Gorgeous Female Tenants

Chapter 573: Chapter 573 Immortal Spirit Chronicles

After returning to her hometown, Lu Xiaomei called again, saying she needed to help with housework at home, at least for a month.

Taking care of Gu Xinyan was left to Xu Xiangbei.

Xu Xiangbei drove Gu Xinyan to the set. Although Gu Xinyan could often stand and walk, she still needed to sit in a wheelchair to rest after long periods of standing and walking.

After the filming of Immortal Spirit Chronicles began, Gu Xinyan’s scenes were initially not many.

Gu Xinyan grasped her emotions well and had memorized her lines skillfully the previous day. Her performance on site was very natural, only needing two retakes to pass successfully.

Tang Ziqing was like a little assistant, circling around Gu Xinyan, helping with things, running errands, calling out "sister" frequently, and Gu Xinyan really liked her.

But unexpectedly, this closeness triggered jealousy in some people.

The next day was dedicated to filming scenes with third-rate actors. Director Feng did not come that day, leaving Assistant Director Yang in charge. The scenes with third-rate actors only needed to be passable and not shot too meticulously.

Because no one would be too willing to watch them, their scenes were just needed for the plot structure.

Tang Ziqing played a little demon dressed in a blue long dress, disguising herself as a girl to sneak into the imperial palace, only to be caught by Consort Li.

Tang Ziqing put on the blue long dress. Her ancient style outfit was particularly fresh and elegant. With her sweet looks, her long black hair draped over her shoulders as she gently twirled around: "Sister Xin Yan, does my dress look good?"

Gu Xinyan smiled and said, "It looks great. Your skin is fair, like a little fairy. You have an advantage in wearing ancient costumes."

Tang Ziqing looked at Gu Xinyan with envy: "Actually, when sister wears ancient costumes, she looks more like a fairy. You are the most beautiful in the crew. Choosing you as the lead for Immortal Spirit Chronicles was really fitting, Director Feng has good taste."

Tang Ziqing’s praise for Gu Xinyan’s beauty happened to be overheard by Sister Li, who came for filming. Sister Li, leveraging her relationship with President Huang, also secured herself a third-rate role as a palace maid.

Sister Li had always been jealous of Gu Xinyan. Seeing Gu Xinyan become the leading actress in Immortal Spirit Chronicles made her grit her teeth with hatred, but she dared not provoke her. Gu Xinyan originally had Lu Xiaomei by her side, but Xu Xiangbei was the one people feared the most, even Huang Qinghai had to be polite to Xu Xiangbei.

She had once instigated Lu Yao to bully Gu Xinyan, not expecting Lu Yao to end up nearly driven mad by Xu Xiangbei. From then on, she knew better to provoke King Yama than Xu Xiangbei.

Seeing Tang Ziqing praising Gu Xinyan, Sister Li was secretly angered, especially since Tang Ziqing was an eighteen-year-old maiden, charming and beautiful, making her even more envious.

She secretly sneered, Gu Xinyan beautiful my foot; that’s just good makeup. Sister is not necessarily inferior to her. You’re just a newcomer, not a good thing, just a little flattering fox spirit.

Director Yang chatted with Sister Li and Tang Ziqing about the scenes to be performed. Among them was a scene where Tang Ziqing sneaks into the palace and gets caught by Sister Li, followed by Sister Li fake hitting Tang Ziqing as per the script.

But Sister Li had an evil idea at heart. Her slender and fair fingers rested on Director Yang’s shoulder, coquettishly saying, "Director Yang, I think we should slightly modify Tang Ziqing’s scenes. We need to be responsible for newcomers, allowing them to truly express their emotions, letting them learn more, and portray character traits more perfectly."

Director Yang knew what Sister Li wanted to do, considering her as Huang Qinghai’s favored companion in bed. Offending her was out of the question, so whatever Sister Li said goes.

He chuckled, "Sister Li makes a good point. During filming, Sister Li can freely express herself as much as possible to portray the character more perfectly."

Without any scenes for Gu Xinyan, she was happy to steal some leisure time, chatting with Xu Xiangbei on the side.

Tang Ziqing was proud to have won a role thanks to her looks and talent, considering it precious and hoping to gain acceptance from seniors in the crew.

She did not know what Director Yang meant by letting Sister Li "freely express herself," thinking it was acting-related things she should learn well.

She blinked her big eyes, smilingly said to Sister Li, "Sister Li, I hope you can teach me more. It’s my first time acting. I’d like to portray the little demon character more profoundly."

Sister Li’s eyes flashed with contemptuous cold laughter; the little girl was really naive, not knowing she was about to get beaten.

"Sure, I’ll teach you. Let’s see if you’re clever enough, little girl."

Director Yang gestured with his hand, shouting: start shooting.

Tang Ziqing played a little demon who transformed into human form, a free-spirited, cute character, who accidentally wandered into the royal palace only to be caught by Sister Li; a conflict ensued where Sister Li hit the little demon.

Tang Ziqing smoothly delivered her lines, thinking her performance was good, ready to endure the fake hit. But Sister Li’s eyes flashed a ruthless gleam, raising her hand and fiercely smacking Tang Ziqing’s fair face. The loud slap echoed, deafening.

Sister Li sneered, improvising her line, "Little demon, this is the consequence of your nonsense. Dare to talk nonsense next time."

The slap was too hard, too sudden, catching Tang Ziqing completely unprepared. After it landed, her head was buzzing, eyes dazzled. For at least a minute, her vision went dark, a trickle of blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.

Tang Ziqing’s tears welled up instantly, "Why did you hit me for real?"

Her crying did not evoke any sympathy. Director Yang kept a stern face. He had seen such acts of personal revenge many times, bullying newcomers, turning fake hits into real ones.

Director Yang roared at Tang Ziqing, "Why cry? Are you going to keep shooting or not? Cry more, and don’t film anymore. Go home. Can’t tolerate this bit of pain? Then film my foot!"

Sister Li sneered, "Little girl, you shouldn’t affect our filming, little girl. Didn’t you ask me to teach you? I’m teaching you now. Your acting is too fake, so it must be a real hit. Only this way can you remember how to express your emotions."

Tang Ziqing gritted her teeth, swallowed the blood back into her stomach, "Fine, let’s do it again."

During the reshoot, Sister Li still performed a fake hit turn real, smacking Tang Ziqing’s face brutally again. This time, Tang Ziqing was somewhat prepared, enduring the pain.

But Director Yang and Sister Li exchanged a glance, a hint of ruthlessness flashed, "Expression not enough, reshoot, third time, action."

Tang Ziqing suddenly felt a sense of despair. She yearned to become famous like Gu Xinyan and play a leading role, but feared she might be beaten to death before reaching that point.

Sister Li’s mouth curled into a grim smile, raising her hand again to slap Tang Ziqing’s face a third time.

Suddenly, Sister Li felt her wrist being grabbed by someone. A chill surged into her wrist, making her shiver with cold.

Xu Xiangbei had just returned from a stroll with Gu Xinyan, witnessing Tang Ziqing’s miserable scene of being beaten.

Seeing Xu Xiangbei, Sister Li yelled with false bravado, "Hey, what are you doing? We’re filming."