Forced to Act out a Strange Script with a Rival - Chapter 91

“Then… then can we sleep together?” Si Xiaoxiao asked…

The night was deep. Only a single desk lamp remained lit, casting a clear glow over Li Ting’s tightly furrowed brows and her slightly pale complexion.

After a tug-of-war between their respective agents, the role for Director Wu’s reshoot had ultimately fallen into Li Ting’s hands.

Strictly speaking, this character was a better fit for Si Xiaoxiao’s appearance and personality. This was exactly why Director Wu had initially chosen Si Xiaoxiao for the reshoot. Although her physical features could certainly carry the persona of a “femme fatale concubine who brings down a kingdom,” her acting skills were questionable. Director Wu had been wavering because of this, and it was only because Si Xiaoxiao’s popularity had soared through a dating show—no, a music show—that the director, hoping to capitalize on the hype, had sent the script her way.

However, as long as there is a crack, there is no wall in this world that cannot be pried open.

While Li Ting’s face didn’t perfectly match the character, her acting skills and reputation were impeccable. Furthermore, she had regained her popularity through a variety show as well—specifically, an acting-themed show. In the latest episodes, she had delivered several brilliant performances. Particularly in the spin-off, when faced with Si Xiaoxiao’s prompt of “seduction,” her acting had been so natural that many fans began speculating whether their “sister” was planning a full-scale comeback.

After comprehensive consideration, Director Wu ultimately chose Li Ting.

Since she had accepted the task, she intended to put her heart into doing it well. She delved into the script, weighing every word and sentence.

However, the deeper she analyzed this character—with her dark, complex inner world and rich emotional layers—the more a hidden sense of unease surged like an undercurrent, expanding day by day.

Improvisational performances on a variety show, after all, possessed a game-like nature and were confined within a specific framework; they could not be compared to the weight of carrying a lead role and enduring the harsh scrutiny of the silver screen. She was accustomed to being in control and acting only after careful planning, yet now she felt as if she were standing on the edge of a fog-shrouded cliff, with a deep, unfathomable abyss of performance beneath her feet.

A long-absent anxiety—the fear that she “might not do well”—followed her like a shadow, minutely gnawing away at her usually solid self-confidence.

She closed her eyes and pressed her fingertips firmly against her throbbing temples, trying to disperse her chaotic thoughts, but it had little effect.

Just then, the faint, rustling sound of footsteps approached.

Li Ting looked up and focused her gaze.

It was Si Xiaoxiao.

She seemed to have just crawled out of bed, draped loosely in one of Li Ting’s silk nightgowns. The wide neckline hung low, revealing a small patch of jade-like skin and the delicate silhouette of her collarbones, which glowed softly in the dim light.

“What’s wrong?” Li Ting instinctively lowered her voice, becoming incredibly gentle as if afraid to disturb the stillness of the night.

The girl didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she flew toward Li Ting like a small cannonball. A soft, fragrant body carrying the warmth of the bed sheets accurately squeezed into her arms with an undeniable sense of dependence. She smelled of warm, sweet milk mixed with the scent of the cold-toned body wash Li Ting usually used. This unique and intimate aroma instantly pulled Li Ting out of her icy anxiety and into a beautiful, soft dream.

Li Ting’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly. With her arms suspended in mid-air, she felt momentarily at a loss, only daring to ask cautiously again: “Did you have a nightmare?”

Si Xiaoxiao sat on her lap naturally, her soft arms wrapping around Li Ting’s neck like vines, placing her entire weight into the other woman’s care. She buried her fuzzy head in the crook of Li Ting’s neck, rubbing against it dependently. Her voice held the soft mumble of someone just waking up and a trace of undetectable fear: “Sister… I’m scared. Can we sleep together?”

Sleep together?

These two words were like a feather brushing against the heart, yet they carried a scorching heat.

Although Si Xiaoxiao currently had the mental capacity of a three-year-old, her body was very much that of an adult. The soft touch, the close proximity of her fragrance, and the flickering curves visible beneath the nightgown all served to remind Li Ting of this fact.

Thus, without thinking, almost as a reflex, Li Ting built a defensive wall in a tone that was as gentle as possible but left no room for negotiation: “You can’t, okay? Xiaoxiao is a big girl now.”

The moment those words left her mouth, Li Ting clearly felt the body in her arms stiffen.

Si Xiaoxiao snapped her head up. Those cat-like eyes, which were usually filled with starlight and smiles, quickly pooled with heavy moisture. Her long eyelashes fluttered, looking as though they couldn’t hold the weight of the tears for another second.

Her small mouth pouted in grievance, her face a picture of heartbroken disbelief at being rejected. Her voice carried a sob as she accused: “Sister… does Sister not like Xiaoxiao anymore either?”

As she spoke, she hugged Li Ting’s neck even tighter, as if afraid of being pushed away. Her warm face pressed against the slight chill of Li Ting’s neck, and hot tears suddenly spilled over, dampening Li Ting’s skin.

Faced with this version of Si Xiaoxiao, Li Ting had no resistance. Si Xiaoxiao was usually bright and never one to admit defeat; she rarely showed weakness in front of Li Ting. Even during their teenage years, despite the incredibly grueling training, she rarely cried, behaving more like a puppy that refused to lose.

Feeling somewhat awkward, Li Ting retreated slightly. She hurriedly and clumsily pulled out a tissue, carefully wiping away the tear stains on the girl’s face. Her voice was filled with unprecedented fluster and heartache: “Stop crying, alright? Xiaoxiao, you won’t look pretty if you cry.”

