The Stand-in is Exceptionally Clingy [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: The Film Empress and Her Little Assistant

◎”Troublesome.”◎

Jian Ke looked down at herself in the mermaid costume. The light gauze, soaked with water, clung to her, revealing the faint translucence of her skin.

Filming was one thing; walking past a group of strangers dressed like this was another.

Jian Ke’s ears turned red. She immediately hid deeper inside the stone boat.

She curled her legs slightly, praying that Director Jiang would come back soon.

Feeling anxious, Jian Ke hugged her arms and huddled in place, but through a square hole in the stone boat, she suddenly saw a familiar figure.

On the shore, on a chaise lounge, Lou Bianxia was wearing a moon-white qipao. Her eyebrows were painted like ink, and her hair was pinned up in a high bun.

The tight waist of the qipao accentuated her elegant figure. Embroidered with golden auspicious cloud patterns, she moved with graceful dignity.

She leaned on the chaise, the shimmering light of the water reflecting on her face as she looked down at the surface, seemingly lost in thought.

Because she was far away, Jian Ke couldn’t make out her expression, so she dragged her legs and moved forward a bit.

Lou Bianxia was rehearsing the lines she would have to say later.

But a glaring reflection from not far away caught her attention.

The light came from a decorative window on the stone boat, which didn’t seem out of the ordinary. But Lou Bianxia squinted, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over a hint of smokey purple peeking out from the edge of a hole.

Lou Bianxia’s eyes paused. After staring for a moment, she noticed that the purple moved.

There’s someone on the stone boat?

Lou Bianxia frowned, guessing that it might be a stalker fan hiding in the stone boat to take pictures.

Lou Bianxia had encountered such a fan once before, who followed her car all the way home. After being forced to a stop, the fan got out and clung to her car window.

She walked out of the pavilion and slowly stepped onto the stone boat, bending down slightly to get a closer look.

But the person inside seemed to have heard her footsteps and subconsciously shrank back again.

Lou Bianxia spoke, “Is anyone in here?”

But she received no response for a long time.

The sparkling scale-like fragments on the mermaid skirt refracted onto the colored glass of the stone boat, glinting brightly.

Jian Ke’s mind was racing with anxiety. She clasped her hands tightly in front of her, not wanting anyone to see her in this awkward situation.

Including Lou Bianxia.

But the stone boat was so small that there was nowhere to hide.

Jian Ke felt a surge of panic. She looked at the rippling water around the stone boat and clumsily and anxiously moved to the edge.

Then she closed her eyes, hardened her heart, propped herself up with her hands, and slowly slid down to the bottom of the pond.

The lake at the film studio wasn’t deep. When she stood up straight, the water reached her waist.

She cautiously crouched down again, burying herself completely in the water.

The pond water was a murky blue-green, but when Jian Ke opened her eyes underwater, she found that under the sunlight, the bottom of the pond was surprisingly clear. Green aquatic plants grew from the bottom, and rocks and silt had accumulated at the very bottom.

Trapped in a silent world, her sense of touch became more intense. Jian Ke didn’t dare to move, afraid she would be discovered.

But before she could hold her breath for ten seconds, a hand reached down into the water from the shore, grabbed her arm with perfect accuracy, and pulled her out.

Water dripped from Jian Ke’s body. Her soaking wet black hair clung to her porcelain-like back, its ends floating on the surface of the water.

She wiped her face and looked at Lou Bianxia, who was half-crouching on the shore looking at her, a little flustered.

The scene seemed to freeze. With the green water as a boundary, one looked up and the other looked down. The two stared at each other for a long time without speaking.

On this day, the proud and aloof goddess bent down and pulled up the mermaid who belonged to her alone.

The woman in the moon-white qipao was elegant and graceful, her cold eyes looking down at the water.

The green waves parted, revealing a woman who was soft and alluring. A layer of mist filled her panicked and timid eyes, making her look as delicate as a lotus blooming from clear water.

Her slender arm was like a tender lotus root, as if you could squeeze water from it. Her curvaceous figure was tightly wrapped in the smokey purple bandeau top.

Her soft skin was still covered in water droplets which, as her body trembled, slid into the shadow of her cleavage, looking alluring and flirtatious.

Even more charming was the light gauze of the skirt, which spread out below her and floated gently on the water.

As if she were spellbound, Lou Bianxia reached out again, her hand moving towards the fishtail at Jian Ke’s waist.

