After Secretly Marrying the Top Celebrity, I Fell in Love - Chapter 1

It is a scorching summer day. The camphor trees lining the street are lush and green, their oily emerald leaves glistening, emitting a rich fragrance of eugenol.

At nine in the morning, Bai Youcen arrives on set exactly on time.

She is dressed in an expensive designer white suit-skirt, with beige lambskin stiletto heels. She glances at the filming environment and wrinkles her brow in disgust.

She instinctively covers her nose and mouth with her hand.

Not only is the ground concrete, but it’s also covered in dust.

Her flawless nude makeup, paired with her low-key yet luxurious designer outfit, are all calculated efforts that come easily to Bai Youcen. These choices not only highlight her beauty but also make people believe her beauty is naturally bestowed.

Who doesn’t like being called a natural beauty?

What’s more, with Ye Manqing also in the cast, Bai Youcen’s competitive spirit to be the most beautiful is particularly roused, refusing to admit defeat.

Ye Manqing debuted the same year as her, but is now thriving in both television and film, while Bai Youcen still only manages to be a nominee at award ceremonies.

If only Ye Manqing was just a good actress, but she is also famously the entertainment industry’s “pale-beauty ceiling”—a devastatingly gorgeous person.

Meanwhile, Bai Youcen’s stand-in is already in costume and makeup.

Bai Youcen glances at the stand-in not far away, her lips curving into a sneer—a genuine disdain for a low-level actor.

The stand-in is Bo Yiyan. She looks nothing like Bai Youcen and is actually quite a bit taller. Due to a lucky coincidence, Bo Yiyan was chosen to be Bai Youcen’s stand-in.

Because it is a kidnapping scene, Bo Yiyan’s cheeks and forehead are smudged with dirt, and her long hair is slightly messy.

Such a look would be a lost cause for anyone else, certainly not qualifying as “pretty.” But Bo Yiyan is different; even dressed like this, with a dirty face, her stunning beauty shines through. She is truly a natural beauty.

It truly proves the saying: good-looking people look good even in a sack.

Bo Yiyan is unconcerned with her current appearance. She leans by the window, holding the script, lowering her gaze to read it every now and then. Even though she’s just a stand-in and won’t be seen full-face, Bo Yiyan takes every role seriously.

Strictly speaking, her “script” is only two flimsy A4 pages.

Bo Yiyan is an extra who has been struggling for two years without making a name for herself. Although directors all say she’s a good actress, it is incredibly difficult for an extra like Bo Yiyan, with no education and no background, to succeed in this industry obsessed with fame and fortune.

Just as Bo Yiyan is engrossed in her script, a sweet girl’s voice rings out beside her.

“Xiao Bo, here! Fruit tea.”

Following the sound, Bo Yiyan slightly lifts her pale eyelids. She sees a smiling, oval face full of youthful vitality—it’s Qingqing, one of Ye Manqing’s assistants.

“Is this for me?” Bo Yiyan asks for confirmation, not immediately taking the fruit tea.

While it’s common for celebrities to treat the cast and crew, extras and stand-ins are usually not included.

Qingqing replies, “Yes! Teacher Ye is treating. Everyone gets one.”

Bo Yiyan says, “Thank you.”

Qingqing adds, “Our Teacher Ye is super nice. Don’t feel pressured.”

Bo Yiyan nods, “Mhm.”

This is the first time Bo Yiyan has received a treat from a celebrity on set, and the person is the current top-tier actress, Ye Manqing.

Ye Manqing is not only beautiful but also has a wonderful, gentle-as-jade personality.

She possesses the beauty of a distant water lily, and her slender, “snow fox” eyes always hold a soft, gentle glimmer. She is polite and humble in her interactions, with no celebrity pretense whatsoever.

Ye Manqing has a deep background, but no one knows the specifics of her family. In reality, there is nothing a paparazzo can’t dig up. However, digging up dirt and daring to expose it publicly are two different matters.

Therefore, people in the industry generally assume Ye Manqing has significant backing, and everyone treats her with a degree of deference.

At two in the afternoon, the actors and crew are all in position, waiting for the director’s command.

