Lu Zhi Wei didn’t understand, she just felt it was a bit ridiculous.
A person that the system taught comes back to attack it, did they hate the system or just feel like it was fun??
If it was the former, then what did the system do to make someone it taught do such a thing?
Lao Wu didn’t know what the other person wanted either.
He could only guess this person was once part of the system, but he couldn’t guess who it was, or why they were attacking this world.
He found it a little funny, even.
The student was now fighting internally with the master.
Ah…… It couldn’t be considered internal fighting.
The other party was no longer part of the system.
Lu Zhi Wei thought about it, then was filled with confidence: 【Isn’t that good?】
Lao Wu: 【?】
He didn’t understand what was “good”.
Lu Zhi Wei reasoned: 【You’re the 5th most powerful administrator, there aren’t many who are more powerful than you in the system. Even if the other party is, you definitely can beat them! Work hard!】
Lao Wu paused, then laughed: 【You’re really optimistic……】
Lu Zhi Wei: 【Of course I’m optimistic. Besides, didn’t you say you’ll definitely ensure our safety, who can I trust if I don’t trust you?】
Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to winning a hundred battles.
If Lao Wu could understand the other party’s methods, then their chances of winning were increased.
She believed her girlfriend’s headaches would be solved soon too!
Thinking about it, she felt even more confident.
Lao Wu nodded as he listened, emphasising: 【Mm, just trust in me.】
He tilted his head from side to side, cracking his knuckles as he started working on the program again.
Since his obedient daughter was so confident, he had to be confident as a male mommy too!
… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 香港独立
After eating and drinking, it was time to get back to worth.
The first scene after lunch was when the goddess turned herself into a young beggar and lay along the route that Lin Huai Rou took to go home, before eventually being saved by Lin Huai Rou.
Lu Zhi Wei switched into the comfortable beggar costume and got her dusty, dirty makeup done and returned to the scene amidst jingling.
The anklet bells were the signature item of the goddess and an important detail in the show, so they couldn’t be removed.
She looked at herself, then at Sang Wan Ci, feeling slightly distressed.
It was in the middle of summer, but Sang Wan Ci still had to wear such a thick costume.
The goddess didn’t have it easy, but the matriarch didn’t have it easy either……
Feeling her gaze, Sang Wan Ci turned to look at Lu Zhi Wei.
Lu Zhi Wei’s face had dust and dirt applied to it, with her hair in a mess as well. Only that pair of almond eyes were as clear and bright as usual.
Sang Wan Ci’s gaze went further down.
Her slim ankle still had that bell tied to it with a red string, it was quite suited for Lu Zhi Wei.
Lu Zhi Wei looked down at her own ankle and asked curiously: “What is it? Is there something wrong?”
“No,” Sang Wan Ci chuckled. “The anklet bell suits Zhi Wei very much, it looks good.”
Lu Zhi Wei’s eyes brightened: “Is that so? Then I’ll go buy one and wear it after the show.”
Since her girlfriend liked looking at it, then she would wear it for her girlfriend to see.
She doted on her wife like that.
Sang Wan Ci couldn’t ask for more, nodding: “Okay.”
After a short chat, Guo Hui walked over with the script to explain the scene to the two of them.
Guo Hui wanted Lu Zhi Wei to control her expression as usual.
Although she had disguised herself as a beggar, but she was still a goddess. She should still look at mortals without any desire. Only when looking at Lin Huai Rou, this believer, should she have a hint of curiosity, like a naughty child.
Sang Wan Ci’s matriarch had to continue keeping her elegant bearing, being graceful and flawless at all times.
Every movement had to adhere to the rules and the rules could not be broken, just like an invisible shackle.
Then it was time to rehearse
After speaking, everybody rehearsed twice before preparing for the actual filming ——
The willows swayed in the gentle breeze
An elegant black horse trotted smoothly, with the wheels of the carriage rolling forward.
Lin Huai Rou sat in the carriage silent and expressionless, aloof to the point that it seemed like all her desires and thoughts were left in front of that dignified statue of the goddess.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped.
