Chapter 4: “Did Sister Really Say Your Life Is Worth Millions?”

Sheng Li lowered her gaze to the screen, but the person sharing gossip in the production team’s group chat had already stopped. She probably went back to work.

Every film studio had thousands of extras—men, women, young and old. Generally, period dramas required the most extras, especially for war scenes. Jiangshan Scroll had many war scenes and needed a lot of space, which was why the production team chose Songshan Film Studio. Where there was war, there were refugees and piles of corpses. As soon as filming began, crowds of extras gathered, waiting in the designated area.

Directors usually didn’t like extras who were too good-looking. Children were fine—viewers would just think the child was cute—but once they grew up, it became problematic. A face like Yu Chi’s, if working as an extra, would likely be scouted by talent agencies unless his acting was terrible or he had no talent. Alternatively, either he or his family might not want him entering the entertainment industry.

There was always gossip on set, and news spread quickly.

No one gossiped about a random extra for long.

After all, no one had seen Yu Chi before. They didn’t even know what he looked like. A few lines of gossip were enough to pique curiosity and then fade away.

Sheng Li handed the phone back to Yuan Yuan. Based on Yu Chi’s cold attitude toward himself, she leaned toward the idea that he didn’t want to enter this world.

________________________________________

The next afternoon, Sheng Li was discharged from the hospital and returned to the production set.

The drive from downtown Songshan to the film studio took over three hours. Sheng Li spent the entire ride reading her script. As they approached, Rong Hua reminded her: “Tonight, I’ll treat the directors to dinner. Afterward, you’ll go say hello to the director and Wei Cheng, along with the other main actors. Once you’ve greeted them, you can return to your room and rest for a while.”

Sheng Li hummed in acknowledgment. Suddenly remembering something, she turned to Yuan Yuan in the passenger seat and said, “Yuan Yuan, call Yu Chi again.”

Yuan Yuan responded, curious: “This morning, his phone was still off. Maybe something happened?”

“That’s why I’m telling you to call.” Sheng Li gave her a look as if she were an idiot. “He came to see me right after finishing his exam the evening before last. What did I say to him when I first saw him?”

Yuan Yuan: “….”

Sheng Li added, “He’s still a minor. If someone goes missing for 24 hours, the police can open a case. It’s already been over 30 hours.”

Sheng Li’s words successfully panicked Yuan Yuan, who hurriedly dialed Yu Chi’s number, muttering anxiously, “Please don’t do anything rash. You’re so handsome, not even 18 yet, and haven’t grown up enough to marry a rich, beautiful woman.”

Rong Hua frowned and turned to ask, “What did you say to him yesterday?”

Sheng Li pursed her lips. “I told Yuan Yuan to drag him out and silence him.”

Rong Hua: “….”

She stared at Sheng Li in disbelief, unusually refraining from immediate scolding. Suppressing her temper, she asked, “And then?”

From the passenger seat, Yuan Yuan timidly added, “We also said that Li Li is worth at least a million yuan a day, and delaying seven days…”

In less than four hours, Yu Chi had turned off his phone and gone missing.

This realization sent a chill down their spines.

Though Sheng Li’s impression of Yu Chi wasn’t great, she didn’t think he was the type to disappear after making a promise. His prolonged absence was starting to worry her.

Rong Hua was at a loss for words to scold them. Suppressing her anger, she said, “Even a regular adult might not handle being told they owe millions. Let alone a teenager who just finished the college entrance exam and has family issues.”

Sheng Li and Yuan Yuan fell silent.

Sheng Li bit her lip and stared out the window.

As they passed the extras’ waiting area, a vast crowd came into view. Her eyes suddenly lit up: “Stop the car!”

The driver quickly braked.

Yu Chi had changed into a black T-shirt. His fair skin, tall and slender frame, and casual stance—hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall with one foot propped against it—made him stand out strikingly among the motley crew of extras.

Sheng Li resisted the urge to get out of the car and yell at him. Instead, gritting her teeth, she said, “Yuan Yuan, go fetch that little bastard.”

