Jing Yuanqi couldn't hide for too long.
After Shi Qing finished speaking, Gao Zhi casually turned around and noticed his presence.
The young assistant, who had just started working three days ago, gulped nervously and stammered, "Brother Jing?"
Jing Yuanqi cast a glance in his direction, and Gao Zhi instinctively shrank his neck, freezing in place.
He found it strange and bewildering. Jing Yuanqi usually seemed outgoing and friendly; he should be easy to get along with. Why did a mere glance from him now seem so intimidating?
Jing Yuanqi generally didn't pay attention to people who didn't interest him, and he didn't have any particular opinions about Gao Zhi. But there was an inexplicable sense of discomfort deep down.
If you had to compare, it was like a graceful leopard silently descending from a tree, stealthily approaching its chosen prey, savoring the thrill of the hunt, when suddenly, a black crow squawked loudly nearby.
The prey noticed him, and the thrill of the ambush was lost.
It was quite unsettling.
Jing Yuanqi's discomfort escalated when he saw Shi Qing stand up and regard him with that familiar aloof expression. Jing Yuanqi had seen that expression many times before. Since the first time he met Shi Qing, the actor always wore this brooding demeanor, appearing exceedingly melancholic.
Shi Qing was a man of few words; that was something everyone on the set knew. But every time Jing Yuanqi looked at him, he felt as though Shi Qing wasn't just reserved but was also exuding an aura that said, "What qualifications do you ants have to listen to me?"
Jing Yuanqi was an expert at reading people, and when he had first observed Shi Qing, he couldn't find a single redeeming quality.
The so-called pillar of the entertainment industry, the famous Movie Emperor Shi, was, in reality, a person filled with flaws. Arrogant, gloomy, and seemingly targeting him for no reason.
When he had come to audition for this drama, it was merely out of boredom. But when he found out that Shi Qing was trying to sabotage his audition for the role, Jing Yuanqi became even more determined to secure it. If Shi Qing was going to use his connections to prevent him from getting the part, Jing Yuanqi would use his own connections to get it.
After all, he had a rebellious nature. The more others tried to stop him, the more determined he became, especially when it was someone like Shi Qing, whom he couldn't stand.
Now, as he saw Shi Qing give him that familiar look of disdain, Jing Yuanqi's rebellious spirit began to rise once more.
"Does Teacher Shi Qing like Devil's Peppers?" he asked with a friendly smile.
The man in front of him, with his indifferent expression, seemed to show a faint flicker of interest upon hearing the question. Jing Yuanqi could barely detect a subtle furrow of the eyebrows, a slight curve that was hard to notice, but it was there.
As he observed, Jing Yuanqi noticed that Shi Qing had crescent-shaped eyebrows. He remembered reading an analysis about eyebrows once. It claimed that people with crescent-shaped eyebrows were gentle and approachable.
But just looking at Shi Qing's eyebrows, Jing Yuanqi knew it was all nonsense. If Shi Qing were approachable, the skies would rain red.
Despite his seemingly friendly question, Shi Qing just stared at him, and his delicate lips made no effort to form a word in response.
Perhaps because he had overheard the previous conversation, Jing Yuanqi could sense a subtle evasion in Shi Qing's face when he avoided eye contact. It was similar to how someone would react when talking about a person behind their back, and that person unexpectedly appeared, causing them to instinctively evade.
Jing Yuanqi found it increasingly amusing. The more Shi Qing ignored him, the more determined he became.
With a mischievous grin, the young man continued, "Although I can't handle too much spice, I have a friend who has a Devil's Pepper plantation. They cultivate the spiciest and best Devil's Peppers, all natural, without any pesticides. If Teacher Shi Qing likes them, I can bring you a bottle to try. What do you think?"
In Jing Yuanqi's eyes, Shi Qing seemed slightly intrigued by the offer, but when their gazes met, Shi Qing deliberately looked away, giving a cold response, "Hmm."
The Movie Emperor had an inherently gloomy temperament, and when he averted his eyes and refused to look at people, it seemed almost disdainful.
