Chapter 14 Part 2

Master Cheng thought carefully, his expression still embarrassed. “Does scolding people count?”

Chu Yi: “…It counts.”

He had a rough idea now. He and Master Cheng had no grudge, yet the man had picked a fight with him. He must rub plenty of people the wrong way on the film crew daily.

Sure enough, Master Cheng hemmed and hawed until Xu Xing explained on his behalf. “My Master has high standards for action scenes, so he might have been strict, but he doesn’t mean harm.”

Hearing his eldest disciple say that, Master Cheng’s old face flushed red. He knew his own flaws: hot-tempered and impulsive. He wasn’t even courteous to directors sometimes, let alone others.

Countless actresses he’d berated to tears; male actors probably gritted their teeth and badmouthed him behind his back.

Chu Yi shook his head. “I said early on that Master Cheng has Yin Deficiency with Excess Heat and needs conditioning. You didn’t believe me.”

Master Cheng smiled sheepishly. “The Master was right…”

Chu Yi wasn’t one to kick a man when he was down. With that, he pulled a red rope from his shoulder bag. “Wear this on your wrist. Don’t take it off casually. Also, get more sun. Your body has heavy Yin Qi—that’s why you can see it directly.”

Master Cheng’s hand trembled as he took the red rope. “So what I saw wasn’t a hallucination? Master, I’ve offended people, but I’ve never taken a life. Why is it fixated on me?”

He just yelled at people, occasionally heavy-handed in guidance. Was that reason enough?

Even as he said it, he swiftly tied on the red rope.

One of Xu Xing’s junior brothers chimed in. “So if we wear the red rope and get more sun, it won’t come after my Master anymore?”

Chu Yi shook his head. “I don’t know its origins yet. If it’s vengeful, it might continue. What I had Master Cheng do is just treating the symptoms, not the root.”

“Master, you have to save me! Name your price—I’ll sell the house and pots if I have to!” Master Cheng panicked, grabbing Chu Yi’s sleeve.

Chu Yi withdrew his hand. “It’s not about money. I’m on the film crew now anyway; we’ll run into it sooner or later. Don’t worry too much.”

Master Cheng realized that too and relaxed a bit, but thinking of how that thing appeared and vanished unpredictably, he grew fearful again. He looked at the Master expectantly. “Master, can I sleep on your room floor tonight?”

Chu Yi gave him a look. “Of course not!”

Who knew how long until they encountered it? Having this square-faced, plain-looking, muscle-bound middle-aged martial artist bunking in his room—others would think something was wrong with him!

Xu Xing and the junior brothers stifled laughs. Their Master was hot-tempered and stubborn, always demanding others obey him. Seeing him deflated by this “pretty boy” he’d previously scorned had them thrilled inwardly!

Master Cheng had only been testing the waters; no go, so no push. But seeing his little rascals smirking, he shot them a fierce glare.

After the glare, he regretted it. He’d had disciples who’d split acrimoniously because they couldn’t stand his temper. Back then, he’d dismissed them as ungrateful wolves, never considering consequences. Now… maybe he should treat Xu Xing and the others better?

No matter what Chu Yi said, Master Cheng insisted on giving a red envelope. Chu Yi didn’t count it, but the thick stack was surely several ten-thousands.

Master Cheng saw Chu Yi to his room and left. They still had work on the film crew. If not for fear Chu Yi would think they lacked sincerity, he wouldn’t have taken leave with his disciples to fetch him personally. With that settled, they headed back to work.

After Master Cheng left, Chu Yi rested in the room a bit before Director Mo called, sending someone to take him for costume fitting.

The person sent was Liu Shengqing, an in-school student at Capital Film Academy. His role wasn’t set yet, so he’d volunteered, and Director Mo sent him over.

Liu Shengqing was fair and tall, with a fresh campus heartthrob look. The moment he saw Chu Yi, he gushed with admiration. “I heard everyone call you Yi Ge. Can I too? I saw you spar with Master Cheng that day—Yi Ge, you’re amazing! He bosses us around with a awful temper. You slapped his face publicly; everyone was thrilled!”

Before Chu Yi could respond, he continued. “Yi Ge, can I stick by you and learn action scenes? My martial arts foundation is weak; Director Mo seems uneasy and hasn’t assigned me a role.”

He lowered his lashes, hiding the worry in his eyes.

In this industry, looks alone weren’t enough. He’d fought hard for his mentor to place him in Director Mo’s Film Crew; getting sent back would be humiliating.

Chu Yi didn’t dislike ambitious youngsters. He nodded casually. “Sure. We can exchange notes when free.”

“Really?” Liu Shengqing beamed. “Thanks in advance, Yi Ge.”

As if just remembering his task, he smacked his forehead. “Look at me—Director Mo sent me to take Yi Ge for fitting. Anything else to pack? I can help.”

Chu Yi had already had two groups offer to pack for him today. In his era, even the most enthusiastic households wouldn’t suggest such—after all, who traveled without a backup plan?

Though he knew modern people lacked that life-or-death wariness, he still couldn’t quite accept such eagerness.

“Stuff’s put away. Nothing to pack. Let’s go.” Chu Yi shouldered his black bag and led the way out.

His decisiveness left Liu Shengqing momentarily stunned. “Right, coming.”