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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