Chapter 21 – A Broken Vase

Ni Yi placed a hand on the top of his chest, his earlier worry still refusing to ebb away. But after a while, he received a notice from the 'Golden Age Empress' crew asking Yu Yaoyao to report to the site in the next week.

In the face of this unexpected message, Ni Yi could only mumble. "Sister… don't tell me you did this intentionally?"

Her Weibo post not only showed that her relationship with the boss was not broken down but also sneakily placed Director Li Bo on the hot seat. At the same time, while taking advantage of the previous site traffic she had from her hot searches, she was able to promote the new show and herself.

This is really killing three birds with one stone, and it has also saved the production team on hefty promotion fees. Now Li Bo unexpectedly wanted her to appear on the set!

Everyone has been shot down!

"When did sister get so smart?" Ni Yi exclaimed, "Is this a miraculous side effect of hitting one's head?!"

But after some time he smiled and shook his head. "The boss was probably around and helped her out. Sister is truly on cloud nine!"

In just a few days, she was able to occupy the hot searches repeatedly! Originally, she was out of the acting scene, being at home for four years. She had only 20,000 to 30,000 Weibo followers, many of whom became dead fan accounts over time.

But now, her followers shot up to an astounding 120,000!

Ni Yi was currently studying this spectacle when he was suddenly interrupted by a call from Yu Xinjie.

"Little Jie." He answered cordially. Supposedly, as Yu Yaoyao's manager, he should not be in charge of her life affairs. But at the moment she didn't have a personal assistant, therefore that work was passed to him.

Yu Xinjie's urgent reply came seconds later, "Brother Ni! What is wrong with my sister? Why isn't she answering my calls?!"

"Oh, haven't you gone online? She was admitted to a hospital and was also slandered on the net. After all that, she has no energy to deal with anything anymore. Wait for a few days until she gets her bearing back; I will ask her to call you back by then."

As Ni Yi was about to hang up, he said, "I'm going to send the script to your sister. I'll talk to you later."

The voice on the other end of the line became shrill, "Script? What? With elder brother Chen?"

"That's right." Ni Yi replied.

"She had an affair or could be in the middle of it. How—I mean, even if my sister released a picture of her ultrasound, people who don't know the real truth will still suspect her. The director of the show should care about the reputation of the actors, right? Wasn't that all true?"

"It was all proven fake!" Ni Yi replied a bit heatedly. He thought Yu Xinjie's tone was a little strange, but he didn't really care. After all, this little sister was studying abroad and might be acting a bit standoffish, or it might be due to cultural differences.

He smiled and nodded, "Although gossip on the net can confuse anyone, the director is not a fool."

There was a sudden clang at the other end of the line as if something had been smashed.

"Little Jie?" Ni Yi frowned.

The breathing on the other side was a little heavy, audible over the cheap speakers, but it soon returned back to normal. "Oh, it's nothing. The cat just broke a vase."

"Oh, huh? You can keep cats in your dorm room?" Ni Yi was surprised and remarked, "Sure enough, foreign countries have a very open-minded stance on things."

But Yu Xinjie wasn't paying attention to anything he said. "Brother Ni, did my sister tell you anything? For example, is she going to divorce my brother-in-law?"

Ni Yi's smile widened a bit more. "Nothing. She just posted a picture. Currently, their family of three is in a good relationship."

"Little Jie, information online is unreliable; too many people are asking for trouble." Afterward, he said in a more serious tone, "You shouldn't believe anything you see on the net; you should always place your trust on your sister."

"No, but my sister said—"

"I know." Ni Yi interrupted. "She asked me just recently to send her wedding photos to the director. And she's not divorced, mind you." As a parting remark, he said, "You study at ease!" before the call was dropped.

Someplace far away, bright, red fingernails almost dug into the wooden table. The broken pieces of the vase were scattered all over the floor, the pink lilies trampled to pieces.

Chapter 22 – Amusement Park

Meanwhile, the central character, Yu Yaoyao, was currently standing in front of the amusement park. Her excitement was higher than the steamed buns!

Her eyes, which were caught in the light, were completely glued to the pink Mickey Mouse balloon at the gate. But her feet would not move.

I want it. I want it so much.

She had little chance to see the outside world and had, therefore, learned most of her knowledge by watching TV, surfing the internet, and reading.

But balloons, she had always wanted them!

Back in the zoo, many children had colorful, inflatable balloons in their hands. Every time she could only look at them admiringly through the cold glass separating them.

"Baby, do you want that balloon?" While she said this, her eyes were full of longing.

The steamed bun, Shen Rui, who had long been tired of playing with balloons, immediately saw the watery look in her eyes. "Yes…?"

Yu Yaoyao immediately glanced at Shen Yichong.

The corners of his mouth twitched. "Which one do you want?"

Shen Rui also looked at her, and after some hesitation, he slowly spoke, "Uhm… pink?"

"Wow, the baby has an aesthetic taste like his mother." Yu Yaoyao squatted down and happily hugged him, rubbing her little face on the steamed bun's fluffy cheeks.

