Chapter 27: Wrap Day

Time flew by rapidly.

After shifting through several outdoor locations, the filming of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer was nearing its end.

【Li Luo】

【Constitution: 67】

【Charisma: 70】

【Performance: Beginner, Experience 155/1000】

【Physique: Beginner, Experience 32/1000】

【Dialogue: Beginner, Experience 46/1000】

【Mastered Skills:】

【Long Fist (Beginner) Seven Stars Sword Art (Proficient)】

After a wild night at the nightclub, his Physique and Dialogue both reached Beginner level, and with the experience he’d gained from Xu Qing during this time, his personal panel underwent a dramatic transformation.

His sword techniques grew increasingly refined.

Sometimes, Yuan Bin even pulled him in to help design the choreography.

With all attributes now at Beginner level, his understanding of acting deepened significantly, allowing Li Luo to portray Lin Pingzhi with far greater ease.

His progress was astonishing.

If it weren’t so unrealistic, Zhang Zhong would have wanted to reshoot all his scenes.

After a cast party, each actor’s scenes were gradually wrapped, and the once-bustling set slowly grew quiet.

In the makeup room.

The bald head kept shaking, its frequency increasing.

With a muffled groan.

The bald head was pressed down hard, unable to struggle free.

Only after more than ten seconds was it released; Chen Lifeng grabbed several tissues but could not vomit anything, glaring fiercely at Li Luo: “You bastard, you trying to choke me to death?”

“Leaving tonight?”

Li Luo handed her a bottle of mineral water, gazing at the disheveled novice nun with reluctant fondness.

“Mm.”

She gulped down a large mouthful of water, then adjusted her robes and scratched her smooth scalp: “My next drama’s already lined up—I need to rush to Hengdian to join the set.”

That’s the daily life of a young actor.

Unlike big stars, they don’t have scripts lining up at their door.

If there’s work, you take it.

Without enough capital, you can’t afford to rest on your own terms.

“What about you?”

Chen Lifeng turned back, clinging to Li Luo with a sour tone: “You don’t have to worry—your dry sister’s already found you work, right?”

It wasn’t that she’d discovered anything.

Though she knew they were merely fleeting acquaintances, seeing Li Luo laugh and chat with Xu Qing on set still made her jealous.

Li Luo smiled and shook his head, quickly offering reassurances.

A film set is a chapter of life.

After filming Yilin’s final scene, when he brought her flowers, Chen Lifeng was already in tears—after months of daily togetherness, deep bonds had formed.

Veteran actors might take it in stride, but young actors always burst into emotion.

After the farewell dinner.

Chen Lifeng swept her sleeve, leaving not a trace of cloud.

Just as when they first met.

She appeared suddenly, and departed just as abruptly.

Li Luo had no time to linger.

Just a few days later, his own wrap day arrived.

Inside the forest.

With the wire harness propelling him, he leapt into the air, slashing his long sword forward with a whistle; powder burst outward, and the prop crew yanked hard on the pre-cut tree, causing it to snap cleanly.

It looked as if cleaved by sword qi.

The spectacle was breathtaking!

Turning back to land, Li Luo rested the long sword on his arm, smiled faintly at the camera, then drew his gaze away with a hint of seduction.

Long hair brushed across his face.

Giving the impression of a lute half-hidden behind a veil.

“Good.”

Watching Li Luo on the monitor, radiating unmistakable femininity, Zhang Zhong stood up satisfied, clapping lightly: “Perfect—this take passes!”

Just as he sheathed the long sword.

Crew members surged forward, led by Xu Qing.

The Beijing girl held a large bouquet of flowers, but her smile, with two dimples, was even more radiant: “Little Luo, congratulations on your first wrap.”

“Thank you, Sister Qing.”

Li Luo took the bouquet, laughing as he pulled it close to his chest.

Xu Qing hugged him tightly, her face glowing with happiness—this was one of the rare moments they could embrace openly.

“Brother Luo, congrats!”

Du Yun shoved Lin Can aside and wrapped his arms around Li Luo second.

Xu Qing was the fantasy of many men on set—dreaming of touching her was impossible, but being the second to hug her after her felt like half a dream fulfilled.

Breathing in the lingering perfume, Du Yun looked utterly blissful.

Behind him, Lin Can scowled.

If Li Luo knew these two were hugging him as if he were Xu Qing, he’d beat them senseless.

Congratulations poured in endlessly.

Some were sincere; others just came to join the crowd for Xu Qing’s sake.

Li Erpeng was one such case.

Since Li Luo had politely yielded at the drinking party, his hostility had faded, but their relationship was far from close—anyone could see this version of Lin Pingzhi would be incredibly eye-catching.

As his first time as the male lead in a wuxia drama, Li Erpeng’s sense of threat was natural.

But that didn’t mean Li Luo had to chase after him with a warm face.

They shook hands, coldly and briefly.

Both wore false smiles.

After receiving all the congratulations, Li Luo found Zhang Zhong to thank him personally—he was the bearded man who’d given him his first substantial role, his true mentor.

After finishing all this, Li Luo reluctantly took off his costume.

Then removed the wig.

Looking at the bustling set, he felt a quiet emptiness.

He didn’t know when he’d film again.

After the wrap dinner, he packed his clothes and officially left the set; after bidding farewell to the stunt team, he hailed a taxi straight to the hotel where Xu Qing was staying.

“Dong!”

【Bank of Agriculture】Your account 9527 received a deposit of RMB 13,950. Balance: RMB 23,950.

Looking at the text message on his phone.

Li Luo, lying in the bathtub, sipped a mouthful of red wine, closing his eyes in bliss.

No wonder it was a big production—the pay was generous.

His total salary was 46,500 yuan; he sent over 20,000 back home to his family. Though there were transfer fees, he didn’t mind the cost—what mattered was putting his family at ease.

With no major expenses now, it was necessary to improve their financial situation.

In truth, this lump sum wouldn’t last long; though a few months here equaled years of normal work, the taxes were steep.

But that was only fair—nothing to complain about.

Still, next time:

He’d need to set up a studio.

Pay what must be paid, avoid what can be avoided—dirty tricks were off-limits, or he’d suffer later; but legal, reasonable, and legitimate ways to save money? He had no objection—honestly, it could save him a fortune.

“Hua!”

Just as he put down his phone, the submerged figure shot up.

Spraying water everywhere.

“Huh~”

Xu Qing gasped for air, her wet hair hanging before her, concealing soft, smooth curves; black and white interwoven, rising and falling, delivering a powerful visual impact.

Her finger curled, gently tracing her red lips.

She glanced his way again, teasingly, as if begging for praise.

“Your breath-holding skills are impressive.”

Li Luo smiled, set down his wineglass, pushed through the water toward her—he wouldn’t see her for a while, so before heading home, he’d thoroughly till the field!