Chapter 160

"Cut!"

With Li Guoli's shout, the entire Xianjian Qixia Zhuan Yi crew erupted into applause.

All scenes for Xianjian Qixia Zhuan Yi have been completed!

Every actor present was handed a bouquet by the director.

"Everyone, please attend the wrap party in two days."

"If you can reach any other actors who've already finished their scenes, invite them back too—thanks, everyone!"

Director Li Guoli said with a smile.

Perhaps because they were about to part ways, the actors, who privately called this director "the set tyrant," suddenly found him kind of cute.

The actors now gathered courage to approach the director for photos.

Li Guoli happily accepted every request, even proactively inviting actors to take pictures with him.

"Xiaoyao Gege, can we take a photo together?"

Liu Tianxian saw Cheng Chen surrounded by a steady stream of people asking for photos.

Only after everyone had left did she walk over to Cheng Chen's side and smile.

After finishing Liu Heavenly King's Shancheng concert, Cheng Chen flew straight to Hengdian to finish his remaining scenes.

Today was his final scene in Xianjian Qixia Zhuan Yi.

"Sure, let me hold your flowers for you."

Cheng Chen took the bouquet from Liu Tianxian's hands, and both smiled at the camera.

Liu Tianxian made a peace sign with her hand, tilting her body slightly toward Cheng Chen.

Cheng Chen had one hand in his pocket and held the bouquet with the other.

From their faces alone, the boy looked dashing and carefree, the girl beautiful and elegant—truly a Jin Tong Yu Nu pair.

The camera clicked, freezing their smiles in June 2004…

"Nizi, what are your plans after this?"

After the photo, Cheng Chen asked Liu Tianxian, whose features were delicate and luminous.

"Hmm… in a few days I'm going to audition for Ji Zhong's directorial project, Tianlong Babu."

After that… my first leading film is about to be released.

I'll be busy with the film's roadshow… oh, Xiaoyao Gege, you've got to come watch it—I'm treating you!"

Liu Tianxian said with a grin.

Mentioning her first film, the girl grew excited.

After all, as a minor still, landing the female lead in a major-screen film was an achievement many would boast about.

"Oh, is that the one called May Love?"

Cheng Chen remembered this film, mainly because it wasn't just Liu Tianxian's first big-screen role.

It was also her first time trying a modern outfit—she played Zhao Xuan, a lively, bold, cheerful Peking Opera student.

How to describe this film? Aside from Liu Tianxian's stunning modern look, everything else was average.

And from the title alone, you know it's a fan-service movie—May Day…

"Alright, got it. You're amazing, Little Tianxian—already a film lead!"

"My first movie was still just a supporting role!"

Cheng Chen gently pinched her soft, delicate cheek and grinned.

The supporting role he meant was Chen Ge in Kung Fu.

Since Kung Fu, Cheng Chen hadn't lost contact with Zhou Xingchi.

From Zhou Xingchi, he learned the post-production of Kung Fu wasn't finished—they were all working overtime to catch up.

Originally aiming for the National Day release, the schedule now suggested they'd miss it—they'd have to fight for the New Year slot instead.

Cheng Chen could easily picture Zhou Xingchi sitting beside the post-production team, face grim.

Facing Zhou Xingchi's perfectionism, who refused to overlook any detail, the post-production crew would surely collapse!

When Cheng Chen mentioned his first movie, Liu Tianxian burst out laughing.

She remembered her first meeting with Cheng Chen—his terrifying gaze during their scene rehearsal.

Now she realized, just as her mother said, he must have been fully immersed in his role back then.

That had caused her quite a bit of trouble on set.

Looking back now, everything had passed so quickly,

As if it had just begun—and already ended.

Will we meet again…?

Liu Tianxian gazed at the sunlit smile beside her, about to say more, when a voice interrupted:

"Cheng Chen."

He turned—and there was Yan Danchen, filming on the neighboring set.

It was already June, and Baodian Deng, which had started over a month after Xianjian Qixia Zhuan Yi, had wrapped entirely in May.

Yan Danchen was still in Hengdian because Xianjian Qixia Zhuan Yi needed her to film a few additional shots.

But with the wrap of the crew, her role was now fully complete.

"Chenchen Jie."

Cheng Chen waved at her with a smile.

The two hadn't seen each other in a while—Yan Danchen had commercial gigs and endorsements beyond acting.

"Hey, Xixi, you're here too?"

Yan Danchen stood naturally beside Cheng Chen, smiling as she patted Liu Tianxian's head.

This little girl was very beautiful and adorable, and she liked her very much.

"Big Sister Yan."

Liu Tianxian called out sweetly.

