WUP CH2

Shao Si slept all the way to the set, still a bit groggy by the time Li Guangzong dragged him out of the nanny van.

Li Guangzong asked him with deep concern, “My lord, do you still remember all your lines?”

“Don’t worry,” Shao Si rubbed his eyes and walked toward the dressing room, figuring he could probably sleep a bit more while getting his makeup done. He casually replied, “Daddy has a photographic memory.”

Li Guangzong followed behind carrying his things and said sincerely, “Daddy it is. As long as nothing goes wrong with this scene, I’ll even call you my ancestor… I’m just afraid you’ve slept yourself stupid. You have too much of a track record; I can’t rest easy.”

Shao Si did have a very good memory; he could basically memorize lines just by glancing at them a couple of times. But Li Guangzong had been his manager for so many years and knew him too well. He wasn’t afraid of anything except Shao Si sleeping himself stupid.

When this guy slept himself stupid, it usually resulted in two main scenarios. Forgetting his lines was actually the better of the two.

The second scenario carried a much stronger personal flair: he loved to steal the scene.

Stealing it to the point where even his own parents wouldn’t recognize him.

He remembered over half a year ago, when they were filming for the Anti-Narcotics crew. There was a plotline where the male lead had to go on an extremely dangerous secret mission, with a high likelihood of never returning. The male lead left the team without authorization and sneaked home to visit his wife and child. Just as he was about to leave, he bumped into his wife.

In that scene, the wife originally had six lines. But Shao Si ruthlessly hijacked the scene so completely that she didn’t get to utter a single word. She just stood blankly at the door crying, and no one knew if she was crying because of the plot or because her entire scene had been stolen.

Later, although the director was satisfied and the crew was moved to tears by Shao Si—who had the words ‘acting chops’ practically written all over him—the female lead’s dialogue really couldn’t be left that weak, so they ultimately had to do a retake.

The more Li Guangzong thought about it, the more anxious he felt. He couldn’t help but suggest, “How about you go wash your face first? Try not to sleep during makeup later… Play a game for a bit. Weren’t you playing that King’s Glory knockoff a few days ago? If that really doesn’t work, update your Weibo. You haven’t interacted with your fans in a long time.”

Shao Si stopped in his tracks and enunciated clearly, “Are you only going to be satisfied if you watch me drop dead?”

After saying that, he brushed his hair back. Just as he was about to push open the door to the crew’s communal dressing room, the director walked toward them. “What were you two chatting about just now? You looked so happy talking.”

Li Guangzong nudged Shao Si, signaling him to shut up and not speak out of turn, then rushed to answer, “Director Wang, we were discussing today’s scenes. Ever since taking your role, Xiao Si hasn’t dared to slack off for a moment. He’s been dragging me to rehearse his lines with him… Actually, on the way here, we’ve already run through them no less than seven or eight times. Look, he’s even pulling me along to keep rehearsing while he gets his makeup done.”

Shao Si: “…” Damn, so hypocritical.

Hearing this, Director Wang indeed looked delighted: “Rest well when you need to rest, don’t tire yourself out too much. I’ve long heard that Xiao Si is a hardworking kid… I spent so much effort on the open auditions, and you were the one I painstakingly selected. I hope we have a happy cooperation on this film.”

Shao Si had originally been leaning against the doorframe, looking like even standing was too tiring. Only after Li Guangzong secretly pinched the flesh of his lower back did he reluctantly stand up straight and greet Director Wang: “Don’t listen to his nonsense, I was sleeping in the car the whole time. If there’s anything I do wrong, Director Wang, please don’t be polite with me. Hit me or scold me as you see fit. I’m the type who can take a beating.”

Li Guangzong wanted to cover his mouth but was too late: “…” You brainless idiot child.

“Hahahaha,” fortunately, Director Wang didn’t mind. He saw through their little dynamic completely, simply patting Shao Si on the shoulder. “Alright, go prepare first. We start shooting in an hour.”

Director Wang’s full name was Wang Guojun, and he had deep seniority in the directing world. He had started tinkering with filmmaking back in the 90s.

His favorite story to tell was how many miles he had to walk as a child just to watch a movie. The viewing experience of early film projectors wasn’t as good as it is now, but the frames flashing on the screen, mixed with the sweltering heat, the crowd’s sweat, the stench of urine… and the floor littered with melon seed shells, plus the noisy clamor of children running around. These less-than-beautiful things formed his indelible impression of cinema and laid his foundation.

He was a director with an incredibly realistic shooting style. Not flashy in the slightest. Even though the current atmosphere of the entertainment industry had long become indescribable and commercial films emerged endlessly, Director Wang was a breath of fresh air.

Shao Si respected him very much.

But right now, he was really tired…

“Post a selfie, update Weibo!”

