Chapter 134: Filming (Please Subscribe, Please Vote)

Her long hair, dark as ink, was styled into a simple bun, with a single lock of blue-black hair falling gracefully at her temples. Her delicate, otherworldly features carried a gentle elegance; her fair skin was untouched by cosmetics, yet her exquisite beauty was nothing short of breathtaking. Her eyebrows arched like calligraphy, sketched in a single, vivid stroke, while her clear, limpid eyes shimmered with an alluring, soul-captivating light.

In the makeup room, Xiao Xie gazed at Liu Yifei, dressed in a flowing white gown, her entire being suffused with ethereal grace, and exclaimed in admiration, “Xixi, this look, paired with your transcendent aura, can be summed up in just two words: absolutely perfect!”

“Thank you.” Liu Yifei responded with a sweet smile, clearly delighted by Xiao Xie’s praise.

Xixi was Liu Yifei’s nickname; her birth name was Liu Xiameizi. Later, because her original name sounded too much like a Japanese name, she changed it to Liu Yifei. Those not well acquainted with her called her Yifei, but friends and close companions called her Xixi.

“Xixi, I never imagined you’d look so striking in period costume. You’re simply stunning.” Baby, clad in a vibrant red outfit, spoke up from the side. There was no need to elaborate on Baby’s looks—she was no less beautiful than Liu Yifei. This time, she played the second female lead in “The Legend of Sword and Fairy,” portraying Lin Yue Ru.

Though Lin Yue Ru was technically the second female lead, her role in the drama was nearly as prominent as Zhao Ling’er’s. Xiao Xie chose Baby for this part not only because he felt Lin Yue Ru was as significant as Zhao Ling’er, but also because, from watching “Running Man,” he knew Baby gave the impression of being delicate, yet possessed a strong, tomboyish character. She was more than capable of portraying the spirited and bold heiress Lin Yue Ru.

“All departments, attention! Prepare for the official shoot!” With the director’s command, the filming began in earnest.

Through the walkie-talkies, the chatter of various departments overlapped. The director’s order instantly transformed the set into a hive of focused activity. The sound technicians and lighting crew busied themselves with their equipment.

As the director called, “Scene one, take one, action!”

Xiao Xie and Liu Yifei immediately slipped into their roles.

“Fairy sister, spare my life!”

“My grandmother always said, men who spy on women bathing are all villains and degenerates. I’ll beat you to death right now!”

“Enough!”

“Xiaoyao, Brother Xiaoyao, I knew you’d come back to see me. I’ve finally waited for you.”

“What? Do we know each other?”

...

The director watched through the camera, observing Xiao Xie and Liu Yifei’s performance, and couldn’t help but praise, “Excellent. Truly a golden couple.”

With his extraordinary spiritual strength, Xiao Xie immersed himself in his role effortlessly, never missing a line. Liu Yifei, however, slipped up a few times, which left her somewhat embarrassed.

After finishing the scene with Liu Yifei, Xiao Xie moved on to act opposite Baby.

“You big meanie, let me go right now or I’ll kill you!”

“Wicked girl, you’d better stay put!”

“You big meanie, I hate you, I hate you!”

...

“Xiao Xie, you’re amazing! Not a single NG—I'm the one who dragged you down.” Baby stuck out her tongue apologetically. Though her mistakes were few, she still felt she’d held Xiao Xie back a little.

After wrapping up with Liu Yifei and Baby, Xiao Xie hurried over to the set of “The Legend of Sword and Fairy III,” where he performed opposite Tang Yan and Yang Mi. Since Xiao Xie was the big boss behind the scenes, the three production teams were set up close together for his convenience.

The personalities of Li Xiaoyao and Jing Tian were quite similar, so acting in both dramas, Xiao Xie found the transition effortless.

Finally, he made his way to the set of “The Journey of Flower” to act with Zhao Liying. Again, as the main patron, the entire production schedule revolved around him, with everyone accommodating his availability and filming his scenes first.

“Bai Zihua, these one hundred and three sword wounds, seventeen holes, my body covered in scars—every one of them was your gift to me. Sixteen years of imprisonment, and now two lives—I’ve repaid all I owed you. My heart is broken, the palace bell destroyed. From now on, all ties between us as master and disciple are severed.”

