Not long after, the main cast and filming schedule for “Joy Before the Monarch” were officially announced, sparking fervent discussions online once again.
The drama gathered many popular celebrities with massive fanbases, and at such a time, fans naturally boosted their idols’ visibility to build momentum. For a while, it was a true battle of a hundred schools of thought, with countless people flooding social media with their carefully crafted posts.
Lin Chenghuan had already taken on endorsements, so it wasn’t surprising that she was now returning to acting. After the earlier wave of mockery about her being past her prime and having no roles, far fewer people were questioning why she hadn’t just retired quietly.
Moreover, the attention of the public was largely diverted by other currently popular artists. Appearing on the hot search list alongside the crew suited her just fine, allowing her to enjoy some peace and quiet. However, her WeChat was flooded with congratulations, as friends both inside and outside the industry reached out to chat or fish for information.
“Sis, you’re going to film a drama? That’s great! I’ll get to see your new show on TV again, and this time it’s a palace intrigue drama with so many beauties!” Li Chengnian quickly messaged her.
“Yeah, do you want anyone’s autograph?”
“Hehe, you know me so well, sis. It’s Han Ruoruo, the one who’s going to be your CP in the promotions.”
“Sure, I’ll arrange it.” So, it was the actress playing Jiang Shiwan. Lin Chenghuan remembered her as a newcomer who had recently gained some fame through a web series and was now signed under Xia Yao.
She had decent acting skills, and Lu Zhiwei had clearly unearthed another gem, one she was sure to promote to stardom. Just as Lin Chenghuan was lost in thought, her sister sent another message.
“By the way, are you and your former boss on good terms? I ran into Lu Zhiwei at a banquet a few days ago and added her as a friend.”
“We’re fine, don’t believe the online rumors about a fallout. You actually met her and added her?” Lin Chenghuan was genuinely surprised.
“Yeah, it was a business banquet in the investment circle. She remembered me and, after adding me, said that if you keep playing dead, she’ll at least have someone to ask about you.”
“…”
Lin Chenghuan found it amusing for a moment, but then she fell into thought. Just how worried had everyone been during those days back then?
A few close friends had indeed learned the truth by asking Li Chengnian and had been reassured, but Lu Zhiwei, her former boss, wasn’t particularly close to her personally.
A flurry of thoughts crossed Lin Chenghuan’s mind, and she felt a twinge of guilt. But when she looked at Lu Zhiwei’s profile picture again, she wasn’t sure how to respond.
Never mind, she’d talk to her in person and treat her to a few meals when she had the chance. Lin Chenghuan soon chatted casually with a few others before diving into some intense online browsing, amusing herself with the various bizarre rumors about her.
In October, on a clear and sunny day, Lin Chenghuan finally took the high-speed train to Yiwu with her assistant, then transferred directly to Hengdian. The first day, as usual, was spent socializing with various producers, supervisors, and directors, followed by a group dinner in the evening.
Lu Zhiwei didn’t attend the gathering, seemingly planning to make her appearance directly at the opening ceremony. This suited Lin Chenghuan just fine, sparing her the headache of navigating more exhausting social interactions. After a day of meeting people, she was nearly dizzy, there were plenty of unfamiliar faces in this crew.
At the dinner, the actress playing Liu Fuying, who portrayed the important role of Consort Chen and later became the empress, was absent. The director mentioned she had recently fallen ill and wasn’t fit to film, so her scenes would be postponed.
Such occurrences weren’t entirely uncommon, actors sometimes fell unexpectedly ill or got injured, and the crew couldn’t delay filming for just one person.
After finishing dinner and returning to the hotel, Lin Chenghuan was so exhausted she didn’t want to move an inch. The two temporary assistants the company had newly arranged for her immediately began massaging her shoulders and legs, while Li Xiaoyi went to prepare the items needed for the next day’s opening ceremony.
“Sister, will you be preparing your own meals from now on?” Li Xiaoyi, having quickly taken care of various minor tasks, returned to her side and asked.
“Only when I have a particular craving. Usually, I’ll just grab a boxed meal.”
“O-okay.”
Li Xiaoyi’s expression suddenly turned extremely strange, and she cautiously glanced at Lin Chenghuan and the space above her head. Lin Chenghuan was puzzled, but she was far too tired to give it much thought.
[Sister Wei, where are you? Will you make it here tomorrow?] Lin Chenghuan opened her phone and sent a message to Lu Zhiwei.
A minute passed with no response, and after two minutes, WeChat remained silent. The assistant massaging her shoulders increased the pressure, mirroring her own growing restlessness.
Before long, the pressure from the person behind the sofa became so intense that Lin Chenghuan could hardly bear it. She frowned slightly, wondering where Sister Fang had found such a “talented” assistant.
“Ease up a bit,” Lin Chenghuan said as she turned to look. But that casual glance nearly sent her tumbling backward in shock.
“Ah… President Lu.” Lin Chenghuan shuddered, and the assistant who had been massaging her legs promptly stepped back. Lin Chenghuan quickly stood up and turned around.
“How did you suddenly…”
“Just to scare you, of course,” Lu Zhiwei said with leisurely composure.
“Sorry, Sister. President Lu just arrived and we didn’t have time to inform you,” one of the temporary assistants hurriedly apologized.
Only Li Xiaoyi, her personal assistant, had accompanied her to the dinner, sitting at a table with the script supervisor, lighting crew, and other staff, while the temporary assistants had remained in the hotel suite. Lin Chenghuan nodded, and all the assistants withdrew.
