CH 006

TL: Moonlit

When Qiu Hongguang, in a daze, regained his senses, there was no one in front of him.

He stood there, dazed, for a while until his assistant came out to find him. Qiu Hongguang then walked into the set of the drama «Jiugē» with a bewildered expression.

Lin Hanchuan’s outing didn’t go smoothly. He turned around and returned to the set of the drama «Sword Immortal», intending to observe the operations and current state of the production.

Ran Xing’s makeup photos had already been taken, and he was in the process of selecting suitable pictures with the director when Lin Hanchuan walked in. Sensing his presence, Ran Xing looked up towards the entrance.

Director Qiao Qingsheng followed Ran Xing’s gaze and quickly stood up, giving up his seat in the center to the big boss. “President Yan, the makeup photos are ready. Would you like to take a look?”

Lin Hanchuan didn’t bother with pleasantries and simply took a seat. He looked at the photos on the screen, his expression focused as he compared them repeatedly, finally choosing three.

Qiao Qingsheng immediately started flattery: “President Yan, you have such good taste. These photos all have a strong storytelling quality, contrasting colors, and a delicate and heavy style…”

In his original world, Lin Hanchuan had no knowledge of the entertainment industry, but he inherited Yan Weilou’s keen and insightful eye for the film and television industry. That’s why he could easily discern the actors’ acting abilities and the quality of the script, making it effortless to select a few makeup photos.

Ran Xing turned his body to take a look at the photos Lin Hanchuan had chosen. They were in perfect harmony with the style of the drama «Sword Immortal», magnificent and weighty, indeed impressive.

Lin Hanchuan ignored Qiao Qingsheng’s flattery. He thought of Yan Weilou and then remembered Qiu Hongguang’s behavior earlier. The slight uplift in his mood immediately plummeted.

“What’s the matter?” After observing him for a while, Ran Xing couldn’t help but ask.

“It’s nothing.” After uttering those two words, Lin Hanchuan suddenly looked at Ran Xing with sharp eyes.

Ran Xing understood in an instant, and his eyes carried a hint of strangeness. Did you think I had a secret crush on you? I didn’t expect you to be so narcissistic.

Learning from Qiu Hongguang’s example, Lin Hanchuan had become wary of the subplot of ‘secretly liking you.’ If Ran Xing did have feelings for him, he would immediately arrange for him to have another manager, completely distancing himself.

Fortunately, even though there was a bit of a joke, Lin Hanchuan breathed a sigh of relief.

After Ran Xing finished his work, the sky outside had gradually darkened. The evening breeze brushed their faces, blowing away the heat and exhaustion.

The two walked side by side toward the exit. Lin Hanchuan watched the busy people in the film City, and the tension in his body slightly eased. He said to Ran Xing, “Work hard during this period, finish filming as soon as possible, and broadcast it before «Jiuge». After the broadcast, I’ll arrange a few advertisements for you and then shoot a movie to raise your value…”

Ran Xing also looked at the pedestrians on the road, rare confusion flickering in his usually sharp and aloof eyes. “But, I really…”

Taking on the lead role for the first time and carrying such a heavy burden, if he were to fail, not only would he be stepped on by Qiu Hongguang again, but it would also affect the company and Lin Hanchuan.

Qiu Hongguang and Ran Xing had fought back and forth multiple times, and without exception, Ran Xing had always lost miserably. In the end, he was in a sorry state, almost being kicked out of the entertainment industry. Faced with this old rival, he felt uncertain for the first time.

“Believe me,” Lin Hanchuan said firmly, without offering encouragement or encouragement. “I personally chose the script and the actors.”

This statement carried a hint of arrogance, but it subtly alleviated Ran Xing’s worries.

Taking a deep breath, Ran Xing turned all the pressure into motivation. He raised an eyebrow and smiled, a trace of pride that echoed Lin Hanchuan’s own pride evidently. “I won’t let you down.”

As the two walked further away, Qiu Hongguang, who had come out without them noticing, watched them with a gloomy expression.

