IETSTSMLARA | The Rising Movie Emperor | 30
From the sound of the voice, Zhou Xintang already knew who was behind him. However, after the recent commotion, he was in a state of partial exhaustion and shock, and he simply didn't have the strength or composure to turn around and look.
The person behind him gently pulled on the reins, lightly kicked the horse's flank, and the horse obediently walked slowly toward the edge of the arena, the crowd of people giving way due to the recent incident.
The horse stopped outside the stable, and the warmth behind Zhou Xintang withdrew. He felt a hand grasp his, and when he looked down, he saw the young man who had been holding the horse.
He hadn't completely shed his youthful aura, but he was remarkably reassuring.
Zhou Xintang dismounted with the assistance of Lin Su, whose voice sounded in his ear, "Rest for today. I'll go talk to the director and arrange for a hospital check-up."
"Okay," Zhou Xintang hesitated for a moment before releasing his hand. He was helped to sit down by an assistant, but his gaze never left the man.
Of course, Zhou Xintang wasn't the only one whose attention was on Lin Su. Almost half of the people on set were watching his every move. There was no denying that his recent actions were incredibly cool, handsome, and thrilling.
In the midst of chaos, no one dared to approach, yet he, alone on horseback, not only caught Cheng Luozhu, who almost fell off his horse, but also rode alongside Zhou Xintang, jumping onto his horse's back.
Although this kind of scene is often seen in TV dramas, they usually use CGI effects, and they're mostly in martial arts dramas!
The live-action version of this scenario was infinitely more shocking than anything seen on TV. The possibility of being trampled by a horse's hoof with just one misstep was truly heart-stopping.
If something had really gone wrong on set today, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Did you see just now? I almost wet myself out of fear. If something had really happened, it would have been a bloodbath."
"That was truly a lifesaver, not only saving a person's life but also saving the entire crew."
"Even though I'm still shaken up, that person just now was really handsome. Who was he?"
"Seriously, this kind of scene is so cool in real life. I finally understand why novel heroines fall in love with the male lead."
"But the person he saved was a man..."
"Well, men are more heroic, aren't they?"
"???"
These discussions were varied, but Director Lu kept thanking Lin Su repeatedly, saying, "You really helped a lot. If something had happened today, it would have been two lives..."
"It's nothing," Lin Su accepted the thanks, but his expression was not good. He knew that unrest on set was one thing, but this kind of crisis was another.
Even if they wanted to be cautious, it was difficult for every one of the thousands of extras to be vigilant. But since they were people involved, they shouldn't try to escape.
"Director Lu, now is not the time for thanks," Lin Su said sternly. "Cheng Luozhu's horse didn't get spooked for no reason. We need to investigate what happened, or else this kind of incident will happen again."
Director Lu snapped out of it, his expression turning grim. It was clear that he understood today's mishap wasn't an accident but rather deliberate interference. "Anyone who dares to sabotage my set must be living too comfortably. Get all the surveillance footage and investigate."
The horse trainer approached, holding a thorn ball. "Someone put thorn balls under the saddle. When the actor applied pressure, the horse was bound to get frightened."
"Damn it," Director Lu's expression darkened.
Lin Su interjected, "Director Lu, there’s not much I can do here. I'll take Xintang and Luozhu to the hospital for a check-up. Can we have a day off?"
"Take three days off to calm down," Director Lu sighed. "Don't let this incident cast a shadow over them."
"Alright, thank you, Director Lu," Lin Su turned to find his artists on the side. Zhou Xintang sat still, but Cheng Luozhu had been moved to another location, where medical staff were attending to his abrasions, which was normal.
However, being half embraced by Shi Wei made them quite conspicuous.
Lin Su glanced at both sides before heading to Cheng Luozhu's side. Zhou Xintang's expression stiffened, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, and he looked away.
After all, Lin Su had gone to Cheng Luozhu first for help earlier.
Actually, when Cheng Luozhu was in danger earlier, it was not wrong for Lin Su to go to him first. But now, he went to Cheng Luozhu first again.
They were both from the same studio, who went first shouldn't matter.
For instance, Zhou Xintang wouldn't care if someone like assistant Xiao Chen were to check on someone else before him. But for Lin Su, it seemed different. Why was it different?
As Lin Su approached, he overheard Cheng Luozhu politely refusing, "Mr. Shi, thank you for carrying me here, but you can leave me here. It's not a big deal."