In the past, Jing Yuanqi would have been irritated and left when faced with such an attitude. But now, perhaps due to some personal factor, he couldn't help but notice that Shi Qing seemed a bit uneasy and evasive in his demeanor.
Life on the set was dull, and Jing Yuanqi's interest was piqued upon realizing that Shi Qing might not be as he had initially thought.
He chuckled inwardly and deliberately misinterpreted Shi Qing's intentions, "Is Teacher Shi Qing being distant because he looks down on me?"
The Movie Emperor, whose eyes were still cast down, almost imperceptibly stiffened, and his long, slender fingers on his thigh curled slightly.
Jing Yuanqi could sense that Shi Qing had become somewhat flustered because of that comment. However, in the end, he merely saw Shi Qing's lips move slightly, as if speaking was a difficult task, and then they closed again.
After a brief pause of about two seconds, the elegant-looking man with a brooding aura finally raised his head. His eyebrows were knitted slightly, and he coldly uttered, "Think what you want."
With a seemingly indifferent turn, he walked away.
It took Gao Zhi a moment to realize that his boss had left so abruptly. After another second of consideration, he contemplated whether he should apologize to Jing Yuanqi on behalf of his boss. Although things had gotten a bit unpleasant in the dressing room earlier, it wasn't appropriate to let it escalate in front of others.
So, he quickly said, "I'm truly sorry, Mr. Jing. It seems that Shi Ge isn't feeling well. Perhaps an old ailment has resurfaced, and he's not feeling comfortable. We should leave now. Please forgive us for any inconvenience."
After finishing his sentence, he turned and followed Shi Qing's departing figure.
Jing Yuanqi didn't mind at all.
An old ailment resurfaced?
He couldn't help but think that it seemed more like they were in a hurry to escape.
Jing Yuanqi had encountered people like this before, those who were not good at explaining themselves. When others misunderstood them, they would accept the misunderstanding, adopting an indifferent attitude, as if they didn't care what others thought.
The way Shi Qing had left just now seemed like he was fleeing.
Jing Yuanqi found it extremely intriguing. The more Shi Qing ignored him, the more determined he became.
Shi Qing had always had a reputation for being a prima donna in the outside world. Could it be that this personality was the root of all those rumors?
Think about it. Everyone assumed Shi Qing was a tough nut to crack, avoiding him and calling him cold, ruthless, and brooding. But in reality, only he knew that underneath that tough exterior was soft and tender flesh. Poke it, and he would run away in fear. When exposed, he would timidly hide behind his shell, trying to fend off any threats by covering himself in spikes.
Jing Yuanqi became even more interested in him. Such a contradictory personality should, theoretically, stay out of trouble.
However, he had received information that Shi Qing had pulled some strings to remove him, Jing Yuanqi, from the role he had already auditioned for.
Directly asking Shi Qing would yield no response, for sure.
But it didn't matter; they were on the same set in the same hotel every day. He would eventually figure out the reason.
Although he had left in a hurry at noon, Shi Qing quietly returned to the set in the late afternoon. He sat expressionless in his chair, as usual, observing the people filming.
The afternoon scenes were featuring Jing Yuanqi.
This young master was genuinely talented. Anyone could see his confident and unrestrained demeanor off-camera. However, as soon as filming started, he transformed into the sinister and malicious antagonist, exuding an aura of malevolence and gloom in his speech.
To others on the set, the Movie Emperor sat silently in his chair, with a cold gaze fixed on Jing Yuanqi, who was performing.
[System: Host, someone's coming.]
Just as it finished its reminder, a mocking tone appeared behind Shi Qing, "Shi-ge, you're watching very attentively. Xiao Jing's doing a good job. I wonder what's going through your mind as you watch him."
Shi Qing remained silent and kept his gaze on Jing Yuanqi, who had just finished the scene. Jing Yuanqi was coming down from the platform, taking off his ancient costume as he walked towards them.
