Qiao Mama quickly covered Qiao Papa’s mouth, her eyes wide with urgency, “Why are you saying these things to the child?”
Little Spoon looked at the warm scene and was greatly surprised, “Host, I didn’t expect you to have such a sweet tongue.”
Qiao Ci rolled her eyes internally, “I had parents before too, okay?”
Little Spoon, “You weren’t this close to General Qiao in the last world either.”
Qiao Ci, “Scram.”
Qiao Ci watched the old couple bicker while quietly devouring her food.
Qiao Mama’s cooking was truly excellent. She decided she would come back often for meals!
After dinner, it began to rain heavily outside.
“Sleep here tonight. It’s not safe to drive in such heavy rain.” Qiao Mama, delighted to see her daughter, immediately urged Qiao Ci to stay over.
“I have things to do tomorrow and need to go back tonight.” Qiao Ci was a little distracted, wondering if the little one at home had eaten.
Ever since seeing the affectionate nickname for Bai Xingyan online, Qiao Ci had grown very fond of it.
Little one.
Mine!
The rain intensified, and Qiao Ci was forced to stay until it subsided a little.
It was already late by the time she got home. She tiptoed in and found the living room lights still on.
Bai Xingyan had fallen asleep on the sofa. His 1.85-meter frame was curled up on the 1.8-meter sofa, looking rather pathetic.
Qiao Ci’s eyes softened with affection. Her little one was so adorable no matter how she looked at him!
She turned up the air conditioning a notch and then crept into the bedroom to get a blanket and cover him.
Bai Xingyan woke up when the blanket was placed on him. He rubbed his eyes groggily and said naturally, “You’re back.”
“Mm, go to the bedroom and sleep now that you’re awake.” Qiao Ci’s expression returned to its usual coldness.
“Are you hungry? I can cook you a bowl of noodles.” Bai Xingyan stood up, towering over Qiao Ci and making her look petite and cute.
“I’ve already eaten. Go to sleep.”
“Okay, you should rest early too. Goodnight.” With that, Lin Xingyan sleepily walked back to the bedroom and closed the door.
Watching her bedroom door close in front of her, Qiao Ci pursed her lips, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
She glanced at the bedroom next to hers and naturally walked in.
“Host, why didn’t you remind him?” Little Spoon asked curiously.
“Good question, but don’t ask again. After all, you, an orphan system, wouldn’t understand.” Qiao Ci teased, which was rare for her.
Little Spoon felt ten thousand critical hits.
The next morning, Lin Xingyan woke up in an unfamiliar room, his eyes wide with shock. Seeing that he was still fully clothed, he slowly relaxed. He carefully observed the room’s furnishings, his ear tips turning a faint red.
Isn’t this A’Ci’s room?
He vaguely remembered she had returned last night, and he was in her room. So, where was she…
He neatly arranged the quilt and hesitantly walked out of the room.
Seeing no one in the living room, he approached his own bedroom door, gently opened it, and indeed found Qiao Ci sleeping in his bed.
Under the quilt he had used, on the pillow he had rested his head on.
Bai Xingyan’s heart pounded. He quickly and quietly closed the door, his ears still red, and walked towards the kitchen.
Since she was home in the morning, Bai Xingyan decided to make a nutritious breakfast.
After waking up, Qiao Ci ate breakfast with an open demeanor. Lin Xingyan acted like a little wife, “Last night, I’m sorry… I was sleepy.”
“Minor issue.” Qiao Ci said indifferently.
Seeing that Qiao Ci didn’t mind, Lin Xingyan finally relaxed. If this had caused any unpleasantness, he would have regretted it for a long time.
Before entering the film crew, Qiao Ci handed Lin Xingyan a card, “There’s five million in here. Ask me for more when you’ve used it up.”
“This, it’s not right.” Lin Xingyan’s gaze flickered. Although spending Qiao Ci’s money made him feel like she didn’t treat him as an outsider, he still felt embarrassed.
“What’s not right about it? Isn’t money meant to be spent?” Qiao Ci looked at him, bewildered.
However, she was thinking that she needed to earn more money in the future.
Her little one had always lived a life of top-tier nobility. At the very least, while he was living at her place, she couldn’t let him suffer materially.
“A’Ci, you…” Why are you so good to me?
Lin Xingyan stopped short of asking the question.
“Mm?”
“When you’re on set, can I visit you?” Lin Xingyan didn’t dare to ask the question.
“Sure.” Qiao Ci answered without hesitation.
Li Meng was recruiting staff for her studio, and Qiao Ci entered the film crew with her personal assistant.
This movie was about a deposed empress in the deep palace who, step by step, plotted her way to becoming an eternal empress.
The general plot bore some resemblance to Qiao Ci’s last world, except here there was no uniquely favored imperial consort. The male lead and the empress only had mutual admiration, and their relationship never progressed beyond that by the time they died.
Lin Yinyin, as a former popular actress, although her reputation had suffered after being a mistress, was still qualified to play a villainous third female lead.
Initially, the director did not want Lin Yinyin, but a close friend strongly recommended her. He thought it wouldn’t hurt to have her play a harmless role, and coupled with her recent reputation, attracting a wave of anti-fans might even be beneficial. That’s how Lin Yinyin ended up staying.
Seeing Qiao Ci surrounded by people showing her concern and attention, Lin Yinyin felt a sense of déjà vu, recalling the moments before her death in the previous life when she saw Qiao Ci, who had already been an award-winning actress for many years, on television.
This life, with her system in hand, she would not lose!
She would absolutely not let herself fall into such a tragic situation again!
“System, I’m counting on you. Qiao Ci is the biggest obstacle to me becoming an award-winning actress. If I get rid of her, I can become an award-winning actress very quickly. From now on, I’ll listen to everything you say.”
The Film Empress System was finally persuaded by Lin Yinyin. The person and the system decided to cause an accident during filming to directly kill Qiao Ci.
Little Spoon relayed their conversation verbatim to Qiao Ci.
“Host, you need to be careful.”
Lin Yinyin, as the third female lead, didn’t have much screen time. She usually helped the film crew with tasks within her capabilities and often treated everyone to drinks, which improved their impression of her.
One time, Lin Yinyin tried to trip up Qiao Ci. She got too close, making Qiao Ci gag. Lin Yinyin then burst into tears, feigning distress, and many girls who had drunk her milk tea rushed to comfort her.
“What’s wrong with Qiao Ci? You’re also a victim. The ‘palace cold’ condition hurt both of you. She’s still targeting you, isn’t she too petty?”
“Seriously, why must women make things difficult for women?”
“Especially since she’s not openly bullying you, just playing dirty tricks. What’s on you that’s making her so unbearable?”
“Yinyin, don’t be angry. From now on, we’ll just avoid her. If we can’t deal with her, we can at least dodge her!”
Lin Yinyin wiped the tears from her eyes and looked gratefully at those who were speaking up for her, choking out, “Thank you, I’m fine. You all go back to work.”
That day, Qiao Ci was filming a fight scene. Lin Xingyan, having made her favorite food, came to visit.
Seeing that she was still busy, he sat quietly on the side to wait.
Suddenly, the chandelier above Qiao Ci’s head loosened and fell. Without a second thought, Lin Xingyan rushed forward and shielded Qiao Ci with his body. The chandelier heavily impacted his back, and blood instantly began to pour out.
The warm blood soaked Qiao Ci’s fingers, making her heart race with panic. Everyone rushed to lift Lin Xingyan and called 120.
Qiao Ci’s cold eyes sharply fell upon Lin Yinyin. The Film Empress System sensed an unprecedented sense of crisis.
“Hurry, go!”
“Leave here!”