The steamed bun flushed pink in an instant and did not waste a second longer to give her the small balloon handed over by his father.

Yu Yaoyao smiled like a fool and bowed her head to tie the thread of the pink Mickey Mouse balloon to her right wrist. Like how other children did it. But this one-handed operation, in the end, was too difficult for her.

With a small pout, she slowly turned around and looked at the cold-faced man in front of her pitifully. "Husband… help me."

Her voice was soft and husky, and this tone of speaking made the passing men blush.

Shen Yichong eyebrows scrunched together but couldn't let his assistant do it. Grudgingly, he ordered, "Come here."

Yu Yaoyao smiled, ran over carelessly, and stretched out her delicate, snow-white wrist.

Her skin, as if naturally soaked in milk, looked healthy and fair.

Moreover, it was unknown if it was from a psychological effect or due to something else, but after she came out of the hospital, the original white skin which held a pale, dim sheen, was now glowing and radiant.

When Shen Yichong bowed his head and tied the rope on her wrist, the light of the sun refracted on her snow-white skin, highlighting it like a pearl and trapping him in a trance. And there was a faint sweet fragrance also floating in the wind, that he could mildly smell.

"Wow!" After he had finished tying it up, Yu Yaoyao shook her right hand, her eyes filled with joy—one that he hadn't seen in years. And like a child who got a toy from Santa Claus, she happily turned on the spot three times!

"Thank you!" Her appealing face, delicate eyes, moving pink lips and white teeth framed by her inky black hair painted an ethereal picture.

Shen Yichong dropped his gaze. "Let's go in."

She had attracted the attention of many passersby around her with her beauty a long time ago.

"Okay, little baby hold on to me, mommy is leading the charge! Our task today is to finish all the rides!" She declared excitedly. Yu Yaoyao was currently new to everything as a runaway wild horse.

Ferris wheel, mazes, pirate ship, water coasters—she couldn't wait to try these rides, but when they flew to the sky, she screamed louder than the steamed bun Shen Rui.

Before the Ferris wheel ride, Shen Yichong looked down at a pale Yu Yaoyao, her legs soft as noodles. His eyebrows twisted once more, "If you feel sick, then don't ride it."

Without waiting for her reply, he looked towards his son and said, "Shen Rui, dad wants to play with you." the corners of his mouth lifting to a small smile as he picked up his son, whose little face was rosy with joy today.

"No, wait! I still want to play!" Yu Yaoyao who had a hand over her chest, where her heart was about to burst from her ribcage, opened her mouth in a hurry.

"It's fun to feel bad… right?"

It was strange that the human's definition of thrill almost made her feel like she was about to die. But they still all like it very much! And the female leads on the TV shows she had watched were beaming enthusiastically in the amusement park.

No, she has to correct her feelings!

Half an hour later when they got off the roller coaster, Yu Yaoyao was face had gone white and her mouth was open, ready to vomit. A surprised Shen Yichong immediately came to the rescue, albeit reluctantly!

Chen Lin bought some ice cream for the steamed bun and helped the boss carry the madam's bag, as he asked the boss to take his wife to the bathroom.

When they came back, Chen Lin looked at Yu Yaoyao with blatant admiration on his face before facing Shen Yichong with respect. "Boss, Madam is on the hot search again."

#YuYaoyaoNauseaVomiting, SecondChildMightBeASuccess!

Awesome! Boss, the rumor was broken at the speed of light!

Chapter 23 – Her Cool Husband

Yu Yaoyao' s face was pale in the amusement park. With a hand over her mouth, she bent over and heaved unto the garbage can.

A tall man wearing dark sunglasses was supporting her, with a classic pink coach small handbag in his arms. Behind them stood a lovely little boy in Doraemon suit, leaning back with sunglasses on his face. He pathetically pulled on the hem of her skirt, worried and a little scared.

Another man, who looked like an assistant, was busy handing over paper towels and trying to pull the little bun to his side.

A nearby passerby had snapped a photo of this and posted it online. Following her hot search from today, it was soon crowded by netizens and rose to the 5th hot search spot. And the former hot search, which was Yu Yaoyao's crackdown on the rumored love letters has disappeared from the top ten searches.

After she was done vomiting a second time in the bathroom, she went out and sat down on the nearest bench. She took a deep breath to regain her strength back before she looked at her Weibo account.

"Oh? The collage I posted of my selfies dropped to the 20th spot?"

Yu Yaoyao held a hand over her chest sadly. "How long did it stay…merely for two hours only?"

"What are these new topics occupying the hot search list?" Yu Yaoyao scrolled down, her heart at the pit of her stomach. "Gan Wei's New Drama: Su Mingjun walks for coin… infuriated to death…"

Pah! People get bored easily with the old and get quickly enamored with new things!

Chen Lin smiled. "The microblog is the central place for internet traffic, and many people peruse the hot search list daily." He continued, "Many companies will also use this platform to promote their new dramas or upcoming artists."

"The first hot search—we didn't buy it." He was merely implying that someone else had done media play, buying the spot for the hot search list and squeezing her out from the top 10.

