30: Filming begins

Shen Lian ate his lunch box with tea, not feeling anything was inappropriate.

Before long, Huang Jiacan walked over and asked with a smile, "Why aren't you with them?"

She was referring to the group of people centered around Zheng Ge.

Why go looking for bad luck? Shen Lian thought to himself.

But he said, "We're not familiar yet. Once we start filming and get to know each other, we'll have things to talk about."

Huang Jiacan thought, *You're not familiar? After how much you guys tore into each other online?*

"Jiacan! We saved some braised prawns for you! Come quick!" someone shouted.

Zheng Ge also looked over, but his gaze was gentle and mild, showing no sign of hostility at all.

Huang Jiacan was somewhat embarrassed, while Shen Lian lifted his chin and said, "Go on, Consort Huang."

Years ago, Huang Jiacan played a noble consort in a smash-hit palace drama. She was stunningly beautiful, clever, and exquisite, deeply loved by the audience. She ranked in the top three of the most beloved female stars list. Fans jokingly said, "XXX is my Empress, but Huang Jiacan will always be my Consort Huang."

And so, the title of Consort Huang stuck.

Huang Jiacan immediately chuckled, "You... well, I'll head over then. Let me know if you need anything."

Understanding that Huang Jiacan was intentionally being friendly, Shen Lian accepted, "Sure, Sis."

Huang Jiacan covered her mouth and left. She wasn't sensitive about her age; on the contrary, Shen Lian was as fresh as a male college student, and being called "Sis" made her feel quite comfortable.

"What were you chatting with Shen Lian about, Sister Jiacan?" Zheng Ge asked softly.

"Just a few words, it's nothing." Huang Jiacan only picked up two braised prawns; she needed the protein but also had to maintain her figure.

Zheng Ge nodded, but Wei Fanchen, who was beside him, couldn't help but speak up, "Sister Jiacan, Shen Lian's mind isn't in the right place. It's better if you have less contact with him."

His tone was heavy with concern, looking entirely like he was looking out for Huang Jiacan.

Zheng Ge lowered his head to eat and didn't say anything.

"Is that so?" Huang Jiacan's status was leagues above Wei Fanchen's. When her gaze turned deep and somber, she still had that oppressive aura of a veteran on the battlefield facing a green recruit.

Wei Fanchen was choked up, and then Huang Jiacan leisurely went to find Director Dai.

"What's that all about?" Wei Fanchen grumbled.

Zheng Ge smiled at him, "It's okay."

After eating, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

Shen Lian looked at the script for a while, and seeing that it was about time, he sent a message to Chu Yilan: [Master Chu?]

A few minutes passed before the other side replied: [?]

[Did you miss me?]

Chu Yilan's lips twitched. He knew it!

[No.]

But despite what he said, when he finished work that evening, his movements were noticeably a bit slower.

There was no welcoming voice as he entered the door, and no one to immediately come forward to take his coat. Once the constant chatter vanished, the villa felt empty, though the flowers on the balcony were being well-tended to by Aunt Fen.

Chu Yilan had a bit of a headache. Usually, Shen Lian would have noticed no matter what and given him a ten-minute massage.

Now, there was nothing.

Chu Yilan gradually began to realize why Shen Lian had shown that slightly devious look before entering the production crew. It turned out he knew just how terrifying habits could be for a person.

But Chu Yilan was stubborn and refused to let him have his way.

Shen Lian wasn't angry either. He sent three kissing emojis in a row: [But I miss you. Filming will be very busy these next few days, I have to perform well in front of Director Dai.]

As long as you know to work hard. Chu Yilan typed: [A new assistant will report to the production crew tomorrow.]

Shen Lian was a bit surprised. This was something he could have just left to Hu Kailan to handle. Chu Yilan dominated the business world and rarely concerned himself with matters in the entertainment industry.

He wanted to tease him a bit more but was worried about annoying him. Shen Lian said a few soothing words and then they said goodnight to each other.

He had a clear conscience and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Poor Master Chu, however, tossed and turned until two in the morning.

At 7:30 the next morning, everyone started getting up one after another.

Li Haicheng, the third male lead, had just finished washing his face at the sink when he felt someone walk past behind him. He turned his head and was surprised to find Shen Lian looking refreshed, clearly already finished getting ready.

"You're up so early?"

"Yeah." Shen Lian got a cup of water. While he accepted the filming environment, he was actually quite repulsed by shared spaces, so he was usually the first to use them and then washed them clean.

After that, they went to put on makeup and hairpieces separately. Shen Lian finished his makeup quickly and changed into the Flying Fish uniform of a Jinyiwei for the drama. He stood there holding his phone, replying to Hu Kailan's messages, when he suddenly heard a burst of snickering from some women.

With his sharp senses, Shen Lian looked up and found Huang Jiacan and several other actresses covering their mouths, looking animated, their eyes constantly darting toward him.

Shen Lian couldn't help but smile too.

"So handsome!" Huang Jiacan didn't hold back her praise, giving Shen Lian a thumbs up.

He was indeed handsome. Shen Lian didn't even use height-increasing pads; he wore it normally. The Flying Fish uniform fit him perfectly, making his shoulders look broader and his frame taller. Especially his waist, with its perfect proportions and slimness, it couldn't help but make people's imaginations run wild. Shen Lian hadn't been idle during his time at home; though he looked carefree, he actually spent two hours in the gym every day. Thus, the muscles of his abdomen would subtly show through the embroidered fabric with his movements.

As soon as Director Dai approached, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Shen Lian, the hormones you're radiating are explosive."

Zheng Ge was just about to say something to Director Dai, but his smile froze upon hearing that.

Shen Lian: "...I'm just standing here normally."

If there were an extra stool, he wouldn't even want to stand.

Shen Lian wore a round hat, with the cloak's strap tied at his chin. His hair was combed meticulously, making the advantages of his facial features even more apparent.

Many male stars look strikingly handsome normally, but once they change their look, their shortcomings immediately appear.

For example, Wei Fanchen. He played the role of a dissolute Duke's heir who appeared indifferent to court affairs but would actually be a great help to the male lead later on.

The wide, multilayered brocade robes weighed heavily on him, making him look several centimeters shorter visually. His hair was tied with a conventional jade crown, but this revealed his overly wide cheekbones. Wei Fanchen requested two strands of bangs to hide his face shape, but it turned out that adding them was worse than not—he looked like a "non-mainstream" trend-follower.

The makeup artist sighed deeply. Truly, if someone couldn't pull off this kind of look, it wasn't a problem with the costume!

In comparison, Zheng Ge was alright, holding a folding fan in a white robe, looking like a graceful young gentleman.

As for the actresses led by Huang Jiacan, they were like a garden of blooming flowers, each very beautiful.

silent no more had quite a few martial arts scenes. Zheng Ge's stunt double was already prepared, but Shen Lian thought about it and decided to try it himself.

Just as he told the director this request, he heard a light snort.

Unsurprisingly, it was Wei Fanchen.

Ever since Shen Lian became uncontrollable, Wei Fanchen's hostility toward him had become blatant.

So in Shen Lian's eyes, this guy was just an idiot.

Dai Tong frowned as he glanced at Wei Fanchen, then asked Shen Lian, "Are you sure?"

"I'll give it a try," Shen Lian chuckled.

Dai Tong nodded, "Alright! Give it a try!"

Shen Lian communicated with the martial arts choreographer for a while, practiced a few movements on the spot, and then indicated he could do it for real.