Dark Fire chapter 16
Madman
The recording time the next day was even earlier. Ling Zhuo woke up at seven and was about to go downstairs to the restaurant for breakfast when he ran into Lu Chixie in the corridor.
Lu Chixie seemed to be waiting for him on purpose, leaning against the door and smoking. When he saw Ling Zhuo coming out, he flicked his cigarette butt into the nearby ashtray.
“Ling, didn’t sleep well last night? Why do you have dark circles?” Lu Chixie raised his chin.
Ling Zhuo shook his head, not wanting to talk to him.
Lu Chixie said, “Going for breakfast? Let’s go together.”
Ling Zhuo couldn’t refuse. The restaurant was on the second floor of the hotel. They arrived early, and the other guests hadn’t come down yet.
Zhong Yiran sent a message saying he had just woken up and would come down with the others soon.
Ling Zhuo put away his phone and went to get some food first.
Breakfast was self-service. He randomly grabbed a few things and sat down. Half a minute later, Lu Chixie came over and sat opposite him, asking, “Is this all you’re having for breakfast? We’ll be filming all day today. Aren’t you afraid you’ll get hungry later?”
Ling Zhuo: “I don’t have much of an appetite in the morning.”
Lu Chixie looked at him. “You don’t seem to be in a very good mood?”
Ling Zhuo: “…No.”
Lu Chixie smiled and said, “If there is, then there is. What’s wrong with admitting it? Did your agent come yesterday? I think I saw her.”
Ling Zhuo murmured, “Hmm,” and took a sip of orange juice.
“Did you have a fight with your agent? Or with your teammates?” Lu Chixie continued to ask with a smile.
Ling Zhuo frowned impatiently, “Are you trying to annoy me?”
Lu Chixie replied, “Ling, you’re becoming less and less polite to me.”
Ling Zhuo closed his mouth, no longer wanting to deal with him, and lowered his head to eat.
Lu Chixie casually picked up his knife and fork, “Did your agent tell you about T&G contacting her?”
Ling Zhuo was taken aback, “How did you know?”
Lu Chixie calmly said, “The marketing director of T&G is friends with my mom. They wanted to find a new fragrance spokesperson, so I had my mom recommend you to them.”
Ling Zhuo was astonished.
His expression somehow pleased Lu Chixie, who chuckled again, “Surprised?”
Ling Zhuo regained his composure, “Why would you do this, Teacher Lu…”
“What do you think?” Lu Chixie interrupted him, “Don’t worry, my mom just casually mentioned it. If the brand is interested in you, it’s because your image fits their positioning. You don’t need to think too much about it.”
Ling Zhuo didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to owe Lu Chixiei a favor, but refusing the endorsement offer wasn’t an option. Zhang Jing wouldn’t agree, so he had to accept it.
After a while, he moved his lips and said, “Thank you.”
Lu Chixie replied, “You’re welcome.”
He reminded him again, “If you cooperate well, there might be a chance to become the brand ambassador in the future, which would greatly enhance your commercial value. Ling, seize the opportunity.”
Ling Zhuo hesitated, asking, “Why don’t you take it yourself?”
Lu Chixie chuckled, “Do I look like I need the endorsement?”
Ling Zhuo was speechless.
After a moment, another question occurred to him, “You mentioned… your mom? Does your mom know me?”
Lu Chixie raised an eyebrow, “Curious?”
Ling Zhuo looked at him.
Lu Chixie nodded, “I mentioned you to her.”
“What did you say?”
Lu Chixie replied, “That I’m pursuing you.”
Ling Zhuo fell silent.
Qi Liangli’s loud voice sounded from behind, “Zhuo Ge!”
Ling Zhuo turned around, and Zhong Yiran and the others came over. Qi Liangli glanced at Lu Chixie and asked Ling Zhuo, “Why did you come down so early?”
Ling Zhuo replied, “It’s not early anymore. Recording is about to start. You guys should hurry up and eat.”
They all grabbed food and sat down. With Lu Chixie present, they didn’t mention yesterday’s events again, which would have been awkward.
