CH 11

Chapter 11: A Refreshing Love Triangle

“What are your plans for today?” Jin Yanliu gazed at him in the mirror and asked, “Are you staying home to rest?”

“I heard from Fatty that you’re heading to the set today,” Zhou Beiyang inquired.

Jin Yanliu replied with a gentle “Mmm” and said, “I’ll be going to the set first for a makeup photo shoot, and then I have an event in the morning. It’s going to be a busy day.”

“I’ll be your assistant for the day,” Zhou Beiyang smiled warmly and calmly. “I’ll accompany you on the set.”

The sun had already brightened the sky outside. Lu Yao lay in bed, looking slightly fatigued with bloodshot eyes.

He had spent the entire night engrossed in reading the original novel of “Entering the Demonic Path.” Even though he had just dozed off for half an hour, his heart was still pounding.

That was the captivating nature of ancient novels; once you delved into them, they had a greater impact than modern literature.

This novel could be considered the epitome of melodramatic plots, and Mingjie had not misled him. The character of Lu Fanglin truly left an impression.

He wanted to audition, he yearned to act.

After sending a text message to Liu Qichang, he dialed Mingjie’s number.

Mingjie hadn’t even had breakfast yet, but she immediately drove over.

This was the greatest opportunity for Lu Yao to rise to fame in his life. They had to secure the role of Lu Fanglin!

Moreover, once Lu Yao joined the cast of “Entering the Demonic Path,” wouldn’t he be able to see Jin Yanliu every day!

Suppressing her excitement as a fan of Yanliu, Mingjie urged Lu Yao to undergo a makeover.

“Since you have the desire to act, it’s understandable for us to make a few adjustments. Try to align your appearance as much as possible with the character of Lu Fanglin. The more your image matches the character, the higher the chances of being chosen.”

Lu Yao was wild and arrogant, while Lu Fanglin was relatively gentle and lively, with a somewhat laid-back demeanor. Since Lu Yao had a buzz cut, there was no way to style his hair, so the makeup artist focused on enhancing his features and removed his earrings.

As an actor, Lu Yao was highly versatile; he could portray a rebellious youth or a delicate beauty.

“I still have some concerns,” Lu Yao said. “Could it be that Jin Yanliu set me up as a trap? Intentionally luring me into auditioning and then rejecting me.”

Mingjie shared the same worry, but what could they do? Jin Yanliu currently holds the upper hand.

“Do you still want to go for the audition?” 

Lu Yao pursed his lips, contemplating for a moment before answering, “Yes, I’ll go.” 

There was a chance to act if he went. If he succeeded in this role, he might become a top-tier star like Jin Yanliu. He could then escape the cycle of endless auditions, waiting to be chosen. 

To endure a momentary humiliation could pave the way for eternal success. The risk was worth taking. 

The makeup artist made some final adjustments to his eyebrows. “Done.” 

Lu Yao raised his head, stealing a glance at his reflection in the mirror. Despite his buzz cut, he looked completely unfamiliar. His lips had a faint reddish tint, and his eyebrows were neatly shaped. 

But compared to Jin Yanliu, he still fell short. 

Jin Yanliu could portray Mu Huaying, while he had to portray the number one handsome man in the Immortal Sect. 

When the show aired, there would likely be netizens mocking him, right? Perhaps Jin Yanliu would even release some provocative statements, grinding him into the ground. 

Lu Yao pressed his lips together, staring at his reflection in the mirror, his gaze wild and fierce. 

“That gaze…” Mingjie immediately pointed out, “Don’t show it during the audition!” 

Lu Yao hadn’t seen Jin Yanliu in person for a long time. Over the past two years, the gap between them had grown wider. He no longer had the qualifications to attend the events Jin Yanliu frequented. 

After mentally preparing himself for a long time, he finally pushed open the door to the audition room. 

However, Jin Yanliu was nowhere to be seen. He only saw Liu Qichang and the others. 

As a former popular male star, Lu Yao’s self-esteem always plagued him during auditions, making him feel uneasy. 

Lu Yao pressed his lips together, standing opposite the director and the others. 

This time, he had to become famous in one fell swoop. He desired a pile of scripts, with the freedom to choose any role he wanted! 

Liu Qichang was quite pleased with Lu Yao. 

Although it was unlikely for Lu Yao’s appearance to surpass Jin Yanliu’s in terms of attractiveness, he appreciated this unique beauty. In the first season, as a supporting character, Lu Fanglin shouldn’t overshadow Jin Yanliu. This balance was just right. 

He especially admired the touch of wildness in Lu Yao’s eyes.

“Would you like to try with makeup?” Liu Qichang suggested.

Suggesting to try with makeup directly implied that they were considering choosing him.

Lu Yao pursed his lips and nodded, following the staff to the nearby dressing room.

While he was putting on the headgear, he suddenly heard a commotion outside. The girls in the makeup room also whispered among themselves, putting down their work.

One of the male makeup artists nearby asked, “Shall we go and take a look?”

The girl doing Lu Yao’s makeup said, “I’m almost finished.”

“What’s happening?” Lu Yao asked.

The girl replied, “It’s nothing. Jin Yanliu is having a makeup trial photoshoot today, and everyone wants to have a sneak peek.”

Mingjie, who had been accompanying Lu Yao all along, trembled with excitement. After hesitating for a while, she managed to control herself.

An agent must uphold their professionalism, and the artist’s well-being is more important!

