The Movie Queen's Silly CEO - Chapter 9

Sealsy ultimately still rejected him. Mu Qing’s appearance was something she had not anticipated, and she was not prepared for it.

Mu Qing’s expression did not change after being rejected. As expected, actions done on impulse are not rational, and irrational actions often fail.

“Miss Feng, have a safe trip,” Mu Qing stood by the roadside, lowering her head to bid farewell to Sealsy.

“Since we’re friends, Mr. Mu can just call me by my name,” Sealsy said. Further development was impossible, but taking a step back to be friends was a good thing.

“Okay, Sealsy, have a safe trip,” Mu Qing readily changed her address.

Sealsy leaned against the car window, watching the figure in the rearview mirror gradually shrink until it disappeared completely after a turn.

Taking a check out of her bag, Sealsy stared at the signature line below and began to daydream.

Watching Sealsy’s car disappear down the street, Mu Qing curled her lips, picked up the wristwatch from the box, and examined it carefully. She took off her original watch and put on the new one.

As expected of Sealsy’s choice, it was beautiful.

Chen Ning, who was in the driver’s seat, looked at her boss with a complicated expression. After seeing the smile on Mu Qing’s face, she chose to swallow the words she was about to say.

Forget it, if Mr. Mu wants to bask in the sun outside, let her. Getting more sun is good for her health.

Reworking the script was a delicate task that would take several months. After learning that Director Liu Zhi planned to start filming after the New Year, Sealsy’s schedule became free again.

“We have a lot of scripts coming in now. Director Liu Zhi’s show has to wait until spring to film. How do you plan to arrange your time in the meantime? Variety shows or new scripts?” Sun Yan held the recent scripts and sat on the sofa.

Looking at the scripts piled up like a small mountain, Sealsy shook her head. “I plan to study scripts seriously lately. Sister Yan, just arrange a few things for me to maintain exposure.”

“No more acting?” Sun Yan asked. “It’s still half a year until spring. It’s no use looking at the script now if it’s going to be changed.”

Sealsy shook her head. “Director Liu has spoken to me. The script won’t be heavily revised. Even if the plot changes, the background won’t.”

Seeing that Sealsy had her own ideas, Sun Yan didn’t say more. “I won’t accept long-term variety shows for you. I’ll go and look at endorsements and advertisements. If there’s something suitable, you can go.”

Sealsy nodded. “Okay, thanks, Sister Yan.”

Sun Yan quickly flipped through the documents, directly throwing away those that were not suitable for Sealsy. When she was about to reach the bottom, her movements slowed down, and she carefully read the contents of the document. “Sealsy, there’s a good variety show here. They’ve invited you to be a guest.”

Sealsy asked, “What show?”

“A role-playing show, the one you used to like to watch, ‘Who’s Lying’.” Sun Yan handed over the document.

“Who’s Lying” was an online variety show with four regular guests and three guest stars. The episode that invited Sealsy was a live-action shoot. At the beginning, everyone would draw a character card. There were six ordinary people and one murderer, who could lie.

The other six people needed to find the liar through interaction and investigation. The four regular guests were all A-list or B-list celebrities with a lot of traffic.

“The latest season of the show uses a live broadcast format and has very high ratings. It would be very beneficial for you to participate,” Sun Yan analyzed from a manager’s perspective. “Some of the regular guests are people you’ve worked with before, so you won’t be too awkward when you go. Just play your role well.”

Sealsy hummed and shifted her gaze to the filming date.

The filming was a week away, and the guests could get the script a day in advance. So far, only the four regular guests had been confirmed.

“Go for it. The filming will only take two or three days at most,” Sealsy had a good impression of the show.

Sun Yan nodded. “Okay, I’ll arrange it for you then. The filming location is in Haishi. You and Xiaoxin will fly over together.”

Sealsy had no objections to Sun Yan’s arrangement. Xiaoxin was her new assistant, a year younger than her, but very capable and much more sensible than her previous one.

Seeing the instantaneous change in He Yanhui’s expression, Sealsy suddenly felt like laughing. For Director Liu Zhi’s show, He Yanhui probably also cleared her schedule. If she accepted the invitation, He Yanhui probably would too.

The displeased expression on He Yanhui’s face didn’t last long, and she soon greeted the other guests with a smile. “Teacher Feng, we meet again.”