Oh, so he was carried over. This guy really had a knack for taking advantage of situations.
"This chair is hard, who knows if you're injured elsewhere," Shi Wei didn't agree. Initially, he was worried, but now he was reluctant to let go, enjoying the opportunity to hold onto the person he likes.
Cheng Luozhu couldn't offend him, so he looked around and his eyes lit up when he saw Lin Su. "Brother Lin, are we going back now?"
That eager look in his eyes made Shi Wei feel extremely uneasy.
In that moment, Lin Su sensed the envy and jealousy emanating from Shi Wei, but the next moment, he sincerely thanked him, saying, "Thank you for saving him."
Although he felt bitter about Cheng Luozhu's attitude towards Lin Su, he also knew that without Lin Su today, Cheng Luozhu might have been injured. He didn't dare to think about how serious it could have been.
The people in front of them were all stunned. Even Shi Wei's assistant, who had been blind to the situation, could see what his boss was thinking. He kindly reminded him, "Mr. Shi, this is Mr. Cheng's agent.”
It's only natural for him to help his own artist. We're outsiders, so thanking him seems a bit out of place.
"I know," Shi Wei realized he didn't have the right to say such words yet, after all, Cheng Luozhu wasn't his artist. He turned to Lin Su and said, "Thank you again. Please take good care of Luozhu in the future."
If possible, he wanted to lure him back. He wouldn't feel at ease unless he was under his watchful eye.
Lin Su couldn't help but feel that a man in love was truly...not smart.
However, in the original timeline, Shi Wei was able to pursue Cheng Luozhu not because of his dominating aura, but because of his sincere affection and occasional foolishness.
Naturally, in the original timeline, Cheng Luozhu was signed with the Shi Corporation, and he played the protagonist in "The Warlords," although he was framed, the incident didn't occur here.
Small changes could lead to significant differences, and it was no different here.
"Of course, he's under my responsibility. Mr. Shi, you can rest assured," Lin Su maintained his composure. "However, I hope Mr. Shi can help us uncover the person behind this incident."
Although he had his own means and influence, he wasn't as powerful as Shi Wei currently. It was only natural to use his help, especially since the person who was almost harmed was his future wife.
"Definitely," Shi Wei's expression turned grim when this topic was brought up. "Whoever dares to..."
His words abruptly stopped, and he turned to Lin Su. "Rest assured, Shi Corporation won't allow such people to exist. Luozhu, take good care of yourself. I won't let those who harmed you off lightly."
He spoke to the two of them with completely different tones, and even Cheng Luozhu, who was usually slow to pick up on things, noticed. But the next moment, he turned to Lin Su for help. "Brother Lin, should we go back now?"
Was Mr. Shi being so attentive because he was afraid Cheng Luozhu might cause trouble for Shi Corporation over this incident?
Clearly, Cheng Luozhu didn't pick up on the romantic signals.
Meanwhile, Shi Wei couldn't conceal his reluctance.
Lin Su glanced at Zhou Xintang from the corner of his eye and smiled. "Mr. Shi, I need to check on Xintang. His emotions are a bit unstable. Could you take care of Luozhu for me?"
Cheng Luozhu's smile vanished, replaced by a look of disbelief as he stared at Lin Su. "Brother Lin?!"
Wouldn't letting Mr. Shi look after him at this moment be a threat?
Brother Lin, you can't just save someone and then push them into the fire pit! The disappointment on Shi Wei's face turned into joy, almost breaking his poker face. The admiration in his eyes towards Lin Su was palpable. "Well, it's no trouble at all."
He pretended to be calm.
Cheng Luozhu: "..."
Brother Lin, can't you see how excited he is? Save me...
However, Lin Su didn't pick up on his plea for help, or perhaps he did but pretended not to see it. He said, with special consideration, "Luozhu, Director Lu has given you three days off. Take a good rest."
Shi Wei almost let his smile reach his ears, but he quickly resumed his poker face when others looked at him. "Don't worry."
Lin Su turned and left, leaving Cheng Luozhu feeling sad and quiet as a mouse.
Zhou Xintang avoided eye contact, trying to sort out his thoughts. If he still didn't know he liked Lin Su at this point, he might as well be an idiot. But from Lin Su's previous actions, it was obvious that he liked Cheng Luozhu.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have wanted to sign him despite knowing that Cheng Luozhu had slandered him, wouldn't have avoided spending the night, and wouldn't have gone to see him first.
