CH 6

Chapter 6: The Arrival of a Fascinating Drama

Upon seeing Xiao Pangzi, Jin Yanliu immediately approached him and inquired about the events of the previous evening. “Was it you who brought Xiao Yang here?”

Xiao Pangzi responded, “I was afraid you were too drunk, and I couldn’t handle it alone.”

“After I got drunk, did I go crazy? Did I say anything nonsensical?”

Xiao Pangzi cautiously probed, “You… don’t you remember?”

Shaking her head, Jin Yanliu remarked, “I still have a headache even now.”

“Nothing significant happened, but Yanliu ge, you should try to avoid drinking in the future. Your tolerance is so low. In case someone recognizes you again, Fei-ge will give me an earful when he returns.”

Jin Yanliu made a sound of acknowledgement.

He had no intentions of drinking further. With limited time left, he couldn’t afford to waste it in a drunken stupor. It was time to focus on more important matters.

“I intend to take on the role in ‘Entering the Demonic Path.’ Did you inform Fei-ge about it?”

Shaking his head, Xiao Pangzi replied, “I didn’t tell anyone.”

Jin Yanliu remained silent; he dared not become an informant.

Subsequently, Jin Yanliu placed a call to Cheng Fei.

Cheng Fei had recently tied the knot and was presently enjoying his honeymoon abroad with his new wife. Their vacation had just begun.

“Are you out of your mind?” Cheng Fei exclaimed, “Didn’t we agree to concentrate on film projects in the latter half of this year? Although the scripts we have now are average, I suggest that you wait a little longer. We’ve been keeping an eye on a movie.”

Jin Yanliu had already prepared his persuasive arguments. “Please don’t try to dissuade me any further. I have already made up my mind to take on the role. Moreover, this time, I not only want to be part of the cast but also plan to acquire the rights to this drama and actively participate in its production.”

Cheng Fei was taken aback, evidently not expecting this decision from him. Momentarily at a loss for words, he finally inquired, “Have you thought this through?”

Affirming with a grunt, Jin Yanliu replied, “You know me well. Once I’ve made a decision, I won’t backtrack.”

Reluctantly, Cheng Fei conceded, “Well, the production won’t commence for a while. I’ll be back in a few days. Don’t worry; we can discuss it in more detail once I return to the country.”

After ending the call, Jin Yanliu turned to Xiao Pangzi beside him and asked, “Did you arrange to meet Liu Qichang? What time is he arriving?”

“Nine-thirty,” Xiao Pangzi responded.

Jin Yanliu nodded in acknowledgement.

Xiao Pangzi then inquired, “Yanliu ge, was what you just said true?”

Jin Yanliu smiled and said, “I called Liu Qichang over this time to discuss this matter.”

Xiao Pangzi thought that Jin Yanliu was planning to make a transition. At such a young age, Jin Yanliu displayed remarkable audacity by getting involved in the production process. It seemed like a long-term and sustainable path, and Xiao Pangzi thought highly of Jin Yanliu’s idea.

However, Jin Yanliu’s true intention was simply to indulge in his wealth.

He had no intention of leaving a single penny to impostors. Even if he spent his money freely, he had no idea when he would exhaust it. He possessed lavish cars and mansions in abundance, but he had no interest in lavish lifestyles. Yet, he also lacked the enlightenment required to donate his entire fortune to charity.

Instead, he made up his mind to spend all his money on this particular play.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, “Entering the Demonic Path” would likely be the final project he would undertake in his lifetime.

While there were numerous domestic fantasy dramas, only a few attained the status of classics. Similarly, while there was an abundance of boys’ love (BL) dramas, there were hardly any of S-tier quality or above. BL dramas were mostly characterized by small-scale production, low investment, and consequently, poor craftsmanship, laughable special effects, unattractive actors, and awkward performances. They ended up being regarded as “ugly BL dramas.”

Even those BL dramas with good reputations failed to match the grandeur of high-budget mainstream TV dramas.

As an avid fan of fantasy dramas, Jin Yanliu harbored a wish: when would the entertainment industry produce a magnificent BL drama with exquisite production design, A-list actors, a multitude of attractive male leads, a combination of talent and looks, and a captivating and tumultuous storyline?

Such an event would undoubtedly mark a significant milestone in the BL realm.

And now, he was determined to create such a drama.

