The Film Queen Is Cold and Ruthless, Only Sends Money - Chapter 13

[“Su Yun really lives up to her reputation her words are so artfully crafted.”]

[“I don’t know why, but even though Jiang Zhi’s face showed no expression, I could tell she was probably just as speechless as I was.”]

[“I dodged all the previous segments, only to get completely stumped by Su Yun’s words, the first time I’ve actually had to think in a week.”]

The director, unfazed that her plan had been guessed, picked up a megaphone and announced to everyone, “Now, you can all open the cards in your hands.”

The cards were a soft pink, but the cold, rigid grid inside was anything but gentle.

The rules for today’s game were clearly written on them.

The couples would need to work together to complete three challenges.

The top two pairs in each game would earn one point, and the final room selection would be based on their accumulated scores.

Su Xue glanced back at the wooden plank bed and tugged on Jing Zhaozhao’s sleeve. “Zhaozhao, we need to give it our all, we absolutely can’t come in last.”

Hearing this, Ye Ying and Liu Yangran nodded in agreement.

The director added, “Since everyone seems to understand the rules, we’ll make a temporary addition: the couple who ends up with the last room will also be responsible for fixing the door.”

[“I thought she was going to add some serious rule, hahahaha!”]

[“Director: No way I’m admitting this was the props team’s fault! This was all part of my master plan!”]

[“I can already picture the losing couple, stone-faced and resentfully hammering away at that broken door!”]

Lin Yan, ever concise, spoke up. “Can we apply to quit the show now?”

The director’s ruthless side emerged as she pretended not to hear. “Now, let’s announce the rules for the first game.”

[“Lin Yan: I wanna run, but I can’t escape.”]

[“Lin Yan: I really fell for the show’s lies so warm, so relaxing. Nothing says romance like fixing a broken wooden door together.”]

Still, Lin Yan’s joke successfully lightened the mood, and everyone relaxed.

Su Yun wholeheartedly agreed with Lin Yan. “I really shouldn’t have, ” (thought about the breach-of-contract penalty).

Before she could finish, Jiang Zhi grabbed the back of her head and turned her around. “You’ve already said that once. No need to repeat it.”

By now, Jiang Zhi had accepted that she would never fully grasp Su Yun’s thought process any random remark could shatter her usual expectations.

So she resorted to direct action, forcing Su Yun to focus on the director’s explanation.

[“Help, what was Su Yun about to say that even the endlessly patient Jiang Zhi couldn’t bear to hear, hahahaha!”]

[“Are they already clashing on their first day?”]

[“Why do they give off such an old-married-couple vibe? Low-key kinda shipping them.”]

The director announced the first game’s rules: “The four couples will split into two teams. Each must follow the given clues to complete their task and reach the designated destination. The first team to arrive wins and earns a point.”

After drawing lots, Su Yun and Lin Yan’s group ended up together, while Liu Yangran was paired with Jing Zhaozhao’s team.

The production crew handed each team their respective clues.

Su Yun unfolded the slip of paper in her hand, making sure everyone could see the two words written on it: “East, Fish.”

Liu Yangran’s team received a similarly cryptic clue: “West, Feather.”

[“Just two words? How are they supposed to figure that out?”]

[“This is why I’ve stuck with this show for two seasons, you guys really know how to stir up drama!”]

【Any locals here? Can we find the destination with just two words?】

【Local here, but I’m stumped too. Doesn’t seem like there’s any nearby place with “fish” or “feather” in its name.】

After handing them the clue, the director got into the car and headed to the next destination with effortless cool, showing no hesitation or attachment.

The eight people left behind stood there, inhaling the exhaust fumes from the departing crew’s car: “……”

Su Yin tucked the note away, blinked, and asked the other team, “Do you guys know the Pythagorean theorem?”

Though she was addressing the opposing team, Lin Yan and the others also started pondering.

Their minds raced through various math formulas, trying to connect them with the given hints.

Only after seeing the other team nod did Su Yin say, “Good, then the clue probably has nothing to do with the Pythagorean theorem.”

She was just joking.

Jing Chaochao, Su Xue, Liu Yangran, Ye Ying: “……”

Why did they actually believe Su Yin for a second?

【When I heard Su Yin’s question, I was seriously trying to recall the Pythagorean theorem formula.】

【Gotta admit, Su Yin’s got a talent for messing with people’s heads. If I were on the other team, I’d probably think of the Pythagorean theorem every time I saw the clue now QAQ】

【How is Su Yin so naturally funny on variety shows?! My mom asked why I was laughing like a maniac hahaha】

【Was Su Yin like this in her past variety appearances? If so, I need to binge-watch them now!】

【Don’t get too excited, commenter above! Maybe she’s just putting on a show for this episode her past reality shows were pretty dull?】

【Then I hope Su Yin keeps up the act and stops being her real self!】

【Keep up the act, stop being real!】

Xu Zhi and Lin Yan were the first to catch on and burst into laughter, while even Jiang Zhi cracked a faint smile.

