Chapter 140: Volume 1, Chapter 140 – The Movie Emperor Who Turned Into a Cat (7)

A bloody gash suddenly appeared on the back of his hand, bright red beads of blood seeping out and sliding down his palm.

"Heitan!!" Jiang Zhi was both angry and guilty, raising her palm to slap its head neither lightly nor heavily, "Go inside and reflect on yourself!"

Having said that, she ignored its struggle, shoved it into her pocket, and immediately apologized to the young man in front of her: "Sorry, it has a terrible temper! I'll take you to the hospital to get checked."

Chen Shuo showed no blame, shook his head, and lightly laughed: "It's fine, I'll just go to the hospital later."

This was the first time he had been so disliked by an animal, and he blamed himself for touching it.

Jiang Zhi considered his special status; if she simply sent him to the hospital like that, she would end up as tomorrow's hot search headline.

She hesitated for a moment, full of apology, and said: "Senior Chen, I'm truly sorry. You still have filming tomorrow, and I hurt your hand. If you need anything from me in the future, I will definitely do it."

His gaze fell on her slightly pale face, brows furrowed, tense and flustered; Chen Shuo couldn't help but chuckle, then after a moment said softly: "Hmm, I understand."

Seeing him sincerely promise, Jiang Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, exchanged contact information with him, watched him leave, then turned and went back.

Today the female lead was finalized, so yesterday's footage must be reshot. Director Wang especially instructed her to go back now, finish reading the script, memorize what she can, and at least learn tomorrow's lines thoroughly.

He also told her to read the original work several more times.

Director Wang Jie could stand firm in the film and television industry and earn such high praise largely because he respected the original work, deeply understood it, then began discussing the script with the screenwriter, finally crafting a near-perfect script.

He hoped all actors would read the original work, not just stare at the script, memorizing those stiff, wooden lines every day.

She returned to her residence.

Letting the reflective Heitan jump straight out of her pocket, in the blink of an eye it leapt to the corner atop the wardrobe, leaving no trace.

Jiang Zhi, who had been getting along with it for nearly three months, could obviously tell.

This Heitan cares about face and has strong self-esteem.

Having been slapped on the head by her and hearing such harsh words, it must be angry.

Jiang Zhi also didn't want to coax it; she was just indulging it, but if she let it hurt people on a whim, what would happen later?

Usually it just scratches her, but today it even scratched someone else.

She let out a cold snort and said: "If you hurt anyone again, I won't take you out; I'll lock you in the room, nowhere you can go."

Jiang Zhi knew it could understand her words.

Although the antagonist isn't really a cat, after being together this long she was certain it had lost its memory, yet it still possessed human intelligence and emotions.

After a long time with no response, Jiang Zhi simply focused on reading the script.

The script was wonderful, especially the ending with twist after twist; she finally understood why they had to film over seventy episodes.

The original work is longer, but the script was slightly trimmed, discarding the dross and keeping the essence.

Jiang Zhi became so engrossed she missed dinner, only to be brought back to reality by a phone message.

It was a message from her extra friend Xu Qian.

(Xiao Zhi! I've come to your set as an extra, hehe, now we have a partner.)

Jiang Zhi glanced at the time; it was nearly ten o'clock, and she had been reading the script for a full six hours since returning.

She rubbed her sore eyes, replied to the message, stood up, and remembered that Heitan had been hiding on the wardrobe to avoid her all this time.

For so long it had refused to come down, even if it was hungry it stubbornly endured, being obstinate and hot-tempered.

Jiang Zhi sighed helplessly, filled the food bowl with cat food, carried it to the wardrobe, and softly said: "Come down to eat, don't be angry."

Heitan's cat ears twitched slightly, puffs of air blew from its nose, its whiskers on both sides trembled, its pupils dilated, and the dim light covered its eyes, giving it a sullen look.

Jiang Zhi stepped onto the bed, only able to see its round, plump rear end facing outward, a black blur she couldn't make out without looking closely.

"There's your favorite dried cod, little Heitan, come down quickly."

The bed and wardrobe were separated by a walkway; Jiang Zhi had to tiptoe, straining to hand over the torn packet of dried food.

Seeing it still unmoving, a sly glance flashed in Jiang Zhi's eyes; she deliberately missed her step, let out a panicked cry, fell off the bed onto the carpet, and pretended to have fallen.

Heitan's body stiffened instantly, then it leapt down from the wardrobe at top speed, ran to her side, and checked her injury.

Jiang Zhi opened her arms and held it close, her chin rubbing against its fluffy body, she sobbed: "Heitan, can you promise me you won't hurt anyone else?"

Heitan was still too young, thinking she was really crying, its eyes full of bewilderment; it forgot to struggle and let her do as she pleased.

It ground its teeth, recalling the four-legged beast that had tried to touch its head earlier, its claws itching to scratch that creature to death.

But seeing the girl so upset, it couldn't help but feel regret.

If she didn't like it, then it would stop scratching people from now on.

"Meow..."

Heitan's meow was deep, not the sharp, thin sound of an ordinary cat; it sounded as if it were reluctantly agreeing.

Jiang Zhi suddenly sat up, supporting its two limbs underneath and lifting it halfway into the air, delighted: "You promised me, okay—no more hurting people, not even me!"

Heitan looked up, meeting her eyes filled with starlight, a pale light spilling inside, more beautiful than anything.

After a moment, it came to its senses, pushed off with its legs, slipped from her hands, and jumped down to avoid her closeness.

Jiang Zhi lay flat on the carpet, so hungry her chest pressed against her back.

"So hungry, so hungry, so hungry." She weakly rested her jaw on the edge of the bed, watching Heitan lower itself to eat cat food, and enviously said: "Little Heitan, I'm starving."

Heitan gave her a dismissive glance, then reluctantly pushed the food bowl beside her.

Jiang Zhi rose, delighted: "Good Heitan, you're not guarding your food anymore, and you even know to feed your sister."

Heitan lifted its chin, looking arrogant.

Jiang Zhi wanted to rub its head, but it dodged: "I don't eat cat food, but thanks anyway."

Just then a knock came from outside the door; the delivery had arrived.

She went to get the takeout.

Heitan gazed wistfully at her retreating back; after a long while it lowered its head to look at the cat food in the bowl, lost in thought.

——

The next day.

Jiang Zhi brought Heitan to the set and met Xu Qian at the agreed place.

Xu Qian arrived at the set early, and as soon as she got there she heard shocking news.

Originally the female lead was the popular rising star Sun Yi, but after she dropped out, after auditions, the female lead turned out to be her good friend Jiang Xiao Zhi.

Xu Qian immediately met with her and asked about the audition.

Xu Qian is the original protagonist's only and best friend; she is kind-hearted, and whenever there are extra or stand-in opportunities she recommends them to the original protagonist; one could say that without her, the original protagonist would hardly be able to live in this city.

Jiang Zhi told her the whole process in detail.