But inside, she grumbled at being called "Xixi"—how was she small?

Yet when she saw Yan Danchen's curves, she couldn't help but feel deflated, and she looked down at herself again.

Hmm, her shoes looked nice…

Rumors were spreading through the set about Cheng Chen and Yan Danchen.

But Yan Danchen had publicly denied them, claiming they were just very good friends.

Added to that, their emotional entanglement in Immortal Sword I had become an excuse for their closeness.

At this moment, watching Yan Danchen and Cheng Chen stand together, laughing and chatting, the usually confident Liu Tianxian felt a quiet pang of melancholy…

Cheng Chen took Yan Danchen away; they hadn't seen each other in a long time.

Upon meeting again, Cheng Chen was like a blazing flame, grabbing Yan Danchen and dragging her straight to the hotel…

"Chenchen, you sang beautifully just now…"

On the sofa, Cheng Chen wrapped his arms around Yan Danchen's slender waist and whispered into her ear.

"You're such a nuisance! I just told you not to wrinkle your clothes, and you had to go wild—now what do we do? I didn't bring extra clothes…"

Thinking of Cheng Chen's earlier antics, Yan Danchen's delicate face flushed crimson.

"It's no big deal—I'll go out and buy you a new set later."

Leaning back against the sofa, Cheng Chen tilted his head toward the ceiling, savoring the aftertaste of what had just happened, and said lazily.

"All you ever think about is fooling around. By the way!"

Yan Danchen suddenly remembered something. She tugged at her crumpled clothes as best she could, then pulled a small jar from her handbag.

Seeing the thing, Cheng Chen's lips twitched, and he begged:

"Big sister, where did you dig up this 'miracle elixir' again? Can't we skip this kind of supplement?"

Drink it, sweetie!

Yan Danchen held the small jar before Cheng Chen, issuing the order with unmistakable dominatrix authority.

"I'm young and strong—I really don't need this…"

"Drink!"

"Ah, I'd rather you fed me—preferably with your mouth…"

Looking at Yan Danchen's sensual red lips, he recalled the wonderful use of her mouth just now, and quickly corrected himself:

"Never mind, never mind. Next time."

Just as she was wondering why this little lecher had suddenly changed his ways, she suddenly remembered what had just happened.

She shot him a sparkling, reproachful glance, then hurried off to the bathroom…

…

The wrap party was set at a hotel in Hengdian.

After a long filming process,

the crew always held a wrap party to bring the production to a satisfying close.

This also mirrored the opening ceremony at the start of filming, completing the cycle.

Not only the director and Screenwriter attended, but Producer Cai Yinong was also invited.

The crew had booked the entire hotel; by around six p. m., actors and crew members began arriving.

At exactly seven p. m., the wrap party officially began.

Producer Cai Yinong opened the event by thanking all the actors and crew members for their hard work.

Then came Cheng Chen, the second-largest investor, to speak—neither Cheng Chen nor Cai Yinong delivered any flowery, official platitudes.

"No more words—everyone worked hard. Eat well, drink well."

Amid laughter from the group, the banquet officially started.

For Chinese people, meals always involve alcohol.

Since Cai Yinong was a woman, no one dared to force her to drink, so they lined up one by one to toast Cheng Chen.

In truth, given Cheng Chen's current status and fame, he didn't need to drink every toast offered to him.

Nor did he need to pretend to toast others—though polite toasts were still unavoidable.

But Cheng Chen was in high spirits today, since this was his first drama as the male lead since his debut.

He drank plenty of alcohol, but kept his limits.

"Cheng Zong, this is Sun Li, one of our artists under Tangren."

Seeing that most people had finished toasting Cheng Chen, Cai Yinong approached with a woman of exquisite beauty.

Cheng Chen naturally recognized her—she played Zhao Ling'er's mother in Immortal Sword I.

Off-screen, she was Huang Lei's wife, later known in the industry as Duo Ma.

Cai Yinong had a sharp eye for talent, favoring actresses with a quiet, chrysanthemum-like demeanor.

From Guan Yonghe, to Sun Li, to Liu Shishi, to Hu Bingqin—all fit this mold.

Sun Li's eyes were classically Eastern, their curved shape adding a touch of allure.

Most crucially, her aura was ethereally elegant, with a hint of seductiveness.

Before entering Beijing Film Academy, she had studied dance at Jingcheng Dance Academy for seven years.

She had already played the female lead in many major dance dramas at the time.

When performing the dance drama "The Beauty Yu," her junior sister Zhang Ziyi once danced as her accompaniment.

