Chapter 100 I'm Going to Tease My Man
The assistant sent by Song Jing, Zhang Jin, one of his most trusted confidantes, approached. Song Jing had specifically instructed that Song Ni's skin was delicate and prone to bruising from the slightest bump. After hanging from wires for several hours, it was evident her waist would be a mess.
"Miss, you need to return to your room to take care of that," Zhang Jin said. He had brought a variety of medicines, in addition to the necessary clothing for their trip to Yu City.
Song Ni waved her hand. After removing the various harnesses, she walked over to Director Jiang. Before she could speak, Director Jiang called out, "Xiao Song, come here and take a look."
Song Ni paused, then walked forward and bent down to watch the scene she had just acted. "You're far too modest. Is this truly your first time acting? You're much better than many actors I've worked with."
Director Jiang admitted that arranging a fight scene for the first take was intended to test Song Ni's capabilities and serve as a warning. He believed that everyone, regardless of their background, had to be hardworking and dedicated to their craft. He hadn't expected Song Ni to perform so exceptionally well. Her fight sequences were fluid, and most importantly, her physique and face were perfect for the camera.
After watching, Song Ni's tense emotions finally eased slightly. She could tell that with editing and post-production, this scene would pass.
"I still need to work harder." Hearing this, Director Jiang was even more surprised. Seeing the seriousness in Song Ni's eyes, his opinion of her completely changed. Actors he praised usually became overjoyed, and newcomers rarely received his commendation in their first scene; they were usually subjected to his harsh criticisms. Yet, while Song Ni was happy, he could tell her joy stemmed from meeting her own standards, not from his praise.
Suddenly, Director Jiang felt his perspective was too narrow. People from these prominent families focused on meeting their own requirements in everything they did, disregarding what others thought. Praise was something they had in abundance. Initially, he thought Song Ni was merely playing around with acting, not expecting that Lu Fang had insisted she do it, nor that she would strive for excellence even if it was just for fun. That was the difference.
"You've worked hard. Go and rest well. We have another scene tonight." It was also a fight scene. Song Ni didn't refuse.
Back at the hotel, Song Ni quickly took a shower. Zhang Jin had already delivered the medicine. He stood at the doorway, not entering, and handed it to Chi Xia. Song Jing had instructed him to take good care of Song Ni but maintain a professional distance. Chang Zi, her manager, was busy with other artists and had her hands full. With Zhang Jin and Chi Xia present, Song Ni felt reassured.
Song Ni lay on the sofa, pulling her clothes aside. "Xia Xia, come and help me." She had noticed the state of her waist while showering – bruised and swollen, it looked quite frightening.
Chi Xia blushed when she saw Song Ni lift her shirt, feeling a bit shy. However, upon seeing the welts all over the slender waist, a result of the wirework, her shyness vanished, replaced by shock. She had been an assistant to other artists before and had never seen an actor in such a state after being suspended by wires. One might have assumed she had been subjected to some form of abuse.
Seeing Chi Xia's prolonged silence, Song Ni turned and noticed her staring blankly at her waist. "Is it very scary?"
Chi Xia nodded. "Nini Jie, doesn't it hurt?"
Song Ni teased her. "Of course, it hurts terribly. Xia Xia, aren't you going to apply the medicine?"
Chi Xia's eyes darted nervously, and she quickly stepped forward, almost in tears. Song Ni chuckled, "I'm the one in pain, why are you crying?"
Chi Xia didn't know why. "Nini Jie, I'll apply the medicine for you." She unscrewed the bottle but was unsure where to begin.
Seeing her hesitant demeanor, Song Ni suddenly had an idea. She asked, "Does it look really horrible?"
Chi Xia nodded. Song Ni raised an eyebrow and handed her phone to Chi Xia. "Take a picture for me."
Chi Xia was confused. "My skin is delicate, and it just looks a bit frightening. I'm not in pain. I was just teasing you. Take a picture for me, and I'll go tease my man."
Chi Xia: ... Tease her man? Chi Xia was completely stunned. Injured like this and she was still thinking about teasing her man?
Song Ni couldn't help but laugh at her expression. She took Chi Xia's hand and pinched her own arm with moderate force. Immediately, her arm reacted, first turning red, then gradually a faint blue. "See? I wasn't applying much pressure, was I?"
Chi Xia abruptly pulled her hand away, unsure whether to cry or laugh. How could someone force another person to pinch them just to prove how delicate their skin was? Nini Jie... she was truly unique.
"Do you believe me now?" Chi Xia nodded quickly. Whether she believed it or not, she had to. Fearing Song Ni might do something else, she took the phone and quietly asked, "How should I take it?"
"As pitiful as possible," Song Ni replied.
Chi Xia: ... "Is this a 'bitter trick'?"
Song Ni nodded, then rubbed her nose, making it instantly turn red. She then rested her face on her arm, appearing as if she had just been crying. Chi Xia finally understood why her Nini Jie had performed so brilliantly in her first scene; she was naturally gifted. As an artist's assistant, taking photos was a fundamental skill.
Chi Xia took several pictures, including close-ups, clearly capturing the bruises on Song Ni's waist. Song Ni selected a few and sent them to Tan Zheng.
"You took good pictures." Seeing that Song Ni's face showed no signs of pain, Chi Xia finally felt relieved. "Then Nini Jie, I'll apply the medicine for you."
"Mmm-hmm." Chi Xia applied the medicine with extreme care, afraid of hurting her. Song Ni, however, was holding her phone, waiting for a response from Tan Zheng. Several minutes passed without any reply. How could she have forgotten that Tan Zheng rarely used WeChat?
Now Song Ni was in a dilemma. She had deliberately sent photos to elicit sympathy; she couldn't call Tan Zheng and ask him to check WeChat, could she? That would ruin the effect. So, Song Ni turned to Lu Hao Ting.
"Why does your brother Tan dislike WeChat so much?"
"He can't look at his phone when he's driving. Perhaps he's busy watching the boys at the club practice."
"And you're so free that you replied instantly."
"... Sister-in-law, I'm on set. How could I not reply to your message?" Although... he was secretly browsing his phone out of boredom during a lull in filming, and Song Ni's message just happened to come through.
"Doesn't your brother Tan have that kind of awareness?" Lu Hao Ting now understood Song Ni's intention. Was he now the messenger between this couple?
"Exactly! Sister-in-law! Brother Tan is unreasonable. How can he not instantly reply to his wife's messages? Wait, I'm going to scold him right now."
"I didn't say anything," Song Ni said with a light laugh. Lu Hao Ting was like a subordinate to Tan Zheng, how could he dare to scold him? He only dared to act tough with her.
With her objective achieved, Song Ni was no longer in a hurry. Last time, it was also Lu Hao Ting who reminded Tan Zheng to check her Moments and Weibo posts. Such things happen repeatedly. She believed Lu Hao Ting knew what to do.
Lu Hao Ting indeed knew what to do. He surreptitiously called his agent and asked him to call Tan Zheng from outside. Thus, Tan Zheng, who was at home modifying a car for Song Ni instead of being at the club, received a call from Lu Hao Ting.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly."
Lu Hao Ting's agent: ...
"Ahem, I'm Lu Hao Ting's agent. He asked me to tell you to check your WeChat," the agent said before immediately hanging up.
Tan Zheng: ... What mischief is this kid up to now?
When Tan Zheng opened WeChat, his expression darkened.
Lu Hao Ting: Why am I, the unlucky one, forced to eat dog food?
(End of this chapter)