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Not all artists could accept outsiders barging into their dressing rooms, especially while they were putting on makeup or changing clothes. Many hot-tempered artists would fly into a rage on the spot.

Wenren Yan keenly picked up on what Ao Qingyuan had left unsaid—he was surprised that Ao Qingyuan could be so considerate and perceptive. His thoughts were sincere and pure, and he treated others with courtesy. Wenren Yan curled his lips, his mood improving even further. "Thank you."

Ao Qingyuan instinctively replied, "You're welcome."

Wenren Yan continued, "I'm Yan Shu. I play the second male lead, Supreme One, in Immortal-Demon Duel."

After a pause, he added, "Your carry-along old grandpa."

"So it's you." Ao Qingyuan suddenly understood. Since they would be colleagues for at least three months in the future and had many scenes together, he reined in his unapproachable superstar aura a little. "Then hurry up and get your makeup and styling done. The opening press conference is about to begin."

Wenren Yan smiled. "I'm not attending the opening press conference."

Ao Qingyuan blinked in confusion. It was as though a huge, visible question mark had popped up over his head.

Wenren Yan continued, "But you're right. I should go get my makeup and styling done. I heard they'll be taking promotional photos after the opening press conference."

Before leaving, Wenren Yan looked at Ao Qingyuan and smiled gently. "Thank you, superstar, for not mistaking me for a paparazzo or stalker fan who barged in without permission."

Ao Qingyuan glanced at Wenren Yan. "No paparazzo would wear a fully hand-stitched suit and a globally limited-edition Vacheron Constantin watch to secretly photograph an artist."

Amusement spread through Wenren Yan's eyes. "Sharp eyes indeed."

Ao Qingyuan could not suppress the upward curve of his lips. "I just happened to recognize them."

Before he had finished speaking, the dressing room door was pushed open again. Ji Jie swept in like a gust of wind. "What time is it already, and you still haven't gone out? Were you hiding in the dressing room playing games again—"

Ji Jie's voice abruptly cut off. Looking at the elite-looking man who had suddenly appeared in the dressing room, she asked warily yet politely, "Hello. May I ask who you are?"

"He's the actor playing Supreme One," Ao Qingyuan said. "His name is Yan Shu."

Ji Jie instinctively blurted out, "Why not Yan Jidao, then?"

Wenren Yan smiled. "Shu as in comfort."

Ji Jie wanted to say something, but suddenly remembered Yan Donglin's connection to the Shu Family of the Capital. She forcibly swallowed the words that were about to leave her mouth and asked with a smile, "So, Mr. Yan is...?"

"He mixed up left and right and went through the wrong door." Ao Qingyuan cheerfully explained for him, becoming unusually talkative.

Wenren Yan was a little surprised. He had not expected Ao Qingyuan to be so lively in private.

Ji Jie smiled and said casually, "Then Mr. Yan should hurry back to your dressing room for makeup and styling. The opening press conference will begin very soon."

Ao Qingyuan added, "He said he isn't attending the opening press conference—"

Before he could finish, Ji Jie shut him down with a look. Ao Qingyuan puffed out his cheeks, looking inexplicably aggrieved.

Wenren Yan smiled. "I'll be taking my leave first. Sorry for disturbing you."

After Wenren Yan left, Ji Jie could not help complaining, "What's with that guy? He's so strange. He won't attend the press conference, and I heard he refuses to show his face while filming too. He even had the props department specially make a mask for him. Apparently, he'll wear it throughout the entire shoot." If he disliked appearing on camera that much, why had he come to act?

Ji Jie could not figure it out, so she could only remind Ao Qingyuan, "Stay away from him."

"I think he's pretty nice." Ao Qingyuan did not take it seriously. "Besides, how am I supposed to stay away from him? We'll be filming together for the next three months."

As he spoke, Ao Qingyuan could not help grumbling again. "Fine, I can understand being told to stay away from actresses, but now I have to stay away from actors too? This drama will be filming for months. Am I supposed to play with myself?"

That was true! Ji Jie had a bit of a headache. Still, she had to give the warning. "Don't think I'm nagging. You're popular right now, so of course everyone around you seems nice. How would you know how dangerous people can be? Anyway, it never hurts to be more careful."

Ao Qingyuan said nothing. In any case, he had his own principles for dealing with people.

At 10:58 a.m., the opening press conference for Immortal-Demon Duel officially began. Several main cast members took the stage in full costume and makeup to be interviewed by the media.

Generally speaking, production crews were always strict about keeping actors' looks confidential when a show began filming. Many crews prohibited leaked photos and banned fans from sharing images of actors in costume, all to build anticipation among viewers and prevent them from losing that sense of surprise once the drama aired.

However, Yan Donglin had always done things unconventionally. On top of that, several period dramas previously invested in by Canghai Media had been criticized by viewers for their shoddy costumes, makeup, and sets, as though they had been bought wholesale from a bargain market. So when Immortal-Demon Duel began filming this time, Yan Donglin simply made the call to have the main cast attend the opening press conference in full costume and makeup. First, he wanted to showcase the star-studded lineup of the main creative team and actors. Second, he wanted to tell everyone in the industry and the audience that Canghai Media had spared no expense and gone all out for Immortal-Demon Duel. They had to raise every viewer's expectations from the very start of filming.

By mid-May, the weather had gradually grown hot. Ao Qingyuan wore a wig cap and layers upon layers of ancient costume. Even though the air conditioning in the hotel's top-floor conference hall was blasting, he still felt somewhat stuffy. On top of that, the opening press conference was rather tedious and dull. Ao Qingyuan was so sleepy that he was nearly yawning.

At last, they made it to the final media interaction segment. Every reporter turned their questions toward Ao Qingyuan.

The very first question was sharp. "You have acted in a Hollywood film. What do you think is different between Hollywood directors and Director Chu Siming?"

After the reporter asked the question, everyone turned to look at Ao Qingyuan.

Author's note:

Not sure why, but my head feels a little dizzy. This chapter is a bit short today. (:з"∠)

Thank you to all the little angels who sent me gifts or nourished me with nutrient solution between 2020-05-16 11:03:28 and 2020-05-17 12:20:27~

Thanks to the little angel who sent a landmine: Ni Keke 1;

Thank you all so much for your support. I'll keep working hard!