Chapter 105

It was just a kiss through a mask.

He was about to pull away, but in the next second—

The man kissed his forehead.

An incredibly warm touch landed, which made the spot feel exceptionally cool after it left, leaving behind a lingering scent that wouldn’t dissipate.

“I’m really leaving now. You should go too,” Ji Wei said in a small voice.

The man looked at him and softly said, “Okay.”

Only then did he turn around again and walk towards the staff.

The staff waiting for him at the airport entrance were two young women and a makeup artist, all familiar faces he had seen before. The atmosphere wasn’t stiff; everyone was smiling and chatting.

“You and Film Emperor Lu have such a good relationship,” the makeup artist said with envy after they entered the airport. “He kept watching you until you were gone before he got in the car.”

“He… did?”

“Of course, we all saw it.”

He subconsciously looked back, but the crowd was surging restlessly like a tide, and he could no longer see the Bentley parked outside the airport. Yet, it felt as if a faint electric current was coursing through his heart.

An uncontrollable palpitation.

***

When they arrived in St. Lawrence, it was already seven o’clock the next morning.

Because he had slept through the night on the plane, Ji Wei was in pretty good spirits, though his neck was a bit sore. He was still wearing the same dark blue sweatshirt from yesterday.

And the live broadcast on the Forbidden Palace’s official website had already begun.

[Sob sob sob sob, Cub, Mommy missed you so much!]

[Ahhhhhhh, why doesn’t the website have a tipping function! I really want to vent my excitement through tips! Ahhhhhhh!]

[Hahahaha, to the person above, I can already feel your excitement. You don’t need to type so many ‘ah’s.]

[What’s going on, I suspect I’ve stumbled into a groundhog den.]

The live chat was completely taken over by a thick wall of bullet comments, obscuring the screen so thoroughly that not a single gap was left.

The live broadcast, which had been losing popularity, showed its first signs of growth.

Ji Wei was unaware of all this. He walked alone to the entrance of the Forbidden City’s Little Shop. He wasn’t one to show his emotions openly, but after seeing the shop he hadn’t visited in so long, he slowly blinked, his eyes revealing utter shock.

[I’ve been watching all along, and I’ve already forgotten what the old shop looked like. Is the difference that big?]

[WTF?! I stopped watching after Weiwei and Film Emperor Lu left. How did a perfectly good little shop turn into a five-dollar store?]

[Hmm… this all started when Ke Zhenyu came on the show.]

[Don’t mention that name! Let me be happy a little longer.]

When he had participated in The Forbidden City’s Little Shop before, although the tasks were heavy and there was no time for decoration, it had at least been simple and presentable.

But now, the shop’s area had doubled, and it seemed the second floor had also been opened up. However, the walls were covered with gaudy red and green New Year paintings.

There were even two large speakers placed at the entrance, broadcasting promotional messages on a loop. The merchandise was spread out on display tables, marked with “Today’s Special,” just like a supermarket in a residential neighborhood.

Perhaps to reflect a Chinese style, countless red lanterns floated inside the shop, along with the familiar song “Good Luck Comes.”

He closed his eyes.

[Hahahahaha, Weiwei’s eyes have been assaulted.]

[If it weren’t for Weiwei coming back, I wouldn’t be watching. Forget foreigners, even I wouldn’t want to walk in there.]

[You can’t say that. There are still quite a few foreigners coming, but they’re all uncles and aunties who haggle for half a day over one dollar.]

[Speaking of which, I’m getting angry! That Ke Zhenyu actually thinks his design is great. Last episode, Zhao Yue complained his lanterns were in the way and took down two of them, and he threw a fit.]

Ji Wei walked into the shop, and the feeling was even more direct.

Xiao Chi and Zhao Yue had already arrived. They weren’t wearing the previous blue shop uniforms but had switched to red tank tops.

One tank top read “Serve the Country with Utmost Loyalty,” and the other read “Showcase Our National Prestige.” If one were to describe the expressions on their faces with four words, it would be… looking utterly miserable.

Ji Wei was speechless.

[Just came back to watch, can anyone tell me what’s up with these clothes? Did the production team issue them? That’s really not necessary.]

[The production team is innocent! This is all the doing of that old geezer with the surname Ke. He thinks it’s conducive to promoting our traditional culture and enhancing our cultural soft power.]

