Chapter Text
Peerless Cucumber
@peerless_cucumber
Bio: Peerless Xiao Bai aficionado | he/him
Location: home ^^
@peerless_cucumber: Hello everyone! ヾ(>ω<○) I'm really new to the Black Jade fandom! It’s nice to meet all of you, please help me find some moots!! (•⩊•) #blackjade #jadeguard
–@BaiBaiMyLove: Xiao Bai deserves all the love! Good taste!
–@chrysantemum_guardian: omg fresh meat~
–@wifematerial: Hiiii Peerless!!
–@ninth_general: welcome *throwing flowers* to the best fandom of the finest man ever! If you want moots, daily updates, and exclusive content you might want to follow @SUNccubus~~~
– –@peerless_cucumber: omg tysm! I'll check them out now ₍^ >ヮ<^₎ .ᐟ.ᐟ
Shen Jiu #1 Fan
@SUNccubus
Bio: God's most righteous hater | he/him | Commander @ Jade Guard
Location: Jiumei's heart.
Pinned post:
@SUNccubus:
Jade Guard territory. Enter loyal, or don’t enter at all.
We do not forgive, we do not forget, and we don't take prisoners ❤️🔪
Follow for daily Emperor Jiu updates, GC details on priv~
Shen Yuan clicked the follow button instantly.
Seems like I found my inside person.
He sighed loudly, despairing.
I should have stuck to being an anti, would be so much less work.
He resigned himself to more of this semi-public humiliation. Now the only thing left was a private message to the cult's leader, asking nicely for an entry pass.
Clicking send, Shen Yuan went back to reading the script of Night of the Tides, cursing the plot holes.
At least his type of ‘love to hate’ selective memory would work great for this drama.
Hopefully.
The alarm went off like a personal attack.
Shen Yuan fumbled for his phone, slapped at the screen, and lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling with unfocused eyes. Every bone in his body felt heavy. His head throbbed. He closed his eyes for another few seconds, hoping it would help and regretted it instantly.
When he finally dragged himself out of bed and into the kitchen, the sight inside the fridge did nothing to improve his mood. A few bottles of water, an isotonic, some vegetables sealed in neat plastic. A lonely carton of eggs.
There was also a package of frozen steamed buns, taunting him with the promise of a proper meal.
Shen Yuan shivered. It would take some time before he could enjoy one of his favorite foods again.
I need to do a grocery run, or order some—soon.
He glanced at the clock.
No time for a congee—not like he knew how to cook one properly anyway. No youtiao either, so any savory breakfast option was dead on arrival.
In the end, he heated up some doujiang he found at the back of the fridge, added a spoonful of sugar, and washed it down with a cup of green tea. It wasn’t satisfying, sugar rarely was in his opinion, but it kept him upright.
With a long sigh and dragging legs, he went about his morning routine, grateful for the waking attributes of a hot shower. He threw on some of the more smart looking clothes: a tailored blazer, crisp white shirt, designer jeans—hopefully enough to project the third male lead aura.
Brushing his teeth, he finally braved a look at his reflection.
Puffy eyes, slight shadows. A face that screamed slept badly and regretted life choices.
Shen Yuan grimaced. Makeup wasn’t optional anymore—it was a requirement. He used the towel, planning to look around for Original Good's saving kit that for sure had to be somewhere, when three sharp knocks sounded at the front door.
Here goes nothing.
Shen Yuan opened the door to find Xiang Fei standing there, phone in hand, fingers flying over the screen.
“Good, you’re up,” the manager said as he came in, finally looking up. His face went dark.
“What did I tell you about sleeping?” Xiang Fei snapped, immediately herding Shen Yuan toward the couch like an unruly puppy. “You cannot go out looking like this! Do you think cameras are blind? Do you think makeup is magic? Hah?!”
“I’m sorry, Manager Xiang,” Shen Yuan sighed, shoulders slumping as he sat. His lower lip wobbled a little as he widened his eyes. “I was reading the script and got anxious…”
He might not be an actor—yet—but he was the youngest son of the Shen family.
Xiang Fei froze.
“Oh no,” he said grimly. “I know those tricks, young man.”
He wagged a finger, but his expression softened. “And why are you suddenly so formal? Didn’t I tell you to call me Xiang-ge?”
Shen Yuan allowed a tiny, cheeky smile.
“Yes, Xiang-ge,” he repeated dutifully.
Muttering something under his breath—sounding suspiciously like “blast that cute face”—Xiang Fei went to the bathroom and returned with a makeup kit. He clicked his tongue as he dabbed concealer under Shen Yuan’s eyes.
“Aish… I told you to sleep early, and you stayed up reading the script,” he scolded. “Newbies these days… It’s good to be hardworking, xiao Yuan, but your health is important!”
Finished with a practiced flick of the wrist, he leaned back to inspect his work.
“Did you at least eat breakfast?”
“I did,” Shen Yuan answered honestly.
