On that evening, Xiao Yi received a call from Lin Yao, went to pick up a car, and met the five assistants Lin Yao had brought along, four men and one woman. Lin Yao then said to them, "During this time, you should listen to Xiao Yi. Whatever he tells you to do, do it."

The assistants greeted Xiao Yi, and he immediately felt a sense of authority – Am I supposed to manage these people now?

As it turned out, Xiao Yi had been overthinking. Most of the assistants were young, and they quickly became friendly with Xiao Yi.

Before coming, Lin Yao had told him that these assistants were all temporary hires and had entirely different roles from Xiao Yi. They only received a monthly salary of two to three thousand, and they could handle everything. However, he warned Xiao Yi not to get too close to them. With so many people around, it was better to avoid idle chat to prevent gossip.

During their time on the set, they were responsible for various tasks for Lu Zhou. Some bought groceries and cooked, others gave massages, ran errands, fetched items, held umbrellas, fanned, and some were stationed outside the studio to provide support. Some even took care of Lu Zhou's meals.

"Feeding him as well?" Xiao Yi asked, curious.

"In situations with no outsiders around, you can give it a try," Lin Yao replied. "I think Lu Zhou might not accept being fed by unfamiliar people. You can volunteer, but be mindful of his comfort when doing so. If he shows clear reluctance, then don't insist."

Xiao Yi: "..."

That night, the assistants all stayed in the hotel next to Lu Zhou's. Xiao Yi saved their phone numbers and received an SUV for transportation during the filming process. Knowing that Xiao Yi didn't have money and couldn't pay upfront, Lin Yao gave him a credit card with a limit of fifty thousand and twenty thousand in cash, instructing him to keep it safe and get more from the company if needed.

Xiao Yi was kept busy that night. After dropping Lu Zhou off at the restaurant, Lin Yao had the coordinating assistant show him around, especially the makeup rooms and the large studios, to avoid getting lost the next day. The director's assistant was from Hong Kong and spoke Mandarin with a heavy accent. Every sentence required Xiao Yi to puzzle over it, and the conversation was full of confusion. When he didn't understand, he could only nod in agreement.

After going around with the director's assistant, Xiao Yi was already exhausted. He didn't know the way, and he didn't understand what the assistant was saying. Then his phone rang again, this time it was Lu Zhou calling him to the restaurant to introduce him to some people. Xiao Yi rushed back to the restaurant, waiting outside the private room. After a while, Lin Yao called him in, and the leading actress, the director, the actress's agent, the producer, and the executive producer were all present.

Lu Zhou introduced Xiao Yi as his personal assistant. When Xiao Yi heard the names of the supporting actors, he was almost starstruck. He nodded cautiously and smiled at them. However, when he looked at Lu Zhou, Lu Zhou seemed somewhat displeased.

"Alright, you can leave now," Lu Zhou said.

So Xiao Yi left. Outside the private room, the crew members were sitting at several tables, and someone called out to him: “Did you eat? Let’s eat together.”

Xiao Yi politely smiled and took a seat. The coordinating girl had seen him and warmly invited him to sit. She introduced him to the script supervisor, the makeup artist, the hairstylist, and the camera crew. The camera crew's apprentices were at another table, the lighting and props crew at another, and Xiao Yi was feeling overwhelmed. He had no idea who was who.

"You are..."

" Hou Qin, I'm in logistics," the guy sitting next to Xiao Yi said with a smile.

Xiao Yi chatted with them for a while, realizing that they all seemed to know each other and had been on the set longer than him. The coordinating girl smiled and said, "Lu Laoshi (NT: Teacher Lu, respectful address) doesn't have any airs, which makes me feel relieved."

Xiao Yi thought to himself, Is this considered having no airs? Your expectations for 'having airs' are pretty low. He smiled and said, "Yes, Lu Zhou treats his subordinates very well. He never scolds me, yells at me, or speaks harshly. He's always gentle and not critical. It's my first time on a film set, so please take care of me. If there's anything I'm not doing well, just let me know."

