Chapter 228: A New Script
It was another episode of Light and Shadow Journey, and the audience quickly noticed the difference between this episode and the previous one—the guests’ clothing looked thicker and more durable, and their backpacks had also been swapped out.
The contrast was most obvious with Lu Yiyang—he had directly strapped his backpack to his clothes.
[One misstep led to PTSD, but it seemed like there were no monkeys in this episode.]
[Once bitten, twice shy. Here’s a suggestion for everyone on Light and Shadow Journey—if you ever encounter monkeys again, just hand over all your offerings honestly. Don’t resist.]
[Most importantly, never eat in the mountains. Hahaha, thinking about the last episode still makes me laugh.]
Besides that, perhaps because they all had the shared experience of being chased by monkeys, the group was noticeably more united this time—they bought everything in multiples. Even when buying ice cream at a scenic spot, they made sure to get an entire bagful at once.
[The bond forged through being chased—truly touching.]
[Hahaha, the atmosphere was really harmonious.]
For the fans, Light and Shadow Journey also brought them back to the days before Lu Xu entered the film industry.
Movies like Observing the Stars at Night, Clay Man, and Fearless Life had been so successful that the media now labeled Lu Xu as a “Film Emperor.”
In terms of achievements, Lu Xu undoubtedly deserved the title. But in the eyes of his fans, no title could truly define who he was.
Lu Xu was still sharp-tongued, had a great personality, and often found himself in hilariously awkward moments. However, as his fame skyrocketed and his status in the film industry grew, such moments had become increasingly rare.
Light and Shadow Journey reminded fans of the real Lu Xu once again.
Lu Xu’s personality had not changed—he had simply revealed it less often. The way he presented himself in Light and Shadow Journey made people momentarily forget his status as a film emperor, making him seem no different from other young actors.
[Adorable Lu Puppy!]
[Lu Xu getting along so well with everyone is just too cute—I love it! I don’t know why, but Lu Xu always gives me a sense of purity. Yes, he’s getting older, but to me, he still feels like the same Lu Xu from when he first debuted—he’s never really changed.]
[Upstairs speaks my mind!]
While Light and Shadow Journey was promoting films, Lu Xu’s fans took the opportunity to promote him instead.
Objectively speaking, Lu Xu no longer needed any promotion. In the past few years, he had undoubtedly been the hottest name in the entertainment industry. But the passion of fans advocating for their beloved idol was just as unstoppable.
Even though Lu Xu was already immensely popular, and his name was widely recognized, that didn’t stop fans from continuing to adore him.
Naturally, any discussion about Lu Xu had to start from his Verse days—his early struggles as a rookie, the times he was underestimated, the setbacks he faced when first entering the drama industry…
[Honestly, among all the actors in the film industry today, Lu Xu had the lowest starting point. And yet, he’s the one who has achieved the most.]
[Every time I update Lu Xu’s filmography, I get so excited. He has starred in passionate, inspirational films, but isn’t his own acting career just as much of an inspirational story?]
Every so often, Lu Xu’s journey reignited his fans’ motivation—especially when they saw the three trophies from the Contention Awards listed among his accolades.
[A box office hit might be due to luck, but awards? Never!]
[Aaaahhh! He’s a top-tier star in dramas—whatever he acts in becomes a hit, breaking countless records. And in films, it’s the same! Lu Puppy’s acting career is truly a magnificent journey!]
[Actually, the same goes for variety shows. Lu Xu has barely done any, but if you look closely, you’ll realize that the few he has participated in dominated the ratings during their time.]
[When you have three Contention Best Actor awards, two Critics’ Choice Best Actor awards, one Sunset Film Festival Best Actor trophy, a domestic box office total exceeding 20 billion yuan, and a global total surpassing 25 billion, yet you still remain humble—you know that’s a truly admirable quality.]
Light and Shadow Journey introduced Lu Xu to an even wider audience.
