Chapter 48: Ten

Hou Ming said to rehearse, and so they rehearsed. He directed Ye Can and the other two into position, mobilizing the crew’s cameras to capture their blocking.

Lin Zixi saw that Ye Can had entered the zone and felt relieved. At that moment, the producer, who had been watching from the side for a good while, walked over to Lin Zixi with a smile. “You’re Lin Zixi, the author of Infinite Hell, right?”

Lin Zixi turned her gaze to the producer, noted her name badge, and greeted her politely. “Yes, hello, Ms. Zhou Li.”

Zhou Li smiled, getting straight to the point. “Director Hou really likes that young actress, and her acting is solid too. Of course, her pay won’t be calculated so simply.”

“You’re acting as her agent now. Shall we discuss her contract?”

Lin Zixi nodded, glanced back at Ye Can, who was rehearsing, and followed Zhou Li into the crew’s temporary office. Zhou Li pulled out a short-term extra’s contract and handed it over. “This role doesn’t have a ton of scenes, so I can’t offer a supporting role deal. How about this: one month of shooting for around 50,000?”

Fifty thousand was a generous sum for an unknown extra. But Xiao Can was an standout role—so captivating that actors would pay to play her, and those who nailed it deserved far more.

Lin Zixi let out a light chuckle at the figure. Fifty thousand—ten times what Ye Can had initially set. Ye Can would be over the moon if she knew.

Lin Zixi took the contract and said coolly, “Ye Can isn’t one to haggle over pay. This role bringing her so much already? She’d be thrilled.”

Zhou Li knew that meant agreement and breathed a sigh of relief. “I figured as much. Could you sign it on her behalf then?”

Lin Zixi nodded and picked up a pen to fill in Ye Can’s details.

She used her own information for address and the unimportant bits, but hesitated at ID and bank details. After a moment’s thought, she called Ye Shen.

Ye Shen picked up almost instantly. “Ms. Lin? Is Ye Can okay?”

Hearing the anxiety in her voice, Lin Zixi knew Ye Shen was still fretting over Ye Can’s condition. “She’s fine, nothing wrong. Today she even landed a good gig—we’re about to sign the contract, but I don’t have her personal info. You’ll need to provide it.”

Ye Shen sounded puzzled. “A gig? What kind? Why does she need to work? The family never asked her to.”

The same reaction again. Lin Zixi sighed and explained gently to Ye Shen, “It’s not that she has to work—she wants to. She loves this job. She’s been doing extras, and now there’s a meaty role she adores. She wants to act it, so contract time.”

In that moment, Lin Zixi felt like Ye Can’s other guardian, schooling the unreasonable big sister.

Ye Shen clearly sensed the care in Lin Zixi’s voice when she spoke of Ye Can, along with her unwavering resolve against pressure.

She’s fighting for Ye Can’s freedom—for me.

Realizing this, Ye Shen fell silent for a beat before asking cautiously, “She likes doing extras?”

Lin Zixi nodded. “Yeah, she says she does.” She paused, then added tactfully, “This crew has a great vibe. I’ll keep an eye on her, protect her. Director Ye… you can hold off on interfering for now.”

No more stuffing her with money and bodyguards—Ye Can can’t even have fun properly, let alone normal experiences.

Ye Shen pressed her lips together, then sighed. “Teacher Lin, you’re an upright person. I can trust you, right?”

Lin Zixi gave a soft sigh. “Whether Director Ye trusts me or not isn’t the point. For Ye Can’s sake, I’ll do my best anyway.”

Ye Shen was left speechless, but a hint of relief warmed her—Lin Zixi truly valued Ye Can.

Ye Shen paused, then replied, “Fine, Ye Can’s in your hands for now. I’ll have my secretary send her info shortly. But I want someone with you both, to ensure your safety.”

Lin Zixi understood the concern. Recalling Ye Can’s episodes, she nodded. “That’s fine. Have Director Ye send Tong Lin back.”

Lin Zixi had seen Tong Lin’s skills firsthand—at least when she couldn’t calm Ye Can, Tong Lin could restrain her. Plus, Ye Can hadn’t minded being held by Tong Lin before, and Lin Zixi knew her well. Tong Lin was a solid pick.

Ye Shen considered it briefly and agreed. After the call ended, Lin Zixi was surprised to note Ye Shen hadn’t mentioned taking Ye Can to a doctor.

Maybe after a night’s reflection, Ye Shen’s changing her tune.

Lin Zixi sighed inwardly. Just then, an email hit her phone.

It contained Ye Can’s ID photocopy, diplomas, and such. Lin Zixi opened the ID and paused subtly at the birthdate.

So Ye Can’s been saying she’s nineteen, but she’s actually only seventeen? I thought she was an adult—turns out she’s two years younger than she claimed.

Lin Zixi glanced at the birthday: New Year’s Day. So just a couple weeks shy of eighteen.

A coming-of-age ceremony matters. The thought took vague shape in her mind.

Lin Zixi finished filling the contract and handed it to Zhou Li. Zhou Li took it, chuckled. “The kid’s not even legal yet. Truly a formidable youth with a limitless future.”

