
The casting reveal left the crew in stunned silence. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAT2EJfmpTOW
The art lead clutched her face, hands flailing in the air, 22Please respect copyright.PENANAMjK9J7xuWR
while the screenwriter stepped in with a PSA: “Stop shipping already.”22Please respect copyright.PENANAwcv5oL6Nbw
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMXCvk8bel3
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? 22Please respect copyright.PENANAT4y37Pe6aK
Prop sketches and emergency camera plans covered the walls.
The director was adjusting the lighting. 22Please respect copyright.PENANA2qxRaTYQNB
The manager was reviewing the run-down. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAdVXhBe9uam
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.” 22Please respect copyright.PENANAq97B7dfsrG
The screenwriter flipped through her chart and glanced at the door. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAIByKmfVili
“Where’s the boss? He’s not coming to the casting?”
The director didn’t even look up. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAPOwyoWsWl5
His tone was so flat, it could’ve been a weather report.
“He only ships GL.”
“……”
The screenwriter nodded. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAgKoG3oe2pm
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. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAWR73JmXgzp
But there was something in the air around him——like a spark walking in from the rain. 22Please respect copyright.PENANA7sWYvo9IN9
Not yet lit, but ready to ignite with the slightest friction.
Shen Yanxing followed. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAN3jdJEXgiO
Even more casual——black T-shirt, khaki pants—but his eyes were steely, his back perfectly straight.
He moved like a silent current. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAw5SVTk9R23
And when he crossed the threshold, the air itself seemed to rupture.
The room fell quiet. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAQDqY3znx0H
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, 22Please respect copyright.PENANAXoKUhYnnom
it was like his entire presence had changed air.
Breaths growing heavier. 22Please respect copyright.PENANA6olB3v5znA
Vision unfocused. 22Please respect copyright.PENANArxKNGApHjq
Fingertips trembling—just slightly.
Knees nearly giving way. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAS2KWDUppUp
Shoulders swaying with something not quite natural.
One hand braced against the wall, the other clutched at his abdomen. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAcZ1AbByD2n
His breaths weren’t loud, 22Please respect copyright.PENANAkNwa3SfM8j
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, 22Please respect copyright.PENANAicxCaLQ63d
he tilted his chin slightly, lips curling into an unreadable smile, and stepped forward.
His pace wasn’t fast, 22Please respect copyright.PENANAbntKHFwfNq
but every step landed like a hammer to the chest.
When he drew close—— 22Please respect copyright.PENANAo8aJg6TRAg
that gaze wasn’t just provocative. 22Please respect copyright.PENANAyO4Led4nLB
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, 22Please respect copyright.PENANAuCwANKzUNG
the screenwriter quietly stepped back.
He came to a clear conclusion——
Shipping is a dangerous game.
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