Chapter 16: The Superstar

“Cut! That take was excellent. Thank you all for your cooperation,” Chen Jiashang shouted.

A Xing’s performance was impeccable, but what truly pleased him was Liu Jing riding on A Xing’s shoulders.

The subtle expressions perfectly matched Zhou Xingxing’s, hitting the mark flawlessly.

There wasn’t a single line of dialogue, yet it was captivating to watch.

More importantly, Liu Jing understood the scene well enough to direct a few children, making communication smooth.

He had anticipated many difficulties filming with children since they’re hard to direct.

He was prepared for multiple retakes, but surprisingly, it only took three takes to get it right.

“Tsk, when it comes to extras cooperating, it has to be on the mainland,” Wang Jing sighed.

The extras playing the Qing soldiers and Beggar Sect disciples weren’t ordinary extras—they were soldiers from the military.

“Hey! Lumbering one, you’re really heavy,” Zhou Xingxing said as he gently set Liu Jing down, rubbing his neck.

His aunt ruffled Liu Jing’s hair, noting how good his hairstyle looked. “Lumbering one’s all lean muscle.”

“Lean muscle gets stuck in your teeth,” teased Fatty Wang.

“Fatty’s just disgusting,” Liu Jing retorted without losing ground in the banter.

After rubbing his neck, Zhou Xingxing rubbed his wrists. “Lumbering one, you should help massage me.”

“You’re too weak, even weaker than Fatty,” Liu Jing scorned.

“Hey, don’t drag me into your conversations! I’m fierce, a night warrior…” Wang Jing shouted, feeling the little brat was deliberately mocking him in front of a beauty.

His scenes had finished filming, but he often came over these days.

His interest wasn’t in Zhou Wenqiong, but in chasing after Zhou Xingxing on set—they were in the honeymoon phase of their friendship.

Wang Jing had been busy all year, with many scripts waiting to be filmed.

While pestering Zhou Xingxing, he didn’t forget to tease his aunt as well.

At first, his aunt was quite polite to him, but now...

“Fatso, what nonsense are you spouting in front of the kids?” she scolded angrily.

“Uh!” Wang Jing clammed up, realizing he’d spoken carelessly.

“Fatso, you can’t even beat Lumbering One, how embarrassing,” Zhou Xingxing said disdainfully.

Wang Jing had learned two days ago that Liu Jing was quite skilled in martial arts.

He had mocked Liu Jing harshly, prompting Liu Jing to challenge him.

Wang Jing wanted to show off in front of the beauty, boasting that he could not only act in martial arts films but also serve as a fight choreographer.

Unfortunately, after a few minutes, he was panting heavily and had taken quite a few blows.

No matter how stubborn he was, he had to admit he couldn’t beat the little brat.

The kid was short but extremely agile, highly skilled, and surprisingly strong.

From then on, in his aunt’s mouth, the director Wang became “Fatso.”

By now, he had basically given up on his aunt—she was a proper young lady, unlike those actresses who threw themselves at him.

His aunt made it clear she wasn’t interested in him and had no ambitions in show business. If he entertained any improper thoughts, they wouldn’t even be friends anymore.

His aunt was straightforward, and after a few days together, their relationship was quite good.

“When he’s in his teens, you might not even be his match,” Wang Jing muttered, as if glimpsing the birth of a kung fu superstar.

“Anyway, you’re no match for me or him,” Zhou Xingxing said without dispute.

“Little brat, how do you feel about acting?” Wang Jing asked with a sly smile.

“It’s alright,” Liu Jing replied, not finding it difficult—there weren’t even any lines to speak, so how could he have any particular feeling?

“Wenqiong, I have a few projects coming up. How about bringing the little brat along to try? I can arrange some roles especially for him,” Wang Jing invited.

“No, he’s too young. Maybe in a few years,” his aunt declined directly.

She had brought Liu Jing here to broaden his horizons. Whether he would enter the entertainment industry was still uncertain.

At least the elder Mr. and Mrs. An, where he was settled, would definitely oppose it, even though Liu Jing was adopted.

“You’re right to think so. Children’s minds are still immature; the film set is not a suitable long-term environment. There are all sorts of people, and it’s easy to pick up bad habits. At his age, he should be attending kindergarten,” Zhou Xingxing advised.

“Alas!” his aunt sighed heavily and hesitated, “He was actually expelled from kindergarten at the end of last year.”

