I Stole the Male Lead's White Moonlight [Transmigration] - Chapter 43

Just as Jin Sheng began to doubt whether he truly possessed a good singing voice, Hu Caicai walked in, pulling her suitcase.

Her persona was gentle and considerate, someone who loved taking care of others, and her attire leaned in that direction as well.

She wore a goose-yellow lace gown, her shoulder-length hair framing a warm gaze, with gentleness written all over her brows.

As soon as she entered, she greeted Jin Sheng and the other two, her voice soft and tender, “Hello, Teacher Jin. My name is Hu Caicai, and I’m twenty-two years old.”

Among the three, the only one Hu Caicai didn’t know was Zhu Xinya. She narrowed her eyes with a smile and asked, “What’s this little sister’s name? She’s so pretty.”

Zhu Xinya replied, “Hello, I’m Zhu Xinya.”

Jin Sheng and Jiang Huai both looked at Zhu Xinya, waiting for her to say something shocking again.

Sure enough, after introducing herself, Zhu Xinya spoke to Hu Caicai with strong disapproval, “How can you call me ‘little sister’!”

Hu Caicai’s heart skipped a beat, realizing the girl in front of her was likely playing the “sassy and confrontational” role. She steadied herself, her smile unwavering, a hint of confusion in her eyes. “You look quite young.”

“That’s no excuse!”

Zhu Xinya’s aura was so overwhelming that Hu Caicai instinctively took half a step back, ready to apologize. “I’m sorry, I…”

Zhu Xinya cut her off, “You look younger and prettier than me! How can you call me ‘little sister’? Clearly, you’re the one who looks more like a beautiful little fairy!”

Hu Caicai blinked, “Huh?”

She was actually complimenting me in that sassy tone!

Hu Caicai was utterly astonished, but she couldn’t deny it felt incredibly good to be praised by a pretty girl for being younger and more beautiful. So good, in fact, that she couldn’t help but smile.

Fan Chunyi arrived fashionably late. By the time she entered the waiting room, Zhu Xinya had already blended in seamlessly with Jin Sheng and the others, showering them with praises from every angle, as if they were celestial beings descended to earth. If they hadn’t had a clear sense of self-awareness, they might have been swept away by the flattery.

Fan Chunyi strode in wearing a pink puff-sleeved dress, followed by two people carrying her luggage. After entering, she took off her sunglasses and handed them to one of her attendants. Lifting her sharp chin, she declared proudly, “Hello, everyone. I’m Fan Chunyi.”

She then nodded at Jin Sheng, “I really enjoy your movies, Film Emperor Jin.”

To Jiang Huai, she offered reluctant approval, “The choreography in your latest album isn’t bad.”

But when she turned to Hu Caicai, her expression turned critical, “Your roles in the last two dramas were too similar. Is there some exaggeration in your status as a rising starlet?”

Then, without so much as a glance at Zhu Xinya, she turned and found a seat.

Jin Sheng: “…”

Jiang Huai: “…”

Hu Caicai: “…”

Who do you think you are, coming here to critique everyone like you’re the judge?

Zhu Xinya, however, didn’t mind being ignored. After all, the two of them had already clashed on the set of “Dreams of the Square Garden.”

Since Fan Chunyi dared to covet Que Hanfu, Zhu Xinya had no intention of being polite to her.

“Hey, Fan Chunyi, right?” Zhu Xinya stood up, returned Jin Sheng’s jacket to him, and walked over to Fan Chunyi. Looking down at her from above, her eyes filled with disdain.

Seeing Zhu Xinya approach, the expressions of Jin Sheng and the other two grew complicated.

Was Zhu Xinya really going to start complimenting her too?

Fan Chunyi, unwilling to lose her composure even while seated, lifted her sharp chin and looked up, asking, “Yes, that’s me. What about it?”

The two cameramen immediately swirled around the two of them to capture the conflict as soon as they noticed it.

Zhu Xinya snorted coldly, “You have no notable works, no popularity, no looks, and your acting is the absolute worst of the worst. What makes you worthy of liking Teacher Jin’s movies? And you keep calling him ‘Jin the Movie Emperor’ as if you’re afraid people won’t realize how ignorant you are? You don’t even know how to show respect to your elders, do you call your dad ‘CEO’ and your mom ‘CEO’s wife’ at home?

