin Xiaoxiao felt a growing sense of dread.

“To go to such lengths… just how bored are you?” Qin Xiaoxiao quipped.

Qu Li retracted her hand and replied, “Quite. That’s why I want to make my life a bit more interesting.”

“Since you like collecting info and have dabbled in everything… based on what you said…” Qin Xiaoxiao arched an eyebrow provocatively. “Have you investigated my information?”

“I have.”

Qu Li was unexpectedly frank. In truth, there was no need to look it up specifically. The other woman’s family background was no secret, and her “poor conduct” had long been a target of netizen’s scorn. Her various “outrageous” deeds had been compiled into long Weibo posts that went viral on everyone’s homepages. It was hard not to have an impression of her.

“Then how much do you know about me?”

“Not much.” Qu Li lowered her gaze. To truly understand someone, one shouldn’t listen to the mouths of others; one should see clearly with their own eyes.

However, sometimes what one sees with their eyes isn’t the truth… like this beautiful woman before her, trying so hard to act “extra fierce.”

Hearing this, Qin Xiaoxiao wore an “as I thought” expression. Just as she was about to seize the opportunity to mock her, she heard Qu Li continue:

“—I’ve only seen through the fact that you are intentionally disguising yourself as a ‘vicious woman’?”

Qin Xiaoxiao’s heart leaped, though her psychological fortitude prevented her from losing her composure. She remained calm on the surface, but her inner thoughts were a churning sea: I’ve been seen through?!

Her first instinct wasn’t to deny it, nor was it to bribe her. It was to “silence” her.

The moment that dangerous thought appeared, Qin Xiaoxiao immediately suppressed it. She repented silently in her heart… Even though, even though I look very bad, I haven’t been corrupted! In my heart and soul, I am still a law-abiding citizen! I am not some weird serial killer! I’m not!!

Just then, the director poked his head out of the car ahead. The visual was suddenly quite startling. He cut off their conversation, shouting loudly, “Get in the car! Prepare for filming!”

“Oh,” Qin Xiaoxiao responded.

Saved, she thought. She could finally escape. This place was not suitable for a long stay. Qin Xiaoxiao silently thanked the director for his timely summons and immediately took off, distancing herself from the Top Star as if there were ghosts and gods chasing her.

“You are a rare, spirited newcomer,” Qu Li’s voice drifted from behind, sounding as cunning as a fox. “But you still have a long way to go to become an excellent actor.”

“No performance is seamless; there are always flaws.”

“I merely saw the cracks. Although I don’t understand your reasons for doing so, I won’t tell anyone. This is a secret between us.”

Qin Xiaoxiao froze for a second, then continued walking forward without looking back.

There is always a higher mountain, Qin Xiaoxiao realized. She had underestimated Qu Li. If the other woman was a veteran actress with far more experience, it made sense that she could see through her true nature at a glance.

She lowered her head, her lips pressed tight. It seemed she would have to be even more careful from now on. Because her head was bowed, no one noticed that Qin Xiaoxiao’s gaze was currently terrifyingly calm.

After walking for a while, she finally reached the bus. Opening the door, Qin Xiaoxiao stepped in. Just as she was about to duck inside, she looked up and realized the female lead was already sitting there. Hearing the noise, Xiang Liwei looked over, and their eyes met.

She watched as the girl’s gaze shifted from surprise to excitement, and finally settled into a state of “frenzied” obsession… Like a starving traveler seeing a piece of fragrant roasted meat, her eyes burst with a peculiar light.

It scared Qin Xiaoxiao so much she instinctively wanted to retreat, but she held her ground. Wolves in front, tigers behind. This was truly the worst possible situation. After a moment of thought, Qin Xiaoxiao entered the bus and closed the door in one smooth motion. She kept comforting herself that “all evil forces are paper tigers.” Even if Xiang Liwei’s thoughts were extremely “unharmonious,” she was still just a physically weak girl. Against a female lead like this, she could take on ten at once.

Yeah, nothing to be afraid of. Nothing…

Under this rollercoaster of emotions, Qin Xiaoxiao’s body reacted first. She struggled to ignore the panic the female lead caused her, scanning the bus to find a seat far away from her. Looking around, she saw a vacant seat in the back row.

I choose you!

Thinking this, Qin Xiaoxiao turned and sat in the back row under Xiang Liwei’s resentful gaze. Suddenly, the person in the neighboring seat shrank away as if afraid of her. Qin Xiaoxiao looked over curiously. It was a long-haired woman holding her bag up as a shield, fear visible in her eyes.

Looking at that somewhat familiar face, Qin Xiaoxiao searched her memory… When her gaze landed on the red marks on the woman’s wrist, she suddenly remembered.

“Senior,” she curled her lips, provoking the other woman, “does your hand still hurt?”

