Chapter 55
As Gu Xingshi and his team worked intensively on their new project, Ning Tianyou, who had been closely monitoring them, grew increasingly impatient.
“Not a single lead so far? What are you all doing?!”
His assistant replied helplessly, “President Ning, it’s really not our fault. Sun Hongfei has kept everything tightly under wraps—there’s no information getting out.”
Ning Tianyou frowned. “And what about that screenwriter? Could he have slipped up and gotten himself discovered?”
The assistant shook his head. “It doesn’t seem so. The screenwriter mentioned that Sun Hongfei isn’t entirely satisfied with the script, so he’s practically locked him in a hotel, making him revise it day after day. The guy’s apparently revising until he’s practically sick.”
Ning Tianyou: “…”
The assistant continued, “However, he did manage to pass along one important piece of information.”
Ning Tianyou’s expression darkened. “What is it?”
The assistant said, “Supposedly, Sun Hongfei is working on this project in collaboration with LeShi Entertainment’s President Gu…”
“Gu Xingshi!!” Ning Tianyou shot up from his seat, his face tense. “Are you absolutely certain he hasn’t found out anything?”
The assistant nodded. “We’re confident. If he knew, Sun would have already confronted him. There wouldn’t be this silence.”
Although Ning Tianyou logically understood that his subordinate was probably right, a sense of unease lingered. “Gu Xingshi is a bit of a wild card. We can’t afford to take any chances.”
“No matter the cost—whether bribing someone in their team or sending in a spy—we have to find out what’s going on!”
After searching for a while, they found a promising candidate.
This person, Jin Shiheng, had been the deputy manager of Sweet Orange Video’s publicity department.
Recently, a shake-up within Sweet Orange had caused his immediate superior to fall out of favor, resulting in Jin’s own demotion. Blaming Sun Hongfei for his misfortune, he had been claiming that it was all Sun’s fault.
Sure enough, when Ning’s people approached Jin Shiheng and made a tempting offer, he quickly agreed to feed them information.
Though Sun Hongfei was diligent about keeping details from leaking out, many of the project staff were Sweet Orange employees, making it hard to maintain complete secrecy internally.
Having worked at Sweet Orange for years, Jin Shiheng still had plenty of connections, and through persistent inquiries, he managed to gather some information.
However, the details were piecemeal, as his informants weren’t part of the core creative team.
“I heard the script isn’t finalized yet; they’re still refining it. Oh, and apparently President Gu and Manager Sun had a bit of a disagreement over casting. Sun was supposedly so upset he had a sour face for days.”
At first, Jin Shiheng didn’t think much of it, but this last bit of information piqued his interest. “What was the disagreement about? Tell me more!”
The friend sighed. “I don’t know the specifics. Something about the lead role and involving a veteran actor…”
Jin Shiheng’s mind raced.
In recent years, it had become common in the industry to cast seasoned actors as supporting characters to elevate the production quality, while popular young idols took the lead roles to ensure viewership.
This method benefited the production, but it often led to public backlash for the young idols. Their acting would inevitably be compared to that of the veteran actors, leading to harsh criticism, mockery, and a tarnished reputation.
If Gu Xingshi were only the project investor, he wouldn’t be so upset about it—unless…
The young idol in question was one of his own artists!
Among Gu Xingshi’s roster, Meng Yuansheng and Cheng Xin focused mainly on stage performances and were hugely popular, with busy schedules. It wouldn’t make sense for them to sacrifice their time to pursue acting. Qin Wen was known for his impressive acting skills; he’d held his own alongside veteran actors in Secrets of the Six Gates, so Gu Xingshi wouldn’t be worried about him.
That left only—Sheng Yueqing.
Thinking he’d cracked the code, Jin Shiheng quickly asked, “Has Sheng Yueqing been visiting the set?”
His friend was surprised. “How did you know?”
Jin’s heart leapt with satisfaction.
Bingo!
Now he understood why Gu Xingshi and Sun Hongfei had clashed.
Sun Hongfei was likely focused on the project’s overall success, while Gu Xingshi, as an agent, would naturally prioritize his artist’s image and reputation over production gains.
Gu Xingshi probably wanted Sheng Yueqing to use this opportunity to boost his popularity, yet feared that the young actor’s lack of experience might lead to backlash if his performance was subpar. To avoid this, Gu Xingshi would prefer to cast less seasoned actors around him to make Sheng look better.
