Chapter 43: Fleeing in Panic

“All right, all right, you can rest assured. Director Li Shuangmu may not be fond of the academy-trained type, but that’s only because he finds them too rigid and old-fashioned. The fact that you both have such natural talent sets you apart. Since he’s already decided on you as the leads, he won’t go back on his word. Take the script seriously, and don’t think just because it’s an idol drama it lacks technical depth or can be acted carelessly.”

Chu Luoxi’s words were blunt, so much so that Xiao Jingxuan couldn’t help but glance at her, sensing she wasn’t quite done yet: “Let’s be clear—since you were recommended by me, if you perform poorly, I’ll come back and skin you alive.”

No matter how Zhu Xueshuang and Liu Yujia responded on the other end of the call, Xiao Jingxuan was momentarily stunned, his gaze flickering with a hint of amusement.

It was the first time he’d seen Chu Luoxi’s fierce side; she’d always seemed gentle and composed in their interactions, almost as if she had no temper at all—a serenity bordering on softness. Now, he realized she had this vivid, authentic aspect to her as well.

Xiao Jingxuan had no idea that, given his future reputation as a legendary figure, Chu Luoxi’s idolization might fade bit by bit, but her admiration and reverence remained undiminished. So, when she faced Senior Xiao, she subconsciously held back her temper—perhaps so much so that she herself didn’t even notice.

Watching Chu Luoxi hang up, Xiao Jingxuan raised his eyebrows: “Don’t think idol dramas lack technical depth? Who was it that refused to act in one because it was an idol drama?”

Chu Luoxi handed her phone to Ding Ju and raised her sleeve to cover her mouth in a classically ladylike gesture, coughing softly. “Well, it’s just that I never had any love for youth idol dramas.”

The snowy scene under nightfall was even more beautiful and dreamlike than in daylight. Each department took their place; the set was finished, and when the lights came on, a touch of mystery and enchantment was added to the atmosphere.

From acquaintance to true understanding can be a brief journey. The meeting of the Plum Demon and the Exiled Immortal was dazzling, joyful, beautiful, and blissful, yet the growing undertone of sadness and tragedy could not be dispelled.

Born in snow, the Plum Demon was cold by nature, lacking warmth in expression, always appearing icy and distant. Yet none of this diminished the tenderness in her gaze when she looked at the immortal—a gentleness etched deep within her bones, eternal and unyielding.

Clad in elegant bamboo brocade, the immortal stood languidly among white snow and red plum blossoms, like a night-blooming orchid—mysterious and fragrant, absorbing all the colors of heaven and earth, stirring the soul and captivating the heart. His eyes rested only on that splash of red against the snow, focused, passionate, and everlasting.

“Flower-like beauty, brushing the night’s edge; returning to the city, I regret nothing from the full moon’s past. Words fade, sleeping alone; the rivers and mountains await, and longing grows as time passes…”

Beside them played the melody of “Full and Waning,” Xiao Jingxuan’s ethereal, lonely voice tinged with heartbreak and gentle warmth, filling the scene with atmosphere.

The surprise of their meeting, the happiness and pain of falling in love—all condensed into one gaze, as if at first sight, the story had already reached its end.

“Cut! Ha ha, wonderful, very good, that’s a wrap! Everyone, to Longdu Grand Hotel! Xiao Jingxuan said he’s treating!” Director Cai Xiu slapped the monitor in front of him with excitement, unable to contain his exuberant delight. With a grand gesture, he sent a wave of joy through the whole crew.

A music video scheduled for a week’s shoot, finished in just over two days? Who would believe it? Outsiders might think he’d lowered his standards and rushed the job! But before filming began, who could have predicted such an outcome? Cai Xiu had to admit, Xiao Jingxuan’s eye for casting was sharp, saving so much time—time that translated directly into money!

Hearing the shoot was over, the depth of emotion in Chu Luoxi’s eyes vanished in an instant, like the tide receding. She couldn’t help but rub her eyes, lamenting silently: Everyone says that Xiao the Great has a pair of supercharged, irresistible eyes—especially twenty years from now. Just three seconds of eye contact and your heart races, your blood flows backward, and you find yourself hopelessly in love.

Well, she didn’t know what twenty years in the future would be like, but right now she felt her own resistance slipping. Especially when those eyes looked at her with such warm, loving intensity—so penetrating it felt as though even if she were reduced to ashes, she’d accept it gladly!

Taking a couple of deep breaths, Chu Luoxi steadied her erratic heartbeat, sighing and exhaling with a mood as tangled as could be.

The Xiao Jingxuan before her now was even more ethereal than in “Dragon’s Roar,” so otherworldly he seemed untouched by mortal concerns—his aura was even stronger, truly a rare being.

Under those eyes, which seemed to gather all the brilliance of heaven and earth, focused solely and deeply on her—as if she were the only reflection in their depths—Chu Luoxi felt that if her heartbeat didn’t fluctuate, something must be wrong.

In this moment, she finally believed all those legends about Xiao the Great’s electrifying gaze…

“What’s wrong, are you tired?” Xiao Jingxuan stepped forward, his voice low and gentle with concern, not even bothering to respond to Cai Xiu’s mention of treating everyone—after all, that meal was inevitable.

Technically, the crew should be hosting, not him personally, but it hardly mattered—at most, he’d host once in his own name and once as the crew, just a little extra effort.

As Xiao Jingxuan drew closer, Chu Luoxi caught a faint, inexplicable fragrance, a scent that seemed uniquely his—a sudden assault that left her breathless. She hurriedly retreated a step without betraying her discomfort: “No, no, I’m just relieved now that filming’s done.”

Oh, Xiao the Great, please don’t come any closer! If you do, my heart will break the scale—give me a moment to breathe! I’m not a deity, just a mortal, with a very limited capacity for endurance…

“Hmm?” Xiao Jingxuan looked puzzled, seeing her treat him like a venomous snake. He had no idea what was going on. Relief? Was it necessary to look at him with such fear and trepidation? What kind of expression was that? And where did that defensive posture, ready to bolt at any moment, come from?

“Heh…” Chu Luoxi let out an awkward chuckle, then said, “Since you’re treating, I’ll go remove my makeup and change.” She didn’t care how clumsy her topic shift was—she lifted her skirt and turned away.

That gaze was the trigger; she’d feel better after some rest. For now, distance was best to avoid repeated shocks—her little heart simply couldn’t take it. Demon, demon, demon…

With a forehead full of dark lines, Xiao Jingxuan watched her back, which could only be described as “fleeing in panic,” utterly baffled from beginning to end.

“Hey, what did you do to Junior Chu? You scared her off!” Leng Lu barged in, eager for gossip—an opportunity not to be missed!

A sudden chill made Leng Lu shiver, and Xiao Jingxuan’s expression darkened further. Was it really flight? Was she “scared off,” as someone had said?