The Second Fall - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Impatience

The assistant cinematographer’s movements were very discreet.

In fact, the cameras were supposed to be rolling at that moment anyway. Two devices were set at two different angles to prevent any accidental loss of footage and to provide Nian Guanqi with options. No one on set noticed her specific actions.

Everyone’s gaze was drawn to Rong Yushu’s movements.

She seemed a bit too impatient.

The little Alpha beneath her was being pressed down until she could barely breathe. With a trace of bewildered tears at the corners of her eyes, her necktie was grabbed. Before her breath could even form, her lips were bitten by this Omega who had abandoned all reserve.

Those who didn’t know the nature of the interaction between Rong Yushu and this Alpha double assumed Rong Yushu was simply doing a trial run to confirm the feel. After all, Rong Yushu held a high status in the industry; she was the widely known “Little Princess.” No one could force her into a scene she didn’t want to film—not intimate scenes, not kiss scenes, not even hugs.

Rong Yushu was extremely picky. If her partner had even a single flaw, she wouldn’t accept the role. If she refused, even the investors were helpless. The Rong family behind her could easily replace investors, so everyone had to follow her lead.

Insiders knew that her few on-screen kiss scenes were either achieved through camera angles or doubles. Since she wasn’t chasing awards, these were mostly niche works she filmed for fun during her leisure time. Her haters rarely watched them, and public opinion regarding her was heavily restricted, so no one ever questioned it.

Before filming started this time, Nian Guanqi had specifically asked Rong Yushu about these kiss scenes. They could have expressed the characters’ emotions without a kiss. After all, the romance wasn’t the main plot; expressing it in a more ambiguous or innocent way would be just as effective. Visual language and atmosphere building were Nian Guanqi’s strengths. Only third-rate directors insisted on physical contact to show affection.

However, Rong Yushu hadn’t listened much back then and had simply agreed. Nian Guanqi thought she had changed her ways and intended to contribute to the art.

As it turned out…

Watching Rong Yushu kiss Lan Cixing until the latter was dazed and helpless, Nian Guanqi suddenly realized the truth. It turned out Rong Yushu had planned all along to use a double for the kiss scenes—and she had planned all along for her little bodyguard to be that double!

Nian Guanqi felt the scene was a bit too scorching, making her eyes—those of a poor dog who couldn’t coax her own wife—ache with a burning sensation.

“D-Director Nian, should we film?” the cinematographer finally reacted and clicked the camera on.

“Heh.” Nian Guanqi didn’t want to deal with this double-standard, scheming Omega at all. Not one bit!

“Film what? That little Alpha isn’t even in character. Just wait.” Nian Guanqi remained expressionless, but she was rolling her eyes toward the heavens internally. The old fox was treating her set as a place to show off her love, and Nian was powerless to stop it. She could only stand there with her arms crossed, waiting stubbornly.

The cinematographer wanted to ask why she didn’t call “cut,” but seeing Nian’s impatient look, she didn’t dare say a word.

This wait lasted for a full fifteen minutes.

Nian Guanqi’s eyes were practically rolling out of her head. The storage on the assistant cinematographer’s device was almost full. The lead cinematographer had already found the perfect angle. The gaffer was now practically leaning on the director’s assistant.

Finally, Rong Yushu let go of Lan Cixing.

She tossed her aside as soon as the kiss was over. Lan Cixing sat alone in the ornate chair, stunned, with a trace of glistening moisture remaining at the corner of her mouth. Not just her mouth—her entire lips were pink. The lip rouge specifically applied earlier had been eaten away and replaced by a layer of “water film” from Rong Yushu’s own brand.

Lan Cixing finally managed to suck in a breath. Without the interference of the white tea fragrance, she returned to life, reaching out to touch her lips, which were sore from being bitten. Her fingers were still trembling.

She didn’t know her face was completely flushed—the tips of her ears even more so, burning with pain—or that her eyes were covered in a very obvious mist.

How long had they been kissing?

Lan Cixing couldn’t regulate her breathing even after several deep breaths; her whole body felt off. She looked up to find Rong Yushu, but she wasn’t in front of her. Rong Yushu was off to the side rummaging through something, not offering a word of comfort to the poor Alpha she had just kissed to the point of tears.

“Teacher, Sister…” Lan Cixing was instinctively parched. With few people around and the lights dimmed, she forgot for a moment that she was filming. She only knew that Rong Yushu had just kissed her. They had kissed so passionately, their breaths and teeth intermingling, lingering like honey. Her heart turned sweet and intensely thirsty, hoping Rong Yushu would fill it. No one else would do. It could only be Rong Yushu.