Jian Ke stood frozen in place, her beautiful eyes filled with the fragmented sunlight. Her pink lips were slightly parted, showing an indescribable mix of confusion and innocence.

—She looks very easy to bully.

Lou Bianxia’s fingertips brushed over her waist and hips. Her movements were very gentle, but the skin beneath her touch shrank back in sensitivity.

“Can you stop bullying me, Jiejie?”

The aggrieved and unhappy voice brought the slightly distracted Lou Bianxia back to her senses.

Meeting Jian Ke’s frowning, displeased face, she quickly withdrew her hand and pretended that nothing had happened, returning to her usual cold and distant demeanor.

“Why… are you here? And why are you wearing…”

Jian Ke shrank her neck in the water and pouted. “The crew seems to have forgotten about me here. I’m… unable to get out right now…”

Lou Bianxia’s brow twitched. She frowned and said, “Are you filming? What kind of film is this?”

Jian Ke: Have I heard that voice somewhere before?

Meeting Jian Ke’s confused gaze, Lou Bianxia, realizing her reaction was a bit too much, quickly said, “There doesn’t seem to be a… role like you in the crew.”

Jian Ke was about to explain, but then she saw Lou Bianxia suddenly stand up and walk out of the stone boat.

The crew was already setting up cameras in the pavilion. Lou Bianxia calmly said to them, “I want to get into the mood for my scene alone. Could you please leave for ten minutes?”

Her clear tone was not at all a request, but no one was dissatisfied. They all walked away.

After patiently waiting for the last person to leave, Lou Bianxia walked back to the stone boat.

“Everyone else is gone. You can come out now.”

Jian Ke nodded slightly and tentatively rested her arms on the stone boat, but in the next second, she bit her lip and timidly held out her arms to Lou Bianxia.

“I’ve been in the water for too long… My legs are numb…”

“Jiejie… can you, please, carry me to the shore?”

In this moment, she perfectly embodied softness and innocence.

Sensing Lou Bianxia’s momentary daze, Jian Ke knew that she must have seen her face and remembered her “white moonlight.”

I might as well be even more bold.

Besides, what she said wasn’t a lie.

Wearing the fishtail outfit for a long time had made her legs ache from being pressed together. She hadn’t felt it much when she was lying on the shore, but now that she was in the water, the wet skirt was even more restrictive and uncomfortable.

It felt like electric currents were running through her legs. Jian Ke felt numb with every movement, and her eyes were slightly red.

But with her arms frozen in the air, Lou Bianxia on the shore crossed her arms leisurely, her deep eyes watching her without a change in expression. She didn’t look like she was going to be kind and carry her.

Jian Ke pursed her lips, thinking to herself, Forget it. Right now, she and Lou Bianxia are complete strangers. Asking for this the moment they meet is a little too much. I’ll take it slow.

“Jiejie, I was just kidding. I’ll get out myself…” Jian Ke placed her hands on the stone boat, just about to push herself up, when she felt a cold scent approach and an arm wrap around her waist.

Lou Bianxia half-crouched and pulled Jian Ke out of the water. Her other arm wrapped around Jian Ke’s knees, and she lifted her up steadily in a princess carry.

Jian Ke’s feet were suspended in the air. Water droplets rolled off her fishtail and splattered onto the ground, immediately soaking half of Lou Bianxia’s qipao.

The clean, noble moon-white color was now a darker shade, tainted with a hint of ambiguity. Lou Bianxia finally got a full view of Jian Ke’s mermaid skirt, and her eyes darkened slightly.

Carried out of the stone boat, Jian Ke snuggled into Lou Bianxia’s arms, looking up at her face. The other person still had that cold and unapproachable expression, with her lips pursed and her eyes seeming a little fierce.

She didn’t dare to stare anymore and lowered her head to look at the intricate knots on Lou Bianxia’s collar, but she couldn’t help but smile.

This should count as successfully getting her attention, right?

After climbing the steps, Lou Bianxia put Jian Ke down on the lounger, leaned down, and unzipped the bottom of her skirt.

Jian Ke quickly pulled her feet out of the fishtail. Her clean, pale toes had a faint pink tint, and the skin on her heels was chafed.

Lou Bianxia’s frown deepened when she saw this. She turned around, pulled a towel from her own bag, and handed it to Jian Ke.

Jian Ke was wiping her wet hair, and the wind blowing on her exposed skin made her break out in goosebumps. Lou Bianxia neatly draped a white fleece blanket over her back.

Jian Ke gave a sweet smile. “Jiejie, you’re so nice. Actually, I’m a fan of yours.”

