Chapter 23 The Weird Couples You bunch of weird couple shippers, if you go any crazier…
It's strange to look at your own scandals, but after staring at a few sets of photos for a while, Mo Ningzhi felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
It's true that not everyone can be a celebrity. I wonder if Qin Weijin will be scratching his head when he sees these photos.
Although the photos weren't taken well, this wasn't the first time Mo Ningzhi had trended on social media. Just like last time, none of the photos showed his face, so he could continue to travel with a clear conscience.
The topic trended at the top of the search results and the discussion was getting more and more intense. Mo Ningzhi accidentally clicked into the comments section and was almost blinded by the dazzling comments.
[Qiuqiu Buqiu: This is the second time we've trended on Weibo, ladies! Jin Ge and his assistant have all the delicious combinations of body size difference, height difference, and older man/younger woman doting on each other. I love it to death! Post more photos like this, I love seeing them!]
[Watered-down Marshmallow: That natural shoulder drape, that spontaneous embrace, that tender gaze by the window… a whole host of fanfiction is practically bursting out of my head!]
[Fried Egg Without Egg: Yes, yes, yes, these two's tropes really appeal to me, the domineering top x the spoiled bottom is just too delicious!!!]
[Coriander Thanos: [Image] Doesn't anyone ship this photo? Their flirting on the windowsill is just too tempting! From this angle, they almost kiss! Jin Ge's eyes are so tender they're sickeningly sweet! If they're ever together, I'll do a handstand and eat my shoe!]
[I feel protective of the chocolate: Although I can't see her face clearly, judging from her figure, the assistant must be an incredibly seductive bottom! These poses are so alluring; her butt is even more perky than mine when she's leaning against the window!]
Mo Ningzhi, upon seeing this, was speechless.
This is simply bizarre! Shameful! Huge! Disgraceful!
He can ship weird couples all he wants, there are plenty of unpopular couples in the entertainment industry, he can't just shut them all up. But these people insist on taking their time, categorizing them as top and bottom, slapping a bottom on him without a second thought, calling him a seductive bottom, a top-tier guy. Bullshit. He could knock Qin Weijin's head off with one punch, let him try being the top!
Mo Ningzhi immediately reported those comments.
However, the entry became incredibly popular, and the inflammatory comments were like a swarm of locusts, which Mo Ningzhi gradually couldn't keep up with, let alone report.
Mo Ningzhi opened the camera and looked at her own face. When she frowned, she looked fierce and not someone to be trifled with.
Where was it seduced? Where was it received?
After thinking for a while, he turned the camera around, took a picture of himself clenching his fist, and sent it to Li Yan.
[Li Yan]: ? ?
Mo Ningzhi: Is it ominous or not?
[Li Yan]: ? ? ? ?
When Mo Ningzhi came to his senses, he felt like he was crazy. He had gotten himself into trouble over a few nonsensical words online. He shook his head, deleted the photo, turned off his phone, took a deep breath, and felt a sense of peace wash over him.
After turning off the lights, Mo Ningzhi covered herself with the blanket and fell into a deep sleep in no time.
He was completely absorbed, but Qin Weijin upstairs couldn't sleep.
It was slowly slipping into midnight, and Qin Weijin had only read half of the script in his hand. It should have been a time to be focused, but he didn't know why he was wasting his time browsing trending topics.
They're still looking at their own scandalous gossip.
[Jinbao's Keeper's Diary: Has anyone finally noticed? I already got a glimpse of their sweetness from leaked photos before these pictures even came out. Their interactions are so adorable! I fell for them during their beautiful hug on the cruise ship and I'm totally shipping them now!]
[A cell phone is a second life: I don't know about others, but Pigsy would never put his arm around Sandy's waist like that.]
[A hug, a hug: The interaction between the two is quite interesting. Sharing an umbrella in the rain is absolutely mesmerizing! I wish I could see the assistant's face clearly; no matter how many photos I take, they're all wearing masks. Even without masks, I can't get a clear view of his face. But judging by his physique and demeanor, I have a feeling he's definitely handsome!]
