It’s Exciting to Snatch the Supporting Male Lead and Run Away [Quick Wear] - 29

 

IETSTSMLARA | The Rising Movie Emperor  | 29

"False father?" There was disdain in the man's eyes, along with a deeply hidden anger.

When the emperor is enraged, corpses can float for miles—it's no idle threat.

His own mother, the current empress dowager, conspired with this man and even bore two sons with him, attempting to replace him. How could he not feel anger, resentment, and injustice?

Though he was an emperor, he was also a man.

Unable to kill his mother, he could only vent his anger on this audacious man who dared to call himself his father.

"Execute him by dismemberment and exterminate his lineage," The man's eyes at this moment truly belonged to an emperor—cold and ruthless.

Among his lineage, there was no other elder in his clan, but there were his two half-brothers from the same mother. But... so what?

The cries for mercy seemed to be endless, but the more they pleaded, the more satisfied he felt?

No, he was the emperor, wielding the power of life and death over the world. Killing a few people was just routine.

Zhou Xintang sat still, as if looking into the man's eyes made him feel like a lowly ant, wanting to submit. Even when the coldness in those eyes receded and a warm smile appeared, he still felt a lingering fear.

Acting was just portraying a character from fantasy. No one has truly been an emperor, experienced the feeling of wielding life and death.

He didn't need to find reasons or explanations. Just because that person had violated his taboo, or simply because he didn't meet his preferences, he could take his life. Such arrogance and disdain could be imagined, but one could never truly experience it.

However, Zhou Xintang felt that in that moment, he truly saw the majesty of an emperor ruling the world and the casualness when taking a life.

Lin Su, this person, really seemed like a treasure, seemingly endless to explore. You never knew what surprising treasure he would reveal next.

"You're really suited for the entertainment industry. If you were to portray this role, Director Lu would probably be astonished," Zhou Xintang was genuinely amazed.

An emperor isn't just cold and ruthless; his emotions are multifaceted, just like Lin Su said. He is an emperor, but he's also human, with desires and emotions.

That's why there are three thousand beauties in the harem, some of whom never get to see him in person. That's why there's the pursuit of immortality—because they are afraid of death and want to maintain power and status forever.

Zhou Xintang isn't afraid of having competitors because only when there's a variety of talents can there be a flourishing of diverse ideas. Having competitors can continually drive oneself forward. He's even willing to support and mentor Lin Su because of his brief but stunning acting skills.

In Zhou Xintang's eyes, there's hope and a bit of longing. He really wants Lin Su to enter the entertainment industry.

If it were someone else here, witnessing this somewhat pitiful sight of a person carrying an idol burden of eight tons in front of fans, they would surely agree.

However, when it came to Lin Su, he smiled and said, "I'm not interested in that circle. I just want to work behind the scenes and support you in regaining that honor."

"But..." Zhou Xintang felt it was a pity to let go of such a promising talent.

"Privately, I can be your professional sparring partner," Lin Su dangled the bait, and Zhou Xingtanh, the movie star, couldn't resist taking it, "Really?"

"Yes, so in order to make up for my regret, you must win the Best Actor award every year. When you win, it's as if I've won," Lin Su began painting a grand vision, offering both encouragement and pressure.

Zhou Xintang felt a surge of excitement. Winning a trophy with someone else's expectations sounded really inspiring. "Then I'll count on you."

"Alright," Lin Su calmly replied, swiftly gathering his things and leaving before Zhou Xingtang's enthusiasm cooled down.

By the time Zhou Xintang's excitement cooled and he began to reflect on what had happened, he realized he had been fooled like a child by Lin Su.

It was annoying, yet it also filled him with anticipation for the future.

Lin Su isn’t all talk; when he decided to do something, he would follow through. After handling Zhou Xintang's matters, he went straight to Cheng Luozhu, who had just finished his audition not long ago.

It was Zhou Xintang who made the call, and it was arranged by Xiao Chen. When Cheng Luozhu answered the phone, he was still cautious, but it wasn't until he heard the name of Zhou Xintang's personal studio that he let go of his guard.

In the waiting room, the young man sitting there waiting certainly lived up to his protagonist status in appearance alone. Lin Su sized him up, knocked on the door, and shook hands with him, his attitude neither humble nor overbearing. "Hello, Mr. Cheng. I'm Lin Su, Zhou Xintang's manager. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Cheng Luozhu had worked very hard in his previous life, enduring countless snubs and cold shoulders. In this life, although he had the background and appearance, he still faced constant mockery or flattery, making him particularly sensitive to others' attitudes.

