Xiao Yi glanced at Lu Zhou. Du Mei spoke to Lu Zhou for a while. Zhang Xinran hadn't shown up to visit yet, and it seemed she was not in the mood to hang out with Lu Zhou. Du Mei advised Lu Zhou to make a phone call and apologize, but Lu Zhou argued for a while before tossing his phone aside.

Xiao Yi said, "Zhou Ge, after all, you still love each other. Why bother about such a small matter?"

"But we're not in love!" Lu Zhou shouted angrily.

Xiao Yi didn't know what else to say. Lu Zhou was sitting there, looking irritable. Xiao Yi tried to stick a heat pad on him, but Lu Zhou pushed him away.

"Don't annoy me!" Lu Zhou expressed. "I'm already irritated! I don't know what kind of sin I committed in my past life to become an actor in this one."

Xiao Yi now had a general sense of Lu Zhou's limits. As long as the people around him had good intentions, saying or doing the wrong thing would result in a reprimand at most. Lu Zhou's temper flared up and cooled down quickly, and if he was scolded, you just had to brush it off.

However, if someone approached him with a mocking attitude, a condescending tone, or a disdainful expression, Lu Zhou would be very upset. He would think you were challenging him and would want to argue until the right and wrong were determined. So Xiao Yi had to constantly conceal his various inner grievances.

Tomorrow they would be heading to an outdoor location in the mountains north of Hengdian for a week, where living conditions would not be ideal. There might be no phone signal, so Du Mei called in advance and urged Lu Zhou to apologize. They would have to start promoting their rumored relationship to coincide with Ning Yaqing's agency's plans. In an ideal scenario, Ning Yaqing's agency would release news of their ambiguous relationship in the crew, generating some buzz. Then Zhang Xinran would come to visit, and they would arrange for a few "fan" identities to take some covert pictures, making it look like they had a great relationship. The rumours would then naturally die out.

Of course, these were ideal circumstances. At the moment, it seemed that neither of them had any intention of getting back together. Sometimes, Xiao Yi even felt anxious for the two of them, wondering if Du Mei's plans could even be executed successfully.

Xiao Yi received a WeChat message on his phone, which was from Du Mei.

[You make the call to apologize to Xinran's agent on Lu Zhou's behalf.]

Xiao Yi glanced at Lu Zhou, who was still agitated and lost in his thoughts. Xiao Yi picked up Lu Zhou's phone. He got a glare from Lu Zhou but saw no other reaction or action, so he went ahead and dialed a call to Qi Quan.

"Hello, Zhou Ge!"

"Hello, Mr. Qi!" Xiao Yi greeted him. "I'm Xiao Yi."

"Oh, look who it is!" Qi Quan chuckled. "I was just wondering why Zhou Ge had the mood to call our Ran Ran."

"He was too embarrassed to say it," Xiao Yi laughed. "So, I made the call for him."

"Come on." Qi Quan, apparently knowing the situation, said, "Ran Ran is right beside me. Hand the phone over."

Xiao Yi handed the phone to Lu Zhou, who reluctantly muttered a greeting.

"Don't be angry," Lu Zhou's voice became lower and somewhat magnetic, sounding very pleasant.

Xiao Yi immediately felt comfortable; it was so gentle and refined.

Lu Zhou continued with an amiable tone, "Can't I make it up? I've been miserable these days in Hengdian. How can I get your forgiveness?"

"What nonsense!" Zhang Xinran's voice was piercing and had a high-pitched tone, immediately breaking the illusion Xiao Yi was enjoying. Lu Zhou gave him a glare and mimed a "beating" gesture before going to his bedroom to continue the call.

Xiao Yi checked the items prepared by the assistants. Lu Zhou asked not to bring many people for the outdoor shoot tomorrow, so Xiao Yi gave them time off and told them to return to Hengdian later and wait.

Most of the stuff was packed, but the upcoming outdoor shoot would be tough. The hotel in the mountains was quite basic, with limited food options. They had to go to bed and wake up early, so they brought some snacks. Xiao Yi thought Lu Zhou's fans were indeed very considerate and touching, even though Lu Zhou didn't care much.

Suddenly, a furious roar came from inside the room.

"Get out of here! I don't need anyone else grovelling to you. Do you think I'm afraid I won't get another role?"

Xiao Yi froze instantly.

"Alright! Just remember this!" a loud crash followed.

Xiao Yi: "..."

He knocked on the door and entered the room, where he saw Lu Zhou lying on the bed. His phone was smashed, and the room was in a mess.

It's not necessary to describe how they spent the night, what happened to the hotel's lampshade, or how they compensated the hotel. Over-explaining would just make it heartbreaking.

*

The following morning, Lu Zhou's phone became unusable. Xiao Yi instructed an assistant to procure a new phone for Lu Zhou. Simultaneously, he discussed the matter with Du Mei, exploring potential solutions to this predicament.

