The Strategy For The Yandere Movie Queen Failed And Was Marked. Chapter 8
byChapter 8 The Kiss
Early in the morning, Su Jin was woken up by the System’s alert tone, her head still foggy.
“New mission incoming! Kiss Ye Qinglan. Mission success rewards ten million, failure results in a random Punishment!”
Su Jin shot up from the bed, nearly flipping the blanket. “What?”
“The mission is a little difficult, but not impossible. Look, aren’t you filming a kissing scene today? Just seize the opportunity.”
Su Jin gritted her teeth in anger: “You want me to suffer public humiliation on the Film Set!”
“Oh, Host, don’t overthink it! Failure has a Punishment anyway, so cheer up and go for it!”
Su Jin couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She checked the time; it was almost time for the crew to start work. She had no choice but to brace herself, get up, wash up, and rush to the Film Set.
As soon as she arrived, Su Jin noticed that the atmosphere felt off.
The usually quiet shooting location was unusually lively today. Staff members were gathered in small groups, whispering amongst themselves, their faces showing excitement and gossip.
“What’s going on?” Su Jin pulled a passing staff member aside and asked quietly.
The staff member lowered their voice mysteriously: “You don’t know yet? Fang Qi is here!”
“Fang Qi?” Su Jin was stunned. “Didn’t she not participate in this movie?”
The staff member shrugged: “She wasn’t supposed to have any scenes, but I heard the capital behind her forced her in. Director Lin couldn’t do anything about it, so he had to temporarily change the script.”
Su Jin’s heart tightened. She quickly asked, “Change the script? To what?”
The staff member shook their head: “I’m not sure about the specifics, but it seems like they added a love triangle plot. Fang Qi’s character will interfere with your and Ye Qinglan’s relationship line.”
Su Jin felt her scalp tingle and a wave of panic wash over her.
The original mission was already difficult enough, and now with Fang Qi added, she didn’t know how to handle it.
She hurried toward the dressing room. As she pushed the door open, she saw Ye Qinglan sitting in front of the mirror, a makeup artist applying her makeup. Ye Qinglan’s expression was somewhat gloomy, clearly showing her displeasure with Fang Qi’s sudden arrival.
Su Jin cautiously walked over and whispered, “Film Empress Ye, have you heard? Fang Qi is here, and the script seems to be changing.”
Ye Qinglan gave a faint “Mhm.” “The power of capital. Director Lin couldn’t help it.”
Su Jin tentatively asked, “Then… will our scenes be affected?”
Ye Qinglan turned her head to look at her: “What? Are you worried about your scenes being stolen?”
“No, no, I’m just worried that the plot will become too complicated and affect the quality of the movie.”
“Quality?” Ye Qinglan scoffed, her tone carrying a hint of mockery: “In a crew controlled by capital like this, quality hasn’t been the primary consideration for a long time.”
Su Jin was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.
Just then, Director Lin pushed the door open and walked in, his face looking troubled.
He looked at Su Jin and Ye Qinglan, sighing: “The script has been temporarily changed. Take a look at the new script first.”
Su Jin took the script and flipped it open, her heart sinking immediately.
In the new script, Fang Qi’s character became Ye Qinglan’s ex-girlfriend, and her scenes were significantly increased. Meanwhile, Su Jin’s character became the interfering third party, and her scenes were drastically cut. She looked up at Ye Qinglan and saw that her expression was even gloomier, clearly also dissatisfied with the new script.
Just then, Fang Qi pushed the door open and walked in.
She wore a smug smile, her gaze sweeping over Su Jin and Ye Qinglan, her tone carrying a hint of provocation: “Oh, what are you two chatting about? You’re not discussing how to deal with me, are you?”
Su Jin blurted out: “Deal with you? Are you worthy?”
Fang Qi’s face instantly darkened. She glared fiercely at Su Jin: “Su Jin, I heard your scenes were cut? That’s a shame. I thought you might be able to make a comeback with this movie.”
Su Jin, whose plans were disrupted, was furious. She couldn’t help but mutter to herself: We’re both Cannon Fodder, who is more noble than whom? I might not dare to challenge Ye Qinglan, but I certainly dare to challenge you!
She couldn’t help but speak sarcastically: “Miss Fang is joking. The number of scenes doesn’t matter, as long as one can play the role well. I’m just afraid that if one’s acting is poor but they insist on feeding the audience crap, they’ll be scolded later.”
Ye Qinglan, who hadn’t spoken, glanced at her in surprise, a slight smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
Fang Qi’s face flushed with anger, and she snapped in exasperation: “Su Jin, don’t think you’re some great thing. You’re always trying to ride on others’ popularity. Do you really think you’re some kind of pure white lotus? Shameless creature.”
This person’s mouth was truly vile. Su Jin was about to continue her verbal assault.
Director Lin’s voice came from outside: “Get ready to shoot! Ye Qinglan and Fang Qi, positions now!”