The first glance at Lin Su stunned him because the man in front of him didn't look like a manager but more like a social elite. Lin Su's professional demeanor also made him feel comfortable. "Hello, I'm Cheng Luozhu. Nice to meet you."

Once seated, Lin Su stated their purpose first. "When Xiao Chen invited you here, she should have informed you of our purpose. Currently, you are not signed with any agency. Are you interested in learning about our studio? Here's the contract. Take a look and let us know if there's anything you're not satisfied with and need to modify."

His tone was respectful but not obsequious. Cheng Luozhu had deep admiration for Zhou Xintang, and he had initially intended to sign with Kang Shang. However, due to some friction between the Cheng family and Kang Shang, and his own lack of recognition, despite gaining some fame as a supporting actor in a TV series, he hadn't signed with any company yet.

Now that Zhou Xintang had established his own studio and personally extended the invitation, Cheng Luozhu couldn't help but feel eager to sign the contract. Just the thought of meeting his idol in the future, and possibly even acting together, made him want to sign right away.

However, his rationality prevailed. He carefully examined the contents of the contract. Compared to several other film and television companies, the treatment offered here was the best. The level of freedom was high, and the support staff provided didn't seem like those for a newcomer.

"To be honest, I'm pleasantly surprised by the favorable conditions offered by the studio," Cheng Luozhu said cautiously. "May I ask the reason?"

"You have great potential. The terms of the contract will only improve over time," Lin Su replied, looking at him. "The studio really needs you."

Feeling needed was a great feeling for Cheng Luozhu. He admired the entertainment industry and wanted to stand at the top of that circle, acting in the roles he wanted. Therefore, choosing the right company to sign with initially was crucial. He had planned to weigh and compare his options, but now he made his decision directly.

Rather than going to a large company where he might be treated as dispensable, it was better to become a pillar here, especially considering the favorable treatment offered by this studio.

"In that case, I'll rely on you in the future," Cheng Luozhu reached out his hand.

A smile appeared on Lin Su's lips as he stood up and shook hands with him. "I look forward to our cooperation."

I'm really looking forward to the protagonist's slow pursuit of chasing his wife.

The headquarters of the Shi Corporation was brightly lit, and a man dressed in a suit and leather shoes appeared on the verge of losing his temper, struggling to restrain his emotions. "He signed with Zhou Xintang's studio? Didn't I offer him the best treatment? Was their offer even better?"

The agent lowered his head in shame. "We offered him the treatment we usually give to newcomers."

They had originally looked down on this playboy, but who would have thought that his shabby TV series would become a hit? Before they could make a move, someone else intercepted him.

"All bonuses for this year will be withheld. Go write a self-criticism," Shi Wei couldn't bear to look at him. It was rare for him to set his sights on someone, only to have them snatched away by someone else. And the reason? It was because of him. The one who intercepted him was the studio of the idol that Cheng Luozhu admired the most.

He felt like there was no brightness in his future, he was filled with frustration.

Cheng Luozhu successfully signed the contract and was immediately provided with an assistant and an apartment to live in. The official social media accounts were launched simultaneously, with Lin Su directly appointed as his agent.

Although the studio staff were experienced, the protagonist attracted a lot of attention, and mishandling could potentially bring trouble to the studio. It's better for Lin Su to personally oversee things.

Anyway, whether it's one person or two, it's all the same.

The crew of "The Warlords" soon called Lin Su for an update. The protagonist had not been decided yet; there were only two candidates, and a final decision would be made after the callbacks.

News of the callbacks spread quickly, but the two available slots left everyone surprised.

Zhou Xintang, from his own studio.

Cheng Luozhu, from Zhou Xintang's studio.

Initially, everyone wanted to criticize Cheng Luozhu, wondering where he came from and how he had the audacity to compete with their beloved Zhou Xintang, assuming he was just another pretty face.

However, when they saw the studio names, everyone was taken aback. It felt wrong to criticize them directly, as if they were insulting their own family members.

If Zhou Xintang's studio was signing their competitors, could it be that their strength was truly unrivaled?

