I Became Famous in the Entertainment Industry with High Martial Arts Skills - Chapter 25

Accompanied by a slightly raspy, weathered male voice, the story of Han River Crossing slowly unfolded.

Just those few minutes of the opening sequence, with its dense rhythmic content, were enough to manifest the richness of the plot. The male lead leaving home for revenge, the female lead’s life hanging by a thread, the second female lead setting fire to her husband, and the second male lead’s family ruined almost every character’s key life turning points were summarized by visually impactful and exquisite imagery.

As the vice president of Xie Ci’s fan support club, Xu Lanxing, the girl in round glasses, made a point on this Saturday night to gather fellow fans, setting up a group video call to watch the premiere together.

As soon as the opening played, she excitedly typed in the group and the bullet comments: “As expected of a big production, even the opening theme has such texture!”

Zhou Tiantian and her best friend were also in the viewing group. When the opening reached the frames of Xie Ci, the two couldn’t help but follow up: “Waaa, Xiao Xie looks so pure in the early stage, let me kiss him!”

Xie Ci had no scenes in the first episode; he only appeared for a few seconds in the opening and the ending preview, but it was still enough to leave the fans super satisfied.

Unlike the rowdiness in the viewing group, the spacious living room was exceptionally quiet. The curtains were tightly drawn, and the only light source was the television screen on the wall playing Han River Crossing.

Watching the beauty in the second episode preview lean out while holding an umbrella, gazing into the lens, Ji Xiuheng felt his heart flutter like a breeze, a wave of tingling numbness washing over him. It was as if the rain dripping from the edge of that umbrella had fallen into his heart, splashing out tiny, dense droplets.

The first episode of Han River Crossing ran on dual lines: one followed the male lead discovering his identity, clashing with his adoptive father and the female lead, and setting out alone on a path of revenge; the other followed the second female lead exhaustively scheming until she finally succeeded in playing the victim, obtaining the Emperor’s permission to return to her home country as a widow. One line was in the palace, one was outside, but though the paths differed, they ultimately converged on the struggle for power.

By the time this episode finished airing, many frames had already hit the lower ranks of the hot search. However, most viewers were so eager to see the second episode that they had no heart to pay attention to the rankings.

Xie Ci’s fan group was lively, all waiting for his appearance. But after watching the first episode, the brilliant plot had hooked everyone, making them even more curious about the subsequent content.

At this time, famine was rampant everywhere. The male lead, Gu Huaizhou, encountered many “black inns” [shady hostels] along the way; in some remote areas, people had even regressed to swapping children for food. To protect himself, the male lead disguised himself as a refugee and followed the fleeing crowds toward Suzhou.

In the frames, not a blade of grass remained on the foul-smelling, muddy land. What was sold in the dilapidated markets was not vegetables, but impoverished commoners being traded like cargo.

The bullet comments came one after another. “My god…” “Director Ming is too daring to film this; these visuals make me want to gag.” “The male lead stands out even as a refugee. No wonder the second male lead picked him out specifically.” “Hahaha, suspecting someone told the truth.”

Outside the city gates, anger surged in the male lead’s heart. Just as he couldn’t help but want to strike, he was drawn by the crisp chime of carriage bells not far away.

Almost the moment Xie Ci appeared, the bullet comments that had been seriously discussing the plot were completely covered by those “licking the screen” and praising his looks. “A Western god working the Eastern shift; Cupid, stop shooting my heart!” “My god, this styling is too pure; it makes the male lead look even more like a hobo.” “Ahhh, don’t take the male lead away, take me away!”

This scene was the one that determined the second male lead’s fate. From this moment on, he personally tied the silk thread of entanglement with the male lead and was swept into the path of revenge.

At the end of the second episode, Wan Yuya’s face grew paler and paler as he entered the side gate of the Wan manor. Not long after returning to his room, a servant came to deliver a message. “Fifth Young Master, the Eldest Young Master requests your presence. Please come with me for a trip.” The messenger was the personal servant of the second lead’s eldest brother, and his tone lacked even a shred of respect.

Throughout the walk, Wan Yuya silently kept his head lowered. Fifteen minutes later, through an open door, Wan Yuya saw his eldest brother sitting in the main room chair, holding a pitch-black, smooth ruler.

The final frame was Wan Yuya in navy blue, pale-faced, clutching the doorframe and not daring to enter the courtyard. The ending theme rang out, and the plot stopped abruptly, causing everyone in the viewing group to post strings of question marks. “??? What does this mean!” “My baby isn’t about to be beaten, is he?! I won’t allow it!”