Although he was the one who met Lin Su first, love didn't follow a first-come, first-served basis. If he had known he would fall for Lin Su, he would have made his move earlier.
Unfortunately, he only realized it now.
"Brother Zhou, let's go change our clothes first," Xiao Chen said softly, as gentle as if she was afraid of startling him.
"Not now," Zhou Xintang forced a smile. "I'm fine. You don't have to treat me like a child."
He didn't know what he was waiting for, but he felt like waiting.
Xiao Chen chuckled and sighed in relief. "As long as Brother Zhou is okay. You really scared me earlier. If it weren't for Brother Lin... Oh, Brother Lin, you're here."
Zhou Xintang stiffened, and shadows cast over him. His heart involuntarily sped up, but he didn't have the courage to look up.
"Why haven’t you changed your clothes?" Lin Su casually reached out and patted his head. "Still feeling shaken?"
Zhou Xintang didn't know how to respond. He was both startled and heartbroken. He couldn't muster a smile as he faced Lin Su. "I'm fine now."
"Then let's go back after changing clothes," Lin Su said gently. "Director Lu has given us three days off. It's not a good place to rest with all the chaos here."
"Okay." Zhou Xintang mentally prepared himself and finally lifted his head. Then he glanced at Lin Su and asked with some uncertainty, "Where's Cheng Luozhu?"
Lin Su smiled, "I just asked Mr. Shi to help take care of him, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Zhou Xintang felt that this wasn't how a man treated someone he liked.
Asking someone else to take care of him? If he liked someone, wouldn't he want to keep other men at least three miles away?
System 06 was eager to mimic human nose-picking: 【Host, you've won again.】
Lin Su smiled back: 【You flatter me.】
A romantic rival could be the best catalyst for advancing a relationship. Since things had come to this point, what harm was there in using the protagonist for one's own benefit?
"Then let's go," Lin Su's expression didn't betray anything, as if he knew nothing.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Xintang's mood improved. His chest didn't feel tight anymore, his breaths came easier, and his legs... he leaned on the chair, "I feel a bit of pain in my legs."
If Lin Su didn't like Cheng Luozhu, wasn't this an opportunity? He had to seize it.
When the actor played mind games, his acting skills had to be top-notch. He acted like his legs were genuinely painful.
Pretending not to know, Lin Su crouched down in concern and touched the seemingly injured leg, then rolled up the pants leg to take a closer look. "It's nothing serious, probably just a muscle strain. Can you walk?"
There wasn't a hint of bruising on the leg; it was quite a skillful lie to tell for an actor.
Zhou Xintang's eyelid twitched, and he licked his lips, deciding to throw away his dignity, "I can't, it's cramping up, and it hurts when I move."
A hint of amusement flashed in Lin Su's lowered eyes. He bent down and lifted him up, his face filled with genuine concern, "It seems like your leg can't bend well. I'll have to carry you. Xiao Chen, hurry up and get the car ready. We need to go to the hospital."
His voice didn't hide anything, and everyone else understood. Zhou Xintang's leg was injured.
Zhou Xintang felt a twinge of delight, but he also had a strange feeling. He couldn't shake the sense that Lin Su was doing this on purpose.
As Lin Su escorted him away, the set didn't quiet down. With so many extras, it was impossible to keep such a thing hidden. Of course, among the discussions, there was talk of Mr. Shi carrying Cheng Luozhu and Lin Su carrying Zhou Xintang.
Explaining Lin Su's actions was relatively easy. Given Zhou Xintang's leg injury and the previous incident of him saving someone while horseback riding, everyone simply admired the handsome agent, praising him as the best agent, the nation's agent, and so on.
But over at Cheng Luozhu's side, Mr. Shi was carrying some unknown minor celebrity? Who was he? Damn, there must be some unspoken rules involved.
Through thick and thin, even though he was still shaken, Cheng Luozhu couldn't escape the treatment of a protagonist.
After Lin Su escorted Zhou Xintang to the examination room, he was sent out on the pretext of getting water. He knew Zhou Xintang was probably afraid of being found out by him for not being injured, and he might even want to conspire with the doctor.
So, he straightforwardly went to help get some water.
Lin Su, the manager, was always attentive to the affairs of his artists, knew that things like today had already exploded on the Internet.
Most of it was about him standing up for justice, followed by people praising him for his heroic act of saving someone, and then there were comments about him carrying Zhou Xintang.
