Chapter 96: So, Pretending Really Does Invite Lightning!

While the assistant directors were pleading with Jin Chexi, Gao Hong did not join them; he shook his head helplessly and walked into the dressing room. When Gao Hong emerged again, he was accompanied by a graceful woman in ancient costume with a cold, elegant demeanor—the leading actress of this fantasy drama, the popular star Yang Luozhi.

Gao Hong immediately led Yang Luozhi to the Mercedes RV. "Young Master Jin, you’re making things really difficult for us..." "Exactly, Young Master Jin, if you keep insisting..." Several assistant directors were pouring out their grievances, their lips nearly chapped from their entreaties, but to no avail.

Yet, when Jin Chexi inside the car saw Yang Luozhi approach, a barely noticeable hint of delight flickered across his face. He didn’t hurry to get out, instead feigning a headache, his expression pained.

Yang Luozhi’s face remained unchanged, still icy. She said to Jin Chexi inside the car, almost offhandedly, "Hurry up and get ready, everyone’s waiting for you."

"Luozhi, it’s not that I don’t want to go... you don’t know... sigh," Jin Chexi looked at her, showing difficulty. "I really feel unwell today. My head is killing me. I came here determined to push through, but the pain keeps getting worse. Even painkillers aren't helping. I’m afraid I won’t manage."

He pressed his head and groaned a few times, his face a picture of suffering.

"Is that so? I was planning for the kiss scene to be realistic, without any trick angles. But now, we might as well skip it," Yang Luozhi said coldly—as if not for Gao Hong’s sake, you think I’d bother with you?

"Wait, Luozhi, don't be angry," Jin Chexi was secretly thrilled and immediately got out of the car with an elegant flourish, saying hurriedly, "Alright, Luozhi, since you want to film, I’ll push through for you. I’m doing this entirely for you."

"Then hurry up and get your makeup done," she urged impatiently, disgusted by the sight of him.

"Alright, alright, I’m going now. Wait for me," Jin Chexi felt a rush of triumph—your first on-screen kiss is mine, and things will go much more smoothly now. Pretend to be aloof before me? Watch how I conquer you step by step.

He then walked toward the dressing room, surrounded by staff as if he were a star among stars.

Many staff and actors had witnessed everything that had just happened and felt contempt for Jin Chexi’s behavior, showing him disdain. Some even cursed him silently, wishing lightning would strike such an obnoxious poser.

Boom—

Just then, for reasons unknown, the previously calm sky suddenly exploded with thunder, followed by a bolt of lightning streaking through the air. Everyone present—crew, actors, tourists—was left bewildered by this sudden anomaly.

They all looked up. The lightning flickered, hanging in the air like a silver serpent.

"What’s going on? How can there be lightning in such nice weather?"

"This is bizarre! Why is there thunder? It makes no sense!"

Their shock was understandable. The day was clear and sunny, with no sign of rain, yet a bolt of lightning had appeared out of nowhere.

Bang—

As they marvelled and discussed, the silver serpent of lightning suddenly struck down and hit Jin Chexi squarely as he was about to enter the dressing room.

Ah—

Jin Chexi screamed in agony on the spot. His whole body convulsed as if he were breakdancing, his face contorted in pain. Everyone could clearly see the silver lightning slither over him from head to toe, writhing like a snake, while his body trembled uncontrollably.

"What is happening?"

"Oh my God, he’s been struck! Is he dead?"

"Heavens, is it true that posers really get struck by lightning?"

Everyone was shocked, but no one dared to approach him. Instinctively, they all stepped back several paces. After all, it was lightning; who knew if it might strike again?

Some couldn’t help but laugh to themselves—truly, the heavens have intervened. Ha! The saying about posers getting struck by lightning has finally come true.

This lasted for over ten seconds. While everyone was bewildered and panicked, the silver serpent of lightning vanished abruptly, and Jin Chexi’s convulsions ceased.

When the lightning disappeared, Gao Hong and several assistant directors rushed over, anxious.

"Young Master Jin, are you alright? Should we take you to the hospital..."

"Wha... what happened? Why do I feel nothing at all?" Jin Chexi was puzzled. He’d felt electricity coursing through him, a tingling sensation like a mild shock, but now, with the lightning gone, he felt no pain at all. It was as if nothing had happened.

Still, recalling the frightening scene, Jin Chexi remained shaken even though he was now unharmed. He had thought he might die from the lightning strike, but nothing had happened after all.

With this realization, Jin Chexi felt a rush of relief, and suddenly burst into laughter: "Ha ha, I’m fine! Even lightning couldn’t hurt me, not at all—I have the blessings of the Bodhisattva, I’m truly protected..."

"It’s good you’re alright, really! The consequences would have been unimaginable..." Gao Hong and the assistant directors broke out in cold sweats; they’d thought Jin Chexi would be killed. They may have disapproved of his diva attitude, but if he’d died here, their directing careers would have ended.

Many quick-thinking people had filmed the scene. If Jin Chexi had died, they might have posted it online with a respectful title for the deceased. But now, seeing him unharmed after the lightning strike, their mischievous side took over—they wouldn’t miss this chance to embarrass him. Many uploaded the video immediately.

The titles were all similar: "Popular Young Actor Gets Struck by Lightning While Showing Off—Pics and Video Proof", "Showing Off Really Does Get You Struck by Lightning—Confirmed on a Popular Star..."

Of course, none of them knew that this lightning was actually conjured by Chen Yufeng, who had spent three points in the Divine Tablet Mall for a pranking lightning bolt. It looked like lightning, but was harmless, just a bit tingly—a prank at Jin Chexi’s expense.

After confirming he was fine, Jin Chexi went into the dressing room to get ready, and the crew quickly returned to their normal filming routine. Although the earlier dramatic incident was strange, there was no time to dwell on it. Since no one was hurt, production moved forward as usual...