Chapter 47

Zhao Lan, who was rehearsing with Chen Mo, stared at the ancient beauty before her, whose every gesture, every glance, every lowered head brimmed with peerless grace, and for the nth time, forgot her lines.

Still immersed in the role of Da Qiao, Chen Mo looked at Zhao Lan with slight suspicion. Her delicate brows lifted as she asked softly, "What is it, Sun Lang?"

Zhao Lan: "..."

Wiping her face with a heart full of bitterness, Zhao Lan turned to complain to Director Wang. "Director Wang, can you find someone else to rehearse with him? He's always so tender and alluring. How am I supposed to act with him later?"

Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao, who had just finished filming a scene, laughed along with everyone else. The suggestion that Chen Mo and Zhao Lan switch roles had originally come from Lu Xiaonong, in order to help Chen Mo relax and adjust to the atmosphere on set as quickly as possible. Zhao Lan had agreed because she thought it sounded fun. Yet once they actually switched roles, Chen Mo's Da Qiao was even more breathtakingly elegant, gentle, and dignified than Zhao Lan's.

Zhao Lan was so annoyed that she kept complaining, "If I'd known Chen Mo was this good, I should've had him play Diao Chan. Why make him play Da Qiao?"

Chen Mo's lovely face paled at once. Looking at Zhao Lan with sorrowful grievance, he whimpered, "Has Sun Lang grown tired of this humble wife?"

From afar, with her brows faintly knitted like clouds shrouded in mist, she truly looked as though she were a pear blossom drenched in rain.

Zhao Lan was dazed again. When she came back to herself, she slapped Chen Mo on the forehead and gritted out, "You bastard, I'm divorcing you, you demon."

Covering his forehead, Chen Mo turned around and spotted Chen Yuxiu and Lu Xiaonong snickering on set. His eyes lit up, and he simply lifted the hem of his curved robe and gracefully ran toward Lu Xiaonong, saying, "Sister, Sun Lang has gone mad and wants to divorce your elder sister. Your elder sister has come to seek refuge with you. Let us sisters imitate Ehuang and Nüying and serve one husband together."

Halfway there, Chen Mo caught sight of Lin Yongning, who was playing Sun Quan. A joke he had seen in his previous life about the Three Kingdoms suddenly floated into his mind. He changed direction and swept over to Lin Yongning. His long sleeves fluttered as he spun in a circle, then he parted his lips with a smile and asked Sun Quan, "Quan'er, is your brother beautiful?"

Lin Yongning looked as though he had been struck by lightning on a clear day, staring at Chen Mo with a completely blank expression.

The others on set burst into even louder laughter. Even Wang Chusheng could not help laughing and scolding, "Nonsense."

Still, although Chen Mo's lines were rather unreliable, the ancient charm and elegance in his every movement were refreshing to behold. As everyone smiled knowingly at the joke, they could not help marveling at Chen Mo's talent for acting.

What they did not know was that during his training in the System Space, although Chen Mo's primary task had been to study Sun Ce, he had also dealt quite a bit with the NPCs of other characters. This time, when he switched roles with Zhao Lan, Chen Mo had not entered the System Space to possess Da Qiao, but he had unconsciously imitated every gesture and movement of that Da Qiao from the system. The NPCs manifested according to the novel and historical records were naturally a cut above Zhao Lan in bearing and manner. That was why Chen Mo's Da Qiao not only stunned everyone in the crew, but even made Zhao Lan willingly admit defeat.

During a break, Lu Xiaonong, who played Xiao Qiao, took out her phone and repeatedly snapped photos with Chen Mo. If not for the production's confidentiality agreement, Lu Xiaonong would have loved nothing more than to post the pictures online with the caption: "The Two Qiaos of Jiangdong."

Chen Mo had been a little restrained at first, but after less than two hours of rehearsing, he completely let go. It was just wearing women's clothing and switching roles. What was there to be shy about? Thus, not only did he actively add and alter scenes while role-swapping, he also chatted everyone up during breaks. By the end of the afternoon, the results were indeed quite good. At the very least, he had become familiar with most of the actors in the crew.

