Chapter 112: What a Coincidence—We Both

The series "Fortune Blesses Zhu Bajie" is the sequel to the popular earlier series "Spring Sunshine Zhu Bajie".

The investment was substantial, and the cast was quite strong.

The male lead, Huang Haibing, gained minor fame after "The Burning Years of Passion," and Fan Xiaopang needs no introduction—he's practically a second-tier actor.

Others like Hu Ke, Yang Ruoxi, and Zhang Yanmin also had considerable influence, and after Yan Li stepped down from playing Niu Mowang, they quickly brought in Gao Xin to step in as the replacement.

Gao Xin is the actor who played Erhao in "Love in a Rainy Season."

A few years ago, he was one of the hottest young male leads, but after "Love in a Rainy Season," his career stagnated.

Fan Xiaotian had previously cast him in "The Angry Butterfly," and their relationship was good; when Gao Xin had no roles lined up, a single call brought him over.

When Gao Xin joined the set, he specifically came to greet Yan Li—even though Yan Li had voluntarily left the role and Gao Xin was merely filling in, not taking it from him.

But Yan Li was no ordinary actor, and Gao Xin didn't want to offend him.

Gao Xin didn't expect that his cautious, polite visit would draw Yan Li's attention.

But it wasn't a bad thing—it was a good thing!

Yan Li thought Gao Xin had a good appearance and some fame, was affordable, and could be tried out as one of the Seven Fairies' love interests.

So far, half of the Seven Fairies' love interests for "Huan Tian Xi Di Qi Nüxia" have been cast.

Yan Li plays Jin Zha, the heavenly general paired with the third fairy.

For the fourth fairy's match, the inventor Yu Ri, director Chen Yongge recommended Wu Yue, the male lead of "Liancheng Jue."

For the eldest fairy's match, the God of Food, Chen Yongge recommended Wu Jian, the male lead of "Xiake Xing."

How to put it? Old Chen really loves using people he knows!

Still, Yan Li approved of Chen Yongge's recommendations—they had fame but weren't superstars, were affordable, and had presentable appearances.

Like Gao Xin, they were all practical actors, and Yan Li preferred this type.

Yan Li and the two Wus made three; Yan Li also thought Zhou Yi's appearance was decent enough to take on a role, such as the stoic Constable paired with the second fairy.

For the remaining three, Yan Li already had a preference for the sixth fairy's match: Qiao Zhenyu from "Snow Goddess Dragon."

As the distributor of "Snow Goddess Dragon," Yan Li was well aware of the audience feedback for the series.

The female lead, Dong Xuan, received the most attention, followed by Qiao Zhenyu's portrayal of Ouyang Mingri; the male lead Ren Tianye and the actual second male lead Sun Yaowei generated little buzz.

Yan Li boldly predicted that once "Snow Goddess Dragon" aired on satellite TV, Qiao Zhenyu had a good chance of becoming a minor sensation—signing him now was buying low.

Moreover, Qiao Zhenyu's appearance was excellent; the sixth fairy's love interest was a scholar, requiring scholarly aura, and he fit perfectly.

If Gao Xin joined, Yan Li intended him to play the fifth fairy's match—a rich second-generation heir, an ancient version of Erhao, Gao Xin's specialty.

As for the final role—the nominal male lead, Dong Yong—Yan Li planned to find someone with slightly more fame.

With him leading, plus Gao Xin, Qiao Zhenyu, and the two Wus, it could almost be called an all-star cast.

But he hadn't found the right person yet—not because there were no actors, but actors with too little fame he looked down on, and those with too much fame demanded prices he thought too high.

For example, Su Youpeng—he was Yan Li's first choice; he asked for the price and immediately withdrew.

Too damn expensive!

After "My Fair Princess," "Love in a Rainy Season," and "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," he had become one of the hottest top-tier young male leads in the industry, and since Hong Kong and Taiwan actors generally commanded higher fees, he finally quoted 80,000 yuan per episode.

Dong Yong had at least thirty episodes; hiring him would consume one-tenth of the entire production budget—Yan Li couldn't afford it.

Still, even though Dong Yong hadn't been cast yet, Gao Xin's involvement was essentially settled.

"Huan Tian Xi Di Qi Nüxia" had high investment; even though it was a supporting role, the screen time was substantial, and crucially, Gao Xin had never played a male lead before.

In "Love in a Rainy Season," he was the third male lead; in all his subsequent roles, he remained a supporting actor. Wu Jian and Wu Yue, who had played male leads in Jin Yong dramas, accepted the role easily—he was just a supporting actor from a Qiong Yao drama, with little screen time.

With most of the seven main couples cast, finding other supporting roles became easier.

Yan Li calculated that once he returned to Jingcheng and made the arrangements, the latest "Huan Tian Xi Di Qi Nüxia" could start filming by January next year.

…

Though his mind was on "Huan Tian Xi Di Qi Nüxia," Yan Li didn't let it interfere with his filming.

