The casting reveal left the crew in stunned silence. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4BhmYOxkl
The art lead clutched her face, hands flailing in the air, 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRLSaKYVB1
while the screenwriter stepped in with a PSA: “Stop shipping already.”25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5KPi2s4Ou
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW46m61uSy
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? 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhcQ2il95f
Prop sketches and emergency camera plans covered the walls.
The director was adjusting the lighting. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF6HJqJteK
The manager was reviewing the run-down. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNigC4AkWeV
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.” 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN1T7xsJyP
The screenwriter flipped through her chart and glanced at the door. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3rUt8Ogk1
“Where’s the boss? He’s not coming to the casting?”
The director didn’t even look up. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVXRdlMWNL
His tone was so flat, it could’ve been a weather report.
“He only ships GL.”
“……”
The screenwriter nodded. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgUymouPAr
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. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEGjN5kGRN
But there was something in the air around him——like a spark walking in from the rain. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr4IgolRpQ
Not yet lit, but ready to ignite with the slightest friction.
Shen Yanxing followed. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjmWUoKuJx
Even more casual——black T-shirt, khaki pants—but his eyes were steely, his back perfectly straight.
He moved like a silent current. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29O024xqex
And when he crossed the threshold, the air itself seemed to rupture.
The room fell quiet. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRduU5Uw023
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, 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqN3MBvB9B
it was like his entire presence had changed air.
Breaths growing heavier. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkCiUiwmKh
Vision unfocused. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzAaYK4tUx
Fingertips trembling—just slightly.
Knees nearly giving way. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPY1Nq2WLk
Shoulders swaying with something not quite natural.
One hand braced against the wall, the other clutched at his abdomen. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneLolz3FHF
His breaths weren’t loud, 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDfBM5Wqm9
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, 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZt5FeueP0
he tilted his chin slightly, lips curling into an unreadable smile, and stepped forward.
His pace wasn’t fast, 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqJNB51cR7
but every step landed like a hammer to the chest.
When he drew close—— 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHaYMQe6ho
that gaze wasn’t just provocative. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM2TN3OqVt
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, 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPS82mPbpL
the screenwriter quietly stepped back.
He came to a clear conclusion——
Shipping is a dangerous game.
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