But Sun hadn’t realized this and ended up irritating Gu Xingshi instead.
Jin Shiheng nearly laughed out loud at his deduction.
His friend gave him a curious look. “What’s with all the questions about the production crew today?”
Jin Shiheng, worried about raising suspicion, quickly made up an excuse. “Well, isn’t this one of the company’s big projects? I figured knowing a bit more couldn’t hurt… might even turn into an opportunity.”
“Exactly!” His friend patted him on the shoulder approvingly. “Sun Hongfei’s come a long way—he’s not the same timid manager he used to be. Like they say, sometimes you’ve just got to go along with the person in power…”
Jin felt nauseous at the praise but held back his frustration and went along with it.
Then his friend remembered something. “Oh, by the way, I heard the production team is planning to hire more staff soon. Why don’t you apply? If the series blows up, you could use that success to get your old position back.”
Jin’s eyes lit up.
Joining the crew?!
Not only would he have a direct line to valuable insider info to sell, but he could also stay close to President Gu. If the series flopped, Sun Hongfei would likely be held responsible, and Gu Xingshi would lose faith in him, giving Jin the perfect opportunity to step in. Two birds with one stone!
That night, Ning Tianyou received an update from Jin Shiheng.
“Still working on the script?”
Comparing it with the earlier report from the screenwriter, Ning concluded that Jin was reliable and hadn’t been exposed. Gu Xingshi and his team had no idea he was setting them up.
Satisfied, he nodded. “Anything else?”
The assistant replied, “Apparently, President Gu wants Sheng Yueqing as the lead and doesn’t want his acting overshadowed by a veteran. He even argued with Sun Hongfei over it.”
Ning Tianyou’s face lit up with delight. “Really?!”
He hadn’t even had to make a move, and they were already having internal conflicts—wonderful news!
“Not bad, not bad. This guy’s proving useful after all.” Ning Tianyou was in a good mood. “Did he say anything else?”
The assistant hesitated. “He mentioned he could get inside the production crew, but he’s asking for a pay increase.”
Ning frowned, displeased.
But, considering that this might be a chance to trap both Wen Yue and Gu Xingshi in one fell swoop, he reluctantly agreed. “Fine, as long as he brings me worthwhile information, we can pay him extra.”
As soon as the money came through, Jin Shiheng took action and found a way to join the production crew.
Since he had joined under the radar, he didn’t dare get too close to the core team to avoid alerting Sun Hongfei. Ironically, while he was loitering near the periphery, he was roped in by some crew members and put to work.
Before he could refuse, they handed him a pile of equipment to carry.
After over an hour of lifting boxes until his back was sore, Jin finally spotted a van pulling up outside. Gu Xingshi emerged with a group of people, heading toward the vehicle.
Despite the mask and newly dyed black hair hiding his distinctive blue hair, Jin instantly recognized the person next to him—Sheng Yueqing!
If Sheng Yueqing was cast as the lead, that would explain why he’d dyed his hair back to black. Jin had also checked his schedule, which was much lighter now compared to his usual packed itinerary, leaving only a few high-profile events. Clearly, he’d cleared his schedule for filming!
His suspicions were confirmed!
Jin let out a deep breath, feeling a renewed burst of energy. The aches in his back and hands vanished, and he was ready to carry boxes for another hour if it meant more intel.
—
Gu Xingshi walked alongside Sheng Yueqing, saying, “Although you’re playing a supporting role this time, it’s a great opportunity to learn. Both Mr. Miao and the other senior actors are incredibly skilled. Their scenes are full of depth and tension—these are subtleties you won’t learn from any acting coach. So, I’ve canceled all your non-essential engagements for the next few months. You’ll be staying here with the crew to fully immerse yourself.”
Sheng Yueqing had felt a bit conflicted at first.
For the first time, he was experiencing the life of a real star—no longer facing insults or sabotage. People now greeted him warmly, and though the schedule was intense, he finally felt truly happy.
When Gu Xingshi told him that he’d cleared his schedule and arranged for him to live with the crew, Sheng had felt a pang of anxiety and disappointment. He wondered if his recent success had made him too complacent, perhaps even disappointed President Gu.
