417: Scheming! That's the source of Lu Xiaoying's confidence!

Chapter 409: Scheming! Lu Xiaoying’s Confidence!

The next morning, The Capital’s largest film and television production base was already bustling with people.

In a corner of the set, Lu Xuan sat comfortably in a wicker lounge chair, a large parasol beside him perfectly shielding him from the increasingly warm sunlight.

This was specially arranged by his agent, Gong Qing. She knew the importance of this Senior to Lu Xiaoying, so she was meticulous in every detail, not daring to show the slightest neglect.

The spot was carefully chosen to ensure both shade and comfort, while also offering an unobstructed view of the filming area.

Without needing to move, Lu Xuan’s gaze could clearly penetrate the busy crowd on set and fall upon his granddaughter, Lu Xiaoying, who was performing the scene in the distance.

He watched her, dressed in ancient costume, fully immersed in her role before the camera.

As for Gong Qing, she remained respectfully standing beside Lu Xuan, her posture humble.

She didn't seem like an agent managing an artist's schedule, but rather like an attendant ready to be at his beck and call.

Her gaze constantly monitored Lu Xuan's expression and needs, not daring to relax for a moment.

Upon learning that this distinguished old man was the grandfather of the lead actress, Lu Xiaoying, the entire crew treated him with appropriate deference.

Crew members would lighten their footsteps when passing by, and the set manager would promptly refill his hot tea.

Several main actors would also proactively come over to greet him during breaks in filming.

This thoughtfulness was not intentional flattery, but stemmed from the naturally awe-inspiring aura emanating from Lu Xuan.

Though he merely sat there quietly, he possessed a gravitas that commanded respect.

Even the usually strict director would unconsciously soften his tone when meeting the Senior's gaze, briefly explaining the upcoming filming schedule.

“Good! That’s a take!”

In the distance, the director put down his monitor, picked up a megaphone, and shouted loudly, his voice echoing across the set.

“All departments, prepare for transition! Actors for the next scene, take your positions!”

The entire set immediately began to operate like a precise instrument.

At this moment, the executive director quickly walked over to the main director and whispered a few words of reminder.

The main director suddenly understood, raised the megaphone again, his tone laced with urgency.

“Where are the stand-in actors? Are the kiss stand-in and bed stand-in ready?

Hurry up and find someone! We’re about to shoot intimate scenes, let’s pick up the pace!”

This urgent shout clearly spread throughout the set, naturally reaching Lu Xuan and Gong Qing in the rest area.

Then, the director raised the megaphone and shouted twice more, his brows gradually furrowing.

Just then, the assistant director, accompanied by the set manager, hurried forward and whispered a few words in his ear.

“What? The stand-in actor took a temporary leave?”

The director’s voice suddenly rose, with clear displeasure, “This is ridiculous! The progress of this scene cannot be delayed, immediately contact other backup stand-ins!”

His angry question, clearly transmitted through the megaphone, caused the busy set to fall silent.

The director's shouts through the megaphone were naturally clearly audible to Lu Xuan.

Even more subtle sounds did not escape his perception.

Just now, when the assistant director and several assistants were gathered around the director, their deliberately hushed whispers were as clear as if they were speaking directly into Lu Xuan’s ear.

“Director Tian, don’t worry, everything has been arranged according to Young Master Leng’s instructions.”

The assistant director’s voice was fawning and slightly nervous, “I’ve managed to get all eligible stand-in actors to take ‘temporary’ leave, ensuring no one will notice anything unusual.”

He paused, lowering his voice even further, a hint of excitement in it: “And, Young Master Leng himself has arrived. He’s waiting in the RV over there, just waiting for the scene where he’s ‘needed’ to appear.”

This secret conversation, along with the director's feigned ignorance, fully registered in Lu Xuan's eyes and mind.

However, Lu Xuan remained calmly seated in his lounge chair, his gaze distant, his thoughts inscrutable to anyone.

Lu Xiaoying was currently filming a major scene: an ancient-style wedding.

She wore an elaborate and beautiful crimson wedding dress, with phoenixes embroidered in gold and silver threads that shimmered delicately in the sunlight.

Her Phoenix coronet was adorned with pearls and jade, and her ceremonial cape draped from her shoulders, swaying gently with Lu Xiaoying's movements.

Her makeup was meticulously applied, her complexion fair and flawless, like fine mutton-fat jade.

Her brows and eyes were drawn with classical grace, and her pale cherry-colored lips resembled freshly bloomed petals.

The strapless design of the wedding dress perfectly showcased Lu Xiaoying's graceful neck and delicate collarbones.

A hint of fair skin on her chest, not overly exposed, yet added a captivating and graceful charm to the solemn grandeur.

Lu Xiaoying stood there, already appearing not of the mortal world, a blend of classical beauty and ethereal grace that was breathtaking.

Gong Qing, beside Lu Xuan, naturally also heard the director’s angry shouts.

Her expression subtly changed, and she immediately realized something was amiss. She quickly leaned over and whispered to Lu Xuan.

“Senior, it seems there’s a small issue on set. I’ll go check it out, it should be resolved quickly. Please wait here.”

