Transmigrating Into The Male Lead’s Villainess Older Sister

    Actually, before shooting for 《Qing Guo》, Ji Lin had already acted in a couple of movies. It was just that he usually took on movies without any love interests because he had not come of age yet. Additionally, there was that massive group of girlfriend fans who possessed frightening fighting power. Therefore, the company and his manager always consciously ensured that he did not join any movies that had a romantic subplot. 《Qing Guo》could be regarded as him trying a new style.

    Previously, Director Liang had been worried whether Ji Lin’s lack of experience would cause him to look unnatural when he was acting with other actresses. However, when Ji Lin stood in front of Siyu, the indifferent rascal aura that he normally exuded was gone. Instead, he fully displayed the determination and sharpness of the new emperor. 

   This was Ji Lin’s first scene; the new emperor who charged into the imperial palace met the captured princess of the fallen country, Yun He. Two extras dressed as soldiers dragged Siyu over and pressed her down to kneel in front of the new emperor. Siyu’s dress was tattered and covered in bloodstains. As soon as her knees touched the icy-cold ground, she started to cough non-stop and blood overflowed from her lips.

    Director Liang and the other staff practically gasped in amazement. A person who was in charge of the props said, “Sh-she really vomited blood? She’s really going all out. No wonder she said it wasn’t necessary when I handed her the blood bag earlier!”

    If Siyu heard this, she’d definitely cry out that she had been wrongly accused. She simply couldn’t stand the weird taste of the blood bag. Besides, she could vomit blood at any time. Moreover, it was real natural blood without anything added. So why insist on using the blood bag? Furthermore, the effect would be even more realistic when they filmed.

   Director Liang shook his head and sighed, “You guys don’t understand. I heard that Zhou Siyu wasn’t healthy since childhood, but she had been very dedicated since she started her career. No matter how sick she was, she’d keep on shooting. That’s what people call a ‘passion for acting’. The way I see it, with this sincerity, sooner or later she will make a name for herself.” 

    There was someone who had a sudden idea and suggested, “Director Liang, we can use her as the subject and make a compilation of the behind-the-scenes. It just so happened that 《Qing Guo》is about to be officially publicized and we need to release a few sneak-peeks. What do you [formal] think?”

   Director Liang pondered over it and thought it was feasible. Wasn’t it a trend lately to “hype up one’s public persona”? Siyu was a ready-made material; she didn’t even need to be hyped up. With her sickly appearance, if she was put on the internet, she’d immediately be a hot topic. 1

   “Ok. You go and edit those scenes in the film where Siyu is vomiting blood or sick (into a compilation). Make it more interesting, got it?”  With a wave of Director Liang’s hand, the decision was made.

   Siyu was still unaware that they had already made a decision in her stead. She stopped vomiting blood with great difficulty and did her utmost best to ignore Ji Lin’s worried gaze upon her. She raised her head and said her lines with breath as thin as gossamer, “You are the leader of these invaders?”

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    Ji Lin looked on helplessly as his sister vomited blood. Every time she coughed, his heart would miss a beat. If it weren’t for the several cameras that were glaring menacingly from the side, Ji Lin would not be able to control himself from carrying his sister back to the lounge. In the end, it was because he understood the look in Siyu’s eyes that urged him to continue that he mustered all of his self-control and forced himself to calm down.

   No one told him that she would be vomiting real blood in this scene!

    Like this, what Director Liang saw became Ji Lin’s gaze when he looked at Siyu was extremely complex. Especially when Siyu was vomiting blood, his gaze instantly stirred. It was filled with all kinds of emotions. A few seconds later, though, those eyes were forced to return to their calm. It was as if this new emperor had never seen a woman who was so stubborn on the verge of death. He was amazed and admired her, but taking into account the line that must be drawn between himself and the enemy, these feelings couldn’t be shown and could only be hidden in the bottom of his heart.

   He didn’t expect that Ji Lin would still act very well in an emotional scene. It seemed he worried for nothing. Director Liang immediately felt relieved and increasingly felt that his decision in adding Siyu’s script wasn’t wrong. Look at the dramatic tension between them!

   “I am the new ruler of this land and your master.” Ji Lin said with a gruff voice. After immersing himself in the character, he was totally different from his usual self. His every gesture was like a totally different person, “Your family members have already abandoned you. From now on, you could only stay at my—your new master—side.”

