HEIFEIGU -Chapter 73

The archive was small, hidden in a corner along a backstreet of the film city, with no signboard. It looked like an ordinary house; only a small wooden plaque marked the entrance. Without an introduction, it would be easy to miss.

The venue didn’t charge admission—just scan your ID and enter. Apart from the security guard at the door, Xie Jixing was alone inside.

This was a resistance site from the War of Resistance against Japan, with the archive occupying a single room. There was almost no natural light, and the dim lighting cast a yellowish layer over everything.

Most materials were paper-based, and Xie Jixing examined them one by one.

Old, blurry photos still faintly showed the prison’s appearance.

The prison initially held **people. After H City fell, it became a place where the invaders imprisoned resisting fighters and patriots.

Most who died there were unknown heroes, but there were exceptions. One record was named and notable even at the time.

It appeared in a corner of a newspaper called Republic Daily, with a blunt headline: Execution! Yin Wenshan.

The article was straightforward: actor Yin Wenshan collaborated with the invaders, selling intelligence to them. His actions caused the failure of party/military operations and the fall of H City. Before retreat, the party/state had executed him.

Beside the article was a nearly unrecognizable photo of a skeletal man kneeling, a gun pressed to the back of his head.

Next to Republic Daily were supplementary materials from entertainment tabloids of the time. Because of Yin Wenshan’s celebrity status, they discussed him from multiple angles.

Xie Jixing read carefully but noticed that the content focused on gossip about Yin Wenshan.

The tabloids wrote about how he seduced wealthy women for information, affairs with socialites or mistresses, and even how he sacrificed himself for the invaders to perform in films.

There were also old promotional photos from his works, much clearer. Even through so many years, Xie Jixing could sense his charisma.

Such a man—a traitor?

Yet after reading all the materials, none explained what information Yin Wenshan leaked, to whom, or how it caused H City to fall.

Logically, he was a confirmed villain. Even now, local elders reportedly spit and cursed when mentioning him.

But Xie Jixing couldn’t help but feel it was subtle. The way the materials were written reminded him of the ridiculous history blaming the fall of the Tang solely on Yang Guifei or Wu Kingdom’s loss on Xishi.

It seemed that putting the blame on a highly visible individual could hide the government’s incompetence and weakness.

He photographed all materials he could with his phone, leaving the archive in a gloomier mood than when he arrived.

The weather, once cloudy, grew darker. Huai Xinhou sent the dinner address, asking him to join.

Xie Jixing wrinkled his nose, thinking no free meal could improve today’s mood.

The crew had chosen a private large room for the dinner—not entirely for the food.

As soon as Xie Jixing entered, Jiang Yueli called him over. “Later there will definitely be drinking. If you don’t want to, don’t worry—no one can make you. I’ve got your back.”

Once the banquet began, the room quickly became lively. Xie Jixing carried two plates of food to a small table in the corner.

Across from him, the second male lead Wei Tingquan joined.

At the main table, people were toasting, telling jokes, playing games—lively and boisterous. The two sat quietly and awkwardly at their own small table.

A long while passed without a word. It was as if some invisible boundary kept others away.

No one pressured Xie Jixing to drink, probably because Jiang Yueli had said at the start, “Whoever wants to force my junior to drink, first deal with me.”

As for Wei Tingquan, perhaps his cold demeanor intimidated everyone from trying.

Xie Jixing nibbled a large prawn, sneaking glances at Wei Tingquan.

This man had the standard handsome-cold beauty look. Examined feature by feature, everything was delicate, with no sign of artificial enhancement. Even more infuriating, combined, it was a one-plus-one greater-than-two effect.

His attractiveness was different from Luo Feiang’s striking, bold looks that hit you at first glance. Wei Tingquan’s presence was subtler, like a cold plum blossom peeking through heavy snow—quietly blooming regardless of the weather or whether anyone noticed.

But the moment you glanced at him, you couldn’t forget the slender yet proud posture he held in the wind and snow.

This was probably also why the director chose him to play the Third Prince.

Xie Jixing was considering whether to strike up a conversation with Wei Tingquan when the private room door suddenly opened from the outside.

“Sorry, everyone, I’m late.” The newcomer’s tone sounded casual and nonchalant, lacking even a hint of genuine apology.

Hearing this, Xie Jixing and Wei Tingquan both looked up. Three more people had entered.

The one who had just spoken was Zhao Chaoran, the male lead of the drama.

His looks and physique were decent, but he gave off an off-putting vibe—his face often wore a half-mocking, half-smirking expression, and his eyes carried a chilling glint.

When that cold, sinister gaze swept over Xie Jixing and Wei Tingquan, Zhao Chaoran even seemed to smirk.

But he didn’t come over; instead, he and his friends went straight to the main table.

