After the Pretty Cannon Fodder Was Coveted by the Best Actor - Chapter 2

Pushing Xian Sui back down onto the sofa again.

“Bro, are you serious? Director Yu invited you to audition?” The assistant was driving in the driver’s seat, the streetscape outside scrolling past. Xian Sui observed the unfamiliar scenery outside; this was the road from the set to his residence.

“It’s Peach Blossoms Unseen, right? I’ve heard of this. Director Yu is very famous in the industry; her previous films have won awards, and she has a great relationship with Best Actor Gu, frequently collaborating with him.” Stopping at a red light, the assistant couldn’t help turning his head sideways for some gossip. “Is Brother Gu involved too? Did he invest, is he acting in it, or is he producing?”

“Probably all of them.” Xian Sui gave a definitive answer, prompting the assistant to almost doubt his own ears and express that such a lineup was extremely rare, and that Xian Sui getting an audition opportunity was even rarer.

As a newcomer, Xian Sui wasn’t quite familiar with his surroundings yet, and even after searching online, the information he found remained merely superficial. He only truly grasped how rare this opportunity was when he arrived at the audition site and realized that his competitors were practically countless, including many popular young actors, actors Xian Sui had accidentally browsed on social media platforms, whose considerable popularity was evident right here.

When someone finally notified him to go in, Xian Sui put away the information on his phone.

Before coming here, aside from pondering the film’s era background and character traits, he had specially downloaded Yu Zhifu’s past award-winning works to watch, especially the films she collaborated on with Gu Fanzhou.

Both Gu Fanzhou and Yu Zhifu were present, and Xian Sui deliberately greeted the two of them first. The audition content was divided into two parts: the first scene was the sequence of Jian Shuyu accompanying a guest to drink, reflecting the character’s usual demeanor; the second scene was when Jian Shuyu met with Fu Minglou, and after they parted ways, Jian Shuyu watched Fu Minglou leave from the street corner.

This wasn’t too tricky for Xian Sui. From welcoming the gear from the doorway to the wine table, whether it was his smiles or even every step he took, it felt worlds away from the usual Xian Sui. Right until the end, holding the empty wine glass, his actions of drinking and putting it down were filled with the utmost allure.

Jian Shuyu bidding farewell to Fu Minglou, however, was not like this kind of flattery. Outside the Night Capital, Jian Shuyu seemed no different from an ordinary person. Disguised as a good citizen, he walked down the street with Fu Minglou, his demeanor appearing pure yet steady. He wouldn’t try to make him stay, nor would he act spoiled as he did with ordinary customers; he merely gazed silently at Fu Minglou’s retreating back as it grew more and more distant.

Silence was vocal, and lingering attachment echoed endlessly.

Only after it ended did Xian Sui have the leisure to use his peripheral vision to observe the expressions of Gu Fanzhou and Yu Zhifu. Yu Zhifu seemed quite satisfied with him; as for Gu Fanzhou, he truly couldn’t figure out his attitude.

Xian Sui hadn’t failed to consider Gu Fanzhou either. He hadn’t left a good impression on the other man back on set, so if he got stuck at Gu Fanzhou’s hurdle, it would be within expectations.

Coupled with the multitude of competitors, although he felt he had performed well, Xian Sui actually didn’t have much confidence. Therefore, when he was notified that he had passed the audition, his mind went blank for a split second, and even when his assistant called, he couldn’t help letting out a gasp of surprise on the other end, nearly blasting Xian Sui’s eardrum out.

Yu Zhifu called him personally, expressing that she was very satisfied with Xian Sui’s performance during the audition. Although his acting skills weren’t the most exquisite among all the competitors, his fit for the character was extremely high. Even Gu Fanzhou believed that while there was no shortage of people who could act in the industry, someone who truly suited a role was a rare find.

Even Gu Fanzhou’s evaluation of him wasn’t low, which surprised Xian Sui and even gave him the illusion that the person he had met on set that day wasn’t Gu Fanzhou at all.

And this illusion was quickly shattered. As soon as Xian Sui entered the production crew, apart from the staff members, the very first person he saw was Gu Fanzhou.

“Brother Gu.” Out of politeness, Xian Sui greeted him.

Yet Gu Fanzhou clearly had no interest in showing any politeness to him, continuing to flip through his script on his own. “This is my dressing room. What are you doing here?”