Seeing Ling Zhuo almost finished eating, Lu Chixie got up again and brought a glass of milk, placing it in front of him. “Have some milk.”
Ling Zhuo frowned, “Thanks, but I don’t drink this.”
Lu Chixie asked, “Are you allergic?”
Ling Zhuo replied, “No allergies.”
Lu Chixie said, “Then just drink it.”
Zhong Yiran interjected, “Ling Zhuo doesn’t like milk. He never drinks it.”
Lu Chixie ignored him, just looking at Ling Zhuo. Ling Zhuo, feeling uncomfortable, avoided his gaze. Finally, Lu Chixie turned away and left, and Ling Zhuo breathed a sigh of relief.
The others, who had been silent, started bombarding Ling Zhuo with questions. Even Deng Lanluo, who was usually laid-back, could tell, “Xiao Ling, is that young master really interested in you?”
Ling Zhuo shook his head, not wanting to discuss this.
After breakfast, they all went upstairs together. Finally, Zhong Yiran pulled Ling Zhuo aside and said a few words to him privately, mentioning yesterday’s events. Ling Zhuo interrupted him, “Forget it, Captain. It’s already like this. It doesn’t matter anymore. You don’t have to keep explaining. I know it’s not your fault.”
Zhong Yiran sighed, “They all have their own thoughts. Liu Ge’s side still wants to fight for it.”
“I know, I understand. If we can fight for it, then let’s. It’s a good opportunity, don’t waste it.”
Zhong Yiran looked at him, “Sorry.”
Ling Zhuo smiled, “It’s really okay. Don’t mention it again.”
The morning recording started at eight thirty. First, each person drew the character they would be playing that day.
Someone among the regulars raised a question, “There are only two girls in total, but there are six female characters. Does that mean someone has to cross-dress?”
The director chuckled and replied, “Whoever you draw, you’ll play. Cross-dressing is also possible.”
Everyone was speechless.
So they took turns drawing lots again. Qi Liangli went up first and drew a card with “County Princess’s maid” written on it, and he wailed.
Everyone laughed and teased him, and Ling Zhuo silently prayed he would be lucky today, watching as others drew their cards one after another.
However, luck seemed to have deserted their group that day. Except for Zhong Yiran, who got the role of County Magistrate, everyone else ended up with female characters. Deng Lanluo was a queen, Zhang Xun was a matchmaker. When it was Ling Zhuo’s turn, he randomly picked a card and opened it, only to see the words “County Princess” written on it.
Ling Zhuo: “…”
Being collectively teased by others was the fate of a natural protagonist. Ling Zhuo reluctantly took his character card back into the queue.
When it was Lu Chixie’s turn to draw, someone among the regulars asked casually which character he wanted. Lu Chixie replied, “A poor scholar.”
Everyone laughed, and Ling Zhuo felt embarrassed. He still had to maintain a smiling face in front of the camera. But Lu Chixie’s wish didn’t come true either. He drew the card for a palace guard. Lu Chixie didn’t seem disappointed and returned to the group with the card in hand.
The male lead, “poor scholar,” card was drawn second to last by a female guest who was on Zhong Yiran’s team yesterday. She seemed happy, saying, “That works.”
Afterward, everyone went to do their makeup and hair. The makeup and hair for the variety show’s period drama didn’t need to be too meticulous, so they were all done in half an hour.
Ling Zhuo pulled at the red dress on his body. In the mirror, he applied makeup, adorned with flowers, painted his eyebrows and lips, and even had a pink peach blossom hairpin on his forehead. He felt a bit awkward looking at himself.
The others in the group also finished their makeup. They surrounded Ling Zhuo, each of them staring at him like rare animals, and then burst into laughter.
Ling Zhuo’s face turned red. “Why are you all laughing at me? Aren’t you all wearing women’s clothing too?”
“No, no, no,” Zhang Xun waved his hand, “only your cross-dressing looks real. Look at us, don’t we all look like we’re just fooling around?”
