The casting reveal left the crew in stunned silence. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWuM7Z4ZDf
The art lead clutched her face, hands flailing in the air, 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDvc7WofrF
while the screenwriter stepped in with a PSA: “Stop shipping already.”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV2ov0b4hc
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvjOX7nfsI
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? 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCvOHFUsNK
Prop sketches and emergency camera plans covered the walls.
The director was adjusting the lighting. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLOo7s3tye
The manager was reviewing the run-down. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RCXNnZuWk
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.” 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85jvvbZmXm
The screenwriter flipped through her chart and glanced at the door. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaq0lkViK9
“Where’s the boss? He’s not coming to the casting?”
The director didn’t even look up. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoI94w6nVd
His tone was so flat, it could’ve been a weather report.
“He only ships GL.”
“……”
The screenwriter nodded. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA5PMw6kWf
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. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRf7upVFnH
But there was something in the air around him——like a spark walking in from the rain. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8buu4SFHQJ
Not yet lit, but ready to ignite with the slightest friction.
Shen Yanxing followed. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4CDsMUYwm
Even more casual——black T-shirt, khaki pants—but his eyes were steely, his back perfectly straight.
He moved like a silent current. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB418XsIsWi
And when he crossed the threshold, the air itself seemed to rupture.
The room fell quiet. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflZ34JlT5K
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, 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK363VTKXp
it was like his entire presence had changed air.
Breaths growing heavier. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrPRq2wRIx
Vision unfocused. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqrOotbVu3
Fingertips trembling—just slightly.
Knees nearly giving way. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy1iFmn5Az
Shoulders swaying with something not quite natural.
One hand braced against the wall, the other clutched at his abdomen. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQtaAviGYs
His breaths weren’t loud, 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4HNVumudV
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, 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7HmJ34fTP
he tilted his chin slightly, lips curling into an unreadable smile, and stepped forward.
His pace wasn’t fast, 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB0Qo2T0rq
but every step landed like a hammer to the chest.
When he drew close—— 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe2ootDao1
that gaze wasn’t just provocative. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4cb7hG87R
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, 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4P1ADX09m
the screenwriter quietly stepped back.
He came to a clear conclusion——
Shipping is a dangerous game.
ns216.73.216.253da2
and then Add to home screen.