Chapter Thirty-One: The Play

The Four Heavenly Kings' Xie Mutian gracefully shook hands with Rong Qing, teasing, "Another stunning beauty has arrived. It seems 'Chen Hao' is indeed blessed with good fortune."

"It's an honor to work with you, King Xie," she replied.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the makeup artist took Rong Qing to get into costume. She had a short scene to film today.

When she appeared before the cast, dressed in a blue pleated skirt and school uniform, she was more than just striking. There was an air of cold, noble pride about her, a grace that no simple attire could hide. Her dark eyes sparkled like a sky full of stars, revealing the spirit of perseverance and ambition so characteristic of the early 1980s. Her long black hair was neatly tied back, adorned with no accessories, her beauty entirely natural. She was the most outstanding student of the Capital University, a symbol of both academic excellence and the new era of women. Ling Fei—a noble prodigy, unattainable and proud.

Even Xie Mutian, who had seen countless beauties in his glamorous career, was taken aback. A young woman at the height of her youth, carrying such noble and pure charisma, was like a pristine white lotus in the churning waters of the entertainment world. She captivated all who gazed upon her, yet her purity seemed untouchable, as if any attempt to approach would sully her.

Ling Fei, as if she had walked straight out of the script, carried herself with the unstudied air of a student. There was no need to feign; she embodied the role naturally.

Director Wang Zhang was visibly moved; this portrayal of Ling Fei, so vivid and real, filled him with pride. Cheerfully, he instructed his assistant, "Prepare a few more sets of costumes for Ling Fei. Yes... the effect is excellent. Take more photos."

"Rong Qing, since you’re in such good form, let’s shoot your scene first. Wen Rui, you’ve been working a long time—take a break," Wang Zhang said considerately.

But to Wen Rui, this sounded entirely different. Why should she, such a prominent star in the mainland and the leading lady of Chinese cinema, be replaced by a newcomer the moment she arrived? Yet the director had spoken; no matter how upset she was, she couldn’t afford to offend this internationally renowned director. Fuming, she sat in her special chair under the shade, sipping an iced fruit juice. Suddenly, she knocked over a full glass of orange juice.

"Who prepared this drink? Don’t you know I don’t drink anything cold?"

"Sister Wen... I’m so sorry, I didn’t know," stammered the new assistant, on the verge of tears.

Wen Rui’s beautiful eyes flashed with arrogance as she glared at the trembling assistant. "You know nothing. How are you supposed to serve anyone? If you make another mistake, pack your things and go!"

Her assistant immediately cleaned up and brought a fresh drink.

Rong Qing was already intimately familiar with the script. Today’s first scene was her initial confrontation with Chen Hao. If Ling Fei was the pride of the heavens and a top student at Capital University, then the greatest setback in her life was her debate against Chen Hao—a moment that would reveal a bittersweet, unspoken love.

The assembly hall of Capital University was packed with students, the academic atmosphere intense, the competition fierce. Led by Ling Fei, the Chinese Language and Literature Department faced off against Chen Hao from the School of Science and Engineering. Dressed in a simple white dress, her hair pulled into a ponytail, Ling Fei exuded sharpness and competence, refusing to concede even an inch. Her opponent, Chen Hao, was an ordinary student from a farming family, his well-worn shirt clinging to his lean frame. His bright, youthful smile carried an innocent allure, like the sun itself.

The two sides launched into a fierce battle the moment they stepped on stage. Like a rising star, Ling Fei seized the initiative. Her articulate, confident Mandarin, full of youthful vigor, left the audience in awe. She went straight to the point: "If we open our doors to free expression and reform, the current political situation will be severely impacted, hindering our nation’s steady progress."

"All major political reforms in history have occurred because outdated social structures or superstructures no longer met the needs of new productive forces or economic foundations," Chen Hao countered. "Our current model is no longer suited to domestic circumstances. Reform and opening up are inevitable."

The debate was as intense as a battlefield. The once aloof flower on the mountaintop was infected by the warmth of this ordinary 'little sun.' For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Never before had anyone seen Ling Fei smile so boldly. Even her cold gaze was tinged with the vibrancy of youth.

Rong Qing portrayed this transformation perfectly—from Ling Fei’s proud stubbornness to her growing admiration for her opponent, the joy and surprise subtly hidden in her eyes. Director Wang Zhang held his breath, afraid to disturb the unfolding scene.

In the end, Ling Fei conceded defeat, but her eyes shone like the stars—brilliant, unbowed, and free.

"The night has given me black eyes, but I use them to seek the light. Our nation, hovering on the edge of darkness, must develop. Without progress, we will be bullied. Development is the ultimate truth," Chen Hao concluded, his voice crisp and powerful, shining like a new star in an instant.

"Cut—" Director Wang Zhang called out, bringing everyone back to reality.

It had been a passionate performance, completed in a single take—an unprecedented success for the director. Xie Mutian wiped the sweat from his forehead; he had rarely met an actor with such a strong presence, almost overwhelming his own. The subtle emotions and genuine performance had deeply impressed him and helped ensure the scene’s smooth completion. He could hardly believe they had achieved a perfect first take. Xie Mutian looked directly at the girl before him, his gaze probing and profound.

Sensing his searching look, Rong Qing smiled and approached, her demeanor sincere and friendly. "King Xie, I owe the success to your guidance and support."

———End Note———

Please add this to your collection—Lanlan wants your support!