As everyone pondered over this dilemma, Zhou Xintang updated his personal message with a selfie of himself and Cheng Luozhu, both smiling brightly. The caption read: "Welcome our new recruit. Please take care of us in the future."

Cheng Luozhu's profile also verified Zhou Xintang's studio and forwarded the post with a shy smile.

Judging from their interaction, it seemed like the two had a good relationship. However, on the nanny car to the film set, Zhou Xintang wore a polite smile while Cheng Luozhu sat obediently. 

Even though his idol was right in front of him, he felt suffocated. Yet, he was competing for the same role as his idol, making the situation especially awkward, though he truly desired that role.

Zhou Xintang remained silent, so Cheng Luozhu tentatively spoke up: "Senior Zhou, I want to apologize for the disrespectful things I said about you in the past. I was young and ignorant about the entertainment industry, and I spoke without understanding. In fact I really admire your acting skills."

Lin Su somewhat admired Cheng Luozhu's behavior of taking responsibility instead of making excuses. Even if Cheng Luozhu had a troublesome past, he now inhabited someone else's body and identity. It was important for him to live a good life and to bear responsibility.

"I don't know if what you're saying is true or not," Zhou Xintang's smile faded a bit. He was naturally a bit cold towards strangers, and he wasn't immediately open even with Lin Su. "As a senior, I just hope you can live up to your reputation as an actor. Whether what you said is true or not, time will tell."

Though the response was somewhat rude, Cheng Luozhu relaxed a bit and smiled: "Alright, I won't let you down."

Lin Su remained silent throughout, not even glancing sideways. Zhou Xintang narrowed his eyes and nudged Lin Su's shoe with his toe: "You're not afraid we'll argue and end up not auditioning at all?"

"Both of you are professionals; you won't make such small mistakes," Lin Su shifted his foot and chuckled. "Besides, Zhou Xintang, as a senior, would you be so petty to act like this to your junior?"

The tone made Zhou Xintang feel a sense of closeness with them, and the faint irritation in his heart instantly dissipated. "How would you know?"

"If you're really upset, just use your acting skills to suppress him. Winning this role will be incredibly satisfying," Lin Su chuckled.

"But what if..." Zhou Xintang's words trailed off as he glanced at Cheng Luozhu, then he said, "It’s a fair competition. Let me see your strength."

"Sure," Cheng Luozhu nodded with a light smile, sizing up both of them. "You two seem to have a good relationship."

Lin Su remained composed, but Zhou Xintang's smile froze for a moment, and he awkwardly pinched his earlobe. "It's alright."

This kid sure knew how to talk.

There weren't many people at the audition. In addition to the ones from last time, there was a seemingly ordinary bald man and another man in a suit who looked every bit like a top-tier celebrity.

The bald man, though unassuming in appearance, was the screenwriter for this film, Liu Er, a master in the industry. Liu Er's screenwriting work was incredibly detailed and profound, ranging from delicate nuances to vast expanses, and his style was versatile. 

Many initially speculated about his gender, thinking he might be a delicate woman, until he appeared in person with messy hair, a T-shirt, big shorts, and black-framed glasses, shattering everyone's expectations.

Of course, Liu Er's hair was initially thick, but excessive brain use might have led to his baldness. He simply shaved it all off, opting for a fully bald look.

Such a high position also meant that he had considerable power in the selection of roles for this film. As for the other person, it was Cheng Luozhu's official partner, Shi Wei, the president of the Shi Corporation.

In the original timeline, Shi Wei fell in love with Cheng Luozhu at first sight, but unfortunately, due to being deceived by his own company's employees, the path to winning his wife's heart went from difficult to extreme hell, and now it might be even worse.

Thinking about the image of the CEO's partner in the original timeline, Lin Su couldn't help but find it amusing to see Shi Wei's seemingly restrained appearance in his suit and leather shoes. The contrast was just too stark.

But regardless of their future, his appearance here was thought-provoking. Shi Corporation was the largest investor in "The Warlords," and Shi Wei had other intentions for Cheng Luozhu, so it was only natural for him to want to support someone he liked.

If Zhou Xintang and Cheng Luozhu demonstrated similar levels of skill, Shi Wei's desire to designate the protagonist would likely not meet much opposition from the directorial team.

Both Zhou Xintang and Cheng Luozhu were passionate about acting. Therefore, when Zhou Xintang later lost the person who shared his passion for acting and could no longer appear in front of the camera for the rest of his life, it was a fatal blow to him.

