Chapter 23: Divine Quality Part 2

The laughter eased the tight string in Zhong Yu’s nerves. He realized that because of his admiration for Su Zihan, he had subconsciously placed himself too low. This was terribly detrimental to embodying the character’s traits. After apologizing to all the teachers present, he refocused on trying to recapture Franlang’s persona.

Watching others act is a form of learning. You can avoid making the same mistakes and combine what you gain with your own understanding. Lin Qinghe sat off in a corner and didn’t leave his seat until the assistant director called everyone to collect their lunch.

Lunch came with an extra box of mixed fresh fruit. In the slightly warmer weather, the fruit dispelled a bit of the heat.

“From the moment they called ‘Action,’ you’ve been sitting right there. When the film wraps, Brother Li will definitely give you a big fat red envelope,” said Zhong Yu. He was rather sensitive to heat; his assistant had brought a small handheld fan. As the breeze blew onto his face, his expression was content.

“I started late. I need to put in many times the effort just to gain a firm foothold,” Lin Qinghe replied frankly, not feeling the least bit embarrassed.

Zhong Yu turned his head and gave Lin Qinghe a few extra glances. When Lin Qinghe said this, his expression was calm and his tone as humble and amiable as usual, but Zhong Yu somehow sensed an unyielding, indomitable resolve.

Zhong Yu’s lips curled into a smile. “With that kind of drive, I’ve got to say this to you in advance: if you strike it rich one day, don’t forget about your old friend.”

When the weather gets hot, drowsiness sets in easily. Li Ran gave everyone an hour-long lunch break. Staff and actors could be seen everywhere—on recliners, on the flat ground, in the corners against the walls.

There were also some who couldn’t sleep. Lin Qinghe found an open space and flipped through his script. He was deeply engrossed when he suddenly heard the sound of conversation.

“I’m going to see Susu soon. My heart is racing.”

“I hope I won’t be so excited I can’t even speak when the time comes.”

“Very likely. I’ve already imagined thousands of scenes of talking to Susu in my head, but the moment I stand in front of her, I’ll probably forget everything.”

He looked up. Two young women in dresses were walking this way, whispering their discussion. Their attire clearly indicated they weren’t from the filming site. As he was pondering this, his eyes met those of the two girls.

“You… hello?”

Lin Qinghe responded, “Hello to you both.”

The taller girl was bolder. She stepped forward and stated her purpose. “Do you know where Best Actress Su Zihan is? My friend Ningning and I already spoke to a crew staff member before coming. We’re fans here to visit the set.”

Normally, set visits aren’t allowed, but if you’re an investor or have connections with the director, that rule is just for show. Clearly, these two were the former case.

Xi Nian chimed in, “Oh, you’re looking for Sister Han. She was just going over the script with someone a moment ago. Go straight ahead, turn the corner, and there’s a small partition room there.”

“Okay, thank you. We’ve got it.”

“No need to be so polite.”

The two took a few steps, then turned back around to look at Lin Qinghe, unable to hide their excitement. “Are you… Lin Qinghe, who plays Celine?”

Lin Qinghe hadn’t expected them to ask about him. The hand turning the page paused. A faint smile followed. “Mn.”

It was really Lin Qinghe. No makeup on, still in his regular clothes, going over the script bare-faced. Even his bare face was this eye-catching. If he were in Celine’s full look, there was no telling how dazzling he would be.

.

【Susu is a Fairy: pictures, pictures.】

【Susu is a Fairy: Went to the set to see Susu. Susu has gotten even more beautiful, wuwuwu. She even gave me a few strawberries. I’ve already enshrined the strawberries in my insulated container. Also, guess who else I ran into?】

【Susu Herself: I’m crying tears of envy here. I want to go see Susu too.】

【Rice Cake: Oh my god, close-up Susu. I have no regrets. Her smile is so graceful.】

【As Distance Tests a Horse’s Strength: The last two photos look kind of like they were sneakily taken. A bit perfunctory, but you can tell the person is good-looking.】

【No Cilantro: I have a feeling—could it be that actor playing Celine?】

【Susu is a Fairy: Yes, it’s him. Help, when my friend and I saw him at that moment, our heartbeats literally stopped for a second. He was bare-faced, and his visuals are totally top-tier.]

