Filming location in Shanghai.
A handsome young man, fanning himself, knocked on the gate of the manor.
The servant peeked through the crack in the door at the people outside and whispered, "Qianye Manor is not receiving guests today. Please leave."
"I am Liu Zhilin, the second young master of Liu family. I have come today to pay my respects to the master of Qianye Manor. I have important matters to report, and I would appreciate it if you could convey my message."
As Liu Zhilin spoke, he closed the fan in his hand, revealing his full face.
Young Master Liu had a face like jade, noble and otherworldly, and the appearance of a peerless beauty. In particular, his peach blossom eyes held a hint of a smile: "Please, my brother and I will wait at the door."
Immediately afterwards, he twirled the fan in his hand and pointed it at the black-clad swordsman beside him.
The servant looked in the direction the fan was pointing and saw a tall, handsome young swordsman standing not far away, holding a sword.
The swordsman's appearance was in no way inferior to Liu Zhilin, who was known as the "most handsome man in the martial arts world." Moreover, compared to Liu Zhilin's more delicate beauty, his appearance was more aggressive, with three-dimensional facial features and bright eyes, like a sharp sword that had not yet been drawn. Even just standing there, he carried a somewhat imposing aura.
Although his aura was intimidating, this swordsman did not have the aloofness of someone in a superior position when he looked at people. In his eyes, besides the all-seeing wisdom and the fearless spirit that was not afraid of any difficulties, there was also a calmness that treated everyone equally—he did not flatter the powerful, nor was he arrogant towards the weak.
Such a chivalrous person can leave a deep impression with just one glance.
The servant was surprised.
When did such a person appear in the martial arts world?
That's really strange.
Meeting the servant's probing gaze, the swordsman became unhurried, smiled, raised his hand in a cupped-up gesture, and politely said, "My name is Zhu Feng. Please go and inform him."
The servant's eyes darted around, but he didn't make things difficult for the two men. Instead, he nodded and said respectfully, "Please wait a moment, I will go and report to the master of the manor now."
Then the gates of ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Chiba Villa closed once again.
Liu Zhilin took a step back, suddenly unfolded the fan in his hand, and slowly waved it. Then he turned to look at Song Chenye beside him and said with a smile, "Brother Zhufeng, you owe me a huge favor this time."
Song Chenye looked up at the plaque above the gate with a complicated expression, and then said, "Qianye Manor has always been open to business. In the past, it was never short of people from the martial arts world to do business, let alone overcrowded. How did it end up in such a state now?"
Business people need to socialize to expand their business throughout the industry.
Nowadays, however, Chiba Manor rarely sees visitors, only reopening its doors to the public during previous martial arts tournaments.
Song Chenye had no idea that they had become like this.
"Sigh, it's all because of that disaster twelve years ago."
Liu Zhilin seemed lost in thought, letting out a soft sigh. He even lost the mood to fan himself. Upon hearing Liu Zhilin's words, Song Chenye's expression darkened, and he stared at the still beautiful Qianye Manor, remaining silent.
Fortunately, Liu Zhilin didn't say much, only sighing, "Qianye Manor has resorted to this desperate measure to protect itself. However, the shadow of twelve years ago will eventually pass. Perhaps when the manor lord is no longer immersed in the events of twelve years ago, the gates here will reopen."
Will the past always be the past?
Song Chenye changed from holding the sword to gripping it, and stared up at the bright red lacquered lintel, lost in thought.
He then curled his lips into a smile, a hint of coldness in it.
"Perhaps, that day will come."
—Once he has killed all his past enemies, this matter will naturally pass.
-
"Click!"
Deng Lei's voice came, and Xiao He looked away from the gate, then politely nodded to Zhao Qinyuan.
Zhao Qinyuan's acting skills weren't particularly good, but his appearance was indeed outstanding. His face was quite convincing, and his portrayal of the Second Young Master Liu wasn't greasy at all. Overall, he didn't drag Xiao He down, so Xiao He's attitude towards him improved a lot.
