Because she was just a stunt double, Ye Can didn’t need any makeup. She slipped into Yang Shu’s costume and stood in front of the camera—her waist was slender, her figure elegant like a pine or cypress. Especially those legs of hers; even hidden beneath the skirt’s hem, they looked incredibly long and graceful.
Yu Ming spotted her in the costume and crowded in next to the cameraman for a closer look. The more he watched, the more he felt that Ye Can’s poise and face were made for the lens.
Before he became a director, Yu Ming had been a cinematographer on sets, always shooting footage that was both beautiful and ethereal due to his personal tastes. The reason Limbo Inn had blown up wasn’t just the drama’s twists earning endless audience buzz—the set design and framing played a huge role too. Under Yu Ming’s lens, every beauty’s strengths were amplified to perfection.
Yu Ming excelled at filming beauties, and he loved it more than anything.
Staring at Ye Can’s face, inspiration flooded him; he itched to trap her forever in his shots. But remembering she was only here for stunt work, he let out a long sigh and turned to Lin Zixi. “That Yu Yuan of ours… you really can’t consider using this one instead?”
Lin Zixi replied coolly, “If Director Yu thinks we can afford the fallout if something happens to her, then go ahead and try.”
Yu Ming recalled her guardian was Ye Shen and sighed in regret again. He shouted to his camera crew, “Start adjusting positions—get ready to roll!”
The wire team’s specialist was fitting Ye Can with her safety harness. It was her first time wearing one, and it felt unbearably uncomfortable, furrowing her brow deeply.
Having spent years on the throne, Ye Can’s displeased expression carried an innate authority. The young woman adjusting her gear—a girl herself—was intimidated by that icy glare and fumbled nervously.
Lin Zixi pitied the scared girl and walked over. Looking at Ye Can’s sullen face, she said, “Just relax when you go up. Imagine you’re a bird in flight—keep your balance, got it?”
“This thing’s a bit uncomfortable strapped on, but bear with it. We’ll wrap it in one take.”
Ye Can glanced at her, narrowing her almond eyes slightly. Flecks of light filtered through her thick lashes, utterly captivating. “You’re coaxing me.”
It was a statement of fact.
Ye Can couldn’t help recalling life in the Royal Palace, where Lin Zixi always seemed to be the first to notice her anger. When she wanted to draw her sword and kill, Lin Zixi would grip her wrist and lean in calmly, submissively. When she felt like smashing cups in a rage, Lin Zixi would hold her hand, gently and steadily pleading on others’ behalf.
Lin Zixi is just like the cat I raised as a child, Ye Can thought. Just getting close makes me forget all my irritations for a moment.
Ye Can beckoned Lin Zixi over. Puzzled, Lin Zixi approached. As she drew near, Ye Can reached out and naturally pinched the back of her neck, murmuring softly, “Coax me a bit more, and I won’t be mad anymore.”
Lin Zixi froze solid.
Even in the closest relationships, gestures like this were rare. She looked up into Ye Can’s clear, water-like eyes, all her words stuck in her throat.
In Ye Can’s gaze, Lin Zixi saw a satisfied delight. For a split second, she felt like Ye Can might see her as some new pet.
But Ye Can’s intimate touch and ambiguous words were bound to spark misunderstandings about their relationship. The little wire tech nearby had forgotten her nerves entirely, stealing glances at them with shy, gossip-filled eyes.
Lin Zixi had no choice but to reach up, gently prying Ye Can’s hand from her neck. She cleared her throat. “Anyway, just stay safe.”
Having her hand brushed off from Lin Zixi’s neck felt to Ye Can like being flicked by a kitten’s tail—mildly annoying. Her face darkened as she placed a hand on Lin Zixi’s cheek, her voice turning sinister. “I told you to coax me.”
It was a command, imperious to the extreme.
The crew quickly noticed their intimate exchange, throwing covert, gossipy glances their way.
Ye Can has no sense of shame, Lin Zixi thought. But as an adult, she did. She wanted to cover her face, but worrying Ye Can might escalate, she hesitated before patting her head lightly. “Then… do your best out there.”
The gentle pat on her head landed softly, yet it brushed away the irritations clouding Ye Can’s heart like dust. Ye Can dropped her hand and huffed. “Fine, you’re obedient.”
With that, her expression brightened.
Seeing Ye Can’s mood improve, Lin Zixi exhaled in relief and headed back to the camera crew.
Yu Ming stood by the lens, stroking his chin as he watched Ye Can get wired up. He turned to the returning Lin Zixi with a gossipy grin. “This one’s got a bit of that Faint Lord vibe—loves the beauty more than the kingdom.”
He shot Lin Zixi an ambiguous smile. “Teacher Lin, what’s the deal with you and this Golden Leaf?”
“She’s coming after you?”
Lin Zixi and Yu Ming were old collaborators; back when they worked together, there’d been investors or rich heirs pursuing her—men and women, no discrimination.
Seeing Yu Ming’s look, Lin Zixi sighed. “Director Yu, it’s nothing like that. She’s just a kid.”
Yu Ming chuckled. “Kids these days are something else—way too precocious.”
Lin Zixi wasn’t amused. “Director Yu, time waits for no one. Let’s shoot.”
Knowing his old partner’s temperament, Yu Ming feared pushing her further. He waved grandly. “Actor in position! Cameras ready—action!”
With that, the wire operator hoisted Ye Can up. She spread her arms, grimacing against the bite of the harness as she found her balance mid-air.
Yu Ming looked up, seeing Ye Can “stepping on bamboo branches in the woods,” and yelled through his megaphone, “Ye Can, let’s do a test run first!”
At the director’s call, Ye Can pushed off with her toes, the wires propelling her into the air. She dashed a circle on the “bamboo leaves,” light as could be.
One lap done, Yu Ming called “Cut!”
He reviewed the playback, spotted some good cuts, stroked his chin thoughtfully, then shouted, “Again! Get the takeoff and landing this time.”
Ye Can was hoisted back up. This time, she felt like a trussed-up chicken, dangling helplessly, yearning to fly but held back.
It wasn’t pleasant; she grew irritated, her face clouding over.
After several takes, Yu Ming had enough for the solo shots and moved to the chase sequence. When Ye Can was finally lowered, her body was off-balance, feet unsteady—she pitched forward.
Luckily, Tong Lin had been watching from below. She rushed over and caught Ye Can, preventing a humiliating face-plant into the dirt.
Stabilized in Tong Lin’s arms, Ye Can instinctively looked for Lin Zixi.
She scanned around, spotting Lin Zixi by the camera with Yu Ming—not a glance her way.
Ye Can’s temper flared in an instant. She shoved Tong Lin off and stormed toward Lin Zixi.
