Forced to Act out a Strange Script with a Rival - Chapter 132

“Li Ting, let’s go get our marriage certificate!

Soul Pursuit struck the summer season like a sudden clap of thunder.

With a top-tier script as its foundation, movie-quality production value, and stunning performances—especially from the two female leads—combined with an unyielding, precision-targeted marketing blitz, the effect was cumulative. The drama ignited the summer, reminiscent of the Bronze Sparrow phenomenon from years ago.

On social media, related topics easily surpassed 10 billion reads, leaving all other discussions in the dust. Naturally, this also sparked online “warfare.”

“I knew it! I told you! All those ‘Century Reconciliation’ and ‘Perfect Partners’ hashtags with Si Xiaoxiao and Li Ting were just a setup for this show!”

“This industry is always the same—no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. To hype a new drama, they’ve completely thrown away their dignity!”

Such cynical comments flooded forums, filled with a sense of “seeing through it all.” Of course, there was plenty of support as well.

“Are you going to watch it or not?! So annoying! Even if the marketing is a bit much, I don’t care—I live for my CP! The way Li Ting looks at Si Xiaoxiao! Ahhh, I’m dying! If they aren’t real, then I’m not real!”

“My girl has sung so many hits; what’s wrong with her rewarding herself by acting? Besides, her portrayal of a pure college student is so charming!”

“I have to say, Soul Pursuit’s stylist deserves a raise! They really know how to showcase Si Xiaoxiao’s beauty. Every look is a new peak—she’s a walking fashion textbook. I could stare at this face for a hundred years!”

Long-time fans, who had followed the two since their debut, were moved to tears, feeling as though a regret of their youth was finally being mended.

“Look at the opening credits! The executive producer is Director Yan!! Yan Yun! Is this a decade-overdue dream come true for ‘Bronze’ CP fans?! My ‘unresolved longing’ is finally getting an official sequel?!”

The Rising Tide of Success

The premiere only covered the end of the first serial murder case, barely revealing the tip of the iceberg. However, the tight pacing, suspenseful atmosphere, and the palpable, tension-filled chemistry between Si Xiaoxiao and Li Ting successfully hooked the audience.

Bullet comments and reviews were flooded with phrases like “High energy ahead,” “I have goosebumps,” and “These two are definitely suspicious.” On Douban, fans pulled all-nighters to analyze every frame and micro-expression.

Seeing the positive response, Wen Xiuzhen was emboldened to finish polishing the third case. This time, the script was even more brilliant. Because the “unintentional” touches, lingering gazes, and subconscious protection between the leads had trended so heavily, Wen Xiuzhen “forced” the writers to increase the concentration of the “romance” and ambiguity in the third case.

As netizens joked: the script says “investigative partners,” but it’s written as “lovers in the honeymoon phase.” Every investigation felt like a state-funded date.

The third story moved to a secluded, eerie mountain village haunted by the legend of “Mountain Ghost Sacrifices.” While solving the mysteries, new riddles emerged, suggesting the village was linked to previous cases, controlled by an invisible hand.

A Moment of Impulse

Si Xiaoxiao finished the script, curled up like a lazy cat on her plush sofa. She was dressed in comfortable loungewear, holding the fresh, ink-scented pages of the third case.

Even as the lead actress, she didn’t know the full ending yet. The writers adjusted details based on the actors’ performances to ensure characters and plot merged perfectly. Under Director Yan’s guidance, Si Xiaoxiao was no longer just a “pretty vase”; she was delivering breathtaking performances.

Since Wen Xiuzhen refused to spoil the next part, Si Xiaoxiao turned to her tablet for some “high-intensity surfing.” She scrolled through fan edits, AI creations, and fan art of her and Li Ting.

She glanced toward the open kitchen. There stood Li Ting, wearing an apron, focused on preparing a low-sugar fruit platter. The warm light softened her cold, aloof features, replacing them with a domestic tenderness.

