Chapter 17

After the opening ceremony, the crime investigation drama "Book of Requiem" officially entered its filming phase.

Considering both He Ransheng and Qi Linyuan were newcomers, Director Zhang Qingke hadn't scheduled any scenes for them in the first three days. Qi Linyuan understood the crew's intentions as soon as he saw the shooting schedule, so after the opening ceremony ended, he followed the main group to the set.

Zhang Qingke asked the props team to make some adjustments, preparing to start shooting. In a glance, he saw Qi Linyuan quietly sitting on a small stool in a spot where he wouldn't disturb anyone yet had the best view, feeling very satisfied. However, as he looked around and couldn't find He Ransheng, a sense of foreboding struck him. "Where's He Ransheng?"

The crew exchanged glances, and after a moment, a stagehand raised his hand and whispered, "I saw him leave by car. He... probably went... home..."

His voice grew softer, but it was loud enough for Zhang Qingke to hear clearly. His expression darkened instantly, and he turned to the assistant director, saying, "Tell him to get back here. If I don't see him in half an hour, he won't need to be seen again!"

With that, Zhang Qingke stormed off, leaving the assistant director to check his phone, glance at Qi Linyuan who was looking over in confusion, and knock his own head with his phone.

Both are newcomers, why can't they be equally easy to manage?

Qi Linyuan didn't know what had happened; he just sensed the atmosphere in the crew suddenly tense. He was curious, but seeing everyone busy, he suppressed his curiosity and resumed his quiet observation.

Twenty minutes later, He Ransheng rushed back, only to be berated fiercely by Zhang Qingke. Only then did Qi Linyuan realize what had happened.

He sighed inwardly, thinking He Ransheng was the perfect example of someone both incompetent and unmotivated. Poor Director Zhang, no wonder he was on edge. After his silent lament, Qi Linyuan refocused on observing the seasoned actors preparing for their scenes.

Just as he had judged before accepting the role, everyone in this crew was reliable, except for He Ransheng. Even the veterans with only a few scenes approached their roles with earnestness.

Watching them, Qi Linyuan felt himself gradually regaining the composure of his previous life. The restless pride he'd gained from the praise and attention of "The Most Outstanding Actor" settled once more.

He pondered seriously over the scenes announced by Zhang Qingke, reviewing his own preparations in his mind, when suddenly someone stood before him, blocking his view.

A question mark popped up in Qi Linyuan’s mind.

He looked up, intending to ask, "Excuse me, could you step aside?" But as soon as he saw it was He Ransheng, he realized: no point wasting time, better move himself!

He had just picked up his stool to change spots when He Ransheng again blocked his view, increasing the number of question marks in Qi Linyuan's mind.

Was this elementary school behavior?

"Are you satisfied now? Showing off your obedience in front of Director Zhang, making me get scolded," He Ransheng gritted out.

Qi Linyuan was speechless. "You're really overthinking it. I honestly didn't even notice where you went or what you were doing."

Not everyone is like you—disinterested in their own scenes and constantly suspicious of others targeting them.

Qi Linyuan kept this sharper retort to himself, unwilling to escalate the conflict.

---

Although Qi Linyuan had no intention of intensifying the conflict, He Ransheng did. He looked down at Qi Linyuan sitting on the stool, sneered, and said, "Why don't you watch from somewhere else? I think this spot is great. By the way, I don't have a stool. This one should be mine—you go find another."

Qi Linyuan had truly never encountered someone so inexplicably difficult. But considering He Ransheng believed casting him as the second male lead was some form of oppression, it actually fit He Ransheng's logic.

Unwilling to waste time, Qi Linyuan was about to stand up when a young stagehand hurried over, breathless, carrying a new stool. "Mr. He, do you need a stool? I found one for you."

At the stagehand's words, both men paused.

He Ransheng glared fiercely at him, snapping, "Useless thing," startling the stagehand into silence.

Qi Linyuan, having spent years at the bottom of crews in his past life, had heard that insult many times. Now, hearing He Ransheng berate someone who had done nothing wrong, he couldn't help but laugh in disbelief. "Mr. He, have you finished reading your script? Memorized your lines? Surely you don't expect filming a drama to be like recording a variety show, with three days to prepare for a five-minute segment?"

Qi Linyuan's tone was calm, with a subtle sarcasm. "Rather than spending time bullying others, you'd be better off honing your acting skills. Otherwise, if you keep needing retakes, you'll slow down the crew. Don't you think?"

After his retort, Qi Linyuan took advantage of He Ransheng's stunned silence to call the stagehand to follow him.

This time, he chose a seat near Zhang Qingke, took the stool, and sincerely apologized to the stagehand. "Sorry our conflict dragged you into it. Next time you see us arguing, stay away—don't let yourself get caught in the crossfire."

Qi Linyuan sat back down as if nothing had happened, waving goodbye with a smile. Once the stagehand left, he sighed mournfully. This grudge was intensifying... He suspected he might be assassinated by He Ransheng one day...

...

