The casting reveal left the crew in stunned silence. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnkekcR00W
The art lead clutched her face, hands flailing in the air, 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtCnaIDrHg
while the screenwriter stepped in with a PSA: “Stop shipping already.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHNcJxy0s9
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFg29jJKBE
9:30 a.m. The meeting room had turned into a makeshift audition stage.
The table was lined with water bottles, scripts, and——a first aid kit? 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLGCr7vR9M
Prop sketches and emergency camera plans covered the walls.
The director was adjusting the lighting. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ravrNPl5I
The manager was reviewing the run-down. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGkh0Prkwz
The screenwriter was in a corner, reviewing the shoot schedule rundown.
The art lead stood off to the side, holding a color palette, eyes wandering as she watched the shifting shadows on the wall.
Everyone was present—except one.
“Hey.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPYRHCQPmr
The screenwriter flipped through her chart and glanced at the door. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4KM3757jE
“Where’s the boss? He’s not coming to the casting?”
The director didn’t even look up. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAkF3lNCrS
His tone was so flat, it could’ve been a weather report.
“He only ships GL.”
“……”
The screenwriter nodded. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmGiChdcIR
Fair enough. That explained everything.
Just then, the door opened.
It wasn’t “pushed” open——it was opened by sheer presence.
Jiang Zhilin stepped in first——clean-cut casualwear, easy smile, unhurried steps. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtHKldlYNk
But there was something in the air around him——like a spark walking in from the rain. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT4B1fKjFQ
Not yet lit, but ready to ignite with the slightest friction.
Shen Yanxing followed. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFXteQ5Uc3
Even more casual——black T-shirt, khaki pants—but his eyes were steely, his back perfectly straight.
He moved like a silent current. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6rVFtLHTe
And when he crossed the threshold, the air itself seemed to rupture.
The room fell quiet. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFQ3L2k8FI
Just for a beat.
The director set down the light control panel and opened the script.
“Let’s jump right into a few scenes.”
“This one’s where Jiang’s been drugged. Shen, at first, just finds it amusing—so he walks over and asks if he needs help.”
The two exchanged a look. Jiang Zhilin gave a nod and stepped into position, regulating his breathing.
And in the next second, 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaVQmUtUky
it was like his entire presence had changed air.
Breaths growing heavier. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hsnG3wkn4
Vision unfocused. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrc0QOFsmt
Fingertips trembling—just slightly.
Knees nearly giving way. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hVyu2rKAR
Shoulders swaying with something not quite natural.
One hand braced against the wall, the other clutched at his abdomen. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqmZaAFRar
His breaths weren’t loud, 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EvG2EzzqE
but somehow they slipped into everyone’s bones.
And Shen Yanxing—didn’t move.
He simply stood there, observing.
Then, like something had piqued his curiosity, 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiRSNvsaN7
he tilted his chin slightly, lips curling into an unreadable smile, and stepped forward.
His pace wasn’t fast, 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvgSwKCPH7
but every step landed like a hammer to the chest.
When he drew close—— 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKllqoIS3EU
that gaze wasn’t just provocative. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWatg7NFmo
It teased. It tested. It claimed.
From the back row, the art lead sat with lips slightly parted.
Halfway through the scene, her hands moved on their own—covering both her mouth and nose.
One hand wasn’t enough. She had to use both.
It looked like she was witnessing forbidden performance art.
The screenwriter glanced at her expression, utterly speechless.
“Wipe your damn drool.”
“Seriously, do you even realize who you’re starting to resemble?”
The tone wasn’t angry——just deeply, deeply unimpressed.
The art lead blinked, confused.
“…Like the boss.”
“I can’t believe I’m seeing _his_ expression on your face.”
At that, she snapped upright like she’d been doused in cold water, forcing herself to look away.
“I didn’t expect… to like this…”
Her voice trembled as she wiped at imaginary drool.
“Did I… just stumble into a whole new world…?”
The manager, beside her, added casually:
“That was just the first scene. What’re you planning to do with the rest?”
“Feels like you’ve already hit peak delusion on the first hit.”
“Look at the boss’s OTP——still busy building sandcastles by the sea.”
The art lead shut her eyes and tried to recall the rest of the script.
Then——
“…"
“…Ha.”
“Hahahahahahahahahaha.”
The laughter carried a strange mix of horror, awareness, and looming descent.
Watching her spiral into madness, laughing just like the boss, 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalBMqIgzsz
the screenwriter quietly stepped back.
He came to a clear conclusion——
Shipping is a dangerous game.
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