Chapter 9 : The Role Of The Male Lead

Why was he not surprised when the author refused to reply to him?

Shen Jingwei felt a little guilty for writing such a harsh message to her.

"It's done."

Shen Jingwei opened his eyes and stared at his reflection in the mirror. Three years was surprisingly not enough time to alter his appearance altogether. With his hair dyed to its natural color, he looked almost exactly like he was three years ago.

Save for the missing sparks in his eyes, probably.

Shen Jingwei ruffled his hair.

"Thank you," he said before he exited the salon.

After what happened in the past, he deliberately dyed his hair honey blond in the hope of reinventing himself. Unfortunately, dyed hair was just dyed hair and nothing more. Deep inside, he was still the heartbroken twenty-year-old guy who cried himself to sleep at night.

In the pre-production phase, CNC Studio, the production company in charge of "Dance Of The Dragons" convened a relaxed luncheon for the entire cast and crew.

The gathering served as a crucial icebreaker, intended to cultivate a harmonious and collaborative environment among the diverse group of individuals involved in the project. 

Most of the cast members, particularly the ones with the better roles, all belonged to CNC Studio. Including Yan Renzhong, of course.

The luncheon itself took place in CNC Studio's lavish ballroom. 

Despite the casual dress code, the room was a sea of suits and dresses. Shen Jingwei stood apart in his shirt and jeans, conspicuously underdressed. He felt like a solitary duck amidst a flock of elegant swans.

He quickly found Yan Renzhong, who was surrounded by several actors and actresses, who looked up at him like he was their one and only god.

Not surprising at all.

And then there was Lu Shui, creeping around the dessert table.

By chance, she was not wearing a dress.

She seemed to like overalls a lot.

"Ahem."

The author looked up and came face-to-face with Shen Jingwei, her latest black fan.

"Heya!" she greeted him cheerfully.

"Look, I am sorry for being rude to you," Shen Jingwei apologized sincerely. "But I read all 500 chapters. I cried hysterically, screamed in horror, and laughed uncontrollably many, many times. Above all, I had to nurse my bloody heart after reading everything you did to Xie Jianyu."

Lu Shui flashed her teeth at him.

Shen Jingwei suddenly felt miserable. He was Xie Jianyu. He was going to be Xie Jianyu in the drama.

"Oh, God," he groaned.

"Here, here, drink some punch," Lu Shui kindly ladled some into a glass and handed it over to Shen Jingwei. "Everything will be alright."

"I don't think so," Shen Jingwei took the glass of punch anyway. 

Yan Renzhong played Zhang Fengxi.

That Zhang Fengxi.

That Zhang Fengxi who did xxx and xxx to Xie Jianyu.

"Oh, God," Shen Jingwei groaned again. Maybe it was the right time to ask heaven for help in dealing with Yan Renzhong and the drama.

"Aren't you going to go over and say hello?" Lu Shui nodded toward Yan Renzhong.

Shen Jingwei looked at the other man above the rim of his glass.

"Nah, he seems to be rather occupied with his admirers."

Even if he wasn't, Shen Jingwei still did not want to say hello. Let them ignore each other for a bit longer.

Just then, one of Yan Renzhong's admirers, a young man who looked as pure and innocent as an ethereal lotus flower, spotted him. He put his hand into the crook of Yan Renzhong's elbow and tugged at it to draw his attention.

Great.

Now Yan Renzhong saw him as well.

Shen Jingwei's heart dropped to the bottom of his stomach when Yan Renzhong actually left his group of admirers and walked with the little beauty toward Shen Jingwei and Lu Shui.

"Oh, here they come," Lu Shui announced, as if Shen Jingwei had not already noticed the other two people on their way.

When the four people stood together, the air around them quickly grew palpable with tension.

Yan Renzhong's eyes held Shen Jingwei in a cold, indifferent stare.

Shen Jingwei returned the stare with one of his own.

None of them said anything, until the young man who accompanied Yan Renzhong broke the silence.

"Hello, Senior Shen. I have been waiting to meet you at last."

The little beauty smiled sweetly and extended his hand in Shen Jingwei's direction.

"I am Lang Yuxuan, the one to play Liu Wenyuan in the drama. I hope we get along well in the next few months."

Shen Jingwei's mouth felt dry.

He shook Lang Yuxuan's hand and said, "Hi, nice to meet you. I am going to play Xie Jianyu in the drama."

"I know."

A glacial glint momentarily illuminated Lang Yuxuan's gaze before it disappeared into nothing.

"Originally, the role of Xie Jianyu belonged to me."