“How can you be so cruel? After making me kill you with my own hands, you leave me alone? If you want something, just say it. Right or wrong, I’ll give it to you. My love, my life, all for you. What does the fate of the six realms matter to us? Whether these people live or die, what’s it to us? I’ll take you away, anywhere you want. Just don’t leave me...”

“I have no master, no friends, no lover, no child. I once thought I had the whole world, but it was all an illusion. Those who love me die for me, those I love wish me dead. Those I trust betray me, those I depend on abandon me. I want nothing, I ask for nothing, only a simple life. But fate and you have forced me! Do you think I can turn back now?”

“Bai Zihua, in the name of the gods, I curse you: In this life and all lives to come, never aging, never dying, never wounded, never destroyed.”

“As long as you stay by my side, never dying is no curse—it’s a divine blessing.”

...

“Master, you’re amazing!” After the shoot, Zhao Liying gazed at Xiao Xie with open admiration.

“Of course, who am I? I’m Little Bones’ master!” Xiao Xie chuckled, unconsciously giving Zhao Liying’s face a playful pinch. There was no resisting—dressed as Hua Qiangu, with her round, bun-like cheeks, she was simply too adorable.

“What are you doing?” Zhao Liying was startled by his affectionate gesture, a faint blush blooming on her pretty face.

“I couldn’t help myself, haha…” Xiao Xie scratched his head sheepishly. He’d always wanted to pinch her cheeks when watching “The Journey of Flower,” and now his wish had come true.

“Hmph, then I’ll pinch you back.” Zhao Liying huffed softly, reached out her jade-like hand, and pinched Xiao Xie’s cheek, then broke into giggles as if she’d tasted something sweet.

“How dare you pinch your master’s face! Watch me—invincible tickle attack!” Xiao Xie made as if to tickle her, but before he even touched her, Zhao Liying was already laughing uncontrollably.

“Hahaha… Don’t come any closer!”

Zhao Liying’s girl-next-door charm made it easy for Xiao Xie to become good friends with her, even though they hadn’t known each other long.

The rest of the day, Xiao Xie was busy filming in all three crews. Because he rarely made mistakes, he managed to finish all his required scenes for the next three days in just one day, despite the different roles.

If not for the risk of causing a sensation, Xiao Xie would have liked to split himself into three shadow clones to film in parallel. However, with the crews so close together, he avoided doing so for fear of being discovered. When the crews moved to different locations for filming, he planned to use his clones then, staggering their appearances to avoid suspicion.

Returning to the Love Apartment, Xiao Xie found Guan Gu drawing comics, Meijia assisting him, and Lu Ziqiao had gone out to the bar to flirt.

After some thought, Xiao Xie walked across the hall and opened the door to see Wanyu and Zhanbo sitting together on the sofa. Zhanbo’s mouth was open as Wanyu fed him snacks.

“Xiao Xie, you’re back from filming. Have you eaten? I just made some egg fried rice,” Hu Yifei called out upon seeing him.

“…” Xiao Xie’s mouth twitched, and he quickly shook his head. “No, thanks, I’ve already eaten.”

Egg fried rice was Hu Yifei’s specialty, but she had a habit of adding a little something extra—like bits of wire, hair, or even a fake nail. It was the very definition of a culinary disaster!

Just then, Wanyu glanced at her watch and got up. “The fashion magazine I ordered has arrived; I’ll go pick it up.”

Zhanbo immediately asked, “Isn’t it raining outside? Do you need an umbrella?”

“No need.”

“It’s blazing sunshine out there—Zhanbo, are you lying with your eyes wide open? If you’re worried, why not accompany Wanyu?” Xiao Xie said, exasperated.

Wanyu shook her head. “I’ll be fine on my own.”

As Zhanbo, all starry-eyed, escorted Wanyu out and closed the door, Hu Yifei and Xiao Xie exchanged a mischievous glance and began drumming on the table.

Hearing the noise, Zhanbo excitedly opened the door. “Wanyu, did you forget something?”