Du Mei was unable to offer much assistance, even though she wished she could, so she had no choice but to request Ning Yaqing's manager to delay the plan.

Lu Zhou seemed extremely irritable, refraining from speaking the entire day.

Xiao Yi took the wheel, trailing behind the crew as they headed into the mountains, driving more than 4 hours.

Once at the hotel, Xiao Yi gave his phone to Lu Zhou after inserting a SIM card, but Lu Zhou paid no attention.

"We need to prepare for the shooting," Xiao Yi said. "Would you like something to eat?"

Xiao Yi held a jar of candy, but Lu Zhou impatiently pushed it away.

"Give me the script," Lu Zhou said.

Xiao Yi said, "Shall I rehearse the lines with you?"

Lu Zhou took a look at the script, and Xiao Yi turned to lie on the hotel's carpet. The hotel conditions were obviously terrible, with walls covered in mould. Xiao Yi pulled a "beauty side-lying" posture, saying, "Emperor..."

"Damn it!" Lu Zhou threw the script and said, "Do I look like someone who lives off a sugar daddy?"

"No, no, no!" Xiao Yi crawled over to him on both knees and said, "Your Highness! Please look into my genuinely admiring eyes! You are my male god!"

With a chuckle, Lu Zhou couldn't hold it in and finally laughed. Helpless, he kicked Xiao Yi away, but Xiao Yi just wanted to lighten the mood and at least get him to relax since work was the top priority. He patted his knees and got up, asking, "Zhou Ge, why did you date Zhang Xinran?"

"Not for any specific reason," Lu Zhou said with a cold expression. "It's about advancing, publicity. I admit that I climbed up by attaching myself to her success. But look at the entertainment industry now. Who made it without any acting skills, relying solely on their girlfriends?"

"No one," Xiao Yi's head shook vigorously.

Lu Zhou continued, "Anyway."

"It's true," Xiao Yi replied earnestly. "Zhou Ge, ever since I first met you, not in real life, but when I saw you on the big screen in the cinema for the first time, I felt you were different from others. You are destined to be a star."

"But," Xiao Yi hesitated, "I'm sure all your fans think the same way. I'm not the only one."

Xiao Yi felt a hint of sadness as he took a seat on the bed next to Lu Zhou and expressed, "I believe there's no need for you to create hype with Xinran when you make your debut; you must have confidence."

Lu Zhou responded, "I'm even more popular than her now. She's the one holding my thigh hype."

"Absolutely," Xiao Yi quickly agreed, saying, "But regardless..."

Lu Zhou stared at Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi thought, ‘No matter what, since you've cooperated with Zhang Xinran for so long, and if both of you are willing, there's no need to end it on bad terms. After all, you've been in a romantic relationship for a while. Can't you part amicably?’

However, he decided to keep these thoughts to himself. He knew that uttering these words would sound like he was reprimanding Lu Zhou. He couldn't say them now, or else he'd have to pack up and leave.

"...We still have a shoot to finish," Xiao Yi chuckled. "Don't let it affect your mood."

Lu Zhou remained silent and took the script. Xiao Yi noticed he seemed to be in a better mood and went downstairs to check what was for dinner. He was ready to prepare a separate meal for Lu Zhou.

Winter was gloomy and damp, with everything feeling moist. The bedding was damp, and the production team had their dinner in the restaurant. Xiao Yi lined up to get food for Lu Zhou, brought it up to the room, and served it to him. In the afternoon, they set off together. They first drove and then walked up the mountains, setting up camera and lighting equipment on a track, while actors did their makeup in the car. The first scene of the day was shot in the misty conditions.

In this scene, Lu Zhou was hit by an arrow and lay in the grass, an arrow sticking out of his body.

Ning Yaqing cried, "A-Bao Ji!"

Her eyes were filled with tears.

The first scene in the afternoon was quite challenging. Xiao Yi was beginning to struggle. Lu Zhou rested against a tree, holding Ning Yaqing in his arms. With one hand covering her tender face, he repeated, "You're okay... I'm here..."

"Cut!" the director shouted. "Lu Zhou."

Lu Zhou got up and walked over with the arrow still in his body.

The director talked to Lu Zhou, and he thought about it. Everyone on the set knew that this must have been a bad take, and it was Lu Zhou's turn to mess up.

This afternoon, Lu Zhou NG'd multiple times, and the director wasn't very pleased each time. However, Lu Zhou didn't lose his temper; he cooperated fully.

"He's not good with emotional scenes," the production manager said.

"Yeah, he struggles with them as soon as there's an emotional scene," another young woman Xiao Yi didn't know said.

Xiao Yi gave her a brief look. The production manager introduced her, "This is the screenwriter, Lin."

Finally, Xiao Yi saw the legendary screenwriter. He immediately shook her hand, and Lin, the screenwriter, nodded in acknowledgment. Xiao Yi wracked his brain, searching for words of praise but couldn't find any, regretting his limited vocabulary. He wished he could have brought an idiom dictionary and said a few compliments.

