I Became Famous in the Entertainment Industry with High Martial Arts Skills - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Hot Spring Invitation

“Brother Ji, I really didn’t expect to have the chance to run into you visiting the set.” Having had his palm squeezed, Xie Ci suddenly felt a surge of “mischief.” He slightly curled his pinky and quickly scratched Ji Xiuheng’s palm.

A scratch and a squeeze; Xie Ci’s eyes curved like crescents.

Ming Yang walked over from the side, the smile on her face exceptionally radiant. When she received the message from Ji Xiuheng a few days ago saying he was coming to visit the set, she thought she had been so busy with filming that her eyes were playing tricks on her.

An actor of Ji Xiuheng’s caliber unless it was for actors or directors with whom he had a very close personal friendship almost no one could invite him to a set for a visit; even if it happened, it was mostly for promotional work.

Especially in the years following his “Grand Slam” Best Actor win, Ji Xiuheng had largely transitioned to behind-the-scenes work, opening his own studio and finding great success in investment and projects. Hardly anyone in the industry could move him to visit a set. If it hadn’t been for his multiple collaborations with Zhang Yunjiang in his early years, Deep Abyss might not have been able to secure Ji Xiuheng as the male lead.

After seeing the message, Ming Yang pondered for a while and guessed it was because Ji Xiuheng also had an investment in Han River Crossing. Suddenly, light dawned in her heart.

Ah, so it’s the investor-boss coming to the set to inspect the work.

Since the filming site was a place of many eyes and ears, and Ji Xiuheng had specified before coming that it was a simple visit and he didn’t want any media promotion, Ming Yang had instructed the assistant director in advance to maintain confidentiality and clear out any paparazzi or proxy-photographers lurking near the set.

Seeing that Ji Xiuheng had finished greeting the lead actors, Ming Yang smilingly led everyone to the lounge, where they sat on the sofas in groups of twos and threes.

“I won’t give this person much of an introduction; you all know him, right?” Ming Yang sat in the middle seat between Li Zhaobai and Su Wu, saying with a smile, “Xiuheng is visiting the set specifically as an investor and a senior, and will also provide guidance on the filming. It’s a rare opportunity, so everyone make the most of it.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Xiuheng gave a perfectly timed, modest smile. “It’s hardly ‘guidance’; I’m just here to exchange ideas with everyone and progress together.”

His smile was elegant, and as he spoke, he kept his posture neither too high nor too low. He didn’t use his status as a senior or investor to act bossy, which helped dispel the somewhat tense atmosphere.

Ji Xiuheng lightly clenched his right hand, his palm still holding the subtle itch from someone’s fingertips moments ago. His voice was calm and clear as he first spoke to Xie Ci and Qiao Mingyue, with whom he had collaborated: “Xiao Ci, Mingyue, it’s good to see you in a crew again.”

His gaze swept over Xie Ci as he said with a smile, “Xiao Ci’s previous performance left a deep impression on me. I wonder if you’ve had any new insights while filming with this crew recently?”

Xie Ci was already a bit nervous about Ji Xiuheng’s visit, and adding the mischief he’d done during the handshake, his gaze flickered slightly as he responded.

“Those words give me too much credit. When we collaborated before, I didn’t even have the chance to properly thank Teacher Ji for his guidance.” Xie Ci sat diagonally across from Ji Xiuheng and smiled. “I wouldn’t call them ‘insights’; I’m just learning from everyone. I didn’t expect to run into you visiting the set today. I just hope my performance later won’t be too embarrassing.”

Both of them spoke very formally. Li Zhaobai and the others sat quietly to the side, looking like elementary students facing their homeroom teacher. There was no helping it; the name Ji Xiuheng was thunderous in the industry. He won a Best Actor award for his debut work and had produced numerous high-score classics since. Though he wasn’t yet thirty, his seniority was already very deep.

These second- and third-tier actors, who had been in the circle for a few years and were still revolving around TV dramas, were more than just a little bit behind an ultra-first-tier senior like him.

Even knowing that Ji Xiuheng’s personality was approachable, the group was a bit nervous. Seeing the hint of familiarity and closeness when the Film Emperor spoke to Xie Ci, they were all quite surprised. Wasn’t it said that Xie Ci only played a minor character with few scenes in Deep Abyss? How did he seem even more familiar with the Film Emperor than the second female lead, Qiao Mingyue?

At this point, Qiao Mingyue also followed up with a few polite remarks, and the conversation was taken back by the chuckling Director Ming Yang.

“Sigh, Xiao Xie is usually too modest. How about this, Xiuheng: you watch a shoot with me later. If you have any valuable guidance, we can discuss it face-to-face.” Ming Yang’s tone was hearty as she looked at those around her with a smile. Having the Film Emperor drop by to serve as a guest instructor was a resource too good to pass up; it was the perfect way to boost the crew’s morale and get everyone excited.