This scene was a climax in the movie Behind the Starlight. Fang Qi’s character, driven by jealousy and anger, was supposed to lash out at Lin Xia, played by Ye Qinglan, even intending to slap her.
Su Jin was initially just watching the drama unfold. However, when she saw Fang Qi take the opportunity to vent her frustration during the shoot and genuinely deliver a hard slap to Ye Qinglan, her heart seized up.
“Slap!” A crisp sound echoed on the Film Set.
Ye Qinglan’s face was turned to the side, and several red marks instantly appeared on her fair cheek.
Director Lin frowned, called “Cut,” and then walked up to Fang Qi, his tone displeased: “Fang Qi, this scene was supposed to be a fake slap. Why did you actually hit her?”
Fang Qi shrugged, looking somewhat innocent: “Director Lin, I feel that a real hit better conveys the character’s emotion. If we fake it, the effect won’t be realistic enough.”
Director Lin was silent for a few seconds. He was clearly dissatisfied with Fang Qi’s explanation, but constrained by the capital behind her, he could only reluctantly nod: “Fine, let’s do it again, but be careful to control your strength.”
Ye Qinglan stood nearby, her face still calm, as if the slap hadn’t affected her at all. She gently rubbed her cheek, her gaze sweeping indifferently over Fang Qi, a hint of coldness in her eyes.
Seeing this, Su Jin felt a surge of annoyance.
Although her relationship with Ye Qinglan wasn’t exactly good, seeing Fang Qi use the opportunity to vent her anger made her stand up. She walked over to Director Lin and whispered, “Director Lin, isn’t this a bit much? Ye Qinglan is the female lead, after all. If she gets seriously hurt, what about the subsequent scenes?”
Fang Qi heard Su Jin’s words and spoke with a hint of mockery: “Su Jin, what do you know? Acting needs to be real, otherwise how can the audience get into the role?”
“Miss Fang, I just think this isn’t right, what if…”
Fang Qi sneered, cutting her off, her tone even more sharp: “Su Jin, everyone knows you rely on your gossip with Ye Qinglan to gain popularity. Now you’re trying to pretend to be a good person? How ridiculous.”
As the fuse for this incident, Ye Qinglan didn’t say a single word throughout. Su Jin felt a bit frustrated by her lack of fight. She was so powerful when she was intimidating Su Jin, so why was she so passively accepting now?
But before Su Jin could retort, Director Lin waved his hand: “Alright, stop arguing. Prepare for another take.”
The shooting resumed. Fang Qi walked up to Ye Qinglan again, her eyes filled with smugness and provocation.
She raised her hand, ready to fiercely strike Ye Qinglan’s cheek again.
However, just as her hand was about to fall, Ye Qinglan suddenly sidestepped, caught Fang Qi’s wrist, and said coldly, “That’s enough.”
Fang Qi froze, before she could react, Ye Qinglan raised her hand and delivered two consecutive slaps to her face.
“Slap! Slap!” The crisp sounds echoed on the Film Set. Fang Qi’s face was turned to the side, and she stumbled back two steps, red marks instantly appearing on her face.
Ye Qinglan’s eyes were cold and sharp. She said icily, “Get lost! We are over!”
The Film Set instantly fell silent. Everyone was stunned.
Director Lin didn’t call “Cut,” and the camera remained focused on the two women.
Fang Qi covered her face, her eyes filled with shock and anger: “You… you dared to hit me?”
Director Lin finally snapped out of it and shouted excitedly: “Cut! That was brilliant! The emotional tension in that scene was completely maxed out. The effect is even better than what was written in the script!”
The staff on the Film Set also applauded, praising Ye Qinglan’s acting.
“Film Empress Ye is truly amazing. The emotion in that scene was spot on!”
“Fang Qi’s two slaps just now were really hard, and Film Empress Ye could still improvise. She’s too strong!”
“This scene is definitely going to be the highlight of the movie!”
Fang Qi stood aside, her face pale, her eyes filled with resentment and anger. She hadn’t expected Ye Qinglan to suddenly fight back, nor had she expected Director Lin to be so satisfied with her performance.
Su Jin stood nearby, also stunned by Ye Qinglan’s acting.
She couldn’t help but cheer loudly: “Ye Qinglan, that was fantastic! That scene was absolutely incredible!”
Fang Qi heard Su Jin’s voice, and a sinister look flashed in her eyes: “Su Jin, don’t get too smug. We’ll see about this.”
Su Jin’s heart tightened, but she maintained a calm facade: “Miss Fang, I was just praising Film Empress Ye’s acting. I didn’t mean anything else.”
Fang Qi sneered, turned, and left the Film Set.
Ye Qinglan walked up to Su Jin and smiled: “Su Jin, your reaction today… was very interesting.”
