Chapter 10: Do What You Want Without Heeding Others’ Opinions

“President Meng, the successful launch of this drama owes much to your strong support. Let me toast you with water instead of wine.”

Lü Feifan raised a glass of water and walked over to Meng Chengxiao.

Meng Chengxiao stood up reciprocating the gesture with great courtesy, not forgetting to include Yun Xingcan in the exchange.

“Please also take good care of my person, Director Lu. He’s a bit slow-witted and will need your guidance in areas he doesn’t understand.”

This wasn’t the first time Meng Chengxiao had asked Lü Feifan to look after Yun Xingcan.

How could Lü Feifan not understand Meng Chengxiao’s implication?

Yun Xingcan promptly toasted Director Lu, and Lü Feifan naturally comprehended the situation.

Unlike those established artists who maintained an air of superiority and always looked down upon such matters, she had climbed up from the bottom herself. She understood that in their industry, one sometimes had to sacrifice something to truly advance.

Fortunately, Meng Chengxiao had given her considerable freedom of choice, and Yun Xingcan himself had the drive to seize this opportunity.

“Not at all, Young Yun shows remarkable instinct in acting. His eyes are particularly expressive, conveying all the emotions.”

This wasn’t empty praise from Lü Feifan it was the truth.

Meng Chengxiao nodded in strong agreement. Yun Xingcan’s eyes were truly captivating, always able to project the appropriate emotions.

Like now, looking at you with clear coolness, neither haughty nor humble, his gaze filled with respect for Director Lu and self-assurance.

Neither arrogant nor impatient, neither timid nor cowardly.

“Thank you, Director Lu.”

The meal proceeded with everyone in high spirits.

Meng Chengxiao also promised substantial benefits to Director Lu and the lead actors.

Yun Xingcan felt genuine gratitude toward Meng Chengxiao from the bottom of his heart.

“President Meng, you must attend the launch ceremony a month from now!”

Lü Feifan enthusiastically invited Meng Chengxiao to the ceremony, mainly as a gesture of goodwill.

Instead of immediately accepting Lü Feifan’s invitation, Meng Chengxiao turned to look at Yun Xingcan.

“Can Can, do you want me to come?”

Yun Xingcan hadn’t expected Meng Chengxiao to call on him at this moment. He glanced at the expectant looks from those around them.

“I want you to come.”

Meng Chengxiao frowned and pinched Yun Xingcan’s chin as if no one else was present.

“Look at me! What are you glancing around for? I’m asking you, “do you want me to come?”

Yun Xingcan blinked, his thick eyelashes fluttering, tickling Meng Chengxiao’s heart.

“I want you to come. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

Yun Xingcan didn’t feel that Meng Chengxiao’s treatment of him was disrespectful.

He had already come to terms with his position.

He was merely Meng Chengxiao’s favored pet, the only difference from ordinary pets being that he was human.

Meng Chengxiao appeared sociable enough to chat with anyone on the surface, but was cold to the bone, rarely letting anyone into his sight easily.

“Good. Remember from now on do what you want without watching others’ reactions. I’m here for you.”

“Okay.”

Meng Chengxiao indeed had the capability to protect those he wished to protect.

With Meng Chengxiao’s declaration, anyone in the entertainment industry considering moving against Yun Xingcan would have to weigh Meng Chengxiao’s influence carefully.

From this day forward, even if Yun Xingcan strutted sideways through this circle, no one would dare to stop him.

This was both protection for Yun Xingcan and a declaration of ownership.

In the afternoon, Meng Chengxiao returned to his company.

Yun Xingcan followed Lü Feifan back to the production team to begin costume tests.

Han Feng’s character was consistently portrayed as gentle and refined, appearing unflappable on the surface but being a smiling tiger.

During Yun Xingcan’s makeup trial, the outfits chosen for him were all in light colors like white or aqua blue.

Yu Lin, who plays the male lead, had his styling finalized early on. Besides accompanying Director Lu to the audition today, he also had the task of taking official character photos.

Yun Xingcan was quite envious of Yu Lin’s styling, a black robe paired with a black-and-gold belt, embroidered with golden patterns. It was incredibly imposing.