“Good.” Xiang Fei snapped the kit shut with a flourish and immediately went into packing mode—cosmetics into a travel bag, clothes folded and stacked.
“Bring some underwear and socks,” he added, already halfway out the door. “Food is the rare pleasure of life and nourishment of the body, but avoid too much sugar and spice, or you’ll end up with cheeks like mine.”
He pointed at his face, which looked… perfectly normal. Maybe a little round.
Shen Yuan watched him in bemusement.
His conclusion: Xiang Fei was kind of an idiot.
But he seemed to have a good heart.
Hm, I might put the strangling idea on pause.
The black sedan was becoming a familiar sight in underground parking garage.
Shen Yuan sank into the passenger seat, clutching the strap of his bag, while Xiang Fei typed rapidly into his phone. With the navigation set, the manager started the engine, cursing softly at the estimated arrival time.
“Today’s schedule is packed,” Xiang Fei said, eyes on the road. “Opening ceremony first. Probably a few group photos for media exposure. Then costume fittings, first scene rehearsals and filming, with lunch sometime around three.” He paused, glancing at the clock.
“Damn. We’ll be nearly on time.”
Shen Yuan groaned. Newbies arriving right on the dot was toeing the line of disrespect. Perfect first impression.
“Is there anything I should watch out for?” he asked, voice tight, palms beginning to sweat.
In his previous life, as a CEO, meetings had been a daily occurrence—but most of them were online. When they weren’t, he’d liberally deployed “health concerns” as a free get-out-of-jail card. Sitting in a room full of important-looking people for hours had never been his idea of a good time.
This, though, felt worse.
He was woefully underprepared, getting random flashbacks to his time at school, when he was called to answer teacher's question after a night spent playing games. He fought down a shiver.
He knew opening ceremonies were usually quick—five minutes, maybe more. A symbolic gesture for good fortune.
Entertainment industry is so superstitious, la~
“A newbie debuting as the third male lead?” Xiang Fei’s tone turned dry. “There will be gossip for sure. Be a cute junior, defer to your elders, and try not to offend the female lead—Qin Wanrong.”
Shen Yuan hummed.
“She’s unlisted,” Xiang Fei continued, “so ordinarily she’d barely count as your senior. But her Weibo has thousands of followers. Even if some of them are bought, it’s still not worth becoming her enemy—not until you’ve got fans of your own.” He smiled, trying for reassuring.
“I won’t be able to stick to you the whole time. Just follow my lead, don’t trip, and don’t look too lost.”
Shen Yuan suddenly found himself under an unnervingly sharp gaze—not something he’d expected from the hamster-like man he’d mentally labeled as his manager.
“You do look like a spoiled fuerdai,” Xiang Fei said thoughtfully. “Good thing you took the script to heart. I was thinking of pushing a cute, bully-me little brother image at first, but after yesterday…” He glanced pointedly at Shen Yuan’s cheek. “Yeah. Not happening.”
The intensity vanished as quickly as it came. Xiang Fei returned to his usual harmless self, and Shen Yuan let out a quiet breath.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m curious to see what kind of persona you’ll show us, xiao Yuan,” Xiang Fei said, eyes crinkling as they arrived.
By the time they pulled up to the filming location, a small crowd had already gathered. Tables draped in red cloth lined the entrance, folding chairs scattered around. Crew members rushed back and forth. At the center stood a long ceremonial table: incense burning in a brass burner, candles flickering, bowls of fruit, a symbolic roasted pig figurine, tea sets neatly arranged, and a large sign reading:
[Auspicious Start]
Xiang Fei guided him toward the rear. “Normally you’d be way in the back with the supporting cast,” he murmured, “but a third male lead role puts you a bit closer. I’ll catch you later.”
And—he’s gone.
Shen Yuan found himself standing between the lead actors and the supporting cast, exchanging quiet greetings all around.
The ceremony began. The director and producer stood at the front, every inch authoritative. Incense was passed out. Everyone bowed three times, murmuring wishes for smooth filming. One by one, incense sticks were placed into the burner.
Polite applause followed.
It was over almost as soon as it began.
As the director clapped his hands, reminding everyone to be on time for costume fittings, Xiang Fei slid up next to Shen Yuan, tugging him forward.
“Just smile, look pretty, and listen to the photographers—it'll be fine,” he said.
It was not fine.
The photoshoot was so much worse than any family photo session he was in when Shen parents wanted some ‘cute pictures of our lovely children’.
Cameras flashed from every angle, crew members shuffled chairs and adjusted lighting, and every possible configuration was attempted: lead actors in front, newbies crammed in the back, then some more dynamic ‘casual’ poses for the social media team. Shen Yuan blinked through the lights, trying not to trip over his own feet as his vision was filled with tiny black spots due to overexposure.
At one point he caught a glimpse of the female lead. She was… kind of pretty, he supposed? Although the way the supporting female cast was staying away suggested either bad gossip or personality issues.