   As if she had been agitated by his words, Siyu clutched her chest and spewed a big mouthful of blood. She could hardly support her weak body. Although her voice was weak without strength, she uttered every word with an abnormal resolution, “I, Yun He, am solely my own master. I’d rather die than be a slave!”

   This sentence seemed to imbue a little bit of strength into her limbs. Siyu swiftly straightened up and took the sword that was sheathed on Ji Lin’s side. She turned her hand over and was about to stab herself. However, who would have expected that the movement just now used up all of the strength from her body which had suffered from a long period of torment. Ji Lin easily seized the sword from her. As Ji Lin raised his hand, the tip of the sword was against her neck.

    “I’ve seen many people who desperately beg me to spare their life, yet I haven’t seen any who actively sought their death. You wish to die? I won’t let you.” Ji Lin leaned down and lifted Siyu’s chin with the tip of his sword, welcoming her piercing gaze with a faint smile. Then he withdrew his sword, the tip stained with Siyu’s blood. Ji Lin held his sword to his lips and he unexpectedly licked away that drop of crimson red blood. He looked devilishly charming and ferocious. The onlookers’ heart trembled, yet at the same time, their eyes were firmly glued to his figure.  They couldn’t bear to look away.

   Xu Qingwan who stood on the side was almost enchanted. This is her Ah Lin, he is still so radiant. She is the one who is supposed to be acting against Ji Lin; she is the one who is supposed to stand in the middle under everyone’s gazes! On what grounds, on what grounds can Zhou Siyu snatch away her place!

   While she was enthralled in Ji Lin’s bearing, Xu Qing let her thick unwillingness and discontent nibble away at her reason. She knew she should stay level-headed, she knew that it was impossible for any feelings beyond sibling love to form between Ji Lin and Siyu, but she was afraid anyway! Since her rebirth, Zhou Siyu was completely different from that malicious woman in her impression. On the contrary, things were going smoothly for her. Ji Lin protected her, and even the Lu family protected her!

    Xu Qingwan was afraid. The biggest difference between now and her previous life was Siyu. She was afraid that if things continued like this, she would not be able to continue her predestined relationship with Ji Lin anymore!

    Unlike Xu Qingwan’s complicated state of mind, Director Liang sat in front of the camera, his satisfaction increasing as he watched. When Ji Lin princess-carried Siyu from the ground into the underground palace and put her onto the bed, Director Liang called out, “Cut! Your state right now is very good. You two don’t look like this is your first time working together, maintain this state!”

    As soon as Director Liang called for a stop, the cold look on Ji Lin’s face immediately receded down like a tide. He hastily moved his hand—which had been Siyu’s shoulder for the convenience of carrying her— away. The tips of his ears stealthily became red. In order to hide his embarrassment, he turned his head and shouted, “Xiao Ai, quickly get a towel and water!”

    Xiao Ai did as he said. Ji Lin picked up the towel and carefully wiped off the bloodstain on Siyu’s lips. Then he handed over a glass of water for her to rinse her mouth. After that, with a bit of lingering fear, he said, “Jie, you scared me. Why didn’t you use the blood bag?”

   “It’s not like you don’t know the state of my body. Since I always vomit blood, then don’t waste it for nothing. It’s better to make use of it.” Siyu held the hot tea that Ji Lin gave her with both hands and smiled, her eyes curving.

   Ji Lin thoroughly sized her up. Only after he confirmed that she was really fine did he put down the big stone in his heart. He couldn’t resist muttering, “I truly don’t know whether you are my older sister or my younger sister. How are you even worse than me at sparing others from worry?”

    Xiao Ai on the side had already given up urging Ji Lin to keep a distance from Siyu in public spaces. The moment she heard what he said, she promptly rolled her eyes, “Ji-ge, so you yourself know that you don’t spare us from worrying ?”

   As soon as her words fell, Ji Lin turned his head angrily, looking exactly like an ignited firecracker, “Ning Xiao Ai, you’re not getting a single penny from this year’s bonus!”

    Siyu’s hand rested on Ji Lin’s shoulder, she couldn’t help but chortle. While laughing, she said,” Ji Lin, if you could see your appearance right now, it’s guaranteed that you’ll also laugh. You look like a pufferfish, hahahaha….I should have recorded it!”

