Starting as the young master of a medicine shop, he practiced swordsmanship for twenty years.

Chapter 409 Scheming! Lu Xiaoying's Confidence!
The next morning, the largest film and television shooting base in the capital was already bustling with people.

In a corner of the film set, Lu Xuan sat comfortably on a rattan recliner, with a huge parasol standing beside him, perfectly shielding him from the increasingly hot sunlight.

This was specially arranged by agent Gong Qing. She knew how important this old man was to Lu Xiaoying, so she was very careful in everything she did and dared not be negligent in the slightest.

This location was carefully chosen to ensure both shade and comfort, while providing an unobstructed view of the shooting area.

Without moving, Lu Xuan's gaze could clearly penetrate the busy crowd on the film set and land on his granddaughter Lu Xiaoying, who was acting out a scene in the distance.

You can see her dressed in ancient costume, fully immersed in the role in front of the camera.

As for Gong Qing, she stood respectfully by Lu Xuan's side the whole time, with a humble demeanor.

She doesn't seem like an agent who controls an artist's schedule; rather, she's more like a servant who's always at someone's beck and call.

He kept a close eye on Lu Xuan's expression and needs, not daring to relax for a moment.

Upon learning that this distinguished elderly man was the grandfather of the female lead, Lu Xiaoying, the entire crew treated him with just the right amount of courtesy.

Staff members would walk quietly as they passed by, and the event staff would promptly refill his hot tea.

Several main actors would also come over to greet us during breaks in filming.

This thoughtfulness wasn't a deliberate attempt to please, but rather stemmed from Lu Xuan's imposing aura.

Although he was just sitting there quietly, he exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect.

Even the notoriously strict director would unconsciously soften his tone when he met the old man's gaze, and briefly explain the upcoming filming arrangements.

"Okay! This one's approved!"

In the distance, the director put down the monitor, picked up a megaphone, and shouted loudly, his voice echoing across the set.

"All departments, prepare for the next scene! Actors, take your positions!"

The entire scene immediately began to operate like a sophisticated machine.

At this moment, the executive director quickly walked to the head director's side and whispered a few words of advice.

The director suddenly realized what was happening, raised the megaphone again, and urged the director on.

"Where are the stunt doubles? Are the kissing doubles and bed doubles ready?"

Hurry up and find someone! We need to film intimate scenes soon, so hurry!

The urging clearly echoed throughout the set, naturally reaching the ears of Lu Xuan and Gong Qing in the rest area.

Then, the director shouted twice more through a megaphone, his brows gradually furrowing.

Just then, the assistant director and the production assistant quickly stepped forward and whispered a few words in his ear.

"What? The stunt double took a last-minute leave?"

The director's voice suddenly rose, clearly displeased, "This is utter nonsense! The schedule for this scene can't be delayed, contact other backup stunt doubles immediately!"

His angry question clearly echoed throughout the set, bringing a moment of silence to the busy scene.

Lu Xuan could clearly hear the director's shouts through the loudspeaker.

Even the faintest sounds did not escape his perception.

Just now, when the assistant director and several assistants surrounded the director, their deliberately lowered whispers were as clear as if they were talking to Lu Xuan.

"Director Tian, ​​rest assured, everything has been arranged according to Young Master Leng's instructions."

The assistant director's voice was tinged with flattery and a hint of nervousness: "I've managed to get all the qualified stunt doubles to take 'temporary' leave so that no one will notice anything amiss."

He paused, lowered his voice even further, revealing a hint of excitement: "Moreover, Young Master Leng himself has already arrived and is waiting in the RV over there, just waiting for the scene where he is 'needed' to appear."

These whispered words, along with the director's feigned ignorance, were fully observed by Lu Xuan and his own eyes.

However, Lu Xuan remained calmly seated in the recliner, his gaze distant, and no one could discern his thoughts.

Lu Xiaoying is filming a key scene of a traditional Chinese wedding.

She wore an elaborate and gorgeous bright red wedding dress, with a phoenix pattern embroidered with gold and silver threads that shimmered delicately in the sunlight.

Her head was adorned with a phoenix crown surrounded by pearls and jade, and her embroidered robe draped over her shoulders, swaying gently with Lu Xiaoying's movements.

Her makeup was meticulously applied, and her face was fair and flawless, like the finest mutton fat jade.

Her eyebrows and eyes exuded a classical charm, and her pale cherry-colored lips resembled newly blooming petals.

The strapless design of the wedding dress perfectly showcased Lu Xiaoying's beautiful neckline and delicate collarbone contours.

The glimpse of her fair skin on her chest, though not overly exposed, added a touch of captivating elegance to her dignified and noble bearing.

Lu Xiaoying stood there quietly, seemingly otherworldly, possessing both classical elegance and vibrant energy, a beauty that took one's breath away.

Gong Qing, who was standing next to Lu Xuan, naturally heard the director's angry shouts.

Her expression changed slightly, and she immediately realized that something was wrong. She quickly leaned down and whispered something to Lu Xuan.