Of course, his stellar reputation wasn’t built overnight—it was earned through one unforgettable film after another.
But Light and Shadow Journey provided a different perspective—it showcased his personality in a way that films couldn’t. Whether it was his respect for others’ work, the meticulous research he did when recommending films, or his attentiveness when interacting with people, everything about him made audiences like him even more.
[I’ve officially fallen for Lu Xu, hehe!]
…
For Lu Xu and his two friends, Light and Shadow Journey was also a rare chance to unwind between projects. The three were already close, so when they reunited on the show, they naturally went all out creating inside jokes and playful banter.
Since transitioning to the film industry, they had always tried to find opportunities to meet up, but their increasingly packed schedules often left them in a “three-minus-one” situation.
The show also gave the audience a deeper understanding of the “Mountain Bike Trio”—why they got along so well and shared the same mischievous energy.
Despite their knack for making jokes, they were incredibly serious when recommending films. Not only did Light and Shadow Journey soar in popularity, but even past moments of the “Mountain Bike Group’s” antics were dug up and relived by netizens.
Although Light and Shadow Journey was just an ordinary variety show, by the end of the year, it was recognized as one of the most influential programs in the film industry. After its broadcast, the number of moviegoers noticeably increased compared to before the show aired. Many viewers, when interviewed, stated that Light and Shadow Journey was what brought them back to the cinema.
While the film industry certainly had its fair share of mediocre productions, there were also many dedicated filmmakers who poured their hearts and souls into their craft.
That day, a post on a film forum was pushed to the top of the trending list:
[After watching several episodes of Light and Shadow Journey, the one thing that struck me the most is—Lu Xu truly loves being an actor.]
[Isn’t he currently in a transitional phase? His filming frequency has dropped significantly, and he’s made fewer public appearances. His new project is still in the selection process, yet he spent several months recording Light and Shadow Journey.]
[+1. He already has three Contention Awards. Even if he didn’t do variety shows, no one would say anything. And yet, he still chose to participate. If Light and Shadow Journey weren’t a program about films, would they have even been able to invite Lu Xu?]
[What moved me the most was his attitude when introducing movies. He remembered every filming detail of Fearless Life and Observing the Stars at Night so clearly—even parts that weren’t shared during the film’s release. Everything he talked about was new information.]
[Lu Xu is so humble!!! Anyone who has watched Light and Shadow Journey must feel the same way.]
The forum post practically summarized Lu Xu’s entire performance on the show. Occasionally, the program featured re-enactments of scenes from classic films, giving audiences a glimpse into why Lu Xu had won three Contention Awards. Even when the original film wasn’t one of his own, the moment he stepped into character, viewers could instantly feel his incredible talent as an actor.
Getting into character almost instantly, fully immersing himself in a role—Lu Xu’s acting ability was simply unmatched. Coincidentally, another acting-focused variety show was airing at the same time as Light and Shadow Journey. Originally, the two shows weren’t in direct competition, but after Light and Shadow Journey aired, the ratings of that acting show visibly plummeted.
[Before watching Light and Shadow Journey, I could tolerate it. But now? I really can’t anymore.]
[The contrast is just… brutal. Can I even say this?]
[Hahahaha, if no one had told me that was an acting competition, I would’ve thought they were performing some kind of ritual. It just felt so confusing to watch.]
[+1 +1.]
In short, whether it was the Contention Awards or any other industry event, whenever Lu Xu was present, audiences could strongly feel his undeniable influence.
…
After finishing the recording for Light and Shadow Journey, Lu Xu took on two new scripts and resumed his dedicated acting career. The role of Ma Yanwen in Clay Man had been a challenging one, but when choosing new roles, Lu Xu never felt the need to specifically seek out something similar.
Good roles were rare and unpredictable—he knew that all too well.
As fate would have it, right after wrapping up Light and Shadow Journey, Xu Wen handed him a new script.
“A historical film?”
