Everyone is Crazy - Chapter 4

Tan Muxi woke up at four in the morning and needed to be on set by five. She was accustomed to arriving early. Shan Yingfeng stood by the car, yawning. At a little past four, it was still as dark as the middle of the night, with only the dim yellow glow of streetlights flickering around. Moths danced in the beams of the car’s headlights. As soon as Tan Muxi stepped out of her house, Shan Yingfeng hurried over. The moment she drew near, she caught a faint, delicate fragrance. Tan Muxi didn’t care for perfumes, this was the scent of her body wash. Rumor had it that Liu Shuyun had sought out a perfumer to specially craft a body wash based on Tan Muxi’s natural scent. It was fresh, long-lasting, and, most importantly, it suited her perfectly, as if it were her own natural fragrance. So seamlessly integrated, so beautiful.

Shan Yingfeng felt that merely standing this close to Tan Muxi was a blessing in itself.

She opened the car door, and Tan Muxi got in. Shan Yingfeng followed closely behind, shutting the door before asking, “Breakfast…”

Tan Muxi replied, “I won’t eat.”

Shan Yingfeng choked back her words. “No breakfast?”

The very first thing her manager had emphasized when she started this job was that Tan Muxi had a sensitive stomach and needed three meals a day. But with these early mornings, she hadn’t eaten breakfast yesterday either. Shan Yingfeng was worried that two days in a row would be too much for Tan Muxi’s stomach.

Shan Yingfeng asked, “Are you worried that Sister Wu hasn’t gotten up yet?”

Tan Muxi said, “Isn’t it normal for her not to be up at this hour?”

Shan Yingfeng suggested, “Then should I come back at seven to pick up breakfast?”

Tan Muxi replied, “No need, I’m not hungry.”

Shan Yingfeng pressed, “But what if President Liu finds out.”

Tan Muxi’s phoenix eyes swept toward her, cutting her off. “Then don’t let her find out.”

Shan Yingfeng swallowed her words.

Tan Muxi leaned back in her seat, completely relaxed. Her phoenix eyes closed, her head tilted back slightly. Even in the darkness, her artistically perfect features were striking, especially at such close range. Shan Yingfeng held her breath, not daring to exhale too loudly, stealing a sidelong glance at Tan Muxi’s profile.

Truth be told, many people envied her.

Although Tan Muxi had gone through several assistants, there was still no shortage of people eager to take on the role. After all, it was just a job. Being able to look at such a pleasing face every day? She’d gladly work overtime, let alone just show up.

Moreover, while Tan Muxi’s temper wasn’t exactly the best, she never went out of her way to make things difficult for others.

The only challenging part of being her assistant was restraining oneself.

On her first day at work, there was a promotional meeting. The conference room was still mostly empty, and Tan Muxi had arrived early, wearing a hat and mask as she rested her head on the table. Her manager, Shi Tong, brought Shan Yingfeng into the room and said, “Say hello. This is Muxi.”

Shan Yingfeng’s palms were sweaty with nerves.

Tan Muxi looked up, removed her mask, and extended a hand. “Hello, I’m Tan Muxi.”

Her voice trembling, Shan Yingfeng replied, “Hello, I’m Shan Yingfeng.”

“Shan Yingfeng,” Tan Muxi said. “Your name is quite unique.”

She had heard that line countless times since school.

“Your surname is Shan? What an unusual surname.”

“Shan Yingfeng, such a lovely name.”

She thought she had grown used to such comments, but after Tan Muxi said it, her cheeks visibly flushed. Tan Muxi leaned in a little closer, studying her features. Shan Yingfeng had nowhere to hide. She swallowed, her heart pounding wildly.

Tan Muxi asked, “Do you know what the most important thing about being my assistant is?”

Shan Yingfeng immediately perked up, recalling Shi Tong’s earlier instructions. She rattled them off fluently and righteously. Tan Muxi chuckled softly, her phoenix eyes slightly upturned as she crooked a finger, signaling Shan Yingfeng to come closer.

Shan Yingfeng instinctively glanced at Shi Tong.

Shi Tong, suppressing a laugh, tilted her chin upward. Shan Yingfeng leaned in closer to Tan Muxi. At such proximity, she didn’t even dare to glance at Tan Muxi out of the corner of her eye. The lingering fragrance and overwhelming visual impact made her ears buzz. Tan Muxi’s voice carried a hint of laughter as she said, “The most important thing, don’t fall for me.”

Shan Yingfeng was dumbstruck.

