A visit to the set

Lin Fengmian did not care whether he looked beautiful or ugly. He was paid to do a job, and since he had accepted the acting fee, he would cooperate fully whether they wanted him ugly or beautiful. That was how professional he was.

Once his makeup was finished, he felt that aside from slightly darker skin and contact lenses that made his eyes look less bright, not much had changed. The stylist, however, looked miserable, as though he wanted to cough up blood.

"Buddy, you did a great job."

His buddy could not cheer up at all, though at least he had photos to soothe his wounded soul.

Lin Sui took Lin Fengmian to see the director. The Floating Heavenly Palace set was not finished yet, so Lin Fengmian would first film the mortal-world scenes with the female lead. Since he had never acted before, the director had to walk him through many things.

Fortunately, he was clever and had excellent comprehension. As a humanities student, he could also quickly empathize with the characters in the story. Filming began with countless failed takes, but after countless failures and adjustments, Lin Fengmian soon found the feeling the director wanted. On the second day, filming progress took off.

The male and female leads were popular young stars in the industry and had discerning eyes. From the director's and producer's attitudes, they could tell Lin Fengmian was someone special. They were very cooperative during filming, doing their best to rein in their tempers so they would not offend him.

Lin Fengmian was not someone who would start trouble, either, so everyone got along fairly well.

During a break, Huang Xiaoying asked the male lead, Jiang Lexing, "What do you think his background is?"

From a distance, they watched Lin Fengmian enter the director's lounge. And whenever it was mealtime, the assistant by his side always went outside to collect his food. He never ate with the crew.

Once, Huang Xiaoying's assistant had run into Lin Sui collecting food and glanced at the packaging. The containers were not from any restaurant near Hengdian and looked very high-end.

"No idea. Maybe he's some big shot's son here to experience ordinary life." Jiang Lexing thought he was perfectly capable of playing the male lead. Choosing the third male lead instead could only mean he was here for fun.

Huang Xiaoying was just about to say something when a commotion rose outside. The director, Huang Shihua, and the producer, Sun Haoyuan, came running from some corner and rushed toward the entrance.

A man in a suit jogged up to the car in the middle and opened its rear door.

The first thing everyone saw was a long, slender lower leg, drawing the fabric of the suit trousers taut. Then a refined, handsome man stepped out, and a black umbrella immediately covered his head.

Fastening his suit jacket with one hand, Xia Qinghe said to the director, "I was nearby on business and dropped in for a look. I hope I'm not causing you any trouble."

"Not at all. This way, please?" Huang Shihua led him toward the director's lounge, while Sun Haoyuan told an assistant to brew the best tea the crew had.

Xia Qinghe glanced at Secretary Su behind him. "I brought some things. Secretary Su, distribute them among the crew to thank them for looking after Mianmian."

Secretary Su acknowledged the instruction and went to arrange it.

Upon entering the lounge, Xia Qinghe surveyed the shelter, which was as shabby as a refugee camp, then frowned at Huang Shihua and Sun Haoyuan, as though reproaching them for failing to do their utmost to create a pleasant environment for the cast.

No, for Yun Yaoxian.

Huang Shihua and Sun Haoyuan felt a chill across their scalps and were left speechless. Their crew already had the best conditions in the studio complex.

Xia Qinghe walked quietly over to a reclining chair and crouched down to look at Lin Fengmian, who was still in full makeup. He was asleep, with a little sauce at the corner of his mouth.

Xia Qinghe reached out to wipe it away, getting a hand covered in makeup and exposing the fair, lustrous skin beneath.

The foundation on his face was clearly a shade darker.

The corner of Xia Qinghe's mouth twitched. No wonder he had thought his Mianmian looked uglier. It turned out the crew had behaved outrageously and deliberately made his Mianmian ugly.

Was his Mianmian being bullied on set?

He had often heard several business friends say the entertainment industry was a mess, with top-billed actors bullying those billed second and third, and status determined by star power.

His Mianmian probably did not even have a billing position. Wouldn't that mean he was being bullied to death?

Just imagining Lin Fengmian being bullied by the male and female leads made Xia Qinghe want to blow up the planet.

His expression grew darker and darker.

The shelter grew colder and colder.

The pressure grew greater and greater.

Lin Fengmian felt around and found a corner of the thin blanket. Just as he was about to pull it over himself, he felt something being laid over him, still carrying someone's body heat, warm and fragrant.

It was a familiar scent.