But upon hearing Gu Xingshi’s explanation, he suddenly understood.
He remembered that he had once told Gu Xingshi he wanted to act. Gu hadn’t said much at the time but had quietly kept an eye out for a suitable role. And now, he was giving him a rare opportunity to watch legends like Miao Yaming, Yuan Qingqing, and Fu Ya perform up close.
Feeling both humbled and grateful, Sheng Yueqing said, “Don’t worry, President Gu! I’ll make the most of this chance and learn everything I can!”
Gu Xingshi nodded with satisfaction.
As the days went by, Sheng Yueqing truly dedicated himself, becoming the first to arrive and the last to leave each day.
When he wasn’t filming, he’d set up a small stool beside the director, taking notes in a little notebook he’d brought along, jotting down insights and observations.
The director, charmed by this good-looking, eager-to-learn young actor, appreciated his dedication and often gave him pointers whenever he had a moment.
And with Miao Yaming and the other experienced actors on set, he found even more mentors.
Since reuniting with Yu Bao’er on the set, Miao Yaming had mustered the courage to express his feelings subtly, showing his care and support in quiet ways. Gradually, Yu Bao’er was moved by his sincerity. Their on-screen chemistry as a married couple even took on a hint of authentic sweetness that blurred the lines between fiction and reality.
With both career and romance going well, Miao Yaming was in high spirits, and he generously shared his acting knowledge with Sheng Yueqing.
Though Sheng’s natural talent for acting wasn’t on par with Qin Wen’s, he thrived under the guidance of these seasoned actors and, surrounded by the atmosphere of their craft, gradually improved. His performances became increasingly refined, with several scenes turning out remarkably well.
Meanwhile, Jin Shiheng, having finally shaken off the crew members who’d had him moving boxes, managed to sneak closer to the set. He immediately spotted Sheng Yueqing sitting beside the director, who was pointing at the monitor and explaining something to him. Though he couldn’t hear what they were saying from that distance, he guessed the gist of it: Sheng, as the lead, must have been struggling with his acting, forcing the director to guide him step by step.
Over the next few days, Jin didn’t get another chance to get close, but he noticed Sheng Yueqing’s routine: arriving early, leaving late, and often deep in thought. It seemed that his role was substantial, but progress was slow and challenging.
Jin Shiheng, feeling relieved, sent the information he’d gathered over to Ning Tianyou.
Ning, who had been waiting impatiently, lit up with satisfaction upon reading the report.
“So, Gu Xingshi isn’t as capable as he thinks!” he sneered. “Trying to create another Qin Wen, but some people are just hopeless cases.”
This was exactly what he wanted to hear. If Sheng Yueqing’s acting ended up too impressive, he might attract devoted fans who would defend him endlessly, which could interfere with Ning’s later plans.
With this in mind, he instructed his assistant, “Contact some gossip accounts to start leaking ‘insider info’—claim that the acting in Sheng Yueqing’s new series is abysmal across the board. Let’s sink its reputation from the start.”
Before long, rumors began circulating online, alleging “inside sources” that claimed Sheng Yueqing’s recent schedule reduction was due to a new acting role. The entire cast, supposedly, had weak acting skills, arranged intentionally to make Sheng’s performance appear less terrible by comparison.
Online reactions were mixed, with many curious followers flocking to Gu Xingshi’s Weibo to demand confirmation.
Gu Xingshi saw no reason to hide it and straightforwardly confirmed the news. He added, however, that Sheng Yueqing would be playing a supporting role rather than the lead.
Still, the announcement stirred up quite a bit of buzz.
After all, Sheng Yueqing had acted in the past—while his skills weren’t terrible, they were certainly not memorable. Since his recent comeback relied heavily on his photos and modeling work, many fans worried about the shift.
Some voiced their opinions online:
[Can’t he just stick to runway shows and photo shoots? Why does everyone feel the need to jump into acting?]
[Acting pays better, that’s why. Plus, fans will defend anything he does anyway.]
[I’d hold off on judging too soon. Remember Secrets of the Six Gates? People doubted it at first, but look how it turned out. I trust Gu Xingshi wouldn’t put out something trashy.]
[They said it’s a supporting role, so it should be fine, right? Qin Wen started off in supporting roles too.]
