It had been a long time since Hu Xiu last used Photoshop. She meticulously cut out images online, pieced them together against a pink background, carefully added captions, then rushed to Zhao Xiaorou’s place to print them.
Fresh out of the shower, Zhao Xiaorou saw rows of cards and immediately teased, "Hu Xiu, changing careers?"
"Just some small props for Shanghai Bund."
"What are they for?"
"Want to come along? You’ll find out if you do."
"No time. My weekend is packed with shoots, and I’ve already made plans to attend an event with Li Ai. Are these meant to scare Diao Zhiyu?"
"This actor is so professional. As family, there’s not much I can do except prepare some surprises to spice up his improvisation." Hu Xiu finally caught on. "Seems like things are going well between you two."
"Nothing beyond holding hands, not even a kiss." Zhao Xiaorou sat at her dressing table, slapping skincare products onto her face with audible pats. "A woman like me, known for toying with hearts, is now treating Li Ai with such reverence—and it feels surprisingly wonderful."
"After being with so many men, I used to think it was desire, not love, controlling me. But now, even just holding hands makes me feel like I’m floating. Li Ai is so gentle. How does he manage to handle everything before I even think of it?"
"And without a single complaint. I’m notoriously picky, often losing my temper during shoots and demanding script changes. Now I can finish four scenes a day, and transitions have become smoother."
Hu Xiu found this refreshing. The rosy-cheeked Zhao Xiaorou, glowing with spring-like vitality, was more stunning than any makeup or cosmetic procedure.
She picked up a small card. "When you two reach that stage, you can use this card to flirt a little."
Zhao Xiaorou regained her usual sharpness. "Hu Xiu, why do I feel like your mind is filthier than mine now? What have you and Diao Zhiyu been doing behind closed doors?"
Hu Xiu’s ninth attempt still couldn’t escape the curse of having no connection to the Intelligence Division.
This time, however, her goal was to join the Mafia. After all, it was rare for Diao Zhiyu to change roles, and his popularity remained unaffected even by romance.
After the assembly ended and she arrived for the evening session, only a few name cards remained in the role-drawing box. A seasoned player, she considered pulling strings with the front desk staff. "Can I get a Behind-the-scenes role in the Mafia...?"
The staff member shook her head with a smile. No.
Reaching into the box, she felt around—Mafia junior. Elated, she performed a full set of calisthenics at the drawing station before entering.
The buzz around Diao Zhiyu’s relationship had faded, and players no longer fixated on the popular Han Yiqiu’s romantic rumors.
Upon entering, she spotted the Du Mingquan version of Han Yiqiu from afar. Undeniably, a top-tier handsome man in different attire exuded a distinct aura. This version of Han Yiqiu, compared to Diao Zhiyu, radiated vibrant sunshine and youthful charm. Diao Zhiyu’s uniqueness lay in his idiosyncratic temperament—brooding, defiant, and inherently noble.
If that were the case, then this adopted son of Du Ruosheng, seated in the Du residence, must also differ from the previous Du Mingquan!
As she pushed the door open, Du Mingquan was offering incense at the memorial tablet. Dressed in a black long gown with golden dragon embroidery at the cuffs, the garment seemed more luxurious draped over his well-proportioned frame.
His hair was slicked back, revealing a square forehead and prominent brow bones. His narrow eyes held an aloof expression, with a painted scar cutting through a teardrop mole at the corner.
Hu Xiu had seen Diao Zhiyu in various outfits, but at this moment, she was struck speechless—After studying the script, this person had extrapolated so many character details for himself, and was so handsome it made her dizzy.
Hu Xiu stared at that face and stepped forward, only to crash onto the ground with a loud thud—the Du residence truly had a unique sunken structure, with an unexpected step right at the entrance. How could she have fallen when it wasn’t even her first time here! An inauspicious start!
Her cards scattered along with her. She couldn’t let Du Mingquan see them so soon, so Hu Xiu lay flat on the ground, prostrating herself completely.
Diao Zhiyu, who played Du Mingquan, was already accustomed to her tendency to go weak in the knees when infatuated: "Such a grand gesture so soon after arriving."
The next player to enter saw a girl in a black jacket with a ponytail lying frog-like on the floor and was equally puzzled.
