Chapter 208 Who Are You Calling the Mistress?

On set, the crew of Spring Breeze Ten Miles was busy at work.

Lu Er sat in a folding chair in the rest area, script in hand, taking notes while cross-referencing materials.

A steaming cup of coffee was handed to him.

Ye Qingge, dressed in a simple white shirt and jeans, her long hair tied into a high ponytail, looked like a college student.

“Here, an Americano, no sugar.”

Ye Qingge sat on a nearby chair, also holding a cup of coffee. “How is it? Can you adapt?”

Lu Er accepted the coffee and thanked her.

After a sip, he said, “What’s there not to adapt to?”

“You used to be a top star, and the whole crew revolved around you.”

Ye Qingge tilted her head, eyes full of concern. “Now you’re the second male lead. In this industry, stepping on others to rise is normal. I’m worried the contrast will be too much for you.”

Yesterday, during a group scene, after the director called “Cut,” he stood waiting for touch-ups—ten minutes passed, and no one came.

This morning, the makeup artist spent an hour and a half on the male lead before it was his turn.

Ye Qingge had noticed these little things.

“You’ll get used to it, but I really don’t mind any of this.”

Lu Er smiled. “It’s actually fine this way. Less attention, less pressure—finally, I can focus on acting.”

He paused, eyes drifting to the director team adjusting equipment in the distance. “Youth dramas don’t last forever. This is a good chance to transition into serious roles.”

Ye Qingge smiled too. “Good that you think that way. By the way, there’s something—Director Guan is holding open auditions. Did you know?”

“Director Guan Qiu?” Lu Er’s eyes lit up. “The number one domestic serious-drama director?”

“Yes. He’s preparing a major production, a tribute drama.”

Ye Qingge lowered her voice slightly. “The production team is top-tier—from scriptwriters to cinematographers, all industry elites. If you get into Director Guan’s team, your transition is basically guaranteed.”

Lu Er nodded. “I heard about it. Many people are fighting to play the male lead.”

“Fighting won’t help. Did you see the trending topic a few days ago?”

Ye Qingge scoffed, “The agent of a popular young actor tried to pull strings, and Director Guan exposed them on Weibo for three days straight. The actor was ridiculed along with the agent.”

“Even now, that actor’s fans are still defending him, saying their brother was betrayed by his agent.”

Lu Er smiled wryly. “That trending topic actually helped lower the negative heat around me.”

Those days, everyone online was talking about the exposed young actor; no one was focusing on him abandoning his home for love.

In a sense, he owed that brave soul a thanks.

“So,” Ye Qingge leaned forward, “Director Guan is holding auditions in S City. It’s open to anyone. Do you want to give it a try?”

Lu Er was stunned. “Me?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m probably not suitable.”

Lu Er hesitated. “I’ve had so many negative rumors lately. Director Guan values an actor’s image—he probably won’t consider me.”

“Just try! You won’t lose anything.”

Ye Qingge’s tone was light. “Think of it as a trip to S City. I’m going too.”

“My agent signed me up, said it’s just to join in the fun and learn a bit. How about we go together?”

Lu Er saw the seriousness in Ye Qingge’s expression, and his hesitation gradually faded.

“Alright, then let’s go together.”

Three days later, at S City Drama Theater.

The audition scene was packed; the corridors were full of young actors. Some familiar faces, some completely new.

The air was thick with a mixture of perfumes, like a pot of boiling stew.

Lu Er wore a hat and mask, squeezing through the crowd with Ye Qingge.

He hadn’t experienced such a scene in a long time.

After becoming famous, he’d almost always been pre-selected for roles, or personally invited by directors. Public auditions were rare.

“How long will this line even be…”

Ye Qingge glanced at the endless queue and sighed.

“Just go with it.”

Lu Er was calm, taking out his phone to scroll Weibo.

“Lu Er?”

A familiar voice came from nearby.

Lu Er looked up and saw Yan Huaijin standing not far off, wearing a perfectly tailored dark gray suit, holding a folder.

“Teacher Yan,” Lu Er was surprised, “you’re here too?”

“Just trying my luck.”

Yan Huaijin walked over, gentle light in his eyes. “I heard you’ve been shooting out of town. Didn’t expect you to come.”

“Trying my luck,” Lu Er smiled calmly. “For a transition, you have to try.”

Yan Huaijin nodded. “Good that you think that way. How have you been recently?”

“Pretty good.” Lu Er then remembered something and added, “By the way, thanks for your earlier review.”

“You’re welcome.” Yan Huaijin’s lips curved lightly. “You deserve it.”

As they were chatting, a sarcastic voice suddenly cut in.

“Oh, Emperor Yan showing concern to Top Star Lu, but to me, only lectures? Double standards, clearly.”

Gu Jinzhou wore a flashy wine-red velvet shirt, his hair meticulously styled, looking like a peacock showing off its feathers.

He glanced at Lu Er, eyes full of undisguised hostility.

Lu Er sighed.

He knew it would go this way.

Gu Jinzhou leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, wearing the standard “I’m pissed off” expression.

Lu Er didn’t even raise his eyebrows. “Gu Jinzhou, speak properly. Stop being sarcastic like some petty mistress.”

The surrounding area went silent instantly.

Dozens of eyes turned to them, some already taking out phones to film.

Gu Jinzhou’s face shifted from pale to red to blue, like a spilled paint palette.

Finally, he stood straight, pointing at Lu Er: “Who are you calling the mistress?”

“Whoever responds, that’s who.”

Lu Er smiled. “Looks like you have a clear understanding of your own position.”

“Lu Er, you—”

“What, you get to be sarcastic every day, but I can’t fight back? You think everyone will indulge you?”

“You damn—”

“Enough.”

Yan Huaijin frowned, grabbing Gu Jinzhou’s arm. “Stop. This is an audition site, mind your influence.”

“Me stop?” Gu Jinzhou’s voice was sharp with anger. “Teacher Yan, which eye saw me causing trouble? He’s the one insulting me!”

“If you hadn’t provoked him first, would he have insulted you?”

“I provoked? Maybe you—”

“Gu Jinzhou,” Yan Huaijin’s voice deepened, “if you continue, I’ll call your father right now.”

Gu Jinzhou immediately fell silent, like a chicken being grabbed by the neck.

But his eyes were still fixed on Lu Er, red-rimmed, ready to pounce.

Yan Huaijin smiled apologetically at Lu Er, then forcibly dragged Gu Jinzhou away.

Gu Jinzhou struggled twice, but Yan Huaijin held tight; he could only be reluctantly pulled away.

A suppressed murmur spread through the crowd.

Ye Qingge leaned close to Lu Er and whispered, “How did you offend this big shot Gu Jinzhou? Every time he sees you, he acts like he’s seeing a sworn enemy.”