Chapter 11
Like a primary school student being called on by the teacher, Lu Xiao immediately straightened his back, his voice still a little hoarse from just waking up, "Th...thank you! And that spray...it's amazing!" He stammered, his eyes darting around, but he didn't dare to look Zhuo Hua in the eye.
Zhuohua hummed in response. She stood up, walked to a simple small table next to her, and picked up a thermos with a cartoon bear pattern on it—the very one that Lu Xiao had used before.
She unscrewed the lid, and a wisp of warm white steam rose up. She poured a little less than half a glass of water and handed it over.
"Have a drink." The voice was flat.
Lu Xiao quickly took the cup. The warmth emanating from the cup soothed his palm. He sipped the water, the warm liquid sliding down his throat, spreading a comforting sensation.
He secretly glanced at Zhuohua; she was looking down, seemingly studying the bear pattern on the thermos lid, her profile appearing exceptionally soft in the light and shadow.
"Um... Zhuohua," Lu Xiao mustered his courage, his voice very soft, tinged with a mixture of caution and barely suppressed excitement, "I... I just auditioned... and it seems... it seems like I did okay?"
He asked the question nervously, like a prisoner awaiting sentencing, his eyes filled with hope and a hint of barely perceptible fear. He cared too much about the outcome; it wasn't just a role, but a glimmer of hope he was desperately grasping.
Zhuohua looked up at him. Her gaze was calm and unwavering, as if to say, "I know." She didn't answer directly, but instead took out her old phone with a cracked screen from her pocket, casually ran her fingers across it a couple of times, and then handed it to Lu Xiao.
On the screen was a newly sent, unread message from the director, dated just a few minutes ago:
"Miss Zhuohua! Great news! It's confirmed! It's confirmed! Lu Xiao will play Shen Yan! The third male lead! His performance just now was absolutely amazing! He stunned everyone! I'll have my assistant prepare the salary and contract details and send them over immediately! This kid has a bright future ahead of him! It's all thanks to your excellent judgment! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up]"
The message was followed by a string of exaggerated emoticons, and you could feel the director's excitement and elation even through the screen.
Lu Xiao's eyes were glued to every word on the screen, his breath caught in his throat! A wave of overwhelming joy washed over him! His heart pounded wildly in his chest, making his eardrums buzz!
Blood rushed to his head, and his cheeks felt like they were burning! He suddenly looked up at Zhuohua, his lips trembling, wanting to say something, but he couldn't utter a single word, only meaningless "ah...ah..." sounds. The overwhelming joy and disbelief almost made him dizzy!
Looking at him, so excited he was speechless, his eyes shining like burning stars, Zhuohua felt a slight itch in her heart, which seemed to be ignited by this pure and ardent joy, spreading a clear warmth.
She subtly curved her lips into a smile, a curve more pronounced than ever before.
"Hmm." She put her phone away and responded casually, as if she had only confirmed something trivial. "Well done."
boom--!
This casual affirmation was like a spark thrown into boiling oil, instantly igniting all of Lu Xiao's suppressed emotions!
"Zhuohua—!" He could no longer control himself and suddenly jumped up from the sofa, like a child who had received a perfect score on a test, rushing towards Zhuohua with immense, unreserved joy and gratitude!
He wanted to hug her, to express the overwhelming excitement and gratitude he felt! If it weren't for her, he might still be playing a dead body! If it weren't for her trust, her "energizing spray," her... embrace, he would never have been able to seize this opportunity, much less unleash such power during the audition!
However, the moment he opened his arms and leaned forward, he met Zhuo Hua's calm and unwavering eyes, which seemed to see through everything. His impulsive actions were as if a pause button had been pressed, and he froze on the spot!
What...what is he doing?! How could he...how could he rush over and hug her?! She is Zhuohua! The one who can freeze the film set, alter memories, and is unimaginably powerful! How could he...be so disrespectful?!
Overwhelmed embarrassment and fear instantly replaced his elation; Lu Xiao's face flushed crimson! He froze on the spot, his outstretched arm hanging in mid-air, unsure whether to retract it or not, like a comical puppet. He wished he could disappear into the ground!
Seeing his helpless and embarrassed state, Zhuohua's eyes flashed with a faint, almost mischievous smile. She didn't back down or scold him; she simply reached out and lightly flicked Lu Xiao's wrist, which was frozen in mid-air, with her fingertips.
The force was very light, with a slightly cool touch.
"Stand still." She said calmly, as if the failed "hug attack" was just Lu Xiao accidentally tripping over something.
Lu Xiao was struck by her fingertip, as if electrocuted. He jerked his hand back, taking a step back as if he'd been electrocuted, his cheeks burning hot, even his neck turning bright red. He lowered his head, wishing he could bury it in his chest, his voice barely a whisper: "I...I'm sorry! I...I was too excited..."
