96: filming

After Lu Zhengqing had made his stance clear, he excused himself on the grounds of company affairs, leaving the specific cooperation details to the enthusiastic team led by Lu Hongyi.

After Lu Zhengqing left with an undeniable air of authority, the atmosphere in the reception room noticeably relaxed.

However, the heavy weight in Lu Jianchuan's heart did not lift. Director Zhang immediately approached him enthusiastically, eager to continue discussing his script filled with 'righteous lines'; Lu Hongyi also gathered around him with shining eyes, repeatedly saying things like 'I'll get to see my idol every day from now on.'

Looking at these two overly enthusiastic individuals, Lu Jianchuan felt a headache coming on. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his irritation and that lingering sense of awkwardness, and said to Director Zhang in as calm a tone as possible, 'Director Zhang, the script... I need some time to familiarize myself with it. As for acting,' he paused, speaking truthfully, 'I have no experience and might not meet your expectations.'

'Oh, my Officer Lu, you're being too modest!' Director Zhang waved his hand dismissively, completely unfazed. 'It's precisely your authenticity we want! We have plenty of method actors, but the depth and righteousness that come from having faced life and death—that's something no one can act out! Don't worry, I'll guide you slowly during filming...'

Helpless, Lu Jianchuan turned his gaze to Zhan Yong, his eyes filled with inquiry and a hint of barely perceptible plea for help.

Zhan Yong received his signal, stepped forward, and addressed Director Zhang and Lu Hongyi in an official GUPA tone, 'Officer Lu's identity is special; he still has daily police duties and... other tasks.

The filming schedule needs to be coordinated with his work hours and must not excessively interfere with his primary duties or rest. Specific arrangements will be handled by our designated personnel.'

This statement provided a layer of protection for Lu Jianchuan while also bringing the matter under GUPA's control. Although Lu Hongyi was somewhat disappointed that he couldn't immediately 'cling' to his idol, he nodded understandingly. Director Zhang repeatedly assured them that everything would be based on Officer Lu's availability and condition.

After leaving the Lu family's reception room and getting into Zhan Yong's unremarkable official car, Lu Jianchuan finally let out a long sigh, leaning back in his seat, feeling more exhausted than after a battle.

'How do you feel?' Zhan Yong asked flatly as he started the vehicle.

'Very... awkward,' Lu Jianchuan said honestly, watching the fleeting street scenes outside the window. 'If you ask me to fight, to protect something, I might be able to do it. But asking me to act... as myself, and in a fictional story at that, feels strange.'

'This is a strategic necessity, Comrade Lu Jianchuan,' Zhan Yong's tone remained unfluctuating. 'The silver skeleton cannot remain hidden in the shadows forever. Having you gradually step into the spotlight through this method is currently the smoothest and least costly plan. You need to adapt to this new identity, a... semi-public hero.'

Lu Jianchuan fell silent for a moment, then nodded. He understood the reasoning, but emotionally, he still needed time to accept it.

A few days later, with GUPA's coordination, the promotional video filming plan commenced as scheduled. The first shooting location was chosen at a deserted Industrial Park on the outskirts of the city.

The rust-covered factory buildings, crisscrossing steel skeletons, and rough concrete floors here exuded a postmodern sense of coldness and strength, praised by Director Zhang as 'the perfect backdrop for a hero's birth.'

As required, Lu Jianchuan changed into a simple yet sharply tailored dark gray casual outfit in a Combat Uniform style. The filming primarily focused on his 'untransformed' state.

The camera followed him as he walked through dim corridors, vigilantly patrolling among massive abandoned machinery, with close-ups capturing his resolute yet slightly troubled gaze as he looked into the distance.

'Good! Excellent! Mr. Lu, hold that! Just like that!' Director Zhang excitedly directed through a loudspeaker.

Lu Jianchuan tried his best to cooperate, but posing and making various 'story-filled' expressions for the camera still made him feel stiff.

Especially when he had to simulate discovering enemies in thin air, those real, heavy memories uncontrollably surged up, inadvertently lending his eyes the 'depth' the director sought, filling him with an indescribable bitterness.

After finishing a set of shots, they took a temporary break. Lu Jianchuan walked to the side, picked up a water bottle to drink, trying to relax his tense nerves.

Just then, a low, magnetic engine roar approached from afar, steadily stopping at the periphery of the filming area. Everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn to it.

It was a motorcycle.

Its entire body featured a futuristic silver-white streamlined design, with sharp yet elegant lines, as if it weren't an industrial product but a creation that had driven straight out of a sci-fi concept art.

Its headlights were sharply shaped, like the eyes of a lurking beast, while the wide tires and exposed mechanical parts showcased powerful performance and impressive off-road capability.

The door opened, and Lu Hongyi jumped down, wearing a proud, treasure-presenting smile as he ran straight to Lu Jianchuan.

'Brother Lu! Look! This is the ride I specially prepared for you... well, for the silver skeleton!' He pointed at the visually striking motorcycle, his voice rising with excitement.

'What do you think? Isn't it super cool? I had a factory overseas work overtime to customize it! The color is a perfect match for your armor! How can there be no vehicle worthy of a hero in the storyline!'