His brow instantly relaxed, and he did not wake.

Xia Qinghe let out a soft breath, signaled to Lin Sui with his eyes, and left the lounge.

Seeing him come out, everyone followed.

Xia Qinghe asked in front of everyone, "Have they been bullying Mianmian?"

Lin Sui shook his head. "No."

"Then why have they made my Mianmian ugly?"

Huang Shihua and Sun Haoyuan were speechless. Is it really okay to accuse us like this in public?

Fine. He has the power to do it. Even if he accuses us in public, we don't dare protest.

They pinned their hopes on Lin Sui putting in a good word for them.

Lin Sui had taken photos back then, too. He opened them on his phone and handed it to Xia Qinghe. "See for yourself."

Looking at the photo on the phone, Xia Qinghe lifted his chin slightly. "Is the one beside him his maid?"

Huang Xiaoying, the female lead, had just moved closer to find out who the visitor was. She was speechless. You're the maid.

Lin Sui had not expected President Xia's tongue to be so vicious. "...That's the female lead."

For a time, the scene fell deathly silent.

After a long while, Xia Qinghe exhaled. "I understand now. The female lead is too ugly to be worthy of my Mianmian."

In her mind, Huang Xiaoying picked up a little effigy and slammed it down over and over. You're ugly! You...

Huang Xiaoying stared expressionlessly at Xia Qinghe's face. Damn it, I can't keep insulting him. His looks are actually on par with Lin Fengmian's. If he's ugly, what does that make us? A whole new level of ugly?

"But that's still no reason to make Mianmian ugly." Xia Qinghe's face was as dark as if a layer of storm clouds had covered it, with a storm about to break.

Huang Shihua was his elder, after all. He politely invited Xia Qinghe into another lounge, served him good food and drinks, and patiently explained.

"We've already filmed a lot, invested a lot, and poured a lot of effort into it. We can't possibly find another female lead. To give her someone who matches her, we could only ask Fourth Young Master Lin to put up with this. We had no other choice."

"Besides, where would I find a female lead worthy of Fourth Young Master Lin? Whether in bearing or beauty, no one can compare to him."

Xia Qinghe liked hearing that and felt the director had a point. "You're right. It really is hard to find a partner for someone like Mianmian. Fine, I'll reluctantly accept it. But the conditions on your set need improving. They're terrible. I..."

Before he could say, "I'll send people over this afternoon to fix things up," he stared at Fan Jing, who had knocked and entered. "Why are you here?"

Fan Jing raised an eyebrow. "They're adapting my novel. What's wrong with me being on set?"

"They're adapting your novel?" Veins bulged on Xia Qinghe's forehead. He sprang to his feet and rushed out under everyone's puzzled gazes.

He charged into the lounge next door. When he emerged again, he was carrying Lin Fengmian, wrapped tightly in his suit jacket, and heading outside.

He hurried along as though a ghost were chasing him.

Fan Jing raised her eyebrows playfully.

Lin Sui looked utterly bewildered, with no idea what President Xia was up to.

"President Xia! President Xia, where are you taking Brother Mian? We haven't finished filming!" Lin Sui chased after him and grabbed the car door.

He would not let Xia Qinghe close it.

But in the end, his strength was no match for Xia Qinghe's. Tugging at the door, he let out a desperate cry. "Brother Mian! Brother Mian, wake up!"

Just as the door was about to close, Lin Fengmian was finally woken by the noise. He froze briefly at the sight of Xia Qinghe, thinking he was dreaming. "Why are you in my dream? And bullying Lin Sui, too."

Xia Qinghe's face was dark. "Why didn't you tell me your job was playing a character in Fan Jing's novel?"

Lin Fengmian raised an eyebrow, a little puzzled. "I'm just here to work. Whose novel the character comes from has nothing to do with it, does it?"

"How does it have nothing to do with it? You..." You said Fan Jing was really nice. You... Have you fallen for Fan Jing?

The more Xia Qinghe thought about it, the more upset he became, until his heart began to feel uncomfortable again.

He did not dare ask. He was afraid the answer would be yes. What would he do then? If Mianmian got married and was no longer close to him, what would he do?

Everyone said that once men got married, their wives kept them on such a tight leash that they could no longer hang out with their buddies.

And Mianmian was not assertive to begin with. Once he got married, he would definitely be kept on a very tight leash.

If he stopped hanging out with him then... Just imagining the rest of his life without Lin Fengmian was more than he could bear.