No wonder Huang Lei laid hands on Sun Li the moment he saw her at eighteen…

Cheng Chen smiled and said:

"Sister Li, we're this close—skip this drink, okay? Too much alcohol isn't good."

Cheng Chen smiled and said.

Sun Li smiled softly, lifting her cup:

"You can drink juice, Sister Cheng—I'll drink wine. Drinking too much really isn't good for the body."

Although she became famous earlier and debuted earlier than Cheng Chen.

But as always, today, aside from Cai Yinong, Cheng Chen is the boss.

"No way, Sister Li—you've said that, how could I let you look down on me, haha?"

Cheng Chen swapped his juice cup for a wine cup.

After clinking cups with Sun Li, Cheng Chen sat down.

At this moment, the hall was in chaos—actors were toasting, chatting, and some were sobbing with their heads in their hands.

After all, once filming ended, the crew disbanded, and these people would scatter, unsure when they'd meet again.

For instance, Liu Tianxian hugged her close friends Liu Pinyan and Jiang Xin, chatting while wiping away tears.

As for the third female lead, Yan Danchen, she had already joined the set to film the major drama "Changhe Dongliu."

This was a project she took on before joining Cheng Chen's company…

"Sun Li, sit."

Cai Yinong pointed to the seat beside Cheng Chen and smiled.

Sun Li nodded and sat down beside Cheng Chen.

A intoxicating, fragrant scent immediately washed over him.

Cheng Chen felt he had smelled this perfume before.

It wasn't strong, just faint—if you weren't close, you wouldn't notice it.

But when close, the fresh citrus and peony blended perfectly with the floral notes.

It seemed passionate and deep, elegant and luxurious, yet hinted at a young, fiery soul—highly alluring.

It seemed Sister Li's composed, tranquil demeanor concealed a seductive aura…

What was Cai Yinong up to?

Later generations had long whispered that Cai Yinong gave away women—was she about to offer Sister Li…?

After drinking too much, one's judgment loosens, yet senses become unusually sharp.

Meanwhile, certain desires deep within swell endlessly.

Cheng Chen was exactly like this now.

Under the constant assault of the scent beside him, his thoughts grew bolder…

"Manager Cheng, I heard your Starfire is about to collaborate with Xinmei Group on a film project?"

Cai Yinong chuckled beside him.

Hearing this, Cheng Chen immediately realized he had misunderstood earlier.

Starfire's contact with Xinmei Group wasn't hidden—anyone determined enough could easily trace their dealings.

Since returning from visiting "Qing Hong," Cheng Chen had instructed Su Qingya to communicate frequently with Xinmei Group.

After completing "Crazy Stone," he definitely intended to leverage Xinmei Group's distribution channels.

This was their first collaboration, and also a trial.

Cheng Chen toyed with his wine cup and smiled:

"There's indeed an idea, but we're only in preliminary talks—nothing deep yet."

Leave seven-tenths unspoken; after all, both were merchants—no need to reveal everything.

Cai Yinong nodded, fully aware things weren't as simple as Cheng Chen claimed.

She shifted the topic to Sun Li:

"Hehe, I was thinking—if you have any new film projects, Manager Cheng, could you give our Sun Li a role?"

Cheng Chen glanced at the elegant, intellectual Sun Li beside him and chuckled:

"Sister Li has great looks and superb acting—she won't lack roles."

This would've been true before this year.

But this year, Sun Li suddenly announced her marriage to Huang Lei—meaning the woman sitting beside Cheng Chen was now a proper married woman.

Today, Cai Yinong's sudden appearance was actually meant to use Sun Li as a bridge to tighten cooperation with Cheng Chen.

Offer a woman?

Cai Yinong certainly wouldn't—and wouldn't dare—use Huang Lei's new wife as a gift.

But pouring and drinking wine? Harmless enough.

If her husband later complained, she could just say she was introducing her to roles.

That's just how the entertainment industry works!

"Hehe, Manager Cheng, you're so charming—have another drink with Sun Li, and maybe you'll make her the lead in your next film, hehe."

Cai Yinong chuckled.

Though impossible, Cheng Chen looked at Cai Yinong's cheerful face and couldn't help thinking she resembled some profession from ancient brothels.

And the quiet, gentle Sun Li beside him had the air of… a virtuous woman.

Sun Li smiled faintly, picked up the wine bottle, and poured wine into Cheng Chen's cup.

"You can't, Sister Li, you really can't."

Cheng Chen held up his wine cup with one hand, while the other blocked the mouth of her bottle.

But Sun Li insisted on pouring, and in the shoving, Cheng Chen's palm brushed against her slender fingers.

Snow-white and slender, smooth as congealed fat.

Cheng Chen suddenly felt a strange sensation…

……