The Real Heiress Just Wants to Be a Lazy Fish - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Life Devouring

“Worried about what?” Since Xiang Yun hesitated to speak, Jiang Zitan could only press further. She understood it likely wasn’t good news and prepared herself for the worst.

“It’s… it’s nothing, ha… Please don’t take it to heart…” Remembering the Captain’s instructions not to say anything negative in front of this lady, Xiang Yun could only laugh awkwardly to change the subject.

But a girl who had just reached adulthood was no match for Jiang Zitan. The information Zitan wanted to coax out was something Xiang Yun couldn’t keep guarded; within a moment, the girl’s eyes reddened as she revealed that Tao Yitong’s previous medical checkup results were not ideal.

Her esper ability was, in essence, slowly draining her life force every second of every day. Xiang Yun didn’t even dare mention the more severe consequences: Tao Yitong wore a real-time energy monitor at all times specifically to prevent Taotie from backbiting and seizing control of her body.

No one wanted to see the “Taotie Catastrophe” of years ago repeat itself, so if Tao Yitong showed signs of losing control, the Special Affairs Bureau would be the first to “process” her.

No one wanted to do it, but it was the only way to minimize casualties. Taotie’s power was already formidable; if combined with Tao Yitong’s own strength, it would be a disaster far more terrifying than the one 27 years ago. The person involved had no objections, but they, as outsiders, couldn’t let it go.

Xiang Yun tried to hold back her tears, only to see the person in front of her stagger. She was terrified she had caused a major incident.

“Are—are you alright? Please sit down for a moment…” She feared the Captain would give her a proper beating for this.

“Then just…” “Delete her scenes.”

Silence followed these words. For a moment, no one reacted to what Liu Ruomeng had said. By the time anyone realized what was happening, several screenwriters had already been summoned.

“Wait, Miss Liu, the plot has already been revised multiple times. If the female official doesn’t appear in this scene, it creates a plot hole!” The executive director was gritting his teeth in frustration, but as he was only one of the executive directors for Group B, he had to explain patiently.

Seeing the voices rising around her, Liu Ruomeng’s temper ignited instantly. “Protecting her, are we? A plot hole without the official? Then if I get rid of this official entirely, there won’t be a hole, right?”

Silence fell over the set again. Director Chen gripped his rolled-up script so tightly it was wrinkled beyond repair. He could see that if another word went wrong, there would be big trouble.

Hearing mention of Director Gao, Liu Ruomeng immediately turned her face away, and an assistant quickly handed her a mirror. Another assistant, sensing the situation, stepped forward to speak for her.

“Don’t try to pressure us with Director Gao. Our artist has been on set for over three weeks and the crew hasn’t been coordinating properly, yet we haven’t complained. Even yesterday when filming was deliberately delayed, our Sister Meng remained professional and filmed countless scenes with the ‘Empress.’ Now, it’s just a minor adjustment based on actual conditions why is that not allowed?”

“Exactly, we are serving the story. Why can’t the protagonist have this highlight moment?”

“Besides, Sister Meng is the lead… a quasi-lead. What’s wrong with a little more screen time? We haven’t charged you extra for the overtime, so be grateful.”

These assistants chattered away, making Director Chen and the other executive director dizzy. Finally, unable to take it anymore, the other director turned to Tao Yitong. “Xiao Tao, what do you think?”

Director Chen nudged his colleague with his elbow, about to scold him for asking her, when Tao Yitong’s voice rang out clear and bright.

“I do not agree to the deletion of my character’s scenes.”

Everyone looked over. Tao Yitong’s expression was calm and indifferent, yet every syllable she uttered felt like it carried the weight of stone. She was easy-going, but she was not a pushover. She would be reasonable where necessary and fight for what she deserved. Her gaze was steady, showing neither arrogance nor inferiority.

“My contract is with the production crew. If there’s to be a replacement or a cut, it should be the person in charge of the crew communicating with me. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

“Ultimately, we are all doing the same type of work, collaborating to finish a job. I do not have a direct employment relationship with you.”

Back in school, she had worked for several “grassroots” productions to supplement her income and had dealt with unscrupulous crews before, so she had specifically studied labor laws.

The crowd didn’t react at first, until a sister from the costume department led the way saying, “Exactly, exactly!” and others joined in.

“What?” Liu Ruomeng couldn’t believe this “small fry” was being so bold. She nearly stood up in anger. She stomped her foot: “Fine, fine! You think you have a backer and can challenge me now, is that it?”

The “backer” she referred to was Jiang Zitan, but neither the crew nor Tao Yitong knew the truth of that claim. The male assistant leaned in and whispered in Liu Ruomeng’s ear.

Liu Ruomeng’s eyes widened, staring at him for three seconds. “Are we really doing this?”

“Of course. we don’t have the capital to fight Jiang Zitan, but isn’t dealing with a Tao Yitong easy?” The assistant gave a sinister, hateful look toward Yitong. “She’s the one who insisted on acting alongside you.”

Liu Ruomeng was still hesitant: “Will… will this work?”

“Don’t worry. Miss Fu Mozheng will certainly be satisfied with this idea.”

Slap! Liu Ruomeng bit her lip and slapped her own thigh, pointing at Tao Yitong. “You still have a chance to regret this. I’ll count to three, and then there’s no turning back!”

“One…” “Three!” “Fine! I won’t delete you, but don’t you dare regret it.”

“Cut!” Behind the monitor, Director Gao shouted through a megaphone, “This take was good. Ten-minute break. Crew, prepare for the next setup.”