Lan Cixing wanted to move her legs, but Rong Yushu had already returned. Her hands reached out. Lan Cixing thought it was a hug; her head grew hotter as she covertly nudged closer to Rong Yushu’s side. She looked at her with watery eyes, waiting for their skin to bond without a gap.

Rong Yushu simply cupped her face.

“Ngh…” A chill traveled from Rong Yushu’s icy hands up Lan Cixing’s face, cooling her down rapidly. Lan Cixing’s eyes crinkled into waves before she realized they had just been acting.

Was it over? Surely she wouldn’t have to… kiss Rong Yushu without emotion again?

“We didn’t catch that just now,” Nian Guanqi added cooperatively, crushing Lan Cixing’s fantasy. “Let’s do it again.” Nian spoke with lifeless eyes, not even glancing at Rong Yushu.

After cooling down her “darling,” Rong Yushu casually stroked Lan Cixing’s neck. Hearing this, she looked up, her eyes overflowing with a spring-like radiance that felt quite intrusive to Nian Guanqi.

“Director Nian~” Rong Yushu had clearly failed to enter the role on purpose just now, kissing Lan Cixing without a word to catch everyone off guard and complete such a full kiss. Now that she spoke, her tone was still that of Jiu Lisheng. “You’re not very capable, are you~” The tone, the words, even the subtle reactions—they were all Jiu Lisheng.

Nian Guanqi got even angrier upon hearing this. This vixen had the nerve! Who exactly was acting haphazardly just to chase their wife? Rong Yushu could enter a role in a second without even blinking. Like that sentence just now—Nian was certain Rong Yushu was provoking her!

The cinematographer, seeing the storm brewing in Nian’s eyes, quickly took the blame. “Teachers, it’s my fault. I’m the one who isn’t capable.”

“Hmm?” Rong Yushu turned her attention toward her… then to the assistant cinematographer behind her. She gave her an extra look before withdrawing her gaze. With eyes full of playfulness, she spoke unseriously. “A Beta shouldn’t say they aren’t capable either~”

“…” The cinematographer felt like she had just been stabbed while passing by. As the crew member with the second most contact with Rong Yushu, she glanced at Nian Guanqi.

The two exchanged a look. Cinematographer: I feel like Teacher Rong’s state is off today. Nian Guanqi: How so? Cinematographer: Pink bubbles in her eyes, and she even made a mistake. Is Teacher Rong immersing herself too deeply in the role?

Nian Guanqi covered her face. She really wanted to tell the cinematographer the truth: this person was just teasing her wife.

But she hadn’t shouted “Action” yet. Rong Yushu pulled Lan Cixing down again. This time, she didn’t press down on her for a dominant kiss. Instead, she led Lan Cixing to lie down, guiding her hand—appearing to be in the submissive position, yet controlling Lan Cixing’s every move. She wanted Lan Cixing to hold her, so Lan Cixing’s hand couldn’t escape. She taught Lan Cixing how to use her tongue. Lan Cixing had no choice but to go deeper, helplessly swept in by her.

It was as if Rong Yushu really was Lan Cixing’s teacher. A teacher of kissing techniques. A top-tier master personally teaching, determined to have her clumsiest student graduate with honors.

The moment Lan Cixing touched Rong Yushu, she lost her senses, dizzily following Rong Yushu’s lead. She understood Rong Yushu’s body language better than anyone. Whatever Rong Yushu wanted of her, she would only obey. A caress was a command. A pinch or a scratch was encouragement.

However, this kiss didn’t last long. Just as Lan Cixing was getting deeply into the mood, slowly finding the feeling from four years ago, Nian Guanqi spoke up.

“That… little Ci… isn’t in character, huh.” Nian Guanqi was very restrained and didn’t call out Lan Cixing’s full name. Under Rong Yushu’s resentful gaze, she didn’t dare call Lan Cixing so intimately again. “Let’s do it over. Student Ci can take a break to find the feeling.”

Lan Cixing’s shoulder was still being squeezed by Rong Yushu. Hearing the word “student,” she jolted, feeling as though she truly had become Rong Yushu’s student. And the worst, clumsiest one at that—making Teacher Rong angry and prompting her to punish her personally. Otherwise, why would Rong Yushu kiss her so uncomfortably? Not giving her a single chance at freedom, controlling her completely. Even her breath was not her own to control.

Lan Cixing met Rong Yushu’s fox-like eyes. She didn’t even dare to tremble; her lashes froze in the air. She saw the abundance of mockery in those eyes, the playfulness, and a trace of the ruthlessness of a predator certain of its catch.

She wouldn’t let her go.

Lan Cixing instinctively reached this conclusion, yet her instinct didn’t want to flee. She wanted to be hunted like this by Rong Yushu, to be eaten up completely. It was logic that allowed her to move.

