The Entire Entertainment Industry Knows the Best Actor Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 16

Shortly after the phone call ended, the afternoon filming session officially commenced.

“All departments ready! Flower Festival, Scene One, Take One! Action!”

[Scenario: “What is the Princess doing here all by herself?”

Chu Mingxin was currently sitting on the railing by the bridge. When he heard the voice and turned his head, the speaker had already reached his side. A shadow fell from above, blocking out the dizzying sunlight.

He leaned slightly toward the man’s embrace and said with a lingering tone, “It’s so cool…”

Ji Yuli curled his lips slightly and asked the question again. “Many noble ladies have come to the palace today to admire the flowers. Why isn’t the Princess staying with them?”

Chu Mingxin looked up at him, his eyes slightly narrowed as if scrutinizing him. After a long silence, he spoke lazily, “Is Lord Nine Thousand Years doing this on purpose?”

“?” Ji Yuli didn’t understand, showing a hint of confusion on his face.

“No one invited me, so I’d rather not go and make a fool of myself. It saves me from being made a target again.”

“I came out to soak up some sun while they aren’t around…”

The sun was particularly harsh today, making Chu Mingxin’s skin sting with heat. Claiming to soak up the sun was, in truth, not comfortable at all. He wore a light green silk scarf over his head to block the rays, but the fabric was too thin to be of much use.

A cool breeze swept through, lifting his skirt and the scarf. Strands of ink-black hair mingled within the fabric, looking like dark ink splashed onto rice paper a landscape painting blurred into existence.

Originally, Chu Mingxin hadn’t wanted to come out. But such a day was truly rare…

The Flower Festival… Everyone knows the Flower Festival, yet everyone forgets Lady Huo who died here…

Beauty… Beauty… Everyone praised her for her beauty, so until her death, she could only remain a ‘Lady’ (a lower-rank concubine).

Lady Huo died, and her child was left in a cold palace, ignored by all. The younger concubines wanted to fight for themselves; the older ones had their own children. Everyone wanted power; no one needed a fragile ‘Princess.’

Chu Mingxin lived because he was a ‘Princess,’ yet he nearly died because of that very identity…]

The hair was blown into a frenzy by the wind machine, and the silk scarf slid off his head. Pei Yuan reached out to catch the fabric in his hand. Following the motion, he tidied Qiao Zhiyu’s slightly messy hair and draped the scarf back over his head.

Qiao Zhiyu looked up, letting those warm fingers wander near his neck and shoulders, remaining completely still. The director noticed the potential issue and hurriedly ordered the wind to be turned down, but he did not stop the two from their improvisations.

The plot continued to move forward naturally.

[“The sun is toxic today. The Princess should return early. This servant must also go to attend to His Majesty.”

Chu Mingxin suddenly felt a wave of indignation. But he said nothing, only averting his eyes slightly and nodding.

Ji Yuli departed.

He stared blankly at the shimmering surface of the lake. He told himself to take it one step at a time; he could not be impatient…

After sitting alone for a while longer, just as Chu Mingxin was about to leave due to the heat, several abrupt footsteps approached from not far away.

“Oh, isn’t this Fourth Elder Sister? Why aren’t you at the Imperial Garden with the Consorts and young ladies to admire the flowers? Could it be that no one invited you?”

It was the Fifth Prince, Chu Mingjue, and his group of followers.

The other’s tone was incredibly obnoxious, accompanied by exaggerated winks and gestures. Chu Mingxin avoided going out precisely because he always encountered such idiots; every time they saw him, it was as if he were some rare curiosity. They would act shocked and prattle on with useless nonsense.

A refined-looking man beside Chu Mingjue spoke up, feigning confusion: “The Fourth Princess is of noble status, how could she not be invited? She must simply prefer the quiet.”]

This was the character Ruan Yuan, played by Qi Le’an. In the drama, his father was a “Sixth-Rank Doctoral Scholar of the Imperial Academy.” Since the Fifth Prince was of schooling age, Ruan Yuan had the opportunity to know Chu Mingjue.

[These words seemed empathetic but were actually giving Chu Mingjue another chance to humiliate him.

“Ah, Brother Ruan doesn’t know. My Fourth Sister’s mothe” Before he could finish, he waved his hand dismissively. “Forget it, I’m afraid saying it will make Fourth Sister unhappy.”

To Chu Mingxin, this was just a “dolt” with an underdeveloped brain. He slowly turned his head, his eyes meeting a pair of sharp ones.

Ruan Yuan’s heart suddenly began to beat violently. In that moment, he even forgot to acknowledge Chu Mingjue beside him. He couldn’t say a word, only managing a hoarse, casual grunt of agreement.

It wasn’t just him; everyone who saw Chu Mingxin’s face clearly let out an involuntary gasp. This made Chu Mingjue feel very lose-faced.

Chu Mingxin couldn’t be bothered with them, nor did he care what they thought while staring at him in a daze. He bid farewell and intended to leave, but Chu Mingjue stepped forward to block his path.

“Sister, don’t leave. I heard Lady Huo was not only skilled in music, chess, and painting but was also a master of poetry and song. We were planning to go to the pavilion ahead to compose poetry. Since we’ve run into you, why not join us?”

Chu Mingxin’s face remained expressionless, making it impossible to tell if he was angry, but his hands hidden inside his sleeves were clenched tightly together. If he could, he really wanted to punch the other into the lake.

“Fifth Brother thinks too much. I am not skilled in those things.”

“Not skilled?” Chu Mingjue showed a look of mock pity. “Then how did Elder Sister win the favor of Ji Yuli…? Though, Sister’s face is indeed very beautiful. I suppose it must have completely enchanted that ‘cripple.’ He even helped you tidy your—”

Before he could finish, a heavy slap landed on his face.

The crisp sound left everyone stunned, including Chu Mingxin and Chu Mingjue. The latter quickly snapped out of it, clutching his face in a murderous rage. He immediately ordered his followers to seize him.

Ruan Yuan looked down on the Fifth Prince’s conduct; if it weren’t for his future career, he would never have associated with him. At this moment, he only wanted to hide as far away as possible. But there are always a few “sincere fools” who charge forward desperately. Ruan Yuan was pushed into the crowd, his body carried forward uncontrollably.

He felt himself collide with someone. Sensing something bad was about to happen, he turned back hurriedly, only to see Chu Mingxin and Chu Mingjue falling together.

With a loud “plop,” both sank into the lake water.

Chu Mingxin had intentionally dragged Chu Mingjue down. He used one hand to pin the other firmly under the water while flailing with the other, shouting for help.

Chu Mingjue was choking until his eyes rolled back, unable to break the surface no matter how much strength he used. Just as he felt he was going to suffocate and die, he was forcefully hoisted up.]

“Cut! This scene is a wrap! Everyone can go eat; today’s break is extended by one hour!”

As the director gave the order, Bai Chao rushed over immediately holding a blanket. This was specifically ordered by Pei Yuan.

The fluffy blanket dispelled the chill, and Qiao Zhiyu was lifted directly by his armpits. Pei Yuan smoothed the wet hair on his face and half-carried him toward the temporary dressing room set up by the crew.

If it weren’t for the crowd, he really would have just picked him up and carried him.