Chapter 13: Liu Shishi’s Sensitive Nerve—Her Younger Brother’s Wife

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“Ah Li, you and I really have a connection—I was just about to ask to join.” Liu Shishi picked up the script, smiling warmly at Zhang Li.

She had wanted to join in for a while but never found the right moment to speak up.

Besides, she simply enjoyed doing anything with Zhang Li, and acting alongside him might even help improve certain skills.

Thinking of this, Liu Shishi couldn’t help but feel delighted.

In contrast, Yang Mi and Tang Yan exchanged a knowing, dry smile.

“Yeah, Ah Li and I have an extraordinary rapport too,” Yang Mi said casually.

She had planned to act opposite Zhang Li without Tang Yan, but now this guy wanted to add Liu Shishi as well.

Isn’t that what you call an extraordinary connection?

“Who says it isn’t?” Tang Yan nodded in agreement.

She shared Yang Mi’s thoughts.

Liu Shishi, oblivious to their underlying insincerity, kept her gaze fixed on Zhang Li. “You must have memorized the whole script by now and know it better than the rest of us.”

“So, which scene should we perform?” Zhang Li furrowed his brows after a moment’s thought. “Each of you has scenes opposite one another and also opposite me.”

“But it seems there’s no scene with all four of us together. I have the most scenes opposite Zixuan, quite a few with Xuejian, and with Longkui...”

Recalling the plot, Zhang Li realized his plan to drag three others into one scene was unrealistic.

The male lead, Jingtian, hardly had any scenes with all three female leads, let alone him, the second male lead, Xu Changqing.

“Looks like my plan won’t work,” Zhang Li sighed, rubbing his forehead.

Yang Mi and Tang Yan’s eyes lit up—good news!

Liu Shishi smiled brightly. “Then since you’ve acted opposite them for so long, start coaching me on my performance.”

Yang Mi glanced at Liu Shishi: bold!

Tang Yan raised her brow: sabotaging a rival like stealing someone’s husband!

“Sure, why not,” Zhang Li said, putting away the script. “Mi Jie and Tang Tang Jie have solid fundamentals, but only fundamentals. They can perform naturally if the role suits them, but if not, they make a lot of mistakes.”

“I’ll teach all three of you directly.”

They can’t act opposite each other in the same scene, but he can teach three at once.

Liu Shishi looked slightly disappointed. “Alright then.”

Tang Yan and Yang Mi exchanged puzzled looks.

The third party is even feeling aggrieved!

“Let’s start. We’ll address each other by our character names.”

“Longkui, act out your anger towards Xuejian—like when you saw Xuejian hitting Jingtian, turning the blue Longkui into a red one.”

“Xuejian, familiarize yourself with this scene; it’s one we’ll be filming soon.”

“Zixuan, watch closely and practice your eye acting. Yes, eye acting, not regular acting—that look a lover from three lifetimes gives...”

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Zhang Li took on the role of acting coach, personally guiding them step by step.

At first, all three women had their own thoughts, but before long, they were captivated by Zhang Li’s explanations.

[You listened to Zhang Li’s effective acting lesson: Role understanding +1 / Emotional resonance +1]

Only when the somewhat mechanical voice sounded did the three women snap back to reality.

In their minds, Zhang Li’s detailed teaching felt like a direct imprint—whenever they thought about it, the memories came flooding back.

Their understanding of their characters had visibly deepened, and when trying to embody the roles, they could even feel genuine empathy.

Their gazes toward Zhang Li now held a different kind of admiration.

He wasn’t just a “hidden treasure,” he was a treasure himself.

“Winning big!” Zhang Li didn’t notice the change in their expressions and felt utterly thrilled.

[Tang Yan / Yang Mi / Liu Shishi listened to you… Role understanding +3 / Emotional resonance +3]

Sure enough, herding one sheep is one thing, but herding three at once is a whole different game.

Casting a wide net brings bigger rewards all at once.