And what’s more, Jiang Huai has so many great songs, yet you only mention his dancing? Yes, his dancing is amazing, but his songs are even better! Jiang Huai is, first and foremost, a singer. I beg you, next time you praise someone, get to the point, or people will think you’re deliberately mocking them.

And then there’s Caicai beautiful, gentle, generous, and adorable. Among actresses her age, I dare say she ranks number one in acting. How dare you say her roles are all the same? You probably haven’t even watched her dramas, have you? In the later part of Ming Xin, her character’s dark transformation was explosive, a textbook example of acting! And you dismiss it like that? I think you’ve grown a mouth for nothing. If you don’t know how to speak, just shut up and watch how others do it!”

Jin Sheng: “…”

Jiang Huai: “…”

Hu Caicai: “…”

I really want to applaud and cheer for Zhu Xinya!!!

This is so satisfying!

Zhu Xinya finished her tirade in one breath, and Fan Chunyi was so stunned she couldn’t react at first. By the time she processed everything, her already not-so-fair face turned completely dark. “Zhu Xinya, have you lost your mind?! Do you even know who I am?!”

Fan Chunyi noticed the cameramen still filming nearby and stood up in a rage, shooing them away. “Stop filming! What’s there to film?! If you keep filming, I’ll have my uncle fire all of you!!”

Fan Chunyi’s uncle was one of the investors of See the Southern Mountain. To pave the way for his niece’s entry into the entertainment industry, he specifically requested that the director, Park, allow her to join the show.

Zhu Xinya took a step back to avoid Fan Chunyi’s hands. Hu Caicai, who had been stunned into silence, suddenly snapped out of it and walked over to Zhu Xinya’s side, looking at her with concern. “Xinya, are you okay? Did she hit you?”

Zhu Xinya shook her head. “Caicai, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Hu Caicai leaned in and whispered into Zhu Xinya’s ear, “I heard from my manager that Fan Chunyi’s uncle is an investor in the show. You just offended her, what if they terminate your contract?”

Zhu Xinya blinked and said, “Pfft! Who doesn’t have connections? Did you know? I’m signed with Yunyun Pictures, and our company also invested in the show. They might replace anyone, but they won’t replace me.”

Hu Caicai felt relieved at that.

She didn’t want Zhu Xinya to leave either. Just imagine having someone around during filming who praises you all the time is pure joy. If Fan Chunyi were to stay instead, Hu Caicai would seriously consider breaching her contract and quitting the show.

“Xinya, Teacher Jin, Jiang Huai, and I, we all support you,” Hu Caicai said.

“Thank you,” Zhu Xinya replied, her eyes curving into happy crescents.

“Zhu Xinya! What are you smiling about?! I’m calling my uncle right now to have you replaced! Let’s see if you’ll still be smiling then!” Fan Chunyi took out her phone to tattle.

Zhu Xinya leisurely pulled out her own phone and dialed Ling Xiaoxiao.

“Hey, Xiaoxiao, I’ve run into a bit of trouble here. There’s a guest named Fan Chunyi who wants to have me replaced. Yeah, her uncle’s an investor. Yeah, I’m not scared. Okay.”

Zhu Xinya hung up the phone and looked up to meet Fan Chunyi’s smug gaze. “Zhu Xinya, you’re just a small-time actress with no connections, yet you’re trying to stand up for others? You should worry about whether you can even protect yourself.”

“That’s none of your concern,” Zhu Xinya replied.

By the time they were due to board the flight, Fan Chunyi still hadn’t received a callback from her uncle. She could only glare at Zhu Xinya as she boarded the plane.

The location for their show recording was a small mountain village in Zhejiang Province. Nestled among hills and rivers, the scenery was breathtaking, though transportation was inconvenient. Most of the village’s younger residents had left to work in cities, leaving behind only the elderly and children.

The production team had rented a plot of land in the village for a year, where they built a small courtyard. They planted various vegetables around it and dug a pond for lotus roots and fish.

The crew had also helped repair the village roads. After landing, they took a car to the village entrance, but a stretch of mountain path still had to be traversed on foot.

