Chapter 7: A Story of Truth, Kindness, and Beauty
“Yang Shu and Xia Xuewen, move a little closer together. The audience needs to feel the spark between Pan Lingfeng and Zhong Baobei.”
The filming of My Baby Prince progressed rapidly. After all, time was money, and every day of delay meant significant expenses.
As the director, Hua Zhu didn’t have grand ambitions. My Baby Prince felt more like a project to check off his list. Once it was completed, it would likely be buried in a terrible time slot on the platform, serving merely to bulk up the content library.
Top-tier directors might chase artistic ideals, but someone like Hua Zhu—a third-rate director—was just trying to make ends meet in the world of web dramas. Highbrow concepts like ratings or viewership weren’t really his concern.
However, the actors performed far better than he had expected.
The drama itself was incredibly over-the-top, with a plot so far-fetched it seemed to defy gravity. Yet, whether it was the leads, Yang Shu and Xia Xuewen, or Lu Xu, who played the second male lead, they all took their roles seriously. None of them resorted to exaggerated, melodramatic expressions.
In other words, their performances didn’t feel the least bit insincere or overdone.
Hua Zhu had encountered plenty of outrageous actors in his time. In the world of web dramas, many formerly famous actors now eked out a living. Unable to secure roles on mainstream platforms, they treated web dramas like quick cash grabs, delivering half-hearted performances to earn a paycheck.
Hua Zhu knew the script of My Baby Prince wasn’t exactly top-tier, but during the filming process, he genuinely sensed the actors’ respect for their craft.
In fact, as filming went on, he felt the actors were beginning to hit their stride.
Pan Lingfeng was still as insufferable as ever, but Yang Shu not only portrayed his arrogance convincingly but also brought out his endearing side. For instance, he would stomp his feet in frustration when Zhong Baobei uncovered his secret, yet he never threatened or hurt her.
Meanwhile, Xia Xuewen’s Zhong Baobei might have been a bit scatterbrained, but she proved reliable in critical moments. She wasn’t the kind of female lead who only knew how to cry helplessly.
Hua Zhu felt that he hadn’t written the character profiles particularly well, yet the actors’ performances brought unexpected depth to the roles.
Lu Xu, in particular, required no direction at all.
It was as if he had completely internalized the character of Yu Wei. His performance was so seasoned and skilled that it was almost unbelievable.
Occasionally, Hua Zhu felt a twinge of regret for Lu Xu. With his talent, there was no need for him to linger in the world of web dramas. He deserved a much brighter future.
Online discussions about Lu Xu remained fervent.
Thanks to that symbolic “note and tear” Weibo post, Gu Sinian’s new drama had skyrocketed in attention.
As a fellow member of Verse, Gu Sinian was starring in Grape Film’s annual big-budget production, The Watchers. The project featured a prestigious film director stepping into television, a dual male-lead setup, and two award-winning actors who had both claimed titles of Best Actor. Aside from the two leads, the character with the most screen time and dramatic exchanges with them was none other than Gu Sinian.
Grape Film placed immense importance on this drama. Both the production and marketing budgets were the highest in the platform’s history.
Rumors swirled that after The Watchers aired, Gu Sinian would undoubtedly rise to new heights in his career.
In contrast, Lu Xu’s new drama paled in comparison, to the point of being almost unbearable to look at.
Every time The Watchers mentioned Gu Sinian in its promotional materials, My Baby Prince would invariably be harshly criticized.
Even Hua Zhu’s past works were dug up by netizens.
[Innocence Like You, My Queen at Eighteen, The Crazy Man… What even are these titles?]
[Who wouldn’t look at the cast of Lu Xu’s new drama and think he deserves it?]
[Seriously… can we please stop mentioning Lu Xu and Gu Sinian in the same breath? He’s just not on the same level.]