“Yes, what a coincidence,” Sealsy returned a smile, and their hands clasped briefly.

“Teacher Feng was the best student in our grade. I’m sure Teacher Feng will be able to lead us this time,” He Yanhui said with a fake smile. “Please take good care of me during the shoot later.”

Sealsy let go of He Yanhui’s hand, her smile unchanged. “I remember Teacher He used to be a great athlete. If there’s real danger, Teacher He just needs to run a little faster, and she can fly by herself.”

The smile on He Yanhui’s face paused. It would be one thing for an uninformed person to mention this, but Sealsy’s words were something else. How fast she could run was something Sealsy, who always outdid her, should know best!

He Yanhui only quieted down after the live broadcast camera was turned on, and she obediently played her role.

“Welcome to Castle William. I am the butler here, and it is now afternoon tea time, my seven esteemed guests.” The NPC butler, who served as a guide, appeared and began to explain the background.

The butler’s explanation was for the viewers watching the live broadcast. Sealsy had received the script a day in advance and was naturally aware of the story of the castle.

The owner of the castle was a Duke William, and Sealsy’s character was the Duke’s wife. To outsiders, she and the Duke were a loving couple.

“Butler, afternoon tea is about to begin. Please go and ask William to come down,” Sealsy began to play her role after the butler finished rambling.

The butler took the order and went upstairs. After three minutes, he found the study door locked and rushed back to report.

“Madam, aren’t you in charge of all the keys in this castle?” He Yanhui asked. Her character this time was the Duke’s sister, who had a bit of a rivalry with Sealsy.

Sealsy nodded. “That’s true, but I lost my keys two days ago and haven’t found them yet. There’s only one key left for the study, and it’s with the Duke.”

“In that case, let’s all go up and have a look,” the other guests knew the plot had begun. The Duke inside was probably dead.

Sealsy followed behind He Yanhui. After confirming that the door was locked from the inside, everyone started looking for a solution. After some effort, they discovered a secret door connecting to the study from an unoccupied room next door.

As soon as the door was opened, the Duke’s body, hanging from a beam, came into view, and the guests screamed on cue.

“Who’s Lying” was broadcast live on the weekend. Mu Qing, for a rare change, was lounging at home, doing nothing but watching the broadcast on the sofa.

“The Duke was last seen during lunch. Judging by the time, the person who murdered the Duke must be one of the seven guests. I have already reported the situation to His Majesty, and the Royal Guard will arrive at the castle on the third day. I hope you can identify the murderer before then, otherwise all seven of you will face imprisonment,” the butler finished his monologue and left, leaving the stage completely to the guests.

Besides Sealsy and He Yanhui, there were five other guests: Baron Fang, the fiancé of the Duke’s sister; Artist Yang, the Duke’s family painter; Musician Liu, the musician; and a couple from afar, Knight Cheng and Princess Su.

“The study door was locked. We came in through the secret passage in the guest room, which shows that the murderer must be very familiar with the castle’s layout,” Knight Cheng said, focusing his suspicion on Sealsy and He Yanhui.

“I married the Duke a year ago,” Sealsy stepped forward to defend herself. “The Duke never told me about this passage, and I have keys to all the rooms in the castle. This passage is of no use to me.”

“That’s not necessarily true. Maybe you set up this trap precisely because you have the keys,” He Yanhui retorted. “Maybe you even deliberately lost the keys two days ago.”

“In that case, let’s go to Madam Feng’s room first,” Baron Fang suggested.

Since they were searching her room, Sealsy did not participate and instead stood in the middle, watching silently.

“Princess, aren’t you going to join the search?” Sealsy asked curiously when she saw Princess Su also standing still.

Princess Su was played by Su Xiu, who, like Sealsy, was a guest star in this episode. “I trust the Madam’s character. I don’t believe the Duke’s death has anything to do with her.”

“Thank you for your trust, Princess,” Sealsy discreetly observed Su Xiu. Her tone was so firm, could she be the murderer? Or was her story connected to her?

Mu Qing looked at the two people on the screen who were almost touching, and felt a little uncomfortable. This Princess Su was getting a little too close to Sealsy. That distance was close enough to smell her scent, which was a faint, sweet, and seductive smell.

