Rebirth of a Nation's Darling – Prince Charming

Director Liu was stunned. He had never expected this to happen. Regardless of how remarkable Si Huang was or the importance of Mr. Qianji’s role, the leading roles belonged to two separate people. It would’ve been fine if they were evenly matched, but they simply couldn’t have Si Huang stealing their thunder!

He moved his lips hesitantly, as he simply couldn’t bring himself to ask Si Huang to dim his presence or ask the makeup artist to make him uglier.

“Do you have any idea how expensive my time is?” Louis suddenly snapped. “You’re actors. You should be well aware of your jobs. Am I supposed to teach you?”

Si Huang and the rest quickly grunted in reply before he could continue and respectively got into character.

Director Liu realized that he was acting like a baffled insider. Expanding one’s aura and charm was a mandatory requirement for any actor. Well… An Yiyuan and Guan Li had seemingly sensed Si Huang’s threat, so after they slightly changed their expressions, no one could ignore them either.

Si Huang and the rest stood together, yet all three of them looked in different directions.

An Yiyuan’s hair was meticulously styled to match his coronet. He extended his hand to the front, balling his hand within his thick, wide sleeves into a fist. His expression was blank as he lowered his eyelids ever so slightly, as if he were standing at the pinnacle of excellence, staring down at the world and holding the planet in the palms of his hands.

Guan Li placed one hand over the other in front of her lower abdomen, looking perfectly prim and proper. Her peerless, beautiful face was cold and solemn. Her lashes were curled, and her eyes sparkled as usual, but they were like deep, dark, bottomless pools. Her calm demeanor concealed an undercurrent of a plethora of thoughts that could not be described. Her painted red lips curved into a silent smile. She was enchantingly beautiful, like an exquisite work of art.

Si Huang sat in his wheelchair, already shorter than the pair height-wise. However, he untied his outer jacket belt, allowing it to drape freely. He placed his left arm on the armrest, propping his jaw on his hand and tilting his head ever so slightly. His smooth, silky black hair rippled down his shoulders. He had a smile at the corners of his lips. His pupils were gentle and limpid as he lowered his eyelids and stared at his outstretched right hand—similar to An Yiyuan but with his fingers outstretched, flashing his white, jade-like fingertips. He seemed naturally comfortable and relaxed, as if a faint breeze was dancing on his fingertips, allowing flowers to fall and then cling greedily onto the warmth of his hands.

The camera clicked away in silence once again.

Everyone held their breath as they watched them. The sight of An Yiyuan and Guan Li stirred a sense of deep sorrow and grief, but when they noticed Si Huang, they would feel a cold, gentle breeze brushing away the gloominess from their hearts and would not be able to tear their eyes away from him.

This scene depicted the conclusion of their characters’ growth perfectly.

An Yiyuan had become a successful ruler, awesome and intimidating, holding the world in the palms of his hands. However, he did not look happy. His eyes were filled with wild ambition, and he had lost the recklessness of his youth.

Guan Li ruled over the palace harem and had become the most revered woman in the world. She was wearing the most beautiful dresses and the most luxurious jewelry. Her grasp on etiquette had become effortless and completely natural. She was refined beyond compare, like a work of art that could only be admired and not touched. She was well-versed in hiding certain things in the depths of her gaze and no longer expressed all of her feelings in a straightforward manner. Her witty, vivacious streak had now completely disappeared.

They had changed. Years and experience had changed them, allowing them both to gain and lose things. By the time they had grown so powerful and achieved everything they had ever wanted, they’d realized that they had forgotten who they had once been and had lost everything that had made them unique forevermore.

As the audience grieved over this reality, one person remained constant and unchanged.

He was wearing white robes, he’d had black hair from the very beginning, and he was sitting by watching flowers bloom and wither. Objects might remain the same, but people did not… The only exception was this man, who was still the same as ever, except with a heightened level of elegance and charm, his smile more mesmerizing than ever. Perhaps, this was because he now had a sense of yearning in his heart, someone or something that filled his memories. As the world changed beyond recognition for the sake of power, love, and hatred, Mr. Qianji’s timeless gentleness seemed even rarer and more precious than ever.

“Sigh!” Director Liu exclaimed, his eyes a mix of complicated emotions.

He knew that An Yiyuan and Guan Li had done very well and had even performed extraordinarily. However, should Si Huang’s role be considered an unfair advantage, or were his talents too overpowering? Regardless, he knew that the two old veterans who had enjoyed a long reign of popularity had lost to Si Huang, a newcomer.

That wasn’t to say that they were not extraordinary enough. The problem was that Si Huang was even more extraordinary than they were. It would’ve been fine if he had overshadowed them in physical beauty alone, but he was flawless at exuding charm, using his acting skills, exhibiting photogenic qualities, and smizing.

“He must be an evil spirit!” Director Liu let out a secret gasp when he remembered Si Huang’s age and academic major.

Then, Louis snapped his fingers, indicating that this was perfection.

Only then did Si Huang lift her gaze. Before she could stop smiling, she noticed a figure standing not too far away—a figure that should not have been there at all. She narrowed her eyes.

The tall man stood in the dim light near a corner with heaps of equipment. His face was hidden in the darkness, concealed from view. However, his towering figure and the inexplicable feeling that he drummed into her heart told Si Huang that this man was Qin Fan.

He stood as straight as a spear, like a cheetah concealed in darkness. Not only had he put away the dangerous aura around him, but he had even concealed every trace of sparkle in his eyes.

Si Huang indifferently turned her gaze away and noticed that Qin Fan was not alone. Even Old Tie and Granny Yu had arrived.

Granny Yu noticed her gaze and playfully winked at her.

Si Huang chuckled.

“Aaah!” A woman suddenly screamed. She quickly covered her mouth and blushed before anyone else could chastise her.

The other women around her consoled her with an understanding look in their eyes. Si Huang was just too cool! Especially in his current get-up. One bright smile of his was like a snow lotus blooming in cracked ice. It was completely normal for a woman to be struck by shock. After all, she hadn’t recovered from the beautiful sight just yet. An Yiyuan and Guan Li were facing outward, so they had naturally noticed Old Tie and his wife when Si Huang had lifted her head. The pair immediately looked very respectful and greeted the couple.

“Old Tie, Madam Yu! What are you doing here?” Director Liu hurriedly got to his feet and cried out in surprise. Then, he ordered a crew member to pull out two chairs.

Granny Yu sat down and smiled. “Don’t mind us, please carry on.” Old Tie sat next to her and nodded at Director Liu.

Director Liu poured some tea, which had initially been meant for him, for the pair. Then, he turned around and went back to work… until he remembered the one person left. The vein on his forehead twitched as he yelled, “Yan Yan, it’s your turn! What are you waiting for?”