He buried his face in the crook of her neck, saying nothing. He didn’t sob aloud, yet the sound of faint sniffling reached her ears.
She felt the warmth of teardrops landing on her shoulder.
After a moment, when she was sure he wasn’t going to make any further movements, she relaxed slightly. She stretched her stiff arms and gently embraced him, offering more comfort and support.
This big star, despite often playing domineering CEOs on screen, was, in reality, sensitive and fragile.
In ensemble productions, he was probably terrified of being outshone by other actors. Losing face like that would be unbearable for him.
That’s probably why he was so resistant to the idea of others having more screen time than he did.
Thinking back to My Fair Princess, all the behind-the-scenes gossip about actors stealing scenes, demanding extra lines, or deliberately blocking others from the camera, it was clear that filming a drama was full of both open and hidden battles.
After a while, Chen Haoyu finally calmed down.
He pulled away from her embrace, turning his head away to avoid her gaze. Grabbing a bottle of water from the table, he gulped it down, after crying so much, he definitely needed to rehydrate.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to shake off his embarrassment. He straightened his back, attempting to restore his usual celebrity composure, acting as if nothing had happened.
But the moment he caught sight of her eyes, all his efforts crumbled.
“……” This is… too awkward!
How did he end up crying in front of her just now?
Could it be that an unfamiliar yet gentle presence had completely disarmed him?
“Haoyu… um, can I call you that?” Ju Li tilted her head slightly, asking carefully.
He avoided her round, bright eyes and nodded.
“Then, would you be willing to seriously listen to my thoughts?” Her voice was soft, coaxing him gently.
He nodded again.
“I’ve read the script for The White Fan Strategist. Compared to many idol dramas, your screen time as the lead may be slightly less, but your role is by no means overshadowed by any supporting character.” She raised an eyebrow, looking at him with serious conviction.
Chen Haoyu cleared his throat, grabbed a tissue to wipe his nose, and turned to face her properly, pretending nothing had happened.
“You mentioned that the male lead coughing up blood and appearing weak is an issue, but that’s actually the highlight of his character. If your character were a flawless warrior, a brilliant strategist, and the most capable man in the world, then even if he conquered the entire kingdom, no one would be surprised. That kind of predictable story lacks depth, and audiences would find it dull.” Her eyes locked onto his, her voice unwavering and confident.
“……”
Chen Haoyu stared at her, suddenly realising that this petite girl, sent by Boss Zhong to deliver a message, had a glow of her own.
A moment ago, he had been wallowing in guilt over using her as an emotional outlet. But now, he was too engrossed in her words to dwell on that.
“A character with a hidden illness, someone who appears frail yet possesses the power to shake the world, that’s what makes this drama so compelling and emotionally stirring,” Ju Li continued, her voice rising slightly with passion. “You have to showcase both his weaknesses and his strength in full force. Only through this contrast can his brilliance truly shine.”
“……”
He noticed how her eyes shimmered as she spoke, as if filled with tiny stars.
“And about the ensemble cast, Haoyu, the young emperor is a perfect CP pairing with you. Just like The Deer and the Cauldron, having another strong character is crucial. Supporting roles may be popular, but the dynamic between them and the protagonist creates a win-win situation.
“I think this is exactly when you should demonstrate absolute generosity and magnanimity. Later, you shouldn’t just cooperate with the promotion, you should actively praise your co-stars’ performances in interviews. That will elevate your industry status and prove your confidence and maturity.”
She took a deep breath, then pushed forward with her argument:
“The ministers, the villains, these characters shine when they stand against you. The stronger their performances, the more impressive your own character will seem. Only those who defeat true powerhouses can be considered the strongest, audiences aren’t stupid. They understand this principle.
“A truly exceptional production shouldn’t have one-dimensional supporting characters surrounding a single lead.”
“……”
Chen Haoyu listened, absorbed in her words.
Their roles had completely reversed, now, she was the star, and he was the humbled listener.
“The White Fan Strategist is exactly the transition piece you’ve been looking for, isn’t it? Creating a character with true depth doesn’t require endless screen time. If every supporting role in this drama is remarkable, wouldn’t that be a good thing? The combined fan bases will only make the show more popular.
“And isn’t that exactly what you need to prove yourself to the movie directors and producers you want to work with?”