[Lol, Qin Wen was a total newbie back then, which is why he started as a supporting actor. With Sheng Yueqing’s popularity, why would he ‘lower himself’ to play a supporting role? His schedule’s been cleared for months—there’s no way he’s just there to ‘learn.’]
[Mark my words, this series will be a disaster. If it scores higher than 4 on DouBan, I’ll call everyone here ‘Dad!’]
Right after that, however, Gu Xingshi posted a new Weibo update, confidently stating that the filming was going exceptionally well and that the lead actor’s performance was highly promising, encouraging fans to stay tuned and support the series.
This update felt like a direct response to the skeptics, sparking a flurry of heated debate under his post. The topic of “Sheng Yueqing’s New Drama” shot up the trending charts, giving it an unexpected boost in publicity.
Ning Tianyou, furious, felt his blood pressure spike. He had to take two pills to calm down, then turned around and berated Jin Shiheng for his blunder. “You didn’t even verify if Sheng Yueqing was playing the lead before coming to me for payment?!”
Jin was baffled.
No way!
From everything he knew, with Gu Xingshi running the project and Sheng Yueqing’s level of fame, there was no way they’d have him in a supporting role!
Determined to clear this up, he dragged his aching body back into the production crew.
Meanwhile, Gu Xingshi was watching Sheng Yueqing on set.
Sheng’s character, Shi Chen, was a proud and aloof antagonist in the early stages of the story, opposing the protagonist’s team and nearly causing the protagonist’s death at one point. But as the story progressed, it was revealed that he had been helping them in secret all along.
Shi Chen had long known that the so-called “infinite world” was an artificial construct. With a surveillance chip embedded in his body, he could never escape unless he died. Thus, he was forced to live in this false world, fully aware yet in constant anguish.
Shi Chen only glimpsed a chance to shatter this world when the protagonist’s team arrived.
But due to the surveillance chip implanted in his body, he couldn’t openly help them, as it would bring disaster upon them if discovered. So, outwardly, he posed as their adversary, while secretly assisting them in countless ways.
Tragically, everyone misunderstood and hurt him—until the moment of crisis, when he sacrificed his life to save the protagonist. Only then did they realize his true identity, leaving him forever as an unforgettable memory in their hearts.
The scenes Sheng Yueqing was filming now depicted Shi Chen’s tormented past, filled with sorrow and oppression.
These emotionally intense scenes drained him. After each take, Sheng would be so exhausted that he couldn’t even muster the energy to speak. To maintain the somber mood, he avoided talking to Gu Xingshi, fearing he’d lose the tragic atmosphere he needed.
Watching Sheng leave the set in stony silence without even a glance at Gu Xingshi, Jin Shiheng’s first thought was: Did they have a falling out?
But before he could fully process the idea, a nearby crew member snapped him out of his daze. “Why are you standing around?”
Jin hurriedly returned to his work, grumbling internally.
Meanwhile, Gu Xingshi had just seen Sheng Yueqing off to his car and was about to head back when he noticed Jin Shiheng laboring nearby. He couldn’t help but remark, “Wow, this guy’s really dedicated to his work!”
The system chimed in eagerly. [Host, this one’s a juicy scoop!]
After hearing the system’s intel, Gu Xingshi cast another glance at Jin. [Ah, such a hard worker—what a waste for him to be a spy.]
Jin Shiheng, dizzy from the heavy lifting, was wiping sweat off his forehead when he suddenly noticed someone crouched in front of him. Startled, he realized it was none other than Gu Xingshi. He stammered in shock, “P-P-President Gu!!”
Gu Xingshi gave him a curious look. “You know who I am?”
Jin quickly composed himself, putting on a face of admiration. “I’m Jin Shiheng, from Sweet Orange Video’s publicity department. I’ve always looked up to you, so I volunteered to help here. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? Not at all!” Gu Xingshi’s smile was warm. “In fact, I have something I’d like you to help me with!”
Jin, feeling flattered and excited, couldn’t believe his luck.
He had often fantasized about catching Gu Xingshi’s attention, securing his favor, and rising through the ranks. But since joining the crew, he’d only managed grunt work, never getting close enough to the main production.
He was thrilled to see that his hard work hadn’t gone unnoticed, so he eagerly replied, “It would be an honor to help you. Please, just say the word!”
