“Where’s the movie emperor Bai?” Jian Yang counted the medicine and opened the door, regretfully saying, “I was still going to invite him for a meal.”

“What meal?” Guan Ciyan pulled Jian Yang to his side and led him to eat.

Recently, Jian Yang felt that Guan Ciyan had been getting busier. Although his work schedule was still the usual 9-to-5 routine, he seemed much more serious, as if he was working on something major. Jian Yang couldn’t figure out why, despite the fact that Wen Ye’s movie was starting production and Guan Ciyan’s three-year project was launching, he wasn’t happy at all—instead, he seemed even more troubled.

After eating, Guan Ciyan left in a car. Jian Yang sent him off with no expectations in his heart. Every time they parted, Guan Ciyan seemed to disappear, never taking the initiative to contact him.

But that was fine. Without Guan Ciyan’s influence, he could fully devote himself to his career.

Jian Yang went back to his room to memorize his lines. He had already gone over them once and reviewed the scenes for the next day every evening.

This time, he was playing the youngest son, Gu Yan Jun, of a warlord general from the Republic of China. Growing up in a complex warlord family, he met Su Jin, an advanced intellectual who had returned from studying abroad. Through their interactions, they found their expectations for the country’s future aligned remarkably, and their feelings for each other unknowingly began to blossom. In order to expand his influence, General Gu planned to unite with other warlords to start a war. Gu Yan Jun witnessed the brutal realities of war firsthand, while Su Jin led efforts to help the people. The two supported each other in the difficult environment. The general discovered the relationship between Gu Yan Jun and Su Jin and believed that Su Jin would affect Gu Yan Jun’s loyalty to the family, so he ordered Su Jin’s capture. Over time, Gu Yan Jun became awakened on the battlefield and secretly supported Su Jin’s revolutionary activities, dismantling the family power and overthrowing the warlord regime.

Throughout the entire play, the romantic relationship between Gu Yan Jun and Su Jin was never explicitly defined, always being portrayed as a deep friendship. Jian Yang had been trying to understand Gu Yan Jun’s feelings. It was the vague, hazy, and aesthetically beautiful emotions that the audience loved.

Today, with Guan Ciyan present, he had no time to get to know the actor playing Su Jin. Apparently, it was a newcomer with some works but no fame. Wen Ye enjoyed mentoring new actors. He believed that only when actors he trained succeeded could he prove his ability as a director.

Therefore, it was basically impossible for Bai Shun to have a chance to collaborate with him again.

But why was Bai Shun here?

“Young master, take your medicine.” Dong Dong came over with the hot medicine.

Jian Yang sniffed and drank it all in one go. Dong Dong had done well—the bottom of the bowl was free of residue, so Jian Yang drank without worry of choking. “Dong Dong, don’t call me ‘young master’ anymore. Who’s the young master in the crew?”

“What should I call you then?”

“Just call me Jian Yang, we’re about the same age, or you can call me ‘brother’?” Jian Yang flipped through the script, setting it down to rinse his mouth.

Dong Dong quickly went to pour him some water, but Jian Yang finished drinking on his own. His assistant wasn’t very useful.

The first time with an artist, Dong Dong couldn’t find the right boundaries. An assistant’s role was to be like the artist’s shadow, always available to serve and meet their needs, but Jian Yang required very little. “I might be older than you, calling me ‘brother’ is still not quite right.”

Jian Yang felt uncomfortable. “Also, no more ‘sir’ or anything, no need for formal titles.”

…

The next day, Dong Dong shouted from the door, “Jian Yang, wake up!! Jian Yang!!!”

Jian Yang sat up in shock, a long time since anyone had called him to wake up. It felt like a return to his school days and scared him.

Today’s scene was the first meeting between Gu Yan Jun and Su Jin. The makeup had already been applied…

The next day, Bai Shun appeared on set. Wen Ye saw him talking to Jian Yang through the monitor and walked over, asking, “What are you doing here again?”

His tone was harsh, his expression impatient.

Jian Yang wished he could disappear on the spot, but instead, he listened intently to the gossip.

Bai Shun was in a good mood. “I’m just helping the kids. They’ve been acting for three days, but there’s no progress.”

“Do whatever you want, just don’t waste my time,” Wen Ye said as he walked away.

Bai Shun’s gaze stayed on Wen Ye until he returned to his seat and put on his headphones. Bai Shun then smiled and turned to Jian Yang, saying, “Thanks for contacting me instead of going straight to Mr. Guan.”

“Why?”

“His straightforward temper—he’s no match for your Mr. Guan.”