Considering the limited time left in his life, it seemed impractical to spend it all combating the impersonator. Jin Yanliu sought to savor his remaining days as much as possible, ideally leaving behind a trace of his existence.

Like fireworks, he wanted to burst forth in a resplendent display, blazing brilliantly before fading into ashes, leaving nothing behind in the aftermath of death.

Moreover, he had a brilliant idea for “Entering the Demonic Path,” which, if executed well, would become his ultimate weapon.

To accomplish all of this, he needed absolute authority and control over the production.

A car slowly made its way into Qiuming Mountain. The road had a steep incline, and multiple forks along the way. Lush vegetation lined both sides, obstructing the sunlight. This was Liu Qichang’s first visit to the semi-mountainous villa area of Qiuming Mountain. He roamed around the villa area, eventually getting lost.

As he spoke to Jin Yanliu on the phone, he searched for an exit. Following Jin Yanliu’s instructions, the car entered Tonghua Road, and from a distance, he spotted a young man with fiery red hair, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, beckoning him over.

Liu Qichang was overwhelmed with excitement.

When he initially sought out Jin Yanliu, it was merely a gamble. Liu Qichang was an ardent fan of Jin Yanliu, firmly believing that there was no one more suitable than him to portray the character Mu Hua Ying.

Radiating dazzling beauty, coupled with an air of confidence that stemmed from his background and appearance, Liu Qichang couldn’t help but imagine Jin Yanliu’s tear-stained face with flowing, disheveled hair. The mere thought of it exhilarated him.

Such an extraordinary divine countenance deserved to portray a character as twisted and complex as this, simultaneously fragile and resolute, with both physical and emotional wounds. It embodied a perfect blend of exquisite torment.

However, he also knew that the likelihood of Jin Yanliu accepting a BL adaptation was quite slim. He was simply testing his luck.

As expected, when he submitted the script, it was met with rejection.

This production was rather unique, featuring numerous characters and a vivid imagination. The grandeur of the envisioned scenes necessitated a significant investment. If they couldn’t secure A-list stars, the investors wouldn’t dare to allocate substantial funds. The resulting production would be subpar, rendering it better off not being made at all. Lately, Liu Qichang had been contemplating giving up on the project.

Therefore, when he received the call from Jin Yanliu, he was particularly thrilled.

“Director Liu,” Jin Yanliu greeted him with a smile.

Liu Qichang parked the car by the entrance and quickly stepped out, extending his hand to shake with Jin Yanliu.

Having previously only seen him on screen, Liu Qichang realized that Jin Yanliu was much taller than he had imagined. Under the sunlight, with his red hair and fair skin, Jin Yanliu truly embodied the epitome of earthly splendor. His most renowned feature, those captivating eyes, possessed a captivating blend of beauty and depth.

Liu Qichang’s heart raced.

Jin Yanliu flashed a slight smile, causing a wave of goosebumps to ripple across Liu Qichang’s skin.

Jin Yanliu, radiant as the sun, his charm so compelling it tempted one to utter expletives.

Damn, he’s handsome.

Not only handsome, but also incredibly wealthy.

The villa before them boasted an exterior adorned with vibrant green glazed bricks. A majestic old pine tree covered a significant portion of the front yard, casting a refreshing shade. Stepping inside, they were greeted by a soaring eight-meter-high foyer featuring intricately designed mosaic flooring. The spaciousness of the living room exceeded expectations, with floor-to-ceiling windows on either side providing a glimpse of the backyard’s swimming pool and garden. Combining the front and back yards, the property encompassed over a thousand square meters.

This was prime real estate—an upscale villa area frequented by celebrities.

Rich, attractive, and renowned—a true paragon of success.

Jin Yanliu wasted no time in getting to the point, immediately discussing the matter of acquiring the rights to “Entering the Demonic Path.”

Liu Qichang possessed the rights to the play, and initially, he had reservations when he heard that Jin Yanliu intended to purchase them. However, as soon as he heard Jin Yanliu’s rough plans, his blood started to boil with excitement.

They shared the same dream.

He yearned to create an unparalleled, high-budget BL drama—an awe-inspiring masterpiece of beauty and spectacle.

“I don’t want any payment,” Jin Yanliu said. “Just follow my instructions, and I’ll cover any expenses.”

He was rich and generous.

Liu Qichang felt like he was dreaming.

Not only did he manage to cast Jin Yanliu, but he also gained a patron of fortune.

