Baili Xiao pushed through the crowd and finally found Luo Wei behind the camera tracking screen. The usually kind and meticulous old man was frowning, his head bent as he flipped through the script, his expression clearly showing his displeasure.

Baili Xiao glanced back at Dai Jue, only to meet Dai Jue’s provocative gaze. It seemed that Dai Jue had somehow learned about David’s visit today and had prepared overnight, dressed impeccably in a high-end suit. In comparison, Baili Xiao’s flowing black robe appeared quite out of place. However, Baili Xiao didn’t mind at all; he simply sighed inwardly, thinking that Dai Jue not only had bad luck but was also incredibly foolish.

So, Baili Xiao calmly walked over to Luo Wei, deliberately ignoring the director’s current frustration as if he hadn’t noticed anything amiss. He poked the director and said, “Director Luo, I’m a bit uncertain about that one-take scene tonight. Do you have a moment?”

Initially annoyed at being interrupted, Luo Wei looked up, but when he saw Baili Xiao in his costume, looking so out of place among the sea of black suits, it threw him off for a moment. It took several seconds for him to register what Baili Xiao had just said, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Baili Xiao maintained his usual demeanor. “What’s wrong? Are you busy right now?”

Luo Wei stammered, “Uh…”

“Oh, it’s fine, you can continue. I apologize for the interruption.” Baili Xiao smiled apologetically and even bowed slightly. “I’m really sorry. I thought you might be free. I woke up late today and didn’t realize it was a big day; I saw everyone dressed up and thought there might be an event. You go ahead with your work, I can figure it out myself and come back to find you later.”

Luo Wei quickly grabbed him, his eyes lighting up. “I’m not busy; just ask if you have any questions.”

Baili Xiao nodded and said, “Oh,” then opened the script in his hand, pointing to a scene as he asked, “I’m sorry, Director. Since this is my first time acting, I can understand the emotions and characters, but I lack experience and camera sense. How should I enter and exit the frame during this fight scene?”

—No actor would typically ask a director such a question about how to enter and exit the frame, everyone hides their own tricks and strategies. Yet Baili Xiao openly posed this question, embodying a newcomer’s humility that was not at all off-putting. Luo Wei didn’t know why, but he found himself liking this young man more and more. This industry was one of the most restless places in the world, yet this newcomer—fresh and innocent—seemed to carry an inherent aura of clarity, being both smart and hardworking, with no pretense, straightforward and sincere.

Baili Xiao focused intently on the script, not needing to look up to sense the emotional journey of those around him. He didn’t feel even a hint of pride; unlike the arrogant and superficial Dai Jue, he had always observed the world keenly and naturally knew how to conduct himself.

Not far away, Mike, who had just emerged from the crowd and witnessed everything, finally calmed down, watching his talented artist thoughtfully.

Just then, an assistant from somewhere suddenly shouted, “They’re coming in! They’re coming in!”

The crowd erupted in an uproar, and even Baili Xiao and Luo Wei, who were seriously discussing acting techniques, were interrupted. Baili Xiao instinctively looked up to see what was happening in the crowd, and then, as if completely oblivious to the sudden anger radiating from Luo Wei, casually muttered, “Who’s coming in? Why all the fuss… Director Luo, I didn’t catch that. You mentioned the second main camera angle. What degree should we cut in from?”

Luo Wei shot a meaningful glance at Dai Jue and the others, then regained his composure and smiled kindly at Baili Xiao. “The angle isn’t important; what matters is the positioning…” As he spoke, he suddenly seemed to grow enthusiastic, rolling the script into a tube and standing up to demonstrate the actors’ positioning for Baili Xiao. As the two continued their conversation, the room gradually quieted down. Baili Xiao turned to face the crowd, fully aware that David was now at the door, yet he continued his conversation with Luo Wei as if nothing had changed.

When David finally stepped into the room, silence enveloped the space, and the voices of Baili Xiao and Luo Wei suddenly felt out of place, prompting them to stop.

The man entering the room was a tall American dressed in business casual attire, flanked by a row of security guards in black. His expression was somewhat stern as he surveyed the group of actors without showing any emotion. However, upon catching sight of Luo Wei, who was the only one making noise as he entered, a smile broke across his face. “Director Luo,” he greeted.

Luo Wei set down his script and walked over, embracing David in a friendly manner. “It’s been a year; your Chinese has improved.”

“With the growing business in the Greater China region in recent years, I naturally had to step up my Chinese studies,” David replied.

The male actors in the room exchanged glances, and even Baili Xiao was taken aback. He hadn’t expected this cold man to have a connection with Luo Wei. No wonder the investment party specifically requested Luo Wei as the director for this project, it seemed there was much more to this situation than he had anticipated.

As Baili Xiao pondered this, the American suddenly turned his gaze toward him. Among the sea of elegant clothing, his costume stood out glaringly.

However, despite its simplicity, the outfit was not unattractive and instead highlighted his strengths. David took a rough glance at the young man, instantly captivated by his aura of nobility and elegance. When Baili Xiao turned his head back, his sincere expression further stirred something in David’s heart.

