Jiang Chi has a common problem among young actors.

Compared to deep, technical acting skills, he relies more on his own empathy with the character to get into the role.

Completely immersing himself in the role makes it easier to portray the character, and his performance on camera is more impactful and stunning. However, this also has drawbacks, such as his personal consciousness being too obvious, deviating from the director's requirements, and having a biased understanding. What's worse is that after the director yells "cut," he can't pull his emotions out of the character for a long time.

Ye Lan smiled. "Filming like this is too draining."

Jiang Chi's body was still trembling slightly, whether from the cold or from his sobs. Ye Lan tugged at his own down jacket, wrapping the person a little tighter.

Ye Lan wasn't wearing much under his down jacket. Being held like this, Jiang Chi could feel his body temperature and heartbeat through Ye Lan's thin shirt.

This hormone called Ye Lan surrounded Jiang Chi completely. Using Ye Lan's large down jacket, it built a small private lounge for Jiang Chi on the frigid set.

After a short while, a bit of color returned to Jiang Chi's pale face.

Jiang Chi's emotions recovered, and he started to feel embarrassed.

The set wasn't a large place, and they were still standing in the filming area with people not far away. Although everyone knew that Ye Lan had only come over to comfort Jiang Chi after seeing him break down emotionally after a major scene, their posture was indeed a bit ambiguous and couldn't help but attract attention.

Fortunately, everyone was more or less afraid of Ye Lan and didn't dare to stare at the two of them.

"I, I'm okay now..." Jiang Chi gently broke free from Ye Lan's arms, turned around, took two steps back, and wiped his face. "Thank you, Brother Ye Lan..."

Just as Ye Lan was about to speak, the Assistant Director walked over carrying a hot drink and a down jacket, saying apologetically, "I just went to hurry things along and didn't have time to look after this side. Did Jiang Chi not bring an assistant today? I'll go call a crew member to follow you then."

"Thank you..." Jiang Chi's voice was still hoarse. He took the down jacket the Assistant Director handed him and put it on, then smiled while holding the hot drink. "No need, my assistant will be here in a little while."

The Assistant Director couldn't help but praise, "That door-closing just now was a stroke of genius! I heard Director Ren discussing with the screenwriter how to handle this scene. They're debating whether to add a separate shot for you later to connect with that last scene."

To have a scene added for him on the spot in a Ren Haichuan film was quite a significant affirmation for Jiang Chi. Jiang Chi said in pleasant surprise, "Really? The part after I finished my lines will be kept?"

"How could it not be kept?!" The Assistant Director smiled. "I just don't know if the cameraman coordinated well with you. We'll have to check the footage in a bit. If it's not good, you might need to reshoot it. But no matter what, that door-closing shot definitely won't be cut. The screenwriter also just said that this ending point is great, it's like severing the two people's decade-plus relationship with one clean cut, leaving it all behind the door."

Jiang Chi hadn't expected his on-the-spot improvisation to receive such high praise.

As an actor, no one would be indifferent to others' recognition of their acting skills, especially from a major director like Ren Haichuan. Jiang Chi's heart leaped with joy. He looked excitedly at Ye Lan, but the smile on his face suddenly froze.

He himself knew that in the scene just now, he had gotten too deep into his role and subconsciously made a move to protect Ye Lan. But in the eyes of those who didn't know better, that scene might seem deliberate.

Jiang Chi had always been tactfully aware of his position in this film: as long as he didn't drag Ye Lan down, it was fine.

Although the production crew had promoted him, listing him and Ye Lan as dual male leads, Jiang Chi understood that Ye Lan was the undisputed first lead, and he was just acting opposite him.

But in that last shot, he was suspected of upstaging.

In this circle, everyone is very wary of this.

If Ye Lan were even slightly less magnanimous, he would have had a dark expression by now.

Yet, the Assistant Director was still praising him endlessly. After she finally left, Jiang Chi gave Ye Lan a dry smile and tried to explain, "I was... completely in character just now. It was an accident..."

