Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Lin Qing was visibly stunned and asked Chen Jing, "Director, is the first scene okay?"

Chen Jing scoffed, "I tell you which scene to do, and you act like it’s the college entrance exam, picking between arts and sciences?!"

Lu Yan corrected him, "They don’t divide into arts and sciences anymore."

Chen Jing: ...

Lin Qing didn’t panic and honestly replied, "I’ve been swamped lately and only got through the first scene."

Chen Jing said calmly, "Oh, then get out."

...

After Lin Qing left, Shi Qing couldn’t help but yawn, "Director Chen, didn’t you say you’d already vetted people? Why’s there still someone wasting our time?"

Unexpectedly, Chen Jing glared at Lu Yan, "It’s all because of him!"

Lu Yan, being called out, was baffled, "What does this have to do with me?"

"His agent begged me forever, saying Lin Qing’s your junior brother and to give him a shot." Chen Jing looked at him with a disdainful expression, "If I’d said no, wouldn’t that have made you look bad?"

Chen Jing’s words were rough, but Lu Yan still felt a warmth in his heart and said, "Alright, thanks for saving face for me."

Shi Qing, "I thought it was someone the investors pushed in."

Chen Jing calmly pulled out the next auditionee’s profile, "Oh, actually, the agent hinted Lin Qing could bring funding."

Shi Qing: ...

Lu Yan: ...

Lu Yan’s warm heart was suddenly left out in the cold.

...

In the end, they picked a newcomer whose acting was just okay, but his physique was excellent, with muscles even more ripped than Tang Ming’s. When he walked into the meeting room, Lu Yan saw Chen Jing’s eyes light up.

The audition was quick, just over an hour. After deciding on the candidate, Chen Jing was busy hashing out the role with him.

Shi Qing and Lu Yan’s rooms were on the same floor, separated by a few guest rooms. Shi Qing stood up, dramatically putting on the big sunglasses hanging around her neck, "Let’s head upstairs together."

Shi Qing had a firm grip, and Lu Yan didn’t dare ask about the sunglasses.

The two of them left the meeting room together and, after walking a few steps, spotted Lin Qing and Chen Li by the elevator.

Lin Qing was clearly waiting for Lu Yan and came over as soon as he saw him.

He grinned, "Bro Yan, Sis Qing!"

Even with Shi Qing’s big sunglasses on, Lu Yan could almost feel the eye rolls behind them.

He smiled, "Still here?"

Lin Qing, "Decided to stick around and hang out for a few more days. Bro Yan, you heading back to your room?"

Lu Yan nodded.

Lin Qing smiled and said, "You just signed with Ming Sheng Entertainment, and I haven’t had the chance to meet you. Finally, I get to meet you. I was in a rush earlier and didn’t have time to talk much with you. Now that I have some time, can I buy you a cup of coffee?"

Lu Yan was about to refuse when Shi Qing beside him suddenly reached out and took his arm.

Then she smiled and said, "Lu Yan and I have some things to take care of, so we don’t have time for coffee."

Her words had a double meaning, and Lin Qing and Chen Li immediately caught on.

Lin Qing said politely, "Then I won’t disturb you two. See you later, Bro Yan, Sis Qing."

After saying that, he pulled Chen Li and took the stairs.

Watching the two disappear down the corridor, Shi Qing scoffed, released Lu Yan’s arm, and pressed the elevator button.

"What’s with the 'sister' thing?"

Once inside the elevator, Lu Yan asked, "How did you know I didn’t want to go with him?"

Shi Qing sneered, "It’s obvious from your expression, and I didn’t like his tone either."

Lu Yan chuckled, "Because of the way he addressed you?"

"Of course not," Shi Qing crossed her arms, "That’s part of it, though. I just didn’t like the way he phrased it. What does he mean by 'you just signed with Ming Sheng Entertainment, and I haven’t had the chance to meet you'? Who does he think he is, waiting for his free time?"

Shi Qing became more and more displeased as she spoke, "People might think he’s the boss of Ming Sheng."

