Deliberate Possession [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Identity (Two-in-One)

The live broadcast resumed after half an hour. By this time, everyone had reached their destination and were about to eat breakfast.

Jiang Yumian hadn’t expected that they would have to start paying from this very breakfast.

“Is the cost of the meal also included?” Jiang Yumian clutched her pocket. When she had money, she was very generous, but when she was short on cash, she became very stingy.

Lu Zhi couldn’t help but laugh at her pocket-clutching action. “You’re the quickest to clutch it. You’re the richest one here right now.”

Jiang Yumian pouted. Ling Yisong originally had two hundred as well, but he was a bit simple-minded and was jointly scammed out of half of it by Chu Qianyuan and Jing Xiaoyan in the car. Now, Chu Qianyuan had ninety, and Jing Xiaoyan had a hundred.

These two newcomers didn’t act like novices at all when they started playing.

Jing Xiaoyan glanced at the breakfast on the table and the surrounding decor. It wasn’t particularly luxurious, just a terrace area, sunny and peaceful. This show was a bit different from what she had imagined.

“Isn’t the theme of this season ‘Adventure’?”

Upon Jing Xiaoyan’s reminder, the others suddenly realized the same thing.

Jiang Yumian nodded and said, “The adventure I imagined was either going into the mountains, conquering a deserted island, or exploring a cave.”

Lu Zhi tilted her head and said matter-of-factly, “That’s too physically demanding. Even if you can handle it, it’s useless. The staff and I can’t. Plus, there are many snakes and insects in the mountains. Do you dare to go? Even if you do, it’s useless because we don’t dare.”

The staff behind Lu Zhi nodded in unison, affirming: That’s right! Our director is so considerate!

Chu Qianyuan pursed her lips, speechless. She should have sat there with Lu Zhi. That way, she wouldn’t be the one left speechless.

My silence is deafening.

It’s absurd, yet somehow it doesn’t seem so absurd.

Hmm… how should I put it? Hmm… it seems like what she said isn’t entirely without reason.

It’s the first time I’ve seen the celebrities being fine but the production crew having issues. Emmm, I really didn’t expect that.

Artists: Eager to try. Production Crew: Dousing them with cold water.

I suggest an episode where they go into the woods or conquer a deserted island. Film the director and staff; I want to see them cry from fear.

Director Lu: Thank you (S-Q), blacklisted. Don’t watch my live stream.

Su Mumu was also speechless. She had been looking forward to this season and had specifically researched a lot of related knowledge online.

“Alright then, it looks like we’ll have a pretty easy time.” Her tone carried a slight hint of disappointment.

Lu Zhi: “Heh heh, finish your breakfast first. Today will be your easiest day.”

Jiang Yumian chose fried dough sticks, soy milk, and an egg. To be honest, she didn’t like this, but compared to this, she disliked sandwiches and milk even more; those were truly sickening.

She preferred the noodles or dumplings from near her old school. When she was a student, someone always drove her, so she rarely had a chance to eat them. Now, even the production crew’s food was so bland.

Compared to last night’s meal, it was like heaven and earth.

Jing Xiaoyan secretly observed her out of the corner of her eye, watching her expressionlessly stuffing the fried dough stick into her mouth, and silently sighed.

Lu Zhi glared at them, huffing. She originally wanted to prepare something more elaborate, but during yesterday’s live broadcast, they ate too well, and their managers and assistants messaged her one after another, ostensibly saying she was spending too much, but ultimately just reminding her to control their diet.

She had originally ordered local specialties for this breakfast, but now, forget it.

Having fried dough sticks and sandwiches was good enough…

Since it was a live broadcast, they were worried the artists wouldn’t be natural if their managers or assistants were present. Otherwise, she would have let them accompany them and let them be the ‘bad guys.’

Lu Zhi turned on the dedicated loudspeaker. “Thirty yuan for each breakfast. Remember to pay.”

Xie Yunhuan’s eyes widened. “Thirty! Are you robbing us!”

What kind of family could afford to eat so extravagantly!