To her surprise, Lu Yao turned his head towards her and said, “Go and see how his styling looks.”

Mingjie immediately nodded, “Alright, I’ll go.”

She swiftly left the dressing room and saw a crowd gathered at the end of the corridor, near a room entrance. Someone was shouting, “Everyone, please cooperate and no photography.”

It was Jin Yanliu’s assistant, Xiao Pangzi.

Mingjie hurriedly ran over with small steps, stood on her tiptoes, and grabbed the shoulder of the person in front to catch a glimpse inside. Many bright lights illuminated the room, which was in chaos, but amidst the intense brightness, there was only one person. That person wore a vibrant red robe, loosely draped, exposing their muscular chest. Their long black hair cascaded down, and a pure white silk ribbon covered their eyes.

Mingjie stared in awe, feeling her blood rush to her head.

Damn, this portrayal of Mu Huaying by Jin Yanliu is destined to be a huge success!

Mingjie wanted to curse, it looked so damn good!

With flushed cheeks, Mingjie returned to the dressing room. Lu Yao glanced at himself in the mirror and raised an eyebrow, asking, “How does it look?”

Mingjie suppressed her words as best as she could and said, “It’s not bad.”

“Am I much better-looking than him?” Lu Yao asked.

Mingjie glanced at herself in the mirror, observing Lu Yao’s gaze fixed on her with a calm expression.

If it weren’t for the presence of the makeup artist girls, he would probably have erupted in anger by now.

“Each person has their own unique charm, different kinds of beauty,” Mingjie replied.

At that moment, one of the makeup artist girls added, “You actually suit historical costumes very well, you look great.”

Lu Fanglin’s attire was more delicate. The dark green robe he wore was slightly oversized, not a perfect fit, but when he cinched the burgundy belt around his slim waist, it accentuated his figure. The red hairband and the flowing sleeves of the robe added an elegant touch to his movements. Lu Yao caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. It was his first time portraying a historical character, and he did look good. Delicate and beautiful, without compromising his charm.

Stepping out of the dressing room, Lu Yao attracted the attention of a group of people in the corridor.

In the scorching summer, green was the most pleasing color to the eye, and the deep green hue exuded a sense of tranquility, contrasting with his rosy lips and fair skin. His black hair, adorned with a red hairband, swayed gracefully as he walked.

In “Entering the Demonic Path,” each main character had their distinctive color theme.

Mu Huaying represented fiery red, Ye Hengyang embodied snowy white. The dignified monk Chen Liuqing wore simple monk robes paired with regular clothing, while the captivating demon disciple Jin Xuelang predominantly adorned golden yellow. The sorcerer’s apprentice Yu Yingchi personified the darkness of the night, and Lu Fanglin symbolized the vibrant blue of water.

Lu Fanglin held an exceptionally significant role in the play. Rumors had long circulated that Lu Yao, the arch-nemesis of Jin Yanliu, would be playing this character, stirring curiosity and anticipation among everyone.

Lu Yao was content with the reaction he received.

It seemed that his appearance had been well received.

However, as he passed by the entrance of a room, he couldn’t resist stealing a glance inside. Jin Yanliu was having her makeup trial photoshoot in that room.

But the room was overcrowded, with a throng of people blocking the entrance. Thankfully, Lu Yao’s height slightly surpassed that of an average person, allowing him to catch a glimpse of a reddish hue amidst the array of lights. He pressed his lips together, but the corner of his eye suddenly caught sight of someone else.

That person was dressed in a black T-shirt, sporting a baseball cap and a black mask that covered a significant portion of their face. Despite the disguise, their tall figure and air of superiority made them stand out from the crowd. Amidst the chaos outside, that individual remained motionless, gazing intently in Jin Yanliu’s direction.

Even beneath the elaborate disguise, Lu Yao recognized him in an instant.

It was Zhou Beiyang.

Lu Yao could feel his heart racing uncontrollably.

During his time in middle school, he harbored a secret infatuation for Zhou Beiyang.

However, Zhou Beiyang only had eyes for his brother.

Even though their relationship was like that of brothers, Lu Yao couldn’t help but feel jealous. He and Jin Yanliu, who were already at odds with each other, instantly became bitter enemies.

What did he have to compete with Jin Yanliu? His life seemed to follow the script of a malicious supporting character, unable to measure up in any aspect. Even the person he secretly admired was solely focused on Jin Yanliu.

One day, amidst a heated argument during a table tennis match, their conflict escalated, and they agreed to settle their differences in the alley behind the school.

Both sides fought ruthlessly. Lu Yao delivered a powerful blow to Jin Yanliu’s back with a stick. Amidst the chaos, Lu Yao noticed a robust young man entering the scene. He quickly turned around and saw Zhou Beiyang.

The moment he laid eyes on Zhou Beiyang, he was frozen in place. However, Zhou Beiyang’s usual noble and gentle demeanor had vanished. His face oozed hostility as he gripped a brick in his hand, swinging it fiercely towards Lu Yao.

What a rush it was! Many years had passed, but the memory of that moment still sent shivers down Lu Yao’s spine.

Author’s Note: Xiao Lu, you have indeed taken on the role of a malicious supporting male character.

Xiao Lu and Xiao Jin are similar to Bai Jin from “Love Rival.” They tread the path of a love rival, but this time it follows the clichéd route of a love rival falling for the enemy. Bai Qingquan represents the little fairy, while Lu Yao embodies the little demon.