Even Hua Xinya’s outfit looked much more dashing than Yun Xingcan’s. After all, her character was a coroner, so she wouldn’t be wearing soft pink dresses.

“This one!” After Yun Xingcan had tried on countless outfits, Lü Feifan finally made the decision.

It was a moon-white robe with a python pattern embroidered in fine goose-yellow threads. A wide cyan belt cinched his waist, accentuating his slender figure and perky bottom.

Hua Xinya, standing nearby, clicked her tongue in admiration. “Starry Splendor, your figure is just too good slender waist, long legs. Do you have abs?”

Yun Xingcan nodded somewhat shyly. Despite his lean appearance, he worked out regularly and had well-defined muscles.

Lü Feifan clapped his hands in satisfaction and instructed the costume team to prepare another set.

The male lead, female lead, and second male lead each had two official character photos, reflecting their different experiences in the early and later stages of the story.

For his second outfit, Yun Xingcan chose a black python robe, very close in style to a dragon robe.

Once the costumes were decided, it was time for hair and makeup. By the time everything was done, it was already dark outside.

“It’s late today, so you can all head back. Come tomorrow for the official photos, and the day after, we begin Wu Xun training. My standards are high, it’ll last a month, and I expect no one to be late on the first day!”

After exchanging thanks and farewells, everyone gradually dispersed.

Yun Xingcan still had light makeup on as he left the set. He looked around for a while but didn’t see Guo Meng coming to pick him up. Just as he was about to call and ask, two honks sounded from behind him.

The glaring headlights made it hard to see the car clearly, but Yun Xingcan felt a flickering of anticipation in his heart.

As the car slowly pulled up beside him, the rear window rolled down, revealing Meng Chengxiao’s face.

“Get in. Let’s go home.”

Yun Xingcan’s heart leaped with joy, and he stepped into the car with a light, cheerful bounce in his step.

“How come you’re here?”

“I came to pick you up after work. Have you eaten?”

“No, I’ve been doing makeup trials until now. I’m exhausted.”

Meng Chengxiao smiled, pulled Yun Xingcan closer by the shoulder, and wiped away a trace of light red from Yun Xingcan’s lips with his finger.

“You look better without makeup.”

Yun Xingcan held Meng Chengxiao’s hand and nuzzled against it, leaving a smudge of white powder on Meng Chengxiao’s palm.

“Then wipe it off for me.”

“Let me clean off your lipstick first.”

The partition slowly rose, separating them from the driver. Meng Chengxiao captured Yun Xingcan’s lips and earnestly began to “wipe” off the lipstick.

Until Yun Xingcan’s lips were stained with a different, vivid hue.

“Alright, you have your official photos tomorrow.”

Meng Chengxiao released Yun Xingcan’s lips, gave him a few more kisses, and then his eyes gradually cleared.

Back at the apartment, Meng Chengxiao, in a rare, good mood, coaxed Yun Xingcan into eating a few more bites.

“Drink a glass of milk before bed.”

“No, I ate too much tonight. If I get bloated, I won’t look good tomorrow.”

“Drink it. It’ll help you sleep. You won’t bloat that much anyway.”

Yun Xingcan had no choice but to accept Meng Chengxiao’s domineering concern. He downed the milk in one go and collapsed into bed.

Meng Chengxiao went out to the balcony, lit a cigarette, and held it between his fingers without smoking, just letting it burn.

“Hello?”

“Alright.”

Meng Chengxiao answered a call, responded briefly, and quickly hung up.

Yun Xingcan peeked out with just his eyes visible, only able to see the man’s back.

He couldn’t make out anything from the phone conversation, but the current Yun Xingcan strictly adhered to the rules Meng Chengxiao had established.

Don’t be curious about the boss’s affairs. Don’t ask questions.

Only after Meng Chengxiao watched a cigarette slowly burn out did he return to the room.

His body had grown chilly from the wind, and when he slipped under the covers and embraced Yun Xingcan, it sent a shiver through him.

Just as Meng Chengxiao was about to let go, Yun Xingcan turned over and actively snuggled into his embrace.

“Sleep.”

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