Chapter 6: You Want Resources? I’ll Give Them to You

The next day, when Yun Xingcan woke up, the man was already gone from the bed.

His phone had a new text message from Meng Chengxiao.

“I’ve gone back first. Call me if you need anything.”

Yun Xingcan excitedly tossed and turned in bed. If not for worrying about the room’s poor soundproofing, he would have let out a ghostly cheer right then.

Today’s recording took place in a single room.

A large table was laden with various ingredients, with four stoves arranged side by side.

“Today is your chance to showcase your culinary skills. Having sampled many delicacies yesterday, you must now recreate your favorite dish.

Our professional masters will evaluate each creation, and whoever makes the most delicious dish will receive our prize a gold medal sponsored by Xinyikang High Quality Milk!”

“Wow!” All four contestants cheered genuinely.

“Director, let me ask is the gold real?”

The director was amused by Yun Xingcan’s question.

“Absolutely real.”

“Great! I’ll do my best!”

Yun Xingcan rolled up his sleeves, determined to win first place.

The two female contestants were also eager to compete.

Lin Ming approached Yun Xingcan and asked concernedly: “Starry Splendor, do you need my help? Are you sure you can manage alone?”

Yun Xingcan didn’t know what scheme Lin Ming was plotting this time and looked at him warily.

“I can handle it.”

“If you encounter any difficulties, you must tell me.”

“Mhm.”

Yun Xingcan nodded perfunctorily and began selecting ingredients for his dish.

He planned to make mapo tofu, which happened to be Meng Chengxiao’s favorite dish.

Having tasted the authentic version here, he could now refine his cooking skills.

Perhaps it was due to Yun Xingcan’s appearance, but even cooking seemed ethereal when he did it.

When focused, his brows would slightly furrow with serious concentration. When lowering his head in thought, he resembled a fairy from a painting.

Bai Zhenzhen had always maintained a boisterous, unrestrained persona.

But when she accidentally glimpsed Yun Xingcan, his beauty made her forget what she was doing.

Sun Ying followed her gaze and waved a hand before Bai Zhenzhen’s eyes.

“Snap out of it. Don’t fall for the opponent’s beauty trap.”

Bai Zhenzhen blushed unconsciously.

“Starry Splendor is just too beautiful almost genderless. I’ve never seen such features before.”

Hearing his name mentioned, Yun Xingcan looked toward the voice and surprisingly said:

“I’m not a rabbit, so why would anyone wonder ‘could I tell if it’s male or female’?”

Lin Ming had been watching since Bai Zhenzhen praised Yun Xingcan’s looks, his heart burning with jealousy.

He had to struggle desperately for resources he wanted, while Yun Xingcan could get everything just with his face.

Why!

“Starry Splendor, Zhenzhen wasn’t calling you a rabbit.” Lin Ming seemed to be helping Bai Zhenzhen save face.

Yun Xingcan wasn’t surprised at all. “I know, I was just recalling that line of poetry.”

“Ah, really? I overthought it then.”

Lin Ming forced a few awkward laughs and returned to cooking his own dish.

Aside from this minor incident, the four contestants chatted and laughed harmoniously, helping each other throughout.

There were no emergencies like someone cutting their finger and urgently needing bandages, or anyone blowing up the kitchen.

Among the four dishes, the first was Lin Ming’s twice cooked pork.

The second was Yun Xingcan’s mapo tofu.

The third was Sun Ying’s boiled pork slices.

The fourth was Bai Zhenzhen’s brown rice wine glutinous rice balls.

Each dish possessed its own complete presentation, aroma, and flavor.

The judge for their scores was a highly skilled Sichuan cuisine chef.

After tasting each dish one by one, the first place ultimately went to Lin Ming’s twice cooked pork.

Second place was Sun Ying’s boiled pork slices, third was Bai Zhenzhen, and last place went to Yun Xingcan.

At the end of the program recording, the Sichuan chef prepared one of his signature dishes.

After everyone had tasted it, they promoted Sichuan’s culture, tourism, and cuisine, completing the program recording.

If there was one thing Yun Xingcan gained the most from this variety show recording, it was mastering the essence of mapo tofu.

There’s always manipulation in shows where the rankings were predetermined from the start.

Yun Xingcan wasn’t surprised at all.

After returning, just as he arrived at his apartment, Meng Chengxiao also came back.

Following behind him was a woman, and Yun Xingcan cast a suspicious glance her way.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up because she was a famous director.

“President Meng! Director Lu!”

Lü Feifan, a renowned director, producer, and screenwriter, everyone in the industry considered it an honor to act in her productions.

