Chapter 7: The So-Called Surprise

Ran Xing expressionlessly brushed off the hand resting on her shoulder, offering a polite smile that shimmered with innate confidence. Calmly, she said, “I’m sorry, but we’re not close enough for such familiarity yet. As for the surprise you gave me, I’ll accept it wholeheartedly. However, I have a surprise for you as well.”

Wen Xiaoning widened her eyes and plastered a forced smile on her face, completely unbothered as she replied, “Oh really? Thank you so much, Sister Ran. But when you see your surprise later, please be sure to keep your emotions in check.”

Ran Xing stood up, patted Wen Xiaoning on the shoulder, and smiled faintly. “I’ll say the same to you.”

With that, she slipped her hands into her jacket pockets and walked away with light steps.

Wen Xiaoning’s face flushed with anger. She bit her lower lip hard, her clenched fists trembling uncontrollably. With eyes burning with fury, she glared fiercely at the woman, her voice low but sharp and piercing. “Ran Xing, don’t get too cocky. I promise, this surprise will drive you mad.”

——

By the time Ran Xing arrived, the filming set was already prepared.

Xiao Yi greeted her with a bright smile and approached her, whispering quietly, “Sister Ran, don’t worry, I won’t really hit you later.”

Ran Xing replied coldly, “For the sake of the scene, put in a bit more effort. Otherwise, the director will demand a retake. I want to get it right the first time.”

Once they were in position, the director sat before the monitor and shouted loudly through a megaphone, “Scene one, round one. The male and female leads meet for the first time. Action!”

Ran Xing, wearing a black baseball cap and dressed in black sportswear, was attempting to escape through the stairwell after stealing jewelry.

Xiao Yi intercepted her at the corner. Ran Xing lifted her foot to kick him.

Xiao Yi deftly dodged and countered by trapping her leg around his waist.

Ran Xing raised her hand to strike him while delivering a spinning kick with the other leg aimed at his chest, knocking him down and quickly pinning him beneath her.

“Cut—passed!”

The director nodded with satisfaction before announcing, “Alright, take a half-hour break. Prepare for the next scene.”

Ran Xing took out a towel and wiped the sweat from her forehead, then headed straight to her dressing room.

“Sister Ran, wait a moment.”

Xiao Yi called after her while she was leaving.

Ran Xing’s cheeks still bore a faint blush, and her breathing was slightly uneven as she asked, “What is it?”

A glint of warmth flickered in Xiao Yi’s eyes, and a gentle smile curved his lips as he spoke slowly, “Sister Ran, your skills are impressive. Have you practiced before?”

Ran Xing’s gaze suddenly lost focus, as if struck on a sore spot.

After hesitating, she pressed her lips together and finally said, “Yes, I trained in taekwondo for three years.”

She glanced at the man before her and muttered, “Training in this isn’t just to strengthen the body.”

Without another word, she turned and walked away.

Xiao Yi watched her retreating figure, a hidden tenderness shadowing his eyes.

Twenty minutes later.

Ran Xing had changed into a form-fitting outfit to facilitate the stunt involving a jump from a building.

Thick padding had been laid out on the set.

With everything ready, Ran Xing stood on the windowsill of the third floor.

At the director’s command of “Action!” she prepared to jump.

Just as her foot was about to leave the ledge, a large photo appeared on a screen in the building opposite.

On the screen was a young man in a white shirt, laughing freely, his deep eyes bright and round, gazing at her with soft affection.

Ran Xing’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up, as if trying to imprint the young man into her very bones.

Her body betrayed her, calling out the name she had longed for: “Xu Ting.”

The director looked toward the screen, only to see a photo of an unfamiliar man projected on the wall behind them. He angrily threw down the megaphone and shouted at the crew, “Who the hell is messing with the projector? Don’t you know we’re filming? Find whoever did this and throw them out immediately!”

As soon as the director’s words ended, the photo vanished from the opposite wall.

Ran Xing’s heart pounded wildly.

She forced herself to calm the rising panic in her chest.

Yet her heart seemed to leap uncontrollably, nearly choking her.

She suddenly grasped the nearby wall, trembling all over.

Her hands began to frantically fumble with the ropes binding her.

The director, seeing she still hadn’t jumped, yelled up at her, “Ran Xing, what are you doing? Jump now!”

But Ran Xing no longer heard anything. She kept struggling with the ropes in a disordered panic.

When she realized the ropes weren’t loosening, an overwhelming sense of suffocation and fury washed over her.

After several failed attempts, she turned and shouted irritably, “Come help me untie these!”

Everyone nearby stepped back warily and whispered among themselves.

Ran Xing lost control and yelled again, “Are you deaf? I said untie me!”

Xiao Yuan hurried over just as Ran Xing was having an episode.

He went forward to help loosen the safety harness.

Then he steadied her, gently patting her back and cautiously soothing, “Sister Ran, it’s alright. Relax.”

Ran Xing’s legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.

Like a frightened child, she leaned against Xiao Yuan.

Those nearby murmured quietly.

“Ran Xing’s angry again!”

One person sneered coldly, “Yeah, she still acts like it’s three years ago. Does she think the crew aren’t human? Serves her right for falling from a top star to this!”

Their words pierced Ran Xing’s ears. Just as she had finally calmed, her anger flared anew.

Suppressing her fury, she forced out a strained question, “What did you say?”

Seeing the situation spiraling, Xiao Yuan helped her up and tried to mediate, “Sister Ran, let’s call it a day. Let’s go back and rest.”

As Ran Xing was leaving, a faint murmur came from behind.

“Look at her—such a disrespectful person. She’ll be blacklisted sooner or later!”

Ran Xing stopped, clenching her fists, her rage threatening to burst forth.

Her voice rose sharply, “Say that again if you dare! Do you believe I’ll make you all pack up and leave?”

Breaking free from Xiao Yuan’s grasp, she dashed over to a female staff member and raised her hand to slap her.

Just as the slap was about to land, someone grabbed Ran Xing’s wrist firmly mid-air.

Her gaze fell on the delicate face of the man before her.

Perhaps from running over, his cheeks were faintly flushed.

Xiao Yi inhaled deeply, steadying his rapid breathing before bending down to meet her eyes. With a gentle smile, he spoke slowly, “Sister Ran, it’s okay. Let’s go.”

As he turned his head, his smile faded. He cast a sharp glance around the crew, then placed his hand on Ran Xing’s shoulder and said to Xiao Yuan, “I told the director Sister Ran is exhausted and needs a few days off. As for today’s incident, please handle the public relations.”

Xiao Yuan nodded obediently, “Understood.”

“And,” Xiao Yi added, “I don’t want to see those who provoked Sister Ran here again!”