Chapter 30: A Man Cannot Admit Defeat

Dressed in armor, holding his long spear upside down, Chu Tianfeng emerged from the crowd, looking rather handsome and dashing.

“Is it for the money?” Hua Wu stood in his way, her gaze still cold.

“If I said it wasn’t,” Chu Tianfeng smiled slightly, “then I’d be lying to you.”

Hua Wu snorted, “I’ll help you find a new role later, and the pay will definitely be better than this.”

“No need. You’ve already helped me enough.” Chu Tianfeng shook his head and walked toward the warhorse.

Watching his figure recede, Hua Wu suddenly found him somewhat unfamiliar.

“Chu Tianfeng, good luck!” A clear, crisp shout rang out from the crowd.

Chu Tianfeng turned and saw two delicate figures.

“He heard us, he heard us!” Jiang Ziyue nearly jumped with joy.

“Hope you succeed,” Xu Yan silently wished in her heart.

Chu Tianfeng smiled at them, mounted the horse, and shook his spear, signaling to Yang Yi that he was ready.

“Everyone, attention! Scene thirty, shot six, take five, prepping to shoot — three, two, one, action!”

Chu Tianfeng had heard these words countless times; he half suspected even the trees of Qianniao Lake Scenic Area had grown tired of Yang Yi’s voice.

Chu Tianfeng squeezed his legs, and the horse, receiving the command, shot forward with a swift burst.

Two arrows whistled toward him; Chu Tianfeng dodged one by tilting his head, and deflected the other with his spear shaft.

The horse kept running, then suddenly—

A horse-tripping rope flew out from the side, startling the horse, which abruptly halted mid-stride.

Chu Tianfeng was flung forward, lifted high by a wire.

The horse, propelled by inertia, was tripped and crashed to the ground with a thud, sending wild grass flying!

Chu Tianfeng dodged another arrow in the air, spun beautifully with a diagonal twist, then landed lightly on the grass.

“Chu Tianfeng, watch out!” Xiang Yanping thrust his spear at Chu Tianfeng.

“No problem, come on!” Chu Tianfeng was surprised and delighted to act against Xiang Yanping.

“We’re here too!” Han Xinwen twirled his spear, creating a flourish, and lunged at Chu Tianfeng.

Almost simultaneously, Quan Hengchang’s spear also shot forward.

Chu Tianfeng swept his spear across, parrying all three, sending them tumbling backward. Quan Hengchang let out a scream, blood gushing from his mouth as he fell.

A beautiful death! One hundred bucks!

Xiang Yanping and Han Xinwen rolled several times and finally lay still.

Two hundred! Three hundred!

Chu Tianfeng pushed off with his toe and charged ahead.

More swords and spears swung at him, but he leaped boldly, twirling his spear to sweep aside the opponents blocking his path, breaking through the encirclement with lightning speed!

At that moment, an enemy general rushed in from the side, his gleaming broadsword slashing at Chu Tianfeng.

Chu Tianfeng, not yet landed, pushed off an enemy’s shield with his toe, spun his spear, and with a swift motion, knocked the general off his horse.

Without stopping, Chu Tianfeng pressed forward, his senses rapidly searching for the catapult device.

Fortunately, the extras had positioned themselves wisely, leaving the catapult in a conspicuous spot.

Of course, the device itself was invisible, hidden under thick turf.

But that was no challenge for Chu Tianfeng; days ago, after his cultivation advanced to the third stage of Qi training, his senses had extended to about four meters, long since detecting the device beneath the grass.

Chu Tianfeng stepped on it, triggering the mechanism, and was launched high into the air.

He used no spells, soaring four or five meters!

With a swift motion, he threw his spear toward Cao Cao, who was fleeing in panic.

The spear, as if guided, pierced through hundreds of soldiers and landed precisely on the grass to the right of Cao Cao’s steed!

The actor playing Cao Cao inhaled sharply, cold sweat pouring down.

Chu Tianfeng crashed sideways onto the grass, and the instant he touched down, he rolled forward, knocking over an extra, used his toe for leverage, and leaped up again.

“Cut!”

Yang Yi waved his fists in excitement.

Zhang Qiang and the action director, Director Chen, stood up and led the applause.

This long shot could only be described as perfect!

No wonder Yang Yi and the others were so elated.

The outcome was clear!

Standing beside Director Yang, Xiao Yunmeng and others couldn’t help but cheer.

Wu Bai applauded as well, though inside, he hated Chu Tianfeng to death.

Hua Wu, mingled in the crowd, displayed a particularly rich expression.

Tonight, it seemed she was seeing a completely different Chu Tianfeng.

The applause spread across the set like a contagion; soon, thunderous clapping filled the entire place!

“Chu Tianfeng, well done!” someone shouted in a gruff voice.

“Chu Tianfeng, you’re amazing!” others echoed loudly.

Then chants swept the crowd.

“Chu Tianfeng!”

“Chu Tianfeng!”

...

Chu Tianfeng was delighted. When he landed, he had wrapped himself in true energy, so he was completely unharmed.

Staff members rushed to him, repeatedly checking, and after confirming he was uninjured, looked at him with disbelief, as though he were a monster.

Zhang Qiang and others reached him immediately.

“Are you alright?” Zhang Qiang asked.

“Thank you, I’m fine.” Chu Tianfeng smiled, took off his helmet, and held it in his hands.

During filming, he’d worried the helmet would fall and ruin the take, so he’d fastened it too tightly, making his neck uncomfortable.

“Really alright?” Hua Wu came over, her eyes full of doubt.

“Really, Wu-jie, you can rest easy now.” Chu Tianfeng patted the dust off his helmet.

He knew Hua Wu surely had many questions, but he didn’t intend to explain.

