Today is the day of Wen Jiexi's first performance. She got up early and instead of her usual task of finishing missions, she was looking at her script full of notes, staring hard enough for a flower to grow from the paper.
Shua…..
The person on the bed next to her slowly sat up, looked around, and then stumbled into the bathroom.
After two days, she roughly grasped the habits of Sister Su. After waking up, Su Chenyu wouldn't be able to recognize anybody and would only return to a sober state of mind after washing up.
"Jiexi, you've recently haven't done any of the missions! What are we doing to do?" Dango had kept watch over the pitiful balance of points these past few days and wept at the pitiful number compared to the amount from before. Dango couldn't help but be anxious and continued to circle around Wen Jiexi.
Don't worry, don't we have those yellow missions? We've finished about half of the golden mission and there is still plenty of time to complete it. Wen Jiexi did not raise her head but still reached out to pat Dango's head.
"Wuuu…but…," Dango mumbled and stammered.
There's no choice, it's not like I only have the missions to focus on. Missions are important, but I also have to concentrate on improving my acting. I can earn points at any time, but opportunities like this will be limited.
"I heard that today is your first day." Su Chenyu walked out of the bathroom, wiping the water off her face with a hand as her gaze landed lightly on Wen Jiexi.
"Yes, that's right, Sister Su. I'm so nervous, I feel like I haven't read the script enough and that I am so nervous that I'll forget the words and drag everyone down with me." Wen Jiexi rubbed her slightly sweating hands and smiled bitterly.
Su Chenyu set down the towel in her hands and came over to Wen Jiexi's side.
"Sister Su?" Wen Jiexi looked up in surprise at Su Chenyu's movements. The other looked down at her, bending forwards a little so that her black and silky hair brushed against Wen Jixi's face.
Wen Jiexi's face felt hot and her heart was so much of a mess that she didn't notice that the script in her hands had turned into a crumpled mess.
Watching the expression of the terrified little sheep below her, Su Chenyu flashed a quick smile and then brushed Wen Jiexi's hair to the side. She then leaned forward, her face next to Wen Jiexi's red ears as she whispered:
"Are you still nervous?"
"N-no, not at all, Sister Su…." Wen Jiexi swallowed, her eyes drifting.
"Is that so…?" The drawn-out words caused Wen Jiexi's already unsteady heart to beat even more violently.
"Su…Sister Su….this, you…." Wen Jiexi hadn't finished speaking when she was hugged into a warm embrace. When she finally recovered from her daze, the person holding her had already let go.
"Good luck at your first performance." Su Chenyu gently patted Wen Jiexi's head.
Ooooo! I was hugged by Goddess Su?!! So moved…if I perform well, will she hug me again? Wen Jiexi thought absently.
"Let's go, it's time for breakfast." Su Chenyu gathered her things and then glanced at the frozen person beside her she had just hugged. She patted the other's head helplessly. It was her first time she had willingly hugged someone and yet there was no reaction…it really was frustrating. At least the hair on the head she was patting was soft. I should pat this head more often when I have the time.
"Oh." Wen Jiexi quickly stood up and followed Su Chenyu out of the room.
At their usual table, the breakfast was ready. Today there were brown sugar steamed buns, served with pork chops, fried eggs, sweet cakes, and freshly squeezed milk.
"Wuoo, Jiexi, Goddess Su, you guys are slow today!" Li Lingmeng's mouth had a milk mustache above it and she yawned as she greeted the two coming downstairs.
"I was just a little nervous." Wen Jiexi said, scratching her cheek sheepishly as she sat next to Li Lingmeng.
"Ah, I remember that today is when Jiexi will start her first real acting performance." Lin Yunxi ate a bite of her steamed bun as she watched Wen Jiexi sit down.
"En." Wen Jiexi picked up a plate and stood to grab her food. She watched mirthlessly as the other grabbed two fried eggs, a pork chop, and a sweet cake.
"Fighting! Fighting! You can do this, Jiexi!" Lin Yunxi clenched her fists and cheered. Even if you can't, the President will still be behind you!
"En…thanks."
"Remember the philosophy of treating it as a common thing! Anyhow, even if you have a bad performance you can just restart. It's not like the crew is going anywhere." Xue Molin sandwiched some fried eggs and pork chops between her bread and shrugged.
This, this,….does this count as cheering for me? Wen Jiexi didn't know whether to laugh or cry, anyhow she should focus on eating first.
Suddenly a large jug of milk landed in front of her and Wen Jiexi looked up in surprise:
"Sister Xue, this is…."
