The President Comes Knocking -

“When spring arrives, the weather should ease up a bit. It won’t be so tough anymore, right?”

Chu Qianqian’s comforting words were met with a wry smile from Xie Chen. “With the kind of weather here in City B, I doubt spring will bring much warmth.”

Xie Chen’s response reminded Chu Qianqian of the notable differences between City A and City B. For instance, spring arrived a full month later in City B. This didn’t bode well for Xie Chen’s filming schedule-it meant cold and harsh conditions. It also meant that during the filming period, Qingyi and Chu Ziyu, who were following the film crew, would have to endure even chillier temperatures.

“Sigh…” Chu Qianqian let out a soft sigh. Just as she was about to say something, she felt a prickly cool sensation on her face. “Is this… light rain?”

As the saying goes, “rain brings good fortune.” For the director, a light drizzle at this time was the perfect omen to start filming. Chu Qianqian turned to look at Zhang Dong, and sure enough, his eyes had crinkled into a smile.

Although the rain made the already chilly mountaintop temperatures drop even further, the crew members seemed to catch on to Zhang Dong’s good mood. Smiles began to appear on many faces, and there was a noticeable increase in energy as they worked.

“It seems Director Zhang is in a good mood. We’ll probably benefit later,” remarked Xie Lin. It was the first thing she’d said since greeting them, and her voice was now noticeably more upbeat. She even smiled. Noticing the puzzled expression on Chu Qianqian’s face, she explained, “Rain brings good fortune. Most directors believe in this kind of sign. With such a positive omen, it’s believed the drama will do exceptionally well once it’s finished.”

Xie Chen, pulling up the collar of his sweater for extra warmth, chimed in, “And to go along with this ‘good fortune,’ most directors usually hand out red envelopes. Everyone on-site gets one.”

Raising her eyebrows, a smile finally crept onto Chu Qianqian’s face. It wasn’t the thought of the red envelopes that delighted her, but the idea that this auspicious sign and the rain might mean that Ling Xiao would become a big hit.

When you’re in a good mood, time always flies by.

Taking the incense handed to them by the stage manager, Qingyi and Chu Ziyu followed Xie Chen over to where the actors were gathered. Soon, the main cast would line up one by one for the incense ceremony.

As an agent, Chu Qianqian didn’t need to participate in such rituals, which suited her just fine. Standing off to one side with Xie Lin, she enjoyed watching the scene unfold.

The first person to offer incense was the director, Zhang Dong. His expression was genuinely earnest, but he kept it brief. After lighting the incense and saying a few words wishing for a smooth shoot, he stepped aside.

The second person to offer incense was the drama’s deputy director, Hu Zheng. He appeared to be in his thirties and was known as Zhang Dong’s protégé, having received full training under the renowned director. Though Hu Zheng had already directed a few small-scale projects and gained a decent reputation, word had it that Ling Xiao would mark Zhang Dong’s final time mentoring him. Once this project wrapped, Hu Zheng would officially strike out on his own.

Perhaps inheriting his mentor’s straightforward style, Hu Zheng didn’t speak much. His movements were crisp and efficient, and in no time, he was standing by Zhang Dong’s side.

The third person in line was Qin Hao. When the auditions had concluded, Qingyi told Chu Qianqian that one of the judges had been Qin Hao, leading her to suspect that he might have a role in Ling Xiao. Later, the official cast announcement confirmed that Qin Hao would be playing the adult version of Lin Zisu, a key character in the story. Intrigued, Chu Qianqian had eagerly dug into information about him, and now that she was seeing him in person, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity.

Her only thought was that he looked even more handsome in real life-several times more so than in his photos.

“I didn’t expect Qin Hao to join Ling Xiao. I’ve always thought his career focus was in the film industry,” Chu Qianqian commented casually, her gaze sweeping toward Xie Lin. To her surprise, Xie Lin’s expression was cold, her eyes fixed on Qin Hao with an almost frozen stare. Concerned, Chu Qianqian asked, “Hey, Xie Lin, are you okay?”

