What Should I do After Binding the Wrong System and the Female Lead comes Knocking at my Door? - Chapter 22

The next afternoon, netizens suddenly noticed a trending topic on Weibo: Is Pei Yuanxi giving up her face for Gu Qing? [HOT]

Clicking on it led to an entertainment gossip article which read: 【It is reported that Director Zhang Quan held the start-up ceremony today. The attending actors included the newly crowned Best Actress Pei Yuanxi, the newcomer Gu Qing who was announced to join Yuanxi Studio a few days ago, and Pei Yuanxi’s long-time partner Wen Liang, among others.

It was originally thought to be Pei Yuanxi’s new film, but Director Zhang Quan announced at the start-up ceremony that Gu Qing would be the female lead, while Pei Yuanxi would surprisingly be the supporting actress, even pulling Wen Liang along to support Gu Qing. (T/N: literally “act as a foil for Gu Qing”)

I can understand promoting a newcomer, but isn’t Pei Yuanxi going too far by doing this right at the start? Isn’t she afraid of the law of unintended consequences?

The editor can even imagine that once the movie is released, if Gu Qing’s acting is even slightly lacking, she will be dragged out and repeatedly criticized.

As soon as this Weibo post was published, thousands of comments instantly flooded in.

【Sure enough, after Pei Yuanxi won Best Actress, she started to fleece the audience. The dragon slayer eventually became an evil dragon.】

【LOL, whose anti-fan is the person upstairs? You dare not say it clearly, right? Do you think Pei Yuanxi lacks money? You should use your brain and consider whether the “leek” (T/N: meaning audience/fans to be exploited) in your mouth is worth Pei Yuanxi damaging her reputation, or do you think Pei Yuanxi is simply an idiot?】

【To be fair, wasn’t Gu Qing already exposed for acting in a short drama a while ago? I think Gu Qing’s acting in that short drama is no less than a second-tier actor in the entertainment industry. Although short dramas and the big screen are different, I don’t think saying she has a ‘promising future’ is an overstatement for a newcomer with this kind of talent. At least for me, she is much better than some ‘traffic’ stars. Those interested can go check it out.】

【I don’t know if Pei Yuanxi is an idiot, I just know our Wen Liang is a bit of an idiot, being pulled in as a supporting actor by a longtime friend.】

【Wen Liang an idiot? How many awards has your Wen Liang won by following Yuanxi over the years? I think no one is smarter than your Wen Liang~】

【Wait, no, the movie’s official Weibo has posted a message and revealed that Wen Liang will face an unprecedented challenge.】

【Pei Yuanxi also reposted it. She said to look forward to our A-Qing’s performance, and also said that the role Wen Liang is going to play was inspired by Gu Qing.】

【Inspired by Gu Qing? Oh my god, could it be that Wen Wen is going to play a cross-gender role? (T/N: male role played by a female actress) I’m done for, I already want this movie to be released immediatel】

【Is no one paying attention that Yuanxi called Gu Qing “our A-Qing is a little sweet…”?】

While the outside world was abuzz with discussion, Pei Yuanxi was also caught in her own trouble.

However, her trouble had nothing to do with the online comments.

Pei Yuanxi was staring dumbfounded at Gu Qing and Wen Liang, who were chatting and laughing in front of her.

No, what exactly happened between you two in the bathroom yesterday?

How did you two suddenly become so familiar!

And just now, during the cast group photo, Wen Liang even proactively signaled for Gu Qing to link arms with her, and Gu Qing didn’t refuse!

Pei Yuanxi felt her face turning a little green at this moment. She couldn’t help but walk forward and step between the two, interrupting their cheerful conversation.

“What are you two talking about? I want to hear too.”

Wen Liang instantly rolled her eyes, then said to Gu Qing: “Don’t forget to come to my room tonight to find me.”

After speaking, she shook her hair gracefully and walked away.

