Transmigrated into the Film Emperor’s Death-Seeking Fiance

Translator: Daed

Editor: Lynn

Happy 2nd anniversary, Foxaholic! I recommend listening to some villain/revenge vibes songs while reading the movie scene. For example, I found a few songs which I think fit how I imagined Meng Luo. 

Last edited 8/14/21.

Yan Qing Chi and Jiang Mo Chen hadn’t chatted for too long when they were called by the director to run through blocking and do a rehearsal of the scene. Then they began filming.

In the quiet room, Yan Qing Chi had already immersed himself into the role of Meng Luo. He sat upright on the sofa. Looking at the man in front of him, he offered, “Do you want any water?”

At this moment, Jiang Mo Chen—no, to be more accurate, He Yu—was staring at him seriously. His tone was moderate1, “No need.”

So Meng Luo only poured himself a glass.

They took a seat with the coffee table between them. Meng Luo’s expression was very relaxed, and his voice was very pleasant to the ears, “Do you need something?”

On the other hand, He Yu sported a solemn expression, “Where were you on the night of September 30th?”

“I was with my classmates.”

“Singing?”

“That’s correct.”

“At Hongguang Road2?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you choose that time to sing at the karaoke place at Hongguang Road?”

“Because we happened to have a break on the 31st3, so everyone wanted to relax. And that karaoke place was the cheapest (so we went there).”

He Yu quirked the corner of his mouth. His tone was gentle but his words were certain. With incisive eyes, as well as a somewhat cold and detached expression, he declared, “You’re lying.”

Meng Luo looked at him with astonishment and innocence, as if not really understanding why he would say so.

His eyes were very clear4; their reflection in He Yu’s eyes was like a spring. Being looked at by these innocent yet pure eyes of his, He Yu could only internally remark, “He’s so young, but his thoughts are unexpectedly so profound5.”

Grimly, he said, “You chose that place for no other reason than to get close to Xu Jiao6.”

Xu Jiao was the third murder victim7.

He kept his gaze on Meng Luo as he slowly presented each and every piece of evidence that he had collected.

Meng Luo’s expression didn’t change while he listened to him. He merely lowered his head and took a sip of his water, saying collectedly, “This is merely your conjecture.”

He was too calm and composed; and yet, it was precisely this kind of calmness that was abnormal.

“Before Xu Jiao died, the murderer’s skin cells had been left under her fingernails. You can come with me to the station to check, and see if it’s a match.”

Meng Luo glanced at him and took another sip of water. In the same calm tone as before, “Even if it’s the same, what can that prove?8”

“What do you think? Meng Luo.”

Meng Luo smiled; his gentle appearance was very good-looking. He set down the glass in his hand. In a clear and bright tone9, he said, “He Yu, you are very clever. You are cleverer than anyone else whom I’ve ever met.”

Jiang Mo Chen distinctly sensed the change in the air10 that Yan Qing Chi gave off.

He looked at him, “You’re not keeping up the act anymore?”

Meng Luo still sported that gentle smile, “There’s no point in doing so, is there?”

He leaned back slightly, looking straight at He Yu, his eyes full of scorn and haughtiness.

This was a different Meng Luo, one which He Yu had never seen before.

He said, “You’re right. I was the one who killed her. I killed them.”

“You used Zhou Fan as your pawn, with him helping to kill for you while also serving as your safety net. You concealed yourself behind the truth, quietly watching everything happen. What a pity that Zhou Fang had always thought that you were simply an unsuspecting, unknowing, naïve student.”

“Yeah, so he was stupid. If I didn’t use him, it would practically be a waste of the Heavens sending him to me.”

“Why?” He Yu asked him, “Why did you kill your father? Isn’t he your biological father?”

When he heard that, Meng Luo fell silent for a while, not speaking. His expression was very calm. He lowered his head and his long eyelashes fell slowly, covering him in a layer of desolation and melancholy. He sat there for a while, motionless. Then he gradually got up. His expression was impassive, yet it also led others to feel that he was indifferent and haughty. He looked at He Yu, then reached up to slowly unbutton his shirt.

His fingers were slender and fair; they were very good-looking.

His eyes were calm and placid. Then, he turned around with his back facing He Yu, gradually shedding the shirt from his shoulders. He didn’t remove it completely, only uncovering half—but this was already enough to stun He Yu. On his back, on that pale skin, there were scars all over—scars of various depths that had been created via various methods.

Meng Luo’s voice entered his ears, soft and clear11, “Those children had only stayed at their place for one or two years, and they became like that. Then, what about me who has been raised single-handedly by him since young?”

He inclined his head slightly, looking towards He Yu. His brows and eyes were spirited, carrying a trace of mirth. He said, “Since I’ve had consciousness, I would ponder over the question: ‘Why am I alive?’ But afterwards, I didn’t think that anymore,” his mirth deepened. With the contrast brought by the sunshine that shone through the window, he appeared bright and beautiful, as well as dazzling. “Because,” he said warmly, “I began to think, ‘Why is he alive?’”12

He Yu instantly felt as if he had been struck with a heavy blow. He looked at the youth in front of him. At that moment, he did not speak.

