I Became Famous in the Entertainment Industry with High Martial Arts Skills - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Fans Sending Letters

Seeing Xiao Ye standing dazed on the spot, her best friend took the hand warmer from her. “What are you staring at? Let me help you stick it on.”

With a soft thud, a wave of heat traveled from her lower abdomen to her frozen limbs, sparking a dense, intricate warmth.

“Ah, I just… I just spaced out for a second,” Xiao Ye lied casually, but her heart began to waver. As the saying goes, “eating someone’s food makes one’s mouth soft; taking someone’s gift makes one’s hand short.” She and her friend were already using hand warmers provided by Xie Ci’s fans; would it be a bit much to go and scold him now?

“Phew—much better. Next time I’ll bring more hand warmers to keep myself in peak combat condition. I must suppress Xie Ci’s arrogance for our baby Yue!” Xiao Ye’s friend hoisted her bag and rubbed her hands together.

“…” Xiao Ye, who usually responded actively to slogans against Xie Ci, was uncharacteristically silent. She tightly clutched the “letter of love” in her hand, not joining her friend in calling Xie Ci a “resource-driven celebrity” or a “nepotism dog.”

Not far away, Xie Ci’s fans were lively distributing self-made merchandise. Even a “fansite sister” who was there to follow another crew was drawn over. Holding a chibi acrylic keychain of Xie Ci in her palm, she couldn’t help but sigh: “Quality is quality; this drama is too good at attracting fans.” Even she was tempted to “climb the wall” (switch fandoms) and become Xie Ci’s fansite admin!

The scenes filmed by the Han River Crossing crew today were the latter half of Episode 11.

The second female lead was very favored by the Emperor. Coupled with the fact that she had been forced into a political marriage abroad in her early years, the old Emperor doted on this widowed daughter and gave her many special treatments. This included building her a manor outside the palace, allowing her to enjoy the same status as an adult prince save for being unable to touch court power, she was the most pampered child.

The mother of the Sixth Prince (the third male lead) had been the sole favorite for years and rarely interacted with other concubines. This led to the Sixth Prince having cold relations with most of his siblings, including the returned Princess.

The filming location for this scene was inside the newly built Princess Manor. The details of the pseudo-ancient architecture were perfect; even the vibrant flowers in the garden had been specially transplanted by the crew, blooming with full vitality.

“Don’t be shy later,” Qiao Mingyue teased Xie Ci, her fingers stained with bright red nail polish.

Yan Feng adjusted Xie Ci’s hair and added, unwilling to be outdone, “I’m watching from the side.” No one was allowed to defile his second idol! Yan Feng had a defiant face with sharp bone structure; the eyes beneath his brow bone carried a natural wildness. Yet now, he was circling Xie Ci with a look of worship, vowing to defend Xie Ci’s purity. In his mind, besides his first idol (Ji Xiuheng), no one in the circle was good enough for Xie Ci.

It’s just a pity Film Emperor Ji is also a man. They have the same gender; what a shame, Yan Feng thought.

Ming Yang was directing the staff to adjust the set. Seeing the two bickering and crowding Xie Ci so much he couldn’t even read his script, she walked over and ruthlessly separated the trio. “We’re starting soon. Everyone find your state. Let’s aim for a one-take!”

Then she looked at Xie Ci. “Xiao Xie, come with me.”

The two entered the director’s lounge. Ming Yang motioned for him to sit. “You’ve read the script? Tell me your thoughts.”

Xie Ci opened his script. “In this scene, the Sixth Prince treats Wan Yuya as a tool to please the Eldest Princess—a gift for their alliance.” In the script, the Princess hinted multiple times that she wanted Wan Yuya at her manor for a few days. However, as the Sixth Prince left, he changed his mind and took the person back, sending six other handsome men to the Princess instead.

“The Sixth Prince probably doesn’t want the Wan Yuya he spent so much effort ‘cultivating’ with secret medicine to be wasted here, so he took him back,” Xie Ci continued.

