Chapter 35 – Indeed

The lead actress had arrived on set, and it was only proper that the two male leads, Jiang Heng and Shen Fubai, should go out to meet her. Shen Fubai put aside the watermelon and went out with Jiang Heng to see what was happening.

They saw nothing.

Only a sea of black heads greeted their eyes.

Yu Xiaoxiao was surrounded by a group of bodyguards who were all over six feet tall. With her barely five-foot-six frame, even in high heels, she was completely hidden from view. It wasn’t just that they couldn’t see her with their naked eyes; even the media’s high-powered lenses, which had been lurking in every corner, couldn’t capture Yu Xiaoxiao’s figure.

Shen Fubai understood now.

To avoid the paparazzi’s sneaky shots, there were only two conditions needed.

First, surround yourself with a group of tall bodyguards.

Second, be short.

Both Shen Fubai and Jiang Heng failed at the second condition.

Unless they could hire a team of Yao Mings.

Or amputate—

Lu Yunqian looked enviously at Yu Xiaoxiao, who was the center of attention, his face filled with admiration. “Is this the status of a top-tier celebrity…? This must be the pinnacle of the entertainment industry right now.”

It was indeed impressive.

The productions Lu Yunqian had participated in before had male and female leads who were at best second or third-tier celebrities. Unlike this drama, where big names gathered, dazzling the eye.

He watched with a passionate heart, wanting to take this as a goal, to drink a bowl of the all-encompassing nourishing soup.

Shen Fubai had joined the production when Lu Yunqian hadn’t yet reported for duty; otherwise, he could have witnessed another grand spectacle. In terms of popularity, Shen Fubai could crush the entire cast. But in terms of status, he was lower than Jiang Heng and Yu Xiaoxiao in the film and television circle. Thus, when Shen Fubai joined the production, it could already be considered very low-key.

But that was enough to broaden the horizons of an eighteenth-tier minor actor.

Mu Yao stood nearby, hearing Lu Yunqian’s words, and patted his shoulder solemnly. “Young man, this is far from the pinnacle.”

Lu Yunqian’s mouth slightly opened. “Really? This is still far?”

That was already something he could only dream of reaching.

“Just a regular first-tier celebrity. They’re known domestically, but they don’t rank internationally. How many can foreign media recognize when they make a round at Cannes every year? I’m optimistic about Jiang Heng, but his experience is too shallow, and his works aren’t enough; he needs more time to hone his skills.”

Lu Yunqian’s mouth continued to widen. “This is still average?”

Their perspectives weren’t on the same level.

Mu Yao smiled and pointed at Shen Fubai, whispering, “Now, the only one in the crew who can be called the peak of popularity is him. Don’t look at how he’s both loved and hated domestically; he has a bunch of fans overseas.”

Shen Fubai’s face could be called divine in the entire Asian region. Even in the Western world, where people generally suffered from Asian face blindness, they felt that Shen Fubai was like an elf reborn, an angel descended to earth.

Even his voice, which could drive a million sound engineers to despair, was shrouded in a mysterious aura due to the language barrier, making foreigners generally believe that Shen Fubai sang in Elvish, like the voice of heaven. After all, his timbre was really beautiful.

The world was never short of people obsessed with good looks, let alone those captivated by voices.

Lu Yunqian opened his mouth wide. “So Brother Shen is this amazing…”

“It’s normal. If your popularity isn’t high, how dare you call yourself a star. But this circle changes too quickly, and ultimately, it’s the works that speak.” Mu Yao said, looking at Lu Yunqian with a puzzled expression as his mouth remained wide open. “Are you really so shocked that you’re staring dumbfounded? It doesn’t have to be that serious, does it?”

After three sentences, Lu Yunqian finally finished yawning. “No, I’m just tired…”

Mu Yao seemed genuinely concerned. “Didn’t sleep well last night?” Considering the pressures of being an actor, Mu Yao offered kindly, “Do you need me to introduce you to a psychologist? It’s very effective for treating insomnia. Someone I know tried it, and I can guarantee it’s worth it for both young and old.”

Lu Yunqian was drowsily confused. “No need… someone wouldn’t let me sleep.” All night long, he was dragged along to hear those beautiful fairy tale love stories, which instead of being bedtime stories, became the cause of his late nights.

