Winter is getting deeper.
One snowfall after another fell, withered yellow leaves were blown away by the wind, thin, icy ice hung from the branches, and the clouds in the sky were blown away and gathered again, piled up in countless layers.
Filming for " Journey through Luo " has begun and is progressing smoothly.
When Nan Qing first entered the industry and played those minor roles, his memories were filled with complicated interpersonal relationships. Just like those unlikable minor characters, he himself was bossed around by influential directors.
However, since joining the crew several times, he has received the best treatment.
It seemed that everyone around him had become a good person, with smiling faces and each one more attentive than the last. As soon as the director yelled "Cut," the actors next to him took his heavy armor from him. Some handed him water, some handed him towels, and some handed him hand warmers. Their actions were even faster than his little assistant's.
The replacement for Xi Juan's original role was a young actor, a few years older than Xi Juan, who was upright and steady, somewhat socially awkward, and prone to blushing.
But the other party was very cooperative with his work and never caused any trouble.
Nan Qing accidentally stumbled upon him making a phone call in the lounge. It seemed they were arguing. The other person's family background was complicated; his parents were divorced and remarried, and had a younger brother. He entered the entertainment industry to make money and then give it back to his family.
Nan Qing paused for a second, as if, across a long span of time, she saw again that version of herself who longed for love.
The next morning, as soon as Nan Qing arrived at the film set, she heard a commotion inside.
A drunk man, carrying a broken bottle, pointed the shards at Fan Muzhi, an upright but socially awkward young actor, and, fueled by alcohol, swore and demanded money from him.
Fan Muzhi was somewhat embarrassed and numb. Despite the staff's attempts to pull him away, he refused to pay.
The drunk man cursed a few times and then smashed the bottle over.
Nan Qing raised her hand and threw the thermos cup, which hit the other person's hand with a "bang," turning it askew.
"Is this a place where you can cause trouble?"
"I'll give you one minute to get out."
The other person glared at him, his bloodshot eyes revealing a certain defiance, but the cold-looking young man was well-dressed and followed by two burly bodyguards, clearly not an ordinary person.
The entertainment industry is too complicated. The other party shrank back and, as expected, backed down and left.
To express his gratitude, Fan Muzhi wanted to treat him to a meal.
Nan Qing didn't want to go.
But the man, who was half a head taller than him and acted with him calmly, kept bowing his head to wipe his thermos cup, his voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz. It seemed that he had mustered all his courage to insist on treating him to dinner despite his initial refusal.
There was an Italy restaurant next to the film and television base. Nan Qing and Fan Muzhi, and the sound of a piano filled the air. Zhou Guangliang was engrossed in eating.
"Thank you for today..."
Faced with Fan Muzhi's fifth expression of gratitude, Nan Qing smiled generously.
"You're welcome, it was nothing."
Fan Muzhi nodded, seemingly wanting to laugh but also a little embarrassed, so he took a sip of water.
The three sat facing each other in silence, the atmosphere somewhat awkward, and could only eat.
After a while, Nan Qing heard Fan Muzhi making some rustling noises, and then mustered up her courage to speak again.
"Teacher Nan Qing, your partner is also of the same sex... So how did you convince your family to let you be with him?"
Nan Qing thought for a moment, "I have no family."
Fan Muzhi exclaimed "Ah!" and realized he had misspoke. He quickly gulped down a mouthful of water, choking and coughing.
Now it was Nan Qing's turn to feel embarrassed.
"It's alright, it's nothing serious."
"Every family's situation is different, and not every decision needs the consent of family members. Besides, all my family members are dead—"
Zhou Guangliang suddenly coughed violently, and Nan Qing handed him a tissue.
Zhou Guangliang took the paper and started giving him meaningful glances.
Before Nan Qing could react, she heard a familiar voice behind her again.
Am I dead too?
A tall figure was cast onto the dining table. Nan Qing turned her head at the sound and saw Qin Mubai wearing a black cashmere coat.
Fan Muzhi stood up abruptly.
"This, this is..."
Nan Qing was stunned for several seconds, unable to react.
He hadn't seen Qin Mubai since that hospital visit.
Even though Assistant Wang acted as a go-between and arranged for him to meet Aunt Liu, and he already understood most of the events buried during that period, he still didn't go to see Qin Mubai.
Qin Mubai did not come to see him either.
Perhaps, like themselves, they don't know how to face each other.
Qin Mubai left him, but he didn't completely abandon him.
He hurt Qin Mubai, and Qin Mubai hurt himself in return.
All these events are intertwined, like a messy debt that's impossible to sort out.
Nan Qing never knew what he and Qin Mubai would say if they were to meet one day.
Should I say sorry? Or should I say forgiveness?
But the days and nights he longed for Qin Mubai's return were real, and the fact that he never received any response was also real. He had indeed been driven out of the Bai Family, his most trusted elder brother didn't want him, and he was like a lost soul, having lost all support.
But Qin Mubai wasn't completely ignoring him. He left behind so many things that he could rely on. He got sick and went abroad for treatment, but Qin Mubai, who was so close to him, was completely unaware of his condition. He even threw a tantrum, disowned him, and ignored him.
It seems like both he and Qin Mubai are pitiful.
It seems like they're both right and wrong.
That period loomed before them like a gaping, raw scar.
Nan Qing didn't know how to face him.
In the long silence, the sound of wind came from outside the window. Qin Mubai nodded politely in Fan Muzhi's direction.
"Hello, I am Nan Qing's older brother, Qin Mubai."
"Mr. Qin... hello..."
Fan Muzhi greeted him somewhat reservedly.
Qin Mubai nodded, sat down opposite Nan Qing, and then looked at Fan Muzhi.
Is it convenient?
Fan Muzhi seemed to finally realize what was happening.
"Convenient! Convenient! Nan Qing helped me today, I'd like to treat him to a meal to thank him."
Qin Mubai seemed quite interested in his topic. His deep gaze swept over the group, landing on Zhou Guangliang, who was playing on his phone opposite him, for a second before quickly looking away.
"Really? What did Qingqing do?"
Fan Muzhi was both excited and embarrassed, and he carefully recounted the whole story.
The man leaning against the window, his features hard and aloof, nodded; a hint of a smile finally appeared on his overly sharp face.
"He's been very warm-hearted and helpful since he was a child."
Qin Mubai's gaze darted through the air, hesitating several times before settling on that familiar face. His voice was very soft.
"Our Qingqing has always been very obedient since she was little."