Chapter 35: Playing the Role of a Seductress

Unlike the sweetness between the other two, Lin Xi and Lu Yuxiu returned straight to Jinxiu after watching the movie. To ease the awkwardness, Lin Xi asked Lu Yuxiu to be her model; she smiled as usual, making jokes. She saw the depth in his eyes, but dared not expose it. Lu Yuxiu felt frustrated, while Lin Xi was afraid. She didn’t know how to face such a relationship, nor did she dare to break the harmonious, almost familial way they currently interacted.

She wasn’t sure if he would be scared away if he ever learned everything about her. Her illness was stable now, but there was no guarantee it wouldn’t relapse. If he saw her at her worst, how could she explain it? Rather than both ending up embarrassed, it was better to stop now, before feelings deepened…

Once inside, neither mentioned anything about the cinema. Lin Xi led Lu Yuxiu upstairs to her design studio. Inside, all sorts of clothing filled the space, like a massive walk-in closet. In the center was a long marble table, covered with sketches and drafts of designs, showing the owner’s dedication.

Seeing Lin Xi’s studio for himself, Lu Yuxiu felt a sense of reality—his girl truly was outstanding.

“What should I do?” Lu Yuxiu asked, very cooperative.

Lin Xi curled her lips in a mischievous smile, raising her brows at him.

Lu Yuxiu instantly felt as though he had walked into a wolf’s den.

He wasn’t wrong. Lin Xi used him as a human clothes rack, directing him to try on shirt after shirt, suit after suit, trench coat after trench coat, measuring and gesturing left and right, wearing down his patience.

Now, Lu Yuxiu was standing before her in a crisp suit, acting as a model. He glanced around idly, noticing quite a few women’s outfits.

“You design women’s clothes too?” he asked.

Lin Xi didn’t look up. “I’m planning to. I only made a few evening gowns for women while abroad. One of them was worn by Danae Katy!”

She finally allowed herself a little pride as she said this.

Danae Katy was an international film star, Hollywood’s leading lady, and the heroine of the movie “Interstellar,” in which Lin Xi had made a cameo. Working on that film, Lin Xi had several interactions with her. The actress was easygoing and unpretentious. They were kindred spirits and became good friends, so Lin Xi’s first evening gown ended up on Danae Katy, successfully gaining attention. Afterwards, Lin Xi made a few more designs that foreign actresses scrambled for, making her, a Chinese designer, a minor sensation in Y Country’s fashion scene.

Lin Xi became completely absorbed in sketching, paying no attention to time, and before she knew it, evening had come. When she finally finished the last stroke and lifted her head from the pile of sketches, rubbing her sore neck, she realized Lu Yuxiu was no longer upstairs.

She went downstairs to look for him and saw him busy in the kitchen, with a simple dinner set on the table.

It was evident the meal had just been prepared. Lin Xi smiled—what a genius Lu Yuxiu was! He could do anything.

“You’re down? Let’s eat,” Lu Yuxiu said, carrying a dish from the kitchen.

Lin Xi felt a little embarrassed; she’d asked him for help and ended up troubling him to cook.

As they ate, Lin Xi’s phone suddenly rang.

She glanced at it—Qi Qi. Without much concern, she put it on speaker and continued eating.

“Xi Xi, I need your help,” Qi Qi’s anxious voice came through.

“What is it?” Lin Xi mumbled around a chicken drumstick.

Qi Qi didn’t mind and went straight to the point. “There’s a problem with a supporting role in my new drama ‘Legend of the Phantom Moon’—a stunningly beautiful demoness. Only two scenes, just one morning to shoot. I thought it over and you’re the perfect fit! Please save the day, Xi Xi!”

Lin Xi smiled helplessly. Was that a compliment?

“The drama needs to be submitted for review and broadcast next week, and this is the only shot left, so it’s urgent. Are you available these days?”

Lu Yuxiu glanced at her, and Lin Xi thought for a moment before replying, “Alright! I have a variety show recording the day after tomorrow, so I’m free tomorrow.”

“Wonderful! Xi Xi, I love you! The director will contact your agent about the payment!” Qi Qi’s voice was jubilant.

Lin Xi laughed carelessly. “Oh, that doesn’t matter. Consider it me repaying a favor!”

“No way! I can’t let you go to the trouble for nothing. It’s settled—I'll come pick you up tomorrow and send you the script shortly,” Qi Qi insisted.

“Okay!” Lin Xi agreed, and they hung up.

Lin Xi looked up to see Lu Yuxiu gazing at her meaningfully, making her uneasy and tingling at the scalp.

“Wh…what is it?” Lin Xi asked, nervous.

“Tomorrow you’ll meet the director and creative team of the film,” Lu Yuxiu dropped a bombshell, calm and unhurried.

“What?!” Lin Xi shrieked.

Lu Yuxiu shot her a teasing glance.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier!” Lin Xi glared at him, eyes shimmering with moisture.

Lu Yuxiu finally spoke, “I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon. We’ll go together.”

“Alright!” Lin Xi breathed a sigh of relief when she realized it was in the evening, agreeing easily. She didn’t notice Lu Yuxiu’s secretly curled lip.

Lin Xi then quickly called Zhou Xin.

“Sister Zhou, Qi Qi just said there’s a cameo role in her new drama, and I agreed to it,” Lin Xi reported.