【Western Spicy Egg: This is him bare-faced? Have to say, he really does crush 99.9% of the stars in the entertainment industry.】

【Happy Research: Mama mia, he’d better not be just a pretty face.】

【Pineapple Lychee Meat: Aaaaaaaaah, isn’t this my Qinghe? Last time I saw him was the last time! Come look! @Sailin Is My Wife】

【Sailin Is My Wife: OMG, it’s He He!!!! Who understands this?! The blogger actually took photos of He He.】

【Tangerine Peel: For He He, after that previous incident, he’s stopped posting on Weibo and even quit livestreaming. Hurts.】

【Pineapple Lychee Meat: There there. It’s good that He He isn’t online, that way he won’t have to face those malicious comments.】

【Tangerine Peel: Even so, I really miss listening to He He play the pipa.】

【Orange Island Head: I want to see what he looks like after changing into costume. Should be pretty stunning.】

【Immortal Family He He: The official has finalized stills. Absolutely gorgeous. Forget about newcomer or not, forget about acting skills—they totally hit my heart’s mark.】

【Superman Jelly: Honestly, I was swayed by the comments before and even went to the livestream to curse a few times. I solemnly apologize here because I can’t go against my conscience and say he’s not good-looking. Yes, this lady is just that shallow.】

【Goodnight Makabaka: Hahahahaha, same as above. There’s literally no star in the entertainment industry with Qinghe’s kind of vibe. I absolutely adore him. I’m already an old-timer supertopic fan now.】

【Cheese Cat: LMAO, you guys sure understand the law of ‘sincerity is truly fragrant.’】

【WorkThreeHoursADay: The stills are okay, I guess, but they just can’t compare to what I’ve saved in my phone~】

【Early Summer: I don’t believe you unless you show us.】

【Milk Bobo: I don’t believe you either unless you show us.】

【Heartbroken: Sister, don’t make me break into your phone’s memory.】

【Strawberry Milkshake: Did I catch this live?】

【WorkThreeHoursADay: Before I post, everyone please close your doors and windows, find a place with no one around, remember to cover your mouths, and watch out for surrounding obstacles.】

【Milk Bobo: I’m taking your advice, sister. Post it, quick!】

【Goodnight Makabaka: I’m covering my mouth, thanks. Let the storm rage even harder!】

【WorkThreeHoursADay: Here it comes.】

【WorkThreeHoursADay: dynamic image.】

After loading for no more than four seconds, a scene appeared inside the dynamic image.

The camera zoomed in.

In a glass tank displayed on a high platform lay a blue figure. His ink-black hair was draped long in front of him, his features pale and exquisite. His brows and eyes were exceptionally fine. A pair of eyes without ripples seemed to contain snowy mountains. Faint waves stirred within them. That fish tail seemed to shimmer with a flowing radiance, evoking a divine sense of isolation from the world.

Cold, pure, noble.

At that moment, a low voice sounded: “Do you need me to take you away?”

【Sleepwalking: Holy crap! DIVINE QUALITY!!!!】

【Heavenly Spirit Jade Pearl: Help. Have to say, Lin Qinghe’s image really restores Celine perfectly, no matter the bearing or the looks. He’s literally heaven-sent.】

【Ambassador Lantis: Quickly saved. Director Li Ran really has an eye for people, wuwuwu. I don’t ask for much, just praying his acting isn’t a total train wreck. Lin Qinghe, don’t let me down!】

【Tom and Jerry: Aaaaaaaaah! Do you need me to take you away? Do you need me to take you away?! Let me do it!!! I can!!!】

【Sailin Is My Wife: What do I do what do I do what do I do?! I’m so worked up I’m spinning in circles. What do I do?! I can’t take this anymore!!!】

