Chapter 135: Script
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Ruan Yesheng opened the first-floor door and looked around the courtyard. She saw two helpers cleaning in the distance, but besides them, there was no one else in the yard.
Ruan Yesheng had to go back, close the door well, and head upstairs again. She thought for a moment and guessed where Xi Mo was most likely to be at this time, then went straight to the fourth-floor gym. She saw that the gym door was indeed open.
Xi Mo was facing away from her, running on a treadmill.
Ruan Yesheng walked in.
Xi Mo’s private gym was quite large, with all kinds of fitness equipment fully set up. The lights were warm, shining on the wooden floor, making it very bright.
Top actresses like her paid great attention to their body shape. They kept a well-balanced diet, and exercise was something they could not skip. To stand under the flashing lights looking radiant, the hard work behind the scenes was far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
Back when Ruan Yesheng switched with her for that period, Xi Mo even specially reminded Ruan Yesheng to help her exercise on time.
Xi Mo was wearing headphones, running while listening to soft music, and didn’t notice Ruan Yesheng approaching.
Ruan Yesheng was afraid that if she suddenly appeared, she might scare her, and if Xi Mo fell on the treadmill, it would be dangerous. So she called out to her, “Xi Mo.”
Xi Mo heard Ruan Yesheng’s voice, took off her headphones, slowed the treadmill down a lot, and looked back at her.
Ruan Yesheng walked to her side and smiled. “Good morning.”
Xi Mo changed from running to walking so she could talk to Ruan Yesheng.
Her hair was soaked with sweat, sticking to the side of her face. She simply nodded and said, “Good morning. How did you sleep last night? Are you not used to it?”
“It’s good. Very comfortable.” Ruan Yesheng looked her up and down.
Usually, Xi Mo’s long hair was left loose, but when running, she tied it up into a long ponytail, which added a touch of boldness and energy to her calm appearance.
The gym was warm. Xi Mo wore only a thin layer of running clothes. Her outfit was short-sleeved, showing her long arms. Her fitted pants reached her calves, leaving a section of fair skin showing below. Even her ankles were covered in sweat.
Ruan Yesheng stared at her sweat-dampened, pale ankles, feeling there was a hidden kind of different sensuality there.
Xi Mo didn’t know Ruan Yesheng was looking at her ankles and kept running.
“When did you get up?” Ruan Yesheng brought over a pink exercise ball, quietly admiring Xi Mo’s alluring figure.
The exercise ball was big, soft, and bouncy. When using it for workouts, if not careful, it could easily roll and slip. Ruan Yesheng had practiced dancing before, and her sense of balance was excellent. She sat on it with ease, just like sitting on a chair, without moving at all.
“Around 7:30,” Xi Mo said.
“So diligent, exercising right after waking up.” Ruan Yesheng sighed at her discipline and self-control.
Although Ruan Yesheng also exercised regularly, and never skipped dance practice, sometimes she would, like today, curl up in bed for a comfortable lazy sleep to relax herself.
“It’s vacation anyway, nothing to do.” Xi Mo asked her, “Do you want to run? There’s another treadmill here. It was originally bought for Auntie Lan to use, but she doesn’t like running, she only does yoga.”
“Okay, I’ll run for a while too.” Watching Xi Mo run made Ruan Yesheng feel a little tempted. She got up from the exercise ball and said, “I’ll go change clothes first.”
“Alright, I’ll take a break.” Xi Mo got off the treadmill, wiped her sweat with a towel, and went to the side to drink water.
Ruan Yesheng changed clothes, tied her hair, and came back to the gym. She saw Xi Mo running again. She stepped onto the treadmill next to Xi Mo’s, adjusted the speed, and kept the same pace, running alongside her.
Seeing Ruan Yesheng next to her, Xi Mo didn’t put on her headphones again. While running, she glanced sideways.
Ruan Yesheng’s running outfit was a fitted short tank top. Her arms and waist were all exposed. Her pants clung tightly to her skin, her long legs wrapped in that soft fabric, outlining every curve of her figure.
She danced often, so her body rhythm was naturally exquisite. The curves and lines captivated the eyes. Her arms were toned, the lines naturally smooth, with no excess at all.
Especially her soft slender waist, now swaying openly right in front of Xi Mo’s eyes.
