The Tool Brother Thinks It’s Not Okay [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 3

“No, no, let’s try that again!” On the set of Peerless Favored Consort, the director stood with his hands on his hips, instructing the male lead. “You’re playing a devilishly charming prince! Can’t you even manage a devilish smile? That’s just a twitch! You need to do it like this!”

As the director demonstrated, his face crinkled into a forced grin, revealing every wrinkle. Cheng Kaixin’s newly appointed secretary quietly averted his gaze, feeling as if his eyeballs had been scorched.

On set, the male lead wore a cheap, ancient-style wig and a gaudy, brightly colored robe. Both leads sported stiff, surgically enhanced faces. The entire set reeked of the poverty of a low-budget production.

Under the air conditioning, Cheng Kaixin lounged lazily on a recliner, watching the leads’ clumsy acting with disinterest. The secretary glanced at him and noticed he was nearly asleep. He couldn’t understand why Young Mr. Lu would deign to visit such a small web drama set. Could he possibly be interested in that sharp-faced female lead?

“Don’t cry,” Cheng Kaixin suddenly spoke, reciting the male lead’s line perfectly. “Even you belong to me, let alone your tears.”

The drawn-out final syllable softened into a breathy whisper, like a voice actor lowering his voice into a sexy, luxurious tone. Even the secretary, a grown man, felt his ears grow warm.

Not to mention the young girl sitting on a small stool beside Cheng Kaixin.

Lian Weiwei felt her face flush slightly and lowered her head to pat her cheeks. She had intended to subtly glance at Cheng Kaixin while adjusting her glasses, but instead, she met his gaze directly.

Cheng Kaixin turned to look at her, a smile playing on his lips. “Are you shocked by your own writing too?”

When he first arrived on set, he had been wearing a sophisticated navy blue suit. But soon after, he casually shrugged off the jacket and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. Now, leaning forward with his head tilted, the V-neck revealed a glimpse of his refined collarbones, giving him a unique, elegant yet roguish charm.

Lian Weiwei’s eyes went a little unfocused. “Ah…” she murmured, nodding blankly before shaking her head vigorously. “No, no, this novel was like this only in its early stages. My later works are definitely not this melodramatic, I promise!”

She was the original author of the novel Peerless Favored Consort and also the screenwriter for the drama adaptation.

Today had been like a dream come true! She was revising the script on set when suddenly this young and handsome Mr. Lu arrived. He was a high-ranking executive from Lingxing, the company producing the web drama, a man even the director, who usually looked down his nose at her, had to bow to!

And he had immediately asked for her by name, buying the rights to her other three novels at a particularly generous price!

Could this be the sweet, overbearing CEO falling in love with me scenario?!

Lian Weiwei’s mind was filled with exclamation marks. After years of being single and with a vivid imagination, she was already fantasizing about which prestigious kindergarten their future children would attend.

“Among your novels, Elegant Shadows of Espionage is still the best,” Cheng Kaixin said.

He’s still a fan of my books!

“How about we start filming Elegant Shadows of Espionage next month?”

Lian Weiwei: Love came too fast, like a tornado.

Lian Weiwei wore round glasses and had a slightly chubby face with shallow dimples. She wasn’t conventionally beautiful, but her smile was particularly sweet. The secretary suddenly realized: he wasn’t interested in any actress; he was interested in this young screenwriter!

Contrary to the secretary’s assumption, Cheng Kaixin’s proactive approach to Lian Weiwei wasn’t about making a move on her. It was entirely because she was the legendary female lead.

Matchmaking the male and female leads? This task is quite novel. It’s my first time playing Cupid.

Cheng Kaixin grew interested, his attentiveness toward Lian Weiwei bordering on doting in the eyes of others. “Would you like to personally select the lead actors?”

Lian Weiwei’s eyes widened. “Really? Can I?” She quickly searched her mind for favorite actors, but with Cheng Kaixin standing before her, every face that came to mind seemed bland. She said nervously, “I… I can’t think of anyone right now. What do you think, Mr. Lu?”

“If you can’t think of anyone off the top of your head, let’s go see some real people,” Cheng Kaixin said, rising from his lounge chair and heading out without another word. “The production next door is a big one. They must have plenty of beautiful actors.”

His secretary hurried after him, grabbing the clothes he’d left behind. “Mr. Lu,” he said dutifully, “Lingxing has many excellent actors available right now. Why go to all this trouble just to chase after a woman?”

“This is an adaptation of my favorite novel,” Cheng Kaixin replied, his long legs easily outstripping the secretary’s height. Though his tone was casual, there was an undeniable authority in his voice. “Of course I want to find the perfect actor.”

