Chapter 50: Rejoining the Set

Loud laughter echoed continuously in the office.

“Li Luo, Li Luo.”

Huo Xuan wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes and shook his head, smiling: “After all these years, you’re the first person to ask me how much my goodwill is worth—how could a mere mortal like me possibly know?”

“But if you’re asking about class funds—”

He lifted his teacup and blew on the floating foam: “Depends on the size of the role you’ve taken—could be dozens, hundreds, or even two or three thousand.”

That amount.

Made Li Luo raise his eyebrows.

You’re the male lead—how could the role be small?

Spending several thousand yuan stung a bit, but consider it money well spent for a good reputation.

After taking leave, there was still some time before the next class.

Li Luo drove straight to the bank, withdrew four thousand yuan, circled around for a while, then rushed back to school before class, carrying two large bags.

First, he carried one bag of tea around to each teacher’s office.

Despite being repeatedly refused.

He still dropped the gifts and ran off, leaving Huo Xuan both amused and exasperated.

When he returned to the classroom with the remaining bag, cheers erupted, and someone even blew a loud whistle.

“Ooo~~~”

“Brother Luo lives!”

“Perfect! Thank you, Brother Luo!”

Everyone beamed at the Starbucks bags in his hands.

“Don’t rush,” Li Luo said cheerfully, placing the large bag of coffee on the desk in the front row under the gaze of the entire class: “I bought enough—everyone gets one!”

Those final words calmed the students’ excitement.

Nobody was short of a cup of coffee.

But among classmates, some things taste better when you fight over them.

“Here’s the thing.”

Looking at the familiar faces, Li Luo tapped the desk: “You all know I’ve taken a role—I’m heading to set in the next couple of days, so I’m here to say goodbye.”

At those words, the entire classroom fell completely silent.

After all, it was a small class.

Few people.

The material we studied was unusual—we laughed and cried together.

We all got along well, so hearing Li Luo was leaving stirred mixed feelings.

Envy, like Wang Luodan.

Wondering when they’d ever reach that point themselves.

Reluctance, like Bian Xiaoxiao.

She’d enjoyed their private interactions—now that he was leaving, she didn’t know when she’d see him again.

Complexity, like Huang Sheng.

Since that flamboyant figure had pierced her heart last time, her attitude had subtly shifted—sometimes she’d just ignore his soft rebuffs, leaving Li Luo embarrassed and awkward.

She’d hoped this semester would bring more chances to interact.

Now he was leaving suddenly.

“I won’t say much more.”

Li Luo pulled out a thick envelope from his pocket and handed it smiling to the class monitor: “Three thousand yuan—I’m sponsoring the class fund. Eat, drink, karaoke—spend it however you like!”

“That’s it.”

When real money came out, no one teased.

After all, it wasn’t coffee or drinks.

When money was involved, most students still felt shy—they weren’t hardened yet, and this gesture stirred ripples across the class.

Li Luo had never revealed how much he earned playing Zhang Wuji.

But judging by this—

It must be a lot!

They began imagining their own futures, longing for the day they’d achieve fame and success.

“Wishing you smooth filming.”

The class monitor took the envelope and hugged Li Luo tightly.

Others surged forward, shaking his hand or embracing him—he couldn’t keep up.

“When you have time—”

Jia Nailiang gripped Li Luo’s hand firmly, his face full of envy:

“We’ll come visit you on set.”

“Sure~”

Li Luo smiled and patted his shoulder: “Always welcome—just send me a text ahead of time.”

What you learn from books is shallow.

Visiting a set to observe filming firsthand is something they all must do.

Bian Xiaoxiao seized this legitimate chance to hug him tightly, saying with double meaning: “Don’t forget your classmates—come back often when you can.”

This woman had gotten hooked!

The filming location was just outside Jingcheng—she just wouldn’t see him in class. She could easily fulfill this small wish.

He turned to the next person.

Li Luo extended his hand with a faint smile.

If it came to ambition, this one surpassed even the rest—and in the end, she’d gotten what she wanted. Human nature is selfish; she simply chose what benefited her most.

As long as they didn’t bother him, they were just ordinary classmates.

“What’s wrong?”

Huang Sheng opened her arms wide, tilting her head: “Don’t I deserve a hug?”

The woman had bright eyes and white teeth—her smile was like spring wind.

“Of course not.”

Li Luo shrugged and reached out loosely.

Unexpectedly, Huang Sheng gripped him tightly, whispering low: “It’s a little sad not seeing your annoying face around campus anymore.”

“Still, I wish you success with your new drama.”

With that, Huang Sheng slipped away into the crowd.

Leaving Li Luo standing there bewildered.

After a while longer, he gathered his things and walked out the bright classroom door under everyone’s gaze.

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

Li Luo yawned as he stepped out of the apartment building.

He greeted an old man walking his dog, downed a full stomach of soy milk and fried dough sticks at a breakfast stall, then slowly drove his Mercedes G-Class toward Huairou.

Filming locations in China aren’t just Hengdian and Water Margin City.

There are film bases around Jingcheng too.

The Feiteng Film Base in Yangsong Town, HR District, is one of them—and it’s the primary filming location for this adaptation of The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.

According to the schedule,

The entire drama’s filming will take place around Jingcheng—even the outdoor scenes.

The drama involves a large cast.

Just the actor salaries are a huge expense; two million yuan sounds like a lot, but big scenes can cost the crew over a hundred thousand yuan per day—you have to be frugal.

Few productions would dare to do what Zhang Da Hu Zi does—scouting real locations everywhere.

Over an hour later, daylight fully broke.

Li Luo pulled up steadily beside the hotel—the opening ceremony would be held at the Feiteng Film Base, and the hotel right ahead was part of it.

Today’s two tasks: the opening ceremony and the opening banquet.

Key cast members will appear on camera in costume for the media; those with availability will start filming immediately, while others without schedules will give interviews and then return to their other commitments.

He pressed the correct floor button, and the elevator doors slowly closed.

“Wait a moment.”

Just as the doors were about to shut, a slightly urgent voice sounded outside.

Li Luo had to press the button again.

“Thank you.”

Two people stepped in—the first was tall and powerfully built, even taller than Li Luo, radiating strong presence.

Wearing a stylish checkered artist’s cap and large sunglasses.

Seemed socially anxious.

After entering, he silently moved to the corner.

The other person glanced at the control panel, then stood in the center of the elevator.

Li Luo glanced sideways and his eyes lit up.

Isn’t this the founder of free-riding?

“Ximen.” He nearly blurted it out, then happily extended his hand: “Aren’t you Teacher Xu? Hello, hello—I’m your loyal fan!”

How could I not be loyal? I’ve watched those classic films over and over again.

His epic barrel battle with Ye Zimei left Li Luo in awe; in his view, the artistic mastery was as high as a three- or four-story building.

Then, alongside Li Yuehua, he performed a breathtaking feat of flying and diving, light as a dragonfly skimming water, an invincible whirlwind of fire and wind, and a subterranean dragon that left viewers stunned, their admiration flowing endlessly like water rushing eastward.