Overall, it was all positive.
But then, he saw someone ranting about how Mr. Shi carrying Cheng Luozhu, it was filled with defamation, as if Shi Wei wasn't carrying Cheng Luozhu but his own wife.
Lin Su took out his phone and dialed a number. "Cen Xiu, get in touch with Mr. Shi and expose the childhood relationship between Luozhu and Mr. Shi."
Cen Xiu was the head of the studio's public relations team, and despite her outstanding capabilities, even she was puzzled by the news. "Why don’t I remember Mr. Shi and Luozhu's relationship being that close?"
"Just do as I say. Mr. Shi won't object," Lin Su said before hanging up and heading back.
Mr. Shi wouldn't just not object; he might even add fuel to the fire.
As expected, Mr. Shi responded quickly after receiving the call. Before Lin Su even reached upstairs, news of the close childhood relationship between Shi Wei and Cheng Luozhu had spread everywhere. Their public relations and internet army directly suppressed the haters.
It was an expected outcome, but the feeling of not having to exert effort oneself was still good.
Just as Lin Su was about to put away his phone, a call came in. Seeing the name on the screen, Lin Su moved to a quiet place and answered, "Hello, Brother Zhao."
His tone was gentle, as if he were addressing an ordinary senior.
Zhao Yan's voice came through, "Lin Su, how's Xintang doing?"
"He;s feeling exhausted but uninjured. Brother Zhao, there’s no need to worry," Lin Su answered truthfully.
"Good to hear. Let him recover properly," Zhao Yan sighed in relief. He couldn't help but notice that Lin Su didn't harbor any hostility towards him, but why?
"Aren't you curious why I called?" Zhao Yan couldn't resist asking.
"Brother Zhao has been with Xintang for ten years, so it's normal to care," Lin Su chuckled. "Speaking of which, I want to thank you. Thanks to you, Xintang was able to smoothly break away from Kang Shang."
If Zhou Xintang had remained at Kang Shang, he would have been manipulated by others. But with Zhao Yan there, Zhou Xintang wouldn't have been ungrateful.
If Zhao Yan had asked, he would still have signed with Kang Shang.
However, Zhao Yan chose to let him go first. Although Zhou Xintang would have been saddened by it, he gained liberation without any burden.
With only Zhou Xintang in the studio, it would have been vulnerable for people to target. So Lin Su brought in Cheng Luozhu, which brought in Shi Wei. With Shi Wei as a backing, Zhou Xintang would be safe.
But since there hasn't been any targeting, how could Lin Su not guess the reason?
Zhao Yan, despite his love for money and lack of understanding of art, truly had no complaints about Zhou Xintang.
"You figured it out," Zhao Yan didn't deny it, as there was no point. "How did you know?"
Lin Su shared his speculation with him and chuckled, "Brother Zhao, if you ever leave Kang Shang, you can come find me."
Since Zhao Yan didn't leave with him, he must have had his own reasons. Lin Su didn't deliberately inquire, but he gave him an exit.
"Thank you," Zhao Yan sighed, "Xintang is a hardworking and diligent kid, but sometimes he's too stubborn. You're smart, keep an eye on him and don't let him suffer. But you're doing well, better than me. I didn't expect him to land the lead role in 'The Warlords’. If he performs well, his long-time dream can finally come true. Please congratulate him on my behalf."
"Okay," Lin Su agreed.
It seemed like Zhao Yan wanted to say more, but in the end, he didn't. He simply hung up the phone silently.
After gaining parental approval, Lin Su felt even more confident. He figured that Zhou Xintang had already colluded with the doctor by now so he leisurely entered the examination room.
"How is he, doctor? Is his leg okay?" Lin Su asked with some concern.
The doctor's expression turned serious. After clearing his throat, he began awkwardly, "It's just a muscle strain. Apply some cold compress, use some ointment, and in two or three days, it should be fine. Hmm, try not to move around too much these days."
The beginning of the sentence sounded scientifically plausible, but the latter part clearly had a touch of deception.
Zhou Xintang, on the side, was already covering his face due to the doctor's awkward acting. He couldn't bear to look.
However Lin Su cooperated with them, there was no way he would ruin his performance. "Okay, doctor, thank you. I'll take him to get the medication. Please check on him again in three days."
"Okay, okay," the doctor replied seriously.
Zhou Xintang was surprised. He even carefully observed Lin Su's expression. When he realized that Lin Su was genuinely concerned, he felt a bit happy yet guilty. Deceiving people wasn't good, but it was too late to confess now.