Ming Yang took a sip of coffee and smiled. “Correct. Play it like that. Ask the logistics for some ice cubes later; you can’t have steam coming out of your mouth when you say your lines [in the cold set].”

After the door closed, Ming Yang glanced at the full script and raised an eyebrow. She really had chosen the “real” Wan Yuya he was so dense regarding others’ feelings. She recalled the plot foreshadowing she discussed with Song Ling; she couldn’t wait to see the viewers’ discussions. She wanted people to be obsessed with the subtle clues long after the drama ended.

“Ready to film! Everyone pay attention!” the assistant director shouted.

Wan Yuya sat on a horse, his red and black official uniform emphasizing his jade-like skin. His features looked like a vividly colored traditional ink painting. Behind him followed a black carriage with gold cloud patterns. Inside, a gold incense burner emitted the scent of tribute ambergris.

The Sixth Prince toyed with a letter, complex emotions flashing in his eyes. Ming Yang was satisfied with Yan Feng’s improved eye-acting. Truly, “one takes the color of one’s company”—since following Xie Ci, Yan Feng had stopped playing games and practiced lines and expressions daily.

Inside the manor, the Princess leaned lazily on a couch, stroking a white Persian cat. A maid massaged her leg, but she suddenly kicked the maid away and walked toward the small hall.

“Sixth Brother, finally willing to send him over?” She went straight to the point, her gaze fixed on Wan Yuya.

Feeling that unmasked, fiery gaze, Wan Yuya who was following the Sixth Prince with lowered eyes—suddenly looked up. Meanwhile, the usually composed Sixth Prince now had eyes as cold as a dry well.

Xiao Ya and Qiao Mingyue’s assistant, Xiao Mo, whispered to each other: “Damn, is this a crematorium [shura field]?”

“I feel like they could be a throuple, hehehe,” Xiao Mo snickered. The two assistants huddled together, sharing a knowing “I ship it” look.

In this scene, the Sixth Prince ultimately turned back, intercepted Wan Yuya just as his hand was grabbed by the Princess, and took him back with a warm smile but a firm attitude. Xie Ci was passive throughout—being left behind, being teased, and being taken away.

Usually, an actor lacks initiative in such roles and can be easily overshadowed, but Xie Ci’s eyes were so full of “story” that he stole the spotlight back. From the panic and endurance of being left behind to the relief and restrained liberation when seeing the Sixth Prince return, it showed both the foundation of Wan Yuya’s character and the changes after his “darkening.”

Ming Yang was most satisfied with Xie Ci’s performance it was just right. It was a gift from God; he improved by leaps and bounds every scene.

After the morning shoot, Xie Ci only had one scene left toward evening with the male lead. Li Zhaobai was currently filming an investigation fight scene fists hitting flesh, a smooth set of movements. It was clear he had worked hard. Mo Li had told Xie Ci that Li Zhaobai had spent years in a martial arts school as a child.

With a long break at noon and being sick of the crew’s lunch boxes, Mo Li dragged Xie Ci out to eat. “I’ve scouted it out. Three kilometers from the base, there’s a super authentic Cantonese restaurant.” Mo Li showed Xie Ci the food photos to lure his attention away from the script.

“Yeah, I can’t take the lunch boxes anymore either,” Xiao Ya chimed in.

“Alright, we’ll go out. My treat.” Xie Ci was defeated by their pestering and followed them to the car.

“There’s a car! There’s a car!” “Wait, that looks like Xie Ci’s car!” “!! Where?!” “Dammit! Who swiped my merch!”

As a car emerged, the crowd that had been waiting for half the day went into a frenzy, swarming behind the security cordon. The girl in the grey jacket got her foot stepped on and shouted: “Stop pushing! Didn’t we say we’d leave a good impression on Xiao Xie!”

The shout worked. The girls began to organize the queue. Some over-excited fans regained their logic, remembering Xie Ci’s words in the fan group, and waited expectantly.

“Xiao Ci, are those your fans? So many are holding your photos,” Xiao Ya remarked.

Mo Li glanced over. “So many? More than double last time. Looks like our Xiao Ci is truly famous.”

