Volume Two: Shadows of the Past Chapter Eighteen: Who Could Resist the Cheongsam?

Chen Jing believed that the music video for "Jialan Temple" should focus primarily on Xue Yue's portrayal of the female lead, especially the scene where she strolls up the temple steps in a cheongsam with an umbrella. That was, in his eyes, the real highlight of the entire MV. In the end, Wang Shumin was persuaded and agreed to Chen Jing’s suggestion, deciding not to film the scenes of the boy growing up.

Thus, after completing a few additional shots with Chen Jing, the music video for "Jialan Temple" was successfully wrapped. The group packed up their belongings, left Qingshan Temple, and headed home.

Next came the MV for "Nocturne." For this video, Chen Jing intended to handle the camera work by himself. The filming didn’t require particularly beautiful shots or any melodramatic plot twists, so after discussing it with Wang Shumin, he planned to give it a try himself, with her assisting from the sidelines.

With everyone in place and preparations complete, Ling Ruohan approached Chen Jing, excitement shining in her eyes, and asked, "So, how should I film my scenes as the female lead in this MV?"

“It’s quite simple. We just need a few segments of you smiling, and then some playful interactions between us.”

Ling Ruohan was speechless.

Chen Jing, noticing her frozen in place, asked in puzzlement, “What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

“That’s it? Just those scenes? Nothing more?”

“Yep, that’s it. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Ling Ruohan was silent.

“I want more scenes,” she pouted, dissatisfied.

“What more can I add? The plot is set as it is.”

Ling Ruohan complained, “I don’t care, I want more. Look at Xue Yue in ‘Jialan Temple’—she had so many opportunities to appear on camera. Why do I only get a couple of shots?”

Chen Jing rolled his eyes. “The plots are different. The ‘Jialan Temple’ MV is mainly about Sister Xue Yue’s role, while ‘Nocturne’ focuses on the male lead I play. You were never going to get many scenes.”

“I don’t care, I want more. Aren’t you the director, Ajing? Isn’t it up to you to decide if I get more scenes?”

“It’s just a few minutes long—how am I supposed to add more?” Chen Jing replied with a wry smile.

Ling Ruohan grabbed his hand, swaying it coquettishly: “Just add a little bit, even a few more shots would be nice. I know you’re the best, Ajing. Please?”

Chen Jing couldn’t withstand her charm and quickly relented. “Alright, alright, I’ll add a scene for you, okay?”

Luckily, they were still in the RV—with only Wang Li present—otherwise, the misunderstanding would have been far worse.

Wang Li kept her eyes lowered, pretending not to notice the playful bickering between Ling Ruohan and Chen Jing.

Hearing Chen Jing’s agreement, Ling Ruohan happily got out to prepare for filming.

The plot of "Nocturne" was straightforward and melodramatic: a couple deeply in love, living happily together—until one day, the woman dies unexpectedly. To honor her memory, the man plays Chopin’s Nocturne for her. That was all; nothing novel or original.

Chen Jing decided to proceed step by step, planning to first capture the sweet, loving moments of the couple together.

But then... the filming hit a snag.

“Cut!”

“Ruohan, be more natural. We’re a couple now. When you hold my hand, smile a bit more naturally,” Chen Jing said, shaking his head helplessly at Ling Ruohan’s stiff smile in front of the camera.

“Uh, okay, let’s try again,” Ling Ruohan replied, a little embarrassed. She realized for the first time that acting wasn’t her strong suit. On stage, singing and performing, she never had to worry about the camera; she could just follow her heart, which always looked natural. But now, having to act out specific emotions for the camera, she found herself all out of sorts.

Chen Jing tried to comfort her with a smile, “Smile a little more happily, more naturally. Don’t force a professional smile.”

Ling Ruohan rolled her eyes at him—she was giving it her best, thank you very much.

“Just imagine you’re a couple—Chen Jing is your boyfriend, you’re living happily together,” Wang Shumin said encouragingly from the side.

Ling Ruohan took a deep breath and gazed at Chen Jing, trying to immerse herself in the fantasy. As she thought about it, she lost herself in the moment.

After waiting a while and seeing no response, Chen Jing finally broke her reverie, “Ruohan, let’s keep going. Let’s try one more time.”

Ling Ruohan snapped back to reality, her face flushing red. She quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze. “Okay,” she replied softly.

Good grief, where was her mind wandering just now? Ling Ruohan fanned her flushed cheeks, trying to compose herself.

After that, filming went much more smoothly. Two or three more takes, and Ling Ruohan’s scenes were done.

Next came Chen Jing’s scenes. Playing the male lead, he had to portray deep sorrow after the loss of his girlfriend, lost in memories, and, most importantly, the emotional performance of Chopin’s Nocturne on the piano in her memory.

