Chapter 30: Shooting

Chapter 30: The Shoot

The supporting cast’s costume fitting was scheduled later than the leads’. When Lin Shenshi arrived at the set with Yu Lanzhao, the makeup room was bustling, filled with familiar faces from the entertainment industry.

*Long Moon Star River*, an S+ production, boasted meticulous craftsmanship and the investment of Yin Yunxian, widely known as the industry’s “investment bellwether.” Its appeal was undeniable.

Every actor on the cast list was the result of intense, behind-the-scenes maneuvering—a cutthroat world of backroom deals and overt rivalries.

When the final cast list was announced, a name completely unknown to the entertainment world abruptly appeared in a prominent position:

Sixth Male Lead: Yu Lanzhao.

No one knew who Yu Lanzhao was. Only after numerous inquiries did the director’s team reveal that he had been personally handpicked by Yin Yunxian.

Thus, when Yu Lanzhao, with his utterly unfamiliar face, appeared in the makeup room, all eyes, whether subtly or overtly, fixed on him.

The crowd buzzed with whispers.

“Is that him?”

“He’s quite handsome, but I’ve never heard of him before.”

“Tch, whether you’ve heard of him or not doesn’t matter. What truly matters is his skill in bed, right?”

Their chattering voices dripped with disdain, their scrutinizing gazes seemingly eager to strip him bare and expose him to public ridicule. They pointed and gossiped, their words rife with malicious speculation.

Yu Lanzhao clenched his fists, holding them stiffly at his sides, a mix of nervousness and embarrassment washing over him.

The air seemed to solidify, forming an invisible wall between him and the crowd, blocking his every step forward.

Though he had anticipated potential criticism, he hadn’t expected it to be so fierce and unrestrained.

“What a miscalculation.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded beside him. Someone stood next to him—a youthful figure who shrugged. “You should have entered after me.”

Yu Lanzhao asked, “Why?”

“Because…” Lin Shenshi flashed him a rare, mischievous grin. “A handsome face followed by an even handsomer one makes you seem all the more precious and rare.”

Yu Lanzhao was torn between laughter and exasperation, yet his expression visibly softened. The invisible wall between him and the crowd crumbled completely with Lin Shenshi’s few words.

No matter how others perceived him, as long as Xiao Shi stood by his side, he could face anything without fear.

Beauty + Confidence = Unparalleled Attractiveness.

As Yu Lanzhao walked tall and confident through the crowd, people’s gazes visibly shifted. And when his makeup and styling were complete, the slender youth, with sleeves billowing, stood holding a sword—the image of the youngest sect disciple, as if he had stepped directly from the pages of a book. Everyone held their breath, their eyes wide with awe.

The photographer clicked the shutter repeatedly. Under the flash, the young man truly resembled an immortal sect disciple; every shot was perfect. Director Tang applauded with satisfaction.

“Excellent! Absolutely brilliant!”

Yu Lanzhao bowed politely, thanking the staff. As he stepped off the set, Director Tang clapped him on the shoulder.

“Xiao Yu, you performed exceptionally well. Have you played a similar role before?”

Yu Lanzhao smiled modestly. “This is my first time taking on such a role. There are many areas where I still need guidance, Director.”

“Don’t be so humble,” Director Tang said. He had initially harbored doubts about Yin Yunxian’s recommendation, but seeing Yu Lanzhao in action, he was utterly delighted. Good looks and impressive acting skills—it was like striking gold.

Moreover, the name [Yu Lanzhao] had been recommended not only by Yin Yunxian but also by the reclusive Lu Yuan. He couldn’t help but be consumed by curiosity about Yu Lanzhao’s connection to these two industry titans.

His inner gossipmonger burning, Director Tang exchanged a few more pleasantries before getting straight to the point: “Speaking of which, Xiao Yu, you and Tycoon Yin, Lu—”

“—No connection! Never met! Not familiar!” The moment Director Tang began his probing, Lin Shenshi interjected, stepping between the two.

Seeing the unfamiliar young man, Director Tang blinked in surprise. “And you are?”

Lin Shenshi held out his phone. “Hello, Director. I’m Lin Shenshi, Yu Lanzhao’s manager. Please direct all matters concerning the artist to me.”

“Manager?” Director Tang turned to Yu Lanzhao, confused. “Xiao Yu, have you signed with an agency?”

