Huayu: Tianxian Qianmeng

Ling Yuan reached out to Chen Kun, who smiled and handed him the half-pack of Marlboro cigarettes from his pocket.

Ling Yuan skillfully opened the cigarette box, pinched it between his index and middle fingers, and a cigarette slid out.

With a flick of his wrist, the cigarette deftly twirled between his slender fingers before settling comfortably in his mouth. The movement was as fluid as breathing.

He tilted his head slightly, raised his chin, and his eyes instantly took on a nonchalant, roguish air. The whole movement was fluid and graceful, exuding a relaxed feeling that only a seasoned smoker could have.

Li Dawei: "Looks like Xiaoling, you've been hiding in the bathroom smoking quite a bit at school."

Ling Yuan: "I'm so wronged! I really didn't smoke."

Well, it's not entirely unfair. He hasn't smoked in this life, but in his previous life, he had been smoking for twenty or thirty years. He just doesn't plan to smoke in this life. But his technique is still there, just like someone who's been smoking for decades.

"Alright, go teach them quickly. Teach them well!" Li Dawei waved his hand and went to do other things.

The film crew was actually divided into several groups, so the director naturally didn't have time to teach an underage girl how to smoke.

Chen Kun also left, saying, "I lent you the cigarette as a prop, return it to me in half an hour!"

"Haha, no problem." Ling Yuan watched Chen Kun's departing figure and thought to himself, "Brother Kun is trying to make things difficult for me. He wants to see if I can teach Qianqian in half an hour."

So, Ling Yuan once again took on the role of acting coach for the "Fairy Sister".

Okay, today's lesson is all about smoking.

Teaching Liu Yifei to smoke—who gets that kind of treatment? Would you believe it if I told you? Anyway, Ling Yuan was in a pretty good mood.

He enjoys smoking with girls all the time. And he's still a minor!

Of course, it's for work, it's for work. We have to be dedicated!

……

"Let's go, Qianqian, let's find a quiet place and have a private chat," Ling Yuan invited Liu Yifei, his tone serious.

Liu Xiaoli glanced at him and knew it was the director's idea, so she nodded in agreement.

Liu Yifei's face flushed slightly, and with a mix of curiosity and nervousness, she obediently followed Ling Yuan to a relatively quiet prop box on the side.

Of course, Aunt Liu was worried about her daughter being alone with the man, so she crossed her arms and followed them at a distance, her eyes fixed on the two of them like searchlights.

The brightest light bulb, bar none.

But there's nothing we can do; after all, she's a goddess.

"Don't be nervous, it's just imitation." Ling Yuan softened his voice, first taking out a new cigarette and handing it to Liu Yifei, "Here, have a feel for it."

Liu Yifei carefully took the cigarette; the long, thin cigarette looked particularly unfamiliar between her fair and slender fingers.

"First step, hold the cigarette." Ling Yuan demonstrated, "Like this, pinch the filter tip slightly below the tip with your index and middle fingers. Don't hold it too far forward, and don't be too rigid. Relax a bit, make it look casual, but don't let it fall."

"Yes, gently place your thumb on the side. Don't stiffen your wrist; let it hang naturally."

He adjusted Liu Yifei's fingers; they truly felt like soft, fragrant jade. In his past life, he never even caught a glimpse of a celestial being up close before his death. In this life… well, it's just for work.

Ling Yuan put aside his distracting thoughts and taught very seriously.

Liu Yifei tried to imitate him, clumsily adjusting the cigarette. Her fingers were a little unresponsive, and the cigarette looked awkward in her hand.

But gradually, under Ling Yuan's guidance, he became proficient.

"That's pretty good. Step two: smoke a cigarette."

Ling Yuan put the cigarette back in his mouth and tilted his head slightly to demonstrate: "Don't actually bite down hard, just gently hold the tip of the filter in your mouth, relax your lips, lift your chin slightly, with a slightly lazy or... um, contemplating life feeling?"