Pulled out of her thoughts by Chu Qianqian’s voice, Xie Lin’s expression returned to normal, but her silence was telling. Chu Qianqian could see the confusion in her friend’s eyes, and Xie Lin pursed her lips slightly, clearly unwilling to share what was on her mind.

Noticing this hesitation, Chu Qianqian immediately understood-Xie Lin didn’t want to talk about it. Smiling softly to ease the atmosphere, she shifted the topic. “You seemed distracted just now. Focus up-it’ll be Xie Chen’s turn soon.”

Following Chu Qianqian’s remark, Xie Lin returned her gaze to the ceremony. Sure enough, with Qin Hao’s incense offering as swift as the two people before him, it was now Xie Chen’s turn to step forward.

As Xie Chen approached the altar, a sudden wave of murmurs rippled through the gathered crowd. However, the tone of the chatter was distinctly different this time compared to when Qin Hao was on stage. The whispers regarding Xie Chen were filled with doubt. It was inevitable-after all, the two male leads of the same production couldn’t be more different in reputation. Qin Hao was a freshly crowned Best Actor, while Xie Chen was an obscure, second-tier actor. The disparity was so stark that it practically invited speculation about behind-the-scenes favoritism or hidden connections.

Lowering his gaze, Xie Chen held the incense in his hands and solemnly bowed three times. His expression remained utterly composed, showing no sign of disturbance. Years of experience in the entertainment industry had left him numb to skepticism and malicious rumors. The curiosity and judgment surrounding him were nothing more than static noise that failed to unsettle him.

What did bother him, however, was the intense, searing gaze boring into him from across the crowd. It felt like a needle prickling at his back. A quick sidelong glance confirmed his suspicion-it was Qin Hao.

After placing the incense in the holder, Xie Chen quietly moved to stand beside Zhang Dong without saying a word. He was making a deliberate effort to avoid standing near Qin Hao.

To Zhang Dong, Xie Chen’s action seemed to stem from his inability to bear the endless gossip and speculation. Having been in the industry for many years, Zhang Dong knew the drill. He admired Xie Chen’s acting skills but also understood that until the drama aired, Xie Chen would likely have to endure constant whispers and doubters.

Feeling a twinge of sympathy, Zhang Dong tacitly allowed Xie Chen’s subtle move. Glancing at the surrounding crowd, Zhang Dong noticed the murmurs quieted significantly once they saw his approving expression.

In a corner of the crowd where no one was looking, Qin Hao cast a glance at Xie Chen, who had deliberately kept his distance. His gaze was complex. After a long pause, he let out a soft sigh.

Next in line after Xie Chen was Qi Yue, who was playing the role of Ye Qingxuan. Qi Yue was a bona fide Hua Dan¹ at the height of her popularity. She had just celebrated her 26th birthday in June and was widely praised for her stunning looks, graceful demeanor, and, most notably, her expressive almond-shaped eyes-the very feature that fans said perfectly suited the character of Ye Qingxuan. Bringing her onto the project as the female lead was undoubtedly a decision that thrilled fans and aligned with their expectations.

In addition to her external charm, Qi Yue was well-known in the industry as a hardworking professional. She was dedicated to her craft and had honed her acting skills to a remarkable degree. Even someone like Chu Qianqian, who wasn’t particularly interested in celebrities, had found herself watching several of Qi Yue’s dramas and enjoying them.

Outside of work, Qi Yue wasn’t the type to speak much. Perhaps this explained why her behavior during the incense ceremony was as efficient and straightforward as the individuals before her. She spoke just one sentence, totaling twelve characters: “I wish Ling Xiao a smooth shoot and great success.” Without missing a beat, she gracefully moved aside, embodying an air of confidence and elegance.

After Qi Yue, it was Qingyi’s turn, followed by Chu Ziyu, who stood just behind him. Seeing the two of them at the front of the line, Chu Qianqian couldn’t help but feel a wave of nervousness welling up inside her.

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