Life countdown begins, ice queen bursts into security room

An hour later, the bedroom became quiet.

Tang Yingxue lay on her side, her hair soaked with sweat, strands clinging to her cheeks and neck.

She didn't even have the strength to lift her hand; she could only gasp for breath.

Jiang Fan leaned against the headboard, and the system panel popped up at the edge of his line of sight.

[Deep Compatibility x2, Lifespan +4000]

Current lifespan: 90800 points

It took Tang Yingxue a while to catch her breath before her breathing became steady. She turned to look at Jiang Fan.

"The audition is over. And the result?"

Jiang Fan reached out and tucked the stray hairs from her face behind her ear.

"I need to practice my delivery of lines more. My stamina isn't good either."

Tang Yingxue glared at him.

"Enough with the nonsense. Is the Queen of the Women's Kingdom up to the task?"

Jiang Fan withdrew his hand and leaned back on the pillow.

"The character of the Queen of the Women's Kingdom—"

Tang Yingxue stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Someone has already taken the place."

Tang Yingxue's expression froze.

"Who?"

"you guess."

Tang Yingxue narrowed her eyes; there was only one possible answer.

"Is it Xu Qingya?"

Jiang Fan did not deny it.

Tang Yingxue propped herself up on the bed.

"You knew all along that this role wouldn't be given to me, yet you still let me—"

"What I'm saying is, it depends on what kind of role suits you," Jiang Fan interrupted her. "Besides, the Queen of the Women's Kingdom isn't suitable for you. Your aura is too strong. Playing a deeply affectionate, devoted woman isn't your style."

Tang Yingxue gritted her teeth, her chest heaving.

She knew Jiang Fan was right, but after being tormented for an hour, she was really unhappy to find out that the role had been given to her nemesis.

"So what kind of role are you planning to give me?" Tang Yingxue stared at him. "I can't possibly play a little vixen."

Jiang Fan remained silent for two seconds.

The 41-episode script was rapidly flipping through my mind.

There is a character who has a strong presence, a significant role, and generates a lot of buzz.

"There's a role that's ten times harder to play than the Queen of the Women's Kingdom, but if played well, it's ten times more outstanding."

"What role?"

Jiang Fan's gaze swept over Tang Yingxue's fair neck.

"Guanyin Bodhisattva".

The room was silent for three seconds.

"What? Guanyin Bodhisattva?" Tang Yingxue raised her voice.

"Yes. In Journey to the West, besides the four main characters, the gods and Buddhas have the most important roles and the highest status."

Tang Yingxue pulled the blanket up to cover her collarbone.

She's a pop singer who takes the mature, sophisticated route. How could she possibly play a Bodhisattva sitting serenely on a lotus throne?

"Are you crazy or am I?" Tang Yingxue looked at him. "I've never even acted before, and you want me to play a Bodhisattva? And is this role even popular?"

Jiang Fan took a cigarette pack from the bedside table, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it.

"Xu Qingya plays the Queen of the Women's Kingdom, right?"

"right."

"What is the Queen of the Women's Kingdom's status in the drama? She is a female ruler in the mortal realm. When she meets Tang Sanzang, she has to humbly beg him to stay, but in the end, she can only watch him ride away."

Jiang Fan exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Su Yuyan plays the White Bone Demon. She's a monster. In the show, she's beaten three times by Sun Wukong, and finally killed by his staff, turning into a pile of bones."

Tang Yingxue didn't speak, but listened to him continue.

"What if you played Guanyin Bodhisattva?" Jiang Fan turned to look at her. "In the whole series, whenever Sun Wukong encounters a monster he can't defeat, he has to go to the South Sea to beg you. When Tang Sanzang encounters a problem he can't solve, he has to recite scriptures and beg you. When you appear, everyone is kneeling down below."

Jiang Fan flicked the cigarette ash into the ashtray.

What do you think of this character?

Tang Yingxue's eyes flickered.

The competition between women often lies in these details.

Tang Yingxue was making plans in her mind.

