The Beautiful but Obscure Star Is Targeted by a Scheming Movie Star - Chapter 26

Yesterday, due to a minor accident with the lighting on set, the cast was unable to proceed with their promotional stills. Consequently, as soon as everyone arrived at the set today, the makeup artists began preparing each actor.

Jiang Jianxian’s look was elegant and noble, while Jiang Haomin, portraying the King of the Demon Race, had a more magnificent and ornate aesthetic.

Wen Xiaoqi, playing the second female lead, is the female lead’s best friend and a member of the Immortal Sect; her styling leaned toward a capable and crisp look. The second male lead, Shen Chenyang, also represented the Immortal Sect, with a styling that was minimalist yet retained his high status.

Xue Kai and Tang Jingran played the Demon King’s right-hand men, though their characters did not get along well. To be more precise, the Cat Demon played by Tang Jingran unilaterally disliked the Dog Demon played by Xue Kai. Their relationship in the drama was closer to that of bickering rivals.

Tang Jingran’s Cat Demon was themed in white with flowing violet eyes. Xue Kai’s Dog Demon was themed in black with indigo-blue eyes.

Before long, the makeup artists finished the styling and applied the wigs, and the costume designers brought out the outfits representing each character’s unique traits.

The white wig on Tang Jingran’s head was swept up into a hair crown, adorned with a gold-plated dark purple headpiece. From the center of the crown, numerous purple-gold chains branched out, following the texture of his hair strands to connect at the back, drooping and hiding within the tresses.

His eyeliner was slightly elongated at the corners to give his eyes an upward tilt, and two crossing purple marks were painted on his forehead. He wore a robe of ivory white with a magnificent chain around his waist; the dangling links emitted a crisp clinking sound as he moved, making his waist appear lean and powerful. A circle of white fur wrapped from his left chest to his right shoulder.

Every glance and gesture exuded a cold beauty, carrying a hint of the pride and playfulness unique to a cat.

“Holy crap, brother,” Xue Kai said, clutching his chest. “Your look is a bit of a foul—you’re too handsome.”

Tang Jingran was holding a cat while standing to the side watching the others take their stills. The crew had prepared an all-white cat with heterochromia—one yellow eye and one blue eye. It had a tender pink nose and long “intelligence hairs” on the tips of its ears; it was exceptionally beautiful.

This cat had a hearing impairment in the ear on the side of the blue eye. The crew had encountered it while filming and adopted it. Its fur color perfectly matched Tang Jingran’s character, Mao Ling, saving the crew the trouble of searching for another cat.

Although the little white cat was hard of hearing, it was fortunately nimble and clever, able to understand basic commands. At the moment, it lay nestled in Tang Jingran’s arms enjoying the strokes, its eyes narrowed comfortably and its tail wagging slightly.

Not far away, a photographer captured this scene as behind-the-scenes footage.

Hearing the voice, Tang Jingran turned his head slightly to look at Xue Kai.

“Stop, stop, stop, don’t look at me,” Xue Kai hurriedly averted his gaze. “No, seriously, logically speaking, with looks like yours, it should be easy for you to become famous.”

Xue Kai truly couldn’t find anyone in the entertainment industry with a look similar to Tang Jingran’s.

“Whether I become famous or not isn’t up to me,” Tang Jingran was amused by Xue Kai’s words, his tone indifferent. “Besides, fame shouldn’t just depend on looks. The most important thing for an actor is to improve their acting skills.”

Xue Kai looked at Tang Jingran for a moment and rubbed his chin. “True. But brother, I feel like you’re definitely going to blow up.”

Xue Kai nodded with certainty.

Tang Jingran became interested. “How so?”

“Anyway, even if you ask me to explain it, I can’t, I just have this feeling.” Xue Kai scratched his wig, catching the expression on Tang Jingran’s face. “Hey, what’s with that look? You don’t believe my intuition?”

“I believe you, I believe you.” Tang Jingran patted Xue Kai’s shoulder and smiled. “Let’s go, it’s our turn to shoot.”

Xue Kai stood frozen in place, his mind replaying the smile from just now.

Damn.

The two took several photos together. Tang Jingran, in white, stood on the left holding his weapon—a white whip—with a cold gaze. Xue Kai, in black, stood on the right holding a long sword with a playful look.

The contrast between them was intense—one still, one moving. The photographer couldn’t help but “ship” them slightly. Afterward, several individual shots were taken for both.

“Jingran, we don’t have any scenes this afternoon. Want to go grab a meal together?”

Through the past two days of contact, Xue Kai had grown very fond of Tang Jingran. Of course, this was the fondness of friends, not romantic love.

Tang Jingran picked up his water bottle and took a sip. The taste was a bit bland; he found himself craving mint water.

“No thanks.” Tang Jingran shook his head and leaned closer to the air conditioning vent. The temperature in Z City was not low, and wearing these costumes was quite hot. “Maybe next time. I want to memorize my lines today and watch Sister Jiang’s performance.”

Tang Jingran had never played a role with speaking lines before, so he was somewhat nervous.

Xue Kai expressed his understanding. “Alright, then I’ll pack up and head back.”

As they were speaking, a staff member pushed open the door. “Come, I’m handing out small cards to everyone.”

The staff member gave everyone in the room a small card. Tang Jingran received his and found it was a survey about preferred drinks. Without thinking much, he took a pen and wrote “Mint Water” on the card.

After finishing, he handed it back to the staff member.

“Hiss, why are they investigating our preferences?” Xue Kai frowned slightly.

Tang Jingran asked, “Is that strange?”

“It’s okay, I guess,” Xue Kai said. “In the past, crews would just ask out loud. I’ve never written it on a card before.”

Tang Jingran nodded. “So, are you leaving or not?”

