Chapter 28: Fatal Magic? Three

Shen Xun pulled the dagger out of the rabbit with a sharp tug.

Her brow furrowed slightly as she met Zhao Xue’s eyes, which were rimmed with red. “Senior, I didn’t scare you, did I? I was just too anxious; I was afraid the rabbit would get away.”

Zhao Xue blinked and took a deep breath. Mindful of the cameras, she forced a smile. “Shen Xun, you’re… amazing.” But her voice betrayed her with a faint tremor.

Shen Xun acted as if she hadn’t noticed. She hung all three rabbits on her gear and turned away. “Senior, let’s head in this direction. The plant roots here are thick; there should be water.”

Zhao Xue hummed in response, following behind. “Shen Xun, let me carry one.”

Shen Xun nodded and handed over the rabbit she had just killed. “Here, Senior. This one looks a bit cleaner.”

The two set off in search of water. Zhao Xue remained silent for the rest of the trek, seemingly still shaken. Shen Xun was more than happy for the peace and quiet.

Sure enough, by tracking the humidity of the soil and the thickness of the roots, Shen Xun led them to a crystal-clear pool of flowing water.

From that point on, Zhao Xue was completely useless. She watched as Shen Xun picked up several dried coconuts, split them in half with her dagger to create makeshift bowls, and began cleaning the rabbits. Once finished, Shen Xun skewered the three rabbits on wooden sticks.

She found a dry patch of ground and started a fire. Placing a coconut bowl filled with water over the flames, she sat back to wait.

Time passed. The water boiled, and the rabbits were roasted until the skin was charred and crispy. It was a feast compared to their previous hunger. Though the meat was a bit burnt, Zhao Xue was so famished that she ate it without complaint, despite her initial look of disdain.

What shocked Zhao Xue was Shen Xun’s appetite—she finished two whole rabbits by herself.

Noticing the stare, Shen Xun gave a sheepish smile. “I was just so hungry, I couldn’t help myself.” It was a lie, of course. She simply wanted to build as much stamina as possible, knowing Zhao Xue would likely pull some “demon antics” soon.

Shen Xun stood up and looked at the small pond. She guessed they had been dropped near the center of the island, far from the coast. Getting food from the sea was likely impossible. However, they had seen very few animals on the way here; rabbits might be rare, though insects were plenty.

After eating, Zhao Xue felt restless. She wanted to mess with Shen Xun, but she knew she had to wait until nightfall when the drones’ vision was blurred.

“Shen Xun, should we go look for treasure chests now?” Zhao Xue asked.

Shen Xun shook her head. “Senior, our shelter is too crude. We won’t last twenty days like this. We need to find wood and reinforce it.” She wasn’t joking. At night, the temperature would drop, the crawling insects would come out, and rain was always a possibility.

Zhao Xue could quit whenever she wanted, but Shen Xun had to win first place.

Zhao Xue didn’t object; she also wanted a better place to sleep. They spent the rest of the afternoon working on the shelter. They kept the sleeping platform in the tree for safety. On top of the existing wooden frame, Shen Xun used roots to lash more logs together.

She created a triangular A-frame over the bed and covered the surface with large banana leaves. A simple, rainproof shelter was complete.

— Shen Xun looks so professional. She must have studied this. Compared to her, Zhao Xue is so useless, just standing there watching. — As a ‘Snowflake,’ I really don’t think Sister belongs on this show. — Lmao, Team Wu was dropped by the coast. They have a great setup and already found two chests. — Sigh, I came for the CP, but there’s no interaction. Zhao Xue is getting annoying; she’s just a total drag.

As the sun set, they had only managed to finish the shelter. Compared to the other teams, they were already falling behind. Shen Xun gathered stones and wood to build a fire near the base of the tree to ensure they wouldn’t freeze.

The director’s voice announced the daily rankings: “Day one is over. Current points: 1st – Wu Chenghui’s team, 2nd – Zhao Liuer’s team, 3rd – Xiao Minqun’s team, 4th – Zhao Xue’s team.”

— With a veteran like Big Brother Wu, Li Yaoyao is basically on vacation. They’re definitely winning. — Zhao Liuer and Wang Ziyao are fighting because they lost their flint. — I’m becoming a Shen Xun fan. She’s refined but acts decisively. Zhao Xue makes her look even better.

That night, they lay in the shelter, hungry again. The microphones were off, and the thatched roof they had built blocked the drone’s camera. Shen Xun lay with her back to Zhao Xue, eyes closed. She had reinforced the ropes herself; Zhao Xue could dance on the bed and it wouldn’t collapse now.