“Perfect!”
Gu Xingshi promptly led him to the most grueling and exhausting section of the set.
Jin Shiheng stared at the massive workload in front of him, frozen in disbelief. “President Gu… when you said you needed my help… you didn’t mean ‘this’, did you?”
Gu Xingshi nodded. “Why, can’t you handle it?”
Seeing a hint of disappointment in Gu Xingshi’s expression, Jin snapped to attention, suddenly feeling a surge of motivation. “Of course I can!”
“Wonderful!” Gu Xingshi clasped his hands together in gratitude. “Please, don’t let me down.”
Jin Shiheng: “…”
Endure the hardship, rise to greatness!
He couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity, no matter what. Bracing himself, he got to work with renewed determination.
By the time he finished everything, it was late evening. He was utterly exhausted and starving, feeling as though he might collapse at any moment.
Just then, Gu Xingshi approached with a boxed meal. “Thank you for your hard work today. I’m truly impressed.”
Jin, weary beyond words, perked up immediately. “It was nothing!”
Handing him the meal, Gu Xingshi added kindly, “Since it’s so late, I’ve arranged a room for you here at the hotel. You can stay the night.”
Overjoyed, Jin felt that his day’s efforts were finally being rewarded.
Staying at the hotel would not only bring him closer to President Gu, but also give him a chance to gather more information—a perfect arrangement!
After wolfing down his meal, he followed Gu Xingshi to the hotel.
Just as Jin was mentally preparing conversation starters to impress President Gu, the door across the hall suddenly opened, and a disheveled, zombie-like figure with pale skin and messy hair appeared, stretching his hands forward and mumbling unintelligibly.
Startled, Jin jumped back. “Wh-who is that?!”
“Oh, that’s our screenwriter,” Gu Xingshi replied nonchalantly. “He’s a bit burned out from all the rewrites—don’t mind him.”
Just then, Sun Hongfei emerged from the room and began dragging the screenwriter back inside. “Come on, buddy, this is only the thirtieth revision. We’re not done yet…”
The screenwriter let out a pitiful wail but was unable to escape. His hands clung to the doorframe, but Sun managed to pull him back inch by inch.
With a loud ‘thud’, the door slammed shut.
Jin shivered involuntarily.
Gu Xingshi, seemingly unfazed, opened the door to his own room. “Please, come in.”
Still uneasy, Jin followed him inside.
The room was spacious and comfortable, with the perfect temperature, and a table stocked with fruit, snacks, and drinks.
Gu Xingshi settled onto the sofa, looking at Jin with a friendly smile. “So, Jin, you’re from the publicity department, right? You must be pretty familiar with crafting marketing articles for the web?”
Jin nodded hesitantly.
“Perfect!” Gu Xingshi opened the laptop on the table and pushed it toward Jin. “Then, go ahead—write something.”
Jin Shiheng: “???”
Seeing Jin hesitate, Gu Xingshi’s smile faded. “Surely you’re capable of something this simple, right? I’d even been considering giving you more important tasks… but if that’s too much…”
“I can do it!” Jin quickly leapt up, eager to please.
Under Gu Xingshi’s approving gaze, Jin sat down and began typing furiously.
Endure the hardship, rise to greatness! he repeated to himself.
If President Gu recognized his talents, he’d soon secure a powerful backer, maybe even a promotion and a raise.
But his enthusiasm only lasted about an hour. Now exhausted, he couldn’t help but wonder why it felt like he was being endlessly manipulated by President Gu.
Just then, from the partly open bathroom door, he heard Gu Xingshi on the phone, discussing production matters with the director. His curiosity was reignited, and he quickly jotted down what he overheard and sent the details over to Ning Tianyou.
When Gu Xingshi stepped out, he found Jin Shiheng working hard, diligently typing up a marketing draft.
Gu Xingshi smiled. “Well, Jin, I’ll leave this to you for the night.”
Jin’s fingers flew over the keyboard. “Rest assured, President Gu—I’ll get it done.”
Satisfied, Gu Xingshi left the room, mentally noting to his system, [See? A talent like this shouldn’t be wasted as a spy. He needs to be put to good use.]
System: […Shivering.]
Thanks for the chapter! So evil, lol
Gu xing shi is scary