The system’s prompt sounded in Lin Muxi’s mind.
"Host’s popularity has risen to fifteen percent!"
"And as the news spreads, popularity is still growing. After all, the host is currently a top-tier celebrity!"
This was undeniably true.
She had officially announced her endorsement deal with a luxury brand, and two acclaimed actors were supporting her new film.
In the entertainment industry, it was difficult to find a rising star more sought-after than her.
Her second film had propelled her to new heights.
As the media scrambled to chase and surround her for interviews about her feelings, Lin Muxi had already boarded a plane.
She was heading to the filming base to rendezvous with Ling Qianhe and Hanks.
She was joining the cast for her second movie, "I'm Thriving in the World of Abusive Scum"!
...
The film crew had several shooting bases. The sci-fi segment, set in a small world, was filmed overseas.
As for the plotline involving the tyrannical ruler and his princess given in marriage, it was being filmed at China's largest ancient costume film and television base.
Upon arriving at the set, Lin Muxi was promptly rushed to change. Moments later, the young woman reappeared, styled with a cold, ethereal look, reminiscent of a princess of a fallen kingdom.
Her cheeks were transparently pale, exuding a detached fragility.
Her entire being was like a snowflake gently falling in early winter, a snowflake landing on a palm, ready to melt at any moment.
She made people hesitant to speak loudly to her, lest they frighten her.
The director was Director Li Ping.
He was the renowned director Lin Muxi had met during a banquet mission, a prominent figure in the industry.
He possessed considerable filming experience.
After a glance at Lin Muxi as she emerged, he gently inquired if she needed some time to immerse herself in the scene.
This was because, according to the crew's schedule, the first scene was an emotionally intense one. The young tyrannical ruler, upon seeing the princess sent for marriage, treated her as nothing more than a plaything.
She would be roughly thrown onto the bed, violated, and then discarded like trash.
This plot made Lin Muxi slightly nervous.
"Let's not waste everyone's time."
"Let's film directly."
Her words were decisive and firm.
The great director then smiled and nodded.
Lin Muxi looked around, her gaze searching, but she couldn't spot Ling Qianhe. She was very curious about where he was.
Behind a screen on the set.
Upon a golden throne, the young monarch stood proudly.
She walked towards him hesitantly. The young monarch glanced at her, a cold, contemptuous smile playing on his lips. She heard him speak to her coldly.
"Kneel!"
Was he already in character?
However, she remembered that Ling Qianhe adopted a method acting approach.
And he had joined the crew earlier.
Thus, he had entered the role before her, fully embodying the tyrannical ruler who ascended the throne after fratricide, a ruler who was brutal and cruel.
Lin Muxi took a deep breath, calming herself.
Then, she walked over, her voice low and gentle, and asked him.
"Does Your Majesty wish for this servant to kneel?"
She was a slave sent to him.
She should have been a princess of high status, but before him, she could only endure the humiliation and refer to herself as a servant.
This was an insult to her!
But she had no choice but to endure such humiliation.
Ling Qianhe cast a cold glance at her, then sneered.
"Of course. Do you think you’re allowed to stand here?"
"Kneel!"
She clenched her fists, her fingers trembling slightly—her knees bent slightly, but the man opposite her moved like a gust of wind, grabbing her cheek.
His eyes were sharp, and the depths of his pupils seemed to burn with an endless flame. He leaned close to her face and interrogated her word by word, aggressively.
"What are you trying to avoid?"
"What are you afraid of?"
Her breathing grew rapid. She stared blankly into his eyes, her own panicked reflection illuminated in their depths. She clenched her fingers, her voice sounding as if it were barely coaxed out.
"I… I am afraid…"
"Afraid that Your Majesty will kill me."
The man opposite her still gazed down at her arrogantly.
The next second, he forced her to meet his gaze.
And then, with everyone on set watching, he unceremoniously kissed her!
Like a storm, his eyes were filled with possessiveness!
Lin Muxi's eyes widened; she couldn't believe Ling Qianhe would kiss her so directly.
There were people all around, his kiss was fierce and brutal, and she felt as if all the air was being sucked from her lungs!
More importantly, her eyes wide open, she could distinctly feel the air from his lips.
The kiss was maintained for an incredibly long time.
Ling Qianhe’s lung capacity.
Was truly astonishing!
This was clearly.
This was clearly not in the script!
He was taking advantage of the situation!
But perhaps the director felt this was consistent with the character's personality, as he didn't call "Cut." A flicker of extreme panic crossed Lin Muxi's eyes. He then scooped her up and leaned back onto his enormous imperial throne, pinning her shoulders.
Lin Muxi's cheeks felt as if they were on fire.
Ling Qianhe was too wild.