"Take it easy," Lu Yan, who was initially feeling uncomfortable, now found himself comforting Shi Qing, "How about I get you some crayfish? I’ll have Xiao Liu bring some over."

"Go away!" The elevator arrived, and Shi Qing strode out as if escaping a plague, leaving Lu Yan with just her back, "I’m on a diet, who said you could bring up food?!"

Chen Li followed Lin Qing down the stairs, "Why didn’t we use the elevator?"

Lin Qing replied, "Lu Yan and Shi Qing might be up to something in the elevator. Why disturb them?"

Chen Li frowned, "That’s weird. I heard Lu Yan isn’t into women."

Lin Qing’s steps immediately halted, and he asked unnaturally, "Is he homosexual?"

Chen Li said, "I’m not entirely sure now, but he was previously with Xu Ze, the boss of Star Entertainment. They apparently broke up, which is why the contract wasn’t renewed."

Lin Qing suddenly felt a bit uneasy and didn’t say anything. After a few seconds of thought, he took out his phone and called Gu Xu again.

The previous call went unanswered, and this time the call didn’t go through.

Lin Qing asked, "Why did Lu Yan sign with Ming Sheng Entertainment? He’s not getting the major roles."

Chen Li replied, "I don’t know, I haven’t heard any details."

Today, Lu Yan stepped out of Xu Fei’s car.

Lin Qing became increasingly uneasy, frowning for a long time, and finally called Xu Fei.

Xu Fei answered quickly, "Hello."

"Assistant Xu? Sorry to bother you."

"Can the company help me get a role?"

"Qiu Rong from 'War Song', I just finished the audition, but I didn’t do well."

After getting the answer, Lin Qing hung up the phone, smirked, and continued to walk up the stairs.

Chen Li widened his eyes: "He agreed?"

"Of course," Lin Qing laughed, "Brother Xu always has my back. Let’s go hang out, we won’t have time once we start shooting."

*

When Lin Qing greeted Lu Yan on set, Lu Yan was momentarily stunned.

After returning the greeting, he went to ask Chen Jing.

"Wasn’t it supposed to be someone else?"

Chen Jing sat on the folding chair, his expression unchanged as he looked at the script in his hand: "Money talked."

After saying that, he looked up and made a "V" sign with his fingers: "Previously it was bringing funds into the group, now it’s doubling the investment."

Lu Yan: ...

Shi Qing happened to hear this too, she sneered: "Are you in it just for the money? This is Lu Yan’s film debut, if it flops, he’ll be the first to come after you."

"Isn’t it also my film debut?!" Chen Jing exclaimed, "Isn’t this for everyone’s benefit? Do you know with this extra money, I can arrange better costumes, better sets, and better catered meals for you! Doesn’t he have professional training? Shouldn’t be that bad, right? As for muscles... can’t the makeup artist just shade in some muscle definition?"

Shi Qing said righteously: "You’re tricking the audience."

Chen Jing: "Shut up."

He looked at Lu Yan: "You have no objections, right? Let’s give it a shot and see how it goes?"

Lu Yan shrugged, went to the dressing room to put on his armor, leaving behind: "Alright."

As a result, before Lu Yan could say anything, Chen Jing lost his temper first.

"Can you act or not?! Can’t you even stay serious?"

"Are you laughing again?! What are you laughing at? Are you smiling at the enemy on the battlefield? Ever been shot before?!"

"Why are you looking at Shi Qing so affectionately? She’s like family to you!!"

By the end of the yelling, Chen Jing’s throat couldn’t take it anymore, he weakly waved his hand: "Take a break, we’ll resume in half an hour, let’s eat the catered meals first."

Lin Qing stood next to the white horse that was pulled over, tugged at Lu Yan’s sleeve, and whispered: "Bro Yan, did I piss off Director Chen?"

No, you almost gave him a heart attack.

Lu Yan: "He’s tough on all the newbies, I’ve been scolded by him before too."

But this level of intensity was new.