"Sir, there seems to be a small problem on set. I'll go take a look and I'll fix it right away. Please have a seat."

After saying that, Gong Qing hurriedly ran towards Lu Xiaoying.

The director, assistant director, and screenwriter were gathered together, discussing something in hushed tones with serious expressions, creating a tense atmosphere.

Their supposedly private conversation still reached Lu Xuan's ears without missing a single word.

"What do we do now?" the director asked in a low voice, his brows furrowed and his face filled with genuine anxiety.

"All the machines are running, and the venue, personnel, and equipment are burning money every minute and every second!"

If we stop now, millions will be wasted today, and everyone will have worked for nothing!

He spread his hands, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the assistant director and the screenwriter.

His worried and distressed appearance perfectly described him as a leader driven to the brink by budget and schedule constraints.

It was as if he was silently declaring to everyone that he too had been caught off guard by this sudden situation and was now at a loss for what to do.

Just as the director was pretending to be overwhelmed with problems, the assistant director's eyes flashed with a shrewdness, and he spoke up at the opportune moment.

"Director Tian, ​​you see... we can't find a suitable stunt double right now, so how about we don't use a stunt double for this scene?"
I'm continuing to make contact as soon as I have any news, and I'll arrange for reshoots immediately.

As soon as he finished speaking, a choreography director next to him immediately chimed in, his tone carrying a seemingly high-sounding "professional" air.

"That's right. Actors, in the end, still need to have a professional spirit and the awareness to dedicate themselves to art."

"It's just a kissing scene, it's all for work, there's no need to make a big deal out of it."

Several assistants echoed this sentiment.

"Yes, director, many actors are now doing their own stunts."

"If you really mind, just rinse your mouth after you're done filming..."

This seemingly reasonable but actually increasingly forceful persuasion created an invisible pressure that enveloped Lu Xiaoying and Gong Qing, who had not yet expressed their opinions.

Pushed by the crowd, the director had no choice but to turn to Gong Qing and Lu Xiaoying with an awkward and embarrassed smile on his face, and tentatively asked in an almost ingratiating tone.

"Xiaoying, Sister Qing... look at the situation... what everyone is saying makes some sense, is it possible... to make an exception?"

Upon hearing this, Gong Qing's brows furrowed instantly, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes, and she refused without hesitation.

"Absolutely not!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable firmness, and her sharp gaze swept over the assistant director and the few people who chimed in.

"The script they gave us clearly stated in black and white that all intimate scenes must be performed by body doubles!"
This was the bottom line we set before signing the contract. Why should we change it so easily now?

Gong Qing stepped forward, shielding Lu Xiaoying behind her, her posture as firm as a lioness protecting her cubs. "The problem of not being able to find a female stunt double is the production team's problem, and our actors shouldn't have to bear the consequences."

Lu Xiaoying remained quietly standing behind Gong Qing, her delicate face revealing no emotion.

With Gong Qing, her powerful agent, in front of her, she didn't need to say much; she simply observed the changes with a cold eye.

Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, the producer representing the investor, Minghuang Group, who had been observing coldly, suddenly snorted, breaking the silence.

"Humph!"

His face darkened, all his previous politeness vanished, and his tone was filled with undisguised anger and reprimand.

"Aren't there no stunt doubles available right now? Given the special circumstances, can't we find a workaround?"

The producer's gaze swept over Lu Xiaoying and Gong Qing, his words sharp as knives, carrying the arrogance of someone in a superior position.

"It's just acting, why be so dramatic?"

"It's not like we're asking you to take your acting too seriously! If you've chosen this profession, you need to have some professional ethics and be prepared to dedicate yourself to art!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, even resorting to his usual clichés, pointing with his finger and speaking with sarcasm.

"Sigh, you young actors these days are spoiled; you can't endure any hardship!"

Think about those veteran artists; their conditions were far more difficult than yours, and how did they manage? Look at you!

These barbed words instantly escalated the conflict to the level of "professional attitude" and "senior spirit," attempting to forcefully subdue the other party with the weight of morality and seniority.

The atmosphere at the scene immediately plummeted to freezing point.

Before Gong Qing could refute him, the producer from Minghuang Group waved his hand again and issued an ultimatum.

The anger that had been on his face vanished, replaced by a cold, businesslike seriousness: "I don't want to hear any more explanations."

"Today's scenes must be filmed as planned. This is the final decision, and there is no room for discussion."

Finally, the producer paused deliberately before slowly adding the following.

"Otherwise, it will be considered a unilateral breach of contract on your part, and the contract will be terminated immediately."

"All consequences arising from this—astronomical compensation, industry blacklisting—will be borne entirely by your Tianyu International!"

This sudden and undisguised, forceful threat stunned both Gong Qing and Lu Xiaoying.

The previous disputes remained at the level of reason, but now the true intentions have been revealed, turning into a naked crushing of capital.

Just as the atmosphere froze to freezing point, a voice with a touch of languor and amusement broke the deathly silence.

"Director, my makeup and hair are all ready."

A man dressed in a dark ancient robe and with makeup that gave him a somewhat sinister look walked over.

