The Movie Queen's Silly CEO - Chapter 23

Filming and the Snowstorm the shoot itself wasn’t difficult just a few poses. Even Le Xiaoxiao, who had only acted once before, handled it well. The others had great camera presence, and the whole thing wrapped up in under ten minutes.

But as soon as filming ended, the snow began to fall harder. The sun, once hanging in the sky, was now hidden behind thick clouds. Without its warmth, the temperature on the mountainside dropped sharply.

“Let’s rest here for a bit. The guide said the snow might get heavier, and staying too long could affect our descent,” the assistant director urged after everyone finished their hotpot.

“Director, isn’t there a cable car or something to get down?” Le Xiaoxiao asked. She wasn’t used to physical exertion, and climbing several hundred meters of snowy terrain had been a major challenge.

“There’s no cable car in a place like this it’s not a tourist spot,” the director replied, stomping his feet to stay warm. “Let’s rest for ten minutes and then head down. I’ll treat you all to hotpot when we get back.”

That promise gave Le Xiaoxiao a bit of energy. After cleaning up their trash, the group began their descent.

On the Way Down

Mu Qing naturally stayed close to Feng Xi. When the path became slippery from snow, she grabbed Feng Xi’s hand.

“Is it okay if this gets filmed?” Mu Qing asked. “Should I ask the director to cut this part?”

Feng Xi looked down at her wet shoes and replied, “It’s fine. The audience won’t recognize you.”

“You sure it won’t cause trouble?” Mu Qing pressed.

Feng Xi shook her head and held Mu Qing’s hand in return. “Don’t worry. Even if they see it, they’ll just think you’re part of the local mountaineering team.”

Mu Qing and Chen Ning were dressed in professional gear, indistinguishable from the other three mountaineers except for color. With masks, goggles, hats, and scarves, even eagle-eyed netizens wouldn’t be able to identify them.

Feeling reassured, Mu Qing tied a safety rope to Feng Xi’s belt.

“This way we won’t slip,” she explained.

“I’m a grown-up, I won’t fall,” Feng Xi laughed, though she tightened the rope herself.

Seeing Feng Xi accept Mu Qing’s gesture, Su Xiu hesitated. If Feng Xi liked Mu Qing, then trying to get close would be more than competition it’d be stealing. And she wasn’t about to do something so unethical.

A Private Conversation

“Su Xiu, do you like Sister Feng Xi?” Shao Qiushuang whispered as she caught up.

Su Xiu shot her a wary look. “What nonsense are you talking?”

“Relax, we’re not wearing mics on the way back. Just keep your voice down,” Shao Qiushuang winked.

Su Xiu stayed silent. Her feelings were her own business, and she didn’t trust Shao Qiushuang enough to share them especially since they worked at the same company.

“You don’t trust me?” Shao Qiushuang pouted. “We’re from the same company. Shouldn’t we be closer than the others?”

Still silent, Su Xiu sped up to put distance between them.

Shao Qiushuang followed, puzzled. “Su Xiu, sometimes you just have to let go. If you like someone, you should want them to be happy. If Sister Feng Xi ends up with President Mu…”

“Stop,” Su Xiu interrupted. “It’s not what you think. I’m not hung up on anything.”

Shao Qiushuang blinked. Definitely heartbroken, she thought. “Okay, I’ll drop it. We’ve got two more stops. If you need help, just ask.”

Su Xiu couldn’t figure out Shao Qiushuang’s angle. Was she mocking her? Comforting her? They barely knew each other.

Trouble on the Descent

Meanwhile, Le Xiaoxiao was struggling at the back of the group, regretting joining the shoot. Climbing was hard, but descending wasn’t much easier.

The snow wasn’t deep, but after being trampled, it turned into slippery ice. Le Xiaoxiao had to tread carefully.

“Xiaoxiao, if you’re tired, let’s rest,” said Xu Leran, who was also trailing behind but looked much more relaxed.

“No, the days are short now. If I rest, it’ll get dark and be even harder,” Le Xiaoxiao replied, gripping her trekking poles tightly.

The descent was easier than the climb, and spirits lifted as they neared the base.

But just as the director thought the trip would end smoothly, disaster struck Le Xiaoxiao slipped and fell toward a steep slope.

“Help! Xiaoxiao fell!” Xu Leran grabbed her clothes, falling too but increasing friction enough to stop her slide.

The cameraman dropped his gear and rushed over, joined by mountaineers. After some effort, they pulled Le Xiaoxiao back up.

“She’s got a sprained ankle. Needs to get to a hospital,” the medic said.

“It’s still an hour to the nearest road,” the director frowned. “Xiaoxiao, can you keep going?”

“Let’s have the mountaineers take her down,” Mu Qing suggested. “She can use the snowmobile I brought. Let Chen Ning go with her.”

Relieved, the director agreed. Mu Qing had brought three snowmobiles thank goodness.

“Thanks, President Mu,” the director said. After some quick first aid, Le Xiaoxiao was helped away.

“Thank you,” Le Xiaoxiao said weakly.

Mu Qing nodded. “No problem. If anything comes up, tell Chen Ning.”

With help from the mountaineers, Le Xiaoxiao hobbled toward the snowmobile.

Feng Xi’s Thoughts

Watching her leave, Feng Xi felt relieved but also uneasy.

Mu Qing really was kind. She’d saved Feng Xi once, and now helped Le Xiaoxiao.

But what if Mu Qing had met someone else that night at the hotel? Would she have fallen for them instead?

Feng Xi’s mind spiraled with “what ifs,” imagining Mu Qing being kind to someone else, falling for someone else.

“Are you okay?” Mu Qing asked, noticing Feng Xi slowing down.

“Huh?” Feng Xi snapped out of it. “Just thinking.”

“Worried about Xiaoxiao? Chen Ning’s with her. She’ll be fine.”

Feng Xi nodded vaguely, still lost in thought.

As they neared the parking area, Feng Xi couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Mu Qing, if you’d met someone else at the hotel that night… would you still have liked me?”

Mu Qing looked puzzled, then understood. “But I met you. That’s what happened.”

“I know, but just pretend. What if it had been Le Xiaoxiao?”

“I’d probably have called her parents,” Mu Qing replied.

“You know her parents?”

“I’ve met them. I have their contact info.”

“…What if it was Su Xiu?”

Mu Qing hesitated. “I’d probably have asked my manager to handle it.”

She didn’t want to seem cold Feng Xi had once called her a good person, and she wanted to live up to that.

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