Bai Youcen is tied to a chair, the rope wrapped several times around her upper body. Her hands are tightly bound behind her back.

Her long hair is slightly dishevelled, her long dress is dirty and wrinkled, and her face is grimy.

“Scene 45, Take 1, Shot 1!” In the quiet warehouse, the clapperboard is slammed shut.

“Action!”

The next second, the two main actors in their marks immediately immerse themselves in their roles.

Ye Manqing stands in her position, wearing a bold maple-red long dress, looking down at Bai Youcen who is tied to the chair.

Her straight, shiny dark hair is draped over her shoulders, the slightly curled ends lightly brushing her slender waist. At a height of 170cm, she already physically dominates the second female lead, not to mention her beauty.

She has the absolute powerful aura of a natural lead and textbook-level exceptional acting. Beauty is merely the least noteworthy of Ye Manqing’s advantages.

There are many pretty women in the entertainment circle, but not many who are both beautiful and great at acting. Ye Manqing is widely recognized in the industry as the pale-beauty pinnacle and the actress with the best acting skills.

In the shot, Ye Manqing is holding a sharp prop knife.

Though fake, the knife is made realistically, looking no different from a real one, capable of truly deceiving the eye.

“Lu Ting, didn’t I warn you not to try to provoke me again?” Ye Manqing holds the sharp little knife, looking contemptuously at Bai Youcen, who is tied to the chair.

“Hm?” The woman’s full red lips curve into a shallow, soft smile.

The character Ye Manqing plays, Zhou Wan, has completely “blackened” (turned evil). Her makeup and costume fully convey a cold and seductive charm, perfectly embodying a “snake-hearted beauty.”

Ye Manqing handles this scene brilliantly; her gaze alone inspires dread. Even when she smiles, the expression sends shivers down the spine.

In front of the monitor, the two directors exchange satisfied glances and nod.

“Zhou Wan, what… what are you going to do?! Put the knife down!” Bai Youcen, terrified, presses her back against the chair, issuing a warning.

“What am I going to do?” Ye Manqing suddenly leans closer to Bai Youcen, lightly pressing the tip of the knife against her neck.

“I’m going to carve up your face,” the woman says, word by word, her tone and demeanor unsettling.

“…!” Bai Youcen stiffens with fear. She glimpses the blade and dares not move an inch.

“What’s wrong?” Ye Manqing narrows her snow fox-like eyes and sneers, “Now you’re scared?”

The knife tip slowly moves upward.

“Zhou Wan, I beg you, hurry and put the knife down!” Bai Youcen, her face pale with fright, begins to plead.

“Why should I listen to you? Give me a reason.” Ye Manqing tilts her head slightly, looking at Bai Youcen with an extremely cold gaze.

“Because… because I’m my brother’s own sister. You love my brother so much, you won’t bear to see him upset, right?”

“…” Ye Manqing’s brow slightly furrows, showing a hint of wavering.

“Zhou Wan, please! Let me go… will you please let me go?” Bai Youcen notices her hesitation and continues to cry and beg.

“If you let me go! I’ll immediately return to France and never come back! I’ll never appear in front of you and my brother again.” Bai Youcen desperately pleads, her voice trembling.

“Cut! Pass!” Director Zhang Mingxiu peers out from behind the monitor, holding the loudspeaker, then turns to the makeup artist.

“Touch up the makeup for both actors. We’ll shoot a few more close-up shots later.”

After the actors’ makeup is touched up, a few close-up shots are added, specifically focusing on Bai Youcen’s wrists tied by the rope.

After a sufficient break, they move on to the next take.

Bai Youcen remains tied to the chair.

The clapperboard makes a loud “snap,” once again.

“Scene 45, Take 2, Shot 1!”

Both actors are already in position, awaiting the command.

Ye Manqing, holding the sharp blade, slightly shifts her wrist. The sharp knife tip slowly moves along Bai Youcen’s neck, heading towards her chin.

“How am I supposed to believe you?”

“Because… because…” Bai Youcen’s eyes are filled with terror, tears streaming down her face.