For the next two days, Qi Linyuan dutifully reported to a spot near Zhang Qingke with his stool.

He never mentioned He Ransheng's behavior to anyone, appearing meek, as if his earlier retort had left him fearful—a demeanor that gave He Ransheng a strange sense of satisfaction amid his frustration.

Qi Linyuan noticed He Ransheng had temporarily stopped picking fights, and breathed a little easier.

It wasn't that he feared He Ransheng, but he genuinely liked this crew and didn't want to be kicked out halfway.

Simply rewriting the script had already been rejected by the crew, but if He Ransheng caused trouble and Qi Linyuan fought back, disrupting progress, the losses would be immense—far greater than paying his own breach of contract fee. Even if He Ransheng was at fault, if he couldn't be replaced, Qi Linyuan would be the one to go.

His plan was to delay being targeted as long as possible; the longer he stayed, the harder it would be to replace him, until it became impossible.

Luckily, He Ransheng's mind was simple—he hadn't thought of this approach. Qi Linyuan mused to himself.

Three days passed in a blink. Zhang Qingke felt he'd given them enough preparation time, and their names finally appeared on the schedule.

This was a scene featuring the male lead, female lead, and second male lead. The second male lead, holding roses and dressed in a shirt and trousers with polished shoes, walked into the police station.

"Is Officer Wang Wei here?" Qiao Mingyue asked gracefully.

The other officers were stunned, and Wang Wei, just out of the interrogation room, was equally bewildered. Qiao Mingyue, seemingly oblivious, walked up to Wang Wei and handed her the large bouquet of roses.

"Officer Wang Wei, these are for you. Thank you for saving me from the criminal that day."

Wang Wei intended to refuse, but after his explanation, she hesitated and accepted the roses. "Uh...it's our duty. Letting the suspect escape was our mistake."

---

Qiao Mingyue shook his head. "How could it be? Accidents happen in everything, including apprehending criminals."

With the victim's understanding, Wang Wei relaxed. "Thank you for understanding."

Qiao Mingyue continued, "To thank you, are you free tonight? I'd like to buy you dinner..."

"She doesn't have time!" Xu Chong emerged from the interrogation room, seeing Qiao Mingyue standing before Wang Wei with a bouquet in her arms. He rushed over, hostility evident, and snapped, "Who are you? Is a police station a place you can just walk into?"

Qiao Mingyue smiled perfectly. "Officer Wang Wei, I thought a police officer who let a suspect escape, nearly causing innocent civilians harm, even if things turned out okay, should treat those civilians with a little more kindness..."

Wang Wei shot Xu Chong an annoyed look, then smiled at Qiao Mingyue. "You're right. I'll educate him shortly."

"And about dinner..."

"Ah!" Wang Wei suddenly remembered something. "Xu Chong, did you finish the documents I asked you to organize? They're needed tomorrow! Sorry, sir..."

"My surname is Qiao, Mingyue. Please call me by my name!"

Wang Wei pretended not to notice the last part. "Sorry, Mr. Qiao, I'm afraid I don't have time. Besides, as police officers, protecting the public is our duty. We really can't accept your thanks."

Qiao Mingyue could only nod regretfully. "Alright, maybe next time..."

Wang Wei wanted to repeat her point, but Qiao Mingyue had already left.

She couldn't chase after him, so she looked around at her colleagues watching the scene and managed to disperse their attention before meeting Xu Chong's gaze. "Don't tell me you thought I was lying just now? The documents!"

Xu Chong had plenty to say, but seeing Wang Wei's stern expression, he could only pout and return to his desk.

Mr. Qiao—just another playboy, really insufferable...

"Cut!" Zhang Qingke hadn't called for a stop until the entire segment was performed, then finally shouted, "Cut!"

Qi Linyuan saw He Ransheng looking smug, convinced he was a natural talent for passing his first scene in one take, and silently lit a candle for him in his heart.

He Ransheng's outburst—"She doesn't have time!"—had stunned him on the spot, nearly making him forget his next move.

Yao Yunshi also froze; Qi Linyuan clearly saw her expression stiffen for a moment.

Qi Linyuan thought Zhang Qingke would immediately call "Cut," but the director said nothing, so he quickly recovered and continued with the next line.

He was both lucky and unlucky: lucky that He Ransheng had another line after "She doesn't have time," unlucky that he added yet another, almost derailing Qi Linyuan's thoughts again.

Still, Qi Linyuan's experience allowed him to stay composed. Once his lines were done, the rest was mainly an exchange with Yao Yunshi, so they both slipped back into character.

Qi Linyuan felt that, as a newcomer, his performance wouldn't warrant criticism. The main issue was He Ransheng. Sure enough, Zhang Qingke approached, took a deep breath, as if restraining his temper for the sake of the new actor's confidence.

He tried to hold back, but ultimately couldn't, and shouted at He Ransheng, "Have you read the script? You're playing a rookie cop! Rookie! Cop! You're not in a romantic relationship with Wang Wei! What are you playing at? A jealous rich boy?!"