There were two reasons why he could only leave this industry: First, the subsequent quality of the films couldn't keep up and his foothold became unstable. Second, he had no one to protect him and could only endure being targeted and slandered.

Cheng Luozhu clearly saw Shi Wei's figure and glanced over before whispering, "That's the president of Shi Corporation. It seems like he has some opinions about me, and his company used to be a rival of Brother Zhou's. We need to be cautious."

Zhou Xintang also noticed the person, raising an eyebrow as he did so. He was a professional actor, always mindful of his image and posture. He sensed a familiar vibe from the president of Shi Corporation.

The elegance and gentlemanly demeanor weren't acted, but that air of aloofness... seemed fabricated.

It was different from Lin Su. Lin Su appeared warm and wouldn't casually criticize or demean someone. He has a bright smile, but the more he behaves like this, the more cold and difficult it is to approach him.

If he and his agent hadn't been in the same boat, or lent a helping hand, his agent might not have the good relationship with him that he has now.

Lin Su's smile grew genuine at Cheng Luozhu's words. It was a perfect start.

"You guys go for the audition, I'll wait here," Lin Su instructed, walking towards the viewing area and naturally taking the empty seat next to Shi Wei.

The connections the agent had at hand didn't just materialize out of thin air. With well-known stars, opportunities naturally came knocking, but for those without fame, the agent had to reach out and create opportunities themselves.

"I didn't expect to meet President Shi here. Hello, I'm Cheng Luozhu's agent. Here's my business card," Lin Su handed over his card.

Normally, Shi Wei wouldn't accept a business card from an agent, but he knew that Cheng Luozhu's current agent was the man before him. After a brief pause, he took the card and simply replied, "Hello."

And that was the end of their exchange.

Lin Su wasn't in a hurry either. Like Shi Wei, his gaze was fixed on the audition area. When Zhou Xintang emerged from the dressing room, he was dressed in royal robes, while Cheng Luozhu wore scholarly attire.

The re-audition also depends on how well the makeup fits the character, and the audition clips are obviously different from the first audition.

The emperor hadn't yet unified the world, nor had the Twelve Imperial Crownings occurred, but the current regal attire was impeccable. Its simplicity exuded a youthful vigor.

Unifying an empire wasn't a task for one person alone. It required generals, supplies, intellectuals, and... strategists.

Cheng Luozhu's character was one such strategist—a son of a courtesan with extraordinary talent. Unfortunately, he was born in the wrong era, and one's background alone could negate their entire life. Only the emperor accepted him.

They were both subjects and friends. In today's entertainment industry, the closeness between two men might not be accepted by all audiences, but the bold ending of this strategist's story is thought-provoking indeed.

At this moment, during the audition, it was the first scene of the emperor meeting his advisor.

The strategist, expelled by various countries and destitute, only the emperor who was passing by stepped out of his way to help him.

Zhou Xintang's every move is impeccable, and although he has the majesty of an emperor, he also has the temperament of a young man. However, he suddenly had a whim, and after a few words of improvising, staff expressed profound admiration: "Mr. Zhou, you are a great talent."

He has a talent of knowing people, but also harbors ambitions of unifying the world. He recruited wise advisors and did not show respect to the talented.

The gratitude for being recognized in this era is immeasurable for a scholar. To have one's abilities acknowledged is truly fortunate.

Though Cheng Luozhu is assisted by the emperor, he still rises from the ground independently. The truly talented are not necessarily unattractive in appearance; on the contrary, those with both appearance and talent are more welcomed by various countries. Despite his destitution, he remains dignified.

Though he staggers while bowing, he perseveres: "Your Majesty, I am the son of a courtesan."

"My mother was once a slave. Your talents are great, there is no need to belittle yourself," the emperor spoke candidly.

In Liu Er's drama, the emperor is not only a ruler but also a filial son. Despite suffering hardships, he does not belittle himself because of his mother's identity. His mother's betrayal is deep to the point of wanting to take his life. He eliminates all traitors, even his own brothers, but ultimately, his mother is merely confined.

However, if they had met before the emperor quelled the rebellion, they would have been true confidants who shared everything. Unfortunately, their meeting occurred after the rebellion was quelled. Zhou Xintang's eyes were filled with coldness.