"Furthermore, the news by Big Fish Entertainment, who had slandered the boss' madam was also removed from the list."

Yu Yaoyao sighed and drank the cup with warm water handed by the little bun.

She hugged him and gave him a loud smack on the cheek, "Baby, Mommy will work hard! One day, I will occupy the top ten hot search list. And no one would be able to make me withdraw from it, nor can they push me down!" she declared passionately.

The little bun's delicate eyebrows wrinkled, and worry twinkled in his bright, round eyes. He looked back at his dad and poked him with his chubby fingers on the arm.

Shen Yichong felt that his arm was gently touched and lowered his sight to see the little

bun's pleading eyes asking for help.

His eyebrows, too, wrinkled.

"First, grow up and take care of your body before we talk about other matters."

He then said, "Let's return home."

The little bun quickly nodded and followed after Shen Yichong, like a chick after its mother hen.

Yu Yaoyao admits that she was quite the scaredy-cat this time. Initially, she had wanted to try the high rides to know how it feels how to ride in the wind. Snakes do not particularly fear heights, but at tens of meters, they can't stand the suffocation of the suddenly weightless that comes with the drop.

She doesn't want to play anymore, and she doesn't want to go up there even for money!

She looked back at Shen Yichong, whose stoic expression hasn't changed one bit. Her watery eyes couldn't help but shine with a bit of admiration.

This man is really cool! She silently praised the male lead in her heart.

While they were on the roller coaster, not only did he refuse to scream, but he also held the Doraemon mug with one hand and the little bun in his free arm, not even holding the railing.

Shen Yichong noticed her sparkling eyes sneaking a glance at him from time to time. "What?"

Yu Yaoyao took the other hand of the little bun and grinned. "Husband, you are super handsome today."

Shen Yichong:"…"

Chapter 24 – Chicken and A Script

When Yu Yaoyao got home she received a script from Ni Yi.

The cover made with green leather was printed with four characters, which read 'Golden Age Empress'. Her eyes couldn't help but flash at the excitement of running her hands over it. She couldn't help but place a big kiss on the cover!

She can finally act! Since the beginning of time, she had always wanted to act as the heroine!

She placed the freshly squeezed orange juice from her hand unto the tabletop.

She turned to look at the little steamed bun sitting on the sofa and saw him staring at her, so she lovingly blew him a kiss. "Little Rui Rui, Mommy is going to work for a while. You play by yourself for now, okay?"

The little bun immediately turned pink and slowly nodded. He grasped the tablet in his hand seriously, pretending that he was also very busy.

Shen Yichong had gone to work, leaving only the mother and son to be together. But fortunately, the little steamed bun had refrained from disturbing her. He cleverly looked at his online elementary school class and sneaking a look at his mommy, he would turn the volume down. The nanny next to him wanted to take him back to the room but he only refused.

He only wanted to stay in the living room.

While watching his online class, he would stealthily steal glances at her. Usually, his mommy always went back to her room after eating and would rarely spend time with him in the living room.

The little bun had one hand propped below his chin, while the other handheld the small tablet. The corners of his mouth were faintly upturned.

When Yu Yaoyao opened the first page of the script, she became completely invested in it.

In the 'Golden Age Empress' script, she was going to star as a small supporting role. Her character's name was He Ling, a beautiful girl who entered the imperial palace together with the female lead.

He Ling had a refined, tantalizing beauty, that after the selection of concubines, the male lead, who was the emperor, became so smitten with her and made her a pampered consort. It was a pity that she was too arrogant and a show-off, therefore provoking the hatred of several masters in the inner palace. They eventually schemed against her, causing her death.

This role was considered an insignificant woman, among the numerous female casts inside this palace drama. However, her character would survive the first five episodes. Yu Yaoyao thought, as her first experience in acting, this was already good. It's difficult to be an ideal person, besides, one cannot ask for too much.

Thank you, Buddha Tathagata. Thank you, Bodhisattva of Compassion. Yu Yaoyao whispered heartfelt thanks several times in her heart.

After reading her little script, she started from the first page and studied it again. She even asked for a pencil from the little steamed bun to mark important notes on her lines carefully.

But she had trouble writing, her handwriting was askew… From time to time she would stop, think about how to write properly.

The little steamed bun stretched out his neck and glanced at her notes, and he blinked in disbelief.

How are the words that mommy wrote uglier than what he wrote? He thought incredulously.

Moreover, there seem to be typos now and then?

He looked at it for a while and almost covered his little eyes. Mommy gave up writing, she started to draw doodles!

"Mommy… you can't write the word 'leg'?" he asked somewhat timidly.

Yu Yaoyao stopped writing and had an awkward look on her face.

After a long time browsing the internet, she could finally understand how to read Chinese characters, but to write them… she often forgot how to write these words. She spent her time on her mobile phone only typing, always using pinyin. She had also studied in an online primary language school.

But now… is she really worse than her little child?

The little bun looked at the messy scribble of a chicken drumstick of his mommy and stretched out his short fingers towards the table to stroke it fondly.