He deliberately made a serious expression, making Liu Yifei purse her lips, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

Liu Yifei tried to bring the cigarette to her lips, her movements stiff as if she were holding a miniature torch.

"The third step is ignition."

Ling Yuan took out a match and gently struck it, and a flame shot up.

Bring the cigarette close, take a deep drag, but don't let it go into your lungs. The flame instantly ignites the tobacco, producing a soft "sizzling" sound.

"Note that you should lower your head slightly towards the fire, but don't stare at the flames. Look elsewhere to appear absent-minded or a little melancholy."

Liu Yifei tried it, but it was still too awkward.

"Don't rush, don't rush, take your time." Ling Yuan patiently steadied her hand. "Try again, but slower and more steady."

"Step four, exhale smoke."

Ling Yuan took a deep breath, still just a fake inhale, and then slowly exhaled, the smoke forming a faint trail in the air.

"The key is in 'exhaling,' not spraying. Slightly purse your lips, creating a small gap, allowing the smoke to flow out naturally and slowly. Your eyes can follow the smoke for a moment, appearing confused or... cool."

"Pay attention to the muscles at the corners of your mouth. Don't strain them too much; keep them relaxed and natural. And the ash," Ling Yuan gently tapped the cigarette again, "Don't let it pile up too much and fall down; it looks messy. Occasionally, flick it lightly with your index finger, making sure the movement is gentle."

Ling Yuan explained in extremely detail, from the pressure of his fingers to the curve of his lips, from the focus of his gaze to the rhythm of the falling ash. It was as if he were imparting all his knowledge, as if he were teaching a profound art.

The fairy-like girl studied with exceptional seriousness, her face tense, repeatedly trying to take a cigarette, hold it in her mouth, light it, and imitate the mannerisms of exhaling smoke.

She frowned, trying to grasp that feeling of "focused yet somewhat bewildered," her clumsiness revealing a tenacious spirit that refused to give up.

Later, Ling Yuan even taught her advanced skills like blowing smoke rings. Liu Yifei learned them quite well.

The two were so engrossed in teaching and learning that they didn't notice a person standing in the shadows of the props not far away.

The man was tall and had a neat buzz cut. He looked to be in his thirties, with sharp, eagle-like eyes. He was watching Ling Yuan teach with great interest, his arms crossed, and a smile of appreciation slowly crept onto his lips.

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

Three crisp claps suddenly rang out, breaking the focused atmosphere.

Ling Yuan and Liu Yifei were both startled and turned to look at each other in surprise.

The man with the buzz cut walked over slowly, a hearty smile on his face: "You taught me pretty well. Your smoking technique is even better than mine!"

Ling Yuan quickly explained, "I don't usually smoke; this is just theoretical training."

The man with the buzz cut said, "...You're so skilled even without smoking, that's impressive. You've really mastered the art. It seems you have a keen eye for observing smokers."

"You flatter me. Uh, are you Teacher Xiu Qin?" Ling Yuan asked.

"You know me?" Xiu Qin was taken aback.

Ling Yuan raised an eyebrow: "How could I not recognize him? He's the famous Little Li Guang, Hua Rong, from the 98 TV series 'Water Margin'!"

Ling Yuan has watched the 98 version of "Water Margin" many times; every character is a classic.

This teacher, Xiu Qin, started learning Henan Opera at the age of seven. She has played clowns, young men, civil and military old men, short-armored martial arts men, and long-armored martial arts men. She has also participated in many movies and TV series. Although she is only in her thirties now, she can truly be called a veteran actress. However, it seems that her career has collapsed in her later years.

But this is naturally a good thing, quite gentlemanly.

Just like Dong Bailian, who wouldn't say it's good at this point?

Especially in the year 2000, her appearance on the Spring Festival Gala with Nicholas Tse as his bride and groom amazed countless people's youth.