Chapter 53

Xie Fuyi was called over by the assistant director, and Chen Shan pointed to a series of moves being demonstrated by the martial arts instructor suspended on the wire. “Can you do this?”

Thinking it was a new addition to his choreography, Xie Fuyi glanced at it and nodded, “Shouldn’t be a problem.”

The people around wore somewhat strange expressions at his words. He hadn’t even practiced these moves, yet he could almost do them just by looking. If it weren’t for his lack of fame, he might even have been suitable for the male lead role.

Chen Shan nodded, then turned to the assistant director nearby. “Get him dressed as the male lead and film this sequence.”

Xie Fuyi’s physique was similar to Mu Ziming’s, so the difference as his stunt double shouldn’t be too noticeable.

But if he completed these moves, it would undoubtedly be a blow to Mu Ziming’s reputation!

Xie Fuyi glanced at Mu Ziming, who was looking back at him. However, Mu Ziming’s face didn’t show anger but rather a look of apology. “Thank you for your help, Fuyi.”

Xie Fuyi smiled somewhat embarrassedly, “No need to thank me, Xiao Yuanxi.”

He quickly changed into the costume and, during the first take, followed the martial arts instructor, performing somersaults, swordplay, and other aerial maneuvers…

Though the sequence was still somewhat disjointed, he managed to complete it.

There were praises all around. No one had expected him to nail it on the first try.

Xiao Yuanxi happened to see Xie Fuyi shooting this scene. He walked over, his gaze involuntarily falling on Xie Fuyi’s figure – the powerful waist, the long legs… his serious expression was extremely captivating.

After shooting a couple more times, Xie Fuyi’s movements became smoother and more elegant in mid-air with the sword.

However, at this moment, he keenly sensed something wrong with the wire. The rig wobbled, and in the next instant, the carabiner holding him snapped open, and Xie Fuyi fell straight down from mid-air!

“Xie Fuyi!”

The people around panicked, and even Xiao Yuanxi’s pupils contracted. He had almost immediately noticed the issue with the rig and swiftly rushed over before anyone else spoke.

Fortunately, Xie Fuyi reacted quickly, grabbing onto another nearby rope to cushion his fall. By the time he landed, Xiao Yuanxi had already reached him and rolled several times on the ground with him to dissipate the impact.

“Uh,” Xie Fuyi grunted.

Holding the person in his arms, Xiao Yuanxi’s heart almost leapt out of his chest as he nervously asked, “Xie Fuyi, how are you feeling? Are you hurt anywhere?”

The people around quickly called for the accompanying doctor.

“Check him quickly!” Chen Shan was already cursing on the side, his worry and anger evident. “Who inspected the rig? Huh? How could such a big problem go unnoticed?”

Supported by Xiao Yuanxi, Xie Fuyi sat up. He had some abrasions on his arms and ankles. After such a scare, his first reaction was surprisingly to give a reassuring smile to the concerned people around him. “Don’t worry, I’m fine, just some scratches…”

Nobody was reassured, and they nervously inspected him.

After a careful examination by the doctor, it turned out he had scraped his palms from grabbing the rope midway, and there were some other minor abrasions on his body.

Xiao Yuanyan skills were also evident; when he caught Xie Fuyi, he used a skillful maneuver to dissipate the force, otherwise, both their arms might have been broken.

After the examination, the doctor finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Luckily, no bones were injured. Just some scrapes on the body. Rest for a while and apply some medicine.”

Everyone finally relaxed.

Xie Fuyi nodded and said to the director gently, “Everyone, please carry on with your tasks. I can take care of myself and apply the medicine. Don’t let my incident affect the shooting schedule.”

Chen Shan was taken aback. Usually, an actor would rush to the hospital at a time like this, preferably with some media coverage. Yet here was someone so considerate of the crew’s schedule. His voice softened a bit, “Fuyi, go rest in the lounge. If you don’t feel well later, don’t force yourself.”

Xie Fuyi smiled and agreed, “Okay.”

Everyone looked at him with a mix of admiration and sympathy. He was too good-hearted. Just now, he experienced such a terrifying scene, yet he didn’t think about publicity at all. Instead, he was concerned about the progress of the shoot.

Mu Ziming approached with a somewhat apologetic expression. “Fuyi, are you okay? I’m sorry for what happened. If it weren’t for you stepping in to complete that move for me, it would have been me falling from the rig.”

Xiao Yuanxi glanced at him upon hearing this.