It wasn't until Lin Su naturally bent down and lifted him up, walking out without any awkwardness, that Zhou Xintang let go of his guilt.
As for being lifted by someone above him... Wait a minute.
"You said you like men. Are you a top or..." Zhou Xintang couldn't help but feel that Lin Su didn't seem like the bottom.
Knowing each other's preferences is certainly important before entering a relationship, otherwise, it could be as awkward as two zeros together.
When Lin Su heard this question, his serious expression almost couldn't hold. His IQ dropped, he could hardly hold back. It was pretty much confirmed that he was in love.
"I don’t know," Lin Su admitted that he was still a rookie in this world of romance.
Before Zhou Xintang could feel too happy, Lin Su added, "I think I should be a top."
Zhou Xintang: "..."
He was also a top.
What to do? Their preferences collided. Normally, people would consider retreating in such situations, but he was considering whether to try being a bottom.
In fact, it wasn't unacceptable, because compared to being a bottom, what he couldn't accept more was this person liking someone else.
"Is that so? That's great," Zhou Xintang smiled. He decided to take the time during his recovery to understand what being a bottom entailed.
"I didn't expect Brother Zhou to be curious about this," Lin Su put him in the car and naturally fastened his seatbelt. "Are you trying to introduce me to someone? It's indeed not easy to meet someone with similar preferences in our circle."
Zhou Xintang, who had just experienced a rapid heartbeat due to his future boyfriend's charming actions, now held his breath at this sudden question. "What type do you like?"
He used to think that he would only care about acting for the rest of his life. Even though he was amazed by and envious of the love in idol dramas, he couldn't imagine himself falling for anyone. But now he knew.
The feeling of being anxious and hesitant because of a gesture, a glance, or a word from him—that was love.
"It depends on how I feel," Lin Su thought seriously for a moment as he took the driver's seat. "If I were to explain it, it would be like setting many standards for yourself, but willingly abandoning all those standards when you meet someone who doesn't meet any of them."
This sounded truly romantic and beautiful.
System 06 brutally exposed the truth: 【You first have to be good-looking.】
"One is enough," Lin Su honestly responded to his partner.
That's the real world for you.
And Zhou Xintang was the embodiment of the kind of real-world person Lin Su wanted. Of course, such real-world people were one in a million.
"Oh, that must be hard to come across," Zhou Xintang managed to smile through the difficulty.
When someone says it's all about feelings, it usually means they either already have someone they like or they're politely rejecting someone.
Lin Su probably didn't know he liked him, which means…
Lin Su just made a noncommittal sound and let Zhou Xintang worry all the way from the hospital to their home.
The process of applying cold compresses and medication was the most nerve-wracking for Zhou Xintang. He hadn't been this anxious even during his first audition.
"Does it hurt here?" Lin Su asked as he massaged his ankle. Zhou Xintang shook his head.
"What about here?" Lin Su moved to another spot.
Zhou Xintang hesitated for a moment and then nodded. But the next moment, Lin Su looked at his leg with confusion and said, "It doesn't seem like a bone injury. Why would it hurt?"
"Cough, cough, cough!!" Zhou Xintang almost choked on his saliva. It was truly exasperating to lie in front of someone who was smart. "It doesn't hurt that much."
Lin Su pointed downward and pressed on a sensitive point. When Zhou Xintang couldn't help but move his leg, Lin Su asked, "I remember the injury was here. Does it really hurt that badly?"
Zhou Xintang displayed his acting skills to the fullest, suppressing his laughter until it hurt inside. "It's okay, just be gentle."
What a mess he'd gotten himself into!
Of course, the three days of recuperation were still quite pleasant. Being in the same space with someone you wanted to see, warm water always available, scripts within reach, appetizing meals when hungry, and the timely application of medication—all made for a cozy recovery period.
His previous impatience seemed to have transformed into tenderness, quietly melting into his bloodstream. As Zhou Xintang looked at Lin Su's earnestly lowered brows and eyes, he felt in that moment that if he couldn't be with this person, he would never find redemption in his lifetime.
How could he fall so deeply in love when it hadn't even started yet?
The three days were so enjoyable that Zhou Xintang completely forgot the feeling of panic. What remained in his memory was the firm arm and steady chest when tightening the reins.
Happy times always passed too quickly, like sand slipping through one's fingers unnoticed.
