Did the Movie Emperor Blow His Cover Today? - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Zhou Xun arrived with Tao Hui’s assistant, Miao Miao, after parking the car. He immediately spotted Tao Hui sitting at a table with Han Buji.

The sight nearly gave Zhou Xun a heart attack. Clutching his chest, he hurried over to greet the assistant director. “Director Zhang, I’m entrusting Tao Hui to your care during filming. Please don’t hesitate to point out any shortcomings.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhou Xun pulled Tao Hui aside to a quieter spot for a stern warning. “Hui ah, don’t get too close to the Best Actor. Be cautious of your colleagues on set too—don’t reveal everything. The more someone seems like an instant friend, the more suspicious you should be. Anyone offering unsolicited kindness is either a schemer or a thief, understand?”

Tao Hui, with her carefree nature and lack of cunning, left Zhou Xun, her self-appointed “mother,” constantly worried.

Miao Miao, Tao Hui’s assistant, leaned in, shaking her head. “Don’t worry, Sister Xun. I’ll keep an eye on Sister Huihui.”

Tao Hui threw an arm around Miao Miao’s shoulders. “Exactly! With Little Miao Miao here, 1 + 1 equals more than 2—a powerful alliance!”

Miao Miao, Tao Hui’s personal makeup artist and assistant, was 20 years old but still had a baby face. Sharing Tao Hui’s taste for junk food, she enjoyed special favor. The two often sneaked into dingy eateries and street stalls, happily gorging themselves on greasy snacks and carbonated drinks until they burped.

Zhou Xun watched Tao Hui and Miao Miao huddled together, discussing whether the Film and Television Base had crayfish delivery, his heart aching even more. He vaguely felt he should just grab his tie and hang himself right there.

Tao Hui plus Miao Miao—that “1+1” barely added up to 0.5.

Clutching his chest, Zhou Xun glanced at Tao Hui’s turtleneck sweater and sighed quietly. Tao Hui, of course, couldn’t bear to part with her makeup artist.

Miao Miao might be a bit dim-witted, but she was fiercely loyal and would never betray Tao Hui’s secrets. That was at least one redeeming quality.

After lunch, the staff gradually returned. Director Chen led Tao Hui around, introducing her to the crew and other actors.

Sheng Jue was a large-scale historical drama set in a fictional world, with a cast several times larger than a typical urban drama. The production team included numerous veteran actors and respected teachers.

Tao Hui diligently bowed to each person, sweetly greeting them, “Hello, Teacher X. Please guide me. Hello, Senior X. I’ll try not to trouble you too much in the future.”

Normally, Han Buji would be in his dressing room reading scripts during breaks. But today, for some reason, he stood idly by, casually picking at a loose thread on his cuff.

Tao Hui nodded, bowed, and flashed her brightest smile as she greeted everyone.

As Tao Hui approached Han Buji, her smile faltered, strained and unnatural. Her bow was no longer a crisp ninety-degree angle, but a perfunctory dip of the head. She mumbled reluctantly, “Hello, Senior Han. I look forward to your guidance in the future.”

Tao Hui thought her message was clear enough—she might as well have tattooed “We’ve had our differences, your fans dislike me, and I dislike you. Let’s avoid each other” on her forehead.

Yet Han Buji feigned clueless innocence, his expression radiating benign incomprehension. He gently patted Tao Hui’s head. “Of course,” he said warmly. “I’ll be sure to offer plenty of guidance.”

Tao Hui’s smile remained plastered on her face, but inwardly she cursed a blue streak. Stiffly retreating to her dressing room, she slammed the door, her face flushed with fury. “Shameless! Who needs his guidance? And he touched my head! He actually touched a young woman’s head! He dared! He dared to touch a young woman’s silky hair! Pervert! Ugh ugh ugh…”

Miao Miao clamped a hand over Tao Hui’s mouth, her voice soothing and conciliatory. “Sister Huihui, calm down! We’re on set—keep your voice down. Tell me who’s bullying you, and I’ll spit in their drink!”