Meng Luo silently buttoned his shirt again where he was. Afterwards, he turned around to face He Yu. He picked up his glass, peering down at the policeman before him who represented justice and the law. As he drank his water, he asked warmly, “Are you here to arrest me?”

He Yu slowly opened his mouth, “Yes.”

“It’s not disgraceful to be arrested by you,” he said softly, “only, you really do not know me.”13

He Yu perceived danger from this sentence. He looked at the youth who had shed his introverted and taciturn façade, hiding fresh, dripping wet blood under a warm and gentle smile. Suddenly, his gaze focused on the glass in his hand. He snatched it.

He wasn’t very sure; hence, he asked, “What did you do.”

“He Yu,” Meng Luo looked at him, emitting from all over the brashness, will, and spirit of a youth. He looked at him, his brows and eyes containing insuppressible haughtiness and scorn. He told him, “I won’t be pushed around by anyone else anymore. Ever since I came of age at 18 years old, I told myself, ‘I won’t be pushed around by anyone else anymore’.”

He slowly sat down, leaning against the sofa and crossing his legs. He appeared like a mastermind with the overall situation within his grasp.14

He Yu approached him, fuming with rage between gritted teeth. He asked him, “What did you do? What are you planning to do?”

“What do you think?”

He Yu clenched his teeth, the premonition in his heart becoming more and more intense. He pulled out his phone and called 120. Yet, just as the call connected, he heard Meng Luo calmly say, “It’s useless. There’s no time.”

He Yu reached out (his hands), intending to pry open his (ML) mandible to induce him to throw up. But it was too late, because Meng Luo had already begun to have a reaction. His complexion was deathly pale, and his hands began to shake.

He Yu went to support him, saying in a resentful way, “Why are you doing this to yourself!”15

Meng Luo collapsed against his arm, his eyes nearly unable to stay open. He wanted to say that he had looked down on this world since he had been born, so he wouldn’t permit this world to vanquish and demean16 him. He wanted to say that when he was young, he had read a quote by Rabindranath Tagore17: ‘Let life be beautiful like summer flowers and death like autumn leaves.’ 18 This life of his was destined to be unable to blossom in full bloom like a summer flower; so, he could only hope to wither away like an autumn leaf19.

However, he could no longer open his mouth. He closed his eyes, leaving this world serenely and peacefully.

He Yu looked at the lifeless youth in his arms. If one ignored the fresh blood at the corner of his mouth, he seemed to simply be asleep. At that moment, He Yu’s inner heart was filled with complex emotions. He had once thought that this quiet and introverted youth was pitiful; he had once thought that this meticulous executioner was formidable. Yet now, his eyes were forever closed. His expression was tranquil—just like the feeling that he usually gave others: youthful and harmless.

Every death20 would make He Yu miserable. The police’s duty was to do their utmost to save even more lives, not to watch them pass away21 in front of them.

He Yu gently supported him, setting him down on the sofa. Then, he called his squad members.

“Cut.” Director Wang was very pleased, “Yan Qing Chi, you acted well in this scene.”

Only then did Yan Qing Chi get up from the sofa. He spit out the blood plasma in his mouth and smiled at Director Wang, “Thank you, director.”

Jiang Mo Chen was still immersed in the emotions of the scene. When he saw him sit up and look at him with mirth, he became slightly disoriented for some time; he unexpectedly stared blankly at him (YQC) for a moment.

Because the scenes at Meng Luo’s house were scheduled together for shooting, the next couple scenes still had to do with Yan Qing Chi. Yan Qing Chi looked at the crossed out number of scenes he had in the film22 and felt that if they continued with this speed and shot the scenes in succession, then it would probably be a wrap for him in a couple days. When he thought of this, he actually felt somewhat reluctant for a moment. He didn’t know if he was reluctant to part from this role or with a certain someone.

While he was here being melancholic, Guan Mei messaged him, telling him that in a week, he could wrap up this movie. After wrapping up this movie, he could seamlessly go on the variety show 《Come Fight! Friend!》. At the same time, at the end of next month, he would enter the movie crew of《Cotton Cotton Cotton Cotton Candy》23.

Yan Qing Chi looked at the five words 《Cotton Cotton Cotton Cotton Candy》24, his hand somewhat shaky. “Idol drama?” he asked.

“Yes.” Guan Mei replied to him, “It’s an ip25 adaptation. You’re playing the second male lead. His persona’s not bad. You also know the male lead. He’s your old friend by now.”

Now Yan Qing Chi was rather baffled. He knew him? And they were “old friends”? “Who?”

“Wei Lan.” Guan Mei said frankly.

Yan Qing Chi instantly had nothing to say. Thinking about it, aside from Jiang Mo Chen and his own family, he certainly seemed to only know Wei Lan. Moreover, they had talked several times.

