Ye Can’s unpredictable antics disrupted the Above the Throne set once again.
Meng Zhiqiu was the biggest star in the crew right now. If word of this scene got out and reached her fans, the production team would surely face a wave of backlash.
Once the assistant helped Meng Zhiqiu into her clothes, the on-site producer and director rushed to apologize to her. After the apologies, Hou Ming tore into Meng Jiaren, the extras coordinator. “How do you even pick these actors? They have zero safety awareness! What kind of job are you doing?!”
Zhang Hao, standing nearby, recognized Ye Can and wanted to say something on her behalf. But with the director still fuming, he held his tongue.
Meng Jiaren apologized frantically. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! This is my fault—it won’t happen again!”
Ye Can, thoroughly ignored, wasn’t pleased. She tsked lightly and shot Hou Ming a cool look. “This was my doing. Why are you yelling at someone else?”
Hou Ming hadn’t expected the culprit to talk back. He glared at Ye Can and snapped, “What’s your problem? Why the hell did you assault our actress? Have you no morals or manners?!”
“Extras don’t need morals or manners?”
After his outburst, Hou Ming turned to Meng Jiaren. “Blacklist this person. I never want to see her on one of my sets again!”
Ye Can had taken her lashing without batting an eye. Still dressed in her little eunuch costume, arms crossed, she stood calm and composed. “I just wanted to ask Meng Zhiqiu a few questions. No harm intended. Why are you looking so fierce?”
Hou Ming was about to explode. “We were shooting a perfect take, and you waltz in and ruin everything. Get the hell out of my set—now! Or I’ll call the cops!”
Ye Can gave him a puzzled look. Since I ascended the throne, no one’s dared to be this brazen in front of me. Her kingly pride ignited. She straightened up and met Hou Ming’s eyes. “I’m not leaving. What are you gonna do about it?”
Hou Ming was done—he whipped out his phone to call the police. Luckily, Meng Zhiqiu had recovered by then and stopped him. “I know this person. She’s a friend of a friend. I’m not hurt, so it’s fine. But I hope something like this doesn’t happen again.”
Next time some nutjob comes at me, drag them away immediately.
With Meng Zhiqiu’s words, Hou Ming swallowed his grievances and droned on about set rules and discipline once more.
After Ye Can’s disruption, Hou Ming had lost his groove. It was lunchtime anyway, so he called for a break and let the crew eat.
Meng Zhiqiu beckoned Ye Can over and led her to the van. Once back inside, bundled in her down jacket, Meng Zhiqiu fixed Ye Can with a serious gaze. “I don’t know why you showed up here today, but don’t pull anything like that again. If it had been anyone but me, you’d have been reported and hauled off to jail.”
Meng Zhiqiu was giving Ye Can a pass for Lin Zixi’s sake. But that didn’t mean she forgave the offense. In all her years in the industry, she’d dealt with plenty of weirdos, but this was the first time she’d been insulted like this.
Ye Can might not be the sharpest, but she wasn’t clueless. She could sense the dissatisfaction and anger in Meng Zhiqiu’s eyes.
That’s exactly why she seems like such a good person.
Ye Can paused, then said to Meng Zhiqiu, “You’re a really decent person. Well-mannered.”
“If I offended you earlier, that was on me.”
This seemed to be the first time Ye Can had ever bowed her head in admission of fault. No explicit apology, but Meng Zhiqiu caught the regret in her expression.
Meng Zhiqiu didn’t say she forgave her. She glanced at her assistant hustling over with three boxed lunches and said to Ye Can, “It’s noon already. You haven’t eaten, right? The crew’s catering is decent. Want a boxed lunch?”
Ye Can nodded. She wanted to use this chance to gauge what kind of person Meng Zhiqiu really was.
Meng Zhiqiu scooted over, making room for Ye Can in the van. She took a boxed lunch from her assistant and handed one to Ye Can.
A former child star, Meng Zhiqiu had endured every hardship on set over a decade ago. Though her agency pushed the “stunning beauty fairy princess” image, she was down-to-earth and approachable in private.
She opened her lunch, snapped apart her chopsticks, and asked Ye Can, “You came to set today to see me?”
Ye Can’s intentions had been obvious. Meng Zhiqiu was sure she hadn’t misread them.
Ye Can dug into her food. “Just trying my luck to catch a glimpse of you.”
Meng Zhiqiu didn’t get it. “Why? Are you a fan?”
