Chapter 56: Unconventional Tastes

Lian Youyou sat down and picked up a large chopstickful of stir-fried greens for Zhao Qingqing. "Sister, try my cooking and see how it is."

The assistant director glanced down at the script. "Did Lian Youyou change her lines herself?"

Director Li placed his hand over the assistant director's script, signaling him not to call cut. "The changes are excellent. Let’s keep going. Changing it from Wang Xian and Chen Zhao eating together, to Wang Xian serving food to Chen Zhao first, makes Wang Xian appear even more courteous."

"This..." Zhao Qingqing's expression stiffened, her smile frozen on her face.

Why did they change the script?

She cast a furtive sidelong glance at the director, hoping he would call a halt.

But the director showed no sign of stopping at all...

"Sister, what's wrong? Are you worried your little sister's cooking will taste bad?" Lian Youyou smiled. "Don't let my efforts go to waste."

As she spoke, Lian Youyou added another helping of greens to Zhao Qingqing's bowl.

Zhao Qingqing's hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly, caught between a rock and a hard place.

If she ate, Fan Xiaoyun's heavy dose of wasabi would burn her alive.

If she didn't, it would be as good as a confession—she'd give herself away.

Director Li raised his megaphone and urged, "Eat up! Keep acting according to this new direction!"

What should she do now...

She could feel the director and Lian Youyou's gazes bearing down on her—both were watching a good show. The former with amusement, the latter with delight.

Right now, Zhao Qingqing regretted not stopping Fan Xiaoyun's mischief earlier.

But she had no choice now—she had to eat!

Slowly, Zhao Qingqing opened her mouth and put a piece of the greens in.

"Sister, do you like it?" Lian Youyou's eyes curved with genuine delight.

The wasabi's pungency was harsh and piercing. The moment it hit her throat, it flooded her sinuses and shot straight to her head.

Zhao Qingqing's nose and eyes ran uncontrollably. She pressed a handkerchief to her face, trying to maintain some dignity.

"Sister, why are you crying? Is it because I've treated you too well, and it's made your conscience uneasy?" Lian Youyou's delicate hand adjusted the jade hairpin in her hair, her smile no longer warm and lively, but laced with a hint of malice.

Rising slowly, Lian Youyou walked behind Zhao Qingqing, bracing her hands on the table and leaning in close. "This is just a small warning. I had someone put a little something in the food; it will cause you some discomfort, but it won't endanger your life. Let this remind you to distinguish right from wrong and not to have private dealings with General Wang. The people I despise most are traitors like you! The Second Prince has always been good to your father—don’t bring ruin upon yourself by trying to be too clever!"

"Cut! That’s a wrap!"

At last, Zhao Qingqing heard the long-awaited "cut." She wiped her runny nose and eyes, pointing at Lian Youyou and shouting, "Lian Youyou, how dare you—"

"Qingqing, that was amazing!" Director Li interrupted her, visibly excited. "That was your best, most natural performance yet!"

"What?"

"Qingqing, Youyou, when did you two conspire to improvise the script?" Director Li squinted, grinning. "Were you trying to surprise us? Not bad at all! But next time, if you want to change the script, you have to discuss it with me beforehand, understood?"

"Yes, Director!" Lian Youyou replied with a triumphant smile. "We thought that since this scene was about Wang Xian using a meal to warn Chen Zhao not to betray Zhao Dezhao, it would be better to show Wang Xian taking the initiative. It makes her methods seem subtler and shows that she's not the soft-hearted Wang Xian of the past."

Director Li nodded in approval.

Seeing Lian Youyou shamelessly taking credit for the prank, Zhao Qingqing's forcibly restrained gaze turned cold and sharp.

The makeup artist approached Zhao Qingqing with a brush. "Qingqing, let me touch up your makeup..."

"Get lost!" With nowhere else to vent her anger, Zhao Qingqing shoved the makeup artist aside and stormed off.

She swept toward Fan Xiaoyun like a gust of wind.

Fan Xiaoyun was still holding her phone, pouting and posing for a close selfie with a male actor.

"Fan Xiaoyun, this is all your fault!" Zhao Qingqing's face was flushed crimson, as if she'd applied too much rouge.

The male actor, quick to read the room, realized Zhao Qingqing was here for a fight and made a hasty excuse to withdraw from the scene.

Fan Xiaoyun set down her phone, feigning nonchalance. "What's with your tone?"

"You know exactly why!" Zhao Qingqing was furious. "This was your rotten idea! Lian Youyou didn't get what she deserved, but I nearly died from the spice!"

"How could that be?"

How did Lian Youyou know?

While the two of them were still baffled, the makeup artist whom Zhao Qingqing had just shoved aside approached them, raising her fist. "Miss Fan, this is from Youyou."