Xiao Ding, the assistant helping Chen Mo keep his personal belongings, walked over with Chen Mo's phone. To avoid disrupting filming, Chen Mo's phone had long since been set to silent. Still, that did not stop someone from calling.

Chen Mo glanced at the caller ID and answered the call—

"What? You want to visit the set?"

Chapter 47

By the time Mu Yu arrived on set, it was nearly noon. Chen Mo had already changed out of his costume and removed his makeup, and was idly sitting in a lounge chair chatting with Zhao Lan and Lu Xiaonong.

Zhao Lan and Lu Xiaonong looked enviously at Chen Mo's fair, delicate, smooth, dewy skin, which was nearly poreless, and kept asking what skincare products he used.

Of course, Chen Mo could not say that he used 123 Romance-brand Landmines and Nutrient Solution, so he brought up skincare tips he had seen his girlfriend and mother use in his previous life. Other than cosmetic brands that did not exist in this world, they were mostly all-natural handmade DIY methods. Zhao Lan and Lu Xiaonong had only been making casual conversation at first, but after hearing a few things, they became serious. They immediately instructed their assistants to write everything Chen Mo said down, planning to try it when they returned to the hotel that evening.

When Mu Yu arrived, this was the lively scene he saw. Although Chen Mo's personality was not especially likable, whenever he deliberately wanted to befriend someone, he could always cater to their preferences. Thus, most people found it difficult to refuse Chen Mo's overtures of goodwill.

As the executive president of Mu Group, Mu Yu rarely appeared on television or gave interviews, but that did not mean he was unknown. At the very least, most people in the crew recognized Boss Mu.

Now that they had personally seen Boss Mu come to visit the set, and thought of the rumors that had recently begun circulating in the industry, everyone immediately understood without needing to say anything.

It was nearly noon, and the crew had also stopped filming for the morning to prepare for lunch.

Mu Yu had practically timed his arrival perfectly. Even Chen Mo did not know why Mu Yu was so fixated on mealtimes. Every time he invited Chen Mo out, it was either lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack.

Even when visiting the set, he had not forgotten to bring desserts and hot drinks from a Michelin restaurant.

The early spring chill still lingered, with warmth coming and going. After filming all morning in the whistling cold wind of the studio city, having a small cake that was sweet but not cloying, smooth and rich, along with a steaming hot drink during the break, immediately warmed the whole body. A sense of happiness spread at once.

It had to be said that Mu Yu was very thoughtful. While helping Chen Mo win people over, he also made sure to give everyone enough face. Watching Mu Yu's assistant follow behind Xiao Ding and hand out desserts to the crew, even copying Xiao Ding's familiar tone as he repeatedly exchanged pleasantries like, "Please take good care of our Xiao Mo," Chen Mo could not help twitching the corner of his mouth.

Since when had he become one of their family?

Noticing Chen Mo's gaze resting on the desserts, Mu Yu quietly curved his lips and said considerately, "We're going to lunch later. If you like desserts, I'll have the chef make some fresh ones."

Chen Mo: "..."

Wang Chusheng held a piece of chocolate mousse cake with a satisfied smile as he ate. As a man over fifty, most people in the industry did not know that Wang Chusheng loved sweets. For the sake of his image and health, he could usually keep his mouth under control.

But Boss Mu had brought desserts to the set out of kindness. If he did not eat any at all, would that not mean letting Boss Mu's thoughtfulness go to waste?

Wang Chusheng struggled inwardly for less than 0.2 seconds. After quickly finishing a piece of chocolate mousse cake, he reached his sinful hand toward another piece of tiramisu.

Perhaps because he had been thoroughly bribed by the desserts, when Chen Mo asked for leave to go eat lunch, Wang Chusheng generously approved it. He only reminded Chen Mo to return to the set on time in the afternoon—

Although Chen Mo had no scenes scheduled today, Wang Chusheng still hoped he could remain with the crew all day so that he could get used to things as soon as possible.

Naturally, Chen Mo understood Wang Chusheng's good intentions. He smiled and agreed.

As a secret foodie who only knew how to eat during dates, Mu Yu had naturally subjected this meal's location to strict scrutiny as well. The atmosphere was elegant and quiet, the dishes were perfect in color, aroma, and flavor, and Chen Mo enjoyed the meal immensely.