[Chrysanthemum is a gentleman: Speaking rationally, if you disagree, you're right. But I feel like the assistant doesn't seem to like Qin Weijin much. Aside from work hours, she rarely goes near him, but spends most of her time chatting and laughing with Assistant Guo. They seem to have a great relationship, and they even seem like a good match—cool and aloof x cheerful and sunny. I love this dynamic too.]
Seeing this, Qin Weijin's downward movement stopped, and Mo Ningzhi and Xiao Guo also had a couple vibe?
Unconsciously recalling the scene he witnessed while removing his makeup that afternoon, Qin Weijin frowned. Nowadays, young girls are quite unreasonable when it comes to shipping couples. They're all about balanced nutrition and a mix of meat and vegetables. As long as they look pleasing to the eye, they can conjure up a whole love story in their minds.
He clicked on the reply to the comment, and his brow quickly relaxed.
[Odd or uncommon topics are acceptable, but avoid anything bizarre or unorthodox.]
[Get rid of these weird couples.]
[Expel them.]
This generation of netizens is quite discerning.
Qin Weijin was initially somewhat annoyed, but upon seeing this, he suddenly felt enlightened, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the moon. He returned to the top, saved a few photos, and then began to focus on memorizing his lines.
...
"You're saying you slipped? You accidentally touched it? Do you think I'm stupid? Come on, look at my face! Do I look like an idiot?"
The next morning, as soon as they arrived at the film set, they could faintly hear Zhan Linzhou's devastating roar coming from the van.
Mo Ningzhi, Xiao Guo, and Zhang Yuyu had already been forced off the car and were standing around it, preventing anyone from getting close.
"What's wrong?" Zhang Yuyu shrugged in fright. "Manager Zhan is usually so gentle, but he's really scary when he gets angry."
"It seems that Jin accidentally liked a comment on Weibo. Although he quickly unliked it, someone still took a screenshot. Now it seems that the Jin-Ning CP is real."
Mo Ningzhi, leaning to one side: "..."
Why is he involved?
"It's not a big deal, why is Manager Zhan so angry?" Zhang Yuyu glanced into the car.
There's no shortage of gossip online, and the entertainment industry is never short of scoops. Couples in the throes of new love are often exposed for being separated by distance or having broken up. Those who commit crimes cry their hearts out in front of the camera, while those who like to keep their relationships secret always meet in private. If you're not careful, you might be scared to death by a paparazzi hiding among the flowers.
Compared to these, Qin Weijin's slight slip of the hand was hardly a big mistake.
After all, Jin Ge and Mo Ningzhi aren't real either.
However, it's just that netizens are enthusiastically ignoring the issue.
"I don't know, maybe Brother Jin was just being too perfunctory?" Xiao Guo scratched his head.
No sooner had he finished speaking than the car door swung open with a whoosh.
The three turned around. Qin Weijin, who had been acting in a perfunctory manner, came downstairs dressed impeccably. He was all smiles after being scolded, while Zhan Linzhou, who had been scolding him behind him, looked as if he had been caught in a legal mess, with an indescribable frown.
"Are you done cursing? Can I leave now?" Qin Weijin asked.
Zhan Linzhou's face darkened: "Get out, get out. I'm confiscating your Weibo account. Hand over your password and go use a secondary account."
Mo Ningzhi raised an eyebrow in surprise. Qin Weijin's Weibo account was in his own hands, not managed by his studio.
Qin Wei Jin did not refute, and turned to walk into the antique filming location.
Mo Ningzhi stood there stunned for two seconds, then remembered that Qin Weijin hadn't brought anything with him. She took out the script and some necessary items from the car and followed him into the film studio.
A sense of liveliness and hustle and bustle immediately comes to mind.
This is the renowned ancient-style film and television city in the capital, covering a vast area with numerous scenic spots, including palaces with red walls and green tiles, Suzhou gardens with clear waters and lush greenery, Hui-style residences full of ink-wash painting aesthetics, traditional earthen buildings, and elegant water towns. It can accommodate multiple film crews at the same time and has always been a regular location for major film crews.
The filming process is not open to the public, so this was Mo Ningzhi's first time being up close to the filming set.
"Wei Jin is here. Let's change first." Hou Qing smiled as he surveyed the set, wearing a director's vest and covered with a bunch of odds and ends such as walkie-talkies, pens, throat lozenges, and clapperboards. "Today we'll shoot the tenth scene first. This part is relatively simple, so you can get into character."