“Filming is in progress, and unauthorized people are not allowed in. I’m going to have the security guard escort you out directly,” Lou Bianxia said coldly, looking at Jian Ke with a very serious expression.

Jian Ke paused while wiping her hair and quickly explained, “I’m not an unauthorized person. I’m here to film.”

Lou Bianxia: “District 4 is booked by the Jade Porcelain’s Fragrance crew. There are no other crews here.”

Jade Porcelain’s Fragrance was a big production. Because the private garden they were filming in only allowed them half a day of filming, the entire District 4 was booked by the crew for later set changes.

Jian Ke was completely dumbfounded. Did I encounter a fake crew?

“They said they were going to borrow a dry ice machine. They should be back soon.”

Lou Bianxia looked at her completely soaked mermaid skirt, and at the flesh-colored safety shorts revealed by her perky hips and waist. She frowned and said, “Where are your clothes?”

“In the dressing room.”

Lou Bianxia’s lips were tightly pressed together. “Go and change.”

Listening to Lou Bianxia’s emotionless voice, Jian Ke secretly complained, As expected of the female lead, this mercurial personality is too difficult to win over.

But I got a princess carry the first time we met… Does that mean she feels something unusual for me?

So Jian Ke blinked her eyes and dangled her pale feet at Lou Bianxia. “I don’t have shoes, I can’t walk.”

“How about, Jiejie, you carry me over there again, just like before?”

Lou Bianxia: …

The atmosphere around them seemed to get colder. Just as Jian Ke thought she was about to be scolded again, Lou Bianxia turned around, took a pair of light sneakers, and placed them beside her feet.

“Put them on.”

With her feet dried with a towel and nestled in the soft sneakers, Jian Ke secretly glared at Lou Bianxia and then scurried to the dressing room with small, mincing steps.

She just got out of the hospital and is already causing trouble here. Is she really not worried about her body not being fully recovered and something bad happening?

Lou Bianxia shook her head helplessly, took out her phone, and sent a message to Jian Ke’s mother.

Disobedient children need to be disciplined by their elders.

Just as Lou Bianxia finished sending the message, she heard a commotion outside.

“Director Wang himself agreed. The noon filming time belongs to our crew. Can’t you wait another half an hour?”

“It’s a favor just to let you use our space for free. Our filming schedule is already tight. We film all night. You should be considerate of us too.”

“Just half an hour. We finally found a suitable location and actors…”

“That set was built by us! Don’t take advantage of us too much!”

“Who’s taking advantage?! We had an agreement! You agreed, and now you’re saying we’re taking advantage?!”

Lou Bianxia put a shawl over her wet qipao and walked out. “Stop arguing!”

A crew member from Jade Porcelain’s Fragrance looked at Lou Bianxia. “Sister Lou, Director Wang gave them our noon filming time, but with our current schedule, we really don’t have enough time.”

“Exactly,” another person agreed. “Why should we give up our time for their terrible drama?”

“What’s wrong with a terrible drama?” Director Jiang rolled up her sleeves and glared at them. “Without a terrible drama, how could yours look so good? You’re the ones who are going back on your word!”

Lou Bianxia turned to look at the few people from the Mermaid’s Tears crew, her expression slightly solemn. After a moment, she said, “Our crew’s schedule really can’t be delayed…”

Director Jiang was about to retort again.

But then Lou Bianxia continued, “In exchange, I can… make a cameo appearance in your drama.”

This one sentence stunned everyone from both crews as if they had been struck by lightning.

They looked at each other, then back at Lou Bianxia, trying to figure out if she was joking.

The Film Empress Lou, whom famous directors and screenwriters all chased with resources and never lacked roles, actually offered to act in a terrible drama?

Even a cameo was shocking. Film Empress Lou was famous for protecting her reputation.

Was this a hallucination?

Lou Bianxia nodded. “Since you agree, then the footage of the previous actress for that role must not be aired.”

“As soon as my schedule frees up, I will contact you.”

Director Jiang’s face broke into a huge smile. “Understood, understood. We’re not in a hurry. You can come anytime.”

After that, she turned to the others. “Everyone, hurry up and pack up. We’re leaving, and take the dry ice machine back.”

The assistant director from Jade Porcelain’s Fragrance walked up to Lou Bianxia. “Film Empress Lou, you really don’t have to make a cameo in their terrible drama for our sake.”

“That’s right,” another crew member said. “This was Director Wang’s favor. It has nothing to do with you.”

