Over the next two days, Lu Zheng went nowhere. He simply stayed in the study, handwriting the full script of Liang Zhu.
He naturally used the most classic version, including the sworn brotherhood at the grass hut, three years as classmates, the eighteen-mile farewell, the pavilion parting, Zhu Yingtai’s resistance to the forced marriage, Liang Shanbo’s death, and their final transformation into butterflies.
Apart from the key scenes, he fleshed out every detail, giving fuller personalities to Liang Shanbo, Zhu Yingtai, and even Ma Wencai.
While Lu Zheng wrote, Liu Qingyan followed it like a serial. The moment he finished the booklet, she snatched it up and read the whole thing from cover to cover again, unable to put it down.
With such a heart-wrenching story at hand, Liu Qingyan clung to Lu Zheng even more. For the past two days, she waited on him attentively during the day and pleased him eagerly at night, letting Lu Zheng enjoy the kind of bliss reserved for emperors.
On the third day, after the script was complete and he had also left behind the musical score for Liang Zhu, Lu Zheng told her he had to leave to cultivate, then vanished.
…
Back in the modern world.
He checked his phone. No message from Lin Wan. He wasn’t sure whether something unexpected had happened or if her case was simply wrapping up.
He sent her a text and got no reply, so she was probably still busy at work.
Fine, he would head over anyway. Maybe he would arrive just in time.
Lu Zheng went down to the garage, took the car, stopped to fill the tank, then hit the motorway. Before long he was in Ning City.
Sure enough, the moment he left the motorway, Lin Wan rang.
“Where are you now?”
“I’m already in Ning City. Are you finished?”
“Perfect timing. We’ve caught the person. They’ll be transported back to Haicheng this afternoon.”
“Ah? Do you have to escort them?”
“No, someone from Haicheng Public Security is coming to take over and handle the interrogation.”
“Oh, so you’re free?”
“Of course. Come pick me up!”
Lin Wan shared her location. Lu Zheng soon reached the entrance of Ning City Bureau.
Long hair cascading over her shoulders, a fitted beige trench coat showing off her exquisite figure. Even without very high heels, those long, straight legs drew every eye.
The Dongfeng car pulled up at the kerb. The boot popped open automatically.
Lin Wan put her suitcase in the back, then slipped into the passenger seat. “Let’s go!”
…
Xiangshan Film and Television City.
One of China’s top ten filming bases. In recent years it had hosted many hit productions, so its reputation and facilities kept improving.
This was reflected in the ticket price, which kept rising too.
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan arrived in the county around noon, ate a generous bowl of seafood noodles, then bought tickets and entered the film city in the afternoon.
Though the weather was still cold, the place was already bustling. Tourists streamed back and forth, hunting for their favourite spots to take photos, while keeping their eyes peeled for any lone celebrities.
Compared to the over-commercialised folk villages found everywhere, a professional film city like this felt far more authentic.
No glaring modern decorations or objects, no endless snack stalls and shops. The buildings were deliberately aged, making everything look much more realistic.
Of course, the biggest fun for visitors was watching actual crews film.
And, as luck would have it, a crew was shooting today.
The set for The Return of the Condor Heroes was cordoned off. Farther away stood scattered tourists; closer in, crew members hurried about.
“What drama is it?”
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan walked over and casually asked a bystander.
“No idea. Never heard of it. Haven’t seen any big stars either.”
“The big stars are all inside blowing air-con. You expect them to wait outside in this cold?”
“I just saw Zhao Xiaodao for a second, then he disappeared again.”
Some tourists came, some left. A TV drama might be exciting to watch at home, but the filming process itself was often boring.
After watching from afar for a while, those who lost interest naturally drifted off.
What? Why not get closer?
As if the film-city staff were just decorations. No chance they’d let tourists interfere with a shoot.
“Does Zhao Xiaodao have anything new coming out?” Lu Zheng asked Lin Wan.
“No clue.” Lin Wan rolled her eyes. “I don’t chase stars.”
Lu Zheng hastily clarified, “Just to be clear, I have zero interest in Zhao Xiaodao.”
“Why?”
“Too flat,” he blurted, then immediately coughed twice. “Mainly because I’m not interested in celebrities.”
“Tch—”
Several nearby tourists heard him and collectively showed their contempt, then turned and saw Lin Wan standing beside him.
Damn it!
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan shared a smile, stepped a couple of paces away from the crowd, and found a quiet corner. Lu Zheng reached out and took Lin Wan’s hand.
“What is it?”
“We’re already here. Shall we go in and take a proper look?”
With that, he activated the invisibility technique, enveloping both of them.
Lin Wan jumped. “There are so many people!”
“Then we won’t take the main path.”
The next instant, Lin Wan felt the ground soften slightly beneath her feet, and they rose gently into the air.
Well then, being able to fly really is impressive… Lin Wan rolled her eyes, then raised a brow. Fine, flying actually is impressive.
Hand in hand, the two lightly floated over the heads of tourists and crew, landing right in the centre of the set.
By sheer coincidence, they arrived just in time for Zhao Xiaodao’s scene.
Then they watched an awkward and utterly dull filming session.
“No wonder novels never describe the actual shooting process. It really is boring.”
“So what do those novels write about?” Lin Wan asked.
Lu Zheng answered, “The dark side of the entertainment industry, gossip, and catfights, of course.”
“How would the authors know all that?”
Lu Zheng shrugged. “Heaven knows. We readers just enjoy the drama.”
“And what else?”
“What else? The chapters that get 404’d, naturally.”
“Pfft! Pervert!”
“As if you’re any different.”
Lin Wan pouted. After thinking about it, she realised she really had no comeback.
“Oh, wire work.”
The scene had switched. A female supporting character was making a dramatic entrance, descending from the sky to land on the roof of a pavilion in the courtyard.
For this kind of shot they naturally needed wires, professionally known as weiya.
Lu Zheng shook his head and tutted. “So much hassle. If it were you, you could do it solo.”
“And then I’d be famous.”
Even though she said that, Lu Zheng could still see the longing in Lin Wan’s eyes.
Leaping over eaves and walls, bounding ten metres in a single jump, these were everyday things for her now. How could she not want to show off a little and feel the thrill?
Lu Zheng smiled faintly. “Just now at the main gate I saw shops selling period costumes and prop weapons.”
Lin Wan looked at him, not yet catching his meaning.
“Tonight we change into outfits and come back here to have some fun?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Lin Wan’s eyes lit up brightly.