Gu Sinian’s personal Weibo post had always been intended to promote his new drama. Grape Film had invested heavily in The Watchers early on. However, given the high profiles of the two lead actors, it was difficult to involve them in any public controversies. This made Gu Sinian the perfect candidate to stir up some buzz.
The Watchers was a mix of skilled actors and popular idols, a “dual guarantee” strategy for Grape Film to ensure they recouped their investment.
When Gu Sinian reposted the official announcement for The Watchers, his fans—sympathetic to the grievances he had endured from Lu Xu—enthusiastically shared and commented on it, driving the post’s popularity to incredible heights. Even the official account of Fog Level, starring Yao Yuan and Xie Qingyang, reposted it with the caption: “For Verse.”
Shortly afterward, both Xie Qingyang and Meng Qin shared it as well, echoing: “For Verse.”
[Verse’s unity is still alive!]
[In my heart, Verse will always be a trio!]
[Aaaaaah! Seeing them repost this melts my heart. It doesn’t matter if one person doesn’t love Verse—there are others who always will!]
[…Meanwhile, someone else is reposting promo for My Baby Prince.]
[Unbelievable, but honestly, that’s his level. Not surprised in the least.]
The Watchers was scheduled to premiere on Grape Film and Television in late summer, while My Baby Prince, according to Hua Zhu, would likely air on Chenxi Film and Television shortly after filming wrapped—also around late summer.
The difference? The Watchers would air in a prime-time slot, while My Baby Prince was relegated to a late-night schedule.
After wrapping up filming, The Watchers underwent extensive post-production, including reshoots and fine-tuning. In contrast, My Baby Prince had no such luxury.
Hua Zhu, experienced in editing, made quick cuts and adjustments, proudly declaring, “It’s because the actors performed so well—everything came together in one smooth take.”
Cast and crew: “…”
In any case, the team behind My Baby Prince never considered themselves in competition with The Watchers.
In fact, when The Watchers began its promotional campaign in late May, My Baby Prince was still in production.
Initially, Yang Shu would grimace whenever someone mentioned “Horse-racing Prince,” but by now, he could deliver the lines without breaking character. His understanding of Pan Lingfeng had also deepened considerably compared to when they started filming.
…
Meanwhile, Lu Xu was filming the scenes where Yu Wei descended into darkness.
Yu Wei had long fallen in love with Zhong Baobei. For him, learning that he was her brother was a pain worse than anything he had ever endured.
When Zhong Baobei told him that their bond stemmed from their shared bloodline, he refused to accept it.
Yu Wei completely spiraled into darkness.
He became unhinged—he imprisoned her, deceived their parents, and was consumed by a single thought: to keep Zhong Baobei by his side forever.
Lu Xu found this part of the storyline utterly absurd, yet he still had to portray the deranged Yu Wei convincingly.
Before shooting these scenes, Lu Xu studied the script carefully. He didn’t want Yu Wei’s breakdown to feel abrupt. Instead, he laid subtle groundwork for this transformation in his earlier performances.
Lu Xu had played many unhinged characters over the course of his acting career.
For young actors, portraying flamboyant or extreme roles often helped demonstrate their range and drew more attention. Such roles, with their high emotional intensity, offered stark contrasts that audiences found compelling.
However, Yu Wei wasn’t entirely a madman; he was just deeply obsessive.
Earlier in the story, Yu Wei viewed Zhong Baobei as his salvation. Even though her heart leaned toward Pan Lingfeng, Yu Wei remained hopeful. When Pan Lingfeng was mistakenly thought to be Zhong Baobei’s brother, Yu Wei’s uncontainable joy was evident.
But now, he himself had become Zhong Baobei’s brother.
This marked one of the climactic moments in the latter half of My Baby Prince.
The cast had recently performed several over-the-top scenes centered around the mystery of Zhong Baobei’s parentage, and the young actors privately joked that Yu Wei’s descent into darkness was the most extreme of all.
