Jing Li couldn’t help but feel like it was his illusion, but after not seeing Zhang Weixi for half a month, he seemed to have lost a lot of weight. His steps appeared somewhat unsteady, as if he could fall at any moment.
Moreover, the dense black mist that had previously surrounded him had completely dissipated, replaced by only a few traces of thin white spiritual energy.
What was he up to this time?
Jing Li raised an eyebrow imperceptibly.
Perhaps sensing the gazes upon him, Zhang Weixi also looked up, then quickened his pace to approach the group.
However, this action seemed to have further drained his energy. By the time he reached them, he was breathing slightly heavier, looking genuinely unwell.
“Director Yan.” Zhang Weixi greeted the director in a gentle voice, nodding toward the others present.
“What happened to you?” The director’s brow furrowed deeper upon seeing his haggard state. “If you’re not feeling well, go back to your room and rest for a couple of days. Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“It’s nothing, I’ve just been losing sleep lately. I’ll be fine in a couple of days.” Zhang Weixi smiled reassuringly before turning his gaze to the unfamiliar Jing Li. “And who might this be…?”
“Oh, I forgot to introduce you. This is Jing Li. He’ll be playing the role of the immortal master. He was held up by something earlier, so he just joined the crew now.” The director then introduced Zhang Weixi. “This is Zhang Weixi, who plays the male lead’s close friend, Qian Yun.”
“I know, we’ve had a meal together before.” Jing Li politely responded while studying Zhang Weixi intently, trying to discern what mischief he was up to this time.
Simultaneously, Zhang Weixi spoke, “Hello, Jing-laoshi, I’ve heard so much about you…”
He trailed off abruptly upon hearing Jing Li’s words, staring at him in bewilderment with a hint of surprise and confusion in his eyes, his hand unconsciously extended in mid-air.
An eerie silence filled the air for a moment.
“Ah, haha, I’m sorry. I haven’t been feeling well lately, so my mind must be foggy. I didn’t recall having a meal with Jing-laoshi.” Zhang Weixi quickly recovered, laughing it off before extending his hand again. “Welcome to the crew, Jing-laoshi. I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation in the future.”
The people around thought he was genuinely unwell and had simply forgotten momentarily. Most of them even thought he might be cautious of Jing Li’s identity and worried that the other party, a person of high status, might forget about him, so he pretended not to have met before.
However, Jing Li saw genuine confusion and unfamiliarity in Zhang Weixi’s eyes – he really did not remember him.
What was going on?
Jing Li studied Zhang Weixi intently, his brow furrowing in rare perplexity.
Nevertheless, he maintained a polite smile as he shook Zhang Weixi’s hand.
Yet, this handshake only heightened his sense of Zhang Weixi’s physical frailty, even giving him the unsettling impression that his life force was gradually dissipating.
Could this be some new cultivation method devised by those creatures from the Dark Forest?
Jing Li suppressed his doubts for the moment but made a mental note of Zhang Weixi’s peculiarities.
“Since you two know each other, I’ll leave it to you to show Jing Li around.” Director Yan smiled, patting Zhang Weixi’s shoulder. “You should rest too. If you still look like this tomorrow, don’t blame me for ruthlessly squeezing your labor force!”
“Thank you, Director Yan.” Knowing the director was considerately accommodating his condition, Zhang Weixi did not refuse. He thanked him and then led Jing Li towards the hotel room arranged for the cast.
Since there were still night scenes to film, Jing Li did not linger either. After bidding farewell to the others, he followed Zhang Weixi.
This was a good opportunity to probe what exactly Zhang Weixi was up to.
As they walked to the hotel, Zhang Weixi occasionally introduced the surrounding locations and buildings in an unhurried, gentle tone. Even his aura felt mild and frail, a stark contrast to his previously sharp and aggressive demeanor.
Jing Li observed him intently, deeply impressed by his mastery of deception. Had he not personally encountered Zhang Weixi before, he might have been fooled into thinking this was his true self.
His acting skills were impeccable.
“This is the hotel the crew booked. I’m staying on the 21st floor, so feel free to find me if you need anything, Jing-laoshi.” Zhang Weixi’s voice interrupted Jing Li’s thoughts as they arrived at the elevator lobby. As the doors opened, he walked inside.
Zhang Weixi’s assistant entered last, using his card to light up the 21st floor button before politely asking Jing Li, “Which floor are you staying on, Jing-laoshi?”
“I’ll take it from here, thank you.” Jing Li’s assistant smiled politely and used his key to light up the 23rd floor button as well.
Seeing this, Zhang Weixi’s assistant was momentarily stunned, but quickly smiled and said it was no problem, feeling a bit embarrassed in his heart.
He hadn’t expected the other party to stay on a higher floor than them. The hotel staff on lower floors couldn’t swipe cards for higher floors, and he almost made a fool of himself.
Meanwhile, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The Second Young Master of the Jing family was indeed remarkable. Even taking on a small role, he could still stay on a higher floor than them.
The hotel rooms in this area of the film and television city were of similar standards. The higher the floor, the more luxurious and expensive the room. The 21st floor was already considered a deluxe suite standard, accommodating well-known figures in the crew, even the male and female leads stayed on this floor.
The 23rd floor, however, was the highest tier of ultra-luxurious suites, occupied solely by the directors.
However, except for Zhang Weixi’s assistant, the others didn’t seem to pay much attention to this kind of incident, especially Jing Li. By now, he was already planning how to approach Zhang Weixi for a private conversation.
Throughout their walk, Zhang Weixi maintained an impeccable facade. Since Jing Li had received no further news from him for half a month, he could not shake his lingering concerns about potential mishaps and felt compelled to investigate personally.
With no one else around in the hotel lobby, the elevator swiftly ascended to the 21st floor.
