Chapter 21

Chapter 21

In reality, the Major Crime Unit wasn’t required to personally surveil Wu Qize. However, Wu Qize’s job was indeed quite unique—as a prop master, he was currently working daily on the set of the film *Storm and Thunder*. The officers from Criminal Investigation Unit 2 couldn’t infiltrate the complex film crew to monitor his comings and goings, so after a day or two, they could only watch him come and go.

After Xia Qing and Xu Changying both agreed that Wu Qize was a suspect, Xia Qing suggested going on-site to observe Wu Qize’s work environment. Yan Jianbai and the others naturally believed that any opportunity shouldn’t be missed. By morning, Secretary Zhang had arranged with the producers of *Storm and Thunder*, and the next day, Xu Changying and his team could enter the set posing as investors.

So now they split into two teams: Zhao Yang’s group went to Qingyuan Industrial Park to search for the missing truck, while Xia Qing and Xu Changying’s team entered the *Storm and Thunder* set to observe Wu Qize.

It was a beautiful day after the rain. *Storm and Thunder* was shooting exterior scenes at the dockside studio that day. As soon as they got out of the car in the parking lot, an alpha producer approached them. Introducing himself as one of the film’s producers, he enthusiastically shook hands with each member of the investment group. A shrewd man, he didn’t even need Secretary Zhang, who was standing beside Xia Qing, to point out who was in charge—he immediately identified Xia Qing and shook his hand vigorously for nearly a full minute. Xu Changying’s hand was nearly crushed before the man finally let go.

The ever-efficient Secretary Zhang concisely stated that Chairman Xia and his team were interested in the current filming progress. The producer, a man named Qiao Ping, immediately led the four of them into the studio with his production team in tow.

"Xu," Shao Qiaoqiao whispered (since they were on an undercover mission and couldn’t use formal titles), "didn’t Mei say the main producer of this film is extremely wealthy? Why is this guy still so eager to please?"

Xu Changying kept his voice low. "When it comes to making movies, there’s never enough money. No one ever turns down more."

"Right?" He grinned at Xia Qing.

Xia Qing, caught off guard by the question, blinked. "Probably."

Passing through crowds of busy crew members and cluttered equipment, they arrived at a large room—likely a warehouse converted into a studio. Qiao Ping walked and talked, introducing everything. "This is our art department. We’ve hired the best teams from Singapore and domestically." "This is our lighting crew. If you look up, you’ll see the platform where our lighting technicians work..."

They moved through different teams and rooms like tourists on a whirlwind tour. Qiao Ping clearly knew where the money was, eagerly studying Xia Qing’s expression after every sentence. Unfortunately for him, Xia Qing’s face gave him nothing to work with.

Soon, they reached a large room. "This is our props department’s workspace. Our head prop master, Chao Zhengxin, is currently the foremost explosives specialist in the country. With over 3,000 controlled explosions under his belt, he guarantees both safety and cinematic impact—"

Xu Changying scanned the massive room filled with all sorts of equipment and props but saw very few people. "Are the prop masters busy right now?"

Qiao Ping, caught off guard by the interruption, paused and glanced at this reasonably good-looking beta. Suppressing his irritation, he replied warmly, "Yes, we’re about to head to the exterior set. Our female lead, Miss Gao Yiqiao, is filming an explosive scene—very thrilling. Perfect timing for Chairman Xia to witness it."

Sure enough, after a short walk, Xu Changying’s eyes brightened as they stepped outside. The building enclosed a vast open space on three sides, with crowds of people lining the perimeter for over a hundred meters. Just then, a loudspeaker blared, "Action!" The open area erupted with flying dust and the deafening simulated gunfire, like hundreds of firecrackers going off at once.

Xu Changying, unprepared, instinctively tensed his muscles—only for a hand to gently rest on his arm. His tense muscles relaxed. He gave Xia Qing an embarrassed smile and mouthed, "Didn’t bring it."

In the distance, a figure tumbled across the ground. Shao Qiaoqiao covered her mouth. "She’s so dedicated! I’m becoming a fan."

A woman nearby who looked like a continuity person shot her an odd glance. Confused, Shao Qiaoqiao turned to Xu Changying, who chuckled quietly. "Rookie, that’s obviously a stunt double. Lead actors don’t roll around like that."

Shao Qiaoqiao’s face slowly turned red. Xu Changying, unfazed, patted her shoulder. "Why are *you* embarrassed? The actor should be the one blushing."

This earned them a few more glances from the crew in front.

Xu Changying stared back, baffled, as if to say, *What? Am I wrong?*

Just then, the gunfight scene wrapped—unsatisfactorily, it seemed, as the assistant director barked into the loudspeaker, "Again!"

The masked prop team rushed back into the open space, resetting explosive devices under the scorching sun.

Xu Changying’s sharp eyes immediately picked out Wu Qize leading the group on the left. He nudged Xia Qing’s shoulder, directing his gaze. Xia Qing spotted the figure and gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Wu Qize, 34, had been a prop master for nearly a decade. Police records listed him as a rare low-ranking alpha, likely due to weak hormone control. Yet from a distance, Xu Changying and the others could see the man’s deft movements—his skills clearly outshone many in the props team.

The stunt double rolled through dust and explosions five or six times, with Wu Qize’s team resetting the scene each time. By the sixth take—coincidentally, the sixth since Xu Changying’s arrival—the director finally called it a wrap. Only then did Gao Yiqiao, the second female lead, make her appearance. A team of assistants attended to her hair, makeup, and parasol, retreating only at the director’s call.