Moved by the scene, Si Xiaoxiao secretly snapped a photo of Li Ting’s back—the graceful curve of her neck, the apron string tied in a neat bow, and the city lights outside the window.

“Why don’t we just go public?” The thought popped into her head, and a surge of impulse took over. She opened her Weibo.

Si Xiaoxiao V: The wife who is cooking [Image].

She watched the likes and comments climb, feeling a rush of satisfaction. However, the top comments weren’t quite what she expected.

“Supporting the rich landlady sister for ‘sponsoring’ the pure college girl!!”

The comments were almost entirely about the drama. People were wishing them “99” (forever together), but no one actually believed they were a real couple. Between girls, calling someone “wife” was common, and since Li Ting’s character cooked in the show, everyone assumed it was just a promotional post or a joke using show lines.

Perhaps Si Xiaoxiao’s persona as an arrogant, spoiled “tsundere” was too deeply rooted in the public’s mind, because even though she was now expressing her feelings quite bluntly, not a single person believed her. Everyone assumed she was simply cooperating with the production team’s marketing strategy.

Si Xiaoxiao grew a bit annoyed. Just then, Li Ting brought the dishes to the table and called out, “Xiaoxiao, time to eat.”

In response, Si Xiaoxiao bounced straight off the sofa. “Li Ting, let’s go get our marriage certificate!”

Li Ting: “??? Are you proposing to me?”

“It’s not a proposal! It’s getting the certificate!!” Si Xiaoxiao spoke with absolute seriousness, then accidentally let her inner thoughts slip: “The proposal I planned is for next month, right when we finish filming the drama!”

“Ah?” Li Ting’s ears slowly turned red.

Realizing what she had just said, Si Xiaoxiao lowered her head in chagrin. Her ears were flushed as she whispered—yet still maintained a bossy, spirited tone: “For-forget what I just said!”

Li Ting walked over, pulled Si Xiaoxiao into an embrace, and said with a smile, “But the proposal I planned is for next week.”

Si Xiaoxiao blinked, burying her head in the crook of Li Ting’s neck. She mumbled, “You’re not allowed to be earlier than me. I want to propose first. I’m the ‘1’ (top)!!”

Such is the way of a competitive young couple; they have to compete over everything.

Li Ting decided to be mischievous and said on purpose, “But I’ve already planned everything out. It’ll definitely be earlier than yours—unless you say you’re proposing to me today…”

“Fine! Let’s get married!” However, as soon as the words left her mouth, Si Xiaoxiao snapped back to reality. She bit Li Ting’s neck in a fit of shy frustration, grumbling with a hint of resentment, “…You played me.”

“Did I? Weren’t you the one who brought up the proposal first?” Li Ting played dumb and asked, “Did something happen?”

Only then did Si Xiaoxiao remember her grievance. “I called you my wife, and they didn’t believe me!”

She continued indignantly, “I was thinking! One day, I’m going to post our marriage certificate. And I’ll do it on the biggest, grandest stage, declaring my love in public like some overbearing Movie Queen in a novel! Let’s see if they believe me then!!”

Li Ting kissed her, giving her a firm answer: “That day will come.”

Until the day an old enemy sought revenge and a blade was drawn. Without a second thought, Cheng Zhi instinctively turned to shield her, the dull thud of the blade piercing flesh echoing chillingly. Covered in blood, she forced herself to look back, offering a blood-stained, pure smile:

“Mommy, don’t be afraid… I’ll protect you.”

In that moment, Lin Yuanyin felt her heart being gripped violently, a sharp, unfamiliar pain blooming within.

Clearly… it started as just an interesting game, a toy to be discarded at any time. So why…?

To secure a sliver of hope for the person in her arms, Lin Yuanyin lifted the hypnosis. She held the fading Cheng Zhi in a pained embrace, hot tears falling onto the blood-stained cheek. Again and again, like a curse and a plea, she whispered:

“Cheng Zhi… don’t love me.”

And so, as she wished, she saw caution and strangeness return to her child’s eyes once more.

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