Shao Si had just closed his eyes, letting the makeup artist girl powder his face, when Li Guangzong started yelling relentlessly in his ear. He barely cracked his eyelids open a sliver, only to see the Sina Weibo page enlarged right in front of him, practically pressed against his face.

“…” Shao Si said expressionlessly, “Little baby, are you trying to smack me to death with your phone?”

Li Guangzong held up the phone to show him. “Daddy, your last Weibo post was stuck at the Golden Dragon Awards ceremony, exactly three months ago. And the attached picture was a fucking promotional photo you stole from the official Weibo. Could you be any lazier?”

Shao Si answered from the bottom of his heart: “I could.”

Li Guangzong: “…”

Shao Si, afraid he didn’t understand, spent a couple more sentences explaining: “That’s why I stopped updating Weibo altogether.”

Finally, he added, “And I don’t want to update it now, either.”

Li Guangzong was utterly infuriated by these short words. He forcefully held Shao Si’s head, found a good angle, and snapped a selfie for him. As he edited the text and sent it out, he secretly pondered to himself: damn it, maybe he should just do this kind of thing from now on. Counting on this master was probably hopeless.

Starting work! This is what I look like today, what are you all up to? [/Flower] [/Kiss] [/Heart][Image Link]

After sending it, Li Guangzong gritted his teeth and threw down a harsh remark to provoke him: “If you keep this up, sooner or later you’re going to be a washed-up has-been, I’m telling you! If you don’t listen to advice, don’t post on Weibo, and don’t solidify your relationship with your fans, don’t cry and blame me for not warning you when the time comes!”

Shao Si: “Oh.”

“Dad, look! It’s been three seconds and there’s no response! Our dynasty is doomed!” Li Guangzong continued waving the phone in front of him. But since Shao Si paid him absolutely no mind, he felt bored, waved it twice more, and withdrew his hand. Then, the phone suddenly vibrated like an magnitude-eight earthquake!

Countless private messages, comments, and likes swept in like a tsunami.

Based on Li Guangzong’s years of experience as a manager, he undeniably realized that the three seconds of silence just now was simply because there was too much data and the app had lagged.

—Oh my god! The Young Master updated his Weibo!!! So handsome ahhhhh! I’m not scrolling a fake Weibo, am I!

—Damn it, the other idol I stan posts sweet selfies every day, but I’ve never been as excited as I am today! I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead, don’t save me!

Li Guangzong watched the comments multiply exponentially. In just ten minutes, the four words ‘Shao Si updates Weibo’ had climbed onto the Weibo hot search list. Seeing how excited these fans were, he really didn’t want to admit that Shao Si’s lazy strategy had achieved such a massive success.

Shao Si saw through it but didn’t point it out. He just smiled without the smile reaching his eyes and asked, “My boy, you call this being a washed-up has-been?”

…He would be washed up sooner or later!

He was so mad!

Morals were declining by the day!

What were those fresh-faced idols who diligently updated Weibo every day supposed to think?!

The makeup artist had been listening to their chat the whole time, stifling her laughter for a long time until she finally broke. Holding her makeup brush, she laughed so hard she couldn’t catch her breath.

As she laughed, she realized she was overstepping her bounds, but she couldn’t stop even if she tried.

Shao Si turned his head and nodded politely to the makeup artist, deliberately joking, “Little sister, if you keep laughing, I’ll have to go on camera with dark circles under my eyes.” As he spoke, his eyes rippled with a hint of a smile.

His public persona had always leaned toward the cold and aloof, and his features were naturally cold. His facial features effortlessly outlined the aura of an untouchable high-mountain flower. Especially the shape of his eyes—semi-hooded double eyelids, with a slight upward curve at the outer corners. They were born extremely beautiful, like a clear pool of water… but the frozen kind.

Although the makeup artist wasn’t a fan of Shao Si, she knew that when this person first debuted, the company’s external promotion capitalized on his reputation for being aloof and unapproachable. Now, having a person like that smile at her right in front of her face was simply overkill… It was too irresistible. Plus, he was simply too cute when chatting with his manager!

She wasn’t a Shao Si fan before, but starting today, she was going to put Shao Si on her ultimate bias list!

The makeup artist blushed and cleared her throat. She actually wanted to say that she would continue doing his makeup right away, but when the words reached her lips, who knew what she was thinking, it turned into: “I’m sorry, I… I’ll laugh for a little while longer…”

Shao Si: “Alright, no rush, I’ll sleep for a bit then. My skin is good anyway, makeup goes on fast. Mwah.”

Hahahahahahaha.

Li Guangzong could only let out a dry laugh on the side. It was extremely awkward. This psychopath.

Mwah my ass! Those were the exact words he had taught Shao Si back then so he could reply to fans on Weibo. Under these circumstances, did he think it was appropriate? I’m asking you, is it appropriate?!