Lu Xu flipped through the pages. “There aren’t many of these being made anymore.”
After Sanzu River crushed the fantasy genre, Observing the Stars at Night at least managed to breathe some life back into the industry. But historical films? That was a different story. They had never been popular—whether in television or cinema, they remained largely overlooked projects.
Lu Xu just so happened to have such a script in his hands.
“The director insisted on giving it to you,” Xu Wen said. “He said only you could play this role.”
Xu Wen had been in the industry for a long time. Even if he wasn’t personally close to every director, he had at least crossed paths with most of them. When directors felt a script suited Lu Xu, they would often send it directly to Xu Wen and have him ask for Lu Xu’s opinion.
This particular script told the story of emperors and generals, with Lu Xu being invited to play a historically renowned and brilliant ruler.
He was a natural-born sovereign—under his reign, the empire expanded, and peace flourished. Cold and ruthless, he wielded the art of kingship to perfection. The film centered around a strange and mysterious incident that unfolded during his rule.
Within the story, there were treacherous eunuchs, scheming ministers, and ambitious enemy states, all plotting in the shadows. Yet, none could escape the emperor’s watchful eyes. When the Son of Heaven was enraged, rivers of blood followed.
Since the incident took place before the emperor’s old age, most actors wouldn’t fit the role in terms of age. If they needed someone who matched both in age and acting prowess, Lu Xu was naturally the first choice.
Of course, the main reason the production team sought out Lu Xu was his immense box office appeal.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that, for a historical film, no actor could make it work—except for Lu Xu. Only he could give the project a fighting chance.
“Is this role really suitable for me?” Lu Xu asked his manager.
“Don’t overthink it. If you think you can perform it, then take it,” Xu Wen replied. “Ignore whatever the media says later.”
Historical films were indeed a risky genre for actors, but Xu Wen felt the script was solid, and the role was a great fit for Lu Xu. Having previously starred in Son of Heaven and Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry, Lu Xu had ample experience in historical productions.
Though… rumors about Lu Xu’s box office miracle coming to an end would inevitably surface once the film was announced.
However, Xu Wen believed that for Lu Xu at this stage in his career, choosing a role that brought him personal satisfaction was far more important.
Even if the genre was unpopular or the film didn’t achieve high box office numbers, at the very least, Lu Xu would be able to play a character he was genuinely content with.
In recent years, Xu Wen had often seen actors, once known for their stellar reputations, taking on terrible films. From what he knew, financial troubles were usually the reason. In such cases, actors no longer had the privilege of choosing their projects—they simply had to take whatever they could get.
From a manager’s perspective, Xu Wen hoped Lu Xu would always have the freedom to accept roles without any burdens or constraints.
A few days later, after careful consideration, Lu Xu gave Xu Wen his decision—he would take the historical film.
“I figured you would,” Xu Wen said.
No one understood Lu Xu’s preferences better than Xu Wen. In fact, the reason this script had even landed in Lu Xu’s hands was because Xu Wen had predicted he would accept it.
As a manager, Xu Wen also had a keen eye for scripts. With Lu Xu’s career soaring, Xu Wen had become widely regarded in the industry as one of the best at selecting roles. No one believed that Lu Xu’s outstanding choices were solely his own doing—it was an unspoken fact that his manager played a crucial role.
It wasn’t just Lu Xu who had received offers from rival agencies—Xu Wen himself had been heavily pursued as well. In fact, attempts to recruit him had been relentless. But leaving Feiyang Entertainment had never even crossed his mind. After working with Lu Xu for so many years, he had grown used to their partnership.
Lu Xu was low-maintenance—something that couldn’t be said for most other artists.
Having worked as a manager for so long, Xu Wen had seen firsthand the decline in the overall quality of celebrities in the entertainment industry. Some of the rumors about certain stars were so outrageous that even a veteran like him found them shocking.
From a certain perspective, encountering Lu Xu had been an incredible stroke of luck for him.
