I really didn't intend to make a living based on my looks.

As he spoke, he pulled a sheet of paper from his drawer, which had a QQ group number printed on it. "The production crew has an actors' group for easy communication. Please join when you get back. Here's the group number. When you apply, please include your name and role in the message."

Jiang Chen took it and glanced at it. The group number was typed in bold, and below it was a line of smaller text: "Change your nickname after joining the group, format: 'role-name'".

"Did you bring an assistant?" Yang Le asked.

Jiang Chen shook his head: "No, it's just me."

"Okay, then keep this room card. Our crew's rule is that we only arrange beds for the actors themselves. If you have an assistant, you'll have to pay for their own accommodation, which is eighty yuan per day."

Jiang Chen nodded in agreement: "Understood, thank you, Brother Yang."

He put the room key and the group number paper into his pocket, and just as he was about to leave, a gentle female voice came from behind him.

"Excuse me, is this the registration area for 'Palace'?"

Jiang Chen turned around subconsciously.

The woman stood not far away, wearing a simple white tight-fitting cotton T-shirt. The style was very close-fitting, outlining the smooth lines of her chest. It was not exaggerated but full and well-proportioned, exuding a natural sense of curves.

Her lower body was covered in light blue slim-fit jeans, which hugged her straight, long legs. The cuffs were slightly rolled up, revealing a section of her slender, snow-white ankles, on which she wore a thin silver anklet.

It inexplicably added a touch of exoticism...

Her long hair was tied in a low ponytail, and she wore a pair of black-rimmed sunglasses that covered most of her face.

She was accompanied by a young girl in a floral dress, carrying her bag and water bottle; she was clearly her assistant.

Even with only his chin and lips showing, Jiang Chen recognized him at a glance.

Tong Liya!

He had seen many of her performances in his past life, and now that she was standing in front of him in person, she looked even thinner and more graceful than on screen.

Yang Le's reaction was noticeably more enthusiastic.

"Ya Ya, you're here?"

His face instantly broke into a wide smile, a stark contrast to his previous half-dead state. "You must be tired from the journey! You've had a long time!"

Tong Liya smiled and said, "It's alright, not too tiring."

"A room was reserved for you a long time ago, a single room on the sixth floor, facing south, with a balcony and excellent natural light!" Yang Le said, pulling out a room key and handing it over. "Here's the room key. Shall I have someone bring your luggage up for you?"

"No need, I can do it myself, thank you, Brother Yang!"

Tong Liya took the room key and turned to look at Jiang Chen standing next to her.

Jiang Chen spoke first: "Hello, Teacher Tong. My name is Jiang Chen, and I play the Fourteenth Prince."

Tong Liya glanced at him.

What a handsome and strong young man!

"Are you new here?"

"Yes, I'm from Beijing Film Academy. I just received my acceptance letter this year."

"No wonder you look so young. You're playing the Fourteenth Prince? We have quite a few scenes together in the show."

Jiang Chen nodded: "Yes, please take good care of me, Teacher Tong."

"Don't be so polite," Tong Liya patted his arm. "We're in the same group, so let's look out for each other."

Yang Le chimed in eagerly, "Yaya, your room is on the sixth floor. Take the elevator that way. The opening ceremony is tomorrow morning at eight. Teacher Yu said you don't need to arrive too early, just before nine."

"Okay, I understand, thank you."

Tong Liya graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and debuted in 2006. She has acted in "New Endless Love" and "The Empress of China". Her role as Zhao Feiyan helped her gain a foothold in the industry.

Not quite a top-tier star, but firmly a second-tier one; familiar to audiences and recognized within the industry.

Moreover, rumors circulate that her background is unfathomable...

Jiang Chen was just a newcomer, without a management company or background.

Naturally, no one would think highly of him.

This is the most authentic example of differential treatment on set.

There's no such thing as fair or unfair; it all comes down to seniority and reputation.

When you reach that position, people will naturally smile at you.

Tong Liya took the room key, then looked at Jiang Chen and said gently, "Then I'll go upstairs to put my luggage away first. See you on set tomorrow."

"Okay, see you tomorrow, Teacher Tong."

Jiang Chen nodded and watched her leave, then turned around, picked up his room key, and dragged his suitcase toward the elevator.

Find room 307 and swipe your card to open the door.

The room was small, about 20 square meters, with two single beds on each side and a bedside table in between.

A landscape photo of Hengdian World Studios hangs on the wall. The TV is an old-fashioned, bulky Skyworth model. Next to it is an electric kettle and two bottles of mineral water.

The floor was covered with a dark carpet, which felt a bit hard underfoot. The bathroom was small, with two sets of disposable toiletries on the sink.

Jiang Chen opened his suitcase, took out his clothes, folded them, and put them in the closet. The closet door didn't close properly; he had to push it hard to get it to lock.

After packing his things, he took out the slip of paper with the QQ group number written on it, opened his laptop, plugged in the hotel's network cable, logged into QQ, and entered the group number to request to join.

The group name is "Palace Lock Heart Jade Actors Group", and the profile picture is a clapperboard icon from a film crew.

Application Notes: Fourteenth Prince - Jiang Chen.

The approval was granted in less than half a minute.

The group member list popped up, and Jiang Chen glanced at it.

Besides Yu Zheng and He Chengming, there are already quite a few people in the group.

Guo Zhenni plays the role of Guo Luoluo, the Eighth Prince's wife. Her profile picture is a candid photo of her with her hair in a bun and a sweet smile.

Liu Xiangjun in "The Mute Bride" and Fang Xiaodie in "The Spring of Kapok" are both tragic dramas.

She graduated from the Central Academy of Drama, a proper professional, and was a few years ahead of Tong Liya.

She debuted early, starting to act in 2002. She has been working in the industry for almost eight years, remaining relatively unknown but never lacking acting opportunities.

Shao Meihan plays Consort Liang. Her profile picture is a still from an ancient costume drama, showing her with willow-leaf eyebrows and an oval face.

She started her career at TVB, having acted in "Armed Reaction" in her early years. Later, she moved to the mainland to develop her career and appeared in many of Yu Zheng's dramas, so she is considered an old acquaintance.

Tang Zhenye, who plays the Kangxi Emperor, has a profile picture of himself wearing sunglasses.

He was one of TVB's Five Tigers back in the day, on par with Andy Lau and Tony Leung, but he's gained weight now.

Also, Liu Xuehua, who played Consort De, was a go-to leading lady in Qiong Yao dramas back then.

Xi Xue plays the role of the Thirteenth Prince's Consort, Zhao Jia Shi. Her profile picture is a casual photo of her with bangs and big eyes, and she looks quite young.

She graduated from Beijing Film Academy, so she can be considered Jiang Chen's senior.

There were a few names that Jiang Chen wasn't really familiar with: the old actor who played Li Dequan, the actor who played the Ninth Prince, the actor who played the Tenth Prince, and several palace maids and eunuchs. Some of their profile pictures were stills from the show, while others were landscape photos. Their group name cards neatly listed their roles and names, all arranged in the member list.

Including staff members and a few people who hadn't changed their nicknames, there were about twenty people in the group right now.

However, Yang Mi wasn't there.

Qingchuan, the female lead, isn't in the group chat; she probably hasn't arrived yet or hasn't had time to add anyone.

Jiang Chen scrolled down again and saw that Tong Liya's profile picture was already in the list. The group name card read "Nian Suyan - Tong Liya". The profile picture was a black and white portrait, a side profile, which was very charming.

She was quick.

Jiang Chen shut down the computer.