Touching the watch on her wrist, Mu Qing’s mood improved a little. It was okay. Sealsy had given her such an expensive watch, so she must have a place in her heart.

Watching the vigorous debate on the screen, Mu Qing’s lips slowly curved upwards. Even when she was angry, Sealsy was very cute.

By the time the live broadcast ended, almost two hours had passed. Mu Qing turned off the TV and stood up to stretch.

Raising her wrist to look at the watch, Mu Qing took out her phone and skillfully dialed a number. “Hello, Chen Ning, book me a flight to Haishi.”

After the shoot ended, the seven guests dropped their confrontational attitudes. Knight Cheng suggested they all go for dinner together. Seeing that no one objected, Sealsy also went with the flow and agreed.

The four regular guests were all men, so they handed the ordering rights over to the three women.

“Do Teacher Feng and Su Xiu have any dietary restrictions?” He Yanhui picked up the menu and flipped through it.

Su Xiu was a 24-year-old girl and the least experienced of the group. “I’m not picky. I can eat anything.”

“What about you, Teacher Feng?” He Yanhui asked.

With the exception of Baron Fang, Fang Sicheng, the other regular guests were more experienced than Sealsy. Since the seniors had no opinions, Sealsy naturally wouldn’t be picky and let He Yanhui take the lead.

He Yanhui didn’t stand on ceremony and directly ordered a few signature dishes. “Spicy chicken, make sure to add a lot of chili, the flavor has to be strong. Also, a mapo tofu, a pork rib soup, and a chopped pepper fish head.”

As someone who knew Sealsy well, He Yanhui was very aware that Sealsy’s stomach was a little sensitive. Most of the dishes she ordered were spicy.

“Um, Teacher He, can we order something a little lighter? If we eat all spicy food, I’m worried I’ll get pimples tomorrow,” Su Xiu raised her hand and said softly.

He Yanhui’s hand paused. She seemed a little surprised that Su Xiu would speak up. “Okay, then add some stir-fried shrimp and scrambled eggs with tomatoes.”

Sealsy looked at the young girl sitting next to her, leaned in, and whispered, “Thank you.”

Su Xiu smiled shyly. “You’re welcome.”

“Teacher Feng, I heard you’re going to be the female lead in Director Liu’s movie?” Fang Sicheng asked with a smile.

Sealsy smiled. “Yes, Teacher Fang, you’re very well-informed. I only signed the contract a few days ago.”

“Then let me congratulate Teacher Feng in advance. I’ll be sure to support the movie when it’s released,” Fang Sicheng and Sealsy had worked together before, and they could be considered casual friends.

“In that case, Teacher Fang, you have to book a few more screenings to help with the box office,” Liu Yu chimed in. “After all, Teacher Fang’s last movie earned more than 400 million at the box office.”

“That’s all thanks to Director Hong’s good directing. It would have been the same no matter who acted in it,” Fang Sicheng’s smile was noticeably brighter. No one disliked being praised.

He Yanhui took a sip of juice. “I remember Teacher Feng and Teacher Fang worked together before. Was it a movie?”

“Yes, I was the male lead, and Teacher Feng was the female lead,” Fang Sicheng replied. “That was two years ago. Teacher Feng looks even younger than she did back then.”

“It should be Teacher Fang who’s younger,” Sealsy said. “You look like you haven’t changed at all from two years ago.”

“Really? Does that mean Teacher Feng should call me little brother?” Fang Sicheng laughed heartily, seemingly recalling the time they were filming. “I still remember it. Teacher Feng said ‘Get lost’ to me twenty times.”

Sealsy smiled. The movie she and Fang Sicheng worked on was a youthful campus romance about an older sister and a younger brother. Her acting skills were not yet very good back then, and she would occasionally make mistakes.

The dinner ended with a lot of compliments. After a while in the breeze, everyone returned to their respective hotels.

The next day’s shoot was also in the afternoon, so Sealsy decided to sleep in. She only got out of bed slowly when it was time for lunch, put on a hat and a mask, and planned to go out for food.

Unfortunately, Sealsy’s luck was not great. Being so heavily covered up in the middle of summer made her look suspicious. Before she could even leave the hotel, she was recognized by a female fan coming her way.