Tao Hui: “……”

“I’m using my assistant title to spit in people’s cups? How is that any better than me cursing?”

Miao Miao had worked with Tao Hui for over a year and knew her temper inside and out—Tao Hui’s anger never lasted more than three seconds. Seeing Tao Hui’s anger subside, she quickly handed her a water cup. “Here, Sister Huihui, drink this. I promise I didn’t spit in it. You can drink it safely. Calm down.”

“Thanks, but now I don’t want it even more,” Tao Hui said wearily, rubbing her temples. She still felt a lingering warmth on her head and muttered, “That bastard Han Buji…”

Miao Miao, who was rummaging through her bag, paused at Tao Hui’s muttering and turned to ask softly, “Who upset you, Sister Huihui? Who are you calling a bastard?”

“Han Buji,” Tao Hui replied.

“Ah?” Miao Miao froze, turning around with a postcard of Han Buji in her hand. She stammered guiltily, “What’s wrong with Movie Emperor Han? I was even going to ask you to get his autograph for me.”

The postcard showed Han Buji with a cool, aloof expression, his shirt unbuttoned to reveal his eight-pack abs.

Tao Hui’s eyes widened. A traitor in her own camp! She tried to reason with Miao Miao, “Don’t you think Han Buji is incredibly hypocritical? Don’t you think he has a terrible temper? Don’t you think he’s two-faced?”

Miao Miao shook her head earnestly. “I don’t think so at all! Movie Emperor Han has both the looks and the acting skills. He’s a gentleman and humble—the perfect man! It’s true he has a bit of a double-sided nature, appearing aloof on the outside but actually being very kind. I’ve heard he gets along well with half the entertainment industry…”

Tao Hui stared blankly. Instead of converting Miao Miao, she was being sold on Movie Emperor Han herself.

If I hadn’t experienced it firsthand, I might have fallen for your lies! Tao Hui thought, her face expressionless.

Sheng Jue had been filming for over a month. As a latecomer to the crew, Tao Hui felt nervous among the seasoned veterans. Even though her scenes were scheduled for the end, she dared not return to her hotel to rest.

It was a cruel twist of fate. Ever since her career had plummeted after a major setback, Tao Hui couldn’t shake the feeling that the career line on her palm had grown shorter. If it weren’t for a pregnant actress from her agency, this coveted role in Sheng Jue would never have fallen into her lap.

This hard-won opportunity was precious. Tao Hui secretly vowed to make Director Zhang and the other actors sit up and take notice of her performance today. She stretched her neck to peer at the filming area, trying to immerse herself in the atmosphere and find her rhythm.

After all, when you look at a crowd, the first person you notice is either someone you recognize or the most striking figure in the group.

Coincidentally, one person possessed both qualities.

Tao Hui sat on the edge of the film set and immediately spotted Han Buji in the crowd.

Han Buji wore a black robe with subtle patterns, his lean waist cinched by a wide belt. He brandished a sword, sending stunt performers tumbling to the ground. Blood from his blood packs flowed freely, staining his robe. His usually languid eyes now gleamed with a sharpness sharper than the sword in his hand, their rims slightly reddened. The sword dripped blood as he lowered it, looking like a war god stepping out of a historical painting.

Tao Hui was momentarily stunned.

The director gave an “OK” sign, and the assistant director snapped the clapperboard, “Cut!”

The stunt performers rose from the ground. Han Buji helped up the male actor he had been sparring with, and they exchanged words before bursting into laughter. The director enthusiastically clapped them both on the shoulders, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

Tao Hui had to admit Miao Miao was right, Han Buji truly was on good terms with most of the entertainment industry.

Apart from Tao Hui’s disdain for him, everyone from 58-year-old former Best Actor Gu Yuan to 19-year-old rising pop star Zhang Luxiao considered him a close friend.

