Chapter 14 – Unfilial

Descendant Lu Yunqian finally gathered his courage, descending from the vehicle under the curious gazes all around him.

Upon catching sight of the fresh-faced youth, Shen Fubai exclaimed, “Who’s that high school kid?”

Lu Yunqian had a truly youthful appearance; even at the age of twenty, he looked no older than sixteen or seventeen.

Shen Fubai’s eyes then shifted to catch a glimpse of Muran’s handsome profile, visible through the car window.

Oh, damn.

This morning he was still flirting, and now he’s delivering another young lad here. Classic playboy move.

Shen Fubai had seen too much of this sort of thing to bother getting involved, but something about the young age of this boy compelled him to reach out. He couldn’t bear to watch a man pushing thirty ravage the flower of the future.

Muran Jinhuan: ?? I’m only twenty-six.

By Shen Fubai’s standards, the general manager Muran would be ready for the grave in a few years–

Lu Yunqian rushed to the director’s side as soon as he got out of the car. “I’m sorry, Director. I’m late.”

In reality, he had arrived only a few minutes late, and the filming hadn’t yet started; the morning didn’t feature his scenes. It didn’t matter.

However, tardiness was not much appreciated. Moreover, he had just stepped out of a luxury car; therefore, Director Xu’s attitude toward him was rather cold.

Director Xu demanded perfection in his productions, even choosing his extras with utmost care. The character Little Tongli in the scenes surrounding Yu Tang could not be overlooked–he looked remarkably like Yu Tang as a child.

Not in features, but in circumstance.

Director Xu had first selected this child for his innocence and pure eyes–qualities perfect for portraying Little Tongli. Now, though, it seemed he wasn’t as clear-headed.

With the roles already decided, Director Xu didn’t comment further. “Go greet Little Shen; you have scenes together this afternoon.”

Though it was just a sentence.

Lu Yunqian didn’t have much acting experience, and in the past, he mostly played dead bodies on the ground or simple cannon fodder in crowds. The kind of role that had dialogue was an entirely new challenge to him.

Director Xu didn’t want to see Lu Yunqian flub his lines numerous times out of nerves.

Lu Yunqian responded, his gaze falling upon Shen Fubai, who stood not far away with Emperor Actor Jiang. Despite wearing tattered clothing, Shen Fubai still shimmered with charisma. Deep down, the boy was incredibly uneasy.

Great actors like Shen Fubai and Jiang Heng, people he had only seen on TV before, he was about to approach and speak to. He felt rather at a loss.

Lu Yunqian approached them nervously, his words coming out in a stutter, “Shen Shen good–“

Shen Shen, good?? Should I return a courteous “nephew, good”?

Lu Yunqian realized his slip of the tongue. “Teacher Shen, hello! Teacher Jiang, hello!”

They were extras and should refer to the actors as ‘teacher’; he had forgotten in his moment of tension.

Jiang Heng offered a warm smile. “Hello.”

Shen Fubai responded generously: “Hello.”

Heavens, the two teachers were incredibly gentle… Lu Yunqian’s mouth could hardly form coherent words. “I… my name is Lu Yunqian. I’ll be playing the role of Little Tongli by your side.”

“We can perform together then this afternoon,” said Shen Fubai tenderly. Feeling quite the pity for this young boy presumably damaged by someone, he extended a hand “It’ll be a pleasure to work together.”

Ah, Teacher Shen wants to shake my hand!

Lost in a moment of excitement, Lu Yunqian stumbled forward, almost tripping on his own feet and falling.

Shen Fubai quickly caught his hand, pulling him upright. “…If you’re not feeling well today, I could talk to the director and move your scenes to tomorrow?”

This kid had suffered; today, likely struggling to walk, and yet he was here, wanting to act. Shen Fubai felt perhaps he should make him rest today.

Moving the scene of an extra to a later date was not a major issue. But had it been proposed by Lu Yunqian, he would have been perceived as lazy. For Shen Fubai to suggest it, the director would likely acquiesce.

Lu Yunqian: “No, no need! I’m good for today!”

Oh, so ambitious. Shen Fubai reminisced fondly about his debut days; his gaze now filled with sympathy. “Don’t push yourself. Health is most important. If you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to come. I can explain to Director Xu for you.”

Lu Yunqian: “I can’t help it, my… son insisted on taking me here.”

“…”

An awkward silence ensued–

After uttering this, Lu Yunqian regretted it immediately. When would he be able to fix his habit of blurting incoherently when under stress?

Lu Yunqian tried to explain: “Not exactly… I wanted to come here, it’s just that I didn’t want him to take me, but he forced me to let him…” Realizing he was only digging himself deeper, Lu Yunqian panicked: “What’s he so filial for?”

A few seconds of silence followed.

Jiang Heng: “You look pretty young.”

Shen Fubai: “Quite impressive that you’re still working at this age. Must be difficult.”

Lu Yunqian: “I may look young, but I need to work to live…” No! I —

Shen Fubai felt his sympathy: “Enough said. I mistook your son for a cad. I was wrong. He’s undeserving of you, driving a Ferrari and dressed to the nines, forcing his elderly father out to labor.”

Jiang Heng: “Truly heinous actions.”

Lu Yunqian remained silent.

What was there to explain? Further explanations would label General Manager Muran as the ultimate scoundrel unseen in the annals of the universe–

The first scenes of the morning revolved around Young Lord Jiang Heng’s return from England in his youth, primarily illustrating the prestige, wealth, and vigor he embodied.