For a dancer, the legs are life, the hands are spirit, and her waist is her soul.
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
The best dancers’ waists must be top-notch, not only beautiful but also full of strength. Whether twisting her body, bending back, or doing any high-level dance move, all depended on that section of a dancer’s waist soul.
At this moment, that waist moved lightly with Ruan Yesheng’s running motions. Her flat and firm belly also rose and fell with her breathing, and that small navel made people’s eyes heat up and hearts race.
Xi Mo felt her whole body getting hotter, sweating even more. She didn’t know if it was because she was running too hard.
After running for a while, Ruan Yesheng also began to sweat. Tiny beads of sweat formed on her waist, as if it had been moistened by rain.
Xi Mo quickly turned her face away and looked straight ahead. After a moment, though, she turned back again and looked at Ruan Yesheng—only to meet Ruan Yesheng’s gaze.
Ruan Yesheng had been watching her. Caught off guard by Xi Mo’s eyes, she felt a bit flustered. She had to use conversation to cover up the fact that she had been secretly looking at Xi Mo’s body. “Did you get Director Gu’s script? She sent it really late. I was already asleep and didn’t see it. I just noticed it before coming up here and replied to her.”
“I got it. She actually sent the message at two in the morning, unbelievable.” Xi Mo let out a breath and followed Ruan Yesheng’s topic. “I saw it after I got up.”
Gu Ru had stayed up very late this time.
Sending the script that late wasn’t normal work timing. Xi Mo guessed that Gu Ru must have just finished revising the final script, felt excited, and sent it to them, officially calling it work, but really just showing off.
Xi Mo knew Gu Ru well. Gu Ru was a very casual director and also liked to write her own scripts. Saying it nicely, she was a genius. Saying it badly, she was sick.
Xi Mo wasn’t surprised at all by many of her unusual actions.
“I haven’t had time to open it yet.” Ruan Yesheng asked Xi Mo, “Have you read it? What’s the detailed situation in the script?”
Gu Ru had always been unique in the industry and never followed the rules. Even when she asked them to audition, it was only for a short scene. Before today, they hadn’t even seen the true face of the script.
When they decided to take this movie, they only listened to a rough outline. They didn’t even know the title.
They only knew it was a suspense movie set in a modern city, with two female leads, a very twisty plot, and it involved many time-twisting timelines. It was a bit brain-burning. Such movies were more common abroad, but not often seen in their country. If filmed well, it would feel fresh and new.
Gu Ru’s movies had always been famous for their extreme visuals, well-shaped three-dimensional characters, and excellent plots.
The visuals gave people a sense of beauty and immersion. The characters could make people feel emotional resonance—feeling their sadness, joy, and anger. And the plot was the most important core of a movie.
For movie audiences, good visuals and explosive special effects couldn’t save a crippled plot that made people drowsy. But an outstanding and clever plot could often make a low-budget movie turn around and become a box office dark horse. This was the charm of the plot.
Trusting Gu Ru’s past reputation, the two of them took this movie even though they didn’t know its name or the detailed storyline.
They believed in Gu Ru, and the audience also believed in Gu Ru. The three words “Director Gu Ru” were already a golden signboard.
“I roughly flipped through it. Actually, there aren’t many pages,” Xi Mo said.
“Not many pages? A whole movie, and a suspense movie at that, has only this little content?” Ruan Yesheng was a bit surprised. She really wanted to stop running now, go grab her phone, and check it herself.
Xi Mo explained, “That’s not what I mean. Gu Ru didn’t send the full script at all. Right now, we can only see the earlier scenes.”
Ruan Yesheng understood and asked, “Then how’s the emotional part between the two female leads? Did the earlier scenes write about it? I asked several times, but Director Gu kept being mysterious, like she was hiding something. This is the first time I’ve taken a role without even knowing exactly what kind of character I’m playing. I only know this character is complicated and has depression.”
Xi Mo looked at her. “Emotional part?”
Ruan Yesheng realized she had used the wrong word. She quickly corrected herself. “I mean, how are the scenes between the two female leads? Director Gu said they have a good relationship, so they must be good friends. There should be some kind of a friendship rivalry scene, right? Otherwise, how can the characters stand out?”
