NWWNL – Chapter 27

Chapter 27.

What was this? A telepathic connection between two hearts?

Bah! Impossible!

Even if you beat her to death Xu Xinyi would never believe that she had a connection with the dog man.

If she hadn’t checked the room before moving in, she would have really suspected that there were security cameras hidden somewhere.

Putting down the nail clippers, Xu Xinyi pinched her throat and said with a hatefully coquettish tone: “Husband, what are you talking about? I was eating potato chips. What clipping toenails? Would a little beautiful fairy like me cut my own toenails? Anyway, I won’t disturb your work when it’s so late. Go to bed early. I love you. Bye.”

With that, she snapped the off phone.

Dog men were such a nuisance!

Her image was almost ruined.

She would never let a second person see her cutting her toenails!

———

Early the next morning, the crew of “The Way of the Phoenix” held a ceremony commemorating the launch of the project. The staff and several leading actors all arrived on time.

At first sight of Han Xiao, Xu Xinyi recognized him as the suspicious man wrapped in a trench coat she met in the elevator at Lanting that night.

Speaking of Han Xiao, there weren’t many people who did not know him right now. His career was at its pinnacle. The first film he made in cooperation with director Chen Mingyu won numerous awards. At each film festival, his awards won him more praise, and his acting skills were recognized by all the directors in the entertainment industry.

Actors were constantly vying for popularity, and under such circumstances, Han Xiao continued to move forward steadily step by step, keeping a low profile at home and making films with a high profile. Over the years, no matter how powerful the paparazzi were, they had not been able to dig up anything to tarnish his reputation. His fans were sensible and not rampant. Overall he was one of the most popular stars in the circle.

Han Xiao had contributed to the film industry in the recent years with his acting skills and his personal box office was among the highest on the mainland. He was a stable presence in the film industry so everyone was surprised when, while everyone was still speculating about Han Xiao’s next film, he suddenly announced that he would take part in the production of the TV series “The Way of the Phoenix”.

The news shocked many fans.

Some fans thought that a movie star was more or less higher than a TV star and they were very dissatisfied with Han Xiao’s ‘self-lowering’ behavior.

Of course, some rational fans said that as long as it was performed by Han Xiao, they would support it.

The rest of the fans were just overjoyed that they could finally lick Han Xiao’s face in front of the screen!

The reason Xu Xinyi was able to pick up such a big project was because she had a cooperation with director Xu Siming in the past. Back then, Xu Xinyi played the role of a savior. A little starlet who had been stuffed into the crew was dissatisfied with her part and wanted to force changes to the script, which angered Xu Siming. Afterwards, the little star broke her contract and left the crew indignantly and then went on to brag to the tabloids about it. She declared that whoever dared to play this role was her enemy.

How could Xu Xinyi miss such a good opportunity to make enemies?

Immediately she contacted director Xu Siming and joined his crew to shoot the drama.

Later, when the project was wrapping up, Xu Siming assured her that he would make it up to her in the future.

Xu Xinyi hadn’t taken it to heart back then. It was only when Tianyu contacted her and said that Xu Siming wanted to sign her on as the heroine that she remembered.

And although there were a lot of ups and downs in the middle, the role of the female lead finally fell into Xu Xinyi’s hands.

Xu Xinyi stood beside Han Xiao. The man who everyone acknowledged as handsome on the screen was now standing next to her.

She couldn’t help glancing quietly to the side.

She could see that Han Xiao wore no makeup, his skin was in good condition, and there were no flaws on his face, he could directly be on camera without needing any adjustment. Looking at Han Xiao, Xu Xinyi needed to look up, and using her sight to estimate she judged his height was comparable to that of Yi Yang. People like Han Xiao who had been in the entertainment industry for many years typically had a strong aura that made people feel too intimidated to come up and talk to them at first.

But strangely, the pair of gold-rimmed glasses resting on the bridge of his nose miraculously neutralized his indifferent aura and weakened the sharpness of his facial features. When he was calm and silent, there was a thrilling asceticism and deadly attraction.

Xu Xinyi’s little heart was pounding.

After one glance, she withdrew her eyes and then swept her gaze back at the vast expanse of fresh meats behind her, all full of youth and exuberance.

Was this paradise where she will be living for the next six months?

Anya’s happiness, she could finally feel a tiny corner of it.

But there was one stabbing look that was not very friendly. Xu Xinyi had met people who were hostile to her but this was the first time that someone had shown her naked hostility on the first day.

Li Hanxing.

As an artist once from the same entertainment company, the relationship between them could be summed up by one word: competition.

Just when the role of the heroine of the drama was about to fall into Li Hanxing’s hands, she had blinked and became the third female lead. No one could bear this kind of twist.

It seemed like in the future, Xu Xinyi would have a lot of fun on set.