As for the person who tampered with things on set, he was a newcomer recently promoted by Times Film and Television Company. It was said that he was jealous of Cheng Luozhu's role and wanted to cause some trouble, but he didn't expect it to stir up such a big mess.
Regardless of his intentions, before Lin Su could even take action, the Shi Corporation had already taken him to court. With all his crimes exposed, it provided an explanation to the fans amidst a flurry of criticism.
That newcomer would never have a chance to return, while Cheng Luozhu gained a lot of attention as a result. Of course, Zhou Xintang didn't go unnoticed either, but the latest discussions always mentioned Lin Su, sometimes making the actor feel a bit uncomfortable.
While everyone openly talked about wanting to give Lin Su a "monkey," he didn't even dare to confess his love.
Of course, love was love, and work was work. Zhou Xintang always kept them separate, which meant that he could confidently play the role of a majestic emperor on stage, but as soon as he stepped off, he would start looking for that person.
As long as that person was around, he could focus on his work with peace of mind.
But that person wasn't always there.
“Brother Zhou, what are you looking for?” Even Xiao Chen noticed his occasional lack of focus when reading the script, as if he were searching for something.
“Oh, where's Lin Su?” Zhou Xintang asked casually, pretending not to care.
Xiao Chen replied, “Brother Cheng's makeup artist got stuck in traffic, so Director Lu borrowed Brother Lin for a bit.”
“If the makeup artist didn't come, what's the use of him going there? He can't do makeup, can he?” Zhou Xintang just said this naturally, then received Xiao Chen's silence. “...Does he really know how to do makeup?”
“Yeah, he's really good at it. Don't you know, Brother Zhou? Brother Lin is the one who designed Brother Cheng's current makeup. Before, Director Lu was never satisfied with Brother Cheng's makeup, but the makeup artist got upset. Brother Lin ended up fixing it,” Xiao Chen said admiringly, not bothering to hide her admiration.
Zhou Xintang didn't know about this. His previous speculation resurfaced in his mind: “Is Lin Su on good terms with Cheng Luozhu?”
“They seem to be quite close. Whenever Brother Lin sends gifts to the crew, it's always in your and Brother Cheng's name,” Xiao Chen thought for a moment. “Brother Lin gets along well with everyone in the studio.”
Zhou Xintang: “...”
Asking was as good as not asking at all.
With no scenes for him coming up, Zhou Xintang decided to head to the makeup room. Makeup artists could handle extras' makeup just fine, but the leads and supporting actors required one-on-one attention to prevent any discrepancies.
At the doorway, Zhou Xintang could already see the scene inside. Various makeup tools were arranged on the makeup table, some of which Zhou Xintang might not even recognize, yet Lin Su could effortlessly pick out items and bend down to apply makeup on Cheng Luozhu’s face.
His actions were not intimate; it was just work. But even so, witnessing this scene made Zhou Xintang's eyes sting.
The man was handsome and refined, while Cheng Luozhu was stunningly beautiful, exuding an aristocratic elegance. Together, they were captivating enough to attract countless onlookers.
"Teacher Lin's makeup skills are really good. Did you study professionally?" one makeup artist asked, tilting her head to observe.
"It's okay," Lin Su replied noncommittally.
"Teacher Lin is so modest. If you weren't specifically hired as a makeup artist, Director Lu would want you to design everything," another makeup artist chimed in.
Initially, they were quite disgruntled when the director brought in an amateur. But after witnessing Lin Su's skills, any trace of arrogance they had was quickly stomped out, along with a bit of humiliation. Despite their initial pride, Lin Su had never made them feel inadequate.
Instead, he always offered suggestions whenever asked, turning their slight embarrassment into admiration.
"Be careful not to overpraise Brother Lin. Director Lu might give him more work later," Zhou Xintang joked as he walked in.
Though receiving praise was nice, saying such things could offend the professionally trained makeup artists. It's better to avoid trouble when possible, even if it means saving face.
As soon as Zhou Xintang entered, the relaxed atmosphere suddenly became somewhat tense.
It wasn't because of his bad temper; rather, it was because of his status. No one wanted to offend him with a single word.
"Brother Zhou, hello."
"Brother Zhou, why are you here? Please, have a seat."
The gathered people warmly greeted him and then dispersed.
"You did a great job on Luozhu's makeup," Zhou Xintang remarked, smiling at Cheng Luozhu's made-up face.
