Chapter 26
Lu Xiao smiled like a child who had secretly eaten honey. He liked her "troublesome" behavior, which was contradictory, because behind every "trouble" was her quiet protection.
During a break, Lu Xiao sat on a folding chair next to Zhuo Hua, holding the script and muttering his lines for the next scene. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead from his concentration. Zhuo Hua glanced at him, then casually picked up a small fan prepared by the assistant and blew it on him.
The fan wasn't blowing much air and was a bit noisy. Zhuohua frowned almost imperceptibly. Too noisy.
She casually tapped the fan switch with her fingertip.
Buzz...
The fan noise vanished instantly! But the fan blades continued to spin at high speed! The wind that blew out became exceptionally gentle and quiet, carrying a barely perceptible coolness like a mountain breeze, precisely enveloping Lu Xiao.
Lu Xiao felt a perfectly cool breeze brush against his face, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees, instantly dispelling the heat of memorizing words and making his mind much clearer.
He squinted comfortably, like a cat being stroked, and turned his head to give Zhuohua a big, bright smile: "Zhuohua! This breeze is so nice! It's not noisy at all!"
Zhuohua ignored him, picked up a washed grape beside her, and slowly peeled it, as if the modified silent fan had nothing to do with her. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the awning, dancing on her long eyelashes.
As Lu Xiao watched her quietly peel grapes, a flutter in his heart grew wildly like a vine. He put down his script, his bright, glassy eyes gazing at her with a childlike, eager look.
"Zhuohua, the next scene is about me discovering an important clue and coming to discuss it with you! I've memorized all my lines! I'll definitely nail it in one take! I won't delay your wrap-up!"
Zhuohua put the peeled, glistening grape flesh into her mouth, and upon hearing this, turned her head to glance at him. Her gaze was calm and expressionless, yet it seemed to carry a barely perceptible hint of...satisfaction?
"Mmm," she responded softly.
Lu Xiao's heart was instantly filled with that light "hmm". He picked up the script and memorized it even more diligently, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.
The hustle and bustle of the film set and the scorching heat of the sun seemed to be kept out of his and Zhuohua's small, cool, and sweet corner.
Director Chen watched this scene from afar, observing Lu Xiao's energetic state and Zhuo Hua's nonchalant "my kid is so easy to take care of" attitude, and once again shook his head and sighed:
"A godsend! Absolutely a godsend! This filming was...like a vacation!"
The filming of "Under the Blue Sky" concluded in a strange, efficient, and sweet atmosphere.
At the wrap party, Director Chen, his face flushed from drinking, patted Lu Xiao on the shoulder and repeatedly mumbled "Chosen One Chen Yan" and "Boundless Future" with a thick tongue. He then raised his glass in the direction of Zhuo Hua, his eyes filled with awe and gratitude.
The crew members also toasted and congratulated the "chosen couple" who seemed to have an innate "cooling barrier" and the ability to "get it right in one take".
Lu Xiao had drunk quite a bit; his cheeks were flushed, and his eyes shone like they were filled with stars. He remained glued to Zhuo Hua.
Zhuohua remained calm and composed, only symbolically touching her lips to the wine. She sat quietly most of the time, occasionally "evaporating" half of the wine that was poured too full into Lu Xiao's glass when he was a little dizzy from being drunk.
As the hustle and bustle subsided, Xingyao's van carried the two away from the brightly lit film studio and into the depths of the bustling city night.
Lu Xiao, feeling tipsy, leaned back in the comfortable seat, his head bobbing up and down. Finally, unable to hold on any longer, he gently slumped onto Zhuo Hua's shoulder, his breathing even and deep, as he fell into a deep sleep.
Zhuohua glanced at the fluffy head on her shoulder, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. The smell of alcohol mingled with the young man's unique, clean, and sunny aura—it was a bit…troublesome.
But she didn't push him away; she simply adjusted her posture to make him more stable. Her fingertips unconsciously brushed against his slightly feverish forehead, and a wisp of warm and peaceful spiritual energy silently seeped in, dispelling the discomfort brought on by the alcohol.
The car drove into the underground parking lot of Xingyao Building.
The driver brought the car to a stop and said respectfully, "Mr. Lu, Miss Zhuohua, we've arrived."
Lu Xiao woke up groggily and realized that he had slept on Zhuo Hua's shoulder the whole way. He was immediately embarrassed and his face turned red. He sat up hurriedly and stammered an apology: "I...I'm sorry, Zhuo Hua! I...I fell asleep...and maybe I pressed down on you?"
Zhuohua didn't say anything, but simply stretched his shoulders, which were a little sore from being used as a pillow, and got out of the car. His movements were swift and decisive, as if he were merely brushing off a fallen leaf.
The two stepped into the elevator leading to the upper floors. The building's parking lot was empty and quiet late at night, with only the low hum of the elevator.