“Hehehe, am I the only one who wants to see the little beauty get hit? It feels like it’ll be very compelling.” “That ruler in the eldest brother’s hand looks like it’ll hurt.” “Why does he get beaten just for saving someone? No wonder Xiao Yu’s face turned white as soon as he got home.”

Sure enough, in the preview for the third episode released later, Wan Yuya was lying on a couch covered in cold sweat, the fabric at his calf soaked a bright red.

Being a highly anticipated big production aired during the Saturday night prime time, Han River Crossing saw its first-day online views surpass 100 million just after the first two episodes aired. The viewership rating on Mango TV directly broke 1.0, and it practically swept the hot searches for the entire weekend. The sluggish TV drama market of the past half-year had finally welcomed a year-end hit.

It wasn’t that audiences didn’t like watching dramas; they just didn’t like watching bad dramas. Seeing the first two episodes get off to a flying start, the crew’s morale soared, and they threw themselves into the post-production editing for the subsequent episodes.

Because the crew had to control the filming schedule, Ming Yang split the production into Groups A and B to film simultaneously. The male lead, Li Zhaobai, and Xie Ci were the core of the plot for the first six episodes, so both were in Group A to rush the schedule.

In the dressing room. A refined middle-aged man wearing glasses spoke: “Zhaobai, it wasn’t easy for you to get the lead in Director Ming’s drama. Qiao Mingyue’s status is right there; don’t let yourself be overshadowed by the second male lead.”

Li Zhaobai sat in the chair, his thin monolid eyes still carrying the makeup from the scene. “Brother Lin, that Xie Ci’s acting is better than I thought…” His tone was heavy, and his sharp face remained expressionless, revealing no actual emotion.

Brother Lin had managed Li Zhaobai since his debut and knew his highly competitive nature and high standards. “Ming Yang’s eye, of course, wouldn’t truly pick a ‘vase’ [token beauty],” Lin Lian comforted him. “There are so many action scenes in the plot after they enter the capital. You trained with the crew for nearly half a year; that Xie Ci looks frail who knows if he can even perform them? In the end, won’t you be the one to carry the drama?”

Li Zhaobai and Lu Feichen were actors in the same company. They debuted at roughly the same time, and their competition had always been fierce. But the other had hit a streak of career luck in the last two years, soaring to play the second lead in a Zhang Yunjiang movie.

Originally, Li Zhaobai had a movie where he played the lead scheduled for release, but the director and several actors in the group had scandals one after another, and the movie died in the cradle. Thus, he was desperate to use Han River Crossing to stage a comeback.

Lin Lian continued: “If he can’t perform the later scenes well, Director Ming will definitely add more of his screen time to you.”

Hearing this, Li Zhaobai frowned. “I actually hope he acts better and better. If I don’t even have the confidence to suppress a second lead, why am I even playing the lead?” Compared to winning over the weak, he was more willing to lose to the strong. If Xie Ci couldn’t keep up with the later filming because he hadn’t trained, it wasn’t impossible for him to kindly lend a hand…

Those shimmering, water-filled cat eyes appeared in Li Zhaobai’s mind. In a daze, he seemed once again synchronized with the male lead, filled with complex emotions and a thousand thoughts toward this young master. A staff member knocked on the door, reminding him the next scene was about to start.

“Coming.” Lin Lian replied. By the time he turned around, Li Zhaobai had already risen and was heading out the door.

Ming Yang sat before the monitor. she had just returned from the Group B filming site, where they were shooting scenes of the female lead leaving home to find the male lead, and the second female lead returning to the palace and using every means to flatter her Imperial Father.

It was Qiao Mingyue’s first time playing such a calculating and unscrupulous second lead. For a moment, she hadn’t switched her state correctly and was instead suppressed by the junior, Su Wu. Ming Yang had been worried about exactly this, which was why she followed the entire filming process. she had spent a lot of breath on the sidelines before finally getting Qiao Mingyue’s state adjusted.

“Xiao Ci, the next scene is about to start,” Mo Li reminded him from the side.

Xie Ci put down his phone. A new message had popped up in the chat box on the screen. “I’m at home every night lately. Come to the floor below to find me after you finish your scenes. If there are any problems, we can communicate face-to-face.”

Xie Ci’s eyes lit up. Under Mo Li’s repeated urging, he hurriedly sent a reply: “Okay!” After sending a grateful emoji of a kitten giving flowers, Xie Ci tapped the screen a few more times: “Brother Ji, I saw you rubbing the back of your neck often lately. If you need it, I can help you with a massage.”

