Shuai Chang held onto Fan Luo Jia, saying, “Walk properly, why do you keep turning around?”
People came and went outside the film crew, and Fan Luo Jia took a step back, feeling awkward. “Brother Haidong, don’t follow me anymore. It wouldn’t be good if the crew saw you.”
Yuli Li quickly caught up, hearing Fan Luo Jia’s words and replied, “Mr. Fan, you’re mistaken. President Yin comes specifically to visit the set to support you. How can he keep his distance?”
Fan Luo Jia’s eyes widened. All this time, Yin Haidong hadn’t introduced him to others; he thought…
“Let’s go, with me around, what’s there to be afraid of?” Shuai Chang encouraged as he patted Fan Luo Jia’s side.
Fan Luo Jia always felt that standing next to Yin Haidong would attract a lot of attention, but to his surprise, it didn’t happen. Once they entered the set, Yuli Li took the lead in introducing Yin Haidong to the director, who, knowing that Yin Haidong was the biggest investor, treated him warmly like a spring breeze.
Shuai Chang pulled Fan Luo Jia forward, “Director Li, this is my little brother, Luo Jia. He is young, so please take more care of him in the crew.”
Director Li chuckled, “What a coincidence! I didn’t expect Luo Jia to be President Yin’s brother. His acting skills are pretty good. Given some time, his future will be limitless. President Yin, don’t worry; Luo Jia is in my hands, he won’t have any issues.”
Within ten minutes, the entire crew knew that Fan Luo Jia was the brother of the biggest investor. Among them were those filled with envy, sneering, “One is named Yin, the other is Fan; who knows what kind of brother he is?”
Regardless, Fan Luo Jia’s status in the crew rose immediately, and several actors who had previously made things difficult for him didn’t dare to act up during their performances.
After some polite exchanges, Fan Luo Jia went to get ready for his first scene while the director placed a folding chair for Shuai Chang beside him.
“President Yin, you see, Luo Jia’s acting is truly impressive,” Director Li praised.
During lunch break, Shuai Chang had Yuli Li send the sour plum drink he ordered to the crew members, asking them to take good care of Fan Luo Jia. With people enjoying the refreshing drink, their impressions of Fan Luo Jia improved significantly. They no longer saw him merely as a newcomer with some acting skills benefiting from connections.
Shuai Chang invited the director and screenwriter for a meal, but the director waved his hand and refused, “I still need to think about the afternoon scenes; just a boxed meal will do.”
Others also claimed to have things to do.
Shuai Chang didn’t press further, “Alright, I’ll order some food for Director Li and the rest to send over. I heard there’s a good Xiang cuisine restaurant nearby.”
This time, Director Li didn’t refuse.
Yuli Li and the driver went to the Xiang cuisine restaurant while also ordering food for Director Li and the others.
Shuai Chang took Fan Luo Jia for a stroll around the film city.
Under the blazing sun, the two walked along the wall and after just a few minutes, they were already sweating.
Fan Luo Jia grasped Shuai Chang’s sleeve, “Brother Haidong, I’m hungry.” As an actor, he had to maintain his figure, and he only allowed himself one meal a day. Shuai Chang taking him for a stroll during lunch confused him.
Shuai Chang raised his other hand, which Fan Luo Jia didn’t hold, and gently brushed his nose, “Brother Haidong knows, I wouldn’t let my little pig starve. Just walk with me, it won’t be long.”
Fan Luo Jia was half convinced; however, he couldn’t just run off to eat alone, so he reluctantly followed Shuai Chang, holding his stomach sluggishly.
After about another ten minutes, when Fan Luo Jia was on the verge of giving up, Shuai Chang guided him into a quaint ancient-style room.
The drama, “A Long Song,” was a period piece, and since entering the crew, Fan Luo Jia had only shot in such themed rooms. The film city’s rent was high, and the director wished to finish filming in a day to save funds. Now, with Yin Haidong taking him into this building, no one stopped them…
Exiting the hall led to a courtyard filled with lush greenery and a shady bamboo grove.
On a gray stone table under the trees lay dishes Fan Luojia loved. A gentle breeze rustled the bamboo leaves.
“Brother Haidong, this…” Fan Luojia was so touched he didn’t know what to say.
Shuai Chang smiled slightly and placed his right index finger on Fan Luojia’s lips, “No crying. I’m doing this to make you smile, not to make you shed tears.”
Fan Luojia sniffed, trying hard to blink away his tears, “Brother Haidong, I’m not crying. I’m really happy.”
Shuai Chang sat down with Fan Luojia and helped him with his food, “If you’re happy, eat more. You’re too thin; you have no meat on you.”
“It’s all for the sake of the plot…” Fan Luojia’s explanation quieted under Yin Haidong’s concerned gaze.
“Fine, then I’ll eat a bit more.” Fan Luojia secretly apologized to Director Li in his heart.
Good times always pass quickly; at one-thirty, he awoke from the bed adorned with a fish net veil. Shuai Chang hurriedly urged Fan Luojia to get up.
As they got out of bed, maids dressed in pink traditional attire entered, grooming him and fixing his hair.
Fan Luojia, already playing the role of a young master, adapted quickly, while Shuai Chang found himself somewhat awkward in the set-up.
Served by a group of people, he didn’t know where to place his hands and feet.
Back on set, Fan Luojia couldn’t stop smiling.
Shuai Chang felt frustrated, realizing that his effort to create a theatrical scene may have backfired, ruining his imposing image in Fan Luojia’s eyes.
Thanks to Shuai Chang sticking around, Director Li didn’t feel right in keeping Fan Luojia working overtime and generously let him go to rest.
The two returned to their hotel, freshened up, and after taking a shower, Shuai Chang walked out of the bathroom, towel-drying his hair when he heard someone knock on the door.
Looking through the peephole, he saw an unfamiliar young woman and cautiously didn’t open the door.
“Knock, knock, knock. Hello, do you need any service?” The woman was persistent.
“No, thank you,” Shuai Chang replied, and the woman turned to knock on the next door.
As Shuai Chang left the door, he felt something was off and suddenly realized: the neighboring room was where Fan Luojia was staying!
No way, he had to check; what if this woman tricked the younger Luojia?
Shuai Chang opened the door to find Fan Luojia wrapped in a towel from the waist down, his upper body appearing weak but covered with a layer of thin yet strong muscle, and there were two red cherries…
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