Just as the mechanical female voice on the phone announced that the recipient’s phone was off, Yuan Yuan, who hadn’t had time to start lamenting, glanced out the window and exclaimed happily, “Got it!”

She quickly got out of the car and ran over.

The fading sunlight bathed the young man in a golden glow. Yu Chi lazily lifted his eyelids, spotting Yuan Yuan running toward him. His gaze swept past her to the car behind, meeting eyes with Sheng Li, who sat by the lowered window wearing a mask.

Her gaze, as sharp as daggers, was just as murderous as their first meeting.

Yuan Yuan caught her breath as she reached him, immediately scolding, “Why did you turn off your phone?!”

Yu Chi withdrew his gaze, straightened his posture, and looked down as he replied, “You called me?”

“My phone broke.” He didn’t mention the harassment calls he’d received every time he turned it on, nor did he say that he’d been waiting here for two hours. He’d arrived at noon and learned from a production assistant that Sheng Li was being discharged today, so he waited here.

When the car passed, he could be seen.

The extras craned their necks to look at the commotion, whispering among themselves—

“Isn’t that Sheng Li? She’s back.”

“It’s her! Those eyes are unmistakable. Who else could it be?”

“And Yu Chi…”

This wasn’t the place for conversation.

Yuan Yuan said, “Come with me.”

Yu Chi nodded slightly and began walking.

With his long legs, he quickly outpaced Yuan Yuan, stopping in front of the car. He looked down at Sheng Li, his tone calm: “You want my signature?”

“I…” Sheng Li was infuriated by his nonchalant demeanor. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile. “Sign your sister.”

Yu Chi: “….”

Yuan Yuan: “….”

Rong Hua turned sideways, her voice cold: “In front of others, mind your image as a celebrity.”

Yu Chi saw Rong Hua’s face and froze momentarily.

He actually knew her. He’d seen her a few years ago—a famous top-tier agent in the industry.

Sheng Li’s expression turned blank as she coldly said, “Yes, millions. If I can’t reach you by phone and can’t find you, how can I not worry you’ll run away?” She watched him lower his eyes, his thick, long lashes giving him an obedient look under financial pressure, though his tightly pressed lips revealed a hint of stubbornness.

This guy—both obedient and stubborn—seemed a bit like he had a split personality.

Sheng Li’s arrogant demeanor suddenly deflated halfway, leaving her feeling a bit split herself.

“Go to the production area and wait for me in my dressing room.”

After saying this, she quickly rolled up the car window.

The car drove off. From the rearview mirror, Rong Hua saw the young man turn around, leisurely following behind the vehicle.

Yuan Yuan twisted around and said, “He said his phone broke.”

Sheng Li emotionlessly replied, “Oh.”

Rong Hua withdrew her gaze: “He’s not bad-looking.”

________________________________________

The production team was filming a scene between the male lead and supporting actors. Sheng Li and Rong Hua stood behind the monitor unnoticed, even by Director Liu.

Someone spotted Sheng Li and looked over in surprise. Sheng Li raised a finger to her lips: “Shh.”

Ten minutes later, Director Liu picked up the megaphone: “Cut! That’s a wrap!”

“Li Li’s back!” someone shouted.

Director Liu quickly turned around, seeing Sheng Li still wearing a mask. His excitement dimmed halfway. “Little Li, your face isn’t fully healed yet?”

Sheng Li had worked with Director Liu before. His period dramas were exemplary in the industry, with cinematography rivaling films. Three years ago, she gained popularity through one of his projects. Obediently, she said, “The swelling has gone down, but there are still some marks. I might need to request another day off.”

“Sure, sure,” Director Liu waved dismissively. “Approved. Looking good is more important. Slow down if necessary.”

Rong Hua exchanged pleasantries with Director Liu before asking, “When can we wrap up today? Let’s have dinner and discuss while we eat.”

Director Liu checked the time: “If we hurry, half an hour.”

