"The defendant, Ye Ningxiao, is guilty of drug trafficking and is sentenced to death, deprivation of political rights for life, and the confiscation of all personal properties. Ye Ningxiao is also convicted for intentional homicide and is sentenced to death as well, along with lifelong deprivation of political rights. Upon ratification by the Supreme People's Court, our Court has decided to execute Ye Ningxiao's death sentence immediately," the announcement echoed.
Ye Ningxiao was seated stiffly on a specially designed bench, her shoulders held down heavily by two stern-faced bailiffs. The cold bench seeped through her prison garb, her body trembling in the chilly air. Armed personnel scattered at every corner of the room watched the young woman in the middle warily.
The solemn silence was pierced by a sob, Ye Ningxiao turned to the corner where an old man with a hunched back and white hair was crying. His handkerchief constantly dabbing at his tears, "Xiao Xiao! This isn't your fault! Why not tell the judge, that you're innocent!"
The old man's hair appeared whiter, his hands waving vaguely, attempting to draw closer to his daughter but was restrained by the guards who subdue him gently and led him out of the hall.
Ye Ningxiao’s previously icy gaze showed a flicker of emotion as ripples of feelings emerge in her eyes. Even if she was wronged, it wouldn't matter as long as her father's illness could be cured.
The bailiffs watched as Ye Ningxiao’s slender body remained still on the chair with a trace of surprise in their eyes. All these years of execution, it was their first time seeing a convict so calm.
"Bang!", a deafening explosion resonated. Ye Ningxiao’s body involuntarily swayed, a hint of self-mockery fleeting across her contrasting eyes. She looked down where no one could see the despair and desolation in her eyes.
In a presidential suite of a five-star hotel, a man in a robe held a naked woman in his arms while lazily holding a remote.
The expressionless news presenter on the screen was reporting the day's news. "Breaking News, Ye, a renowned B-list actress, was executed today in a local courtroom. The event marks the campaign against drugs nationwide, symbolizing the government's determination to combat drugs!"
The man's lips curled into a sly smile as he casually threw the remote onto the couch, rolling over to straddle the woman beneath him.
The LEDs' lights were blinding, and the nationally acclaimed film base was brightly lit. The crews worked tirelessly to keep up with the schedule.
The scene runners were directing, "Quick, quick, quick, it's time for the night shoot! Camera, lights, ready!"
A cold breeze hit her and she felt the soft cover on her being pulled away, "Xiao Xiao, wake up!" A shiver swept through her body as she slowly opened her eyes. "Wasn’t I already shot dead? Where am I?"
A clear and crisp female voice interrupted Ye Ningxiao's thoughts. "What’re you dazing for! Get up quickly!" Ye Ningxiao gazed at the young girl in front of her. She was in her early twenties, hair messily up in a bun, wearing a long, dark blue coarse cloth dress covering her feet.
The girl bent down to tug Ye Ningxiao up, revealing her grey sneakers. It was Nie Xiaoying, whom she met briefly when she first started her career! The clothes on her seemed familiar, as if she had seen them somewhere before.
Nie Xiaoying muttered, "Look at you, you finally got the role of a palace maid this time, yet you don't know how to cherish it. You may not have any lines, but your outfit is so much more attractive than mine!" Nie Xiaoying's words were tinged with jealousy. Ye Ningxiao glanced down at the unrefined, grass-green outfit and shoes that she was wearing. The bright fabric shone oily in places, stained by whoever had worn it before.
"Compared to other teams, the crew of 'Fallen Flowers of the Palace' treats us extras nicely."
Upon hearing Nie Xiaoying's words, Ye Ningxiao, who was adjusting her costume, froze. 'Fallen Flowers of the Palace'? If she remembered correctly, she had been an extra in this drama eight years ago. Had she really returned to eight years ago? With newfound understanding, she breathed a sigh of relief.
In her past life, she had chosen the easy, pleasure-seeking path, and it led to one mistake after another. In this life, she was determined not to repeat those mistakes; she would rely on her own strength!
Standing alongside Nie Xiaoying, Ye Ningxiao inserted herself into the line of extras. A booming voice halted the ongoing performance, and the bustling film set abruptly fell silent. "You, yes you, stop gawking around! How do you even work? You can't even get your lines right, let alone your expressions. Are you here to act or to watch?" The director, standing under a spotlight, was reproaching a palace maid, brandishing a clapperboard that produced a crisp "clap, clap" sound.
The woman's lips twitched as if she was trying to defend herself, her eyes dodging and restless.
The director doffed his cotton hat, slicking back sweat-soaked strands of hair with his hand, his chest heaving with anger. "Don't think I don't know who got you in here," he sneered, glancing in the direction of a certain corner of the set. "This one scene has taken four or five takes already, it's holding up everything, and the damn financiers will blame me!"
Ye Ningxiao observed the director, known as Lu Jin-So, who was wearing a dark blue winter down coat and a woolen hat.