Ming Yang chatted for a bit and called an assistant to arrange the upcoming filming, not noticing that Ji Xiuheng beside her was inadvertently scanning her second male lead over and over, the look in his eyes growing deeper.

Ji Xiuheng observed Xie Ci without leaving a trace, his heart softening. He’s thinned a bit, looking a few degrees sharper than he did a few days ago. No one knew Xie Ci’s talent and hard work in acting better than Ji Xiuheng the person he had kept under his watch and taught hand-in-hand.

Under the gradually zooming lens.

“Prepare water,” a slightly raspy male voice said.

“Master, the physician instructed before leaving…” Gu Liu, with gentle features and wearing a smoke-blue maid’s uniform, spoke with lowered eyes, only to be impatiently interrupted halfway by the person on the couch.

“Are you the master or am I?” Wan Yuya’s face was pale, dark hair falling by his cheek, highlighting a sickly aesthetic like a weak willow in the wind. This line was delivered with great flavor; the feeling of weakness was perfectly in place, yet he balanced the second lead’s irresistible dominance at this stage just right.

Gu Liu’s expression froze. Ever since she was rescued from that dandy by Wan Yuya, she had been arranged by the Wan manor’s housekeeper to serve as Wan Yuya’s maid. Regardless of the circumstances, it was thanks to Wan Yuya’s help that she escaped a life of wandering and being at the mercy of others. She had developed a certain amount of dependence on this exquisitely beautiful young man who had saved her.

For some reason, Gu Liu felt that Wan Yuya wasn’t like the cold-blooded person described in the tea-house gossip; instead, he gave her a strange sense of familiarity. While on night watch, she had heard the faint sound of sobbing coming from the inner chamber a sound as thin as a whisper, yet carrying a pain that could not be dissolved. Even through the door, Gu Liu felt her heart being wrenched.

There were very few servants in the Wan manor. Although she couldn’t leave the premises, her life was relatively comfortable. While she was occasionally startled by Wan Yuya returning home with wounds, she had grown used to it over time and would even help care for him.

“Master…” Gu Liu wanted to say more, but Wan Yuya impatiently waved his hand for her to be silent.

“Zhu Qing!”

“Present.” Hearing Wan Yuya call from the inner chamber, a tall man with somewhat rugged and cold features quickly entered and knelt silently by the bed.

“Take me to bathe.” Wan Yuya’s tone was impatient. Ever since he had been soaked in Zhu Qing’s blood on the road to exile, he could no longer tolerate a sticky feeling on his body. Every time he finished a task for the Sixth Prince, the first thing he did upon returning was bathe.

Reprimanded, Gu Liu was dejected and could only stand obediently to the side, watching Zhu Qing gently help Wan Yuya up and half-carry him out the door.

This shot passed after two takes. The next shot required Xie Ci to change costumes. After the assistant director shouted “cut,” the costume and makeup artists led Xie Ci away to change his look.

Ji Xiuheng sat on a folding chair next to Ming Yang, his features sculptural and his temperament humble, the very picture of a refined and ascetic gentleman. However, when he saw Xie Ci reappear before the camera, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The lens pushed forward silently, greedily capturing every bit of the beauty on screen.

Xie Ci still carried a faint mist of water; droplets of cool water occasionally fell from the ends of his ink-black hair. His upper body was draped in a plain white long-sleeved inner garment. Under the thin layer of gauze fabric, his nascent abdominal muscles were faintly visible.

Male temptation!

Some crew members huddled outside the filming area, faces full of excitement, thinking that Director Ming Yang really understood what the audience liked to see. However, the usually composed Film Emperor Ji now found half of the smile on his face frozen. Listening to the staff chattering and discussing Xie Ci’s physique, the veins on his forehead throbbed.

Xie Ci himself was a bit embarrassed, his earlobes burning, but he remembered Ji Xiuheng saying that a qualified actor must consider things from the perspective of the character and the plot. Therefore, even though Xie Ci still held some conservative notions from his past, he gritted his teeth and agreed to the stylist’s suggestion. He changed into the white cotton-gauze inner robe, and his hair was finely misted with spray to look as though he had just finished bathing.

“Master, let me apply the medicine for you.” Seeing Zhu Qing help the man onto the couch, Gu Liu stood by with prepared ointment, volunteering her help.

Wan Yuya didn’t speak. He was still thinking about the arrow he blocked for Gu Huaizhou. An arrow had suddenly appeared during the investigation; the situation was urgent. When he lunged in front of Gu Huaizhou and saw the other’s startled and lost gaze, for a moment, he couldn’t distinguish his own reasons for doing so. Was it to act a part and gain the other’s trust, or was it because of a lingering, ridiculous shred of family affection?

The inner robe was gently pulled aside, and a terrifying, hideous arrow wound was revealed on his snow-white back. Because Wan Yuya had insisted on bathing just now, the bandage applied by the physician had already begun to give way, seeping with several streaks of blood.

