It was noon.
The contestants each found a place to eat.
Chen Feng hastily ate lunch by himself and returned to the rehearsal room.
He sat there quietly.
Qu Dan went out to eat with Ma Jun.
She wore a mask on her face.
Because her face was swollen from the slap Chen Feng gave her in the morning.
While eating, it remained a reddish-purple.
It just wouldn't go down.
Moreover, her skin was burning, and her back molars were swollen.
That slap was really heavy.
Qu Dan felt a bit regretful.
However, during the meal, Ma Jun was exceptionally happy.
He comforted Qu Dan, “It’s alright, what is that Chen Feng kid? He’s just an extra. There are plenty of posts online about him doing drugs.”
“So, he’s bound to be eliminated.”
“Dan Dan, what you need to do is win as beautifully as possible.”
“What counts as beautiful?”
“That means making the audience and judges feel that you won based on your acting skills.”
“Therefore, his hitting was good.”
“Don’t be afraid of the pain.”
Qu Dan covered her face and said miserably, “Director, my face is still burning right now. It’s all bruised. What should I do this afternoon? If we continue rehearsing and I keep getting hit, I won’t be able to do the live broadcast tonight.”
“Haha, don’t worry, of course, there’s no need to rehearse this afternoon. Otherwise, you won’t be able to be on camera tonight.”
“After we finish eating, go back and discuss it with Chen Feng.”
“This afternoon’s rehearsal is canceled. However, tonight, he must genuinely film the live scene with the same force as that last slap.”
“Your face will be fine. I’ve already had someone send the best swelling-reducing ointment. Apply it this afternoon, and the swelling will definitely be gone by the time we start filming tonight.”
“As long as Chen Feng acts like a madman and violently attacks you during the live broadcast tonight, I guarantee that public opinion will be completely one-sided.”
“Not only will he be eliminated, but he’ll also be subjected to online bullying and eventually exit the industry miserably.”
“Do you believe me?”
Ma Jun looked at Qu Dan with a confident expression.
Qu Dan nodded vigorously.
Of course, she believed him.
To get to where she was today, Ma Jun’s contributions were indispensable.
How could she not trust him?
Whether she could become a top star like Pang Di in the future depended entirely on him.
So, while they were eating, they were in a romantic mood.
Eating above, hands moving below.
In a short while, Qu Dan’s eyes were glistening.
Truly glistening!
…
Afternoon.
Back in the rehearsal room.
As soon as she entered, she saw Chen Feng returning from the two cameramen and sitting in the corner.
The two cameramen had peculiar expressions.
But Qu Dan didn't pay attention.
Her mind was filled with the scenes of her advancement that she had fantasized about.
On the live broadcast stage, in front of a national audience, all the spotlights shone on her.
So exciting!
Qu Dan took a deep breath.
She slowly walked up to Chen Feng and said very calmly, “Chen Feng, I’m afraid we can’t rehearse this afternoon. Look at my face.”
Saying that, she took off her mask.
Although half of her face had ointment on it, it was still bruised and swollen.
It hadn’t gone down at all.
It showed how hard Chen Feng’s last slap was.
Chen Feng also looked up at her, smiling gently, “My apologies.”
“It’s okay, I’m not blaming you.”
Qu Dan quickly shook her head, “Really, I don’t blame you. After all, this was my own request for a real hit. It has nothing to do with you.”
“But it’s a live broadcast tonight after all.”
“So, I’ve taken some measures to try and reduce the swelling before the broadcast tonight, otherwise the promotion competition will be ruined.”
“Let’s not rehearse this afternoon.”
“Just review the lines or something.”
“Also, I hope you can maintain that mindset of hitting me right until the end. When the broadcast starts tonight, just hit me like that.”
“This way, I believe our segment will definitely be the most exciting.”
“How about it?”
Chen Feng looked up at her.
He smiled slightly.
Then, unexpectedly, he shook his head, “I’m sorry, I cannot agree.”
“What?”
Qu Dan was stunned.
What was going on?
Why did he change his mind?
Hadn’t he already agreed to hit her this morning?
And her face was already swollen.
Why didn’t he agree now?
Qu Dan rushed to Chen Feng, anxious, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you going back on your word? Didn’t you hit me this morning?”
“I did.”
Qu Dan said angrily, “Then why do you still have reservations?”
“I don’t want to hit women.”
Chen Feng smiled, “Giving you a slap this morning, and your face swelling up, made me feel it was a sin, especially towards you.”
“Ah? Why?”
Qu Dan was stunned again.
She suddenly felt that Chen Feng’s eyes seemed to carry a very subtle… affection.
Oh my god!
He wouldn’t be interested in her, would he?
Qu Dan instantly felt a tingling sensation.
A bursting sense of self-satisfaction welled up.
Her eyes also lit up.
The corners of her mouth also curled up.
Her chest also puffed out.
She looked at Chen Feng, blinked, and her charming gaze drifted, “Why am I so special?”
“You are special.”
Chen Feng slowly leaned closer to Qu Dan, looking into her eyes, reaching out to gently touch the hair at her temple, and murmured in a soft voice, “In my eyes, you have always been very special. Naive, pure. It’s too rare in the entertainment industry of this era.”
Qu Dan: “…”
Her face felt a little hot.
Chen Feng continued to murmur, “I’ve never seen a girl in the entertainment industry whose eyes could be as naive, yet so alluring as yours.”
Qu Dan: “…”
Her heart rate accelerated.
Strictly speaking, Chen Feng was very handsome.
He could definitely outshine Ma Jun.
Unfortunately, one of them was a rising director, and the other was a mere extra.
Their status and position were incomparable.
Chen Feng looked at Qu Dan and said gently, “You asked me to hit you for real, which is very difficult for me to do. That last slap this morning, I spent the entire afternoon blaming myself and regretting it. So, I won’t hit you again.”
Qu Dan: “…”
It felt like a million marmots were screaming in her heart.
She suddenly realized that this man felt so good.
He was so affectionate.
If she dated him, Qu Dan was almost certain that she would absolutely be pampered like a little princess, held in the palm of his hand.
This man in front of her should be able to fulfill all her desires to be cherished.
Definitely stronger than Ma Jun.
What kind of mode did Ma Jun have with her?
He was just a large inflatable doll.
Don’t look at how he was promoting her as the female lead now, but that came with conditions.
That is, whenever he needed her, she had to come and accompany him in bed immediately.
Once in bed, there was even less self-respect and dignity.
He’d make her wear whatever he wanted.
He’d make her act out whatever he wanted.
He’d make her say whatever he wanted.
It was something no woman could endure.
Qu Dan’s eyes were a little red.
Perhaps it touched a chord deep within her heart.
And so, Qu Dan looked at Chen Feng.
Chen Feng also looked at Qu Dan.
The two silently stared at each other for over ten minutes.
The two cameramen beside them exchanged glances.
Holy cow!
This pair had exceeded their expectations.
This acting?
They were too good at it!
If these behind-the-scenes clips were released, they would probably be more entertaining than the show itself.
So, the two cameramen became serious.
They focused intently.
Constantly adjusting the focus, striving to capture every detail of the interaction between the two.
At the same time.
Qu Dan finally woke up from her dream.
No!
She still had to stick to the original plan.
No matter how affectionate this man in front of her was, it was useless, because he was just a mere extra.
He had no future.
What if he participated in this show?
Wasn’t he still her stepping stone?
As long as he hit her for real.
Qu Dan’s eyes changed again.
She wanted to be a queen.
She absolutely had to trample men like Chen Feng underfoot and make him grovel at her feet before she would be satisfied.