“Sealsy?! Fenghuang!” the female fan shrieked, excitedly pulling her boyfriend. “Fenghuang, no, goddess, goddess, can you sign an autograph for me?”

Sealsy: …So she had a “mother” fan too.

“Of course,” Sealsy’s smile, hidden by the mask, was a little forced. She had already foreseen the outcome of being surrounded.

Sure enough, after Sealsy finished signing for the “mother” fan, a dozen more people who had heard the commotion were already eager to come over.

“Goddess, I want an autograph too!”

“Fenghuang, can I take a picture with you?”

“Miss Sealsy, look over here. I love you!”

Looking at the enthusiastic fans, Sealsy subconsciously took a step back and gave Xiaoxin a look.

Xiaoxin, who had also seen a thing or two, quickly reacted, took out his phone, and called Sealsy.

“Wait a moment, I need to take a call,” Sealsy, as if a lifeline, took out her phone, answered it, and began to retreat while saying “Hello, hello.”

The fans who had surrounded her saw that Sealsy was taking a call, so no one followed her. They just stayed at the hotel entrance, looking inside like a “waiting-for-her-husband” stone.

“Sister Sealsy, I’ve already talked to the hotel. We’ll go out through the staff entrance,” Xiaoxin said.

“Okay. In a few minutes, you can go and tell the fans outside that I had an urgent matter and had to leave, and treat them to milk tea,” Sealsy said, pulling her hat down further to make sure she wouldn’t be recognized again.

As long as she ran fast enough, the fans couldn’t catch her. Only after Sealsy had left through the back door did Xiaoxin go out to appease the fans.

“Fenghuang is gone.”

“Wuwuwu, my goddess is still so beautiful!”

“I drank the milk tea my goddess bought for me. That’s practically the same as being with my goddess! I’m so happy!”

Looking at these fans in their early twenties, Xiaoxin felt that he, also in his twenties, was very mature. Especially when he saw them queuing up and chattering, asking him questions, Xiaoxin also felt a sense of “motherhood.”

Walking two blocks without looking up, Sealsy finally breathed a sigh of relief. She hailed a taxi by the roadside, intending to find a restaurant near the filming location for a meal.

The taxi driver was a middle-aged man who, seeing that Sealsy was alone, couldn’t help but strike up a conversation. Sealsy didn’t act too cold towards the enthusiastic driver and would occasionally reply with a few sentences.

After solving her hunger problem at a small restaurant, Sealsy went to the filming location and began to change her clothes and prepare.

“Isn’t this Teacher Feng? You’re here early,” He Yanhui walked in just as Sealsy sat down. Seeing Sealsy getting her makeup done, she couldn’t help but say a few sarcastic words. “You must be very happy now, being able to outdo me.”

“It’s not like I haven’t outdone you before. I’m used to it. There’s nothing to be excited about,” Sealsy didn’t take He Yanhui’s bait. To be honest, she had already outdone He Yanhui a few times when she first debuted. He Yanhui had only managed to get the Best Actress award last year through other means and had a well-established public image.

“What did you say?” He Yanhui naturally understood the hidden meaning in Sealsy’s words. “The way you got this role wasn’t very transparent either, was it? I didn’t expect you to get in with Mr. Mu.”

He Yanhui said, her tone carrying an bitterness that she herself didn’t notice. Compared to those investors in their forties and fifties, beautiful investors like Mu Qing were very rare.

Everyone likes beauty. If the conditions allowed, He Yanhui felt that even if she had to give herself to Mu Qing, she would be willing to have a fling with someone like her.

Unfortunately, the conditions did not allow it, so she could only fantasize.

“Mr. Mu and I are just ordinary friends. Don’t think of someone like Mr. Mu in such a dirty way,” Sealsy’s face darkened. She could be criticized, but she would never allow He Yanhui to insult the pure Mu Qing.

“Is that so? You’re defending her so much. Have you developed real feelings for her?” He Yanhui was not just talking nonsense. After the last dinner party, she had sent someone to find out. Mu Qing didn’t know Sealsy at all before then. If they hadn’t made some kind of deal, Mu Qing wouldn’t have been willing to spend so much money for her.

“Of course not. In the absence of evidence, I hope you’ll be more cautious with your words,” Sealsy said with emphasis.

