After Being Dumped by the Film Empress, My Acting Skills Soared - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Mo Yu’s decision was, naturally, the absolute decree of the set—such is the power of a director.

The mere scent of that “Ice Flower Milk” was enough to make Wen Jing lose her appetite for lunch entirely.

Shao Niannian felt her role was manageable. Being a mute girl meant she only had to focus on her actions and behavior; she didn’t need to worry about coming up with dialogue that fit the character. After all, she was just an innocent, pitiful mute.

At first, the actors held onto a glimmer of hope, thinking Mo Yu couldn’t possibly watch them twenty-four hours a day. However, the moment they stepped out of the table read room, they were stunned.

Cameras were everywhere. Except for sleeping at night, camera crews followed them constantly. Mo Yu wasn’t idle either; she sat behind the monitors, observing everyone’s every move. This high-pressure state kept everyone’s nerves wire-tight.

Wen Jing gritted her teeth, spitefully punching a throw pillow. “I knew it! Anyone who hangs out with Jiang Yan can’t be a good person! They’re all just a bunch of rotten jerks!”

At the thought of that drink that tasted like a fermented dishcloth, Wen Jing wanted to pull her investment and flee the country. What kind of earthly suffering was this? Why did an “investor’s favor” come with such a heavy price?

Shao Niannian sat nearby, head down, playing on her phone while waiting for Jiang Yan to finish her business so they could go out to eat. Seeing that the only other person in the room was ignoring her, Wen Jing propped herself up and walked over.

“What are you doing?”

Niannian looked up but didn’t speak. She simply turned her screen around: Anipop.

“Is this actually fun? Aren’t you a bit old for this?” Wen Jing scoffed. Fortunately, because the rules were new, the camera crew hadn’t yet been given orders to film inside the bedrooms. They were currently locked out.

“…” Niannian squeezed out a strained smile, switched to her phone’s notepad, and began typing away.

“QAQ, Anipop is a national casual game for killing time. You don’t get it because you haven’t truly experienced its beauty. Once you do, you’ll realize this is the game humans were meant to play!”

Wen Jing looked at her strangely. “Why… why aren’t you talking? Has the pressure finally made you snap?”

“Is it possible… ^ ^ that it’s because my character is a mute? QwQ Mutes can’t talk!” Niannian rolled over on the bed and continued their ‘chat’ via notepad. “I’m so hungry. Why aren’t Director Mo and Jiang Yan done talking yet!”

“You go out to eat with Jiang Yan every day, and you’re always so late coming back. Why?” Wen Jing suddenly sensed something fishy. Recalling her own mischievous intentions from when she joined the crew, her gossipy side took over, and she leaned in closer.

“Walking in the fields to digest.”

Niannian kept it simple. The truth was that Jiang Yan was being extremely responsible—she was forcing Niannian to recite her character analysis while they trekked through the countryside. Niannian would walk until she was drenched in sweat, wanting to turn back at every step. She even had to take digestive tablets every time she got home. It was literal indigestion.

Wen Jing clapped her hands. “I’m coming with you.”

“Huh?” Niannian broke character; the “mute” had spoken. “But…”

But aren’t you Jiang Yan’s ex? You were just mumbling in your sleep the other night about how she deserves a terrible end, so why are you trying to tag along for dinner?

“No ‘buts,’ I’m hungry.” Wen Jing snapped her fingers. “Our character dynamic in the movie is that I bully you. So, you have to listen to me.”

Niannian typed: “And if I don’t?”

“Then you’re OOC (Out of Character)!” Wen Jing threatened. “Do you want to try that Ice Flower Milk?”

“…”

No thank you. Niannian raised her hand in a polite refusal. Ultimately, the trio’s walk in the fields turned into a small parade. Behind them were two assistants, two camera operators, and a small three-wheeled cart. Shao Niannian, Jiang Yan, and Wen Jing led the way.

Niannian felt an agonizing sense of awkwardness. This was a scene for the ages: an ex-couple walking together while she stood in the middle, shivering from the “cold temperatures” radiating from both sides.

For the first time, she thought: It’s so good to be a mute. With cameras around, she could justifiably play dead.

Jiang Yan had her hands in her pockets, looking perfectly composed. She didn’t say anything about Wen Jing’s sudden intrusion, treating it as a childish attempt to seek attention. Wen Jing, too, felt the awkwardness. Her gaze drifted over the surrounding fields, her brow furrowed. If she had known the meal would be this stifling, she wouldn’t have come.

Trapped between the two, Niannian decided to just focus on her phone. Anipop—the universal lifesaver!

A line of people in a small town was bound to attract attention. With the speed of social media these days, even if professional paparazzi couldn’t find them, the local residents would step up. Countless videos of Niannian and Jiang Yan’s daily post-dinner walks were uploaded by locals.

Everyone zoomed in until the faces were clear, added cringeworthy BGM, and analyzed their interactions frame by frame. Eventually, the “The Truth is Real” ship took off.

Because the two in the videos maintained a respectful distance without much intimacy, fans could claim it was all just imagination. Both fandoms argued: “Jiang Yan is a senior and the acting coach. It’s normal to eat with a colleague! And Jiang Yan is picky about food, so she goes out to eat. Shao Niannian has a bad stomach, so they eat together. What’s the problem?!”

The fans said that, but the “CP shippers” didn’t care. Their motto was: “Shipping everything makes life beautiful! The hate from solo fans only makes my ship taste better!”

The sight of the group walking was even filmed by an auntie living by the fields. She posted it online to gain followers. Seeing so many people messaging her privately made her so happy she wanted to brag to everyone, completely ignoring the potential harm to the actors.

“Wait, what’s this? Three people walking in the fields? Good lord, is this a ‘crematorium’ love triangle?”

“I’m a ‘Wen-Nian’ shipper, who’s with me? The fanfics for the Red/White rivals are already being written. If you don’t ship my product, get out!”

“Tsk, not as good as ‘Yan-Nian.’ Did your CP eat late-night snacks at a stall together? Did they stay in the hospital together at dawn? Who doesn’t love a goddess falling for a mortal? If you don’t ship ‘Yan-Nian,’ you’re missing out!”

“You all have no taste! All three beauties should be together! A triangle like ‘Yan-Jing-Nian’ is a masterpiece!”

“Yes, yes! I love the ‘my current girlfriend and my ex-girlfriend are also a thing’ drama! Shao Niannian looks like a total ‘Silly White Sweet’ who’s going to get played by Jiang Yan and Wen Jing.”

“The internet isn’t a lawless land, guys. Put your pants back on in the comments!”

“I don’t ship them… because all three are my wives! I’m here to join the family, wives!”

“We five are one family.”

“Can it be six?”

“Need a dog? I can do it!”