Afterward, Mu Yu indeed kept his word and had the chef bring out freshly made desserts. Once Chen Mo had finished them, Mu Yu did not forget to signal for the waiter to bring over two bottles of yogurt to aid digestion. Chen Mo looked at the yogurt brand and nearly burst out laughing.

Holding the yogurt and sipping through a straw, Mu Yu looked at Chen Mo with an expressionless face.

Chen Mo could not help laughing. "You don't have to go out of your way to find this brand every time you drink yogurt. Isn't that making things too difficult for the hotel?"

Making a five-star hotel specially provide yogurt that sold for only two and a half yuan a box, the waiter had probably gone out specifically to buy it.

Mu Yu lowered his eyes and explained with great seriousness, "I thought you liked this brand."

So that was why he had specifically found this brand of yogurt after every meal?

Chen Mo suddenly felt his mood improve. He picked up the yogurt on the table and took a sip. Feeling the rich, lightly sour taste on his tongue, he said with a smile, "It really is pretty good. I like it."

Seeing Chen Mo drink yogurt with such earnest concentration, Mu Yu smiled faintly as well.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Mu Yu returned Chen Mo to the studio city on time.

Before Chen Mo got out of the car, Mu Yu asked, "Want to have a late-night snack together tonight?"

Chen Mo understood instantly. The reason it was not dinner was surely because Mu Yu would be busy that afternoon and could not make it in time for dinner. That was why he had settled for the next best thing.

Chen Mo silently reflected on whether he looked too much like a foodie, which was why Mu Yu could never think of anything to do with him other than eat.

Mu Yu watched Chen Mo remain silent, apparently deep in thought, and unexpectedly felt a little nervous. The next moment, Chen Mo smiled. "Call me after you're done with work tonight. We can talk then."

Mu Yu froze. Then Chen Mo said with a smile, "A late-night snack does sound nice. But when I think about how you'd have to drive two hours to come see me just to eat one, then drive more than two hours back, you'd probably be exhausted. Look, you even have dark circles under your eyes."

As he spoke, Chen Mo raised a finger and gently pointed at Mu Yu's barely noticeable dark circles, smiling as he said, "So let's save the late-night snack for another time. Once I finish filming this drama, I'll find time to treat you to one."

With that, Chen Mo turned and opened the car door.

The warm early spring sunlight streamed through the slightly opened door and spilled into the car, making the young man's features appear even more exquisite. The sunlight was a little dazzling, causing him to lower his eyes instinctively. His thick, curled lashes trembled with apparent unease, concealing eyes that had originally been so bright and clear they seemed to pierce straight into the heart, vaguely creating the illusion that he was obedient and harmless.

Mu Yu, who had been cautiously wavering all along, suddenly seemed to gather his courage and grabbed Chen Mo by the arm.

Chen Mo paused halfway out of the car. Turning back, he saw Mu Yu wearing an earnest, solemn expression as he said in the tone of announcing a major corporate decision, "Xiao Mo, may I ask you to watch a movie with me?"

Chen Mo laughed.

Dinner, movies...

The seemingly routine itinerary directly exposed the man's intentions. The experienced young man raised his brows with interest. He silently glanced at the man, who looked expressionless but was actually nervously gripping his arm, then smiled. "Sure!"

Before Mu Yu could fully relax, Chen Mo immediately added with a smile, "But not now. Let's wait until filming is over."

Mu Yu's hand around Chen Mo's arm loosened slightly. Seeming to realize that his action was inappropriate, Mu Yu quietly lowered the hand that had restrained Chen Mo's arm and asked very seriously, "What kind of movies do you like?"

"Special effects movies or horror movies, I guess." As Chen Mo spoke, he suddenly remembered something—more precisely, something he himself had enjoyed doing in his previous life.

Thinking of that, Chen Mo looked Mu Yu up and down with a hint of mischief, wondering whether this blockhead knew that trick.

Noticing Chen Mo's "ill-intentioned" scrutiny, Mu Yu unconsciously held his breath. Chen Mo found it even more amusing and curled his lips. "I heard that when many guys ask a girl to the movies for the first time, they choose horror films. That way, when the girl sees something scary, she'll scream, and then..."