She looked at him earnestly, focused solely on convincing him, completely unaware that, in his eyes, her once-ordinary features no longer seemed so plain.
“And besides, if this drama becomes a hit but you don’t end up being the most dazzling star in it, or if the drama flops altogether, wouldn’t that be the perfect time to reevaluate your career plans? To consider how to improve your acting? Or how to choose your future projects? Either way, you’d need to face these questions with more seriousness, wouldn’t you?”
She suddenly grabbed his wrist. “No matter what, isn’t it worth giving it a shot?”
Chen Haoyu felt the heat of her grip searing his skin. He turned his gaze away, looking out at the nighttime cityscape beyond the window. Pressing his lips together, he began to seriously contemplate her words.
The world around him quieted, and so did his heart.
A strange sense of clarity washed over him.
Perhaps, all this time, he had been too focused on his fears. He had been so preoccupied with hiding and disguising his emotions that he had never truly confronted what lay ahead.
But today, everything had spilled out. Even the things he didn’t want to admit had been spoken aloud. And now, unexpectedly, he felt… relieved.
The things he had dreaded facing suddenly didn’t seem so terrifying anymore.
Life was like this, moving forward step by step, with no way to escape. Even in the worst-case scenario, it wasn’t as catastrophic as he had made it out to be.
So why torment himself? Why let his desperation for success make him impatient, restless, and ultimately, stuck in place?
Should he give it a try?
To stand among others and finally see how he measured up in the industry?
If he succeeded, he could gain the confidence to pursue films and more complex roles, directly reaching out for collaboration.
If he failed, then he could learn. Or perhaps, start considering another path sooner rather than later.
Yes, success or failure, wasn’t it really that simple?
“Alright.” He turned back to Ju Li, the gloom on his face lifting. A small smile even broke through.
It turned out that when this man smiled from the heart, he looked so bright and pure.
Ju Li finally felt the weight in her heart settle.
“So… you’re not leaving the production tomorrow?” she asked.
“I’m staying.” He shook his head firmly.
“Then… should we unpack your luggage and put everything back where it was?” She pointed at the scattered suitcases on the floor.
“Let’s unpack!” He glanced at the neatly packed suitcases that his assistant had painstakingly arranged earlier that evening, then, without hesitation, agreed.
Ju Li finally smiled, stretching out her right hand. “Give me five!”
Smack! He slapped her palm with force, the crisp sound echoing in the room.
They exchanged a look and burst into laughter.
Then, suddenly, Chen Haoyu leaned in and hugged her again. This time, it wasn’t out of sadness or frustration, but out of relief and gratitude.
Before she could react, he quickly let go, grinning as he raised his hand. “Thank you. Oh, by the way, what’s your name again?”
“……”
Ju Li felt a headache forming.
After a whole night of crying, arguing, and hugging, he still didn’t know her name?!
“Ju Li. Ju as in ‘bow,’ and Li as in ‘courtesy.’ My name is Ju Li,” she said seriously.
“Chen Haoyu.” He extended his right hand toward her.
She glanced at his elegant fingers, smiled, and grasped his hand firmly.
The two of them shook hands up and down, almost like two kids mimicking how adults reconcile.
Awkwardness and unfamiliarity quietly faded away.
They agreed to head back and rest for now.
By morning, well, it was nearly 4 am. already, so dawn wasn’t far off.
Alright, 6 am, it was. At 6 am, they would go see Boss Zhong Liyan and update him on the latest progress of this whole ‘fiasco.’ With that, the matter would be settled.
Having finalised their next steps, both of them finally showed signs of exhaustion.
Ju Li had done most of the talking and was now completely drained.
Chen Haoyu, after all the crying and shouting, was even more spent.
After a quick goodbye, he turned and headed straight for his bedroom, collapsing onto the bed and falling asleep instantly.
Ju Li stepped out of his room. The hallway was silent, except for the occasional nighttime sounds that only made the stillness more pronounced.
She took a deep breath, dragging her tired body into the elevator and back to her room.
She didn’t even have the energy for a proper bath, just a quick rinse before she threw herself onto the bed.
Glancing at her phone screen, she saw the emergency dial set to 110, ready to be called.
She couldn’t help but chuckle weakly.
When he had suddenly hugged her and burst into tears earlier, she had nearly called the police.
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