Muran Jinhuan originally fell asleep upon hearing these boring stories, but recently, perhaps due to overindulgence, he found them genuinely captivating. Lu Yunqian, however, grew increasingly listless as he told the stories. Last night, he was so sleepy that he even made a slip of the tongue, changing the ending of “the prince and princess lived happily ever after” to “the prince and prince lived happily ever after” without realizing it.

Muran Jinhuan noticed it, but he didn’t say anything, even finding the adaptation excellent.

Now it was Mu Yao’s turn to stare in shock. “So beastly?”

Lu Yunqian was bewildered. “…What?”

“It’s nothing.” Afraid of causing embarrassment, Mu Yao tactfully didn’t continue. She decided to go back and properly educate a certain someone, who appeared to be acting like a dog but secretly wasn’t even human.

A certain someone: You really think I’m consistent inside and out in your heart—

Yu Xiaoxiao was finally revealed as she was escorted into the studio. The appearance of a beautiful actress was basic, and Yu Xiaoxiao had a typical oval face, with delicate features and a gentle smile, the kind of face most beloved by directors and audiences in TV dramas.

Yet beneath that gentleness lurked some arrogance.

Yu Xiaoxiao’s assistant was negotiating something with the production staff, who wore a look of difficulty on their faces. After pondering for a while, she hesitantly approached Yang Yingying, asking politely, “Miss Yang, hello, do you still need to use the lounge? If not, Miss Yu happens to need a lounge…”

Yang Yingying: Look up at the sun outside, and clearly see who doesn’t need a lounge, who doesn’t need air conditioning?

Actually, one lounge could easily accommodate two people, but as fellow actresses in the circle with no private relationship and vastly different reputations, the saying “two tigers cannot coexist on one mountain” applied. Being cramped together would make neither comfortable.

The staff spoke politely, but the underlying meaning was clear: Sorry, please move aside.

In this circle, everything was based on seniority, and the staff couldn’t afford to offend Shen Fubai and Jiang Heng, let alone those venerable veterans with a wealth of experience. After much thought, they picked the soft fruit.

Yang Yingying was clearly assigned—

Jiang Heng and Shen Fubai had been paying attention to Yang Yingying’s situation, and upon hearing this, they walked over simultaneously, saying in unison, “Then I’ll give you my lounge.”

Pausing for a moment, they added at the same time, “And the dressing room is also yours.”

They exchanged glances.

Jiang Heng: I’m taking care of my sister-in-law.

Shen Fubai: I’m also taking care of my sister-in-law… Damn it, I mean, caring for my idol, concerning myself with my colleague.

Absolutely not because I want to be with you.

The staff member’s expression was blank.

Was she witnessing a play between two men vying for one woman?

Indeed, worthy of being the public girlfriend of the circle, the queen of gossip topics. Just a few days into the production, she had already snatched the hearts of the movie emperor and the idol, who were both vying for her in public, showing a high level of skill.

Yang Yingying: ? You flatter me too much—

Watching from the sidelines, Yu Xiaoxiao’s face turned green at the sight.

Having been in the circle for four years, she wasn’t a naive and innocent girl who knew nothing. She understood that her assistant’s intentions reflected her own. Her move against Yang Yingying was clearly a loss of face.

There was no deep grudge, just the common struggle for resources based on seniority in the circle, something so common that it wasn’t even worth mentioning.

But Jiang Heng and Shen Fubai stepping in was quite noteworthy.

As soon as Yang Yingying lost face, two major figures immediately stepped in to help her save face. Wasn’t this a slap in the face to Yu Xiaoxiao?

Was it just a matter of entering the production a few days later that Yang Yingying had captured the hearts of the two male leads? The title of “god-level man hunter” was truly well-deserved.

Yu Xiaoxiao walked over in her six-centimeter beige high heels, hands on her hips, trying to appear elegant yet imposing.

Then she realized she wasn’t even as tall as Yang Yingying, who stood at one hundred seventy centimeters in flat shoes.

Too unimpressive.

Yu Xiaoxiao lowered her hand and silently took a step back, closer to Shen Fubai.

The one hundred eighty centimeter tall Shen Fubai looked down at this little quail, seemingly asking, “Do you have something to say?”

Yu Xiaoxiao inconspicuously moved further back.

The one hundred eighty-five centimeter tall Jiang Heng didn’t look down; at his height, Yu Xiaoxiao’s presence was invisible.

Too tragic, height was a hard injury.

