Huayu: This top star doesn't play by the rules.

During the filming period, Chen Chao discovered that Meng Ziyi had a special ability: no matter how chaotic the set was or how many people were walking around, she could always find a secluded corner where no one would notice her, and then take out her snacks to show off.

Just like now, she was squatting behind several prop boxes, holding a bag of snacks of unknown origin, chewing them with a satisfying sound, and her face already showing a satisfied and enjoyable expression.

He silently walked over and squatted down beside her. Chen Chao lowered his voice and asked, "What good stuff have you been sneaking to eat this time?"

"Crispy rice crust." Upon hearing Chen Chao's voice, Meng Ziyi consciously moved aside to make room for him, and handed him the bag. "It's crab roe flavored, do you want some?"

Chen Chao took a piece out of the bag, took a bite, and found it salty, fragrant, and crispy. The taste was quite good and suited his palate.

"It tastes good. Where did you buy it? I'll buy some and send it home too."

"Of course I bought it from the supermarket. It's supposedly a specialty of Chuzhou, Anhui." Meng Ziyi said smugly, shaking the bag with a hint of pride.

Seeing her smug expression, Chen Chao couldn't help but laugh and shake his head: "Can't you just sit in the rest area and eat properly? You're always hiding around like a thief."

"There are too many people in the rest area!" Meng Ziyi replied confidently to Chen Chao's question. "Every time I eat snacks, people come over to chat. Once they start chatting, I can't concentrate on eating. If I don't get any snacks, I get upset. And when I'm upset, my performance suffers. So, for the sake of the crew, I have to eat in secret."

After listening to Meng Ziyi's seemingly reasonable explanation, Chen Chao remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded helplessly: "What you said does make some sense."

"Because that's just how it is~"

And so, the two of them hid behind the prop box like two thieves, crunching on rice crackers while chatting about all sorts of things, enjoying their quiet time together.

A moment later, as Chen Xingxu passed by the area, he saw two furtive figures huddled behind a prop box, and his steps faltered slightly.

Just as he paused, Meng Ziyi, who was chatting with Chen Chao, noticed him and immediately beckoned to him, calling out in a low voice, "Come here!"

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Xingxu looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then quickly walked over and squatted down next to Chen Chao. The three of them hid behind the prop box, looking even more like a gang of thieves.

"What happened today? How did you manage to dodge like that?" Chen Chao asked curiously, looking his good brother up and down as if he had discovered a new continent.

Chewing on the rice crackers Meng Ziyi handed him with a blank expression, Chen Xingxu's tone remained as indifferent as ever: "I've run into a rather annoying troublesome guy."

After hearing his good friend's answer, Chen Chao nodded thoughtfully and did not ask any further questions. He also stuffed a piece of rice crust into Meng Ziyi's mouth, and the prop box fell silent again, with only the crunching sound of chewing remaining.

Suddenly, a gentle female voice, very familiar to the three of them, came from above, carrying a hint of barely suppressed laughter: "You three, are you squatting here discussing where to steal tonight?"

The three of them instinctively looked up at the sound and saw Li Yitong standing in front of the prop box, looking down at the three people huddled together, with a look of both laughter and tears on her face.

Almost instinctively, Meng Ziyi quickly hid the bag of rice crackers behind her back, a reaction just like when she first met Chen Chao in the elevator that day.

With her eyes slightly narrowed, Li Yitong deliberately spoke in a low, gloomy voice: "I saw it all."

Meng Ziyi awkwardly pulled out the bag of rice crackers and handed it to her, a slightly ingratiating smile on his face. "Tongtong, do you want some? It's freshly opened, and it's really delicious."

Looking at the bag of rice crackers, and then at Meng Ziyi, who was still squatting on the ground with a fawning smile on his face, Li Yitong sighed helplessly and squatted down behind the prop box as well.

"Ziyi, move over a bit and give me some room."

And so, the original trio of thieves became a group of four.

While chewing on the crispy rice crust, Li Yitong seemed to suddenly remember something and lowered her voice to say, "When I passed by the director's lounge just now, I heard Director Jiang talking on the phone with someone."

Upon hearing Li Yitong's words, Chen Chao casually asked, "Judging from your expression, did you overhear some confidential information?"

"It seemed like they were talking about casting, but I didn't quite catch the details, since I just happened to be passing by." After frowning and thinking for a moment, Li Yitong added, "I remember they were talking about something like 'Princess Agents,' and it seemed like they were recommending someone."

Chen Chao, who was chewing on the rice crust, paused slightly.

He was very familiar with the title "Princess Agents." In his previous life, it was a phenomenal historical drama. This TV series not only solidified Zhao Xiaodao's status as the queen of historical dramas, but also made the actor who played the second male lead famous, turning him from an unknown in the film and television industry into a hot celebrity.

"Who would you recommend?" Chen Chao suddenly became interested in Li Yitong's topic and couldn't help but ask.

"I don't know, I didn't hear you clearly either." Li Yitong glanced at him, seemingly understanding. "What, are you very interested in this project?"

Just as Chen Chao was about to speak in response to Li Yitong's question, he was interrupted by a stagehand's voice from nearby, "Chen Chao! Director Jiang wants to see you!"

The four who were stealing food exchanged glances subconsciously, and even the usually oblivious guy immediately understood.

Looking at Chen Chao with sparkling eyes, Meng Ziyi silently said, "Good luck!"

As the one who revealed the news, Li Yitong smiled with her signature crescent-shaped eyes and nodded at him, while her good friend Chen Xingxu silently gave a thumbs up.

Chen Chao returned a confident smile to his friend, popped the last bit of rice crust into his mouth, and quickly stood up. "I'm leaving now."

As the chief director of the "Legend of the Condor Heroes" crew, Jiang Jiajun's dressing room was located at the very back of the set. There was a sign that read "No Trespassing" hanging at the door. After knocking on the door and receiving a response to come in, Chen Chao pushed the door open and went in.

At that moment, Jiang Jiajun was sitting on the sofa reading a script. When he saw him come in, he smiled and waved to him, saying, "Sit down."

After sitting down in the chair next to Jiang Jiajun, Chen Chao showed no signs of nervousness or unease, remaining as relaxed and natural as ever.

Putting down the script, Jiang Jiajun looked him up and down, then smiled and said, "You've been with the crew for almost two months, haven't you?"

"Yes, it's been one month, three weeks, and four days."

Raising an eyebrow, Jiang Jiajun chuckled and teased, "You remember it quite clearly."

Chen Chao simply responded with a smile. Of course he remembered it very clearly, because it was his first film crew and his first step into the entertainment industry. How could he not remember it vividly?