On his computer screen, the two episodes of Han River Crossing that went online yesterday were playing. Looking at the message from Xie Ci, Ji Xiuheng couldn’t help but smile: “Then I won’t refuse. I watched the drama; you acted very well.”

There was no reply from the other end for a long time. Ji Xiuheng knew this drama was being filmed and aired simultaneously, and the pace was usually very rushed. Guessing Xie Ci had gone to film, he put down his phone.

The mouse clicked the play button. On the screen, the frame reached Xie Ci’s appearance in the rain. A lotus emerging from clear water.

After the drama finished airing yesterday, many editing vloggers had spontaneously become “tap water” [word-of-mouth promoters], using this scene as a cover to start recommending Han River Crossing. This attracted many “visual fans” to Xie Ci, all joining the ranks of those chasing the drama.

“Every department get ready, pay attention to clearing people outside the set.” Ming Yang shouted through the megaphone: “Everyone in position, action!”

Wan Yuya’s injuries from his eldest brother’s punishment had just healed when the male lead because of his outstanding looks was bullied by a servant who was jealous and infatuated with an inner court maid. Taking advantage of a gap when the male lead was out of the manor, the servant reported him to the butler, causing quite a stir. The butler, who was related to the servant, pretended to be impartial by punishing both to kneel for a night, but the only one truly suffering in the cold was the male lead.

“It’s all my fault… I’m so useless, I can’t even protect you.” Wan Yuya took out his usual bruise ointment and gently applied it to the male lead’s swollen, greenish knees as he lay on the couch.

Gu Huaizhou felt helpless. This young master before him couldn’t even protect himself; his daily food and clothing were deducted by the servants. How could he possibly have saved him from the butler?

Wan Yuya lowered his head. His small face had a tight skin-to-muscle ratio, making his jaw look exceptionally delicate. At this moment, he leaned over to apply medicine to the male lead. His soft black hair covered his back, making his whole being look even thinner.

Zhu Qing, standing nearby, snorted coldly: “Nobody else leaves the manor, yet you’re the one being dishonest. Now that you’ve been punished and tasted bitterness, let’s see if you dare run around again.” Zhu Qing was helpless against his master’s “dough-like” soft personality.

Some time ago, he had been beaten because this servant named A-Zhou entered the manor, yet instead of being angry, he comforted the servant, telling him not to blame himself. Heavens, when will the Young Master become strong enough to compete and fight with the other young masters?

Gu Huaizhou only felt his knees were icy cool, and the original burning sting lessened considerably. He looked at Wan Yuya, whose eyes were filled with tears that wouldn’t fall, and felt very complex in his heart. He was originally filled with hatred, having followed Wan Yuya into the Wan manor only to avenge his family’s massacre.

Using this as a springboard, he attempted to get in touch with Wan Yuya’s father, the Prefect of Suzhou the culprit who had reported his own father for treason years ago. If not for this person’s false accusation, how could his entire family be corpses by the cold river, with no one even to collect their bones or find peace after death?

But during this time, Wan Yuya had shown him much concern. He was not at all like the overbearing and arrogant “rich second generation” silkpants he had imagined. Previously, he had intentionally sought revenge by secretly using force while applying medicine to the calf Wan Yuya had injured from being whipped; the person was sweating from the pain but didn’t blame him, only silently shrinking into a corner.

In the frame, Xie Ci’s eyes were full of heartache, faint moisture slowly seeping out as his eyelashes hung low. Li Zhaobai looked over, his gaze a mix of suppressed conflict and hatred.

Between the two, silence spoke louder than words. They faced each other but their gazes missed, leaving only a room full of stillness.

“Cut!”

Xie Ci’s emotions were still in the scene. When he raised his eyelids, they were still filled with soft moisture. Li Zhaobai had a lot of acting experience and had already emerged from the role, but when Xie Ci’s gaze met his, he couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart.

It was no wonder the male lead was conflicted. In the early stage, the second male lead was truly pure and harmless to the extreme—one might even say weak. Gu Huaizhou was also of a youthful temperament that was easily swayed; compared to the ruthless father and brother, it was only natural that he couldn’t hate someone like the second lead thoroughly.

“Not bad, this eye-acting scene is very precise.” Ming Yang watched the segment just now with satisfaction. Compared to the first scene the two had together, there was clearly more chemistry now; expressions and movements were subtly linked, and they looked exceptionally harmonious in the same frame.

