Huayu: Starting with Hextech

Cai Yinong's office at Tangren Film & Television in Shanghai.

Li Guoli sat on the sofa, flipping through the first draft of the script for "Scarlet Heart".

Cai Yinong stood by the window, looking at the gloomy sky outside, and sighed softly.

"Old Li, what do you think of Lin Xiao... why does he insist on going it alone?"

Li Guoli looked up and adjusted his glasses: "Talented young people always want to prove themselves. That's understandable."

"It's not that I don't understand."

Cai Yinong turned around, a look of regret on his face. "I do feel it's a pity. When it came to the 'Scarlet Heart' project, he was the first person I thought of. The role of the Fourth Prince—his temperament, age, acting skills… he was the only one who could fit in. Nicky Wu is too old; he looks like an uncle and nephew standing next to Shishi. The other young actors… couldn't carry that aura."

"So what do you plan to do?"

"What else can we do?" Cai Yinong smiled wryly. "Now that he's opened his own studio, he definitely wants autonomy. If I force him to sign, it will only backfire. We can only try to make contact first and see if there's any possibility of cooperation..."

She paused, her eyes filled with complex emotions:

"This child is too opinionated. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. In this circle, people who are too opinionated... often have the hardest time."

At six o'clock in the evening, Lin Xiao turned off the office lights.

The corridor was quiet, with only the green indicator lights for the emergency exits glowing dimly.

He locked the door and took the elevator downstairs.

The early winter evening breeze swept over me, carrying the unique dampness of the Huangpu River.

My phone vibrated.

He took it out and saw it was a QQ message.

The profile picture is a selfie of Yang Mi, smiling brightly and confidently.

"I heard Boss Lin started his own business? Wow, that's impressive!"

"But I heard from Teacher Yu that he's considering you for the male lead role in his new drama~"

"We might be rekindling our romance soon~"

Three sentences, three tildes, a playful tone, yet tinged with a sense of probing.

Lin Xiao stood on the street, looking at the smiling face on the screen. The scene in front of his eyes was Yang Mi, dressed in ancient costume, coming up to him during a break in the drama "Beauty's Rival in Palace" and saying with a smile, "You're getting more and more handsome."

At that time, her eyes shone like a cunning fox.

He replied, "Thank you, Sister Honey. Hope to collaborate sometime."

Be polite, courteous, and keep your distance.

The phone rang immediately after the message was sent.

This time it was a phone call, and the caller ID showed "Wang Luodan".

Lin Xiao answered the call.

"Feed? Lin Xiao! I heard you became your own boss?"

Wang Luodan's loud voice boomed from the receiver, the background noise was chaotic, like being on a film set.

"Wow, that's awesome, buddy! You've only been in the industry for a short time, and you're already going solo!"

Lin Xiao held his phone further away: "Sister Dan, where are you? Why are you making so much noise?"

"Hengdian! They're filming a lousy period drama set in the Republican era, and the director has way too many demands."

Wang Luodan's voice sounded tired, but still excited.

"Hey you, you didn't even tell me you were opening your studio! What, are you worried I'd freeload off you?"

"No, I've just been too busy lately..."

"Come on, stop with the act!" Wang Luodan interrupted him. "Let me tell you, next time you have a dinner party or an event, remember to invite me! I'll back you up! I've been in this industry for so many years, I may not have much else, but I have tons of friends!"

Lin Xiao smiled: "Okay, definitely."

"By the way," Wang Luodan lowered her voice, "I heard... Tang Yan recently turned down several out-of-town gigs and has been staying in Shanghai. You two... are you really together?"

"Sister Dan..."

"Alright, alright, I won't ask!" Wang Luodan chuckled. "But I must warn you, Tang Yan is a nice girl, innocent and genuinely kind to you. Don't let her down."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiao stood on the street, looking at Shanghai as the city lights began to come on.

Wang Luodan's words were like a pebble, creating ripples in his heart.

It was almost eight o'clock when I got back to Tang Yan's apartment.

The house was lit with warm lights, and the sound of stir-frying came from the kitchen.