With great difficulty, Lan Cixing raised her hand and pressed it against Rong Yushu’s shoulder. She didn’t even use strength. The muscles she worked on for hours every day melted and became useless in Rong Yushu’s embrace. She just lightly resisted and then looked up. Her gray eyes were pure as a puppy in the rain. Pitifully gathered with tears, she looked up, begging Rong Yushu to stop. Her lashes were wet, clumped together as if she had truly been bullied into a “drowned puppy” state by Rong Yushu.

She didn’t know that this look had the opposite effect. Rong Yushu fell for this look, but… it only made her more intense.

Rong Yushu imprisoned Lan Cixing in her arms as if no one else were there. Cupping the back of her head, holding her waist. She wanted her to grab her sleeve, to wag her tail and beg.

This time, she was begging Rong Yushu to continue.

Rong Yushu didn’t kiss Lan Cixing’s lips; she only hovered near the corners of her mouth. It was very gentle. Compared to the intense lava of before, this was now a lukewarm breeze, kissing her like an irritation of tears. From time to time, her nails scraped against her waist and back, causing a shiver.

Lan Cixing didn’t know what Rong Yushu had done this morning or how long she had been celibate. She only knew it was incredibly uncomfortable right now; she would rather Rong Yushu kiss her deeper so they could release it together.

Three provocations.

Lan Cixing finally couldn’t take it and pressed Rong Yushu down. She didn’t dare to kiss her forcefully; she fled like a puppy.

When Rong Yushu sat up, she saw Lan Cixing huddled in a corner, cleverly finding the ice cubes hidden in her bag to cool her face. She could only sigh. “Get yourself together, bad girl.” Now she really was a bad girl. She clearly dared to press her down, so why didn’t she dare to continue? Never mind a kiss—even if she pinched or bit her, or… the latter was obviously better in private. But if it were just a little “edgy,” Rong Yushu wouldn’t mind.

Rong Yushu didn’t take the ornate chair, leaving the spot for Lan Cixing. She went to tease—no, thank—Nian Guanqi.

“How was it?” Nian Guanqi had been expressionless for a long time. Seeing Rong Yushu come over, she still hadn’t adjusted. She hadn’t intended to film just now and had pulled the two cinematographers back a bit. None of them had closely observed Rong Yushu’s forced kiss on the “anonymous” Alpha. Nian thought she was being considerate enough. She had made a huge contribution to Rong Yushu’s love life. Forget the wedding wine; next time, just teach her how to coax a wife.

“Thanks, Director Nian?” Rong Yushu’s eyes were curved, her tone incredibly unprofessional.

“Don’t mention it,” Nian gave a smile. “Anyway, it’s your family’s money being wasted.” This location had been negotiated for them by the Rong family. “And it’s your time being wasted.” Nian knew Rong Yushu had signed to film a dating show in a couple of days.

“That’s true too.” Rong Yushu showed no sign of feeling insulted, returning the sarcasm with a single sentence. “There’s an unsettled person on Director Nian’s set; your confidentiality work hasn’t been great.”

“?” A question mark appeared above Nian Guanqi’s head. There were only five people here—how could there be someone unsettled? She looked at the two assistants and began to think deeply.

Before she could ask more, Rong Yushu had already drifted back to Lan Cixing’s side to help her touch up her makeup.

“…” Fine, you’re capable. Just pick on me. Nian was speechless and planned to investigate after filming.

Lan Cixing kept her eyes closed as Rong Yushu finished her makeup. When she opened them again, she was already in character. She looked up, no longer seeing Rong Yushu, but looking at Jiu Lisheng.

Rong Yushu paused. For the first time, she regretted teaching Lan Cixing so well.

“A-Sheng.” The address had changed too. A subtle flash appeared in Rong Yushu’s eyes.

“Are you here to find me today?” Lan Cixing had even memorized the lines she wasn’t required to say. Rong Yushu gazed at her, her eyes either shifting or sharp. Lan Cixing remained unmoved.

Rong Yushu suddenly laughed. Also in character, she hooked her arm around Lan Cixing’s neck. She released it after only a second.

“Guess?” Even her voice changed.

In the distance, Nian Guanqi was still thinking about the “unsettled” person, but the lead cinematographer reacted first, rushing over with the camera. They had been filming for over half a month; the cinematographer knew Mu Huai’s level well. When she acted with Rong Yushu, she always fell behind. Some scenes were written with great tension, but Mu Huai’s performance always lacked a certain “breath.” Although Lan Cixing’s appearance didn’t perfectly match the prototype, she could act, and she managed to fill that missing breath with her skill.

The cinematographer adjusted the angle and thought as she signaled the two to start: It would be so much better if Lan Cixing played the second female lead, Qin Huaishi.