Hearing this, Xian Sui instinctively looked back at the room number, only to realize he had indeed accidentally walked into the wrong place. Just as he was about to open his mouth to explain, Gu Fanzhou raised his eyes and gave him a cold sweep: “Listen clearly, you were chosen because your audition performance was indeed good, and Director Yu is very satisfied with you. Don’t think that you can have any other opportunities with me beyond that.”

He really was just lost.

“It’d better be that the audition day showed your true level,” Gu Fanzhou shifted his attention back to the script, stingy enough not to spare even half a glance for him. “If your official filming later falls short of your audition, I can replace you at any time.”

“I know.” Xian Sui sheepishly finished replying with this sentence and backed out the door. Groping his way through the corridor again, he finally reached the communal dressing room.

Developing up to this point, Xian Sui finally recalled the specific plot from the beginning of the original book.

The gong protagonist Gu Fanzhou and the shou protagonist met through filming a homosexual movie. His own cannon-fodder character had obtained the role through improper means and was later forcibly replaced by Gu Fanzhou due to poor acting skills, which was when the shou protagonist finally stepped in to star.

Xian Sui rubbed his temples; right now he couldn’t care about all that, he would cross that bridge when he came to it.

The assistant was already waiting on the side and immediately handed a bottle of mineral water to Xian Sui upon seeing him. He took a couple of symbolic sips before letting the makeup artist fuss over his face, finally changing into a dark red cheongsam.

“Brother Xian Sui, this look of yours,” the assistant couldn’t help looking Xian Sui up and down, “if you didn’t tell me, I really wouldn’t know you were a man.”

Even Xian Sui couldn’t help taking a few extra looks at himself in the mirror; he suited wearing a cheongsam even more than he had imagined, every curve of his figure being outlined just right.

There was a tear mole under Xian Sui’s left eye, which the makeup artist deliberately left unhidden, making his charming facial features stand out even more.

The filming location for Peach Blossoms Unseen had just been constructed not long ago, fitting the style of the old era. Yu Zhifu had personally visited the site many times to ensure that every scene and prop met her expectations, and any place slightly unsatisfactory would be modified and rebuilt.

Entering the Night Capital alone allowed Xian Sui to feel the meticulous arrangement of the interior furnishings. The Night Capital was where Jian Shuyu worked, and the people gathering here were a mixed crowd; there were wealthy young masters, high-ranking officials, as well as impoverished people with nothing to their names who still managed to sneak in. Many scenes needed to be filmed here.

The first scene was in a private room inside the Night Capital, where Fu Minglou sat on the sofa with an empty wine glass placed before him. His gaze was fixed on the rim of the cup, clearly wearing a tense expression; compared to the other guests who came seeking pleasure and merrymaking, he appeared completely out of place.

Jian Shuyu pushed open the door and entered the private room, holding a bottle of foreign liquor. It wasn’t Jian Shuyu’s first time seeing Fu Minglou; apart from coming to look for someone, this guest also frequently came here to drink broodingly alone, never calling anyone to accompany him; only Jian Shuyu dared to approach him.

He sat down beside Fu Minglou, his lip rouge applied as brilliantly vibrant as his red cheongsam, yet without falling into vulgarity. Jian Shuyu casually opened the foreign liquor and filled Fu Minglou’s glass. “Young Master Fu is here, and none of the girls dare to serve you. Shuyu cannot bear the desolation, so let Shuyu accompany the young master for a glass of wine. How about it?”

“I am happy to have the peace and quiet.” Fu Minglou didn’t look at him, naturally not drinking the cup on the table either.

Jian Shuyu raised his slender fingers, gently pressing the pad of his finger against Fu Minglou’s browbone: “The young master doesn’t look happy.”

“Happy or not, what business is it of you?” Fu Minglou leaned back, avoiding Jian Shuyu’s touch.

“Of course, making everyone who comes to the Night Capital happy is what Shuyu ought to do.” Jian Shuyu leaned closer toward Fu Minglou, his calf almost brushing against Fu Minglou’s. Tilting his face slightly, his breath brushed against Fu Minglou’s neck as his fingertip slid from Fu Minglou’s browbone to his lips: “Is there anything the young master wants Shuyu to do?”

