Chapter Eighty-Eight: Li Mengya Comes to Visit the Set

Jiang Yun withdrew his hand, his expression indifferent, embodying the role of Xiao Yan—a man silent for three years, mature in mind.
"Is there anyone who wishes to challenge?"
"I will!" The actor playing Xiao Ning stepped forward from the crowd.
Jiang Yun stood with his hands at his sides, eyelids lowered, his face impassive.
The actor playing Xiao Ning was a minor celebrity named Zhou Cai.
Zhou Cai emerged from the crowd and struck a pose.
"Cut!"
Liu Guoqiang called out, signaling for the martial arts stunt double to take the stage.
Zhou Cai's double ascended the platform, mirroring Zhou Cai's exact pose.
"Action!"
Boom!
Jiang Yun punched forth. "Eight Extremities Collapse!"
The stunt double launched a kick, and Jiang Yun met it with his fist, their attacks clashing.
Jiang Yun leaped into the air and struck with another punch. With his mastery of martial arts, Jiang Yun's movements were not only visually impressive but carried the weight of genuine skill.
His fist landed squarely on the stunt double's chest, sending him staggering back, clutching his chest, as if his blood and energy were in turmoil.
In truth, at that moment, the stunt double did feel his blood surge and chest ache.
He planted his feet and, with a wire attached to his back, soared three meters high.
Jiang Yun and the stunt double exchanged blows, locked in combat, moving seamlessly from one technique to the next.
"Eight Extremities Collapse!"
Boom!
Jiang Yun's fist landed on the stunt double's chest again.
The wire pulled, and the stunt double, clutching his chest, fell off the platform.
"Cut!"
Zhou Cai reappeared on stage.
"Action!"
Zhou Cai mimicked the stunt double's movements. The wire pulled, and Zhou Cai fell to the ground, clutching his chest.
"Okay, that's a wrap!"
The scene was finished.
Zhou Cai's support team approached with towels and bottled water.
"Cai, you worked hard!"
Zhou Cai took the water and shook his head.
Liu Guoqiang nodded toward Zhou Cai. "Cai, well done."
Though Zhou Cai was only a minor actor, Liu Guoqiang still showed courtesy; after all, Zhou Cai had his own fan base.
After the scene wrapped up, Liu Guoqiang announced a twenty-minute break.
The stunt double from earlier walked over to Jiang Yun. "Mr. Jiang, your punch was too fierce! My chest still hurts!"
Jiang Yun patted his shoulder. "Sorry, I may have gotten too into character!"
"No, no, it's fine!" The stunt double shook his head repeatedly.

"What is your name?" Jiang Yun asked.
"My name is Ye Xiaohé," he introduced himself.
Jiang Yun paused, teasing, "Your given name isn't much, but your surname is impressive. Ye is a noble lineage!"
Ye Xiaohé smiled awkwardly. "I was born into a martial arts family, so my family gave me a name imbued with chivalrous spirit."
"Few persist in martial arts these days," Jiang Yun sighed.
"That's true," Ye Xiaohé echoed.
Jiang Yun laughed, "I have a friend named Xiaohé too, but she's a girl. Maybe I can introduce you two sometime."
"Sure!" Ye Xiaohé replied.
"By the way, are you interested in joining my company and becoming part of my team?" Jiang Yun seized the opportunity to recruit.
"Well..." Ye Xiaohé looked troubled. "I've signed a contract with the crew."
"I see." Jiang Yun pulled out a business card. "If you ever want to join, just call this number."
Ye Xiaohé took the card and returned to work; another fight scene awaited him.
Beep!
Jiang Yun's phone chimed. He unlocked it to find a message from Li Mengya.
"What are you doing?"
Jiang Yun replied, "Filming in Hengdian."
Beep!
"Is it going smoothly?"
"Everything's going well."
"So... when will you come keep me company?" On the other end, Li Mengya stood in the street, blushing as she held her phone.
Jiang Yun considered his tightly packed schedule, with both filming and variety shows.
After a moment, he replied, "Friday. I happen to be returning to Shanghai to record 'The Voice' on Friday."
Li Mengya didn't respond for a long while. Jiang Yun frowned and sent a question mark.
"?"
"Can you come out of the studio for a moment?"
"Out? Out where?"
Outside the set, a tall girl wearing a mask and sunglasses asked, "Excuse me, is this the set for 'Battle Horses in the Vast Sky'?"
"Yes, who are you looking for?" the security guard asked.
"I'd like to find Jiang Yun."
The guard frowned, "Sorry, unauthorized personnel can't enter."
"Actually, I'm Mr. Jiang Yun's girlfriend."
The guard replied, "That's the oldest excuse in the book. I've seen plenty of fans claim they're someone's girlfriend just to get a glimpse of their idol."
"Well... alright."
The masked girl stepped aside, took out her phone, and dialed a video call.
Ring ring!
Jiang Yun's phone rang. He glanced at the screen.
Li Mengya is calling you! [Accept] [Reject]
Jiang Yun accepted.
Li Mengya's figure appeared on screen.

"What's wrong?"
Li Mengya, still masked and wearing sunglasses, said, "Jiang Yun, come out for a moment."
Jiang Yun was puzzled. "Go out? Go where?"
Li Mengya said, "Outside the studio."
"What for?"
Jiang Yun glanced at her video background, "Hmm? Why does your background look so familiar?"
"Hehe." Li Mengya turned her phone toward a security guard.
"That guard looks familiar too!"
"Wait... isn't that our studio?"
Jiang Yun shouted at the screen, "Wait for me!"
He hung up and rushed outside, dashing as if in a hundred-meter sprint.
He reached the studio entrance, hands on his knees, panting.
A girl, standing at 178 centimeters, removed her mask, smiling sweetly.
The breeze lifted Li Mengya's hair. "Jiang Yun, are you surprised?"
Jiang Yun rolled his eyes and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the studio. "You could've just told me on the phone, instead of keeping me guessing!"
Li Mengya lowered her head, letting him lead her, mumbling softly, "I just wanted to surprise you."
Jiang Yun shook his head in resignation.
Passing the security guard, Jiang Yun said, "She's my friend."
The guard watched them walk in, muttering, "I thought she was another scammer."
On set.
Liu Guoqiang asked the staff, "Where's Jiang Yun?"
"He went out to meet someone."
Liu Guoqiang frowned.
"Director, I'm here!" Jiang Yun called, guiding Li Mengya over.
Liu Guoqiang looked at the pair. "Is this... singer Li Mengya?!"
Li Mengya stood tall and graceful. "Thank you, Director Liu, for recognizing me!"
Liu Guoqiang blushed, awkwardly laughing, "No, no, Jiang Yun has mentioned you to me."
He discreetly winked at Jiang Yun, as if to say, "You've got some game!"
Jiang Yun rolled his eyes.
"Jiang Yun, settle Mengya in so we can resume filming."
"Alright."
Jiang Yun surveyed the set to find a spot where Li Mengya could easily see him.
He led her to a place and brought over a lounge chair. "Mengya, sit here and watch me film."
"Alright."
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