CH 7

Chapter 7: Hidden Rules – Stirring Up a Thousand Waves with a Single Stone.

[Who’s that? Your list of top-tier celebrities is quite extensive. Which one are you referring to?]

[These days, any celebrity with a little bit of fame claims to be a top-tier star. These people should take a look at Jin Yanliu. If they can generate even half of his popularity, then they can call themselves top-tier!]

[I also believe that in recent years, only Jin Yanliu can truly be considered a top-tier star.]

[Hahaha, maybe the one considering quitting is Jin Yanliu himself.]

[Do you actually believe Jin Yanliu would quit the industry?]

[Exactly, it’s not like anyone can just quit and become him.]

[Jin Yanliu solely relies on his looks and current popularity. It’s highly unlikely that he would face a shortage of acting opportunities. Why would he even consider quitting? It’s absurd!]

[Why haven’t Liu Ye’s fans arrived at the scene yet?]

As soon as these words were spoken, a large number of Liu Ye’s fans flooded in:

[Here come the “Entering the Demonic Path” fanatics again, stirring up trouble. They’re just trying to generate buzz about Sima!]

[Brother Ye is in seclusion, so no appointments!]

[Hahaha, Jin Yanliu’s fans don’t even need to pay attention to these kinds of rumors. No one would believe them anyway. It’s just a way to boost the other party’s popularity.]

[Speaking of which, Jin Yanliu has been taking a break for about a month now. I’m really looking forward to his next project. After such a long hiatus, he must be preparing something big!]

Following this, everyone began speculating about Jin Yanliu’s future endeavors. They listed almost every film slated to start production in the next six months, particularly those with a decent reputation, and confidently asserted that Jin Yanliu would undoubtedly be involved.

Cheng Fei read these comments with growing apprehension.

The news about Jin Yanliu considering a boys’ love drama had been strategically released by their own team as a means of pre-publicity.

The late-night leaks on anonymous forums had been orchestrated under his instructions.

The next day, he even had several of the marketing accounts under his control disseminate ambiguous news, sparking extensive discussions online.

Despite several popular male stars in the entertainment industry making guesses, not one of them hit upon Jin Yanliu as the subject.

It was unavoidable. Jin Yanliu possessed an ethereal countenance and embodied the epitome of an entertainment superstar. Descending to mundane matters or even contemplating quitting the industry seemed highly unlikely for him!

In the eyes of the public, he was a prodigy, instantly skyrocketing to fame upon his debut, reigning supreme in popularity. He had no shortage of acting opportunities. Why would someone like him venture into the realm of boys’ love dramas?

The more this situation persisted, the more unease Cheng Fei felt.

He had no idea what kind of uproar would erupt online when the official announcement came.

Setting aside public speculation for the moment, he was most concerned about how many fans would abandon ship.

“Liu Ye” was the collective term for Jin Yanliu’s fans.

“Don’t pay too much attention to the fans. Besides being anxious, it’s pointless,” Jin Yanliu said.

Jin Yanliu’s unusually calm demeanor provided some comfort to Cheng Fei. He sighed and replied, “You’re right. Boys’ love dramas are so popular these days that even if we lose some fans, they’ll likely come back when the show airs.”

His immediate task was to reach out to several top-tier brands.

Jin Yanliu was currently in the spotlight, with a slew of high-profile endorsements. Some brands had minimal requirements—popularity was sufficient. However, others had strict criteria for their brand ambassadors. When it came to a boys’ love production like this, some major brands would still take notice.

Since the broadcasting authority relaxed restrictions on boys’ love themes last year, as long as they adhered to socialist principles, boys’ love dramas could now be aired. Consequently, a flood of poorly made boys’ love dramas hit the screens, some of which were eye-catching for all the wrong reasons. The allure of boys’ love had been nearly exhausted, leaving audiences fatigued and leading to a decline in perception of boys’ love actors.

It felt as if the term had become synonymous with shoddiness, absurdity, and unattractiveness.

He believed that for Jin Yanliu to stage a comeback in this genre, he needed to stick to his planned approach and create a boys’ love drama of exceptional quality that would captivate viewers.

In the world of boys’ love dramas, considering the unique nature of the genre, the primary element for success was undoubtedly good looks.