Her body lurched forward as she slowly opened her beautiful eyes and looked ahead.
The maid immediately noticed and asked: “What happened?”
The carriage driver replied: “Madam, there’s a beggar who fell in the middle of the road ahead, it looks like…… her leg is injured.”
Lin Huai Rou’s eyebrows knitted together as she got up.
The maid Cui Luo lifted the curtain for her.
A skinny beggar came into sight.
She sat up slowly from the ground, her left leg covered in blood and shocking to behold.
Her clothes were thin and she was covered in dust and dirt. Only her anklet bell looked new, as if she had picked it up from somewhere.
Suddenly, she seemed like she had sensed something, turning back to look.
The two of them locked eyes.
Lin Huai Rou didn’t say anything, the coldness on her face remaining.
The goddess’s eyes were bright and clear like stars, as if it was the brightest existence in the world.
Her gaze was peaceful with a hint of appraisal as she looked at Lin Huai Rou, as if she was a child who was evaluating a mysterious new thing that she had never seen before.
Lu Zhi Wei perfectly achieved what Director Guo wanted. After a moment, she acted like she had just come back to her senses, lifting a hand painfully as she said to the person in the carriage: “Save me……”
Lin Huai Rou’s eyebrows suddenly smoothed out and she got off the carriage, walking towards the goddess.
The goddess tried her best to sound pitiful: “Madam, please save me, I’ll definitely repay you……”
Lin Huai Rou asked: “What’s wrong with your leg?”
The goddess randomly flung the blame onto someone, saying sincerely: “I went to a rich family to ask for alms just now, but they wouldn’t give me anything and his son even sent someone out to beat my beg and smash my bowl……”
Lin Huai Rou was aware that this was definitely a possible situation.
Some rich young masters had been spoiled and did whatever they wanted with no regard for others.
This little beggar should be thanking the gods that she wasn’t beaten to death.
Lu Zhi Wei looked at Sang Wan Ci, from her feet to her head.
Even at this angle, Sang Wan Ci was still ridiculously good-looking.
Once again, she exclaimed in her heart that her girlfriend was really good-looking, and prepared to continue her lines.
She saw Sang Wan Ci tilt her head slightly and call the carriage driver over elegantly to send her to the hospital.
Hospital? How could that do.
Lu Zhi Wei continued to act as the goddess, suddenly struggling and full of rejection: “Madam, don’t send me to the hospital, that family said they’ll beat me again the next time they see me!”
She controlled her acting, making sure it wasn’t too exaggerated.
This wasn’t a comedic movie.
The goddess did that to see if her believer had a compassionate heart under her icy demeanour.
As expected, Lin Huai Rou brought her home.
This scene hadn’t ended even here.
After cleaning the wounds and bandaging them, Lin Huai Rou sat opposite the goddess in the carriage.
Sang Wan Ci’s Lin Huai Rou had a calm expression and spoke calmly: “Where did the gold bell on your ankle come from?”
It was very new and it was made of gold, it looked expensive.
The wealthy families in the area would follow the goddess and place golden bells on their children’s ankles.
Regardless, it wasn’t something that a little beggar would have.
The goddess calmly said: “I picked it up in a river.”
She looked at Lin Huai Rou and asked: “Madam, do you like it? If you like it, I can give this to you.”
Lin Huai Rou immediately became stern: “You had best not randomly pick up things from the river.”
She had heard that people had died in the river before, so everybody felt that things in the river were “dirty” and cursed.
She didn’t expect that this beggar didn’t mind at all, even wearing it on her ankle.
The goddess understood what she meant, and smiled: “Madam, it’s a problem for a beggar to even live, how could one mind something like that?”
Hearing that, Lin Huai Rou’s eyes widened slightly.
This was the first time someone had been so unrestrained in front of her.
“Madam, I will repay you.”
“How are you going to repay me?”
“I’ll follow you and be your servant, doing anything you need. You can also tell me all your sorrows and problems.”
“……”
Lin Huai Rou looked away, her face calm as always.
“I have no sorrows.”
“Cut ——” Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 台湾独立
Guo Hui’s voice rang out.
