TSSRWAB Chapter 20

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

 

On the phone, Lu Xi said to Lao Jian, “We haven’t signed the contract anyway. Besides, you’re one of our Little Male Fox’s sugar daddies[mfn]金主爸爸 jīnzhǔ bābā – a Chinese internet slang term that refers to a person or entity that provides financial support, often in a romantic or business context. It’s a more casual and playful way of saying “benefactor” or “sponsor”[/mfn] now. Just do your thing, and you can come visit the set and make a guest appearance when the time comes. To be honest, the director and screenwriter both feel a lot of pressure about you playing the second male lead.”

 

“What about you then?” Jian Huai asked over the phone.

 

Lu Xi raised an eyebrow and said arrogantly, “Of course I wouldn’t. Who do you think I am? I’m Captain Lu!'”

 

Jian Huai chuckled softly.

 

In the end, he turned down the role of the second male lead in Little Male Fox and instead chose to do the global cover shoot for MOMO Magazine and endorse IM Perfume. He was too weak and wanted to become stronger.

 

“When are you leaving?”

 

Jian Huai: “They’re rushing me over there. I’ll bring you a gift when I get back.”

 

“Haha, thanks in advance then.”

 

After ending the call, Lu Xi found that both the director and screenwriter had received Jian Huai’s ‘sorry, I can’t take the role‘ message. The two did not show the slightest bit of displeasure. On the contrary, they smiled happily, as if it were New Year, and began sending emojis and red envelopes.

 

Guozili: The Best Actor’s standards are too high. We can’t match them anyway.

 

DirectorHuNeverFlops: In that case, I’ll inform the college senior we previously picked for the second male lead. [confetti][red packet]

 

Dahl, standing nearby, had been listening from start to finish. With the keen hearing of the demon race, eavesdropping was a piece of cake. He learned that this male vixen was going abroad and wouldn’t be filming with his master. His wariness finally eased.

 

“Master, you can work with peace of mind. I will take good care of the children at home,” Dahl assured him with a hearty smile.

 

From addressing him as “you”[mfn]您 nin, polite form of “you”[/mfn] to “you”[mfn]你 ni, familiar/casual form[/mfn], Dahl had secretly shortened the distance between himself and his master.

 

Lu Xi didn’t notice these small details and said, “You’ve been working hard lately. Doubao and Dougao are off on the weekend, so you can bring them over to visit.”

 

After all, he was both an investor and the male lead, so he had privileges!

 

Dahl was overjoyed, secretly thinking that this was a family of four consisting of him, his master, and the two young masters. He nodded and already selected the butler’s attire that he would wear when visiting the set over the weekend.

 

All filming locations for Little Male Fox are located in a film studio.

 

It’s convenient, fast, and cost-effective.

 

The important roles in the drama were all personally cast by the director from his students. The rest were background extras picked from the film studio’s entrance. And just like that, the production crew came together.

 

Lu Xi paid for his own five-star hotel suite so that it would be convenient for Dahl to bring the kids over to stay.

 

From childhood to adulthood, Lu Xi was raised in relative affluence. Even when he had a falling out with his foster parents and ran away, he only experienced a brief period of poverty, enduring the cold and hunger during a long flight to the airport.

 

Later, he was taken in by Xie Zhuhan, who treated him like a son and doted on him.

 

After debuting for more than half a year, thanks to Xie Zhuhan’s connections, the agency offered a very generous contract. Lu Xi was the most popular member of the group, and received endorsements and commercial gigs, which brought in a large sum of money, all of which he gave to his foster parents.

 

The two sides later stopped contacting each other, tacitly ending the ‘adoption’.

 

Later, after breaking up with Xie Zhuhan, his biological older brother found him.

 

His biological older brother lived in a castle, was ridiculously rich. He loved his younger brother to the point of obsession, so much so that Lu Xi had no choice but to live off him. His older brother practically rolled up his sleeves to offer the most tender meat and even asked how it tasted and whether it was tough on his teeth.

 

Lu Xi: …

 

He didn’t even know how to write the word “poor.”

 

Director and screenwriter: … Just a little bit jealous.

 

Pete freeloaded at the five-star hotel and resolved to clinging tightly to Lu Xi’s thigh and never let go.

 

The two are now working independently. Pete is both a manager and an assistant, as well as a driver. He rented a car and drove Lu Xi to the film set every day. He is very happy.

 

None of the actors in the cast is well-known except for Lu Xi, who is also known to have invested in the production.

 

At first, everyone was very polite and respectful, addressing him as “Lu-laoshi.”

 

Later—

 

“Lu-ge, would you like some milk tea? I’ll bring you a cup.”

