Chapter 57: Sowing Discord Part 1

Gu Liuguang stared at the airplane ticket photo, her mind going somewhat blank. The personal information about Zhang Xibai that the system had mentioned surfaced in her head.

There had been signs of OOC midway, and the system had even specially filed a report with the Main System. The reply later was that they could ignore Zhang Xibai’s matter for now, as long as it didn’t affect the main plot.

Why would Zhang Xibai come to C City?

Lin Shixia and Zhang Xibai were friends, so it made sense for her to say she was coming to find Lin Shixia. If it weren’t for those previous messages, Gu Liuguang might have really bought that explanation.

Gu Liuguang felt a bit worried: 【She won’t kill someone, will she? This is a society governed by law now.】

System: 【No, she’s still a law-abiding citizen right now.】

Gu Liuguang paced anxiously around the room: 【Everyone’s law-abiding before they break the law.】

Avoiding the issue wouldn’t solve anything. She still needed to figure out how to keep things stable first.

She opened the enlarged photo. It showed a departure time of 3:15 PM, with an expected arrival in C City at 4:05 PM. The current time was 1:20 PM. As long as she persuaded Zhang Xibai not to come before then, the crisis could be averted.

If Zhang Xibai insisted on coming anyway, Lin Shixia had filming commitments and couldn’t spare much time to meet her. If Gu Liuguang just mentioned it to Lin Shixia, they could easily avoid crossing paths with Zhang Xibai altogether.

Gu Liuguang calmed down and messaged Zhang Xibai. First, she affirmed that she would definitely return.

Then she explained that something urgent had come up at home and she couldn’t leave, which was why she had extended her leave.

Gu Liuguang even had her mom snap a photo of the moving preparations at home and send it to Zhang Xibai.

She really couldn’t understand it. Shouldn’t Zhang Xibai be Lin Shixia’s problem? Why was she the one suffering?

Gu Liuguang clutched her phone anxiously while washing up and changing clothes. The screen stayed locked on her chat with Zhang Xibai, ready for the moment she could respond. She had just finished brushing her teeth when Zhang Xibai’s message popped up.

It was another photo, one that mirrored Gu Liuguang’s own in a way—a shot of a packed silver suitcase.

-Xibai: That’s too bad, then. I have some business with Shixia, and I figured since you were heading back to A City today, we could go together. Guess it’ll have to wait till next time.

-Xibai: Don’t you really like Shixia? Want me to grab you an autographed card or something?

Gu Liuguang wondered if Zhang Xibai was deliberately saying this to bait her, but on second thought, there was no reason for it. She could just ask Lin Shixia directly.

Gu Liuguang furrowed her brow tightly. This was bad. Zhang Xibai wouldn’t actually go ask Lin Shixia, would she? She was definitely going to badmouth her.

Lin Shixia still hadn’t replied to her messages amid the filming, and now it took on a sour note in Gu Liuguang’s mind. Had she realized Gu Liuguang was approaching her on purpose and grown disgusted, to the point of not even wanting to reply?

With no response from Lin Shixia, Zhang Xibai’s WeChat messages kept pouring in one after another. The latest was a photo of her heading to the airport.

Gu Liuguang couldn’t sit still any longer. She messaged Wang Li to ask if Lin Shixia was in the middle of filming, while hastily packing her things. She grabbed two bags of bread from the mini-fridge and rushed toward the set.

She had to sow discord between those two before Zhang Xibai arrived.

When she reached the set, Wang Li came out to greet her and immediately asked if she wanted to explore other spots in C City.

“You’ve been hanging around the set these past couple days—pretty boring, right? Shixia-jie said you’re heading back to A City soon. Sticking around here today would be even duller.”

Wang Li glanced down at her watch as she spoke, then continued with a beaming smile. “If you’re game, I can make a call. There’s a coworker with killer driving skills who’s off duty these next couple days.”

She rattled off a few local activities: a stand-up comedy show that evening, nearby exhibitions, or the luxury mall right next door. C City actually had quite a few fun options.

Gu Liuguang frowned, gazing at Wang Li with deep concern. “Does Shixia not want to see me?”

Wang Li looked a bit awkward. “How could she? We’re just worried you’d get bored on set.”

Gu Liuguang’s heart sank. Today, no matter what, she had to speak to Lin Shixia face-to-face and clear the air. Yes, the deliberate approach was real—but it was all because she loved her too much.

She gazed at Wang Li with feigned pitifulness. “I still want to stay.”

Her beautiful fox-like eyes drew attention no matter the circumstance. Long, dense lashes gave her eye tails a narrow, elongated look, while her pitch-black pupils seemed veiled in mist. Her gaze evoked a cool breeze rustling delicate lotuses—evoking pity, impossible to refuse.

Wang Li couldn’t say no. She hesitated for a few seconds before speaking up. “Mainly, there’s been an issue on set. The role Lin Hang is playing might need recasting.”

Gu Liuguang blinked. Lin Hang? Wasn’t he connected to her somehow?

Wang Li nodded gravely. “This morning around five or six, some marketing account dropped dirt on Lin Hang’s character—said he raped a model, and she reported it with her real ID.”

“He had scenes scheduled for this morning, but now everything’s delayed. If they recast him, tons of prior footage will need reshooting.”