The two assistants Fan Chunyi had brought along had left before the flight. With no word from the call she was waiting for, Fan Chunyi grew increasingly irritable. She snapped at the cameraman, who soon grew reluctant to film her.

As the four of them got out of the car, Hu Caicai looked at the winding mountain path and felt grateful she had packed light. Otherwise, the climb would have been a struggle.

Zhu Xinya’s suitcase, packed by Que Hanfu, was filled with thoughtful items mosquito repellent, a mosquito net, bedding, and other essentials. But carrying it up the mountain was no easy task.

The suitcase was heavy, and Zhu Xinya wasn’t particularly strong. If she forced her way up, she might end up tumbling down with the luggage in tow.

Sighing at the sight of the path, Zhu Xinya was approached by Jiang Huai. “Xinya, don’t worry. Keep an eye on my luggage for a moment. I’ll carry yours up first and then come back for mine.”

Zhu Xinya’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Jiang Huai!”

“We’re friends, no need to be so polite!” Jiang Huai replied with a hearty laugh.

Meanwhile, Jin Sheng quietly picked up Hu Caicai’s suitcase. “Keep an eye on my luggage,” he said.

Hu Caicai quickly responded, “Teacher Jin, my suitcase is light. I can carry it up myself.”

But Jin Sheng had already started up the mountain path with her luggage in hand.

Jiang Huai followed not far behind.

Only Fan Chunyi was left with her two lonely suitcases, ignored by everyone.

Fuming, she turned to the camera and complained, “Jin Sheng and Jiang Huai are no gentlemen. Their fans must be so disappointed in them!”

Jin Sheng and Jiang Huai soon returned for their own luggage and made their way up the path. Hu Caicai and Zhu Xinya helped by carrying some of their belongings, leaving Fan Chunyi completely overlooked.

The show had to go on, and Fan Chunyi couldn’t just stay behind. The cameraman called Director Piao to explain the situation. The director felt utterly overwhelmed, regretting his decision to let Fan Chunyi join the show due to her financial backing.

Her acting was terrible, she was supposed to play a delicate, refined young lady, but instead, she came across as an unreasonable and foolish woman.

But since she was already part of the show, it was easier to invite her than to send her away. They had to deal with her one way or another.

“You and Xiao He will have to help her with the luggage,” Director Piao told the cameraman assigned to Fan Chunyi.

The cameraman was reluctant, but there was no other choice Fan Chunyi had connections, after all.

By the time the cameraman helped Fan Chunyi carry her luggage up the mountain, Zhu Xinya and the other three had already settled into their rooms and started unpacking.

There were two female dorm rooms, each accommodating up to three people, while the male dorm had one large communal bed that could sleep four to five people.

The extra rooms and spaces were reserved for upcoming guest stars.

Zhu Xinya and Hu Caicai chose one of the rooms and began unpacking their suitcases.

Zhu Xinya took out insect repellent spray and sprayed it around the corners of the room before hanging up the mosquito net Que Hanfu had prepared for her.

Hu Caicai exclaimed in surprise, “Xinya, you’re so well-prepared! I didn’t bring any of these things. I was worried about food, so I brought a bunch of seasonings.”

Her seasonings took up almost half of her suitcase.

“My family helped me pack,” Zhu Xinya said, climbing down from the bed to look at Hu Caicai’s seasonings. “Kung Pao chicken, fish-flavored shredded pork, boiled sliced pork, hotpot base, Caicai! You’re amazing! Who said I was well-prepared? Clearly, you’re the one who’s prepared. We don’t have to worry about meals for the next two days, you’re our lifesaver!”

Hu Caicai, who had initially felt careless and not meticulous enough, suddenly felt like a savior.

Fan Chunyi directed two cameramen to help her carry her luggage to the second floor. When she saw Zhu Xinya and Hu Caicai chatting in one of the female dorms, she snorted coldly and went to the room next door.

By the time they finished tidying up their rooms, it was already noon, and they had to prepare their own lunch.

Zhu Xinya and Hu Caicai went downstairs to the kitchen, where they found two brick stoves with a large pot on one and a small stove with a stainless steel kettle for boiling water.

