After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows
Chapter 382 - 373: Learn Not to Wrong Yourself

Chapter 382: Chapter 373: Learn Not to Wrong Yourself

Arriving at the door, Xu Ling’an gently tugged on Jiang Lingxi’s sleeve, hesitating to speak, "Sister..."

Jiang Lingxi raised her hand to knock on the door. When Lu Zhengzheng inside opened it, she took the opportunity to lead them in.

Lu Zhengzheng saw Xu Ling’an and casually handed over a pair of slippers, "Sister Xixi, An’an, how was it? Did the recognition banquet go smoothly?"

The two being questioned exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

For them, it did indeed go quite smoothly.

As for the other side, whether it went smoothly or not, they didn’t know.

"Zhengzheng, can you order some supper for An’an and me?"

Although she had stuffed herself at the dinner table, Xu Ling’an, as the absolute protagonist of this recognition banquet, hardly ate anything other than what she and Gao Lan spoon-fed her.

"Ah, okay!" Lu Zhengzheng was momentarily stunned before turning to pick up the phone on the coffee table to place an order, "I was kind of thinking of eating something too."

Jiang Lingxi pulled Xu Ling’an to sit on the sofa, pouring a glass of water and handing it over.

"What were you hesitating about just now?"

"I was unsure whether to stay in that well-decorated room," Xu Ling’an looked down at the rippling water in the cup, which seemed to reflect her turbulent heart, "From the pictures, I could tell how much effort went into it. But if I actually go and stay there, Mr. Zhang’s family might not be happy."

"No, but sister, don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I’m afraid of them being unhappy, it’s mainly because..."

Jiang Lingxi interrupted her hesitations, speaking coldly, "You’re afraid the old man will notice the dissatisfaction of the eldest son’s family over the room and get upset. You think simply not staying would mean fewer issues."

Xu Ling’an pursed her lips and nodded lightly, "Yes, he’s already so old, and getting upset is bad for his health."

Jiang Lingxi couldn’t help but reach out to ruffle her hair, "You, with so many considerations at such a young age. Be careful or you’ll never grow tall from worrying too much!"

Xu Ling’an: "...I’m already eighteen!"

"In my eyes, eighteen is still a child," Jiang Lingxi said, glancing at her phone which had lit up to indicate a new message. She held it without checking who sent it, "And they’re already dissatisfied. Whether you stay or not makes no difference, because the house is already there."

Xu Ling’an silently lowered her eyes.

Jiang Lingxi looked at her silent profile and straightforwardly questioned, "Have you ever thought about why the eldest son’s family of the old man is hostile towards you?"

Xu Ling’an hesitated before nodding.

Jiang Lingxi broke her indecision, "So in their hearts, they have placed you on the opposing side from the very start. Perhaps even before the recognition banquet, when they became aware of your existence, the hostility began. They are wary that you might vie for the old man’s favor, vie for the Zhang family’s inheritance..."

Xu Ling’an quickly shook her head, "I don’t want any inheritance!"

Jiang Lingxi shook her head with a smile, "Silly girl, why not? You’ve already sensed the old man’s guilt towards you. He’s even being careful around you, eager to make up for it. Whatever he gives you, accept it with peace of mind. If you refuse, he might think you haven’t genuinely accepted him as an elder."

Turning down what’s offered proactively is like someone who, in a past life, had to fight to win over Dayin!

"Is that so?"

"An’an, sometimes, one doesn’t have to be overly understanding. Your grandmother might have taught you before to occasionally compromise and step back to see the bigger picture, and as long as everything goes smoothly, it’s fine. But I, however, feel that in this world, one should live more freely. Because for some people, your retreat is enabling their encroachment. Didn’t I just punch Zhang Lingzhou in front of everyone today? Did he dare to say anything? His parents didn’t dare say a word either. An’an, you now have confidence, so don’t compromise yourself by only considering everyone else, okay?"

"I’ll go reply to a message, take your time to think about it. Have some supper before going back to rest."

Xu Ling’an watched Jiang Lingxi’s figure disappear behind the door, only then feeling the warmth in her eyes.

When Lu Zhengzheng returned after ordering supper, she was startled to see Xu Ling’an’s somewhat reddened eyes, "What’s wrong? Did Sister Xixi say something to you?"

