Xu Chun didn't notice. He looked down and played with Zora in his arms, then suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, she's a female cat."
Zora grew a little impatient with his teasing and reached out a paw to scratch him, but he tilted his head and dodged it.
"Girls shouldn't behave like that." Xu Chun wore a gentle, indulgent smile.
Xie Jianyuan watched the scene, his eyes darkening. Then he smiled and took Zora from Xu Chun's arms.
"Don't let her bother you."
Xu Chun certainly didn't mind her bothering him, but since her owner had said so, he said nothing more and watched him carry Zora into the inner room.
Xie Jianyuan set Zora down on a cushion and crouched slightly. Recalling the slender wrist he had just held, he looked thoughtful.
"Looks like I should make more meat dishes these days."
Zora tilted her head and gave her owner a puzzled look. Finally, she let out a soft meow, clearly not understanding what he was thinking.
On Wednesday, Xu Chun received a call from Bai Lingling. She first laughed and teased him about being on the trending searches all day lately. Then her tone changed, and she seriously asked him to meet her, saying she had something important to discuss.
Xu Chun frowned slightly, but said with a smile, "What is it? You can tell me over the phone."
Bai Lingling hesitated for a moment on the other end before finally telling him. "It's about Director Chu's new film. I have some information for you."
Xu Chun's expression turned serious. After a moment's thought, he said, "All right. Name a place."
Director Chu, whom Bai Lingling had mentioned, was a renowned figure in the industry. His works had won countless awards and enjoyed international acclaim. A few years ago, he had led a film crew to the Cannes Film Festival, where the film had only made it as far as a nomination, but even so, it had been an honor for Chinese cinema.
Xu Chun worked out the timing and had a rough idea that Director Chu might be preparing a new work around now. Although it dealt with the sensitive subject of homosexuality, the film itself did not focus on romance, but on social realities, traditional family ethics, and the present living conditions of the gay community. Its ending was deeply ironic.
In his previous life, he had also wanted to compete for a role, but after he submitted his information, he had never heard back.
And the achievements the film later attained could be described as unprecedented and never to be surpassed.
Xu Chun would have been lying if he said he wasn't tempted.
Bai Lingling arranged to meet him at a café and gave him a stack of information, covering everything from Director Chu's preferences to the dialogue, script, and list of prospective actors. When Xu Chun saw that he was also on the list, he was taken aback. Although his name was rather far down, at least he had made the list.
"Say, if you pass the audition, won't you be filming two productions? Will you be able to handle it?" Bai Lingling actually thought she was just asking casually, because which actor in the industry didn't try to earn as much as possible while they were still popular? Plenty took on more than a dozen productions at once.
But Bai Lingling also asked because she wanted to remind Xu Chun that Director Chu hated actors working on multiple productions at once more than anything.
Xu Chun put the papers away and smiled. "Apart from being a little tiring, it won't be a big problem." He wasn't afraid of hard work; he was afraid of having no roles to take.
Bai Lingling lowered her head and took a sip of coffee. She murmured an acknowledgment and guiltily looked away from his beautiful, light-colored eyes.
Thinking about how she had set him up, she felt a twinge of guilt. But then she remembered that she had still given him plenty of firsthand information. It counted as a transaction between them, and neither had lost out, so she felt much more at ease.
A few days after he returned, news broke online that Xu Chun and Bai Lingling had met in private. The headline read: #Concrete proof of Xu Chun and Bai Lingling's relationship? Secret rendezvous and intimate behavior#
Xu Chun looked at the photos several times. That day, he had covered his eyes and nose so thoroughly that even his mother wouldn't have dared call out to him if she'd been standing in front of him. Yet the paparazzi had not only recognized him but also managed to see intimate behavior. It must have been hard on them.
"We were set up." Su Li had a bit of a headache.
Xu Chun looked up and smiled, saying only, "They didn't get my face."
Su Li said, "...You mean?" She had an inkling of what Xu Chun meant. Since they hadn't photographed his face, they could simply deny it to the bitter end.
Xu Chun felt a little helpless too. Fortunately, he had been cautious and covered himself up thoroughly.
Rumors of the two being in a relationship spread all over the internet. Many people offered their blessings, but some fans refused to believe it without an official announcement.
"My ship is actually real! The Chun-Bai couple is so sweet!"
"When did they get together? How did it only come out now?"
"Dear, I suggest you shut up if you don't have proof. If you start rumors, your mom can die first."
Even Xu Chun's parents called to ask if he really had a girlfriend. He had only just finished dealing with them when Xu Jin called as well.
After he explained it every way he could, Xu Jin finally hung up. Then his phone rang again. Thinking it was Xu Jin, Xu Chun answered with some resignation.
"Didn't I tell you? Bai Lingling and I aren't together."
There was silence on the other end for a moment. Then the person laughed and called him Brother Chun.
It was Xie Jianyuan's voice.
Wei Jiahe watched Xie Jianyuan's previously gloomy expression suddenly brighten and couldn't help clicking his tongue in amazement.
Just one sentence can make you this happy? How did I never realize you were like this before?
Xie Jianyuan had gotten an answer that satisfied him. In the end, he asked nothing, just chatted with Xu Chun for a bit before hanging up. Then he sprawled lazily on the sofa, tossing his phone up and down with one hand, looking as though he was thinking about something.
Wei Jiahe was browsing the internet beside him, munching on bread, when he suddenly saw something shocking and nearly choked. He pointed at it with difficulty. "Damn... look at this."
Xie Jianyuan raised an eyebrow in puzzlement.
Wei Jiahe covered the screen, looking as though he were facing a formidable enemy. "Promise me first that you won't get angry or smash my computer."
"Are you moving or not?" Xie Jianyuan said impatiently.
Wei Jiahe muttered something, but finally moved aside obediently.
Xie Jianyuan narrowed his eyes at the words on the screen and kept scrolling down. His expression grew colder and colder, and a trace of dark hostility appeared in his eyes.