Capturing My Demon King Costar

MY COSTAR GOES BEHIND MY BACK

"I think part of it is because she sees Yan Shuyi as a sort of parental figure," Ye Fang says, showing Yao Shen the parts of her script she has highlighted. "It's not just petty jealousy. For a long time it was just her and Yan Shuyi, and unlike other disciples in Frozen Peak, she's an orphan, so she's come to rely on Yan Shuyi as her only family."

Yao Shen nods along to her interpretation. "I think so too, she's feeling that her position is threatened."

Director Chen, observing them both talk so seriously about their characters smiles to himself, pleased.

Yao Shen taps a particular line on Ye Fang's script. "We have to focus on this part, because it will inform Mei Shuang's actions during the conference. Her feelings that she might be loosing her place next to Yan Shuyi are the whole reason why she'll trick Xie Huan into breaking the rules."

With everything laid out clearly, they have no issue filming the scene and get done faster than expected.

Yao Shen even gets to enjoy a quiet break in peace before filming the next scene with Gao Wu.

---

That's when the trouble starts.

For reasons Yao Shen doesn't understand, Gao Wu is unusually skittish. Answering in toneless monosyllables to everything Yao Shen says, his gaze drifting around as if he's afraid someone might be watching him.

It's hard for them to find a good rhythm and they have to go over the scene multiple times before Director Chen has something he's halfway happy with.

Yao Shen tries to ask Gao Wu what's gotten into him but gets only a dismissive, "I'll see laoshi lather," for his troubles.

He doesn't think Gao Wu has ever not addressed him as 'gege'

Something  weird is definitely going on.

He's having lunch alone in his trailer when Xin Hulei barges in, uninvited and uncaring about it.

"Let's have lunch at 'Hell on Earth'," he says, extending one hand towards Yao Shen.

Yao Shen barely has the time to question if that's the name of the odd restaurant, before Xin Hulei activates the twisting seal that conjures the teleportation flames.

When Yao Shen next blinks his eyes open he's standing in the middle of the busy restaurant, filled with chatting patrons as usual.

He slaps his closed fist against Xin Hulei's chest. "You have no fucking manners."

Xin Hulei just nods and motions him towards the stairs leading up to the same upper floor they were seated in the first time they were there. "I look forward to learning better manners from you."

Yao Shen glares at his back all the way up the stairs.

---

The same smiling waiter greets them effusively, but Xin Hulei merely asks him for the day's specials, without further conversation.

"I hope you're not thinking of going back on our deal," Yao Shen says, eyeing the food the waiter brings them warily.

Xin Hulei takes a sip of his wine. "You have nothing to fear from me, we have signed a contract."

Yao Shen pokes at the rice vermicelli in front of him with his chopsticks, half expecting it to change colours suddenly or catch on fire.

"I do still have questions for your, though," Xin Hulei says, meeting Yao Shen's eyes above the rim of his wine cup.

Yao Shen knew this was coming. In fact, he has been preparing for it since this morning.

He has the perfect excuse ready when Xin Hulei asks, "If you are a human, how come you knew what I was, and can see Jincan and Heimao?"

"My grandfather is a Daoist Priest," he says, his face impassive.

"A Daoist Priest?"

"He always told me our family had special skills that allowed us to perceive the supernatural world, I never believed him until now," Yao Shen says, keeping things vague like all the best lies.

"Interesting," Xin Hulei says, setting his cup down on the table softly.

Yao Shen can't be sure if he believes him or not, but just then a message arrives on his phone, and since it's placed screen up on the table by his side -- in case Bi Jialu calls him -- it's impossible for Yao Shen not to read it.

[Summer Sunlight: I'm sorry for my weird behaviour today, gege. After my recent talk with Xin laoshi I don't want him to get the wrong impression that's all. I understand the nature of your relationship, and I promise I won't try to get between the two of you.]

Yao Shen reads the message once, and then twice. And then turns his phone around so that Xin Hulei can read it too.

"What's the meaning of this?"

---

(1) - string instrument, played somewhat like a lute

(2) - lit. rivers and mountains, the martial arts world.