"But you probably don't know," the speaker continued, "after all, you're not at your peak anymore. It's understandable that you're not well-informed. By the way, Shi-ge, have you even accepted two roles this year? You probably had to pull some strings for this one. Oh, how time flies. Shi-ge, you used to be so prominent. Now, I can't even compare to you, a small fry like me."
"Speaking of which, I'm really busy now, every day's packed with schedules. Several major productions are fighting to get me. After I finish with this set, I have to rush to the next one. Shi-ge, I envy your leisurely life."
Shi Qing blinked extremely slowly, showing no emotions whatsoever.
Jing Yuanqi, who had just arrived, heard these words and couldn't help but laugh. Life on the set was too dull, and he was looking for something to do, so why not mess with a fool?
The young man's peach blossom eyes curved slightly as he smiled, his expression sunny. But his words were merciless, "Teacher Zhu Anhe, if you truly envy Shi-ge's life, I have some influence with a few investors. How about I put in a good word for you and let you take a few years off?"
"Influence?" Zhu Anhe's tone was ironic. "I'm afraid you're only influential in the bedroom. Xiao Jing, let me offer you some advice as your senior: be careful with your words. You should speak cautiously, or else you might offend someone."
"Well, what a coincidence," Jing Yuanqi's smile grew even more unrestrained. "I was just about to tell you the same thing, senior."
"By the way, senior, we have a scene together later where I have to slap you. Please be careful and don't try to challenge my strength. If I accidentally swell your face, I'll feel guilty as your junior."
"You!"
Jing Yuanqi had an underlying message in his words, and Zhu Anhe wasn't oblivious to it. He started off angry but ended up laughing, taunting, "Alright, go ahead, hit me!"
"Do you believe that if my face swells up today, you'll be out of this circle tomorrow?!"
"Believe it or not, I'm willing to self-slap for a more significant impact in front of your old man lover and then blame it on me."
The young man smiled mischievously, not paying attention to the infuriated Zhu Anhe. Instead, he walked over to Shi Qing and said, "Shi Teacher, I remember you mentioned that you liked dogs before and that you planned to keep one in the future. Let me tell you, you can't raise small dogs, especially the ones like the one in front of you. The smaller they are, the more aggressive they bark when they see people."
Even a fool could understand the sarcasm in his words.
[System: Tsk, too cruel.]
Shi Qing told the system, "[He's just got a foul mouth, is annoying, and his words make people nauseous. Why be so cruel to him?]"
The system was busy looking at recipes and didn't understand what the host was talking about but still quickly agreed, "[Yeah, too cruel.]"
"Alright! Alright!! Jing Yuanqi! You just wait for me!"
Zhu Anhe was still dressed in ancient costume, and he left in anger, his sleeves swaying. Jing Yuanqi didn't take him seriously; he just smiled with his peach blossom eyes and spoke to Shi Qing, "Shi Teacher, you have a really good temper. Even when he insulted you like that, you didn't get angry."
"No need. It's a waste of time." Shi Qing replied concisely, "Not all small dogs are like that."
The topic changed too quickly, and Jing Yuanqi almost didn't catch it. When he finally understood that Shi Qing was referring to his previous comment about small dogs being aggressive, he smiled and said, "I was just joking when I said that about small dogs. If you like them, I take it back."
Shi Qing nodded, and after that, he focused his attention on the ongoing shooting in the set, seemingly uninterested in further conversation with Jing Yuanqi.
Jing Yuanqi was just killing time, and the thought of poking fun at the Movie Emperor, who seemed tough but had a soft side, was tempting. However, he understood the principle of not rushing things. Seeing Shi Qing's disinterest, he shrugged his shoulders and, with a sunny smile, said, "Alright, Shi Teacher, I won't disturb you. Carry on."
"Mm."
Jing Yuanqi left, and Shi Qing calmly sat back in his chair.
All was quiet and peaceful.
Shi Qing: "[System, did you hear what Jing Yuanqi said earlier?]"
The system had once again shifted its thoughts from the recipe and asked, "[Huh?]"
