AS Chapter 37

That night, Li Mu had trouble sleeping. Every time he closed his eyes, scenes from the day’s filming invaded his mind.

His memory was too good, leaving vivid images etched in his brain. In the middle of the night, he got up to drink some ice water and drafted a message on his phone, asking Guo Baozhen to delete the scenes they had shot that day.

He didn’t want anyone else to see that scene, and he even thought about capturing the director and the cameraman to erase their memories.

He didn’t send the message. Then he thought, if this scene is cut, what about the many more excessive ones still to shoot?

Zhuang Qin didn’t sleep well either.

In his previous life, he later suffered from nervous exhaustion, often waking up from a slight noise after just half an hour of sleep. The cycle of sleeping and waking continued, and even earplugs didn’t help. After his rebirth, he got better, but his biggest regret was the death of his master. Once this issue was resolved, the only problem left was his stand-in Haiyang.

Perhaps it was because the date was approaching, or maybe it was because the new neighbor, a photographer, snored so loudly that Zhuang Qin woke up in the early hours and opened WeChat to contact Zheng Fengbai.

The two had added each other on WeChat back when they were filming “Sword Like a Rainbow” two years ago. Zhuang Qin was a stand-in at the time, but he hadn’t messaged Zheng Fengbai directly; instead, he communicated more with his assistant, who called him in for work every day.

Zhuang Qin was happy then; the more he worked, the more he earned.

He opened Zheng Fengbai’s Moments and wondered if he had been blocked, as there were no updates about the “Dongfeng” crew.

The director of that drama, Director Qu, was someone who rarely posted updates. After some unpleasantness, Zhuang Qin had apologized several times, but Director Qu never replied.

He could only check the updates from another acquaintance, the actress Mei Qingqiu, who was also part of the “Dongfeng” crew. According to her, the shooting was going smoothly.

He logged into a burner Weibo account and browsed from Zheng Fengbai’s page to his assistant and agent’s pages. They posted about the filming site, but there was still no news about the stand-ins.

The next morning, Guo Baozhen got up and saw a message from the investor, Mr. Li.

“Send me the video, and make sure it doesn’t get out.”

“What I mean is…”

“No one else in the crew should see it.”

Just above yesterday’s message that read “I’m the investor,” Guo Baozhen didn’t dare raise any objections: “…Okay, Mr. Li.”

After washing up, he went out for breakfast and ran into a listless and exhausted-looking Zhuang Qin.

“Did you not sleep well last night, Teacher Zhuang?”

“A bit of insomnia,” Zhuang Qin waved it off nonchalantly, scooping up a bowl of plain congee. “It won’t affect today’s shooting schedule.”

Sometimes fatigue made it easier to get into the right state; in moments of tension, one could perform more spectacularly and lose oneself completely. But there was a limit to this; beyond that, nothing would go well.
•

The month soon passed amid the busy shooting schedule.

Zhuang Qin was about to take a break to return to his country. Director Guo heard it was for a 20th birthday party organized by his fans.

Mentioning his age, Director Guo suddenly felt a real sense of its impact: “That’s pretty young, almost a whole generation younger than me.”

Zhuang Qin explained, “Actually, my real age is a bit older than what’s on my ID. My family registered late, and they put down a younger age.”

“You look not even twenty,” Guo Baozhen, used to seeing his face every day on set, was somewhat immune, but occasionally he still marveled at nature’s gift. However, perhaps because actors were prone to overthinking, sensitive, and fragile, Guo Baozhen often saw him sitting alone quietly if no one spoke to him, like a child left behind.

So, he felt Zhuang Qin had a youthful aura, with clear and pure eyes, but it always seemed like he carried a lot of heaviness inside.

However, many actors were like that; they had to bear emotions not their own and spirits torn apart. Melancholy and loneliness were common, and Zhuang Qin was no exception.

Xiao Lian originally thought Zhuang Qin was returning to the capital for his birthday party, but at the airport, it was, “Hangzhou? What are you doing in Hangzhou?”

“We’re going to Jinhua.” Zhuang Qin put on sunglasses and passed through security low-key.

