The casting reveal left the crew in stunned silence. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj9QfSDorK
The art lead clutched her face, hands flailing in the air, 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax6bdEOVIg
while the screenwriter stepped in with a PSA: “Stop shipping already.”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX0wuEcZ27
28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCkvfRxnmM
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? 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKQv10uecG
Prop sketches and emergency camera plans covered the walls.
The director was adjusting the lighting. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgkg973O0t
The manager was reviewing the run-down. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsNpYiyH6R
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.” 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC2D3Ey7t6
The screenwriter flipped through her chart and glanced at the door. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy1LO6504Q
“Where’s the boss? He’s not coming to the casting?”
The director didn’t even look up. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWRJzBBCVf
His tone was so flat, it could’ve been a weather report.
“He only ships GL.”
“……”
The screenwriter nodded. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcINb6JPPnZ
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. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIJga6mlvu
But there was something in the air around him——like a spark walking in from the rain. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH0Wcnk2mu
Not yet lit, but ready to ignite with the slightest friction.
Shen Yanxing followed. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZya09CKCe3
Even more casual——black T-shirt, khaki pants—but his eyes were steely, his back perfectly straight.
He moved like a silent current. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThelVmD1WE
And when he crossed the threshold, the air itself seemed to rupture.
The room fell quiet. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PCeATCuDh
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, 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwZ5cQ8H3H
it was like his entire presence had changed air.
Breaths growing heavier. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KMJC1vGoH
Vision unfocused. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5iT1ejwl2
Fingertips trembling—just slightly.
Knees nearly giving way. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm51YEsjN7
Shoulders swaying with something not quite natural.
One hand braced against the wall, the other clutched at his abdomen. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY3MzEqKDQ
His breaths weren’t loud, 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sP2wfgH7C
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, 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLGax8Fulv
he tilted his chin slightly, lips curling into an unreadable smile, and stepped forward.
His pace wasn’t fast, 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2MDLWf9AH
but every step landed like a hammer to the chest.
When he drew close—— 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8kUzJBRP1
that gaze wasn’t just provocative. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2shaEQeM9
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, 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQVA8g9de4
the screenwriter quietly stepped back.
He came to a clear conclusion——
Shipping is a dangerous game.
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