THE DRAMA BEGINS

As Bai Jia'an spoke, her spirit seemed to wane; she unconsciously sniffled, and even her eyes reddened. Zhao Tingting couldn't help but avert her gaze, glancing elsewhere. If she continued watching Bai Jia'an, she feared she might burst out laughing. 

"So, that's how it is. Bai Nuanxi truly disgusts me," Zhao Tingting said, inwardly thankful that Bai Nuanxi wasn't present. Badmouthing the boss... she certainly hadn't mastered that art yet.

Bai Jia'an touched the corner of her eye with her finger, tears brimming as she said, "I'm so sorry. If you're willing, I can sign under your name to compensate for the losses my sister caused you."

Zhao Tingting maintained a profound and inscrutable expression. "Well... I'll need to see how your acting is. If your performance doesn't meet the mark, I won't accept it. Bai Nuanxi was already an unexpected case; I don't want a second one."

Bai Jia'an, as expected, widened her eyes in disbelief. The opportunity she had longed for, dreamt of, was now effortlessly laid before her. "Are you serious?"

"What, don't you trust me?"

"No, no, how could I not? I'll do my best!"

Zhao Tingting nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll be watching the first scene's shoot in a bit. You go prepare for the promotional video."

"Okay, Miss Zhao," Bai Jia'an replied eagerly before turning and leaving.

Watching this girl, whose head seemed filled with fantasies of unexpected fortune, Zhao Tingting could only think she deserved to be played for a fool.

Meanwhile, Bai Nuanxi had already completed the promotional video shoot. The female lead was ready, and the first scene was just an introductory gameplay scene for the female lead, so there was nothing for the male lead to do. He didn't bother coming today and would only join the shoot for the main drama and promotional video tomorrow.

Since the holographic online game was being filmed within the game itself, Bai Nuanxi stepped into the gaming pod. The character had already been preset for her, and the first scene was a combat sequence.

All of Bai Nuanxi's actions within the game were projected onto a large screen, captured by cameras from every 360-degree angle, with the rest left to post-production editing. 

In the holographic online game, the martial arts moves were not entirely preset by the game. They were designed to conserve the player's strength. For example, if in reality, a kick would consume ten points of stamina, in the game, it would only consume five, and so on.

Seeing a spider-like monster suddenly appear in front of her, Bai Nuanxi leapt on the spot, her flaming whip wrapping around the creature's front legs. Using the momentum, she vaulted onto the spider-like monster's back and drew the dagger from her waist—

A single strike killed it!

After slaying the spider, Bai Nuanxi tilted her head slightly, casting a rebellious smile in a certain direction behind her. 

That one smile caused Director Wang to pause; Bai Nuanxi had managed to find the main camera angle even in a virtual game! 

This was truly astonishing. 

Whether it was her strong camera sense or just a habitual response, Director Wang couldn't be sure.

Emerging from the gaming pod, Bai Nuanxi's body was drenched in nutrient fluid, but she nonchalantly ran a hand through her hair, pushing her bangs back, revealing a full forehead.

She wrung the nutrient fluid from her clothes and looked at Bai Jia'an. "Sumin, bring me my juice."

"You should take a shower first," Bai Jia'an, playing Sumin, didn't immediately fetch the juice but instead tried to dissuade her.

The disdain in her eyes didn't escape Bai Nuanxi's notice.

Bai Nuanxi snorted coldly. "Do I need you to teach me?"

Then, Bai Nuanxi's entire demeanor changed abruptly. "If I tell you to go, go quickly!"

Sumin clenched her fists. Being suppressed by someone she despised and looked down upon, who could remain calm?

"Cut! What are you doing, actress? Say your lines! Who are you showing that displeased face to?" Director Wang was displeased.

In the play, Sumin was set to be a weak person, someone who would always meekly comply whenever Xia Feiwan, played by Bai Nuanxi, spoke. But look at how Bai Jia'an had portrayed the character!

"Did you even read the script carefully?" Director Wang slammed his hand on the table. If this person wasn't recommended by the Ji Group, he would have kicked her out of the crew long ago. With such lousy acting skills, how did she have the audacity to be such an eyesore here?

"I... I did read it," Bai Jia'an stammered, her face paling as she tried to salvage something, "Maybe I didn't see it clearly or didn't understand it fully. It's all my fault this time. I'm truly sorry."

"Hmph, your acting isn't great, but you sure have a temper!" Director Wang rolled his eyes, not intending to guide Bai Jia'an at all. Just let her be this bad; sooner or later, he'd find an excuse to kick her out of the crew!

Director Wang slammed his hand on the table. "Alright! Ready for the second take of the first scene, actors in position!"

Bai Jia'an struggled to adjust her state. She could see Director Wang's dissatisfaction with her, and if not for needing to use his name for now, she would have turned her back on him long ago!

"Bai Jia'an, have you ever heard of acting pressure?" Bai Nuanxi sat in her chair, looking at her with a half-smile.

"What do you mean?" Bai Jia'an's heart tightened.

"Don't be silly. With our kind of relationship, it's already a fight to the death," Bai Nuanxi said, ruffling her hair and catching Bai Jia'an's strands with her fingertips. Bai Jia'an cried out in pain, looking up at Bai Nuanxi.

Her dark, abyss-like eyes were now filled with venom, like a vengeful ghost emerging from hell, sending chills down one's spine.

"Second take of the first scene, action!" With Bai Nuanxi's rise, the director's command came, and Bai Nuanxi immediately said, "Sumin, what use do I have for you?" The seemingly soft words struck like a blunt sword, piercing straight into the heart. The muffled sound, coupled with its unspoken lethal intent, made Bai Jia'an instantly feel that this person before her...

She wasn't human...

She was a vengeful spirit that hadn't been reborn from hell!

She would kill me.

This was the only thought in Bai Jia'an's mind.

"No... don't kill me!" Bai Jia'an immediately stepped back, fell to the ground, and then roared out!

Bai Nuanxi looked bewildered, reaching out to help Bai Jia'an up, "What's wrong with you?"

But Bai Jia'an refused to accept the kindness, slapping Bai Nuanxi's hand away. "Get away from me!"

Bai Nuanxi looked bewildered at Director Wang.

Director Wang, now red with anger, waved his hand. Bai Nuanxi knew that if Bai Jia'an were in front of Director Wang now, she'd probably be dead.

"That's enough filming for today!" Director Wang stormed off, phone in hand.

He definitely needed to have a good talk with the people at Ji Group!

Accepting someone into the crew against the rules was already the limit, and now this backdoor entry had the nerve to act so high and mighty?!