He Yanhui pouted. Just as she was about to retort, Su Xiu pushed the door open and walked in.

“Hello, Teacher Feng. Hello, Teacher He,” Su Xiu greeted them with a smile.

“Su Xiu is here. Hurry up and get changed,” He Yanhui smiled at Su Xiu and swallowed the words she hadn’t said.

Some things could only be said in private. When there were outsiders present, He Yanhui had to maintain her idol image and would never say such blunt things.

The live broadcast on the second day was much better than the first. With the unraveling of one mystery after another, the cause of Duke William’s death was gradually revealed.

Sealsy’s character was confirmed to have a strained relationship with the Duke and was suspected of having an affair with the future brother-in-law, Baron Fang. He Yanhui’s character, the Duke’s sister, was found out to not be his biological sister, but a child he had picked up when he was young.

The artist and the musician were the Duke’s father’s illegitimate sons, making them the Duke’s half-brothers. According to local inheritance laws, they both had a right to inherit after the Duke’s death. As for the knight and the princess from afar, they were sent by the emperor to investigate the Duke’s situation. They had only given him a drug as per the emperor’s request and had not laid a hand on him.

After searching almost every room, the suspect was still not identified. Sealsy, Fang Sicheng, and He Yanhui were the most suspicious, followed by the artist and the musician. The knight and the princess had their suspicions cleared.

After a heated debate, most people focused their suspicions on Baron Fang Sicheng, believing that he had actively seduced the Duke’s wife. Knowing that his sister was a fake, he wanted the wife to inherit the Duke’s estate, then marry her himself and indirectly gain the wealth.

Apart from He Yanhui, who insisted on Sealsy, and Fang Sicheng, who denied it, everyone else voted for Fang Sicheng and sent him out as the suspect.

When the voting ended, the live broadcast also ended. To find out who the real liar was, they would have to wait for the post-production to be completed and watch it then.

“Teacher Feng, someone is looking for you outside,” a staff member ran in to report as soon as the shoot ended.

“For me?” Sealsy asked, confused. “Is it my assistant?”

“No, it’s me,” Mu Qing said, walking in with a bouquet of roses.

Upon seeing Mu Qing enter, He Yanhui’s eyes widened, and she looked at Sealsy with a look of accusation.

As expected, Sealsy’s words were not to be believed. “Ordinary friends”? Bah!

The effect of the live broadcast on the second day was much better than the first. As one mystery after another was solved, the cause of Duke William’s death was gradually revealed. Sealsy’s role was confirmed to be a marriage of convenience with the Duke, and she was suspected of having an affair with Baron Fang, the future brother-in-law. He Yanhui’s character, the Duke’s sister, was found not to be the Duke’s biological sister, but a child he had picked up in his childhood. The painter and the musician were the illegitimate sons of the Duke’s father, which made them the Duke’s half-brothers. According to the local laws of inheritance, they both had the right to inherit after the Duke’s death. As for the knight and princess from a distant land, they were dispatched by the emperor to investigate the Duke’s situation, and they only drugged him as per the emperor’s order, without killing him.

The suspects remained Sealsy, Fang Sicheng, and He Yanhui, while the painter and the musician were second, and the knight and the princess were cleared of all suspicion.

After some debate, most people’s suspicions settled on Fang Sicheng’s Baron Fang. They believed that he actively seduced the Duke’s wife, and after learning that his sister was a fake, he wanted the wife to inherit the Duke’s property, then he would marry her and indirectly gain the wealth.

Aside from He Yanhui, who insisted on Sealsy’s guilt, and Fang Sicheng’s denial, everyone else voted for Fang Sicheng, sending him out as the suspect.

As soon as the voting ended, the live broadcast was over. To find out who was the real liar, they would have to wait for the post-production and watch it.

“Teacher Feng, someone is looking for you outside,” a staff member ran in to report after the shoot.

“Looking for me?” Sealsy was puzzled. “Is it my assistant?”

“No, it’s me,” Mu Qing said as she walked in, holding a bouquet of roses.

When He Yanhui saw Mu Qing, her eyes widened in shock, and she glared at Sealsy with a look of accusation.

Sure enough, Sealsy’s words couldn’t be trusted. What “ordinary friends”? Hmph!

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