Jiang Yumian, still with a mouth full of fried dough stick, chewed indignantly upon hearing this, took a sip of soy milk to wash it down. She should have asked before eating. If she had known it was so expensive, she wouldn’t have eaten it!

Suddenly remembering something, she slowly turned her head to look at Jing Xiaoyan, who was already looking at her. Jiang Yumian’s expression froze slightly.

Jing Xiaoyan’s face paused, then she quickly smiled as if nothing was wrong: “What is it?”

Jiang Yumian turned back to look at the director, her voice small, “You owe me fifty. You go pay, and remember to give me twenty back in change.”

Knowing she was keeping track, Jing Xiaoyan nodded, got up, and went over to the staff. She not only brought back Jiang Yumian’s twenty yuan but also two mission cards.

The others received cards too. It looked like one for everyone.

Since they weren’t read aloud, the content was probably different for everyone.

Lu Zhi: “Each mission card clearly states everyone’s identity for this episode. If you’ve all finished reading and have no questions, we’ll set off.”

Jiang Yumian opened the mission card with her name on it, shielding it from the people around her. Her brow furrowed slightly. After staring at it for a moment, she turned her head to try and gauge Jing Xiaoyan’s expression, but found her looking intently at her own mission card.

“Is the content very complicated? You’ve been looking at it for so long,” she tentatively asked her.

Jing Xiaoyan slightly tilted her head, pondered for a moment, then nodded, remaining silent, and turned back to look at the mission card, her expression very complex.

Seeing that she couldn’t get any information, Jiang Yumian looked at the others. They also seemed to have just finished reading.

Jiang Yumian blinked. Was she the only one with just a single sentence?

Before she could ask, the person next to her suddenly spoke, “Are we really playing this big?” Jing Xiaoyan looked at the mission card with a complicated expression. This might actually be unairable.

Chu Qianyuan also took a sharp breath. The role Lu Zhi gave them was so bold!

Same-sex love has always been unairable domestically. She was so daring that Chu Qianyuan even wondered if their show would pass censorship.

Lu Zhi lightly cleared her throat. “It’s just a bit more adventurous. The live broadcast is different, it’s fine.”

If the live broadcast gets blocked, so be it. They could just restart it. It’s not like she asked them to kiss or anything; she just gave them an identity. With so many actors here, she wasn’t afraid they couldn’t interpret the story.

The content to be recorded tomorrow and the day after was the main focus. Today’s live broadcast was merely a prequel to the story, generating buzz. For the official broadcast later, the staff could just edit it and not include the live broadcast day.

Luo Cheng’s jaw had dropped and remained open. After a long pause, she said, “Redefining the ‘Adventure’ theme.”

It wasn’t them being adventurous; it was the production crew.

Jiang Yumian’s face was bitter. Listening left and right, she still didn’t understand what they were talking about.

“Is there a problem with this?”

Her mission card only had one line.

“A little girl ‘loved’ by others  Jiang Xiaomian”

Therefore, Jiang Yumian didn’t think the production crew was playing big at all.

Lin Xi let out a long breath. She really became Jiang Yumian’s “mother.”

She looked over with a speechless expression. “Mianmian ah…”

Su Mumu was also speechless. She was the aunt of Jiang Yumian’s character. She felt troubled, so troubled she wanted to laugh. “Mianmian ah, how did you end up getting the silly sweet role?”

Jiang Yumian frowned. “You know my identity?”

Chu Qianyuan clicked her tongue. “Of course. Doesn’t everyone here have a story synopsis in their hands?”

Jiang Yumian was confused. “Why don’t I have one!”

Jing Xiaoyan quietly spoke up next to her, “Because they said you’re silly and sweet…”

Jiang Yumian wanted to retort but quickly realized something. Could it be that she didn’t need to know anything because she was silly?

Lu Zhi didn’t give them time to prepare and immediately arranged for them to head to their destination. She pointed to the screen. “See that mountainside villa? It’s fifty kilometers away from us. Everyone’s main mission today is to figure out a way to get there. The recording will take place inside tomorrow.”

Then she took out another mission card. “The side missions are here. Everyone come and take a look at the mission card.”

