Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Lu Yan made it back to J City by noon the next day.

The filming set had resumed its shooting schedule. Chen Jing, who had been fuming all day yesterday, seemed less intimidating today.

Just as Chen Jing finished briefing the young emperor actor, he saw Lu Yan and waved the script in his hand: "You're back?"

Lu Yan walked over to him: "Yeah, I held up the crew's progress. Lunch is on me today."

"No need, we’re not short on meal money. We’ve got enough in the budget," Chen Jing waved his hand, "Didn’t I tell you your scene’s in the afternoon? What are you doing here at noon?"

Lu Yan smiled: "Just to grab lunch with you."

Chen Jing scoffed: "What are you, three? Need someone to eat with you? This is the morning’s last scene. Go get Shi Qing, and we’ll all eat together."

When they found Shi Qing in the makeup room, she was staring at her phone with a dreamy smile.

"You in love or something?" Lu Yan sat next to her, propping his chin and tilting his head to look at her.

Shi Qing turned her face, her smile unchanged: "Hey, gay boy, stop flirting with me."

Lu Yan spread his hands: "Wouldn’t dare mess with you."

Shi Qing laughed: "You’re glowing. Must’ve had something good happen this time."

Then she shook her head: "We’re living the good life, but poor Director Chen’s going gray from all the stress."

"Keep it down, or he might storm in and snap your lipstick."

Hearing this, Shi Qing nervously glanced at the door of the makeup room. After making sure the coast was clear, she reluctantly put away her lipstick, mimicking Lu Yan: "Wouldn’t dare mess with you."

They wrapped up the last scene quickly. The crew called everyone to grab their lunch boxes. As the three headed to the lunch pickup spot, a soft voice called out from behind.

"Director Chen..."

Turning around, they saw Lin Qing standing there, with Chen Li beside him holding a few stuffed bags.

When their eyes met, no one said a word. The crew around them felt the tension spike and quietly grabbed their lunches, slipping away carefully to avoid Director Chen’s wrath.

Chen Jing glanced at him and picked up his own lunch box: "Oh, what do we have here?"

"Director Chen, I was wrong," Lin Qing lowered his posture and even bowed, "Let me buy you lunch. Can we talk this out?"

Chen Li immediately chimed in: "Director Chen, Xiao Qing really had some urgent matters this time. Could you give us some time? We promise to give you a reasonable explanation."

Chen Jing snorted: "No need for explanations."

Lin Qing stood straight: "Director Chen, I only left the crew for two days. It didn’t delay much progress, did it?"

Chen Jing: "Progress isn’t important. Leaving the crew without permission is unprofessional. My crew doesn’t need unprofessional actors."

Lin Qing asked: "Bro Yan also left for two days. Why such differential treatment?"

Lu Yan leaned lazily against the wall. Hearing his name, he didn’t even frown, but Shi Qing gleefully nudged his arm.

"I approved Lu Yan’s leave. Any problem?"

Lin Qing complained: "He can take leave, why can’t I?"

Chen Li, who was standing nearby, immediately got anxious and tugged at Lin Qing's sleeve. They were here to apologize, so why are they arguing now?

"He’s the lead and only took two days off, and you, a supporting actor, ask for a whole week right off the bat?" Director Chen sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm, delivering her retort with flair. "Besides, if you had Lu Yan’s acting chops and fame, I’d give you a month off."

Not done, she added, "Oh, I won’t compare you to Lu Yan. Just cut down on your NG takes, and I’ll give you all the time you save."

Lu Yan thought to himself, Director Chen must have rehearsed this scolding yesterday—she didn’t even pause.

Lin Qing’s neck flushed with anger, and he wanted to retort, but Chen Li really didn’t dare let him speak anymore. He felt that if Lin Qing continued to argue, his own job would be shattered into pieces. He quickly pulled Lin Qing behind him, groveling, "Director Chen, please don’t be angry. Xiao Qing is still young, please cut him some slack."

He leaned in close to Director Chen’s ear and whispered, "Xiao Qing messed up this time. I hope you’ll give him another chance. Everything else can be discussed. Besides, the movie has been filming for almost a month, and Xiao Qing has already shot quite a few scenes. Switching actors now would be a headache for everyone."

Chen Li had seen through the situation and hit the point where Director Chen was hesitating.

Director Chen snorted and didn’t say another word, turning back to get her boxed meal.

Chen Li gently pressed her hand, "Director Chen, let’s go out to eat. We’ll clear things up, okay? I’ve already booked a table nearby, it won’t delay the afternoon filming schedule."

After some more coaxing, Chen Li finally got Director Chen to agree.

Lin Qing was still fuming, but he kept his mouth shut, obediently following the two out of the set.

Director Chen suddenly stopped and turned around, "You two come along as well."

Shi Qing said, "No, I’m good with the boxed meal."

Director Chen, "Shut it and come along."

-

Chen Li had already ordered the dishes in advance, and as soon as the five arrived at the restaurant, the food was served.

Director Chen quickly brushed off Lin Qing’s issue and casually asked about the lead actors’ routines.

"Shi Qing, don’t smoke before we wrap. I can’t stand seeing women smoke."

Shi Qing innocently said, "Director, I don’t smoke."

"Don’t lie. You think I didn’t catch you smoking out back yesterday? If I catch you smoking again, I’m telling your agent."

"..."

