After Kissing the World-Weary Female Supporting Character [Transmigration] - Chapter 25

Song Xingzi was still wondering why Ji Ruyue hadn’t responded to her just now when she saw the makeup artist finish Ji Ruyue’s look. Her black hair was let down from the initial updo. Her clean, pale face exuded total coldness and detachment. Her gently curled black hair quickly cascaded down, making her resemble a plum blossom blooming alone in a corner—beautiful and distant.

Ji-Ji seems to have reverted to the way she was when I first met her: indifferent, wooden, and seemingly uninterested in anything. Is she acting? This is completely different from her sharp, bold, and confident appearance of the past few days.

Song Xingzi was slightly dazed, staring intently at the expressionless Ji Ruyue with her eyes closed.

She preferred the Ji Ruyue described in the storybooks—”bold, radiant, daring, and passionate like fireworks”—but the one who truly made her want to care for her, the one who cast aside her loneliness, confusion, and panic, was the Ji Ruyue she had actually seen: “with a dark red neck, picky and willful even while lying in a hospital bed, a somewhat childish coldness.”

However, she was still very simple-minded and could not distinguish the difference between the two.

She stared for a while, blinked, and pondered the reason: Ji-Ji is a genius. She transformed into Mu Yu so quickly! But Mu Yu is so pitiful. Ji-Ji isn’t like that! Ji-Ji should be confident, happy, and cheerful! Since she’s so wonderful, Heaven will surely treat her favorably, just like Uncle Niu and the others, who have a lot of spiritual power so easily!

“Xingzi, what are you looking at?” He Ya smiled and followed Song Xingzi’s line of sight, also pausing for a moment: CEO Ji, she is unexpectedly suitable for Mu Yu, the one who has seen through the mortal world. That’s rare.

Because of the excessive delays in the early stages, the main creative team flew to the studio immediately after the opening ceremony. After a simple celebration in the evening, filming began the very next day.

Today was the official first day of shooting. The morning’s tasks were not demanding: the lead actors familiarizing themselves with the crew, trying on costumes and makeup, and taking promotional photos. The actual plot filming wouldn’t start until the afternoon at the earliest.

Logically, the first person to take promotional photos should have been the female lead, Song Xingzi. However, she wanted to see Ji Ruyue in the elegant, flowing dress, and since the makeup team belonged to Starlight, it naturally became a case of the CEO going first.

“Xingzi, do you think CEO Ji looks very suitable like this? It’s my first time seeing CEO Ji this way, too,” He Ya was good at reading minds, guessing Song Xingzi’s thoughts, and following up on them.

Song Xingzi withdrew her gaze from Ji Ruyue and turned to He Ya, saying warmly, “Very suitable. Sister He Ya is right.”

Although He Ya was very gentle and kind to her, Song Xingzi always sensed a faint malice and pity emanating from her. Two such extreme emotions appearing simultaneously in a gentle, understanding older sister made Song Xingzi slightly confused.

But He Ya was very good to Song Xingzi. She not only looked after her on set but also offered advice on how to interact with people. Talking to He Ya made Song Xingzi feel quite comfortable; it was an experience of being tolerated (and indulged), which was relatively relaxing. Therefore, when He Ya said she wanted to visit her makeup room, the inexperienced Song Xingzi didn’t know how to refuse.

As they were talking, Assistant Lin walked in, holding a costume with a white background and silver patterns. The fictional dynasty valued fire, honoring the color red, but Mu Yu, Noble Consort Mu, as the most peculiar woman in the imperial harem, dressed in white and wore light makeup every day, as if in mourning. This set was Mu Yu’s daily attire: a white palace dress, the skirt embroidered with lifelike white peacocks using silver thread and transparent glass beads. The lapel area, to denote her status, had two red markings. The embroiderers had utilized all their skill and lavishness to create a perfect work.

He Ya immediately noticed the glint of the silver thread and softly reminded Song Xingzi, “Xingzi, CEO Ji is about to change clothes. Let’s step out first.”

“Ah, ah, okay,” Song Xingzi didn’t quite understand why she had to leave just for Ji Ruyue to put an outer robe over an undergarment, but He Ya was a senior, so following her lead must be the right thing to do.

“CEO Ji, we’ll be outside for now. We look forward to seeing your Mu Yu.” He Ya bid farewell to Ji Ruyue, her courtesy bordering on insincerity.

