Chapter 21 Part 1

Chu Yi’s first scene was the one where Bai Yanming appeared, passed through the marketplace, and got blocked at the city gate by the family members of the canal workers.

Chu Yi had thought he prepared thoroughly, but as soon as filming started, Director Mo called cut. “Cut! Young Master Chu, you’re supposed to be a refined and courteous scholar right now. Walk more reservedly—don’t stride ahead with your head held high.”

Chu Yi paused with the folding fan in his hand and instinctively glanced down at his feet. Hadn’t he kept his steps small?

Yu Qingxian, who had possessed the folding fan at some point without him noticing, found it amusing. Chu Yi had said he didn’t like effeminate scholars, but the screenwriter had made Bai Yanming act like a harmless gentleman in the early stages to build suspense and highlight the character’s contrast later on.

Liu Shengqing, who followed behind Chu Yi dressed as his long-time attendant, quickly said, “Yi Ge, you were walking too fast indeed.”

Chu Yi touched his nose. “Got it.”

He recalled the demeanor of the young masters from noble families he had seen before. When filming restarted, he walked slowly and steadily, lightly tapping the folding fan against his hand at the right moments to show a leisurely ease.

Suddenly, an old man carrying a shoulder pole with baskets was chased out by a shopkeeper and nearly collided with Bai Yanming. In the end, the old man fell, and the baskets on his pole spilled everywhere.

Seeing Bai Yanming in his fine brocade robes and jade accessories, the old man knew he was someone he couldn’t afford to offend. He apologized profusely in fear, not forgetting to pick up his scattered baskets.

“No need to panic, old man. I’ll help you pick them up.” Ignoring his attendant’s obstruction, Bai Yanming tucked the fan into his waist sash and personally retrieved the two that had been kicked far away by passersby, handing them back to the old man.

The shopkeeper, seeing it was their own young master, turned pale with fright and hurried out to pay respects. “Young Master.”

Bai Yanming waved his hand. “Don’t do this in the future. Be kinder to people.”

The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes.” He even personally went to apologize to the old man.

Once Bai Yanming and his attendant had walked far away, the passersby buzzed with discussion, all sighing that the young master of the Bai family was a benevolent and kind-hearted soul.

“Cut!” Director Mo happily called to stop and had Chu Yi come over to watch the playback. “That subtle dodge of the old man was done very well, but there were two shots where only the back of your head was visible. You should position yourself like this… Let’s do it one more time later.”

Considering it was Chu Yi’s first time filming with no prior experience, Director Mo thought his performance was already quite good. If not for wanting to guide him—and owing him favors from the previous theft and haunting incidents—this shot wouldn’t have needed a retake.

After all, he was shooting a TV drama, not a movie; there was no need to grind over shots like a film director would.

What surprised him even more was the unique aura Chu Yi had that others lacked. It wasn’t obvious in modern clothes, but in ancient costume, his posture and tone made him seem just like someone from ancient times.

Liu Shengqing, standing behind Chu Yi, saw Director Mo patiently explaining the shot breakdown to him softly, without so much as glancing his way. For some reason, a surge of unwillingness and jealousy welled up in his heart.

Why? Why did everyone get what they wanted so easily, while he had to rack his brains to fawn and fight for it…

Yu Qingxian, held in Chu Yi’s hand, had been listening to Director Mo’s analysis too. Glancing unintentionally over Chu Yi’s shoulder, he caught sight of Liu Shengqing’s sullen expression and nearly jumped in shock!

He was no stranger to this Liu Shengqing, who often stayed by Chu Yi’s side. Last time the film crew had the ghost incident, it was he who found Chu Yi first.

But this person had always been very low-key, so Yu Qingxian’s impression of him wasn’t deep—like someone you thought you knew but never paid much attention to. Though Liu Shengqing had a clean and refined appearance, Yu Qingxian had thousands of such young talents under him, not to mention the countless resumes from the Film Academy and society at large. Why would he notice a minor Liu Shengqing?

Now that he had, Yu Qingxian involuntarily recalled their last meeting and how Liu Shengqing had greeted him.

Back then, his demeanor had been what? His eyes clear and innocent, his face full of eager admiration—not a hint of such deep scheming!

Chu Yi also noticed Yu Qingxian’s unusual reaction. Taking advantage of Director Mo turning to call the staff, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

“That Liu Shengqing…” Yu Qingxian furrowed his brow, wanting to remind Chu Yi to be careful, but given their relationship, would Chu Yi believe him or Liu Shengqing?

“What did you see?”

Hearing Chu Yi ask this, Yu Qingxian realized he seemed to know something already and decided to be direct. “The way he just looked at you didn’t seem entirely friendly.”

Chu Yi thought for a moment. “Probably when Director Mo was instructing me. I know he has some utilitarian tendencies.”

Yu Qingxian breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as you know.”

He was really worried Chu Yi might argue with him over Liu Shengqing. His soul separation symptoms weren’t figured out yet; offending Chu Yi now wouldn’t be wise.

That Liu Shengqing, putting aside anything else, was good at disguising himself. Even he, a boss used to seeing celebrities’ personas in the entertainment industry, had almost been fooled.