An abundance of handsome men was a must. Relying solely on Jin Yanliu’s attractive appearance would not suffice.

The news of Jin Yanliu joining the cast of “Entering the Demonic Path” had already begun circulating within the industry. With Jin Yanliu on board, the IP gained even greater prominence, attracting a swarm of newcomers vying for various male roles.

On the wall of headshots, a plethora of handsome men stared back at him. Liu Qichang’s hands trembled with excitement as he lit a cigarette. How could he choose? It seemed impossible to him, as each young heartthrob appeared incredibly appealing.

Furthermore, there were even some established actors vying for pivotal supporting roles.

However, the one facing the fiercest competition was undoubtedly Ye Hengyang.

Ye Hengyang, Mu Huaying’s older brother, was a heavenly figure, and any actor who played him was bound to gain popularity.

Especially when sharing the screen with Jin Yanliu.

Liu Qichang’s stance was that even if Ye Hengyang’s looks couldn’t surpass Jin Yanliu’s, they mustn’t fall far behind.

“What do you think of this person?” Jin Yanliu handed him his phone.

Liu Qichang took a glance at the screen. It displayed an actor he wasn’t familiar with, seemingly in his twenties, with expressive dark brows and captivating eyes, exuding an air of purity and elegance.

“Who is he?” He hadn’t seen him before.

“He’s a newcomer named Yan Huihua,” Jin Yanliu said calmly.

Yan Huihua was the most popular “top” character in the drama “Rotating Love and Devotion,” with the highest popularity and the most prominent role, making him the most likely candidate for the main “top” character.

He had a clean and upright temperament, characterized as a restrained and pure-hearted individual.

It was understandable since the counterfeit character, steeped in decadence, was best suited for the “rescue the fallen” couple, with a righteous, restrained, and clean “top” character to create a strong chemistry.

“I think he’s good. Let’s meet him,” Liu Qichang said.

“Let’s go with him. He’s definitely suitable, and his acting skills are impressive,” Jin Yanliu said. “But let’s follow the proper process and have him audition.”

Liu Qichang understood. Jin Yanliu had bought the rights to the drama precisely because he wanted to have complete control.

However, even if someone was a rich second-generation heir, investing hundreds of millions was no small amount. Liu Qichang believed that Jin Yanliu genuinely wanted to create an unprecedented boys’ love drama. Just based on his audacity and enthusiasm, Liu Qichang was convinced.

Moreover, Jin Yanliu was his muse, his male god. He believed that with Jin Yanliu in this drama, it would definitely be a hit. Although the filming hadn’t started yet, Liu Qichang had already imagined thousands of scenes of how to capture Jin Yanliu. The thought of his teary-eyed moments made him excited!

Pairing an extraordinary character with outstanding beauty was bound to drive people crazy. Other characters were no longer as important to him.

He eagerly watched Jin Yanliu, and when he noticed Jin Yanliu looking back at him, he quickly lowered his head, pretending to focus on the actor’s photos in his hands.

He felt a bit embarrassed. Even at his age, as a heterosexual man, he couldn’t meet Jin Yanliu’s gaze without feeling a little intimidated. He felt like a fan, his heart pounding with excitement.

Jin Yanliu’s beauty was already astonishing, and now, with his fiery red hair, he looked like a character from a two-dimensional world. Small head, fair skin, slim neck, broad shoulders—on this scorching summer day, he only wore a white T-shirt, exposing his slender arms adorned with a few small moles, exuding a relaxed yet lively aura.

With the funds secured, the production team quickly came together. Chen Kaihe was the costume designer, Zhang Weihan was the art director, Yu Cheng was the cinematographer, and April was the music producer—each one a top-tier professional in the film industry.

In comparison, he, as the director, was relatively unknown. Surprisingly, Jin Yanliu didn’t replace him but instead had faith in his directing abilities.

He felt like a talented horse meeting a skilled trainer, igniting his motivation. Day and night, he immersed himself in the creative process. The entertainment industry was not lacking in talent; what it lacked were opportunities. He knew this was the biggest opportunity of his life. If he could seize it, he would soar.

The next morning, Yan Huihua arrived for the audition.