[…I’m suffocating just from the description.]

[…No wonder I heard Xiao Chi’s fans and Zhao Yue’s fans have called a truce to face a common enemy. Is Weiwei going to have to change into clothes like that too?]

“Welcome back,” Xiao Chi said with a grin.

Zhao Yue glanced behind Ji Wei and asked in a low voice, “Is Senior Lu really not coming?”

“He has to film,” Ji Wei replied.

Zhao Yue was visibly relieved. He handed Ji Wei a red shop uniform and said secretly, “I saved the best-looking one for you.”

Ji Wei took the uniform. It was the exact same red tank top, but it had no text on it. It was indeed the best-looking one. He said to Zhao Yue sincerely, “Thank you.”

“It was nothing,” Zhao Yue said awkwardly.

Zhao Yue and Xiao Chi were both cleaning the shop. He also picked up a broom to sweep, but the two of them refused to let him do any work.

Xiao Chi took the broom from his hand and gave him a large box of cookies. “If you have nothing to do, you can eat cookies.”

Ji Wei had no choice but to take the cookies. “…Thank you.”

[Sob sob sob, the group’s favorite, confirmed!]

[Weiwei doesn’t have to do anything, just sit and eat cookies.]

[Weiwei is so good-looking, I find it fascinating just watching him eat cookies. Does any sister know the brand of the cookies?]

[Is Old Man Ke running late? Hehehe, happy.]

But Ji Wei didn’t stay idle either.

He took out paper and a pen from his backpack and started designing the shop.

Cultural and creative products sell because of their cultural premium. Is the raw material valuable?

Not at all.

When cultural and creative products are sold off like ordinary goods at a stall, it’s hard to attract people willing to pay a high price. Therefore, the shop needed to be redecorated to give people a fresh and impressive feeling.

After drawing the floor plan for the first floor, he went up to the second.

The second floor was half the size of the first and had a large floor-to-ceiling window, making it bright with natural light. However, it was piled high with discarded tables and chairs and unsold inventory.

From a space utilization perspective, this was unreasonable. All of this could be moved to a storage room.

After drawing out the shop’s floor plan, he began to divide the space.

The area on the first floor was ample for displaying goods, otherwise the second floor wouldn’t have been left unused. But the entire space was visible at a glance, making it look exceptionally dull.

He planned to build a dark-lacquered moon gate in the middle to visually separate the two spaces.

At the same time, he wanted to renovate the second floor into a tea area. This would provide a place for customers to rest and also allow them to sell tea, milk tea, and the like.

While he was drawing on the paper, the bullet comments started flooding the screen.

[I’m impressed, though I don’t quite understand. Our Weiwei is so amazing.]

[Nodding furiously. Besides the floor plan, it looks like he’s drawing something else.]

[Looks like a mural? Is Weiwei going to paint today! Looking forward to it!]

He had always been quick at drawing, and in just forty minutes, he had finished the renovation sketches.

Ji Wei showed the drawings to Zhao Yue and Xiao Chi. “This is my rough sketch for the renovation. Please forgive me if it’s not well-drawn.”

“Do you think this renovation will work? Are there any areas that need to be changed?”

[This is… a rough sketch? Every line is crystal clear, with no extraneous strokes. I could use this as a line draft.]

[+1, Cub Wei has such high standards for himself.]

[This renovation style is awesome!]

Zhao Yue finished looking at the drawing and sighed. “There’s a problem.”

Xiao Chi also looked serious.

“What’s the problem?” Ji Wei took out his pen.

Zhao Yue and Xiao Chi looked at each other and said in unison, “Senior Ke.”

[Oh, that really is the biggest problem.]

[To be honest, I’m really hoping some famous international director invites him to act in a movie. Just don’t come on the show.]

[Remembering the fear of being dominated by Old Man Ke.]

From Zhao Yue and Xiao Chi’s “objective” descriptions, Ji Wei learned that Ke Zhenyu was a very controlling old man. Ever since he came on the show, he had to manage everything, from the shop uniforms and renovation style to task arrangements, and even a unified lights-out time.

Getting him to agree to the renovation would be harder than climbing to heaven.

“But I have an idea.” Zhao Yue was clearly fed up with Ke Zhenyu’s “rule” and said firmly, “Let’s renovate before he gets here. He won’t be able to disagree then.”