“Hengdian?” Xiao Lian was puzzled, “Are you visiting a crew or something? Has another crew invited you?” He didn’t know as Zhuang Qin’s assistant.

“Visiting.”

Five hours later, the plane landed.

Zhuang Qin carried no luggage, not even a script, and they disembarked cleanly. Zhuang Qin was almost unrecognizable under his fisherman’s hat, mask, and sunglasses, but his extraordinary aura and good physique almost gave him away.

Unchanged in expression, Zhuang Qin didn’t dare to run and pretended to play with his phone.

Fortunately, with the busy traffic at the airport, no one recognized him.

Xiao Lian scrambled to get a cab: “You should have told me earlier. Now, like this, I can’t even book a familiar driver, just a taxi from the airport…”

“Don’t worry, the taxi driver won’t recognize me.” Even if they showed his photo to the driver, it wouldn’t help.

“You’re visiting a female actress in Hengdian and didn’t tell me or Manager Wen… What if our visit makes the news?”

Scandals were sometimes concocted just like that.

“No need, it won’t make the news,” Zhuang Qin had already informed Mei Qingqiu of his visit, and she was surprised, thinking Zhuang Qin’s team was finally setting up a CP with a female star. Zhuang Qin said, “No, Sister Qingqiu, I’m coming alone, don’t spread the word.”

She agreed readily, joking, “You’re not coming for a cameo, are you? Director Qu is always berating Zheng Fengbai on set, saying he’s terrible and not dedicated, even worse than the last one… If I remember correctly, weren’t you originally cast as the male lead? Is Director Qu calling you back?”

“No… I’m coming to apologize,” he lied, then asked, “Is Brother Bai doing poorly? Did he find a stand-in?”

“Of course, there’s a lot of martial arts in that role, and he’s not like you, trained in acrobatics…”

Zhuang Qin unconsciously clenched his phone, his voice trembling slightly, “Sister Qingqiu, how many scenes tomorrow? Any martial arts scenes? I’ll probably arrive in Hengdian tonight, can I visit the set early tomorrow?”

“I have one scene in the morning and one in the evening tomorrow, I’ll be on set all day,” she complained, “I don’t have any martial arts scenes, but I think Zheng Fengbai does, though a stand-in will likely do them. He’ll probably just shoot a few close-ups…”

After ending the call with the actress, Xiao Lian hesitated before saying, “Brother Zhuang, are you actually regretting not taking that role?”

He waved his hand, resting his head against the car window.

At the end of May, a fine rain fell outside, and the sky was gloomy.

Xiao Lian, seeing his pale face and sense of powerlessness, thought he had inadvertently upset him and took a moment to find comforting words: “I think you made the right choice going for the movie. Our script is deep, and your acting is undeniably good. Winning the Best Actor award is just a matter of time!”

Zhuang Qin looked at him, and Xiao Lian lowered his voice, “Besides, aren’t Mr. Qiu and Mr. Li very rich? They definitely won’t skimp on promotion later, they’ll push you hard.”

“I’m not signed with their company. Why would they promote me?”

“You shot their funded movie!”

Meanwhile, under Thailand’s scorching sun, Qiu Ming took a taxi from Lamun Airport to another city.

On set, it was late, and Li Mu was wrapping up.

“Do you guys always finish shooting this late?” Qiu Ming, wearing a Panama hat, leaned against the door, talking to Director Guo. Seeing Li Mu coming out in different clothes, he hurried over to help him with his belongings, “Give me your car keys, you’ve worked hard shooting, I’ll drive.”

Sitting in the car, Li Mu adjusted the seat, his long legs still cramped and bent uncomfortably. He tilted his head back, the wind from the sunroof tousling his already short black hair.

Qiu Ming’s phone was connected to the car’s Bluetooth, playing music. Li Mu listened for a few seconds: “It’s noisy, turn it off.”

Qiu Ming turned off the Bluetooth and verbally reported the work progress he had already reported online a month ago. During this time, he had acquired other entertainment companies, a movie company, and contacted major media outlets. He had signed a few artists and secured sponsorship and collaboration for a reality TV show starting in September.