His tone was calm, and no one around detected any clues. However, Cheng Luozhu's back tensed up, and he felt a shiver run down his spine.
"I've seen a lot, so I didn't expect it to be as difficult as I thought," Lin Su replied. Then, he patted Cheng Luozhu's shoulder and said, "Relax, it's hard to apply makeup when you're tense."
Cheng Luozhu nearly jumped up. Occasionally, when Lin Su's back was turned to Zhou Xintang, he caught a hint of a smile on his face, making him feel like he was doing it on purpose.
While he enjoyed watching their mutual secret crush, any hint of jealousy was turned into sweetness. But he was caught in the middle, feeling squeezed.
Please, just go and confess your love to each other. Don't pay attention to this emotionless tool like him in between, okay?
If anyone dared to use him, Cheng Luozhu, as a pawn like this, even if they were friends, he would fight back. But he owed Brother Lin a debt of gratitude, so being used as a tool wasn't a big deal.
Hmm, a debt of gratitude indeed.
He definitely shouldn't seek out such a clever and mischievous man in the future. It's sweet to tease his wife to the point of being addicted to it, but it's annoying for others!!!
"Brother Zhou, I'm going on stage now. Bye," Cheng Luozhu, finished with his makeup, grabbed his clothes and dashed off.
The makeup artists dispersed, some following their clients and others taking a break. Only Zhou Xintang and Lin Su remained, the latter silently tidying up the used items. No one spoke.
The atmosphere was quite tense, and System 06 worried that the host was losing control. It wasn't until the next day when Zhou Xintang's makeup artist failed to arrive on time.
"Did she eat too many spicy skewers and get diarrhea?" Director Lu, impatient and agitated, asked, "How much did she eat? Can't she be a bit more professional when we're about to start shooting?"
"It seems like she ate about seven pounds," the assistant director, looking pale, replied, "She's currently in the hospital getting an IV."
"What should we do? If the lead actor can't get makeup done, how are we supposed to shoot?" Director Lu paced back and forth with his hands on his hips.
"Don't worry, the word is that agent Li has excellent makeup skills. We have communicated with him before, so there shouldn't be any problems," the assistant director reassured while making calls.
"She must be dreaming. Did she already have a backup plan?" Director Lu chuckled, "We haven't even paid her yet, and I was thinking of taking her on as an apprentice. What's the point of her working as a makeup artist everyday?"
"It's okay, Xintang's issue is also my issue," Lin Su interjected upon hearing the conversation. Both men turned to look at him, and he smiled, "Sorry for eavesdropping. If it's possible, let me give it a try. Let's not waste everyone's time."
【Host, last night Zhou Xintang treated his makeup artist to a meal of extra spicy crayfish, the kind that fills you up completely】System 06 dutifully reported.
【Received】Lin Su chuckled.
Since it was trouble caused by his own people, it was only fitting for him to clean it up.
“Sorry for the trouble,” Director Lu coughed before saying, “We'll rely on you then. How about I take you on as my apprentice?”
Having an apprentice who could always come to the rescue would save him a lot of trouble in the future.
“No problem,” Lin Su instinctively ignored the latter part of the offer and left.
"Director Lu, how about I become your apprentice?" the assistant director, who had just hung up the phone, joked.
Director Lu patted his back vigorously, full of vigor, "Get lost."
Meanwhile, Zhou Xintang was already waiting in the makeup room. When he saw Lin Su come in, he feigned surprise, "Why are you here? What did the makeup artist say?"
"The makeup artist is in the hospital getting an IV. I'll be doing your makeup today," Lin Su took off his coat and smiled.
"Okay, then. Let her rest well, health comes first," Zhou Xintang sat up straight, "Since you're here, let's get started."
Cheng Luozhu, seeing Lin Su enter, wanted to leave, but Zhou Xintang kindly called out to him, "Luozhu, we'll be shooting soon. Don't wander around. Come talk to me here."
He felt touched by his kindness and would have been moved to tears if he didn't know the truth. His idol is a truly kind person.
However, now... Sorry, but his fan filter shattered into pieces. Despite still admiring Zhou Xintang's excellent acting skills, he couldn't handle this unexpected dog food.
“Hehe, sure, sure,” Cheng Luozhu forced a smile to conceal his despondent gaze.
Anyone will do, please someone save him! Even Mr. Shi will do! Save me.
If one day Cheng Luozhu dies, it must be from being overwhelmed by all this dog food.
