Another Day

Most celebrities' bodyguards spent their days exposed to sun and rain. They were ordinary men, burly but dark-skinned and rough, with unkempt faces. Like fish eyes beside pearls, they looked all the worse for standing next to them.

But Zou Yan's build and stature, not to mention the quality of his clothes, made it obvious at a glance that he was no ordinary man. Even in the crowded throng, he stood tall and imposing. The hand holding the umbrella was long and lean yet strong, and his other arm curved easily around Xie Yibai's shoulders, keeping him in a safe space.

Like a pearl and its shell, a white bird and a black horse.

That composition, that quality, that expressiveness-how could it not look good?

A Chu saved the photos to her album so she could study them closely later.

But to show her professionalism, she also remembered to ask Zou Yan for his opinion. "Mr. Zou, our fansite photographers accidentally caught you in their pictures of Teacher Xiaobai. Should I contact them and ask them to blur you out?"

Zou Yan held out his hand. "Let me see how they turned out."

A Chu obediently opened her album and handed him her phone.

Zou Yan quickly swiped through a couple of pictures, then handed it back. "They look pretty good. No need to blur me out."

A Chu said, "All right, all right."

Over on the other side, Xie Yibai went to report to the director. The movie had an ample budget and was mostly being shot on location. Today's location was an elegant, stylish café, whose owner would make a cameo as a staff member.

They would shoot his solo scenes in the morning. An Fei wouldn't arrive until noon, and the afternoon was reserved for scenes between the second male lead and the female lead.

The director had seen his audition footage. After exchanging a few pleasantries with him, he had the makeup artist take him to get styled.

His appearance suited the character well. After a change of clothes, a little work on his hair, and a touch-up to his makeup, he was the spitting image of Lin Wen.

The director was pleased with his look and called over the café owner to teach him on the spot how to use the equipment to make a cup of coffee.

Xie Yibai had already studied how to use a coffee machine while preparing for the audition, so he picked it up quickly. The owner praised him nonstop, saying he was talented and an extraordinary learner, and added that he wanted to take a photo with him after filming and hang it in the café as a sign.

Meanwhile, a member of the crew was coordinating the lighting and prop placement with the lighting technician. Zou Yan came over and pulled Xie Yibai in front of the camera to test the lighting himself.

Adjusting the lighting was a tedious process, and stand-ins were often used to ease the burden on actors and improve filming efficiency.

But Zou Yan said that

stand-ins

were never as good as the person himself. If Xie Yibai wanted to look his best on camera, he shouldn't be afraid of a little hardship, so Zou Yan made him stand there for a full half hour.

While he stood there for the lighting test, Zou Yan went to chat with the director. Once filming officially began, Zou Yan stayed by the monitor the whole time, afraid something might go wrong.

Xie Yibai had acted in so many productions that, even if his acting wasn't particularly polished, he was still a professional who snapped into character the moment the clapperboard came down.

The first two takes went smoothly, and everyone was relaxed. Only Zou Yan watched the monitor with a serious expression.

Xie Yibai also went over to watch his performance on the monitor. Nothing seemed wrong with it, and he had no idea what Zou Yan was worried about.

Xie Yibai pulled Zou Yan aside, handed him a cup of coffee that had already been made, and whispered, "Brother Yan, is something on your mind?"

Zou Yan said, "It's nothing. I haven't watched over a set in a long time, so I'm not used to it yet."

"You're making the director nervous," Xie Yibai reminded him. "This isn't our turf, so tone it down a little."

"It's not like I've been telling them how to make the movie," Zou Yan said with a sigh. "But you're right. I'll step outside in a bit."

Xie Yibai asked, "Brother Yan, do you still really want to be a director?"

"I can't be a director, because I can't accept the limits of my own abilities." Zou Yan patted his arm. "You did very well just now. Don't let me affect you."

"Okay."

Zou Yan went outside for some air, and A Chu stayed with Xie Yibai in his place.

In just one morning, photos of Xie Yibai arriving at work had spread beyond his usual circles.

He was famous for looking good in unedited photos, his looks standing up to the scrutiny of any camera, so his beautiful pictures often spread far and wide.

But this time, the focus of online discussion wasn't him. It was Zou Yan.

It started with people in the Weibo comments asking who the man holding the umbrella for him was. A new bodyguard? He had far too much presence, and he wasn't dressed like an employee.

Had the studio undergone a complete reshuffle? Had they hired a new manager? But wasn't his manager a woman, right there beside him?

An assistant? His assistant was there too!

Surely it couldn't be his boss? His boss, Hao Jun, was fairly well known online, and there were photos of him. He didn't look like that.

After the photos were reposted to a forum, someone quickly dug up Zou Yan's identity, and, as expected, it caused an uproar and a flurry of discussion.

[Congratulations, Lianyi sisters, your gege has landed himself a real young master from the Beijing circle.]

I'm just a tool [OP]:

[Image] [Image] [Image]

Look at the young master's résumé. Son of the godfather of the film industry, a real young master of the silver screen... He's already an executive producer for a great director at such a young age... I'll say it to anyone: this time XYB is really about to ascend!!!