He is clearly playing the villain in the drama.

The uniform dark clothing and the makeup that deliberately emphasized a gloomy temperament did indeed make the man look a unique and dangerous kind of handsome.

He casually swept his gaze across the room, his eyes lingering for a moment on Lu Xiaoying, who was dressed in a wedding gown, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

Only then did he slowly look at the director, feigning ignorance, and ask, "Director, have you found a stunt double?"

However, the deliberately cultivated, effeminate, and devilishly handsome demeanor of the man in front of her failed to move Lu Xiaoying in the slightest.

Having grown up alongside true masters of Chinese martial arts like Lu Xuan and Lu Yulong, her horizons had already been elevated to an unprecedented level.

Lu Xiaoying admires and adores men like her grandfather and father the most.

That kind of physique that embodies the ultimate in masculinity—broad shoulders and a sturdy back, a powerful stride, and a sense of strength as steady as a mountain and as fiery as a volcano.

In contrast, the man in front of me, relying on makeup and clothing, exudes a somewhat effeminate "evil handsomeness."

In Lu Xiaoying's view, it was all show and no substance, and even seemed somewhat effeminate and dominated by women.

Therefore, she couldn't help but feel a sense of inexplicable rejection. She felt disgusted not only by the thought of having more time with him, but also by the idea of ​​spending more time with him.

Lu Xiaoying's gaze didn't linger on the man in front of her for even a second before quickly shifting away.

However, coincidentally, the man who made Lu Xiaoying feel repulsed was an important villainous supporting character in the script—although he didn't have many scenes, they were all crucial.

The male villain he played almost entirely revolved around various forced "intimate interactions" with the female lead, Lu Xiaoying.

From forced kisses to tearing off the wedding dress, and then to various forms of physical contact used to take advantage of others.

Especially today's main event—according to the script, on the heroine's wedding day, he, the male supporting villain, is to step forward and wantonly humiliate her, doing everything he can to be lewd.

These kinds of plot points are simply a common technique used by screenwriters to deliberately create conflict and stimulate the audience's emotions.

Challenging the audience's senses in the most outrageous ways to gain attention and buzz is a tried-and-true method for generating traffic in the industry.

On the other side, Leng Shao's gaze was fixed on Lu Xiaoying, especially on the neckline of her wedding dress.

That glimpse of snow-white skin!
His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and an uncontrollable restlessness surged within him.

Then, his gaze greedily climbed to Lu Xiaoying's delicate lips, as fresh as newly blossoming cherry petals.

At this moment, Leng Shao's mind had already begun to imagine how sweet the taste must be...
"Heh... little beauty, I'll just have a taste of you today. There's still a long way to go."

In an instant, Lu Xiaoying seemed to hear a divine decree from beyond the heavens, and her delicate body trembled violently.

She turned her head abruptly in disbelief, looking at Lu Xuan sitting quietly dozens of meters away.

This is incredible!
Even across the noisy film set, which was a good 70 or 80 meters away, her grandfather's voice sounded as if he were whispering in her ear.

"Xiaoying, Grandpa is tired, let's go back first."

"I'm going with Grandpa tomorrow to visit an old friend who has been waiting for him for a long time."

This is... some kind of divine power!
At this moment, Lu Xiaoying's heart was in turmoil, but when she saw her grandfather Lu Xuanzheng nodding to her from afar...

Lu Xiaoying instantly realized—this was no illusion!

Looking at Gong Qing, the director, the producer, and others beside her, none of them reacted at all. Clearly, her grandfather's mystical voice was directed at her alone.

Now that her grandfather had spoken, Lu Xiaoying was no longer going to bother with this mess.

In Lu Xiaoying's heart, her grandfather's words were the supreme decree, no, a thousand times more important than an imperial edict!
The next moment, to everyone's astonishment, the "bride" dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe appeared.

Suddenly, she playfully and boldly made two classic "international friendship gestures" at the arrogant producer of Minghuang Group.

Immediately, Lu Xiaoying grabbed Gong Qing, who was still in a daze, and said in a light tone, "Let's go, Sister Qing! Grandpa is calling us home!"

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

When everyone finally reacted, they could only stare in disbelief at the bright red figure who, pulling Gong Qing along, gracefully departed in Lu Xuan's direction without looking back.

Leng Shao stood still, neither speaking nor making any physical movements to stop him.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, someone of his status would not personally step in and do anything that would be undignified.

That's too ugly and too low-class.

Leng Shao simply watched Lu Xiaoying and Lu Xuan's receding figure quietly and coldly.

Those seemingly calm eyes churned with a chilling coldness and a hint of violent resentment at being defied.

Hmph... You shameless woman, you don't know what's good for you. In this Dragon Kingdom, there's no woman that I, Leng Shengchen, can't have.

Seeing his overt methods thwarted, an even more insidious idea quickly took shape in Leng Shengchen's mind.

Since open methods aren't working, don't blame me for resorting to covert ones. It seems I'll have to ask those "masters" for help...

(End of this chapter)