The cast broke for lunch at noon. Vincent grabbed a modest meal from the catering tent.
He found a quiet spot under a tree, scrolling through the script for the afternoon scenes.
"Mind if I join you?"
Vincent looked up.
Ren Jingchen sat in his wheelchair a few feet away, holding a lunch tray balanced on his lap.
"Of course not," Vincent said, trying to keep his heart rate normal.
Ren Jingchen wheeled closer and positioned himself across from Vincent, creating an oddly intimate lunch space.
They ate in silence for a moment.
"You practiced throwing," Ren Jingchen observed.
"How did you—"
"Your aim was too precise to be luck. And Director Wang said Teacher Liu mentioned you were working on 'unusual physical coordination exercises.'" A slight smile touched Ren Jingchen's lips. "She's still using the tennis ball method?"
"You told her to do that," Vincent accused.
"I suggested you might benefit from the same training that worked for me," Ren Jingchen corrected. "She chose the implementation."
Vincent studied him. In casual clothes—a simple black sweater and jeans—with his hair slightly messy from the wind, Ren Jingchen looked less like an untouchable Film Emperor and more like... a person.
A very attractive person.
"Why are you helping me?" Vincent asked quietly.
Ren Jingchen was silent for a long moment, looking out at the artificial palace grounds.
"A year ago," he finally said, "I was in a very dark place. After the accident, I thought my career was over. People wrote me off. Said a disabled actor couldn't carry films anymore."
Vincent's chest tightened.
"Someone gave me a chance when no one else would," Ren Jingchen continued. "Invested in a film built around my limitations. That film won awards, but more importantly, it reminded me that I wasn't worthless."
He looked at Vincent directly. "You're trying to change. Actually trying, not just performing for cameras. That deserves a chance."
[Ding! Ren Jingchen's favorability: -10 → -5!]
"Thank you," Vincent said, meaning it.
"Don't thank me yet. The entertainment industry doesn't forgive easily. Your past actions..." Ren Jingchen paused. "They won't disappear just because you're acting well now."
"I know." Vincent thought about the stalker photos he'd deleted. The harassment Yu Li had subjected this man to. "I'm sorry. For everything I put you through."
Ren Jingchen's eyes widened slightly—clearly not expecting that.
"I was obsessed," Vincent continued,"I convinced myself it was love, but it was just... possession. You weren't a person to me. You were a prize. And that was wrong."
"You're different," Ren Jingchen said finally.
"I'm trying to be."
"No." Ren Jingchen tilted his head, studying Vincent like he was a particularly interesting puzzle. "You ARE different. The Yu Li I knew would never apologize. Never admit fault. She'd deflect and play victim."
Shit. Vincent had gotten too comfortable.
"People can change—" he started.
"Not this drastically," Ren Jingchen interrupted. "Not this fast."
Vincent's mind raced. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying..." Ren Jingchen leaned forward slightly. "I don't know who you are anymore, Yu Li. But whoever you are now, you're far more interesting than who you were before."
Their eyes met.
Vincent couldn't breathe.
"YU LI!" Director Wang's voice shattered the moment. "You're needed for costume adjustments!"
"I have to go," Vincent said quickly, standing up.
"Yu Li," Ren Jingchen called as he walked away.
Vincent turned back.
"Whatever changed you," Ren Jingchen said quietly, "I hope it lasts."
[Ding! Ren Jingchen's favorability: -5 → 0!]
[Achievement Unlocked: Neutral Ground! The male lead no longer actively dislikes you!]
Vincent walked away on shaking legs.
"That was INTENSE," Bai Yun squealed. "Did you see how he looked at you?!"
"He suspects something," Vincent thought back nervously.
"He suspects you've changed! Which is true! This is fine!"
"Is it though?"
"Host, you just hit neutral favorability! That's HUGE progress! At this rate, you'll complete the mission in no time!"
Vincent wasn't so sure. Because the way Ren Jingchen had looked at him—curious, intrigued, suspicious—that was more dangerous than hatred.
Hatred was predictable.
Interest was not.
_____
The afternoon filming went smoothly until it didn't.
Vincent was in the middle of an emotional scene—Princess Yunxiang learning her son had been executed—when his costume literally fell apart.
The elaborate robe split down the back, the seams giving way all at once.
"CUT!" Director Wang yelled as crew members rushed to shield Vincent with blankets.
"What the hell happened?" the director demanded.
The costume designer, a nervous young woman named Xiao Fang, examined the robe with trembling hands. "The... the stitching was cut. Someone deliberately weakened it."
A murmur ran through the crew.
"Sabotage?" Director Wang looked furious. "Who would—"
"It was probably an accident," Zhao Meilin's voice cut in smoothly. She'd appeared from nowhere, concern written across her perfect features. "The robes are old. Stitching fails."
"These costumes are brand new," Xiao Fang protested. "I personally inspected every piece—"
"Then you missed something," Zhao Meilin said with a sympathetic smile. "It happens. Don't blame yourself."