“Feed me wine,” Fu Minglou allowed Jian Shuyu to act recklessly on him, though his expression remained rather poor, “just like how you serve my dad.”

Jian Shuyu let out a very soft laugh. Old Master Fu occasionally snuck over to have him keep him company, and Fu Minglou clearly not only knew about this but had also taken in all their actions.

He picked up the wine glass with one hand while wrapping his other arm around Fu Minglou’s waist: “Anyone who didn’t know better would think Young Master Fu is jealous.”

“Shut up.”

“If the young master doesn’t want Shuyu to speak, Shuyu won’t speak.” Jian Shuyu brought the wine glass to Fu Minglou’s lips, feeding him half a cup while letting the other half pass through his own throat, keeping the last half-mouthful in his lips to kiss Fu Minglou’s mouth.

Fu Minglou abruptly shoved Jian Shuyu away: “Is this how you serve my dad?”

“Whether the young master believes it or not,” Jian Shuyu wiped the wine stain from his lips with the back of his fair hand, “the young master is the first guest Shuyu has ever kissed.”

Fu Minglou kept his lips tightly pressed.

Jian Shuyu couldn’t help laughing, raising his hand to stroke Fu Minglou’s lips a few times: “A kiss from me is very expensive; ordinary guests can’t afford it.”

“Is money really that important to you?” Fu Minglou’s tone grew heavier and heavier, as if suppressing something.

“Here in the Night Capital, if Shuyu doesn’t do it for money, what else would it be for?” Jian Shuyu’s movements paused quite unnaturally for a moment. “Doesn’t the young master already know the answer?”

As if struck by a certain chord, Fu Minglou suddenly pressed Xian Sui down onto the sofa: “If I can afford the money, anything goes?”

Suddenly trapped between Fu Minglou’s arms, Jian Shuyu didn’t panic, instead poking Fu Minglou’s chest with his fingertips: “I do not sell my body.”

“Because you’re a man?” Fu Minglou’s grip relaxed by half.

“I wouldn’t sell it even if I were a woman.” Jian Shuyu curved his brightly colored lips. “As for Young Master Fu, I suppose I could make an exception just this once.”

“Why?”

“No reason.” Jian Shuyu grasped Fu Minglou’s wrist, placing the other’s palm directly into the slit of his cheongsam. “Even if I told you, the young master wouldn’t believe it.”

Fu Minglou said nothing more, sucking and kissing the side of Jian Shuyu’s neck while his palm inside the cheongsam’s slit groped continuously.

This action caused Xian Sui’s body to tremble slightly, and even a barely audible soft moan fell into Gu Fanzhou’s ears.

“Stop.” Gu Fanzhou halted his movements, withdrawing his hand from Xian Sui’s lap.

The preceding dialogue scene had flowed smoothly; Yu Zhifu was seated far from the actors, but she could roughly guess what went wrong.

“Sorry.” Xian Sui sat his body upright from the sofa. It was hard for him to resist his body’s instincts, and at this moment, he had no choice but to fall silent.

“I’ll have a word with him.” Gu Fanzhou waved his hand to signal everyone else to clear the area first, leaving only himself and Xian Sui alone in the private room.

“Can you guarantee there won’t be issues when we reshoot?” Gu Fanzhou’s attitude toward him was serious, lacking the targeting from when he had first joined the crew.

“To be honest,” Xian Sui’s lips moved a few times, hesitating before speaking honestly, “I’m not entirely sure.”

“Uncomfortable?”

Gu Fanzhou stared into his eyes and asked: “Like men?”

If Xian Sui had been drinking water right now, he definitely would have spat it out. He had even secretly liked a girl back in high school; how could he possibly have this kind of inclination?

“No.”

“And here I thought you were just cheap.” Before Xian Sui could finish explaining, Gu Fanzhou cut him off. He was clearly referring to Xian Sui’s initial attempt to cozy up to him in the lounge.

Filming was what mattered most, Xian Sui thought, so he couldn’t be bothered to refute.

“Learn to get used to this feeling; you’ve got plenty more suffering ahead of you.”

Gu Fanzhou pushed Xian Sui back down onto the sofa. He wasn’t Fu Minglou right now, but his movements were much gentler.

“I don’t want the filming schedule delayed because of you,” Gu Fanzhou met Xian Sui’s gaze from above. “Need my help?”

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