This was a set with everyone watching!
It wasn't a place for just the two of them!
Ling Qianhe's lips remained pressed against hers, his mouth brushing against hers. His voice was low, laced with disdain and ferocity, like the biting wind of midwinter.
Capable of drawing blood.
"I won't pay much attention to a lowly woman like you."
Such audacious lines.
They were…
Familiar.
Lin Muxi pursed her lips silently. Ling Qianhe continued to sneer. His fingertips gently traced the tip of her nose. His face was so handsome, yet when he appeared cold, it made one feel as if their soul was shattering.
His fingertips grazed her inch by inch.
Making her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
"Throw her out. Let her work with the lowest of servants—let her do the most menial tasks."
Those around them felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave.
They couldn't understand why the Emperor was so enraged.
Lin Muxi looked up. She could now respond to the lines smoothly, likely having grown accustomed to Ling Qianhe's wild behavior.
"You—you can't do this, you have no right to do this…"
Ling Qianhe continued to look at her with an expressionless face.
After a moment.
Ice-cold, devoid of warmth words spilled from his mouth.
"What, you don't want to be my slave?"
"If not, then you shall turn to bone. Don't think I don't know that you had a brief involvement with my late brother."
"Now that I have ascended the throne, you probably wish you could kill me, don't you?"
"I can see the hatred in your eyes!"
"I will never give you a chance. Drag her away!"
This first encounter was executed flawlessly. When the director called "Cut," Lin Muxi jumped up from the ground.
Glaring at Ling Qianhe.
"You've gone too far!"
Ling Qianhe smiled.
His smile was like a spring breeze passing through, instantly dispelling the brutality and coldness from his eyes. His expression softened considerably. He gazed into Lin Muxi’s eyes and asked her.
"Were you scared?"
Lin Muxi snorted.
"Bastard!"
Ling Qianhe's tone softened as he tried to coax her.
"It's just acting. The script is written that way."
Lin Muxi remained sullenly silent. Ling Qianhe said no more, but the system exclaimed.
"Wow, host, he flips his attitude faster than turning a page. Isn't he worried about a mental breakdown…"
"One moment fire, the next, icy wind, a double heaven of ice and fire. This experience is truly exhilarating."
Lin Muxi heard the system’s comment and retorted.
"You've experienced it?"
The system coughed.
Choked.
"Oh, is that a secret?"
The director walked over to discuss the plot with them.
"Here, I think Qianhe's acting is excellent, but it's not fierce enough."
"A capricious tyrant, he doesn't possess normal emotions, and initially, he harbors intense hatred for the female lead. He believes the female lead had a relationship with his brother, so he might be venting all his dark emotions and pain onto this woman."
"Therefore, I believe we can push it a bit further."
"It must be to the point where the audience, upon watching, will hate him to the point of grinding their teeth, thinking this scoundrel should be killed with a sword."
"I believe only then will it be considered perfect."
"It needs to evoke the audience's sympathy. That way, there can be a better reversal later."
Ling Qianhe immediately grasped the essence.
"So, you want me to torment her even more?"
"Alright."
"Then how about adding a bed scene here? Drag her onto a chair, pin her down, and treat her more ferociously. What do you think, Director?"
The director had seen it all.
He hadn't expected Ling Qianhe to be so direct.
The director's old face flushed red.
He coughed several times and stammered.
"...It, it could also work."
Lin Muxi hadn't expected Ling Qianhe to give her such a surprise on the first day of filming, going so big!
Ling Qianhe looked at her with an innocent expression.
"It's not me."
"The characters serve the plot."
To hell with the plot!
Shouldn't the plot be about her tormenting Ling Qianhe? How did it turn into her being publicly executed?
She glared into Ling Qianhe's eyes.
And half an hour later.
Filming resumed.
This time, Ling Qianhe's kiss was even more intense than the last.
The handsome young monarch's brow and eyes were both icy. He was too beautiful, too cold and merciless. She was pulled by him, as if she would sink into hell with him at any moment.
She could only gasp for breath.
Her eyes seemed to glimmer with tears.
The director called "Cut!"
Lin Muxi took a deep breath and quickly jumped up to flee.
She wanted to escape!
Ling Qianhe looked at her with a slight upward curve of his lips. He turned to the director.
"Xiao Ci is new, she'll be shy. Next time, let's clear the set. Just me and her on set. I believe she'll perform better that way!"
The director considered it and found it reasonable.
"Alright."
"But you set the boundaries yourselves. Purely tormenting for the sake of tormenting lacks aesthetic appeal."
"A torment that blends with character emotions, a sadism mixed with desire, is the most compelling."
Ling Qianhe nodded slightly, his tone profound.
"Rest assured, I understand."