Xie Fuyi quickly smiled and shook his head, “It’s not Xiao Yuanxi’s fault. Nobody could have foreseen such an accident.” He hadn’t expected that his plan to sabotage Mu Ziming would backfire on him so quickly.

Mu Ziming breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t call me Teacher Mu anymore, just call me Ziming. Fuyi, come to my dressing room to rest. There’s a bed there.” He reached out to help Xie Fuyi.

“You still have scenes to shoot, right? Don’t delay the crew. I’ll take him there.” Xiao Yuanxi raised his hand slightly, his gaze drifting past Mu Ziming and finally landing on Chen Shan, with a faint smile that seemed to say, “Whether this was an accident or intentional, it must be investigated. If Director Chen doesn’t have the capability, I’m willing to help.”

Mu Ziming paused, smiled, and withdrew his hand. “Thank you, Xiao Shao.”

Chen Shan’s brow furrowed at this. “It’s not necessary for Xiao Shao to trouble himself. I’ll review all the footage and get to the bottom of this, and we’ll enhance security measures moving forward.” He was determined to investigate thoroughly, considering this incident had occurred on his set.

Only then did Xiao Yuanyan nod, leading Xie Fuyi to Mu Ziming’s dressing room.

As the two left, people around gathered and whispered:

“What’s the relationship between Xiao Yuanxi and Xie Fuyi? Why is he so concerned about him?”

“Xie Fuyi used to be a young master as well. They could just be friends.”

“But when Xie Fuyi fell just now, the way Xiao Yuanxi looked at him… It’s not as simple as being ordinary friends, is it? Could he have developed feelings for him?”

Mu Ziming’s eyes flickered subtly.

…

Xiao Yuanxi helped Xie Fuyi sit on the bed, crouching by his feet. He reached out and pinched Xie Fuyi’s calf. “How’s your leg?”

Xie Fuyi stretched out his arms and legs, smiling warmly. “I’m fine, just a little scrape on my foot. Thanks to you, Xiao Yuanxi. If it weren’t for your help, it would have been more than just this little injury.”

Xiao Yuanxi applied medicine to the scrapes on Xie Fuyi’s leg, glancing at his clear eyes and gentle smile. It seemed like he genuinely believed it was just an accident.

The young master had just started acting and probably didn’t know how dark the entertainment industry could be.

But the darker it was, the more people wanted to pull him into the mire…

Xiao Yuanxi curled his lips. “Thanking me again? Yet you still sound so unfamiliar. And you even call that someone by name…” 

That someone?… You don’t remember what Mu Ziming’s name is?

Xie Fuyi was momentarily stunned, then helplessly furrowed his brows. “I saw everyone else calling him that.”

Xiao Yuanxi neither affirmed nor denied, but this person never stooped to flattery, even though he also called him “Young Master Xiao.” 

He finished applying medicine to Xie Fuyi’s leg, stood up, glanced at him, and lifted his chin. “Take off your clothes.”

“What?” Xie Fuyi was momentarily bewildered, not quite catching the meaning behind those words.

Xiao Yuanxi’s expression remained perfectly natural, but his dark eyes held a hint of recklessness. “After rolling on the ground just now, are you telling me you only hurt your foot? Let me check your body for any injuries.”

“Oh,” Xie Fuyi understood now. He didn’t hesitate or squirm, simply stating, “Seems like my back got scraped a bit.”

As he removed his costume, the thin T-shirt clung to his body, soaked with sweat, highlighting his defined abdominal muscles.

Xiao Yuanyans gaze darkened slightly, but Xie Fuyi didn’t linger. With both hands, he grabbed the hem of his T-shirt and smoothly took it off, revealing his clean skin with a faint sheen-like honey, with some areas showing bruises, making the situation even more ambiguous.

Yet Xie Fuyi’s movements were swift and decisive, without any hesitation, and his expression remained perfectly natural.

Xiao Yuanyan couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. He had intentionally made his words suggestive, but this person didn’t seem to have any romantic intentions at all, looking as natural as helping a brother out.

“I’m ready. Thank you, Xiao Yuanxi,” came the muffled voice, bringing Xiao Yuanyan’s attention back.

At this point, Xie Fuyi was only wearing pants, obediently lying on the bed. His body relaxed, revealing a perfect figure with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, a smooth curvature of the spine, and deep dimples on both sides of his waist…

“Uh-huh,” Xiao Yuanxian unconsciously cleared his throat, his dark eyes growing deeper as he replied hoarsely.

He sat beside the bed, scooped out a large amount of ointment, and slowly applied it to Xie Fuyi’s back.