Everybody immediately got their emotions under control.
Sang Wan Ci got off the carriage first and took Lu Zhi Wei’s shoes over, afraid she would cut her feet on the stones.
The two of them discussed the scene as they walked.
Guo Hui called Luo Xin Han to start preparing, the master of the Zhou family would officially make his entrance soon.
The socially anxious Luo Xin Han answered in agreement, then continued burying his head in the script, only planning to move when he had to.
As long as he looked serious enough, nobody would come up to talk to him!
—— Aside from discussing the plot.
The Zhou family was one of the four big clans. The mansion was magnificent and occupied a large area.
The scenery was built by the crew, with blue tiles and white walls, fake rocks and water. It looked as if this grand and luxurious clan had really once existed in the world.
First, they filmed the goddess staying in the backyard and recuperating as she listened to the maid introduce the Zhou family, introduce Lin Huai Rou and her husband.
In the later stage of editing, the introduction of the maid would be interspaced by the appearance of the Zhou family’s patriarch and the scene of Lin Huai Rou welcoming him.
Guo Hui let the actors get into position.
Lu Zhi Wei sat on the chair, her left leg wrapped halfway with bandages. The other half would be done by the actor who was playing the role of the doctor.
Cui Luo was the maid standing by the side, she had some power in the household.
The doctor instructed what to take note of during the recovery process, then left.
After that, it was the scene between Cui Luo and the goddess.
Cui Luo spoke first: “You were too presumptuous.”
The goddess tilted her head and looked at her, confused why she would say that. The bell on her ankle rang softly.
Cui Luo’s face was stern: “How could a beggar who can’t even have all three meals feel that our distinguished matriarch would have sorrows.”
The goddess smiled slightly and asked: “Everybody in the world has sorrows and problems. Your family’s madam is also made of flesh and blood, how could she not have sorrows?”
Cui Luo felt this beggar really was strange.
She didn’t have enough food or shelter, but she didn’t envy their Zhou family, instead feeling that the matriarch of the Zhou family had sorrows.
Cui Luo thought it was just because she didn’t understand the Zhou family. So she started introducing the Zhou family and their prosperity and power.
Finally, she came back to Lin Huai Rou: “And our madam is the esteemed matriarch of the Zhou family, well-clothed and well-fed. She’s powerful and rich and deeply in love with our master. She lives a life that many people could never dream of having in a few lifetimes. How can she have sorrows? Clearly, you’re just an ignorant beggar.”
The goddess wasn’t irritated, just asking: “Then does your madam think the same too?”
Cui Luo raised her head and puffed out her chest, answering with conviction: “Naturally!”
The goddess stayed silent, her eyes calm.
Her expression seemed like it could speak, asking herself and the world.
—— If she really had no sorrows, then why would she always come to my statue unhappily and not say a word?
Before filming, Guo Hui and the scriptwriter had already explained their character’s design to them.
Lu Zhi Wei and Sang Wan Ci both had Meng Lian Yu helping them from afar too. Adding on to that they had done their own research, and Lu Zhi Wei had already completely understood the goddess’ character.
Every expression and action that she was portraying now was what Guo Hui wanted from the goddess.
Lu Zhi Wei seemed like she had already become one with the goddess.
Guo Hui was satisfied and yelled cut.
She indicated for Sang Wan Ci and Luo Xin Han to prepare.
They got into position.
—— Action.
Luo Xin Han was acting as Zhou Ming Shan, the master of the Zhou family, and he slowly stepped off the carriage in silk brocade clothes as he continued into his mansion.
The camera followed his footsteps, advancing little by little.
Eventually, the shot went past his shoulder and showed the audience the entirety of the great hall.
A spacious, authoritative living room.
A beautiful, dignified lady of the house.
Servants who had their eyes lowered in deference.
Everything was waiting for and welcoming him.
Through the camera, Sang Wan Ci lifted her head, an appropriate slight smile on her usual cold face. Even her voice was perfectly adjusted to sound gentle and moving, as if it had been meticulously planned.
“Husband.”