She opened her hand to reveal a neatly folded note.

"What trick is Lian Youyou up to now?"

Fan Xiaoyun unfolded the note. In precise handwriting, it read: 'These childish tricks are getting old. Next time, try something more creative.'

At the filming table, Coco picked up a stray bit of greens and popped it in her mouth.

"Wow, that's spicy!" Coco covered her mouth. "Youyou, how did you know something was in the food without tasting it?"

Lian Youyou whispered, "The props master told me just now."

Fan Xiaoyun thought that by currying favor with so many people in the crew, she could bully Lian Youyou at will. But in reality, Lian Youyou was much more popular. From the director and scriptwriter down to extras and staff, everyone enjoyed her company.

People aren't fools. They can tell a fake smile from a genuine one.

As for those who cozied up to Fan Xiaoyun, they were just opportunists hoping to ride the coattails of a second-generation star.

...

Lian Youyou's scenes wrapped up early that day, and she finished at dusk.

It was rush hour, and the downtown roads were jammed solid. Quan Qing’er’s house was right in the heart of the city, making the traffic even more unmovable.

Riding an e-bike would probably be faster...

Winter days are short, and by the time Lian Youyou's car crawled to Quan Qing’er’s doorstep, night had already fallen.

The villa was engulfed in darkness, with not a single light shining.

"Not home?"

Lian Youyou murmured to herself as she stood at the door.

Since losing her child, Quan Qing’er hadn't answered Lian Youyou's calls. It was rumored that Yunyan Entertainment had frozen her, and the drama Quan Qing’er was filming was now facing massive penalty fees for breach of contract due to incomplete shooting.

After ringing the doorbell, it took about half a minute before a lazy voice sounded from the intercom. "Lian Youyou, after all that's happened, what do you want?"

So Quan Qing’er must have seen her through the door camera.

"Qing’er, can you let me in first before I explain? I'm freezing out here," Lian Youyou pleaded pitifully.

Judging by her tone, Quan Qing’er seemed deeply resentful now...

She waited a long time, but the door remained shut.

It seemed Quan Qing’er didn't want to see her.

Lian Youyou turned to leave, but then heard the groan of iron hinges behind her.

The villa door swung open, and under the dim light, Quan Qing’er appeared, draped in a white floral cheongsam that revealed her slender, fragile figure. A shawl hung over her arms, and her makeup-free face was pale and sickly.

"You came?" Quan Qing’er leaned against the doorframe.

Lian Youyou entered with her gift. "Why are you dressed so lightly? You—"

You're still weak, you should rest more...

The words caught in her throat.

"Don't pretend to be kind here."

Quan Qing’er switched on the crystal chandelier in the living room and walked inside, while Lian Youyou thick-skinnedly trailed after her.

The house was a mess. Clothes were strewn across the sofa, the floor, the rocking chair—everywhere. The dining table was piled with instant noodle cups and takeout containers.

She didn't seem to be doing well lately...

Watching Quan Qing’er sit on the sofa, smoking a slender cigarette from a vintage holder, Lian Youyou was struck by déjà vu.

"Have you ever watched your mother, Lian Meng's 'For the Sake of the King'?" Quan Qing’er exhaled a cloud of smoke in Lian Youyou's face. "This dress, this cigarette holder—it's Lian Meng's iconic look in the series. Most of my clothes are styled after hers."

No wonder it all felt so familiar!

"I'm really tired. The man I loved most wanted me to dress like his ex-wife, look like his ex-wife. In the end, I was just a stand-in," Quan Qing’er gave a bitter laugh. "These years, who have I really been living for?"

So Fan Chi was the one who made her dress like this?

Fan Chi wanted Quan Qing’er to look like the woman she used to be—didn’t he find it disturbing, like seeing a ghost? Who knew he had such a taste—it was truly twisted.

Lian Youyou set the gift on the coffee table, feeling a bit guilty. "I didn't kill Boren, but Boren died because of me. I'm sorry about your child... Please take care of yourself... I'll go now..."

"You came all this way, stay and talk with me," Quan Qing’er called out as Lian Youyou stood to leave.

The two sat in silence, neither starting a conversation. Lian Youyou watched as Quan Qing’er smoked three cigarettes in a row.

Apart from that rotten man Fan Chi, it seemed they had nothing in common to talk about...

An awkward silence filled the room.

"Lian Youyou, do you hate Fan Chi, or do you hate me?" Finally, Quan Qing’er set down her cigarette holder. "I've been wondering: did you scheme to lure me into revealing my relationship with Fan Chi to get back at him for betraying your mother, or to get back at me for exploiting your mother's fame?"