"good."
After Hou Qing finished speaking, he glanced at Mo Ningzhi, who was looking around behind Qin Weijin, and his heart started to itch again. He leaned closer to Qin Weijin and asked, "Have you discussed that matter with your assistant last time?"
Qin Weijin raised an eyebrow: "What?"
Hou Qing glared at him: "Xiao Zhen's scenes."
"You haven't found any actors yet?" Qin Weijin asked in surprise.
“There’s nothing I can do. Xiao Zhen doesn’t have many scenes. She only appears in the first scene in the later part of the series. The established actors don’t want her. There are a few promising newcomers, but they came from talent shows and are very image-conscious. There are a few scenes where she has to roll around in the mud, and they absolutely refuse to do them themselves, insisting on using a stunt double. Do you think I dare to use them?” Hou Qing slammed the rolled-up script in his hand a few times, anxiously saying, “I think your assistant is quite suitable. She should have good chemistry with you. The pay is negotiable. Can you ask her for me?”
"I'm afraid that won't work," Qin Weijin said helplessly. "He doesn't lack money."
Hou Qing glanced at Mo Ningzhi suspiciously, his scrutinizing gaze so obvious that Mo Ningzhi looked back at him from afar.
Hou Qing withdrew his gaze: "If I had money, would I be your assistant?"
His face clearly showed disbelief.
“I’m not lying to you,” Qin Weijin said. “I had a charity fundraising event before, and he donated seven figures without batting an eye.”
Hou Qing: "Seven figures?"
"Um."
"Then why is he still working as an assistant? What's in it for him?"
Qin Weijin raised his eyes and looked at Mo Ningzhi from afar.
Beneath the dense, lush camphor tree, amidst the swaying shadows, Mo Ningzhi stood tall and slender. His fair skin accentuated his youthful, dashing features. As if sensing the gaze upon him, he slowly raised his eyes, their eyes meeting in the air.
Qin Weijin lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, "Because he's my fan."
...
Qin spent three hours applying makeup to Jin, and after being dressed, he went directly into the scene.
Hou Qing was furious, clutching the script, his loud voice gruff, "Props team! What's with that set of tables and chairs? I repeatedly ordered them to be the same color, why are the cushions black and red? Change them!"
"The cloak isn't right either. There's such a big hole, can't you see it? Is it meant to be used as foot warmers for Qin Weijin?"
Inside the tent, Xu Mingtiao, dressed in red, lifted the tent flap and walked out. Upon hearing this, she chuckled and said, "Director, you can scold people, but could you please stop using so many metaphors? My makeup was just put on, and if I laugh, I'll burst into tears."
She was beautiful, and her red dress made her even more alluring. Hou Qing finally saw something he liked about her and nodded: "The neckline is a little crooked. Have someone fix it. We'll start filming in two minutes."
"OK".
The crew worked quickly, and soon after Hou Qing raised a megaphone and gave a shout, all departments began filming in an orderly manner.
Mo Ningzhi stood under the camphor tree. It was off-camera, cool, and offered a good view, allowing her to clearly see Qin Weijin's performance in front of the camera.
Qin Weijin plays a chivalrous swordsman named Duan Yunfei, who is seventeen years old and grew up in a famine-stricken era when the new emperor was incompetent and taxes were too heavy. The people were suffering. Duan Yunfei entered the martial arts world alone with his sword, seeking justice and revenge. However, he was embroiled in court politics because of a heroic rescue of a damsel in distress, which brought disaster upon his entire family. All 173 members of Duan Family Village died tragically.
Duan Yunfei crawled out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, changed his appearance, passed the imperial examination with top honors, and single-handedly stirred up the political turmoil in the court.
Today's scene is of the newly crowned third-ranking scholar riding through the streets, where he encounters Princess Lin Shixue of the Imperial Court. The princess recognizes Duan Yunfei as the chivalrous hero who saved her a year ago, and she secretly falls in love with him.
At this moment, Duan Yunfei was filled with boundless hatred and only wanted to overthrow the court. He was willing to use the slight affection revealed by the princess to seize an official position for himself.
