Editor: Amaris
When he saw Gu Xi approaching him at first glance, Ye Chen followed his instinct to take a step back.
Gu Xi raised his eyebrows. âWhat are you afraid of?â
Ye Chen, â...â Iâm afraid youâll be fierce towards me.
He did not need to say anything, Gu Xi already knew what was on his mind.
Ye Chen had shot two movies with full preparations. Gu Xi guided him through the whole process, which had extremely worn him out.
At first, he was very patient, explaining and teaching everything to him. Afterwards, he deeply realized that God was fair. There was an absolute principle that if he opened one door, another was bound to be closed.
A Chen was good at a lot of things, but his -100 acting skill was beyond saving.
Gu Xi kept on teaching him again and again without getting much result that his irascible temper came out. It was inevitable for him to scold Ye Chen.
In the past, this boy would definitely fight back upon being scolded. Still, he had always been dedicated to his work and he had known very well that he didnât act well. What Gu Xi said was reasonable, thus he listened to him properly.
But when he put on such a pitiful look, Father Gu couldnât help but soften. The second he softened...he began to spoil his child again.
With how things had gone on, yep, there would be something fishy if Ye Chenâs acting skills could improve.
Gu Xi swept his eyes over the script as he said, âCome, Iâll walk you through.â
Ye Chen thought inside his heart: Iâd be fine if itâs with you, but when you left...
Gu Xi adjusted his feelings. He started to talk, âWhoâs that? Introduce her to me, sheâs so pretty.â
Ye Chen paused for a moment, he had yet to adjust to the mood. But the moment Gu Xi shot a meaningful glance at him, countless memories welled up in his mind with a swish. Without thinking much, he blurted out the lines, âSheâs only a classmate, donât jump into conclusions.â
Gu Xi bantered with him, âHow did you know that Iâm jumping into conclusions?â He used his arm to nudge Ye Chen. âCome on, isnât there something else? I really canât fathom it, youâre actually quite popular.â
Gu Xiâs tone and behavior instantly made Ye Chen feel a bit proud of himself. He spoke according to the script, âWhat about it? Am I not allowed to?â He naturally revealed the cheerfulness of a youngster as he joked around familiarly with a friend.
Director Li who was watching on the side immediately clapped his hands and cheered, âPerfect! Thatâs it! The feeling is just right!â
Gu Xi promptly stopped acting, then raised his eyebrows as he looked at Ye Chen. âYou already know how you should act, right?â
Ye Chen, â...â Know what?
Movie King Ren was singing Ye Chen praises, âThat was excellent, youâre doing wonderful.â
Ye Chenâs face reddened. Even though he had no idea how he had acted, being praised made him feel very happy.
Gu Xi took a glance at Ren Jing and felt that Ye Chenâs acting skills might really not improve anymore for his whole life.
Director Li urged him, âSince youâve found the right feeling, we should immediately try shooting again.â
The teen idol got his makeup fixed and came back. Then he proceeded to repeat the lines he had memorized in his mind.
Ye Chen really didnât want to make things difficult for this boy. It wasnât easy to gather everyone in a crew like this, it was a kind of fate that had brought people together, he would love to perform properly with them.
But actually, this was the biggest problem. The more he thought that way, the more deliberately he acted, the more...
Director Li said, âLetâs call it a day. A Chen, you should take a rest.â
Ye Chen didnât feel tired at all, but he knew that with his current condition, he wouldnât be able to meet Director Liâs expectations no matter how he acted.
When he went back, Ren Jing consoled him, âItâs alright, I feel that youâve performed very well.â
Ye Chen lifted his head to look at him.
Ren Jingâs face was so genuine that not even a 24K genuine gold could compare.
A chilly voice could be heard from the back, âIf you call his performance well, everyone could probably get an Oscar already.â
Ye Chen heaved a long sigh.
Gu Xi approached them. âGet your feet moving, weâll grab a meal.â
He came over to check on his son âin passingâ, and it happened to be mealtime, it would make sense to just have a meal together.
Ye Chen said, âLetâs go eat...â
Gu Xi couldnât bear to see his crestfallen look. He said again, âIf you didnât perform well then so be it. Itâs not like this is your first time.â
Ye Chen quietly took another glance at Gu Xi, then averted his gaze as he heaved another deep sigh.
Ren Jing was still comforting him. However, not even Ye Chen himself believed Ren Jingâs words. Even if Ren Jing might really feel that he had acted well, there was this saying: âTo see someone with rose-tinted glassesâ, thus he couldnât believe Ren Jingâs words... Still, thinking back on it made Ye Chen feel quite happy.
