I Became Famous in the Entertainment Industry with High Martial Arts Skills - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Gaining Millions of Followers

Under the care of Xiao Ya and Mo Li, Xie Ci had just caught his breath when he was called away by the crew’s martial arts instructor to rehearse tomorrow’s fight scenes.

The drama Han River Crossing was built on the foundation of a “power fantasy” centered on the male lead, but it was being filmed with the nuance of an ensemble cast. The character story arcs for several main roles were fully fleshed out especially for the second male lead and second female lead whose “highlight” moments were no fewer than those of the primary leads.

Furthermore, with Han River Crossing’s “film-while-airing” model, it relied on the combined charm of the actors and their characters to capture the audience’s eye and earn more screen time for themselves.

Ever since the main cast saw Xie Ci and the martial arts instructor rehearsing some time ago, the male lead, Li Zhaobai, spent all his free time soaking in the studio to practice, and the third male lead, Yan Feng, began diligently hitting the gym.

Who would have thought that Xie Ci, who looked like an exquisite and fragile vase, would perform in a way that blinded everyone’s eyes when it actually came to rehearsing martial arts movements?

His sense of rhythm during combat, the precision of every move, and even the subtle adjustments of angles and control of force were all perfect he was like a martial arts master reincarnated.

One day, the filming progress was a bit slow. By the time Li Zhaobai finished his scenes and hurried to the studio, Xie Ci’s black training clothes were already soaked with sweat. The martial arts instructor was sitting on the ground nearby, panting heavily, yet Xie Ci stood steadily, his unsharpened long blade still moving through its forms.

His fair hands firmly gripped the hilt; the blade started with an upward diagonal stance, followed immediately by a sharp and clean vertical slash. Xie Ci twisted his waist and rotated his hips to generate power, fluently completing the Kesa-giri (monk’s robe slash) and Gyaku-kesa (reverse monk’s robe slash) two lethal cutting movements.

The blade light was cold and sharp. With single moves transitioning into combos, the thrusting movements flowed into the tip-flicks short, fierce, and swift. Amidst the silver flashes that moved so fast they left afterimages, only Xie Ci’s palm-sized, snow-white face remained exceptionally clear.

Li Zhaobai was immediately spurred on. From then on, as if competing with Xie Ci, he would seek out the instructor to practice the moment he finished filming.

Xie Ci was completely oblivious to this, always greeting Li Zhaobai with a smile whenever they met. Yan Feng would watch silently from the side, occasionally ignoring the martial arts instructor who had been drained dry by the trio, and run over to ask Xie Ci for guidance on his movements.

Watching this, Li Zhaobai felt even more stifled, pouring all his energy into practicing his action scenes. This led the stunt performers to approach Director Ming Yang to demand a raise. They had seen plenty of actors who hated practicing fight scenes, but this was the first time they had seen a crew where the main leads came to practice all the time!

Ming Yang wasn’t stingy either; with a wave of her hand, she increased their pay and upgraded the training venue, building a 1:1 real-scale practice area to make it easier for actors to rehearse their blocking. Later, she even declared that as long as the results were good, money was no object.

Currently, Han River Crossing had only aired six episodes, but its data on Lemon Video had already surpassed 10,000 “heat” points. Fruit TV’s viewership ratings had broken 1.0 and were chasing 2.0. It was safely the breakout hit of the year, with every episode launch sending new topics to the hot search.

During this time, many companies approached Ming Yang and Shen Fang to discuss additional investments. The drama’s success was visibly skyrocketing; with thirty episodes remaining, no one could predict how much higher it could climb. Seizing the current window to enter, they were all scrambling for a piece of the pie.

The main cast was also continuously gaining followers. Among them, Xie Ci, being the only newcomer, had a terrifying growth rate. In just one month, he gained nearly four million followers. Several of his professional “work-mode” Weibo posts had already exceeded a million likes. Many fans were “starving,” eagerly waiting for Xie Ci to post new photos.

“Xiao Ci… Xiao Ci… if you don’t come back, I’m going to starve to death…”

“What a terrifying speed of ascent. He’s easily the strongest newcomer in recent years.”

“Xie Ci’s looks are unique in the domestic entertainment circle, and his character in the drama is great with viral moments it’s not that far-fetched.”

“Our Xiao Xie is purely handsome, kind-hearted, and professional. In the ‘behind-the-scenes’ videos, he’s in the studio almost every day. He was even caught on camera running to a shoot and nearly falling.”

“Is that video really not marketing? How can someone react that fast instantly bracing with one hand and transitioning into a roll, standing up to continue filming without even catching his breath?!”

“He’s just hyping himself up. Another marketing-driven celebrity, lol.”

“My family runs a martial arts hall. All I can say is, if it wasn’t staged, this actor really has some foundation; otherwise, a normal person doesn’t have that reaction speed.”