“I don’t want to deal with you. Explain it to my dad yourself later.” Hua Wu frowned.

Chu Tianfeng was right; she had endless questions, but she chose not to ask.

“Chu Tianfeng, I knew you could do it.” Xiang Yanping and others approached, shouting from afar.

“Of course, a man can’t admit defeat.” Chu Tianfeng responded with a smile.

Hua Wu rolled her eyes.

“Chu Tianfeng, your performance today was absolutely perfect. I almost worship you!” Jiang Ziyue’s adorable face appeared among the crowd.

Beside her, of course, was the tranquil Xu Yan.

Hua Wu’s frown deepened.

“Congratulations, Chu Tianfeng!” Xu Yan smiled.

“Thank you!” Chu Tianfeng nodded.

“I propose a celebration, what do you think?”

Jiang Ziyue raised her hand eagerly, looking at everyone expectantly.

“We should, last time you slipped away, and if you don’t treat us now, we’ll cut you off!” Xiang Yanping immediately agreed.

Chu Tianfeng was about to reply when Zhang Qiang’s hearty laugh sounded behind him, “Ha! Of course we must celebrate!”

Chu Tianfeng hadn’t planned to celebrate; he only had a few thousand yuan to his name, hardly enough to be lavish.

But with Zhang Qiang joining in, he felt embarrassed to refuse.

After all, Zhang Qiang was a crew leader; he couldn’t snub him.

“Alright, can we pick somewhere nearby?” He wanted to find a cheap, practical restaurant in town, hoping to quietly rescue his wallet.

“Of course, since you’re paying!” Jiang Ziyue giggled, earning a big eye-roll from Xu Yan. “How about Century Hotel? Their stewed river fish is amazing.”

“That works.” Chu Tianfeng felt the stone he’d managed to lift just dropped hard on his toe.

He could practically see a tear opening in his wallet, with money pouring out.

“What are you waiting for? Let’s go! It’s not every day you treat us, can’t let you off easy.” Xiang Yanping laughed heartily.

Everyone piled into Hua Wu and Zhang Qiang’s cars and soon descended upon Century Hotel.

“Should I order the assorted abalone soup?” Jiang Ziyue mused as soon as she got the menu.

Chu Tianfeng felt a sharp jab to his heart—painful, painfully so.

Fortunately, Xu Yan gave her a fierce glare and a big eye-roll.

“Fine, then how about the steamed lobster?” Jiang Ziyue turned to the waiter, “This must be included, or I’ll be upset with you!”

Everyone laughed.

“Of course, we have it!” the waiter replied, bewildered.

Xu Yan, defeated, took the menu and said, “Crystal shrimp dumplings, rainbow jelly cake, Qin Sang’s green branches, sesame phoenix rolls. That’s enough for now.”

“Are you kidding? Rainbow jelly cake, Qin Sang’s green branches, sesame phoenix rolls? Don’t think I don’t know—they’re all vegetarian! You trying to become a nun or what?” Jiang Ziyue protested immediately.

“Director Zhang and Sister Hua ordered plenty of meat dishes; we just need a few veggies to balance it.” Xu Yan handed the menu to the waiter.

“Xu Yan, Sister Xu—no, Aunt Xu!” Jiang Ziyue drooped her head in a pitiful pose. “Add a plate of Qianniao Crab in Snow, please?”

Hua Wu glanced at Chu Tianfeng sitting in the corner and said ahead of Xu Yan, “Let’s add two plates of Qianniao Crab in Snow.”

“Wow, thank you! Sister Hua, I love you!” Jiang Ziyue cheered.

Xu Yan smiled wryly and shook her head.

“It’s rare for Chu Tianfeng to treat everyone; let’s indulge just this once,” Hua Wu said.

In truth, Chu Tianfeng had made her worry every day, and she was quite disgruntled, wanting to take this chance to hit him hard and vent her frustration.

Chu Tianfeng felt another sharp jab to his heart. He vowed that whenever he saw Jiang Ziyue or Hua Wu in the future, he’d keep his distance.

Soon, food and wine filled the table; everyone toasted, drank, ate, and enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

“Chu Tianfeng, congratulations!” Amid the lively atmosphere, a bell-like voice suddenly rang in everyone’s ears.

Of course, Chu Tianfeng recognized it.

He turned to see Xiao Yunmeng, dressed in flowing white, extending her slender hand, smiling gracefully, her eyes sparkling.

“Thank you!” Chu Tianfeng stood, reaching out to shake her hand.

“Wow, Xiao Yunmeng!” Jiang Ziyue sprang up, holding her phone, and rushed over. “Xiao Yunmeng, can I take a photo with you? Please?”

Xiao and Chu had to part; Xiao Yunmeng smiled, put her arm around Jiang Ziyue’s shoulders.

Jiang Ziyue flashed a peace sign: “Yes!”

No sooner had Jiang Ziyue stepped aside than Xiang Yanping and Han Xinwen squeezed in, “Goddess, can we take a picture with you?”

After Xiao Yunmeng left, Jiang Ziyue, Xiang Yanping, and others excitedly discussed her, checking their photos.

“I suddenly realize you’re very popular, especially with the girls,” Hua Wu said calmly to Chu Tianfeng.

“Is it because I’m handsome?” Chu Tianfeng replied with a smile.

He knew Hua Wu might be mistaken; he was clear about how Xiao Yunmeng and others viewed him.

But he was even clearer about Hua Wu’s attitude toward him; he saw no need to explain.

“After tonight, I bet all the girls in the crew will be fans of his,” Zhang Qiang drawled.

“Absolutely!” Jiang Ziyue raised her hand and turned to Xu Yan, “Right?”

Xu Yan smiled and nodded.