Hearing this, Lin Qing breathed a sigh of relief: "That’s good, actually I don’t think my acting was that bad, what do you think? A few times I thought we nailed it, Director Chen is a real stickler."

It was almost dinner time, and they weren’t even halfway through today’s schedule.

Stuck with Lin Qing all day, Lu Yan felt a bit tired and couldn’t help but stretch his back.

Lin Qing: "Bro Yan, is your waist okay?"

Lu Yan: "It’s fine."

Lin Qing: "It’s just part of getting older, I know a brand of medicinal liquor that works really well, my dad uses it, I’ll have someone bring you a few bottles to try?"

Xiao Liu, who came up to hand water to Lu Yan, overheard and said discontentedly, "Who are you calling old? Bro Yan is only twenty-seven, in the prime of his life! If it weren't for your constant mistakes today, would Bro Yan have to spend the whole day acting with you?"

Xiao Liu didn't care about Lin Qing's background; he was with Lu Yan, so of course, he had to protect Lu Yan. He was about to continue when Lu Yan suddenly reached out and patted his shoulder.

"Enough, go get me a lunchbox."

Xiao Liu knew Lu Yan didn't want him to argue with others, so he mumbled something under his breath and went to get food for Lu Yan.

Lin Qing seemed taken aback and muttered, "Bro Yan, I didn't mean it that way. I really think that herbal wine is effective. I'm sorry for making you accompany me all day."

After today's ordeal and the quick conversation just now, Lu Yan no longer wanted to put on an older brother demeanor for him. He gave a faint "hmm" and turned to leave.

Chen Li saw everything. After Lu Yan left, he quickly said to Lin Qing, "Xiao Qing, don't provoke Lu Yan. With just one word from him, your scenes could be cut into confetti!"

Lin Qing had long lost the guilt and unease from earlier. He casually played with his phone, "He's signed with Mingsheng Entertainment, does he dare to cut my scenes?"

With an investment in the crew, indeed, various conditions had gotten much better.

Today's lunchbox reflected this.

Lu Yan's dinner today was three veggie dishes, four meat dishes, and a soup, very lavish.

He glanced at Shi Qing sitting beside him; her lunchbox had also improved, but compared to his, it was still one veggie and one meat dish short.

Shi Qing noticed it immediately and said sarcastically, "Chen Jing must be feeling extremely guilty towards you, even secretly adding dishes for you."

Lu Yan: "It seems a bit too much, do you want some?"

"No, I'm dieting," Shi Qing stirred her lunchbox and asked him, "Lu Yan, how come you have no temper at all? After spending the whole day filming with a B-list actor, aren't you angry at all?"

Lu Yan smiled, "Angry, but what can I do? We still have to film."

Shi Qing: "Cut his scenes, limit his opportunities, deduct his salary!"

Lu Yan: "...He's with the same company as me, and he's also salaried to be in the crew."

Shi Qing said "Oh," "In the end, you still have no temper."

Lu Yan smiled without answering, lowering his head to take a bite of rice, when suddenly he felt the light around him dim.

He looked up in surprise and found Xu Fei standing in front of the temporary dining table.

Xu Fei placed the insulated container in front of him and smiled, "Good thing I made it in time, Mr. Lu, Director Gu asked me to bring you some soup."

The insulated container was impressively large. As soon as Lu Yan opened it, the aroma of the thick soup wafted out.

There were many ingredients in the soup: corn, pork ribs, carrots, chestnuts, lotus roots... The golden broth clung to the sides of the insulated container, making the color of the soup appear even warmer.

After Xu Fei left, Shi Qing immediately leaned over, "This soup smells amazing! Give me some! To hell with dieting!"

Lu Yan came to his senses and moved the insulated container closer to her to make it easier for her to scoop.

Shi Qing filled a full bowl, and the insulated container was still full, showing the generous portion.

Shi Qing sipped and marveled, "These ribs, the meat just falls off by itself, so fragrant. It must have been cooked for hours, right? Impressive, making sure to send you soup in such a remote place."

Lu Yan took a sip with a spoon; the flavor was rich and slightly sweet.