"You haven't been drinking your milk these past few days. Unfortunately, there is no papaya so you're just going to have to make do with this milk." Xue Molin said, her eyes staring at Wen Jiexi's chest,
"Oh, that's right, try to drink all of it if you can. I will refill it if it's not enough."
"Pfft-!"
"Cough, cough…."
Wen Jiexi: QAQ, how can you do this! Sister Xue, I'm definitely being laughed at! Why do you have to hurt me like this?!
"Hurry up and eat, we still have to get you into your costume and get your makeup done." Li LIngmeng ignored Wen Jiexi's wounded heart and urged her to eat faster. She also picked up another sweet cake, added another five buns, three pork chops, and four fried eggs until the plate was overflowing.
"Little Meng…..how can I eat all this…" Wen Jiexi looked at the mountain of food in front of her and smiled bitterly.
"It all gets digested anyways so you can just mash it up and eat it in liquid form if you want." Li Lingmeng shrugged.
You saying that just made me lose my appetite. Are you still the same Little Meng who protected me before? You've been possessed by something, right?!!
Wen Jiexi resigned herself to her fate and began to eat. Alas, even if her heart felt downtrodden, she will not waste food.
After saying goodbye to Su Chenyu and the others, the three of them arrived at the filming site. The crew had set up the canopies early and many actors/actresses had finished their makeup already and waited outside.
Xue Molin took the two of them directly into the canopies. Inside, the director and crew were already here but they were still eating their breakfast while working, unlike the artists who only arrived after eating.
"En, which role are you playing?" A middle-aged man holding a book of records asked without looking up. He was standing guard in front of the dressing rooms.
"I am Wen Jiexi, the one playing the role of the Right Protector." Wen Jiexi stepped forward and said.
"Right Protector?" The man raised his head and looked at Wen Jiexi with doubt but seeing Xue Molin beside her, he swallowed his words,
"Go on in. Someone will help you with the clothes and makeup inside. There's only an hour left, so hurry up."
"Thanks." Wen Jiexi nodded and walked into the tent.
"Let's go sit over there for a bit and come back when Jiexi is ready." Xue Molin said and then made her way to a seat.
"Ah, ah, Sister Xue! Wait for me!"
The man watched the two's retreating backs and scratched his head,
"Strange, if I remember correctly, there was news that Sister Xue was going to retire from the industry. I never expected her to pick up a new artist. Whoever told me the news is making me doubt everything now." Muttering under his breath, the man lowered his head and placed a checkmark under Wen Jiexi's name and today's date. Then he raised his head and asked the same question to another actor who had appeared,
"Which role are you playing?"
"I'm playing xxxx…."
Wen Jiexi's eyes lit up as she walked into the tent. Only actors and actresses who were acting today would get to come in here. Even assistants and agents rarely speed in here unless for special circumstances. Already, there were people inside who were sitting on the chairs while others put on their makeup or clothes. A young woman stopped Wen Jiexi when she saw the new face in front of her,
"En, are you starting today? I'm the person in charge here, my name is Ye Zhenxi. You can call me Sister Zhenxi. So, what role are you playing?" Ye Zhenxi walked over and asked with a smile.
She seems like a good person! Wen Jiexi though,
"My Name is Wen Jiexi, I will be playing the role of the Right Protector."
"The Right Protector…that's really surprising." Ye Zhenxi rubbed her chin, showing only a little astonishment at Wen Jiexi's words. It can be said that this was the calmest reaction Wen Jiexi has gotten ever since she received this role.
"Lucy! The Right Protector has arrived, she's your responsibility, right?"
Ye Zhnexi called out behind her when a….man wearing a pink and flowery dress, with slender fingers and delicate makeup rushed over. Seeing Wen Jiexi, his eyes lit up and he quickly ran over to Wen Jiexi, pinching Wen Jeixi face as he said,
"Ohehehe! This little cutie is the Right Protector? Oh, this skin…this hair….is the best!"
Ye Zhenxi seemed to have long gotten used to Lucy's mannerism as she introduced him to Wen Jiexi,
"This person is our best makeup artist and costume designer on our team. Don't judge him by his looks, for he can put on makeup most suitable for a person just from a little observation and touching. Usually, he only does the makeup for important roles like male and female leads and sometimes the villain. However, he saw your picture and said he wanted to work on you."
"Is…is that so…" Wen Jeixi resisted the urge to tear the wandering hands off her face but that urge dissipated after hearing Ye Zhenxi's words. She could only endure Lucy's manhandling.
"This is the best and firmest skin I've ever touched! So soft and elastic, the fairness of it all! No dark spots or acne, definitely one of the top three skins I've ever touched!" Lucy commented with an intoxicated tone.
I-isn't there a time limit? Wouldn't we run out of time if this keeps up?!