The imprisonment of the dowager queen is the ultimate act of filial piety and kindness. At this point, the true meaning of being confidants is to fulfill one's greatest role.

Ambition and scheming are the defining characteristics of the emperor in his later years.

They performed exceptionally well, with costumes and props all in place. If it weren't for the incomplete background, they would truly seem like figures from that era.

“Cheng Luozhu is an actor with great potential.” Lin Su suddenly spoke after the first round of auditions.

Shi Wei glanced over, "Of course."

He just didn't understand the purpose behind this sudden praise.

Lin Su continued, "He is a very promising actor. Despite his soft appearance, he has a strong temperament. If someone interferes with his decisions under the guise of acting in his best interest, he can be quite terrifying when angered. I may have said too much, Mr. Shi, I hope you don't mind."

With that, he stood up and left Shi Wei sitting there, contemplating his words. As a major player in the entertainment industry, Shi Wei was no fool; he naturally picked up on the warning implicit in Lin Su's words.

Having observed Zhou Xintang's performance during the callbacks, Shi Wei couldn't deny that his acting was stunning. He couldn't even be sure which actor the directorial team would ultimately choose. If later, Cheng Luozhu failed to secure the lead role and he intervened on his behalf, it would not sit well if someone found out.

Such behind-the-scenes maneuvering was akin to denying Cheng Luozhu's abilities. That person might prefer fairness rather than being selected.

Shi Wei could understand all this, but what he wanted to know was how Lin Su could discern his concern for Cheng Luozhu. He hadn't confided in anyone about it, not even his assistant had noticed. Yet, Lin Su had picked up on it.

Was he truly just a simple talent agent?

"Assistant Wu, help me investigate Lin Su's background," Shi Wei instructed.

"Understood," Assistant Wu replied.

As Shi Wei issued the command to investigate Lin Su, Cheng Luozhu and Zhou Xintang had already switched costumes and walked out again. This reversal of roles marked the final decision on the casting.

Unbeknownst to Cheng Luozhu and Zhou Xintang in the audition room, they were completely absorbed in their performances. Regardless of their acting abilities, their dedication captivated all attention.

This kind of dedication was something Lin Su didn't possess. He didn't have a passion for acting; it was merely a skill required for his mission. However, honed over multiple lifetimes, this skill surpassed natural talent, becoming second nature to him.

If he were to enter the entertainment industry and compete with those two, they wouldn't stand a chance. It would be like adults fighting children—not only unfair but also damaging to the children's confidence. It would be utterly boring.

After the second round of auditions, Zhou Xintang remained calm, while Cheng Luozhu couldn't help but take a deep breath, clearly not yet attaining the calmness he had in the later stages of the original timeline.

The results weren't announced on the spot. Zhou Xintang's stellar performance and Cheng Luozhu's high adaptability left the directors reluctant to make a decision.

As they changed into casual clothes and waited on the sidelines, Assistant Chen overheard their conversation.

After two scenes, Cheng Luozhu's performance was remarkably stable. His astonishing acting skills not only surprised Zhou Xintang but also dispelled any lingering prejudice in his heart.

"It seems like Brother Zhou has the lead role in the bag this time," Cheng Luozhu said, not feeling dejected but rather eager. "The way he handled the emotional transitions was impeccable. I thought I had portrayed the character comprehensively, but compared to Brother Zhou, it feels like something's missing, like a spark."

The spark of an emperor as a person.

"Your performance was actually quite good," Zhou Xintang admitted, acknowledging that his handling of the scene wasn't as impressive as Cheng Luozhu's before he received Lin Su's advice. "But I had a mentor guiding me."

"A mentor?" Cheng Luozhu was puzzled.

Before his death, he hadn't heard anything about his idol having a mentor. Perhaps their relationship at that time wasn't intimate enough to discuss such matters.

Lin Su didn't interrupt their conversation, but he stood nearby, unable to hear what they were saying. However, by observing their expressions, he could guess most of it.

System 06 expressed concern: 【Their relationship is progressing faster than in the original timeline.】

【If they end up together in the end, wouldn't that also change Zhou Xintang's original fate?】 Lin Su stated.

System 06 thought he made sense, but... 【Host, don't you like Zhou Xintang? Will this be acceptable to you?】

【I want you to see how enviable their buddy relationship is,】 Lin Su sneered.