“The director’s in a foul mood—snaps at the slightest mistake. Shixia-jie was afraid you’d catch some flak, and with the set’s atmosphere so tense, she wanted to shoo you off somewhere fun.”

Gu Liuguang’s mind reeled, unable to process it all at once. If they really recast on set, Lin Shixia would be swamped again and couldn’t meet Zhang Xibai for quite a while.

Then there was Lin Hang.

【Wasn’t Lin Hang supposed to get exposed and quit the industry much later?】

Gu Liuguang trailed behind Wang Li, secretly asking the system in her mind: 【Didn’t you say before that he just quits the industry? How’s it rape now? That’s way beyond just quitting—this doesn’t match the plot at all.】

This concerned her own life and livelihood, so Gu Liuguang voiced strong distrust: 【Don’t go failing the task and pinning it on me later.】

With everyone derailed like this, could the Original Plot even proceed?

The set atmosphere was indeed oppressive. It was never rowdy to begin with, but it wasn’t this deathly quiet either—quiet enough that even ambient noises had dwindled.

Gu Liuguang scanned for Lin Shixia upon entering. Lin Shixia had already changed into her costume and stood by the monitor, reviewing the latest take.

Gu Liuguang squeezed through to say hi, but she spotted Jia Wu glaring darkly at the monitor. Once it finished, Jia Wu whipped around to two supporting actors and unleashed cold sarcasm, leaving their faces beet red.

A full ten minutes passed before she finally called for a retake.

Gu Liuguang sneaked a glance at Lin Shixia, who shot her an electric wink without a word.

Jia Wu was clearly in a rotten mood—no one dared poke the bear.

Gu Liuguang decided to play it quiet as a mouse for the day. She bought a ticket back to A City and messaged Zhang Xibai that things were too hectic with the move prep—talk later.

Zhang Xibai seemed to hesitate, her “typing” status flickering multiple times. Gu Liuguang couldn’t be bothered and just deleted the chat.

Backing out, she saw messages from Lin Zhenshuang and Ye Qingying. Ye Qingying had sent a photo of her own villa, saying the pool was huge—want to come to a pool party? She could provide swimsuits.

-Little Light: No.

-Ye Qingying: You could bring Lin Shixia. Don’t you want to see her in a swimsuit?

-Little Light: You wouldn’t get it.

If Gu Liuguang wanted to see it, Lin Shixia wouldn’t refuse at all—she’d even grabbed her hand to let her touch. Did she need some contrived excuse?

She suspected Ye Qingying just wanted to look herself and was using her as cover.

Ye Qingying kept messaging, relentless. Gu Liuguang replied sporadically, then opened Lin Zhenshuang’s chat.

Lin Zhenshuang asked when she’d come pick up the diamonds, if she had a designer in mind—maybe she could help make introductions. Since it was a gift, she’d cover all design costs.

Gu Liuguang had nearly forgotten about it if not for the message.

She mulled it over for a long time before pleading with Lin Zhenshuang to hold onto the diamonds for now. She’d decide next time she visited C City.

-Shuang: Heading back to A City?

-Little Light: Yeah, just took a few days off.

-Shuang: Ever thought about switching jobs?

-Little Light: Penalty clause. Not for now.

The questions dragged on, and Gu Liuguang’s patience wore thin. Lin Zhenshuang seemed to sense it, messaging right on cue that she had work to do—Gu Liuguang could browse designers in the meantime.

She scrolled through WeChat again. Zhang Xibai had messaged that she was off to the airport. It sent Gu Liuguang’s heart pounding with anxiety; she grew more desperate to beat Zhang Xibai to Lin Shixia and spill the beans.

She looked up on instinct, searching for Lin Shixia—only to find the director standing right in front of her, staring expressionlessly.

Gu Liuguang startled and pocketed her phone on reflex. “What?”

Jia Wu had been stone-faced since Gu Liuguang arrived; she didn’t dare provoke her. Even startled, she held back any temper and just noted that Jia Wu’s expression had softened a touch.

Jia Wu sat beside her. “Really not considering a cameo? It’s a light role—fun one, too. Perfect for you.”

Gu Liuguang stuck to her guns. “I can’t act.”

Jia Wu’s lips twitched in a stiff smile, her tone icy cool. She said softly, “Do you know what it means to have no say in your own body?”

Gu Liuguang nodded. “I do.” Ever since binding the system, so many of her choices weren’t her own.

Jia Wu let out a light scoff, her words laden with meaning. “You don’t.”

Gu Liuguang rolled her eyes inwardly and messaged the system: 【I hate these pretentious types the most. What are they even flexing all day?】

The system hesitated: 【Maybe in this world, she’s loaded? Money means doing whatever.】

Gu Liuguang just went “oh” and tuned her out.

Jia Wu didn’t seem to care. She stood and said, “Think it over some more. Best if you come willingly.”

“You can’t sever ties with others. The moment you’re connected to people, you’ll get persuaded.”

With that, she walked off. Gu Liuguang’s expression turned grave: 【What’s her game? She’s not in the mob or anything, right? Talks like she’s recruiting for the underworld—like a seasoned pro.】

System: 【Pimping’s illegal.】

They switched scenes, and Lin Shixia finally got a break—but not for long. She needed to redo that battle-damaged makeup from before.