The role of the Devouring Rat was actually easy to shoot.

He was a complete madman, only showing a sliver of humanity when facing his sister, the Brocade Rat—sometimes even speaking softly to deceive her; otherwise, he just ate, ate, ate.

In the plot, the Devouring Rat, due to his innate gluttony and lack of self-control, harmed all living beings and was imprisoned in the Demon Subduing Pagoda.

Fan Xiaopang, playing the Brocade Rat, couldn't bear his brother's suffering and, deceived by him, went to great lengths to steal the Shooting Sun Divine Bow and shot open the Demon Subduing Pagoda, releasing the Devouring Rat.

Having been imprisoned too long, the Devouring Rat grew even more insane; the moment he was freed, he began devouring wildly.

At first, he only ate grain and vegetables, then devoured all the city's food supplies, even ate through the city walls, and then, ignoring the Brocade Rat's attempts to stop him, began devouring demons and humans—two celestial generals, Heng and Ha, also caught his eye.

In the forest, Heng and Ha were bound together, blaming and bickering with each other, when suddenly they felt a chill, their hair standing on end.

"Old Heng, why's it suddenly so creepy?"

"Old Ha, I feel something's off too."

At that moment, a dark shadow descended before them, a large hood half-concealing, pale-skinned Yan Li stared at them with blood-red eyes, drooling as he gazed at them, his voice hoarse.

"So delicious?"

Heng and Ha sensed something was wrong and instinctively shuffled backward, screaming in terror.

"What do you want? We're immortals!"

"Immortals?"

Yan Li leaned forward eagerly, licked his bloody lips, his voice excited.

"Immortals are great—I've never eaten an immortal before."

With that, he flung his black robe and lunged at them as they screamed in agony.

Director Meng Ji called "Cut!" and Yan Li stood up, looking somewhat bored.

"That's it? Shouldn't we shoot a few details—like me gnawing on a severed hand, or encountering a child who screams and runs away, maybe add a dessert?"

Meng Ji: "……"

What kind of material do your North Electric teachers usually show you?!

"Cough, cough."

Even Fan Xiaotian, who had suggested Yan Li play the Devouring Rat, couldn't hold it anymore: "This is still primarily a comedy—too scary won't fit. We can use animated transitions for the specific scenes."

Yan Li blinked: "You can do that?"

His mind raced—this approach could not only avoid horror scenes, but also replace unimportant large-scale battle sequences with animation.

Save money!

Fan Xiaotian was no doubt a veteran in the industry—his experience in cutting corners… no, in meticulous budgeting was impressive. He still had a lot to learn.

Although Yan Li felt it wasn't thrilling enough, he didn't press further, only asked Meng Ji about his own performance.

"Do you think I need to adjust anything? Should I make it even more brutal?"

Meng Ji paused, then said: "No need. What you did was fine. But perhaps tone it down a little—it was just a bit too eerie."

Yan Li: "..."

Still, under Meng Ji's suggestion, he watched the playback and had to admit—it really was a little frightening.

Afterward, the crew moved to another forest clearing to shoot Yan Li's death scene.

Yes, in this drama, Yan Li died again.

Because the Devouring Rat had committed countless evils, Bodhisattva Manjushri descended to exterminate the demon. Since the Brocade Rat had released her brother, she was ordered to atone by luring him into the Demon-Subduing Pagoda—but this would likely mean her own death too.

Zhu Bajie loved the Brocade Rat and wanted to take her place as bait, but she guessed his intention and acted first.

The Brocade Rat transformed into Zhu Bajie. After the Devouring Rat devoured the Two Generals, she found the taste of immortals exquisite and chased the Brocade Rat into the Demon-Subduing Pagoda.

According to the script, the Demon-Subduing Pagoda engulfed her in thunder and fire. Yan Li knelt, collapsed to the ground in agony, rolled several times, then turned to ash.

Of course, turning to ash required post-production effects. After completing his agonized screams and movements, Yan Li's scene was finished.

Afterward, Yan Li didn't leave. He crossed his arms and watched Fan Xiaopang, as the Brocade Rat, say goodbye to Zhu Bajie.

Fan Xiaopang, tears streaming down her face, gazed at the pig-headed monster: "Zhu Bajie… goodbye."

Meng Ji explained to Yan Li: "In post-production, we'll fade Fan Xiaopang from bottom to top—so the Brocade Rat turns to ash too."

"..."

Yan Li understood the villain had no rights, but he couldn't help complaining.

This Demon-Subduing Pagoda is way too smart.

When the Devouring Rat died, thunder and fire engulfed her. The Brocade Rat just shed a few pretty tears and that's it? At least strike her with a couple of lightning bolts!

After this scene wrapped, work was done for the day. Huang Haibo wore a prosthetic mask that took long to remove, so he always left first.

Fan Xiaopang wasn't in a hurry. She specifically came to the monitor to review her own performance.

