Chapter 37: The First Appearance on the Cultivation Variety Show

The members of the crew arrived one after another, and Yan Mei rose to raise her glass.

“Hello everyone, I’m Yan Mei, the director. Today is just a gathering to get to know each other. We’re planning to start filming at the end of March, and there are still a few supporting roles that need to be cast. In these coming months, please study the script carefully, and we’ll schedule a table read later.” Yan Mei spoke plainly, laying out the plans ahead.

After everyone had introduced themselves in turn, the eating and drinking began in earnest.

Fan Haoxuan, brash and straightforward, approached Lin Xi with a toast. “Sister Xi, nice to meet you! I’m your fan! Would you take a photo with me later?”

“Thank you, of course,” Lin Xi replied with a bright smile, reaching for her wine glass, only for Lu Yuxiu beside her to intercept it.

“She can't drink,” Lu Yuxiu said coolly, casting Fan Haoxuan a glance as he slid the glass away.

Lin Xi was baffled. She couldn't drink? She had no idea. In fact, her tolerance was quite good!

Lu Yuxiu gave her a sidelong look. Have you forgotten about your stomach problems?

Lin Xi immediately sat up straight. Right! She can’t!

“Drink juice,” he said, his voice as calm as ever, handing her a glass of juice.

Lin Xi kept her gaze down, obediently taking a sip.

Fan Haoxuan gave up; he’d only wanted to share a drink with the pretty sister.

“Come on! Our god Lu must drink a toast—it wasn’t easy to land this script!” Yan Mei pulled the screenwriter Guoguo in front of Lu Yuxiu.

“Here, god Lu, let’s toast!” Guoguo, meeting her idol, was shy and hesitant, looking at him bashfully.

“God Lu, thank you for starring in my script, finally, the wait is over!” Guoguo’s cheeks flushed as she spoke, trembling with excitement.

Lin Xi had never seen anyone flatter Lu Yuxiu before. For reasons she couldn’t name, she felt a bit unsettled and looked away.

But the next moment, Lu Yuxiu’s words stunned everyone at the table.

“You should thank Lin Xi. If not for her, I wouldn’t have accepted this script.” His calm words rippled through everyone’s hearts.

After Lu Yuxiu finished speaking, Lin Xi felt a small thrill of satisfaction. He truly left no room for any woman to harbor feelings for him.

Unexpectedly, Guoguo became even more excited, nearly jumping up. “I knew it! I knew it! I didn’t ship the wrong couple!”

This time it was Lin Xi’s turn to be bewildered.

“Don’t you know? You two have fans shipping you—the Emperor and Empress! Ever since ‘Age of Prosperity’ was officially announced, the ship has set sail!” Guoguo’s face was radiant, her eyes sparkling as she glanced between them.

Lin Xi understood then. The fans were formidable; the series wasn’t even filming yet, and the shipper fans had already emerged.

Lu Yuxiu looked down at Lin Xi, his eyes softening with a gentle smile.

Guoguo was nearly knocked out by the blow.

The others at the table caught on, tacitly refraining from asking further and digging into their food with renewed enthusiasm.

“I’m your fan too~” Lin Xi heard a delicate voice beside her; it was Shu Yunyi.

Lin Xi regarded the lovely young woman warmly. “Hehe, let’s add each other on WeChat, beautiful.”

“Sure!” Shu Yunyi replied with a gentle smile.

“Me too! Me too!” Guoguo popped up from somewhere, and the three quickly became friends.

Lu Yuxiu was genuinely happy for her. Xiao Xi was outgoing; wherever she went, she made friends.

Meanwhile, the assistant director, Su Chen, who had remained silent throughout, kept glancing at Shu Yunyi before lowering his head to drink.

Yan Mei seemed to notice something amiss and asked quietly, “Su Chen, are you alright?”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to him, except Shu Yunyi, who seemed oblivious, focused on her food.

Su Chen looked up at her briefly, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. “Nothing.”

Lin Xi sensed a tension between them, as though there was some conflict. But it was their private matter; she couldn’t ask.

The dinner ended under a seemingly harmonious atmosphere.

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Lu Yuxiu escorted Lin Xi home. When they reached the door, Lin Xi thought he might come in, but he simply stood there.

He gazed at her meaningfully, then said, “See you tomorrow,” and turned to wave goodbye.

Lin Xi tilted her head in confusion. Didn’t they see each other every day?

Ah, wait—she was scheduled to record “Entertainment Industry Matters” tomorrow and wouldn’t have time to meet.

She realized this too late; by then, Lu Yuxiu had already walked away.

The next day, accompanied by Miya, Lin Xi headed to the recording studio.

Unbeknownst to her, “Entertainment Industry Matters” was nearing its finale, with only two episodes left. The director had decided, since it was nearing New Year’s, to record both episodes back-to-back.

To mark the end, they planned a live broadcast as a treat for the fans.

Everyone was familiar with the process and eagerly anticipated the mysterious guest. The production team had invested heavily; each episode featured beloved actors and industry veterans who rarely appeared on variety shows, bringing many surprises.