“I think I’ve already hit peak craziness. Now I just need to see how far Lu Xu takes it,” Yang Shu said, stroking his chin. He casually opened a bag of sunflower seeds, pouring half of them into Ji Zhan’s hand.
“Curious,” Ji Zhan muttered, already snacking on the seeds.
“Can you two not make a joke out of this?” Xia Xuewen scolded, shooing them away. “This is stressful enough as it is!”
Lu Xu glanced over at the two of them. Yang Shu and Ji Zhan widened their curious eyes and gave him an exaggerated wink.
Lu Xu: “…”
The two of them had mostly wrapped up their significant scenes, leaving only this one between Lu Xu and Xia Xuewen.
This scene was pivotal—it marked the first time Yu Wei revealed his true self in front of Zhong Baobei.
Director Hua Zhu and the crew’s expressions remained as casual as ever. It was a small production, without much pomp or ceremony. When it was time to film, they simply rolled the cameras and got to work.
At Hua Zhu’s call of “Action,” Lu Xu and Xia Xuewen immediately slipped into character.
Ji Zhan, who had been enthusiastically snacking on sunflower seeds moments before, was suddenly nudged by Yang Shu a few minutes into the scene.
“Look!”
In the center of the set, Yu Wei’s gaze toward Zhong Baobei had transformed completely.
His eyes, once filled with restraint and the quiet patience of a protector, now brimmed with raw emotion. Yu Wei, who had always played the guardian, now blocked Zhong Baobei’s path. His intense stare and tightly clenched fists spoke volumes, wanting to get closer but too afraid to approach.
His eyes seemed to scream that Zhong Baobei was everything to him.
Ji Zhan stopped mid-snack, holding perfectly still. He was worried even the slightest noise might disrupt Lu Xu’s performance.
Having grown used to Lu Xu’s typically restrained acting style, seeing him unleash his full intensity was shocking. Xia Xuewen, standing directly in the line of that emotion, must have felt it even more profoundly.
And yet, even in this moment of Yu Wei’s descent into darkness, his body language was restrained.
It was as though “deep love” had taken on a tangible form—this was the impression Lu Xu’s performance left on Ji Zhan.
“Don’t look for him, don’t go!”
Yu Wei’s voice began with desperate intensity, then gradually grew hoarse. If one listened closely, they could hear the undertone of despair woven into his words.
When facing Zhong Baobei, even the darkened Yu Wei remained vulnerable.
Yet, Zhong Baobei’s heart belonged solely to Pan Lingfeng. She rushed toward him with all her focus, completely ignoring Yu Wei, who stood broken behind her.
Yu Wei’s gaze shattered, and it seemed as though his entire being was falling apart.
Yang Shu, too, had stopped munching on sunflower seeds long ago. Honestly, he had always believed that idol dramas should be acted by those with excellent acting skills. How could an actor simultaneously portray deep affection, despair, and heartbreak? Just look at Lu Xu, and you’d know.
Although Yang Shu himself had acted in idol dramas, he had always felt that the character settings in such dramas, to some extent, weakened the emotional expressions of the actors. As long as the actor looked handsome, that was enough—there was no need to delve deeply into the character’s emotions.
When the scene finally wrapped, Hua Zhu called “Cut,” but Lu Xu and Xia Xuewen stood motionless for a while, as if unable to immediately step out of their roles.
In truth, My Baby Prince eventually revealed another twist—Yu Wei wasn’t Zhong Baobei’s brother after all.
By then, however, Yu Wei had let go of his hopeless love and chosen to grant Zhong Baobei her freedom.
“This is a story about truth, goodness, and beauty. We can’t just wing it,” the director remarked. “We have enough footage. I’ll just edit it.”
“…” Even someone as experienced as Lu Xu chose to remain silent.
He had no idea how the director planned to resolve the logic of the plot.
**TN
My Baby Prince – can also be translated into “My Dear/Precious Prince”
Absolutely loving this novel so far. It’s hilarious.
Thank you for the excellent translation!
This script is crazy, lol.