Ye Lan paused for a moment, instantly understanding what Jiang Chi was worried about.

Ye Lan couldn't help but laugh. Among the popular fresh meats, those who were as sensible as Jiang Chi were truly rare.

Unfortunately, Ye Lan didn't appreciate it, nor was he considerate. The more Jiang Chi cared about his mood, the more his heart itched to pretend to be upset and bully Jiang Chi.

Ye Lan held back his laughter, remained silent for a moment, and repeated, "An accident?"

Jiang Chi nodded hurriedly.

Ye Lan narrowed his eyes and suddenly said mischievously, "Then go tell Director Ren to cut that shot and not to use it in the final film."

In the next second, Jiang Chi really did turn to look for Ren Haichuan.

"Are you silly?" Ye Lan couldn't hold it in anymore. Afraid that Jiang Chi would really go, he quickly grabbed him and burst out laughing. "What? Did you think I was angry?"

"You're not...?"

Jiang Chi was stunned for a moment, finally realizing that Ye Lan was teasing him and that he had been overthinking it. He blushed and said, "No, I just... I..."

"Tsk tsk." Ye Lan smiled. "Little friend, you're quite confident, thinking you can already upstage me?"

Jiang Chi's face turned completely red, and he shook his head repeatedly in embarrassment. "No, no!"

Jiang Chi was going crazy internally. 'Am I insane?! To actually worry that Ye Lan would care about me stealing a little bit of the limelight! Even if I gave a performance beyond my usual capabilities, I still wouldn't be able to compare to Ye Lan, okay?'

Jiang Chi apologized awkwardly, "I was too into my role just now, and my head still isn't clear. Please don't mind it."

Ye Lan looked at Jiang Chi with a smile. "Don't worry, I'm not that petty. However..."

Feeling like he was dealing with an incorrigible child, Ye Lan knocked Jiang Chi heavily on the head. "You're too obedient. I told you to get it deleted and you were going to go. Isn't that a pity?"

Jiang Chi flinched his shoulders but didn't dare to rub his head. He thought to himself, 'I only acted that way because of you anyway. If you want it deleted, then it's deleted.'

'Making you happy is more important.'

But he couldn't say this to Ye Lan. Jiang Chi lowered his gaze and obediently listened to Ye Lan's lecture.

Ye Lan sighed. "So obedient. Won't you be easily taken advantage of?"

'I'm only obedient to you...'

Jiang Chi suddenly remembered something and said in a low voice, "Brother Ye Lan, before... when I was at your house, I received a phone call."

Ye Lan didn't understand. "Hm?"

"My junior told me that Starlight is interested in signing me."

Jiang Chi hadn't planned on telling Ye Lan about this. The other company hadn't contacted him directly, and suddenly mentioning it to Ye Lan felt like indirectly asking him to pull some strings.

But things were different now. Just yesterday, someone from Starlight Media Company contacted Jiang Chi through his junior and explained the details of the collaboration.

This matter was basically a sure thing.

'I can finally present this treasure to Ye Lan!'

Jiang Chi's face was still red as he said in a low voice, "I... I'm quite honored."

The smile on Ye Lan's lips slowly reached his eyes. He looked left and right and said, "We don't know when the next scene is. Let's not wait here. Let's go to my lounge to talk."

Jiang Chi shyly pursed his lips and followed Ye Lan.

Not far away, Geng Tian, who had been on edge the whole time, faintly heard Jiang Chi say the word "Starlight" and broke out in a cold sweat. Seeing the two of them leave, he grew anxious, afraid that Ye Lan would have a talk with Jiang Chi and reveal the things he had been hiding from him. He walked in their direction, frantically trying to think of an excuse to go to Ye Lan's lounge with Jiang Chi.