Yu Xiaoxiao retreated to a safe distance, allowing her line of sight to be level with everyone present. “Hello.” This greeting was mainly directed at Shen Fubai and Jiang Heng.

She didn’t need to greet Yang Yingying, especially under such awkward circumstances.

Both Shen Fubai and Jiang Heng nodded in acknowledgment but weren’t overly enthusiastic.

Standing at Yu Xiaoxiao’s level, having some arrogance was natural. But none of those present were unknown actors; two were even more famous than her. To fail to suppress one’s arrogance in such a situation showed a lack of emotional intelligence.

Despite Yu Xiaoxiao’s best efforts to conceal it, her acting wasn’t as good as Yang Yingying’s.

Yang Yingying smiled faintly. “Miss Yu, my lounge—now your lounge—is over there. Perhaps you should hurry in to cool off, or else this water-like skin of yours might melt under the sun.”

Yu Xiaoxiao managed a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “How could I bear to let you bask in the sun?”

“It’s fine,” Yang Yingying was understanding. “My skin is pure and natural, resistant to ultraviolet rays.”

The war between women was truly terrifying.

The war between actresses was even more terrifying.

For instance, the dialogue between Yang Yingying and Yu Xiaoxiao. Their tone was very friendly, the content had no problems, and every word was filled with praise and modesty toward each other, but somehow, it sounded wrong.

The smell of gunpowder was thicker than the heat of the sun.

Jiang Heng remembered Jiang Yuan’s instructions and promptly came to his sister-in-law’s aid. “Sister Yang, my lounge is next to yours, and it’s empty in the afternoon. You can go in.”

Yang Yingying asked, “Then what about you?”

Jiang Heng naturally draped his arm around Shen Fubai’s shoulders. “We’ll be together, and we can rehearse our lines at the same time.”

Shen Fubai, despite the summer heat, felt goosebumps rise on his neck. “Right, right.”

Yang Yingying agreed, “Thanks.”

Since they had made such a pleasant decision, the few of them turned around and headed back to their lounges, leaving Yu Xiaoxiao standing there alone. The scorching heat outside made them not want to stay for even a minute longer.

Yu Xiaoxiao won Yang Yingying’s dressing room, but she wasn’t happy.

She lost the hearts of the people—

Jiang Heng gave his lounge to Yang Yingying, finally giving him a reason to stay with Shen Fubai.

Jiang Heng thought, he and Jiang Yuan were truly a pair that complemented each other.

As soon as Shen Fubai returned to the lounge, he picked up a spoon and eagerly scooped a large spoonful of watermelon, closing his eyes blissfully. “Refreshing.”

Jiang Heng echoed, “Indeed.” To be able to be with Fubai openly, he was now extremely refreshed.

Shen Fubai took another bite. “Delicious.”

Jiang Heng echoed, “Indeed.” Fubai’s current appearance was truly appetizing.

Shen Fubai took another bite. “Sweet to the bone.”

Jiang Heng echoed, “Indeed.” Sweet to my heart.

Shen Fubai chewed twice and swallowed. “Honestly, I can’t evaluate Yu Xiaoxiao as a person right now, but I prefer Sister Yingying. That confrontational attitude earlier was so cool. And she’s even more beautiful than me. Do you feel the same way?” Acting skills, looks, personality—all secondary; the important thing was that she was Heng Heng’s sister-in-law.

This was already a win at the starting line. A wave of rainbow farts first.

Jiang Heng immediately replied, “No.”

You’re the most beautiful.

I like you the most.

“Ah?” Shen Fubai raised his head from the watermelon hat, his eyes dazed, with a hint of red watermelon juice on the tip of his nose and the corners of his mouth, red lips and white teeth, enticingly crimson.

But how could the red on his nose compare to the red in his heart? Watermelon juice on the face, dew trembling, dripping onto the heart, spreading waves of tenderness, captivating.

During the cross-server conversation just now, Jiang Heng didn’t look at the watermelon once.

He had been looking at Shen Fubai.

Looking at Shen Fubai’s appearance, Jiang Heng suddenly pulled out a tissue to cover his mouth. “But there’s one point you mentioned that’s correct. She’s pretty cool.”

Shen Fubai was about to nod when he heard Jiang Heng cough lightly and say embarrassedly, “You’re pretty O (omega).”

Shen Fubai dropped his spoon. His rotten soul, well-read in the yaoi genre, was burning fiercely.

Heng Heng, you understand so well.

You even know about omegas?!