The casting reveal left the crew in stunned silence. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EGDdbU6e1
The art lead clutched her face, hands flailing in the air, 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmiDT5OYHS
while the screenwriter stepped in with a PSA: “Stop shipping already.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEVs4GbUWQ
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FZ5bEKj6q
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? 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdcA3DGqqR
Prop sketches and emergency camera plans covered the walls.
The director was adjusting the lighting. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDp0IDHRnb
The manager was reviewing the run-down. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhFeCyfsmy
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.” 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3PK0dtYHj
The screenwriter flipped through her chart and glanced at the door. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqZr7ZMulx
“Where’s the boss? He’s not coming to the casting?”
The director didn’t even look up. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjoCo5dCoj
His tone was so flat, it could’ve been a weather report.
“He only ships GL.”
“……”
The screenwriter nodded. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukfjKuUxvo
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. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c205bCwJx
But there was something in the air around him——like a spark walking in from the rain. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaUZ6YE77f
Not yet lit, but ready to ignite with the slightest friction.
Shen Yanxing followed. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB20VrtRrGL
Even more casual——black T-shirt, khaki pants—but his eyes were steely, his back perfectly straight.
He moved like a silent current. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aiTMBcI6E
And when he crossed the threshold, the air itself seemed to rupture.
The room fell quiet. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1WXcPbgBj
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, 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfjjtbdOQx
it was like his entire presence had changed air.
Breaths growing heavier. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabcCRYRbOx
Vision unfocused. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAornCvm5F
Fingertips trembling—just slightly.
Knees nearly giving way. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92QWmEnHCM
Shoulders swaying with something not quite natural.
One hand braced against the wall, the other clutched at his abdomen. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnHWWvIX55
His breaths weren’t loud, 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7zjLuZeUD
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, 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH9i8Y4BQI
he tilted his chin slightly, lips curling into an unreadable smile, and stepped forward.
His pace wasn’t fast, 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAG7zoiUVT
but every step landed like a hammer to the chest.
When he drew close—— 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQpkoyZnIO
that gaze wasn’t just provocative. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtgRKtb1Ax
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, 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNawLa3UkZ9
the screenwriter quietly stepped back.
He came to a clear conclusion——
Shipping is a dangerous game.
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