Hu Xiu refused to get up: "Everyone, go on ahead. I fell and it hurts a bit."
A player tried to help her up. Hu Xiu waved them off: "No, no, you go first. Don’t worry about me."
The last thing she saw was Du Mingquan’s profile, which left her utterly dazed. Hu Xiu scrambled up, gathering the cards in her hand. Someone this handsome made her reluctant to even tease him.
But a man trapped by his Role yet irresistibly charming, restrained yet yearning, was equally tempting.
Du Mingquan’s Role was set as 27 years old, having followed Du Ruosheng for thirteen years. Shanghai’s canal transport business and the clandestine arms trade all passed through Du Mingquan’s hands.
On the surface, Du Mingquan served as the joint chairman of the bank association, with commercial dealings inevitably relying on the Du family’s intermediation.
Du Mingquan managed a casino and a theater involved in the pleasure trade (this setting actually existed, adjacent to the grand ballroom, where a lit red lantern hung outside during business hours, with actors soliciting clients in both the casino and theater).
Rumors claimed Japanese soldiers had visited just before being shot. The five gunshots had tarnished the Du family’s reputation, with the bullets traced to Japanese fishing boats, pointing fingers at Du Ruosheng. They needed to investigate the bullets’ origin and find witnesses to the shooter.
There was also the subplot of Du Ruosheng’s private dealings with the Japanese, with crucial documents hidden in the bank.
Han Yiqiu’s white shirt was replaced by Du Mingquan’s black jacket, his face bearing a hint of Gang ruffianism: "Our Mafia values loyalty. As long as I, Du Mingquan, have a bite to eat in Shanghai, you’ll all survive. Are the tasks clear? Go now, no time to waste."
Hu Xiu was the last to leave, handing a small card from her bag to Du Mingquan: "Mr. Du, a new massage parlor has opened in the concession. Grand opening promotion: first visit free, second visit 10% off. Feel free to drop by when you have time."
On the pink card was a pair of conspicuously white, round objects—a pictorial representation of... meat buns.
Beside them, the text read: "Red Romance Massage, experience earthly bliss." Due to Japanese soldiers guarding the area, business was conducted discreetly, with an additional line below: "Pure Land of Bliss, free guidance."
Du Mingquan narrowed his eyes, wanting to erupt but unable to curse, forced to feign illiteracy within his Role: "Where did you get this? Is this a bun shop?"
"Yes, yes, they’re buns. You can tell they must be delicious." Hu Xiu dashed out of the residence: "Young Master Du, drop by when you’re free!"
She distributed the cards to various male actors on the set, all of whom squinted as they accepted them without exception.
Especially the actor playing the Japanese officer, handsome yet instantly turning lecherous upon seeing the card.
After handing out the cards, Hu Xiu turned back to the grand ballroom to find Shen Ling, holding the last card and saying: "Miss Shen, I heard your fiancé is fooling around with other women. Don’t you think you should do something about it?"After completing the mission and returning, Hu Xiu spotted Shen Ling from afar interrogating Du Mingquan at the grand ballroom entrance.
The usually fierce-looking Du Mingquan was now flustered, hunched over as he trailed behind Shen Ling: "Darling, I really didn't do anything! They forced it on me, I don't know how this happened!"
"You even have the membership card! Tell me, how much did you spend?!"
Hu Xiu was grinning ear to ear nearby. Du Mingquan pointed at her: "She's the one who distributed them! This has nothing to do with me!"
Shen Ling naturally recognized her as Diao Zhiyu's girlfriend. In character, she pointed her smoking pipe at Du Mingquan: "The consumption tallies are clearly marked on the card, do you think I can't see them?"
The card Hu Xiu had given Du Mingquan showed two complete tally marks plus one stroke - already VIP status. Players nearby laughed while watching the drama, with some even heckling about divorcing Du Mingquan to join Han Yiqiu instead. The furious Du Mingquan pointed at the players: "Shut up!"
Laughter could even be heard through the earpieces as Du Mingquan kept explaining: "Darling, I'd never betray you... I only love you..."
When the first mission round returned to the mansion, Du Mingquan pretended nothing had happened. After assigning the second round of missions and sending all players out, he specifically kept Hu Xiu behind: "Go explain everything clearly to my wife."