With that, Gong Qing, with slightly hurried steps, jogged towards Lu Xiaoying’s direction.

The director, assistant director, and screenwriter were gathered together, discussing something in low, serious tones, and the atmosphere felt tense.

Their supposedly secret conversation still reached Lu Xuan's ears, every word clearly audible.

“What do we do now?” The director pressed his voice, his brows furrowed into a knot, his face etched with genuine anxiety.

“All the cameras are rolling, the venue, personnel, equipment—every minute, every second is burning money!

If we stop now, millions will be wasted today, and everyone will have worked for nothing!”

He spread his hands, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the assistant director and the screenwriter.

His worried expression was exactly that of a leader pushed to the brink by budget and schedule, as if silently declaring to everyone: he too was caught off guard by this sudden situation and was at a loss for what to do.

Just as the director feigned exasperation, a glint flashed in the assistant director’s eyes, and he timely offered a suggestion.

“Director Tian, you see… we can’t find a suitable stand-in on such short notice. How about we just skip the stand-in for this scene for now?

I’ll continue to actively search, and as soon as I have news, we can arrange reshoots.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than an action director nearby immediately chimed in, his tone carrying seemingly high-minded “professional” rhetoric.

“That’s right. Actors, at the end of the day, still need some professional dedication and a willingness to sacrifice for art.”

“It’s just a kiss scene, after all, it’s all for work, no need to be too particular.”

Several assistants also chimed in.

“Yes, Director, many actors do it themselves these days.”

“If you really mind, just rinse your mouth after filming…”

This seemingly reasonable, yet subtly coercive, persuasion formed an invisible pressure, enveloping Lu Xiaoying and Gong Qing, who had yet to express their stance.

Pushed by the crowd, the director had no choice but to turn to Gong Qing and Lu Xiaoying, a forced, awkward smile on his face, and with a tone almost pleading, he tentatively asked.

“Xiaoying, Sister Qing… given the situation… everyone has a point, isn’t it possible to… make an exception?”

Upon hearing this, Gong Qing’s brows instantly furrowed, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes, and she refused without hesitation.

“Absolutely not!”

Her voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable firmness, and her sharp gaze swept over the assistant director and the others who had chimed in.

“In the script given to us previously, it was clearly written in black and white that all intimate scenes would use a stand-in!

This was our agreed-upon bottom line before signing the contract, so why should it be changed now?”

Gong Qing stepped forward, shielding Lu Xiaoying behind her, her posture as unyielding as a lioness protecting her cub.

“Not finding a female stand-in is the crew’s problem, and our actor should not have to bear the consequences.”

Lu Xiaoying remained quietly behind Gong Qing, her delicate face showing no discernible emotion.

With Gong Qing, her strong agent, in front, she didn't need to say much, merely observing the unfolding situation with a cold gaze.

Just as the atmosphere reached an impasse, the producer, representing Minghuang Group, who had been observing coldly, suddenly let out a cold snort, breaking the silence.

“Hmph!”

His face darkened, and the superficial courtesy he had shown earlier vanished, replaced by undisguised anger and reprimand.

“Aren’t there no stand-in actors now? The situation is special, can’t you be flexible?”

The producer’s gaze swept towards Lu Xiaoying and Gong Qing, his words like daggers, carrying the arrogance of a superior.

“It’s just acting, why be so finicky?”

“We’re not asking you to make it real! Since you’ve chosen to be an actor, you should have some professional ethics and a willingness to sacrifice for art!”

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became, even resorting to clichés, pointing his finger vaguely, his tone laced with sarcasm.

“Sigh, you young actors nowadays are just spoiled, you can’t endure any hardship!

Think about those old artists from back then, their conditions were much tougher than yours, how did they manage? Look at you all!”

These barbed words instantly elevated the conflict to the level of “professional attitude” and “Senior’s spirit,” attempting to forcefully subdue the other party with moral and experience-based authority.

The atmosphere on set instantly dropped to freezing point.

Before Gong Qing could retort, the producer from Minghuang Group waved his hand again, issuing a final ultimatum.

The anger on his face from before receded, replaced by a cold, businesslike seriousness: “I don’t want to hear any more explanations.”

“Today’s scene must be filmed as planned. This is the final decision, there’s no room for discussion.”

Finally, the producer deliberately paused before slowly adding.

“Otherwise, it will be considered a unilateral breach of contract, and the contract will be terminated immediately.”

“All consequences arising from this—exorbitant compensation, industry blacklisting—will be borne solely by your Tianyu International!”

This sudden, undisguised, strong threat stunned both Gong Qing and Lu Xiaoying on the spot.

The previous dispute had remained on a logical level, but now the dagger was revealed, turning into naked capitalist oppression.

Just as the atmosphere solidified to freezing point, a voice, carrying a hint of laziness and playfulness, cut in, breaking the dead silence of the scene.

“Director, my makeup and hair are ready.”

A man in a dark ancient costume robe, his makeup outlining a hint of wickedness, strolled in.

He was clearly playing the villain in the drama.

His uniform dark attire, coupled with makeup deliberately emphasizing a gloomy demeanor, indeed gave the man a distinctive, dangerously handsome look.