"Dad taught me how to eat roast chicken last time…"

Yu Yaoyao blushed. Seeing that this toddler was able to understand her messy scrawls, she couldn't help but praise him. "Little Ruirui is really smart!"

The little bun immediately closed his mouth and shyly looked down at his toes. His two short, chubby legs swayed back and forth, and he was in a good mood.

"Then you write it here for Mommy."

The little bun looked up and his eyes twinkled happily. "Okay!"

Yu Yaoyao gestured to a line in the script. "Here, write a 'big chicken leg'. Here, three big chicken legs and this… a big chicken!"

The little bun looked confused.

"This represents the different feelings of the mommy's role." Yu Yaoyao looked at the script with a satisfied nod. "Write it all down and when I finish my lines, baby, you'll see mommy's amazing acting!"

Although Little Bun didn't understand, he still nodded. And his little eyes were glimmering expectantly.

Mommy on the TV! Just save it and play it back every day!

Yu Yaoyao, inspired and helped by her son, worked hard and read the script three to four times. In the end, all her lines were circled, and her notes were written. She waited until it was the first day for the cast and production crew to meet.

Chapter 25 – First Appearance

Ni Yi came to pick her up early on the morning of the first shoot.

"Sister, are you prepared?!" He wasted no time to ask.

Yu Yaoyao yawned and chose her favorite golden high heels from the shoe rack and paired it with a matching mustard-colored scarf. This was the same color of the scales in her family she once envied.

"Yeah, it's nothing." She tightened the black coat around her and placed a loose, curly hair lock behind her ear.

Because she needs to have her makeup only on-site, her face was currently plain. But this small, porcelain face was as beautiful as ever. The pure natural pink color of her lips was not too tacky, and her tender cheeks had a mild blush from the heat of the room.

Ni Yi took a look and felt that she kept looking more attractive day by day than when he first saw her a few days ago. He didn't know what she did to bloom this much!

It is certainly impossible for one to say that she stayed up late to read the script and recite her lines. This face, at first glance, is full of proper sleep, as if it was packed with collagen.

Ni Yi thought about it and sighed, stuffing the thermos handed by Mama Xu into his bag, and lifted his hand to wipe the sweat on his forehead.

"Sister, at least recite two lines this time." He added. "As this is your first play in a long while, I'm going to remind you not to forget: Don't read '1234' again, otherwise the netizens will roast you."

Shen Yichong, holding the little bun's hand, just happened to come down the stairs. The little bun frowned at hearing this and looked at his mommy with little eyes that were filled with worry.

Mommy is going to be roasted! She is going to read 'chicken legs' this time.

"Dad, Mommy is going to be roasted …" The little bun walked far away, out of earshot, and then gently pulled at his father's cuffs. With anxious eyes, he asked, "Can you help her?"

But Shen Yichong's lips were tight.

The little bun only received his father's silent reply, and after a long while, hung his head in frustration.

"Dad, I'll go to kindergarten."

"Okay."

Inside the car, Ni Yi, with the temperament of a nagging mother, wiped the sweat on his forehead and chattered simultaneously.

"When you are on-site, you should always listen to what the director says. This time the male and female lead are Guang Xin's own people—you can ask them any questions." He started. "The female lead is Meng Xinran, who has starred in two films by Director Li Bo. He is quite fond of her."

The company helped cast her in a variety show. After a while, she was cast as the empress, and is your good sister in the play, and also your rival. She's also recognized for her good temper and is very polite to her seniors.

"The male lead, Wei Ming, is a very experienced old actor. Legend has it that he particularly likes to point out the performance of newcomers. He is family-oriented and a warm person. Sister, you can take the opportunity to learn from him. He plays the emperor's rival in the play."

Ni Yi did a lot of homework, and he obviously studied the script faithfully from beginning to end.

But when he finished, he only saw Yu Yaoyao slouching at the back seat without a care in the world, and felt the sweat on his forehead flow down again.

"Sister, I am begging you—let's give a good performance this time. Director Li Bo didn't have a good impression on you before, and now you came back five years later …"

Yu Yaoyao rolled over lazily. "I know he hated me before. I wish I could get a lunch box on the first day this time."

This was written in the novel, too.

Ni Yi sighed. "Sister, I hope you really do understand … Get up and read the script, and don't be scolded by Director Li again."

But Yu Yaoyao's legs only felt awkward and the high-heeled shoes were squeezing her feet. "I really don't understand how humans like such uncomfortable footwear!"

"Sister, you … Okay, let me read the script and you listen! Make sure to listen!"

Chapter 26 – In the Spotlight

Ni Yi refused to stop talking until they finally arrived on set to meet the cast and crew; Yu Yaoyao was already sleepy by the moment they arrived.

Before getting out of the car, Ni Yi helplessly took out a mirror and handed it to her. Seeing her reflection, Yu Yaoyao wiped the drool from her face and wrapped the scarf tightly before she got off. She was not one of the main cast and was admitted to the hospital just recently. Therefore, she was not called to appear on the initial shoot of the project.

It just so happened that when she walked in, the crew was preparing to shoot the scene between the lead actress and actor.

As they got closer, she was able to hear everyone's gossip more audibly.