Yun Xingcan never expected to meet her in person.

Meng Chengxiao sprawled casually on the sofa, brushing back his red hair.

“You said I wasn’t giving you resources? Well, I’ve brought them to you. Whether you succeed depends on your own ability.”

Yun Xingcan was momentarily stunned.

Having been in the entertainment industry for years, Lü Feifan’s first thought when Meng Chengxiao approached her about investing was that it was another case of capital pushing talent.

Unexpectedly, Meng Chengxiao turned out to be quite reasonable. Having known him for so long, this was the first time she’d seen him be so polite.

Upon seeing Yun Xingcan, Lü Feifan’s first impression was: this man is too beautiful no wonder Meng Chengxiao is copying others by keeping someone.

Her second thought: she hoped he wasn’t just a pretty face. If he had talent along with those looks, she’d be more than happy to have him in her drama.

“This is the role you’re auditioning for third male lead. Only this role is available. Any objections?”

Yun Xingcan respectfully accepted the script handed by Lü Feifan.

Though it was called a script, it was just a single page.

The content was simple:

You are a Taoist priest. Your mission is to capture ghosts. Right now, you’re communicating with a vengeful female ghost.

She is a pitiful ghost, but she isn’t innocent after becoming one.

Below were a few lines of dialogue.

“I’ll give you one hour. Perform this scene for me.”

Lü Feifan sat on the single sofa beside Meng Chengxiao, picking up a cup of coffee and taking a sip.

Noticing Yun Xingcan hadn’t moved, she shot him at a sharp glance.

“Any other questions?”

Yun Xingcan shook his head and went aside to study the material.

Though the content was brief, it tested acting skills to the extreme.

This was a dialogue scene with a female ghost no exaggerated emotions or physical movements required.

The biggest challenge would likely lie in facial expressions.

An hour later, Yun Xingcan returned punctually before Lü Feifan.

“I’m ready to begin.”

“Start your performance.”

The moment Lü Feifan spoke, she immediately witnessed Yun Xingcan’s transformation from inside out, from posture to expression, he became a completely different person.

“You have your reasons?” Yun Xingcan extended one hand, mimicking raising a peachwood sword from the script. “Your circumstances are no excuse for harming others.”

His gaze sharpened, staring into emptiness with the cold detachment of someone facing supernatural beings.

As Meng Chengxiao monotonously recited the female ghost’s lines beside him, Yun Xingcan’s expression gradually softened from cold sternness.

Gentleness was interwoven with a trace of sympathy unique to humans’ sympathy that carried the resolve to rid the people of harm and the compassion to help the female ghost.

In just a few lines of dialogue, Lü Feifan could see Yun Xingcan’s interpretation and understanding of the role from his unconsciously lowered hand, his tightly pressed and slightly trembling lips, and the pity in his eyes.

“Cut.”

Lü Feifan interrupted Yun Xingcan. The next moment, Yun Xingcan returned to his usual cool and detached expression, nervously looking at Lü Feifan.

“Not bad. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

Lü Feifan stood up and left. Just before stepping out the door, he turned back to look at Yun Xingcan.

“You’re very good looking that’s your advantage. Being able to understand a character in such a short time shows you’re talented.”

Yun Xingcan was taken aback for a moment, then quickly thanked him.

After seeing Lü Feifan off, Yun Xingcan walked back inside. Meng Chengxiao was still lounging lazily on the sofa.

“You acted really well.”

Yun Xingcan scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. “There were still some flaws.”

Meng Chengxiao pulled Yun Xingcan into his arms and held him.

Despite Yun Xingcan’s tall stature, he felt frighteningly thin when held.

“You should eat more.”

“It won’t look good on camera.”

“You’re already almost as ethereal as a celestial being descending to earth. A little more weight would look even better.”

Yun Xingcan blushed easily when teased by Meng Chengxiao, and Meng Chengxiao loved his shyness.

“Why are you so sweet tongued today?”

“What? Do you prefer me to be rougher now?”

Yun Xingcan couldn’t help but roll his eyes, which in Meng Chengxiao’s eyes looked like little hooks, tantalizing and irresistible.

“After this filming wraps up, I’ll invite Zhang Zong to give you one on one coaching for a while.”

Yun Xingcan was startled, his face lighting up with delight. “Really!”

Zhang Zong was considered top tier in their industry. Back in college, Yun Xingcan had been fortunate enough to attend two of Zhang Zong’s classes, where even a small piece of guidance had been enlightening.

“Yes, really.”

“But how are you so sure Lü Feifan will choose me?”

“Because of your ability.”

Yun Xingcan chuckled happily, humming with pride.

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