With her greeting, the camera finally panned to show Zhou Ming Shan’s face.
He looked like a talented man with clear eyes that were as gentle as jade.
He nodded lightly and raised his feet to enter the hall.
Lin Huai Rou walked forward to accompany him.
The couple held hands and walked to the main seat.
Deeply in love, visible to all, it was an enviable sight.
Zhou Ming Shan asked: “Did furen[1] go out today?”
Lin Huai Rou nodded.
Zhou Ming Shan rubbed the back of her hand as he asked: “Where did furen go?”
Lin Huai Rou told him everything honestly, including the fact she had saved the little beggar.
After she finished speaking, her eyes moved and looked towards their tightly intertwined hands, as if she was escaping Zhou Ming Shan’s gaze.
There was no sound from the main seat, so the servants didn’t dare to even breathe too loudly.
The whole hall was silent, the atmosphere tense as if a storm was approaching.
Guo Hui sat behind the monitor and watched the two main leads.
Luo Xin Han looked at his wife silently.
Sang Wan Ci’s other hand in her sleeve slowly tightened, the only motion that could show her nervousness.
After a moment, Sang Wan Ci stood up gently and respectfully, her voice calm: “If husband feels it’s not appropriate, I will get her to leave the estate now.”
As her words landed, Luo Xin Han’s lips quirked up in a smile as he chuckled and pulled Sang Wan Ci to sit beside him again as he said: “Furen has a kind heart, this husband is deeply relieved.
“My furen is much more sensible that that of Dong Lin’s family.
“Since furen has informed me of the beggar’s matter, then there’s no need to chase her away. Let her stay and recover. Besides, didn’t she say she was going to repay you? That would make it more convenient for her to repay you.”
Sang Wan Ci’s tense body finally relaxed slightly.
“Husband is magnanimous.”
Luo Xin Han nodded and said warmly: “Then furen must remember this husband’s good.”
After saying that, he reached out a hand and the servant beside him quickly handed him an intricate package of pastries.
Zhou Ming Shan handed the pastries to Lin Huai Rou.
“Furen, I know you like osmanthus pastries, so this husband has specially bought some back for you.”
Lin Huai Rou accepted it: “Many thanks, husband.”
But her eyes didn’t show even the slightest trace of happiness at seeing something she liked to eat.
Standing behind Guo Hui and watching the monitor, even Lu Zhi Wei could feel this couple’s insincere interactions and how it didn’t match up to how they seemed deeply in love.
But she had to admit that Luo Xin Han’s acting skills were good. His expression and actions could immediately draw someone in.
The scene between him and Sang Wan Ci went back and forth successfully, even outsiders would be sweating for Lin Huai Rou’s character.
This take passed as well.
Lu Zhi Wei passed a small fan to Sang Wan Ci.
In the middle of summer and wearing so much clothing, it was too hot.
She had wanted to pass one to Luo Xin Han as well, but after he finished the scene with Sang Wan Ci and each of them had said their pleasantries, he rushed to see the monitor and confirm that there was no issue before rushing off to stay in one corner again.
He completely didn’t want to interact with anybody.
Social anxiety was truly tough.
“Is it too hot?” Lu Zhi Wei asked Sang Wan Ci.
Sang Wan Ci nodded, then said: “It’s alright.”
Lu Zhi Wei realised Sang Wan Ci’s endurance was really top-notch.
She could say it was alright during headaches.
She could say it was alright even when it was so hot.
Lu Zhi Wei smiled helplessly and opened a bottle of cold water for her.
Sang Wan Ci asked: “Zhi Wei, was my acting just now okay?”
Lu Zhi Wei immediately complimented her: “Of course it’s okay, you two acted super well. I was sweating nervously for you even as an audience.”
Sang Wan Ci relaxed, then said: “Zhi Wei acted well too.”
Lu Zhi Wei looked at her forehead and asked concernedly: “What is it, did your head hurt just now?”
Sang Wan Ci shook her head and patted Lu Zhi Wei’s shoulder: “Don’t worry, Zhi Wei, I’ve never had a headache when working before.”