Gu Xi said, âIâve never seen you so serious before.â Ye Chen was an amateur in the showbiz. At that time, Gu Xi thought that he was a pain in the ass who had too much time on his hands, so he dragged him along to have fun. Ye Chen had never been serious (about the showbiz), after all. If one wanted to become famous, even if their acting standard wasnât very good, they would still be able to make it by relying on their looks and proper management.
Ye Chen took a look at Ren Jing, then said in a low voice, âItâs different this time.â
Gu Xi inexplicably felt he had a toothache. He said, âWhy is it different?â
Ye Chen looked at Ren Jing again. Ren Jing slightly pursed his lips in response. The look of the two who were keeping their little secret to themselves made Gu Xiâs tooth ached even more.
He had been in love too, but why hadnât he experienced this? Could it be that he and Shen Jiazeâs relationship werenât true love?
Shen Jiaze who was âthrownâ into the car outside inexplicably sneezed, he suddenly felt a bit chilly.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Yang Sen came over and said a few words to Ren Jing. Ren Jing said, âYou should go in first, Iâll go make a call.â
Ye Chen said, âGo ahead. Iâll order for you, I know what you like to eat.â
Ren Jing smiled. âMn.â
Gu Xi sneered. âGoodness, youâve only been familiar with each other for a month, yet you know what he likes to eat? Iâve known you for more than twenty years, but you donât seem to know what I like to eat?â
Ye Chen grinned. âThatâs what Shen Jiaze should know. I need not worry about that.â
Gu Xi rolled his eyes.
Ye Chen was feeling curious, thus he asked, âHow are things with you and him?â
Gu Xi had already taken his seat. He grabbed the menu and looked at it seriously.
Ye Chen poked him. âIâm asking you.â
Gu Xi knitted his brows. His expression was saying that he couldnât care less as he said, âWhat else could it be?â
Ye Chen, âHe has always liked you, you also like him. You...â
Gu Xi laughed grimly. âSo what? Just because I like a fool, I have to be together with him?â
Ye Chen, â...â
Gu Xi stated, âDonât mention him.â
Ye Chen pondered over it for a bit. He felt that Gu Xi had probably not walked out of it yet. To tell the truth, back when Shen Jiaze had misunderstood that Gu Xi was treating him as a substitute; in those couple of years, he worked his hardest, doing everything he could, endlessly challenging Gu Xiâs bottom line. If Gu Xi didnât love him, he wouldnât have been able to endure for that long.
But what was the use of enduring? Eventually, he couldnât bear it any longer and had chosen to give up.
After they broke up, Shen Jiaze left his hometown. No one knew better than Ye Chen about Gu Xiâs despair and sufferings back then.
Could the scar heal right away just because they had solved the misunderstandings? It wasnât that simple.
Gu Xi had even attempted to take his life once. How could he just accept this relationship conveniently?
The sudden despair was still bearable. The only fear was that they would torture each other.
After thinking about it for a long time, all he could say was, âIn conclusion...you two should communicate more.â
Gu Xi thought: âIf communication is such a simple thing, there wonât be that many languishing youths and unhappy maidens in this world anymore.â
In fact, Gu Xi was a little curious, too. He told Ye Chen, âI canât fathom that youâd fall in love.â
They grew up together, so he knew Ye Chenâs disposition very well. Ye Chen would probably find it embarrassing to admit he liked someone because of his awkward personality. But then, how could he become this sweet to Ren Jing in such a short time?
Ye Chen didnât dare to respond.
Death System immediately felt pleased with itself. âOooh, whose merit is it if not for this father!?â
Surprisingly, Ye Chen couldnât refute its words...
Death System laughed as cheaply as it could, âWhen you get married, Laozi must become the witness!â
Ye Chen, â...â Could someone please help me stop this insane system?
Gu Xi let out another sigh. âFortune favors fools. Everything is fated.â
Ye Chen still refused to comply. Just when he was about to refute, Gu Xi called a waiter over to forcefully end the conversations.