【Combination: Leaping and spinning, I won’t stop. Starry eyes turning.】

【Persistence: Who can understand this?! That feeling of your heart about to leap out, your little face blushing and you just want to roar at the sky!!!】

【Regeneration Obsession: How can you send voice messages?!】

【Surplus Year After Year: I can’t take it, my heart’s racing. So this is what love at first sight feels like. Someone call 110 for me, thanks.】

【Goodnight Makabaka: Holy crap, I’m so worked up I actually cracked my phone’s screen protector. As compensation, can big brother come into my dreams tonight?】

【A Pig Spirit: For real, passerby turning fan. I’m kneeling and worshipping these visuals, aaaaaaah.】

【Eating is a Blessing: I take back what I said before. With looks this good, I really can’t bring myself to hate. I’m saying I’d genuinely fall for him at this level. The original story fans are overjoyed. If only his acting holds up too. Lin Qinghe, pull yourself together!】

【Fairy Aura He He: Thanks for the heads-up, sister. Otherwise I would’ve performed a live show titled ‘The Groundhog and the Monkey.’】

【Full Houttuynia: I’ve decided to go through He He’s videos all over again. Wonder when he’ll come back, though.】

【Pretty: Maybe after filming wraps? He’ll come back sooner or later anyway.】

【Meticulous Research: Aaaaaaaaah, please, please, wuwuwu, come back soon! I need my spiritual nourishment!!!!】

…

.

In an office building dozens of stories high, Zhang Hua was reporting tomorrow’s schedule to Cen Han.

“Tomorrow we’ll be visiting Lin City for the inspection. In the evening, the local leaders would like to treat you to dinner. There may be follow-up activities afterward.”

Cen Han spoke upon hearing this. “Decline the dinner.”

Zhang Hua: “Understood, President Cen. The day after tomorrow, there’s a meeting. The principal leaders of various companies from Western Capital will be in attendance. Last year, this meeting lasted until 5 PM. I think we could organize a dinner party after it concludes.”

“Mn, you arrange it.” Cen Han had always been generous. “Contact the boss of Blue Mountain Hotel. Everyone’s worked hard for so long; let them have a good time unwinding.”

Blue Mountain Hotel’s unique feature was that the hotel and the estate were integrated. Five-star service, a variety of entertainment venues, and abundant indoor and outdoor activities—you could both experience urban refinement and pastoral leisure.

Zhang Hua smiled, then bravely asked, “Will you be going?”

Cen Han raised a hand and pointed at Zhang Hua across the air between them. “You’re getting bolder and bolder.”

“I have no choice. I’ve already received over a dozen WeChat messages asking about your well-being,” Zhang Hua said helplessly. “They’re all asking whether you’re coming or not.”

Such is the plight of the working class. Practically no one wants their boss around when they’re relaxing. Even if the boss doesn’t put on airs, you still can’t be completely casual. What if he’s one way to your face but holds it against you later and makes things difficult? You never know.

Zhang Hua dared to ask this because he clearly understood Cen Han’s disposition. As a man who had become the head of the Cen family at a young age, his breadth of mind was inevitably vast. A minor matter like this wasn’t enough to anger him.

Sure enough, Cen Han replied without minding, “I won’t participate. You go in my place.”

Zhang Hua nodded. “Right, okay. Sunday is the birthday of Mr. Xi Yun’s mother. The banquet is set at Floating Fate Hotel. Coincidentally, it’s very close to Mr. Lin’s film set. The invitation has been delivered. The event runs from 3 PM to 1 AM the following morning.”

Xi Yun was Cen Han’s good friend. Cen Han would definitely attend his mother’s birthday. If it were someone whose relationship wasn’t particularly close, Zhang Hua would handle the gift-giving himself, but since this was the case, he needed to consult Cen Han.

“I vaguely remember that Chunhua released a jewelry collection last time?”

“My girlfriend went to that exhibition. It was extremely gorgeous,” Zhang Hua said. “I think Madam Yang would like it. If there’s no issue, shall we send that set as the gift?”

Cen Han: “Mn.”