As the makeup artist continued applying Shao Si’s makeup, she spent the entire time suppressing her primal urge to post a Weibo to share this, trying her best to control her hands from shaking.

She really wanted to post on Weibo and show off to everyone just how cute Shao Si was, ahhhh!

Although Shao Si had his eyes closed, his mind was still clear. He really did need to spend some time running his lines through his head. After he finished, he inevitably started pondering Yang Yinyin’s matter again.

[Partner, do not forget that we are the dark-curtain-busting twin terrors of the entertainment industry.]

[Our goal is to expose shady deals and return a pure land to the entertainment circle.]

Those two sentences from the broken system were still vivid in his mind.

About two months ago, the System gave him a mission list. There were only three words on the list: Yang Yinyin. It told him to investigate her, but up to now, he had found absolutely nothing.

For the past month, Yang Yinyin’s range of activities was limited to film sets, her home, and friends’ gatherings. To scout her out, he had even risked getting beaten to death by Li Guangzong to do a cameo in Yang Yinyin’s current drama crew, yet he still didn’t discover anything abnormal.

This woman, Yang Yinyin, was gentle, intelligent, and reasonable. Becoming the Film Empress wasn’t a one-step ascent to heaven for her either; she had slowly accumulated popularity through her works.

What secret could she possibly have?

“Oh, my apologies,” The makeup artist was so mesmerized by the beauty in front of her that she accidentally drew the eyeliner crooked, almost poking Shao Si’s eye. She hurriedly apologized, “Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

“I’m fine,” Shao Si blinked twice, not feeling anything amiss. “Keep drawing.”

Beautiful, big-name, yet completely unpretentious, and cute on top of that. She was really going to die from stanning him.

Clutching her chest, the makeup artist continued applying some eyeshadow on him, casually saying, “Speaking of which, I’m quite ashamed. The last time I followed a crew, I also almost drew the eyeliner crooked when doing Miss Yang Yinyin’s makeup.”

Shao Si: “Yang Yinyin?”

“Yeah, the one who won Best Actress this year. You two received your awards back-to-back.” The makeup artist continued, “The Film Empress also had an exceptionally good temper. She didn’t scold me, and even gave me chocolate to tell me not to be nervous.”

Encountering something related to his mission target, Shao Si perked up and said, “Yinyin’s temper is indeed very good. We interacted a bit while filming The Young Wife Returns to the Village, and our private relationship is pretty good.”

Li Guangzong was currently digging around in his backpack for the thermos, figuring Shao Si should be about thirsty by now to hand him some water. Catching the words ‘The Young Wife Returns to the Village‘ off guard, he nearly threw the thermos in his hand.

…Fuck! You still have the face to mention this drama! Secretly running off to do a cameo like an idiot is one thing, but you actually dare to bring it up!

And what do you mean your private relationship is pretty good? Yang Yinyin barely even spoke a few sentences to you in total, okay?

Thus thought the furiously exploding Li Guangzong.

The makeup artist had no idea of this truth. She said, pleasantly surprised, “Really?”

In order to fish for information, Shao Si continued to talk nonsense, showing a troubled expression. “Yeah, but recently she…”

“Hmm?”

“It seems something happened to her recently, and she’s not willing to tell us. I’m very worried about her.” Shao Si raised his eyes, his gaze brimming with sincerity. “I wonder if you noticed any clues when you were with her crew. I want to help her, but I don’t know how…”

Listening from the side, Li Guangzong looked completely bewildered: What the hell are you talking about???

Did something go wrong with his memory? Did these two secretly become best friends?

The makeup was mostly done. As the makeup artist packed her kit, she pondered, “I don’t think so? But if I really had to say… there was one thing I felt was a bit strange.”

The makeup artist recalled, “That day was her final scene. My task was done and I was allowed to leave the crew, but I had left a few palettes of eyeshadow in the dressing room. When I went back to get them, I heard someone arguing.”

“Was it Yang Yinyin?”

“I… I’m not sure. It sounded like her.”

Shao Si was just about to fish for more information when Director Wang, along with the assistant director and two screenwriters, knocked and opened the dressing room door.

This was practically the highest combat power of the entire crew. Why were they all crowding into the dressing room for no reason?

Shao Si watched Director Wang call out warmly from the doorway: “Yanzhou, sorry to keep you waiting!” Then, the group walked right past him toward the inner section of the dressing room, as if they were going to meet someone.

The dressing room was large and communal; there was no special treatment. However, since this scene was Shao Si’s solo act, there was barely anyone else in the room. It wasn’t until they walked further in that Shao Si finally noticed—from his angle, in a spot that was perfectly obscured by a pillar, someone seemed to be sitting.

Following Director Wang’s greeting, that person set down the book in his hands and stood up from his seat.

This time, the thermos in Li Guangzong’s hands really did get thrown out in a moment of sheer weakness.

…Gu, Gu Yanzhou.