“That’s not very good,” Xiao Chi said worriedly. “Senior Ke is a senior, after all.”

Zhao Yue glared at him. “Then what do you suggest we do? We haven’t completed a single task in two weeks.”

Xiao Chi wasn’t annoyed. “Senior Zhao, don’t be angry.”

“Am I angry?” Zhao Yue raised an eyebrow.

Xiao Chi shook his head. “No.”

[Tsk, with that temper, Zhao Yue wouldn’t survive three chapters in a palace intrigue novel.]

[He’s still pretty good to Weiwei.]

[Film Emperor Lu casts a dangerous glare in his direction.]

Seeing the tension quietly brewing in the shop, Ji Wei thought for a moment and said, “Let’s leave the decision to the netizens.”

“That could work!” Zhao Yue immediately understood.

The official Weibo account for The Forbidden City’s Little Shop started a poll. In just five minutes, half a million people participated, all of them supporting the redecoration. The three of them hung a “Temporarily Closed” sign outside the shop and began the renovation.

***

Due to a severe flight delay, it wasn’t until eleven at night that Ke Zhenyu and Bai Ye arrived at the entrance of the Forbidden City’s Little Shop, carrying their suitcases.

Ke Zhenyu looked anxious. Bai Ye asked cautiously, “Senior Ke, what’s wrong?”

“With me gone, who knows what kind of mess Xiao Zhao and the others have made of the shop.” He sighed heavily. “What do you young people know? It’ll be a miracle if you don’t mess things up.”

Bai Ye said, “…Senior Zhao, they’re pretty good.”

“Good? What’s good about them? Xiao Zhao talks back ten times for every one thing I say.” Ke Zhenyu opened the door. “Why is the shop’s turnover so bad? It’s because they’re always trying to oppose me. You’d better not learn their bad habits.”

Bai Ye’s mouth opened and then closed again.

[This old man…]

[I’ve always been a Zhao Yue anti-fan, until Old Man Ke came on the show.]

[He’s so old, but he still has a princess complex.]

[I’m really impressed. Just because he’s a bit older, he’s always bossing around the juniors. He should take a look at the awards he’s won. Are they as many as Film Emperor Lu’s?]

After entering the shop, Ke Zhenyu was still talking to himself, while Bai Ye’s eyes had already widened.

The entire shop had been given a complete makeover. The New Year paintings on the walls were gone, replaced by murals. From a small sparrow perched on the palace wall to the solemn and dignified Hall of Supreme Harmony, he looked up and saw that even the ceiling was painted with a dome, its colors bright and its visual impact extremely strong.

It was like suddenly visiting another time and space, where he was just a traceless passerby in history.

[Hahahaha, he’s stunned.]

[I just got here. Don’t ask me why I’m watching the video on my knees. I’m kneeling to the master.]

[If you look closely, there are even people inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony! The details are incredible!]

[I can’t take it anymore. I want to book a flight to St. Lawrence tomorrow, what do I do?]

Bai Ye continued walking forward. There was now an archway in the middle. The dark lacquer on the door seemed to have just dried. He couldn’t help but knock on it. It wasn’t solid wood; it was hollow inside, but the varying shades of the paint created an impression of heavy solidity.

He couldn’t help but admire the designer’s ingenuity.

Passing through the archway, he entered another world.

The murals depicted trees and flowing water, with a few koi fish in the water. But unlike the previous paintings, this was a 3D painting, so realistic that it looked like the fish were about to leap out.

There was even a water feature placed in front of the wall. When the water flowed, it would strike a bamboo bell.

And on the ceiling was a clear blue sky, with layers upon layers of clouds. An eagle broke through the clouds, swooping down fiercely towards the viewer, its gaze like a torch, its sharp talons gripping a sparrow.

Because it was a 3D painting and extremely lifelike, Bai Ye was given a huge fright.

[I’m looking at my own hands and falling into deep thought. Why is there such a big difference between people?]

[Sob sob sob, Weiwei paints so well. How can he paint everything!]

[Ahhhhhhh, I’m so excited for the shop to open tomorrow! With such good paintings, I won’t allow anyone to miss them!]

On Weibo, someone had already edited a video of the shop’s renovation, compressing the entire day’s live broadcast into ten minutes.