Lin Su was very dedicated to doing Zhou Xintang's makeup, but today he wasn't wearing gloves. His fingers directly pinched Zhou Xintang's chin, and as their eyes met, Zhou Xintang could feel his face heating up.
"Look down," Lin Su lowered his head and leaned in closer.
"Oh," Zhou Xintang lowered his gaze, the proximity feeling reminiscent of being on the brink of a kiss.
Initially feeling a bit delighted, Zhou Xintang's mood turned pleased yet sour when he remembered Lin Su being this close to someone else yesterday.
"Since your makeup skills are so good, how about I give you a professional set of equipment?" Zhou Xintang thought pursuing someone meant creating opportunities and spending money.
"No need, I don't do makeup often anyway," Lin Su's fingers brushed over his eye corner, "Look up for a moment."
Cheng Luozhu, sitting on the side, felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, with a multitude of words to express but nowhere to voice them.
Zhou Xintang, when pursuing someone, you should give watches, ties, tie clips, suits, shoes, luxury cars—not makeup equipment.
Love truly makes people lose their minds, as the ancients have said.
"Oh," Zhou Xintang felt nervous about the closeness and his mind was in a bit of a blur, "Actually, it wouldn't be too extravagant."
Lin Su chuckled ambiguously, and Zhou Xintang immediately started thinking about where he went wrong. He felt so embarrassed he wished he could disappear into the ground.
What did he just say!
Oh no, now there's no way to salvage this.
"What I mean is..." he tried to explain, but Lin Su interrupted, "Don't move your lips."
That shut him up, and Zhou Xintang regretted not being able to explode on the spot.
He should just take the opportunity he finally got, and be satisfied.
He didn't get a chance to explain until the makeup was finished.
"All done," Lin Su stood up to wash his hands, and when he came out, Zhou Xintang was already on set.
Zhou Xintang was professional on set, showing no signs of embarrassment. Even Shi Wei, who occasionally ran to the set, had to praise Zhou Xintang's professionalism.
"Actually, your studio could really affiliate with Shi’s Group," Shi Wei admired Lin Su, "Shi's Group isn't afraid of Kang Shang."
After investigating Lin Su, he realized that Lin Su was truly extraordinary. Not to mention his struggles and education in the first twenty years of his life, just his current assets and capabilities surpassed many so-called geniuses.
"Instead of being a leader, I'd rather we become partners," Lin Su smiled, "And isn't it the same whether we're affiliated or not in name?"
Shi Wei felt that this person was truly astute to the core. "Then hand over Luozhu to me."
"I can't make decisions for him. As long as you can convince him I will," Lin Su shrugged.
Shi Wei took a deep breath and gave up. Even if Zhou Xintang's studio had Luozhu as an artist, Lin Su's life-saving grace made Luozhu willingly stay there.
He was grateful that neither of them had feelings for each other. Otherwise, his pursuit would be relentless and threatening.
"Zhou Xintang is really something," Shi Wei decided to reinforce Lin Su's feelings towards Zhou Xintang.
"Yeah, Luozhu is also great," Lin Su smiled back.
Shi Wei: "...You're not interested in Luo Zhu, are you?"
The sudden pang of jealousy hit him.
"If I were interested in him, it wouldn't be any of your business," Lin Su admitted.
Shi Wei took a deep breath, deciding to be smart and not argue with this younger man. "Do you have any tips for chasing after him then?"
"Just treat him well and let him know unintentionally that you only treat him well," Lin Su succinctly passed on his experience, then retreated.
Shi Wei: "..."
It seemed reasonable. Young people these days really have their own ways.
"What were you two so happily discussing with Mr. Shi just now?" Zhou Xintang asked with a smile after coming off set.
"I was teaching him how to chase after his wife," Lin Su replied while touching up Zhou Xintang's makeup.
Zhou Xintang didn't doubt his professional skills,but was just curious, "Who does Mr. Shi want to chase? Is it so difficult to chase them?"
Even the movie emperor has a gossiping heart.
"Luozhu," Lin Su calmly answered.
"Huh?" Zhou Xintang was surprised and tried to turn his head, but Lin Su, foreseeing this, caught his chin. "Aren't you interested in Cheng Luozhu?"
"Why would you think I like him?" Lin Su asked in return.
Zhou Xintang: "…"
Yeah, why would he think Lin Su likes Cheng Luozhu?
1 Comments
Thanks for the update
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