Compared to the friend accompanying him, Xie Jixing actually found Zhao Chaoran somewhat tolerable.

“Let me introduce someone,” Zhao Chaoran said, pulling the man who had been leering at the women’s chests and behinds since entering close to him to sit down. “This is my friend, Young Master Wu Lianmian from the Wu family. I’m sure everyone here has heard of him. I’ve brought the opportunity to you—whether you can seize it is up to you.”

Wu Lianmian’s eyes roamed the private room shamelessly, a lecherous gaze that made Xie Jixing extremely uncomfortable. He noticed Wei Tingquan frowning deeply as well.

The sticky gaze lingered on their corner for a moment, and Wu Lianmian gave a suggestive smile, even briefly licking his lips with his tongue—but he finally withdrew his eyes and sat beside Jiang Yueli.

“Miss Jiang,” Wu Lianmian began in a slick, oily tone, “it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve always been a fan. Meeting in person must be fate; it seems tonight we are destined to get drunk together.”

It was clear what Wu Lianmian had in mind toward Jiang Yueli.

Director Yang wanted to step over and stop him but was held down by Zhao Chaoran beside him. “Hey, Director Yang, I didn’t come by this morning. I was hoping you could brief me on the drama.”

“Let us talk, don’t interrupt people making friends.”

Then Zhao Chaoran scanned the entire room, “After all, this drama is fully funded by Chaoran Entertainment, and Mr. Wu has invested a lot of money.”

Jiang Yueli, used to big social scenes, remained composed despite her annoyance, smiling politely. “You claim to be my fan, but Mr. Wu arrived rather late. It’s fine if we drink till we drop, but I’ve already had half a day’s worth. If we take turns drinking now, one cup at a time, it’s not fair.”

“How about this, Mr. Wu—you take three rounds yourself first, then we drink together?”

The atmosphere at the main table instantly tensed. Anyone trying to approach Zhao Chaoran and Wu Lianmian would naturally make someone else leave.

Huai Xinhou and the fourth male lead, Bao Liquan, retreated from the main table as well.

Teacher Huai sat beside Xie Jixing, muttering about Zhao Chaoran’s behavior, “Money’s hard to earn, shit’s hard to swallow.”

“If it weren’t for Director Yang, I wouldn’t have accepted this drama. Who would’ve thought it’d be built up by Zhao Chaoran?”

“What’s up with this guy?” Xie Jixing whispered.

“He’s an illegitimate son of the Zhao family in C City. Born from the patriarch’s first love after the madam passed away, now openly recognized as a young master. The old man dotes on him even though he’s incompetent. They put him in the entertainment circle just to throw money at him. That’s why they even cast Jiang Yueli and Wei Tingquan as supporting roles.”

“So snakes and rats stick together. That Wu fellow is even worse—a bully to both men and women, abusing his family’s power to do all sorts of terrible things!”

Huai Xinhou couldn’t condone this, part of it relating to his character—he genuinely disliked this behavior.

Xie Jixing looked at Jiang Yueli, still trading wits with Wu Lianmian.

Wu Lianmian’s gaze on Jiang Yueli was like that of a scavenger’s forked tongue, dripping with slime and giving off a foul stench.

Wu Lianmian had opened several bottles of imported liquor and lined up small glasses in front of Jiang Yueli. “Miss Jiang, surely you won’t disrespect me. You were so happy drinking with those nameless folks earlier—why now with me, not even a drop?”

“Tonight, no one leaves until these drinks are finished!”

“Miss Jiang, if you don’t want to drink, get someone to drink for you. One of your cups, they drink ten. Only after finishing can everyone disperse.”

“Bastard!” Huai Xinhou cursed under his breath, standing up to intervene.

But Bao Liquan beside him stopped him. “Old Huai, don’t act impulsively.”

“What’s Jiang Yueli’s status, and what’s yours?”

“She hasn’t slammed the table and walked away, meaning this Wu fellow isn’t simple.”

“There are people behind Jiang Yueli; this Wu fellow wouldn’t dare touch her. At most, he can only get her drunk and take advantage.”

“Tonight, little Jiang may suffer a bit, but that Wu fellow definitely won’t get away with it.”

“If you go over, who knows what’ll happen? Look at the last guy who tried stopping him—can he still get work?”

“Think of your family.”

Huai Xinhou clenched his fists tightly, didn’t sit down, but didn’t approach the main table either.

“Miss Jiang, one cup I drink ten?” A slightly hoarse young voice spoke beside him.

Under everyone’s gaze, Xie Jixing rose and walked to the main table, taking the empty seat beside Jiang Yueli. His eyes curved into two crescent moons as he smiled. “Mr. Wu, I’ll drink for her.”