Wei Cheng, the male lead, was an award-winning actor, 34 years old. Director Liu had put in significant effort to cast him in this TV drama. Though Sheng Li sometimes thought about taking vacations—or even quitting during exhausting times—she loved her career and deeply respected her seniors.

This drama brought together many veteran actors. Having delayed them for several days, Sheng Li felt guilty and smiled sweetly to everyone: “I’ll do my best to minimize NGs and avoid dragging us further behind.”

The actor playing her father burst out laughing: “Good girl.”

“Holy crap! Who’s that handsome guy?”

One of the assistants gasped.

Sheng Li turned her head. Yu Chi had arrived, standing under a makeshift awning, watching them.

Yuan Yuan cleared her throat and said, “It’s… that restaurant owner’s… uh, not exactly his son…” She scratched her cheek awkwardly. “Just the kid from the restaurant, the one who just finished the college entrance exam.”

Someone let out a long “Oh”: “He really doesn’t look like the restaurant owner.”

At this moment, Wei Cheng said, “This kid looks familiar.”

“Where from?” Sheng Li looked at him.

Wei Cheng smiled: “I can’t quite remember. He just feels familiar.”

The assistant muttered, “All handsome guys feel familiar.”

Having finished greeting everyone, Sheng Li, preoccupied with dealing with the “little bastard,” led Yuan Yuan over.

Passing Yu Chi, she glanced at him: “Follow me.”

Yu Chi didn’t speak, trailing behind her until they entered her dressing room.

Sheng Li’s dressing room was cluttered with items, a mountain of cosmetics on the table. Yu Chi gave it a quick glance before standing by the makeup table, his gaze steady. Sheng Li sat on the small sofa, scrutinizing him for a few seconds before speaking: “Millions—you really plan to compensate me?”

Yu Chi looked at her distractedly: “You didn’t intend for me to pay that much.”

Sheng Li: “….”

“What if I did? How would you repay it?” She narrowed her eyes. “Were you just waiting for work among the extras?”

The highest daily rate for extras was around a thousand yuan, and even that wasn’t guaranteed every day.

“You can’t work as an extra. If you did, you’d only play a corpse.”

“….”

Yu Chi impatiently said, “I wasn’t waiting for work. I was waiting for you.” He paused. “My phone broke.”

Sheng Li: “….”

She blinked, stunned for a moment.

Silence filled the room.

Sheng Li stared into his dark eyes, her personality shifting to the softer side. She lightly tapped her fingers on the table. The sound of incoming messages on Yuan Yuan’s phone broke the silence. Yuan Yuan quickly silenced it and glanced at the messages.

While Sheng Li was still pondering what to do with Yu Chi, Yuan Yuan opened a photo and placed it in front of her—

“Yuan Yuan! A couple of days ago, someone leaked Yu Chi’s personal information to a fan group. Although the admin scolded them, some male fans still saved his number. Today, they mentioned in the chat that they’ve been calling him. The group admin messaged me privately this afternoon, and I just found out.”

“Yu Chi is the restaurant owner’s son—not biological.”

“They’ve been calling for two days.”

Yuan Yuan subtly glanced at Yu Chi and swiped to the next screenshot—

“That br at little bastard turned off his phone two days ago. Do you know how arrogant he is? I told him to go die, and he said, ‘Someone said my life is worth millions. Do you have that kind of money? If not, I won’t die.’”

Sheng Li: “….”

She pursed her lips, looking up at Yu Chi with a piercing gaze.

Yu Chi shifted uncomfortably under her stare, instinctively furrowing his brows.

“Yu Xiao Chi,” Sheng Li said with a sweet smile, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “Did Sister really say your life is worth millions?”

Yu Chi: “….”

His previously relaxed posture stiffened slightly.

Sheng Li crossed her arms, her smile gentle yet tinged with mischief. “Then, starting tomorrow, you’ll come work as my assistant. Whatever I tell you to do, you’ll do it—until school starts. In exchange, this whole matter will be settled. How does that sound?”