Volume One: Qin Yang of the Northern Sea Chapter 24: Filming

Wang Peisheng was a top-tier director in the country, and this time he happened to be in Bin City filming a TV drama. Wu Yaoyao reached out to him, asking for help with a short film, and he readily agreed—especially since the female lead would be the immensely popular star Chen Momo. That alone made him happy. Initially, he had approached the film and television celebrity He Xusheng, as the two were quite familiar with each other, but unexpectedly, He stood him up at the last minute, which left him seething with anger.

Yaoyao Beautify was a cosmetics manufacturing company, planning to use this opportunity as a foundation to open up new sales channels. Wu Yaoyao placed great importance on this, so Wang Peisheng had written a script specifically for it, requiring a man and a woman to perform together. Yet, he hadn’t anticipated He Xusheng to be so unreliable.

When he heard from his subordinates that Chen Momo and Wu Yaoyao had already arrived, he hesitated for a moment but still chose to step out. What had happened had happened—if he didn’t show his face now, it would only look worse.

Wang Peisheng walked out with a dark expression. Qin Yang, who had been bored until now, watched this well-known figure from the entertainment industry and wondered who could have provoked him so badly that, even when facing three beautiful women, he still wore a scowl.

Wu Yaoyao felt a jolt of anxiety. “Uncle Wang, has something happened?”

Wang Peisheng sighed. “It’s just that actor I found, He—” He was about to mention He Xusheng, when his gaze suddenly locked onto Qin Yang. His face broke into a smile, as if he had just discovered a precious gem. “Well, well—young man, ever thought about being a star? Ever wanted to become famous overnight?”

“Being a celebrity is great! Surrounded by beautiful women, endless endorsements, unimaginable earnings. You wouldn’t have to struggle for a few thousand bucks at your company. If you’re willing, I, Wang Peisheng, promise to make you a star.”

Looking at Wang Peisheng, who seemed relentless in his scheming, Qin Yang turned his gaze toward Wu Yaoyao, hoping she would rescue him from this predicament.

Wu Yaoyao’s expression grew serious. “Qin Yang, this time I’ve asked Uncle Wang to help us shoot a promotional film for our company. If you don’t think the company’s success concerns you, you’re free to refuse.”

“Don’t worry, at worst I’ll just lay off a few more people. We’ll manage somehow,” she added lightly.

Damn, was she trying to talk him out of it? But there was an unmistakable hint of threat in her words. Qin Yang felt a headache coming on. Seeing the eager anticipation on Wang Peisheng’s face, he gritted his teeth and nodded. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

“Hahaha! Excellent! Wonderful!” Wang Peisheng was overjoyed. He handed the script to Qin Yang and Chen Momo. There were only a few lines for each of them; the focus was on their actions and expressions.

Now that Qin Yang had reached the Awakened Realm in martial arts, he had a photographic memory. Such a simple task was nothing to him—he finished reading the script in just a few minutes. Tossing the script aside, he pulled out a cigarette, and Wang Lei, standing by, quickly lit it for him.

“Director Wang, when are we starting? I’m a busy man, have to go home and watch the house. Please hurry up—if I slack off here, my boss will dock my pay.” Though he addressed Wang Peisheng, his eyes kept drifting to Wu Yaoyao and Su Ying.

Su Ying bit her lip, her face full of anger. “Your task today is to stay here and memorize your lines. As for your salary, don’t worry, not a penny will be missing.”

“Heh, thanks, Manager Su,” Qin Yang replied with an innocent smile.

Su Ying snorted to show her displeasure.

Zhuang Chun, who had been sprawled on the ground, had gotten up at some point and glanced at the script. Before Chen Momo’s manager, Aunt Gui, could say anything, he sprang up in protest.

“No way, absolutely not! Why are they holding hands?”

Chen Momo rolled her eyes at Zhuang Chun. Even in a promo, you had to follow the script. Besides, she was the one holding hands—he had no right to object. She used to think this retired special forces guy was formidable, but now he couldn’t even handle the company’s security guards. If not for her brother, she wouldn’t even bother with him.

Wang Lei and Li Jun immediately stood up, glaring fiercely at Zhuang Chun.

Zhuang Chun shrank back at once. Qin Yang waved a hand. “Wang Lei, Li Jun, what are you doing? There’s a saying—‘pretending to be pure only invites trouble’—but you must restrain yourselves. After all, we’re in public.”

Wang Lei and Li Jun glanced at Zhuang Chun, and both felt a chill down their spines. They weren’t some ordinary thugs from the countryside.

An hour later, the two leads were ready, especially Chen Momo, who wanted to get it over with quickly so she could go back to studying her drama script.

Filming commenced.

Zhuang Chun stood off to the side, scowling as he watched the pair act out their tender scene, his heart filled with anger.

The story was about a young married couple. The wife’s face was covered with pimples—she had never used cosmetics. Standing before the mirror, she sighed.

“Honey, I’m breaking out again,” Chen Momo said, her voice a mix of frustration and complaint.

Looking at his wife’s once-beautiful face now covered in blemishes, Qin Yang took it all in. He then happened to see a commercial on TV and decided to give it a try.

To his surprise, the very next day there was already a noticeable improvement. By the third day, the pimples were receding, and by the seventh day, they had vanished completely.

The final shot showed the couple hand in hand, leaning close together.

“Yaoyao Beautify—your personal beauty expert. I’ve always used it. What about you?”

“Cut!” Wang Peisheng was visibly excited, watching the playback with satisfaction. Their performance was seamless—no retakes needed, the entire process completed in a single shot.

Looking at Qin Yang, he truly wished he could make him a star, but the young man showed no interest in such things, which left him at a loss.

Qin Yang nodded to Chen Momo, leaving the rest to Wu Yaoyao. They also agreed that Chen Momo would attend the company’s opening as a show of support.

Zhuang Chun was delighted to see Li Jun and the others leaving. He quickly ran up to Li Jun and whispered, “I’m heading back to Yanjing to train hard. I look forward to a rematch.”

Li Jun shrugged. “As long as you don’t lose too badly, I’m always available.”

Qin Yang, walking ahead, overheard their exchange. He was considering whether to let Wang Lei and Li Jun train with him. After all, they’d consumed plenty of the thousand-year-old ginseng last time; their foundations were already far stronger than ordinary people.

He soon found a martial arts manual and tossed it to them, telling them to study it on their own, then left by himself.

The two of them were captivated, especially since Qin Yang’s strength was plain to see, and they both hoped to become as powerful as he was.

Leaving the film set, Qin Yang suddenly realized he didn’t have a driver’s license. Looking at the car, he felt helpless and finally decided to take a taxi home.

Moments after he got into the cab, two vans began following behind—clearly with ill intent.

The taxi pulled into an empty lot. The driver immediately jumped out and ran off, leaving Qin Yang alone in the car.

A cold smirk touched his lips. “Interesting,” he muttered.