“Ajing, what piano piece is this Chopin’s Nocturne?” Ling Ruohan suddenly asked, pointing at the script with curiosity just as Chen Jing was about to film his scenes.

Chen Jing was surprised, “Chopin’s Nocturne—you’ve never heard it?”

“No, I haven’t. Does it really exist? It’s a foreign piece, right?”

“Huh?” That piqued Chen Jing’s interest. Could it be that this famous piece didn’t exist in this world? The thought made him check the music database immediately.

Sure enough, he couldn’t find Chopin’s Nocturne. This excited him greatly.

Wang Shumin asked, “Well, Ajing, how do you want to film this part?”

“Shumin, let’s try something novel.”

“Hm?” Wang Shumin was puzzled.

Chen Jing smiled and continued, “Let’s make it interesting. I’ll compose an original piece—Chopin’s Nocturne—for this MV.”

“Compose Chopin’s Nocturne yourself? You’ll write the entire piano piece?” Ling Ruohan and Wang Shumin stared at him in astonishment.

“Yep. That way, our MV will really have a unique hook.”

Without further ado, Chen Jing immediately wrote out the sheet music for Chopin’s Nocturne. Everyone present was left in awe by the display.

Once the music was written, Chen Jing sat down and played. To everyone’s surprise, it was hauntingly beautiful.

When he finished, Wang Shumin praised him, “Sometimes you really have to admit, Chen Jing’s musical talent is extraordinary.”

“It goes beyond extraordinary. He’s like a being from another world. As a fellow musician, I don’t even have the courage to compete with him,” Ling Ruohan said, shaking her head.

With the music in place, filming officially began. As Chen Jing sat at the piano, pouring his soul into the performance, Ling Ruohan found herself mesmerized. Maybe, she thought, having a boyfriend like Chen Jing really wouldn’t be a bad choice. But... would Ajing accept her? It seemed he was entangled with several women already. Perhaps it was better to just remain his older sister.

Ling Ruohan frowned and sighed softly.

Amid the fans’ eager anticipation, the MVs for "Nocturne" and "Jialan Temple" were finally released.

When fans saw that the female leads were Xue Yue and Ling Ruohan, the excitement was explosive.

“Holy crap, Ling Ruohan! Xue Yue! They’re actually the leads in the MVs!”

“My goddess! My goddess is starring in an MV!”

“Boss Jing is really lucky—acting as a couple with two goddesses.”

“No, no, look closely—he’s only a couple with Hanh Hanh. In ‘Jialan Temple,’ Chen Jing is just the singer; Xue Yue is the sole lead. There’s no male protagonist.”

“Hahaha! That’s true.”

“Good thing Chen Jing didn’t play the male lead—otherwise, the title ‘scumbag’ would stick for sure.”

“Well, inviting two goddesses to film MVs together, calling him a scumbag doesn’t seem too far off.”

“Ha! Certified scumbag.”

“Pfft—Scumbag Jing. Boss Jing, how do you like your new nickname?”

The fans laughed and teased, and Chen Jing helplessly gained another new moniker.

Once released, both MVs were instantly loved by fans. After all, Chen Jing didn’t cut corners; both were shot to film standards, giving the audience plenty to appreciate.

But the most outstanding MV wasn’t the more popular “Nocturne”—it was “Jialan Temple.”

The stunning scenes of Qingshan Temple, the poignant story, and, above all, Xue Yue’s graceful appearance in a cheongsam showcasing the essence of Chinese beauty—all these sparked a frenzy among fans. In truth, Chen Jing suspected it was mostly due to Xue Yue’s cheongsam highlighting her figure; he knew all too well the mind of his fanbase.

“Why does everyone focus on different things? Am I really the only one blown away by Xue Yue in a cheongsam?”

“Ha! Finally, a like-minded soul—I almost thought I was the only old hand here.”

“Heh, Xue Yue in a cheongsam—tut tut, some things only real fans understand.”

“Say no more. I’ve already saved the video and am drooling over the screen.”

“Drooling +1”

“Drooling +2”

Because of the scene where Xue Yue walked up the temple steps in a cheongsam, the style became an overnight sensation in the entertainment industry. Celebrities and influencers rushed to put on their own cheongsam fashion shows.

Qingshan Temple also became famous. Fans flocked to visit the real-life “Jialan Temple,” eager to see the scenery for themselves. Female influencers, in particular, donned cheongsams and recreated the iconic stairway scene, shooting their own videos. Some, with great figures and striking looks, became internet sensations overnight. Thus, Qingshan Temple became a social media hotspot, though Chen Jing wasn’t sure whether that was a blessing or a curse.

With the MVs’ popularity, “Jialan Temple,” which had slipped to fourth place, shot straight to number one, finally unseating “Nocturne” from its throne.