Among the crowd, Li Qing stood out the most. First, it was his looks and temperament cold, isolated, and proud which made people’s eyes light up immediately. Second, he was playing a game with intense focus and swearing quite foully, creating a stark contrast with that face of his.
Most people would be nervous at such an important event; that he had such a composed mindset, even knowing how to vent his frustrations reasonably, was truly enviable. When he lost the game, Li Qing leaned back heavily, left hand in a fist, right hand gripping his phone, wishing he could drag his teammate out and throw them. He lifted his head to look at the lights, took a few deep breaths, and scratched his messy hair. So annoying!
To compose himself, Li Qing closed his eyes to rest. Sensing movement beside him, he realized someone had sat down, so he opened his eyes and glanced over.
A blue, transparent holographic screen appeared before him:
【Yu Ran, protagonist shou, one of the male leads of the small world, 25 years old. A C-list or D-list celebrity from an ordinary background who is ambitious and always trying to climb higher. He secretly loves Si Muchen. After working together last time, he tried to seduce him but failed, yet he remains unwilling to give up. This time, the role he is auditioning for is the Little Fox.
Anyone with eyes can see he is only here for Si Muchen. Unfortunately, Si Muchen has no interest in him. During the audition, Si Muchen points out many flaws in his acting, causing Yu Ran to burst into tears of anger on the spot. Yu Ran fails the audition, and as a result, his love turns to hatred.
The role of the Little Fox in Mountain of Imperial Spirits eventually goes to a graduate from a drama academy with great acting skills. However, he doesn’t quite fit the book fans’ imagination of the Little Fox, and Yu Ran joins the fray, inciting online cyberbullying. That actor is harassed by netizens to the point of depression and suicide.】
Yu Ran had been stuck in traffic on the way, but he had drawn an early number at the entrance. As soon as he sat down, he put on his headphones to create a quiet atmosphere, carefully studying the character, never noticing that Li Qing had been watching him for a while.
Li Qing played two more rounds of his game before it was his turn to go in for the audition. Si Muchen had been forbidden by Director Che from speaking; he could not be the one to judge someone he had recommended. Si Muchen said nothing, simply looking at Li Qing with encouraging eyes.
To be honest, Li Qing didn’t have much acting experience, but his image was a perfect fit for the character! Moreover, many people present could tell he had talent; it just hadn’t been unearthed yet.
Director Che’s ideal “Little Fox” was exactly this: charming without realizing it, having cultivated on the mountain alongside the male lead for years, cold by nature, yet incredibly innocent. That was the only way he could save the severely wounded Demon Lord, only to be consumed by his own kindness and die a tragic death.
Director Che fell into deep contemplation. The one with acting skills didn’t look the part, and while the one who looked the part had poor acting skills, if he really got to the set, he might drag down the production schedule. The former was safer, but the latter… he could cultivate him slowly during filming; it would just waste some time! There had been such examples before; wasn’t the current “Triple Crown” Best Actress someone he had trained slowly through a single film? If it worked out, Li Qing would be the biggest highlight of the show!
Li Qing didn’t notice Director Che’s internal struggle; he simply went home after the audition.
Si Muchen had to stay at the hotel for three days to help Director Che screen the actors. Li Qing simply returned to Zihai Manor to chat with his father and watch dramas, continuing to propagate his new ideas…
Li Shanhai handed his son half an apple and glanced at the television, his furtive behavior causing Li Qing to chuckle.
“Dad, if you want to watch, just watch. Why hide? Isn’t this love beautiful?”
Li Shanhai retracted his gaze and retorted: “What kind of love is that? Who falls into bed the first time they meet? And two men at that! How is this reasonable!”
“I think it’s perfectly reasonable. Life is short; one should enjoy it while one can. Regardless of gender, everyone has that right.”
Li Shanhai couldn’t win the argument. He stood up to leave, only to be pulled back down by his son. Just then, they happened to see the two people on the screen engaging in an intense battle in the kitchen.
Li Shanhai: “!!!”
A sixty-five-year-old man watching this kind of film with his son, he didn’t know if this was a moral collapse or a distortion of human nature. He felt so awkward his toes were curling into his soles. He instinctively covered his eyes, but the suggestive sounds lingered in his ears. Li Shanhai really wanted to escape.
Unfortunately, with his arm held by his son, he couldn’t move…
When Li Huai returned home from work, he found his father sitting in his room with only a desk lamp on, looking quite forlorn.
“Dad, what’s wrong? Isn’t Qing’er back to keep you company today? Aren’t you happy?”
Li Shanhai sighed slightly. “A-Huai, does Qing’er have someone he likes? This past month, he’s always brought me along to watch dramas. I can guess what those contents imply. Is he afraid to tell me, which is why he’s taking it step-by-step, wanting me to accept it slowly?”
Li Huai reached out and turned on all the lights in the room, but didn’t give an answer. “I am remaining silent.”
“Are you keeping it from me along with him?”
“Can’t help it. A businessman cannot break his word.”
Li Shanhai glared at him and continued to ask: “Have you met that person?”
“I have. He’s not bad.”
Li Shanhai lit the cigarette in his hand, brought it to his lips, and then slowly put it down. “What are your thoughts? Are you going to let them be?”
Li Huai sat opposite him and said earnestly: “Dad, Qing’er is grown up; he’s not a child anymore. He has his own judgment. If he really makes a wrong decision, the Li family has the ability to bear the risk. He was sick often when he was little. Do you remember what you said back then? You just hoped he would live the rest of his life happily and healthily. Why can’t we satisfy his desires and what he wants to do, as long as he isn’t hurting anyone else? The gender a person is attracted to is highly likely innate; if it isn’t this one, it will be another. If you insist on forcing him to change, both father and son will suffer. It’s better to support them think of it as gaining another son to show you filial piety.”
Li Shanhai was silent for a long time. He stood up to leave and stopped at the door. “Test him well. My son isn’t someone just anyone is worthy of! Also, don’t tell Qing’er that I know. That way, he’ll still come home often to keep me company.”
Li Huai: “…” So you don’t value me, the son who comes home every day?
He rubbed his temples helplessly. How did he become a double agent?
“I’m very busy. I’m only helping you hide it for a year…”
Li Qing had been home for a few days. Just as he returned to Si Muchen’s side, he received a call from his manager. Director Che had decided he would play the role of the Little Fox. The official Weibo for Mountain of Imperial Spirits had gradually released the cast list, causing quite a stir online.
Among them, the casting for the “Little Fox” attracted the most attention from the book fans. After all, this was the character they felt most unsatisfied with seeing ruined; they didn’t want anyone to destroy the “moonlight” in their hearts.
Li Qing, a “little nobody” with just over a million followers who had never acted in any film or television work, had suddenly landed such an important role. Many people suspected he had used some underhanded means.
Yu Ran hinted on Weibo that he had been about to play the Little Fox but was replaced, which made his fans furious and caused them to vent their grievances on his behalf. Li Qing’s former teammates also weighed in, hinting that he had “slept with” the investor, pushing the controversy to a climax.