Lin was focused on Lu Zhou's actions throughout, but no matter how many compliments Xiao Yi could have come up with, it wouldn't have made much difference.

They continued with several more takes, and Lu Zhou seemed a bit irritable by now. Xiao Yi knew Lu Zhou's mood wasn't great from the start. Lin, the screenwriter, discussed something with the director, and he summoned both of them to adjust the scene.

The scene was changed to Ning Yaqing shedding tears, cradling Lu Zhou's face, while Lu Zhou wearily closed his eyes. Ning Yaqing hugged him from behind.

"Cut! Good!" the director said. "Lu Zhou, you can take a break to immerse yourself in the emotions. We can't change the upcoming scenes. You have to be the one initiating it, and I believe no one can express the feelings as well as you."

Lu Zhou looked helpless and came over to thank the screenwriter politely. A group of girls was watching him and giggling. Lu Zhou had a solemn expression on his face. When he left the area, he turned to Xiao Yi and asked, "What were they talking about behind my back?"

"They said you're not very good with emotional scenes," Xiao Yi replied. "And also, that they believe no one can express the emotions better than you."

Lu Zhou wore an expression of helplessness. "I've never been in a relationship."

"Sure, sure... really?" Xiao Yi reacted as if he had heard some earth-shattering news. This was indeed a sensational revelation. Lu Zhou immediately realized he had said too much and threatened, "Don't tell anyone."

Xiao Yi said, "But I've seen you act romantic scenes several times in movies..."

Lu Zhou impatiently replied, "How can acting in movies count?"

Surprised, Xiao Yi asked, "With Zhang Xinran, you never had any feelings of love?"

"No, okay, let's stop talking about it," Lu Zhou waved his hand. "Let's head down the mountain."

The film crew had several more scenes to shoot, mostly involving supporting actors. There were scenes where Shulu Ping was being chased, An Duan hunting, and lighting a fire.

Xiao Yi heard a scream that made him jump. It turned out Ning Yaqing was acting a scene where she was being chased.

Lu Zhou was still concerned about his romantic scenes and said, "With Zhang Xinran, it's all acting. I've never loved her, but what can I do?"

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi snapped out of it. Surprisingly, Lu Zhou was circling back to this topic. Xiao Yi thought for a moment and said, "Just consider her as someone you like. Exchange glances with her, you're always so immersed in your roles, right?"

"It's that immersion I can't achieve!" Lu Zhou said, "There's no one I like."

As it was getting dark, Xiao Yi first went to drive down. Lu Zhou changed into regular clothes and removed his makeup. When he came out, Xiao Yi carefully drove the car down the mountain and then asked, "Zhou Ge, don't be mad, I have a question. Have you never liked a girl before?"

Lu Zhou's face darkened, and he didn't speak.

Xiao Yi knew he couldn't mention Zhang Xinran at this moment, so he took a different approach, saying, "Your first love, from junior high or high school, the one you liked... Just think of her as Ning or Shulu Ping, that should work."

Lu Zhou was casual, his arms folded, one leg propped up on the chair as he said, "I haven't."

‘How is that possible? Who would believe you?’ Xiao Yi silently criticized. But since Lu Zhou had said that, he couldn't argue with him about not following the script. So he continued, "That kind of tenderness, heartache, the desire to protect her..."

Xiao Yi felt weird as he spoke, and goosebumps appeared on his arm. After thinking for a moment, he added, "Have you ever seen MTV?”

"What the hell is all this?" Lu Zhou said irritably.

"Music video edits, as well as classic movie scenes," Xiao Yi explained. "Have you ever seen them? When you see a beautiful girl, do you ever feel a rush of excitement, or get excited... Don't tell me you don't even know who Sola Aoi is." (NT: A Japanese actress staring in videos for adults)

"Am I impotent?!" Lu Zhou yelled in anger.

Xiao Yi couldn't suppress his laughter, and he pressed the gas pedal firmly, striking the steering wheel.

Lu Zhou yelled, "Be careful! Are you trying to get us killed?"

Puff, puff, puff, puff, one of the tires got stuck in the mud and refused to budge.

Fifteen minutes later, Xiao Yi and Lu Zhou found themselves in the mud, bracing themselves against the rear of the car, gritting their teeth and pushing with all their might.

"Push harder!" Xiao Yi shouted.

“I……” Luzhou was practically being driven mad by Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi burst into laughter.

Lu Zhou shouted, "What are you laughing at?"

"You're so funny!" Xiao Yi continued laughing.

Lu Zhou was infuriated and said, "Are you crazy?"

Xiao Yi waved his hand, looked at Lu Zhou, and suddenly felt a strong liking for him. Even though working as his assistant was tiring and sometimes frustrating, this job had opened up a whole new world for him.

 

Translator : DarNan