Chapter 188: Little Matter, Of Course I Will Be Able To Control You All
Lu Shaoming also stopped his footsteps. He looked at Zhou Zhilei and had a cold smile, “If she doesn’t agree then she doesn’t agree. Only I need to be satisfied with the results. She did not have much care for me, because in her eyes, I do not need care from her. But she doesn’t understand, people that do not need care also do not need restriction. Now I am also not someone that she is able to take control of.”
His family upbringing destined him to become a responsible and capable man. At the same time, his upbringing made him filial. These are the basic requirements of life. But being filial does not mean to follow blindly. In the past, whenever his mother talked about marriage with him, he would never retaliate, because he had not met someone that would give him the reason to do so. In this life, if he did not meet someone whom he could fall in love with, he figured that he would look for a rich family to build connections by marriage. With his personality, even if he did not have feelings after marriage, he would also not betray the marriage. He would protect the person for life, and that’s how he figured it would turn out. But now, it was all different.
He had met…Ning Qing.
He did not know why, but he had such strong feelings towards her.
Zhou Zhilei was shocked beyond words. Lu Shaoming continued, “Zhilei, it’s true that we grew up together. I did not provoke you at all. My att.i.tude has always been clear. Don’t use your age and youth to blackmail me. I will not take responsibility, and I do not feel any guilt. You are a clever woman. Don’t waste more time on me, and these words are the last words I will give you. I have other matters to attend to. I will be leaving, now.”
Lu Shaoming stuck a hand into his pocket, and lifted his foot to leave. Zhou Zhilei looked at the man’s handsome back view in a daze. She thought he came to relax and have a meal with her. But it seems like he was here for a reason; he came here to tell her these words.
He spoke those words just now with his dark eyes calm and collected. They were filled with distance and neglect. He really did not have any feelings for her. If not for the good relations between the two families, he probably would not have spent the 5 minutes to speak with her.
Or maybe, he already had a girl that he thought of dating now, so he did not want her to have more vague feelings for him. He would make the break clean and clear now. This man was so fickle. Her feelings that she had for him for these years – he did not take any of it into account.
Lu Shaoming looked at his wrist.w.a.tch again. His a.s.sumed that the girl probably was done showering. She had not eaten dinner, and her stomach was probably hungry. He went downstairs to buy her dinner. He did not know what she likes. He pa.s.sed by MacDonald’s and stopped in his tracks. He did not like fast food chains. He had never tried them before, but that afternoon, she seemed to like it a lot, and she liked sweets, especially ice cream. Lu Shaoming went into the McDonalds.
When he entered, everyone’s gaze was on him. The people who came inside to eat were all young couples. Seldom would an erudite man like him to come in. His s.h.i.+rt and trousers were a little creased since he slept with her, but this did not affect his elegance and delicateness. His two long legs were straight and confident. He had one hand in his pocket, and looked every bit like a high handed president from an idol drama.
“Wow, where did this long legged oppa come from? He is so handsome.” Some young girls approached him and covered their mouths to scream. Lu Shaoming was used to this scene. He lifted his foot to walk to the ordering counter and lifted his head to look at the menu above. The staff behind the counter looked at Lu Shaoming’s defined features and were mesmerized. This man was really so handsome, especially when he pursed his dark red thin lips together. It brought out an air of elegance and coldness that was hard to approach. It made women’s hearts fall in love. This kind of man would actually come to McDonalds also.”
The cas.h.i.+er nervously asked, “S…Sir, what do you want to order?” He seemed unsure of what to order. “Hmm, what do girls usually like to order?” The cas.h.i.+er was elated in her heart. His voice was so melodious. It was low and charming, and also had the politeness of a gentleman;he was so attractive.
“Sir, are you ordering… for your girlfriend? How old is she?” Lu Shaoming lightly frowned and looked at the staff once. He did not verbally deny that term –”girlfriend.” With her words, as for how old she was…
He did not ask beforehand.
Looking at her young and small appearance, she should be around 16 or 17, but she was wiser beyond her years when she dealt with the world. She was probably around 20.
“20 years old.”
“Sir, normal 20 year old girls would like fries, egg tarts, and ice cream. Like this and this, these are hot products.” The cas.h.i.+er pointed towards the menu. Lu Shaoming nodded his head and said, “Okay, give me those.”
…
Lu Shaoming opened the doors to the office. The paper bag that he was carrying made his palm sweat. This was the first time he bought these things for a girl. He did not know if she would like it or not. Lu Shaoming walked into the relaxation room and said, “Ning Qing…” It was empty inside.
His white s.h.i.+rt was on the bed, and Ning Qing had already left. Lu Shaoming looked around the room once, walked out without any expression, then exited the office. When he walked downstairs, he placed the paper bag that he had in his hands into the rubbish bin, sat on the Bentley, and left.
…
Although Ning Qing was very upset when Lu Shaoming left with Zhou Zhilei that night, Ning Qing did not have time to be distressed. As it was March 21 tomorrow, the stage play was going to debut. But she shouted “Cut” a number of times when the lead actors Ou Luo Xi and Xia Xiaofu were acting out their scene where they kissed while being shoved against the wall.