Xu Xinyi suppressed her inner excitement and turned away as if nothing had happened. She followed the rest of the crew to worship the Buddha, light incense, and take red envelopes.

She was a bit chilly to the crew but Han Xiao was obviously even chillier. During the whole ceremony, except for a few brief ‘um’s, nods, and other single words, he said nothing at all and kept a certain distance from everyone present.

For big stars, it was normal to have a cold temperament.

Although the leading actor and actress were both aloof, the students poached by director Xu Siming from the Film Academy were brimming with youthful enthusiasm and dispelled the awkward silence brought by Xu Xinyi and Han Xiao.

“Xinyi, let me introduce you.” After the ceremony, Xu Xinyi was quietly admiring the faces of the large group of fresh meats on one side, when she saw Director Xu Siming and Han Xiao coming towards her.

“You must recognize this one, he’s Han Xiao. In the next six months, you two will be partners,” Xu Siming said with a smile. “This is Xu Xinyi, the one who had a scandal with you some time ago. You two should tell me about what happened at that time, I think what the gossip magazines published looked very real. Tell me about it.”

As a director, Xu Siming was good at everything. His only flaw was that he liked to gossip too much.

He loved to talk about all kinds of gossip happening in the entertainment industry. If one day he no longer wanted to be a director and became a paparazzi instead, he would certainly make a lot of money.

Xu Xinyi knew that Xu Siming said this first, not because he had a low EQ, but because he wanted to come straight to the point and clear the misunderstanding between her and Han Xiao, whether it was manufactured by a gossip magazine or was a real misunderstanding. It was better to say it face-to-face immediately than to delay progress later during shooting.

“Director Xu, please don’t spread rumors. Can anyone take what is written in the tabloids seriously? This is the first time Teacher Han and I have met. How could we have such a deep relationship?” With that, Xu Xinyi stretched out her hand to Han Xiao and said with a smile, “Teacher Han Xiao, it was all a misunderstanding. Please take care of me later in the crew.”

Her outstretched hand stopped in mid-air and Han Xiao’s eyes fell on her hand, but he seemed hesitant as if it was unpleasant to him, and he refused to reach out and shake her hand.

After a long time, Xu Xinyi felt that her arm was getting sore.

“Does Teacher Han feel that…”

“It was a misunderstanding. Happy cooperation.” Han Xiao suddenly interjected. He spoke succinctly and gave a slight nod.

As for Xu Xinyi’s outstretched hand, she withdrew it awkwardly.

——-

“Why didn’t he shake my hand?” Xu Xinyi was sitting in a chair and waiting for filming. She couldn’t help thinking about what had happened with Han Xiao in the morning. But the more she thought about it, the more puzzled she became. “Have I ever offended Han Xiao?”

She thought carefully but the only interaction between her and Han Xiao was the scandal published by the gossip magazines.

He agreed it was a misunderstanding. But why did he treat her that way?

Was it because her reputation was so bad that even Han Xiao shunned her?

Xu Xinyi sighed sadly. If that was really the case, then… there was nothing she could do.

If she couldn’t make friends, she would just lick his face from a distance.

“Xinyi, come here and we have something to discuss.” Director Xu called out to her from the set.

On the first day of shooting, the plot was actually quite scattered. Xu Siming did not arrange to shoot any scenes between her and the male lead, but arranged the other scenes with the supporting roles first.

Xu Xinyi got up and walked up to Director Xu. “What’s the matter?”

Director Xu glanced over at Li Hanxing sitting on one side.

“Well, Hanxing said she was not feeling well. She hopes her scenes can be shot ahead of time so she can go back to rest early. Can you accommodate me with this?”

Not feeling well? Wasn’t she fine during the ceremony? But now, a couple hours later, she had such a sickly look?

Ugly people sure liked to make a lot of trouble.

Li Hanxing was obviously hostile to her and Anya had just warned her on Wechat to be careful of Li Hanxing, because there was a Gold Master behind her. So Xu Xinyi should be on her guard when she acts arrogantly.

Gold Master? It seemed she would have to act opposite this kind of person who had backing.

“No problem.”

“Good, then you get ready for your scene with Li Hanxing. We’ll start in ten minutes.”

Xu Xinyi agreed. Then she walked up to Li Hanxing, looked down at her and said, “Director Xu asked me to act the scene with you. How are you? Can you hold on for a while?”

Although she wore makeup, Li Hanxing’s complexion was pale and her face was wan.

With her face like that she should not be in this drama as the domineering third female lead, instead she should go to a bitter drama and play a tearful heroine shackled by fate. The ratings would be hot.

Li Hanxing answered in a low voice, “I’ll try, but I…”

Xu Xunyi was so disgusted that she said, “Why are you acting? Putting on a dying look for who to see? If you really can’t hold up just go to the hospital. Like this it seems like Director Xu is bullying you. If you’re really sick, why don’t you go to the hospital instead of forcing yourself to act here?”

