Fan Qing’s words weren’t merely to comfort Huaer.
He and Second Young Master Jin were consistent in how they treated company employees—once you’re in the company, you work for the company. Be a good cash cow and make money.
So, he had anticipated the issues Yuan Jing’s appearance might cause.
As for the official look photo?
Everyone already knew Nie Luo was the film’s major investor. A little maneuvering behind the scenes wasn’t a problem at all.
Hence, the photo Huaer saw.
It was Yuan Jing, but absolutely not Jing Yuan.
“Phew, this photo is interesting.”
The door was suddenly knocked on. Even without looking, Fan Qing could guess who it was—besides Second Young Master Jin, who else in Tenghuang would be bold enough?
He looked up. Sure enough.
Walking in with confidence, none other than Second Young Master Jin.
But…
His eyes unconsciously drifted to Second Young Master Jin’s hair.
Was it just his imagination?
Why did it look like Second Young Master Jin’s hair had a subtle, multicolored black sheen?
“How’s it look? My new hairstyle, isn’t it great?”
Sensing Fan Qing’s gaze, Jin Yi immediately spread out like a peacock, showing off in all directions.
Fan Qing: ……
Considering Second Young Master Jin was the real boss of the company, he decided to give him a little face.
“…Very much your own artistic style, Second Young Master.”
Jin Yi: “?”
“Why do I feel like that sentence fits, but your little eyes make it weird?”
?
So Second Young Master Jin could actually read normal human expressions?
Fan Qing couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—he had misjudged Jin Yi before.
Jin Yi: “?”
“Right now your gaze feels even weirder. By the way, are you even looking at people?”
Fan Qing raised an eyebrow suddenly.
“Then, Second Young Master Jin, if I’m not looking at people, what am I looking at?”
Jin Yi: ……Damn, he seems to have tangled himself up.
Damn it!
He quietly looked away, pretending to casually change the subject.
“By the way, that Yuan Jing in the company—you saw him, right? Today I checked Weibo. His official look seems something else. The photographer did a great job; this shot doesn’t look like Jing Yuan at all.”
“Really? Thanks for the compliment, Second Young Master.”
Fan Qing lowered his head again.
Not because of anything else—he just felt like Jin Yi’s hair might be a bit overwhelming after staring too long.
Dizzying.
Jin Yi: “? I was complimenting the photographer… why are you thanking me?”
He just said it, then immediately realized something.
“Wha—? Did you have a hand in this???”
Wait, did Fan Qing’s reach go a little too far?
“I wasn’t the photographer, just gave a suggestion. Luckily, they adopted it.”
Fan Qing unconsciously glanced at Jin Yi’s hair.
…Tsk, yeah, it really is a bit eye-catching.
“…I knew it. Yuan Jing’s just a small fourth male role; why would they put in so much effort?”
Jin Yi said, then couldn’t help sneaking another glance at Fan Qing.
No wonder people say Fan Qing and his brother are a pair.
Looking at the comments, here’s what people were saying:
“The fourth male seems a bit unfamiliar, but this photo is nice. The backlight makes him look like an angel fallen to earth, and his aura is so clean. Sisters, does anyone know who this cutie is?”
“Wha—? This is Yuan Jing? Didn’t they say he looks exactly like Jing Yuan? From this photo, where? His aura and face… wow, I think Yuan Jing is way better looking than Jing Yuan.”
“Phew, the fourth male is great too! Looks and aura both excellent. This movie’s gonna be promising—no wonder Nie Ge picked it. As always, his eye for talent is impeccable!”
Jin Yi scrolled through the comments, not finding a single one claiming Yuan Jing resembled Jing Yuan.
Honestly… this photo really didn’t look like him at all.
Originally, Yuan Jing and Jing Yuan did have completely different vibes—Yuan Jing was fresh and pure, a newcomer, while Jing Yuan was the trendy, warm little puppy type. But in this photo…
Jin Yi plopped down on the office desk, curiosity written all over his face.
“So… this is the result you wanted?”
Fan Qing: ……
Sigh.
If the desk had cracked under the weight, it would have been because it was bearing the unbearable mass of Second Young Master Jin.
He waved a hand casually.
“Of course. I don’t want everyone to constantly link Yuan Jing with Jing Yuan. At first, that might help him, but later, it’ll only hold him back.”
He wouldn’t stand by and watch a bad trend grow.
Jin Yi understood, but still had doubts.
“But does this really work? Yuan Jing and Jing Yuan look exactly alike. Even if this photo doesn’t show it, when Yuan Jing appears elsewhere, people will still say they look alike, right?”
“True enough.”
That point couldn’t be denied.
