023 Don’t move, he’s still watching. Mmm… mwah…

“Ah-ha.”

Li Yuanba’s stunt double swung a hammer down from midair. The long spear in Yan Li’s hand, already broken in half, snapped completely. The foam hammer slammed hard into his face, and Yan Li fell to the ground accordingly.

“Good, cut! Makeup!”

The director shouted, and the makeup artist on set immediately brought over a blood pack.

Yan Li picked one up and bit into it, while the makeup artist tore open others and smeared fake blood on his head.

Moments later, Yan Li’s forehead was covered in a large bloodstain. The makeup artist left, and Yan Li held the blood pack in his mouth, striking a pose to signal he was ready.

The camera moved in for a close-up. Yan Li fell backward, tossing the broken spear aside, coughing up fresh blood. His face twisted in pain and grimace, his body convulsed a few times, then his head tilted to one side and he lay still.

“Good, that’s a wrap.”

After the director called it, Yan Li, who had just “died” from severe injuries, swiftly got up, took tissues from the makeup artist, and wiped the fake blood off his head and face.

With this scene finished, Yan Li’s work on the “Heroes of the Sui and Tang Dynasties” set was completely done!

No flowers or applause to see him off—he was just a minor supporting actor, not entitled to such honors.

There was no wrap party exclusive to actors either. At this stage, the production was all about saving money; unless you were a big star, even the male and female leads didn’t get such treatment. Usually, they just handed out a bouquet, cut a cake, took some photos, and that was it.

So Yan Li’s wrap was a quiet affair. Apart from a few familiar faces nodding or greeting him, everyone else was busy with their own work.

Yan Li didn’t mind. He went to the on-site producer to ask for a “calming red envelope” for filming the death scene.

This was a custom on set, likely brought over from Hong Kong.

Actors who played corpses, funeral portraits, or died on screen would ask the production for a red envelope. The money wasn’t much, usually one or two yuan, just for good luck.

Of course, this applied to actors with roles—at least those with lines or close-up shots. Extras might or might not get one depending on the production’s standards.

Yan Li had played dead bodies as an extra before, but never received a red envelope.

So this was his first time getting a “calming red envelope,” which felt quite meaningful. He planned to keep the envelope and money as a memento.

After removing makeup and changing clothes, Yan Li greeted friends like Wang Xiu, Wang Decai, Nie Yuan, and Tong Lei, then stopped by to say hello to the director and producer. Finally, he visited the horse team to feed a few carrots to the race dragons before leaving the crew.

Back at the hotel, Yan Li packed his luggage and left the room.

Although they had a farewell meal, he was leaving tomorrow and needed to inform Qin Lan.

Yan Li arrived at the hotel where Qin Lan was staying. Just as he was calling her, he saw Huang Xiaoming step out with a young woman who looked like an assistant. His face brightened immediately, and he approached Yan Li with a smile.

“Hey, no scenes today?”

Seeing Yan Li reminded Huang Xiaoming of that night’s events, making him feel worse than if he had swallowed a dead fly.

But he was smooth by nature and disliked making enemies, especially since Yan Li always greeted him with a smile, so he forced a smile in return.

“Yeah, you here to pick up Qin Lan?”

Yan Li nodded briskly and began chatting casually. “Yeah, Lanlan’s got fewer scenes these days, so I’m taking her out. By the way, I haven’t stayed in Hengdian long—any good spots you recommend?”

“...”

Huang Xiaoming had no interest in chatting and brushed him off perfunctorily. “I don’t go out much either.”

“That’s no good. As actors, all we do is shoot and then sulk in the hotel—it’s bad for body and mind. We should get out and have fun. I’ll take Lanlan around; if we find anything fun, I’ll recommend it to you.”

Huang Xiaoming’s smile faltered. “...Thanks.”

Yan Li kept his bright smile. “You’re welcome.”