Torn between his in-character wife and real-life girlfriend, his expression shifting between Du Mingquan and Diao Zhiyu, trying to appear angry while suppressing laughter - Hu Xiu thought these little cards were achieving twice the result with half the effort.
When the first half ended, Hu Xiu went to give stickers to Shen Ling, who was performing jealousy brilliantly. Diao Zhiyu came up behind her and whispered: "Just you wait, I'll deal with you when we get home."
Goosebumps rising all over, Hu Xiu still maintained her righteous stance: "Teacher Diao, dealing with me at home doesn't make you brave! If you've got what it takes, counterattack during the second half!"
At the start of the second half, Hu Xiu reflected that she shouldn't disrupt Diao Zhiyu's acting, and should avoid letting small incidents interfere with main missions.
Right after starting, Du Mingquan told Hu Xiu to take this little card to Han Yiqiu and rescue Du Ruosheng.
Hu Xiu clutched the VIP membership card she'd made: "Huh?"
"You distributed the cards and run the establishment. Go use your family business to rescue your sworn father."
"Speaking of which, Han Yiqiu studied abroad in Japan and can read the characters on the card. Go promote your Japanese bun shop to him."
Turnabout is fair play!
Clutching the small card, Hu Xiu entered the Intelligence Division. Han Yiqiu sat at the desk with closed eyes, his deep eye sockets and dark circles suggesting sleep deprivation.
If she'd followed Du Mingquan's route before coming to Han Yiqiu, the same actor might remember her and go easier. But this new Han Yiqiu hadn't played Snowpiercer before, completely missing the thrill of last time's scenes with Diao Zhiyu.
He pretended to be sexually indifferent toward the bun shop on the card, playing hard to get despite his vigorous age: "I like Shen Ling, only Shen Ling. I wouldn't go to such places."
"It's just a bun shop!"
"I don't eat buns. Besides, does Du Ruosheng think he can repay what he owes my mother with things like this?" After saying this, he tore up the card.
She'd forgotten Han Yiqiu's character was all about righteousness! Hu Xiu stood there stunned. With the card torn up, how could she rescue Du Ruosheng?
Time ticked by until Han Yiqiu stood up: "Spit three times toward your gang leader, and I'll let him go."The biological son's intention was to humiliate. Hu Xiu quickly refused: "How could that be? That's the leader of a hundred thousand followers..."
Han Yiqiu remained motionless. Players from other factions had entered the room, and the audience grew larger.
Left with no choice, Hu Xiu spat three times toward Du Ruosheng in front of the other players.
Han Yiqiu complained the sound wasn't loud enough, so Hu Xiu shouted three times at the sky: "Pah! Pah! Pah!"
This utterly embarrassed her. When they returned to the Du residence, Du Ruosheng pointed at Hu Xiu: "What you did to me at the Intelligence Division just now—recreate it exactly for your leader Du, right in front of him."
These actors were in cahoots! Hu Xiu had already spat at Du Ruosheng publicly, and now she had to do it again to Du Mingquan back at the residence. It was clearly Diao Zhiyu deliberately making things difficult for her.
Du Mingquan clasped his hands behind his back, looking at her with Diao Zhiyu's eyes. While other players watched to see how this would end, Hu Xiu had a sudden inspiration: "Leader, earlier at the Intelligence Division I kissed you three times. How about I give our young master Du three kisses now too!"
Du Ruosheng had never seen such playacting and nearly broke character: "Say that again? What did you just do to me?"
"Kissed you..." Hu Xiu made three loud kissing sounds on the back of her hand: "You don't remember from just minutes ago? Should I do the same to young master Du now?"
The room filled with laughing spectators. Hu Xiu approached Du Mingquan, puckering her lips: "Young master, my apologies, but these are the leader's orders."
Actors were forbidden from physical contact with players. Du Mingquan took a step back: "Understood. You may leave. Have you collected the five Escape cards for the mission?"
"Not yet. I'm going to find Han Yiqiu to join the faction now. Goodbye, young master!"
The latter part of the grand performance made Hu Xiu's blood race. The way Shen Ling was carried into the emergency room by Du Mingquan strongly resembled the movements from that scene in the Snowpiercer Haunted House. Combined with the majestic black gown and the added maturity on his face, Diao Zhiyu appeared more grown-up and sexier.
