Quan Jiu, suppressing her surprise, asked, "Director, you mean these two incidents were orchestrated by Liu Zhi Xi? Why do you think so?"
Had Guo Wen found concrete evidence? Quan Jiu wondered to herself.
Guo Wen, however, shook his head. "It's just a guess. Some things are too coincidental. Perhaps I'm overthinking it, but you should still be wary of her."
Guo Wen genuinely liked Quan Jiu, seeing her as a naturally gifted talent – not arrogant, yet capable, and very likable.
Quan Jiu grew more perplexed. "But I haven't offended her. Her methods are lethal. I haven't met her before, and I've only been on set for two days, acting in three scenes with her. I really can't figure it out."
Guo Wen didn't doubt the sincerity of Quan Jiu's words. He, too, couldn't understand what kind of hatred would lead to such ruthless actions. "Don't overthink it. It's just a guess. Just stay away from Xiao Dong, who is close to her. I'll handle the rest."
Quan Jiu thanked him repeatedly. Regardless of anything else, it was good of Guo Wen to personally inform her of this, especially since Liu Zhi Xi was such a big star.
However, Quan Jiu knew what Guo Wen's "I'll handle the rest" meant. She had noticed unfamiliar faces around the set, subtly lingering near Xiao Dong. Guo Wen's plan was undoubtedly to catch them red-handed.
But she couldn't let this go. Liu Zhi Xi had genuinely tried to take her life.
Quan Jiu returned to the filming location and sat not far from Liu Zhi Xi, then dialed Chu Rong's number.
"Hello, A Rong, what are you doing?"
Her voice was sweet and charming, clearly indicating she was talking to a man. Liu Zhi Xi tilted her head slightly and listened for a few more sentences, understanding that Quan Jiu was on the phone with Chu Rong.
Thinking of Chu Rong's attitude towards Quan Jiu yesterday, Liu Zhi Xi gritted her teeth in anger. What was so great about that bitch? Was Chu Rong blind to be interested in such a nobody?
"Hmph, I'll find a way to let you know my noble status. Then you'll surely be begging me with a diamond ring," she muttered to herself, her ears still involuntarily listening.
"...I suddenly want to see fireworks. Can you put on a fireworks show for me?"
Fireworks. A fierce glint flashed in Liu Zhi Xi's eyes. She beckoned Xiao Dong over.
Xiao Dong was visibly limping. She approached Liu Zhi Xi fearfully, shrinking back, "Miss."
Liu Zhi Xi, her face sinister, whispered into Xiao Dong's ear, word by word, "I'm giving you one more chance. Go buy some fireworks, powerful ones. Even if they don't kill that bitch, they should at least disfigure her."
Xiao Dong nodded frantically, "Yes, Miss, I'll go right away."
"Wait," Liu Zhi Xi grabbed Xiao Dong's wrist, her nails digging deeply. "If you fail again this time, I'll chop you into pieces and feed you to the dogs."
Xiao Dong was terrified. She knew Liu Zhi Xi wasn't bluffing.
She had thought yesterday afternoon's accident was foolproof. A large iron frame falling down should have resulted in bloodshed.
But she had miscalculated two things. First, Pei Feng had protected Quan Jiu. Second, the frame was too large, with significant gaps in the middle. It looked menacing, but when it fell, it was blocked by various objects and didn't land squarely. This resulted in her failing to collect blood again.
The consequence of failure was being whipped twenty times last night. Her legs were already raw and burning, yet she had to endure the pain and claim she had simply fallen by accident while serving her mistress.
Xiao Dong harbored resentment, but she was merely a servant whose life was cheaper than grass in the new district. She had no choice but to obey.
She actually wanted to steal hair. Compared to causing bleeding injuries, collecting samples like hair and saliva was much easier. But her mistress refused, insisting on her drawing blood.
The two failures made Xiao Dong fearful. If she failed again this time, she would truly meet her maker.
To survive, she had to succeed no matter what.
"Miss, don't worry. This time, I absolutely won't fail," Xiao Dong promised, though without much confidence.
Liu Zhi Xi gave her a look that conveyed everything, then stood up, script in hand, and walked towards the set, as Guo Wen was already calling for actors to get into position.
The next scene was a confrontation between her and Quan Jiu.
Seeing Liu Zhi Xi leave, Quan Jiu quietly said to Chu Rong, "Tell your bodyguards not to bother with Xiao Dong for now. I'll tell you why at noon."
Chu Rong knew she had her own ideas and didn't ask further, agreeing. Then, with a hint of possessiveness in his smile, he added, "That voice you just used, you're not allowed to speak like that to any other man."
Quan Jiu was speechless. "Who else would I speak like that to? I almost felt like kneeling to myself. If it wasn't to get Liu Zhi Xi's attention, would I really use that high-pitched voice?"
After hanging up, Quan Jiu also returned to the filming location.
...
After shooting for over two hours, nearing noon, Guo Wen finally called for a break and instructed the staff to distribute lunch boxes.
Quan Jiu was just about to get hers. But before she could stand up, a tall, elegant, and distinguished figure caught her eye.
Quan Jiu was startled and quickly ran over. "Why are you here again?"
"There's no rule saying I can't visit every day."
Disregarding the stares of those around them, Chu Rong took Quan Jiu's hand and found a spot to sit. He then took out four lunch boxes from his bag.
"Wow, sausage, preserved ribs. Did you buy these?" Quan Jiu exclaimed happily, eating sausage and preserved ribs before the New Year.
"I learned from Chen Ma. I saw they were dried today and thought you'd like them, so I cooked a portion for you," Chu Rong said, handing Quan Jiu chopsticks and rice.
Faced with delicious food, Quan Jiu no longer cared about the surrounding whispers and ate with great relish.
"Chu Rong, what kind of perfect man is this? A big CEO making food himself. Why haven't I met such a good man?"
"If you had half of her beauty and capability, maybe you could meet one too."
"What's there to be proud of? Showing off your affection will lead to a quick demise. Do you think it's really that easy to marry into a wealthy family?"
"Even if I could, I wouldn't want to marry into a wealthy family. Wealthy wives are very pitiful. Their meals, sleep, and even their clothing and hairstyles are controlled. They spend their days at home raising children, serving their in-laws, and enduring all sorts of moods. It's very miserable, nothing to envy."
It was true, nothing to envy... But the couple right in front of them, they were just a tiny bit enviable.
Especially this man, who seemed so perfect, from his looks to his family background to his upbringing. It was hard not to feel envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Liu Zhi Xi's eyes also turned red with hatred. She shot Xiao Dong a dark glance.
Xiao Dong understood and quietly left the scene.
Shortly after she left, two plainclothes bodyguards, assigned by Guo Wen, quietly followed her.