When Qin Lan came downstairs, she saw Huang Xiaoming’s retreating figure even more disheveled and hurried than that night and wondered why.

“What were you talking about with him?”

“Nothing, just bumped into each other and chatted a bit.”

Yan Li added a comment: “He’s got a pretty good temper—I like that.”

Qin Lan, who had witnessed how Yan Li talked to Huang Xiaoming before, didn’t believe a word.

“I think you just like to bully him.”

As they spoke, Qin Lan caught sight of Huang Xiaoming glancing back in their direction. She immediately ducked into Yan Li’s arms. Yan Li skillfully wrapped his hands around her waist and returned her teasing with a grin.

“You didn’t let him off either.”

Qin Lan ignored him and rested her head on Yan Li’s chest, asking softly, “Has he gone?”

Yan Li looked at Huang Xiaoming’s figure walking away at a quickened pace and tightened his hold on Qin Lan’s hand sincerely.

“Not yet, he’s still watching.”

Qin Lan didn’t quite believe it and tried to sneak a glance, but Yan Li pressed his hand gently on the back of her head. “Don’t move, he’s still staring.”

Seeing she still wanted to look, Yan Li lowered his head and kissed her lips softly, mumbling, “Don’t rush, he’s leaving soon.”

Caught off guard again, Qin Lan opened her beautiful eyes wide, struggling slightly but gradually surrendered to the moment, awkwardly yet eagerly responding.

A few minutes later, Yan Li reluctantly released Qin Lan and mockingly looked up.

“Hmm, now he’s really gone.”

Qin Lan blushed, breathing heavily after being freed. She pressed her slightly swollen lips and playfully punched Yan Li’s arm several times.

“Shameless, can’t you try a new move?”

Yan Li protested, “I’m just trying to help you! What’s wrong with being helpful?”

Qin Lan tried to pinch him in anger, but Yan Li caught her and wrapped his large hand tightly around hers.

“Hurry up, or that guy will come back.”

He didn’t let go but took her hand and started walking. Qin Lan struggled a little out of politeness but then obediently let him lead her.

After a while, without making a fuss, their hand-holding turned into interlaced fingers, her slender fingers entwined firmly with Yan Li’s large hand.

They didn’t go to a restaurant. Yan Li bought some food and drinks, and the two went to a shady spot in the small forest where they first met for a picnic.

Leaning against a tree, Yan Li sipped canned beer while listening to Qin Lan chatter on.

“Once you’re back in the capital, don’t pretend not to know me. At least call me every couple of days.”

“Long-distance calls are expensive...”

Qin Lan’s brows furrowed, biting her lip. “I’ll top up your phone credit.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Sensing the killing intent in her tone, Yan Li didn’t dare joke further. His phone couldn’t send texts, and internet access was inconvenient, so calls were really the only option.

Qin Lan then softened her tone. “If you don’t mind the trouble, you can write letters too.”

At this time, phone communication was costly and mainly for quick contact. Text messages and the internet were just emerging and not widely used, so many still expressed their feelings through letters. Pen pals were more common than online friends.

“Alright.”

Yan Li liked the idea of writing letters—not only was it economical, but it also helped practice handwriting. More importantly, it was effective.

A letter filled with carefully written characters and heartfelt care was far more touching than a few minutes of phone calls or fragmented text messages.

He had learned this trick from a former girlfriend!

Intelligence reports showed that every time she reread the love letters he wrote while courting her, she would cool down by thirty percent and soften by thirty percent.

Sure enough, Qin Lan was quite taken by this too and didn’t mind the occasional phone calls. She happily said she looked forward to Yan Li’s letters.

They talked back and forth until the sun set, marking that Yan Li’s departure from Hengdian was drawing near.

Qin Lan’s lovely face couldn’t hide her reluctance. She took Yan Li’s big hand, played with it, rested her head on his shoulder, and spoke softly.

“When I’m done with work, I’ll come to the capital to find you.”

“Okay.”