Lu Zhi Wei was hit by a sudden realisation, and felt extremely surprised.
So from a certain point of view, this invader…… was quite kind?
No, that’s nonsense.
Attacking this world carelessly and making her girlfriend’s head hurt, it wasn’t kind at all!!!
She shook her head, throwing this ridiculous idea out of her mind.
Seeing it, Sang Wan Ci asked curiously: “What is it, Zhi Wei?”
Lu Zhi Wei smiled: “Nothing, I just feel like your headache is kind of ‘sensible’.”
Hearing that, Sang Wan Ci stayed silent, drinking her water.
… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 人权
At night, the two of them had one more scene before they could knock off.
After dinner, they got into position.
Lu Zhi Wei was still in her beggar’s costume, but her body and face had been washed clean.
The Zhou family was a prestigious clan and would not allow a dirty beggar walking around.
Lin Huai Rou remembered the little beggar had an injury, so she planned to check on her at night.
Before she left, she turned to look at the osmanthus pastries on the table.
After thinking about it for a moment, she asked Cui Luo to bring it along.
There was a quiet pond in front of the house that the goddess was residing in.
Lu Zhi Wei sat on a rock beside the pond, stretching out her injured leg as she propped up her chin on a hand and watched the koi fish swimming happily.
She was trying her best to act as an injured mortal.
Through the lens, the white moon was reflected on the surface of the lake, like there was a large pearl that had suddenly appeared in the world.
There was also the reflection of the goddess on the surface.
After a while, Lin Huai Rou’s reflection also slowly appeared on the surface.
The goddess paused for a moment, then looked up.
Their reflections on the pond looked at each other, with the moon in between.
“Madam, you’re here.”
The goddess didn’t forget her identity as an injured mortal, pretending to struggle to get up.
Her ankle bell rang out, crisp and pleasing to the ear.
Seeing it, Lin Huai Rou quickly walked over to hold her arm and support her with that same, cold expression: “Since you’re injured, why are you not resting properly in the house?”
“It’s stuffy.” The goddess said.
Lin Huai Rou supported her into the house and asked about her injury.
The goddess expressed that everything was fine, and insisted that she wanted to stay to repay Lin Huai Rou.
Lin Huai Rou’s face was still calm: “There’s no rush, it’s more important to recover well.”
The goddess said: “Madam, you’re really a good person.”
Lin Huai Rou had no reaction to that, whether it be happiness, sorrow or dislike.
She turned her head and asked Cui Luo to put the osmanthus pastries on the table.
The goddess looked at the plate of pastries.
Under the flickering candlelight, the delicate osmanthus pastries looked exceptionally delicious.
She had seen these placed on her offering altar before, so it wasn’t a new thing to her.
Lin Huai Rou didn’t speak.
Cui Luo spoke first: “Little beggar, these are our madam’s favourite pastries. She specially brought it over to share it with you. You have to remember how good our madam is, don’t let down her kind heart.”
Lin Huai Rou’s eyebrows creased slightly in displeasure as she looked at Cui Luo.
Cui Luo immediately shut up.
Lin Huai Rou ordered her to leave the house.
“Apologies, Cui Luo likes talking to people too much, she doesn’t mean anything malicious by it.” Lin Huai Rou said.
The goddess didn’t take Cui Luo’s attitude to heart, she had only noticed that Cui Luo said “these are our madam’s favourite pastries”.
Favourite?
But why was it that she remembered that whenever Lin Huai Rou returned home, she would only lift up the carriage curtain when she passed by the chestnut pastry stall?
The expression Lin Huai Rou had when looking at the chestnut pastries clearly showed her liking for them. But she hadn’t even spared the osmanthus pastries a glance when she passed by the stall.
Why was it that the osmanthus pastries had become Lin Huai Rou’s favourite pastries when they were here?
She picked up a piece and asked: “So Madam likes osmanthus pastries?”
Lin Huai Rou nodded in affirmation, then reached out to pick up a piece.
But when she ate it, her expression didn’t change at all. It didn’t look at all like she was eating something she liked.
The goddess didn’t probe any further, taking a bite.
