The wealthy military officer spoils his wife excessively

It seems that Director Wei attributed her inability to find her footing to Xue Shaofeng.

Ever since Xue Shaofeng's "uncontrollable" kiss during the audition, Director Wei has automatically paired them up. Perhaps one reason for casting Su Wen was to hope they would develop real feelings for each other on screen. While this idea is rather selfish and even despicable, Director Wei is quite happy to see these two together. Xue Shaofeng is already in his thirties; although there's not much difference between being in your twenties and thirties in the entertainment industry, he's still approaching thirty, so finding a partner wouldn't be bad, right?

Neither Nie Suwen nor Xue Shaofeng, the two who experienced the incident, ever mentioned the audition again, as if they had both lost that memory. Suwen still cheerfully called him "Brother Feng" before and after.

While giving Suwen a break, Director Wei also gave Xue Shaofeng a break.

However, Suwen clearly disappointed the director, because she called Xiao Ai and went out to eat in the nanny van.

Since it was a rare day off, and Xiao Ai was tired of eating the same meals as her friend from the film crew, the two decided to go to Lujiang Road for a treat.

As I passed by the Nanjing West Road TV station, I saw a large crowd gathered below. Xiao Ai peeked around and came back to tell me, "Zhou Xiaochuan is here. He's a guest on a street food program. I heard the roof of that shop is about to collapse from the crowd."

Suwen then remembered that when she was in Beijing last time, Zhou Xiaochuan had mentioned that he was currently filming in Hengdian and probably took on this event while in Shanghai for promotional purposes.

Xiao Ai knew that Su Wen and he were on good terms, so she asked, "Do you want to go and take a look?"

She smiled and shook her head: "We can have dinner together in the evening with just a phone call. Why bother going through all that crowds?"

I had a quick lunch with Xiao Ai and then went back to work on the romance scenes. In the evening, I called Zhou Xiaochuan, and he came over as expected. We met at a restaurant he recommended, owned by someone in the industry, so I didn't have to worry about being photographed by reporters or surrounded by fans.

Zhou Xiaochuan was pleased to see her: "Your call came just in time, girl. I'm heading back to Hengdian right after I finish this meal." Then he looked around, "Where's Xue Shaofeng? Aren't you filming with him?"

"He's filming, and the director gave me half a day off today." She then couldn't help but laugh, "So you're here to dine with a big star and you're not happy to see me?"

"Why should I argue with him? We're two grown men." Zhou Xiaochuan rolled his eyes at her, pulled over the menu, and said, "Here, what do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you."

Actually, it wasn't just Director Wei; ever since Zhou Xiaochuan saw Xue Shaofeng lend her his personal stylist, he also felt that there was something between the two from the same company. So when he was alone with Su Wen at dinner, he thought Xue Shaofeng would be worried and accompany him, but it turned out that Su Wen was the only one there. Only then did he realize that what Su Wen said was true—that there was nothing between them, just a senior and junior relationship from the same company.

I poured Suwen a glass of yogurt, but she didn't drink it. She just kept looking down and swirling the glass around. So I asked, "Are you upset?"

"You noticed?" She raised an eyebrow, not denying it.

"Why? Are you worried about rumors?" Zhou Xiaochuan was a little confused about this girl. "I heard that you took on this film by Director Wei so that it would be rushed out to participate in the Venice Film Festival. When you come out, you will be an international superstar, leaving me, your brother who is stuck in the same place, with nothing but envy and jealousy. What are you still worried about?"

"It came too easily." Su Wen still didn't realize she was about to become famous, and just stared at him blankly. "Brother Xiaochuan, when you became famous overnight, were you ever afraid?"

Zhou Xiaochuan debuted earlier than her and also became an instant hit in the genre of period idol dramas.

"Of course, I was so tired that I cried without even realizing it. Suddenly, everyone was watching what I did. I didn't even dare to cross the street against the red light, afraid that people would see me and say that I, as an idol, was not setting a good example and was corrupting children. Looking back now, it was really tough."

"And then?" Suwen suddenly became interested in celebrity gossip, and looked at him expectantly, resting her chin on her hand. This was different from watching celebrity interviews on TV. In front of the camera, there was always a suspicion of embellishment and beautification. But at this moment, Zhou Xiaochuan was just an older brother in her eyes, not some popular young actor.

Zhou Xiaochuan gave her a strange look and tapped her on the forehead: "There's no 'later.' The 'later' is just that I've been working hard all along. You didn't become famous overnight; it's mainly because you had a benefactor. Xue Shaofeng went to great lengths to make you famous. At first, I thought you two knew each other, but then I thought, he's from Hong Kong, and you're a genuine Beijing girl, what kind of illicit affair could you possibly have?"

Suwen knew he was joking, but she couldn't help but roll her eyes at him.

"But I owe Brother Feng a lot, I really don't know how to thank him."

"Take him out to dinner, just like you treated me to this meal."

Su Wen nodded blankly, and after a while, belatedly raised his eyebrows: "How come it's my treat now? Didn't you just say you'd buy me whatever I wanted to eat?"

Just then, the waiter came in to serve the food. Suwen glanced at him and said, "Never mind, this meal is on me. But there's something I need your help with."