Pei Yuanxi stood frozen in place. After she regained her senses, she couldn’t help but ask Gu Qing: “Why are you going to her room tonight? Student Gu Xiao-Qing, strictly speaking, we are a couple, so don’t you dare cheat on me!” (T/N: “green me” is a slang term for cheating)

Gu Qing lightly slapped Pei Yuanxi and frowned, saying: “What are you thinking? A-Liang is just asking me to run lines/rehearse with her tonight.”

Pei Yuanxi covered the spot Gu Qing hit and pretended to be in great pain, deliberately groaning “Aiya, aiya” a few times.

While groaning, she secretly glanced at Gu Qing. Only when she saw Gu Qing smooth out her frown did she smile cheekily and stick to her again.

“What did the two of you talk about yesterday? How did you start calling her A-Liang?”

Yesterday, after Pei Yuanxi met with Bai Zhou, she was just about to go back to find the two of them, but then she saw them walking side-by-side toward her as if nothing had happened.

Pei Yuanxi had initially felt relieved, but today she realized something was wrong. When did these two bypass her and start hanging out together?

First it’s A-Liang, then going to her room tonight…

“A secret.”

Hearing Gu Qing say this, Pei Yuanxi didn’t ask any further. Instead, she playfully clung to Gu Qing: “Then I’ll come with you tonight to run lines.”

Gu Qing helplessly pushed away the clinging Pei Yuanxi: “It’s not that I don’t want you to come, but I only have that last bit of screen time with you. I’m afraid I’ll neglect you when I’m running lines with Wen Liang. Won’t you be bored just watching from the side?”

Pei Yuanxi thought for a moment and felt that Gu Qing made a good point. Most of her scenes in this movie were monologues, and the voice in Gu Qing’s mind would be dubbed in later.

“Be good.” Gu Qing coaxed Pei Yuanxi and patted her head.

“Fine.”

Pei Yuanxi nodded, pretending to be very obedient.

However, that night, while Gu Qing was rehearsing in Wen Liang’s room, she saw a small head peek out from the slightly ajar door, secretly observing them.

Pei Yuanxi wasn’t embarrassed when she was discovered; instead, she walked in casually.

“Why are you looking at me? You two just keep acting.”

Wen Liang said to Gu Qing with a half-smile: “See? I told you she would definitely come.”

Gu Qing also pursed her lips and smiled.

Now Pei Yuanxi couldn’t sit still. “What are you two whispering about behind my back!” (T/N: “蛐蛐” qū qū is a slang term meaning to badmouth or gossip about someone)

“Alright, it’s good that you’re here. We need you, the Best Actress, right now. Gu Qing and I are rehearsing the scene where the female lead gives her first time to the scum man. Everything else is fine, but Gu Qing’s feeling in the bed scene isn’t quite right. There’s no love, only the feeling of acting for the sake of acting.”

Wen Liang seemed a bit troubled. After running lines with Gu Qing for a bit, she discovered that Gu Qing’s talent was too great; in many areas, she was even stronger than her, and she grasped difficult parts immediately.

“I was mentally praising you for where you found this unpolished gem that is Gu Qing, but who knew we’d hit a snag here…” Wen Liang sighed.

Pei Yuanxi frowned and asked: “Tell me the details.”

“It’s the part where the female lead, He Xiaomai, escapes her family, meets the scum man, and falls in love. Gu Qing just can’t act out that feeling.

If Gu Qing’s previous performances hadn’t been so amazing, I definitely wouldn’t be demanding so much.

But since she has set a high standard, my requirements naturally increased a lot. Even if I don’t care, the audience will feel a sense of disconnection when they see it on the big screen.”

Pei Yuanxi also understood Wen Liang’s meaning. She scratched her head and opened her mouth in confusion: “It shouldn’t be like that. Old Man Zhang even said before that Gu Qing’s eyes were full of love and no other emotion. You were watching outside the door that day, you should have heard it.”

Wen Liang glanced at Gu Qing, who was lowering her head and not speaking.

“That’s why we need your help, the Best Actress. I’ll act a scene with Gu Qing first, and you observe from the side.”

After saying that, Wen Liang immediately pulled into position, hugging Gu Qing and pinning her down on the bed.