The most popular actor and G.o.ddess were all known for their professionalism with regards to their acting. Every time they rehea.r.s.ed other scenes, they could get it right in one take. But every time it was a kiss scene, it was if they’d been hit in their Achilles’ heel.
Ning Qing clapped and said to the pair who was behind a piece of light muslin, “Luo Xi, Xiao Fu, I don’t want to put pressure on you guys, but the entire cast is prepared already. It’s only this kiss scene that cannot pa.s.s the mark. Let us rehea.r.s.e one more time.” Xia Xiaofu, who was behind the muslin, lightly lay against the screen, and Ou Luo Xi slowly raised his hand over. The two seemed to be close to completing the kissing scene.
Xiao Zhou hit the slate and shouted, “Action!”
The filming officially started.
Ou Luo Xi was taller than Xia Xiaofu by a head’s length. His shadow neared her. Xia Xiaofu stole a stealthy look at him. He did not look at her, and his gaze was on her lips as he slowly approached to kiss her. When filming kissing scenes like that, as the two actors were not in an actual relations.h.i.+p, they had to find a way to express some sort of warmth between them. The two had to communicate using their eyes, but it was obvious that Ou Luo Xi was rejecting contact.
Xia Xiaofu felt a little disappointed in her heart, but a blush appeared on her delicate face that was as big as a goose’s egg. In his vision, her two soft lips had a glimpse of softness. He came over, and Xia Xiaofu frantically closed her eyes. His cold thin lips only landed softly on the sides of her lips. “Luo Xi.” Ning Qing did not shout “Cut”, but said, “This kind of scene does not have any lines. The audience’s attention should be focused on your body contact. I don’t ask you two to have a deep kiss, but when you are kissing Xiaofu, can you please get closer to her or hold onto her face. Kiss her lips in slow motion – don’t be too stiff.”
The two were behind a muslin cloth. One was lying on the screen because she was too shy. A body stood far away from her, like he was avoiding her. Their body language was overly stiff, and they did not give off any touch of romance or beauty. Ning Qing looked at them as an audience member, and could not help but feel awkward herself.
Ou Luo Xi heard Ning Qing’s words. He took a step forward and used his long and pure body to close in on Xia Xiaofu. He held out his hand to cup her small face. When he came, a clean scent that smelled like bamboo that drifted along with him. Xia Xiaofu felt her legs go soft. Her two small hands that were fumbling without experience went to tug the clothes on his waist. With her movement, Ou Luoxi froze. His hands which were on her small face froze, and he took a step back.
The take was paused.
They still could not make it.
The people on the scene that were antic.i.p.ating all sighed, Xiao Zhou looked at Ning Qing with disappointment, and said softly, “Ning Qing, what do you say we do?” A spark glimmered in Ning Qing’s eyes and she said loudly, “Okay, Luo Xi, Xiao Fu, you two take a break.”
…
“Ning Qing, it is the official start of the production tomorrow, but if Ou Luo Xi and Xia Xiaofu still do not have the spark between them, what should we do then? They look so good together, but they have unexpectedly been unable to get through the kissing scenes,” Xiao Zhou murmured. Ning Qing lifted her gaze to look at Ou Luoxi and Xia Xiaofu. They were seated as far away from one another as possible. They were both accompanied by their a.s.sistants, Ou Luo Xi did not seem to have any expression. The man looked blank. Xia Xiaofu was holding a cup of hot tea in her hand, her gaze was focused downwards, and her delicate small face seemed to be rather depressed.
Ning Qing looked at Xiao Zhou and said softly, “They lack the spark? There have only been 2 or 3 actresses that have filmed a kissing scene with Luo Xi, one of them being me. But when I filmed the kiss scene with Luo Xi, we succeeded in one go. With Xiao Fu here, Luo Xi is only willing to kiss the sides of Xiaofu’s lips. Is there a man in this world who is unwilling to kiss our nation’s G.o.ddess Xiaofu? It is not that they lack the spark, but rather, he is afraid that they would have too much spark, and after they kiss he would lose control.”
“Oh my G.o.d, Ning Qing did you accidentally chance upon another rumour? Ou Luoxi and Xia Xiaofu…” Xiao Zhou seemed to realize something but she still did not understand, “Since they have feelings, then why does Ou Luoxi not want to cooperate?” Ning Qing did not answer. “Xiao Zhou, come over here.” Ning Qing secretly waved towards Xiao Zhou. Xiao Zhou walked excitedly towards her. Ning Qing whispered softly in her ear.
“Pff.” Xiao Zhou laughed immediately and said, “Ning Qing, you are too bad! Okay, I will go to arrange it now.” Looking at Xiao Zhou leave, Ning Qing was in her thoughts and looked towards Ou Luo Xi, she suddenly thought of what Lu Shaoming had said to her in the past.