Li Hanxing’s face stiffened, but then she just lowered her eyes.

The crew looked over.

She spoke flusteredly, as if someone had bullied her, “I’m sorry, Sister Xinyi, I… I’m not a good actress, so please take care of me. “

“I already know you’re not good at acting. You don’t have to talk about it all the time,” Xu Xinyi gave her a contemptuous glance. “If you don’t have acting skills try to learn more from me. Don’t just play these little tricks all day. Come on, check the script. “

In this scene of the drama Xu Xinyi, the female lead out for revenge, falls into a trap which suppresses her growth in the early part of the show. The character played by Li Hanxing once regarded Xu Xinyi’s character as a thorn in her eyes. So now when she sees Xu Xinyi’s character falling low, she naturally has to step on her.

“Qi Mingyue, you’re here today?” Li Hanxing said that and stopped. The next step was the hatred of the third female lead exploding.

And slapping the female lead in the face.

“Sister Xinyi, don’t worry, I won’t really hit you.”

Xu Xinyi smiled mockingly. “You won’t dare.”

“Xinyi, Hanxing, are you two ready?”

“Ready, director.”

“All departments are ready. We start filming in five minutes.”

The staff of all the various departments of the film crew were in place, and everyone looked at the set.

Xu Xinyi looked sad and indignant, Li Hanxing had an arrogant expression while she looked down at Xu Xinyi and spat out the typical lines of a malicious woman.

The lines were all really mean and vicious, but it was a pity that with Li Hanxing’s bitter little white flower face, it was a bit of a mismatch.

“Qi Mingyue, you’re here today?”

If not for Xu Xinyi, the heroine would have been her!

Li Hanxing raised her hand excitedly and swung it down toward Xu Xinyi’s cheek.

At that angle and with that strength if she really hit her in the face, Xu Xinyi estimated that Li Hanxing’s hand would be swollen for two days.

Xu Xinyi found it really unpleasant.

Such a crude and outdated method was simply lowering the IQ and grade of all vicious female characters.

Xu Xinyi raised her hand and caught Li Hanxing’s slap. She scoffed and said, “You want to hit me? Let me teach you how to really be a vicious woman.”

“Cut–” Director Xu raised his eyebrows, “What’s going on?”

Xu Xinyi looked back and said, “Director Xu, Li Hanxing said that she had not yet grasped the role and wanted me to show her again.”

Director Xu said, “Wasn’t it fine just now?”

“Director Xu, Hanxing is a poor actress. Please give me another chance.” Li Hanxing said pitifully.

With a deep sigh, Director Xu raised his hand and said, “Then hurry up.”

They exchanged positions and Xu Xinyi stood on the steps, arrogantly looking down at Li Hanxing.

“I don’t usually teach people easily but I do have a good heart. I’m afraid people will laugh to death when they watch you broadcast your elementary-level acting skills and I don’t want to be implicated by acting on the same set with you.”

“Remember, you can’t play a vicious woman like that. First, your eyes must be defiant and look at others like garbage. You can roll your eyes but you can’t have expressionless dead fish eyes. It’s very ugly. Second, the tone must be surly and in the last sentence you need to give a cold hum to show your disdain. When speaking you can do a little bitchy gesture, like lifting your hair and scoffing at the same time. But don’t just randomly scratch your head like you were. “

“Finally,” Xu Xinyi smiled and raised her hand, “Don’t hesitate, the slap must be quick and accurate.”

Paa–.

Her hand went up and then swiftly came down.

The imprint of five swollen red fingers appeared on Li Hanxing’s white cheek. It could be clearly seen with the naked eye.

Xu Xinyi covered her palm and looked at Li Hanxing complainingly, as if blaming her for being so thick-skinned, and fanned the palm of her hand.

She called out, “Get me an ice pack, my hand is killing me!”

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TLNOTE:

Han Xiao / Han Shao / Han Yu / Han Ying / Han Jun / Han Meimei / Han Huan / Han Jing / Han Yi

If you’re wondering what that was, halfway through this chapter I decided to play a fun little game when I picked out all the different ways the various MTLs translated Han Xiao(韩骁)’s name. What I’m saying is if you spot a mistranslation of his name its cos the machines change it almost every single time it comes up. I’ve done my best to make them all ‘han xiao’ but I feel like I must have missed one or two.

Also a lot of people refer to Han Xiao with 老师(laoshi) or 师(shi) which people who read Chinese webnovels probably recognize. They both basically mean ‘teacher’. Idk having him called ‘teacher han’ all over the place doesn’t really convey the proper meaning in English but neither does ‘mr. han’… I dunno which is better.