System 06 looked at the scene where the protagonist and his original supporting role were chatting and laughing without any sparks flying between them; it was unable to comprehend it. 

The intricacies of the human world were beyond its understanding.

The meeting to finalize the roles proceeded without any arguments; instead, there was considerable consensus. However, when Shi Wei entered the room, everyone looked over in unison.

As investors, they had the right to finalize the roles. Since the two candidates were equally competent, it didn't matter much if the decision didn't entirely align with their preferences.

"The roles are determined by all of you," Xi Wei said, not wanting Cheng Luozhu to dislike him. 

After all, the foundation of love is respect, isn't it?

After he looked at the outcome, he had a feeling of 'I knew it' deep inside.

Zhou Xintang is the protagonist, while Cheng Luozhu is the supporting role. Both are outstanding, but fundamentally, there's a big difference in the awards that the main role and supporting roles can receive. 

Lin Su may have anticipated the outcome early on, fearing he might interfere, hence he gave him a warning..

With the roles set, the results were soon announced, Zhou Xintang trembled slightly but still wore a dignified smile as he bowed, "Director Lu, rest assured, I will perform well."

Cheng Luozhu followed suit, also bowing, "Please give me some advice, Director Lu."

Director Lu had known Zhou Xintang before, and after the auditions ended they didn’t leave. 

Besides discussing the upcoming shoot, having a meal together was almost a standard procedure after casting.

Lin Su went to handle contract matters, leaving only assistants around Zhou Xintang. 

Director Lu isn’t serious when he’s off work. "Zhou Xintang performed so well this time. It seems you have delved deeper into the role. I regretted it last time, but unfortunately, I couldn't say much then. Progress is always a good thing."

"I couldn’t do it by myself," Zhou Xintang, though they hadn't collaborated much, always found his advice profound. "It was due to my agent's guidance."

Zhou Xintang didn't hide Lin Su's guidance, and Cheng Luozhu, listening beside them, reflected on his own performance, finding some areas that weren't quite perfect.

Director Lu exclaimed in surprise, "That young man that was with you?"

Zhou Xintang nodded.

"He's handsome and has a commanding presence," Director Lu sighed, "At first glance, I thought he was a star. With that kind of understanding and guidance, he has a future as a director."

"Director Lu, that's my agent. Poaching is not allowed," Zhou Xintang laughed.

During the meal, everyone enjoyed themselves, but Director Lu occasionally exchanged words with Lin Su, sharing experiences. If Lin Su still didn't understand who had leaked his secrets, he would be foolish. 

However, to establish oneself in the entertainment industry, there's no need to hide anything. Lin Su could smoothly follow Director Lu's conversation and even share some experiences when he used to be a top director. 

By the end of the meal, Director Lu, slightly tipsy, completely forgot about his movie's lead actor and was ready to take Lin Su as his apprentice. It took quite an effort from the assistant director to pull him away.

"How much more do you have that I don't know about?" Zhou Xintang had also had some wine, although he wasn't drunk, he felt much more relaxed than usual.

He hadn't expected Lin Su to have an understanding of directing. It's not a field where just anyone can excel. In the entire entertainment industry, few people could impress Director Lu, let alone be considered for direct apprenticeship.

"Would you believe me if I say I'm self-taught?" Lin Su chuckled.

Zhou Xintang wanted to say he didn't believe it for a second, but under the influence of alcohol, he felt like he was being charmed by the man's smile. After staring blankly for a moment, he leaned his head on Lin Su's broad shoulder.

Lin Su didn't push him away, perhaps thinking he was drunk. Zhou Xintang, lost in thoughts, didn't lift his head either. He just closed his eyes and eventually drifted off to sleep.

It felt natural to him, but Cheng Luozhu's pupils momentarily dilated. He had liked men in his past life. There seemed to be a special atmosphere between them, and he could easily identify his own kind. 

But what he didn't expect was that the idol who kept a clean life and devoted himself only to his acting career was also a member of the circle, and he seemed to like their manager, and it seemed that he still had an unrequited love.

If not, he'd eat... no, drink water upside down.

But if their relationship were to be discovered, it would definitely be controversial.

Just as Cheng Luozhu was pondering how to keep their relationship under wraps, he saw his talent agent turn his head and make a shushing gesture.

With his slender fingers pressed to his lips, illuminated by the dim light, there was a certain allure. Cheng Luozhu quickly nodded in response, miming a zipper over his lips to indicate he'd keep quiet.

