Who Wants to Be the Affectionate Cannon Fodder?! [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 41

After Zhou Yao finished sending off Jiang Shiyan’s belongings, it was nearly time for Yu Lin to join the film set.

The Song of the Broken Array was filming in a studio city under the jurisdiction of Xiamen, a mere hour’s drive from Shen Xingzhuo’s home. Zhou Yao dragged Yu Lin out of bed early in the morning and drove him to the production hotel.

Over the past few days, Yu Lin had skimmed through the script and researched several television dramas of a similar genre. He was playing the younger brother of the antagonist, Xiao Jingke. In the early stages, his character was an innocent and fearless young master of Jinling City; later, after discovering his brother’s schemes, he entered the fray himself. He was a textbook “white-cut-black” (seemingly innocent but secretly dark), sickly-sweet brother-complex character.

A role like this, if played well, would undoubtedly spark massive discussion. It was a pity, many thought, that it had fallen into the hands of the “pretty vase,” Shen Xingzhuo.

Zhou Yao was still brooding over the doll that had tumbled out of Yu Lin’s bag. When he had asked about it that day, Yu Lin had simply replied with a casual, “Is that not allowed?”

The result was Zhou Yao tossing and turning for days, terrified that Yu Lin’s “love-brain” was acting up again and that he was about to repeat the same mistakes he made with Jiang Shiyan. Consequently, while parking the car, he deliberated before cautioning:

“Xingzhuo, although Ning Jinghe’s character seems much better than Jiang Shiyan’s, and his reputation in the industry is quite high, can we please be a little more reserved this time? After all, men need their appetites whetted. Things that come too easily are rarely cherished.”

Yu Lin shifted his focus away from the micro-expressions of the characters in the video on his phone and glanced up at Zhou Yao. He had heard similar sentiments from Tang Mo before, though he had not paid much attention then.

Tang Mo had said that if someone suddenly stops paying attention to you, one possibility is that they have grown bored.

He asked, “Would Ning Jinghe be like that too?”

Seeing that Yu Lin was finally showing some caution, Zhou Yao nodded vigorously. “That which is unobtainable is always in a state of agitation. It is a fundamental flaw of human nature.”

Yu Lin recalled the cold-pot duck blood that Lin He used to tempt him with in the previous world and felt that this was indeed the case.

Thoughtfully, Yu Lin stepped out of the car. The assistant director, who had already received word of their arrival, was waiting at the hotel entrance. Upon seeing them, he greeted them with great enthusiasm.

“Good morning, Teacher Shen. Did you see the call sheet sent to you last night?”

Shen Xingzhuo’s reputation for being arrogant, spoiled, and difficult to please had long preceded him in the entertainment industry. The assistant director had heard the rumors, and knowing Shen had been shoehorned into the cast by investors, he spoke with a touch of caution, fearing he might cross the young master.

To his surprise, Yu Lin merely gave him a faint glance and a nod. His bright phoenix eyes were half-hidden by thick, long black lashes, making him look languid and noble.

It was a departure from the rumors.

The assistant director did not dwell on it, continuing, “There are two scenes this afternoon. I will take you to styling first, and in a while, several actors will head to the set together.”

Yu Lin nodded again and gave a brief “Okay.”

Even Zhou Yao was startled by his unusual compliance. Given Shen Xingzhuo’s usual temper, he should have thrown a fit, insisting they had their own car and refusing to squeeze in with others. While hauling the suitcases to check-in, Zhou Yao looked back several times in disbelief, finally confirming that Yu Lin truly had no intention of making a scene.

Yu Lin, however, was oblivious to their internal monologues. He followed the assistant director with his head down, his phone still playing The Breaking Snow, a project Ning Jinghe had starred in.

Every few seconds, he would scroll the progress bar back. He rewatched a short segment countless times, as if trying to study every line and contour of the man’s face.

The dressing room was at the end of the first-floor corridor, opposite two lounges. Crew members were bustling in and out. Yu Lin had just stepped aside to avoid someone when, in the next second, he met another person head-on in the hallway.

His phone was knocked to the ground.

His vision was met with a deep black robe and a vermilion waistband that cinched a firm, powerful waist. A jade pendant hung from the belt. The tall, slender frame was perfectly outlined by the costume, emphasizing broad shoulders and a narrow waist, which created an elegant and alluring aura.

With a silver crown binding his hair, Ning Jinghe looked down at him. His features were calm, but his peach-blossom eyes were startlingly dark and deep, like a sharp eagle in the high sky.

Yu Lin’s heart gave a sudden, heavy thud. He instinctively raised a hand to touch his chest; it was the first time he had experienced such a strange sensation.

He could not quite describe it, but it felt as if a sudden gust of wind had swept through a previously barren and empty world.

It was not the System’s control; they had no reason to make him, as Shen Xingzhuo, react this way toward his romantic rival, Ning Jinghe.

Therefore, it could only be coming from his own heart.

“Teacher Ning, are you already in makeup? Let me introduce you, this is Shen”

“We know each other.” Ning Jinghe leaned down to pick up the phone Yu Lin had dropped. The video was still playing, showing a close-up of his own face.

Ning Jinghe froze. His mind went blank for a fraction of a second before he stiffly handed the phone back to Yu Lin.

“I forgot! You two recorded a variety show together last week,” the assistant director said, slapping his forehead with a laugh. “Teacher Ning can go sit in the lounge first. Once Teacher Shen is finished here, we will head out.”