Shen Xun’s body was tense. As expected, after a few moments…

“Psst,” Zhao Xue whispered.

Shen Xun ignored her.

“Shen Xun,” Zhao Xue called again.

Shen Xun opened her eyes. “Stay away from me,” she said, her voice dripping with loathing.

Zhao Xue poked Shen Xun’s waist. Before her finger could even land, Shen Xun slapped it away.

“Don’t touch me. You’re disgusting.”

Zhao Xue looked at her reddened hand, feeling a flash of anger. Now that the cameras couldn’t see, this woman had dropped her mask fast. Zhao Xue let out a cold laugh. She still held a grudge over the dagger incident. Even if it was for a split second, she had seen the killing intent in Shen Xun’s eyes.

Zhao Xue propped herself up and looked down at her. “You really hate my touch, don’t you? Heh.”

“Shen Xun, I actually forgot to tell you something.”

When Shen Xun continued to ignore her, Zhao Xue added casually, “Last time… I took photos of you in bed.”

Shen Xun’s mind went blank. “What did you just say?” she asked mechanically.

Zhao Xue smirked. “Oh, and there’s a video, too.”

The atmosphere dropped to freezing point. Shen Xun’s breathing grew heavy, and the urge to kill peaked. Zhao Xue continued as if she didn’t feel the tension. “Don’t provoke me, or there’s no telling what might ‘accidentally’ leak. Right, Shen Xun?” It was both a threat and a warning.

Zhao Xue looked down at Shen Xun’s clenched, trembling fist and smiled triumphantly. “Now, face me.”

Shen Xun slowly rolled over, her eyes stiff and cold as she faced her tormentor. The night was pitch black, with only a faint glimmer of firelight reaching them. It was hard to see clearly.

She felt Zhao Xue move. Zhao Xue pulled open her own collar, revealing the cotton lining beneath. The lining was lifted, and a hand pressed against Shen Xun’s skin. In the dark, senses were heightened. Shen Xun felt on the verge of a breakdown. Lunatic! she thought. She hates me, yet she does this. She’s a total lunatic!

Zhao Xue leaned in, murmuring, “Don’t you hate being touched? Then I’ll make sure you hate it enough.”

Her tongue trailed over Shen Xun’s skin, leaving a damp trail. The hot, wet sensation sent shivers through Shen Xun. Under Zhao Xue’s palm, the body was shaking. In the darkness, Zhao Xue’s lips curled into a mesmerizing, predatory smile.

Her hand traveled downward. Hate me, Zhao Xue thought, her eyes curved. Hate me even more. Otherwise, where would the ‘Angst’ come from?

At dawn, Zhao Xue woke to find Shen Xun already gone. She hadn’t actually done anything last night beyond stimulating the other girl—and there were no photos or videos.

Emerging from the shelter, she saw Shen Xun sitting by the fire. Her eyes were downcast, her expression unreadable. Her collar was pulled up tightly, though this time it was to hide the hickey marks covering her neck.

When she saw Zhao Xue sit down, she didn’t greet her. Her expression was flat; she seemingly didn’t want to fake a smile even for the cameras anymore. Zhao Xue, however, felt refreshed. Despite the hunger, she wore a soft, beautiful smile that showed no hint of the previous night’s cruelty.

She sat next to Shen Xun like a close friend, looping her arm through hers. “Shen Xun, thanks to you, I slept so well. I have so much energy today.”

Shen Xun lifted her gaze, a shallow smile appearing. “Is that so?”

— Wait, does Shen Xun seem… off? — Whoa, the vibe between them changed overnight! I remember Zhao Xue said in an interview she has strict boundaries and hates physical contact with people she isn’t close to. So what’s this? — God, something definitely happened last night! Zhao Xue is smiling way too sweetly!

The second day began like the first: searching for food. But since they hadn’t set traps the night before, there was nothing. After drinking some boiled water, they set out.

After a while, Zhao Xue pulled on Shen Xun’s arm. “Shen Xun, are we looking for food?”

“Yes, Senior. There are berries ahead; I saw them this morning. But we have to go down a slope, so be careful.” Shen Xun led the way, pulling Zhao Xue along. She looked back occasionally. “I didn’t go down earlier because it was too dark. We can go now.”

Zhao Xue felt something was wrong, but before she could speak, a massive force yanked her downward.

Zhao Xue’s pupils shrank. Instinctively, she pulled Shen Xun into her arms, shielding the younger girl’s head with her hands as they tumbled down the slope.

The viewers were horrified:

— WTF, Shen Xun slipped! No no no! — Oh my god, Zhao Xue’s first reaction was to protect Shen Xun’s head! — Director! Something happened!

