Chapter Thirty-Five: Plot Within a Plot

The play continued. Li Mengjie, dark and withdrawn after her father’s tragic death, shut herself off from the world. Chen Hao’s sunny nature not only pulled Ling Fei from her loneliness, but for Li Mengjie—starved for warmth since childhood—he became her only hope of salvation, the single ray of sunlight in her life. Only that tall, lively boy would tirelessly keep her company, trying to make her smile. The heartfelt care he showed became something she craved, something she couldn’t let go of.

But when Li Mengjie saw that Chen Hao, who belonged to her, was being just as close with another girl, the gloom she had long suppressed exploded in an instant. She rushed over and shoved Ling Fei aside. Caught off guard, Ling Fei fell onto the edge of a flowerbed; her white dress was instantly stained black.

“You’re the darling of fate, adored by everyone—why must you steal from me too? He’s mine, Chen Hao is mine!” Li Mengjie screamed at the girl lying on the ground, her voice raw and wild, her eyes ablaze with fury and malice.

Chen Hao clung tightly to the raging Li Mengjie, shocked and aching for her. In that moment, his resolve only deepened—he would take care of this girl before him.

“Cut—” Wang Zhang’s voice carried a trace of disappointment. “Wen Rui, your emotions are too intense—control them a bit. Rong Qing, tend to your wound first, be careful of infection!”

Only then did everyone notice Rong Qing, still on the ground, her palm scraped and muddy, blood oozing from the graze, her calf bruised and bleeding from a knock against a stone. Yan Lin, toolbox in hand, immediately led her to the van for some quick disinfecting.

Wen Rui strolled over to the van, a mocking smile in her eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it!” She shot a careless glance at Rong Qing, who was having her wound bandaged, and walked away without a second thought.

“Qing, you don’t have to put up with this,” Yan Lin said coolly, his movements gentle and professional, his glasses hiding any emotion.

“Ah…” The disinfectant stung, but seeing Yan Lin’s cautious, gentle manner warmed Rong Qing’s heart, dulling the pain. “Lin, my job is acting. No matter what happens between us offstage, I’ll give my all to the performance. I love this craft, and I respect my work. As for Wen Rui, treating acting like a game and using it for petty revenge—her career won’t last long.” Acting is not a tool for vengeance. Such flagrant tricks only show a lack of character, of principle, and of shame.

A little concealer was dabbed on the wound, enough to disguise it without affecting her appearance. Rong Qing rose quietly. “Director, I’m ready.”

Wang Zhang gave her a long, meaningful look, everything unspoken. He turned back toward the set. “Scene sixteen, places everyone!”

Rong Qing’s dedication to her craft and Xie Mutian’s professionalism made the first half of the scene flow brilliantly, every glance and gesture brimming with remarkable charisma; together, they seemed to embody an era, those burning years. But with Li Mengjie’s arrival, the entire tone shifted. Her accusations were wild and out of control—gone was the demure, gentle girl: Li Mengjie seemed utterly deranged, shocking everyone.

“Cut!” Wang Zhang’s face darkened completely. A good drama, ruined by Li Mengjie’s descent into madness! “Wen Rui, go and properly reflect on your character’s mindset. You’ve destroyed Li Mengjie’s grace and poise!”

Wen Rui put on an apologetic face, mixed with a bit of frustration, though she couldn’t hide the glee in her eyes.

Yan Lin quietly helped Rong Qing up, his cold gaze sweeping over that arrogant figure before returning to calm. The wound on Rong Qing’s leg had reopened, her pale, delicate hands full of grit. For the sake of realism, she had barely braced herself as she was shoved.

“You can’t keep acting. I’m taking you to the hospital,” Yan Lin said firmly, his tone growing darker, like a fox lying in wait, ready to strike when pressed.

Rong Qing hesitated. The injury wasn’t serious, and anyone could see Wen Rui was just looking for trouble. There was no point in letting it go further. As she was about to stand, Wen Rui’s delighted, girlish voice rang out.

“Director Zhang, I’ve finally understood Li Mengjie’s mindset. This time, I’ll do it right.” Wen Rui’s eyes shone with confidence, as if she’d had a revelation.

Wang Zhang hesitated. He knew all too well the silent battles between actresses, and as long as things didn’t go too far, he stayed out of it. But seeing Rong Qing hurt, he couldn’t help but feel both pained and resentful. Yet since Wen Rui insisted, as director, he couldn’t refuse her request.

“Director, let’s continue,” Rong Qing said, walking over, her cold expression meeting Wen Rui’s in a shower of sparks. Wen Rui’s face was full of disdain, openly provocative.

Wang Zhang thought for a moment, then made his decision. The show would go on!

“All right. Camera crew, props—get ready… Action!”

Xie Mutian came up to Rong Qing, his brow furrowed, voice low with concern. “You’re hurt—don’t push yourself. You don’t have to go this far.”

Rong Qing thanked him lightly, a faint smile on her lips, stirring both tenderness and sorrow in those who saw her. Xie Mutian sighed, his gaze toward Wen Rui tinged with anger.

This time, Wen Rui, intent on provocation, shoved Rong Qing hard onto the concrete. With a dull thud, Rong Qing’s head struck the flowerbed wall, blood pouring forth.

Chaos erupted. Director Wang Zhang’s furious shouts mingled with the staff’s panic. Yan Lin was the first to reach Rong Qing, carrying her on his back and rushing her to the hospital.

Wen Rui turned pale, staring at her own hands in horror, mind spinning. She hadn’t used that much force—she only meant to teach a lesson. How could this happen? Then she caught sight of the blood trickling down Rong Qing’s pale forehead, the eerie red gleaming in her eyes. In that cold, solemn moment, a mocking, icy smile flickered at the corner of her lips, and a chill ran through her entire body.

——— Author’s note ———

Please bookmark! Rong Qing’s cunning nature is unmistakably revealed here.