Staff immediately began working. Ruan Mengqing, dressed in magnificent robes, walked away from her position, supported by her assistant toward a lounge chair. As her Group A was the main filming area, she waved her assistant away and carried her heavy skirts behind the monitor.

“Director Gao, is there any problem with this take?” Ruan Mengqing’s tone was gentle and lacked any airs, but her every gesture naturally displayed the grace of a high-born lady.

“Oh, Mengqing, it’s good. It’s rare to find someone so professional after all these years, checking the effect after every take.”

Ruan Mengqing’s almond eyes were classic and elegant, the slight upward tilt at the corners showing the sharp wisdom gifted by time. She smiled at Director Gao. “It’s only right. I must be responsible for the character I play.”

Director Gao shook his head with a helpless smile. “If only the other group were as worry-free. I don’t even want to look over there; it’s a mess.”

Ruan Mengqing smiled knowingly. “Yes, I saw it yesterday.”

“I hope nothing else happens today,” Director Gao removed his glasses and rubbed his temples. “Fortunately, there isn’t much plot for Group B; a few fragments should suffice. If they don’t give me more trouble during editing, I’ll be grateful.”

“Hey, Mengqing, you’re done for the day. Want to watch the other actors’ scenes with me?”

Ruan Mengqing: “Since you asked, I would be honored. My daughter is coming to visit soon, so I’ll wait for her here.”

“Great, then help me look at this script for Group B…”

The two were old acquaintances and professionals; their conversation flowed easily. As she flipped through the pages, Ruan Mengqing’s brow furrowed. “Why does the logic in this Group B outline and storyboard seem inconsistent?”

“Hm? Let me see.” Director Gao put his glasses back on and began to read carefully. “Indeed, I felt there was a problem with the pacing there. Looking at it now, the issue isn’t small.”

“I wonder what the latest version of the script looks like…” Director Gao signaled to a staff member. “Call the assistant director Chen and the Group B head writer. Tell them to bring the latest script and any revisions.”

Suddenly, a voice rang out from the distance. “Mother!”

The voice was soft and enchanting, with a playful tone that showed no hesitation in displaying her pride before others. Ruan Mengqing looked up, her face lighting up with a smile. “Mozheng, you’re here.”

Upon seeing the situation behind her daughter, Ruan Mengqing’s brow furrowed again. Fu Mozheng was followed by a crowd of entertainment reporters with cameras. The sound of shutters clicking was constant, and the camera flashes were blinding.

“The Annals of the Dynasty, Scene 74, Take 1, Action!”

Tao Yitong, playing Official Qiao, held a white ivory tablet and stepped forward, bowing to the Princess played by Liu Ruomeng. “This official greets the Princess.”

Dressed in fluttering purple robes with skin like jade, her features—carefully highlighted by the makeup artists looked exquisite. Liu Ruomeng squinted at Tao Yitong, momentarily stung by her beauty. She didn’t reply, instead walking a circle around Yitong before stopping.

“How is the investigation?” As she spoke, she intentionally stepped forward, blocking most of Tao Yitong’s body from the camera. “You speak with such (han-han), but in my eyes, it is full of holes. Are you truly not deceiving me?”

Zhuo-zhuo (certain/definite)… Director Chen sighed behind the monitor. The second half of that line was Liu Ruomeng’s own “innovation.” She had likely forgotten the classical Chinese lines and improvised; the lip-sync would never match. Miss Liu had good looks, but she truly wasn’t suited for acting.

Director Chen was about to call “Cut” when Liu Ruomeng acted first. She picked up a cup of prop tea from the table, removed the lid, and splashed it directly into Tao Yitong’s face.

“What are your true intentions? What use does this Princess have for you?”

Splash!

The crew members couldn’t help but whisper: “What the hell, that’s not in the script!” “This is too much. Liu Ruomeng was eccentric before, but why like this today?”

Even the sharp-tongued assistants were stunned. Only the male assistant stood with arms crossed, smirking.

Tao Yitong’s face was covered in water, droplets dripping from her nose and jaw. Her jaw was clenched, yet she still held her tablet, her back perfectly straight.

Director Chen finally snapped: “Cut!” “Miss Liu, what are you doing?!” He stood up, pointing at her with his rolled-up script.

“Why are you yelling!” Liu Ruomeng tossed the empty cup aside. Her first instinct was to snap back. “What’s wrong? A lowly official failed in her duty; as the master, what’s wrong with punishing a servant? Why are you all siding with her?!”

“What’s wrong? Is that what the script says?”

Having done it, Liu Ruomeng became stubborn. “I warned her to take the money and leave, but she insisted on acting alongside me. She asked for it. I splashed Tao Yitong today who’s going to do anything about it?”

The Hospital

Director Mo was a professional interrogator, so Tao Yitong didn’t doubt his judgment. She only asked to be told immediately if any important information came up.

Suddenly, a pair of warm palms cupped her face. Tao Yitong instinctively looked up, letting Jiang Zitan caress her tense brow.

Was it her imagination, or did Zitan’s expression become… even more full of pity?

She was used to Zitan’s tenderness, but if the “pity meter” had been at 100 before, it had now broken the limit. However, because she already received so much, the extra amount wasn’t overtly obvious.

“I just heard the other person has been rescued,” Jiang Zitan said softly.

“That’s good…” Tao Yitong felt relieved. “I’ll tell the doctor that my friend will come to help, and they can develop a treatment plan together.”

On the walkway nearby, there were bloodstains that hadn’t been cleaned up yet. Seeing that piercing red, Tao Yitong instinctively gripped Jiang Zitan’s hand tightly, as if afraid of losing her.

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