The director panicked as he watched them roll down the hill. Held tightly in that embrace, Shen Xun felt her heart tremble for a split second. The world spun.

They finally stopped when Zhao Xue’s back slammed into a tree. Zhao Xue was deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down her face. Her leg was broken.

Shen Xun scrambled up. Looking at the battered and disheveled Zhao Xue, a flash of triumph crossed her mind, but she immediately put on a face that looked ready to cry. “Senior! Are you okay? It’s all my fault for not looking where I was going!”

Zhao Xue had small cuts on her cheek, beads of blood welling up. She could only gasp into her mic: “Di… rector… my leg is broken.”

With a broken leg, Zhao Xue had to withdraw. A helicopter arrived to take her away. The director asked Shen Xun if she wanted to continue alone.

Shen Xun nodded. She had found that steep slope first thing in the morning and had slipped on purpose. She had been sure she could make Zhao Xue take the brunt of the fall. She just hadn’t expected Zhao Xue to instinctively shield her.

A strange emotion stirred in her heart, but she pushed it aside. Because of Zhao Xue’s protection, she was uninjured. She had wanted Zhao Xue hurt, but she hadn’t expected a clean break that would remove her from the competition entirely. It was an unexpected boon.

The comments were a mess:

— I’m officially a Shen Xun hater! Why did she drag the goddess down with her?! — Snowflakes, don’t be so extreme. It was a reflex; people grab onto whatever is closest in an emergency. — But… Zhao Xue instinctively protected her.

After being bandaged by medical staff, Zhao Xue was sent to the nearest hospital. The diagnosis: a fractured lower leg and soft tissue bruising. She was ordered to stay in bed for a month. After paying the contract penalty, she lay in her hospital bed with her leg in a cast.

She opened her phone to see messages from her assistant and manager. Her manager, Lin Fang, was furious: “Zhao Xue, what happened? Is it serious? I’ve canceled all your upcoming shows.” “This is what happens when you go off on your own. You got nothing and just caused yourself pain.” “Post a Weibo to comfort your fans; they’re worried sick.”

Zhao Xue didn’t reply to the messages. Instead, she posted: Zhao Xue v: Don’t worry, everyone. It’s nothing major.

— Sister, we were so worried! Glad you’re okay. — It’s all Shen Xun’s fault!

After replying to a few fans, she opened the Desolate Exploration stream to watch Shen Xun. Just like the original plot, the show exploded in popularity because of her. Without Zhao Xue dragging her down, Shen Xun’s survival skills were on full display. She caught snakes with her bare hands and scaled cliffs like a monkey without any safety gear.

— My mom asked why I’m kneeling in front of the TV. I said: watch this. — Who’s the monkey here? Shen Xun is way more agile! (doge) — I came for the CP, but I stayed for the skills. This is professional level. Every time she climbs, it looks like a superpower.

While her popularity rose, so did the number of haters:

— Shen Xun is back at it. Does the internet have no memory? She got her resources from sugar daddies. — Doesn’t everyone know she’s a mistress?

Regardless, the show was a hit. Shen Xun gained a massive following and ultimately won first place. Her prize: an audition for a major film role.

Zhao Xue spent a month in the hospital. Upon returning home, she immediately contacted her manager. “Sister Fang, did the Mermaid A31 crew send over a script for the Researcher role? Can you send it to me?”

Lin Fang took a deep breath. She’s better and she’s already starting trouble. She knew the prize for Desolate Exploration was an audition for the titular mermaid in that very film. Zhao Xue clearly wanted to mess with Shen Xun again.

But this wasn’t a small production. The director was notoriously strict and used newcomers, but it was only an invitation to audition—Zhao Xue would have to earn the part. Lin Fang sent the digital script.

Lin Fang: The Researcher role hasn’t been cast yet. The director likes your look, but this is a ‘Double Female Lead’ movie. Think carefully. Zhao Xue: I’ve thought about it. Arrange it, Sister Fang.

Lin Fang was silent for a moment. She couldn’t understand why Zhao Xue would take a double female lead role just to target Shen Xun. Their CP (Couple) hashtag was already established; this would only give Shen Xun more exposure. Furthermore, the Researcher was a villain—a “bad” role that usually got the actor hated, regardless of skill. And Zhao Xue’s acting was… subpar.

Zhao Xue opened the script. The System popped up: [Host, are you really going to do this?]

Zhao Xue nodded. [Shen Xun is cold and distant. If I don’t spend time with her, I’ll never win her over.] She rubbed her phone. This script might be the breakthrough she needed.

Mermaid A31 told the story of a one-sided love between an experimental mermaid and a researcher. A31 was a wild mermaid captured by humans. At first, she was wary, fierce, and naive. She hated humans until she met a researcher named Li.