 

“Boss Xi, help me play a round. You’ve got lucky hands. I’ve already lost two rounds.”

 

The second male lead, while waiting for his scenes, liked to play Fight the Landlord[mfn]斗地主 dòu dìzhǔ –  a card game in the genre of shedding and gambling. It is one of the most popular card games played in China. It is typically played by three players: one landlord (地主) against two farmers (农民), where the goal is to be the first to play all cards in hand. Many have also turned this into a mobile game. Developed by Tencent, 欢乐斗地主  or Happy Fight the Landlord is one of the most well-known versions, featuring online multiplayer modes, tournaments, and in-game currency (欢乐豆, Happy Beans)[/mfn], but his luck was awful. Every day, he lost all his beans and had to switch accounts to continue. Lu Xi would play two rounds and could achieve a moderately prosperous life.

 

Lu Xi is twenty-three, and the second male lead is a fourth-year college student who started school one year early, and they were the same age. Once familiar, the whole set became full of laughter. After half a month of filming, even the originally pure and innocent young female lead could joke on set: “Hey, where’s my little male fox Xixi, my boy toy[mfn]男宠 nán chǒng – lit. “favored male” or “pampered male”; a historical term denoting male companions favored by rulers, often with ambiguous romantic, political, or servile implications. (It was said playfully here, but it can potentially be offensive if misapplied to others)[/mfn]?”

 

Lu Xi: …

 

Wait, from “Lu-laoshi” to “Lu-ge” and “Boss Xi,” how did it become “Xixi, a boy toy”???

 

No respect for my Boss Xi status.

 

Wuwu.

 

Little succubus Lu roared.

 

—

 

“Has the X City contract been signed?” Xie Zhuhan asked.

 

The butler looked puzzled. What contract in X City? But as an excellent butler, he immediately pulled up work-related memories about X City. “Is it the subsidiary’s energy project with the government?”

 

Why is Master taking an interest in the subsidiary today?

 

Xie Zhuhan hummed without any expression.

 

The butler immediately brought up the X City project. Actually, there was no need for the Master to intervene. The subsidiary had always had smooth cooperation with the government there. This year had no major issues. But since the Master asked—

 

“Master, are you going to X City?”

 

“To inspect the project,” Xie Zhuhan said.

 

The butler respectfully agreed. After leaving, he suddenly remembered: X City is the capital of Z Province, and Young Master Lu is currently filming at a film studio in Z Province.

 

Could it be that Master wanted to see Young Master Lu…

 

And was just looking for a business excuse?

 

The butler glanced at his master’s tall, cold back and sighed silently.

 

—

 

Little Male Fox saves money wherever possible.

 

To save on post-production effects while highlighting the little male fox’s demon traits, they put effort into his appearance: pointy, fluffy white ears and semi-permanent colored contacts.

 

When the little male fox was still the empress’s pet, the contacts were pink, making him a soft and adorable little fox. Later, when he became overwhelmingly powerful, they were scarlet.

 

The most costume changes in the whole production went to the little male fox.

 

The empress and the enemy emperor didn’t even have dragon robes. Because the production was poor, they didn’t shoot grand court scenes at all. Do you know how much it costs to hire all the civil and military officials? And their court robes?

 

The two emperors were down-to-earth and simple.

 

The little male fox, however, was all flashy. Early on, the empress doted on him and loved dressing him up. In later stages, to highlight his vengeful and domineering aura, it was one grand outfit after another.

 

Lu Xi: I can feel it, I can feel it. The true male lead aura.

 

Today, they were shooting in a rented peach blossom forest.

 

The trees were fake and all plastic. The prop master was spraying water to make the blossoms look fresh and vibrant on camera. Lu Xi had changed into costume: a moon-white robe, pointy fluffy ears, and pink contact lenses.

 

He is so beautiful that he looks like a little fairy.

 

Lu Xi was used to it by now.

 

In the script, the empress had a lustful heart but no courage to act on it. She teased her male pet for a long time, but nothing happened. The little male fox saw right through her. He obeyed the empress simply because he liked her and wanted to pamper her.

 

This scene involved the empress continuing her flirtations, only for the male fox spirit to flip her over beneath the peach blossom tree and press a light kiss on her lips.

 

A very simple scene.

 

The filming was done based on rented sets. The peach blossom forest had two scenes scheduled: one was the current sweet, high-sugar moment, and the other was a revenge scene where the little fox spirit, having turned into a weapon of mass destruction, confronted the empress in the same forest.

 

They shot the sweet scene first with light makeup.

 

“Wow, Lu-ge, you look so pretty today.” The female lead grinned. “Such a beautiful little male fox is going to be pressed down by me later. I’m excited, let’s hurry!”

 

Lu Xi: “……” This girl had absolutely no restraint now.