Song Xingzi imitated her, also saying, “CEO Ji, Xingzi will wait for you outside.”

The Female Lead is so easily fooled. She was hooked by He Ya so quickly. I already helped her resolve a crisis yesterday, but instead of getting close to me, her ally, she’s become friends with the Black Lotus Female Side Character. Truly foolish. I had intended to pull her to my side, but now it seems a bit difficult.

“Oh.” Ji Ruyue’s light-colored pupils stared at the innocently smiling Female Lead, responding faintly.

So, the plot can still proceed. If I just watch indifferently, occasionally attack the Female Lead, then comfort her, and step in to solve her problems, I can both complete this part of the plot without violating the Way of Heaven and make the Female Lead devoted to me. But what about Li Yebai? During this period, he clings to the Female Lead like stubborn gum, indulging in nightly pleasure, physically and mentally tormenting her.

Tsk, what a hassle.

The two walked out one after the other. He Ya even carefully closed the makeup room door. The makeup artist finished Ji Ruyue’s hairstyle first, then, under the guidance of the costume team and Assistant Lin, helped Ji Ruyue change into the costume.

Half an hour passed. Song Xingzi sat on a small stool, chin in hand, gazing at the tightly shut makeup room. She was talking to her assistant, Li Yu. He Ya had already gone to another dressing room to wait in line for her promotional photo styling.

“Xiao Yu’er, why hasn’t CEO Ji come out yet? It’s been half an hour.”

“Ms. Song, please be patient. CEO Ji should be out soon. Good things always require patient waiting.”

Song Xingzi looked longingly at the door. “But even the Emperor has come out and finished taking his photos. Ji-Ji is so slow.”

“Why are you still here?” A rough male voice sounded behind Song Xingzi. It was Director Zhao Yu, who had come with his staff to check on the progress.

“The Male Lead is already finished. Why hasn’t the Female Lead put on makeup yet?”

Song Xingzi was a little confused. “Ah?”

“Ah what? Not only are you bold, but you’re quite simple-minded, too.”

Zhao Yu truly was a genius director; he could see the essence of a person at a glance.

Song Xingzi, who had only been praised as a ‘pitiful little darling’ since playing the original character, felt a subtle shift inside. “Director Zhao is right. CEO Ji is still changing, and I’m waiting outside for her to come out.”

“Why are you two so much trouble?” Zhao Yu frowned. Two people dropped in from above is bad enough, but they keep ignoring the rules. And I wonder about CEO Ji’s acting skills. I pray she’s not someone who just widens her eyes and pouts.

Thinking of a typically bossy CEO widening her eyes, pouting, and exaggeratingly stomping her feet on camera, goosebumps instantly rose on Zhao Yu’s body. He asked in a displeased tone, “Don’t your makeup rooms have inner and outer sections? Why are you sitting here waiting for her? You could be putting on your makeup while she changes clothes! Think of how much time that would save!”

Right. So why am I sitting on a little stool waiting for someone?

Song Xingzi thought for a few seconds, then weakly corrected Zhao Yu, “I am not squatting; I am sitting on a little stool.”

Zhao Yu choked. She’s truly simple. No wonder that CEO Ji likes her. Smart people enjoy tricking fools.

“Director Zhao, Ms. Song, she’s coming out,” Li Yu gently broke the deadlock. “CEO Ji is coming out.”

Everyone subconsciously looked toward the wooden door of the makeup room, which was being slowly pushed open.

Ji Ruyue walked in front of a group of women, her face expressionless and her demeanor wooden.

She wore a luxurious yet plain white dress, her black hair styled with only two or three white jade hairpieces. A red plum blossom pattern was affixed to her forehead, and her lips curled into a half-smile. Her steps were light and slow, carrying an inherent air of aloof nobility and indifference. The world was bustling around her, but no one or nothing could enter her eyes.

Ji-Ji, Ji-Ji looks so lonely, so lonely. Song Xingzi’s eyes suddenly reddened. She stared unblinking at the desolate-eyed Ji Ruyue. Her heart, which beat joyfully and knew nothing of love, suddenly felt a sharp, fine ache.

Just standing there brings Mu Yu to life from the book! It’s like a noble, stunningly beautiful, living corpse of a Noble Consort walked out of the high walls and yellow-tiled palaces! The world-weary eyes, the distant and indifferent nature—I was wrong. I was wrong. Chun Chun’s revision was correct. No one is more suitable for this role than her.