“Fourth take, scene one, take one, action!” As Director Xu initiated, the clapper sounded, and actors promptly commenced their performances.

Amidst the shoot, Shen Fubai, Lu Yunqian, and the other actors and crew members looked on. Observing an emperor actor perform, opportunity to learn from.

Actors must possess remarkable nonchalance, maintaining the aura despite constant scrutiny.

At this point, Jiang Heng proved his exceptional handling of this element–

Warlord Villa.

“The second young master has returned!”

“The second young master has returned from England, bringing many gifts!”

News of the second young master’s return from England, now twenty years old and having graduated from university, quickly spiked the warlord villa’s buzz, splashing joy on each villager’s face.

Some were happy, others were not amused. Several aunts, wearing qipao, stood under the eaves and spoke with discomfort: “That disrespectful brat, three years ago, he was already insufferable. Now that he has polished himself up in foreign lands, who knows how he’ll press his advantage against us.”

“That’s right, which of us wronged his deceased mother, and why is he needlessly tormenting us?”

Unfortunately, this complaint was only aired behind closed doors, but not publicly for fear. After all, the two young masters hailed from the womb of a woman who had long passed away.

Under countless watchful eyes, a handsome young man dressed in a white suit swept through the crowd of men clad in traditional robes and large sleeves, striding briskly into the hall.

“Grandpa, Eldest brother,” Chu Yu entered, handing his suitcase to the servant and smiling warmly. “I have returned. I brought a tobacco pipe from the West for you and a watch for eldest brother.”

“Cough, cough, cough — ” Chu, the Commander’s cough commenced.

Chu the Elderly Patriarch commented, “Xiao Yu, greet your father as well.”

Chu Yu’s smile faded slightly, calling lightly, “Father.”

He harbored a lingering issue with the father.

If not for the father taking another wife after his mother fell critically ill, she would not have passed away with resentment.

The eldest brother also advised: “Second brother, you’ve been away for three years now, perhaps it’s time to lay any lingering matters to rest.”

Chu Yu chose to remain taciturn in response.

How could one just let go of his mother’s affairs?

In the heat of the moment, Chu the Elderly Patriarch intervened: “Enough, today is Xiao Yu’s return day. We should not dwell on other matters. Let’s prepare a celebratory banquet tonight for Xiao Yu’s homecoming!”

Chu Yu nodded, “Grandpa, eldest brother, let me find Wenbin first.”

Du Wenbin, his childhood friend, was the son of the Du family; a wealthy man himself. Intent upon reuniting with a friend unseen for three years, he quickly paid a visit.

The camera transitions. Inside a luxuriously decorated restaurant, Du Wenbin raised a cup, toasting to Chu Yu. “Chu Yu, three years of your absence made me worry considerably.”

“I apologize, I will self-inflict three penalties,” Chu Yu filled a cup, drank it in one gulp.

“Bravo!” Du Wenbin complimented, pouring another cup.

Chu Yu finished drinking three cups, placing the cup on the table. “Wenbin, have any interesting characters or events emerged in Jin Ling during my three-year absence?”

“Interesting? Indeed, there’s a one-of-a-kind individual,” Du Wenbin replied. “A new qingyi appeared on stage in the Tang Pear Office, named Yu Tang. His body, his face, ah, absolutely incredible. I have bought tonight’s theatre tickets, how about we join in for the occasion?”

Perplexed, Chu Yu questioned: “An opera singer?”

His tone wasn’t contemptuous; rather, just lacking understanding. He had matured before his time and studied abroad subsequently. Thematically, he did not share the same interests as regular playboys in their circle — they would fawn over actresses or prowl after celebrities, advertising their associations through the bright lights and colorful flowers of love, all too typical as mere attempts to sugarcoat their selfish desires.

Chu Yu typically refrained from such involvements, thus the theme utterly lacked appeal to him.

“I won’t, I have a celebratory banquet tonight,” Chu Yu politely declined.

“How long could that last? The show starts at seven. They’re performing a show called ‘The Departure of Beauty.’ It’s not a problem.” Du Wenbin staged a mock complaint, “Unless you, the second young master of the Chu family, who lingered too long in England, don’t recognize this friend, your childhood playmate anymore?”

“Of course not,” Chu Yu conceded to his friend’s request, “So… okay.”

“Good brothers, you’ve got it!” Du Wenbin exclaimed heartily, “I’ll tell you this, you won’t regret coming once.”

Chu Yu undoubtedly did not regret it. Even if he were to plunge into a tempest of romantic frivolity ahead, entangled amidst tortuous self-pity, retraversing a thousand calamities, he was prepared to bear the pain if it meant he would never tire of it.

Yu Tang, a quaint name he clung onto, unwilling to relinquish a trace of its prestige; becoming his unwillingly forfeited private desire.

It was in that place where he met his lifelong companion.

And his beloved–

“Cut!” Director Xu yelled.

The others followed up with rounds of applause.

Jiang Heng’s scene sailed through effortlessly, showcasing a flawless performance. Each gesture, every micro-expression, and tone of every line was exquisitely executed.

Shen Fubai applauded wholeheartedly.

Actual production and on-site improvisation were two separate things. Positioning in front of the camera, managing angles, these were elements requiring meticulous attention from actors. Shen Fubai, without real experience in production, discerned through Jiang Heng’s process and learned a thing or two.

“Little Jiang’s acting is consistently excellent,” Director Xu, turning to Shen Fubai, clad in ragged clothing, assumptuously squatting as if begging, added “Little Shen, get ready. It’s your turn next.”