Indeed, whether it was their headgear or clothes, none of them fit properly. It was obvious they were meant for comedy. Only Ling Zhuo, the “female” lead, was carefully dressed up.
Ling Zhuo smiled and punched Zhang Xun, while Zhong Yiran chuckled, “You look pretty good, don’t be nervous.”
Ling Zhuo’s face turned even redder.
They walked out of the dressing room, and the others outside had also finished their makeup. One of the regular guests whistled, “Xiao Ling looks great in that outfit.”
Ling Zhuo felt embarrassed. In a flash, his eyes met with Lu Chixie’s. Since earlier, Lu Chixie had not shown a smile in front of the camera, and now, his expression remained the same. Ling Zhuo felt uncomfortable under his gaze, quickly averting his eyes.
The cosplay recording began, still set on the ancient street they used yesterday.
Behind each character card were the attributes of each character, visible only to the respective person. Ling Zhuo, as the female lead, naturally played the positive role. The others would either help him or be antagonistic, which he had to judge later.
At the beginning of the story, the county princess and the poor scholar met on the Qixi Magpie Bridge and fell in love at first sight. At the same time, the son of a high-ranking official also noticed the county princess. After returning home, the county princess fell ill with lovesickness. A matchmaker came to propose marriage on behalf of the son of the high-ranking official, and the prince and princess arranged the marriage for their daughter. The county princess entrusted her maid to pass a message to the poor scholar, preparing to elope with him…
But right from the start, someone didn’t stick to the script. The son of the high-ranking official took a liking to the county princess and directly led a group of thugs to forcibly abduct her in public.
The actor playing the son of the high-ranking official was a regular male guest who was used to playing along with these variety show scripts. He didn’t follow the usual rules from the beginning, leaving Ling Zhuo momentarily stunned. It wasn’t until he was grabbed by a group of extras playing thugs that he thought about running, and then Lu Chixie, playing the guard, came forward heroically with a sword to save the day.
Lu Chixie pulled Ling Zhuo into his arms, confidently pointing his sword at the opposing villain, while still holding Ling Zhuo close.
Qi Liangli, playing the county princess’s maid, reacted quickly, rushing forward to shield Ling Zhuo and engaging in a verbal altercation with the thugs.
It was only then that Ling Zhuo regained his senses, slipping out of Lu Chixie’s embrace. The son of the high-ranking official had already activated his first “golden finger,” named “Wish Fulfillment,” so Lu Chixie had to release him. As they fought the thugs, they watched helplessly as the county princess was abducted.
The maid stomped her foot, then turned and ran to the county office to report that her mistress had been abducted. However, the county princess had sneaked out without permission, so she didn’t directly reveal the princess’s identity.
Regardless of whether it was reasonable or not, the county magistrate, Zhong Yiran, personally led a group of constables to pursue the abductors.
The guards returned to report the incident to the prince and princess, and then went with a team to rescue the county princess.
It was only on the way that Ling Zhuo belatedly remembered that he could also use a “golden finger.” Their group had five “golden fingers,” usable by three people, but only once each. After some thought, he chose to use the “Misfortune for the Nearest Antagonist” finger. However, several minutes passed, and the son of the high-ranking official, who was riding proudly on his horse, showed no reaction.
Ling Zhuo was speechless. Was this person not the antagonist? Then why abduct him? Was he being taken to the poor scholar instead?
Meanwhile, the poor scholar also used a “golden finger” to discover the true identity of the woman he had met. Upon learning that she was the county princess, he didn’t feel unworthy of her at all. He immediately went to the matchmaker and proposed to the prince’s mansion.
Chaos ensued in the prince’s mansion. Lu Chixie and Zhong Yiran separately encountered each other in front of the high-ranking official’s residence, with the county princess’s maid accompanying Zhong Yiran. They arrived a moment earlier than the guards did. The maid even slipped on a banana peel outside.
Qi Liangli complained about how such a place could have banana peels, while Lu Chixie glanced at him and smirked.
The guards revealed their identity from the prince’s mansion, forcing the son of the high-ranking official to hand over the county princess. The county magistrate intended to take the son of the high-ranking official to jail, but the princess suddenly pleaded for him.