[Lu Wei is Real] Welcome to Forbidden City Makeover [Video]

The difference between the before and after was so drastic that it unsurprisingly started trending. The comments under this video exceeded twenty thousand.

[Diving Frog] Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap! This is too amazing. I’m a fan now.

[Taro Chicken] I haven’t watched The Forbidden City’s Little Shop in a long time. I suddenly want to go back and watch it again.

[Can’t Think of a Name] +1, I’ve watched this video back and forth three times already. Every time I watch it, I’m amazed at how well Ji Wei can paint.

Hearing the door open, Ji Wei and the others also came out of their rooms.

“How is it? Weiwei painted it really well, right?” Zhao Yue couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.

[Yueyue, what are you so proud of? Weiwei painted it, not you.]

[With Film Emperor Lu gone, Zhao Yue is quite active.]

[Cough, a Yue-Wei substitute isn’t out of the question.]

[Your thoughts are too dangerous. What kind of heretical cult is this? Isn’t shipping Lu-Wei with me more satisfying?!]

Bai Ye extended his hand and introduced himself to Ji Wei. “Hello, Ji Wei. I’m the newcomer, Bai Ye.”

“Hello,” Ji Wei also extended his hand.

After shaking hands, Bai Ye rubbed the back of his head and praised him sincerely, “You paint so well. I can only draw stick figures.”

“We have different professions,” Ji Wei added. “I can’t act either.”

Bai Ye smiled.

[I thought it would be a tense confrontation.]

[Sob sob sob, what kind of human angel is Weiwei?]

[I want to ship this pair too (runs away).]

After getting to know Bai Ye, Ji Wei proactively extended his hand to Ke Zhenyu. “Senior Ke, hello. I’m Ji Wei.”

Ke Zhenyu was a spirited old man with a square face and upturned eyes, looking like an aging tiger.

He just snorted coldly and ignored Ji Wei, instead looking at Zhao Yue. “Who’s the shop manager here, you or me?”

“Shop manager?” A hint of confusion appeared in Ji Wei’s eyes.

“Senior Ke appointed himself,” Xiao Chi said in a low voice.

He had a sudden realization.

“Why did you renovate the shop without my permission? The Forbidden City’s Little Shop is a team, not a place for someone to show off their talents. If you’re coming on the show with that kind of attitude, I advise you to go back.” Although Ke Zhenyu was speaking to Zhao Yue, it was clear to anyone with eyes that he was talking about Ji Wei.

[Aiyo, I’m so mad. What do you mean show off talents? You want to show off, but you don’t have any talents to show.]

[This guest is such a turn-off. His tone is so damn condescending. With your previous crappy renovation, who would want to come?]

[Hugs for Weiwei.]

[When is Ke Zhenyu leaving the show!]

Zhao Yue’s temper flared up, but he was held back by Ji Wei.

Ji Wei showed the poll results on his phone to Ke Zhenyu. “Senior Ke, we didn’t decide on our own. The netizens supported it.”

Ke Zhenyu’s face was full of suspicion, but when he took the phone, the poll results were overwhelmingly in favor of redecorating.

He was left speechless. He dragged his suitcase and walked towards the second floor without another word. Before leaving, he threw out a sentence, “If you don’t complete the mission tomorrow, you’re responsible.”

Bai Ye took out a thermos from his backpack, which was filled with goji berries, and said placidly, “Ji Wei, don’t take it to heart. Failing to complete the mission is the norm.”

Xiao Chi also nodded.

Zhao Yue, on the other hand, looked happy. “Whether we can complete the mission or not, I’m pretty happy.”

[Hahahaha, is he happy because Old Man Ke is sulking?]

[I wonder if Ke Zhenyu will even come out of his room tomorrow.]

[…Am I the only one who thinks this shows no respect for the elderly? No matter what, Mr. Ke is an elder.]

[Yes, you’re the only one.]

As they were talking, the lights suddenly went out.

“Fuck, he pulled the plug early,” Zhao Yue couldn’t help but curse.

This was the first time Ji Wei had experienced a lights-out on the show.

They didn’t chat any longer and went back to their respective rooms.

Ji Wei washed up with a flashlight and got into bed. He lay there with his eyes closed, trying to fall asleep.