Once the last flash clicked and the photographers finally relaxed, Shen Yuan followed Xiang Fei toward the changing rooms, trying not to wobble on tired legs. He was to share the space with two other newbies from the supporting cast—neither of whom he knew yet, though he was guessing introductions were going to be awkward at best.
Xiang Fei leaned close, looking up from his phone.
“I followed the drama's Weibo account for you. The team won't tag anyone below the second lead role—so do you want me to reblog the post for you or do you prefer to do it yourself?” Shen Yuan nodded in confirmation.
“I'll do it.”
“Nothing overboard, xiao Yuan!” Xiang Fei gave him a warning look before abandoning him to the mercy of social interactions.
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll just act cute.” Shen Yuan rolled his eyes and sat down on the waiting couch. The costume jiejies were still busy with the main leads, which meant he had at least a few minutes before being summoned. He fished his phone from his pocket and opened the app.
The post sat neatly under the drama’s supertopic, a handful of photos from today already uploaded.
Comments and reblogs flooded in—mostly fangirling over the female lead—but a few lingered on him.
@lulujie: who's the little brother in the third photo?
–@weaktoprettyfaces: no idea but he looks cute 🤤 *licks screen*
– –@mrsdonowrong: ewwww, facecons are the worst… I'll like him for his skills instead!
Shen Yuan’s eyebrow twitched.
He tapped the reblog button, pausing a moment before typing a short message, fingers hovering as if double-checking the tone.
Reblogged from: @NightOfTheTidesOfficial
<Pictures> Please welcome our wonderful cast [...]
@ShenYuanOfficial Thank you for the opportunity, @NightOfTheTides crew jiayou! 🌊
–@lulujie: Yuan-ge, which role do you play? 👀
–@mrsdonowrong: whichever role it is this sister will support you~~
–@fangchibaby: doesn’t he look kinda similar to that prissy Ninth? Even surname is the same, probably went through the backdoor 🤢
– –@mrsdonowrong: Why Fang Chi's fans are so braindead 😮💨 go be an anti elsewhere, reported for using the Emperor's name 🚨
– –@lulujie Reported +1.
“Don’t look at the comments for too long,” a voice said from his right.
Shen Yuan turned to see one of the two others sharing the room with him, already done with his fitting. He looked to be in his teens, maybe sixteen or seventeen at most—tall, lanky, still growing into his looks, but his peach blossom eyes shone warmly when he smiled.
“There’ll always be a mix of reactions,” he added. “Reading the bad ones might affect your acting later.”
“Thank you. I’ll take it to heart,” Shen Yuan replied, bowing lightly.
The teenager immediately got flustered.
“No, no! I’m also a newbie—this is my first real role!” He laughed awkwardly. “I’m Gongyi Xiao. Nice to meet you.”
Shen Yuan paused—just for a heartbeat.
Gongyi Xiao.
The name rang clear in his mind, uncomfortably familiar. In the novel, there was a person with that name, one of those rare side characters readers never quite forgot—nearly on par with the protagonist in looks, talent, and sheer presence, only missing the plot armor to truly reach his potential.
And this was him now. Fresh-faced, nervous, and genuinely pleased to be here.
Shen Yuan felt a strange sense of vertigo. Watching a rising star, one that reached heights of his career by sheer power of dedication, at the exact moment before takeoff was… unsettling.
“Nice to meet you too, I’m Shen Yuan” he said, more sincerely this time.
Suddenly the door opened and two women entered the room not long after, arms laden with garment bags. Everyone straightened almost instinctively, exchanging greetings and light bows.
Shen Yuan was ushered behind a folding screen and handed his first outfit. The fabric was heavier than he’d expected, definitely not cheap cotton but more like the clothes he was used to in his previous life. When he stepped back out, one of the costume jiejies circled him with a satisfied hum.
“The quality is really good,” Shen Yuan said honestly, fingertips brushing the sleeve of his jacket.
“Of course,” she replied with a smile. “And it suits you. You've got a very nice face.”
Shen Yuan felt heat creep up his cheeks. “That’s all thanks to the designers’ hard work and make-up magic,” he said quickly, wishing for something to hide his expression with. His salvation came in the form of a bouncing puppy.
“Senior!” Gongyi Xiao called him, coming up with a cheerful smile.
Shen Yuan startled, waving his hand in front of his face. “Ah—there’s no need for that. We’re both newbies.”
The stubborn teenager shook his head at once. “I’m younger. I should call you senior.”
From the other end of the room came a quiet, unmistakably derisive snort.
They both pretended not to hear it.
“I heard today’s scenes are only for the male and female leads,” Gongyi Xiao continued, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “So we’re free.”
Shen Yuan hummed, already imagining the bliss of a quiet corner and a short nap.
Gongyi Xiao’s eyes, however, practically sparkled. “I’m planning to go watch, maybe take some notes. There’s so much to learn! Would Shen-qianbei want to come with me?”
Shen Yuan hesitated for half a second, then nodded, internally lighting a candle for himself. “Sure.”
RIP my precious sleep </3