Ling Zhuo had no choice but to comply. Since this person wasn’t the antagonist, he had to let him go.
With the princess speaking up and the county magistrate not wanting to cause trouble, they released him.
The guards escorted the county princess and the maid back to the mansion. As they were about to board the carriage, the guard gave the princess a meaningful look and said, “Princess, your maid just slipped on a banana peel outside the gate.”
Qi Liangli continued grumbling about his misfortune, while Ling Zhuo widened his eyes slightly.
They were both aware of each other’s “golden fingers.” He spoke up for the son of the high-ranking official, so Zhong Yiran and Lu Chixie should have guessed that he used the “Misfortune for the Nearest Antagonist” finger to confirm that the son of the high-ranking official was a good person. Since Zhong Yiran was willing to let him go, it indicated that he was also a good person. Lu Chixie’s words confirmed this. The county magistrate and the maid arrived simultaneously. After he used that “golden finger,” the maid slipped on the banana peel, making her the nearest antagonist. So the county magistrate was undoubtedly a good person.
But what about the guard in front of him? Was Lu Chixie a good person?
Ling Zhuo couldn’t figure it out. The guard arrived after the county magistrate and the maid, so the nearest rule didn’t apply to him. He might be a good person or an antagonist, but since he reminded Ling Zhuo that his maid was an antagonist, he should also be a good person?
Only Qi Liangli, with his limited understanding, remained oblivious to his exposure, still complaining.
Ling Zhuo looked at Lu Chixie, silently asking if he was a good person. Lu Chixie ignored him and closed the carriage door.
The story then returned to its original plot. The prince and princess rejected the poor scholar’s proposal, but their opinions seemed to differ. They also didn’t agree to the son of the high-ranking official’s proposal. In the meantime, other characters emerged to cause trouble, the plot veering off course repeatedly, only to be corrected time and time again by the efforts of the good people. In order to elope with the poor scholar, the county princess coaxed her maid into delivering messages while enlisting the help of other trustworthy individuals to contact the poor scholar.
Towards the end, almost everyone’s identities had been exposed, with the good guys gaining the upper hand. However, it was only around noon during the recording, and the end was nowhere in sight. Just when it seemed that the princess and the poor scholar were about to have a moment, an antagonist emerged, revealing the long-forgotten ultimate trump card, the “Rebirth Technique,” and the story rewound to its beginning.
The initially confident group of good people found themselves thrown into disarray. The program recording paused for a lunch break before continuing.
Ling Zhuo returned to the dressing room to remove his makeup, a task particularly troublesome for him. While others had already finished and left, he still had half of his makeup to remove.
Lu Chixie left and then returned, seeing Ling Zhuo still there. Ling Zhou thought Lu Chi would leave again, but instead, Lu Chixie stopped behind him, looking down at him from above and said, “Why remove it all? We’ll continue recording in the afternoon anyway.”
Ignoring him, Ling Zhuo preferred to redo his makeup rather than go out for lunch with the current look.
Suddenly, Lu Chixie bent down closer, and Ling Zhuo instinctively turned his face away. With the makeup artist called away and Yang Ming outside helping with something, they were alone in the dressing room. Lu Chixie’s gaze stopped at Ling Zhuo’s profile, and he reached out to touch his cheek.
Ling Zhuo frowned.
Lu Chixie lowered his voice. “Ling, you look quite handsome like this.”
Ling Zhuo abruptly stood up, about to leave, but Lu Chixie grabbed his wrist, pulling him into the nearby changing room and shutting the door behind them.
“What are you up to again?!” Ling Zhuo couldn’t contain his frustration.
“Have you forgotten, Ling? I’ve mentioned it before; my patience is limited,” Lu Chixie reminded him in a low voice.
“You—” Ling Zhuo began but was interrupted as Lu Chixie pressed him against the door, his gaze briefly meeting Ling Zhuo’s angry eyes before lowering, fiercely biting his lips recently freed from lipstick.