"Oh," the others exchanged knowing glances, and their sarcastic thoughts were almost about to burst out of their mouths and land directly on Xiao Yi's head. It seemed like this guy had achieved an overnight transformation, and they couldn't tell if he was the top or the bottom. He was acting all submissive with that smug look on his face, and they were busy gossiping about him under their breath.

Xiao Yi thought, Can you guys please control your inner monologues a bit? There's not much difference between these expressions and saying it out loud. To clear up any misunderstandings, he added, "My college classmate is Ms. Du's nephew."

"Oh, I see," the others looked at him differently again. The coordinating assistant smiled and asked, "Have you met Xinran Jie (NT: Sister Xinran)?"

"Yes, I have. Xinran Jie is very beautiful and a very nice person," Xiao Yi replied.

The coordinating assistant said, "I'm a big fan of hers. It would be great if I could work with her someday."

"I'm looking forward to Mr. Lu and Xin Ran working on a film together," the makeup artist said with a smile. "It's bound to be amazing."

"Definitely," Xiao Yi agreed with a smile.

"Once you join the film crew, it feels like being part of a family," the coordinating assistant said warmly. "Many newcomers find it hard to leave when the shoot is over; some even cry. Our director's team is really close-knit. The more you work on film sets, the more you'll like the atmosphere. If you're not used to it, that's okay, take your time."

Xiao Yi was indeed looking forward to working with a good team. Even if it was a group of backpackers traveling together, they could become good friends after just ten days or two weeks. Working on a film set together, going through ups and downs, naturally led to strong bonds.

At that moment, Lu Zhou and the others finished their meal and came out. Everyone was about to get up, but the executive producer said, "You guys take your time; the director and I are going to have a chat."

Others could take their time, but Xiao Yi couldn't. He hadn't even touched the chicken in his bowl, but he had to follow Lu Zhou. They said their goodbyes to the director and went to the car.

Lin Yao also got into the car, and Xiao Yi asked, "Where are we going?"

"Back to the hotel," Lu Zhou replied with a stern face.

Xiao Yi thought, Uh-oh, I wonder what triggered him again inside. Lin Yao then smiled and said, "Why are you competing with a newcomer?"

"Oh," Lu Zhou responded coldly, "She's going to become a leading lady in no time, and I'm supposed to work with her? She even has a godfather."

"Alright, calm down," Lin Yao said.

Xiao Yi guessed that the leading actress might have said something, probably kneeling and speaking to Lu Zhou, which annoyed him. Just as he was privately amused by the situation, Lu Zhou shifted his focus once more and tapped Xiao Yi on the head, almost making him hit the steering wheel. He angrily said, "You're my person, so why are you being so servile inside there, bowing and scraping? You've made me lose face!"

"I, I, I... I didn't know," Xiao Yi couldn't help but think, You even know idioms like 'servile' and 'bowing and scraping.' You're quite cultured. Aloud, he said, "I didn't anticipate this, sorry, Zhou-ge. I'll make sure to improve next time."

"Why did you take it out on him?" Lin Yao asked. "He's been doing well, showing humility and caution. Isn't that normal for a newcomer?"

"I'm sorry," Xiao Yi quickly explained, "I'm just not used to it. I've only seen them on TV before."

"So many people in the private room," Lu Zhou's star power almost overwhelmed Xiao Yi. He continued, "Who's more famous than me? You tell me, is there anyone more renowned?"

Xiao Yi: "..."

"Okay, okay," Lin Yao said, "Newcomers can be a bit inexperienced. Look at Huang Jun; he's respectful towards you, isn't he?"

"They're all flatterers," Lu Zhou said with a sneer. He then asked, "What were you so happy about, chatting with the director and coordinator inside there?"

"Huh?" Xiao Yi didn't understand how this had bothered him.

"Don't you pay attention?" Lu Zhou said. "Most of the gossip and leaks on the internet are from the staff."

Xiao Yi thought, Just be a little more careful; there's no need to look down on the people working for you. He hurriedly said, "I won't play with them next time. I'll definitely be more careful."