—— Her believer knew how to lie.
It was a short scene, but they filmed it many times.
Because Guo Hui was continually adjusting the camera angle of the reflections in the pond.
The seventh take finally passed.
Everybody got off work happily.
…… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 天安门
The filming continued smoothly.
When it was time for other people’s scenes, Lu Zhi Wei and Sang Wan Ci would be a little more leisurely.
But the two of them didn’t relax. If they weren’t rehearsing their scenes, then they were on their way to rehearse.
After rehearsing that night, the two of them kissed for a while in the room before parting reluctantly.
There was still filming tomorrow, they couldn’t spend too long together.
“I’m going, you be good, sleep early.”
Lu Zhi Wei hugged her script and returned to her room.
She took a bath and continued to memorise her lines.
When she finally paid attention, it was already past midnight.
She quickly kept the script and brushed her teeth, turning off the lights and getting into bed.
After a moment, she had an odd feeling. She opened her eyes slowly and looked out the window.
Only to see a dark rift tearing open in the night sky.
The next second, a monster’s claw slowly stretched out.
It was covered in scales and the two sharp talons were thick and pointy, as if it had used these talons to tear open the void.
Lu Zhi Wei immediately opened her eyes wide: “???”
She climbed out of bed and rubbed her eyes frantically.
—— It was still there.
She covered her mouth in shock.
No way, no way, the domineering CEO was really going to fight the little monster???
She was about to shout for Lao Wu.
Then, she watched as the claw was fiercely sucked back into the void and the rift was mended.
The world quietened again, as if nothing had happened.
Lu Zhi Wei rubbed her eyes again and when she opened them, the monster’s claw really wasn’t there.
She was stunned.
What…… was going on?
Then she heard Lao Wu exhale: 【…… That was close, lucky my hands were fast and I could repair it quickly.】
Lu Zhi Wei: “???”
Lao Wu explained simply: 【The invader did it, that fellow made a big move.】
Lu Zhi Wei was dumbfounded.
Lao Wu comforted her: 【Accident, accident. There’s no problem now, I’ve fixed the program and strengthened it. It won’t be so easy for that fellow to open a hole next time.】
Lu Zhi Wei finally came back to her senses: “My god…… That’s the little monster?”
Lao Wu: 【That’s right.
【If this world was left to descend into chaos, you’ll be able to see a domineering CEO fight this monster in the future.】
“……”
If it wasn’t for the fact that Lao Wu was keeping an eye on things, she really didn’t know what to do.
Her whole brain now was filled with that monster’s V-shaped claw.
It felt as if the monster had travelled through space and time to come here and show a peace sign, snapping a photo and leaving……
Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t help but exclaim: “Impressive……”
【……】
Lao Wu: 【It’s not the time for you to be impressed, go sleep.】
Lu Zhi Wei asked dumbly: “When I wake up tomorrow, will this thing be on the news?”
Lao Wu: 【With me around, it won’t.】
Lu Zhi Wei immediately relaxed: “Then that’s fine.”
Lao Wu chased her off: 【Go sleep, I’m keeping an eye on things, nothing will happen.】
Lu Zhi Wei finally lay down and tried her hardest to throw the sight of the claw out of her head and sleep.
On the other side, Sang Wan Ci was still awake.
She sat on a chair by the window, supporting her head with her hands, her fingers pressed to her temples.
Her gaze was stuck outside, on the sky.
“What was that……” She asked doubtfully.
[1] 夫人 – So this is used by everybody in the show to refer to Sang Wan Ci’s character, and it has a few meanings. When the male lead is saying it (furen), he’s saying it because it means wife. But when the servants are saying it, it’s because they’re calling her the madam of the house, or lady of the house. I’ve translated it differently based on who’s saying it. 夫君 (fujun) is what Sang Wan Ci’s character calls her husband, and this only means husband, so I’ve just translated it as that. These terms are mostly only used in ancient times and are not what Sang Wan Ci and Lu Zhi Wei use when they call each other “wife”, that’s 老婆 or laopo.
RECENTLY UPDATES