“I’m a very serious and responsible person, you know. You’ll see that once you’ve worked with me longer.”

The secretary stared blankly. Serious and responsible? He wasn’t sure about that, but he knew one thing for certain: this man was a handful.

Lu Jinying had sent him to keep an eye on Lu Jinhua and prevent him from causing trouble, while also encouraging him to learn something useful. But after working with him for this short time, the secretary was already feeling overwhelmed.

The neighboring production was filming a historical drama. When Cheng Kaixin arrived, an actor was suspended high in the air by wires. Though his face was too distant to make out, his toes lightly touching the rooftop ridge gave him the graceful, weightless presence of a martial arts hero.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” Lian Weiwei exclaimed.

The director approached, intending to clear the set, but his gaze lingered on Cheng Kaixin. His tone softened slightly. “This filming location isn’t open to the public. May I ask what brings you here?”

After a brief exchange with his secretary, the director’s stern expression melted into a smile. He shook Cheng Kaixin’s hand warmly. “Mr. Lu! These young actors are quite talented. Please, feel free to look around.”

Lian Weiwei watched the wire work with fascination for a while before turning her attention to the actors. The male lead of the drama was Lü Yiyan, a rising star. He sat impatiently as his assistant fanned him, his sweat-dampened bangs plastered to his forehead, making his makeup look thick and cakey.

Elegant Espionage was a male-centric drama, and Lian Weiwei had poured her heart into crafting the male lead, modeling him after her ideal man. Now, everyone she saw seemed to fall short.

Noticing the director’s deferential attitude, the surrounding crew members realized the visitors were important and began glancing their way. Sensing the growing attention, Lian Weiwei shook her head at Cheng Kaixin, her movements stiff.

Cheng Kaixin’s gaze drifted to the ceiling, where he tapped the air with his slender index finger.

Following his gesture, Lian Weiwei looked up and saw the white-robed actor being lowered from the wire. The director and martial arts choreographer rushed over, the choreographer gesturing and explaining something. Suddenly, the actor leaned back, his waist arching gracefully as he snapped his folding fan open and shut. The flowing hem of his robe traced a breathtaking arc through the air.

“Who is that?” Lian Weiwei couldn’t help but step forward.

Cheng Kaixin strolled toward them, remarking casually, “Well, his waist is certainly flexible.”

The secretary nearly stumbled at this comment.

Getting Young Mr. Lu back on track is going to be a long and arduous task.

“Xiao Qin, quickly greet Mr. Lu,” the director urged, seeing Cheng Kaixin approach.

Qin Yunran was a diligent actor and polite, leaving a good impression. The director subtly nudged him forward, wanting him to seize this opportunity.

“Mr. Lu, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Qin Yunran said, extending his hand with neither arrogance nor servility.

Cheng Kaixin sized up this world’s male lead for the first time at close range. As they shook hands, he thought to himself, No wonder he’s the protagonist.

Ever since Cheng Kaixin had jokingly claimed to be a former hairdresser, the System had been filled with regret and had remained silent for a long time.

Now, it suddenly resurfaced, brimming with smugness, as if it were the one being praised. “Of course! Who else but the protagonist could be so composed and dignified? Your temperament pales in comparison to his.”

“I meant his face,” Cheng Kaixin said, his interest piqued. “Will all the future leads be as good-looking as him?”

“Are you really that shallow?!” the System exclaimed.

“Yeah,” Cheng Kaixin replied, completely unbothered.

“Why are you so happy about admitting it?!” the System sputtered, nearly apoplectic with frustration.

Qin Yunran wore a stunning white ancient-style robe. Of course, it was his perfect physique that truly made the outfit shine. Tall and long-legged, he was cinched at the waist by an ornate cloud-patterned belt, from which hung a jade pendant with flowing tassels that drew the eye.

Beautiful as it was, the robe consisted of six or seven layers, none particularly thick, but enough to make him sweat in the heat.

The thought of such rare beauty drenched in perspiration beneath those layers made Cheng Kaixin feel a pang of regret. “Aren’t you hot in all this?” he asked.

Qin Yunran lifted his wide sleeves, his slender, well-defined fingers holding a folding fan. With a flick of his wrist, the fan snapped open. “Just fan myself if I get hot,” he quipped, “and look cool doing it.”

A gentle breeze rustled, lifting the long, dark hair at the back of his neck.

Lian Weiwei excitedly tugged at Cheng Kaixin’s sleeve. “Can we pick him? I want to pick him!”

Qin Yunran glanced at her, surprised.

Is this Mr. Lu’s girlfriend? She seems… rather impulsive.

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