The male lead’s hatred was tinged with a hint of bewilderment, while the second male lead completely couldn’t imagine that the person he saved would destroy his home in the future.

Aside from the first six episodes, the actors only knew the general direction of the plot. Many suspenseful points were kept in the subsequent scripts by the writer, Song Ling. Each actor only received the content related to themselves, not knowing the details of other actors or the subsequent plot, which ensured the authenticity of the performances to a great extent.

At this point, Gu Huaizhou had already found evidence to leverage against the Wan family and was trying to incite victims to use it as an opportunity to bring them down. Li Zhaobai knew he would personally send Wan Yuya to prison later, and at this moment, looking at the actor Xie Ci, he felt a few extra points of guilt in his heart.

Xie Ci eased his emotions, rose, brushed his long hair back behind him, and went off-field to continue reading the script. For the things he wanted to do, he had to do his best. Back when he was still in his sect, he practiced basic skills every morning, never ceasing regardless of the season. By fifteen, he had mastered numerous martial arts manuals. Behind the “genius young swordsman” were the daily sweats of swinging a sword.

It’s just that the world changes easily, and he never thought he would unexpectedly come to a new world a hundred years later. Currently, Xie Ci’s body had too many lingering health issues from his early years, making it almost impossible to recover his past martial arts level.

Xie Ci used a pen to mark the script. Episode six was an important scene: the second lead’s family is ruined, his corrupt and murderous Prefect father is sentenced to beheading, and the entire family is thrown into the great prison. On the path of exile, Zhu Qing dies saving his master.

His gaze was firm and composed. Since he couldn’t go back to the past, he had to grasp the present well.

Beside him, the phone screen lit up. It was a new message in the fan group Mo Li had secretly helped him infiltrate. “So eager to see the next episode of Han River Crossing. My baby Xiao Xie isn’t really going to be beaten, is he!” “Definitely beaten. In the preview, his calf is all blood.” “I’ve developed a sickness where my heart thumps as soon as I see Xie Ci…” “I’ve developed a sickness where I drool as soon as I see Xie Ci…” “I’ve also developed a sickness where the corners of my mouth turn up as soon as I see Xie Ci…”

This sentence immediately flooded the group. Xie Ci lurked silently, but the tips of his ears turned bright red. It’s so good to be liked. It’s truly good.

Ming Yang was clearly very satisfied with yesterday’s premiere. While filming today, her face was sunny the whole time; even retakes didn’t dampen her smile.

Tonight’s shoot involved the male lead secretly leaving the manor and using the evidence he had gathered of the Wan patriarch’s corruption to set a trap. After finishing tonight’s scenes, the plot of episode five of Han River Crossing would be basically completed.

Xie Ci still remembered the message Ji Xiuheng sent in the afternoon. Since he had no scenes tonight, after saying goodbye to Director Ming Yang, he got into the car with Mo Li to head home.

The cool evening breeze drifted in through the car window, thread by thread. Mo Li gripped the steering wheel, his voice full of excitement: “I didn’t have time to tell you while we were filming today, but hurry and check your Weibo. When I was scrolling through the homepage this afternoon, the whole screen was full of people praising your acting.”

Xie Ci clicked on his account. Within just one day of Han River Crossing airing, his original million followers had surged to over two million it had doubled exactly. Under his repost of the crew’s trailer, the comment section was crowded with new fans stunned by Wan Yuya’s appearance in the drama.

“Whose visual is this? Full marks!” “Looking this good, are you trying to seduce me?” “I have to say, compared to other actors, this newcomer’s acting doesn’t lose out at all.” “He doesn’t even look twenty, does he? This acting is indeed quite good.” “Ahhh, I want to soul-transmigrate into Li Zhaobai. Such a beautiful young master applying medicine for him he must be enjoying it to death, right?”

However, alongside the massive amount of praise and recognition, some nitpicking comments also began to pop up. “Really? A man filmed so frail and weak, looking so spineless. He doesn’t look like a ‘man’ at all.” This comment was full of malice, and its heavy “preachy” tone drew a large wave of rebuttals. “Hot knowledge: if you don’t like it, you can scroll away.” “Exactly, getting all ‘masculine’ again. You want the whole world to see your manliness, don’t you?” “Such a stereotypical impression. It’s not up to you to define what a man or woman looks like. Speechless.”

Mo Li kept his eyes on the road. “Xiao Ci, remember to post a Weibo tonight. It’s time to catch up on your ‘business’ posts.”

Xie Ci nodded in agreement, not caring a bit about those few bad comments.