Xi Mo’s expression turned strange. “Right now, the script only shows part of it, so you can’t see the full emotional direction between them. But there’s one scene that’s a bit strange.”
“What’s strange?” Ruan Yesheng watched Xi Mo’s expression. Feeling itchy with curiosity, she decided to run one more minute, then stop and check the script herself.
Xi Mo said, “There’s a scene where I feed you cherries, and there’s even a close-up.”
Ruan Yesheng laughed. “Two female leads are friends. Feeding each other cherries, what’s so strange about that?”
“Not with hands.” Xi Mo’s expression was complicated. She paused before saying, “It’s with… mouth feeding.”
Ruan Yesheng almost stumbled but managed to steady herself. “…”
“Be careful.” Xi Mo said and quickly stopped her treadmill, and jumped off.
Ruan Yesheng also pressed stop, got off the treadmill, and looked at Xi Mo.
Her heart was beating wildly. Her breathing was slightly quick, not because she almost fell, but because she couldn’t wait to see the script now.
“Are you sure it’s with the mouth?” Ruan Yesheng still couldn’t quite believe it.
“…Sure.” Xi Mo said seriously. “I read it several times.”
Ruan Yesheng found it unbelievable, feeling dazed for a moment, then suddenly realized. “You even read it several times?”
Xi Mo: “…”
She lightly coughed and said, “It’s because I couldn’t believe there would be such a scene, so I checked many times.”
Ruan Yesheng smiled at Xi Mo, still doubtful inside, and said, “Director Gu hasn’t said what kind of relationship the two female leads have, but they’re feeding cherries to each other with their mouths. They shouldn’t be just ordinary friends, right? This is actually a… a…”
She was at a loss for words.
Movie time was limited, and Gu Ru’s style was always perfectionist. She never filmed meaningless shots. And since this time she was making a suspense film, the pacing would be even tighter. For Gu Ru, every minute had to deliver important information. She wouldn’t waste it.
If Gu Ru set a scene in this script where the two female leads feed cherries with their mouths, it must have a deeper meaning.
This couldn’t help but make them care about it.
Ruan Yesheng thought for a moment and finally said, “A suspense movie with a lesbian theme?”
“…I’m not sure either.” Xi Mo lowered her eyes, looking a bit restrained. “Gu Ru didn’t tell me.”
The atmosphere suddenly became even stranger.
The two of them looked at each other. The gym was silent. They both felt a subtle uneasiness slowly climb up from the base of their spines.
Even the air turned hot.
“But it’s impossible.” Ruan Yesheng, though secretly happy about such a scene, still found it very strange and finally said, “This kind of theme won’t pass the review.”
Years ago, there were some good lesbian movies, but now they had long disappeared because the subject was too sensitive. Policies didn’t allow it, and the censorship standards got stricter every year.
A long time ago, when Xi Mo wasn’t as famous as now, there had been a lesbian movie that invited her to act, but she refused. Later, that movie never made any news. It was just marketing bloggers using it to attract fans.
And now, even such hype was hard to hear anymore because everyone knew it was impossible.
It wouldn’t pass review, wouldn’t be released, and wouldn’t earn box office money. Naturally, no director would risk making it. The whole film industry was silent. Even if a suspense movie was excellent in every way, as long as the two main characters’ relationship didn’t fit the so-called “policy rules,” the authorities could ruthlessly cut it off. Who would dare to film it?
In this environment in China, it’s like dancing with shackles on your feet, dancing until blood flows, and still needing to see whose dance looks better.
“Gu Ru is very smart. She would never make a movie that can’t pass review. She wants awards and also wants the general public’s box office.” Xi Mo thought for a while, her face becoming more serious, and analyzed clearly, “Maybe the two female leads are just very close, without boundaries. If the whole script only has this one slightly ambiguous scene, then the movie’s emotional tone won’t be set as a lesbian film, so it can safely pass review. I just don’t know what Gu Ru is thinking.”
“But we only have part of the script now. How can we be sure?” Ruan Yesheng said.
Author's Note:
Director Gu, don’t say anything. You think about passing the review. I just want to see the feeding cherry part as soon as possible.
Thanks everyone for the ratings, comments, water, and overlord tickets. There’s another update tomorrow. Muah, muah, muah~