Zhuohua didn't look at him again, turning her gaze to the outside of the curtain, as if her attention was drawn to the commotion outside. However, the slight upturn of her lips betrayed a hint of her turbulent emotions.
Lu Xiao stood rooted to the spot, his heart still pounding wildly, a mixture of immense joy and intense embarrassment, like a spilled palette of colors. He secretly glanced up at Zhuo Hua's profile, outlined by the light and shadow, and at the faint curve of her lips.
That slight embarrassment was strangely replaced by a more surging, bittersweet emotion.
The feeling of being favored... Is this what it's like?
He clenched his fists, his fingertips digging into his palms, but he felt no pain. Only in the soil of his heart called "Zhuohua," something was breaking through the soil and growing wildly.
The casting of the third male lead, "Chen Yan," has been finalized, like a dazzling firework suddenly exploding in Lu Xiao's previously gloomy sky. Doubled pay, a prominent place in the cast list, and the opportunity to act alongside popular young actresses... these once unattainable dreams have now become tangible realities.
The entire crew's gaze towards him changed; there was envy, jealousy, but mostly astonishment at his incredible luck. Even their respect for his mysterious and incredibly powerful "little bodyguard," Zhuohua, grew.
However, the entertainment industry, a place of fame and fortune, is never truly calm. Lu Xiao's sudden outburst inevitably touched the vested interests of some.
The actor playing the second male lead, "Xiao Cheng," is Zhou Yuchen, a rising star who has quickly gained popularity in the past two years thanks to a period drama. He is handsome, heavily promoted by his company, and used to being the center of attention on set.
But ever since Lu Xiao took over "Chen Yan", especially in several scenes with him, Lu Xiao's acting skills, which were like a rough jade being suddenly polished and bursting with amazing brilliance, made Zhou Yuchen feel an unprecedented threat and... embarrassment.
A crucial scene depicting a confrontation in the imperial court.
The camera focuses on the set of the Golden Palace. The atmosphere is somber. Zhou Yuchen, who plays Prince Xiao Cheng, is dressed in a python robe and should be exuding an imposing aura, looking down on the court officials.
He tried hard to keep his chin taut, attempting to project the arrogance of a prince through his eyes and slightly raised jawline. But that arrogance, on the director's monitor, appeared somewhat contrived and thin, like a layer of paint floating on the surface.
When his gaze turned to Lu Xiao, who was playing "Chen Yan," standing below him, the deliberately constructed domineering aura was instantly suppressed by an even stronger, silent presence.
Lu Xiao wore a faded old general's robe, his figure as upright as a pine tree. He made no unnecessary movements, simply standing there quietly, his eyelids slightly lowered.
But beneath those lowered eyelids, it seemed as if turbulent magma was hidden—the sorrow of national and personal grievances, the forbearance of bearing heavy responsibilities, the anger of being wronged, the cold scrutiny of the high and mighty prince before him… Countless complex and heavy emotions intertwined and settled deep within his glassy eyes, ultimately turning into a bottomless silence.
It was silent yet incredibly heavy, like the thick rock covering a volcano about to erupt.
When Xiao Cheng sternly questioned, "Shen Yan, do you know your crime?!", Shen Yan, played by Lu Xiao, slowly raised his head.
There was no fierce rebuttal, no exaggerated expression. He simply raised his head.
That one glance!
Calm and still, yet like a blade tempered by millennia of ice, it precisely pierced through Xiao Cheng's carefully maintained composure, striking directly at the unspeakable darkness deep within his heart. There was no fear, no pleading in those eyes, only a chilling, all-knowing mockery tinged with compassion.
Zhou Yuchen's heart skipped a beat at that gaze! A chill ran down his spine, instantly disrupting the rhythm of his carefully prepared emotions! He instinctively tried to avoid that look, his words caught in his throat, and his intended aggressive stance turned into a weak, insincere boast: "You...you..."
"Cut—!" The director roared, clearly impatient. "Zhou Yuchen! What's wrong with you?! What's with your eyes wandering?! Where's your presence?! Let's do it again!"
The set fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on Zhou Yuchen. His face burned with shame, a tremendous sense of humiliation lashing at his heart like a whip.
He could feel the probing in those gazes, even… a hint of barely perceptible mockery. And all of this was because of that damned Lu Xiao! That nobody extra who appeared out of nowhere!
He glared fiercely at Lu Xiao, who had already suppressed his imposing aura and stood quietly to the side, hands at his sides, expressionless, as if that captivating glance had nothing to do with him. This "innocent" appearance only fueled Zhou Yuchen's rage!
"Again! Action!" the director shouted again.
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