"Xinran is good-looking, has superb acting skills, and moreover, she's unreasonably hot!"

"Of course!" Gossiper number 2 agreed. "How else could she have been given the role of the lead actress?"

But then, their conversation shifted to another person. "Still, that Yu Yaoyao's connection is impressive; her own husband can directly invest for a film and give her the main role."

The gossipmonger continued mockingly. "But with Director Li Bo here, she can only be a supporting character— Female no. 4! Plus, she's extremely disliked by him. Hahaha! Her acting is so bad that even she can't see it!"

"She's really that bad of an actress? Didn't she learn to act? I heard that she debuted very early."

Gossiper number 1 scoffed. "What's the use of an early debut when she only became a housewife for five years? I'm telling you, If I was the one up there, I would be able to do better—and I'm not even an actor!"

"Well, that's for sure. At least you know how to read the lines!"

As Ni Yi listened he gnashed his teeth, and his forehead creased in anger with new sweat forming. But he really can't refute these statements, because his sister is really … Well …

Oh no!

He secretly glanced at Yu Yaoyao's expression and wanted to cough to announce their presence in order to break the gossip between the unsuspecting individuals. But he didn't have to because, after a while, most of the surrounding staff members and performing groups suddenly quieted down. They unexpectedly felt that the atmosphere felt a little wrong and there was cold creeping behind their necks.

As soon as they looked back, they saw Yu Yaoyao standing behind them. They swallowed the words they were about to utter awkwardly, and the next second, their eyes darted open in surprise!

She stood there alone, but she emitted the aura of a glamorous, imposing painting!

Wearing a black coat left half-opened, revealed her pair of slender, long, white legs. And her feet, delicate as jade, looked especially dazzling wearing the gold high heels. At the moment, her hands were covered by a wide, bright mustard-colored scarf, and although a pair of brown sunglasses covered half of her face, they could still imagine her alluring appearance from the little bit of skin she showed. The coat also brought attention to her tiny waist, and her curly black hair was scattered behind her in rivulets.

This current style faintly alluded to that of an amorous and mature woman.

The original noisy studio suddenly became quite like dominoes that toppled one after another. Only the surrounding staff had been initially fixated with her appearance, but soon, as if a spell had been set loose, the lighting division, recording engineer, and lastly the group of directors all set their sight on her.

Director Li Bo, who was at the heart of the filming set and was staring at the camera, also noticed the bizarre atmosphere and looked around. The next second, his eyes stopped searching and his eyebrows immediately scrunched together.

His bearded face suddenly took on a seething look. "What are you gawking for?! Is this the red carpet?"

He brusquely shouted. "Lights, recording—where the f*ck are you looking at! We are ready to shoot, didn't you hear me?!"

Yu Yaoyao stood on the outermost perimeter but was still able to hear the director curse in anger.

She took her sunglasses off and cast a smile at everyone. The light reflected from her eyes like rippling waters, just like the flow of clear spring—a soft and feminine beauty that still held a trace of charm.

The people who caught sight of this could not help but sneak more glances.

Generally, an actress's looks are above average. Their beauty on-screen should win the audience's approval and they should hold even more allure beyond the camera.

The production team has long seen beautiful actresses due to this reason.

But perhaps because they were used to seeing pure beauties like the lead actress, Meng Xinran, that when they saw Yu Yaoyao's different and fiery aura, they were all caught aback.

… A little comparison won't hurt. If the lead actress Meng Xinran stood next to her, her pure appearance would only pale in comparison. It would be akin to comparing a side dish to a scrumptious feast.

Chapter 27 – You Can't Afford A Vase

The crew was filled with complex emotions and their eyes constantly flitted between the two of them, making Meng Xinran, who was in front of the camera, become embarrassed.

"Yu Yaoyao, go change your clothes!" Director Li Bo, who saw his stunned crew, was still furious as he dropped the script in his hand.

"Makeup artist! Did you come here to be incompetent? If you don't want to work, you can just stand there in a daze! Do you think you're a 1vase?!"

"If you don't want to do it, then get out of here!" He continued.

Ni Yi, who was behind Yu Yaoyao, suddenly turned pale. The director was obviously scolding them indirectly; they've just entered the set and they were already sprinkled with a torrent of abuse!

Meanwhile, the whole cast and crew were only looking in jest.

"Sister, let's go and put your make up" Ni Yi wiped his sweat, and quickly took Yu Yaoyao to the interior.

Five years ago, she was stuffed into director Li Bo's cast, and her acting had become the biggest scandal in showbiz. He always had cruel remarks, but this did not faze the current Yu Yaoyao.

She was once a majestic snake spirit and had never been once trampled once.

Before entering the zoo, she was already a big sister in the wild! She flew in the sky, slithered on the rocky ground, and swam on treacherous waters; as long as someone dares to confront her, she would definitely swallow them in minutes!

At this moment, Yu Yaoyao looked at the makeup artist girl who was rushing out and was about to cry.

She could not help but pull up the little girl's hand into her own and say, "Do you know how much the most expensive vase in history is?"

The makeup artist girl was bewildered and shook her head in a hurry.