Jiang Yumian proactively walked over with everyone, and then a mission card was stuffed into her hand.

Lu Zhi: “This one is yours. The one in my hand is theirs. Yours is different.”

Luo Cheng nudged Jiang Yumian, intentionally teasing her, “Go, go, go, little silly sweet, don’t block us.”

Jing Xiaoyan also pulled her, motioning her to step aside.

Jiang Yumian didn’t argue with them. Hmph, she had her own card.

Everyone looked at their mission cards.

“Side Mission 1: Please fully embody your roles within three hours of the live broadcast. The staff will score your performance. If the score reaches 80, you can take the production crew’s car for twenty-five kilometers.

Side Mission 2: Successfully make ‘Jiang Xiaomian’ realize the identity relationship between you and her. You can take the production crew’s car for twenty kilometers (You cannot tell her directly, or you will be returned to the starting point!)

PS: If both missions are completed, you can go directly to the finish line.

Didn’t Expect That”

Jiang Yumian’s mission card content was relatively simpler.

“The road is long, and there are many people who ‘love’ you. Please observe everyone carefully. Revealing their identity relationship with you will allow you to go directly to the finish line.

Didn’t Expect That”

Seeing Jiang Yumian finish reading and approach, Lu Zhi collected the mission cards. “Don’t think about taking a taxi. The money you have won’t be useful here. I suggest you keep it safe; there will be times when you need it.”

This remark instantly crushed all their small schemes.

Everyone quietly announced their identities in front of the live camera. When it came to Jing Xiaoyan, everyone’s eyes simultaneously turned to her. Although they couldn’t hear, they were also anxious.

Jing Xiaoyan glanced at the camera, then at Lu Zhi. Seeing her nod, she reluctantly disclosed, “She’s an admirer who falls in love with her and secretly gets together with her.”

The comments section exploded as expected.

What does that mean!? Is it what I think it means?

Aaaaaahhhhhh!

It shouldn’t be what you think. What director would be so bold as to film this so openly?

It’s role-playing. Her role might not necessarily be female.

Secretly getting together, huh? I was wondering what kind of strictness Lin Xi’s demanding mother character would have. Is the strictness here?

I don’t care! They didn’t say if it’s a man or a woman. I’m going to watch it based on what I think.

I feel like it’s blooming lesbian love. Didn’t they say they were playing big earlier!

The group walked on the main road with the simple map given by the director.

Lin Xi leaned into Jing Xiaoyan, glancing at the camera, and said something ambiguous, “You sure got off easy.”

This role was like it was tailor-made for her.

Jing Xiaoyan gave her a light glance. It was indeed easy for her, but she was now openly in love, no more secret admiration.

Lin Xi saw her disapproval and sneered, “Just wait and see how I’ll give you a hard time.”

Chu Qianyuan was standing right next to them. Others might not understand, but she certainly did.

This role was likely given to Jing Xiaoyan because Lu Zhi heard her suggestion yesterday, or maybe it was planned all along.

As for Lin Xi’s role, it might be because Jiang Yumian happened to call her “Mom.” She probably plans to edit that part in the car into the final cut. Whether Lin Xi’s original role was this or not, changing it wouldn’t hurt.

Seeing Jing Xiaoyan turn off her mic, Lin Xi raised an eyebrow, and seeing Jing Xiaoyan’s eye signal, she also voluntarily turned hers off.

Jing Xiaoyan leaned in and whispered to her, “I’m not being reckless. I confessed last night; she knows I like her. Help me out.”

She then immediately turned her mic back on and pretended everything was normal. “We can cooperate. After every move I make, you can come over and disrupt it.”

She emphasized, “It’s after.”

Lin Xi was stunned by her words.

So Jing Xiaoyan meant to use this opportunity to flirt with Jiang Yumian, tease her freely, and then use her role to interrupt them. That way, whatever Jiang Yumian wanted to say, Jing Xiaoyan could use the excuse of “role-playing” to deflect it.

She was truly something!

She even confessed directly—what a talent!

If she didn’t know that Jiang Yumian’s girlfriend was also her, she would definitely scold Jing Xiaoyan right now.