Lin Shenshi stepped between them again. “We are independent artists, not signed with any company. Director Tang, if there’s anything, please discuss it with me.”

He extended his hand again, his phone screen clearly displaying a WeChat QR code.

Director Tang scanned and added him. Just as he was about to ask more, Lin Shenshi was already ushering Yu Lanzhao away, turning back to remind him: “You can send the shooting schedule to me via WeChat. We’re leaving for today. Bye.”

It wasn’t until the two disappeared from the makeup room that Director Tang slowly processed what had happened: *Wait? He, a renowned director, when did he ever have to personally send call sheets to actors?*

Two seconds later.

Director Tang: “Hey! You haven’t taken off your makeup!”

That night.

Director Tang, who had just lain down, suddenly sat bolt upright: *Wait? What did he say his name was? Lin Shenshi???*

*Isn’t that the name Lu Yuan first recommended to him???*

***

The official filming was set for three days later, with the kickoff ceremony at 10 a.m. All actors, producers, directors, and other crew members were present, preparing to set up the incense altar for offerings and a group photo.

On this day, Lin Shenshi spotted Qi Lian from afar.

The man was tall and slender, strikingly handsome and captivating, standing in the crowd like a self-illuminating star. And most importantly—

His fan club photographers were most numerous in the nearby grass.

“Ahhh! Hubby, look at me!”

“Hubby is so handsome!”

“I’m going to faint! How can anyone in the world look so perfect in ancient costume!”

The fan club photographers screamed excitedly. It wasn’t until staff members rushed over to maintain order that they quieted down, though their presence remained undeniable.

Compared to Qi Lian’s massive fan following, Yu Lanzhao’s side was eerily quiet—not a single camera was pointed at him.

Just as Yu Lanzhao lowered his head, a hint of melancholy in his eyes, a flash of light illuminated his face.

Yu Lanzhao looked up.

Under the sunlight, Lin Shenshi lowered his phone and ran toward him with a radiant smile. “Ah Zhao, the lighting just now was absolutely perfect. Look!”

It was a beautifully composed photograph. In the picture, the young man wore a simple white robe, his sleeves fluttering gently in the wind, a pale green silk sash tied at his waist, giving him an elegant yet heroic aura. His head was slightly bowed, wisps of hair brushing against the dark tear mole at the corner of his eye. His ethereal, gender-ambiguous beauty carried a faint trace of sorrow, stirring a protective instinct in the viewer, while the unyielding stubbornness in his eyes commanded respect.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Lin Shenshi asked.

“Mm,” Yu Lanzhao responded softly.

“And I took many more before this one.” Lin Shenshi enthusiastically showed him his work. In that moment, the lingering melancholy in Yu Lanzhao’s heart slowly dissipated.

Yu Lanzhao suddenly recalled that when he had envied Qi Lian in the shopping mall—how Qi Lian had countless adoring fans and was a celebrated movie star—Lin Shenshi had stood by his side just like this, telling him:

“Ah Zhao, one day, you can be like that too.”

After confirming his role in *Long Moon Star River*, Yu Lanzhao created his own Weibo account.

0 following, 0 followers.

No agency support, no purchased fake followers—his account was as bare as could be.

Just like his impoverished life.

And then, a red notification lit up—

[Shi] is now following you.

The young man opposite him smiled brightly: “Ah Zhao, I’m your number one fan!”

Yu Lanzhao couldn’t help himself and embraced him. “Yes, you’re my number one.”

Lin Shenshi didn’t catch the subtle distinction in his words and hugged him back readily.

Yu Lanzhao sighed inwardly, yet also felt a sense of relief.

At the bustling kickoff ceremony, Yu Lanzhao again felt the urge to embrace Lin Shenshi, but ultimately, reason triumphed over emotion.

“Thank you, Xiao Shi.”

A thousand words condensed into a single expression of gratitude.

“Why be so formal between us?” Lin Shenshi sent him the photos. “I’ll help you capture more material. The more you post on Weibo, the more fans will discover a treasure like you.”

Although Lin Shenshi had volunteered to be Yu Lanzhao’s manager primarily to keep Qi Lian in check on set, he performed his managerial duties without cutting any corners.

Schedule planning, crew liaison, Weibo operations—he handled everything meticulously, as proficiently as a seasoned artist’s management team.

It was as if he had been doing it for many years.