Li was incredibly gentle. Through their time together, A31 opened her heart and fell in love. She wanted to become human and eventually differentiated into a female mermaid. She pulled Li into the water, and Li accepted her—or so it seemed.

It was a tragedy. The researcher’s feelings were a lie. She only wanted “Mermaid Tears,” which were rumored to restore life. She wanted to save a friend she had long loved. When the mermaid wouldn’t cry, Li grew frustrated and took her anger out on the creature, who only watched her with innocent, beautiful eyes. Finally, Li brought in a man and kissed him in front of the mermaid.

Crushed, the mermaid finally wept. Li took the tears and saved her friend, but when she returned, the mermaid had already been taken to the operating table by other researchers. A31 was a clown from beginning to end.

“Number 46!”

Shen Xun took a deep breath and entered the studio. Her small company didn’t care about her; she had no manager or assistant. She was on her own. The only perk was that they didn’t stop her from taking private work.

The director, Zhao, felt a spark of interest. He had watched the variety show and found Shen Xun’s performance outstanding. She had a face that could survive any era—cold, beautiful, and slightly androgynous. Perfect for a mermaid.

Shen Xun gave a timid smile, looking like an innocent college student. “Hello everyone, I’m actor number 46, Shen Xun.”

“Perform the scene where A31 is first captured and struggles,” Director Zhao said, turning on the camera.

Shen Xun’s smile vanished instantly. She entered the character so fast it startled the director. Her eyes changed; she looked like a wild animal. Her face twitched, her gaze locked onto the director with a terrifying intensity. He felt a chill—the killing intent was real. But behind the ferocity, there was a hidden, desperate panic.

She opened her mouth and let out a high-pitched, ethereal cry—a warning and a plea for help that made everyone’s heart tighten.

“Cut!” The director was beaming. “Can you swim?”

Shen Xun nodded.

“Go home and wait for the notification.” He knew she had scandals, but his gut told him she wasn’t that kind of person. He didn’t need to see anyone else.

Shen Xun received the text: Congratulations, Shen Xun. You’ve been cast as A31. We start filming next week. Please come by tomorrow to sign the contract.

She lay back on her bed. For once, Qin Chen couldn’t suppress her work while he was in a coma. She hoped he never woke up. She thought about how he used to force her to be Zhao Xue’s stand-in because her “eyes looked the most like hers.” The memory made her want to vomit. She was nothing like Zhao Xue.

Then came the “White Moonlight” herself. Shen Xun hadn’t even had time to breathe before Zhao Xue started targeting her, turning her into a scandal-ridden joke. And then… the drugging. The forced intimacy. The photos and videos.

Shen Xun’s eyes burned with hatred. I will kill you one day, Zhao Xue.

The official cast list for Mermaid A31 was released: Shen Xun — A31 Zhao Xue — Li

The internet exploded.

— Director Zhao, we know you like newcomers, but Shen Xun and Zhao Xue?! A scandal-ridden 18th-tier actress and a talentless vase? Have you lost your mind? — Only Snowflakes think their goddess is talented. I’ve seen her work abroad; she’s a vase who couldn’t cut it there, so she came back. — I’m so sorry, Sister, why would you take a villain role? You’re going to get so much hate. — My poor A31 is ruined.

However, the CP fans were ecstatic:

— CRACKSHIP FANS UNITE! Zhao Xue and Shen Xun are so cute! Especially the part where Zhao Xue protected her. I’m dying! — I hope Director Zhao doesn’t cut the intimate scenes. — Don’t worry, Zhao is known for following the source material. The rating on his last film was insane and it still aired!

Lin Fang watched Zhao Xue packing her bags for the S-city shoot. “Don’t provoke Shen Xun,” she sighed. “Just film the movie properly.”

“Sister Fang, are you in love with Shen Xun? You protect her so much,” Zhao Xue teased.

Lin Fang rolled her eyes. “Zhao Xue, look at yourself. You went to an island with her, broke your leg, and paid a massive penalty. Do you really think falling off that slope was an accident?”

Zhao Xue’s brow furrowed. “Do you think I’m inferior to her?” She stood up as the assistant brought out the suitcases. “Anyway, I have a flight to catch. See you in two months.”

At the same time, Shen Xun was heading to the airport alone, wearing a mask and hat. She hadn’t been following the news; she only cared about the role. She didn’t even know who the other lead was.

When she saw Zhao Xue on set, she almost lost control of her expression.

“Oh, Shen Xun! Let’s have a great shoot. I’m playing Li~” Zhao Xue said, walking over with a friendly wave.