The two performed together for a while, their passion for acting unstoppable. Nian Guanqi was very satisfied and directed the two cinematographers to capture candid shots, her thoughts aligning perfectly with the cinematographer’s. But no one spoke. Besides being a mediocre actress, Mu Huai still had investment backing. Without her making a mistake, it was hard to kick her off the set; they had to endure it.

The more Nian watched Lan Cixing, the better she felt. Watching her act gave Nian many inspirations, and she found new ideas for storyboards she had been stuck on.

As for Lan Cixing, she had already reached the scene where she seduces Rong Yushu into a kiss. Their lips had just met. Even with the camera right next to their faces, the gaffer lighting them from above, and Nian directing the camera movement, the two felt something. It wasn’t Jiu Lisheng and Qin Huaishi feeling it. It was Rong Yushu and Lan Cixing. It was exceptionally intense.

Even though they had just kissed for so long. After being placed into the plot and performing the seduction, it was so different. They wanted to go deeper. But the kiss in this scene was only a light touch, meant more for creating a sensual atmosphere—a clash of two people being duplicitous.

Lan Cixing’s fingertips, hidden as she pinched Rong Yushu’s sleeve, turned white. She exercised extreme self-control, trying her best to detach herself so as not to affect the character. She didn’t even dare to let her breath tremble too much.

She opened her eyes slightly and inadvertently saw Rong Yushu’s eyes. Those were Rong Yushu’s eyes. Rong Yushu was planning to break character. Lan Cixing knew what she wanted to do—nothing more than an NG to do it again. Right now, Rong Yushu’s eyes hadn’t been captured yet.

Lan Cixing gripped Rong Yushu’s waist with one hand. Giving her a jolt served as an action fitting for the character.

“Teacher.” There were no lines in this scene. Lan Cixing spoke very softly, almost just with her mouth shape. They were kissing, so the mouth shape became very obvious. Reading Lan Cixing’s words with her lips, a tear involuntarily formed at the corner of Rong Yushu’s eye.

“Be good.” The rebellious, “bad” student was revolting, intending to transgress and command the “good” teacher who had personally taught her.

But… Rong Yushu actually listened to Lan Cixing. She grabbed her waist, ensuring her second of breaking character wasn’t caught. They continued to taste each other through the characters, searching for their true traces beneath the surface of the roles.

The kiss scene finally ended. Rong Yushu let go of Lan Cixing without mercy, her gaze terrifyingly cold, her emerald eyes turning to wind and snow; she didn’t even spare Lan Cixing a glance.

Lan Cixing also adjusted her breathing alone. She felt a bit strange; she hadn’t noticed during the deep kiss, but now her back was heating up. She didn’t dare to gamble and grabbed Rong Yushu’s sleeve.

“Sister…”

Rong Yushu blinked away half of her cold look and pulled the “clumsy cub” up irritably. “I don’t want to hear anything except for ‘punishment’.” Her words were harsh, but her movements were gentle—she practically held Lan Cixing so the soft, pitiful girl wouldn’t fall over.

“I… I, but, the inhibitor…” Lan Cixing’s organized words fell apart for a moment.

Rong Yushu’s expression changed slightly. “You’re injecting it yourself?” She took the prepared inhibitor from her bag. Lan Cixing’s gland condition seemed to be acting up lately.

“Mmhmm, I’m going to the bathroom… thanks, Sister…” Lan Cixing grabbed the inhibitor and stumbled away, not forgetting to take a mask from her pocket and put it on.

Rong Yushu watched her leave, for now not following her.

Lan Cixing splashed cold water on her face, washing away her makeup. She leaned against the sink and injected the inhibitor. Her breathing was still a bit ragged; she didn’t understand what was happening with her gland. For the past four years, her rut had been very stable—twice a year, three days each time, at very fixed intervals. The time for her rut had already passed. Why was she still so hot?

After finishing, her fingertips trembled as she struggled to remove the syringe. Suddenly, there was a burst of applause. Lan Cixing covered her face and looked up sharply, backing away. She saw Mu Huai, who should have been in the lounge.

“Hiding it won’t help. I know who you are.” Mu Huai sneered. “Lan Cixing, right? Forced a temporary marking on Rong Yushu, trying to climb into the Rong family to find yourself a patron…” Every line she recited was a headline from the trending topics years ago. “You actually have the nerve to show up at her side. Should I admire you, or call you hopelessly stupid? Guess what happens if this video gets out today. Can you still stay by her side?”

Mu Huai held up her phone. The screen showed the footage from the kiss scene just now. Lan Cixing’s face was perfectly clear and unobstructed. In the video, she was behaving “improperly,” pressing down on Rong Yushu and being physically intimate with her.

Lan Cixing’s face turned pale.

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