Gao Yiqiao didn’t have to roll through explosions—just film a few shots under the sun to match the stunt double’s earlier footage. The director didn’t make her repeat takes; each shot was done in two tries. The moment "Cut!" sounded, her assistants swarmed back, quickly applying sunscreen to the Omega actress.

With Gao Yiqiao’s scenes done, the morning’s exterior shoot wrapped. Crew members began dispersing to move equipment, presumably to the next location. Just as Xu Changying turned to search for the props team, the director’s group cut straight through the crowd toward them.

Xu Changying had seen Gu Yangfeng before—though the director wouldn’t recognize him. Under the watchful eyes of dozens of busy crew members, the core production team—including the producer, director, and assistant director—approached Xia Qing with overwhelming deferential enthusiasm.

Gu Yangfeng was around fifty years old, an alpha and an old hand. Not only did he shake hands with Xia Qing, but he also respectfully introduced himself to Xu Zhangying, Shao Qiaoqiao, and the others one by one.

Gu Yangfeng said, "Mr. Xia, your sudden visit has really caught me off guard. Had I known you were coming, I would have put in even more effort earlier."

Xia Qing replied casually, "A friend wanted to check it out, so I came to take a look. No need to be so formal."

Another producer nearby was practically gushing: "Xing'an has never invested in film and television before, and for you, Mr. Xia, to personally visit the set today is truly an honor for *Wind and Thunder*. If there's anything else you'd like to know, we'd be happy to show you around. It's almost noon—we'd love it if you could join us for lunch at the hotel we've booked nearby...?"

Xu Zhangying interjected, "Can we go backstage now?"

The producer's smooth speech suddenly faltered. He looked at this beta who emitted no pheromones, and noticed the man was quite handsome—though the arrogant smile on his face made his skin crawl. Still, out of respect for Xia Qing, he reluctantly nodded. "Of course."

Xia Qing said, "Thanks for showing us around."

The producers and directors quickly put their smiles back on. "This way, please, Mr. Xia. Watch your step."

Xu Zhangying walked side by side with Xia Qing at the front. He turned back to ask the producer, "What’s the props team doing now? That explosion scene earlier was amazing."

The assistant director nearby replied, "The props team has a big job today—they’re probably preparing to make molds of the lead actors. You might want to check it out."

Shao Qiaoqiao whispered, "What do you mean by mold?"

Xu Zhangying turned to her and patiently explained, "Molding is a type of special effects makeup. They take an impression of an actor’s face or a specific body part with special materials, then recreate an identical version using silicone or other materials. It’s cheaper and more realistic than CGI."

Gu Yangfeng laughed. "Mr. Xu, you’re quite the expert. Are you in the film industry as well?"

Xu Zhangying chuckled. "Just a know-it-all amateur."

Shao Qiaoqiao asked, "Are they making molds of Xie Yinan and Zhuo Binbai now?"

The producer nodded. "Exactly. Both the male and female leads are in the makeup room right now. Great timing—we can arrange a photo with them."

Xu Zhangying glanced at Shao Qiaoqiao, seeing her face turn red and her eager expression. Even if they found nothing useful today, at least the trip wouldn’t be a complete waste.

He got an idea, and leaned toward Xia Qing with a grin. "Xia Qing, who's your favorite actor? Gao Yiqiao from earlier was quite beautiful."

Hearing his teasing, Xia Qing lowered his eyes for a second before looking back at him and countering, "Who's *your* favorite?"

Xu Zhangying answered frankly, "I appreciate all beautiful people."

Xia Qing just hummed in response and fell silent, offering no reply. Xu Zhangying wondered what he wasn't saying. After all, people have feelings too. Xu Zhangying had long suspected as much.

Meanwhile, the directors trailing behind them were quietly complaining to themselves about this cocky beta—who does he think he is? And his tastes sure weren't picky.

The makeshift studio at the dock had only been set up this month and wasn’t particularly large. Within five minutes, they reached the makeup room. The producer rushed ahead to open the door for Xia Qing and the others.

The moment the door opened, an angry shriek cut through the air like a tidal wave: "Are you even capable of working?! I’ve been waiting all morning! If you can’t do your job, get the hell out! There are plenty of people who can replace you!"

"Miss Nan, we were tied up with the outdoor shoot earlier. This is how the headpiece is supposed to be wrapped. I’ll make sure he’s more careful—please don’t be upset," came the groveling voice of a middle-aged man.

Xu Zhangying’s love for drama kicked in, and he nudged Xia Qing forward, pushing through the crowd. Being tall, he only needed one step to see the props team leader and three others kowtowing before a stunning woman seated at the makeup mirror.

Even with plastic wrap draped around her neck, she was undeniably gorgeous. One hand rested on her hip, the other jabbing a finger in a prop technician’s face as she shrieked, "Is your props team really this incompetent? Did Gao Yiqiao’s stunt double require your entire crew?! And *him*—not only did he yank my hair, but as an alpha, can’t you control your pheromones?! I can smell you! That’s sexual harassment, you know! You’re done in this industry—see if anyone dares hire you again!"

Shao Qiaoqiao gaped. "Is... is that Xie Yinan?"

Xu Zhangying was equally stunned, slowly shaking his head as he muttered,

"Zhao Yang's big mouth strikes again."