Yu Yaoyao took out her mobile phone and typed something. She then looked around at the audience and opened her lips. "7 million USD."

Ni Yi's mouth twitched. "Sister …"

Yu Yaoyao smiled and patted the makeup artist's hand and tsked, "Men are like this. They say they don't want vases, but their actions should be more honest. Ah, a 7 million vase … we should work hard—even more for those small flowers."

The whole crew almost immediately turned their heads and looked at the ground, laughing at this blatant ridicule.

She is really shameless! They could only think.

The sweet smile on female no. 1 Meng Xinyu in front of the camera turned stiff.

Who doesn't know that from her site traffic she is branded as a small flower in the net, and here comes Yu Yaoyao casually speaking that she was no good. For this married aunt, how beautiful was she, to secretly dare love Chen Hao and also humiliate her?

"Older sister Yu," Meng Xinyi tried to suppress her ugly emotions, and reluctantly lifted the corners of her mouth to a small smile, "This is the first time we have met; I'm asking Sister to give me some advice. We are all artists from Guangxin Company. Only, Sister Yu Yaoyao debuted earlier."

She greeted meekly, trying to lower her position so that the crew would fight on her behalf.

After all, Yu Yaoyao was only known for her disastrous acting skills, stupidity, and infamous scandal in the acting industry for not memorizing her lines! What qualifications did she have to say that the small flower Mengxin needed more dedication and work? And to label men—especially to say all those who were present had no brains and that they only looked at the outward appearance of a woman?

The crew suddenly became resentful!

What is the use of being beautiful when the mouth is poisonous and impolite? Moreover, she only takes advantage of her husband's position as the boss to do whatever she wants!

At this time, the looks thrown at Yu Yaoyao way were full of scorn and enmity.

Director Li Bo, who was the center of this public criticism, couldn't help but have a sinister expression on his face. "Yu Yaoyao, in a while we'll immediately start shooting your 184th scene!"

The 184th scene was where her character, He Ling, was bitten by poisonous snakes planted by a palace eunuch on her bed!

Ni Yi had read this part of the script before, and he was really worried about this scene. He had also communicated with the props group, hoping they would replace the real live snakes planned for this scene with toy snakes.

But now … Director Li Bo suddenly mentioned this scene and his heart unconsciously beat faster in fear.

Sure enough, as soon as his sight fell on the props group, he saw a bamboo cage towards the side where two snakes were crawling and twisted together inside it. Ni Yi was sweating like rain and in an instant, his face became white as a sheet of paper.

Even if he was a grown-up, he was still afraid—how much more Yu Yaoyao?

Chapter 28 – Don't Underestimate Her

"Director, can you use fake—"

Director Li straightforwardly shot his suggestion down. "Do you think the audience is blind? They can see it at a glance if the snake is genuine or not!"

Ni Yi wiped his sweat. "Then, can we use a stunt double?"

Director Li merely frowned, "It's not a martial arts scene. It's just snakes without fangs; there's no danger!" and maliciously added, "I already sent you the script a long time ago. If you weren't able to do it, you should have not accepted it!"

Ni Yi's mood suddenly turned sour.

From the beginning, Director Li was already intent on shooting this scene. Just to give them a show of authority!

"Little Yiyi. Let's go!" Yu Yaoyao turned back and waved at her ashen-face manager. "Let's finish my makeup fast—I still want to lie down for a while."

Director Li took a deep breath and tried to press his anger down, while Meng Xinran couldn't help but admire her cockiness. She smirked, eager to see a good show.

Ni Yi whispered. "Sister, don't be stubborn and offend the director. You won't be able to stay if you do so!"

If the director is unsatisfied with her performance, she is going to get backlashed for sure!

She's dead meat!

Ni Yi sincerely felt regret in his heart, "It's my fault, I should have helped you find another role."

"I will go apologize and beg Director Li to kill the snakes for the scene. Sister, I have read this scene—you just have to close your eyes, lie down, and pretend it's just a toy. You don't have to be afraid!"

"It's all right. There's no need to kill the snakes." As they entered the dressing room, Yu Yaoyao merely shook her head in reply.

In addition to the snakes caught for the purpose of tourist attraction in a zoo, many snakes in the wild are also hunted by humans to use in traditional medicine or exotic cuisine. The number had been too high that she wasn't able to save enough.

But when it happens in front of your very eyes—if you can save it, then save it.

"Life is easy. After this scene is over, you ask them to bring the snakes to a conservation center.

Ni Yi was so dumbfounded and could only say: "Ah?"

Yu Yaoyao gave him a strange look. "With their fangs pulled out, it would be difficult for them to survive in the wild. If they won't let them go…I remember that the Guangxin Company also has a lot of fish tanks. Just send them to Shen Yichong as an office pet. We should wait for the teeth to grow out before we release them back to the wild."

"Sister … did you lost your mind after the director scolded you?"