Li Mu just listened, not really interested. Qiu Ming had the brains for this, and with additional external help, there was no need for Li Mu to intervene.

When the report ended, the car reached its destination. Li Mu got out and heard Qiu Ming ask, “By the way, why haven’t I seen Zhuang Qin today?”

“He went back to the country.” Li Mu checked his phone; his message to Zhuang Qin asking about his birthday party location was still unanswered.

“What bad timing…” Qiu Ming was disappointed.

Li Mu looked up, “Do you need him for something?”

“Of course! Did you listen to the voice message I sent you a few days ago?”

“No.” If the voice message was longer than 20 seconds, he wouldn’t listen.

Qiu Ming sighed helplessly and began complaining again.

He was 26 this year, and his slightly chaotic private life had recently angered his father. After a scolding session, involving kneeling and belt whippings, he cried out in pain and had no choice but to lie, “I’m not fooling around! Really, I’m not. I have a steady boyfriend, and we’re even thinking of marriage…”

“Really?” His father was skeptical. Qiu Ming sobbed, “I’m not lying! I have a partner! He’s abroad and very busy!”

His acting was about 80% convincing, but his father suspected he was lying and ordered him to bring his boyfriend home within a month.

Qiu Ming had come out to his family in high school, and though there had been an unpleasant period, it had been long enough that they begrudgingly accepted it. His parents were also expecting a second child.

After lying, Qiu Ming thought for a long time about how to cover it up.

A fake marriage was the fastest solution.

“Zhuang Qin is an actor; his acting shouldn’t be a problem. Plus, my mom really likes him.” Qiu Ming continued rambling, oblivious to Li Mu’s darkening expression.

“It’s not like I’m being serious with him. Although, if he wanted to, I wouldn’t mind… I’d be happy.”

Li Mu’s voice turned icy: “He wouldn’t want to.”

“How do you know he wouldn’t?” Qiu Ming argued, “Besides, he’s short on money. I could pay him and even promote him.”

“He’s short on money?” Li Mu’s tone rose.

“Yeah, I heard some gossip recently. Zhuang Qin signed a two-billion-yuan gambling agreement with his little company. I don’t remember the details, but if he fails, he’ll have to sell himself to the company. Should I just give him two billion to promote a movie? That way, it’d make sense to keep him around.”

They walked toward the pool.

“Get lost.” Li Mu resisted the urge to kick him into the water. “Don’t you know what my relationship with him is?”

“…What relationship?” Qiu Ming was stunned, then shocked. “You two are together? Since when? Why didn’t I know?”

Li Mu didn’t answer.

Not yet.

He thought to himself, but soon. After all these days of filming, they’d kissed and touched. That day, when Zhuang Qin came to swim at his place, they even went to the beach together. Li Mu had accompanied him to pick up shells, and afterward, they lay on the sand. The waves washed over them again and again, slow and steady, before retreating.

Li Mu asked him, “Do you want a hug?”

Zhuang Qin spread his arms.

Li Mu didn’t know what kind of feeling that was, just quiet and relaxed. At that moment, he thought, if Zhuang Qin confessed, there was an 80.5% chance he’d agree after some consideration.

Qiu Ming observed his expression and quickly apologized, “Brother, I didn’t know! I didn’t know he was yours! Forgive me—don’t kick me, I’ll jump in myself!” With that, he flipped backward into the pool, creating a huge splash.

Li Mu, slightly splashed, stepped back, but the phrase “yours” pleased him.

His. If someone were to support him, it would be him.

Then he saw a pair of flip-flops float up, followed by Qiu Ming’s feet flailing zombie-like.

Li Mu frowned, turned to his phone, and messaged the butler to schedule a pool cleaning for the next morning. Then he opened his phone to find a voice message from Zhuang Qin.

It was 30 seconds long.

Li Mu played the voice message and brought the phone to his ear.

The author has something to say:

Li Mu: I have an 80.5% chance of accepting your confession after five seconds of consideration.

Zhuang Qin: ?

Li Mu: I don’t listen to long voice messages.

Qiu Ming: ?

Li Mu: I have no principles.