Lu Xiao was mostly sober, but the lingering excitement and a slightly tipsy sweetness remained. He stood next to Zhuo Hua, secretly watching their reflections in the smooth mirror of the elevator, feeling a sense of peace and tranquility.
The elevator doors slowly closed and began to ascend.
Just then, the elevator doors on the other side opened with a "ding". A stylish, tall, and slender young man strode in, carrying a paper bag with a luxury brand logo on it.
He looked to be in his early twenties, with flaxen hair and handsome features, but there was an undeniable weariness and... a faint sense of gloom between his brows.
The man pressed the button for the 15th floor, then stood on the other side of the elevator, his gaze casually sweeping over Lu Xiao and Zhuo Hua. When his gaze landed on Zhuo Hua, he clearly paused for a moment, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes, but he quickly looked away, lowering his head to fiddle with his phone, appearing somewhat absent-minded.
The elevator ascended smoothly, and the small space was quiet except for the red numbers flashing on the electronic screen.
Lu Xiao didn't pay much attention to the stranger, still immersed in the joy of wrapping up filming and the sweet glances he stole at Zhuo Hua.
Zhuohua turned her head slightly, her gaze calmly falling on the young man. Her eyes were indifferent, yet they possessed a penetrating power that seemed to see right into the depths of a person's soul.
The man seemed to sense the unusual gaze, raised his head, and looked at Zhuohua with some confusion.
The moment their eyes met, Zhuohua spoke, her voice clear and calm, yet as distinct as an ice crystal falling in the silent elevator car:
Have you done anything wrong lately?
boom--!
These words struck like a thunderbolt, hitting the small elevator space hard!
Lu Xiao was instantly stunned. He turned sharply to look at Zhuo Hua, then at the equally bewildered young man, and the drunkenness completely vanished! Zhuo Hua… what was she saying?!
The young man was caught off guard by the question, and his expression changed several times in an instant, from confusion to astonishment, and then to a hint of panic and... annoyance at being offended!
He frowned, his tone clearly displeased: "Miss, what do you mean? I don't know you, do I? What wrong have you done? This is ridiculous!"
He instinctively gripped the paper bag in his hand, his body tensed slightly, his eyes darting away, no longer daring to meet Zhuohua's all-seeing gaze.
Zhuohua ignored his denial and anger. Her gaze remained fixed on him, especially on his left shoulder.
In her newly opened "heavenly eye" vision, a very thin black phantom, exuding a strong aura of resentment and unwillingness, was lying on the young man's shoulder!
The illusory image was made of viscous ink, its shape blurry and distorted. The outline of a curled-up woman could be vaguely seen, her empty, scarlet eyes staring intently at the back of the man's neck. Invisible black resentment, like cold tentacles, wrapped around the man's shoulders and neck, slowly and greedily drawing away his life force and... luck!
This is not a vengeful ghost seeking revenge, but rather a "vengeful shadow" that is temporarily formed due to intense resentment. Its power is weak and cannot directly harm people, but if it stays with someone for a long time, it will bring bad luck, make them listless, and even attract something worse.
Zhuohua had no interest in this level of filth. Annihilating it would not help her regain her power. But... she glanced out of the corner of her eye at Lu Xiao, who was tense and looking bewildered beside her.
Although the vengeful shadow was faint, the cold and filthy aura it emitted instinctively made her dislike it. More importantly, it was too close to Lu Xiao. This mortal body was easily tainted by such unclean things.
trouble.
She stopped talking nonsense. Just as the young man, filled with doubt and uncertainty, was about to question her again—
Zhuohua moved!
It was as fast as lightning! It even left a trail of afterimages!
She brought her right index and middle fingers together, and instantly a wisp of pure, icy blue divine light, as if formed from solidified ice, enveloped her fingertips! The light was not dazzling, but it carried a chilling aura that purified all evil!
Drawing symbols in mid-air!
A fingertip traced a mysterious and unpredictable path in the void! The icy blue divine light left an extremely complex, ancient and majestic rune phantom in the air! The rune seemed to be carved from the purest ice, carrying the will to suppress all evil spirits!
go!
Zhuohua gently tapped the young man's left shoulder with her fingertip!
The icy blue rune phantom seemed to possess life, instantly traversing space and imprinting itself with unparalleled precision onto the black, resentful shadow clinging to the man's shoulder!
"Ugh—!!!"
A piercing scream, so shrill it seemed to exist only in the soul, was like countless steel needles stabbing into the eardrums!
Although Lu Xiao and the young man couldn't hear the voice, they simultaneously felt an indescribable, chilling coldness from the depths of their souls and a violent heart palpitation! It was as if something extremely terrifying had been instantly choked by their throats!
The lights on the top of the elevator flickered violently a few times, emitting a crackling electrical sound!
Under the horrified gazes of Lu Xiao and the young man—
Above the young man's left shoulder, a thick, dark shadow, as dark as ink, sizzled and twisted violently, like an ice cube being thrown into boiling oil, making a hissing sound.
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