Acting as the Vicious Second Lead [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 12

Making a fool of herself in public and being caught in the arms of the popular starlet was enough to make even the usually thick-skinned Qin Xiaoxiao flush with a deep crimson heat.

A thousand words converged into a single thought: I’ll give you this round.

Others might not have sensed anything amiss, but as the one involved, Qin Xiaoxiao knew exactly what had happened—and she was emotionally scarred because of it.

Just a moment ago, she had been uncharacteristically well-behaved. Following the script, she had turned back to glance at Qu Li. To her shock, the other woman took advantage of the camera panning away to wink at her.

That sudden, flirtatious move nearly made Qin Xiaoxiao trip for real. After she slipped and was caught, she let out a shaky breath of relief, her heart still hammering.

She looked up at Qu Li, only to find the culprit staring down at her with hooded eyes. That gaze was like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey, a predatory green light flickering within—as if at any second, she might pounce and swallow Qin Xiaoxiao whole.

Qin Xiaoxiao immediately took a sharp step back and glared back fiercely.

However, with her puffed-out cheeks and a hint of grievance in her eyes—the corners of which were stained a rouge-like red—she lacked any real intimidation. Instead, that accusatory expression made Qu Li feel a flicker of guilt.

“I’m sorry,” Qu Li said, averting her eyes sheepishly. “Am I really that scary?”

As she spoke, she adjusted her emotions, tucking away the overt possessiveness in her gaze and putting on a convincing act of disappointment. She looked like a fragile, beautiful dodder flower—the kind of woman who would make anyone feel an instinctive urge to cherish and protect her.

Unfortunately, her audience was Qin Xiaoxiao. Her performance was effectively “playing the lute to a cow.”

At that moment, Qin Xiaoxiao was busy basking in her “victory” of forcing the starlet to back down. She smugly replied, “Terrifying. My soul nearly flew out of my body just looking at you.”

Qin Xiaoxiao wanted to add a few more biting remarks, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw the director running over, looking frantic.

“What’s going on? Didn’t I tell you all to keep a close watch?” The director arrived panting and scolded the staff members lining the path before turning to fuss over Qin Xiaoxiao.

His smile was exceptionally greasy. “Are you alright? Did you twist your ankle?”

Qin Xiaoxiao felt a wave of revulsion. “I almost did,” she said, waving him off. She gave Qu Li a long, deep look before turning away and saying coolly, “Let’s keep going. Don’t delay my final scenes. I want to go home early.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried perfectly to the ears of Xiang Liwei, who was standing nearby, trying to get as close as possible to the person she longed for.

Going home?

The young girl bit her cherry-red lip, her fingers tightening inside her sleeves. A hollow sense of loss surged in her heart, as if something vital was being taken away.

Was she… not going to see her anymore?

By noon, the sun was fierce.

The plants were parched yellow, the concrete ground was scorching, and the air shimmered with tangible waves of heat. After a morning of filming, every scene—aside from the first retake—had gone smoothly.

During the break, the crew members huddled under sunshades. Qin Xiaoxiao stood beneath the shade of a tree, watching the staff distribute boxed lunches. Given the heat, no one had much of an appetite, so the meal was served with iced plum soup.

The line at the catering tent was crowded. Since she wasn’t hungry yet, Qin Xiaoxiao planned to go later—partly to maintain her “cool and aloof” persona.

She didn’t expect someone to come to her instead.

The popular starlet approached, holding a pink bento box. Her smile was enigmatic. “This is for you. Consider it an apology for making you almost fall.”

She presented the bento to Qin Xiaoxiao. “It includes a side of sweet, creamy corn fritters.”

Hearing this, Qin Xiaoxiao immediately snatched the box and huffed, “Since you put it that way, I guess I’ll graciously accept.”

Looking at the cute heart stickers on the box, Qin Xiaoxiao rubbed her nose. Coming all this way just to apologize with a meal… is Qu Li actually a good person? After all, the fall was technically her own fault.

As her thoughts swirled, a realization hit her. She looked up at Qu Li and asked suspiciously, “How did you know I like sweet things?”

There are countless flavors in the world—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty. Why had she specifically pointed out the “sweet” part?

Qu Li narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly surprised at how quickly she had been caught. Then, amidst the sound of falling petals, her voice drifted out, tender and lingering.

“When we had breakfast together, I noticed the corners of your mouth curled higher when you ate the sweet magic rolls. Your expression was happier. Unlike with other foods, you didn’t chew slowly—you finished them in one bite.”

“It was just an inadvertent observation; please forgive my overstepping. In exchange, I’ll tell you my favorite flavor, too.” Qu Li touched her cheek with her index finger, her tone turning playful. “I like sweet things, too.”

“You…” Qin Xiaoxiao spoke from the bottom of her heart. “You are truly terrifying.”

In her nineteen years, Qin Xiaoxiao had met all kinds of people, but she had never dealt with someone as meticulous as Qu Li. Someone who observed so minutely and acted so subtly…

Now that she had finally met one, it felt awful. It was as if her inner secrets would be laid bare under that gaze if she wasn’t careful. The feeling was, quite frankly, wretched.

Qin Xiaoxiao pursed her lips, her expression complex.

“Qu Li! Come over here for a second!” the director shouted from a distance, interrupting them.

“Coming!” Qu Li called back before turning to Qin Xiaoxiao. “I’m off. Bye-bye.”

“Oh…”

Qin Xiaoxiao watched her walk away. A dangerous thought flashed through her mind again. She quickly shook her head, tossing the idea of “eliminating the witness” out of her brain.

Suddenly, she felt a tug on the hem of her clothes. She turned around in confusion and found the female lead, Xiang Liwei, standing behind her.

“What are you doing?” Qin Xiaoxiao asked, startled. Her tone was sharp. “Why did you sneak up behind me? Do you have any idea how scary that is?”

Moreover, she had no idea how long the girl had been standing there or how much she had overheard. Why was everyone around her so creepy? Qin Xiaoxiao complained internally, her head starting to ache.

“I’m sorry,” the girl apologized in a trembling voice, looking like a pitiful white rabbit. Her eyes were clear and brimming with tears, making anyone want to pull her into their arms.

“Are you leaving?” She wouldn’t let go of the hem of the dress, her voice filled with sorrow. “I don’t want you to go…”

As she spoke, her petite body began to lean in closer.

Holy crap…

Looking at the female lead inching closer and closer, Qin Xiaoxiao’s cold mask finally shattered.

Just say what you have to say! What’s with all the touching?!