“Does Wei Lan know?” he asked.

“Now this, I don’t know. You can ask him.”

Forget it. Yan Qing Chi could already visualize the expression Wei Lan would have after he found out. He probably would look up to the sky and laugh boisterously, hands on his hips as he told him (YQC) that ‘times change, and you get your share (of the bad thing)!26 Come, Yan Qing Chi, wash Daddy’s feet!’

So, “Why choose this drama?”

“Why else? Of course because it can clearly be seen that this drama might blow up!” Guan Mei analyzed for him, “Within the circle right now, there are several people who can sell the drama/movie by undertaking the main lead role. Wei Lan is one of them. This kind of ip adaptation has fixed novel fans, so investors are willing to invest in it and the television stations are willing to sell it. And idol dramas are good for stars to act in, and are easy to create personas. The drama blows up, the people blow up as well. At this time, you need popularity. Acting in this kind (of work) is the most suitable.”

Yan Qing Chi read the long passage of text that she had typed and answered, “ok, I got it.”

“Then just like this, I’ll go pick you up at that time.”

“Alright.”

Yan Qing Chi put his phone away, deeply feeling that he was really close to wrapping up.

When they ate lunch in the afternoon, Yan Qing Chi notified Jiang Mo Chen about him being close to wrapping up. Previously, when Jiang Mo Chen told him about the incoming work arrangements, he had already known that the other man was close to wrapping up. But, now, hearing those two words come out of Yan Qing Chi’s mouth, he actually felt somewhat shaken for some reason.27 Immediately afterwards, he said, “It’s about time. The range of dates that you’re signed on for in this movie isn’t even up to a month.”

“Guan Mei accepted a variety show and idol drama for me.”

“I know. I saw.”

Yan Qing Chi sighed, “I’m a little not used to suddenly going somewhere else.”

When he heard that, Jiang Mo Chen promptly teased, “What, can’t bear to part with me?”

Chapters 8/15. Thank you for the kofi! 

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Footnotes

语气平和宏光路Raw had it as “因为刚好十一放假”, but it was pointed out to me in the server that it didn’t quite make sense to go karaoke on the 30th if they had break on the 11th. I think there was a character missing, so it might have been “三十一” (thirty-one/thirty-first/three-ten-one) instead of just “十一” (eleven/ten-one)The raw would actually be that they were “clean” (他的眼很干净) so they were devoid of any maliciousness or calculating wit. His eyes seem pure and innocent.Meng Luo is young (about 20?) but he can conceal his emotions and deceive others so brilliantly. He is the mastermind, but no one ever suspected him. That’s what He Yu is referring to: Meng Luo thinks so deeply.许娇The raw said “第三个死者”, which is translated as “the third deceased/third one dead”. I changed it though, as can be seen here.Okay, I found this story when I was searching up the phrasing used for situations like this (“skin cells left under the fingernails” and DNA evidence). Look up Lukis Anderson and murder victim Raveesh Kuma, or check out The Marshall Project’s article on it.语调清朗 江默宸明显感觉到了燕清池身上的气质变了。气质 (qìzhì) – temperament / personality traits / manners). However, temperament refers to an individual’s nature. So I thought of it as the air/aura that Meng Luo had changed. He seems like a completely different person. 孟落的声音轻柔而干净的传进他的耳朵他微微侧了侧头，看向贺宇，眉眼飞扬，带了丝笑意，他说，“我啊，从有意识开始，我就在想一个问题，为什么我要活着呢？可是后来我不这么想了，”他的笑意加深了些，被照进窗外的阳光映衬着，明媚且绚烂，“因为，”他温柔道，“我开始想，为什么他会活着呢？”Whatever the opposite of “you know me too well” is, that’s what he said.看起来就像是一个大局在握的主导者。 贺宇伸手去扶他，恨声道：“你这是何苦！” He’s saying that it’s not worth it and asking Meng Luo why he chose to do this to himself.折辱泰戈尔. Baidu link here. Wikipedia link here. Baidu link here. You can read the specific line mentioned here (line 82).他这一生注定无法如夏花一般盛放，便只求能如秋叶一般凋零。每一条生命的陨落 – so to be more accurate, it’s something like “every fall of a living being’s life”Interestingly enough, the characters used here “凋落” (diāoluò) could mean “to wither (and drop off)”, “to wilt”, or “to pass away”. It’s similar to the “wither” character (凋零 diāolíng) used earlier with Meng Luo’s unspoken last words.I interpreted this as him looking at the scenes he had that were crossed out from the list of scheduled scenes or something. For example: Act 2, Scene 4, 5, 6 that are to be filmed at [this time] and at [this location] are crossed out. 同时下个月中旬进《绵绵棉花糖》这个剧组. 旬( xún) -ten days / ten years / full period.Original title:《绵绵棉花糖》. Cotton Candy = 棉花糖. ip = intellectual property.风水轮流转，你也有今天！MDBG link here.他竟莫名有些怔忪