Lou Bianxia: “I’m really fine.”

“That Jiang Wei has been making terrible dramas for so many years. Her reputation is terrible. Everyone knows it. If Film Empress Lou makes a cameo in her drama, she’ll definitely get cursed at…” The person was cut off by another person who clapped a hand over his mouth.

Assistant Director: “I’ll go talk to Director Wang. You…”

Lou Bianxia waved her hand. “No need. I’ve already promised. I won’t go back on my word.”

The other crew members couldn’t help but feel a little more fond of Lou Bianxia.

What noble character! She would rather sacrifice her reputation to save the crew and everyone from trouble.

No wonder she’s the Film Empress who’s taken over half of the entertainment industry. It’s no wonder so many people love her.

Lou Bianxia felt the gazes on her and her hair stood on end. She said coldly.

“…I’m not doing this entirely for the crew. You don’t have to worry.”

And you’re telling them not to worry…

Assistant Director: “Mhm, mhm, we understand. Don’t worry. With Film Empress Lou’s consideration, all of us will definitely work hard on the drama.”

Lou Bianxia: …

Jian Ke, in the dressing room, was unaware of the commotion outside. When she came out after changing, she was told by the director that her role was going to be played by Lou Bianxia.

Jian Ke was also shocked. Even if the film empress wanted to do a cameo, she wouldn’t need to do it for such a small crew, would she?

Director Jiang: “Maybe Film Empress Lou has a sharp eye and saw that this drama will be a hit? No, I need to talk to them about adding more scenes for the mermaid.”

Jian Ke looked at the excited director, bit her lip, and ran to find Lou Bianxia.

In the lounge.

Lou Bianxia was using a hairdryer to dry the water stains on her qipao. She still had scenes to film in this outfit and would have to continue filming later.

The hairdryer made a loud, rustling noise. Many parts of the qipao were wet. Lou Bianxia held the hairdryer in one hand and the skirt in the other. Her movements were clumsy.

The hot air, even through the clothes, was incredibly scorching. Lou Bianxia shrank her hand back and couldn’t help but frown, looking quite clumsy and disheveled.

Jian Ke had always seen Lou Bianxia as a person who was completely in control, never expecting to see this other side of her today.

But why doesn’t Lou Bianxia have an assistant with her? Didn’t she already hire someone?

Lou Bianxia hadn’t heard the sound of the door opening. Just as she was feeling flustered, the hand holding the hairdryer was suddenly taken.

A warmth spread to the back of her hand. Lou Bianxia turned her head and looked at Jian Ke’s already dry hair. She frowned. “Why haven’t you left yet?”

“Jiejie seems to be constantly trying to get me to leave. Am I that annoying?” Jian Ke’s tone was full of dissatisfaction. “My name is Jian Ke. Let me help you, Jiejie.”

“It’s not a bother. I can do it myself.”

“The way you’re blowing it, how long will that take? And your clothes are wet because of me. Do you want to film in wet clothes?”

“So Miss Jian also thinks that wearing wet clothes is unseemly?” Lou Bianxia suddenly said something pointed.

Jian Ke paused, remembering the semi-transparent mermaid skirt. “That… was the costume the crew provided. I didn’t expect it to be so see-through when it got wet.”

“And I was wearing safety shorts underneath.”

Lou Bianxia responded indifferently, “I saw. It was very clear.”

Jian Ke’s ears burned red. She hadn’t expected Lou Bianxia to say something so brazen. That was a bit much.

“I… I really didn’t know…”

“I know it was a problem with the crew’s costume. It’s normal that you didn’t know…”

But then, Lou Bianxia’s tone became sharp again. “But if I hadn’t happened to see you, who were you going to ask for help?”

Jian Ke lowered her head, a little guilty. “I probably would have just hidden until you all left…”

The warm air moved up and down the qipao. The temperature was just right. The slit in the skirt revealed Jian Ke’s fair, clean legs. Jian Ke slightly lifted the skirt, but she couldn’t avoid touching the other person’s smooth skin.

The movement was simple and quick, as if it were just an accidental touch.

Listening to the system report that her favorability had gone up, Jian Ke let out a small sigh of relief. At least this trip wasn’t a complete waste.

System 521: “Congratulations, my dear. You’ve gained so much favorability on your first meeting.”

Jian Ke: “I didn’t expect it… I felt like her attitude toward me was quite bad.”

“My dear, based on big data analysis, you two were—flirting.”

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