Pei Yuanxi: …

Wen Liang turned back and added: “Don’t just stand there dumbfounded, come closer and watch carefully.”

Pei Yuanxi: “Oh…”

Pei Yuanxi watched for a while and found that it was indeed as Wen Liang said. Gu Qing’s eyes held no emotion when looking at Wen Liang, like she was looking at a stranger.

After Wen Liang acted a segment, she asked: “Did you spot the problem?”

Pei Yuanxi nodded, thought for a moment, and then tentatively asked: “How about I try?”

Wen Liang nodded: “Go ahead.”

Gu Qing: …

Pei Yuanxi picked up Gu Qing and placed her on her lap, gazing at Gu Qing with deep affection. Her slender fingers gently stroked Gu Qing’s cheek.

“Xiaomai… do you love me?”

Gu Qing’s eyes constantly followed Pei Yuanxi’s gaze. The two quietly stared at each other for a moment, and she softly said: “Love. No one loves you more than I do.”

After saying that, she shifted her gaze to Pei Yuanxi’s lips. Both of them seemed to be on the verge of movement. In this atmosphere, they slowly moved closer to each other. Just as their lips were about to touch, Pei Yuanxi moved her head away and looked at Wen Liang: “How was it?”

Wen Liang rolled her eyes: “I almost thought you two would treat me as invisible and just do it right on the bed.”

“Cough, cough, cough… What nonsense are you talking about!” Pei Yuanxi quickly stopped Wen Liang’s wild thoughts.

“This is rehearsing, rehearsing! Throw away all the filthy thoughts in your head!”

Gu Qing lowered her eyes. After getting up from Pei Yuanxi’s lap, she straightened her clothing. She then glanced at Pei Yuanxi’s lips again, seemingly unintentionally, “Do you have any solution?”

Pei Yuanxi actually already understood the reason, but she found it hard to say explicitly.

“Cough, cough, you should act it out with Wen Liang again right now.”

Wen Liang didn’t say much. She replicated the way Pei Yuanxi acted just now, only she didn’t get as close as Pei Yuanxi did to kissing Gu Qing.

After they finished acting, Wen Liang thoughtfully assessed Gu Qing and Pei Yuanxi: “This state is still not as good as your normal acting, but it’s much better than before. At least the audience won’t feel disconnected when they see it on the big screen.”

Before Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing could breathe a sigh of relief, they heard Wen Liang ask: “So now there’s only one problem: what do we do when it’s time for the official shooting?”

Pei Yuanxi hesitantly said: “How about… before shooting this scene, A-Qing and I leave for a while?”

“Brilliant!”

Wen Liang couldn’t help but give Pei Yuanxi a thumbs-up. She guessed what Pei Yuanxi wanted to do by taking Gu Qing away for a while.

What else could it be? Gu Qing shows love when acting out emotional scenes with Pei Yuanxi, but not with Wen Liang.

If the two of them leave for a while, they’ll surely find a place to flirt and build up Gu Qing’s emotional intensity, then act the scene with her while Gu Qing is still in character.

Wen Liang couldn’t help but inwardly sneer and said sarcastically: “Does this mean A-Qing will have to have a bed scene with you before every emotional scene she shoots from now on?”

Pei Yuanxi coughed a few times awkwardly.

“We’ll worry about future matters later. Besides, A-Qing won’t always stay where she is now.”

To be honest, when watching Wen Liang and Gu Qing’s performance just now, Pei Yuanxi’s feelings were truly complex.

She couldn’t help but feel lucky that making Wen Liang cross-dress as the scum man was a wise decision, yet she also felt uncomfortable realizing that out of the three people in the room, not a single one was straight. (T/N: meaning all three are attracted to women, implying they’re either bisexual or lesbian/gay)

Wen Liang shook her head: “Anyway, the cause of the problem has been found, and there’s a temporary solution. Let’s stop here for today. Now, both of you, please return to your respective rooms and prepare for the official shoot tomorrow.”

Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing were thus “escorted” out of the room by Wen Liang. They walked slowly down the hallway.