“You are…” David rubbed his temples, pondering for a moment, then snapped his fingers. “You’re the new spokesperson GW signed, Li…”

“Hello, I’m Li Xiao,” Baili Xiao said calmly as he stepped forward, positioning himself a step behind Luo Wei. He offered a gentle smile and continued, “I’m playing the fourth male lead, Shen Ziting. May I ask who you are?”

Luo Wei laughed heartily, casually placing an arm around Baili Xiao’s shoulder. “Silly boy, this is our investment partner’s CEO, or as you young people say, our ‘money daddy.’”

David chuckled, “Director Luo always knows how to joke.”

Baili Xiao’s expression remained natural as he nodded politely, apologizing, “Sorry, I’m filming tonight, so I woke up a bit late and missed the news about your visit to the set.”

David merely smiled in response, casually scanning him before nodding and saying, “You’re not wearing makeup, it seems you really do have your scenes tonight.”

Luo Wei smoothly interjected, “Xiao only came to discuss tonight’s performance with me. It’s not really that he woke up late, it’s just that the other kids got up too early today.”

Upon hearing this, David glanced behind him and then exchanged looks with Luo Wei. After a moment, he smiled again and said, “The current entertainment industry in China is too rigid. It’s a good thing to have a few qualified newcomers. Li Xiao, I’ll remember you.”

Baili Xiao maintained his calm demeanor. “Thank you.”

He watched as David followed Luo Wei into the room to discuss advertising placement, and the other actors trailed behind them, leaving him standing alone. Once everyone had dispersed, Mike approached him, thoughtfully regarding his artist before finally saying, “You really are a prodigy.”

Baili Xiao couldn’t help but genuinely smile at that. “If I’m not a prodigy, how am I supposed to survive in this industry? In a room full of people destined for misfortune yet still holding on to their unrealistic dreams, you can smell the stench of their fate from a hundred meters away.”

Mike sighed, “Just a few compliments, and you start getting all dramatic.”

“The secrets of heaven cannot be divulged.” Baili Xiao chuckled lightly, then turned to go back inside, deciding to catch up on some sleep.

—

Waking up early in the morning was a struggle, especially for someone like him, a descendant of the gods who was used to luxury and required more time to recover from the loss of sleep. Knowing full well he wouldn’t be filming today, Baili Xiao ended up sleeping until the afternoon, only roused by the sounds of an argument outside his room.

Feeling somewhat annoyed, he rubbed his temples and sat up to clear his head. Gradually, he recognized that the voices outside the door belonged to… his manager? And one of them was… Dai Jue?

Baili Xiao got up quietly and approached the door, resting his fingers on the doorknob. After a moment of hesitation, he let his hand drop.

Through the two doors, the argument on the other side was surprisingly clear. Normally, in a crowded film crew, it’s taboo to air grievances openly. Even if Dai Jue was clueless, Mike should have known better. The fact that it had escalated to this point was unexpected.

Baili Xiao licked his lips and bent down to retrieve a box of ice cream from the foam container his assistant had left in his room. Calmly, he tore off the paper lid and prepared to eavesdrop.

—

“Mike, do you even have a brain?!” The voice of some big shot was loud enough to be heard through the door. Baili Xiao held the spoon in his mouth, lightly exhaling, “Seems like he’s really upset.”

Mike’s voice sounded equally furious—“Dai Jue, I’ll say this one more time. While I personally believe Xiao is a more promising artist than you, I haven’t played any role in pushing this matter forward. David’s first choice was indeed you. If Director Luo wants to support Xiao, then David agreeing to give him an extra spot doesn’t affect you at all. You have people backing you, and Xiao can rely on his talent and character to earn his place too.”

Hmm?

Baili Xiao was taken aback for a moment. So David’s original choice had been Dai Jue? That was unexpected. He lowered his gaze and gently stirred the ice cream in his cup, suddenly realizing that the source of Dai Jue’s information about David’s surprise visit was still a mystery. It seemed that Dai Jue had effectively undermined Mike’s position as a manager, revealing just how much Mike didn’t know.

—“What about the spot that belongs to me?” Dai Jue almost yelled, “Why did I receive the news that I was already pre-selected by David? And now the only names I hear invited aside from Wang Hong and Shen Yuan are Li Xiao? Are you all out of your minds? Just because he’s a good-looking rookie, you’re all willing to suck up to him like this?”

—“Dai Jue, clean up your language! It’s your own fault for talking to David, belittling someone from a hard background. David’s mother came from a tough background herself, and she raised him with great difficulty. Their mother-son relationship is famously good. You didn’t do your homework on your background and ended up offending someone—who can you blame?”

“Oh…” Baili Xiao finally understood. He licked his lips once more, calmly walking back to his bed and putting on his headphones.

Though the process wasn’t as he expected, the result was the same.

This world is quite simple, really. Those who are unlucky and lack virtue won’t get what they desire, no matter how many unexpected twists occur along the way.

Baili Xiao nonchalantly took out his phone and sent a WeChat message to Yu Jinghao: “I think I got that spot. Have you booked the tickets?”

Yu Jinghao replied, “Of course, I told you from the start it would definitely be you.”