Su Jin was flustered: “Film Empress Ye, I… I just thought your acting was too good, I couldn’t help myself…”
“Is that so?” Ye Qinglan chuckled lightly. “Then I look forward to the next scene…”
Thinking of their upcoming kissing scene, Su Jin’s ears turned red. “I… I will try my best.”
Ye Qinglan gave a meaningful smile and turned to leave the Film Set.
Su Jin checked the time. There was still half an hour before the shoot started, and she had no clue how to complete her mission—kissing Ye Qinglan.
“System, you’re setting me up!” Su Jin gritted her teeth. “Didn’t you see how Ye Qinglan slapped Fang Qi just now? If I dare to kiss her in public, she’ll slap me unconscious.”
The System comforted her: “Host, don’t panic! Play it by ear.”
Su Jin felt a wave of despair.
The shooting time quickly arrived, and Su Jin reluctantly walked over.
Director Lin was adjusting the equipment, and the lighting and camera operators were making final tweaks.
This scene was her kissing scene with Ye Qinglan. The plot was that Zhou Yu and Lin Xia were in an ambiguous phase. Zhou Yu, jealous because Lin Xia met with her ex-girlfriend, forcefully kissed Lin Xia. This kissing scene was supposed to be a fake kiss, but she absolutely had to genuinely kiss her, and she had to actually kiss her.
Once shooting began, Su Jin stood in the shooting area, her palms slightly sweaty. Her gaze occasionally darted toward Ye Qinglan standing opposite her. She felt nervous and subconsciously touched her own face.
She hoped Ye Qinglan would be merciful later and not slap her so hard that she was disfigured.
“Action!” At Director Lin’s command, the camera focused on the two of them.
Su Jin instantly got into character, transforming into Zhou Yu, looking hurt at the person opposite her.
“Lin Xia, why are you still meeting her? You clearly know I like you!”
Lin Xia, played by Ye Qinglan, frowned slightly and explained: “Zhou Yu, stop being unreasonable. We broke up a long time ago.”
Su Jin’s next line should have been: “If you broke up, then why are you afraid to let me know?”
But in her nervousness, she completely blanked, standing rooted to the spot, her lips moving, but not a single word coming out.
“Cut!” Director Lin shouted impatiently. “Su Jin, what’s wrong? Where are your lines?”
Su Jin’s face turned pale, and she quickly apologized: “I’m sorry, Director Lin, I’m a little nervous. Let’s do it again.”
Director Lin waved his hand: “Again!”
In the second take, Su Jin had just walked up to Ye Qinglan. Before she could speak, her eyes involuntarily drifted away. The image of Ye Qinglan slapping someone kept flashing in her mind, making her feel incredibly weak.
“Cut!” Director Lin’s voice was louder. “Su Jin, you’re supposed to be jealous, not guilty! Your eyes need to convey the emotion!”
Su Jin grew even more nervous. She was guilty! She secretly glanced at Ye Qinglan and saw the other woman looking at her with a half-smile, which only made her feel more guilty.
At this moment, the System reminded her: “Host, if you stall any longer, mission failure means you will have to accept the Punishment again.”
Between being slapped and the Punishment, Su Jin felt the Punishment was scarier.
So, during the third take, after a long period of mental preparation, she decided to bite the bullet and go for it.
Ye Qinglan performed as usual, saying her lines: “Zhou Yu, it’s not what you think…”
“Lin Xia, you clearly know I like you.”
Su Jin finished her line, gritted her teeth, reached out, grabbed Ye Qinglan’s wrist, pulled her closer, stood on her tiptoes, and genuinely kissed her.
The Film Set instantly fell silent. Everyone was stunned.
Director Lin didn’t call “Cut,” and the camera remained focused on the two of them.
Su Jin’s kiss was mixed with panic and determination. Her lips pressed against Ye Qinglan’s. Ye Qinglan’s body stiffened slightly, but quickly, she reached back, cupped Su Jin’s head, and deepened the kiss.
Their breaths mingled, and an ambiguous atmosphere filled the air.
Su Jin’s heart pounded so fast it felt like it would burst out of her chest. She could feel Ye Qinglan’s breathing quicken, her fingertips pressing slightly, almost digging into Su Jin’s skin.
The kiss lasted for several seconds until Director Lin’s excited voice rang out: “Cut! That improvisation was excellent! Ye Qinglan’s cooperation was also perfect!”
Amidst Director Lin’s praise, Ye Qinglan released Su Jin, a smile playing on her lips: “Su Jin, your acting… has improved.”
Su Jin’s face instantly flushed red. “I’m sorry, I… I got too into the role.”
Ye Qinglan gave her a meaningful look, said nothing, and turned to rest.
Su Jin stood rooted to the spot, her mind a mess. She felt that Ye Qinglan’s reaction was strange. Why didn’t she look angry at all? She even seemed to be cooperating?
She must be too dedicated to her craft, Su Jin thought, immediately despising herself.