It was said that the “Han Meimeis” constantly lamented, “We can only see Movie Emperor Han on other people’s Weibo! His own account is gathering dust!”

“Sister Tao Hui! Is that really you?”

A sweet, sugary voice, probably with five plus signs of sweetness, came from behind. Tao Hui turned to see a girl in a pink ancient-style dress running toward her.

The girl grabbed Tao Hui’s hand, beaming. “Sister Tao Hui, you have no idea how thrilled I was to hear you were here! Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Han You—the ‘you’ from ‘youyou luming’!”

The girl’s eyes curved into crescents when she smiled, making her look quite cute. But they were about the same age, weren’t they? Why was she calling her “sister”?

Tao Hui asked awkwardly, “Um, Han You, how old are you?”

Han You paused, then smiled sheepishly. “Twenty-one. Actually, we’re the same age, but I just started in the industry last year. You’re my senior, after all.”

She glanced around furtively and whispered, “There are so many veterans on this set. Can I just call you ‘sister’?”

Tao Hui didn’t mind. “Sister,” “younger sister”—she didn’t care what people called her, as long as they didn’t call her “Mom.” Since they were both actresses and the same age, there was no risk of rumors, and they naturally struck up a conversation.

Han You was outgoing and talkative, chattering away about how all the other actresses on set were seasoned veterans. As the only young newcomer, she felt out of place. With Tao Hui’s arrival, she finally had a friend.

Tao Hui chatted with Han You about the script for a while. Han You had a scene to film that afternoon and was soon called away, leaving Tao Hui alone again.

The epic battle scene on the other set was still being filmed. The director was rehearsing with Han Buji and another actor named Xu Chang, who appeared to be around the same age as Han Buji—in his late twenties. Xu Chang was also a seasoned actor, and the set was filled with relaxed laughter.

Han Buji must have exceptional emotional intelligence. When he was reserved, he exuded a cold aloofness that kept people at arm’s length. But when he smiled, he was so cheerful and approachable that it was easy to feel warmly toward him.

When a production assistant brought water, he helped others open their bottles before drinking his own.

When a prop assistant offered to clean his sword, he took the tissue and did it himself.

When a makeup artist touched up his makeup, he thoughtfully bent down to minimize the height difference.

Tsk, tsk, tsk, no wonder he’s the Best Actor. Has he forgotten his “son of a bitch,” his “holy shit,” his “flying kick to the face,” his “motherfucker?!”

Tao Hui watched the staff being deceived by this facade with a melancholy gaze, feeling a sense of lonely clarity, like the only sober person in a room full of drunks.

Alone, Tao Hui immersed herself in the script, memorizing lines and delving into her character’s psychology in a quiet corner of the set. She didn’t even notice when the battle scene wrapped up, nor when Han Buji passed by her and entered the break room.

Two minutes later, Tao Hui’s phone rang.

[ Teacher Tao, are you busy today? ]

Tao Hui smiled at the WeChat message and replied.

[ Trying to get me to play games again? Not today, I’ve got a ton of prep work to do. I’m swamped. ]

The little fanboy actually called her directly. Tao Hui paused, then answered, “What’s up?”

He chuckled softly. “Just wanted to hear your voice and get some of your good luck. I’m tired of getting crushed in solo queue.”

Tao Hui found it amusing. “Why don’t you give me some of your luck first? Let me tell you, I almost faced my second career disaster today.”

The little fanboy always took a beat to respond when work came up, as if he didn’t quite understand. Tao Hui didn’t press him, changing the subject. “I met this total show-off the other day. His ‘cool guy’ act was flawless—everyone fell for it except me—”

“Sister Huihui!”

Tao Hui covered her phone and turned around.

Han You was running toward her from a distance, clutching a thermos. In her haste, she stepped on the hem of her historical drama costume, lost her balance, and lunged toward Tao Hui. The hot water in her hand splashed uncontrollably.

Author’s Note: I feel like I’m going to get yelled at for ending it here. whispers Sorry…