Chapter 17: The Male Supporting Role in the Entertainment Industry

Shen Ai looked at Zhou Zhiyu, whose features were as delicate and beautiful as jade. They were completely different from her own—hers were far less bold and striking—and she had naively hoped that such an appearance might spare her from more trouble.

Zhou Zhiyu patted her arm consolingly. "I believe Director Shen isn't that kind of person. Why don't you talk to him? Just say you want to discuss your character and probe around a bit?"

Shen Ai nodded, considering the possibility.

However, during class that day, the instructor's pointed attention toward Deng Ranfei sparked even more rumors, causing the hope Shen Ai had just kindled to extinguish once again.

During the lunch break, Shen Ai went to the restroom and overheard crew members discussing the situation. Not seeing her, they spoke frankly about their pity for her, while speculating whether she, too, had used such "unspoken rules" to get in, only to be replaced because Deng Ranfei had stronger backing.

Listening to the gossip, she realized for the first time that her role had been a firm decision by Shen Ancheng himself; the producer had even opposed it.

Shen Ai was indeed not very social, and being poorly informed, she had never heard any of this.

"I guess it's just a case of the new replacing the old. You think Director Shen got tired of Shen Ai?"

"She's so beautiful, how could he get tired of her so soon?"

"How do you know how long it's been? Maybe they were already involved, and she rode his coattails to get on the set. It's just that Deng Ranfei played a better game, sending a beauty to ruin their relationship."

Those people giggled as they gossiped. Shen Ai’s hands, hanging at her sides, curled into fists, tightening until her knuckles turned white.

Shen Ancheng had been away for a trip. He had heard about a team using a new technique for explosion scenes that produced exceptional results. After watching the footage, he was intrigued and had reached out through contacts to see if he could bring the technology into his own film.

That’s how this circle worked: today you ask someone to introduce you to me, tomorrow I ask someone to introduce me to him. Networking was paramount.

He spent the whole day discussing technology over meals and even joined a bathhouse with the middleman. By the time he finished socializing and returned to the crew's hotel, it was the middle of the night.

Shen Ancheng felt congested, likely a cold from drinking too late the night before and the harsh air conditioning. The bath had not helped; in fact, he felt worse afterward.

His assistant sent him back to his room and touched his forehead to confirm he was indeed running a fever. He rushed downstairs to get medicine. "Director Shen, please wait for me in the room. There’s a pharmacy downstairs. I’ll go buy some cold medicine, and you can take it before you rest."

Shen Ancheng sat on the sofa, clutching his forehead. "Sorry for the trouble."

The assistant locked the door behind him. Time passed, and then the doorbell rang.

Shen Ancheng sniffed, his nose still blocked. He breathed through his mouth, feeling the heat of his own breath. Lazily, he stood up and opened the door without thinking.

"Director Shen..." A soft, gentle voice. It wasn't his six-foot-tall assistant.

Shen Ancheng opened the door slightly, using the light from the room to look at the visitor.

Long, wavy hair obscured half of her face, leaving only a delicate chin visible amidst the dark tresses. A large, oversized coat was draped over her shoulders. Directly in front of him, he could see her black, strapless dress, the skin beneath her elegant neck as smooth as white jade, her waist slender enough to be encircled by one hand.

The length of the coat was just right, ending at the hem of her short skirt, revealing a pair of long, straight legs that glimmered like jade in the light, creating the illusion of nothing worn underneath.

Shen Ancheng squinted, staring steadily at the person who had come knocking in such a state in the middle of the night.

The visitor, receiving no reaction, began to feel uneasy and slowly looked up.

"Shen Ai," Shen Ancheng calmly called her name.

Shen Ai’s eyelashes fluttered. She gave a low "Mmh," struggling to soften her voice. "Director, I have... a question to ask you..."

Shen Ancheng let out an ambiguous laugh and pulled the door open to let her in.

Shen Ai shuffled inside. Shen Ancheng slammed the door shut; the sound made her flinch.

Shen Ancheng’s gaze grew increasingly meaningful. He leaned back against the entryway wall, crossing his arms as he appraised her. "What question?"

Shen Ai had been hunched over, her head lowered. Hearing his voice, she suddenly straightened up and took a step toward him.

"Director Shen!" She reached out to grab his wrist. Her oversized coat slid off her shoulders, fully exposing her delicate figure to Shen Ancheng’s eyes.

Shen Ancheng’s gaze deepened as he stared at her.

Shen Ai’s heart hammered like a drum. She opened her mouth, but her voice was trembling too much to speak. After five or six seconds, under his unwavering gaze, a surge of defiance suddenly flared up within her. Her back straightened, her heart stopped racing, and her voice steadied.

She raised her voice to Shen Ancheng. "Director Shen, you chose me because I’m suitable for the role of Zhou Wenjing, right? I love this character too! You need a female companion, and I can do that. I’m prettier than her, taller than her, and I have a better figure than her. I can satisfy your personal needs without it affecting the filming. If you choose me, I promise I won’t let you down!"

Shen Ancheng’s mouth fell open slightly as he looked in astonishment at the bold, spirited girl demanding to be "kept."

Shen Ai didn’t pause for breath. After finishing, she stared at him with burning intensity. Seeing his expression shift from appraisal to shock, and noticing he hadn't responded for quite some time, her suppressed shame suddenly came rushing back.

Her face burned, but she couldn’t back down. She maintained a fierce, courageous expression, looking as if she were ready to face a firing squad if it meant changing her clothes.

Shen Ancheng burst into a sudden, stifled laugh.

He was suffering from a cold, and his voice was becoming increasingly hoarse. He laughed as he asked in a low, raspy tone, "Shen Ai, do you know how to seduce a man?"

Shen Ai froze, not understanding what he meant.

Shen Ancheng didn't pull away his left hand, which she was gripping tighter and tighter until it grew damp. Instead, he reached out with his right hand and slowly brushed her long, wavy hair behind her back. The ends of her hair swept across her bare shoulders, a slight tickle that made Shen Ai subconsciously flinch.

A scorching hot hand rested on the back of her bare neck, his palm cupping her slender nape, his thumb gently caressing her earlobe.

Shen Ancheng applied a slight pressure, pulling her half an inch closer.

Shen Ai’s heart rate spiraled out of control. She stared at him blankly; the hand that was meant to be seductive now served as a support to keep distance between them.

Shen Ancheng looked down at the panicked girl, his lips curling slightly as he whispered her name: "Shen Ai..."

Shen Ai was crimson, the redness spreading to her collarbone, her eyes clouded with an unmistakable panic.

Shen Ancheng slowly leaned down, his lips near her ear. His scorching breath made Shen Ai too terrified to move.

"I just realized that your long, wavy hair is very inappropriate. Cut it off tomorrow. Ask the crew’s makeup artist to cut it. My film doesn't need wigs."

Shen Ai, whose legs were turning to jelly, replied, "…?"

"Knock, knock—" Someone was at the door.

"Director Shen, open the door. I’ve bought the medicine."

The color drained from Shen Ai’s flushed cheeks. She stared at the door in panic, then back at Shen Ancheng.

Shen Ancheng released her and leaned back against the wall, exhaling. He raised his voice: "Just leave it outside the door. I’ll get it after I wash my face. It’s too late now; go back and rest early. You can come in a bit later tomorrow morning."

"Alright, Director Shen. I’ll hang it on the doorknob. Make sure to take the medicine before you sleep."

The voice outside