The Plan to Save the Villainess Supporting Actress [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 12

“No.”

Xu Silan bit down on the straw of her iced Americano, refusing without even looking up.

Nan Zhi was stunned. Weren’t they supposed to be interested in Zhu Ran?

“But, Teacher Xu…”

“I said it before opportunities come only once. If you give it up, you have to bear the consequences.” Xu Silan finally lifted her gaze to Nan Zhi. “Little Nan, you still have seven hours left.”

“Teacher Xu, won’t you reconsider.”

“We understand. Sorry to disturb you, Teacher Xu.”

Nan Zhi was still trying to argue, but Zhu Ran bowed slightly before pulling her out by the wrist.

“Why did you drag me out?” Nan Zhi asked, baffled.

Zhu Ran smiled. “Remember that short video?”

Short video?

Nan Zhi was even more confused. What did that have to do with recording an MV?

“Back then, you were Director Nan. This time, let me be Producer Zhu Ran.”

What kind of nonsense was this? Nan Zhi blinked in bewilderment.

But.

This might be the first time she had ever seen such a relaxed expression on Zhu Ran’s face.

The slight upward curve of her eyes, like the fluttering wings of a butterfly.

That butterfly flapped its wings, tracing an unrestrained arc.

It was Zhu Ran smiling.

“You know, when I chose to give up on the theme song evaluation, I thought my life had turned completely dark, like there was no future left. But just now, standing in front of Teacher Xu and hearing her say the opportunity no longer belonged to me, I didn’t feel sad. I don’t know why, but my first thought was, time is running out, and I need to help you seize this chance to stand on stage.”

Nan Zhi froze.

Zhu Ran’s smile grew even lighter. “Just like how you helped me film that short video, this time, I want to help you. Think of it as carrying my share with you, okay?”

“But I feel like you’re more suited for the stage than I am. Giving this opportunity to me is such a waste.”

Nan Zhi slumped her head, muttering under her breath.

She had still wanted to beg Xu Silan a little more.

What if she changed her mind?

Zhu Ran tilted her head and waved a hand in front of Nan Zhi’s eyes, her tone cheerful.

“We still have a long road ahead of us. This isn’t the only stage we’ll ever have.”

Opportunities for Zhu Ran and Nan Zhi wouldn’t end with just this MV.

There were still performances, finals, even debuting.

They still had a long future ahead.

A dazzling one.

Though Zhu Ran didn’t say these words aloud, Nan Zhi somehow saw them in her eyes.

A sudden downpour arrived.

Heavy raindrops pelted against the corridor windows, echoing relentlessly, deafening.

Like the frantic drumming in the left chamber of her heart.

The system quietly peeked in: [Detected host’s heart rate spiking. Host, are you okay?]

Nan Zhi was silent for a long moment before letting out a sigh of awe.

As expected, shounen manga is the freaking best!

It’s getting me fired up!

System: […R-really? Is that really it?]

Nan Zhi was puzzled. “What else would it be?”

System: “Baka.”

–

Since Xu Silan hadn’t given them much time and the practice rooms were packed, the two simply returned to their dorm. They pushed two mirrors together and squeezed into the narrow hallway to practice.

The hallway was so tight that even walking past each other normally required turning sideways, let alone dancing.

Add to thatNan Zhi’s tendency to miss beats, and she ended up punching Zhu Ran more than a few times.

Of course, she wasn’t faring much better herself. Her slow reflexes meant she kept tripping over Zhu Ran’s long legs.

Thus, the scene of them constantly apologizing mid-dance unfolded.

After an hour and a half of practice, both of them had taken quite a few hits.

After who-knows-how-many “accidents,” Nan Zhi couldn’t take it anymore and urgently called for a stop:

“No, no, if we keep going like this, I don’t know if we’ll make it to the stage, but we’ll definitely end up in the infirmary again.”

Besides, while dancing, all her focus was on not hitting Zhu Ran, making it impossible to concentrate on learning the moves properly!

Zhu Ran, slightly out of breath, nodded in agreement.

“How about this, you dance in front, and I’ll follow behind.”

Nan Zhi was puzzled. “What’s the difference?”

“You’ve already memorized the moves pretty well. I’ll watch from behind and let you know if anything needs adjusting.”

Following Zhu Ran’s suggestion, Nan Zhi began a new round of training.

Sure enough, even without Zhu Ran leading in front, her muscles, after countless repetitions, had already formed muscle memory. She moved naturally to the music.

And with Zhu Ran watching from behind, collisions were avoided much more easily.

After Nan Zhi finished a complete run-through, not a single “mutual beating” had occurred.

“How was it? How was it? Did I pass?” Nan Zhi asked excitedly.

This was the first time she had completely kept up with the rhythm!

Zhu Ran smiled and nodded. “You were great.”

“Though, passing Teacher Xu’s standards might still be a bit of a challenge.”

Nan Zhi suddenly understood why Xu Silan had taken a liking to Zhu Ran.

Are you some kind of devil?

Nan Zhi wailed dramatically, collapsing to the ground. “No more, no more, I really need a break. If I don’t rest, I’m going to die.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Zhu Ran rummaged through a drawer, pulled out a red juice stick, mixed it with sparkling water, and handed the drink to Nan Zhi.

“What did you put in it?”

“Pomegranate juice.” Zhu Ran paused, then explained, “I thought you might like something sweet and sour, so I added a bit. Forgot to ask if you’d like it, though.”

Nan Zhi’s eyes sparkled. “It’s amazing!”

Zhu Ran finally exhaled in relief, smiling sheepishly.

“I’m glad you like it.”

Unfortunately, compliments couldn’t soften “Coach Zhu’s” heart. After a short break, the “Devil Coach Zhu” turned the music back on and pulled Nan Zhi to her feet.

But now that she had Zhu Ran’s approval, Nan Zhi’s limbs were screaming for liberation, reverting to their rebellious state like a malfunctioning robot.

Just as Nan Zhi was about to give up entirely, a pair of hands suddenly rested on her hips.

The warmth of another person instantly seeped through the thin fabric onto Nan Zhi’s skin.

Zhu Ran’s hands weren’t particularly hot, but Nan Zhi felt as if they were burning her.

Inch by inch.

Scorching her skin.

“Didn’t I teach you this part?” Warm breath suddenly brushed against the back of her neck, sending a shiver down Nan Zhi’s spine. “Twist like this, with a bit more force.”

Following the words, those hands gently pushed Nan Zhi’s hips to the left, then traced a small, graceful arc before returning to their original position.

Nan Zhi’s face flushed crimson instantly.

“W-what’s with the hands-on approach?!”

“Because you gave up.”

The pause had already thrown them completely off-beat, so Zhu Ran simply turned off the music.

“I’m just too tired.”

“Stop slacking, we just took a break.”

Zhu Ran gave Nan Zhi a thoughtful look, then sighed. “Your stamina is really lacking.”

“You guys are the scary ones, okay?!”

But protests were futile. It wasn’t until dinner time in the evening that Zhu Ran finally let Nan Zhi off the hook.

Tang Keyue watched as Nan Zhi’s legs trembled slightly while getting food and asked curiously, “What were you two doing this afternoon? Was it that intense?”

Nan Zhi: …

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