“By the way, Xiao Ya resigned recently. she went straight into Wang Mingde’s office to demand her compensation. So queenly!” Thinking of Xiao Ya saying on the phone that she had pissed Wang Mingde off significantly, Mo Li felt incredibly satisfied, only hating that he wasn’t there to catch the chance to follow up.

Hearing this, Xie Ci was also happy for Xiao Ya and asked: “Did she go alone? Wang Mingde didn’t do anything to her, did he?” Xie Ci had a very good impression of Li Yajun. If she hadn’t helped out so righteously back then, he wouldn’t have had the chance to act in Diving Abyss, let alone meet Ji Xiuheng, Zhang Yunjiang, and Ming Yang. Thus, hearing that Xiao Ya had rushed into Wang Mingde’s office for compensation, besides feeling happy for her, he also felt a surge of worry.

“Whoa, you don’t know. Back then, Wang Mingde failed to sell you, and that upstart President Zheng who wanted to use ‘unspoken rules’ on you dug a lot of pits for him.” Speaking of this, Mo Li became even more animated. “Xiao Ya said Wang the dog’s artists have almost all run away. Now he can barely survive in the company himself. He truly deserves it.”

Xie Ci agreed completely, nodding heavily in approval.

“So, when Xiao Ya went for compensation, she went with several other employees who had been exploited by Wang. she came out unscathed and made a clean break.” Mo Li spoke with admiration, as if he had joined the debt-collection army himself and had fiercely avenged the exploitation Wang Mingde had inflicted on him in the past.

Hearing this, Xie Ci’s worry vanished, replaced by a new idea. “So, has Xiao Ya found a new job yet?”

“Right, right, I almost forgot about that.” The car was parked in the underground garage. Mo Li continued as he closed the car door, following Xie Ci’s lead. “I specifically asked Xiao Ya; she said she hasn’t found one yet and was wondering if we were still short of people here.”

Xie Ci smiled. “We’ve always kept a position for her. It’s perfect that she’s coming; she can help share your workload.” His filming load for the new drama was large, and Mo Li had more and more things to handle alone; sometimes he really was spread too thin. Xiao Ya had been an artist assistant at the previous company and was adept at basic tasks. With her there, Mo Li could feel at ease handing over Xie Ci’s affairs.

The two settled the matter with smiles and chatter. After getting home, Mo Li ducked into his room and began checking and handling various online public opinions. Weibo, forums, and various video platforms he checked them all. Xie Ci was currently in a rising phase of heat. In the third and fourth episodes of Han River Crossing airing next Saturday, the second lead would have quite a few scenes, and Xie Ci’s followers would surely surge again.

Furthermore, after the news of Xie Ci playing the second lead was officially announced, some small commercial offers had come knocking, but after discussion, the two felt there was no need to exhaust his popularity too early and had declined them all.

With all these trivial matters added together, Mo Li truly did need a partner like Xiao Ya who was reliable and efficient to handle Xie Ci’s various work tasks with him.

Splash patter.

Each autumn rain brings a layer of cold. Just as the two entered the first-floor lobby, it began to rain outside. By the time they entered their home, the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room were already covered by pea-sized raindrops.

“Is the rain getting heavier?” Xie Ci finished his shower and changed into oatmeal-colored loungewear. His soft hair, just blown dry, hung before his smooth forehead, making his whole being look a bit more soft and relaxed.

Mo Li had just finished a call with Xiao Ya. Hearing Xie Ci’s voice, he looked at the increasing rain outside. “It’s raining harder than when we first got home.” Large drops of rain pattered against the window, blurring the city night view outside. Mo Li gave a relieved chuckle: “Luckily there was no traffic tonight, otherwise if we were five minutes later entering the lobby, we would have become drowned rats.”

Xie Ci handed him a hot drink: “I’m going downstairs to Brother Ji’s place to learn eye-acting. Remember not to stay up late tonight, sleep early.” He glanced at his phone screen it was nearly nine. After giving Mo Li a few instructions, he left with a small bag and hurried to the elevator to go downstairs.

Mo Li stood blankly by the window, not quite processing what he had just heard. Night? Learning eye-acting? Is his Xiao Xie even coming home tonight? Mo Li watched Xie Ci’s back, feeling as weathered as an old father sending his daughter off to be married. No, no, no, it must be that he’s too filthy-minded!

Teacher Ji’s reputation in the circle was evident to all; he should just be taking extra care of his Xiao Xie because Xie Ci had helped block that camera before. Mo Li patted his chest and put his heart, which had almost jumped out, back in his stomach.