Perhaps she received Wen Jiexi's silently plea for help, for Ye Zhenxi finally stopped Lucy's actions,
"Lucy, stop touching and get to work! In a second, the male lead and final boss will arrive. You have to finish makeup for all three and squeeze it in before time is up. If you can't finish on time then I will lose a lot of face."
"Hmph, who do you think I am? My makeup techniques have even perfected the art of speed! Come, come, little cutie, follow me! Ignore this terrible big Sister!" Lucy grabbed Wen Jiexi by the arm and then rolled his eyes at Ye Zhenxi and gave her the finger in disgust as he dragged Wen Jiexi through the crowd.
"Oh..ok!"
"Who are you calling a terrible big Sister! You bastard!" Ye Zhenxi roared from behind.
"Sit here." Lucy dragged Wen Jiexi to the chair at the very center of the room. Wen Jixi glanced around and saw that all the actors were sitting with blank expressions. No matter how much makeup the artist smears on their face, they didn't move their mouth and only communicated through the eyes. It seems that one has to stay still if they want makeup applied, something Wen Jiexi previously hasn't experienced as the HIOC commercial didn't require her to wear makeup.
"En….your foundation is very good, you'll only need to apply some light makeup to make it better. Add little this and that, and we'll transform you into the apathetic Right Protector. With the right makeup, your performance will be better."
Lucy lifted Wen Jiexi's chin and then studied her face while making one last final comment and praising his own makeup skills at the same time.
"Then I will have to trouble….Brother Lucy…" Wen Jiexi looked at the heavy makeup on Lucy's face and spit out her words awkwardly.
"Hehe, you don't actually have to call me brother, I don't mind if you call me Sister instead." As if knowing about Wen Jiexi's inner conflict, Lucy said with a wink and smile that caused Wen Jiexi to shiver a little.
"Don't move, don't move! When I apply your makeup if you move then the perfect balance will be ruined! Don't come crying to me if you fail!"
"Wha!! Jiexi, you're being threatened! Fight back!" Dango wailed. With divine power and martial arts, it was no problem for its contractor to fight against ten men! How can Jiexi be afraid of such weak intimidation! Must fight back immediately!
If I fight back, I think I will no longer be able to stay with this crew. Dango, don't mess with the crew. Go around and see if you can help me trigger some missions instead.
Dango: "Oh…okay…." Jiexi dismissed me! QAQ
Lucy kept telling her to not move and then finally let go of her chin.
"Alright, go change your clothes first and we can start applying the makeup after you finish changing."
"Ok." Wen Jiexi nodded and was taken to a separate room by a young woman who was standing next to Lucy like an assistant. Anyhow, there were only two sets of costumes for the Right Protector. One set was black and the other white, two opposite extremes to show two completely different identities. The black for when she acted under the orders of the Demonic Sect and the white when she acted as a mute doctor.
The black set was a tight-fitting outfit, with a peculiar sash around her waist. It was also the weapon of the Right Protector, the Hong Ling that was a red sash that acted almost like a hidden weapon and paired well with the black costume. Although it didn't look like much, because of her high cultivation, when it was drawn, it acted almost like a red snake. Like an invisible force of nature, she killed her enemies effortlessly. Some ignorant people might even think of the weapon as a precious red snake the Right Protector has raised instead of the unassuming cloth it was.
Changing into the black clothes, Wen Jiexi adjusted the neckline and then looked at herself in the mirrors that surrounded her. The black clothing showed the tender fairness of Wen Jiexi's skin and paired nicely overall with the paleness. Her face was a little too soft-looking but the makeup will fix that.
"It really is well made." She mumbled appreciatively. The difference in costumes between commercials and dramas really was different.
With a light brush, the curtain opened and Lucy stood outside with an eager expression. Lovingly holding his makeup tools, he raised his head when he noticed the curtains open and looked her up and down. Then he clapped his hands excitedly,
"Not bad, not bad! We'll just apply some makeup to fix a few errors. This is what I had imagined! Come, sit back down."
"Yes."
"Close your eyes and only open them when I tell you to. Do not try to move your facial mules." Lucy warned as he started his movements.
Wen Jiexi could only feel Luxy's fingers on her chin, turning her this way and that way as he smeared on makeup. After almost ten minutes or so…
"Ok, it's done. Not bad, not bad! This is worthy of my work!" Lucy's smug voice sounded in her ears and Wen Jiexi felt a pat on her head.
"Alright, you can open your eyes now."
Wen Jiexi opened her eyes like she was instructed to do and Lucy pulled her in front of a full-length mirror,
"Take a look, are you satisfied?"