Xiao Ya immediately followed up: “Xie Ci, you’re really hot now. You must watch your words and deeds; don’t let people think you’re a bad boy…”

“Stop, stop—” Xie Ci’s head throbbed from their nagging. The term “boy” made his ears turn red.

Mo Li drove slowly. Seeing the expectant fans, Xie Ci opened the window and tried to convey his thanks using the “fan-service” moves he just learned.

As they got closer to the gate, Mo Li marveled, “Wow, these fans are so orderly.”

Xiao Ya smiled. “Xiao Ci posted in the group specifically to tell them to stay safe. Everyone took it to heart.”

Seeing the girls in front waving letters frantically, Xie Ci hesitated. “It’s so cold; I don’t want them to catch a cold.” He put on his coat and grabbed a large bag of hand warmers. “I’ll go down and collect their letters.”

Outside the base, security was prepared because fans often came for “off-duty” sightings. Xie Ci had once seen Su Wu get out of her car to thank her fans; he remembered the joy on their faces as if those few minutes justified the whole day’s wait. Mo Li looked at the fans waiting obediently and at the soft-hearted Xie Ci in the back, and slowly pulled the car over.

“Only letters. No food or drinks,” Mo Li warned as he and Xiao Ya shielded Xie Ci and got out.

“He’s down! He’s down!” Xiao Ye’s friend shook her sleeve excitedly. “Hmph, just putting on a show!”

Xiao Ye didn’t respond. Watching Xie Ci approach, her heart pounded and she crumpled the letter in her hand.

“Xiao Xie, can you do a heart?” a girl in yellow asked, waving her phone.

Xie Ci, protected by Mo Li, raised his fair hand and made a “cheek heart” with a smile. “It’s so cold, thank you all for coming. Please stay safe and don’t push,” Xie Ci said, imitating the veteran actors’ manner while distributing hand warmers.

“We will always support you! We love you!” some fans shouted, clutching the warmers. Xie Ci nodded and gave a deep bow of gratitude. He was sincerely thankful for being liked in this world and for starting a new life here.

Letters were handed over one by one. When he reached Xiao Ye, she hesitated, hiding the letter behind her back and awkwardly holding up her phone. Suddenly, a hand warmer was held out to her.

“Thank you for your hard work. I didn’t prepare gifts in advance, so take this to stay warm.”

A gentle, beautiful face with eyes as clear as autumn water appeared before Xiao Ye. The impact of his beauty made her stutter, unable to speak. How can a person be this pretty… and he smells so good…

Xiao Ye stood dazed, but her friend snatched the letter from her hand and handed it, along with her own, to Xie Ci. “Be sure to read them! They contain everything we want to say to you!” Her crisp voice hid all the malice within.

Xie Ci bowed again, then followed Mo Li and Xiao Ya back to the car. Before leaving, he opened the window and made a heart for the girls with cameras.

“Xiao Ye? What’s wrong? You were dazed and almost missed the chance.” Her friend pulled her out of the crowd, rolling her eyes at the fans discussing Xie Ci. Tch, a bunch of idiots blinded by beauty. Can’t they see it’s just a sugar-coated bullet?

Xiao Ye’s mind was in a whirl, the image of Xie Ci’s smiling cat-eyes flashing in her head. “I… I want the letter back…”

“What? I didn’t hear you.” Her best friend was checking her phone, sending “Mission Accomplished” to a fan group.

Xiao Ye’s lips trembled, but she ultimately lacked the courage to say it again.

“So many letters!” Back in the car, Xie Ci’s excitement was palpable. Mo Li and Xiao Ya both smiled at his joy.

Xie Ci transferred 10,000 yuan to Mo Li while opening a letter. “The hot drinks Director Ming ordered last time were great. Let’s order a batch later, and buy some gloves and scarves to hand out to everyone.”

Xiao Ya started messaging vendors to arrange a delivery to the base.

Xie Ci picked up a crumpled letter from the pile. He opened the envelope and began reading with a smile.

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