Zhou Li looked up at Lin Zixi. “A talent like that—aren’t you planning to guide her path, Teacher Lin?”

Lin Zixi smiled lightly. “Her choices aren’t mine to make. She has no big ambitions—just loves extras and acting. Her family says as long as she’s happy.”

Zhou Li was sharp and got it instantly. Lin Zixi was Ye Can’s temp guardian, and Ye Can’s background screamed wealth and power—playing around in the industry.

Zhou Li had seen plenty of rich kids dabble; most went home to inherit fortunes. Only the gifted or dream-chasers stuck it out.

The industry’s harshest truth: it prized raw talent above all, and Ye Can’s outshone everyone.

Zhou Li laughed. “Looking at your little one’s face, I think of that saying: heaven-endowed talent. Who knows—maybe she’ll bring home an award someday.”

Lin Zixi smiled. “Here’s hoping your words ring true, Producer Zhou. Ye Can on set from here? In your hands.”

Zhou Li waved it off. “We’ve got Hou and Zhang directing. A star like Ye Can? Plenty’ll look after her.”

After the pleasantries, they swapped signed contracts. Zhou Li had her assistant wire part of Ye Can’s pay to Lin Zixi right away.

With that done, Lin Zixi called the Infinite Hell crew coordinator for time off, explaining she had matters nearby but couldn’t stick close.

Her script was done anyway, so no need for constant presence—the coordinator approved, though asked her to swing by if needed.

Lin Zixi agreed and returned to watch Ye Can.

She shadowed her all day and realized Ye Can never stopped.

After blocking with Group A, she’d dash to Group B for extras whenever free. She grabbed every chance, squeezing seconds without wasting or delaying.

By dusk, after a hectic day, the scene rolled.

Lights and cameras ready, the grand banquet began.

After Prince Cheng slew his brother to claim the throne, he feasted his ministers. Before the banquet, the prime minister and officials accused him of disloyalty and unfiliality—Cheng executed them one by one.

Blood paved his path to power. Soldiers mopped the floors, guarding his ascension.

Prince Cheng, in imperial robes, sat high on the throne, surveying all with majestic authority.

The surviving ministers trembled. Then drums and music swelled as Luo Ji glided in, clad in red.

Silver bells tinkled. Luo Ji stood in the hall, bowing distantly to the new emperor. “This concubine offers a song to celebrate Your Majesty’s ascension.”

Prince Cheng clapped and roared with laughter. “Excellent! Excellent!”

Luo Ji whirled her red silks in a graceful dance. As music faded, the dagger hidden in her sleeve gleamed fiercer.

At the climax, she pointed at Prince Cheng—a flash of steel lunged. But a sword intercepted.

The frail, beautiful Qin Wang Xiao Can wielded it, tangling Luo Ji’s silks with a cryptic smile. “This minister joins too, to add color to my royal brother’s coronation.”

Prince Cheng clapped, laughing heartily.

Drums intensified. The dagger-wielding beauty and sword-flashing prince clashed unseen, countless times.

Suddenly, soldiers under the banner of “purging the king’s side” besieged the city. Cheng’s troops loosed arrows from the walls, slaughtering the rebels.

Blood soaked the palace grounds outside; inside, song and decadence reigned. As Prince Cheng crowed victory, Xiao Can’s sword tip hovered before his eyes.

Fear flickered in Cheng’s gaze, his expression shifting. Yet Xiao Can, guiding Luo Ji’s dance-sword, laughed wildly. “Congratulations, my king—eternal reign!”

At her command, the soldiers ringing the hall raised swords and bellowed, “Congratulations, my king—eternal reign!”

Amid cheers, Xiao Can thrust—straight into Prince Cheng’s chest.

Blood gushed, staining the dark robes crimson. Cheng’s smile froze; he pointed at Xiao Can, eyes wide in shock. “You… you…”

The twist stunned everyone. They stared at Xiao Can’s back as she pinned Cheng to the throne with her longsword, souls fled in terror.

No one expected Xiao Can—raised by Cheng himself—to rebel.

But Luo Ji seemed to have foreseen it, watching coldly.

Chaos erupted anew. Guards lunged for Xiao Can but were halted by arrows from outside.

Xiao Can’s soldiers stormed in, butchering Cheng’s men. The fresh coup drenched the cleansed court in blood once more.

In the melee, Xiao Can faced away from the beauty, stabbing her brother deep, a brilliant smile curling her lips. “Brother’s throne… now you can sit it steady.”

Dying on the throne befitted royalty.

Xiao Can drove the blade an inch deeper. Prince Cheng, famed for life, died without a curse—in regret and disbelief.

Xiao Can released the hilt, rose slowly, wiped blood from her hands.

She descended the jade steps toward that vivid red in the chaos.

Xiao Can extended a hand to Luo Ji, and history looped. She led the beauty from the palace. “You… are mine now.”

Outside, strife brewed—a new “purge” simmered.

The road to power ever demanded kin’s blood.

Hou Ming watched Ye Can’s manic, unhinged gaze in the lens. Satisfied, he clapped once and shouted, “Cut!“