"He compared Zhu Anhe to a dog and said he would slap him."
"Oh... I didn't hear it just now."
"Really too cruel."
The system replied, "[Yes, way too cruel.]"
"Also, about the slap... he has such nice-looking hands. How can he bear to use them for slapping?"
The system was a bit confused about the connection between nice-looking hands and slapping, but it continued to wholeheartedly agree, "[That's right!]"
"So, we have to save his hands."
Shi Qing said and slowly stood up. He followed the path Zhu Anhe had taken when he left.
"System, check if there are any surveillance devices nearby that could record this."
The system quickly checked and reported, "[There are none, host.]"
"Very well."
Shi Qing walked over and, with a slight smile, approached the puzzled Zhu Anhe. He smiled faintly at him, who was in his line of sight.
Zhu Anhe was initially confused, then jealous, and then he felt triumphant. He sneered, "What's this? Do you know that I told Director Liu to kick you guys out of the cast? Did you come over here to plead with me?"
"I'll tell you! Why are you following me?"
Shi Qing stood directly behind him, extended his right hand, and gently landed it on the lower right side of Zhu Anhe's face before he could react.
Smack!
A crisp slap sound.
A red mark appeared immediately on Zhu Anhe's pale right cheek.
He was stunned.
Before he could react, Shi Qing maintained his posture and extended his left hand, striking forcefully again.
Smack!
Another loud slap.
Zhu Anhe's left cheek now bore another red mark.
After delivering the slaps, Shi Qing casually took a step back and walked away slowly, without a care in the world.
"Shi Qing!!!"
Infuriated, Zhu Anhe rushed forward and raised his hand to strike, but he was immediately pushed back by the wide-eyed bystander who had just returned with a fruit juice.
"What are you doing? You're causing trouble for no reason!"
"I'm causing trouble? I was perfectly fine, and he attacked me!"
Zhu Anhe was so upset that he couldn't speak coherently. He uncovered his face, letting the surrounding cast and crew see his rapidly swelling cheeks.
"Wow! They're swollen!"
"There are even palm prints; all five fingers are clearly visible."
"Mr. Zhu, who did this to you?"
Zhu Anhe was in pain, tears were about to flow from his eyes, and he was carefully protecting his face as he glared angrily at the man sitting calmly in the chair:
"And you're saying it's not you! I watched you do it!! Let me tell you, we're not finished. I'll expose you to your fans and show them what kind of person you are!!"
Jing Yuanqi pushed his way through the crowd and, upon entering, saw the furious Zhu Anhe shouting threats. On the other side, he saw Shi Qing, who was still in his chair, with a slightly annoyed expression on his face.
Perhaps he had been annoyed by all the noise, as he opened his mouth and spoke in a cold tone with a hint of impatience, "It wasn't me."
"Huh? You say it wasn't you, and that's it? I personally witnessed you do it!! I tell you, we're not done here! You were just jealous when you saw me getting angry, right? I'll tell you, I'll expose you to your fans, and they'll see what kind of person you are!!"
In front of everyone's gaze, all eyes turned to the Movie Emperor sitting calmly in his chair.
Under the scrutiny of everyone, the usually quiet and reserved Movie Emperor slightly frowned, his expression showing some impatience. "It wasn't me."
"Haha? You say it wasn't you, so it wasn't? I saw you with my own eyes! Let me tell you, this matter isn't over yet. You were just jealous when you saw me get angry, right? I'll tell you, I'm going to expose you to your fans and let them see what kind of person you are!!"
Jing Yuanqi didn't believe that Shi Qing would personally resort to violence. With his personality, how could he possibly take such action?
The child who got slapped yelled, "Look, he admitted it! The Movie Emperor slapped me himself! Shi Qing, you wait; I'm going to make this a big deal—"
The noisy voice of Zhu Anhe was giving Jing Yuanqi a headache, and he wished he could slap him another dozen times on his already swollen face to shut him up.