Jian Yang frowned. “My Mr. Guan isn’t a bad person.”

“You’re defending him now?” Bai Shun smiled. “Well, that’s normal. But anyway, come on, show me a scene.”

After watching, Bai Shun immediately understood the issue because the flaw was too obvious. Wen Ye had chosen Jian Yang for his agility and ability to immerse quickly into the role and embody the character. However, Jian Yang’s lack of experience made his portrayal of the warlord’s youngest son seem more like a pampered young master from the Guan family, failing to express the complex feelings of someone raised in a large family. Gu Yan Jun had a cold-blooded, ruthless side, but when facing Su Jin, he hid his darker side—yet it was still there.

“Your eyes,” Bai Shun said seriously. “Gu Yan Jun still has a somewhat innocent and youthful image, but the fact that he can grow up safely in a warlord family means he’s not a simple person. You need to pull your gaze inward, don’t let people see through you at first glance, otherwise, the scenes where Su Jin and Gu Yan Jun test each other will seem exaggerated and pointless. You might even get criticized for bringing your own drama into the scene.”

Jian Yang suddenly understood—it was because he hadn’t grasped his character yet.

However, knowing and performing were two different things. Jian Yang had a straightforward personality, and his upbringing was simple. His older sister had always been dedicated to him, and even after entering the entertainment industry, he kept his distance from all the scheming and power struggles, even if it meant losing opportunities. He knew he had no background or money, so there was no point in fighting.

He was fine with idol dramas where his eye performances were already great, as long as he showed kindness, gentleness, or coldness—such simple emotions were enough. But Gu Yan Jun was too complicated. Bai Shun adjusted his performance a few more times, but the result wasn’t very effective.

“Could it be that your golden eyes stand out too much? Eyes are subtle, and when your eye color is so eye-catching, the audience won’t notice the emotions you’re trying to convey,” Bai Shun commented.

Dong Dong took the opportunity to pass the mirror to Jian Yang, who took a look and said, “What if I try wearing colored contact lenses?”

“Can you even wear contact lenses?”

“How do you know I can’t wear them?”

“Guan Ciyan informed the entire crew about your situation, telling everyone to accommodate your eyes during filming.”

“Ah?”

He thought everyone was avoiding filming during the harsh noon sunlight, but it turned out that Guan Ciyan didn’t want anyone filming when the sun was at its peak.

“Don’t worry, it just means the progress will be slower. Everyone gets a break, and only Guan Ciyan is burning money. But he’s not lacking in money.”

Not lacking money doesn’t mean spending it like this.

Once the crew started filming, the budget was calculated by the minute. The equipment and set rental were expensive, costing hundreds of thousands per extra day. Every day Jian Yang wasted two hours at noon, and the cost of one scene could be millions down the drain.

If things went wrong midway, tens of millions could be lost.

Did Guan Ciyan even know how to keep track of costs? Treating him like a money-making machine while spending more on his maintenance than what the machine earned.

Jian Yang felt like his cost-effectiveness was too low. He knew that when Guan Ciyan realized this, he might never have another chance. He made a quick decision. “Fine, I’ll wear them!”

When the makeup artist put the contact lenses in Jian Yang’s eyes, her hands were shaking. These eyes were precious—he took more medicine each day than her half-month salary. If anything happened to them, no one would survive! Everyone would die!

Jian Yang was also nervous. In his past life, he couldn’t wear contact lenses—if he wore them for a day, he’d go blind for two. He didn’t have another chance this time.

“How’s that? Is it uncomfortable?”

Bai Shun, the makeup artist, and Dong Dong were all gathered around Jian Yang. Dong Dong was so anxious that she was about to cry. “This isn’t good, young master! Your eyes have just started to improve, and Mr. Guan will…!”

“How about we run the scene again, Bai Yingdi?”

Bai Shun helped Jian Yang with the scene. Indeed, his black eyes were much better at conveying depth compared to the golden ones. While it wasn’t perfect, it was clear that the direction of his performance was on the right track. With Bai Shun’s approval, Jian Yang felt like he had narrowly escaped disaster. “Thank you, I will definitely repay you for this great favor.”

“No need for that. If you want to thank me, just make sure Mr. Guan doesn’t cause trouble for Wen Ye.”

“Why would Mr. Guan cause trouble for Teacher Wen Ye?”

Bai Shun pointed to Jian Yang’s eyes. “What do you think?”

Jian Yang turned to Dong Dong and said, “Put your phone down. Mr. Guan doesn’t need to know about this.”