Chapter 40: Red Plum Blossoms Against the Snow

Brilliant white snow, dusky red plum blossoms—amidst a world draped in silvery splendor, the quietly blooming plums suddenly compose a dazzling stroke of color, radiant and breathtaking. A gentle breeze stirs, carrying with it a faint, lingering fragrance—sweet, lingering, as if a sprite had wandered into the mortal world, standing tall among the blossoms. With graceful elegance and proud bearing, she appears like a celestial vision, stunningly beautiful, as if painted onto a scroll.

Intoxicating is that fleeting glance amidst the sea of crimson, a flower plucked and a gaze cast back, capturing all the hues of heaven and earth, and leaving behind the careless hearts that happened upon each other. The first meeting was both astonishing and calm, yet the net woven by their exchanged gazes locked two beating hearts together, quietly stirring countless others.

“Cut, that’s a wrap.” Director Cai Xiu’s command abruptly shattered the bewitching beauty of the scene, drawing sighs and regretful looks from many.

He had no time to dwell on it. Cai Xiu fixed his intense gaze on Chu Luoxi, openly expressing his admiration and awe. Several scenes had already been filmed, and this so-called junior sister of Xiao Jingxuan truly surprised him time and again.

Initially, Xiao Jingxuan had gone against everyone’s opinions and unilaterally decided to cast Chu Luoxi as the female lead. Cai Xiu had plenty of objections and disdain, but couldn’t argue against Xiao Jingxuan’s insistence. Yet, when he saw her costume photos, all his skepticism evaporated, replaced by excitement and eagerness to begin filming.

After several scenes shot in succession, Cai Xiu was left with nothing but admiration for Xiao Jingxuan’s discerning eye. Just where had he found such a prodigy? As a director, he scrutinized her from every angle, unable to find a single fault. The word “perfect” lingered in his mind—she was even more pleasing to the eye than he’d imagined for the final product.

Cai Xiu had never expected that this MV, for which he’d prepared to be exceedingly critical, would surpass all expectations. It made him realize his original standards were far too low; if he had let it pass as he’d planned, it would have been utterly unremarkable.

“Tsk, tsk. Hey, where did Xiao Jingxuan find such a marvel? She’s in no way inferior to him! I thought someone like Xiao Jingxuan was a once-in-a-century phenomenon.” Cai Xiu exclaimed, nudging Cold Lu, who was watching the scene, and couldn’t hide his amazement. “To think another could appear at the same time! Tell me, has Scenic Entertainment signed her yet? If not, it’s a huge loss for the company.”

Cold Lu’s expression was calm, but his eyes burned with gossip, though no one saw the fervor boiling within him. “You’re right.” He thought to himself: Loss? What loss? As if I’m blind. But if she doesn’t want to sign, there’s nothing we can do.

The more they explored, the more unfathomable Chu Luoxi seemed, like a book that could never be fully read, growing richer with every page. If Xiao Jingxuan was born for stardom, then Chu Luoxi was something strange and discordant; for some reason, Cold Lu always felt that compared to Xiao Jingxuan, Chu Luoxi was even more mature and pure, like a fine wine aged for years—fragrant and sweet. She lacked the superficiality of a newcomer, possessing the poise and depth of a seasoned actor, her every gesture imbued with irresistible charm.

Yet, Chu Luoxi could wield this charm at will, naturally and effortlessly. Perhaps it was his own illusion, but sometimes Cold Lu felt that even Xiao Jingxuan seemed much more youthful in her presence.

Thus, he wished more than anyone that Scenic Entertainment would sign Chu Luoxi. In his eyes, if Xiao Jingxuan needed time and experience to grow, Chu Luoxi was already ready; with the company’s full support, she could quickly become a pillar of the industry.

Her snow-white upper garment contrasted with the proud red of the plum blossoms, the vivid hem adorned the purity of the snow. Standing amidst the blossoms, Chu Luoxi glanced down at her radiant attire, quietly admiring the costume designer’s inspiration—such clever creativity!

White paired with red above, red matched with white below, tender as snow, bright as light. In a scene without dialogue, it immediately captured the audience’s attention and held it fast.

“How is it? Does it work?” Xiao Jingxuan glanced at the crimson hem drifting across the snow, finding it especially captivating.

“Mm, it’s quite good,” Chu Luoxi nodded, brushing away the skirt’s chiffon caught by the breeze.

She knew Xiao Jingxuan was asking if she felt comfortable—wearing period costumes could be quite uncomfortable, affecting the mood for acting. It depended largely on the quality of the costumes, though the lead’s outfit was generally well-made, especially for the female lead.

Looking up, Chu Luoxi felt a touch of admiration. Xiao Senior Brother’s MV spared no expense, no wonder it became a classic. If it were too rough, audiences wouldn’t accept it. Though refined productions aren’t always classics, those that become classics are certainly exquisite in every aspect.

By late May in the Imperial City, snow was long gone; such a vast snowy landscape was artificially created just for this MV.

Nowadays, artificial snow is real, not foam, striving for authenticity so audiences won’t feel cheated. The snow melts with rising temperatures, though additives keep it cool for a time, preventing rapid melting; yet covering such an expanse consumes considerable resources.

The song “Cycles of the Moon” lasts just over four minutes, with ninety percent of its visuals blanketed in white snow, highlighting the female lead, the Plum Sprite.

Red plum blossoms paired with snow—only then is the beauty proud and solitary, coldly radiant, able to blossom with unparalleled brilliance.

“Are you feeling cold?” Xiao Jingxuan frowned, searching for words to fill the silence.

This snow was real, and the additives lowered the ambient temperature. Chu Luoxi’s costume, made for elegance, was mostly chiffon. Despite its many layers, it offered little warmth.

“Ha—” Chu Luoxi chuckled lightly. “Senior Brother Xiao, you should ask if it’s too refreshing! The temperature’s rising lately, it’s hot—rare to enjoy such natural air conditioning!”

Cold? Surely a joke. Actors soaking in icy water on snowy days is routine—who cares about a little chill? Compared to her past life, when she was so frozen she turned purple and suffered extensive frostbite, this was nothing.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingxuan laughed as well. “The next scene is tonight. Let’s leave this place for now…”