Excited and moved, he replied, “Don’t worry, with you on board, this play is bound to be a huge success.”

Jin Yanliu smiled and shook hands with Liu Qichang. “Let’s go all out then.”

Ever since learning that Jin Yanliu would be starring in “Entering the Demonic Path,” Cheng Fei couldn’t enjoy his honeymoon abroad. He was constantly worried, and his wife finally convinced him to return to China.

“Is he really going to accept ‘Entering the Demonic Path’?” Cheng Fei wiped his forehead, sweating profusely, as he directed the air conditioner towards himself.

Xiao Pangzi and the others sat attentively in the meeting room. “It seems… it’s true. The production team has already started preparing.”

Cheng Fei ran his fingers through his hair and slammed his phone onto the table. “What’s gotten into him?”

“Yanliu ge has been acting strangely lately,” Xiao Pangzi said. “I think something might have happened to him, but…”

Before Xiao Pangzi could finish his sentence, the meeting room door swung open, and Jin Yanliu entered confidently, smiling at everyone. “Everyone’s here.”

He was wearing a Hawaiian-style floral shirt, but it didn’t look flashy; instead, it added to his youthful charm. Sunlight poured through the window, casting a perfect beam onto his vibrant red hair.

Cheng Fei was amazed by the sight of his fiery locks.

“Yanliu ge,” Xiao Pangzi and the others quickly stood up to greet him.

Jin Yanliu smiled and nodded, taking a seat. “Since everyone is here, let’s start the meeting, shall we?”

“When did you dye your hair?”

Well, that wasn’t the main point.

“Are you sure about taking on ‘Entering the Demonic Path’?” Cheng Fei asked.

Jin Yanliu replied, “Have a seat first, and I’ll explain.”

There wasn’t much to say, really. If he told them that he only had half a year left to live, they would think he was crazy. So, he could only say that he deeply loved the script and the character of Mu Hua Ying.

After the meeting, Cheng Fei went to the balcony to get some fresh air.

Jin Yanliu smiled and joined him, carrying a cigarette and a lighter.

The evening sun was setting, painting the sky in fiery red hues. In the distance, the river flowed serenely, while a ferry slowly passed by, its whistle sounding in the tranquil air. A gentle summer breeze swept through, carrying a touch of moist warmth.

Jin Yanliu handed him a cigarette and lit one for himself.

As the wind grew stronger, he turned his back to it, leaning against the balcony and smiling at Cheng Fei.

“I wonder what’s going on with you,” Cheng Fei said. “Are you going crazy or something?”

Jin Yanliu chuckled, his face reflecting the red glow of the clouds, his eyes bright and vibrant, radiating the brilliance of summer flowers.

He took a drag from his cigarette and said, “Not much, just suddenly realized how fleeting life is and felt the urge to go a little crazy… I transferred a sum of money to each of you.”

Cheng Fei replied, “Received. But with such a large amount, won’t you be left with nothing?”

Jin Yanliu smiled again, then turned around, hands in his pockets, cigarette in his mouth, and tilted his head back to face the wind.

There’s no point in being sad; this damn life can’t be avoided.

But the more melancholic he felt, the more resolute he became. Perhaps that’s just his nature.

“It’s my first time investing in a film, and I’m afraid I might lose all my money. So, I decided to pay you higher salaries in advance, to ensure you won’t be left empty-handed if things go wrong,” he said to Cheng Fei. “The upcoming battle will be tough. Get prepared and fight alongside me.”

“Did you discuss taking on this role with Bei Yang? Did he agree?” Cheng Fei asked his final question.

“He’s been too occupied with his own matters lately. I don’t want him to worry about me,” Jin Yanliu replied.

Cheng Fei took a drag from his cigarette and said, “I knew it. If he knew, he definitely wouldn’t let you act so recklessly.”

“In reality, filming a BL drama isn’t as terrifying as you all think. If your tolerance is so low, how will you handle it when I truly unleash myself?” Jin Yanliu said.

Cheng Fei asked, “And how exactly do you plan to unleash yourself?”

Jin Yanliu remained silent, only smiling.

I’ll unleash myself to the point that it’ll make you all cry. He thought.

That same night, an anonymous user on a certain forum broke the news: “Earth-shattering revelation! Your favorite top-tier star is venturing into the BL genre!”

Translator’s note: ‘Into the magic’ has been changed into ‘Entering The Demonic Path’