Chapter 6: The Three-Person Crematorium

Wen Xiaoning forced an awkward smile and waved her hands dismissively. "Brother Xiao Yi, that's not what I meant. Tell you what, I don't have anything going on right now, so I'll just wait here with you."

"As you wish," Xiao Yi replied, not even bothering to lift his gaze.

Seeing that he hadn't refused, Wen Xiaoning stood obediently by the man's side. With calculated casualness, she probed, "Brother Xiao Yi, did you know Sister Ran was the lead actress before you auditioned?"

"Mm," Xiao Yi responded in a lazy drawl, his eyes remaining fixed on the doorway.

"Oh? I must say, I admire you for being willing to partner with Sister Ran Xing. You know, very few male actors are willing to work with her these days." Wen Xiaoning intentionally slowed her tone, trailing off halfway through the sentence.

A flicker of disdain and physical repulsion toward the woman in front of him crossed Xiao Yi's eyes. He had already gathered plenty of information about the kind of person Wen Xiaoning was. However, he was curious to see for himself what kind of filthy soul lay hidden beneath that seemingly harmless facade.

He adopted an eager, gossipy expression, shedding his earlier coldness as he tilted his head with a smile. "What do you mean?"

Wen Xiaoning’s mouth hung open in an 'O' shape. Seeing his interest, she leaned in, her tongue wagging incessantly. "Oh? Brother Xiao Yi, you don't know about Sister Ran Xing's reputation? I thought everyone in the industry knew."

Xiao Yi offered an awkward laugh. "Honestly, I have no idea. So, what's wrong with her?"

Wen Xiaoning feigned a sigh, casting a sympathetic look at Xiao Yi. "Sister Ran Xing... she has a terrible temper. If you’re acting with her, you’d best keep a first-aid kit handy. I’m telling you this for your own good, Brother Xiao Yi; you must remember to protect yourself. I've personally seen her hit staff members on set and even force them to kneel. Once, she even slapped me."

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she sounded. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, and she began to sob. Her delicate appearance was truly pitiful.

Xiao Yi found it amusing; he knew exactly what Ran Xing’s temperament was like. Once the woman finished her performance, his gaze lingered on her fair, slightly flushed face.

Wen Xiaoning felt a chill under his piercing, ink-black eyes and stammered, "Is something wrong, Brother Xiao Yi?"

"Nothing," Xiao Yi said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I just wanted to thank you for telling me all this."

"It... it's nothing. So, are we friends now?" Wen Xiaoning smiled sweetly and extended her hand.

Xiao Yi’s expression remained impassive as he looked at the hand hanging in the air and gave it a light shake. "Of course." When he said those two words, his low voice carried an inviolable, piercing quality.

When Xiao Yuan arrived by car, she happened to catch the moment they were shaking hands. She turned to the person dozing in the backseat and said, "Sister Ran, isn't that Mr. Xiao?"

Ran Xing slowly opened her eyes. Looking through the car window and seeing the two of them chatting and laughing, she found the sight ironic. She picked up the sunglasses resting nearby, put them on, and stepped out of the car.

Seeing her approach, the once listless and weary look in Xiao Yi’s eyes instantly vanished. He jogged toward her with a smile. "Sister Ran."

Ran Xing, however, held her head high and walked right past him, leaving the tall, slender man looking lost in the wind.

With his back to Ran Xing, Xiao Yi gave a helpless smile before turning around to follow her like a puppy. His cold, distant eyes held a hint of obsequiousness. "You finally arrived, Sister Ran."

Ran Xing simply gave a hum of acknowledgment.

Seeing her sudden coldness, Xiao Yi wasn't annoyed; his features remained as refined as ever. "Sister Ran, your eyes... are they alright? Why are you wearing sunglasses?"

Ran Xing cleared her throat and replied casually, "The sun is harsh." She paused for half a second, then shot a glance toward where Wen Xiaoning was standing, adding nonchalantly, "Plus, I just saw something eye-straining."

Just then, Wen Xiaoning walked over and stood naturally in front of Xiao Yi, offering a forced, insincere smile to Ran Xing. "Sister Ran, you’re finally here. Brother Xiao Yi and I have been waiting for you for nearly half an hour."

Ran Xing scoffed silently. *'Brother Xiao Yi,' how intimate.* She didn't care in the slightest, though.

Xiao Yuan stood before the three of them, feeling the atmosphere turn incredibly awkward. She had always known about the schemes Wen Xiaoning had played against Ran Xing, including one that once caused Ran Xing to suffer a fracture, forcing her to rest at home for three months. Unfortunately, without evidence, they had to swallow the loss. Now that Ran Xing saw Mr. Xiao getting close to Wen Xiaoning, there was no way she would have a pleasant expression.

After withdrawing her sympathetic gaze from Xiao Yi, she politely reminded the three of them, "The director is calling over there. Let’s head over."

Once they arrived, the director began arranging the day’s scenes. "We have a lot to film today, so it’ll definitely go into the night. Get ready, and we’ll begin. By the way, Ran Xing, we’re filming action scenes today. Are you okay with that? You’ll need to jump from a third-story window later."

"Understood," Ran Xing replied without hesitation. Over the past three years, she had filmed many action sequences; this was nothing difficult for her. After all, she had previously hired a martial arts instructor and trained for half a year.

The director then turned to Xiao Yi. "You’ll be sparring with Ran Xing in a moment. To make it look realistic, feel free to use some force."

Xiao Yi’s brow furrowed with displeasure. He pulled out his script, his thin lips moving coldly. "Director, are you saying you want us to actually fight?"

Wen Xiaoning quickly stepped in to smooth things over for the director. "It’s like this, Brother Xiao Yi. We discussed it and felt that if it looks too fake, the audience won't buy it. It’s not really a 'real fight,' just putting in a bit of effort so it doesn't look so staged."

Before Xiao Yi could refuse, Ran Xing spoke firmly. "Listen to the director. I’m fine with it."

The director clapped his hands. "Good. If everyone is ready, go get your makeup done."

Ran Xing, however, slightly raised an eyebrow, locking eyes with Wen Xiaoning. She changed the subject abruptly. "By the way, you aren't in any scenes today. What are you doing here?"

"I..." Wen Xiaoning scrambled for an excuse. "I’m here to learn from your acting skills, of course, Sister Ran." She added, "Oh, and Sister Ran, did you take your medicine?"

"Don't trouble yourself," Ran Xing replied coldly, walking toward the dressing room.

Xiao Yi asked tentatively, "Medicine? What’s wrong with Sister Ran?"

Watching her retreating figure, Wen Xiaoning wore a meaningful smile and answered carelessly, "Sister Ran? Oh, she has a cold."

—

Inside the filming location, staff began preparing the equipment and lighting. Ran Xing sat in the dressing room, preparing for her role.

Wen Xiaoning leaned lazily against the edge of the makeup table, arms crossed. "Sister Ran, how does it feel to be back in the entertainment industry? Isn't it wonderful?"

Ran Xing didn't bother to look up, treating the words as mere air.

Wen Xiaoning turned, draped an arm casually over Ran Xing’s shoulder, and leaned in close to her ear, looking at the made-up Ran Xing in the mirror with a wicked smirk. "But believe me, you’ll see the surprise I’ve prepared for you very soon."