Chapter 69: Because You Are So Despicable

Over the next few days, Chu Tianfeng fully replaced Li Shijun as the lead actor. Li Shijun, meanwhile, adopted a somber silence, barely uttering a word and becoming nearly invisible. If not for the extra chair at the dinner table, one might have forgotten he was even there.

Since the incident at the cliff, Xu Yan and Chu Tianfeng’s relationship had grown increasingly close. Perhaps it was because they played lovers in the film, but even off set, Xu Yan treated Chu Tianfeng with remarkable intimacy—so much so that Jiang Ziyue sometimes couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Chu Tianfeng had always thought Xu Yan was reserved, but after spending these days together, he realized she was not introverted, but quietly brilliant. She simply disliked mingling with strangers; with friends, she was as open as anyone.

The cooperation between Chu Tianfeng and Xu Yan became ever more seamless, and subsequent scenes were filmed with exceptional ease. Tang Yi was quite satisfied and no longer treated Chu Tianfeng with her former coldness; occasionally, she even praised him with a smile—a rare occurrence indeed.

Du Jingjing still hadn’t managed to change rooms, forcing her to cohabitate with Chu Tianfeng every night. Fortunately, Chu Tianfeng was far less mischievous at night than he was during the day; he spent nearly every hour meditating, earning Du Jingjing’s admiration.

Chu Tianfeng’s injuries had been minor, and within a few days, he had fully recovered.

The disciples of the Huangshan Sect kept an eye on them for only a day before withdrawing completely on the second. Chu Tianfeng was puzzled, unaware that the Huangshan Sect had made a new discovery and turned their attention elsewhere.

He suspected some hidden plot was afoot, and spent several days feeling uneasy.

One day, after finishing their filming, the group returned to Tianhai.

Chu Tianfeng went back to his small courtyard, where he was again welcomed as a hero.

Old Xu and the others fussed over Chu Tianfeng, offering warmth and care. That evening, Tong Yu and Chen Zhili even took to the kitchen themselves to prepare a sumptuous meal in his honor.

“Ding ding ding!” As the food and wine were served, Tong Yu eagerly raised her glass. “A warm welcome home to our famous actress, Miss Qianling!”

Chu Tianfeng felt slightly embarrassed by Tong Yu’s praise, laughing awkwardly. “Tong, wherever I go, I’m just an extra. I’ll probably be running bit parts my whole life.”

He had no interest in acting, nor any desire to become a film star. If not for his predecessor, he wouldn’t even want to attend school.

“That’s not the right attitude!” Old Xu raised his own glass. “Qianling, you’re still young. As they say, persistence can grind an iron rod into a needle. As long as you work hard, you’ll succeed one day.”

Chen Zhili smiled in agreement. “Qianling, we all believe in you!”

Tong Yu clapped Chu Tianfeng on the shoulder. “Don’t let us down. Come, everyone raise your glasses—let’s toast in advance to Qianling becoming a famous actress, known throughout the world!”

Everyone laughed and drank heartily.

“Hehe!” Grandma Liu chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “Qianling, you may not know, but Tong Yu just met someone important the other day. She’s been invited to be… oh, a spokesperson! Who knows, Tong Yu might become famous even before you do.”

“Really?” Chu Tianfeng turned to Tong Yu. “Congratulations, Tong!”

“Thank you!” Tong Yu smiled modestly. “I haven’t signed the contract yet, so it’s too early to say.”

“It’s practically settled,” Chen Zhili said, placing a slice of eel in Tong Yu’s bowl. “The person is the fourth young master of the Liu family—his word is good as gold.”

“Which fourth young master?” Chu Tianfeng was taken aback. “What’s the story?”

He knew that the Liu family in Tianhai also had a fourth young master.

“How many Liu families are there in Tianhai?” Chen Zhili placed another slice of eel in Chu Tianfeng’s bowl. “Liu Zijie, the fourth young master, also known as Jie.”

Chu Tianfeng frowned inwardly.

He hadn’t expected it to be that Liu family.

He didn’t know the details of the Liu family, but he was familiar with the broad strokes. The head of the Liu family, Liu Qingfeng, had four children: Liu Ziying, Liu Zixiong, Liu Zihao, and Liu Zijie.

The eldest daughter, Liu Ziying, managed the family’s jewelry company. The second son, Liu Zixiong—who was Chu Tianfeng’s predecessor’s father—originally managed the group company. After Liu Zihao passed away, management shifted to the third son, Liu Zihao, while the youngest, Liu Zijie, oversaw the leather company.

“What’s wrong?” Tong Yu noticed Chu Tianfeng’s expression and asked with curiosity.

“Uh, nothing.” Chu Tianfeng had never had a good impression of the Liu family. He wanted to warn her, but couldn’t find a suitable reason. “How did you meet Liu Zijie?”

He’d heard that Liu Zijie was notorious for his amorous ways, unmarried at thirty, and spent his days drifting through Tianhai’s nightlife. Chu Tianfeng sincerely hoped Tong Yu wouldn’t get entangled with him.

“Oh, it went like this.” Tong Yu took a bite of eel and chewed slowly. “The other day, while shooting at an ad agency, I met Jie. He thought my image and temperament were suitable, and wants me as the spokesperson for the Liu family’s leather company. Annual salary: three hundred thousand.”

