Chapter 91: Rehearsal for the Masked All-Round King

After two weeks of intense preparation, the rehearsal for Masked All-Round King was finally about to begin. Lu Ran’s brisk, harried voice kept echoing through the studio:

“Xiao Zhang, the lights—look where you’ve pointed them.”

“Xiao Liu, have you even listened to the monitor mix in your earpiece?”

“Master Li, the audience seats on this side are too close, and the media area has a poor view. We need to adjust it.”

As the chief director of this program, he had already gone several nights without sleep, practically living at the station. This was the network’s biggest variety-show investment of the year, and whether it could defeat Cross-Industry Star depended on the first episode. The entire station’s pressure had gathered on his shoulders.

What’s more, in terms of the lineup, he could be said to hold three trump cards. But whether trump cards could become an advantage was entirely a matter of fate. All three were untouchable figures, each backed by powerful patrons. One wrong move could stir up trouble from every direction and leave him covered in filth.

The one Lu Ran worried about least was the reigning film emperor, Ling. According to the schedule, Ling Ziheng was set to rehearse first, and thinking back on Lin Zhi’s original proposal, along with their cooperation over the past few weeks, he expected they could run through the entire performance in two hours.

What gave him the biggest headache were Chu Chuo and Ye Linyun—one domineering to the point of self-worship, the other fiery and vicious. Neither was easy to serve.

Ling Ziheng and Lin Zhiwei arrived at the studio hall right on time at nine. By then, everything had been adjusted to its best state: lighting, stage design, and music were all ready, as though waiting for a splendid performance to unfold.

Lu Ran hurried forward and said politely, “Mr. Ling, please have a rest for a moment. This way, please. We’ll start in ten minutes. You can have some water and get ready first.”

“All right, thank you.”

Ling Ziheng nodded. Lu Ran paused inwardly. Though this was not their first meeting, he had to admit he now understood just why his own little girl was so infatuated with this film emperor. The man strolling toward them was not only flawless in appearance, but his bearing and temperament were equally rare in the world. Wherever such a person stood, he would shine.

“Director Lin,” Lu Ran greeted Lin Zhiwei beside him, “I’m completely at ease when it comes to Mr. Ling. We can just do a relaxed run-through later. The teachers all said Mr. Ling’s stage performance is already perfect, with nothing to improve. Today we just need a simple blocking rehearsal.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Director Lu. We’ll cooperate fully,” Lin Zhiwei replied generously. “Go ahead and take care of your work. Call us when everything on-site is ready.”

“Of course, of course.” Lu Ran beamed and went back to rushing about. If every celebrity were this easy to deal with, he would feel as though he were living in paradise.

Ling Ziheng sat with his long legs crossed, calmly immersed in the original edition of Faust that he had recently taken a strong liking to. A tray of fruit and snacks sat on the table beside him.

Lin Zhiwei stood off to the side with her arms folded, solemnly surveying the arrangements. Out of concern for safety, she was instructing Nanyu to monitor the venue remotely for any hidden risks, while she herself examined every corner in detail. On such a vast stage, if anyone intended to slip through the cracks, it was impossible to predict what might happen.

Seeing that the person beside him paid him no attention at all and was wholly focused on the details of the hall, Ling Ziheng said calmly, “It’s fine. Pei Xi already checked it.”

Only then did Lin Zhiwei’s expression ease. She let out a breath and nodded toward Pei Xi. “You’ve worked hard, Chief Pei.”

“It’s my duty.” Pei Xi felt a jolt inside. Director Lin really didn’t need to call him out specifically; the important one was his own young master.

Seeing how concerned Lin Zhiwei was about the safety of his performance, Ling Ziheng observed her subtle expressions with great interest. Although she was dressed in men’s clothing, her earnest manner while working remained pleasing to the eye. Those nimble, alert eyes were always in motion—sometimes tense, sometimes focused. In a crowd, one could always locate the owner of those eyes at once.

“Baby,” he murmured.

Lin Zhiwei blushed. “This is a public place. Don’t call me that.”

“I’ve just finished my makeup, and it’s inconvenient to eat.” The coquettish man’s peach-blossom eyes glimmered with light, his expression full of grievance.

“So?”

Lin Zhiwei glanced at him, knowing he was about to start misbehaving again.

Ling Ziheng lifted an eyebrow. “Feed me.”

Pei Xi was utterly stunned behind them. Young master... you... this is... far too shameless.

Lin Zhiwei could not lose her temper here, so she held it in and said quietly, “Pei Xi, your master has no hands or feet and is hungry.” With that, she turned and walked away, showing no reaction at all as she chatted warmly with Xin Xin, the stage assistant not far off, discussing the points that would need attention during the performance.

Ling Ziheng watched the puffed-up, angry figure walking away and smiled faintly. Behind him, Pei Xi was caught in a dilemma. He hesitated and said, “Um... young master... should I feed you...?”

A cold look shot over. Pei Xi fell silent.

Fine... that question had been unnecessary.

Qin Meng had come early, hoping to properly thank Director Lin. Seeing Lin Zhiwei standing aside after giving her instructions, she quickly chased after her and said in a small voice, head lowered, “Director Lin, thank you for what you did last time.”

Lin Zhiwei turned back and saw how uneasy Qin Yu looked, and immediately comforted her. “It’s nothing, just a small matter.”

“Director Lin, you really helped me a lot. Otherwise I might truly have lost my job. Brother Chu has even been rehearsing these past few days.” Qin Meng’s eyes shone with admiration. She could hardly imagine that a single sentence from Director Lin had made Brother Chu rehearse properly for days on end. That version of Brother Chu was one she had never seen before.

“Heh, it wasn’t me who persuaded him. He knows where the line is.” Lin Zhiwei smiled lightly.

If she had not known how much money Chu Chuo’s and Ye Linyun’s companies had invested in this variety show, she would not have had the confidence to believe that that day’s act of compassion might truly be of use. Rumor had it that the boss of Baimu, Zhou Munian, was ruthless and vicious, killing without leaving a trace. He always took good care of the artists under him, but anyone who disobeyed would suffer punishment beyond imagination.

Just the fact that, after encountering Ye Linyun outside the training room, she had remained safe and sound for an entire week was enough to make one understand how terrifying this boss was. Even Ye Linyun did not dare to cause trouble before her debut performance.

Listening to the man’s low voice nearby, Qin Meng felt a surge of excitement. When would she ever acquire the confidence and ability of Director Lin? So young, and already the director of a film emperor, deeply trusted by everyone—she was truly no ordinary woman. And the most formidable film emperor of all seemed utterly obedient. After all, he was the one the emperor himself had chosen. A true dragon among men.