Indeed, this person was Zhu Qian, whom she had encountered when she first arrived at the theater. She didn’t know what Zhu Qian had been thinking, but the woman had suddenly come over to pick a fight, only to have Qin Xiaoxiao slap her face (metaphorically) and leave her “cooling off.”

“It’s perfectly fine. I don’t need your concern,” Zhu Qian stood up abruptly and fled her seat without looking back, her expression one of suppressed humiliation. Her psychology was complex; if she couldn’t afford to provoke her, she could at least hide.

With that thought, she moved to the seat furthest from Qin Xiaoxiao—which happened to be right next to Xiang Liwei, where there was an empty spot inside.

Looking at the girl’s innocent face, Zhu Qian’s anger boiled over. She snapped, “Move! Let me in!”

“Oh, okay.” Xiang Liwei stood up obediently to let the woman into the inner seat. Just as the girl was about to sit back down in her original spot…

Unexpectedly, Zhu Qian suddenly placed her bag on that seat, wearing a look that said, “What are you going to do about it?” In her memory, the girl before her was also a newcomer whose role wasn’t even as good as a “cannon fodder” extra; she clearly had no family background. However, her popularity seemed high, as many male actors protected her.

At this thought, a flash of jealousy crossed Zhu Qian’s eyes. She didn’t believe she couldn’t even teach a lesson to a newcomer. “I need to put my bag here. Go find another seat,” Zhu Qian said with a nasty attitude.

Xiang Liwei lowered her eyes, which were filled with darkness, though she still appeared pure and harmless. The girl gave a soft “Mm.” When she looked up again, the gloom had vanished, replaced by a sunny disposition.

There was only one empty seat left in the bus: the one right next to Qin Xiaoxiao.

The surrounding male actors felt a pang of pity—this was blatant bullying! But they found it awkward to step in, so they all cursed Zhu Qian in their hearts.

“Sit here, I’ll just stand,” someone said, standing up. Other boys chimed in: “Yeah, if you need anything, just ask. Don’t be polite.”

Amidst the noise, Qin Xiaoxiao looked at the female lead’s “pure” expression and felt a premonition of disaster.

“No need to trouble yourselves,” Xiang Liwei said. “Thank you, everyone.”

Then, without hesitation, Xiang Liwei walked toward the back row. Ill-fated ties are like a circle; after all that turning, the two of them were arranged together again.

Watching the female lead get closer and closer until she finally replaced Zhu Qian and sat next to her, Qin Xiaoxiao’s heart felt no ripples. She had an “as I thought” look on her face. Bad luck year. In the future, I must check the almanac before boarding a bus.

Strangely, Zhu Qian—sitting up front—suddenly felt a chill down her spine. It felt as though she were being stared at by the resentful eyes of a cold-blooded animal. Wanting to investigate, she shifted her gaze back.

One look almost scared the soul out of her body.

There, in the gap between the seat and the bus wall, was Xiang Liwei’s face. She had leaned her head against the back window, peering at the woman in the shadows. Caught in the act, the girl showed no guilt; instead, she revealed a sinister smile. Her pupils were pitch black, devoid of light—an abyss of dead silence.

Her current aura was that of a life-taking specter. Where was the “Little White Rabbit” who could be easily bullied just moments ago? Zhu Qian shuddered and quickly pulled her head back. This time, the woman who was “hard against the soft and soft against the hard” was thoroughly cowed.

Though it seemed like a long time had passed, all of this occurred within three minutes. Once they were settled, the driver stepped on the clutch, and the bus drove smoothly.

Time flew by like a white pony passing a crack. In the blink of an eye, they reached their destination.

The journey had been peaceful; nothing happened. Getting off the bus with everyone else, Qin Xiaoxiao immediately saw the staff members not far away. They were setting up equipment and skillfully opening sun umbrellas. The filming location was Gardenia Road.

The wind brushed through the green leaves and white flowers, creating waves like the sea. The faint fragrance of gardenias lingered in the air.

On the other side, Qu Li stepped out of another vehicle. Seeing Qin Xiaoxiao and Xiang Liwei standing close together, her expression instantly turned cold.

“Director,” Qu Li looked at the man, her tone showing no abnormality—she was even gentler than usual. “It’s getting late. We should divide the work and start filming.”

“Right!” The director was full of energy, handing out assignments. “The first scene will be the female lead and male lead chasing the suspect. Alright, everyone get ready.”

The female lead referred to Qu Li, and the male lead referred to another actor.

The “suspect” was Qin Xiaoxiao.

Using her superior memory, she recalled the plot and pieced it together. In other words, in a moment, she was going to be chased by those two from one end of the street to the other.

At this thought, Qin Xiaoxiao had a long face. The most fatal part wasn’t the contact with the Top Star; it was the fact that when she escaped, she had to wear high heels and sprint for her life without stopping. Originally, that costume felt like a casing on a sausage. Now, if she started running…

The image was too “beautiful” to look at directly.