Chapter 38: The Great Master Is a Scoundrel

“Huh?” Usually so composed, Chu Luoxi couldn’t help but cry out in surprise, staring at Xiao Jingxuan in utter disbelief as her mind struggled to catch up, her reactions sluggish.

A flicker of amusement passed through Xiao Jingxuan’s eyes, but his expression was full of confusion. “Did I explain it unclearly, or did you not understand? Since you’re here, help me out and be the female lead in my MV!”

Chu Luoxi was thrown into chaos, glancing at the nearly finished set, her stomach twisting. “You called me over, said you needed something—just so I could help you film an MV?”

How ridiculous. She almost wanted to turn around and beg the boss to serve her a bowl of tears. What kind of request was this?

Chu Luoxi scratched at the walls of her mind in silent frustration. The great master was indeed a master—couldn’t his thinking be a little more normal? Why not explain in advance when asking for help? Was it supposed to be some kind of secret? This constant ambush—her heart couldn't take the strain!

“Why, do you have something else to do?” Xiao Jingxuan looked utterly innocent, his expression saying, 'If you have things to attend to, just say so.' Infuriating.

Chu Luoxi sighed deeply, gazing up at the sky in speechless exasperation, as if the idol image of a certain someone was gradually crumbling.

She always said—idols are best admired from afar. Get too close, and things inevitably go awry. That week filming “Dragon Roars Across the World” left Chu Luoxi utterly disillusioned. The idol she'd cherished since her previous life was utterly ruined by Xiao Jingxuan, not a single fragment remained.

Just like now, Xiao Jingxuan shattered the last lingering attachment in her heart, forcing her to realize that the great master was, in fact, a scoundrel—not only skilled at stealing the initiative, but even better at acting first and informing later, always springing surprises, leaving people dazed, then offering gentle consolation so you couldn’t even muster any anger, only helpless laughter.

“No—problem!” Chu Luoxi held back her gritted teeth, maintaining her composure. “I’ll go do my makeup. Also, give me the MV script.”

“Alright.” Xiao Jingxuan pointed toward the makeup room, a hint of regret in his eyes, as if disappointed not to see the reaction he’d hoped for.

Watching Chu Luoxi stomp away, Leng Lu grinned mischievously, his gaze toward Xiao Jingxuan full of amusement. “You did it on purpose, right? You really want to see her angry? Hey, isn’t that a bit too much?”

“You can’t expect pearls from a dog’s mouth,” Xiao Jingxuan shot him a glance. “Don’t you think it’s boring? She’s in the prime of her youth, yet always carries herself with that calm, world-weary look. She could use a bit more vitality!”

Leng Lu looked skyward. For the bit of liveliness you want to see, you go out of your way to torment people? Besides, during acting, Chu Luoxi’s expressions are plenty animated. And, has someone not noticed—while he goes to such lengths to see Chu Luoxi’s most genuine side, he also reveals his own unguarded character to her. Didn’t you see her devastated face, idol image shattered, nearly in tears? How pitiful.

Of course, Leng Lu would never point these things out. The observer always sees clearly. Xiao Jingxuan’s show was a rare spectacle, and Leng Lu was determined to cherish it.

Was she really getting her makeup done by Xiao Jingxuan’s exclusive stylist? Chu Luoxi was quietly surprised, then calmed herself to read the short script.

Though the request had come so suddenly, it was a happy turn—becoming the female lead in the MV for a song by the great Xiao was a tremendous honor! In the future, not just domestic stars but even international A-listers would be eager to recommend themselves, regardless of nationality or ethnicity…

Xiao Jingxuan’s second solo album, like “Dragon Roars Across the World,” was a breakthrough after his graduation, a crucial step in his career, a milestone on his path to stardom.

This album, hailed by countless fans as a classic, breaking physical sales records and setting online download myths, known as the most collectible album, was actually a pure Chinese-style production.

Sixteen songs in total, each steeped in the rich flavor of China, from melody and lyrics to MV visuals and plot—utterly Chinese, without a trace of dilution.

It seemed marked by the times, an epoch-defining album. When Xiao Jingxuan stepped onto the international stage, these sixteen songs influenced countless foreigners, sparking a love for Chinese culture and igniting a passionate craze.

What Chu Luoxi hadn’t expected was that the MV lead Xiao Jingxuan wanted her to play was for the main song of such an album. She felt a bit overwhelmed by the honor.

“Full and Waning” was the title of the lead song—already tinged with melancholy.

People part and reunite, the moon waxes and wanes; Xiao Jingxuan’s Chinese-style album was aptly titled “Parting and Reunion.”

From the very beginning, it carried a poignant beauty that tugged at the heart.

The lead song “Full and Waning” lived up to its name, its script brimming with sentimental undertones, quietly piercing the heart with a dull ache.

“Ah…” Chu Luoxi blinked as she skimmed through the script, letting out an almost inaudible sigh.

From ancient times to the present, from East to West, there’s one eternal theme: “Love.” It knows no borders, no race—if you’re human, you understand it, you’re moved by it.

“Full and Waning” was no exception.

The only thing that escaped cliché was the story’s premise. The identities of the protagonists were finally not the usual immortal-mortal romance or monster-mortal pairings. In earlier legends, one party was always a mortal.

Here, mortals played no role. The heroine was a proud, aloof plum blossom spirit; the hero, a carefree immortal from the heavens. When an immortal meets a spirit, tragedy is just as inevitable.

“How is it? What do you think of the script?” Xiao Jingxuan had entered quietly, seeing Chu Luoxi lost in thought and unable to resist asking.

“Mm, honestly, it’s excellent.” Chu Luoxi nodded, not just out of courtesy.

For someone who’d spent years reading web novels, truly impressive scripts were rare. In her previous life, after signing with a company, she often had no say in her roles. There wasn’t much to choose from, and some lines in performances were so cringe-worthy they practically killed her soul.

Of course, later, when Master Baiyun rose to fame, bringing with him a wave of web novel adaptations, the quality of scripts in the industry improved, offering more to look forward to.

But now, scripts she genuinely admired were few and far between.

“That’s good.” Xiao Jingxuan smiled inexplicably, his words oddly phrased.

Chu Luoxi caught the nuance, glanced at him, and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you wrote this, Senior Xiao!”

No matter how he tried to hide it, she could see the exaggerated pride. The great master—when had he ever been humble?