Thinking about this felt somewhat erotic, but the chivalrous tenderness mixed with Jianghu spirit that Du Mingquan possessed was something the previously charming Qin Xiaoyi had lacked.
It contained strategy, wisdom, blended with scars and desire—the actor's charm was undoubtedly related to his turbulent life experiences.
Though Han Yiqiu had more screen time as the male lead in this love triangle scene, Diao Zhiyu's portrayal of Du Mingquan even surpassed his performance as Han Yiqiu in her heart—his growth had integrated into the Role.
Words failed her. Though countless thoughts swirled in her mind, after thinking for a long time, besides "wow" she couldn't articulate a single sentence.
After leaving the set, Diao Zhiyu was furious. Holding a small card in the car, he demanded: "No wonder you've been sneaking around behind my back every day! You've even started collecting dirty little cards!"
"Since you're playing Du Mingquan, of course I need to prepare seriously. I gave some to Li Ai and Zhao Xiaorou too, to help spice things up for them."
"When we first met, I thought you were particularly innocent. Now I know I misjudged you. For your next Bilibili video recording, I'll help you out too."
Diao Zhiyu put his hand on Hu Xiu's shoulder: "After all, you've helped my acting improve so much."
This sounded increasingly ominous. On the actor shuttle bus back to the city, everyone laughed and chatted, gossiping in small groups while some actors sang—those from the musical theater department particularly loud-voiced.The car merged onto the highway, Diao Zhiyu and Hu Xiu shared a pair of earphones, each taking one earbud as they swayed their heads to the music. Diao Zhiyu grinned broadly, laughing heartily—it was the first time Hu Xiu had seen her so genuinely happy.
Upon arriving at Shanghai Bund, Hu Xiu also noticed undercurrents among the actors: popularity contests, resentment toward the controlling earpieces during intense performances, dissatisfaction with scripts and scenes, and rivalries over female players...
But at this moment, with their masks off, the actors in the car were just young people passionate about performing.
She asked softly, "Compared to Snowpiercer, are you happier here?"
"In terms of acting growth, this place definitely offers more progress. But Snowpiercer's five shows a week are where many out-of-town actors earn their livelihood. Sometimes when we grab drinks after late shifts, there's this shared sense of being kindred spirits adrift in the world.
We graduated wanting to be actors, carrying lofty ideals with us.
But no one watches stage plays anymore—academic and formalist works attract even smaller audiences. Live Action Role Playing Games at least provide stable income.
Back then, it was really frustrating. Without clear goals, time flies by in Live Action Role Playing Games. Day after day performing these low-demand scripts, if you let yourself decay, you just become an ordinary person who can act a little."
"What did you do about it?"
"We drank. Before meeting you, we were all alcoholics staying up until 4 or 5 AM, awkwardly performing for players. Getting tips made us feel like we were in the flesh trade—the money was nice but left a weird aftertaste. We'd just numb ourselves thinking 'it's honest earnings.'
After meeting you, I realized Immersive Theater might actually be a form of cultural dissemination. Letting people experience theater in a relaxed atmosphere could spark curiosity about stage plays and art.
If this helps more people learn about theater and stage performances, that's not bad either. To sound a bit arrogant—I don't care about personal fame, but I want theater and acting to be recognized."
Sitting in the back row, Hu Xiu watched the straightforward boy haphazardly removing his makeup, feeling incredibly lucky to have found such a treasure.
Thinking this, Hu Xiu said, "I've also done something somewhat meaningful, though I'm not sure if it'll succeed.
I gave up my hospital position to a psychologist providing mental health support. If this truly helps more people, it should count as meaningful."
"Did your dad get angry about this?"
Hu Xiu opened her phone, looking at the barrage of messages in the Do Not Disturb folder from her father: "It might be unfilial, but disobeying him is good for my mental health. Of course, who knows? My dad is the patient type—he waited ten years to get back at my mom for her affair. With me, he might be storing it up for some big explosion someday."
Squeezing her hand, Diao Zhiyu said calmly, "It's fine. I won't leave you. Only cowards run away in this world."
"Feels like you're subtly referring to me there."
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