Lin Yao added, "The entertainment industry has its secrets. Try not to talk about Lu Zhou's private matters on the set."

Lu Zhou asked again, "What did they say about me?"

"They didn't say much," Xiao Yi thought, Even if they had complaints about you, they wouldn't tell me. He honestly said, "They said you're a good person, not arrogant, and you match well with Xinran Jie."

Lu Zhou said, "Except when I'm not around, you only need to follow me. If other agents invite you to eat, you can go, but if production assistants or lighting apprentices try to get close to you, just keep your distance."

Xiao Yi: "Okay."

Lin Yao was leaving for Beijing the next evening, and when he arrived at the hotel, he emphasized, "The first day of filming went well. Starting from the day after tomorrow, please remember, never be late, and don't make the entire crew wait for one person. That's a big no-no."

"Okay," Xiao Yi broke into a cold sweat. Lin Yao encouraged him a few more times and then left.

When Lu Zhou returned, he started making phone calls, and Xiao Yi sat in his suite, ready to listen to his instructions. He planned to leave only when Lu Zhou went to sleep. Lu Zhou answered a few calls, and when Xiao Yi saw that there was nothing to do at the moment, he began preparing instant noodles.

Lu Zhou said, "Why are you eating instant noodles?! It stinks!"

Xiao Yi almost knocked the bowl of noodles over. He held the fork and the noodles in his hands and was about to take them to the bathroom to eat, but Lu Zhou said, "Come back! Haven't you eaten yet?"

"No," Xiao Yi replied.

"Order takeout," Lu Zhou tossed a menu toward him. Xiao Yi said, "It's late at night; I don't want to bother anyone. I like eating instant noodles."

"If you're making money, why worry about bothering others?" Lu Zhou didn't even look at him as he said, "Throw away the instant noodles."

Xiao Yi had no choice but to order takeout. He sat on the sofa and started eating. Lu Zhou talked on the phone, laughing and chatting with friends. Even in the midst of his busy schedule, he found time to scold Xiao Yi, "Why are you eating so little!"

No matter what Xiao Yi did, he ended up getting scolded. So, he forced himself to open the takeout box and eat some more. Lu Zhou, still on the phone, was talking with friends and complained, "I was scolding my assistant? He's just a kid. Zhang Xinran... don't mention her to me... I'm really fed up with her..."

As Xiao Yi listened to Lu Zhou venting on the phone, he tidied up his takeout box. After finishing his call, Lu Zhou looked at Xiao Yi. Starved from the delay, Xiao Yi tried to eat, but Lu Zhou asked, "Why are you eating instant noodles?! It stinks!"

Xiao Yi nearly knocked over his bowl, holding his fork and noodles, and was about to take them to the bathroom to eat when Lu Zhou said, "Come back! Haven't you eaten yet?"

"No," Xiao Yi replied.

"Order takeout," Lu Zhou tossed a menu his way. Xiao Yi said, "It's late at night; I don't want to bother anyone. I like eating instant noodles."

"If you're making money, why worry about bothering others?" Lu Zhou didn't even look at him as he said, "Throw away the instant noodles."

Xiao Yi had no choice but to order takeout. He sat on the sofa and started eating. Lu Zhou talked on the phone, laughing and chatting with friends. Even in the midst of his busy schedule, he found time to scold Xiao Yi, "Why are you eating so little!"

No matter what Xiao Yi did, he ended up getting scolded. So, he forced himself to open the takeout box and eat some more. Lu Zhou, still on the phone, was talking with friends and complained, "Why do you scold my assistant? He's just a kid. Zhang Xinran... don't mention her to me... I'm really fed up with her..."

 

Xiao Yi listened to Lu Zhou as he complained on the phone while cleaning up after himself. He poured an ice-cold glass of water for Lu Zhou. Fortunately, Lu Zhou was a bit tired that day, and he didn't scold Xiao Yi for too long. After the phone call, he promptly went to bed.