Lin Shenshi mused, looking up: “Perhaps I shouldn’t have studied acting. I should have pursued a manager’s certification instead.”

Yu Lanzhao’s heart suddenly sank. He gripped Lin Shenshi’s hand tightly: “No, you mustn’t!”

Lin Shenshi had only been joking, but seeing Yu Lanzhao’s intense reaction, he patted his hand reassuringly: “Don’t worry, I won’t leave. I’ll stay with you through college.”

“…”

*No, that’s not it.*

Yu Lanzhao couldn’t articulate the sudden, inexplicable unease in his heart. Before he could sort out his jumbled thoughts, Lin Shenshi pulled something from his pocket and sprayed him from head to toe.

A rich fragrance diffused into the air.

Yu Lanzhao pinched his nose: “...What is this?”

“Perfume.”

And it was magnolia-scented.

Qi Lian’s most detested scent.

Lin Shenshi circled Yu Lanzhao once, ensuring every part of him was imbued with the magnolia scent before contentedly putting away the perfume bottle. Noticing Yu Lanzhao’s slightly furrowed brow, he asked, puzzled, “You don’t like this scent?”

“It’s fine,” Yu Lanzhao said, lowering his hand. “It’s just too strong.”

“Strong is good.”

The submissive characters in those romance novels somehow possessed a natural body scent. Lin Shenshi had only spent a few days with Yu Lanzhao and picked up a faint trace of his scent, yet Qi Lian had detected it in the shopping mall. If the perfume wasn’t strong enough, it might not cover it.

But it was strange, why couldn’t he smell anything on Ah Zhao at all? Did Qi Lian have a nose like a bloodhound?

Yu Lanzhao had never used perfume before and wasn’t used to being so heavily scented: “Xiao Shi, why are we spraying perfume?” *And so much of it…*

Lin Shenshi quickly made up an excuse: “Well, there are lots of girls here. Girls like guys who are clean and smell good. If Ah Zhao smells nice, you’ll find a girlfriend faster.”

Yu Lanzhao’s gaze flickered: “Does Xiao Shi… also like people who smell fragrant?”

“Of course,” Lin Shenshi replied without hesitation. “Girls are sweet-smelling and soft—who wouldn’t love that?”

Yu Lanzhao: “…”

Lin Shenshi didn’t notice the young man’s silence. The call to assemble sounded, and the producers, director, actors, and other key crew members were called to gather in front of the incense altar, ready to pay respects to the spirits at the auspicious hour.

Lin Shenshi watched Yu Lanzhao go, then found a sheltered corner to wait from a distance until the ceremony was over.

Yu Lanzhao played the sixth male lead, and there was also a sixth female lead. In reality, there were about ten positions separating him and Qi Lian in terms of billing. During the kickoff ceremony, their positions were far apart, so unless Qi Lian was deliberately looking, it would be difficult for him to notice Yu Lanzhao.

Today was relatively safe.

What truly worried Lin Shenshi was tomorrow’s filming.

It was a scene where the female lead was heartbroken, and the sixth male lead confronted the first male lead. During their argument, they ended up fighting by the lotus pond.

In this scene, Yu Lanzhao would inevitably have close physical contact with Qi Lian. If they could get through it safely, the other scenes would be insignificant.

Lin Shenshi couldn’t help but clench the perfume bottle in his pocket.

***

In front of the incense altar.

Qi Lian stood at the very center, with the female lead Bai Yuxi standing side-by-side to his right. Behind them were the other main actors and minor characters.

Everyone in the line held three long incense sticks, following the host’s instructions to bow in unison to the four directions.

Just as Qi Lian turned around, the wind carried a faint scent.

*This is… magnolia fragrance?*

Qi Lian frowned almost imperceptibly, his eyes scanning in the direction the scent came from. An unexpected figure caught his eye.

He still remembered that fleeting glance on the escalator in the shopping mall—the wolf cub disguised as a white rabbit, with a warning glare sharp enough to kill.

*Why was the possessive wolf cub here?*

*Could it be…*

Qi Lian glanced around and spotted the expected figure among the waiting staff.

That person seemed freezing in the cold wind, wearing a hat and huddled in a corner, his nose reddened. His clear, delicate face stood out starkly among the many older men.

Qi Lian raised an eyebrow playfully, even his lips curling into an unconscious smile.

*Well now… delivered right to my doorstep.*