The story's beginning foreshadowed its tragedy.
However, the reason this drama is called "The Strategist of the Nation" is that the whole drama is about political intrigue. Although there are many romantic storylines, they are all for the purpose of helping the male protagonist, Duan Yunfei, rise rapidly in the court. The highlights and conflicts are enough to attract attention.
Qin Wei Jin was dressed in red, wearing a flower crown on his head and a cluster of red flowers in his hair. He had a face as fair as jade and a graceful figure. When he was expressionless, he did have a somewhat cold and scholarly air about him.
"Your Excellency, please mount your horse." The actor playing the official led over a tall, chestnut horse.
Mo Ningzhi noticed that Hou Qing did not intend to stop him, and was wondering about it when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the crimson brocade robe suddenly billow open in the sunlight, like flames soaring into the sky.
Qin Wei Jin firmly placed one foot on the stirrup, lightly flicked the reins with his long arm, and smoothly dismounted amidst the fluttering of his robe. His movements were clean and swift, and the horse reared up and neighed as he stood steadily on the saddle.
Mo Ningzhi: "..."
He looked away and tilted his head to drink some water.
Although I don't want to admit it, Qin Weijin's movements were quite cool, and the color of his official robe suited him well, making him look exceptionally handsome.
...Qin Weijin does look a little more handsome when filming than usual.
The scene took twenty minutes to film. Qin Weijin and Xu Mingtiao are both veteran actors, so it was easy for them to get it right in one take.
As Qin Weijin left the camera's view, the makeup artist went over, and Mo Ningzhi came up to him and helped him unbutton his collar.
As soon as he got close, Qin Weijin slowly opened his arms and embraced him, as if waiting for someone to rush into his arms.
Mo Ningzhi paused, slowing her pace slightly. "Brother Jin, would you like some water first?"
"No need, we're about to film the next scene, let's change clothes first." Qin Weijin still had his arms outstretched.
Mo Ningzhi paused, then stepped between his arms and lowered his eyes to unbutton the buttons. The buttons were difficult to open, so he had to tilt his head and get closer before finally managing to open them after a long struggle.
"Why are your hands shaking? Is it that hard to solve?" The voice came from above.
"..." Mo Ningzhi was still struggling with the second button. Hearing this, she took a moment to glance at him and said, "Jin-ge knows how hard it is to undo these buttons, so don't rush me."
If this weren't a costume, he would have gone straight for the scissors.
Qin Weijin glanced at him with his eyes lowered, showing no restraint in his temper when he was anxious.
"Alright." Just five minutes later, Mo Ningzhi released her grip and took two steps back.
"Is the makeup team ready?"
"One minute! Oh dear, why is this shirt so wrinkled? I'm wearing it again this afternoon." The makeup artist walked around to Qin Weijin and exclaimed in surprise, "Xiao Guo, Xiao Guo, come and help me iron it."
Mo Ningzhi: "..."
He glanced at Qin Weijin's chest; it was indeed wrinkled, the fabric a complete mess from his handling.
"Don't feel guilty." After the makeup artist left, Qin Weijin said, "Just practice more."
Who wants to practice this? Mo Ningzhi forced a smile, "Thank you, Brother Jin, you really know how to comfort people."
Don't try to comfort me next time.
Qin was speechless for Jin: "..."
The first day of filming lasted until 8 p.m., and it was even later after removing makeup. But Mo Ningzhi didn't expect that even so late, there were still a large number of fans waiting for Qin Weijin to get off work outside the set.
"Brother Jin!"
"For Jin!"
"husband!!!"
A barrage of screams assaulted them.
Qin Weijin turned around as he walked towards the car and walked to the fans. "It's late, everyone go home."
"It's not too late! It's not too late at all!"
"Look here, it's Jin. Could you sign your name for me?"
"Little assistant! Little assistant! I want to see you and your little assistant being all lovey-dovey!"
"Ahhhhh, my handsome husband's other husband!!"
Mo Ningzhi: "..."
What if you guys who ship weird couples got any crazier?
He pursed his lips, lowered his eyes, and pulled his mask up a little. His expression looked cold, but his ears were flushed with a faint blush.
A note from the author:
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