Lin Xiao changed his shoes and went inside. He saw that two dishes were already laid out on the dining table: sweet and sour pork ribs and stir-fried broccoli, both of which were his favorites.

Tang Yan came out of the kitchen wearing an apron and carrying a soup bowl.

"You're back?" she smiled, fine beads of sweat on her forehead. "Go wash your hands and eat right away."

Lin Xiao looked at her.

Three months later, she had lost some weight and her chin was sharper, but her eyes remained bright.

She turned down a lot of work during this period and spent most of her time in Shanghai, saying she was "adjusting her state," but Lin Xiao knew she was waiting for him.

Wait until he settles down, wait until he gives her a clear future.

During the meal, Tang Yan kept putting food on his plate, but she barely ate any herself.

She talked about the scripts she had recently read, the plans her agent had made for her, and her hopes for the future—in every one of those hopes, there was Lin Xiao's shadow.

"Lin Xiao," she suddenly put down her chopsticks and looked at him, "The drama 'Beauty's Rival in Palace' is about to air. At that time... shouldn't we go public with it a little?"

Lin Xiao paused, his hand holding the food in his chopsticks.

"Now is not the time," he said. "My studio is just starting out, and I need to focus on my career. You are also still on the rise, and going public with a relationship would not be good for either of us."

Tang Yan's eyes darkened, but quickly brightened again: "I know, I was just... just saying."

She went around behind him, hugged him from behind, and pressed her face against his back.

Her arm was gripping tightly, and her voice was muffled:

"Lin Xiao, no matter what happens, no matter how far you go... I will always be by your side."

Lin Xiao turned around and pulled her into his arms.

Her body was soft and warm, with a faint scent of shower gel.

He lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead.

"I know," he said.

But his gaze went past the top of her head and towards the window.

That was the Shanghai night sky, neon lights flashing, stars hidden.

Further afield, there are film sets in Hengdian, conference rooms in Beijing, and countless battlefields waiting for him to conquer.

Tang Yan nestled in his arms and closed her eyes contentedly.

She didn't know that the man she was embracing had a heart that held far more than just this small world.

Late at night, Lin Xiao sat in his study.

Several newly received scripts were spread out on the table, of varying quality.

He rubbed his temples, turned on his computer, and logged into an encrypted folder—containing a "list of future blockbuster projects" that he had compiled based on his memories from his previous life.

Palace, Scarlet Heart, Nirvana in Fire, The Journey of Flower, Eternal Love...

Each name represents a memory of an era, a gold mine waiting to be tapped.

But he can't rush things.

The system's rewards haven't been paid out yet, and there's no official news from Yu Zheng either.

What he needs to do now is wait patiently while maintaining the current level of interest.

Just then, my phone rang.

It's an unfamiliar number, but the location shows as Beijing (BJ).

Lin Xiao answered the phone: "Feed?"

"Junior Brother Lin Xiao?" A slightly hoarse male voice came from the other end of the phone, his tone enthusiastic. "This is Yu Zheng. Do you remember me? We worked together on 'Beauty's Rival in Palace'."

Lin Xiao sat up straight: "Teacher Yu, of course I remember."

"That's good, that's good!" Yu Zheng laughed. "I have a new script here, 'Palace, the Lock of Jade Heart,' a time-travel story about a modern girl who travels back to the Qing Dynasty and her relationships with several princes. I've been polishing the script for over half a year, and I think it'll be a hit."

He paused, his voice filled with anticipation:

"The role of the Eighth Prince, Yinzhi, is young, handsome, affectionate, and has a tragic side. I think you're the perfect fit. How about we chat?"

Lin Xiao gripped his phone, his fingers tightening slightly.

coming.

The system's reward has finally arrived.

He took a deep breath and spoke calmly:

"Teacher Yu, I'm very interested. When would be a convenient time for you? We can meet to discuss this in detail."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiao leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling.

A slow smile crept onto his lips.

Palace Lock Heart Jade.

Yang Mi.

Eighth Prince...