She silently gave Jing Xiaoyan a thumbs-up.

“Awesome. Ten Chu Qianyuan’s combined aren’t as powerful as you.”

She deserved to have a girlfriend.

It was just uncertain whether Jiang Yumian would be angry when she found out later. A normal person would be, especially since Jiang Yumian didn’t like her right now.

Chu Qianyuan looked confused. “What cooperation? What are you talking about?”

Jiang Yumian was also secretly looking at them. Jing Xiaoyan was whispering to Lin Xi, and while curious, she couldn’t really ask. Now she was straining her ears to listen secretly.

Lin Xi shook her head, her gaze sweeping over Su Mumu’s face, then she smirked at Chu Qianyuan, “I’m saying you’re a blockhead.”

Chu Qianyuan secretly pouted at Su Mumu. Mumu also called her that all the time, and she actually quite liked being called that by her.

Su Mumu: “…”

Chu Qianyuan was not good at comforting people; in some ways, she truly was a blockhead.

Luo Cheng was walking beside Jiang Yumian and hadn’t quite understood. She patted Jiang Yumian and asked whatever came to mind, “Why is Sister Qianyuan a blockhead?”

Jiang Yumian shook her head. Although she felt it was related to Su Mumu, she only just found out that Su Mumu and Chu Qianyuan were together. Looking at the four people ahead, she felt that, except for Su Mumu, the other three seemed quite familiar with each other.

The two boys trailing behind strained their ears to listen to the girls chatting. Seeing that the two couldn’t figure it out, Ling Yisong lightly cleared his throat, “You have to ask Mu… Ow!”

Ling Yisong turned back to look at Xie Yunhuan. “Why did you trip me, kid!”

Xie Yunhuan tilted his head and pleaded jokingly, “Role requirement.”

The people in front heard the noise and looked back.

These two had become quite familiar after last night, and they were noisy in the car too. It was hard to tell if they were genuinely acting at the moment.

Jiang Yumian’s eyes flickered. What kind of roles were they?

Ling Yisong understood the look Xie Yunhuan gave him. They were live now, and he almost revealed the relationship between Su Mumu and Chu Qianyuan.

He cleverly bumped Xie Yunhuan, making him stumble, then looked at him with schadenfreude and smiled, “Sorry, role requirement.”

Their characters were the kind of mischievous, bad-boy students, classmates of Jiang Xiaomian, sitting in the two desks behind her.

Chu Qianyuan suddenly reprimanded them, her expression serious, “Stop fooling around and walk properly.”

So fierce, was this also a role requirement?

Jiang Yumian raised an eyebrow. Why did she feel like all three of them were acting strangely?

When she turned her head again, Jing Xiaoyan had retreated from the very front to beside her, smiling brightly at her, her eyes glistening. Just one glance made Jiang Yumian’s heart skip a beat, and she quickly averted her gaze.

She swallowed. This person didn’t she say she had boundaries? Why was she flirting with her constantly?

Before she could finish her internal rant, her sleeve was suddenly tugged. She looked down, and Jing Xiaoyan suddenly leaned closer, “Can I hold your hand?”

Jiang Yumian quickly pulled her hand back, shocked. It was a live broadcast! How dare she!

It was precisely because of the live broadcast that she didn’t dare to make any exaggerated expressions. She just bit her lip, trying to remain calm, feeling like everyone was watching her. She was sweating.

She swallowed, “Why? Didn’t you say…”

Jiang Yumian’s voice got softer and softer, stopping mid-sentence. She believed Jing Xiaoyan understood.

Jing Xiaoyan had promised just yesterday that she wouldn’t offend her and would respect her.

Jing Xiaoyan curled her lips into a smile, looked back, and mimicked the two boys from earlier, reminding her, “Role requirement. You have to believe me.”

Then her tone softened considerably. “If it’s really not okay, then I won’t.”

The helpless look was mixed with a touch of pity and disappointment, and she stepped back a little.

Lin Xi rubbed her arm, quickly walked forward, distancing herself a bit. Ah, ah, ah, Jing Xiaoyan was so manipulative, so like a scheming tea-drinker!