Lin Su turned away, and Cheng Luozhu rested his chin on his hand, quietly watching ahead, suddenly feeling quite full.

In other words, for three single dogs, he was still fed a mouthful of dog food.

Well, it seemed mutual, but... it felt like they were both secretly infatuated. Being mutually infatuated felt even more redundant for singletons than being in a passionate relationship.

Who was he, where was he, he shouldn't be here, he wanted to change his talent agent.

Cheng Luozhu lived in the same apartment building as Zhou Xintang. When the car stopped, Lin Su didn't wake him up; instead, he simply lifted him up effortlessly. His easy movements and the occasional reveal of his muscles through his clothes showed just how fit he was.

Although pleasing to the eye, Cheng Luozhu felt increasingly like a light bulb. "I'll go up first. See you tomorrow," he said, slipping away hastily. By the time the driver closed the car door, it felt like the car was ready for takeoff.

Left alone, Lin Su carried the deeply asleep Zhou Xintang upstairs. However, less than an hour later, he left in his own car, disappearing from the scene.

Cheng Luozhu took a peek out the window, feeling both relieved and envious. It wasn't that he liked Lin Su, but he found the mutual admiration and restraint in their relationship truly beautiful.

In this circle, genuine lifelong happiness was rare, especially for 1s. People like talent agents, who were both physically and facially perfect, were like rare treasures. To have a crush on someone and still be considered benevolent was almost legendary. 

Haven't you seen how many tears were shed by small 0s who had to play the aggressor? Just thinking about it was heartbreaking.

Cheng Luozhu hadn't expected to meet someone to spend his life with. If not, he'd just act for a lifetime. Therefore, when he saw such divine love, he felt happy just witnessing it. Ah, this was probably what CP fans felt like when they indulged themselves—a sweet, intoxicating feeling.

If System 06 knew his thoughts, it would surely tell him, 【Actor Zhou is a 1.】

In a world full of small 0s, encountering a 1 was incredibly rare. It was unforgivable to turn a 1 into a 0; it should be punished severely. Was it fair to let two 1s digest each other while the small 0 who cried while playing the aggressor got nothing? 

Ignorance truly was bliss.

With the roles set, filming began across the country. Although the film studio could accommodate some indoor scenes, large-scale battle scenes required real locations for authenticity.

Warhorses neighed, and bronze swords clashed, not with the delicate chime of longswords seen in typical TV dramas, but with a heavy, powerful resonance.

A large-scale battle scene required tens of thousands of extras, with rugged desert landscapes. 

One moment of carelessness could lead to injury amidst the rocky terrain.

The film crew had sufficient funds and a dedicated team of medical professionals to handle injuries, so everything proceeded smoothly. 

Everyone believed that apart from the physical challenges, nothing could stop the smooth filming of this movie—except Lin Su.

It wasn't that he discovered any clues; it was just that a protagonist who didn't attract trouble couldn't be called a protagonist.

 In the original timeline, Cheng Luozhu has a physique that attracts trouble, perhaps because he rose to fame too quickly and too steadily, which made some people look at him with disdain.

Scenes for the movie were not filmed in chronological order. Most pivotal battles, where the emperor unified the nation, were fought on horseback. 

Historically, emperors were not adept at leading battles personally, but there was evidence that one emperor did lead a campaign, which ended a long-standing conflict and facilitated subsequent unification.

The horses were brought in from pastures, and despite the guidance of herdsmen, mounting such tall animals still required some effort. Director Lu was both professional and dedicated, and his ability to shoot so many successful movies lay in his meticulousness.

Therefore, actors had to learn horseback riding for these scenes; stunt doubles were not an option.

Cheng Luozhu had worked as a stunt double in his past life, so learning to ride a horse wasn't difficult for him. 

However, Zhou Xintang had rarely filmed scenes on horseback. Even though he had learned to ride, he had never ridden such wild and untamed horses before.

Being on horseback raised one's line of sight at least two meters above the ground, and wearing heavy, elaborate armor and robes made Zhou Xintang feel exhausted after just one day.

The actor who was sore all over could only rely on massages for relief, but as soon as Cheng Luozhu changed his clothes, he disappeared without a trace, leaving Lin Su to take on the task. 