Known for his explosive temper, in her former life, Ye Ningxiao had been an extra in Lu Jin-so's 'Fallen Flowers of the Palace', playing a speechless palace maid. Filming for that scene had stalled for a long time, causing the entire production process to be delayed and fueling the lead actors’ discontent. Later, another extra named An Lu bravely stepped in to tackle the scene under pressure which left a deep impression on the director. Consequently, Lu Jin-So gave An Lu more opportunities to shine in subsequent scenes.
As she considered this, Ye Ningxiao spotted An Lu looking eager and excited, with a fervor in her eyes, she turned to nudge a man by her side. It was Wu Guang from the props department. Gritting his teeth, Wu Guang was about to speak when he was interrupted by soft sobs.
The reprimanded girl stammered, "I, I…” Her eyes glistened with tears, but she found herself at a loss for words.
"Get out of here!" exclaimed Lu Jin-So, slamming the clapperboard to the ground in frustration. Wu Guang, who was about to step forward, withdrew. An Lu shot him an annoyed look, gearing up to give him another push.
"Director Lu, I have memorized those lines. May I give it a try?" The moment Ye Ningxiao's voice echoed in the studio, a sharp gasp went around the room. Everyone was taken aback, astounded by her audacity to step forward in such delicate circumstances.
Picking up the clapperboard that Lu Jin-So had thrown on the ground, brushing off the dust on it, and returning it with a smile, Ye Ningxiao stood confidently. In her former life, she had experienced various situations. Although plagued by constant scandals and criticized for her controversial reputation, her acting skills ranked highly among actresses. Acting as a small palace maid would not pose a challenge to her.
Lu Jin-So furrowed his brows, sizing Ye Ningxiao up and down. Evidently, he had no memory of her as an extra.
"Are you capable?"
Lu Jinsuo's gaze landed on Ye Ningxiao's bright as moonlight eyes, calm and indifferent, mixed with a confidence rarely seen among these extras.
He no longer wasted words, treating it as a desperate attempt, "Set up the camera lights, positioning, action!".
An Lu bit her lip tightly, glaring at Wu Guang with resentment. All his fault, if he hadn't been so pathetic, this opportunity would have been hers!
Ye Ningxiao knelt on the cold floor, trembling. Her forehead kept banging on the ground, tiny streaks of crimson blood seeping out. Her pale face full of terror, her eyes filled with panic yet steely determination. "Emperor, mi-mistress is innocent, mistress did not order me to frame the Empress, all these were set up by vicious people trying to harm mistress!" Her voice sounded panicked. After she finished speaking, she lifted her head. Then, everyone noticed the tears streaming down her face, her hair disarrayed, her forehead swollen red. This was real acting, not the effect of makeup!
"Cut-- that was great!" The director slammed his thigh, "I didn't expect an extra to be so talented, what's your name?"
Ye Ningxiao tidied her messy bangs, wiping the tear marks off her face, ignoring the mud that stained her knees, smiling at Lu Jinsuo, "Director Lu, I am Ye Ningxiao."
"You're the one, you will act in the next scene!"
In the blink of an eye, it's afternoon. The field worker led Ye Ningxiao to an antique room, Ye Ningxiao spotted a bench placed next to the left door with ropes and clubs nearby. She quickly understood - it was a scene of a palace maid being beaten.
Lu Jinsuo waved his hand, "Where are the props? Props team, hurry over, tie this— this Ye Ningxiao to the bench!" Wu Guang immediately arranged two young girls to clumsily tie the ropes around Ye Ningxiao's body.
Ye Ningxiao's eyes dimmed slightly, a hint of mockery hanging at the corner of her mouth, it's somewhat similar to the situation before her death in her past life. But this time, maybe it's a rebirth?
"Director Lu, everything is arranged." Wu Guang stood near the camera, throwing Lu Jinsuo an OK sign. Standing beside him was An Lu, who was disgruntled. And she looked at Ye Ningxiao with a strange smile on her face.
Ye Ningxiao lifted her head and directly met An Lu's gaze. An Lu immediately averted her face, rotated, and moved towards another extra.
"The 22nd scene of 'Blooming in the Forbidden Palace', action!"
The Empress, dressed in an elegant peacock feather robe, stood up from the chair. In a whirl of her sleeves, a porcelain cup on the tea table was knocked to the ground. Her eyes stared intently at Ye Ningxiao, who was kneeling on the floor. The maids draped a cloak on the Empress, trying to appease her anger.
"Beat her, beat her hard, an attendant of a Mistress, even if she's beat to death, who would dare to ask me for her?"
Ye Ningxiao clearly felt the girl acting as the palace maid hesitate when she picked up the club. She looked at the director, who frowned, and then gave a quick sign with his hands. The palace maid didn’t hesitate any longer. She changed from holding the club with one hand to gripping it tightly with both hands, raising it above her head.
"Thump," the palace maid brought down the club in her hand, without hesitation, it landed on Ye Ningxiao's back. The sound of the flesh being hit was unsettlingly real. The muscles on Ye Ningxiao's waist immediately tensed, pain spreading from her waist to her whole body. She felt her scalp numb: This club wasn't a foam prop, it was genuine hardwood!