In Qiu Hongguang’s eyes, Lin Hanchuan personally bringing Ran Xing, acting as his manager, and specially escorting him to work, then leaving together while chatting and laughing… no matter how he looked at it, Qiu Hongguang couldn’t help but feel a lingering resentment.

They were both contracted artists of Yanshi Film and Industry before. Why was Ran Xing receiving such special treatment from Lin Hanchuan? What did that make him? Countless thoughts crowded his mind, making Qiu Hongguang feel dizzy and overwhelmed.

“Ran Xing looks really good,” someone passing by him on the phone said, brushing past him. “It’s a pity I didn’t get to know him earlier. He’s now under President Yan’s wing, untouchable.”

As if being struck by a particular word, Qiu Hongguang suddenly looked up and saw Qiao Qingsheng, the director of «Sword Immortal».

With a quick thought, Qiu Hongguang couldn’t help but stop Qiao Qingsheng. “Director Qiao, what do you mean when you say Ran Xing is under President Yan’s wing?”

Qiao Qingsheng was startled. He turned around and saw Qiu Hongguang, quickly ending his phone call and offering an apologetic smile, his expression cautious. “Mr. Qiu, I was just talking nonsense.”

If that sentence were to spread, he might as well pack up and leave the set of «Sword Immortal». It was hard to hide his unease.

“It’s okay, go ahead and tell me. I’m also curious about some gossip,” Qiu Hongguang gently smiled. His gentle appearance, especially when he smiled, appeared harmless, making it difficult for people to be on guard.

After hesitating for a few seconds, carefully choosing his words, Qiao Qingsheng said, “This is just my personal speculation. President Yan personally brought him to work, so I made some wild guesses.”

Qiu Hongguang lowered his eyes, his lips curving into a gentle arc. “I see… Director Qiao, don’t misunderstand. You know, President Yan attaches great importance to the project «Sword Immortal», so he came to inspect it and brought his artists along on the way.”

“Ran Xing… He targeted me back when we were both contracted under Yanshi Film and Industry. Uncle Yan kicked him out of the company, but Brother Lou took pity on him and gave him shelter,” Qiu Hongguang’s voice turned gentle, as if he only wanted to explain to Qiao Qingsheng and clear up any misunderstandings. “Brother Lou is ultimately from Yanshi Film and Industry, so he’s definitely going back there. If he truly values Ran Xing, why would he only leave him in a small company like Starlight Entertainment?”

Seeing that Qiu Hongguang showed no signs of blame, Qiao Qingsheng also relaxed. After thinking for a moment, he realized Qiu Hongguang’s words made sense and couldn’t help but ask, “If Ran Xing doesn’t have any background, how did he become the male lead?”

Qiu Hongguang lifted his eyes in a puzzled manner, his face full of innocence. “He climbed up from being an extra to his current position. What background does he have? I don’t know.”

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Qiao Qingsheng exchanged a few more pleasantries with Qiu Hongguang before taking his leave.

Watching Qiao Qingsheng’s figure, Qiu Hongguang relaxed his tightly clenched fingers. He took a deep breath and his gaze turned icy. “Ran Xing, you’ve gone against me and competed for resources before, and I accepted it. But now, you dare to snatch Brother Lou… You deserve what’s coming to you!”

Qiao Qingsheng wasn’t well-known in the industry, nor was his reputation bad. Only the lower-level actors knew that this director was used to stepping on the high and favoring the low. When it came to people with connections and backgrounds, he was a very agreeable director to work with. But for actors without a background, he was just a scumbag.

When Qiu Hongguang hadn’t signed a contract with Yan Weilou, he was still an unknown actor in the eighteenth tier. He had heard about this director from a friend, but when he met him in person, Qiu Hongguang was already Yan Weilou’s “boyfriend” and “fiancé,” so naturally, he didn’t encounter any difficulties.

What would happen to Ran Xing, who had no connections or background? Qiu Hongguang himself didn’t know, but he was pleased to see whatever fate awaited Ran Xing.