“Then let me make a cut on your neck,” Ye Manqing says, looking at the person before her with the gaze of a predator.

“That way, I’ll believe you.”

“Zhou Wan! Let go of me! Boo hoo… boo hoo… Let go of me.” Bai Youcen is forced to lift her chin, shaking violently with fear.

Her final line of defense completely collapses.

“Be good!” Ye Manqing grabs Bai Youcen’s chin, holding her firmly in place.

“Don’t move, or if I accidentally cut your throat, you’ll lose your life.”

“…” Bai Youcen nervously swallows, then closes her eyes in resignation, her moist eyelashes fluttering uncontrollably.

Right in front, Zhang Mingxiu, sitting by the monitor, suddenly stands up and loudly calls out to the two actors.

“Cut, excellent! Pass!”

The performance in this take was superb; the actors’ expressions and body language were spot on, overwhelming Zhang Mingxiu with delight.

Under the suppressive acting of Ye Manqing, Bai Youcen manages to survive, though she had to redo the scene five times.

Fortunately, the role of “Lu Ting” closely matches Bai Youcen’s own persona, so she handled it quite well. Once Bai Youcen’s scenes are done, the dangerous part is handed over to the stand-in.

Ye Manqing and Bo Yiyan stand in their respective marks.

Bo Yiyan’s hands are tied behind her back, though she has no rope around her. Yet, she imagines herself bound, her entire body and demeanor conveying the plight of being tied up.

This detail does not escape Zhang Mingxiu’s notice.

Zhang Mingxiu is very pleased with the stand-in’s performance; there are almost no signs of acting. This greatly surprises, or rather, delights Zhang Mingxiu.

In the shot, Ye Manqing leans down and applies slightly more force with her wrist. The blade “slashes” Bo Yiyan’s neck. In reality, Bo Yiyan’s neck has been pre-treated with makeup to create the illusion of being cut and bleeding.

“Haha!” The moment drops of blood appear, Ye Manqing bursts into laughter, as if admiring a piece of art.

“Good girl, don’t move, it will be over soon.” The woman’s alluring voice whispers in Bo Yiyan’s ear.

“Boo hoo… boo hoo… Zhou Wan… you’re a maniac.” Bo Yiyan is so scared she cries, the corners of her eyes instantly turning red, her brown irises filled with glistening tears.

Bo Yiyan freezes her entire body, afraid to move. Afraid that the slightest mistake might result in the blade slicing her throat.

Of course, all of this is Bo Yiyan’s imagination, conveying her internal terror through her eyes, even though the camera won’t be capturing a close-up of her face.

Timing it precisely, Assistant Director Guan stands up. He turns his side to the pyrotechnics team, ready to issue the command.

The command is signalled with hand gestures, counting from “one” to “ten.” When he signals “ten,” the crew member responsible for setting off the explosive will detonate it.

The two actors must prepare for the next action when Assistant Director Guan signals “seven.”

Assistant Director Guan raises his right hand above his head and begins the count, from “one” to “ten.”

Both actors hold their breath, closely watching the Assistant Director’s hand gestures, silently counting along with him.

One, two, three…

Just as the Assistant Director signals “five,” a massive explosion suddenly erupts in the warehouse.

Boom—————

Following a muffled roar, a brilliant ball of fire explodes in the warehouse, illuminating the surroundings as it bursts outward.

The explosion was triggered prematurely!

“…!” Bo Yiyan’s heart clenches. Her beautiful phoenix eyes widen suddenly, reflecting the rising fireball in her pupils.

Bo Yiyan immediately rises to her feet, tackling Ye Manqing to the ground.

“Teacher Ye! Watch out!”

“…” Ye Manqing, who was also tensely watching Bo Yiyan, suddenly feels a dizzying spin and her back slams heavily onto the concrete floor.

In an instant, a raging inferno engulfs the warehouse, the fire rapidly spreading.

Bo Yiyan rolls on the ground, holding Ye Manqing, her arms shielding the actress’s head. They roll towards a nearby window.

The next second, a wooden crate enveloped in flames falls from above, landing squarely on the exact spot where Ye Manqing had been standing.

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