Song Hanzheng's expression instantly changed.
He realized that Li Feile's target this time was the clumsy Jiang Liuyue from earlier.
But it was already too late to step forward and stop it.
On the set.
Jiang Liuyue had already dodged half a step back the moment the other woman raised her hand to throw the liquid.
Even so.
The boiling hot water inevitably scalded her arm, though it was much better than taking it directly to the face.
At the same time, she exclaimed:
"It's hot water!"
Because she dodged in time, the actresses playing the Noble Consort and the Zhaoyi next to her were not so lucky.
Their arms and knees were also splashed by the boiling water.
Fortunately, the palace costumes they wore over their clothes were quite thick.
Those two were second and third-tier actresses from other agencies.
They immediately lost their tempers:
"What is wrong with the stagehands?"
"The script for this scene clearly stated it should be cold tea."
After one of them spoke, the other couldn't help but sneak a glance at Li Feile.
It was as if she understood the hidden scheme.
However, she didn't say anything, simply watching the drama unfold in silence.
Ultimately.
The shooting for this scene was postponed, and the stagehand took the blame.
The smart people on set knew very well that this was Li Feile trying to teach the rookie actress Jiang Liuyue a lesson, but she hadn't expected the girl to react so quickly.
That was why she hadn't succeeded.
The executive director stepped forward and said to Jiang Liuyue:
"You can step down for now. I'll give you the day off. Put some burn ointment on your arm, and don't let it affect the upcoming schedule."
"Okay, thank you, Director."
That was the reality for minor actors.
Even if they were injured, the director's ultimate concern was not delaying the shooting schedule.
Jiang Liuyue pursed her lips, concealing the ambition in her eyes.
The male assistant beside Li Feile suddenly walked over.
With an apologetic look, he said:
"Are you alright?"
"Our Sister Feile was also terrified. Who could have thought that the teapot was filled with boiling water?"
This statement seemed like an apology.
But in reality, it was a warning to Jiang Liuyue that she better swallow this grievance.
Otherwise, Li Feile would retaliate even more ruthlessly later.
Jiang Liuyue knew she could only swallow her frustration for now.
There was no other way.
When one's power was too weak, acting out of sheer reckless courage wasn't bravery.
It was courting death.
"I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Sister Feile."
"That's good." After the male assistant finished speaking, he left with an arrogant posture.
This little act was just for the benefit of the others.
As long as it looked passable on the surface, it was enough.
Who would actually care about the truth?
Jiang Liuyue returned to the dressing room corridor and found a tall, slender silhouette sitting on a chair.
She quickly walked over.
Sure enough, it was Song Hanzheng.
"Why didn't you come to pick me up?"
she asked, a trace of grievance in her tone.
Just now, so many people had pretended to be concerned, but they were actually just watching a joke.
They had agreed that Song Hanzheng would come up to greet her after this shoot ended.
Song Hanzheng's eyes flickered unnaturally.
Why didn't he show up?
Of course, it was because Li Feile was also on set.
He didn't want to complicate things.
Faced with her questioning, Song Hanzheng chose to respond with money.
"How much did you pay to hire me before?"
"I'll pay you back double!"
Jiang Liuyue sat on the bench beside him in a huff.
A soft hiss escaped her throat.
Gritting her teeth, she said:
"It's not about the money."
"First I took the blame for being two hours late, then they posted fake scandals online saying I was kept by a sugar daddy, and now they try to throw boiling water in my face on set."
"I'm not an idiot."
"Sister Feile doesn't like me."
"No, to be exact, she absolutely hates me!"
Song Hanzheng didn't say a word.
His gaze fell on her arm.
He asked:
"Did you get burned?"
"It's fine." Seeing this, Jiang Liuyue neatly pulled up her sleeve.
One side of her arm was scalded red.
There were even a few small blisters forming.
Song Hanzheng's eyes darkened.
"I'm taking you to the hospital."
"It's nothing, just a minor injury. I'll go to the pharmacy to buy some burn ointment and apply it, then it'll be fine." Jiang Liuyue waved her hand dismissively, but her eyes grew red.
Song Hanzheng frowned.
"Why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying, I just got sand in my eyes." Jiang Liuyue rubbed her eyes.
After rubbing them, they became even redder.
"I know I'm a nobody."
"Whether I'm bullied, teased, or made a scapegoat."
"But one day..." She pointed at herself and repeated, "One day, I will step on their backs and climb my way to the top!"
A hint of surprise flashed in Song Hanzheng's eyes.
He raised an eyebrow.
With a bit of scrutiny.
He seemed to be weighing the gravity of her words.
A moment later, he said:
"With your IQ, are you sure you can manage that?"
Jiang Liuyue, who had just spoken so confidently, instantly deflated.
She turned her head.
She looked at Song Hanzheng.
Her large, misty eyes blinked rapidly.
The distance between them was very close, surpassing the bounds of personal space.
Yet she didn't seem to notice.
"If only..."
"If only I had a powerful sugar daddy too."
Song Hanzheng had thought she was going to say something ambitious.
Sure enough.
She was hopeless.
He gave a disdainful tug at the corner of his lips.
"With your IQ."
"You won't be able to find a sugar daddy."
Jiang Liuyue held her head in her hands and nodded in frustration.
As she raised her arms, her sleeve brushed against her burn again, and she gasped repeatedly in pain.
Song Hanzheng asked:
"Do you still have to film this afternoon?"
Jiang Liuyue shook her head in confusion.
"The executive director gave me the day off and told me to go back and rest."
"Let's go."
Song Hanzheng stood up first.
Jiang Liuyue was still sitting in her seat, looking at him blankly, and asked:
"Go where?"
Song Hanzheng repeated once more: "The hospital."
He paused, then added:
"After all, I am your temporary boyfriend for today. I can't just watch you looking so miserable and foolish all by yourself."
"I'll cover the medical bills."
Jiang Liuyue let out an 'Ah'.
She looked up at him.
"Then aren't you going to lose money on this gig?"
She was referring to his commission as a part-time boyfriend.
Song Hanzheng curled his lips into a smirk.
He shot her a glance.
He said concisely:
"I'm very rich."
The implication was that he didn't care about such a small amount of money.
"Then why are you working part-time?" Jiang Liuyue looked at him with suspicious eyes, not entirely believing his words.
The corner of Song Hanzheng's mouth twitched.
He stated:
"Personal hobby."
Jiang Liuyue let out a long 'Oh', dragging out the sound.
She looked him up and down for a long while.
Only then did she say:
"Well, your hobby is quite unique."