"…"

Ni Yi continued to recite the script as if it was his own while she was having her makeup done. The little sister makeup artist did not dare to interrupt the whole process. But after Yu Yaoyao was called to act, she spoke in a low voice with a hint of worship. "Sister Yu, thank you just now. You are really beautiful—the most beautiful actress I have seen. And you are very kind … Older Sister Yu, fighting!"

Yu Yaoyao grinned and patted her on the shoulder. "You have good taste."

Ni Yi wiped his sweat from behind her.

When she went out, Director Li Bo was still being foul-mouthed to the props group, but when he saw her, he became silent.

Other people also stopped what they were currently doing at hand.

Yu Yaoyao was dressed in white, her black hair in a baggy bun. She had light makeup on, just a sheen coating of powder, and her lips were plump and pink, her white teeth peeking out.

She stood there as if she was a lady that had come out from a painting.

Li Bo was the first to wake up from his stupor, and he pointed a finger at the antique bed in front of the camera. "Layer on the bed and cover yourself with the quilt. And don't forget to close your eyes. In this scene, you have to perform feeling the strange sensation of snakes crawling at you in your sleep. When you open your eyes and see them directly in front of you, you should have a look of horror on your face.

He continued. "Yell 'Somebody, help!' and then when you get bitten by the snakes you should show that you are struggling in fear and in immense pain. Lastly passing out in a coma. I'll only say this once. Go! This is the most important scene. If you can't do it, we will replace or delete it from the show!"

Ni Yi quickly whispered. "Sister, I will help you remember. You go now and I'll give the script back to you if the take's no good."

Yu Yaoyao squinted, opened the script and gave it a cursory glance, and then handed it to Ni Yi.

"What do you mean 'if the take is no good'? Just look, I will do it in one take!"

Chapter 29 – They Only Know How To Talk

The staff members, the production team, and the cast on standby all looked on in derision.

"How many times do you think the director is going to make her redo the same scene?"

"I bet a hundred—At least, ten times."

"You're playing safe. I bet 150!"

"How about Miss Meng here? What do you think?"

Meng Xinran, who was supposed to have her break, stayed back to watch. She laughed and clarified. "I won't participate in the bet, but I can provide some insight. If I were to do this scene, I would have to try at least three or five times for a good take."

The surrounding staff nodded complacently when they heard this. "Well, this scene is not an easy one to shoot! I am already an adult, but to imagine snakes crawling on my body—I would still feel flustered!"

"I guess Yu Yaoyao is going to pee from fear, yeah?" One staff member laughed. "This matter is settled then, I'm taking out the last of my pocket money for the month: 250! She's going to reshoot the scene more than ten times!"

Meng Xinran only smiled and stopped talking.

This scene with snakes— Though she trained in the performance department, she would still find it very difficult to accomplish it in one take, even after experience from two years of professional acting.

There was the challenge of the quickly changing emotions of the character written in this scene, which can only be conveyed through facial expressions. But the most fatal problem laid in overcoming their fear of snakes.

This was not a scene that could be done by a pretty face whose only strength was a potty mouth.

Even she had no confidence to act this scene out to perfection.

Yu Yaoyao, just wait to make a fool out of yourself again! She scathingly mocked.

"Sister, fight on!" Ni Yi cheered on Yu Yaoyao while still outside the filming range of cameras. His teeth itched at the brazen gambling happening beside him.

But his forehead was already drenched in sweat. It was apparent that he had absolutely no confidence in her.

"Lights, OK! Sound, OK! Cameras, OK!"

Director Li Bo waved his hand as Yu Yaoyao laid on the antique cot, pretending to sleep.

"Props leader, get ready! After the count of 3, release the snakes! Location: Edge of the bed! As soon as the props leader exits the camera, start shooting!" He ordered the production crew one after another.

"1, 2, 3, Action!" The clapperboard was finally clicked.

The props leader quickly took the snake cage. Wearing protective gloves, held the grass snakes inside, and promptly threw them on the antique cot where Yu Yaoyao laid.

Almost all the people present watched with bated breath.

The snakes were more than a meter long, with green and brown scales running down their back and yellow scales along their underbelly. Their fine scales looked cold and terrifying under the lights of the light reflector.

As soon as they were thrown onto the bed, the snakes curled into circles. They quickly lifted up their round, triangular heads and surveyed the surrounding environment.

But in the next second, the slender, cold-blooded snakes quickly made way to the sole heat source in their vicinity- Yu Yaoyao, who slept peacefully in the center of the bed. They crawled in curves towards the only flesh that was displayed above the quilt: her hands!

Moreover, according to the script, she must only wake up and act when the snakes successfully climb atop her hand.

This scene made many women in the room cover their mouths in horror, and the male staff weren't faring much better. They all held their breath, forgetting to breathe, and the expression on their faces was unsightly.

Thinking about it, this abominable scene wasn't really suited for a normal person.

Meng Xinran smirked and took the mineral water given by her assistant. She held it towards her mouth to take a sip. Unfortunately, in the next second, she would hear Yu Yaoyao's tragic screams followed by her trashy acting of weeping from fear… hehe!

But not long after, the water bottle in Meng Xinran's hand had been forcibly squeezed beyond recognition.

The chaos she was looking forward to did not happen!