With some insider gossip, a convivial atmosphere, and strong entertainment value, the show had become the year’s breakout hit, sweeping the nation.

For some reason, Lin Xi felt the studio was different today. The air was charged with excitement; the staff wore barely contained expressions of anticipation.

Seated at the round table, Lin Xi noticed Xu Feng in the center, his hand holding the script trembling slightly. She exchanged a glance with Wen Jin, both registering confusion in each other’s eyes.

“All departments ready! Live broadcast starting!” The chief director's voice carried a hint of tension.

The four introduced themselves, then completed the warm-up games.

Wen Jin picked up a note and asked Lin Xi, “Who shows colors to others?”

Lin Xi thought for a moment and answered decisively, “An artist!”

“Correct!” Wen Jin smiled.

The live chat exploded:

“Wow, the sister is so clever! Love it!”

“My girl is so smart! Wen Jin looks so good too.”

“I can’t wait for the mysterious guest. No spoilers at all!”

It was Lin Xi’s turn to ask, “Whose child is the wind? This one’s tricky.”

Wen Jin frowned, stumped.

Lin Xi offered a hint, “It’s an idiom!”

“Wind... births water!” Wen Jin realized, “It’s ‘Water is born!’”

“Bingo!” Lin Xi snapped her fingers.

The chat flooded with love for their friendship.

Warm-up over, it was time for the mysterious guest.

Xu Feng’s expression tightened, his tone rising. “Next, everyone, keep your eyes peeled! Please welcome our mysterious guest.”

The atmosphere reached a fever pitch.

“He is—Lu Yuxiu!”

With Xu Feng’s announcement, a tall, elegant man entered the studio, his outfit impeccably tailored, highlighting every strength of his physique.

He wore a white shirt with the top button undone, revealing his collarbone; his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing a striking, expensive watch. The lower hem of his shirt bore the “sun” logo.

His aura was icy and refined, exuding nobility in every detail, his charisma shaking the soul.

As Lu Yuxiu walked in, he was like a dazzling star illuminating the studio.

Everyone gasped, stunned into silence. For a long moment, the room was as quiet as if swept by a tsunami.

The chat paused for a second, then exploded:

“My God, my God, am I blind??? Is it god Lu???”

“Impossible!! God Lu is on a variety show, ahhhh!!! A once-in-a-lifetime sight!!!”

“What’s happening? Did the world change overnight? Are we sure this isn’t a fake? Or is my lifelong wish coming true? God Lu on a reality show, ahhh!”

Instantly, “God Lu on Variety Show” shot to the top of the trending list, and the live stream gained millions of new viewers.

Lin Xi truly widened her eyes then—she never expected Lu Yuxiu to appear here.

What a surprise (shock)!

Lu Yuxiu took the seat beside Lin Xi, unconcerned by the commotion he had caused, maintaining his usual cool and indifferent demeanor.

In the entertainment world, few actresses could generate chemistry with Lu Yuxiu. Most paled in his presence, but sitting next to Lin Xi, they were both striking, their features sharp and perfectly matched.

Beside him, Lin Xi caught the faint scent of cologne, cool yet warm, inviting closeness.

After Lu Yuxiu introduced himself, the viewers realized that the male lead, female lead, and second female lead were all present—a “Age of Prosperity” reunion!

“Let’s welcome god Lu. Next, we enter the third segment.” Xu Feng’s voice still trembled uncontrollably.

Starting with Lin Xi, each drew lots for truth or dare.

Lin Xi drew: truth, to be asked by the person on her left. After reading it, everyone looked at Lu Yuxiu, who sat at her left.

Lin Xi, a bit nervous, turned to see him gazing at her intently. That look made her heart flutter.

Lu Yuxiu smiled slightly. He wouldn’t embarrass her. “Why did you choose ‘Lin Xi’ as your stage name?”

Lin Xi blinked. He was curious about that?

“Because I love sunsets—brilliant yet understated.” She rested her chin on her hand and answered softly.

Lu Yuxiu nodded in understanding, his gaze never leaving her. The others looked on with indulgent smiles.

The interaction dazzled their fans, chat rolling nonstop:

“So ‘Lin Xi’ is a stage name! Wait, how did god Lu know?!”

“I think I’ve discovered something shocking. I seriously suspect Lin Xi is the ‘her’ god Lu mentioned publicly before!!!”

“No way, I’ve only seen god Lu’s profile, and his eyes are practically glued to Lin Xi!!”

“So sweet! Everyone, haven’t you noticed? I’m shipping the Emperor and Empress CP! We really didn’t ship the wrong couple!”

Next came Lu Yuxiu’s turn. He drew: call an industry friend and say one phrase, letting them guess he was on a show. The card offered three choices:

1. I have a girlfriend now.
2. I want to invite you to the movies.
3. I’m pregnant.

Each was audacious, and everyone watched Lu Yuxiu with eager curiosity.