To avoid further distractions from Su Yin, Liu Yangran’s team took the clue and left first, planning to analyze it on the way.

【They look like they’re fleeing in defeat!】

【Su Yin: Why are you leaving so soon? Let’s chat a bit more!】

【Let me guess is Liu Yangran’s team still thinking about the Pythagorean theorem right now?!】

Once the other team was gone, Xu Zhi studied the two-word clue and analyzed, “Our direction should be opposite to theirs one east, one west. The ‘fish’ and ‘feather’ parts are key.”

Jiang Zhi agreed. “Then let’s head east first. We might spot more clues along the way.”

The morning weather was lovely. As they walked across the bridge, they could see the sparkling water below, reflecting the clear blue sky, with occasional white clouds drifting overhead.

They weren’t in a hurry, leisurely enjoying the scenery.

Lin Yan turned to Jiang Zhi beside her and asked, “Any plans for a new film lately?”

One was a renowned director, the other an acclaimed actress, they had collaborated many times and were well acquainted.

“Not yet. Do you have a new script?” Jiang Zhi replied.

【Are Director Lin and the award-winning actress teaming up again?! I need to see this!】

【A powerhouse collaboration! I can’t even imagine how amazing their next film will be!】

Lin Yan nodded. “I recently came across an interesting script. Might consider it.”

Jiang Zhi didn’t refuse. “Let’s talk then.”

Su Yin hadn’t traveled much before, and the beautiful scenery lifted her spirits.

She had been eyeing the stalls by the roadside when Lin Yan unexpectedly brought her into the conversation: “What about you, Su Yin? Any plans lately?”

Su Yun blinked, taking a couple of seconds to process Lin Yan’s implication before understanding her meaning.

As someone within the industry, Lin Yan would easily know that Su Yun had spent the entire month at home without stepping foot on any film sets.

Being Jiang Zhi’s friend, Lin Yan naturally wouldn’t consider Su Yun a good match for her.

So, this was both a reminder and a warning, telling her not to stir up trouble on the show?

[Is Su Yun being targeted by Jiang Zhi’s friend?]

[Only twenty minutes into the show, and the drama’s already heating up. Are we about to witness a showdown?]

[But bringing this up during a live broadcast is way too obvious, isn’t it?]

Off-camera, Xu Zhi tugged at Lin Yan’s sleeve, signaling her to be mindful of the situation.

From the start of the show until now, Xu Zhi had only seen Su Yun as a rather endearing girl. Even as Jiang Zhi’s friend, there was no need to single Su Yun out.

She wanted to step in and help defuse the tension, but before she could speak, Su Yun’s voice rang out.

Su Yun showed no trace of awkwardness. She answered honestly, with complete composure: “Aside from this variety show, I don’t have any plans yet. I just want to enjoy a few more days off.”

Then, with genuine concern, she added, “Director Lin Yan, it’s been a while since you’ve had a break, hasn’t it? You should spend more time with Sister Xu Zhi.”

Lin Yan, who had been holed up in the wilderness for half a year without a break and had only recently emerged from her “caveman” state: “…”

Why did she suddenly feel like she’d been stabbed in the heart?

Su Yun concluded with a sigh: “Taking time off is the best cosmetic procedure for us Chinese!”

Directors and actors share similar work schedules, but directors have even less freedom.

Once a project starts, they’re usually stuck on set until it wraps, three or four months at the very least, sometimes over half a year.

Hearing Su Yun’s words, Xu Zhi felt a warmth spread through her chest.

She turned to Lin Yan: “Xiao Yun’s right. If it weren’t for this show, would I even get to see you right now? Why bring up work during a variety show?”

Lin Yan was being scolded.

But Lin Yan didn’t dare argue.

She was starting to think friendship wasn’t all that important sometimes.

Why had she been so foolish as to try and stand up for Jiang Zhi, especially when the other party didn’t even seem to appreciate it?!

[Hahahahaha, the power of hierarchy! The big director doesn’t dare say a word!]

[Su Yun: Effortlessly resolving the situation without breaking a sweat.]

[But Su Yun’s got a point! If I had her vacation time, I’d definitely want less work too!]

[Who in this world actually loves working? I wish I could be on holiday every single day!]

Jiang Zhi, who had initially furrowed her brows slightly at Su Yun’s response, now relaxed.

She shot Lin Yan a look, telling her not to pick on Su Yun.

Meanwhile, Lin Yan, still busy placating Xu Zhi: )

She regretted it.

How could she have dared to provoke Su Yun? QAQ

Su Yun, puzzled and shocked: “You’re not on vacation because you don’t want to be, right?”

Lin Yan (the person in question): “At that moment, I felt nothing but regret.”

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