With only the two of them left in the living room, Lin Chenghuan looked at the person before her, her hair elegantly tied up, her expression teasing yet infinitely gentle, and found herself momentarily at a loss.
But she quickly regained her composure and smiled faintly. “How could I dare trouble Sister Wei to massage my shoulders?”
“It’s nothing. I’m afraid my technique isn’t very good, please excuse my clumsiness,” Lu Zhiwei replied with a light laugh, picking up her phone and glancing at it, a deliberately surprised expression flashing in her eyes.
“You messaged me as soon as you got back to the hotel? I’m flattered.”
“…I was afraid you’d get lost,” Lin Chenghuan said, slightly embarrassed, taking a step to the side. “Please, have a seat. You must be tired from the journey.”
The two of them sat together on the sofa. Lin Chenghuan poured a cup of tea for Lu Zhiwei, who casually glanced around, her thoughts unreadable.
“When did you arrive in Hengdian? Where are you staying?” Lin Chenghuan asked.
“Just an hour ago. I’m staying two doors down from you.”
“Oh, what a coincidence.”
“Not a coincidence. Xia Yao is one of the production companies. Your accommodations were arranged by our company,” Lu Zhiwei said nonchalantly.
“Well, that’s nice… Even if I weren’t with Xia Yao, I’d still be staying in company-arranged lodgings. How familiar,” Lin Chenghuan remarked with a faint smile. So, she had arranged it on purpose.
Making her intentions clear without fully spelling them out, was she trying to create ambiguity? Fine, fine. Keeping things vague and unresolved has its own charm.
Thinking this, Lin Chenghuan’s gaze toward Lu Zhiwei grew particularly meaningful. Lu Zhiwei, in turn, quickly began to feel uneasy.
“It seems you’ve hired two new assistants?” Lu Zhiwei made small talk, asking the obvious.
“Mhm, but they’re temporary, just for this drama. They’re staying downstairs with Xiao Yi.”
“There really are too many miscellaneous tasks during filming.”
“Right.”
After this exchange, the two fell into a brief silence before Lu Zhiwei continued, “You just got back from socializing, so you should rest. I’ll head out now.”
“Huh? Leaving so soon after arriving?” Lin Chenghuan raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“I don’t want to disturb you.” Lu Zhiwei smiled and stood up.
Lin Chenghuan also smiled, stood, and patted her shoulder. “It’s been a few months since we last met, and you’re even more eccentric than before.”
“Flattery, I’m nowhere near as good as your farewell letter,” Lu Zhiwei replied politely.
“…” Lin Chenghuan’s smile stiffened. Sure enough, her weakness had fallen into the other’s hands.
She quickly escorted Lu Zhiwei out, but instead of returning to her room, she followed Lu Zhiwei to the suite two doors down and stepped inside.
“Pretty much the same,” Lin Chenghuan remarked as she glanced around.
“Of course, all the rooms on this floor are similar.”
“I think I’ve stayed in this hotel before.”
“Very likely. There are only a few decent hotels in Hengdian.”
“Let’s see if the view outside looks familiar.” Lin Chenghuan linked arms with Lu Zhiwei and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, gazing down at the night scenery below.
“…” Lu Zhiwei hesitated, her eyes flickering, as she allowed herself to be pulled onto the balcony.
“The night view is nice. It’s been over two years since I last saw the film and television city. Returning to an old haunt really stirs up some emotions,” Lin Chenghuan sighed, turning to look at Lu Zhiwei.
“Mhm, time flies,” Lu Zhiwei responded casually, though her face was suspiciously flushed.
Lin Chenghuan raised her eyebrows in surprise. How is this girl so innocent? It’s as if I did something outrageous, making me feel embarrassed too.
“You came all the way from Beijing, you should rest well too. Bye.” With that, Lin Chenghuan released her arm.
“Alright, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Lin Chenghuan returned to her room, messaged her assistant to come back, and headed to the bathroom. By the time she came out, Li Xiaoyi had already prepared a cold drink, and the room temperature was just right.
Leaning back on the sofa, Lin Chenghuan recalled the scenes from earlier. Amused, she also felt a bit helpless with herself. I clearly had her flustered and on the ropes, I basically won, so why did I end up losing my nerve too?
That night, Lin Chenghuan went to bed early and woke up the next day full of energy to attend the opening ceremony. At the venue, media and security were already in place, and fans had crowded outside since early morning, creating another bustling scene.
Li Xiaoyi had only been a temporary assistant during her last visit to Hengdian and hadn’t accompanied Lin Chenghuan to the opening ceremony. Seeing such a spectacle now left her stunned. Nervously, she escorted Lin Chenghuan through the designated passage into the area where the incense altar was set up. The fans’ screams along the way made her feel as if her ears were about to go deaf.
Lin Chenghuan maintained a calm smile throughout, occasionally turning to nod at the fans, which elicited even more excited screams. Eventually, the crowd began chanting her name in unison.
Upon entering the venue, Lin Chenghuan noticed that the deity being worshipped was Guan Yu, the Saintly Emperor, and wondered if the event organizer might be from Hong Kong. After scanning the surroundings, her eyes suddenly landed on four massive Pikachu plush toys placed in each corner of the room. She froze for a moment before breaking into a smile.
Lu Zhiwei had actually prepared Pikachus for her, just as promised. Fortunately, the fans today seemed relatively calm, so it was unlikely that they would breach the security barriers and force her to take refuge inside one of the Pikachu dolls.