He casually scanned the entire set, his gaze subtly pausing for a moment on Lu Xiaoying, who was dressed in a wedding gown, a barely perceptible curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

Then, he slowly looked at the director, feigning ignorance: “Director, has the stand-in actress… been found?”

However, the man's deliberately cultivated, effeminate yet wicked handsomeness failed to impress Lu Xiaoying in the slightest.

Having grown up surrounded by true National Art Grandmasters like Lu Xuan and Old Dog Lu Yulong, her standards had already been raised infinitely high.

What Lu Xiaoying admired and adored most were men like her grandfather and father.

That kind of physique, where masculinity was tempered to its extreme—broad shoulders and back, a powerful stride like a Dragon and a tiger, exuding a sense of strength as steady as a mountain and as fervent as a volcano.

In contrast, this man before her, with his so-called “wicked handsomeness” built up by makeup and costumes, carrying a hint of effeminacy.

In Lu Xiaoying’s eyes, it was merely gilded outside, even appearing somewhat “sissy” and yin-dominant.

Therefore, an indescribable sense of repulsion arose in her heart. Far from developing any fondness, she even found the thought of interacting with him for another moment distasteful.

Lu Xiaoying’s gaze didn't even linger on the man before her for a second before quickly shifting away.

However, coincidentally, this man, who made Lu Xiaoying feel repulsed, happened to be a crucial villainous male supporting character in the script—though his screentime was limited, his scenes were all pivotal.

The male villain he portrayed had almost all his scenes revolve around various forced “intimate interactions” with the female lead, Lu Xiaoying.

From forced kisses to tearing her wedding dress, and then to various physical contacts used as pretexts to take advantage.

Especially today’s major scene—according to the script, it was on the female lead’s wedding day that this male supporting villain would step forward to wantonly humiliate and debase her to the fullest extent.

Such plotlines were merely a common tactic used by screenwriters to deliberately create conflict and provoke audience emotions.

Challenging the audience’s nerves in the most melodramatic way to gain attention and discussion was almost a surefire traffic-generating formula in the industry.

On the other side, Young Master Leng's gaze was tightly fixed on Lu Xiaoying, especially lingering on the hint of fair skin visible at the neckline of her wedding dress!

His Adam's apple unconsciously bobbed, and an uncontrollable restlessness surged within him.

Then, his gaze greedily climbed to Lu Xiaoying's tender lips, like freshly bloomed cherry petals.

At this moment, Young Master Leng's mind had already begun to imagine how sweet the taste of them must be… “Heh… little beauty, today I'll have a taste of you, the days ahead are still long.”

Suddenly, Lu Xiaoying felt as if she had heard a divine oracle from beyond the Nine Heavens, and her delicate body trembled violently.

She turned her head abruptly in disbelief, looking towards Lu Xuan, who was sitting silently dozens of meters away.

This was too incredible!

Across a noisy set, a full seventy or eighty meters away, her grandfather’s voice was as clear as if he were whispering in her ear.

“Xiaoying, I’m tired, let’s go back.”

“Tomorrow, accompany me to a place. An old friend has been waiting for me for a long time.”

This was… what kind of divine technique!

At this moment, Lu Xiaoying’s heart was in turmoil, but when she saw her grandfather, Lu Xuan, nodding to her from afar.

Lu Xiaoying instantly understood—this was no illusion!

Looking at Gong Qing, the director, the producer, and others beside her, all of them showed no reaction to this, clearly, her grandfather’s miraculous voice was only directed at her.

Since her grandfather had spoken, Lu Xiaoying no longer bothered with the messy situation before her.

In Lu Xiaoying’s heart, her grandfather’s words were the supreme decree—no, they were ten thousand times more important than an imperial edict!

The next moment, under everyone's astonished gaze, this “bride” in her Phoenix coronet and ceremonial cape.

Suddenly, playfully and boldly gave the arrogant Minghuang Group producer two very classic “international friendly gestures.”

Immediately, Lu Xiaoying grabbed the still-stunned Gong Qing, her tone light: “Let’s go, Sister Qing! Grandfather is calling us home!”

All of this happened in a flash.

By the time everyone reacted, they could only watch, dumbfounded, as that vibrant red figure, pulling Gong Qing, walked away without looking back, gracefully heading in Lu Xuan’s direction.

Young Master Leng stood rooted to the spot, neither speaking nor making any physical movements.

In full view of everyone, a person of his status could not personally step in and make any undignified gestures.

That would be too unsightly, too low-class.

Young Master Leng merely watched quietly, coldly, as Lu Xiaoying, supporting Lu Xuan, gradually walked away.

In his seemingly calm eyes, an icy chill surged, along with a hint of violent fury at being defied.

Hmph… You cheap woman, you don’t know what’s good for you. In this Dragon Country, there’s no woman I, Leng Shengchen, can’t have.

Seeing his overt tactics thwarted, a more insidious idea quickly germinated and took shape in Leng Shengchen’s mind.

Since the direct approach won't work, then don't blame me for resorting to underhanded methods. It seems I'll have to ask those “Great Masters” for help…