Chapter 26: Xiaoxi’s Stunning Entrance

Therefore, Chu Luoxi was not concerned about whether she suited period costumes, even though, in her daily appearance, she was hardly the classical beauty. The makeup artist had considerable skill, and her face could express a full measure of charm. Paired with her own ability to control expression and aura through acting, it was no wonder her former self was nominated for the Golden Dragon and Fire Phoenix Awards year after year.

An actor must not only know how to utilize their strengths but also amplify them to the utmost; these were her hard-earned lessons.

“Is this… is this your latest inspiration?” Li Shuangmu stammered slightly, pointing at Chu Luoxi, whose radiant smile and ethereal presence seemed to transcend the mundane.

Little Ding shook her head gently, her eyes shining like stars. “You give me too much credit. I only did the makeup this time—many details were Chu Luoxi’s own suggestions.”

Chu Luoxi smiled, her brows curving gracefully. Instantly, her ethereal aura gained a hint of seductive allure—subtle, yet impossible to ignore. She was like a goddess, untouchable just moments ago, now touched by a spell that could capture anyone’s soul.

Determined not to embarrass Master Xiao, and to leave Li Shuangmu with no reason to refuse her, Chu Luoxi was meticulous. From the moment she appeared before everyone, she was already Yun Tianxue from the script. Every gesture, every smile could make the heroes of the martial world swoon.

Perfect elegance, stunning allure—such extraordinary poise, even if heard of only in legend, was unforgettable.

In truth, Little Ding’s styling was fairly conventional, unable to achieve the impact Chu Luoxi desired. Thus, she proposed some period costume elements that would not become fashionable for several years, making her appearance ahead of its time and strikingly novel.

In essence, as long as today’s period costumes adhere to one principle, they cannot go wrong—that is, “like an immortal descending.”

Already of considerable age, Li Shuangmu almost failed to withstand the young woman’s smile; his face reddened, and it took several coughs before he found his voice again. “So, Chu Luoxi, correct? Have you read the script? No need for an audition—we can shoot the first scene directly.”

As the director, Li Shuangmu could tell: from the moment Chu Luoxi appeared, she was Yun Tianxue in the flesh. Her every move was even more dazzling and fitting than he had imagined.

He glanced sidelong at Xiao Jingxuan, whose eyes were deep and enigmatic, and suddenly realized—even the once serene and picturesque Chu Luoxi could command such a powerful presence. He felt that acting opposite Xiao Jingxuan, Chu Luoxi would not be overshadowed; there was no need for Xiao Jingxuan to restrain himself or adapt to her.

Of course, such thoughts aside, only filming would reveal the truth. No one could guarantee that, facing the camera and Xiao Jingxuan, Chu Luoxi could maintain this state.

“Of course!” Chu Luoxi replied with a gentle, radiant smile. Her voice was soft and clear, pleasant to the ear. Skipping the audition was precisely her goal—being able to do so was the best outcome.

“Very well, let’s shoot another scene tonight. Everyone, prepare yourselves,” Li Shuangmu called out energetically.

Though it meant extra work, no one complained. Everyone was eager to witness the clash between Chu Luoxi and Xiao Jingxuan—two titans always make for a more thrilling spectacle than a single dominant force.

Chu Luoxi’s entrance was so striking that everyone believed she could rival Xiao Jingxuan. Whether she was truly up to the challenge, only time would tell.

A small river meandered through the ancient town, lying gracefully across the refined old streets. Bathed in bright, clear moonlight, it composed a picturesque scene of gentle breezes—a perfect setting for both appreciation and solitary drinking.

The breeze teased at the heart, making it itch with longing. Occasionally, the chirping of unknown insects heightened the lazy, beautiful silence of the night—a moment so exquisite that missing it would feel like a lifelong regret.

Just then, the martial hero Xiao Tian sat alone on the edge outside the stone bridge, appearing dangerously close to falling, yet enjoying the view, humming a tune, living in utter contentment. In his dreamy, intoxicated state, he witnessed a sight he believed he would never forget for the rest of his life.

A woman in yellow descended from the sky like a celestial maiden, graceful as a startled swan, her black hair flying, her robes fluttering as she gently landed on the bridge. At that moment, she also took root in Xiao Tian’s heart, planting a seed that would soon sprout.

The moonlight was cold and pure, casting a faint halo that enveloped her in mystery—dreamlike, intoxicating.

Perhaps such a person could only exist in heaven; the saying, “the bright moon of nine heavens falls to earth,” seemed made for her.

Her eyes, as clear as autumn water, blinked in slight confusion, as if guiding the moonlight to flicker. Her beautiful gaze swept around, and suddenly she noticed someone not far away, turning her head with eyes shimmering.

Xiao Tian’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t even finished two jars of wine before feeling utterly intoxicated. His star-bright eyes became shrouded in a deep mist, for only this could conceal the astonishment and rapid heartbeat he could no longer hide.

“Heh—” Yun Tianxue laughed softly, like a night-blooming orchid suddenly blossoming in the darkness, leaving the world with only this radiant flower.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, chin lifted in a careless gesture. In that unintentional movement, Yun Tianxue transformed from a night orchid into a bewitched red spider lily, radiating deadly allure—seductive and powerful. “Drinking alone—will you get drunk?”

Her voice, tinged with enchantment, sank deep into his heart. Xiao Tian accepted it gladly, his dark eyes sparkling like a sky full of stars, gentle as bamboo.

A wicked smile curled his lips as Xiao Tian casually shook his wine jar. Though the gesture should have been rather uncouth, he made it appear supremely graceful. “They say, ‘It’s not the wine that intoxicates, but the drinker himself.’ Isn’t that so?”

“Cut!”

Just as everyone was lost in the beauty of the scene, Li Shuangmu’s belated call to stop finally arrived. Though Chu Luoxi and Xiao Jingxuan breathed a sigh of relief, the director received countless anonymous glares. To interrupt such a beautiful moment—what a villain!

His back chilled, Li Shuangmu gloomily rubbed his nose, then hurried to check the playback, eager with a director’s intuition that this take would be a one-shot success, even better than he had imagined.

Chu Luoxi was still holding her breath, waiting for the director’s verdict. Since she hadn’t heard whether the scene had passed, she carefully gathered her trailing robes and hopped down from the bridge.

Meanwhile, the wire technician approached, quickly and expertly removing her harness. If the scene needed to be reshot, she’d have to be reharnessed and descend again, which would be quite inconvenient.

“Thank you!” Chu Luoxi shook off the equipment, feeling much lighter, and expressed her habitual gratitude.

The wire technician paused for a moment, then broke into a broad smile, giving a thumbs-up. “Great performance! Have you been on wires before?”