"He sure can run fast," Zhou Xintang said as he was pushed by Lin Su's strong hands, feeling so comfortable that he wanted to sigh, "He shouldn't expect me to massage him later. He can continue to suffer tomorrow."

His relationship with Cheng Luozhu had been improving gradually, so it was normal for him to occasionally make a few complaints.

"Yeah," Lin Su knew that Cheng Luozhu was giving them space, which was quite considerate, "How much longer do we have to finish this scene?"

"It depends on Director Lu. If the lighting or any action isn't right, we'll have to do it again. It can't be rushed," Zhou Xintang never complained despite being tired.

Even if a scene was shot dozens of times, he could still bring out his best performance.

"Yeah," Lin Su responded.

Zhou Xintang enjoyed it for a while, feeling that it was more comfortable than getting a professional massage. With his eyes closed, he said, "Can you come to my room tonight and massage me?"

The movements on his shoulders stopped, and Zhou Xintang opened his eyes to meet Lin Su's slightly teasing gaze, feeling a bit uncomfortable. "What's wrong?"

"Brother Zhou, I like men," Lin Su said frankly.

If Zhou Xintang hadn't been drinking water, he would have sprayed him in the face. "You, you..."

He always said he allowed Lin Su to stay overnight at his place, but he never stayed overnight at his house and now he understood why...

"So it's not appropriate for me to come to your room tonight," Lin Su's expression seemed a bit downcast, "You won't discriminate against me because I'm gay, will you?"

"I won't, of course not," Zhou Xintang denied repeatedly. How could he discriminate? He was just really surprised, and at the same time, there was a bit of secret joy that he hadn't even noticed.

But they both moved past the massage topic, and neither of them brought it up again.

The next day's horseback scene proceeded as usual, under the scorching sun countless extras stood ready, braving the heat. Zhou Xintang and others mounted their horses, and as soon as the director signaled, the sound of horses neighing filled the air, and everything became chaotic and exhilarating.

From a distance, nothing seemed amiss, but through the lens, something was off.

Director Lu furrowed his brow and picked up the megaphone, shouting, "Cheng Luozhu, Cheng Luozhu, stop shaking!!!"

"Director Lu, something's not right!" a nearby assistant director glanced at the scene and shouted, "Cheng Luozhu's horse is spooked."

Amidst the chaos, the horses in the arena whinnied loudly, and Cheng Luozhu, no longer concerned about his tousled hair, clung tightly to his horse.

The extras scattered, making it difficult to maintain order in such a crisis.

"Horse trainer, horse trainer!!" someone yelled.

However, amidst the confusion, the horse trainer couldn't even be found in the crowd.

Shi Wei had just gotten out of the car and witnessed the scene. With eyes wide in distress, he didn't care about his appearance anymore: "Luozhu!"

"Mr. Shi, stay calm!" an assistant quickly pulled him back. "Don't go over there."

One horse's panic seemed to trigger a chain reaction, and even Zhou Xintang's horse began neighing. The equipment on his body was heavier, and it almost caused him to fall off.

"Hold onto the horse's neck!!!" a shout came from somewhere, and Zhou Xintang instinctively tightened his grip.

For those who have never ridden a horse, they might not understand the immense power a horse possesses. Its hooves could easily crush a person's chest and spine, and the force of its movements could not easily be stopped.

What to do?

Zhou Xintang's arm strength was weakening, his gaze was confused, he caught sight of Cheng Luozhu releasing his grip at a moment of panic: "Cheng Luozhu!"

In an instant, someone grabbed hold of the reins, and the horse, which had been neighing wildly, seemed to lose all its strength. 

Meanwhile, Cheng Luozhu, who had been thrown off, was caught by two hands and landed safely. Before Zhou Xintang could see who had caught him, Cheng Luozhu was already released, and a warm and broad chest pressed against his back. 

The reins were yanked, and although the horse let out a loud cry that seemed to pierce the sky, it was soon pacified as if it hadn't just acted wildly, obediently bowing its head and exhaling a few breaths.

"It's okay now," the person behind him said.

Zhou Xintang's heart pounded violently in his chest, almost exploding. At that moment, he didn't know if it was because of the crisis or because of the person behind him.

To Zhou Xintang, this series of actions seemed slow, but to the people around him, it flowed smoothly and unbelievably.

"What a skilled person!" The horse trainer could only think of this under his shock.

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