In fact, as long as it doesn't affect Xiao He's work, he treats most people quite well.
"Brother Xiao, water."
Xiao Chen jogged over.
Xiao He took a sip through the straw in his water glass.
What's the situation online right now?
"Nothing's wrong."
"Um."
Xiao He looked thoughtful.
Logically speaking, it should have happened in the last few days.
Just as Xiao He was pondering, Zhao Qinyuan walked over.
"Teacher Xiao."
Zhao Qinyuan smiled, seemingly still in character, and still carrying the shadow of Liu Zhilin.
Xiao He glanced at the behind-the-scenes footage that had followed them, but didn't show any surprise. Instead, he handed the water cup back to Xiao Chen and gave him a friendly smile, saying, "Just call me Xiao He."
"Oh? That's not quite right, I'm two years younger than Teacher Xiao," Zhao Qinyuan replied immediately. "If it's alright, I'll just call you Brother Xiao like everyone else!"
Xiao He was taken aback for a moment, then looked somewhat surprised: "You're still a student?"
This was the first time Xiao He had encountered an actor younger than himself on set.
Of course, this refers to the main actors; those playing minor supporting roles are not included.
"Yes, I'm currently studying at the Shanghai Opera House."
Zhao Qinyuan smiled.
Xiao He: ...Alright, so that's where the topic came from.
The school was revealed in a truly "unintentional" way.
Xiao He didn't want to show off his alma mater like a peacock spreading its tail feathers. Instead, he followed up on the conversation by saying, "So you're a student of Shanghai Opera. You can just call me brother."
"Okay, Brother Xiao."
Zhao Qinyuan readily agreed and changed the form of address.
Xiao He then made a mental estimate—
This kid has pretty good resources. He hasn't even graduated from university yet, and he's already able to create a CP (couple pairing) with Yuan Sitong. You have to understand that with such a huge difference in their status, the fact that he can still create a CP with Yuan Sitong means that his company is quietly supporting and working hard behind the scenes, or even has made a deal with Yuan Sitong's company.
The fact that he was able to get the second male lead role here is basically thanks to the company's hard work.
If you put these qualifications online, he'd be considered a high-profile figure with connections. However, his company was quite clever; instead of directly offering Zhao Qinyuan a lead role, they first secured important supporting roles, then began marketing him as a talented actor, and finally, naturally, landed the lead role.
It's a pity. If this kid could have followed the company's arrangements diligently, learned everything, and improved his acting skills, the subsequent "star-making" plan would have gone very smoothly.
However, after experiencing the benefits of creating a romantic pairing, this guy became single-mindedly focused on solidifying the pairing's status.
Xiao He shook his head inwardly.
I just hope he doesn't end up wasting all the talent he has in his acting!
After exchanging a few casual words with Zhao Qinyuan, Xiao He simply made up an excuse to leave.
He had only taken a few steps when Liu Rulan called him back, saying she had something to do.
The two went directly to the parking lot next door and got into their company's van.
"What's wrong?"
Xiao He asked.
"The hush money from Xingchen Pictures has arrived." Liu Rulan put down the documents in her hand.
Xiao He took the documents and opened them one by one, raising an eyebrow slightly: "Such a grand gesture."
Xingchen Pictures is not entirely innocent in this matter. After all, Qin Lezhang used Xingchen Pictures' name when he blacklisted others. So as public opinion fermented, they were also greatly affected, and many people outside did not believe that Xingchen Pictures was completely unaware of the situation.
So after dealing with the internal conflicts, the group's senior management immediately thought about resolving these external public opinion issues.
Without a doubt, Xiao He, who has been confirmed to have been "blacklisted by Qin Lezhang," became the best candidate to win him over.
It's not that capital is afraid of Xiao He, but rather that they want to use Xiao He to silence public opinion.