“Attention all units, prepare to begin afternoon filming,” came Li Guoli’s voice, prompting the four to quickly stand and head to the makeup room to touch up.

The afternoon scenes were still being filmed at Zixuan’s tavern, involving Xu Changqing, Zixuan, and Xuejian.

Perhaps the midday rehearsals had paid off, as the three had almost no out-of-character moments. Most takes were retaken only for better effects, often at their own request.

“This is really making my job easier. This drama is going to be something special,” Li Guoli said, clearly pleased.

However, Zhang Li and the three women weren’t entirely satisfied.

“Looks like we need to explore new methods. Acting alone isn’t enough,” Tang Yan and Yang Mi pondered quietly.

They only gained three “ability boosts” all afternoon, all being Role Understanding +1 and Expression Control +1.

It was clear that as their abilities grew stronger in certain areas, the effort required to improve further increased.

At this moment, Zhang Li was also calculating.

“Relying on the same actress repeatedly will become increasingly difficult.”

“But it’s not because my ability is improving; it’s more like there’s some kind of cooldown limit?”

“As long as I keep finding new actresses or new methods, it seems much easier.”

“Eighty plus twenty equals one hundred, and one hundred ones added together is also one hundred. As long as there are enough actresses, all my abilities can reach max level through basic accumulation?”

Thinking this, Zhang Li couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

This life of his was destined to be the path of constant harvesting.

“Time for dinner.”

Zhang Li gathered with Liu Shishi and the others, ready to discuss tonight’s scenes.

Suddenly, a man popped up beside them, slinging an arm over Zhang Li’s shoulder. “Ah Li, have you missed me?”

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“I’m not gay, so get lost!” Zhang Li slapped Hu Ge’s hand away.

“I’m not either, okay? Don’t stereotype me.” Hu Ge snorted, then waved at Yang Mi. “Hey, Mi Mi, long time no see.”

“Long time no see, Old Hu.” Yang Mi replied openly. “Looking even more handsome.”

It was well known that Hu Ge had been in a car accident and suffered facial injuries. If not for Zhang Li calling him at a critical moment, he might not have survived.

Rumor had it he was now somewhat reluctant to face the camera due to minor plastic surgery on his face, even feeling some insecurity.

Yang Mi wasn’t a doctor, but she knew that a little encouragement and praise could help ease his insecurities.

“Of course,” Hu Ge flipped his bangs. “Otherwise, how could I keep all of you in check?”

Yang Mi: ?

This guy is so narcissistic—who said he’s insecure now?

Guessing what he was thinking, Zhang Li explained, “When we filmed The Legend of the Condor Heroes, I often praised him as handsome; now he’s a bit confused about himself.”

“This isn’t just a little confused,” Yang Mi sneered.

“Just get used to it,” Tang Yan said with a deadpan expression. “It’s like the Emperor’s New Clothes.”

“Yeah.” Liu Shishi nodded in agreement. “Even at his peak, no one said he looked better than Ah Li. No idea where his confidence comes from.”

Hu Ge: ???

None of you have a heart.

“Hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Hu Ge said to Liu Shishi. “Sis-in-law, I don’t blame you.”

Snap!

Liu Shishi’s cheeks flushed bright red.

“I told you not to call me that!”

Liu Shishi jumped up, waving her fists as she chased after Hu Ge.

Seeing this, Yang Mi thought it was amusing and leaned toward Tang Yan. “What’s the deal with ‘sis-in-law’?”

“Yang Kang is Guo Jing’s sworn brother, so Mu Nianci is his wife, making her ‘sis-in-law’,” Tang Yan explained.

“Then why does Shishi react so strongly?” Yang Mi asked, puzzled.

Isn’t that just a character relationship?

“I’m actually curious about that too,” Tang Yan shrugged. “But none of the three involved will say.”

As she finished, the two women glanced knowingly at Zhang Li.

Staring!

Zhang Li: “...”

If I say anything, Liu Shishi might shut me up!