If we were all in the same drama, Xu Qingya would play a mortal, Su Yuyan would play a monster, and I would play a deity.

The difference in status is immediately apparent.

Tang Yingxue's initial displeasure vanished.

"Do you have a lot of screen time?"

"It's interwoven throughout the entire story," Jiang Fan said. "And this role doesn't require you to make any exaggerated expressions."

He looked Tang Yingxue up and down.

"That's the look you give those third-rate celebrities when you're in the audience. If you tone it down a bit and add a touch of compassion, you'd be Guanyin."

Tang Yingxue was so angry she laughed, and she kicked Jiang Fan in the waist.

Do you know how to compliment people?

"To be honest," Jiang Fan stubbed out his cigarette, "Are you taking this role or not? If not, I'll find someone else. Several actresses from Su Yuyan's group have been wanting to audition."

"Yes," Tang Yingxue answered without the slightest hesitation.

She sat up cross-legged on the bed, the blanket slipping down halfway.

She didn't pay attention, simply stretched out her right hand, pinched her thumb and middle finger together, made a gesture, and held it in front of her chest.

"Is that so?" She put on a serious face, trying to make herself look more solemn.

Jiang Fan looked at her.

Her hair was disheveled and scattered on her shoulders, and her skin still bore the red marks left from their earlier intimacy. She sat cross-legged in bed, naked, making a series of strange hand gestures.

"The gesture is wrong." Jiang Fan moved over.

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Fan grabbed her wrist, pried her fingers apart one by one, and put them back in their correct positions.

"Straighten your back. Relax your shoulders."

Tang Yingxue adjusted her posture as he instructed.

Jiang Fan instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.

Tang Yingxue's body stiffened for a moment, and her breathing quickened.

"Don't move... I'm practicing my pose."

"I'm giving you a rehearsal," Jiang Fan said seriously, placing his other hand on her lower back. "Now, suppose I'm Sun Wukong, encountering a monster I can't defeat, and I need your help. How would you talk to me?"

Tang Yingxue thought for a moment and then lowered her voice.

"You impudent monkey, instead of protecting our master on the road, what are you doing in my South China Sea?"

Her voice was still a bit hoarse, sounding less authoritative and more like flirting in a boudoir.

Jiang Fan pinched his lower back hard.

"You should practice more."

Tang Yingxue gasped in surprise and collapsed into Jiang Fan's arms.

"When will you give me the script?" she asked, nestled against Jiang Fan's chest.

"In a few days. I'll still be writing." Jiang Fan smoothed her hair. "Go back and find a posture teacher to practice meditation and walking. Guanyin can't twist her waist when she walks."

Tang Yingxue hummed in agreement.

"Also, once you join the crew, you'll have to control your temper. I'm the boss on set."

"I know." Tang Yingxue closed her eyes. "As long as I can outdo Xu Qingya, I'll do whatever you say."

Jiang Fan supported her waist, turned her over, and pinned her underneath.

"Since you've agreed, let's rehearse again."

Tang Yingxue pushed his shoulder.

"You're coming again? I have a gig tomorrow."

Two hours later, Tang Yingxue collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Jiang Fan stared at the numbers flashing at the edge of his vision.

[Deep Compatibility x2, Lifespan +4000]

Current lifespan: 94800 points

Jiang Fan turned off the control panel, pulled the blanket over the two of them, and closed his eyes to sleep.

The next morning, when Jiang Fan woke up, Tang Yingxue was standing in front of the mirror getting dressed.

She was wearing a black dress, and her hair was neatly combed.

Tang Yingxue touched her face in front of the mirror.

My skin is radiant, and the fine lines around my eyes have completely disappeared.

This youthful glow that radiates from within cannot be replicated by any amount of expensive skincare products.

She turned around and looked at Jiang Fan, who was leaning against the headboard.

"I'm leaving now. Just close the door behind you."

"Also, send me the script when it's finished."

"Okay. Drive carefully," Jiang Fan replied.