Xie Ci held a thick little notebook, with the questions he planned to ask later specifically marked. Ding, As soon as he rang the doorbell, Ji Xiuheng’s heavy black door opened. The warm light from inside reflected the man’s tall silhouette. As the light and shadow traced Ji Xiuheng’s profile, a small shadow fell where his eyelashes hung low.

“Come in, treat it like your own home.” Ji Xiuheng opened the door with a smile.

Xie Ci’s movements as he entered were a bit sluggish. Although there were handsome guys of various types like Li Zhaobai and Yan Feng in the Han River Crossing crew, the one who most struck Xie Ci’s aesthetic preference was still Ji Xiuheng’s traditional, handsome Chinese features. An elder brother he admired when he was a child was of this type upright and handsome though far from being as strikingly handsome as Ji Xiuheng.

“Brother Ji, I’m here.” Xie Ci greeted him with a smile, the corners of his eyes curving.

“Sit on the sofa first. I found a clip from an old TV drama; a senior’s eye-acting in it is very suitable for you to study.”

Xie Ci sat somewhat formally on one side of the sofa. Ji Xiuheng took two drinks from the fridge and placed them on the solid wood coffee table in the center of the living room. The clip on the TV began to play—it was the peak work of a highly renowned veteran in the industry during his middle years.

Xie Ci’s sitting posture was very proper, as if he were in a classroom, and his expression followed suit, becoming serious and earnest. Ji Xiuheng sat beside him, wearing dark grey loungewear. Against the backdrop of the person beside him with the snow-white face, he looked even more like ink.

He took Xie Ci’s pen and wrote a few lines in the notebook. “If you have time, you can look at these books and film works more. The former serves as a theoretical foundation, while the latter are excellent performance clips for you to figure out.” Then, he pressed the remote. The frame on the TV was paused. “This senior is most praised for his eye-acting lively but not chaotic, performing precisely from the character’s standpoint.”

Xie Ci nodded, his eyes full of earnestness as he looked at Ji Xiuheng.

The corners of Ji Xiuheng’s mouth turned up slightly. He continued: “Generally speaking, after an actor gets the full script, they have all the information about the characters in the script. This ‘god’s eye’ perspective is very disadvantageous for an actor to grasp the ‘sense of the present’.”

Xie Ci blinked and agreed: “In the Han River Crossing script I’m filming now, I was only given Wan Yuya’s plot information. Director Ming also said this can stimulate an actor’s authentic feelings.”

“Correct. Currently, most scripts in the industry only give partial plot content and won’t hand the entire complete story script to the actor…”

Ji Xiuheng’s voice was low and magnetic, sounding exceptionally tender when spoken close to one’s ear. Xie Ci listened to his meticulous explanation, burying his head in the notebook to write feverishly. As he recorded, he looked at Ji Xiuheng with eyes of recognition and conviction.

The smile on the man’s lips solidified slightly, then he leaned forward a bit and continued the explanation. The two repeatedly analyzed and studied the clips on the TV one teaching patiently, the other listening earnestly.

“Brother Ji, you’re really amazing.” Xie Ci couldn’t help but sigh instinctively.

“Once you’ve filmed more in the future and slowly accumulate experience, your acting will also continue to improve.”

Having finally finished the content they had agreed upon, Ji Xiuheng straightened his upper body and slightly rotated his neck. Seeing this, Xie Ci immediately put down the notebook. “Brother Ji, you’ve worked hard teaching me for so long. Let me help you with a massage; it’s very effective.”

He was very confident in his skills. Back when he practiced martial arts, he often needed to clear his meridians and invigorate his blood. Over time, he had gained some expertise in massage. Ji Xiuheng lay generously on the sofa, trusting Xie Ci completely to work on him.

Why isn’t he back yet? It’s almost twelve! Mo Li tossed and turned in bed for two hours, his heart growing more restless as he waited. When he heard the sound of the door opening, he scrambled out of bed and ran to the entrance. “Why were you gone so long? I was worried to death.”

Xie Ci gave him a look as if he were being nonsensical. “Brother Ji’s explanation was very detailed. I was so engrossed listening that I forgot to check the time.” He lightly tapped Mo Li’s head. “On the other hand, didn’t you vow the day before yesterday not to stay up late? You even said if you did, I should tap your head.”

Mo Li clutched his head, wide “ramen” tears flowing in his heart. Who am I doing this for!

“Alright, alright, go and rest quickly. We have to go to the set tomorrow afternoon.” Xie Ci gave a yawn, the fresh scent of pine from Ji Xiuheng still lingering on his hands.