Zhou Xin was calm; after managing these two free-spirited stars, nothing surprised her anymore. “Alright, handle it as you see fit. Make sure Mya goes with you. Qi Qi’s dramas have good reputations—getting your face known is no bad thing.”

“Mm, mm.” Lin Xi felt a little anxious about accepting the role without consulting her agent, but Zhou Xin’s nonchalant attitude put her at ease.

“Take care. I’m still abroad and will be back in about a week. Be smart,” Zhou Xin reminded her.

“Okay, Sister Zhou. You take care too~” Lin Xi felt warm inside.

Putting away her phone, Lin Xi sighed at her luck—everyone she met after returning home was gentle and kind.

After tidying up with Lu Yuxiu, Lin Xi opened the script Qi Qi sent and began memorizing her lines. Lu Yuxiu didn’t hurry to leave either, sitting right beside her, craning his neck to look at the script with her.

It made Lin Xi feel prickly, as if sitting on pins.

First scene:

[The demoness descends from the heavens, breathtakingly beautiful. With a slight smile and a curling finger, her red lips part, eyes full of allure: “Come here.” Scholars, wanderers, even monks fall under her spell, their minds momentarily blank, staring ahead and wandering aimlessly, entering the cave and vanishing. The demoness covers her mouth and laughs softly, more intoxicating than a crabapple blossom in the sun.]

…

Lin Xi was silent for a long time after reading. This really was…a demoness. Was Qi Qi trying to trap her?

And she only had two lines?

Heh. Lu Yuxiu finished reading too, letting out a laugh that was ambiguous and mocking.

That sound at her ear made Lin Xi’s scalp tingle—did Lu Yuxiu resent her for taking the role without asking him? But shouldn’t her agent be the one to care? She felt even more uneasy.

“Um…” Lin Xi swallowed cautiously.

“I’m going home,” Lu Yuxiu grabbed his coat and left, slamming the door behind him.

Leaving her alone in confusion…wait, there was no wind…

Wait a minute! Lin Xi frowned. Why should she feel guilty? She hadn’t done anything wrong!

Not bothering with him, Lin Xi lowered her head to read the second scene.

Second scene:

[In the cave, the demoness devours men’s souls, but is discovered by the male lead. He intends to subdue her, not wanting her to continue harming people. The demoness falls for the male lead’s looks and uses all her seductive powers to tempt him, but he remains unmoved. The female lead arrives, and to avoid misunderstanding, the male lead kills the demoness himself.]

After a long while, Lin Xi looked up and sighed deeply. Was Qi Qi serious? Making her play such a…seductive role, and having to seduce men! Was that why Lu Yuxiu got angry after reading the second scene?

Lin Xi couldn’t figure out how Qi Qi saw her as having this potential.

-------------------------------------

The next day, though the temperature was low, the weather was as fresh as after a long illness.

Lin Xi followed Qi Qi to the set, where most actors had already finished filming and left. Only the director, male lead, and a few staff remained. The set was obviously thrown together at the last minute—it really was an emergency.

“Director Qiu, this is Lin Xi,” Qi Qi brought her to the director.

Director Qiu was tall and thin, looking quite cheerful.

Qiu Yan touched his cropped hair, eyes lighting up. “Not bad, not bad! Truly a beauty! Hello, Lin Xi. Old Master Gu has hidden you too well!”

Lin Xi smiled. “Hello, Director Qiu!”

“Director Qiu, it took me a lot to get Xi Xi here to save the day—don’t scare her off!” Qi Qi teased.

“Hahaha!” Qiu Yan laughed heartily, making Lin Xi smile too. He was easy to get along with.

“Hello, Lin Xi, I’m Xu Chenglin.” The male lead, a popular and talented actor, introduced himself.

Lin Xi nodded politely; Mya had briefed her that morning. “Hello, Senior Xu.”

“No need for formality,” Xu Chenglin remained courteous.

“Don’t mind him, Xi Xi—he’s slow to warm up,” Qi Qi led Lin Xi into the makeup room. “Come on, let’s get you styled.”

Xu Chenglin’s face flushed slightly at Qi Qi’s words.

After the makeup artist’s work, Lin Xi now wore the face of a demoness.

She was already dazzlingly beautiful, but with the makeup accentuating her eyes, she radiated just the right amount of allure—never vulgar, but full of feminine charm. The innate seductiveness in her bones was irresistible, enough to ensnare souls.

“You’re so beautiful, Xi Xi! If I were a man, I’d marry you!” Qi Qi gazed at her with stars in her eyes.

When Lin Xi walked onto the set, everyone from director to staff was stunned.

She wore a violet gown, her tall figure perfectly contoured, waist-length hair cascading like a waterfall. Her collarbones were exposed, her features exquisite, lips red and teeth white, brows and eyes like a painting.

She looked just like a real fairy.

“Good!” Qiu Yan seemed to see a shining new star in the entertainment world.

“How about it?” Qi Qi raised her brows playfully at Qiu Yan and Xu Chenglin.

Xu Chenglin only nodded in agreement, showing little expression.

Qiu Yan joked, “Qi Qi, aren’t you afraid Xi Xi will steal your thunder? Hahaha.”

“What’s the big deal!” Qi Qi waved her hand carelessly. Xu Chenglin’s gaze followed her.

The crew began preparing to shoot.