She immediately looked at Tan Muxi.

Tan Muxi’s phoenix eyes sparkled with amusement.

Shi Tong said, “Alright, if you tease her any more, she’s going to cry.”

Shan Yingfeng did feel like crying.

Out of nervousness.

She had initially thought Tan Muxi’s words were a joke, but now they felt like profound wisdom.

Shan Yingfeng had been with Tan Muxi for nearly a month, yet she still couldn’t withstand the impact of that face—beautiful, truly aggressive.

Tan Muxi yawned, her eyes reddening. Shan Yingfeng handed her a tissue. Tan Muxi wiped the corners of her eyes and said to Shan Yingfeng, “Help me register the accommodation list with the crew.”

Shan Yingfeng paused for a moment before understanding. “For the night shoot the day after tomorrow?”

Tan Muxi said, “Mm, we’ll stay for three days.”

Shan Yingfeng replied, “Alright, I understand.”

Tan Muxi rarely stayed with the crew while filming. This time, the shooting location was near her home, so she went back every day. It was said that whenever she filmed at a studio in the past, Liu Shuyun would buy a property nearby.

Shan Yingfeng hadn’t worked with Tan Muxi before and had only heard about these things.

She’d also heard that Liu Shuyun didn’t actually like Tan Muxi. She just saw her as a substitute.

But the cost of having a substitute was just too high.

Could someone really go to such lengths without genuine feelings?

Shan Yingfeng couldn’t understand. She stole a glance at Tan Muxi and saw her hugging a pillow with her eyes closed. The car swayed slightly, and her hair tips swayed along. Shan Yingfeng took a blanket from the side and draped it over Tan Muxi. Tan Muxi slid down, curling her upper body into the blanket, her head tilted to the side. The blanket covered half her chin, and her bangs obscured her cheeks, making her appear small and cute at that moment.

Shan Yingfeng glanced again.

Tan Muxi, without opening her eyes, said, “What are you looking at? Do you like me?”

Caught red-handed, Shan Yingfeng pursed her lips and pretended to look elsewhere, her eyes darting around nervously. The person beside her chuckled softly, and Shan Yingfeng felt as if even that laughter carried a hook.

She’s just too good at this.

No wonder her fans were so crazy about her.

Shan Yingfeng had never been a fan of celebrities growing up and didn’t understand what it felt like to be a fan. Until now, experiencing it firsthand.

She stayed silent until Tan Muxi asked, “Have you spoken to the crew?”

Shan Yingfeng snapped back to reality and said, “Yes, I just contacted them.”

Tan Muxi asked, “Are there rooms available?”

Shan Yingfeng replied, “They’re tallying the numbers now, but it should be fine.”

Tan Muxi hummed vaguely, her voice soft. Shan Yingfeng looked down and saw the top of her head. Her hair was exceptionally well-maintained. Even with frequent dyeing and perming, it remained so smooth. She probably had daily treatments.

Shan Yingfeng marveled silently. Her phone vibrated, and fearing it would disturb Tan Muxi, she dimmed the screen before checking the message.

It was a message from the crew: accommodation was confirmed, and the room was fine. The problem was next door.

The person staying next door was Meng Xingci.

They had checked in one after the other, so it was natural for their names to be listed together. However, considering some rumors circulating within the crew, the person in charge of the registration list first consulted Shan Yingfeng for her opinion. If Tan Muxi was unwilling, they would coordinate with someone else.

Shan Yingfeng stared at the screen. It wasn’t that Meng Xingci had shown any particular dislike for Tan Muxi, but neither had she displayed any closeness.

Meng Xingci had become famous early, starting as a child star, though she hadn’t acted in many productions. At the age of five, she was brought by her parents to visit a friend on set and was spotted by the director, who gave her a cameo role as a princess. To this day, fans still rave about her charm and liveliness in that role. After that, she disappeared from the public eye for several years, earning the reputation of a fleeting star in the film industry.

Her second rise to fame came from a cross-dressing role.

Because of her strikingly handsome features, she was chosen by a director to play the younger version of a general. Meng Xingci portrayed the character so vividly that the ratings for the episodes featuring her skyrocketed.

She reappeared in the public eye but soon turned down all script offers to focus on her studies.

Although she only took on cameo roles with limited screen time, her outstanding acting skills and unique charisma left a deep impression on audiences and directors alike. Directors saw her as a rare gem. If they didn’t act quickly, they might miss their chance.

