On the way back to their room, Chi Li gave Shen Xunye a heads-up. "I won't hold back from giving you orders just because you're Shen Xunye."
Shen Xunye readily agreed, "Of course, you can order me to do anything, including..." He drawled, his smile meaningful, "... things beyond the scope of my service."
"Hmph." Chi Li snorted coldly. "Then you'd better know your place. If you dare to do any of the services I'm asking for, I'll fire you."
"Oh..." Shen Xunye's mouth drooped instantly.
Hmm... I won't say things like 'understanding the master's thoughts and needs is also part of a personal assistant's job' for now, lest I get banned.
You can justify it when you have to do it.
"Alright." Chi Li immediately gave the order, "Your first task is to pack my luggage."
Shen Xunye was full of enthusiasm. "Okay!"
Upon arriving at the filming location, Chi Li read through the script, which was filled with her scenes, several more times.
After Jiang Shi won an award last year for a film with a niche subject, he was hailed by major media outlets and audiences as a pioneering director who dared to take on challenges.
I don't know if she's been burdened by the label of 'avant-garde director,' but the subject matter of her latest film is once again extremely niche.
The story is set in the interstellar era and incorporates an ABO (Aspect-Oriented Bona Fate) setting.
Chi Li will be playing the male lead's omega... mother.
He had to admit that one of the reasons he initially declined the cameo role was because of the character's personality.
He truly couldn't imagine how a man like him could play the role of... a mother.
But Jiang Shi's invitation was so sincere, and he even played the victim, that Chi Li had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.
"Are you nervous?" Shen Xunye asked with concern, noticing Chi Li's hand gripping the script tightly.
"A little." Chi Li let out a soft breath, "After all, it's my first time acting."
"Who said this is your first time?" Shen Xunye disagreed. "Your first time was clearly when you were selling bromance with me."
"That's all improvisation without a script." Chi Li glanced at him amusedly, her tension easing slightly. "This has fixed lines; you can't improvise."
"What does it matter?" Shen Xunye remained unconcerned. "Didn't you act very well in the scene where you slapped me last time?"
Chi Li's face flushed slightly. "... Facing you feels completely different from facing anyone else."
"Oh... I'm different from others." Shen Xunye's face lit up with a smile. "Well, there's nothing I can do about it. A co-star like me is a rare find. You'll just have to try and overcome that."
Chi Li seemed to see the person in front of her wagging their tail.
It's just that he's different from others... Is it really necessary to be so happy?
"Okay, I'll get through it." Chi Li smoothed out the crumpled paper and reviewed the plot again.
Upon arrival at the scene, Chi Li was immediately taken to the dressing room.
The makeup artist marveled at his natural beauty while quickly and effortlessly completing the makeup task.
After finishing his makeup and changing into his costume, he was immediately sent to the filming location.
"OMG--" Jiang Shi stood up automatically upon seeing him, her eyes sparkling. " Chi Li! I knew this role had to be yours!"
Chi Li: "..."
He really wanted to remind the director that he hadn't started acting yet.
"Come here, Xiao Lu," Jiang Shi quickly called to the male lead beside him, "Let me explain the scene to you—"
This drama is a pure, clichéd soap opera.
Chi Li plays the Omega mother, who is the 'prematurely deceased white moonlight' of the male lead's two Alpha fathers.
That's right, they are two Alpha fathers.
They are twins born of the same mother, not only looking exactly alike, but also sharing the same hobbies.
It seems only natural to fall in love with the same person.
Unfortunately, the Omega they fell for was rather dim-witted. When he was dating two Alphas in turn, even if he noticed something was off about the person in front of him, he would only be slightly puzzled and wouldn't realize that it was a completely different person.
The two brothers worked together seamlessly and enjoyed the process immensely.
But soon, both the older and younger brothers underwent a change in mindset.
Both of them, who have always believed in the principle of 'sharing', developed a possessive desire for Omega.
They appeared together, confronted the Omega, and confessed when they were the older brother and when they were the younger brother, then made him choose.
Omega was incredibly surprised, but he couldn't tell the two apart at all, so he couldn't choose between them and opted for neither.
The two brothers, of course, could not accept this outcome, so their obsessive entanglement continued.
Omega was forced to go from not wanting either to wanting both.
They remain amicable in front of outsiders, but when it comes to anything related to Omega, they are absolutely uncompromising.
Later, Omega was hit by a speeding car and seriously injured while trying to save an orphan child.
However, due to the severity of his injuries, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and died in his hospital bed.
Before he died, he asked the couple to raise the child as their own.
The two were devastated and agreed to his request, choosing to raise the child together.
They shared custody of the child, but they never showed any kindness to the child who indirectly took Omega's life.
Resources are plentiful, but the requirements are also higher. If the set standards are not met, one will be punished according to family rules.
The male protagonist's body was covered in wounds; almost no part of him was unharmed.
Bearing such heavy pressure, the male protagonist grew into a more ruthless person than his fathers.
Chi Li's main scenes focus on the memories of the two fathers when the male protagonist successfully seizes power and comes to interrogate them about the reason why they 'hate' him so much.
Although the setup is complex, there aren't actually many parts that need to be filmed; in many places, just a short clip is enough.
"Actually, I've always wanted to complain..." After Jiang Shi finished explaining the plot to the two of them, Chi Li said leisurely, "It's the interstellar era, how can the traffic be this bad?"
"Ahem..." Jiang Shi looked somewhat embarrassed. "It's for the plot, it's for the plot. A father needs a reasonable reason to treat his child like this, right?"
"... Okay." There were many possible arguments, but Chi Li only made a casual remark and didn't want to take it seriously. "... Then let's start filming."
To save costs, Lu Wei not only played the male lead but also his two fathers.
The fathers in coming-of-age dramas have beards, making them easy to distinguish.
The father I remember in the play looks exactly like him now.
Filming the scenes of taking turns on dates wasn't difficult, but it took a lot of time.
By the time work was finished, Chi Li had changed at least six outfits.
There's no way around it; a refined Omega can't wear the same outfit on every date.