As the doors opened with a soft chime and Zhang Weixi prepared to exit, Jing Li quickly spoke up, “Weixi, could I trouble you for a few minutes? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Zhang Weixi, who had turned to bid him farewell, showed a hint of surprise at the request.
“Or I could come to your room, whichever is more convenient for you.” Jing Li politely smiled at him, showing concern for his well-being, his tone sincere but also subtly indicating an insistence that could not be refused.
“No problem, I’ll come to your room.” Zhang Weixi quickly regained his composure. Although he didn’t know what Jing Li wanted to talk about, he turned back to his assistant and said, “You can head back first.”
Seeing the assistant’s concerned expression, Zhang Weixi reassured him with a smile.
The assistant knew his temper well and understood that he had made up his mind, so he didn’t say anything and just smiled politely at Jing Li and left the elevator first.
As the doors closed once more, the elevator fell silent again. Zhang Weixi glanced at Jing Li, who showed no signs of speaking, so he patiently waited.
Soon, they arrived at the 23rd floor. Jing Li dismissed his assistant to prepare the room before guiding Zhang Weixi toward a secluded emergency exit. After making sure there was no one around, he raised a barrier to shield the two inside.
“Jing-laoshi, what is this…?” Zhang Weixi looked at him in bewilderment, glancing around at the suddenly blurred surroundings.
In his eyes, he only saw Jing Li raise his hand slightly, and the world seemed to change abruptly, as if only the two of them remained while everything else grew distant.
“Alright, now it’s just the two of us here,” Jing Li stated plainly, his expression suggesting ‘Since there’s no one else around, you can drop the act.’
However, Zhang Weixi seemed to completely miss the deeper meaning in Jing Li’s expression. Upon hearing his words, he first looked at him with confusion, then nodded with understanding, “I wonder what Teacher Jing wants to talk to me about?”
Interpreting it as Jing Li seeking privacy to share something confidential.
Was this guy really clueless or just pretending to be clueless?
Jing Li observed Zhang Weixi’s innocent expression and furrowed his brows in genuine disbelief. However, he had no intention of wasting more words on him.
“You went through great lengths to seek me out, only to disappear for half a month without a trace. What game are you playing now?” Jing Li narrowed his eyes, a hint of severity in his gaze. “Don’t tell me your master is exercising patience and humility, graciously awaiting my reply.”
His tone dripped with sarcasm as he sneered.
Facing his blunt accusations, Zhang Weixi was left bewildered, with no response beyond a look of pure astonishment.
“…What are you talking about, Jing-laoshi?” Zhang Weixi stared at him, baffled by his sudden change in demeanor. “And what master are you referring to…are you rehearsing lines with me?”
Zhang Weixi frowned, racking his brain but unable to recall any such dialogue from the script. His confusion deepened.
Observing his seemingly genuine lack of understanding, a strange feeling crept into Jing Li’s mind, but he still harbored suspicions that this person was simply acting.
Jing Li studied him intently, growing impatient.
Since he insisted on maintaining this façade, he would simply strip it away forcibly.
One’s instinctive reactions could not be faked.
With that thought, Jing Li suddenly raised his hand and sent a wisp of spiritual energy towards Zhang Weixi’s face, observing his response.
To his surprise, instead of retaliating, Zhang Weixi merely recoiled in brief bewilderment before reflexively shielding his face, urgently exclaiming, “Jing-laoshi, let’s talk this through!”
Jing Li paused, unconsciously retracting his spiritual energy as his hand hovered near Zhang Weixi before returning to his side.
Zhang Weixi kept his hands raised defensively for a few seconds until he realized Jing Li had no intention of attacking further. Hesitantly lowering his arms, he caught Jing Li’s expressionless, furrowed gaze. His hands were now hanging at his sides without any aggressive intent.
After a moment, realizing that Jing Li wasn’t going to make a move, he hesitantly lowered his arms.
“Did I say something to upset Jing-laoshi?” Zhang Weixi asked, his polite tone carrying a hint of displeasure.
Even as the young master of the Jing family, was it appropriate to bully others like this? Calling him out on their first meeting just to pick a fight? He could not recall any prior interaction or grievance with this man.
Zhang Weixi truly felt he had done nothing to offend Jing Li, dismissing the mention of their shared meal as mere courtesy.
The more he pondered, the more excessive it seemed. Zhang Weixi grew weary of preserving pretenses and stated flatly, “Since I don’t know what has displeased you and you have nothing further to say, I’ll take my leave.”
As Zhang Weixi turned to leave, Jing Li suddenly spoke from behind him, “The Miwei Private Restaurant.”
What was that supposed to mean?
Zhang Weixi paused, glancing back at Jing Li with utter bewilderment, as if unable to comprehend the meaning behind those words.
However, he did not dwell on it further. With one last glance, he turned away again, intent on departing.
As things unfolded in such a manner, various inconsistencies arose. Naturally, Jing Li also sensed that things were not as simple as they seemed. Looking at the thin spiritual energy above Zhang Weixi’s head, he couldn’t help but entertain a somewhat absurd speculation.
Could he have been possessed by one of those demonic creatures before?
Jing Li carefully examined Zhang Weixi’s overall state, increasingly feeling that the various behaviors exhibited by this person resembled that of someone who had been possessed.
As for why he found it absurd, it was because the conditions for possession were very strict. Not only did the original body’s physical condition need to be able to withstand it, but the consent of the person involved was also required.
Not to mention the scarcity of spiritual energy in this world, even with his level of cultivation, success was not guaranteed.
But there was no telling if those beings had other unorthodox methods.
With this in mind, Jing Li gazed at the figure before him once more, raising his hand to gather spiritual energy, intending to probe Zhang Weixi’s body.
However, before he could act, the person suddenly swayed and collapsed heavily to the ground.
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