Looking at the overly flashy motorcycle and Lu Hongyi's pure, fervent gaze, Lu Jianchuan was momentarily speechless. The motorcycle was indeed excessively cool, but its high-profile nature made his scalp tingle, accustomed as he was to covert operations.

Staring at the sleek, metallic silver-white beast before him, Lu Jianchuan fell silent for a few seconds. Under Lu Hongyi's expectant gaze and the low exclamations of the surrounding crew, he couldn't bring himself to say anything disappointing. He simply nodded and dryly praised, 'Yeah, it's cool. Thank you, Young Master Lu.'

'What's the use of just saying thanks! Brother Chuan, get on and try it out!' Lu Hongyi excitedly shoved the keys into his hand, almost pushing him toward the motorcycle. 'This bike isn't just good-looking; its performance is top-notch too! You'll look even cooler riding it!'

Unable to refuse such enthusiasm, and with cameras possibly still pointed his way, Lu Jianchuan reluctantly took the keys and mounted the overly dazzling ride. The seat provided excellent support, and as his hands gripped the cool, ergonomic handlebars, a strange sense of control arose. He gently turned the key, and the engine emitted a low, powerful roar, like a silver leopard awakened.

He truly needed some time to digest everything that had happened today and a reasonable excuse to leave the filming set that made him feel out of place. Riding this motorcycle back seemed like a good option.

'It feels great,' he said to Lu Hongyi. 'So... I'll ride it back now?' 'No problem! It's yours!' Lu Hongyi waved his hand grandly, happier than if he'd gotten a new car himself.

Without another word, Lu Jianchuan nodded slightly toward Zhan Yong and the director, put on the equally futuristic-looking Helmet hanging nearby, and twisted the throttle. The silver-white motorcycle emitted a pleasant roar, carrying him swiftly and smoothly away from the deserted Industrial Park, leaving behind those complicated gazes and thoughts for the time being.

He didn't head directly back to the accommodation arranged by GUPA but instead, almost instinctively, rode through familiar streets, eventually stopping at the foot of his old, rundown Rental Apartment. After locking up the 'future war machine' that stood out starkly against its surroundings, he went upstairs, threw himself onto the sofa, and wearily rubbed his temples.

There was no filming scheduled for the next day; the crew needed time to organize footage and prepare for the next phase. Lu Jianchuan unexpectedly had a completely free rest day. As he stared out the window, pondering this sudden turn in his life, his phone on the table rang. The caller ID showed 'Mom.'

He answered the call, and his mother's familiar, concerned voice immediately came through the receiver, 'Xiao Chuan, are you busy?'

'Not busy, Mom. I'm resting today,' Lu Jianchuan tried to keep his voice sounding relaxed.

'Oh, that's good. Um... Mom wants to ask you something,' her voice carried a hint of cautious probing. 'Yesterday, I was chatting with Aunt Zhang next door, and her grandson was holding a phone, insisting and pointing at someone on it, saying, 'Grandma, look, this police officer looks like Brother Lu!' I leaned in for a closer look... wasn't that you? Aren't you working as a police officer? How... how did you end up filming?'

Lu Jianchuan's heart sank. He hadn't expected the promotional materials for the teaser to spread online so quickly, even reaching acquaintances back home.

He took a deep breath and explained in the semi-truthful, official tone he'd discussed with GUPA, 'Mom, don't worry, I'm not really filming. It's... a positive energy promotional project coordinated by The Bureau with the Publicity Department. It's a kind of... new form of police publicity. The goal is to help the public, especially young people, better understand and support our work.'

'Police publicity?' His mother's voice was skeptical. 'Walking around in those old factories dressed like that is publicity? It looks more like those... those hero shows on TV to me.'

'Publicity methods have diversified now; they need to appeal to young people,' Lu Jianchuan could only continue explaining, digging himself deeper. 'It's just an experiment, nothing too complicated.'

After finally calming his mother's curiosity and concerns and hanging up, Lu Jianchuan immediately picked up his phone and quickly searched online. Sure enough, topics like #silver skeleton# and #Young Master Lu New Tokusatsu# had already appeared on several well-known video platforms and social media.

He clicked on a widely shared teaser clip, showing footage of him in the Industrial Park wearing the Combat Uniform, patrolling with a serious expression, edited with suspenseful and epic background music. The comments section below was unusually active:

[Popular Comments]

'Holy crap?! Is Young Master Lu serious this time? The teaser's production quality looks decent! Not like those cheap special effects from before!'

'I thought Lu Hongyi was going to play the lead again himself, but he found a new face? Still, this guy has a tough vibe; he's got something.'

'+1, tired of pretty-boy idols, this rugged type is refreshing. Just hope his acting isn't wooden.'

'For those who don't know, this guy isn't a professional actor; he's apparently a real police officer! Young Master Lu's move is smart—hiring a real cop to play a hero really amps up the buzz!'

'silver skeleton? The name's cheesy but I like it! Can't wait for the transformation scene! Hope the suit doesn't suck!'

'Am I the only one who noticed that motorcycle? Freaking awesome! That's gotta be the protagonist's ride, right? Official merch, hurry up!'

Looking at these comments—some expectant, some teasing, some analytical—Lu Jianchuan put down his phone with mixed feelings. He, or rather 'silver skeleton,' was truly beginning to enter the public eye in a way he had never anticipated.