Chu Tianfeng’s frown deepened.

“Don’t worry,” Tong Yu continued. “I don’t have to work at their company. I just need to shoot some ads each year, do some promotion. It won’t affect my modeling work much, so I agreed. We’ll sign the contract in a couple of days, and discuss the cooperation then.”

“Tong, be careful. Liu family money isn’t easy to earn.” Chu Tianfeng could say no more.

“Don’t worry,” Chen Zhili dismissed his concern. “It’s a great opportunity—we’re envious! Tong Yu, you’ll have to look out for me in the future. Try to get me into the Liu company, even if just as a junior staffer.”

Old Xu and his wife laughed heartily, and the five continued drinking and chatting until the evening wore on.

The next day, as planned, Chu Tianfeng headed to the academy to continue filming.

He and Xu Yan remained leads, while the supporting cast grew stronger. Tang Yi mobilized many drama students to join the production.

Filming in the studio was relaxed; most shots involved hanging from wires, posing mid-air.

Chu Tianfeng and Xu Yan’s cooperation was increasingly flawless, and they began to look like a real couple.

With Chu Tianfeng holding Xu Yan, the two soared through the air, gazing sweetly at each other—a sight to envy.

Tang Yi had designed many such scenes: from the ground to the sky, from sky back to earth, or flying from one end of the studio to the other.

“Enjoying yourself?” During a lunch break, Du Jingjing approached Chu Tianfeng.

“Hmm?” Chu Tianfeng was a bit confused.

“Look at your smug face—you hardly want to let go of Xu Yan.” Du Jingjing shot him a contemptuous glare.

To her, being lecherous wasn’t the problem—it was being secretly lecherous.

“…” In truth, Chu Tianfeng was enjoying himself, but not because he was holding Xu Yan. He loved the feeling of flying through the air on wires.

He suddenly realized it had been ages since he last soared through the skies, almost forgetting what it felt like.

“By the way, I need to inform you—plans have changed. We’re leaving for Thousand Bird Lake tomorrow.”

“Why?” Chu Tianfeng was puzzled. “I still have many scenes left to shoot.”

He recalled Du Jingjing mentioning that Thousand Bird Lake was crowded with martial artists and unsafe.

“It’s your fault! Look at how lively Tianhai Film Academy is now—all sorts of strange characters have come because of you!” Du Jingjing rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry about the filming. I’ve spoken with Teacher Tang. She’s agreed to compress your scenes and finish them all tonight.”

To her, Chu Tianfeng was a troublemaker, bringing problems wherever he went. If she could avoid working with him, she gladly would.

“I didn’t want this either! They’re following me—what can I do?” Chu Tianfeng shrugged. “Just like you—I can’t shake you off no matter how hard I try.”

Du Jingjing’s eyes bulged as she glared fiercely at him.

“Fine! I like you following me. I like everyone following me,” Chu Tianfeng surrendered, raising his hands.

“Pighead! Who wants to follow you!” Du Jingjing lowered her voice. “Do you think it’s just a few martial artists? Listen, we got word last night—even foreign assassin organizations have been alerted by you.”

“What?” Chu Tianfeng was stunned.

He really couldn’t understand why foreigners would be interested in those worthless scraps.

“Scared yet?” Du Jingjing wore a look of exasperation. “Idiots like you are bound to poke holes in the sky one day!”

“Do you know which organization?” Chu Tianfeng asked.

“Black Wolf from America. We captured one of them. According to his confession, they’re not here to steal anything—they’re here to kill you!” Du Jingjing’s lips curled.

“Kill me?” Chu Tianfeng was even more puzzled. “Why?”

He mused that foreigners really did act unpredictably. Perhaps, knowing the treasure was out of reach, they decided to destroy the pot rather than let anyone have the soup.

“Because you’re annoying!” Du Jingjing rolled her eyes again. “He just carries out orders—never asks why. That’s why they’re called assassins.”

Chu Tianfeng thought carefully. Since his rebirth, he’d offended quite a few people and factions—Salt Society, the Grave Robber Sect, Huangshan Sect, Hengshan Sect. But these sects or gangs were not weak; if they wanted him dead, they wouldn’t need outsiders.

Other than that, there was Liu Zhijian or some freelance martial artists he’d injured. But if anyone really wanted him dead, Liu Zhijian was the most suspect.

Those freelance martial artists probably still coveted his supposed treasure, not his life.

Then he remembered—Liu Zhijian had mentioned knowing some underworld friends. He hadn’t paid attention at the time, never imagining that Liu Zhijian’s “friends” would be foreign assassins.

But all this was speculation; whether Liu Zhijian was behind it remained to be seen.

“How skilled are these assassins?” Chu Tianfeng thought for a moment and asked again.

Given his current strength, as long as the enemy wasn’t above the Innate level, he had nothing to fear.

“This group isn’t particularly strong—about the level of Bright Force practitioners,” Du Jingjing hesitated before answering. “But don’t underestimate them—they’re masters of assassination techniques, with endless tricks, often able to kill targets above their level.”

“Have you fought them?” Chu Tianfeng’s expression grew serious.