But ten minutes, half an hour, an hour passed…

He still couldn’t sleep.

He opened his phone by his pillow and scrolled to Lu Shenxing’s name.

His idol must be very busy filming.

If he just sent a message, it shouldn’t be a bother, right?

He hesitated for a long time.

***

Shengjing, film set.

Everyone’s gaze was focused on the man in front of the screen. He was just loosely wearing a plain long robe, but no one could tear their eyes away.

This was a pivotal scene.

—A long take.

A dying man took up a brush and wrote cursive script on a white screen, writing with wild and sharp strokes. There was not a hint of the fear of death that ordinary people would have. Though he was just a civil official, he inexplicably gave off the feeling of a tragic hero at his end.

Director Li watched the camera nervously. He had originally wanted to hire a hand double, but to his surprise, Lu Shenxing knew calligraphy himself.

And he was exceptionally good at it.

He watched Lu Shenxing perform, almost holding his breath. He had no lines in this scene, but everything he needed to say was in his expression, his movements, and on that screen, giving the entire character a soul.

The actor next to him was clearly being overshadowed. In front of Lu Shenxing, his acting was far inferior to usual.

“Again!” he said, taking a deep breath.

Once…

Twice…

Three times…

Director Li couldn’t remember how many times it had been. Lu Shenxing had also written on one screen after another. He looked at Lu Shenxing, gesturing to ask if he wanted to rest, but Lu Shenxing shook his head.

The actor apologized in a low voice, “Senior Lu, I’m sorry.”

“We all go through this,” Lu Shenxing said without any emotion. “Let’s continue.”

“Thank you, Senior,” the actor said, taking a deep breath. Before filming started, he had been apprehensive because Film Emperor Lu looked very unapproachable. Even when he spoke to you gently, you wouldn’t dare to be presumptuous.

But unexpectedly, Film Emperor Lu had no airs at all when filming. Or rather, other things were insignificant in his eyes.

Only the scene mattered most.

This time, the scene finally passed.

Director Li felt the same sense of relief. He said, “Thank heavens,” and looked at the camera, unable to help but sigh. Perhaps some people were just born to act. Whether as the protagonist or a supporting character, Lu Shenxing would always attract everyone’s attention, shining brilliantly.

But in his daily life, Lu Shenxing was a rather reserved person.

When not filming, he would sit quietly with no extra expression on his face. Few people would be bold enough to approach him. Only when he was looking at his phone would his eyes curve into a smile.

Lu Shenxing wore headphones, watching the live broadcast replay of The Forbidden City’s Little Shop.

Ying Guanxiao sat down next to Lu Shenxing and handed him a glass of water, unable to resist saying, “If you miss him, just tell him.”

Lu Shenxing didn’t take it.

Ying Guanxiao was speechless. He’s just taking advantage of the fact that he’s filming!

He unscrewed the bottle cap.

Only then did Lu Shenxing take it and have a sip, calmly saying, “Let him have some fun.”

Ying Guanxiao was stunned, not knowing what to say. He suddenly remembered a saying: the most passionate are often the most heartless, while the seemingly cold are the most deeply affectionate.

***

Ji Wei still sent a message.

[Ji Wei] Are you there?

He quickly received a reply.

[Lu Shenxing] What’s wrong?

[Ji Wei] Can’t sleep.

But he was afraid of worrying Lu Shenxing, so he sent another one.

[Ji Wei] Just a little.

[Lu Shenxing] I’ll stay with you.

This was clearly a joke.

But Lu Shenxing told him a long story, a very long one.

So long that he slowly drifted off to sleep while listening to the voice message, sleeping soundly until seven the next morning.

When he went to the kitchen for breakfast, he suddenly heard Zhao Yue shout from the doorway, “Ji Wei, you have a package.”

He couldn’t help but be surprised. Who would send him a gift?

But he still walked to the door.

—It was a very large package.

“Who’s it from?” Zhao Yue asked.

Ji Wei looked at the sender information and shook his head. It seemed to be a local fabric company, but as for who sent it, he really had no clue.

“Open it and see,” Zhao Yue said, also curious.

Ji Wei took a paper cutter from the counter and opened the package.

And then—

A life-sized body pillow appeared before him.

To be precise, it was a life-sized Lu Shenxing body pillow.

The live chat exploded.