"Lu Yan, how was the banquet last night?"

"Nothing special, just a regular banquet."

"I saw your photos from the banquet yesterday. Doesn’t it bug you, a grown man, to wear so much makeup? Men should be dark and strong, not always learning from girls with foundation and lipstick. Tell your makeup artist—Chen Zhong’s look is what a real man should go for."

"..."

Chen Li cleared his throat, "Director Chen, Xiao Qing already knows he was wrong. Don’t mind his poor communication skills. Last night, he was in a hurry to have me book a flight back."

Lin Qing picked at his food with his chopsticks, nodding slightly upon hearing this. On the way to the restaurant, Chen Li had told him that the more he spoke, the more mistakes he’d make, so he decided not to speak at all.

Seeing that Director Chen didn’t speak, Chen Li added, "I wonder which company Director Chen plans to hire for the post-production effects? We have some connections here and can get in touch with the best special effects team in the country..."

Director Chen’s expression softened a bit.

Lu Yan’s eyebrows furrowed, as if thinking, it’s not your money, so you don’t feel the pinch at all?

Director Chen finally looked directly at Chen Li, "Good special effects are expensive. If we had the financial resources, who wouldn’t want the best?"

Chen Li knew they had it in the bag and quickly nodded, suggesting, "Yes, Xiao Qing also thinks this movie deserves the best special effects."

Lu Yan: "Wait."

Everyone at the table looked over.

"I've seen the special effects team you found. They're pretty good, aren't they? The contract is already signed, Director Chen. You can't just go back on your word like that."

Director Chen felt like she had been stepped on by a teammate: "Then just pay the fine."

And it's not like they were the ones paying the fine. What’s it to Lu Yan?

Lu Yan: "But I’m really into the current special effects team."

"..." Director Chen looked at him with a gaze that suggested he might be ill.

Lu Yan glanced at the large bag on the floor: "Agent Chen, what are those big and small bags by your feet?"

Chen Li immediately replied: "Xiao Qing went out to buy some apology gifts for the staff these past two days."

Lu Yan nodded: "That’s thoughtful of her. Everyone makes mistakes when they’re new. It’s a learning experience. Luckily, Director Chen has a good temper. Just don’t let it happen again."

Director Chen: You’ve got the wrong idea about me.

Not only was Director Chen confused, but Chen Li and Lin Qing were also puzzled. Shi Qing, who had been silent, put her phone back in her bag and brushed her bangs: "Alright, let's eat quickly. Are we still filming this afternoon?"

The issue was quickly dropped, and the meal wrapped up in an awkward silence.

After leaving the restaurant, Chen Li pulled Lin Qing and hurried to the set to distribute the apology gifts, afraid Director Chen might back out. After they left, Director Chen finally couldn't hold back her anger: "Do you have any idea how much that special effects team costs? I've been eyeing them for over half a year!!!"

"Money doesn't grow on trees, so we need to be smart about it," Lu Yan comforted. "And they've already invested in the project. How can you still think about cutting corners?"

"Why not? Besides, the money saved isn't yours. Why are you even getting involved?" Director Chen, having lost a fortune, threw a bit of a fit and walked ahead angrily, muttering, "I should’ve left you behind."

Shi Qing was amused by the two. She raised an eyebrow: "So, what's your relationship with that boss?"

Lu Yan: "...You must have some kind of sixth sense."

"My friend was at the banquet last night and recorded the whole thing—I guessed it right away."

Lu Yan shrugged: "There’s nothing going on between us yet."

Shi Qing looked at him with a mix of frustration and disappointment: "You’re already looking out for his wallet, and there’s nothing even happening. What will you do if something does happen? Will you make Director Chen cough up the investment? And why are you defending the NG Prince?"

Lu Yan was amused by the nickname Shi Qing gave him: "Well... there's a bit of a personal reason."

Shi Qing didn't press further. She chuckled lightly: "Little Yan Yan, don’t say I didn’t give you a heads-up."

"You should be the top, right? As the ancients said, strike first, strike hard. If you like someone, you should take the initiative, seize the advantageous position, win decisively, hold your head high, be assertive. Once you soften, you can't escape being dominated."

"...That actually makes a lot of sense," Lu Yan blinked, "But I doubt the ancients ever said that."

Shi Qing rolled her eyes: "Don't sweat the details. Honestly, you’ve got the build to be the top, but that Mr. Gu also seems quite formidable..."

At this point, Shi Qing couldn't help but spit out: "You two are really squandering potential."

Back on set, Lu Yan put on his armor, which felt a bit heavier after not wearing it for two days.

He sat on the retractable chair reviewing the script, waiting for the shoot to start, when Lin Qing came over and sat down beside him.

"Bro Yan, thanks for earlier."

Lin Qing's tone carried a hint of reluctance; if it weren't for Chen Li's insistence, he would never have come to express his gratitude.

When he went back, he checked Lu Yan's Weibo following list. Not only Shi Qing and that young emperor, but even Tang Ming was followed, and all were recent follows.

Even Lin Qing, dense as he was, could tell that he didn't like others, and others didn't quite like him either.

He thought for a moment and added, "I will definitely tell Brother Xu when I get back, to look out for you."

Lu Yan suddenly laughed.

"Then you’d better put in a good word for me."

Meanwhile, Gu Xu looked at the large bouquet of roses on his desk, a smile playing in his eyes.