“I joined the fandom because of Wan Yuya. I saw that behind-the-scenes clip too, and it completely overturned my perception of his ‘innocent little white flower’ persona [dizzy].”

“To the person above, to love a person is to love all of him.”

“Can you stop slandering the moment you open your mouth? I suggest you check the official account of the Wanyue District Public Security Bureau. The video of Xie Ci subduing a man with a kitchen knife barehanded is still there.”

“Please, if you’re going to spread rumors, at least use a burner account. What if the rival fans are idiots?”

“Ahhh, am I the only one who wants to ask why Wan Yuya called the male lead ‘Brother’ in Episode 5? The two didn’t even meet in Episode 6. I’m dying of curiosity!!”

Under Xie Ci’s latest livestream promotion Weibo, the comment section was filled with various new fans, interspersed with a few jealous netizens working tirelessly to spread rumors and disparage him.

Xiao Ya reported them using a side account while slapping the fuming Mo Li next to her. “Alright, alright, this is the inevitable path to becoming a top star. There’s no need to pay attention to these people.”

That said, as soon as Li Yajun (Xiao Ya) saw comments with foul language, she immediately went through the “report and block” routine her moves were steady, accurate, and ruthless. How dare they cross her idol and “God of Wealth”! She retaliated with a report!

Mo Li also started registering side accounts. Xie Ci’s rise to fame was too fast. Their three-person team had only been established for a short time, and he and Xiao Ya didn’t want to affect Xie Ci’s mood during filming.

Shen Fang had just secured an investment and was planning to go to the set to confirm things with Ming Yang when she saw the scriptwriter, Song Ling, had also arrived. As soon as Song Ling reached the set, she handed the scripts for Episodes 18 to 20 to Ming Yang, speaking with great satisfaction, “I revised them again and again, grinding through several all-nighters. See how they look?”

Today’s scenes were being filmed on a studio set. They had just finished a scene between Qiao Mingyue and Yan Feng. In the drama, this pair of siblings epitomized royal elegance, but right now they were casually pulling open their outer robes, unconcerned about their image as they stuck new hand warmers onto themselves.

“Hey! Don’t stick too many, it won’t look good on camera later!” the stylist muttered while moving the hand warmers to looser parts of the clothing.

“Xiao Xie, the writer is here.” Qiao Mingyue adjusted the heavy and beautiful hair ornaments on her head and nudged Xie Ci, who was sitting on a small stool reading his script.

Seeing Xie Ci look over, Song Ling walked over with a smile. “Xiao Ci, long time no see.” Song Ling was beaming, looking at Xie Ci with a face full of satisfaction.

Qiao Mingyue and Yan Feng nearby: “…”

Xie Ci stood up as well, smiling with a slight bow. “Long time no see, Teacher Song. These chapters are very exciting; I’ve been familiarizing myself with them recently.”

No one dislikes hearing compliments, especially when those words come from one’s own “creative muse.” Song Ling’s face blossomed into a smile as she pointed to the new script in her hand. “Here, I just finished confirming with Director Ming. These are the scripts for Episodes 18 to 20.”

Xie Ci took the scripts, handed the other two their copies, and began reading his own seriously.

As he read further, the smile on Xie Ci’s face faded. After Episode 18, the male lead finally recognizes the second male lead’s true current face. The two officially break their bond and begin a struggle within the imperial court.

The male lead is a natural martial arts genius and has been carefully taught by his adoptive father’s lineage since childhood. Later, during a martial arts tournament for foreign envoys, the injured second male lead is no match for the opponent’s warrior. All the glory is snatched away by the male lead, throwing the Sixth Prince’s reputation onto the ground to be trampled.

The old Emperor, elderly and suspicious, is delighted to see this favored but ambitious son humiliated. Instead, he greatly rewards the male lead and promotes him. The second male lead follows the Sixth Prince back to the manor and kneels to beg for punishment the moment they enter.

Song Ling’s scripts were distinctive; a reader could immediately have their emotions stirred. The emotional “engines” of every key plot point were perfectly timed. When Xie Ci tried to understand the character’s inner world, he liked to read the emotional points in the script over and over again.

Therefore, when he saw Song Ling’s detailed description of the second male lead being forced to drink a new secret medicine by the Sixth Prince—increasing his martial arts at the cost of his life—he inevitably projected himself onto the character. It was as if the tear from the script dripped from Wan Yuya’s eye into Xie Ci’s own.

Yan Feng glanced at Xie Ci and felt a pang in his heart. The Sixth Prince can actually bring himself to do this. He silently lit a candle for himself, thinking: once these episodes air, he will definitely be cursed into a sieve. Previously, Yan Feng had joked that Xie Ci’s role would be hated, but now he, the culprit who “crushes the flower with a ruthless hand,” is even more guilty.