Shen Xun hung a fake smile on her face and responded politely.

“Go to makeup! Time is money!” the director barked.

Shen Xun ducked into her dressing room. Damn it, why is she here too? Her good mood was gone.

Zhao Xue’s transformation into the researcher was simple—a little shadow under the eyes to make her look weary and a pair of black-rimmed glasses. When she put on the white lab coat and stepped out, the director nodded. She looked the part: a gentle person who used kindness as a mask for a weary soul.

Next was Shen Xun. Her makeup was complex. In the early stages, A31 was gender-neutral, so she had to bind her chest. An hour later, the door opened.

Zhao Xue looked up from her script. She heard the staff gasp.

Shen Xun was being wheeled out in a wheelchair. Her legs had been replaced by a shimmering white-gold tail with translucent fins. Her hair was dyed sea-foam white and curled like seaweed. Her lashes were white, framing golden contact lenses. Her cheekbones were covered in iridescent scales. She was hauntingly beautiful—both divine and demonic.

“Perfect! That’s the feeling!” the director cheered.

Zhao Xue’s lips curled into a slow smile. She stopped looking at her script and just stared at Shen Xun.

The first scene was A31 being hauled from the sea. For realism, the director had rented a swimming pool. Shen Xun performed flawlessly, her acting natural and raw.

In the story, humans hadn’t seen a mermaid in a century due to ocean pollution. The crew who caught A31 wanted to sell her, but she was confiscated and sent to the lab. They said mermaid tears could heal any disease and their flesh granted long life.

Now, the beautiful white-gold mermaid was trapped in a cylindrical tank. Her golden eyes flashed with fury as she let out a piercing cry. Her tail slammed against the glass, and she bared her sharp teeth like an unevolved beast.

“Mermaid, designation A31. Length approximately two meters, eyes golden…”

The mermaid watched the human in the glasses scribbling on a clipboard. She hissed, her tail thumping the glass. The human stopped and smiled, placing a hand against the glass barrier. The mermaid lunged, her red tongue darting out as she tried to bite, but she was blocked by the shield.

“I heard that real mermaid tears can heal, but they only fall when there is total despair,” the human mused. She smiled. “Let me introduce myself, A31. I’m Li. You’ll be seeing me every day from now on.”

The mermaid seemed to lose her sense of danger. she stopped struggling and drifted so they were eye-to-eye. Two stunning faces, separated by inches and a wall of glass.

“Cut! Perfect! That’s it for today, everyone!”

Zhao Xue and Shen Xun immediately snapped out of it. Shen Xun climbed out of the tank, dripping wet. She had been prepared for Zhao Xue to intentionally cause “NGs” (No Goods) to keep her in the water longer, but to her surprise, their scenes were mostly one-take.

Shen Xun was exhausted. By the time she finished her long makeup removal process, Zhao Xue was already gone. She returned to the hotel and took a long shower. Just as her eyelids grew heavy, there was a knock at the door.

She had a bad feeling. When she opened it, there was Zhao Xue, holding a script.

“Shen Xun, let’s run our lines,” Zhao Xue said, sliding past her into the room.

Shen Xun’s fingers curled into a fist. Aware of the hallway cameras, she shut the door. Zhao Xue pointed to a section of the script highlighted in red.

“Let’s try this one,” Zhao Xue said. “The scene where A31 enters her first estrus. She grows legs, crawls onto land, and can’t resist the sleeping Li—”

“Enough,” Shen Xun’s voice was like ice. “Do you want to sleep with me that badly?”

Zhao Xue looked innocent. “I just wanted to practice the scene.”

Shen Xun sneered internally. She realized Zhao Xue’s new favorite game was pushing her boundaries. She knew she hated being touched, so she pushed even harder.

“Practice?” Shen Xun said, her voice dropping. “Fine.” If she couldn’t escape it, she might as well take the lead. Her logic was beginning to twist. You want to touch me? Fine.

Shen Xun’s eyes narrowed. “You’re supposed to be asleep in this scene. So, lie on the bed and pretend.”

Zhao Xue gave her a meaningful look and lay down, slowly closing her eyes.

Shen Xun picked up the script. In this scene, the mermaid realizes her feelings for Li just as her first heat cycle hits. The overwhelming urge to touch Li causes her to manifest legs. She finds Li sleeping deeply after an experiment. Whether the mermaid undresses her or parts her legs, Li is too exhausted to notice. She only wakes the next morning to find her clothes in disarray, her body covered in a sticky fluid, and a lingering ache that suggests she’s been… “thoroughly explored.”

Shen Xun set the script aside and slowly reached her hand toward Zhao Xue.