Zhou Xiaochuan immediately frowned, sensing something was off: "It seems this meal is more than it appears?"

After the waiter finished serving the dishes, left, and closed the door, Suwen said, "The company is preparing for a big production, which will probably start filming at the end of the year. I recommended you for the male lead. If they approach you, please give them face and don't turn them down."

She knew that the two of them belonged to two different companies, which would definitely cause some trouble, so she made sure to inform Zhou Xiaochuan beforehand.

In this drama, the female lead is definitely Suwen, but there are so many male leads and supporting actors, it's like stars in the sky. Yezi's idea was to bring up all the new and old people in the company to give them a chance to shine. Of course, if there are good opportunities, they should keep their own people. But Suwen still recommended Zhou Xiaochuan to Yezi.

Actually, she genuinely felt that the role suited Zhou Xiaochuan. First of all, he looked good in period costume. Besides, he had been playing the same kind of chivalrous hero for so many years, so it would be nice to change things up and challenge himself with a cold and charismatic Fourth Master.

"What script?" Zhou Xiaochuan dared not accept the role, and in his opinion, Su Wen was just a little girl.

"It's a web novel. I'll send you the link. Go back and check it out yourself. It's a very interesting book," Su Wen said, sending Zhou Mo's novel link to him on her phone.

"Why not ask Xue Shaofeng? You two just finished filming a movie together, you should have better chemistry working together again, right?"

"Um, does that guy still take on TV dramas?" Perhaps in Ye Zi's words, only a simpleton like her would do something so thankless. "Besides, he has so many fans, asking him to shave his head would be like killing him."

"A Qing Dynasty drama?" Zhou Xiaochuan glared at her. Young, up-and-coming idol actors wouldn't take on Qing Dynasty dramas. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, they might not have to shave their heads, but in mainland China, they absolutely have to shave their heads, or they'll be cursed to death.

"You cherish his hair, but you don't cherish mine?" Zhou Xiaochuan immediately made a bitter face.

"Because you're handsome. If you shaved your head, you'd definitely charm a bunch of girls. Seriously, whether someone is handsome or not can be seen once they shave their head. Only a shaved head can really show off a good physique." Suwen kept trying to fool him.

Zhou Xiaochuan squinted, his vanity completely satisfied.

"Alright, for your sake, I'll take the role. But I'm really short on cash lately, so I won't stand on ceremony and won't lower my fee."

Suwen laughed too, thinking that spending this much money to have Zhou Xiaochuan shave her head was worth it.

"Brother Xiaochuan, don't worry, this is a great show. The original novel has over 100 million views online, and this genre is still relatively new. As long as we're the first to film it, it's guaranteed to be a hit. Besides, the show has been in preparation for almost half a year. Sister Ye personally oversaw the costumes, props, and art direction. With your participation, it's hard for it not to be a success!"

He could earn a film contract by having a meal, and he wouldn't even have to pay for the meal. Zhou Xiaochuan was quite happy about it; the sadness of getting a haircut had long since disappeared to Mount Everest.

Romantic scenes aren't something you can just figure out overnight. Even after a half-day break, she hadn't made any progress, and when she returned to the set, filming was still fraught with difficulties. Director Wei was at his wits' end, and said earnestly, "This romantic scene is the climax of the whole film. Didn't you two get along well during the audition? Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just relax and act like it's a normal romantic drama, and there won't be any major problems."

At first, there were no problems, but ever since Xue Shaofeng kissed her during the audition, she felt her face flush, her heart race, and her breathing become rapid whenever their eyes met. She was afraid that Xue Shaofeng might lose control again and do something in front of the entire crew.

Director Wei patted her on the shoulder. Suwen knew he was trying to comfort her. After two months of filming, she was now finally entering the stage where her acting skills would be truly tested. Faced with rumors and negative news about her, the only way to fight back was to go against the tide.

Filming was delayed, so they had to shoot in short bursts. Even bigger challenges than the romance scenes were yet to come.

There's a sex scene today—

Mr. Yi and Wang Jiazhi had a secret rendezvous in an apartment on Ferguson Road, where they had their first sexual encounter.

Suwen had read the script beforehand; it was a rather intense love scene with obvious emotional conflict. Because of Mr. Yi's violent and impatient nature, neither of them needed to show much skin in this scene; Suwen would at most show her thigh. It was considered one of the more subtle love scenes.

"Give her heavy makeup, make her lips even thicker." The makeup artist from the crew instructed her assistant while touching up Xue Shaofeng's makeup. "Xiao Ai, use that red one numbered 3007. It has a strong texture and complements Xiao Nie's skin tone, making her look more sexy and mature."

Because Wang Jiazhi in the drama has "light makeup on her face, with only two exquisitely sculpted thin lips painted bright and glossy, delicate and luscious," her lips are often painted with a thick layer of makeup. Xue Shaofeng, who was playing "Old Yi," a character much older than his actual age, also made a huge sacrifice, shaving his hairline high. While Su Wen gained weight, he had to lose weight, losing sixteen pounds in just two months, almost becoming unrecognizable. To emphasize Old Yi's "rat-like" appearance, his face was painted pinkish-white, his eye sockets were made sunken with dark colors, his slicked-back hair was combed back, and a lot of hair was pulled out to achieve the effect of a sparse middle part.