Gu Liu had bandaged her father before and wasn’t afraid of such a wound. She merely used her fingertip to pick up a bit of white ointment and carefully applied it to the injury. Under the lens, Xie Ci’s brows furrowed slightly, the muscles around his eyes tightened, and his eyelashes trembled along with Su Wu’s movements, looking exceptionally realistic.

Unlike the sweeping, exhilarating martial arts scenes, these subtle dramatic scenes were a greater challenge for Xie Ci, often requiring a period of pondering to be performed just right. The former was his most familiar territory, while the latter was the result of continuous learning since he arrived in this world.

Ji Xiuheng’s eyes were dark as he stood quietly outside the filming area, watching Xie Ci’s every move.

The night grew deep, the breeze curling with a chill that clung to all things and drilled into the gaps between people’s bones. Today’s filming had gone late. By the time Xie Ci finished his scenes and scanned the surroundings, he saw no sign of Ji Xiuheng.

Mo Li had given up struggling. Following behind Xiao Ya, he helped pull off the hand warmers from Xie Ci’s body that were no longer hot and draped a thick coat over him. Just gotta raise him as best I can, what else can I say?

“Film Emperor Ji gave guidance for the whole afternoon and just drove away from the set. Stop looking.” It was finally his turn to use a cold tone. Mo Li adjusted himself to the most suitable speaking angle, lifting his face 25 degrees, and spoke quite ruthlessly.

Xie Ci’s gaze flickered for a moment. “Looking for what? Let’s get to the hotel. There’s no filming tomorrow morning, so we can finally rest a bit.”

Whenever Xie Ci felt guilty, he would talk incessantly and change the subject. Mo Li knew he was thin-skinned and embarrassed to be called out, so he only grunted twice and coldly packed the bag for Xie Ci, heading to the driver’s seat to drive while Xiao Ya shook her head with a “tch.”

In the hotel room, the round light on the ceiling emitted a soft glow.

“Another day of hard work—” Mo Li collapsed onto the sofa as per routine, stretching comfortably. Xie Ci sat on the adjacent sofa, rotating his aching arm and rubbing the back of his neck. He took the script from his bag and began circling the scenes to be filmed tomorrow afternoon.

Looking at the time on his phone, it was almost nine o’clock. Mo Li remembered a message he received during the day and said, “Oh right, the director of The Dream of Bodhi emailed me again, saying he wants to slightly revise some of the script content.” He smiled. “He also said he must have you as the male lead.” His tone carried a bit of pride.

Mo Li spent almost every day on set with Xie Ci. Ever since that drinking party, the two had completely broken with Wang Mingde. For a time, they worried they wouldn’t get work and would have to pay millions in liquidated damages. However, Mo Li had recently learned from a former colleague that Wang Mingde was currently frazzled and could no longer muster his former arrogance.

Meanwhile, Xie Ci was at peak popularity, with a major production like Deep Abyss waiting for release and a hit drama like Han River Crossing airing. This sense of achievement from watching a friend grow was a special kind of happiness.

What goes around comes around; a jerk like Wang Mingde would get his karma sooner or later.

Xie Ci was unaware of Mo Li’s rich inner monologue and only nodded. “If the director can secure investment and the filming goes smoothly, help me reserve the schedule.”

In truth, the script of The Dream of Bodhi was very much to Xie Ci’s liking. The setting of a protagonist who is a “human weapon” was very appealing, and the plot line was clear without redundant, complicated romance. The entire script revolved around the concept of the “Jianghu,” with a complete story arc and character setting. Having filmed with the Deep Abyss crew and caught up on many domestic and foreign classics with Ji Xiuheng, Xie Ci could more or less tell that the foundation of The Dream of Bodhi was excellent.

“Sure, I’ll keep an eye on it.” Mo Li agreed and couldn’t help but yawn. “I can’t hold out anymore. I’m going to sleep; you should sleep early too.” With that, he climbed up from the sofa and went to his bedroom to continue “pancaking” on the bed.

Xie Ci had been tense all day. After circling the script, he was about to go to the bathroom for a shower when he saw a message pop up on his phone.

Ji Xiuheng: Xiao Ci, I’m at your hotel room door.

!!!

Xie Ci’s footsteps toward the bathroom came to a dead stop. He didn’t even put down the bath towel in his hand as he walked to the door in his slippers.

With a click, the door opened.

Standing there in a dark grey coat, tall and slender, his face no longer held the standard polite smile from the set during the day. Instead, it was the one Xie Ci was most familiar with a gaze full of lingering affection and a slight curl at the corners of his lips.

Ji Xiuheng, who had already “driven away from the set,” had suddenly appeared outside Xie Ci’s door.

“Xiao Ci, want to go to a hot spring?” The man before him had curved eyes, and his usually tidy hair was slightly messy, revealing a full forehead that made his features look even more defined and his eyes even deeper. “I’ve already made the booking. The car is downstairs.”

Xie Ci’s hand was still on the door. Hearing these words, his autumn-water eyes lit up, and a tiny dimple appeared on his cheek.

“Yes.”

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