Jiang Yumian looked at her retreating movement, opening her mouth, “Well, if you need my cooperation, it’s not entirely impossible.”

Besides, she still had to guess. She didn’t know Jing Xiaoyan’s identity, which required holding hands.

Haha, they’ve started already?

There are so few cars on this road, and they can’t take a taxi. It’s impossible to walk that far, so they have to work hard on the missions.

Don’t think they’re not thinking about how to get there; they’re all secretly working on the missions.

Hold hands! Hold hands! I love watching it! I love shipping them!

I want to ship them too, but this is acting.

I know it’s acting, but what’s wrong with me shipping them? They’re acting it out for me to ship.

Still arguing. It’s fake, and they didn’t even hold hands!

I know it’s fake, but what’s wrong with me shipping them? It won’t become real.

Fair point, fair point…

Chu Qianyuan looked up at the sky in exasperation at Jing Xiaoyan who was shamelessly approaching. Luckily, she had the role to back her up; otherwise, she wouldn’t know how to handle the situation later.

She didn’t know Jing Xiaoyan had already confessed, and her eyes towards her were full of disappointment.

“What are you doing over there?”

Jing Xiaoyan was just about to try and grab Jiang Yumian’s hand again, but Chu Qianyuan’s shout interrupted her.

She took a light breath. “Nothing.”

Lin Xi seized the opportunity to slow down, and very unceremoniously pulled Jing Xiaoyan away. “Go away, go away. Don’t lead my baby astray.”

As she spoke, her hand reached up to stroke Jiang Yumian’s head.

Jiang Yumian: ?

Jing Xiaoyan took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on Lin Xi’s hand. Calling her ‘baby,’ how excessive!

“I’m the one who loves you the most in this world,” Lin Xi smiled, withdrawing her hand. How fun, just a few words.

Jiang Yumian blinked. “What’s your identity? Are you really my mom?”

Because of the word ‘baby,’ her mother, Ms. Jiang, would also call her that when she was in the mood.

Lin Xi’s eyes lit up. She vigorously patted Jiang Yumian’s shoulder, her voice full of suppressed excitement, “Good child! Mama loves you!”

Su Mumu flinched and quickly walked over, stroking Jiang Yumian’s head. “Good child, I’m the one who’s best to you in this world.”

Jiang Yumian hugged her head with both hands. What was going on? Another ‘mom’?

She turned to look at Lin Xi, blinking at her.

Lin Xi cleared her throat, glanced at the staff, and seeing no reaction, confirmed she could cooperate. She glared at Su Mumu, “She’s my daughter. Can you be as close to her as I am?”

Jiang Yumian twitched her lips, desperately trying to move back. She couldn’t handle any of this.

Su Mumu’s eyes were stung by Lin Xi’s terrible acting, but since it wasn’t actual acting, it was fine. She lifted her chin, “When my brother was around, Xiaomian was always with me. I’m the closest to her.”

Jiang Yumian’s face stiffened. “You’re my aunt…”

Su Mumu immediately gave Jiang Yumian a thumbs-up.

Jiang Yumian smiled bitterly internally. How was everyone older than her? What kind of background was this? So, her father was dead, right?

Lu Zhi watched their performance from the car and nodded in satisfaction. Her NPC hadn’t even shown up yet, and they had already guessed two identities.

She had originally planned to let them walk a short distance. If they couldn’t guess, the NPC would be introduced directly.

Jing Xiaoyan saw them having fun and, after being pushed away, squeezed back in, directly taking Jiang Yumian’s hand.

Jiang Yumian screamed internally. Can’t hold hands, can’t hold hands! Her sugar-mommy sister is very sensitive about this!

She subtly turned her hand, indicating her resistance.

Jing Xiaoyan quickly let go, sighing inwardly. They were all touching her head.

Su Mumu glanced at their hands that had just been holding, feeling strange. But recalling Jing Xiaoyan’s given identity, she thought it made sense.

However, Jiang Yumian didn’t know anything and had no feelings for her girlfriend.