"No, no," Xu Ling’an shook her head vigorously, as if trying to shake off all the chaotic worries from her mind, "I just figured some things out."

Lu Zhengzheng immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "That’s good, I can’t even imagine what Sister Xixi is like when scolding someone in private."

She still remembered on set, there was a scene where Emperor Yuan Zhao was punishing a minister who was stubbornly refusing to admit his guilt. The actor playing the minister had weakened knees and knelt down just by getting a light glance from Sister Xixi before even delivering his lines.

After that scene ended, they needed an assistant to help him up.

*

In the bedroom, Jiang Lingxi read the message sent by Shen Yunqing and replied: [Just talked with An’an for a while, back at the hotel now.]

Shen Yunqing sat cross-legged in front of a low table. Seeing the phone light up, he gestured to Wu Jue, with whom he was having a video call, to pause, and picked up the phone to type.

[What do you think of the other members of the Zhang family?]

[Not much.]

Seeing those three words, Shen Yunqing immediately understood.

So nothing about the Zhang family was mentioned further, [I’m going to the set tomorrow for the wrap-up scene.]

Jiang Lingxi stared blankly at the message, surprised.

She hadn’t had time to look at tomorrow’s schedule; did Prime Minister Shen’s scenes already wrap up?

Hearing Lu Zhengzheng call her out for supper, her thoughts were interrupted.

[Let’s talk when we meet tomorrow.]

[Okay, rest early.]

[You too.]

Coming out of the bedroom, Jiang Lingxi glanced at the supper already laid on the table, while Lu Zhengzheng and Xu Ling’an obediently sat, waiting for her to join them.

She sat down and accepted the chopsticks Xu Ling’an handed her, "Zhengzheng, show me tomorrow’s schedule."

Lu Zhengzheng went to the entryway, rummaged through her bag for the schedule, and handed it over, saying, "Oh right, Sister Xixi, I haven’t told you yet, tomorrow, Prime Minister Shen’s scenes wrap up."

"I already knew." Jiang Lingxi murmured to herself, staring at the densely packed schedule printed on the sheet, focusing on the words next to Prime Minister Shen’s name, "How did they wrap up so quickly!"

Lu Zhengzheng and Xu Ling’an couldn’t help but exchange glances.

Don’t you realize how seamlessly you and Mr. Shen interact on screen?

Lu Zhengzheng, having accompanied the entire process, felt she had the authority to remind quietly, "Sister Xixi, if I remember correctly, you and Mr. Shen haven’t had a single NG in your scenes together since the very beginning."

Sometimes they could even spontaneously improvise without the director ever shouting cut.

Jiang Lingxi: "..."

It seems that’s indeed the case.

After all, for the other actors, it’s just a script.

But for her and Shen Yunqing, it had unknowingly become a part of their deeply ingrained past.

How could it not be familiar and smooth!

"Also, Director Wei posted a reminder in the work group today, not sure if you saw it, Sister Xixi," Lu Zhengzheng said while opening the group chat on her phone, "The scenes here at the Imperial City film studio will be done in a few days, and our crew will then move to the next location. Next, we’ll be filming the scenes set outside the frontier."

Jiang Lingxi took the phone Lu Zhengzheng handed over, "The next stop is Liangchuan?"

"Yeah, yeah, I even deliberately looked it up. There’s one half prairie and one half desert there, plus the origin of Lijiang, with its vast and spectacular autumn views. It’s my first time going there. But, it seems the living conditions aren’t great, and the sun is quite strong. I should stock up on sunscreen and some appetite-boosting snacks."

Jiang Lingxi cast her a glance, "You’re treating it like a vacation?"

"Haha," Lu Zhengzheng laughed dryly, "Just a side thing!"

Xu Ling’an felt a bit down, "Then I probably can’t go."

It’s quite likely that when her sister goes with the crew to Liangchuan, she’ll be heading off to university.

Lu Zhengzheng comfortingly patted her shoulder, "By then I can send you Lijiang’s beautiful scenery every day, along with Sister Xixi’s photos."

Xu Ling’an: "..." She didn’t feel comforted at all!