“Then… then can we sleep together?” Si Xiaoxiao sniffled, looking at her through tearful eyes. She followed up with a heavy nasal tone, her gaze filled with cautious anticipation.

Li Ting truly couldn’t win against her and could only admit defeat.

Surprisingly, Li Ting slept quite well that night. Perhaps it was because Si Xiaoxiao was so warm, or because she carried that sweet fragrance Li Ting loved, but her presence allowed Li Ting’s anxiety to settle into peace.

Although Xiaoxiao was mentally only three years old, she wasn’t a particularly spoiled child. Her clamoring to sleep together that night was truly out of a fear of the dark; once she received Li Ting’s partiality and indulgence, she was satisfied and went to sleep obediently. She was, in fact, very easy to coax.

The next day, Li Ting prepared breakfast for her. Not knowing if her specific tastes had changed, Li Ting cooked a bowl of noodles based on her memories from their youth.

Unexpectedly, Xiaoxiao didn’t seem to like noodles much. The moment she saw them, her dislike was written all over her face, and her whole energy wilted. Li Ting expected she would have to coax her again, but to her surprise, despite her dislike, Xiaoxiao wrinkled her small face and finished every last strand in the bowl. She was a good kid and relatively low-maintenance.

Due to the massive fame gained from the variety show, Li Ting had quite a lot on her plate. Even though she preferred a more relaxed lifestyle, the nature of her work wouldn’t allow her to disappear from the screen for too long, lest wild speculations begin to swirl.

Director Wu’s filming was set to begin.

According to Li Ting’s original plan, she wanted to leave Si Xiaoxiao at home alone, but she couldn’t quite set her mind at ease. She considered hiring a nanny, but given Xiaoxiao’s status as a celebrity, she couldn’t risk having a stranger around.

Ultimately, she decided to let Xiaoxiao follow her. Although film sets are busy places with many prying eyes and the risk of being photographed, it was still better than the worry of leaving Xiaoxiao home alone. After fully “equipping” Xiaoxiao with a disguise, Li Ting repeatedly instructed her not to speak unless absolutely necessary.

Xiaoxiao nodded obediently again and again.

Since this marked her return to acting after many years, Li Ting’s manager, Gao Mengya, took it quite seriously and personally drove her to the set. Seeing the fully masked and disguised Si Xiaoxiao, Gao Mengya found it peculiar; while her artist had a good reputation in the entertainment industry, she was extremely protective of her private space. The people permitted to enter her home were few and far between.

“This is my distant cousin; she has a cold,” Li Ting’s introduction was succinct.

If it were a controlling manager like Yan Guan, they would likely have started a frantic interrogation about this “distant cousin.” However, Gao Mengya was the type of manager who didn’t ask too many questions and gave her artists plenty of personal space. Thus, she allowed Si Xiaoxiao to follow them onto the film set.

People were constantly coming and going on the busy set, so very few noticed Si Xiaoxiao sitting off to the side in her mask. She stayed in her corner, quiet and well-behaved, entertaining herself, though her eyes never left Li Ting for a moment—she was nearly turning into a “Li-watching stone.”

“You’re a fan of Sister Li, aren’t you?” a kind-looking girl asked Xiaoxiao with a smile. She was an extra on set with some free time, so she was looking for someone to chat with.

Because the previous actress had been blacklisted, Li Ting was there to reshoot the unairable segments. Consequently, the entire day was dedicated to Li Ting’s scenes, and some “big fans” had received word and arrived early to camp out.

Though Xiaoxiao didn’t quite understand what a “fan” was, she recognized the word “Li.” Knowing exactly who was being referred to, her eyes brightened as she nodded.

The girl immediately looked as delighted as if she had “found her tribe.” She grabbed Si Xiaoxiao and began to talk incessantly about her journey as a Li Ting fan. Even though Xiaoxiao indicated her throat was uncomfortable and only nodded or shook her head throughout, it did nothing to dampen the girl’s enthusiasm.

According to her, many fans had joined the set as extras specifically to support Li Ting and encourage her acting. They had made a pact to only watch from a distance and never disturb their “Sister.” However, if there was a risk of a scene being “cut” because of her acting, they would intentionally make a mistake first so the take would be scrapped—ensuring that no one could blow to her confidence.

This was a rare opportunity for them to hold their heads high in front of rival fanbases, and one of the few times Li Ting had shown career ambition in years!

Si Xiaoxiao listened with a sense of confused wonder, but knowing this person was praising Li Ting, she beamed along with her. The two chatted until the crew finished for the day. The “extra” girl was still left wanting more, and they agreed to meet the next day to share the “108 beautiful moments of appreciating Teacher Li.”

Faced with the other’s passion, Xiaoxiao nodded with a smile.

Consequently, upon returning home that day and being freed from the seal of her mask, Li Ting was immediately greeted by a Si Xiaoxiao who could recite 108 different ways to shower her with “rainbow farts” (extravagant praise).

Li Ting felt somewhat helpless, but deep down, she felt a heavier weight. Clearly, a role of this magnitude couldn’t be finished in a single day, and her scenes would continue tomorrow. However, Xiaoxiao’s manager, Yan Guan, had sent several consecutive messages: there was a very important magazine interview that Si Xiaoxiao had to attend, even if she was sick.

Finally, there was no escaping it.

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