 

He lifted his long robe, revealing two slender, fair legs.

 

Yes, bare. What kind of male consort wore leggings?

 

None.

 

The robe has a slanted collar that reveals a bit of the collarbone and chest. The hem of the robe was trimmed with a thin, fluffy sheen, creating a lovely and fairy-like look. The robe had slits, showing glimpses of fine, pale skin as he walked.

 

It’s very seductive.

 

That was the little male fox’s style.

 

Cute yet fatally tempting.

 

When he first wore this outfit, Lu Xi took a few big steps, and he heard gasps and giggles from the set. When he looked down, he saw that his thighs were exposed.

 

Everyone is a pervert.

 

“Clear the set! Non-essential personnel, out!”

 

“It’s time to start filming.”

 

The assistant director shouted twice.

 

The makeup artist used a small brush to apply some loose powder to Lu Xi’s collarbone and skin, but didn’t notice much of a difference. She said, “Boss Xi, your skin is flawless.”

 

Porcelain-white, glowing with a soft radiance.

 

Too beautiful.

 

“Born with it.” Succubus genes. Lu Xi told the truth.

 

The makeup artist was openly envious. She adjusted his flowing wig and stepped back.

 

Action.

 

“My little fox…” The empress wrapped an arm around the little male fox’s waist like a tyrant.

 

So slender it could be circled in one hand.

 

The cross-collar robe slipped, revealing more skin.

 

The empress’s gaze lingered, one hand reaching to tease the fabric. But she lost her balance, and the two tumbled onto the petal-covered ground beneath the peach tree.

 

“Cut—”

 

The pose wasn’t elegant enough, so they stood up and fell again. They had to reshoot.

 

After a few takes, Lu Xi’s robe hung loose, revealing even more skin. There was no 18+ content, just a little more on the neck, collarbone, and chest, and a little above the knees on the calves.

 

The director was very satisfied.

 

This scene is ok.

 

As Lu Xi stood and pulled his robe together, he glanced beyond the fake peach trees, feeling like someone was watching him.

 

But wasn’t it normal for people to stare on a busy set?

 

They continued filming.

 

The next scene was a close-up.

 

The empress will tease the little fox, but will end up being pinned down by him. He will gently kiss her on the lips.

 

It wasn’t a big deal. Lu Xi had no issues, but he checked with the female lead.

 

“I’m the one taking advantage of Lu-ge here. No complaints from me!” The female lead was thrilled.

 

That gaze grew even more intense. Lu Xi turned his head to look in the direction beyond the peach blossom forest.

 

“Lu Xi, everything alright?”

 

“Nothing, Director Hu.”

 

Filming has officially begun.

 

They reset the scene. The empress sprawled atop the little male fox, his chest and legs exposed, while she braced herself above him, shamelessly toying with his collar.

 

“Your Majesty,” the little male fox’s cheeks flushed, his eyes bright.

 

The empress’s hand trembled, her courage failed her, and she dared not continue. The little fox smiled, his smile more beautiful and brilliant than the  peach blossoms. With a flip of his body, he switched places with the empress, his jet-black hair cascading down, his peach-blossom eyes sparkling with laughter.

 

“How could I let Your Majesty do it personally? Let your little fox serve you instead.”

 

His voice was clear yet sultry.

 

His beautiful lips were getting closer and closer to her. The actress blushed uncontrollably, and her heart began to race.

 

Who can resist this male beauty?

 

Bang!

 

The nearby peach tree suddenly collapsed, shattering the atmosphere.

 

“What happened?” Director Hu was furious. The perfect shot was seconds away from the kiss. “Props team, what’s going on?!”

 

The props master was baffled. The peach forest belonged to the film studio, and they had rented it for a day. The fake trees were stable, so how could they suddenly fall over? They even sprayed it with water earlier, and it was fine.

 

Lu Xi helped the female lead to her feet and asked, “Are you okay?”

 

“A little shaken.” She felt slightly guilty. She was genuinely swept up in the moment, waiting for that kiss.

 

Boss Xi was too damn charming.

 

“Never mind, let’s take a break first. Hurry up and get the tree ready, and make sure to take the photos on time.”

 

Director Hu immediately got the film set moving. They only rented it for one day, so they couldn’t waste any time!

 

Outside the forest, amidst the fake blossoms…

 

“Master.”

 

The butler glanced at the chaotic film set, then at the tall, icy figure beside him.

 

The Master has used his magic again.

 

Just to topple a fake tree.

 

Sigh.

 

—

 

 

 

 

The author has something to say: The gong is cold and indifferent [doesn’t care at all]

 

Aaaaaaaaahhhh

 

Fake tree: ???

 

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