It was said that every summer, at least eight to ten directors would call to offer her roles. Just before her college graduation, several talent agencies competed to sign her, even resorting to spreading blackmail and rumors about each other in an attempt to tarnish their rivals and gain favor with Meng Xingci. In the end, she didn’t choose any of the major companies and instead signed with a newly established studio.

That studio was owned by a popular artist. Meng Xingci’s first acting role had come about because her parents were visiting this artist on set. So, it was only natural for her to sign with this artist’s company.

After that, her career soared. From winning Best Newcomer awards to securing Best Actress honors in both television and film, she swept every prestigious award imaginable. Her rise was so rapid that others could hardly keep up. With an unparalleled fanbase and influence, she dominated the industry, winning the Most Influential Figure in Film and Television award for four consecutive years. It was during this time that she took on the TV series Broken Willow.

In it, she played one of the most controversial figures in history.

The controversy wasn’t about the character’s actions but about the character’s gender.

The dynasty itself has long been a subject of debate among historians. Half the experts claim it never existed, arguing it was fabricated by later generations, while the other half insist they’ve found traces of it and have pieced together some of its history. With both sides at a stalemate, Broken Willow emerged. In the world of film and television, almost every well-known dynasty has been adapted multiple times, but Broken Willow was the first work to explore this particular era. What was even more shocking was that, based on information provided by experts, the screenwriter revealed that the emperor of this dynasty was a woman.

An empress.

Meng Xingci played the empress, while Tan Muxi portrayed the empress consort.

Even without considering Meng Xingci’s influence in the industry, the mere premise of an “unverified” dynasty was sensational enough. Add their pairing to the mix, and just the release of the promotional photos caused a wave of excitement.

Later, anti-fans attacked Meng Xingci, accusing her of chasing clout by starring in a fictional work and even using the term “archaeology” in its promotion.

Fans argued their case vehemently, and amid the back-and-forth disputes, an unexpected wave of archaeological interest emerged. The most ironic part was that during this wave, some experts actually found evidence proving the existence of this dynasty!

This not only shook the film and television industry but also set the history community abuzz.

Amid such circumstances, the broadcast of Broken Willow naturally garnered immense attention. People’s curiosity was piqued, and everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the empress’s demeanor. Meanwhile, anti-fans, failing in their initial schemes, continued to stir up trouble. They watched the drama even more diligently than the fans, only to gradually realize something was off. The emperor and empress were just too perfectly matched, a visual feast for those who appreciate beauty.

By then, the fanbase for the pairing of Meng Xingci and Tan Muxi had already spread to every corner of the internet.

Broken Willow was undoubtedly a success. As a commercial production, its viewership ratings topped the charts that year, and to this day, no other work has broken that record. As a historical drama, its influence extended not only across the entertainment industry but also into every facet of the history community.

The series also swept several major domestic awards that year. The most glorious moment was when it received dual Best Actress nominations. However, on the day of the awards ceremony, Meng Xingci did not attend. The director accepted the award on her behalf. After that, Meng Xingci disappeared from the public eye, retiring from acting once again.

Everyone wondered why she chose to step away at the peak of her career, but since it wasn’t the first time she had done so, her fans weren’t overly anxious. Instead, their numbers only grew as they held out hope for her return. Yet, with each passing year, the wait grew harder. As her other career flourished, most people came to understand that Meng Xingci would not act again until she accepted a guest role once more.

Thus, fans were filled with anticipation and joy at the prospect of Meng Xingci and Tan Muxi reuniting.

But given the current situation.

Shan Yingfeng bit her lip, hesitating over whether to tell Tan Muxi. Noticing her expression, Tan Muxi lifted her eyelids slightly and asked in a light tone, “What’s wrong?”

Shan Yingfeng took a deep breath and blurted out, “The crew has finalized the room arrangements. The room next door is Ms. Meng’s.”

Hearing this, Tan Muxi raised her eyes. Under the glow of the streetlights filtering in, her pupils shimmered with a faint light. She said, “Meng Xingci, huh?”

Shan Yingfeng replied, “Yes, but the crew said they could help arrange a swap with another artist.”

“No need for such trouble,” Tan Muxi said. “Besides, Meng Xingci and I aren’t exactly strangers.”

Shan Yingfeng murmured softly, “I thought you didn’t like Ms. Meng.”

“How could that be?” Tan Muxi replied nonchalantly. “Would I have slept in the same bed with someone I don’t like?”

Shan Yingfeng blinked, then her eyes widened in shock.