Chapter 111: Wuyou Goes Online

Ning Shuyu’s roar thundered through the air, leaving Lin Xi momentarily stunned.

“Tone it down!” Lu Yuxiu, clearly growing impatient, coughed lightly. “I need to speak with Xiao Xi alone.”

“Hmph!” Ning Shuyu snorted indignantly, reluctantly complying. “Go ahead, go ahead! Look at you, so spineless.”

“Being too clingy isn’t good!” As she got out of the car, Ning Shuyu shot a final yell back, which made Lin Xi burst into laughter.

“Your cousin is quite lively, isn’t she? Completely different from the rumors,” Lin Xi remarked after Ning Shuyu stepped out.

Lu Yuxiu let out a helpless chuckle. “Ning Shuyu is the only girl among the younger generation of the Ning family. Even at thirty, she’s still spoiled to no end. She’s carefree by nature, so don’t take it personally.”

“Not at all,” Lin Xi said earnestly on behalf of her newly acquainted elder cousin. “It’s great to have family around on set.”

She was completely unaware of the deeper meaning behind those words.

“Family?” Lu Yuxiu spoke the word low and magnetic, a different tone threading through his voice. His smile deepened. “Yes, it’s quite nice.”

Lin Xi’s heart fluttered as if it might burst. She blushed deeply. “You…”

Unable to resist his teasing, yet unwilling to admit defeat, she feigned calmness and asserted with righteous confidence, “What’s wrong with that? Sister Shuyu and I are good friends—we’re family!”

“Right, whatever you say is right,” Lu Yuxiu indulged her, his tone full of affection.

“Are you two done being lovey-dovey? We’re about to start filming!” Ning Shuyu’s voice suddenly rang out from outside the car.

Lin Xi hurriedly looked up and responded, “Coming!” Then, speaking into her phone, she added, “We’re starting to shoot now. Remember to eat lunch!”

“Okay.” The smile on Lu Yuxiu’s lips never faded. After hanging up, he tidied up the materials at hand and obediently went to eat.

The first scene to be filmed was a grand gathering of the ethereal royal family—a place where the three would meet, marking the beginning of the story.

Chen Yi—Prince Jing Yu of the Huang Clan.

Ning Shuyu—Zhu Man, the Divine Lady of Yanshan.

Lin Xi—Wu You, Princess of the Saint Clan.

This scene depicted Wu You accompanying the Holy King to the royal assembly. Excited to mingle, she was shunned by others, then accidentally fell into the water and was rescued by Jing Yu. Zhu Man then helped restore her divine veins. Wu You fell instantly in love with Jing Yu, while Jing Yu developed a special regard for Zhu Man, leading to their acquaintance.

All actors stood ready in their positions, awaiting Director Fan’s command. Lin Xi felt a deep thrill inside—performing alongside two seasoned actors was a completely different experience.

While waiting, Lin Xi noticed the crew bustling around her—some holding rigs high, others adjusting lights and whiteboards, some wielding boom microphones. Extras were in place, the atmosphere carefully arranged, all awaiting her to step into the frame and bring the scene to life. A mere few seconds of footage took countless hours of set design. Everything was meticulously organized. With such dedication, what excuse could she have not to perform well? She must honor their hard work.

“Alright, departments, ready!” Director Fan raised his left hand high in front of the monitors. Lin Xi quickly took her place beside Song Anhe and the senior actor.

“1—2—3—action!”

The grand and bustling royal gathering unfolded across the ethereal continent.

The Holy King, with Princess Wu You at his side, strolled into the busiest street, where the common folk hurriedly stepped aside. The Holy King walked tall and proud, exuding an imposing aura.

His posture was as upright as a pine tree, with deep, solemn black eyes radiating calm and authority. His presence bore an intense, repressive power that deterred all approach.

Beside him, the young girl holding his arm had bright, clear eyes and a delicate, elegant face that blossomed with a radiant smile.

She wore a light-colored, form-fitting qipao that outlined her slender figure. The intricate, layered embroidery on her garment testified to her noble status.

At that moment, something amusing must have caught her eye, for her eyes curved like crescent moons. Every smile and frown naturally revealed her noble grace, inspiring awe for her refined and luminous beauty.

“Anyone who wants to live should get out of the way! That’s the Holy King and Princess Wu You!” Someone nearby recognized them and quickly fled, leaving no one daring to stare around recklessly.

It was Wu You’s first time ever on the ethereal continent, and she was ecstatic. She tugged on the Holy King’s sleeve, coaxing, “Father King, I want to go see the pond at the back.”

The Holy King’s expression was full of indulgence. “Don’t wander too far.”

“Okay!” Wu You dashed off with a maid, flitting like a butterfly into the crowd.

The Holy King narrowed his eyes watching her retreating figure. With a subtle glance, a secret guard silently followed her.

“Cut! First scene done, let’s move!” Director Fan’s voice came through the walkie-talkie as the crew sprang into action.

Song Anhe took a cup of water handed by an assistant, sipped, then turned to praise Lin Xi, “The girl’s good—quite spirited in her acting.” Without waiting for her reply, he returned to his seat to rest; the next two scenes didn’t involve him.

Hearing this, Lin Xi’s heart swelled with joy. Senior Song was known for his aloof and taciturn nature, yet he had recognized her talent in the very first scene! How wonderful!

Lost in her thoughts, Ning Shuyu quietly approached and reminded her, “Make sure to be careful later. Don’t hold your breath too long underwater. If you can’t take it, just raise your hand—I’ll come save you!” She winked mischievously.

Lin Xi smiled softly, revealing a faint dimple, and gave her an OK sign. “I can handle it, don’t worry.”

“Alright, get ready!” The filming equipment was already set.

“Action!”

Wu You’s curiosity about everything around her was boundless. She approached the bathhouse and saw a group of elegantly dressed young ladies chatting idly. She joined them, hoping to speak.

“Oh, isn’t this the little princess Wu You from the Second Dynasty? What’s she doing here in our humble ethereal continent?” A girl in green linked arms with her friends, speaking with a sharp edge.

Her companions quickly chimed in, “Yeah, the Holy King guards her so closely—is he afraid she’ll be wronged in our territory?”

Wu You, naturally innocent and straightforward, didn’t catch the underlying hostility and greeted them excitedly, “Hello! I’m Wu You. Do you know me?”

The girls opposite her sneered with disdain.

Wu You’s maid, unable to bear it any longer, tugged her dress and shook her head.

Wu You was puzzled. Why were the young ladies here so strange and unapproachable? In her own clan, the girls were all kind and friendly.

“Forget it, let’s go,” Wu You said, deciding to bypass them and explore the back.

But just as she reached the edge of the pool, disaster struck. Someone accidentally stepped on her dress hem, causing her to lose balance and plunge into the water.

“Ah—!” The onlookers gasped.

Wu You was completely submerged, her mind instantly flooded with the icy chill of the water, leaving her blank. Her arms instinctively reached upward, struggling and thrashing beneath the surface, panicking as she splashed water above her head, unable to utter a single word.

“Help… help!” The maid finally reacted, her face flushed red as she shouted for aid.

Just as the secret guard was about to emerge to rescue her, a shadow suddenly swooped down from the sky, plunging into the water.