Chapter 5: Shopping with Beautiful Sisters (2)

That was indeed the truth; Zhou Xun and Jiang Qinqin were both regulars in domestic television dramas, so they were naturally no strangers to the superstitions or occult practices within film crews.

A startup ceremony requires burning incense; a red velvet cloth covers the altar, on which are enshrined statues of Lord Guan or other deities, with an incense burner, a roasted suckling pig, and fruits offered up.

The camera must also be covered with a red cloth, and it can only be unveiled when the start of filming is officially announced; the date must, of course, be carefully selected, and if there is a temple with flourishing incense nearby, the main creators must go to pay their respects.

Other rules, such as women not being allowed to sit on prop boxes or camera cases—otherwise the lens will lose focus—or the necessity of giving red envelopes to those still living who play characters that die in the film, or taking a bath to wash away bad luck, are endless.

Especially for Xiangjiang film crews—not to mention the distant ones—the film *Infernal Affairs*, set to be released next year, held a large-scale deity-worshipping startup ceremony and even invited the White Dragon King from Thailand to preside over the blessing ritual.

Later, the White Dragon King suggested changing the name of *Infernal Affairs* (originally *Infernal Walker*), and after the film became a massive hit, he became even more renowned and gained increasing trust from Li Shou of Emperor Group.

In his past life, he made a name for himself in the entertainment industry's public relations sector through his professional skills; in this life, cloaked in the guise of religious mysticism, his actions were undoubtedly more convenient.

Zhou Xun suddenly said, "By the way, Qinqin, isn't Li Dawei shooting a new drama next year? Why don't you introduce him to Lu Kuan?"

Jiang Qinqin was stunned for a moment: "I'll ask and see."

Li Dawei was her ex-boyfriend, and seeing Zhou Xun speak of it so unreservedly in front of an outsider like Lu Kuan, she felt a bit unaccustomed to it for a moment.

Lu Kuan understood immediately; that was none other than *The Noble Family*.

Later, this director Li Dawei went on to direct *The Red Family* and *Legend of the Fragrant Powder*, completing the trilogy.

Yang Mi had some scenes in *The Red Family*, while Jiang Qinqin would reunite and collaborate with her ex-boyfriend in *Legend of the Fragrant Powder*.

Lu Kuan parked the car and led the two women into the New World Department Store; this mall, which only opened in '96, was more high-end than the commercial buildings, and the Dunhill and Montblanc counters they saw on the first floor were not something the working class could touch.

Lu Kuan stood very gentlemanly behind the two ladies, admiring the charm that even their full disguises could not conceal.

In 2001, there were no street snaps, fan circles, or fanatic fans; even though both of them had shaken off their assistants today, they were not very worried about safety issues in such a high-end mall.

"Sister Xun, speak less later; your voice is too recognizable."

Jiang Qinqin wore oversized toad-eye sunglasses, and a scarf wrapped around the lower half of her pretty face, making it basically impossible to recognize her without careful observation.

"Got it. Let's buy Lu Kuan a set of clothes first, otherwise, everyone will be staring at us along the way."

That was the truth; in this day and age, one basically never saw bizarre clothing on the street, and the little Daoist's attire was far too conspicuous.

The three of them passed by "European and American boutiques" like Hugo Boss, Armani, and Dior, and stepped into "domestic boutiques" like Goldlion and Youngor.

Lu Kuan weighed his current net worth and entered a Youngor store; the salesgirl followed them enthusiastically to greet them.

"You two sit for a moment, I'll be quick."

The two female stars were not content to be left out and followed him like shadows: "What does a man know about matching? We'll pick for you."

A woman's desire for control over things like clothing and matching is always the strongest; the two of them had come out to shop and relax, and picking clothes for Lu Kuan was just for fun.

The salesgirl looked at these three people in strange attire and said nothing, though the man's image and temperament were overly prominent.

The economy in the Jiangzhe-Shanghai region was developed, and the coastal areas had an open atmosphere; rumors of wealthy women keeping male companions were not uncommon, and the common people were used to it.

From his handsome and clear appearance, this little Daoist was qualified to be a "pretty boy," but his indifferent, otherworldly, and unrestrained demeanor did not look like someone who would easily fall under a woman's skirt.

Jiang Qinqin had studied clothing and matching more; she had a younger brother about Lu Kuan's age, so she took charge and directed the salesgirl without hesitation.

"That dark blue one with the mercerized fabric, yes, that one."

"Get him a white shirt, something more slim-fit."

Zhou Xun stared at the little Daoist's lower body for a long time, and couldn't help but pinch her voice: "Find a pair of low-rise dress pants, not the ones from this suit."

Jiang Qinqin pulled Lu Kuan over, tightened her grip around his waist to estimate, and instructed the salesgirl: "About 2.5 feet, get him an 84, he's quite sturdy."

Zhou Xun wandered off and started picking out a tie.

Lu Kuan was left between laughing and crying as he let Jiang Qinqin fuss over him, then took a pile of clothes into the fitting room.

When he walked out with a dragon-like, tiger-like stride, smoothing the wrinkles on his body, not only Jiang Qinqin and Zhou Xun, but even the two salesgirls were dazzled.

The midnight blue suit jacket was low-key and serious, and the white slim-fit shirt outlined the faint contours of his chest muscles—not as exaggerated as those of bodybuilders, but highlighting a lean and sexual tension.

The low-rise dress pants Zhou Xun chose were very well-fitted, perfectly wrapping his streamlined legs; the low-rise design fully displayed his leg lines, like two uncarved pillars of white jade.

He held the tie in his hand; he didn't know how to tie it.

Zhou Xun and Jiang Qinqin stood stunned for a while before getting up to tidy and adjust it for him.

"Lower your head!"

Jiang Qinqin skillfully tied his tie and tucked it into his suit with satisfaction, her slender fingers sliding across Lu Kuan's chest with a warm touch, feeling slightly ambiguous.

"It fits perfectly! Like a male model!"

"Indeed! The two beauties have such great taste!"

Both salesgirls did not spare their praise, thinking to themselves that this sale was in the bag.

"Hmm, truly handsome, but it's still missing a pair of shoes!" Zhou Xun looked the little Daoist up and down with satisfaction; he was still wearing the store's leather shoes.

Choosing clothes for Lu Kuan and the outstanding effect on his upper body gave Jiang Qinqin a high sense of emotional value; she took out a card and signaled to the salesgirl that she would pay.

"Hey! Sister Jiang, no, no, I'll do it myself!"

"Oh, you got your clothes dirty because of me, so this set is a gift from me!"

Zhou Xun also persuaded: "It's only a few thousand yuan, don't be so polite. Just consider it returning the favor by carrying our bags as our assistant later."

"Alright then." The little Daoist felt a mix of helplessness and amusement; he never expected that in this life or his past, he would get to taste the feeling of being "kept."

It's still the sisters of this era who know how to care for people, unlike the ones in later generations who are all little princesses, and if you ask them which KTV they work at, they won't tell you.

(End of chapter)