Yu Yao surprised everyone. There was no trace of a scared expression on her sleeping face. Not to mention, she didn't even scream.

The snake stayed on her hand for nearly three seconds. One triangular headed snake hesitantly opened its mouth, revealing the fangs inside. Yu Yaoyao still had her eyes closed but her delicate eyebrows slightly wrinkled.

Seeing from a distance, it could be seen that both snakes were atop almost half of her body.

She played completely in accordance with the script, especially when she frowned as she felt the presence of a cold, foreign body.

When the snake opened its mouth, Yu Yaoyao's left hand moved slightly, almost letting the whole audience break out in sweat. Even Director Li Bo, who was behind the monitoring screen, was grabbing the armrests of his chair nervously at the moment.

If the snake really bites, I'm afraid this scene cannot be continued today! He frantically thought.

Chapter 30 – Who's Afraid?

Li Bo originally thought that before the snake would reach her, the spoiled madam would already cry out and open the quilt, therefore throwing the snake out of bed. In this way, not only was he able to give her a lesson, but it also won't affect the scene.

After all, this snake scene actually requires only a few close-ups.

Originally, after her mood changes, she can be separated from the snake immediately, finally ending the take.

But Yu Yaoyao was still so silent. Even if she was about to be bitten by a snake, she still remained motionless. He really didn't expect it!

At this moment, her hand trembled, and the snake seemed to be alarmed. It suddenly straightened its head, opening its mouth to clamp down with a hard bite!

Li Bo couldn't stand it anymore and stood up! "Stop! Pro—"

The props team have long been waiting for the director's command and was ready to go to retrieve the snakes.

But who would have thought that Li Bo would stop mid-sentence?

After seeing the picture in front of the camera, he looked shocked and fell back to the chair.

He saw that after he shouted the first word, Yu Yaoyao frowned and slowly opened her eyes. At that moment, there was a hint of a disoriented look in her eyes as if she had just woken up from a dream.

She's still going to act?

Li Bo looked at the lens and found that the snake did not move erratically and was only staring at her face with its opened mouth.

Yu Yaoyao seemed to be confused for a while, not able to process what was happening before her, but when she blinked only was she able to become clear-headed, looking at a pair of cold eyes! Suddenly, her pupils dilated and her once rosy complexion turned pale!

She whispered, "Somebody…" before it escalated to a shout, "..help!"

At the last word, the snake actually lunged forward and bit into her hand!

Yu Yaoyao's words were suddenly caught in her throat and there was an unprecedented fear in her beautiful eyes. Her hands were stiff and trembling. It didn't take long when the pupils of her eyes gradually became a little disturbed…

Finally, her apricot lips slightly opened to a chocked scream. Her pale face tilted to the side of the bed as she fainted from terror, not uttering a sound!

The onlookers were horrified.

"Oh my God!"

"Is she dead? Call an ambulance!"

"Props leader, kill the snake!"

"Sh*t! It bit! Was it a poisonous snake?"

"When you defang a snake does the venom still remain?! Where's the medical staff?! Hurry up!"

When they saw Yu Yaoyao's small, rosy face immediately lose color, in no time the set was thrown into panic.

Even Director Li Bo's hands were shaking.

Ni Yi almost cried out and rushed over. "Sister, sister, are you okay? Don't scare me! What do I tell the boss?"

When Director Li heard this remark, his face looked even paler. "These snakes should not be poisonous! Props group, have you confirmed this clearly?"

Yu Yaoyao's face was now white as sheet and the sweat on her forehead did not look like it was from acting anymore.

But the next second the snakes were taken, and the paramedics rushed up to stop the bleeding on her hand, they froze.

"There's no bite." One announced as he looked at Yu Yaoyao's hand which were devoid of teeth marks.

The people around became dumbfounded.

"I saw the snake bite down!"

"What do you mean it didn't bite?"

Li Bo was a little scared, and Yu Yaoyao still hasn't opened her eyes. He went up and looked at it himself. "Passed out from fear then?"

As soon as he opened his mouth, Yu Yaoyao slowly opened her eyelids, but her eyes were clear. She obviously did not faint from dread.

She frowned and blinked her eyes doubtfully at Director Li.

"Director, isn't it over? Why don't you click the clapperboard?"

Director Li and everyone else: "…"

"Sister, are you really okay?" Ni Yi was scared to death.

Yu Yaoyao gave him a strange look. "What did I do? Am I not following what the director ordered?"

Director Li's eyebrows shook. He quickly ran to the monitor and played back the previous shot.

Sure enough, she did follow everything that was asked!

First, she was awakened by snakes and after her drowsiness disappeared did her face appear horrified. She called for help and was bitten by the snake and instantly fainted. She fell to the bed properly. She actually performed very well, and he couldn't pick out any problem from the take!

Not only the subtle expressions were worth 5 stars, but the whole process of her delicate face morphing to a pale complexion was natural and smooth, without any irregularity in acting. Even her seemingly simple line was grasped precisely, the words she uttered were completely expressed in the character's fear and despair…

This skill seems to be even better than the lead actress, Meng Xinran.