Chapter 127: Taoist! Taoist!

Guo Renhuai was indeed being transferred, but this had little to do with Qin Luo.

Guo’s reassignment was due to moral misconduct. The situation began with a student union official in the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine named Qiu Shaohong. To secure a position at the university’s affiliated hospital after graduation, she had been maintaining an extremely intimate relationship with Guo. She offered her body as a bargaining chip, and Guo promised to secure her employment upon graduation. The two were birds of a feather who hit it off immediately.

However, their suggestive text messages were discovered by Qiu Shaohong’s boyfriend, who was also a student at the college. Enraged, he stormed into the Dean’s office and reported Guo. Because the young man possessed the incriminating messages, even though Guo vehemently denied having any improper relationship with the student—claiming the messages were meant for his wife and sent to the wrong number—the scandal spread among the students.

To prevent the situation from escalating and causing irreparable damage to the school’s reputation, the leadership held an emergency meeting. They removed Guo from his post in student management and demoted him to the logistics department of the First Affiliated Hospital. Although the previous dean was dissatisfied with this outcome, viewing it as an act of retaliation by Li Yonggang, he could only swallow his anger since his protégé had been the one to disgrace himself.

Yet, it could not be said that Guo’s transfer had absolutely nothing to do with Qin Luo. Had the leadership wished, they might have resolved the matter differently—perhaps by granting the boyfriend an outstanding graduate title or a guaranteed staff position. Many men would be willing to trade a "green hat" for an official title. However, because of the unfair treatment Qin Luo had previously suffered, Li Yonggang held no affection for Guo and did not hesitate to kick him out when the opportunity arose.

Consequently, through layers of embellishment and gossip, the story evolved into a legend of a small-time underdog who, pushed to his limit, finally struck back and kicked Guo Renhuai out. After all, the conflict between Qin Luo and Guo had become public, and word had spread via Teacher Zhu about Qin Luo lecturing Guo in front of the Vice Minister of Health. Everyone assumed that Vice Minister Cai Gongmin had pulled the strings behind the scenes.

It was because of this that people gained a new perspective on Qin Luo’s background. Previously, they thought his connections were limited to Dean Li Yonggang; they never imagined he had such heaven-reaching influence as to be closely linked to Vice Minister Cai. This was exactly why, when Qin Luo walked into the office earlier, everyone looked at him with a mix of awe and fear. They were eager to get closer, yet afraid to approach.

Xiao Min, an office clerk, did not understand the deeper nuances of the situation. After her explanation, Qin Luo remained only partially informed.

"I really had nothing to do with this," Qin Luo said with a smile. "But I do welcome his departure."

"You’re certainly frank," Xiao Min giggled behind her hand.

"If I said I was sad to see him go, no one would believe me anyway," Qin Luo replied.

At that moment, the office phone rang. After answering, the office director stood up and announced, "The Department Head is on the line. Everyone in the office is to go to the conference room for a meeting."

In the conference room, Guo Renhuai sat with his head bowed, a cigarette burning down to the filter between his fingers. He was expressionless, lost in his own thoughts. Other deputy directors were present, chatting with a stern, bespectacled middle-aged man—evidently the new department head.

Once everyone had arrived, Guo stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray with such force, fueled by hidden resentment, that Qin Luo could hear the tobacco disintegrating. Guo swept his gaze across the room. Whether it was just his imagination or not, Qin Luo felt the man’s eyes linger on him for a fraction longer.

After a long silence, Guo spoke: "Due to work requirements, I am being transferred to the First Hospital. Department Head Xiong will be taking over the position here. I am honored to have known you all and grateful for your past support. I hope you will continue to support and cooperate with Director Xiong Zhichao in the future."

He turned to Xiong Zhichao and said, "Now, let us invite Director Xiong Zhichao to speak."

He began to clap, and the others followed suit. It was a spirited round of applause; no one wanted to leave a bad impression on the new boss during their first meeting.

Every era produces its own talents, each dominating the scene for a few years. From this moment on, Guo Renhuai had finally exited the stage of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. His grievances with Qin Luo would eventually be forgotten in the river of time. Human energy is limited; why waste so much emotion on insignificant people? Whether love or hate, it is all a waste.

To bid farewell to the old director and welcome the new one, the office director had arranged a dinner at a hotel, which all teachers and staff were expected to attend. However, Qin Luo had already promised to have lunch with Li Qingcheng and Chen Sixuan, so he had to decline. His solitary nature was met with whispers from the other teachers. Only this kid didn't care about rank or status. Guo Renhuai had fought him several times, lost every time, and ended up in this state. No one knew how the new director would handle this thorn in their side.

