Chapter 313 308: Wu Yun, Popular with the Film Crew

Qi Fei asked in confusion, "What do you mean, you're not leaving!? Don't tell me you're planning to stay overnight with the film crew to pull some 'casting couch' shenanigans?"

A wicked smile played on Wu Yun's lips. "And why not? Can't I use the casting couch on you, the second female lead?"

Wu Yun hooked Qi Fei's chin with his hand and said in stilted Mandarin, "Miss Yu Manli!~ There's an old saying in Huaxia: 'A wise man knows when to yield'!"

"Living the good life, are we? Time to die!" Qi Fei's hand shot out and grabbed Wu Yun where it counted.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! I'll get another room for the night! I'm free tomorrow anyway! It's the perfect chance to attend your opening ceremony!"

Only then did Qi Fei let Wu Yun go. She even made a move to check if her 'treasure' was unharmed, but stopped when he blocked her.

The shooting was taking place at a hotel the production crew had booked out entirely.

Director Li Xue was sitting in the lobby with a few crew members, chatting away.

"Director Li! Is almost everyone here now?" a field manager in charge of reception asked cheerfully.

Li Xue was lean with a buzz cut, giving him a rather serious appearance. However, anyone who knew him knew that in private, he was very easy to get along with.

Just then, a man in his thirties wearing a flat cap chimed in, "Still early! The male and female leads aren't here yet! Neither is the second female lead!"

"The main leads are coming early tomorrow, aren't they? Oh! Right! The second female lead! That Miss Yu Manli!" The previously cheerful field manager suddenly remembered they'd missed someone.

Just then, Li Xue, who had been watching the entrance, stressed again, "I'll say this one more time! This Miss Yu Manli—oh, no, Miss Qi Fei—her background is not simple! Do your best to satisfy any requests she might have! If there's something you can't handle, come to me! I'll sort it out!"

The crew members around him all nodded, their curiosity about the beautiful second female lead piqued. After all, the entertainment industry is ground zero for gossip.

An hour later, a large van pulled up to the hotel entrance. A sharp-eyed crew member saw it stop and immediately shouted, "They're here! They're here!"

Li Xue led a group of people and hurried to the entrance.

A handsome and familiar-looking young man stepped out of the van. He nodded at Li Xue, then reached back in to help an exquisitely beautiful young woman out of the vehicle.

As the crew members looked on in astonishment, Li Xue scurried forward. "President Wu, I didn't expect you to personally escort Miss Qi!"

Wu Yun nodded with a faint smile. "Director Li. Thank you for waiting up so late."

Li Xue chuckled. "It's all for the good of the production! Let's get inside! It's cold out here!"

Guiding Qi Fei by the small of her back, Wu Yun walked past Li Xue and into the hotel lobby.

A few crew members stayed behind to help Liu Xin with the luggage before hauling it all into the hotel.

Since the rooms had already been assigned, Qi Fei and the two other women presented their IDs for registration and received their key cards.

Noticing that Wu Yun showed no signs of leaving, Li Xue asked cautiously, "President Wu, do you have any plans for tonight?"

Wu Yun smiled. "No plans! Could you arrange a room for me and my bodyguard, Director Li? I'd like to see the opening ceremony tomorrow!"

Hearing this, Li Xue broke into a wide smile. "Having President Wu at our opening ceremony will surely generate more buzz for the production! We might just become a hit while the show is still being filmed!"

This was no exaggeration. Wu Yun was a man who brought his own media buzz; he had topped the trending charts twice in a row, and his popularity remained sky-high.

"I'll just be there to watch tomorrow."

"That won't do at all! You have to get up on stage and say a few words!"

...

The hotel's second-floor banquet hall.

Promotional posters featuring the main characters in costume were displayed in the corridor and the hall.

Each character's expression and demeanor evoked a sense of a bygone era, of people who had weathered great storms and hardships. Some looked as venomous as vipers, while others hid daggers behind their smiles.

"Welcome, welcome! Wang's, please come in!" The assistant director and the head of field operations at the door were smiling so hard their faces were about to crack.

"Teacher Wang! This way, please!" A field manager led Wang Kai, who was dressed in a slim-fit brown suit, to his own promotional poster.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

The more restless reporters immediately raised their cameras and started snapping photos.

Just as Wang Kai went inside, Qi Fei appeared by the elevators.

Qi Fei and her two companions followed the signs toward the main hall. When some of the reporters saw the gorgeously dressed Qi Fei, they felt their hearts skip a beat.

"Miss Qi! Please wait a moment!" The reporters here had clearly done their homework, calling out Qi Fei's name directly.

"Miss Qi! Could you please stand by your poster for us? We'd like to get a few shots!"

Qi Fei obliged, moving to her promotional poster and leaning lightly against the wall. Under the lights, her skin seemed as flawless and translucent as jade.

She struck a few poses as requested, each one full of tender grace and delicate charm. She was, in a word, breathtaking.

"The resemblance is uncanny! She's the perfect image of the Yu Manli I had in my head!" Zhang Yong, the author of *Spy War on the Bund* and the show's screenwriter, couldn't help but sigh in admiration, even though this wasn't his first time seeing Qi Fei.

One after another, the other main actors—Hu Ge, Jin Dong, Liu Mentao, and more—made their entrance. After having their photos taken, they all entered the main hall to await the start of the ceremony.

Everyone noticed that Director Li kept looking toward the entrance. Those not in the know began to whisper amongst themselves, wondering which VIP he could possibly be waiting for.

Wu Yun had intended to slip into the main hall discreetly, but he was spotted by a sharp-eyed field manager who politely ushered him inside.

The moment he appeared in the doorway, Wu Yun felt dozens of eyes lock onto him.

"Which actor is that? He looks so familiar, but I can't place which show I've seen him in!" a veteran entertainment reporter muttered to himself.

"Holy shit! That's Wu Yun!!"

A few reporters on the fringe scrambled over, thrusting voice recorders and cameras in Wu Yun's face.

Someone blurted out the first question: "President Wu! Are you here specifically for the press conference today?"

"President Wu! Phoenix Entertainment recommended Qi Fei for this role. Does this mean all of Phoenix Entertainment's resources will be directed toward her in the future?"

"President Wu~"

"President Wu!"

Everyone in the venue watched as Wu Yun was shielded by his bodyguard, their faces a mixture of different expressions.

Wu Yun smiled and said, "Everyone! Today is the opening ceremony for the cast of *Disguiser*. Please, let's show the organizers some respect! I don't want to steal the spotlight. After the ceremony is over, I'll make time for interviews. Thank you for your cooperation!"

After all, most of the reporters present had been invited by either the production team or the investors, so they were compliant and cleared a path for him.

Li Xue chuckled as he came to the doorway. "President Wu, look how popular you are! Why don't you join us on stage?"

Wu Yun didn't hesitate, following Li Xue onto the stage where he was immediately guided to the seat of honor in the center. To his right was Hu Ge, and to his left were Li Xue and other representatives.

As if he'd planned it all along, Li Xue pulled a name placard from a drawer under the table and set it in front of Wu Yun. Wu Yun's name was displayed prominently on both sides.

"The *Disguiser* Opening Ceremony and Press Conference now officially begins!" The host's voice boomed from the sound system, filling the entire hall.