Fan Qing noticed Jin Yi’s blank expression and stretched lazily.
“But Second Young Master should have heard the term ‘first impression advantage.’”
Jin Yi looked genuinely curious.
“Explain, master.”
“It’s simple. Like what you’re seeing right now.”
Fan Qing loosened his wrists and fingers, relaxing into his explanation.
“Yuan Jing does look exactly like Jing Yuan, but I’m guiding him down an actor’s path. Second Young Master knows Jing Yuan is pursuing a pop idol path, right?”
“Yes, so?”
Jin Yi still looked confused. He didn’t get it—what was the big deal?
“So, Yuan Jing’s future fanbase will naturally diverge from Jing Yuan’s.”
Fan Qing sat down and took a sip of water.
It was really quite simple.
Yuan Jing is meant to be an actor. What matters most for an actor? Performing the role well.
That’s why this photo of Yuan Jing looks nothing like Jing Yuan—it’s a character in a film, not an idol constantly curating their image.
By essence, their styles were already incompatible.
And for everyone—friends or strangers—the first impression of Yuan Jing would be: “a clean, pure young man in his first role.”
With this fundamental distinction from Jing Yuan established, Fan Qing could later guide Yuan Jing through other roles with entirely different temperaments, even dark or ruthless ones, without anyone comparing the actor to a pop idol.
Jin Yi finally understood.
He clicked his tongue in admiration.
“Damn, really damn. As expected, you and your brother are the same type—planning everything perfectly in advance.”
Jin Yi slowly gave a thumbs-up.
“Truly impressive.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Second Young Master.”
Fan Qing remained completely calm.
Jin Yi couldn’t help but glance at him twice more.
Well… people skilled in strategy and manipulation often had thick skin.
“But I still have a question.”
Jin Yi grinned and continued, eager for an answer.
“How did you even communicate with the crew? They actually agreed to your requests?”
What kind of technique was this that even Second Young Master Jin hadn’t learned yet?
Fan Qing paused, a strange expression creeping across his face.
Jin Yi: ?
Uh… this expression is a bit alarming, Second Young Master, just speak normally, please?
Too late.
Fan Qing, clearly amused, said with a note of pride in his voice:
“Because this movie is funded by Nie Ge. Now do you understand?”
Damn! He didn’t dodge!
Jin Yi choked on his words.
He had a gut feeling earlier that something was off—damn it!
Jin Yi: “Can I take back the question I just asked?”
Fan Qing just smiled without replying.
After teasing the delivered Second Young Master a bit, Fan Qing checked the online reactions.
As expected.
Nobody was overreacting to Yuan Jing, and Nie Luo still attracted the majority of attention.
A few people noticed Yuan Jing, but no one compared him to Jing Yuan.
On the contrary, most comments praised Yuan Jing—reactions were very positive.
“Looks like the result is pretty good?”
Fan Qing wasn’t surprised.
Jing Yuan could have reached top popularity—his looks weren’t lacking.
Yuan Jing resembling Jing Yuan meant his appearance was also top-tier.
Add the fact that Yuan Jing was new to the industry, eyes pure and bright—such a vibe easily draws attention.
As long as no one tried to stir trouble.
Fan Qing thought for a moment, then quickly sent out a message.
——Cut here——
“You said that web drama was better? Liars! That movie is way better, and Nie Luo is the lead! Do you know who Nie Luo is?”
In a villa, a boy wearing diamond earrings was yelling at the woman in front of him, slamming things across the room.
The woman sat on the sofa, frowning, biting at her freshly done nails in frustration.
“I didn’t even know Nie Luo was the lead! I originally thought being the fourth male in that movie was fine, but here I’m the male lead! Mom, it’s your fault—you didn’t check properly.”
She repeated herself nervously, over and over.
The boy shouted for what felt like forever, then grabbed his phone again, staring at it relentlessly.
It was the still from Yuan Jing’s costume fitting.
So good-looking.
But… it wasn’t him.
Shang Gaoyun was panting, eyes red with frustration.
“I don’t care! I don’t want the male lead from that stupid web drama! I want my original role back. Mom, get it for me! I want to shoot a movie with Nie Luo!”
He wanted to ride Nie Luo’s popularity!
He wanted fame!
The woman’s face showed hesitation.
“But the costume stills are out, and everyone knows the fourth male is… what’s his name… Yuan Jing. How could I get it back for you?”
The boy sneered suddenly.
“Isn’t it simple? If he messes up, the role won’t be his anymore.”
The woman froze, then started repeating nervously.
“Yes… you’re right. If he messes up, the role won’t be his. Then I can get it back for you.”
She stood and headed for the door.
“I’ll arrange it for you. Everything’s yours, all yours.”