Their eyes met, and they both understood each other’s thoughts.
A smile gradually appeared in Xia Xian Ning’s eyes. Luo Ying Bai coughed twice, pretending nothing had happened, and changed his tone: “Let me try. If that head comes after me, maybe the case will be solved directly. Besides, I find acting quite fun.”
Xia Xian Ning shook his head and could only say, “I’ll stand right beside you. Be careful.”
Chapter 27: Catching a Ghost
In fact, he felt a bit melancholic. Being with Luo Ying Bai always led to unexpected developments. The urban supernatural detective story had suddenly turned into a comedy about a young man breaking into the entertainment industry. Xia Xian Ning, forced to change the script, felt helpless.
He quietly watched from the crowd of onlookers until he saw Luo Ying Bai change into costume and makeup, and Xia Xian Ning couldn’t help but be stunned.
They both came from noble families with strict upbringing. Even though Luo Ying Bai was naturally casual, he had long cultivated an aristocratic demeanor.
His father was imprisoned for suspected treason, and all male family members over 14 were executed. Women and males under 14 were sold to the imperial music school. Only Ling An Jun miraculously escaped and, four years later, managed to enter the palace, changing his name and becoming the emperor’s male concubine.
On the surface, Ling An Jun was submissive to the emperor, but everything he did was for revenge. This characteristic should be immediately apparent from his makeup and attire.
When Luo Ying Bai came out, he wore a purple jade crown and a dark red long robe, with a gold-embroidered jade belt around his waist. His eyes were like lacquered points, his eyebrows laden with emotion, a thin smile at the corner of his lips both icy and provocative, with an extraordinarily beautiful appearance. However, beyond this beauty, he was tall and slender, with a straight back, walking with an elegant and heroic bearing. Though delicate, he was absolutely different from a woman’s temperament.
It seemed that seeing this person instantly made everyone understand why some people would prefer a beautiful man over a beautiful woman, and why this Lord Ling’an could be so favored. Director Xiao wanted to express precisely this point.
He looked at Luo Mingbai, standing nearby and rubbing his hands in excitement, repeatedly exclaiming, “Perfect! Absolutely perfect!”
The assistant director praised, “This young man is something else! Director Xiao, where did you find him? Just when Weile quit acting, I was worried about what to do! With a face like this, as long as his acting is passable, this role is definitely his! Is he a newcomer?”
“No,” Director Xiao stared at Luo Mingbai like a wolf, casually saying, “Seems like he’s a police officer.”
Then he saw the young man whose face screamed “I’m a demon” happily run to another young man nearby, spreading his arms to show off his clothes, seemingly saying, “Don’t I look cool?”
Xia Xianning could feel Luo Mingbai running down, with many eyes scanning their area, making him feel slightly uncomfortable. He pulled Luo Mingbai to another spot, blocking most of the gazes with his shoulder, and looked him up and down.
Luo Mingbai found it interesting: “How is it? How is it?”
Xia Xianning casually tugged at the ring-shaped pendant on his ear, sighing, “You’d better not wear makeup in the future.”
Luo Mingbai laughed, “Of course. Why would I wear makeup if I’m not acting? Am I crazy?”
Xia Xianning finally showed a slight smile, and they sat down. Director Xiao had already explained the scene to Luo Mingbai and was giving him an hour to familiarize himself with the script.
Xia Xianning asked, “Are you really going to finish this film?”
Luo Mingbai shrugged, “I don’t really want to. I have no experience and don’t plan to enter this industry. Isn’t this just fooling around? But if I say I’ve acted for the sake of the investigation and then back out later, that wouldn’t be appropriate. I’ll take it step by step.”
Xia Xianning smiled and didn’t say more.
At this moment, a voice suddenly came from behind him.
Dai Weijie knew that next would be his scene with Luo Yingbai. Thinking about that playful young man playing the role of Ling’an Jun, he found it amusing, but his face cooperatively showed a slightly surprised expression as he turned around.
Then he was stunned – because this glance was dazzling.
The man in red came from the corridor, gracefully moving, his hair gently floating, a smile at the corner of his lips. Scattered flower petals fell on his shoulders and were crushed underfoot with each step.
Those narrow, long eyes were looking at him with a smile, seemingly frivolous at first glance, but upon careful observation, clearly filled with coldness.
Though merely a lowly male consort, his posture standing on the jade steps seemed as if he held the entire world in his hands!
Xia Xianning was momentarily dazed but quickly regained his composure. Luo Yingbai had deliberately removed all talismans and magical artifacts from him. Ghostly shadows began to gather around.
Xia Xianning formed a hand seal, silently chanting an incantation, and flicked his finger. A transparent bubble floated up, flying towards the two actors unnoticed.
Dai Weijie was completely unaware, but from Luo Yingbai’s perspective, Xia Xianning had laid a single-layer barrier around them, trapping the ghosts inside, allowing entry but no exit.
Luo Yingbai, a top-tier actor since childhood, found it easy to pretend to notice nothing. However, two female ghosts were now hanging on either shoulder, breathing into his ear.
Unable to make big movements, Luo Yingbai gritted his teeth and endured, maintaining his smile. He walked down the jade steps and casually stepped on the two ghosts attempting to lift his robe and hug his thighs, crushing them into ghost pancakes.
With just a smile and a walk, Li Sheng’s momentum was completely suppressed. In a moment of hesitation, Ling’an Jun approached.
As he moved, his long robe sleeves gently rose in the wind.
His eyes glanced sideways, saying lightly, “What did Li Daren just discuss with the Emperor?”
The tone was frivolous, yet being so close made Li Sheng involuntarily want to step back.
He collected himself, lowering his eyes, and said calmly, “Women should not interfere in politics. Since Ling’an Jun is in the inner palace, you should behave.”
Ling’an Jun had delicate features but sharp sword-like eyebrows that became particularly intimidating when slightly raised. He finally looked directly at Li Sheng, observing for a moment before suddenly letting out a cold snort and reaching out to brush a strand of hair hanging on Li Sheng’s chest.
“If you truly believe the inner palace can confine a person, then why risk angering the Emperor today by exposing my identity?”
The soft words entered his ear, and Li Sheng was shocked, suddenly looking up: “You actually know? You indeed have ill intentions!”
Standing with hands behind his back, Ling’an Jun looked directly at him: “Though in the inner palace, my heart is with the world. Even if I’m frank with you today, what can you do to me?
He leaned slightly closer, his tone becoming venomous and slow: “Li Daren, please have your entire clan wait for my triumphant news!”
The distance between them suddenly shortened. That flawlessly exquisite, charming face was inches away, with black pupils like stars – mesmerizing and mysterious. A hint of cruel smile at the corner of his lips brought a suffocating beauty, silently conveying seduction and danger.