When Yan Huihua received the call from the “Entering the Demonic Path” production team, he was taken aback.

“Entering the Demonic Path” was already a well-known IP, and with the recent rumors of Jin Yanliu joining the drama, actors, both established and unknown, flocked to audition for roles.

It had been a while since he last had an acting gig. He had the looks and the acting skills, but lacked connections and resources. Moreover, his straightforward personality didn’t quite fit into the entertainment industry.

He had even considered a career change when he unexpectedly received the call from the “Entering the Demonic Path” production team, inviting him for an audition.

And it wasn’t just any minor role he was auditioning for—it was the male second lead, Ye Hengyang.

Clutching a sheet of script lines, he let out a slow breath.

Raising his head, he noticed director Liu Qichang sitting in the center, accompanied by several middle-aged men and women. In a corner of the room, a group of people sat behind a monitor, including a young man with fiery red hair whom he immediately recognized as the rumored Jin Yanliu.

He had never seen Jin Yanliu in person before, and this was his first time. Unlike the youthful and beautiful image on the screen, the Jin Yanliu he saw now, surrounded by a group of people, exuded a commanding presence as he leaned back in his seat.

Glancing briefly at the camera in front of him, he sensed that he might be making eye contact with Jin Yanliu. In response, he gave a slight nod, a gesture of greeting.

“Let’s begin,” Liu Qichang said with a smile.

Jin Yanliu focused his attention on the monitor.

Yan Huihua, in person, appeared slightly more slender than he had imagined. He had jet-black hair, fair skin, and particularly clear and pure eyes—a typical young and righteous character. He emitted a rare air of integrity within the entertainment industry.

Leaning back in his chair, he nervously bit his lower lip, his eyes fixed on the monitor.

This audition scene for Yan Huihua depicted the moment when Ye Hengyang discovers the secret of Mu Huaying. His sworn brother turns out to be his half-brother from the same father but a different mother. And the creature he saved turns out to be a man-eating wolf.

It was an emotionally intense scene, but it was actually easy to portray. Yan Huihua’s acting skills were evident, and everyone was highly satisfied with his performance.

“Where did you find him?” Liu Qichang immediately asked after Yan Huihua left.

“How did he do?” Jin Yanliu asked with a smile.

Liu Qichang was more than satisfied. “This kid has unlimited potential. Why wasn’t he popular before? He’s a hidden gem.”

The entertainment industry was never short of hidden gems. Yan Huihua’s appearance was undoubtedly outstanding within the industry, and his acting skills were excellent. However, he had never achieved fame for a significant reason—his strong sense of righteousness prevented him from accepting the unwritten rules of the entertainment industry.

Readers nicknamed him “Righteous Yan” as he remained pure and untainted despite spending so much time in the entertainment industry’s vast melting pot.

This upright young man couldn’t escape the halo of the protagonist in the end and was taken by the counterfeit lead.

Yan Huihua, the person who rescued the counterfeit from the hands of deranged fans due to compassion, also couldn’t resist the allure of the heartthrob.

Being a person of integrity, it’s easy to imagine the love and hate that will intertwine in his future, especially since the counterfeit is an NP (non-playable) male lead.

Now, by inviting him to play the role of Ye Hengyang, he is being offered a promising future. Even if conflicts arise, he can still justify his decision.

Jin Yanliu adjusted his sleeves and glanced at the phone number in front of him. He decided to send a message to Yan Huihua.

To appear seasoned, he kept the message concise: “If you want this role, meet me tonight at 10 o’clock in Room 3203 at Kaixuan Hotel.”

After sending the message, the screen dimmed, casting a shadow over his brows and eyes. Jin Yanliu stared at the blurred reflection on the screen and raised his jet-black eyebrows with a cold expression.

He wondered how Yan Huihua would react upon receiving this message.

Regardless, if the system didn’t deceive him, Yan Huihua would surely decline the offer and form a highly negative impression of him.

The thought of being able to disrupt the most popular CP (couple pairing) in “Rotating Love and Devotion” with a mere movement of his finger filled Jin Yanliu’s heart with an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

It was the beginning of obstructing NP relationships in style!

Author’s note: Xiaozhou, your brother is already starting to feel jealous.