Jing Yuanqi quickly scanned both sides of Zhu Anhe's face, sneered, and approached him, "You said Shi Qing slapped you twice? Then how do you explain these fingerprint marks on your face?"
"What fingerprint marks, Jing Yuanqi, don't change the subject. You and him are in cahoots!"
Jing Yuanqi, who usually had a sunny smile, now had a mocking expression on his face. He casually grabbed Gao Zhi, who was standing beside Shi Qing to protect his boss.
Facing each other, the young man extended his right hand and, without touching Gao Zhi, made a comparison with the space in front of Gao Zhi's left cheek. "If someone else had slapped you, the thumbprint would be facing outward."
"Now look at your face, the thumbprint directly faces inward. This can only happen if you slapped yourself, Gao Zhi. Try it."
"Uh, okay."
Gao Zhi gently placed his right hand on his own face, and indeed, the thumbprint was facing inward.
Jing Yuanqi said, "See? Clearly, you slapped yourself. You're framing Shi Teacher. Are you treating everyone as fools?"
"But... but he came from behind and slapped me! From behind, do you understand?"
"Tsk."
Jing Yuanqi scoffed, "Who slaps someone from behind? Zhu Anhe, I know you had a disagreement with Shi Teacher earlier. I even joked that instead of complaining to the boss behind his back, you should slap yourself and make him feel sorry for you. I didn't expect you to act on it so quickly."
"But what I said was for you to blame it on me. Why? Are you afraid to pin it on me and be exposed, so you went to the poorly-spoken Shi Teacher instead?"
"Me! You! Both of you!"
Zhu Anhe, in pain and unable to speak coherently due to the public humiliation, looked at Jing Yuanqi and then at Shi Qing, who remained cold and detached. It seemed like everything was unrelated to him. He trembled for a long time but couldn't say a word.
"I... you! I'll... I'll kill you both!!!"
Seeing him rushing to attack, the crew members hurriedly rushed to stop him.
"Mr. Zhu, please calm down first!"
"Hold him! Quickly hold Mr. Zhu!"
"Mr. Zhu, maybe you should go see a doctor first..."
Seeing Zhu Anhe being held down, Jing Yuanqi's lips curved into a bored smile.
With such low intelligence and an inability to control his temper, arguing with him was a waste of breath.
He simply turned and walked over to Shi Qing, saying, "Shi Teacher, not too shaken up, are you?"
The gloomy Movie Emperor remained as silent as ever, burdened by the accusation of physical violence. He stayed calm and reticent, which made Jing Yuanqi realize that he didn't understand this Movie Emperor Teacher as well as he thought.
[System: Ding! Jing Yuanqi's aversion level: 97/100.]
Shi Qing lowered his eyes slightly, his voice cold and devoid of any intention to thank Jing Yuanqi for helping him out. "No."
Jing Yuanqi didn't mind his cold response. On the contrary, he smiled even more broadly at Shi Qing. "That's good, then."
" Nowadays, there are more and more lunatics who make baseless accusations. He actually thought we were in cahoots. How impressively intelligent."
Behind them, Zhu Anhe was being held back by people. Even if he struggled with all his might, he couldn't break free. He could only shout hoarsely, "Jing Yuanqi!! You're helping Shi Qing smear me! I won't let you get away with this!"
Occasionally, the voices of other crew members were mixed in:
"Mr. Zhu, please calm down first. How about we take you to see a doctor?"
"Come on, hold him down, Mr. Zhu, don't resist. Let's go see a doctor."
Zhu Anhe was uncooperative, but the crew members had no choice. They simply lifted him up and carried him away. Even if he struggled, he couldn't break free, so he could only roar with all his might:
"Let go of me!! You've all been deceived!! The two of them are in cahoots!! Let go of me!!"
"Trust me!! Trust me!! Why don't you believe me?!"
"It was really Shi Qing who slapped me!!! It was really him!"
Jing Yuanqi turned his head to look at him and commented, "These days, it's rare to see someone so persistently lying."
"The world is truly full of wonders."
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