She wondered if Jing Xiaoyan would manage to charm her. With an older sister actively flirting like this, anyone would probably give in.

She sighed internally, turned, and said to Jiang Yumian, “It’s all role requirements.”

She was flirting with her for the mission. Don’t take it too seriously.

Jiang Yumian nodded but completely misunderstood.

She thought Su Mumu was reminding her that what Jing Xiaoyan and the others were doing was all for the mission, telling her not to worry too much, to relax, and that holding hands was nothing.

She licked her lips. Okay, they were all actors. She had acted in scenes with hand-holding and hugging before. This was all work. Her good sister would definitely understand.

Jing Xiaoyan was still troubled when her hand was suddenly touched on the back, and then grabbed. Her long eyelashes trembled, and her heart felt like it had been clutched too.

She naturally held Jiang Yumian’s hand, squeezed the soft palm, and her lips curled up slightly with internal delight, unable to contain the joy.

Luo Cheng took in Jing Xiaoyan’s expression, her pupils trembled, and she was inwardly shocked. Just holding hands made her instantly show that subtle look of delight. She was completely in character the whole time.

Was this the skill of a movie queen?

It was too powerful.

The two boys following behind didn’t notice that much; they were simply enjoying the ship. They knew the general background of the story—that these two were a “girl-girl couple.”

Chu Qianyuan looked up at the sky in exasperation. This person was truly shameless and went right for it. She couldn’t stop her, absolutely couldn’t.

Lin Xi nudged her arm, shaking her head, hinting not to interfere.

The other person had her own strategy; they didn’t need to worry about it.

Jiang Yumian’s entire attention was focused on her hand. She pondered what kind of relationship allowed for hand-holding.

She unconsciously swung their joined hands back and forth, blinking. Could they be biological sisters?

She raised an eyebrow, and their clasped hands swung back and forth. She was quite happy.

Jing Xiaoyan: “…”

She definitely misunderstood.

Lin Xi took the chance to step back, separating their hands, and wrapped her arm around Jiang Yumian’s, looking at Jing Xiaoyan with obvious distaste. “Go away, go away. Go play with someone else.”

Jiang Yumian poked her head out to look at Jing Xiaoyan. Judging by this, they weren’t biological sisters. Could it be half-sisters, and this was her stepmother?

Hmm… it seemed a bit like it.

Jing Xiaoyan met her scrutinizing gaze, tilted her head, her eyes gentle and smiling, releasing the affection in her eyes without reservation.

Feeling scorched by her gaze, Jiang Yumian opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.

She glanced at Lin Xi blocking them, suddenly remembering her own mother, Ms. Jiang, and couldn’t help saying, “My mom won’t let me play with you.”

That was the truth. Her mother, Ms. Jiang, was afraid she would hook up with Jing Xiaoyan. It’s just that now Jing Xiaoyan seemed to be uncontrollably hooking up with her.

They were walking on the sidewalk under the trees, and a car passed by every so often. Jing Xiaoyan looked at the car that had just driven past and lightly sighed.

She put on her sunglasses, her expression emotionless, pushing people away with a cold attitude. It seemed she didn’t want to engage anymore.

Lin Xi’s appearance, timing, and attitude were just right. She needed to back off first to give others a chance to perform. Besides, there were too many people on the road, and she couldn’t do much.

Luo Cheng finally couldn’t hold it in. “Sister Xiaoyan’s acting is amazing.”

Chu Qianyuan scoffed. Who knows if it was acting? Neither she nor Lin Xi would expose her.

But she didn’t expect that with Luo Cheng’s comment, Jing Xiaoyan seemed slightly defiant and took off her sunglasses.

Her eyes stared straight at Jiang Yumian. She didn’t need anyone to expose her. “It’s not really acting. I don’t need to act this part.”

In the ears of those who didn’t know the inside story, this tone sounded immodest at all.

Jiang Yumian’s pupils slightly widened, surprised, then fell silent.

She seemed to understand.

Meeting Jing Xiaoyan’s smiling eyes, she sighed internally and nodded at her.

Jing Xiaoyan liking her certainly didn’t require acting.