She was quite satisfied, then turned to Yan Li: "What do you think of my acting?"

"Very good."

Yan Li gave a casual compliment, but Fan Xiaopang sensed his insincerity and pressed further.

"Don't just praise—give me feedback. I'll improve, so I can do better in 'Huan Tian Xi Di: The Seven Fairies.'"

Yan Li was convinced by Fan Xiaopang.

He genuinely thought her acting was lacking. When playing quirky, cute, or coquettish scenes, she had charm—but in heavy emotional moments like parting and death, she fell flat.

Not to mention her crying scene—Qin Lan could beat her with only half her strength.

Yan Li, when he truly immersed himself and relied on instinct, could effortlessly crush Fan Xiaopang.

In his own audition for the Seven Fairies, Fan Xiaopang had plenty of experience, but her actual skill was merely above average. From the crew's perspective, he sincerely hoped she could hone her craft.

Of course, Yan Li had enough emotional intelligence. He gave feedback, but gently.

"Overall, it's quite good—but there's a lack of sincerity. Your performance feels superficial, your physical movements too… monotonous."

"I understand."

Fan Xiaopang nodded, but her smile slowly vanished.

Yan Li sighed. He praised her, she insisted on feedback—he gave it, and now she was upset.

Hmph, women!

But remembering he hadn't signed the contract yet, he backtracked a little.

"Acting can be improved over time. With your face—so breathtakingly beautiful—you've already surpassed ninety-nine percent of actresses."

Oh, so I'm breathtakingly beautiful again?!

Fan Xiaopang saw right through him. She rolled her eyes: "Saying it so nicely—aren't you just calling me a pretty face?"

"So what's wrong with being a pretty face? Many actresses would kill to have that chance."

Yan Li rejected her claim, seriously retorting: "A pretty face can become a skilled actress. Can a skilled actress become a pretty face? Frankly, don't force yourself into the skilled actress category—leave some room for other actresses."

"Pfft, smooth talker."

Fan Xiaopang complained aloud, but her cheeks flushed slightly. She felt secretly pleased—and a little touched.

If Yan Li weren't so sarcastic every day—if he spoke this sweetly all the time—she'd have long considered him her soulmate.

Just then, the assistant director came over and handed each of them a comfort envelope.

Yan Li was fine—he'd at least screamed on the ground, embracing the spirit of a death scene.

Fan Xiaopang had only stood there crying. When she saw the envelope, she stared blankly for two seconds before realizing she'd just "died."

"Hey, I remember last time in 'Ju Bao Pen,' we both 'died' on the same day. Now not only the same day—we died together."

Yan Li wasn't surprised by the comfort envelope, but seeing it reminded him of that day on 'Ju Bao Pen,' peeling roasted chestnuts while watching Fan Xiaopang get "killed."

Including this one, since his debut, Yan Li had officially shot five dramas.

Two of them had featured Fan Xiaopang, with many scenes together.

One was about a pursuer and the pursued, the other about siblings, and both "died" on the same day — there really was a strange fate between them.

Fan Xiaopang was reminded by Yan Li and recalled the scene from that day, but compared to the fate between the two dramas, she was more curious about one thing.

"Did you ever get that bloodstained outfit of yours washed clean?"

Back then on the set of *Cornucopia*, she had never been able to outmatch Yan Li, and, resentful of Yan Li watching the fun as she got "killed," she had gone in her bloodstained costume to rub against Yan Li's clothes after he removed his makeup and changed, finally turning the tables on him at wrap-up.

"It was all blood. I had to talk the dry cleaner into taking it — two pieces, 40 kuai. I'll deduct it from your pay later."

If Fan Xiaopang hadn't mentioned it, Yan Li would have forgotten — this little minx still owed him money.

"You even keep track of such a small bill."

Fan Xiaopang gave a disdainful little snort, opened the red envelope, found it actually contained 50 kuai, and slapped it straight at Yan Li.

"Keep the change, the extra counts as interest."

Yan Li didn't stand on ceremony either — he stuffed it straight into his pocket, then opened the red envelope, took out the red banknote and flicked it: "Boss Fan, this set of yours is pretty generous — even the bills are full ones."

Normally a red envelope to soothe the nerves was just a few kuai as a token; 10 kuai was already considered generous. A 100-kuai red bill — Yan Li, for one, was seeing it for the first time.

"Wasn't it?"

Fan Xiaopang looked at the banknote in Yan Li's hand, a little indignant: "We both 'died' in the drama — why do I get 50 and you get 100?"

"What do you think?"

Yan Li answered with a smile, then stuffed the empty envelope shell into her hand, gestured for her to throw out the trash, turned and walked away with his hands behind his back, leaving behind one line.

"Young comrade, keep at it."

Fan Xiaopang crushed the red envelope in her hand, stared at Yan Li's retreating back, hesitated again and again, but still didn't dare rush up and land a kick on that smug bastard…

(End of chapter)