Capturing My Demon King Costar

Yao Shen sits back down on the sofa and looks at his hands.

He doesn't feel any different.

How will he even know that what the System is saying is the truth. What even is a "bad luck debuff?" Is his life a game?

[Previously Host had worse luck than the average person, with the removal of the debuff, he now is as lucky as any random person]

What a shitty reward.

[Host might have not noticed, but he was severely hindered by the bad luck debuff. It's probably why so many of his projects fell through, and why he had so few opportunities in the entertainment industry, despite being talented.]

How did Yao Shen even end up with a bad luck debuff, was that just System talk for being born under an unlucky star -- an accident of birth?

Or is something else at play?

[Unclear]

Well, that doesn't help.

[Would Host like to know what the next reward is?]

Yao Shen is cleaning up the dregs of his and Xin Hulei's impromptu dinner when the system's voice sounds again inside his mind.

Why not, they can't be any worse than removing something Yao Shen didn't even know he had.

[Once Host grows 5% closer to the Demon King, he'll get the Sleep Upgrade I]

What even...

[This upgrade will allow Host to feel rested even if he sleeps 3% less than usual]

Such a pathetic amount too...

For that kind of benefit Yao Shen can just drink a cup of coffee in the morning.

"Thanks," he says, deadpan.

[As the name implies there are several levels to this reward. As Host continues to progress he will unlock further levels. Level III will allow Host to feel rested even without any sleep]

That used to be Yao Shen's biggest dream -- when he was 13 and addicted to online gaming.

He'll hold out hope for better rewards in the future.

In the meantime, he hasn't even unlocked the paltry level I sleep reward, so he should turn down for the night, and have a good night's rest before filming starts tomorrow.

It takes him a long time to fall asleep after his shower, his stomach roiling with trepidation.

He needs this to go well, his career won't handle another dud.

On the other hand, he's almost vibrating with determination. He's going to be playing a main role in a big production -- something he only saw from the sidelines before.

This is the opportunity he's been waiting for since his debut, he absolutely won't squander it.

Not even Xin Hulei's haughty coldness can stop him from doing well.

---

He wakes up bright and early the next day, feeling energetic and full of optimism.

It dwindles somewhat when he looks out the window and sees that it's raining violently, the raindrops beating against the window panes like little sharp knives.

After a quick room service breakfast, Bi Jialu comes pick him up so they can ride together to set.

The rain doesn't let up, all the way through the drive, and even as Yao Shen makes his way to the makeup and styling trailer while holding up an umbrella over his and Bi Jialu's head.

He spends almost two hours getting Yan Shuyi's long wig painstakingly applied and about 20 minutes getting his makeup done.

This time the makeup artist draws Yan Shuyi's mole under his left eye without any prompting from anyone.

Clearly what Xin Hulei says, goes.

The stylists observes him through the vanity mirror, fluffing out the long strands of hair across his shoulders. "Period drama hair really suits Yao laoshi," the man says, in objective aesthetic appreciation. "The longer hair really highlights his fine features."

Suddenly, a tall figure appears at Yao Shen's side casting shadow across his face.

A slim finger brushes the hair away from his cheek, tucking it behind his ear.

"It does," Xin Hulei says, his cold gaze boring into Yao Shen.

Yao Shen feels himself heat up under the intensity of that stare and cranes his neck to the side to avoid Xin Hulei's touch.

"We're wanted on set," Xin Hulei says, pulling his hand away without any further remark. "I'll escort you."

Yao Shen wants to reject his offer but it feels like too much effort all of a sudden, so he just nods in silent acquiescence.

---

One thing Yao Shen has to give Xin Hulei credit for -- filming goes very smoothly, thanks to yesterday's practice.

Director Chen even praises Yao Shen for his natural performance.

He's feeling pleased with himself when Xin Hulei approaches him, expression as unreadable as ever.

Immediately Yao Shen's hackles raise, expecting criticism.

"You did well," Xin Hulei says, looking imposing in Xie Huan's eye-catching red robes, the long column of his neck framed by the black curtain of hair spilling around it. "You're starting to have a stronger grasp on Yan Shuyi's character."

Yao Shen hums noncommittally, aiming a portable fan at his own face.

The incessant rain hasn't lowered the temperature by much, and Yao Shen feels painfully overdressed in Yan Shuyi's robes.

"I have two more scenes to shoot this morning, but after that we could have lunch together." Xin Hulei's tone is completely nonchalant as if he could just as easily have lunch on his own instead of with Yao Shen. "I've spent a lot of time in Hengdian, I know some nice restaurants."

Yao Shen was close to accepting his offer, but Xin Hulei just had to go and rub Yao Shen's face in his success.

Of course he's spent a lot of time in Hengdian, he shoots several movies and the occasional drama every year!

"Thanks but I've already promised to have lunch with my assistant, maybe another time," Yao Shen says, turning his eyes back towards the script.

As expected, Xin Hulei doesn't have anything else to say to Yao Shen after that, and leaves him alone to go film his next scene.

Yao Shen enjoys a little break to snack on an apple before being escorted by Bi Jialu to the next set.

The torrential rain shows no signs of slowing down, so it's probably for the best that all of the scenes they're filming today happen inside.

For his next scene Yao Shen is filming with Gao Wu, the young actor playing his other disciple, and Xie Huan's shidi and eventual rival.

When Yao Shen arrives, Gao Wu greets him with a smile. "Yao laoshi, I'll be under your care today," he says, tilting his head forward in a small bow, addressing Yao Shen as if he really is his much more experienced senior in the industry.

It's a little flattering, and Yao Shen is immediately at ease.

They're filming a scene in Frozen Peak's library, and the atmosphere feels intimate and comfortable with all the high shelves of scrolls and books surrounding them.

"It's me, who will be under Gao-di's care," Yao Shen says. "Gao-di has starred in more productions than me."

Gao Wu smiles and it makes him look even younger, cuter.

"Then, gege, let's look after each other," Gao Wu says, a twinkle in his eyes.

---

shidi- younger sect brother

ge- older brother

gege - older brother too, but cutesy (kinda flirty depending on context)