The big stone in Mo Li’s heart was lifted. Although the fire of gossip in his heart had ignited again, seeing Xie Ci’s tired face, he regretfully planned to go to sleep. “By the way, did you post your ‘business’ Weibo?”

Xie Ci nodded. “Don’t worry, I already posted it. Go and rest.” He showed the Weibo photo on his phone to Mo Li. The youth was holding a fluffy dark pillow, wearing soft and comfortable loungewear, his light smile looking exceptionally healing.

“Oh, oh, as long as you didn’t forget.” Mo Li was also tired and turned back to his room.

Just after midnight, Mo Li, lying in bed half-asleep, suddenly snapped his eyes wide. That photo was clearly taken by someone else. It couldn’t be a business photo taken by Movie King Ji, could it…

Because this matter was on his mind, Mo Li didn’t sleep well all night. When he sluggishly got up the next day, he was yawning continuously. While washing up, he took another look at that photo. Hiss! the photographer’s technique is not inferior to mine. Mo Li instantly felt his status as the number one “fansite master” was under threat. His sense of crisis surged, and he was even grumbling on the way to the set.

“Alright, alright, I just thought you wanted to sleep early last night, and Brother Ji happened to be willing to help…” Xie Ci put down the script in his hand, feeling both helpless and amused. “Next time I’ll definitely let you take the business photo. I’ll post it this afternoon!”

Mo Li really wanted to speak his suspicion, but seeing Xie Ci’s pure and “un-opened” [oblivious] face, he choked the words back down. Seniors and juniors. Seniors and juniors. Mo Li gripped the steering wheel tight, reminding himself over and over.

Episode six of Han River Crossing was a major turning point in the plot. The Emperor was on a private inspection tour to the south. Using the mouth of a storyteller in a teahouse, the male lead turned the evidence he had collected into a “prompt script” [storytelling script], using it to satirize the Suzhou Prefect for preying on the people and the numerous unjust cases. Under the agitation of the accompanying Minister of Personnel, the Wan family was in imminent danger.

The actor playing the Emperor was a highly respected veteran in the industry, with white eyebrows, yet still possessing full majesty under the lens. The Emperor’s figure showed signs of old age, but his eyes were very sharp as he smilingly questioned the storyteller. “This is truly strange. If the official in this story is so rampant, can no one restrain him?” The storyteller waved his hand. “Money opens the way.

This crooked official has wealth like the sea and is skilled at flattering and conspiring with officials above and below. He has completely become a local emperor.”

Gu Huaizhou, played by Li Zhaobai, was sitting in a corner of the teahouse, quietly observing everything in the building. The Emperor laughed heartily, his hand wearing a yellow jade ring moving slightly. The accompanying Minister of Personnel and the Commander of the Imperial Guard behind him immediately received the signal and began an investigation.

Knowing the plan had succeeded, Gu Huaizhou returned to the Wan manor. Just as he entered the courtyard, he saw Wan Yuya looking over with a panicked face. “Why did you leave the manor privately again!” The young master had rare anger in his tone, his voice laced with annoyance, yet his eyes were still full of worry as he looked over.

As the writer, Song Ling occasionally visited the filming site. Looking at the close-up of Xie Ci’s face on the screen, those eyes were exceptionally spirited. Large eyes easily become soulless, but Xie Ci’s eye movements were always well-grasped. Not hollow, not exaggerated it was as if the emotions were drilling out from the character’s heart.

Gu Huaizhou knew Wan Yuya wasn’t truly angry. “I heard from Zhu Qing that you love the crispy jade cakes from Jingshan Pavilion. I went out specifically to buy them for you.” With that, he produced a package of pastries wrapped in oil-paper from behind him and handed them to Wan Yuya with a smile.

“You… don’t take such a risk next time. If Eldest Brother finds out, he will definitely sell you off.” The young master’s anger vanished instantly, his small face filled with emotion and regret.

Gu Huaizhou smiled, and the two sat side by side on a step in the courtyard. “A-Zhou, I’ve always wanted to ask that small boat pendant hanging around your neck, did your mother leave it for you?” Wan Yuya lowered his head, taking small bites of the pastry.

The camera zoomed in. Wan Yuya’s hand trembled slightly, causing quite a few crumbs of the pastry to fall. Gu Huaizhou casually fiddled with the weeds by the step. “Yeah. But my mother died shortly after I was born.”

Wan Yuya looked up, his tone holding a suppressed agitation. “What about your father? Is your father well?”