But Vincent saw it. The flash of satisfaction in Zhao Meilin's eyes. The way she'd positioned herself perfectly to seem helpful while deflecting blame.
"System," Vincent thought, "show me information on Zhao Meilin."
A screen appeared in his vision:
[CHARACTER INFO: Zhao Meilin]
Age: 32
Role: Empress (Female Lead)
Relationship with original Yu Li: Hostile
Secret: Having an affair with Director Wang
Secret 2: Recommended for this role by Ren Jingchen three years ago
Current Objective: Remove Yu Li from production to increase her own screen time
"Oh," Vincent thought. "Oh, that's why she hates me."
"She's threatened by your improvement!" Bai Yun analyzed. "The original Yu Li was supposed to be terrible, making Zhao Meilin look better by comparison!"
Vincent looked at Zhao Meilin, who was now comforting the crying Xiao Fang while subtly implying the costume designer was incompetent.
A plan formed.
"Director Wang," Vincent said calmly, wrapped in a blanket. "I'd like to review the security footage of the costume room."
Everyone went silent.
"That's not necessary—" Zhao Meilin started.
"If someone is sabotaging production," Vincent continued, "we should find out who. For everyone's safety. What if next time it's not just a torn costume? What if someone gets hurt?"
Director Wang frowned. "She's right. Get me the footage."
Zhao Meilin's perfect composure cracked for just a second.
Twenty Minutes Later:
They gathered in the director's trailer—Vincent, Director Wang, Ren Jingchen (who'd appeared looking concerned), Zhao Meilin, and the production manager.
The security footage was grainy but clear enough.
12:45 PM: Xiao Fang left the costume room.
1:03 PM: A figure in a staff jacket entered.
1:08 PM: The same figure left.
"Can you zoom in?" Ren Jingchen asked.
The production manager enhanced the image.
The figure's face was partially hidden, but their hands were visible. Delicate hands with very distinctive red nail polish.
Everyone looked at Zhao Meilin's hands.
Red nail polish. Same shade.
"That could be anyone," Zhao Meilin said quickly. "Lots of staff wear that color—"
"Rewind to when they entered," Vincent said.
The footage rolled back.
The figure had fumbled with the door, and for just a second, their bracelet was visible. A custom piece—jade and gold in a distinctive pattern.
The same bracelet currently on Zhao Meilin's wrist.
"This is ridiculous," Zhao Meilin laughed, but it sounded forced. "You're accusing me based on nail polish and a bracelet? I wasn't even near the costume room—"
"The timestamp," Ren Jingchen said coldly, "shows this was during your lunch break. When you claimed to be in your trailer making calls."
"I—"
"We can pull phone records," Director Wang said, his face darkening. "If you were making calls, they'll show."
Zhao Meilin's face went white.
"Why?" Vincent asked quietly. "Why sabotage me? What did I do to you?"
"You?" Zhao Meilin's composure finally shattered. "You're a spoiled princess who's never had to work for anything! And now suddenly you're talented? Suddenly you're good? It's not FAIR!"
"Life rarely is," Ren Jingchen said, his voice like ice. "Director Wang, I believe we need to discuss Zhao Meilin's continued involvement in this production."
"No!" Zhao Meilin grabbed Director Wang's arm. "You can't fire me! We—" She stopped, realizing what she'd almost revealed.
Director Wang went very still. "We... what?"
The affair was about to come out. Vincent could see it—Zhao Meilin panicking, Director Wang's suspicion growing.
"We've worked together for years," Vincent interjected smoothly. "I'm sure that's what she meant. Director Wang has given her many opportunities."
It was an exit ramp. A way for Zhao Meilin to back down without destroying everything.
She stared at Vincent, confused.
"However," Vincent continued, "sabotage is serious. Perhaps... a formal apology and covering the cost of the damaged costume? As well as a public statement that it was a misunderstanding?"
It was more mercy than Zhao Meilin deserved. Everyone knew it.
But Director Wang, seeing a way to avoid scandal, jumped on it. "Yes. That seems... appropriate."
Zhao Meilin looked between Vincent and the director, calculating. Finally, she nodded stiffly. "Of course. I apologize for my... poor judgment."
"Then we're done here," Ren Jingchen said, though his eyes remained cold.
As everyone filed out, Ren Jingchen wheeled up beside Vincent.
"You gave her an out," he observed.
"I gave everyone an out," Vincent corrected. "Destroying her wouldn't help anyone."
"The old Yu Li would have gone for the throat."
"The old Yu Li did a lot of things I'm not proud of."
Ren Jingchen studied him with those intense dark eyes. "You really have changed."
[Ding! Ren Jingchen's favorability: 0 → +10!]
[Achievement Unlocked: Positive Territory! The male lead actually likes you now!]
Vincent smiled slightly. "I'm trying."
"It's working," Ren Jingchen said quietly.
And for the first time since entering this world, Vincent felt something warm bloom in his chest.