After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety
Chapter 166: Let Me Show You First

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Let Me Show You First

With the initial Empress vibe setting the stage, the photographer in charge of the costume photoshoot thought he could now control his involuntary weakness in the legs.

That was until the ’Empress’ changed into military attire, holding an unsheathed sword, the tip and her gaze aimed directly at the camera. Standing behind the lens, his hand couldn’t help but tremble, nearly dropping the valuable equipment.

When Director Wei finally said it was okay, the photographer put down the equipment and immediately pulled out a tissue to wipe the sweat that had appeared on his face due to nerves.

For the first time, he felt that earning this money was really hard work!

Jiang Lingxi sheathed the sword, walked over to the photographer who was still calming his heartbeat, "Thank you for your hard work."

The experience of battles in a past life was too profound; she really couldn’t hold back when the sword was drawn just now.

"Not hard, not hard at all, you’re too polite."

Wei Xiao looked at the two of them, then at the photos on the computer screen, rubbing his chin in contemplation.

When the first set of costume photos came out, he thought choosing the palace attire would be good enough.

When the second set came, the Empress’s aura was full, undoubtedly more in line with the overall tone of the drama.

And now the third set is out, and I must say, it’s quite impressive too.

So, which one to choose as the main promotional image?

This really is a dilemma!

"Director Wei."

Still in his deliberation, Wei Xiao heard Jiang Lingxi’s voice and looked up, "You’ve worked hard today, change out of the costume and have a good rest. Wait for the crew’s notice to start shooting."

"Sure, but what about the male lead’s costume photo? Shen Yunqing didn’t come; how are you handling it?"

"Mr. Shen’s costume has already been sent over, they said they’ll send the photo directly." Wei Xiao replied cheerfully, looking not worried at all, "I’ve already decided, keeping the male lead mysterious is perfect, it’ll intrigue the audience."

Jiang Lingxi looked at Director Wei, who seemed like an old fox, knowing he had everything planned out in his mind, she just nodded and said no more.

After she went back to the dressing room to take off the heavy armor and remove the makeup, Tong Yue came over with her phone, "You received a message from Mr. Shen just after you entered the studio, take a look to see if you want to read it."

Jiang Lingxi took the phone, unlocked it with facial recognition, and opened Shen Yunqing’s avatar to see a side portrait.

In a purple robe and a black and gold crown, the profile was picturesque.

She was about to swipe down when her finger suddenly stopped, and her breath paused for two seconds as well.

It looked, it really looked alike.

She didn’t expect Shen Yunqing in costume to resemble her own Shen Qing to such a degree!

For a moment, she almost thought this person had also traveled across millennia to the present day.

Until a soft "wow" echoed by her ear, Jiang Lingxi came back to herself and turned to look at Wei Minmin, who had leaned in.

Wei Minmin shivered under her gaze, hastily raising her hands in surrender, "I saw you looking at the phone so intently, I got curious and couldn’t help but take a peek, Xixi, I was wrong!"

"Don’t let it happen again."

"Yes, yes, yes," Wei Minmin quickly clasped her hands together, "I promise not to do it again. But was that Mr. Shen’s costume photo just now? Still, Xixi, you look the best!"

Jiang Lingxi curled her lips slightly, saved the image discreetly, then closed it. She swiped down to see a text message: "How is this photo?"

She typed a reply, "Not bad!"

As she buttoned up her shirt with one hand, the message came back: "Alright then, I’ll send the photo to Director Wei."

Jiang Lingxi raised an eyebrow at the message. Did he want her to be satisfied before sending it to Director Wei?

A few minutes later.

Looking at the newly received photo on his computer, Wei Xiao patted his thigh, "Ah, it’s a pity there’s just this one."

But being able to invite that Mr. Shen, he should already be satisfied.

Tong Yue looked at the heap of photos in her phone album and was quite content too.

"Since Mr. Wei is going back to the hotel with you, I won’t be seeing you off. Call me if you need anything." She patted Lu Zhengzheng’s shoulder, "Take good care of your sister Xixi."

Lu Zhengzheng nodded heavily, "Don’t worry, Tongjie."

She Man changed her clothes and came out of the room, only to find Lin Xuefei still outside.

"Why haven’t you left? Isn’t it time to go home and have a good rest after working almost all day?"

Lin Xuefei stood up, her tone intimate, "I wanted to wait and leave with Sister Man, we’re playing mother and daughter in the drama. We can chat about the script along the way; it’s so boring to go alone."

She Man chuckled, raising an eyebrow, "Let’s go then."

Since Lin Xuefei wanted to be friendly, whether sincere or not, she’ll take the gesture.

Lin Xuefei hooked her arm around She Man’s, and, unseen by others, pressed her lips together to suppress the unwillingness in her heart.

Compared to She Man, whose popularity had dropped sharply and urgently needed a good role to get back into the public eye, she naturally wanted to be closer to the more popular Wei Minmin, who was still the director’s niece.

But the other party had to give her that opportunity to get close.

Who knew what in Jiang Lingxi had appealed to this young lady!

Just then, Wei Minmin was also talking about Lin Xuefei.

"Xixi, do you not like Lin Xuefei, who is playing Princess Jin’an?"

This question made the assistant walking behind want to cover their artist’s mouth.

No one asks so directly; isn’t that offending people?

Yet in the next second, she heard Jiang Lingxi answer just as directly: "I don’t like her."

Another assistant also began to be worried about their artist.

The two carried the luggage behind their artists, exchanged glances, and saw the sympathy in each other’s eyes.

Up front, the two showed no awareness of their assistants’ concerns. Wei Minmin and Jiang Lingxi exchanged a small high five, "Seems like we have the same view."

The two assistants simultaneously raised their hands to their foreheads, pretending to be deaf.

Wei Minmin looked around to confirm there were no outsiders besides their assistants and Xixi’s assistant, then spoke up, "Actually, I heard a rumor about Lin Xuefei and was hesitating whether to remind my uncle."

Jiang Lingxi wasn’t very interested in rumors about Lin Xuefei, but if it related to the crew, "Will it affect the filming of the crew?"

"I’m not sure, that’s why I don’t know whether to tell my uncle. My childhood friend visited the south recently and saw Lin Xuefei with someone from their circle, staying in the same hotel. Out of curiosity, they checked with family connections – they were in the same room. Lin Xuefei might be, involved romantically."

Wei Minmin almost said two more words but, for some reason, didn’t want to use that term with people around, opting for a more euphemistic word instead.

"She’s about our age, isn’t being in a relationship normal?"

Jiang Lingxi said earnestly, adding another to the list of forehead-patting present, "But Lin Xuefei publicly claimed to be single not long ago during a live broadcast and said she wasn’t planning to date, focusing solely on her career."

"Then that’s deceiving the audience," Jiang Lingxi summed up and looked at the still frowning Wei Minmin, "Are you worried that her secret relationship getting exposed will affect the filming of the crew?"

"That’s not even the most serious part," Wei Minmin sighed, "My friend said that friend has a marriage engagement, but it’s uncertain if Lin Xuefei knows."

The difference between knowing and not knowing is significant!

"Xixi, should I bring it up with my uncle? I feel bad exposing it, but not saying anything leaves a ticking bomb!"

Jiang Lingxi: "..."

The sly girl, seems she waited here to ask her for advice!