My Wandering Swordsman

After a deafening roar of celebration, the crowd finally began to disperse. The event to determine the lead actor through a martial arts contest ended with a result that no one had anticipated.

I stood there, still processing what had just happened, when Niu, the production manager, rushed up to me, clutching a thick stack of papers in his hand.

"Ji Shenxian, oh Ji Shenxian, you are truly our crew's savior!"

He shoved the script into my arms: "Here, this is the script. Take it and make sure you read it through tonight. We need to start filming your scenes in the next few days. Time is tight and the task is heavy."

I took the script and flipped through it casually.

Hey!

That's really thick, but I've never acted before, so I'm wondering if this will actually work.

The production assistant, Niu, seemed to have guessed my worries and flattered me, saying, "Master Ji, don't worry. This drama doesn't require high acting skills. Besides, everyone has seen your acting skills. That scene at Qifeng Palace last time was very memorable, hahaha."

My lips twitched.

Qifeng Palace? You mean the part where he was beaten with a stick, right?

I didn't act at all in that scene; it was all just my natural reaction after succeeding, okay?

Niu, the production assistant, continued talking, spouting flattering words.

I listened and nodded, but my mind was completely on the script in my hands. By the way, does this play actually have any scenes like that?

Scene fourteen of the script popped up, marked "The Crown Prince and the Princess from a Foreign Land in Distress Have a Night Talk," set in a moonlit courtyard, with a lone man and woman...

My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly flipped through a few more pages.

It's all over, there's nothing here. This scene ends with the eldest prince defeating the foreign assassin.

I was speechless, thinking to myself, what kind of script is this? The male lead is a complete idiot with all his brawn and no brains. Can't we at least film some scenes that are actually going to be filmed?

I wonder if asking the screenwriter to add some "reasonable" plot points is going too far...

Just as I was pondering this, a faint fragrance wafted over.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a face so exquisite it was almost unreal. My hand trembled involuntarily, and the script nearly slipped from my grasp.

My aunt had somehow gotten to my side.

She tilted her head slightly to look at me, her face full of concern: "Xiao Ji, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?"

I quickly suppressed the jumbled thoughts in my mind, cleared my throat, and solemnly said, "N-nothing, it's just that the task ahead is arduous."

My aunt rolled her eyes at me and muttered under her breath, "What a jerk."

After saying that, she took half a step forward, leaned close to my ear, and whispered, "Wait for me at the entrance of the film studio at 9:30 tonight."

The warm breath brushed against my earlobe, and I felt as if I had been electrocuted. I stood there stunned, and then all sorts of thoughts rushed out of my head.

So, Auntie, after witnessing Ji's unparalleled charm today, are you finally ready to accept my love?

But 9:30 is such a strange time. The film studio is basically deserted by 8 pm, and at 9:30 you can't see a soul. Is she going to give me some acting advice?

What kind of play needs to be told late at night?

Oh, I understand.

Hehehe...

"Hey, did you hear me? You're acting really strange today," my aunt called out, her brows furrowing slightly, when she saw me lost in thought.

"Okay, okay, okay." I nodded frantically, my head practically spinning. "I know, I know, 9:30 at the film studio entrance, I'll be there, no delay!"

My aunt nodded in satisfaction, then ignored me and turned to walk outside.

Her silhouette cast a long, slender shadow in the sunlight. I stared at her for a long while before reluctantly turning my gaze away.

"Ji Xiaosong."

A voice suddenly came from behind.

I turned around and saw that Ruan Tang had somehow gotten behind me.

Her face was expressionless, much like usual, but I always felt that there was something in her big eyes that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

"What's wrong?" I asked casually.

Ruan Tang's gaze lingered on my face for two seconds before shifting away, her tone flat: "Congratulations, you've finally gotten what you wanted."

Did you get what you wanted?

It's as if I really want to be with this male lead.

But I was too lazy to explain, so I stepped forward and flicked the tip of her nose: "Really? Is that a congratulatory expression on your face, Tangtang?"

This time, Ruan Tang didn't dodge or scold me, and let me scrape her nose.

My mind was completely occupied with my aunt, so I didn't notice Ruan Tang's strange expression. I coughed lightly and got down to business.

"Tangtang, hurry up and find that beast surnamed Wang... assistant director, and coordinate with him regarding the extras' scenes. Now that our filming can proceed normally, we need to get the extras' budget back as soon as possible, so that everyone doesn't go hungry later."

Ruan Tang nodded, replied "Okay," and then turned and left, her clean and efficient manner surprising me.

I watched her retreating figure and scratched my head.

Why does this girl seem a little unhappy today? She's usually so good at joking with me.

The production assistant next to me watched Ruan Tang's departing figure, sighed softly, but said nothing.

"Hey, why are you sighing?" I glanced at him suspiciously.

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Production assistant Niu waved his hands repeatedly, making a move to leave. "Master Ji, I'll go accompany Miss Ruan Tang to see Assistant Director Wang. I'm afraid she might have forgotten something."

I reached out to stop him: "Hey, wait a minute."

Niu, the theater manager, paused in his steps.

"Take me to the film crew's dressing room."

The production assistant was completely baffled and said suspiciously, "Master Ji is really dedicated. But you're in too much of a hurry. The male lead's costumes are all custom-made. You probably won't be able to fit into the Crown Prince's outfit. Don't worry about trying on clothes. We'll have the costumes made for you. The production team can afford to pay for a few sets of clothes."

Hi!

What was that production assistant thinking? Do you think I'm someone who loves making movies so much?

I smiled and said, "Never mind that, just take me to the fitting room."

Niu, the production assistant, paused for a moment, then didn't ask any more questions and led me to the dressing room at the back of the set.

When I got to the fitting room, I rummaged through my drawers and cabinets for a long time before finally picking out a dark gray stand-up collar shirt from a pile of unused costumes. I paired it with black trousers, and when I put it on, it fit perfectly.

I looked at myself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

Niu, the production assistant, stood at the door, frowning as he watched me admiring myself. He vaguely guessed what was going on: "Ji Shenxian, you found this outfit... to see Miss Weiwei?"

Without turning my head, I said, "What else?"

Niu Juwu's lips moved a few times, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

I didn't notice this at all, and stared at myself in the mirror for a while before striding out of the fitting room.

It's 9:30 p.m.

Just you wait, Auntie.