Chapter Eighty-Four: Frame-Up

Mo Nianian immediately switched into her fangirl persona, her voice so sweet it could give anyone goosebumps. “I missed you, big brother. I came to see you act. You’re amazing—your performance is absolutely unmatched, past or future.”

Having heard Mo Nianian talk like this so many times, Jiang Hu was getting used to it. He coughed twice. “You’re exaggerating.”

“Not at all! To me, you’re the best there is!”

Director Wang, who’d been holding back, finally couldn’t help but laugh. “Um, I’m not trying to interrupt, but I have something I’d like to discuss with Jiang Hu. Could I borrow him for a few minutes?”

Mo Nianian, tired of keeping up the act, said with feigned reluctance, “Alright, but only for a little while~”

“Don’t worry, I’ll return him quickly.” Director Wang pulled Jiang Hu aside to discuss the next scene.

Mo Nianian stood up and started wandering aimlessly around the set.

In the main plotline, it was only mentioned that someone framed Jiang Hu by tampering with his prop, injuring the actor performing with him.

And the surveillance only caught Jiang Hu testing the prop before the scene. No one else was ever seen touching it.

Jiang Hu became the prime suspect.

Every time, his haters would drag up this incident to mock him.

This drama was supposed to begin filming a few years later. Director Wang had wanted to prepare a major historical production—scenes, characters, every battle would cost a fortune.

But since the period drama market had slumped, no one was willing to bet hundreds of millions on it.

With insufficient funds, Director Wang postponed the shoot for years.

Mo Nianian, however, had thrown in a huge sum, bringing all those future events forward.

She suddenly remembered this issue and poked the system: [Hey, since the plot’s moved up, does that mean the sabotage scene won’t happen now?]

[It probably will. The male lead is supposed to suffer a series of ordeals. Even if this particular scene disappears, something else will happen to him.]

Mo Nianian: ???

What’s that supposed to mean? So the main plot she has is also subject to change because of what’s happening now?

She can’t just rely on the original storyline to shield Jiang Hu anymore?

Then how is she supposed to reduce the malice value?

She can’t follow Jiang Hu around every day, can she?

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became. [You’re useless.]

System: ???

What did it do wrong? Why is it always the one to take the blame? Poor system, feeling so wronged.

After wandering around for a while, Mo Nianian noticed something strange.

One of the props crew looked shifty, his gaze darting everywhere, refusing to make eye contact.

People like that usually have something to hide.

Pretending to leave, Mo Nianian circled back and followed him. When he thought no one was around, he sprang into action.

He avoided all the cameras and came over to where Jiang Hu was. Everyone was busy setting up the next scene, so nobody noticed him.

The prop that was about to be used was sitting right by Jiang Hu.

The crew member took the opportunity to hand Jiang Hu something, swiftly swapping out the prop.

A weight seemed to lift from his shoulders. Just as he was about to slip away unnoticed, Mo Nianian grabbed his hand. “Do something bad and think you can just run away?”

He shuddered, his face draining of color.

He knew he was finished.

Mo Nianian’s actions attracted everyone’s attention. People looked over, not sure what was happening.

She pulled a small dagger from his sleeve. “Nice technique. Been at this line of work for a while, haven’t you?”

His mouth opened and closed, but he couldn’t find a single word in his defense.

“What’s going on?” Director Wang hurried over.

Mo Nianian toyed with the prop dagger in her hand. “Just happened to catch a nice bit of drama, that’s all.”

She then unfolded the dagger that had been in front of Jiang Hu and slammed it into the table, slicing through it as if it were butter.

“That’s pretty sharp.”

Director Wang’s face darkened immediately. He’d been in the entertainment industry for years—he wasn’t so naïve as to miss what was going on.

He just hadn’t expected something like this to happen in his crew, nearly injuring someone.

“Call the police. Let them handle it.”

The man’s legs gave out and he nearly fainted. “Director Wang, I—I didn’t mean to, please, just give me another chance!”

Director Wang was merciless. “Take him away. Issue a notice—he’ll never work here again.”

The man’s face turned ashen. This time, he really was finished.

Mo Nianian, fully at ease, twirled the dagger in her hand. She hadn’t handled something like this in ages, and her fingers itched for more.

[Male lead’s malice value -5. Current malice value: 80.]

That’s when she remembered Jiang Hu was still watching her. She quickly put down the dagger and tried to look gentle and demure. “Big brother~ Thank goodness I saw it~ Otherwise you’d have fallen into their trap~”

“Mm, thank you.” The corners of Jiang Hu’s lips lifted, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Director Wang now looked at Mo Nianian with newfound enthusiasm. “Miss Mo, would you be interested in acting in a film?”

Mo Nianian: “…Sorry, not interested.”

Was she crazy? Why would she want to leave her comfortable home and suffer out here?

“Don’t refuse so quickly, Miss Mo. I have a role that’s perfect for you. Not many lines, not many scenes.”

“Director, I’m really not interested.”

“All your scenes would be with Jiang Hu.” Director Wang looked at her expectantly, as though certain she’d agree.

Damn! She had only herself to blame for setting up this fangirl persona.

She forced a stiff smile. “Big brother, do you want me to join the cast?”

Refuse! Refuse! I don’t want to! I just want to lie at home!

Jiang Hu thought for a moment, then smiled gently. “Of course. Would you be willing?”

Mo Nianian felt utterly defeated, contemplating how to refuse without breaking character.

[Host, agree! Didn’t you say you wanted to help the male lead with his troubles? You need to stay close to him to do that. Maybe if you stick around, his malice value will drop like crazy.]

[Host, hurry up and say yes! Say yes!]

The system’s voice buzzed in her ears. It actually had a point. Mo Nianian forced a smile. “Haha, since big brother invited me, of course I’d love to.”

“Great! It’s settled, then. I’ll have them prepare the contract—you’ll join the crew tonight!”

The director was decisive and immediately went off to handle it.

Mo Nianian really wanted to say she wouldn’t mind if it took a day or two, or even three or four.

Jiang Hu said, “Nianian, why do you look so unhappy?”

Mo Nianian immediately perked up. “How could I be~ I adore you, big brother~ I love acting with you the most~”

Her eyes were clear, without a trace of gloom. Her gaze bore straight into Jiang Hu’s heart, warming even the most bitter corner.

So genuine, so warm.

She treated him well without reservation—a kind of kindness he had never known.

[Male lead’s malice value -5. Current malice value: 75.]