    Director Liang looked at this scene from a distance and sighed with emotion, “They really get along well….”

   Xu Qingwan, who stood beside him, smiled and agreed. However, her nails dug deep into her palms.

 

Footnotes

现成- ready-made, such as a ready-made thing like food that doesn’t need to be cook (only need to be heated), and 炒 – hyped, also means stir-fry. So Siyu kinda like a ready-made food that doesn’t need to be stir-fry/hype in any way and could immediately be enjoyed/popular

Not long after they began shooting 《Qing Guo》, the official photos were finally published. Ji Lin acting as the male lead was something that had been determined from earlier on. However, his enormous fanbase was more concerned about one thing: Who would act together with him and take his first on-screen CP? 

   One should know these girlfriend fans’ fighting capability was very strong, and correspondingly, their possessiveness of their idol was actually also very strong. In the past, Ji Lin took on films and dramas that were ‘big male protagonists’ movies and dramas; none ever had a romantic subplot. Therefore, the fans could accept those without any ill feelings. However, this time was different.   

    《Qing Guo》was Ji Lin’s transformational work as well as his first time engaging with love-related scenes. If performed well, the fans would inevitably be jealous of the actress who played as his partner and find all kinds of fault in her. If not performed well, the fans wouldn’t have the heart to blame him and instead, they’d vent their fury on the actress.

    So with that being said, if it wasn’t handled well, it would stir up the fans’ dislike rather than hype up the CP.  

   Ji Lin’s Fanclub had received the news long before. They were already there waiting on 《Qing Guo》’s Weibo page. As soon as the official announcement was released, they immediately forwarded it without any hesitation. After that, they leisurely opened the large movie posters. 1

    Now that the production crew had received the Lu family’s support, money wasn’t a problem. Hence, the production crew was naturally willing to spend the money. The costume was done exquisitely with great care. Ji Lin had two photos overall. In one of them, Ji Lin, who was adorned in armor and a helmet, rode on a horse while drawing a bow with full concentration. He looked very high-spirited and vigorous. In the other, Ji Lin wore a black imperial robe, looking majestic and stern. The two photos had completely different styles, but both made the fans squeal incessantly.

    They looked at the photos one by one. Because they wore fans-lens, they weren’t very pleased with the actresses who played as the first and second female lead. This was especially the case with Xu Qingwan who played as Princess Yun Meng. Since the character setting of Yun Meng was bold and willful, her costume was very sexy. As soon as the fans saw her picture, they immediately furrowed their brows.

    No way. With such little clothes on, you actually want to act out emotional scenes with Ji Lin? What if this woman took advantage of Ji Lin during filming? ?

    Thinking of such, their impression towards Xu Qingwan detracted ten points in advance.

   The official announcement had released nine photos in total. When the fans looked through it and reached the last one, they were stunned: The setting of the last picture was an underground palace. Surrounded by darkness with only a bit of sunlight casting through a narrow window on the wall, there was a long-haired woman adorned in plain clothes resting weakly on a wheelchair. Her complexion was pale and her lips were stained with blood. She was as thin as a willow branch; just like that, she was softly bathed in the sole ray of light with her eyes slightly closed. Time seemed to stop for her.

   At that moment, the people who saw this picture spontaneously thought of one thing:  Which little angel is this who has been stranded in the mortal realm?!

   The official Weibo was very crafty. They were very good at keeping people in suspense. This picture was only accompanied with the words “Zhou Siyu playing as Yun He” ; no other information was given. The fans imagined a lot of things as they stared at this picture. Their hearts were so itchy that they felt miserable, they felt the compelling urge to shake the staff’s shoulders and furiously yell: Tell me, just what role does this little angel play? And most importantly, is she playing in a lo.ve. dra.ma. with Ji Lin?! What’s the point of not disclosing anything?!

    For the majority of the people, Siyu’s face was unfamiliar. However, there were still a handful of Ji Lin’s iron fans who soon recognized her. Hey, isn’t this the super beautiful xiao-jiejie who is very dedicated to working and leaped swiftly to rescue a person that one time? !

    @Stewed Sweet Pear with White Fungus: It’s our Braised Fish xiao-jiejie! Thanks for everyone’s concerns, she carelessly slipped away from my fish tank. I’ll immediately carry her away right now.