Yu Lin looked up, staring straight at Ning Jinghe’s face as he took his phone. He said, “Brother Ning, you look very handsome today.”

Ning Jinghe’s expression remained blank for a good while before he awkwardly rubbed his nose. He had heard such words countless times since childhood and had long been immune to praise, yet for some reason, these simple words coming from Yu Lin’s mouth caused such a significant reaction.

Just as Ning Jinghe was about to say something to cover his momentary loss of composure, he saw Yu Lin nonchalantly brush past him and take an empty seat in front of the vanity mirror.

It was as if the compliment had been a mere casual remark; anyone who took it seriously would be the fool.

Ning Jinghe curled his lips in a self-mocking smile and left the dressing room without looking back.

Yu Lin quietly glanced at Ning Jinghe’s retreating back. When the makeup artist stepped forward to work on his face, he retracted his gaze and placed the phone on the table to continue watching.

If I do this, maybe he will not suddenly start ignoring me anymore.

The soft brush swept across his face, feeling slightly ticklish. Yu Lin could not help but sneeze a few times. When he opened his eyes again, they were shimmering with a layer of moisture, making him look quite pitiful.

He was not used to being so close to strangers and had to resist the urge to push the makeup artist away the entire time. The more he resisted, the stiffer his face became, and his trembling eyelashes made it impossible for the artist to proceed.

His “facing a great enemy” expression apparently hit a soft spot for the makeup artist. She could not suppress a smile and whispered soothingly, “Teacher Shen, relax. I am not going to eat you.”

“Mhm.”

Seeing that Yu Lin was still deathly wary, the makeup artist tried a different way to distract him. “Does Teacher Shen like this movie? I remember it being from quite a while ago.”

Yu Lin gave an “Mm.”

“My roommate and I liked it too. We ran out to see the midnight premiere. I really loved the character Teacher Ning played back then. What was his name? There is a line of his I remember to this day, something about possibilities.”

“Lu Xueyao. ‘As long as I am still alive, there are infinite possibilities.’ At 57 minutes and 08 seconds.” Yu Lin glanced at her indifferently, his face practically saying: “You do not even remember that? You fake fan, trying to trick me.”

The makeup artist had not expected him to remember so clearly. She rubbed her nose awkwardly and gave a hollow laugh. “It has been too long; I have mostly forgotten. But Teacher Ning really acted well in that movie, handsome and captivating.”

Yu Lin hummed in agreement. He reached out and scrolled the progress bar back slightly, landing on the scene where Lu Xueyao, played by Ning Jinghe, drew his blade for a battle in the torrential rain.

Seeing that his tense muscles had finally relaxed, the makeup artist worked quickly to finish his makeup, set his headpiece and hairstyle, and brought over a set of goose-yellow silk robes for him to change into.

At the Film Set

Shen Xingzhuo’s features were beautiful and sharp. After the makeup modification, the sharpness was hidden, and the sense of an innocent youth was amplified. His dark hair was tied into a high ponytail, with slightly curled strands framing his face. Paired with his clean, transparent eyes, he looked pure and romantic.

If he were given a folding fan, the young nobleman from the script would seem to have stepped right out of the dry text.

Even the makeup artist was momentarily stunned by the sight. The assistant director, coming by to check on progress, clapped his hands in approval.

Shen Xingzhuo’s temper might not be great, but there was truly nothing to criticize about this face.

This was especially true once they arrived at the filming location. The extras waiting on the periphery and the off-site crew members frequently looked his way, their faces filled with undisguised admiration as they huddled in small groups to gossip.

“That is Shen Xingzhuo, right? He looks even better than he does on TV. Now I know what ‘not photogenic’ really means.”

“What is the use of looking good? His acting is terrible and his temper is rotten. Only shallow face-connoisseurs would swallow anything and like a person like that.”

“Shh, keep it down. He has a backer. If he hears you, he could make it so you cannot make a living in this crew.”

“But have you not noticed? He and Ning Jinghe actually look quite alike this way. They really do look like brothers. Was this casting a lucky stroke of genius?”

Ning Jinghe caught a snippet of the conversation. He cast a dark gaze toward the source of the sound, but the speakers had already shut their mouths. The group stood in silence, making it impossible to tell who had mentioned the resemblance.

Ning Jinghe frowned and turned to look at Yu Lin, wondering if he had heard them.

Yu Lin had already walked under the canopy. He was being led by the assistant director and Zhou Yao to greet the director, Li Rui. Sensing Ning’s gaze, Yu Lin tilted his head to look at him, his curved eyes seeming to hold a smile.

For a split second, Ning Jinghe realized that the face truly did bear a resemblance to his own.

Yu Lin opened his mouth and said wordlessly: “Brother, why are you standing there?”

He added: “It is so sunny.”

Ning Jinghe’s heart stirred. He took a few steps forward and entered the shade of the canopy.

Zhou Yao had just finished greeting Li Rui, respectfully explaining that Shen Xingzhuo had been too busy recently to attend the martial arts training.

The assistant director chimed in to help. “Teacher Shen fits the character perfectly! Everyone praised him after the makeup was done. Even I was startled; I thought Xiao Jingyan had walked right out of a painting!”

Li Rui took off his headphones, turned around, and said impatiently, “What is the use of a pretty face? I do not know how many NGs we are going to have later. Go tell Xiao Jingyan’s stunt double to get ready.”