“Of course I’m not leaving yet.” Xue Kai flashed a smile at Tang Jingran. “If someone is treating, of course I’m leaving only after I’ve had my drink.”

After changing his clothes, Tang Jingran went to watch Jiang Jianxian and Jiang Haomin’s performance. They were currently filming a scene of their first encounter.

While Tang Jingran was engrossed in watching, a staff member handed him a cup of ice water. He instinctively said thank you and started drinking.

After just one sip, Tang Jingran’s eyes widened slightly. It was actually mint-flavored ice water.

“Excuse me, may I ask who ordered this water?” Tang Jingran reached out to stop the staff member who was distributing drinks.

“Ah, I think it was the director?” the staff member replied. “Why? Is it not what you wanted? We bought extras, so if you don’t like it, you can pick something else.”

Tang Jingran shook his head. “I like it very much. Thank you.”

The staff member waved a hand. “Alright, as long as you like it.” With that, they continued handing out drinks.

Tang Jingran narrowed his eyes comfortably, sitting in his chair while drinking water and watching the performance.

In a place where Tang Jingran couldn’t see, someone edited a message to a certain person: 【The water has been delivered.】

When Yan Jun came to find Tang Jingran, he saw him looking quite relaxed while watching the acting.

“Is it good?”

The sudden voice near Tang Jingran gave him a start.

“Holy—! You scared me to death, Uncle Yan!” Tang Jingran slowly massaged his chest where his heart was thumping.

“Alright, stop watching for a bit. The photographer has finished retouching the photos. You guys need to post your stills on Weibo and tag the official drama account.” Yan Jun tapped Tang Jingran with his finger. “Come, let me talk to you about your upcoming schedule.”

“Got it.” Tang Jingran stood up and tossed the empty mint water cup into the trash.

Seeing this, Yan Jun asked, “What were you drinking?”

“Just mint water.”

“You’re lucky to get exactly what you like.” Yan Jun smiled.

“The staff said the director treated us,” Tang Jingran remarked. “I like this crew.”

Yan Jun paused. The water had actually been treated by the investor. But seeing him like this, Yan Jun didn’t plan on telling Tang Jingran directly.

Tang Jingran went to the dressing room and looked over the photos taken by the photographer twice.

Seeing this, Yan Jun asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It seems like I didn’t manage my expression well.” Tang Jingran looked closer. “I should have smiled a bit more.”

“Don’t split hairs.” Yan Jun held a stack of documents. “Hurry up and post the Weibo repost.”

Tang Jingran opened Weibo and began editing his post.

Tang Jingran V: Thank you to the @LegendOfGodsAndDemonsV crew for the invitation and trust. I will be playing the role of the Cat Demon, Mao Ling. This is also my first role that requires ‘speaking’ (smile.jpg). Please give us your support; I will cherish this opportunity! Looking forward to the day we meet everyone! [Image] [Image] #LegendOfGodsAndDemons

As soon as it was posted, there were numerous likes, comments, and reposts.

Holy crap! Holy crap! How can these stills look so good?!

The sense of cold elegance is just perfect!!!

Looking forward to it!

Mao Ling’s styling is so beautiful, it’s like he walked right out of a manga!

The name is so cool too!!!

Which genius thought of having Teacher Tang play this role? Simply brilliant!

What name does Teacher Tang like? I want to set up a support group and Super Topic!!

This cat is so beautiful!

It’s actually a cat with heterochromia!!

Wait wait, Tang Tang, what role is the person in black next to you playing?

Looking at their poses in the photos, they couldn’t be partners, could they? (smirk.jpg)

Ahhh, I noticed it too!!!

These two look like a cat and a dog!!!

I’m shipping this!!

Crap, don’t say it—actually, do say it!

Asking weakly, will there be another collaboration with Teacher Gong? I want to see it!

Ahhh, me too (cry.jpg), my CP that died halfway through!

Though… the teachers are just in a professional partnership, let’s not mention other teachers in the new drama post, okay?

Agreed, supporting the person above!

Tang Jingran was picking comments to reply to.

Tang Jingran V: What nickname do you all like? Tang Jingran V: The artist next to me is my partner in this drama, please support us! Tang Jingran V: Thanks for the love

But his finger paused when he saw Gong Yingxiao’s name. A glittering avatar with the glow of an SVIP made a powerful entrance into his comment section.

Gong Yingxiao V: There will be a chance to collaborate again.

As soon as this comment appeared, the comment section exploded.

【Holy crap, Daddy, you actually showed up!】

【Is this a secret affair? (smirk.jpg)】

【Mom, the CP I ship has been resurrected! So moved!!!】

【Ahhhh, so it’s a mutual attraction?!】

【When will you collaborate again!】

Since it was in public, Tang Jingran still replied to Gong Yingxiao.

Tang Jingran V: [Handshake.jpg]

Seeing his frowning expression, Yan Jun asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Tang Jingran put away his phone. “What’s the schedule?”

“There are no other arrangements for the next two days; just act in the crew.” Seeing he didn’t elaborate, Yan Jun didn’t press further. “Afterward, there is an escape room variety show. Those are the tasks for this week.”

Seeing Tang Jingran’s expression change, Yan Jun suddenly remembered. “Are you still afraid of the dark?”

Tang Jingran rubbed his temples. “It’s okay. If there are many people, it’s fine.”

“Alright, I’ll try to decline these kinds of shows for you next time.”

“No need.” Tang Jingran lowered his hand and let out a short laugh. “I’m a ‘nugu’ artist as it is; if I keep refusing, who will give me work? Don’t worry, I know my own body.”

Yan Jun nodded. “Then are you going back to the hotel or staying with the crew?”

“Back to the hotel.”

Just as they got into the car, Tang Jingran’s screen lit up with a notification.

Gong Yingxiao: Did the water suit your taste?