Chapter 148: Being Bigheaded
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
However, he could not.
As Xia Ling had fiercely threatened Li Lei not to expose their relationship, Li Lei could only fiercely threaten Jin Yifei to keep their relationship a secret. Jin Yifei agreed readily, but in reality, he had many complex emotions and endured many difficulties. What had he just seen? This seemingly delicate girl threatening Big Boss Li? And Big Boss Li had not resisted?
Why did he not realize before that Big Boss Li was also a henpecked husband?
Oh god.
This world was too crazy.
Jin Yifei’s tears were about to fall.
Xia Ling did not care that much. Once he promised to keep the secret, she was no longer worried. After some time, she arrived at the studio in a very low-key car as per normal to participate in the live shooting of “War and Death.”
She was going to film a part that required much singing and dancing: an assassination during a palace feast.
All the main characters in the movie gathered together, including the top-tier celebrities. These top-tier celebrities had very tight schedules, were bad-tempered, and were used to people waiting on them. They would not even acknowledge small stars like Xia Ling who had just recently debuted if they saw one.
Xia Ling did not like hypocritical social gatherings, so she was very bored.
However, Jin Yifei was nervous. Before starting, he pulled her away for a few steps before saying, “Sister-in-law…”
“Don’t call me sister-in-law!” Snapped Xia Ling.
Jin Yifei laughed. “I know. I know that I can’t disclose your relationship with Big Boss Li, okay? Don’t worry. When there are people, I will call you ‘Xiao Ling,’ but if there is no one, I will call you ‘sister-in-law’ in private. Anyway, don’t worry.” He had spent many years fooling around with women and had seen all types of females. The director understood women’s psyche and realized very quickly that Xia Ling was only putting up a bold front. She said that she did not like being called “sister-in-law,” but the way her body reacted… In her heart, she liked Big Boss Li.
Jin Yifei said, “Sister-in-law, you have to be more careful. These big celebrities are all considered lords of the industry, you can’t risk offending them.”
Xia Ling had no more energy to correct the way he addressed her, but she was puzzled. “Even you can’t afford to offend them?” Although she saw the shadows of two movie kings of the luxurious line-up and a few new stars that were currently famous, no matter what, Jin Yifei was a big director who had won many awards internationally. His renowned name was far above that of the movie kings and queens.
Sure enough, Jin Yifei stomped his foot. “Who said that! The actors have no choice but to listen to me obediently!”
Xia Ling was still doubtful. “Then…”
Jin Yifei did not stomp his foot again, but looked at Xia Ling and said disheartened, “Forget it, just take it as if I never said anything. Even I cannot afford to offend you, sister-in-law. You are the true lord, alright?” He then tried to probe her for more gossip. “Sister-in-law, when are you and Big Boss Li going to get married? When that day comes, I will bring a few brothers to support you.”
Getting married?
Nothing tangible was even in sight yet.
Xia Ling felt an inexplicable emptiness in her chest. She only promised to be with Li Lei because of an accident, or maybe it was because she had been struggling so long in the dark that she impatiently wanted to hold on to the only ray of sunlight in her life. Li Lei was that ray of sunlight which was warm, bright, and could dispel her boundless coldness and fear. But… marriage?
Was she even worthy of a marriage ceremony?
“Director Jin, you can start shooting!” A studio assistant ran over and shouted.
Jin Yifei acknowledged him and turned back to look at Xia Ling. “Sister-in-law, we have to go. Just relax during the shoot and don’t be nervous.”
Xia Ling’s heart was troubled, so she did not even realize that she had followed him until he handed her the short sword that she used as a prop. Only then did she try to stabilize her emotions.
The music started.
Lights flashed, and the camera lens followed them.
She instinctively performed the resplendent sword dance. Jin Yifei stood behind the cameraman, and his expression slowly became stern.
“Cut!” He yelled.
Xia Ling stopped moving and turned around to look at him inquiringly.
“Sis… Xiao Ling,” he said. “Your expression is incorrect. You need to be more charming, more frightening, and more seductive. Look less sorrowful and look colder… The expression you had during your audition was very good, like a blood-stained thorny rose.”
Xia Ling understood that she was distracted and apologized.
They started to shoot again.
It was still not right.
Xia Ling knew it was difficult for her to concentrate now, so she told Jin Yifei, “I’m sorry, director. How about you shoot the other scenes first. I think I need some space first to reconnect with that feeling.”
After she said that, the entire studio fell silent.
The set-up for this scene took the entire afternoon. If they were to shoot other scenes first, they would have to take down the entire set-up. Furthermore, many A-list celebrities were in the same scene as her. The actors acting as the emperor, princesses, and royal consorts were all seated in the hall and their time was precious. Every minute and second to them was a lot of money. As a small star, what right did she have to delay the shoot?
“If you really can’t do it, then get a replacement.” A famous actress reprimanded. “If you act like this, we really can’t accommodate you. Director, either you replace her, or you replace us!”
Xia Ling was stunned and realized her mind had wandered too far off this time…
It was not about whether she danced well, but the sentence she blurted out when she walked away. She forgot that this was not Skyart Entertainment, that this was not the location of a music video shoot, and this was most definitely not Pei Ziheng’s Imperial Entertainment’s shooting studio. She was not in any of those places that treated her like a princess. Here, she was a small star. How could she be so bigheaded that she wanted the A-list celebrities to wait for her?
In this situation, even she felt a little embarrassed for herself.
This also gave Jin Yifei a headache. However, as he respected Big Boss Li, he made the decision to help Xia Ling. “Alright everyone, let’s take a short break and shoot this scene later.”
That actress who was currently famous was not happy. “On what basis? Who is she anyway?”
Before Jin Yifei could respond, Xia Ling was already furious. She coldly remarked. “You want to shoot now? Fine, let’s have more outtakes and see how long you can last!” It was autumn, and their scene was being shot in a scenic spot in the mountains. As the film took place in midsummer, the actresses were all dressed in thin clothing. Xia Ling was fine because she was moving around constantly as a dancer, but it was difficult for the actors who were sitting as they were cold and shivering.
“You!” That famous actress gritted her teeth.
Xia Ling looked at her provocatively.
It was true that Xia Ling said something she should not have said, but that did not mean that she could endure someone’s condemnation. Was she not just a famous actress? Why did she have to show an air of superiority? In the past, when she was in high demand to star in a big budget production, that so-called famous actress was still begging some agency to give her a role.
The atmosphere was becoming stifling.
Jin Yifei started to become worried for the famous actress. When it came to fighting prowess, she was definitely not Xia Ling’s match. Not only was Xia Ling’s fighting power off the charts, but she also had her Big Boss backing her up. How could that actress compete with her?
As such, Director Jin tried to mediate the conflict again. “Everyone disperse for now. Go somewhere warm since it is so cold today, I don’t want to keep reshooting.” His great reasoning had placated everyone. Except for the famous actress who took a beating from Xia Ling, the other A-list celebrities were dissatisfied but were not willing to endure the cold wind. God knows how many outtakes that small star Ye Xingling needed. It was better to disperse for now. When she had regained her composure, shooting again was not too late.
The actors and crew members dispersed and started to shoot another scene.
That famous actress took the big shawl from her assistant, walked past Xia Ling, and said in a high-pitched voice, “What’s your problem?”