Chapter Index

    By the time Xiao Fang and the others arrived at the film set, Xiao Qi’s crew had already begun filming. Since they weren’t working on a green screen stage, the restrictions were much looser.

    Knowing that Xiao Fang was also part of the next crew scheduled to film, no one stopped them from entering, especially since there were a few familiar faces among them.

    A staff member told them that Xiao Qi was shooting a movie about a cultivator’s journey from a wealthy secular disciple to understanding the Great Dao and finally achieving immortality. The screenwriter was famous in the industry, so the script was bound to be excellent. This film was specifically tailored for Xiao Qi this year, likely aiming to win numerous awards and, ideally, break into the international market.

    Xiao Qi possessed a cold and aloof aura. Although his acting range wasn’t narrow, his public persona had always been that of an “ice beauty” to attract attention. The final scene of his ascension to immortality in this movie would undoubtedly satisfy his many fans who admired his looks, while the preceding struggles would prevent him from being seen as just a pretty face. It was a strategy that killed two birds with one stone.

    Having more or less finished studying his own script, Xiao Fang quietly stood off to the side to watch Xiao Qi act. The two actors from his own crew also snuck a peek alongside him.

    After all, among their peers, who didn’t know of the genius Xiao Qi?

    Xiao Qi was dressed in magnificent robes. He played the legitimate son of a wealthy merchant, about to marry his childhood sweetheart. At this moment, they were strolling through a forest, and her innocent, radiant smile was infectious, making him smile as well. The two of them looked like a perfect couple, and the atmosphere captivated the entire set.

    “Cut! Next scene,” the director commanded.

    The actors quickly got into position. This scene was supposed to be a vision in the protagonist’s mind, where a High God enters his thoughts. Xiao Qi, who had been immersed in happiness just a moment ago, instantly transformed, his expression becoming one of resistance and madness.

    “You… why do you keep appearing in my mind?” Xiao Qi staggered back a few steps, his face full of repulsion.

    The actor playing the High God was a veteran. Dressed in green robes, he looked at Xiao Qi with a calm and detached expression. “I am merely reminding you. If you are still unwilling to let go of this mortal fate, the person you love will surely come to a bad end.”

    “Then what do you want from me! What do you want from me!” His long-suppressed emotions finally erupted. Xiao Qi reached out to grab the High God, who easily dodged him.

    “What do I want? Don’t you already know in your heart?”

    Xiao Qi stared at him blankly, a mixture of emotions swirling in his eyes, his teeth chattering. He already knew, didn’t he?

    Xiao Fang and the others were completely drawn in by Xiao Qi’s performance. Suddenly, everyone’s breath hitched.

    A single tear streamed down Xiao Qi’s cheek as he spoke with a trembling voice, “I beg you… I never wanted to be some immortal. I just want to be a human.”

    The High God gave him a knowing look. “Child, you are still too naive.”

    As if he hadn’t heard the High God, Xiao Qi muttered again, “What’s so bad about being human?”

    That soft question struck everyone present like a heavy blow, more effective than any other line.

    “He truly is Xiao Qi,” Wen An’an, who had never directly praised anyone before, said for the first time.

    Even the usually nonchalant Zhang Hang didn’t say a word, his eyes fixed on Xiao Qi, who had yet to break out of character.

    “Xiao Fang, who’s your teacher? Are they that amazing?” Wen An’an marveled again.

    “Of course,” Xiao Fang, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. Both of them turned to look at him, not quite processing it.

    Shouldn’t this guy be saying something resentful, like in a drama? He’s better than me, but that’s only temporary.

    “But I’m nowhere near his level. My little brother has something called talent, something others can’t learn. I’m just hoping to learn a little bit from him. Surpassing him is impossible,” Xiao Fang rattled off a whole paragraph of flattery without his face turning red or his heart skipping a beat.

    Zhang Hang placed a hand on his shoulder with a grave expression. “Are you serious? Haven’t you always disliked him? Did you two make up?”

    “I think you’ve misunderstood,” Xiao Fang said righteously. “I may have had some friction with my brother before, but he has always been our family’s most precious treasure. Please don’t try to drive a wedge between us.”

    Even though Wen An’an didn’t know all the details, a word that perfectly matched Xiao Fang flew into her mind: Sycophant!

    Zhang Hang and Wen An’an exchanged a look, simultaneously confirming that they had both reached the same conclusion. They had finally discovered this man’s hidden attribute.

    ***

    After a few scenes, it was almost two in the afternoon. When the agreed-upon time arrived, Xiao Fang was finally released after being fussed over by the stylist one last time. However, what was happening before him didn’t seem to match what he had expected.

    “Director Zhang, didn’t we agree to film only until two o’clock?” Director Hu said with a smile, his posture as humble as could be.

    “Ah, we still have one more scene. Can you guys come back tomorrow?” Director Zhang’s tone wasn’t one of discussion, but of firm assertion.

