A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2392 - 1605: Plan K
"If it doesn’t work, I’ll slap you hard."
"I see."
"By the way, since you’re a girl too, it doesn’t count as a first kiss."
"That’s a convenient definition, do all girls use it that way?"
"And also..."
Sakurajima Mai wanted to say something more, but Duanmu Huai had no interest in listening to her waste time. He reached out, cupped Sakurajima Mai’s cheeks, and then completely sealed her incessant lips.
"———————!"
Sakurajima Mai widened her eyes in surprise at Duanmu Huai’s sudden attack, but the next moment, her expression became dazed and unfocused, and the hand she had raised fell limp.
It’s unknown how long it was before they slowly parted, a shimmering bridge of saliva appearing between them, stretching and then disappearing.
"Slap!"
Next, a loud sound echoed within the bathroom stall.
"Didn’t you say you’d only slap me after confirming it didn’t work?"
Duanmu Huai touched his cheek, complaining discontentedly, while Sakurajima Mai looked at him with a face flushed with embarrassment.
"Because you’re too skilled, it makes me upset. How many girls have you fooled with this trick before?"
"Only you."
Duanmu Huai wasn’t lying, as there was no need to fool others.
In reality, if it was just about injecting bodily fluids, Duanmu Huai could have chosen to open a cut on himself and let Sakurajima Mai suck his blood like a Vampire. Whether she’d be willing to or not is another story, but at least it wouldn’t be like this.
So, why didn’t Duanmu Huai do that?
The reason is simple.
For example, in martial arts dramas, why does the male lead need to undress to use Inner Strength to heal a woman, but not a man?
The answer is — I advise you not to meddle.
"Alright, time’s up, we need to go to the venue."
Duanmu Huai opened the toilet stall and walked out. Sakurajima Mai was a bit displeased but still obediently followed Duanmu Huai out of the bathroom and then to the meeting room on the third floor.
The two exchanged glances; Sakurajima Mai’s expression was still a bit tense, but she didn’t say anything. At this time......
"Ah, Xiao Ai, you’re finally here, what took you so long?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
Duanmu Huai looked in the direction of the voice and first saw fiery red hair and a matching hat.
Yeah, from that alone, he knew who it was.
"Yo, Kana."
Duanmu Huai raised his hand and greeted Arima Kaname.
"I just heard from the STAFF that you were here, so I came to find you, but you weren’t at the venue, where did you go?"
"Just wandered around since there’s still time left."
"Do you think this is school, trying to rush into the classroom at the last minute?"
Arima Kaname furrowed her brows in dissatisfaction, her eyes fixed on Duanmu Huai as she let out a snort. Then, she shifted her gaze towards Duanmu Huai’s side.
"Speaking of which, who is she?"
"......"
Duanmu Huai and Sakurajima Mai exchanged a glance before the latter stepped forward and bowed to Arima Kaname.
"I’m Sakurajima Mai, playing the role of Liangzi. Long time no see, Miss Kanai."
"Sakurajima Mai...... Sakurajima......"
Upon hearing Sakurajima Mai’s introduction, Arima Kaname furrowed her brows, seemingly trying to recall.
"Ah, right, it’s you. Sorry, I’ve been so busy lately that I didn’t remember at first."
"It’s okay."
Sakurajima Mai’s expression was very calm, but only Duanmu Huai noticed that the hand she held onto the corner of his clothes with was slightly trembling.
"Really, it’s okay."
After that, everything went smoothly.
Sakurajima Mai participated in the script reading and subsequent role performances. Essentially, the reaction from the rest of the crew, be it actors or staff, was the same as Arima Kaname’s. Their first reaction was "Who is this lady?" and then, upon hearing her name, they’d suddenly remember, "Ah, right, there was such a person."
In the following days, Sakurajima Mai’s situation gradually improved.
At first, every half day, her presence would become thin, unnoticed by others, so much so that Duanmu Huai had to "administer" orally three times.
But later, due to Sakurajima Mai’s diligent performance, her presence in the crew gradually intensified, and "oral administration" went from three times a day to twice a day.
Now, Mai can even hold out until the end of the shoot.
But that’s still not enough.
The ultimate solution Duanmu Huai came up with was to have Sakurajima Mai regain her fame through the second season of "Jintian". That way, the mysterious phenomenon troubling her might become ineffective as she is once again perceived by the public.
But the problem is...... the heroine of "Jintian" is not Sakurajima Mai, but Arima Kaname.
Moreover, Arima Kaname’s dazzling performance completely overshadows Sakurajima Mai’s glow.
This isn’t Arima Kaname’s fault; after all, "Jintian" is a heroine-centric story, and as a supporting role, it would be inappropriate for Sakurajima Mai to steal the limelight.
However, it’s not entirely hopeless.
"Next, the shooting of episodes 12 and 13 are your key moments."
Back at home, Duanmu Huai was in the bedroom skimming through the script while saying to Sakurajima Mai, who was staring earnestly at the script and nodding with determination.
"Jintian" is a heroine drama, but that doesn’t mean there are no stories for the supporting roles. Episodes 12 and 13 focus on the story between Liangzi, played by Sakurajima Mai, and the male lead, played by Duanmu Huai.
Liangzi is the daughter of a respectable family and a friend of the heroine. In the beginning of "Jintian", she silently supports the heroine and blesses her relationship with the male lead. Her story arc happens when the group goes on a ski trip, where Liangzi accidentally gets into an accident, and the male lead saves her, resulting in the two of them tumbling down a cliff together.
The two spend a night in a cabin at the bottom of the mountain, only to be found by the rescue team the next day. It’s during this night together that Liangzi develops feelings for the male lead.
However, she also knows that the heroine likes the male lead and does not intend to come between them, leaving her in a painful dilemma. Liangzi eventually resolves to confess her feelings to the male lead and put an end to her confused first love. She makes an excuse to invite the male lead out on a date, and just as she’s mustered up the courage to confess her feelings, the male lead suddenly collapses, forcing Liangzi to rush him to the hospital.
It is then that Liangzi learns from the doctors that the male lead doesn’t have long to live. She wants to tell the heroine about this, but the male lead stops her. After much contemplation, Liangzi agrees not to tell the heroine.
This plot connects with the later part where, after the male lead’s abrupt disappearance, the heroine becomes increasingly despondent, thinking she’s been betrayed again and falling into despair. At this point, Liangzi can no longer hold it in and reveals the truth to the heroine, taking her to see the male lead for the last time at his hospital.
These two episodes are where Sakurajima Mai has the leading role, and if she performs outstandingly, it will allow her presence to truly explode.
But if she fails, then...... it’s hard to say.
Sakurajima Mai’s acting skills are not in question. If Duanmu Huai had to score her, she would at least be at an A level.
The problem is that in front of her are the S-level acting talents of Arima Kaname and Hei Chuan Chi Yin.
Sakurajima Mai must catch up with or even surpass them to succeed.
Duanmu Huai can "administer" to her orally to give her some presence, making her stand out. But unfortunately, in terms of acting, he can’t help with that.
The only one who can save Sakurajima Mai is Sakurajima Mai herself.