“Do we have to burn firewood?” Hu Caicai crouched down to examine the stove.

“Don’t worry, I know how to do it,” Zhu Xinya reassured her.

Hu Caicai had an inexplicable trust in Zhu Xinya and replied gently, “Then you can teach me, so I can help you with the firewood.”

“No problem.”

Zhu Xinya opened the refrigerator and found only a block of tofu, a drawer of rice, and no vegetables or meat.

“There’s a vegetable garden outside. You’ll have to pick your own vegetables,” Director Pu said as he entered and handed Hu Caicai a map.

Just then, Jin Sheng and Jiang Huai came downstairs. As they passed the living room, the phone suddenly rang.

Jiang Huai walked over to answer it.

Zhu Xinya and Hu Caicai heard the noise and came over from the kitchen.

“Hello, this is the Nanshan Cottage from See Nanshan.”

Jiang Huai seemed troubled by what he heard on the other end, his brows furrowing.

“Alright, see you tonight.”

After hanging up, Zhu Xinya and the other two looked at him. “Who was it? Is someone coming tonight?”

Jiang Huai replied, “It was a male actor. I couldn’t tell who it was, but he said he’d arrive at Nanshan Cottage around five or six and specifically requested boiled fish.”

“Does anyone here know how to cook?”

Jin Sheng said, “I can cook a little.”

“Great! I can’t cook at all, but if there’s any physical work, just leave it to me. I can handle it,” Jiang Huai said.

Hu Caicai took out the map Director Pu had given her and said, “This is a map of the area. Ya Ya and I just checked the kitchen. The fridge only has rice and a block of tofu. We’ll have to gather the ingredients for the boiled fish ourselves.”

The map was divided into several sections, with some vegetable plots labeled as potatoes and pumpkins, others marked with bell peppers, chili peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes, and still others with radishes, carrots, green beans, Chinese cabbage, and scallions, ginger, and garlic. Not far from the entrance of the South Hill Cottage was a pond, labeled with fish and lotus roots, though the lotus roots were marked as unripe.

“I’ll go catch some fish,” Jiang Huai volunteered.

“Xinya and I will pick the vegetables,” Hu Caicai said.

“Teacher Jin, as the head chef, will hold down the fort here.”

As Zhu Xinya finished speaking, the phone in the living room rang again.

This time, Hu Caicai answered it.

“Hello, this is South Hill Cottage.”

“You’ve already arrived at the village? Great, great! We’ll come pick you up right away!”

After hanging up, Hu Caicai said, “It was a girl. Her voice was very pleasant, but I didn’t recognize it, no idea who she is. She’s already outside the village now, so we need to go bring her up.”

“Then we should hurry. The sun is blazing right now, we don’t want the girl to get sunburned,” Jiang Huai said, immediately heading out with long strides.

Zhu Xinya and Hu Caicai followed, running after him, while Jin Sheng lagged a step behind.

Jiang Huai was the first to reach the village entrance. He glanced around and soon spotted a graceful figure under a tree, turned slightly in his direction. Her long hair cascaded softly, and her profile was so perfect it was breathtaking. Jiang Huai was almost mesmerized.

His face flushed, whether from the sun or some other reason, and he took out his phone, opening the camera to check his appearance before slowly approaching, as if afraid of startling the beauty. He spoke softly, “Hello.”

By the time Zhu Xinya and the other two descended from the hill, Jiang Huai was doing his best to strike up a conversation with the beauty. Unfortunately, for every ten sentences he spoke, she might not even reply with one.

“Jiang Huai, who is our guest?” From Zhu Xinya’s angle, Jiang Huai was completely blocking the view, she couldn’t even catch a glimpse of the visitor’s clothes.

Jiang Huai turned around and stepped aside, the usually cheerful and outgoing boy uncharacteristically nervous and shy. “Her name is Que Hanfu.”

“What???”

“What???”

Zhu Xinya and Jin Sheng exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

Jin Sheng reached Que Hanfu a step ahead of Zhu Xinya, extending his hand and saying, “Professor Que, it’s been a long time.”

Zhu Xinya happily ran to Que Hanfu’s side. “Sister, what brings you here?”

Support