"Tomorrow, we'll be starting the shoot and turning on the equipment. Make sure to prepare an appropriate outfit," Lu Zhou cautiously reminded Xiao Yi.

"Tomorrow..." Xiao Yi thought for a moment and said, "Is it okay if you wear this scarf?"

Xiao Yi held one scarf in his left hand and another in his right. He thought that Lu Zhou would surely pick the more expensive one, but Lu Zhou just glanced at them casually and said, "It's fine."

"What about the outfits?" Xiao Yi took out three sets of clothes for Lu Zhou to choose from. After Lu Zhou picked one, they were finally done, and Xiao Yi could get some rest.

*

The next day, Xiao Yi drove Lu Zhou to the gathering point on the set. An incense altar had been set up, complete with a roast pig as an offering. The place was packed with people—media, fans, the cast and crew, and security personnel. It was so crowded that Xiao Yi couldn't even recognize his mother. Cameras were pointed at Lu Zhou from all directions, flashing nonstop. The weather was cold and damp, and Lu Zhou wore sunglasses and a scarf. His scarf was particularly vibrant that day, the one Xiao Yi had selected.

The scarf was a gift from fans, hand-knitted for Lu Zhou. Xiao Yi had secretly considered keeping it for himself, but surprisingly, Lu Zhou understood what Xiao Yi had in mind, even without him saying a word.

The scarf was adorned with hearts, and it featured cute caricatures of Lu Zhou and Zhang Xinran. Many fans were so ecstatic that they cried. They kept shouting for Lu Zhou, and in five minutes, they began to get noisy. They clashed with reporters, and it ended with one journalist being pushed under the offering table.

Xiao Yi and Lin Yao were frightened out of their wits, and they hurried over to apologize to the journalist.

Lu Zhou and the female lead, Ning Yaqing, lit incense, poured wine, and then they kicked off the shoot. (NT: it is a common custom in the film industry to hold a ceremony before starting a movie shoot for good luck and to ensure a successful production.)

"The scarf you chose for today is nice. It's boosting fan goodwill. Did you prepare that for him?" Lin Yao asked when he came back.

"He picked it himself," Xiao Yi whispered.

Lin Yao gave him a thumbs up, and Xiao Yi asked, "Why did they pray to the gods before the shoot?"

Lin Yao answered, "I don't know... superstition, perhaps. Praying before the shoot doesn't guarantee smooth filming, but if things go wrong during the production and they hadn't prayed, they'll blame the absence of prayers."

Xiao Yi chuckled awkwardly. Soon, the media started interviewing them. In front of the camera, Lu Zhou put on a different face, speaking and smiling. From time to time, he also took care of Ning Yaqing, who looked like a nervous deer in the spotlight, mentioning how it was her dream to work with a male god.

Lu Zhou nodded and the director signaled them to leave after the interviews. Afterward, as they walked away, Xiao Yi noticed that Lu Zhou's demeanor had changed.

"Why did you laugh at my fans fighting just now? Did you hear it?" Lu Zhou asked angrily.

"No... No, I didn't, did your fans really fight?" Xiao Yi said in shock. "I thought they just pushed and shoved each other. They just playfully pushed each other around..."

Xiao Yi was so surprised that he almost cried. But to his relief, Lin Yao said, "Hurry, we're going to pass by the fans now. Stick your head out and show them a gesture."

Lu Zhou wiped his face and, in an instant, changed into a pleasant smile. He took off his sunglasses, rolled down the car window, leaned out, and threw a flying kiss toward the fans gathered on the side of the road.

"I love you all!" Lu Zhou exclaimed loudly.

The ensuing screams felt like being attacked by zombies or a nuclear bomb blast. Lu Zhou rolled up the car window and, once again, changed his expression to a serious one. He said to Xiao Yi, "In the future, you need to pay attention to who's gossiping about me behind my back on set. I suspect there are people in this crew who are trying to harm me."

"Of course," Xiao Yi said, with three black lines on his forehead, thinking that Lu Zhou was overthinking things. Where would these people come from to harm him?

 

Translator : DarNan