The thought of going before Ye Lan made Geng Tian a hundred times unwilling. From the moment he arrived on set until now, he had only made eye contact with Ye Lan once. Ye Lan's gaze was cool, his expression a half-smile, and meeting his eyes for just one second made Geng Tian feel like his life was being shortened. He had no idea how Jiang Chi could have fallen for this kind of person...

"Mr. Geng..."

Seeing that Geng Tian was about to follow them to Ye Lan's lounge, Cen Wen walked over and politely stopped him. "I'm so sorry, Ye Lan might be changing his clothes. It's not convenient for you to go over."

Cen Wen wore a proper smile on her face, but in her heart, she was cursing Ye Lan ten thousand times.

Bullying Jiang Chi behind people's backs was one thing, but now he didn't even know how to restrain himself in front of the guy's manager. Getting handsy, hugging and holding the artist—it was simply a blatant provocation! It was a miracle that Geng Tian had managed to endure it for so long. If anyone dared to tease and toy with Ye Lan so brazenly in front of An Ya, An Ya would peel their skin off.

Although Cen Wen didn't think Geng Tian had the guts to peel Ye Lan's skin off, Ye Lan had already pulled the person into the lounge. Who knew what he was going to do? If Geng Tian happened to see something he shouldn't and caused a scene on the spot...

This was a film set. With so many people watching, they couldn't afford a scandal.

Cen Wen said apologetically, "I'm truly sorry."

Even though Cen Wen was just a personal assistant, she was still Ye Lan's person. Geng Tian didn't dare to offend her and forced a smile. "I just wanted to talk to Jiang Chi..."

"Jiang Chi won't be in there for long. Wouldn't it be better for you to go to his lounge later and have a private chat with him?" Cen Wen smiled. "There are people here, it's not a good place to talk."

Geng Tian wanted to persist, but Cen Wen was calm, unhurried, neither servile nor overbearing, and deftly parried all his attempts.

Geng Tian's expression grew worse and worse. The two of them had been inside for a while now; they must have said whatever needed to be said. He was afraid Jiang Chi would come looking for him to confront him, so he said uneasily, "Alright then... I, I actually have something else to do... Please tell Jiang Chi that I'm leaving first. Thank you for your hard work."

Cen Wen finally relaxed, nodding with a smile. "Okay, it's no trouble. Please take care of yourself too. You don't look very well."

Geng Tian gave a weak smile, knowing that if he went back feeling this anxious, his rest would be even worse.

In the lounge, Jiang Chi repeated to Ye Lan, detail by detail, everything the person from Starlight Media had told him about the contract.

After listening, Ye Lan nodded, generally satisfied.

Ye Huaquan hadn't been perfunctory with him; he had shown sincerity in the matter of signing Jiang Chi.

Ye Lan looked at Jiang Chi. "So what do you think? Are you willing to go?"

'You dare say no and see what happens.'

There was a hint of excitement in Jiang Chi's eyes as he nodded lightly.

Ye Lan leaned back against the sofa cushion, relaxing. He thought to himself, 'Wasn't easy, was it? I've finally waited for you to nod.'

Ye Lan raised an eyebrow at Jiang Chi and suddenly asked, "You know my relationship with the boss of Starlight, right?"

As a fan and a peer, Jiang Chi naturally knew. He answered honestly, "He's rumored to be your uncle."

"My biological uncle." A smile played on Ye Lan's lips. "So, although I'm no longer a signed artist under Starlight, Starlight... is still considered my home base."

Ye Lan looked at Jiang Chi reservedly, waiting for him to say a few sweet words of flattery to please him.

Unfortunately, Jiang Chi was too happy and didn't catch the meaning Film Emperor Ye was trying to convey. Instead, eager for quick success, he tried to prove himself in front of his semi-boss, whispering a promise, "Don't worry, I'll work hard and try to earn more money for the company... I'll definitely do my best and I'm not afraid of hard work."

Ye Lan: "..."

"If you get bullied, or if there's a resource you want," Ye Lan sighed helplessly and couldn't resist pinching Jiang Chi's ear firmly, "just come find me."