“Uh…” Zhou Xingxing choked on his words.

“Haha, did the little brat get into fights at school?” Wang Jing laughed.

“Yeah, he went for seven days and fought for six of them,” his aunt said with a bitter smile.

“Uh…” Now Wang Jing was speechless. He gave a thumbs up. “Exactly, the little brat should go to Shaolin Temple, not kindergarten.”

“My sister actually asked, and they only accept kids who are at least five or six,” his aunt shook her head.

“I have a friend who runs a martial arts training school in Yandu. Do you want to try having him go there?” Wang Jing asked.

“I can’t decide that. I’ll ask my sister later,” his aunt said, clearly interested, noting it down in her mind.

While the three chatted enthusiastically, Liu Jing wasn’t idle.

The children’s scenes only appeared in today’s shoot.

“Lumbering One, goodbye! Next time you come to Yandu, come visit my house,” Old Yang said warmly, bringing his daughter to say farewell before leaving.

Liu Jing had been asking him many questions in recent days. Kids really were full of curiosity.

“Uncle Yang, whenever you pass through Jiangcheng, you’re welcome to visit my home,” Liu Jing replied politely.

“Haha, Mimi, say goodbye to Lumbering One,” Old Yang laughed.

“Goodbye,” Yang Mi said reluctantly.

Lately, Liu Jing had often been bossing her around—serving tea, massaging shoulders and legs.

Old Yang was speechless; he’d never been treated like this, though his daughter seemed to enjoy it.

“Little brother, I hope next time we meet, you’ll be a big star,” Liu Jing said earnestly, patting Yang Mi’s shoulder.

The little girl was only six but already dreamed of becoming a big star.

After hearing her dream, Liu Jing used his daily appraisal on Yang Mi.

[Note: The young have lofty ambitions, destined to soar the skies one day. She looks very much like a future star.]

After reading the note, Liu Jing added Yang Mi as a bond without hesitation.

[Yang Mi is under sixteen and cannot be set as a bond.]

That was the system’s response. Liu Jing cursed the system silently dozens of times.

Just one bond, and the requirements were so strict that it was hard to establish.

In the two film crews, every female he encountered was at least twelve years older.

He had finally met a girl close to his age with star potential, only to be thwarted by this condition.

The known conditions were: must be at least sixteen years old, no more than twelve years older than him, and must be female.

The hottest actresses in the industry were at least in their twenties.

He was three years old, so the bond couldn’t be older than fifteen, but obviously, she wasn’t sixteen yet.

Liu Jing despairingly realized he couldn’t form bonds before the age of four. Finding a suitable bond in the next ten years would be difficult.

“Lumbering One, my house has lots of delicious food. Want to come over to play?” Old Yang’s invitation was for some future day, really just polite words. Yang Mi’s eyes were full of hope, wanting to take Liu Jing home now.

“No, I’m busy,” Liu Jing shook his head. He had no time to play with little girls; he was eager to reap bubbles on the “Three Kingdoms” set.

The “Three Kingdoms” crew was much larger than “Su Qi’er,” so naturally, there were more bubbles to harvest.

“Oh, will you miss me?” Yang Mi looked a bit sad but still liked the skilled yet cold little brother.

“Yes,” Liu Jing answered without hesitation.

“Goodbye,” Yang Mi smiled sweetly, waving goodbye.

Watching the father and daughter’s backs, Liu Jing sighed. Old Yang was the second most open-minded father he had ever met, second only to Teacher An.

“Oh! My Lumbering One is enlightened, starting to have feelings,” his aunt said mockingly.

“I’m only three,” Liu Jing rolled his eyes.

“So what if you’re three? It means you’re precocious,” she chuckled.

“You’re late then. Almost thirty, still not enlightened,” Liu Jing said, then dashed off.

This woman had taken a liking to spanking him these past days, hitting his bottom for any excuse.

“You little brat, if you’re so brave, don’t run. Let me beat you to a pulp,” his aunt’s cheeks flushed, embarrassed to be disrespected by a three-year-old.

“If you’re brave, don’t chase me,” Liu Jing shouted.

His aunt bit her lip and burst out laughing. She noticed her nephew had become much more cheerful recently.

It seemed that interacting with peers really had its benefits. She had always worried he would become more withdrawn.

Little did she know, although the second-generation heir’s memories were fragmented, they had a significant effect on Liu Jing.

With the passage of time, the child’s true nature was gradually returning.