Ye Can didn’t look up. “For Lin Zixi.” The name hit Meng Zhiqiu like a stun grenade. Her eyes widened as she stared at Ye Can. “What’s wrong with Teacher Lin?”
Ye Can looked up, her tone flat. “Nothing’s wrong. This morning, I asked her what kind of person she likes. She said good-looking ones.”
“So I came to find you.”
Meng Zhiqiu nearly choked on her rice. She coughed violently, clutching her lunchbox. Her quick-thinking assistant uncapped a water bottle and passed it over.
After a sip and a few coughs, Meng Zhiqiu hedged, “Teacher Lin said she likes good-looking people. Why come to me?”
Ye Can stared intently at her. “I told you—you’re a beauty.”
Only then did Meng Zhiqiu notice the strikingly pretty face on the young girl before her. Praise from someone so gorgeous felt oddly sincere.
Remembering her question, Ye Can pressed on. “Right, you still haven’t answered. Are you seeing anyone? Married?”
Meng Zhiqiu blinked. “Seeing anyone?”
“Yeah. Do you have someone you like? Or a spouse?”
Meng Zhiqiu shook her head. “No.” She was the stunning beauty fairy princess top—how could she have a boyfriend? Not even a dating rumor.
Ye Can nodded. “Pretty suitable, then.” She cradled her lunchbox and studied Meng Zhiqiu seriously. “So, what do you think of our Lin Zixi? Do you like her?”
Meng Zhiqiu froze under those bright, intense eyes. “Why are you asking?”
Ye Can answered honestly. “I think you’re barely worthy of her.” Looks-wise, marginally suitable. Personality way above average. If she likes Lin Zixi enough, she could cherish and protect her for life, right?
But true love wouldn’t be as simple as Ye Can imagined.
Meng Zhiqiu dodged the question with a smile. “You think we’d match… What are you to Teacher Lin?”
Ye Can pondered. Can’t say I’m her king, the one she loved till her dying breath. That wouldn’t be good for Lin Zixi’s next love.
She chose her words. “I’m family.” Four years together, my favored consort once. Family’s not a stretch.
“Family?” Meng Zhiqiu arched a brow and gently probed. “But Teacher Lin said last night you’re her friend.”
“You’re family? Got proof? What’s her family situation? Where’s she from? Who else is in the family? What kind of relative are you?”
Ye Can caught on quick. “Can’t answer those. Ask her yourself.”
Trying to pry info from me? Too green.
Meng Zhiqiu got nothing and huffed at Ye Can. “So you think Teacher Lin and I match, track me down… You’re trying to play matchmaker?”
“Hard to believe someone your age is so invested.”
Ye Can’s scheme laid bare, she owned it. If I were still alive, I’d seize anyone Lin Zixi fancied, marry them off myself.
But not now. This illusory world gives me no such power.
Two people together usually needs mutual feelings.
If someone could return Lin Zixi’s love, it’d be a happy thing.
Ye Can paused. “I’ll just ask: Do you like her? If yes, I can help.”
Her own intentions exposed, Meng Zhiqiu eyed Ye Can, hesitating before extending a hand. “Kid, you’re my friend now. Whatever you need, just say the word.”
Of course I like Lin Zixi. If not for my packed schedule and strict manager, I’d have made a move ages ago.
Meng Zhiqiu had hidden her feelings well, bottling them up for over half a year. This was the first time someone had clocked them.
And from Lin Zixi’s close friend, no less.
Proximity has its perks—strike while the iron is hot. Why not go for it with backup?
Consensus reached, Meng Zhiqiu asked Ye Can, “Is Teacher Lin on her set lately? Can we grab dinner tonight?”
Ye Can thought of ancient betrothals—couples got time to familiarize before marriage. If Meng Zhiqiu pursued Lin Zixi, more chances to connect made sense.
Ye Can had started this, yet her body felt oddly heavy. She nodded. “Sure. Tonight, I’ll call her out for dinner. You two can meet.”
For a split second, each word felt like a knife stabbing her heart.
She knew it hurt, but the pain was fleeting—just a moment, then gone.
Meng Zhiqiu found Ye Can incredibly mature. She thanked her sincerely.
Ye Can met her eyes, dead serious. “No need to thank me. I just want her to be happy.”
“Living in this world isn’t easy for her. She’s suffered a lot, mostly.”
Ye Can only wished someone would love Lin Zixi, protect her, spoil her—maybe make things better.
These were Ye Can’s hopes, things she knew she could never provide.
Because she could never return Lin Zixi’s love, never let her taste even a hint of sweetness in this Avici Hell.