Zhao Yu, who was immediately proven wrong, had his gaze shift from contempt to astonishment. He instantly overturned his previous conclusion. Once it concerned the filmmaking he loved, Zhao Yu’s stubborn temper vanished without a trace. Making the production better and creating a flawless work was his foremost priority.

“Why are you all just staring at CEO Ji without saying anything? Aren’t we supposed to be taking the promotional photos? Ms. Song hasn’t put on her makeup yet; we can’t delay any longer,” the makeup artist was satisfied with everyone’s reaction. Part of the credit for CEO Ji’s stunning beauty that left everyone speechless belonged to her.

“Ah, ah, Lighting Director, come here, come here! Let’s take Mu Yu’s photos first!” Zhao Yu finally snapped out of his astonishment. Grabbing the lighting director behind him, he started giving rapid instructions.

“Xiao Yu, are you crazy? Are you going to take promotional photos at the makeup room door? Relying entirely on post-production for the background?” Wang Qiang interrupted Zhao Yu. Although he, too, was startled by the unusual CEO, he didn’t have deep emotional investment and wasn’t so agitated as to make a mistake like Zhao Yu.

“Oh, right, right, right. Look at my silly brain! CEO Ji is so, so, so suitable for Mu Yu! I’m not as good at judging people as Chun Chun! She is simply so, so, so, so suitable!” Zhao Yu exclaimed the word “so” seven times in one breath.

“Alright, we know you’re obsessed. Hurry up and take the living Mu Yu to be photographed.”

The group moved grandly toward the photography studio. Song Xingzi subconsciously started to follow but was held back by the makeup artist. “Ms. Song, where are you going? The Female Lead’s makeup isn’t finished yet.”

“Oh, oh, look at how silly I am,” Song Xingzi reluctantly pulled her gaze away from Ji Ruyue. Ji-Ji, why didn’t you talk to me? You look so lonely.

“Hahaha,” the makeup artist, who had already seen everything, laughed and led her into the room.

Li Yu’s eyes shifted between Song Xingzi and Ji Ruyue. She also followed them into the makeup room.

Things are a little different from what I first thought. Is Song Xingzi in a one-sided crush? CEO Ji is actually so cold towards her. This relationship is getting more and more complicated.

“Ms. Song has such good skin; she barely needs any makeup,” the makeup artist was extremely satisfied with Song Xingzi’s top-tier, divine beauty, which could be used to wreak havoc in the entertainment industry. Not only were her features exquisite, but her skin was also translucent and fair, a rare sight even in the entertainment circle, which was full of beauties.

“Thank you, you’re very beautiful too,” Song Xingzi strictly adhered to the principles of social interaction—always returning a compliment. She sincerely replied to her while thinking about the way Ji Ruyue looked when she left.

“Hahaha, thank you for the compliment, Ms. Song.” Being praised by the main shipper, and such a beautiful young lady at that, made the makeup artist very happy. She cupped Song Xingzi’s face with one hand and gently applied makeup. “Ms. Song’s appearance leans toward pure and delicate. Although she’s so beautiful she doesn’t need makeup, to match the Female Lead’s character, I need to draw the corners of your eyes up a little. Please close your eyes.”

Song Xingzi was as obedient as a doll, allowing the makeup artist to work her magic on her face.

“Come, Ms. Song, tilt your head forward a little. I’m going to do the hairstyle for your first outfit.”

Seeing that the time was right, Li Yu directed Assistants A, B, and C to fetch Song Xingzi’s costumes. Song Xingzi was so laid-back that she was still in her little white dress and hadn’t changed into her undergarments beforehand.

Fang Miao had several sets of clothing, all of which needed to be photographed today. Changing from one set to another would take a lot of time. Fortunately, she had a good temper and didn’t get angry no matter how much they fussed over her.

The assistants helped her change into the first set: cold grey men’s clothes, which Fang Miao wore in the early stages while working as a helper at an inn.

“Alright, let’s go shoot the first outfit now. We’ll change Ms. Song’s hairstyle later and take the rest of the photos.”

The first look and makeup were simple and quick. When Assistants A, B, and C followed Song Xingzi to the studio, each carrying a set of clothes, the photographer was still shooting Ji Ruyue.

“CEO Ji, look at the camera. Don’t zone out. We’ll finish after one last shot.” The photographer’s exhausted voice indicated he had been put through the wringer. “Brother Li, lights! Lights! It’s crooked!”