Why not

buy stock

now! Blue or White, who'll be first to rise to the top of the film industry!

Lightning Dog:

I'm collapsing... Is this young master blind? With Xie Yibai's wooden acting, if he really gets to star in a great director's movie, Chinese-language cinema is screwed.

Morning Mist:

Nothing's even been decided yet. Can you stop spreading rumors?

Reunited in Dreams:

Get lost. He's produced so many movies, and all you can see is Sheng Ke?

Does a web-drama actor who lives in filters and Photoshop even deserve to clout-chase the only genius director in the history of Chinese-language cinema?

Bluestone Flowers and Fruit:

What species is the person above me? Directors have fans too?

Imomo:

Blue and White fans aren't paying any attention to such a low-level baiter, but some sour chickens are taking the chance to pile on.

Xie Yibai is only making a cameo as the second male lead, billed third, in a romance film. What are you all breaking down over?

MystySTARRY:

People really believe every rumor they hear... Still, this young master looks more presentable than a lot of celebrity kids. At first glance, he looks like a print model.

Retro Custard Bun:

Am I the only one who thinks it's true,,, he's a young master, so why would he hold an umbrella for some third-rate web-drama actor?

I'm jealous of the Lianyi sisters. A huge project is about to fall right into their laps.

kawa:

Wasn't this guy also the producer of that newly approved drama Blue fans were hyping up so much a few days ago... Is the film industry's young master still eyeing a slice of the web-drama pie?

Only Drink Mineral Water:

If he's the producer of Qi Lan's new drama, does that mean... Qi Lan introduced him to Xie Yibai?

Bury Yourself Tomorrow, Fried Egg:

Some CP shippers have fried their brains, too. Who actually believes Qi Lan and Xie Yibai have a thing going on?

Single, Exhausted Mother of Two:

Whatever the case, a veteran film producer approaching two traffic actors at the same time is definitely testing the waters to promote a new film actor... We'll just have to see who gets it.

But don't go dreaming about a great director. With the qualifications of this crop of traffic stars, they're out of their league.

KuRoMi:

Then Qi Lan's probably more likely. He's already landed the project. Looking forward to a web drama made by a film-industry professional.

Lucky E:

Hahahahahaha, I'm dying... Some fans look hilarious daydreaming like that.

A Chu exited the thread, deeply concerned. She searched online for information about Beacon Fires West of the City, and every related result mentioned Qi Lan.

But Xie Yibai had been chosen as the drama's male lead, and that had never changed.

If they used Qi Lan's supposed participation as a selling point to build audience anticipation, only to announce Xie Yibai in the role, it would inevitably turn the public against the actor. Marketing required attention to both depth and breadth, and they couldn't let this rumor spread any further.

A Chu told the chief manager, Yin Ran, what she had observed and explained the pros and cons.

To Yin Ran, both were equally dear to her, and when it came to actual interests, she wouldn't favor either side. "Then I'll hold a meeting and make preparations on my end. We'll find a suitable time to announce it."

But Xie Yibai still didn't know what the official announcement of this new drama would mean for him.

Chapter 37: Another Day

Xie Yibai was someone who made decisions entirely according to his mood. His solo scenes had gone smoothly that morning, building up his confidence. When it was his turn to act opposite An Fei that afternoon, they got through their scenes in one take as well, with incredible ease.

The director said that because he was good-looking, he looked beautiful no matter how he was filmed. The impact his face would have on audiences in the cinema when it appeared on the big screen was something acting could neither erase nor replace.

So as long as he didn't get his lines wrong, there was no need to make adjustments. Still, for the sake of editing the final film, they shot some scenes a few extra times to have options.

The devoted second male lead was certainly a role in Xie Yibai's comfort zone, but he and An Fei hadn't had time to develop a rapport, yet they could still act out the feeling of their hearts fluttering. If that wasn't professionalism, what was?

Even the experienced An Fei said she hadn't expected his acting to be so good.

Even if he received that praise out of consideration for Zou Yan, it didn't stop Xie Yibai from feeling pleased with himself.

Why had she praised only him and not anyone else? Because his acting really was that good! He deserved it for working hard to improve and honing his skills in private!

Whenever Xie Yibai felt happy, he generously shared his joy with the people around him.

After wrapping up, he went to the dressing room in the trailer to change back into his own clothes. The moment Zou Yan entered, Xie Yibai threw himself into his arms. Like a child demanding candy, he said as if it were only right, "I did really well today, Brother Yan. What tasty food are you treating me to?"

The rows of bulbs around the makeup mirror shone brightly, turning the light in the room a cool white. His skin was fair and luminous, and his eyes sparkled so brightly they left people dazed.

Zou Yan didn't quite understand how such childish words could sound so pleasing coming from his mouth, but he was such a feast for the eyes that no one could possibly remain unmoved. Holding him, Zou Yan asked, "What do you want to eat?"

Xie Yibai lowered his lashes and pretended to think, then said, "You decide. I like surprises."

Dinner was a small matter; Zou Yan could take care of it with a phone call. But now that he had his arms around him, it wouldn't do to let go without holding him a little longer.