Wen Jiexi stared at the person in the mirror. Although her skin tone did not change much, there were slight modifications so that the tender and juicy skin turned even paler. It contrasted even better with the clothing. Wen Jiexi could see the apathetic Right Protector before her and felt herself immerse deeper into her role. This was perhaps the magic of makeup, a special type of magic that will help her perform better.
"Thank you, Brother Lucy." Wen Jiexi nodded gratefully.
"This is nothing, I am only doing my duty. Come, let's fix your hair and then wait outside for the shooting to begin. Come on, we got people waiting behind you."
"Understood." Wen Jiexi watched as Lucy tied her hair in a neat ponytail with two braids on the side. The moment her hair was finished, she was kicked out by Lucy while he moved on to the next person.
That's it? ….I feel a bitter smile coming….Wen Jiexi thought as she couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
Outside the tent, Wen Jiexi glanced around and saw that most people who should be here today have arrived. She made her way to the resting area.
"Jiexi!" Wen Ting, who had put on a white costume with green lines, immediately ran up to Wen Jiexi and looked her up and down,
"Wow, even cooler than my clothes."
"We are playing different roles." Wen Jiexi said helplessly.
"Hehe…Little Xi, I feel like you're a completely different person with your makeup. It's not bad." Li Lingmeng circled around Wen Jixi and reached out to touch Wen Jiexi's clothes when she was pulled back by Xue Molin.
"Don't touch. If an artist fails their performance, that's fine but if you touch her clothes and ruin it….well, I'm afraid even one year's worth of salary wouldn't be enough to finish it.
"This…that's so serious!" Li Lingmeng quickly pulled back her hand. She did not want to bear an endless debt from one careless touch,
"Little Xi, you must be careful! I think you shouldn't sit down, or else if it's broken then we will have to work for Xingle for free to pay off our debts!"
Xue Molin: I was just trying to scare her a little and she took it seriously?! Even if the clothes were obliterated the President will send in ten replacement costumes immediately.
Wen Jiexi: Why is it that I have no idea what my best friend is thinking recently?
"Get ready to shoot! Everyone, get in your places!" Director Xie announced loudly.
"Hehehe, today I must perform well! Yesterday I was scolded quite a few times, but last night I went to Sister Heling's room to ask for advice!" Wen Ting said excitedly while clenching her fists.
"Then you have to work hard today." Chu Heling had finished changing her clothes and walked over only to hear Wen Ting's lofty aspirations. Even with her face full of makeup, she couldn't help laughing.
"Sister Heling! I will do my best, you have to watch me perform!" Wen Ting's eyes lit up as her gaze landed on Chu Heling. If it wasn't because they were wearing their costumes, she would have already flung herself into Sister Heling's arms.
"Ok, ok, I will watch you. Jiexi, good luck to you too." Xhu Heling patted Wen Ting's shoulder with a smile and nodded at Wen Jiexi as well.
"Thank you Sister Heling, I will work hard."
"Actors and actresses in the first scene, get in your places!"
"I gotta go! I'm in the first scene, so I'll be leaving first." Wen Ting waved to everyone and then ran happily onto the set.
"Ah, wait for me! I want to watch too!" Wen Jiexi chased after Wen Ting.
"You're very good at taking care of children." Xue Molin looked over at Chu Heling with a smile. Then without another word, she left.
"Sister Xue, didn't you say that we couldn't touch the costumes!"
"Have you read too many books that your brain has gone stupid or something?"
"How can that be? I am the smartest person in the world!"
"Shut up you stinky little narcissistic brat!'
Staring at the backs of the two who left, Chu Heling couldn't help but chuckle. Can a twenty-year-old be considered a kid? That's a real stretch of the definition. Perhaps in the entertainment industry, whether they be old-timers or newcomers and no matter the age, they all were children in some way…but, I'm good at taking care of children? I think you, Sister Xue, is even better than me at taking care of children!
The scenes that Wen Jiexi would perform in were near the afternoon. If there was no delay, after three more scenes it would be her turn.
While watching the other people's performance, she took a deep breath to calm down her inner tension. The closer it got to her turn, the more nervous she was. She clearly hadn't felt this way during the commercial, so why was she feeling nervous now?
I really want a hug right now…Wen Jiexi thought about the hug she received this morning and strangely began to calm down. Sister Su had heard it was her first performance today. So did Su Chenyu hug her to give her encouragement?
Rubbing her nervous hands and licking her lips, she suddenly wished for another hug. If by chance she can receive another one if she acts well….Wen Jiexi's hesitant eyes slowly turned into determination as she clenched her fists.
I…can do it!
"Actors and actresses in the next scene, get ready!"