    A crack almost appeared on Director Hu’s face, but he managed to suppress it with years of professional composure. “But… you see, our crew has been waiting here for three hours.”

    “Oh, so you think our film isn’t worth three hours of your time? Besides, did I ask you to wait? Don’t frame your voluntary actions as my coercion. Let me tell you, that’s called emotional blackmail!” Director Zhang yelled bad-temperedly.

    Director Hu could only smile and try to negotiate, but anyone could see it was a lost cause.

    “Could you… could you please be a little flexible?” Director Hu’s smile was starting to falter.

    “No!” Director Zhang stated unequivocally.

    Everyone on Xiao Fang’s crew clenched their fists. That single word “no” meant that everyone’s hard work today had been for nothing. The actors’ time wasn’t a huge deal, since they hadn’t officially started working, but it was different for the other staff. The stylists, prop masters, makeup artists, and others had been preparing since early in the morning.

    Xiao Fang took it all in. In his world, this was a common occurrence. As someone with no status, he had experienced this kind of suppression hundreds of times and was powerless to do anything about it.

    Wen An’an clenched her fists at her side, but this director’s seniority meant she wasn’t qualified to criticize him.

    “Sigh, there’s nothing we can do. What a waste of time,” the makeup artist sighed.

    “Sigh,” everyone else sighed in unison.

    “Let’s call our director back. Even if we don’t have any backing, we can’t let them humiliate us like this. I think the director has already done a great job,” the prop master said, and everyone nodded in agreement.

    “You. What’s your full name?” an incredibly audacious voice rang out on the set.

    Director Zhang was a bit slow to react to the young man who had just walked up to him.

    “What’s my name got to do with you?” the director shot back angrily when he came to his senses. It wasn’t the tone that angered him, but the fact that this kid actually didn’t recognize him.

    “Why did Zhang Hang go over there?” Wen An’an’s words made Xiao Fang turn his head. The spot where Zhang Hang had been standing was now empty. He had already gone over to argue. Only then did Xiao Fang remember that this young master’s status wasn’t low either.

    “Heh, acting has its rules, and so does filming. We booked this location. I won’t say anything about you shamelessly occupying it, but if you agreed to leave at this time, then hurry up and go. Don’t act so high and mighty, you country bumpkin,” Zhang Hang didn’t hold back at all when he opened his mouth.

    “You… you… what did you say? We clearly booked this place! And you insulted my character! Apologize immediately!” Director Zhang seemed to have never been so insulted before and was getting worked up.

    “So what if I called you out? Your character? Where was your ‘cold and noble character’ when you were shamelessly stealing our spot?” Zhang Hang spoke without a trace of fear.

    Director Hu looked at this young master with a pained expression, silently tugging at his arm a few times, but Zhang Hang completely ignored him and continued his verbal assault.

    “What are you all doing?” Xiao Qi, who had just changed his clothes, frowned at the scene.

    Seeing Xiao Qi was like seeing a savior. Director Zhang sneered, “What else? A bunch of hicks trying to steal our location. They don’t even know who’s filming here.” He then gestured to Xiao Qi with his eyes.

    In terms of fame, he was far inferior to Xiao Qi. To be honest, as someone who usually filmed idol dramas, he had spent a lot of money to get Xiao Qi on board, not to mention the screenwriter. So, for the sake of the awards that were practically guaranteed, he couldn’t let his guard down for a moment.

    Xiao Qi frowned at Zhang Hang, then his brow relaxed as he exclaimed in surprise, “Zhang Hang? Why didn’t you tell me you were filming here?”

    Xiao Qi knew Zhang Hang, but not well. Yan Yunyang would occasionally visit his younger brother at school, and he would sometimes tag along. He didn’t know if it was intuition, but he always felt that Zhang Hang wasn’t as harmless as he appeared on the surface, so he had no desire to get too close. Still, he was nice to him.

    At these words, the director, who had been strutting around like a proud rooster, immediately deflated. “Xiao Qi, you know him?”

    “Yes, he’s my boyfriend’s cousin,” Xiao Qi said without hesitation. For a Third Gender, finding a partner early was actually more effective than hiding it. After all, there were only so many of them. To get more out of him, Xiao Qi had long since mentioned his boyfriend. Those outside the industry didn’t know the specifics, and those inside only knew his boyfriend was very powerful. Otherwise, Xiao Qi’s career wouldn’t have been so smooth these past few years.

    The director’s face turned green upon hearing this. Had he just offended another major figure?

    Zhang Hang didn’t respond, just looked at the director. “Can we stick to the schedule now?”

    The director remained silent. He was a veteran director. If he lost face now, how could he command respect in the future? And if word got out…

    Xiao Qi probably understood what was happening. His cousin was just starting out in his acting career, so of course, he, as an older brother figure, had to look out for him.

    “Director Zhang, about this matter…” Xiao Qi began to speak.

    “Director Zhang, thank you so much for this!” Xiao Fang scurried over with a fawning smile.

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