"All right, then. Make sure you get some rest too."
A few weeks later, it was time for the press conference for the new movie. It was the one Xu Chun had successfully auditioned for, titled "Twin Cities." Its main storyline followed the intertwined experiences of the two Song brothers.
After the press conference, everyone was to head to a party at a downtown hotel. Besides the production's key creative staff, quite a few investors and producers from the business world would be attending.
As soon as Xu Chun entered the hall, he put on a professional smile and got to work. He first greeted Director Wang, then the producer. Suddenly, he noticed someone among the cast whom he hadn't expected to see.
Lu Xian.
In his previous life, Xu Chun had missed out on "Twin Cities." Xie Jianyuan had played the elder brother, Song Ye, rather than the younger brother, Song Han. Lu Xian had played Song Han.
Back then, the production had earned widespread praise for its tightly plotted story and gripping pace that never let up. Xie Jianyuan's performance had been commendable, though nothing particularly outstanding. As for Lu Xian, most of the points deducted in major film reviews had been because of his acting.
Everyone said he had dragged the film down, but even so, "Twin Cities" had still won widespread acclaim and claimed numerous awards.
"Chun-ge, stop looking. He brought funding into the production. Even if he couldn't land one of the two male leads, he could still get another important role," Chu Xi said indignantly beside him. She had refused to submit to the unspoken rules, and as a newcomer with no backing, she had had to pull out all the stops just to get
a supporting actress
role. Naturally, she couldn't stand Lu Xian.
Xu Chun nodded thoughtfully. "I see."
"I heard the screenwriter is even going to give him more scenes to flesh out his character. Isn't that so unfair?" Chu Xi poured out her grievances freely to Xu Chun because she knew his character well enough to be certain he would never gossip about it.
While Xu Chun and Chu Xi were talking, Xie Jianyuan stood in another corner of the hall with a glass of champagne, searching the crowd for someone.
"Jianyuan." Someone suddenly patted him on the shoulder from behind. Xie Jianyuan turned his head slightly and saw that it was Jiang Xiuyan. Narrowing his eyes a little, he smiled and asked, "What brings you here?"
Jiang Xiuyan smiled too but didn't answer. He merely lifted his chin slightly, indicating that Xie Jianyuan should look behind him. "Look who's here."
Xie Jianyuan turned around suspiciously. When he saw who had come, he froze for a moment and blurted out, "Mother."
An elegantly dressed, graceful lady was walking slowly toward them, accompanied by a cute-looking girl who appeared to be no more than seventeen or eighteen, her hair tied in a high bun.
"Brother!" As soon as Xie Qianqian saw Xie Jianyuan, she rushed over and threw her arms around him, complaining, "Brother, why don't you come home? Auntie misses you so much. She talks about you every day."
Xie Jianyuan smiled and patted her head, then said to his mother, "I was just planning to come home soon."
Mother Xie looked at him with an affectionate, reproachful smile. "I think you've forgotten all about your mother. You're not even as filial as Xiuyan. He comes to see me every few days, while you, my own son, are nowhere to be seen."
Xie Jianyuan smiled. "Work has been keeping me busy."
"I was against you becoming an actor from the start. The entertainment industry is such a mess, and it's not much of a career either. I'm telling you, don't you go marrying some disreputable celebrity from that circle. I'll have to choose your future spouse carefully."
Jiang Xiuyan's gaze dimmed beside them. He lowered his lashes slightly, feeling a faint sting in his heart.
As mother and son caught up, Jiang Xiuyan tactfully stepped away.
He was in a rather bad mood, his face gloomy, and before he knew it, he had drunk quite a lot. He was raising his glass to down another drink when he suddenly noticed a figure standing on the open-air balcony.
He looked closer and saw that it was Xu Chun. Thinking of his face, he couldn't help walking over.
"Getting some air out here?"
Xu Chun stiffened as soon as he heard the voice. He turned around and saw that it was indeed Jiang Xiuyan. He frowned slightly, looking a little impatient.
He had only come out for some air because it had gotten stuffy inside. He hadn't expected to run into Jiang Xiuyan even here.
Just my luck.
"What exactly did I do to upset you, Mr. Xu? I keep getting the feeling you don't want to see me," Jiang Xiuyan said.
Xu Chun noticed the faint smell of alcohol on him, and his frown deepened.
Jiang Xiuyan narrowed his eyes slightly. The person before him overlapped with the one lingering in his mind, and that similar face made his heart burn.
His head was spinning, and in his daze, it was as if he could see Xie Jianyuan looking at him with a frown. Even the impatient downturn of his lips was exactly the same.
The only flaw was those eyes.
Jiang Xiuyan staggered toward him and reached out to cover his eyes, murmuring all the while.
"I like you..."
"I've liked you for a long time. Do you know that?"
Xu Chun's expression changed, and his lips turned pale in an instant. He was about to open his mouth and tell him to get lost when—
Suddenly, a pair of strong arms pulled him close.
He froze, then looked up to see Xie Jianyuan glaring at Jiang Xiuyan.
His thin lips were pressed tightly together, the lines of his profile taut, his dark eyes seemingly ablaze with cold flames.
He stared coldly at the dumbfounded Jiang Xiuyan.
Chapter 16: Taking down the scum [complete bonus-update version]
"...Jianyuan." Jiang Xiuyan opened his mouth haltingly, his voice trembling slightly. His eyes were filled with disbelief, and he looked panicked.
What do I do? He heard me.
But then he thought again. Xie Jianyuan had only heard him confess to Xu Chun. He didn't know that Jiang Xiuyan, drunk and dazed, had mistaken Xu Chun for him, or that the confession had actually been meant for him.
With that thought, he forced himself to calm down. He tugged at the corners of his mouth and was just about to explain when someone interrupted him.
Xu Chun stepped out from behind Xie Jianyuan and looked coldly at him. "Don't tell me you were drunk. That's disgusting."
Xu Chun had always treated people with warmth and courtesy. When had he ever shown such an expression or used the word "disgusting"? Even Xie Jianyuan glanced at him and raised a brow.