Once the set was ready, the assistant director began calling the actors to the indoor location to film the next scene.

Ming Yang placed her megaphone casually on the table and answered a call. “What, do you have plans for additional investment too?”

Ji Xiuheng’s chin moved slightly as he laughed and denied it. “I just finished work on the movie and thought I’d visit the set to see the junior I’ve been mentoring.”

Ming Yang glanced at Xie Ci, who was filming, and said with a smile, “So attentive? How much benefit did Brother Zhang give you to mentor a newcomer from his studio so diligently?” She then thought of someone else. “Gu Shifang has been on leave for almost a year. I wonder how he’ll feel when he comes back to find he has a direct junior.”

Ji Xiuheng’s voice carried a measured smile. “It has indeed been a while since I saw him. Coincidentally, I’m not busy lately. He’s just a newcomer; it’s no trouble to look after him occasionally. There’s no need to worry Gu Shifang with it.”

The two chatted for a few more minutes, and after setting a time for the visit, they hung up.

Ming Yang returned to the monitor, pondering for a moment. She thought about how Ji Xiuheng had always been an ascetic workaholic; he was likely mentoring Xie Ci to return a favor to Zhang Yunjiang, so she didn’t think too much of it and continued monitoring the shoot.

In the plot filmed tonight, the male lead escorts the second lead back to the manor. Along the way, the two fall into silence several times. Gu Huaizhou looks at Wan Yuya, whose face remains as it was, and his heart feels extremely heavy.

“Cut! Zhaobai, here you need to be in a state of joy, but it must be mixed with a trace of hatred—though this hatred should be less than when you couldn’t find any news about Wan Yuya.” Ming Yang explained patiently, “The male lead’s feelings for the second lead are always a mix of love and hate. The second lead’s kindness toward him in the early stage was very sincere. These two emotions ebb and flow…”

Li Zhaobai, feeling complicated, asked to go to the side to adjust his state. Ming Yang used the time he was off-field to begin coaching Xie Ci on the scene.

“Xiao Xie, tell me about the second lead’s current feelings toward the male lead.” Ming Yang tapped the script, signaling Xie Ci to speak.

Xie Ci was pulled into a corner. Thinking about the script Song Ling just handed out today, he said, “I now know the male lead is my brother, but the brother I personally saved destroyed everything I originally had. So, I hate Gu Huaizhou.” He paused, a flicker of melancholy in his eyes. “But I crave the ‘home’ my mother described before her death so much. So I have a beautiful yearning for Gu Huaizhou, and I can’t help but feel a sense of closeness to him…”

Xie Ci’s voice was low, and his mood became dejected. His eyes were downcast, thick lashes covering his pupils. Xie Ci’s sense of immersion while filming was very heavy, which was a major reason why his performances were exceptionally realistic, but it also caused him to fall into the character’s own pain. It is often said that one is “too deep in the scene”—when an actor is so immersed in a role that the line between person and character blurs.

Ming Yang shook Xie Ci’s shoulder and said softly, “Very good. You must maintain this feeling. Use your eyes more when acting; the audience will see the character through them.”

“OK, all departments ready. Three, two, one, action!”

Gu Huaizhou escorts Wan Yuya to the entrance of a three-entry courtyard. When he sees the plaque above the main gate, many complex emotions flash in his eyes. Finally, he simply gives a quiet instruction to rest early and leaves this new “Wan Manor.”

Wan Yuya watches Gu Huaizhou walk away. Just as the man’s figure disappears around the street corner, with a creak, the door opens from the inside. Emerging is none other than Gu Liu, who came to the capital to find Gu Huaizhou.

“Master, the night is deep and the dew is heavy. Please return to the manor quickly.” Gu Liu spoke to Wan Yuya while holding a hexagonal lotus lamp.

In the instant he turned around, the expression on Wan Yuya’s face changed back to cold indifference. Hearing the female lead’s kind reminder, he didn’t even give a word of response before stepping through the main gate.

“Coo, coo-coo” The sound of an unknown bird echoed from a street corner. The final shot of this scene was a still frame on the Wan family plaque.

“Finally finished! My back and waist are aching from exhaustion today!” Qiao Mingyue walked beside Xie Ci, complaining with a smile.

The others, who had already become close, joined in. Everyone followed Ming Yang at the front, heading toward a pre-booked private room.

“Hu Quan? What’s wrong? Why are you dazed?” A man in the same group patted the stunned Hu Quan, asking in confusion.

Hu Quan turned his head stiffly. His nose, which looked exceptionally straight after plastic surgery, glinted with an oily cold light. “Did you see Xie Ci over there?”

The companion immediately perked up. “Who? Xie Ci! Is he eating here too?”

Hu Quan curled his lips into a smile. “Yes. We used to be colleagues. I just saw him.”

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