Ou Luoxi was thrown away when he was born. Until he was 8, he grew up in the Shaolin temple. It was then when he saw the doors of the temple burn down with his own two eyes. For the next 10 years, he spent his life in the depths of the mountains and grew up with the wolves. A wolf child – that was what he was.
He is 19 now. It was only 2 years ago when he learned how to live like a human again. He always was filming dramas, because filming dramas merely consisted of following the script to act it out; it was the simplest thing to do. Actually, he probably still did not learn how to live, so how would he know how to like someone? Furthermore, Xia Xiaofu was his older brother’s fiancée. How could he like her?
Xiao Zhou asked Ou Luoxi why was he not cooperating, that was because people often place what they value the most in the deepest ends of their hearts, and would not express it easily. Ou Luoxi’s heart was sensitive and frail. But Ning Qing was curious, when did Ou Luoxi fall in love with Xia Xiaofu? A person like him, the moment he liked a girl, what would the future hold for him then?
…
After resting for 5 minutes, Ning Qing said, “Let us rehea.r.s.e one more time.” Ou Luo Xi and Xia Xiaofu both stood up and they walked towards the thin muslin. But Ning Qing laughed and stopped them saying, “Xiaofu, it has been hard on you. From now on, you can rest. I have decided to use a body double for this scene.” As she spoke, a girl that looked similar to Xia Xiaofu walked out. Ning Qing introduce her to Ou Luo Xi saying, “Luo Xi, you will film the scene with her. Now we will rehea.r.s.e once; I want to see the effects.” Xia Xiaofu froze on the scene. She looked at the body double, then turned her gaze to look at Ou Luo Xi.
Ou Luo Xi did not expect Ning Qing’s sudden decision. He did not look at the body double at all. This time, he looked Xia Xiaofu in the eye. Xia Xiaofu’s elegant nose was already a little red, and she said to Ning Qing, “Ning Qing, why… suddenly we are changing to the body double… I…”
She could not continue speaking, her two white hands were rolled into two fists by her side. What did you expect a girl like her to say? Could she say that she wanted to film the kiss scene with Ou Luo Xi, and she did not want Ou Luo Xi to kiss another girl? She could not say these words.
Ning Qing smiled and comforted her saying, “Xiaofu, the play starts tomorrow. Time is too tight. Luo Xi and you could not achieve the effect we are looking for. We will use the body double to try it out.” Ning Qing gave an indication to the body double. The girl walked forward and when she pa.s.sed by Ou Luo Xi, she looked at him with admiration her watery eyes.
“Luo Xi, go in. We will start the rehearsals.” Ning Qing hurried Ou Luo Xi. Ou Luo Xi hesitated for a few seconds, and then lifted his foot to walk behind the thin muslin. At this moment, Xiao Zhou came back and made an “Ok” sign with her hands in the direction of Ning Qing in the dark. Ning Qing smiled, clapped the slate, and shouted, “Action.”
Then, Xia Xiaofu looked towards the thin muslin. The body double was leaning on the screen and Ou Luo Xi slowly kissed her. Xia Xiaofu felt her eyes turn red, and she ran away in a huff. “Ay, Xiaofu, what’s wrong with you?” Xia Xiaofu’s a.s.sistant, Xiao Li, hastily chased after her. Ou Luo Xi, who was behind the muslin, heard the commotion outside and let go of the body double. He walked out and said to Ning Qing, “Cancel this kissing scene.” Ou Luo Xi walked out. The entire crew looked at each other in dismay. Rats, the two main leads had run away; what would they do now? Everyone looked in antic.i.p.ation towards their great director Ning Qing. Their director raised her eyebrows and sat down calmly on the director’s chair in contentment. Xiao Zhou gave her a cup of tea and she unhurriedly took a sip. She said in her heart – Small matter, I would definitely be able to settle you two!
….
Xiao Li chased behind Xia Xiaofu. “Xiaofu. Don’t run elsewhere, don’t run so fast. What happens if you fall or get knocked down? Quickly, stop now! Xiaofu, don’t be angry! Using a body double is also good, and who cares about filming a kiss scene with Ou Luo Xi? We have been here for so many days, I saw that he did not even look you in the eyes. He’s too self-centered! I also heard that he likes men… You…”
Xia Xiaofu ran into the changing room and said to Xiao Li with reddened eyes, “Shut up, I don’t want to hear you speak. I don’t want to hear you speaking badly of Ou Luo Xi! I want to change my clothes. You go downstairs to prepare the car. I want to go back, we will come back tomorrow!” Xia Xiaofu slammed the door close with a “Bang!”
Xiao Li was locked outside the door, and she suddenly felt weird. Why was Xiaofu defending that Ou Luo Xi? She turned around to go downstairs, but at the moment she entered the lift, she felt something was amiss. She looked at the room Xia Xiaofu had walked into. There was a sign, “Female Changing Room,” on it, but it seemed different from the changing room in the morning. Xiao Li touched her head and went downstairs feeling muddle-headed.