***

Because they needed to continue filming the "Drawing Eyebrows for You for a Lifetime" commercial series in the afternoon, the three grabbed a quick lunch and drove to the Gege Mansion. Jin Derui was full of energy; eager to complete the shoot and bring the product to market, he was working harder than anyone else.

When Qin Luo, Li Qingcheng, and Chen Sixuan arrived, Jin Derui and his assistants had already rented the room and rearranged it. Although some historical artifacts could not be moved, background structures and small props had been added. For instance, after hundreds of years, the Princess’s bed lacked quilts and pillows, which Jin Derui had prepared in advance.

"Ms. Li, Ms. Chen, Mr. Qin, you’re here. The room is basically ready. Please take a look and see if anything needs improvement. We are striving for perfection to create a classic," Jin Derui said, greeting them with a smile.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Jin," Li Qingcheng said with a smile. The group entered the room, inspecting it for potential flaws. Without a cautious eye, errors were inevitable. Some companies chased commercial interests while ignoring quality—like seeing a Coca-Cola cup or an electric pole in a period drama, which instantly shattered the immersion.

"Any problems?" Li Qingcheng asked, looking at Qin Luo and Chen Sixuan. "This is where you two will be 'intimate.' You better look carefully."

"You vixen, stop teasing. I know you're just jealous," Chen Sixuan retorted.

"Oh, you saw right through me. Seeing our Qin Luo being all lovey-dovey with you on camera makes me very uncomfortable," Li Qingcheng said with a mock pout.

"Then why don't you come up and film with him?" Chen Sixuan teased.

"How could I do that?" Li Qingcheng waved her hand.

"Why not? Is the beautiful Li ever lacking confidence in her own looks?"

"It’s not a lack of confidence. It’s that I have too much. With my looks, I look like a mistress. If I got up there, who would want to buy our product? The wives and matriarchs would curse me to filth," Li Qingcheng said with a charming, stunning smile.

Jin Derui adjusted the camera and ran over to Qin Luo and Chen Sixuan. "Ms. Chen, Mr. Qin, if there are no issues, shall we get into costume? While the light is good, let's get this done."

Qin Luo and Chen Sixuan nodded, and each followed an assistant to change and get ready.

"Ms. Li, if all goes well, our 'Drawing Eyebrows' series will be finished this afternoon. Success is guaranteed. I'll treat everyone to dinner in Hanhai tonight," Jin Derui said excitedly.

Li Qingcheng smiled. "I couldn't possibly let you pay, Mr. Jin. Tonight, the treat is on me."

A short while later, Qin Luo walked out, dressed in the same outfit and styled as before. Chen Sixuan’s makeup took a bit longer, but it was finished quickly.

Jin Derui handed out papers to them. "These are the actions for the broken-down shots. Study them well. Neither of you has lines, and the movements are simple. But capturing that deep, affectionate bond between a husband and wife isn't easy. You need to find the right feeling."

Qin Luo and Chen Sixuan studied the papers intently. Qin Luo tried the method Chen Sixuan had taught him, forcing himself to inhabit the role of a gentle, attentive husband.

Fifteen minutes later, Jin Derui asked, "Have you found the feeling?"

Seeing them both nod, Jin Derui was delighted. "Action. Let's hope for a one-take."

Just as they stepped in front of the camera, a commotion erupted outside. A tour guide with a small flag led a massive group of tourists into the area. Jin Derui looked at Li Qingcheng with a bitter smile, and she sighed helplessly. Even though they had rented the room, they couldn't stop the management from letting tourists in. Like before, the group saw the filming and crowded the windows. Some even pulled out their phones to take pictures, and it took the assistants' persuasion to stop them.

"Focus, everyone. 3, 2, 1, action!" Jin Derui commanded.

As the first rays of morning light streamed into the cozy, antique room, a man slowly opened his eyes. Seeing his beloved wife applying makeup at the bronze mirror, he pulled back the silk quilt, sat up, walked behind her, and gently hugged her before taking the eyebrow pencil from her hand, tenderly drawing her eyebrows...

Qin Luo tried to immerse himself in the scene, but his mind remained restless. He felt as if someone was watching him from outside. It was a gentle gaze, yet it stirred a sense of familiarity within him. He wanted to look back, but feared breaking the atmosphere they were working so hard to create. He suppressed the urge, but the thought was like grass growing through stone—stubborn and irrepressible.

"Cut!" Jin Derui shouted. He turned to Qin Luo. "The male lead needs more focus in your eyes. More affection. I don't see the love of a husband for his wife in your gaze."

"I'll try my best," Qin Luo said with a wry smile.

His gaze accidentally swept toward the window, and he immediately spotted the source of that look. Behind the crowd, a lean Taoist priest in a green robe, with long black hair pinned in a bun and an ancient-looking sword strapped to his back, stood watching him, smiling gently.

The look was, to say the least, quite shocking.