My Fortune-Blessed Leading Lady
Chapter 267: The Movie Star’s Sense of Crisis

Chapter 267: Chapter 267: The Movie Star’s Sense of Crisis

The assistant director shook his head, "There’s no arguing with that."

His gaze moved downward to the screen of the monitor. Their shot was set in a building complex from the Qinhan era, at a city gate. It was the 189th scene, where Emperor Shun of Tang bid farewell to Xie Qingcheng as she left to defend Tongguan.

Xie Qingcheng’s heart was with the emperor, yet the emperor’s heart belonged to another. This parting was the kind that might never see a return. Xie Qingcheng was well aware of it. After Emperor Shun of Tang had instructed her on all matters, she asked only one question.

"Your Majesty, if the imperial edict that was never stamped with the imperial seal had commanded you to marry me back then, would you have done so?"

Emperor Shun of Tang looked at the elegant and spirited woman before him, his expression very mild, mild to the point of indifference, "I would."

In that instant, the camera captured Xie Qingcheng, the Xie Qingcheng portrayed by Yuran, with an incredibly complex look in her eyes, complex enough to move Lin Zhan, a mere observer.

What kind of look was that, he couldn’t quite say.

Obscure, sad, joyful, regretful, and... a farewell.

The assistant director watched incredulously. "Such a look, just from a few seconds of eye contact, can it really be conveyed?"

Lin Zhan stared unmoving at the monitor, "Just because you can’t, doesn’t mean others can’t. Didn’t Yuran just show you it can be done?"

The assistant director: "...You really have a way with words."

Xie Qingcheng was not one to demean herself in love. In her view, what’s missed is missed. She shifted her gaze back, smiled lightly, and turned her head to look into the distance, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I’ll watch over Tongguan for you. If ever the need arises... please take good care of my brother Xie Qingge."

When she spoke of Xie Qingge, a hint of warmth and reluctance flickered through her eyes. Then, she swiftly mounted her horse, leading the soldiers behind her as they set off immediately.

That was their last meeting.

"Cut..." Lin Zhan called a halt, then congratulated both actors, as the take was successful on the first attempt.

Bo Yan felt an emotional detachment and walked over to Yuran, "Just now, that look, I really didn’t like it."

Yuran was startled, then realizing Bo Yan was referring to her expression in the scene, she blurted out a laugh and whispered softly, "Qi Ge, are you being a bit childish? You tell me, it’s just acting."

"Acting, I can’t even stand the feeling myself." Bo Yan rubbed his hair, agitated. It was the first time he couldn’t snap out of character. Thinking of Yuran’s expression when she had left earlier, his heart ached. He feared he would go mad if one day Yuran really left him.

After a brief exchange, the two approached Lin Zhan, who was replaying the scene they had just shot, his expression indescribably satisfied. Lin Zhan pointed at the screen and told them, "Great acting, filming with you two really is easy."

It wasn’t tiring at all, and there was hardly any need to discuss the script. They could handle positioning and timing on their own, like seasoned warriors. Of course, Bo Yan was fully qualified in that respect, but Yuran was truly exceptional.

Too understanding, too professional.

Yuran felt a bit embarrassed by the praise and found an excuse to head back to her resting area. Seeing the appreciative glances from the crew around her, she smiled broadly and brought her hands together in a bow, a gesture of thanks for everyone’s encouragement.

Yuran had a good temperament and was very polite on set, earning her a good reputation.

Moreover, he had treated the crew to ice cream, cakes, and other snacks several times. Although it wasn’t a lot of money, the crew was large, over a hundred people, so it added up to a significant amount.

But Yuran never minded these things.

Thus, in the crew, his popularity easily soared.

Yuran hadn’t expected that upon returning to his spot, he would see Lu Xiao’s inscrutable face. To be honest, Lu Xiao hadn’t thought much of Yuran’s acting skills before and had thought he might be able to teach Yuran a thing or two about acting, thereby gaining a bit of favor and having Yuran write him an extra song. Now, he realized how naïve he had been.

It was truly embarrassingly shameful.

Seeing his dazed expression, Yuran, unable to help but laugh and cry, looked at him. "You’re still scheming about the song-writing deal? Okay then, since you are my brother, I’ll write one for you. Contact our boss, discuss the price with him, tell him I agreed, and you’ll get the discount you want. How about that? I won’t share the profits with you, since we now know each other, consider it fate, I’ll write for you."

Lu Xiao was stunned by this sudden good news. He stared at Yuran for a long while before his mouth slowly cracked into a smile. He crouched down, grinning at Yuran, "Sister Yuran, I’ll be your loyal servant."

Yuran: "...That’s really not necessary."

As if he hadn’t heard her, Lu Xiao continued, "I’ll be at your beck and call from now on, if you say go east, I’ll never go west; if you ask me to sing, I’ll never dance; if you tell me to sit, I’ll definitely not stand."

Yuran, "I’m not raising a husky that needs to do such simple tasks."

Lu Xiao: "..."

Unbelievable. He had always been the one to tease others, and rarely anyone teased him in return, not even giving him face like this. A husky?

That’s giving huskies too much credit. Could a silly husky be as clever and quick-witted as him?

Annan couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore, looking at Lu Xiao with some sympathy, "You might as well stand up. You’re good at quipping with fans, I’ll admit, but you don’t need to compete here."

From a distance, Bo Yan had been watching this scene intently, filled with irritation. Who was this new actor? Why so oblivious, hovering around Yuran?

And what was there to laugh about? Laughing so happily, what’s so funny?

His expression grew darker and darker, and after a while, Xie Cheng said, "That’s Lu Xiao playing the role of Xie Qingcheng’s younger brother, the lead singer of NM band. He probably wants Yuran to write him a song because his contract is almost up. He doesn’t want to renew with the current agency, so..."

Bo Yan cut off Xie Cheng, "I’m not interested in him. Can you get him to stay away from Yuran a bit? Kicking him away would also do."

Xie Cheng: "...You know, you become irritable and temperamental after falling in love, right?"

Bo Yan, "I don’t know."

Xie Cheng appeared to ponder, then said, "You know, Yuran isn’t a freeloader sitting at home living off others. She’s independent, with exceptional acting skills, definitely not looking to cling to you for survival. If you keep too close a watch on her, without giving her any space and freedom, aren’t you worried that she might come to resent you?"

Bo Yan’s previously agitated mood suddenly calmed down. He had some suspicions, now confirmed, so he very clearly understood the weight of Xie Cheng’s words. Thus, he took a deep breath, calmed himself, and decided to endure it for now, planning to have a good talk with Yuran that evening.

Seeing his mood stabilize, Xie Cheng sighed with relief but was also speechlessly exasperated with Bo Yan. This relationship was definitely Bo Yan’s doing.