    @The Champion of The ‘Lazing around in The Bed Competition’: Hey, put her down! Yuyu [fishes] is everyone’s fish [Yuyu]! How can you monopolize her?! [T/N: 鱼鱼是大家的鱼鱼 – It’s a word pun from Zhou Siyu’s name – 周司雨 Zhou Siyu (Yu for rain) 鱼鱼 Yuyu (fish fish)]

    @Iced Willow: Holy Sh*t? Ji-ge is going to work together with Braised Fish xiao-jiejie? My life and my wall will be in the same frame? ? Good news has come from the heavens! I’m so excited, I need to go downstairs to run ten laps to celebrate!

    Some clueless passersby who saw them being so excited, asked them simultaneously: Who’s this Zhou Siyu? How come when they know she takes part in the drama, they become so excited?

    The enthusiastic fans immediately gathered around to explain things to these people. First, they took out the cover photos that Siyu did and boasted her super beautiful appearance. Then, they showed the video of her saving others and earnestly praised her kindness. One should know, the majority of Siyu’s face fans were from Ji Lin’s die-hard fans. Therefore, towards Siyu’s participation in the drama, they didn’t feel repulsed. On the contrary, they were secretly pleased about it. After all, these two people were born with first-class looks just licking their faces was worth it!

    Just like this, Siyu became the only fresh air of this official Weibo post——she was the only actress whom Ji Lin’s frenzied girl fans didn’t nitpick at.  Not only that, but these fans who always had a strong desire to monopolize Ji Lin, warmly welcomed her.

    Perhaps since they saw that things weren’t bad, half an hour later, the official blog released a behind-the-scenes of the filming. In there, Ji Lin and Siyu seemed to just have finished shooting a scene and Siyu was resting on a couch. Who knew what the assistant said, but Ji Lin suddenly turned around and furiously said that he wouldn’t give the assistant’s salary. Then, Siyu smacked Ji Lin’s shoulder while laughing until she gasped for breath. She even said, “You look just like a pufferfish”.

    Once this video was posted, the number of hits instantly exceeded a hundred thousand. Ji Lin’s fans, instead of feeling heartache that their idol was being laughed at, collectively commented ‘hahaha’ underneath the video.

    @Wallflower Youth: Hahahaha I’m laughing till I’m beating the ground. This description is too awesome! Braised Fish xiao-jiejie’s got skillz!

    @Laidback Star-Chasing Little Princess: When I looked at it carefully, Ji-ge’s angry face indeed looked like a large puffer fish! It’s so cute, I really want to…..

    @Have You Lost Any Weight Today: I’m sorry Ji-ge. As your loyal fan  I know I shouldn’t be like this, but….. Hahahaha you’re super childish! One sentence from xiao-jiejie immediately made Ji-ge dumbfounded. They seem to have a good relationship, ah. My friend and I also joke around casually like this.

   What was even more interesting was that the fans over here just collectively “betrayed” Ji Lin and agreed with Siyu’s comment. Meanwhile,  the Weibo of “A Koi That Can Live For Another Five Hundred Years“ that many of the fans were following, quietly posted a sketch. The image that was drawn there was a chibi Ji Lin who also had an angry look. The drawing was vivid and beautiful with a few words accompanying it: Do you think I look like a pufferfish?

   Ji Lin’s official fan club immediately shared the drawing. When the fans saw it, they burst into another fit of laughter. One after another, they mentioned Ji Lin under Koi’s Weibo.

    @Laidback Star – Chasing Little Princess: Feeling sorry for Ji-ge because his reputation once again got hit. Nice one, Koi!

    @Two Chicken Legs: Koi-taitai’s hand speed is too fast! They just released the video here, and the drawing is immediately done. The chibi Ji Lin looks even more like a pufferfish!

   As soon as the drawing was posted by Koi, the fans immediately forgot they still needed to go under 《Qing Guo》’s official Weibo to denounce the romance scenes. However, when everybody gathered around under Koi’s Weibo to have fun, a post suddenly became popular on the homepage of China’s largest gossip forum: 《Entering Through The Backdoor or Unwritten Rules？Exposing The History of Zhou Siyu, The Third Female Lead of Qing Guo》

Riel: buu, no doubt this is Xu Qingwan’s doing.

 

Footnotes

定妆照 – I don’t know what to call this in English. But, this is basically a photo where the actor/actress dressed up as the  character that they are playing