The boom mic was very close to Xie Ci but happened to be outside the frame, clearly capturing his every line. Gu Huaizhou’s tone was neutral: “My father passed away because of the famine. That’s how I followed the people from my village to flee to Suzhou city.” “I’m sorry, for bringing up your painful memories.” A “shushing” sound rang out. Wan Yuya’s voice was choked with emotion. The crispy jade cake in his hand was squeezed out of shape, and the crust fell to the ground, attracting a group of ants.

“Cut! This scene is a pass.” This scene had many emotional changes, and both Xie Ci and Li Zhaobai had taken several “cuts.” After four or five takes, it finally passed. The next scene required a location change, and the prop team was busy re-arranging.

The second half of episode six involved the Emperor dispatching the guards and the Sixth Prince to investigate the case. After finding multiple pieces of evidence of the Wan patriarch’s crimes, they sent troops to raid the house in the middle of the night. Here, the writer left a point of suspense: the second male lead is thrown into the great prison with his family in a daze. The scene shifts to show the Sixth Prince in the Wan family study looking at a portrait of Wan Yuya.

It has to be said, Song Ling understands what the audience wants to see. While Qiao Mingyue’s second female lead was flirting with her Imperial Father’s young concubine in the palace, here the Sixth Prince was lost in thought over Wan Yuya’s portrait. Coupled with the subsequent romance between the leads and the “strong woman, weak man” dynamic between the second lead pair, it could be said to have gathered all kinds of audience preferences.

When Mo Li saw the script, he was stunned by the writer’s boldness, already imagining how many “CP” (couplings) would be born by the middle and late stages of the drama.

The promotional work of the Han River Crossing official Weibo was very effective. Basically every day, they would release “behind-the-scenes” footage of the actors. One segment released this morning was of a scene between Xie Ci and Li Zhaobai. In the video, Wan Yuya, played by Xie Ci, was sleeping. Under the dim candlelight, Li Zhaobai’s sharp features looked even more cutting. After the director shouted “cut,” Xie Ci wanted to sit up. halfway through rising, with a muffled “thud,” he bumped into the chest of Li Zhaobai, who hadn’t yet emerged from the character.

Xie Ci’s nose was bumped to the point of being slightly sore, and physiological tears filled the corners of his eyes. Li Zhaobai looked panicked and apologized repeatedly, making the crew laugh. The drama was airing well, so everyone had the drive to film, making the crew atmosphere better and better. In the comments for this footage, CP-loving viewers had already begun their “niche” shipping. The “Zhou-Ya” [Huaizhou x Yuya] CP was quickly established, and the team was constantly expanding.

Zhou Mo, seeing Ji Xiuheng’s face growing darker and darker in the dressing room, quietly took a few steps back. In the CP Super Topic on the phone, many were fan-shippers drawn by the beautiful visuals of the first meeting between the leads.

Because Han River Crossing currently had no clear romantic lines for characters, from the moment the promotional photos were released, curious netizens had been randomly “matching” people. Male lead/second lead, male lead/female lead, second female lead/second male lead, second female lead/female lead all sprouted like mushrooms after rain. Each faction had its own “nest,” which was quite a unique feature of this drama.

“Standing under a tin lid [taking cover from criticism] to say this: does anyone else feel the relationship between the male lead and the second lead is like a ‘white, rich, and beautiful’ person being too ‘love-brained,’ picking up a poor, handsome guy to take home, only to be angrily torn apart by the elders and eldest brother?” Someone immediately replied: “I agree! Hehehe, I love this mouthful of melodramatic rice!”

Ji Xiuheng clicked “dislike,” sneering in his heart. The evaluation of Xie Ci was fairly objective, but the latter part was pure nonsense.

The bright mirror in the dressing room reflected an extremely upright and handsome face. Ji Xiuheng raised his eyes and gazed steadily at his reflection for a few seconds. The phone screen switched to the chat app. Ji Xiuheng typed a line and pressed send. “Xiao Xie, I’m home the day after tomorrow night too. We can talk about your question from this morning in detail.”

Xie Ci was waiting for a night scene. Seeing the message on his phone, he instinctively curled the corners of his mouth, that small dimple appearing on his cheek. “Okay! Last time was too late, I didn’t have time to do the full massage set. I’ll go earlier this time.” The kitten emoji below had become a habit in their chats.

“Xiao Ci, I just finished talking with Xiao Ya. she can join the crew to assist with work tomorrow.” Mo Li was beaming with joy as he came to report the good news of Li Yajun coming to the set.