Chapter 37: The Disciplined Fighter

Next came her scene with Yun Fu.

Ning Lan clenched her teeth so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, yet she did not relax her grip. In her heart, there was only one thought—she had to defeat Yun Fu, no matter what it took.

She would make everyone see that she was the true heroine.

The two of them finished their makeup and stood before the camera. Both wore white, but on each, it created an entirely different impression.

This time, they were filming a fight scene.

Ning Lan maintained her sweet smile, steeling herself: this time, she would give her all. No matter how skilled Yun Fu was, fight scenes still depended on the guidance of the action choreographer.

At the director’s shout of “Action!” the two began to move.

In the blink of an eye, Yun Fu brandished her long sword, eyes sharp as she lunged toward Ning Lan.

Ning Lan hesitated for a split second before responding, and the two swords clashed in midair, ringing out as they traded blow after blow. Everyone watching felt a surge of excitement.

Behind the monitor, Bai Yu was so excited his face flushed.

Fight scenes were the parts actors least liked to film—tiring, and often, after all that work, only a brief segment made the final cut.

But Yun Fu’s performance was different. Her gaze was fierce, yet held a hint of admiration.

Her opponent was much weaker, but for having the courage to face her, Yun Fu’s eyes reflected a trace of respect.

“Perfect!” Bai Yu could see it clearly—this scene only came together because Yun Fu was carrying Ning Lan along.

Even the martial arts director was stunned. He hadn’t taught them anything this complex.

“Yun Fu must have real training...” he muttered, eyes shining, itching to rush over and ask if Yun Fu would take him as a disciple.

“Alright, cut!” Bai Yu called, face aglow as he hurried over, giving Yun Fu a hearty pat on the shoulder.

Admiration nearly overflowed from his expression. “Fantastic, this is the most perfect, most breathtaking fight scene I’ve ever filmed!”

The one being praised silently sheathed her sword with a graceful flourish, then casually handed it to Bai Yu.

Only then did she nod to him, acknowledging his words.

After that, she strolled lazily toward the resting area, hooked a chair toward herself with her foot, dragged it behind her, and sat down.

In that instant, there was no trace left of her character Qian Xuan.

A good actor must know how to enter a role, but also how to leave it—and Yun Fu seemed to have a switch she could flip at will.

Ning Lan glared resentfully in her direction. Bai Yu had praised her as well, but she knew—this scene was carried by Yun Fu.

Besides, every time Yun Fu was acting, the entire crew would gather to watch, as if she were the true heroine, stealing all the spotlight!

“Yun Fu!” she spat the name, her gaze venomous, her whole being shrouded in a gloomy aura.

The new assistant quietly stepped back, not daring to provoke the frightening Ning Lan at this moment.

Once again, it was a confrontation between Yun Fu and Ning Lan.

Bai Yu, still excited, reminded them to stay in the zone and try for another perfect take.

The staff strapped them both into their harnesses. Next up, another fight scene—this time, one where they had to cooperate.

It was also the only time in the original novel that Qian Xuan ever helped someone else—she seemed to see her former self in the character Ning Lan was playing, and so she stepped in.

“Alright, everyone get ready... Begin!”

The wires pulled them upward, lifting both off the ground. Yun Fu’s face glittered with cold light; her stunning beauty was suffused with a murderous aura.

Bai Yu was directing the cameras to capture every moment.

Ning Lan recited her lines—soon, it would be Yun Fu’s turn.

She curled her lips in a sly smile, eager to see how Yun Fu would steal the spotlight this time.

Meanwhile, the wire technician, pale with fear, rushed to Bai Yu’s side. “Director Bai, there’s a problem—Yun Fu’s harness is loose!”

“How did you check it? Quick, get mats under her, lower her down!” Bai Yu flung his walkie-talkie onto the table, grabbed his megaphone, and was about to call for a halt—when he saw Yun Fu suddenly pause.

At that moment, everyone else on set held their breath.

“Yun Fu’s always done every scene in one take. This time, she’ll have to stop, right?”

“With the harness loose, if she doesn’t stop, she’ll fall and get hurt.”

“Just help her already—who cares about calling cut?”

Sword in hand, white robes flowing, eyes sharp, Yun Fu moved with seamless grace. After dueling the supporting actors, she seemed to fly across the set, grabbing Ning Lan by the collar, borrowing the support of Ning Lan’s harness to land steadily on the ground.

And this was precisely the scene described in the script.

Now, with her harness loose, Qian Xuan had performed it flawlessly.

Not only Ning Lan, but Bai Yu and the entire crew stood frozen in shock.

The martial arts director was beside himself with excitement, scurrying over to circle Yun Fu.

“Yun Fu, are you alright? Not hurt?” Seeing her unharmed, he was even more thrilled. “Yun Fu, you’ve definitely been trained, right? You’re amazing! This isn’t just taekwondo, is it? You must have learned from that—”

Yun Fu only replied with a nonchalant “Mm,” glancing at him. “It’s nothing special.”

Just surviving a year in the primeval forest and taking out the remaining ninety-nine competitors, that was all.

Ning Lan stood rooted to the spot, watching Yun Fu’s departing figure, her gaze dark and unreadable.

She knew that once this drama aired, Yun Fu would completely overshadow her, stealing away all the glory that should belong to the leading lady.

No! She would never allow such a thing to happen.

Perhaps it was Yun Fu’s legendary one-take prowess, or the contrast she provided, but the entire cast of “Stunning Flight” was working harder than ever. Even their acting had improved noticeably.

Though they still couldn’t match Yun Fu, it greatly sped up the shooting schedule—so much so that Bai Yu now looked at Yun Fu as if she were a walking treasure.

If Yun Fu hadn’t refused, he would have already given her more scenes.

Back in her room, at the same time as always, with the same people, and the same words—“Miss Yun, these are the meals Mr. Lian sent for you.”

For three days in a row, since her return to the set, Lian Hanqi had sent her meals every single day.

Yet she hadn’t received a single message from him, nor seen him in person.

Yun Fu scrolled through her phone, brows furrowed, and sent a WeChat message—Not tasty. I don’t want to eat.

The reply came quickly: Should I order from somewhere else?

Yun Fu: …

No need.

Lian Hanqi didn’t reply again. Yun Fu glanced at their chat history, tossed her phone aside, and was about to shower when the doorbell rang.

She clicked her tongue and opened the door.

And was met by a pair of deep, penetrating eyes.