When they were done ordering the food, Gu Xi asked again, âYou really want to perform well in this movie?â
Ye Chen nodded. âI have to.â
âWhy?â
Ye Chen paused for a moment before revealing his intentions embarrassingly, âI wonât accept any more acting roles once I finished shooting this one. My father is already old, I should give him a hand.â
Gu Xi, âThatâs the right mindset.â
Ye Chen added, âWhich is why...this would be my first and last work together with Ren Jing.â
Gu Xi said, âEven if you keep on accepting acting roles, there arenât many gay movies for you to shoot with our countryâs circumstances.â
Ye Chen said, âYeah, which is why I wanted to perform well in this one.â He hesitated for a moment before continuing, âThink about it... When Ren Jing and I are old, watching the movie we shot while we were still young together, how...â
âStop!â Gu Xi couldnât keep listening anymore, he had goosebumps all over. Why would he bother to ask for dog food to swallow?
Ye Chen cleared his throat, then he said under his breath, âAt any rate, thatâs how things are. Iâll try my best to act well!â
Gu Xi believed that Ye Chen would strive his best and that he really wanted to act well. Unfortunately, not everything in this world could be accomplished even though one had tried their best and wished to do it well.
Some flaws were inborn, such as Ye Chenâs acting skills.
Not long after, Ren Jing came over. The three had a light meal.
Actually, Ye Chen and Ren Jing really didnât mean to make a public display of affection on purpose, but their unconscious gestures made people feel the immense hint of love.
Everyone could see the surging love between them, so thick it had seeped deep into their bones from the expressions in their eyes, their movements, and some other minor details they inadvertently did.
How nice.
Surprisingly, Gu Xi had a delicious meal.
He still didnât believe in love, but when he witnessed other peopleâs love, it felt as if he could give himself some bits of confidence, too.
Looking at Ye Chen who was wearing such a sweet expression, Gu Xi wanted to fulfill his wish.
He was anticipating, anticipating the time when Ren Jing and Ye Chen had turned old, sitting on the sofa, looking at each otherâs appearances while they were still young.
Everything would be full of memories, everything would be full of love.
It would be really nice.
After he went back, Gu Xi gave Li Fu a call.
Li Fu answered nervously, âYou, what do you need?â One never went to the temple for no reason. They were sworn enemies, after all!
Gu Xi said, âDirector Li, are you currently short of a supporting actor?â
Li Fu, âEh?â
Gu Xi added, âIâll settle the accounts with Song Zhen (the teen idol who acted as Ye Chenâs best friend), pay him three times more, and arrange for a more suitable role for him. So, could you hand over that role to me?â
Li Fu was in a daze for a while before he asked, âWho are you going to give the role to?â
Gu Xi said cheerily, âWhat about me?â
Li Fu was so shocked he nearly threw his cellphone away!
The author has something to say:
Director Li: My movie...my movie is... QAQ!
T/N: Hi. I know the update is very late, I deeply apologize for that. A lot of things happened, and Iâm still too shocked to process everything properly. Itâs very chaotic here at the moment, so I need a moment. Iâm so sorry once again, Iâll try my best to update on time next time.
Meanwhile, enjoy the slight angst (and foreshadowing?) of Gu Xiâs past mmmmm. I could assure you that Shen Jiaze is not a scum, itâs just...communication issue, I think. Theyâre still young too at that time, so...yeah. Rash and impulsive, among other things. You know the deal. More details will be included in the side stories, so please look forward to them~
Also, hope youâll look forward to the return of the âchaotic trioâ and Director Li being on verge of collapsing because of the chaos caused by them LOL! Until then, see you.
update
TW// mentions of death and some depressing things, please donât read if youâre not comfortable with these.
okay...so. so many things are happening at once theyâre too much for me to swallow. i never really told anything about my personal life i guess, but just for this once.
my uncle got COVID-19 and passed away yesterday. itâs the truth, but i still canât believe it had happened. itâs too sudden. i swear. he was quarantined in the hospital and had been doing well last week. he could even make video calls and do everyday things properly... is this even real? iâm not even sure anymore. the situation here is in so much disarray. none of my fam could eat or do chores properly. i know i canât do much, but yeah, i need to fill in the chores for them, while still feeling dispirited myself. i need to help my sibling and nephew with their studies. i myself also have those annoying cloud meetings i have to attend ksksksksksk. i donât mind doing all of these really, im just trying my best to get a handle on them and not to overthink or overwhelm myself in this situation. not to mention, i kinda snapped as a result of me bottling up my feelings all this time urk. i wanted to tell my parents i need to see a therapist but boyyyy the timing is just gahhhhh with all of this thing happening. so, yeah. iâm so sorry, but i might need to take a break here... i need to calm myself down for now. iâm so sorry you had to read all of these, and thank you for keeping up with my shits. just this once, i promise.