After lunch, the two returned to the hotel to rest for an hour before heading to the airport together as planned.
Li Qianxing always used the VIP passage with Xiao Zhu. After getting out of the car and seeing Jiang Lin and Xiao Ding retrieving luggage from the trunk, he suddenly remembered to ask, “Are you going this way, or should Li-shifu take you to another entrance?”
Jiang Lin, already holding his luggage, smiled and said, “I’ll go this way. The pay for this film was quite good, so I’ll let Xiao Ding enjoy some peace and quiet, too.”
Li Qianxing took the luggage handle from the driver and walked into the VIP terminal alongside Jiang Lin.
Xiao Zhu followed behind them, glancing back and forth between their silhouettes. She still felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.
She turned to look at Xiao Ding, hesitating to speak.
Xiao Ding noticed and smiled at her, “Is your luggage heavy? I can help you push it.”
Xiao Zhu quickly shook her head, “No need, no need. The wheels work well, it’s not much effort.”
She thought for a moment, then followed up on Li Qianxing’s earlier topic, “If you don’t usually use the VIP entrance, don’t you get surrounded by people?”
Xiao Ding replied, “It’s not too bad. Lin-ge is tall and eye-catching, so some people will secretly take photos because he’s handsome. Occasionally someone recognizes him and asks for an autograph.”
Jiang Lin half-turned back, smiling, “Before, I only had a handful of followers online, so there was no need to spend extra money. But this time, filming at the school, there were new set photos in the Super Topic every day. We wrapped yesterday, and it’s obvious we’d be leaving in the next couple of days. Fans in the Super Topic were discussing whether they could catch us at the airport. So it’s better to use the VIP entrance to avoid drawing a crowd.”
Xiao Zhu blinked in surprise, asking, “Lin-ge, you even check your CP Super Topic?”
Jiang Lin paused subtly before smoothly replying, “My manager reminded me about it.”
Xiao Zhu responded, “Oh…”
She didn’t notice Xiao Ding covering his mouth and turning away beside her.
The flight wasn’t delayed, and the four quickly completed check-in and boarded. Both Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin, being generous bosses, had paid for first-class tickets for their assistants.
Li Qianxing let Xiao Zhu take the window seat for the view. Just as he was about to sit in the aisle seat, Jiang Lin tapped his shoulder.
Jiang Lin said, “Didn’t you mention earlier that you wanted to see the recording of my graduation performance? I found it. Want to watch it together on the flight?”
Li Qianxing looked up at him.
Jiang Lin smiled, “If you want to rest, I can send it to you now, and you can watch it later.”
As Li Qianxing hesitated, a flight attendant came over to remind them, “Passengers, please take your seats. The rest of the passengers will be boarding soon. Other seats in first class are empty, so you can sit anywhere you like.”
Jiang Lin immediately pulled Li Qianxing out of the aisle, moving to the other side, “Let’s sit here.”
The two naturally sat together, while Xiao Ding found a window seat for himself.
Xiao Zhu was a bit confused. She moved over one seat and called across the aisle, “Li-ge?”
Li Qianxing: “I’ll call you if I need anything.”
Xiao Zhu nodded and moved back to her seat.
As passengers began boarding, Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin instinctively leaned back in their seats, lowering their caps to partially hide their faces.
Once all passengers had passed, Li Qianxing removed his cap and took out his phone, “Send me a copy.”
Jiang Lin retrieved his tablet from his bag, connected it to Li Qianxing’s phone to transfer the file, and leaned close, lowering his voice, “Is your next film the one with Xiao Yu-jie?”
Li Qianxing: “Yes. But a couple days ago, my brother told me Guangya held a meeting and decided to adjust the script. They want to add more scenes for our characters and hope I’ll continue participating in the series.”
Jiang Lin: “Oh? I haven’t heard anything from Yan-jie yet. What do you think about it?”
Li Qianxing repeated his usual response, “I’ll decide after reading the script.”
Jiang Lin smiled, “That’s all I need to hear. Speaking of scripts, Xiao Yu-jie is quite confident. She initially designed this story as a five-part series, with the middle three parts focusing on each member of the main trio, while the beginning and ending serve as ensemble pieces, tying up all the loose ends.”
Li Qianxing: “Five parts is fine, but I’m worried Guangya might see good reception and insist on making ten or more parts.”
Jiang Lin: “Don’t worry about that. Xiao Yu-jie had her work ruined by sequels early in her career. Now that she’s famous, her contracts retain character rights, only allowing the use of the story’s universe. Even if Guangya wants to continue filming, they can only create stories about other characters in the same universe.”
Li Qianxing nodded, then asked, “What about you? Will you take on any projects before that one starts filming?”
Jiang Lin: “I’d rather not, except maybe for a few special guest appearances that only take three or four days to film, out of courtesy. Then, Yan-jie will probably find me one or two suitable variety shows.”
He turned to look at Li Qianxing, his eyes full of smiles, “So, as you said, I can focus on dating during this time.”
Li Qianxing looked back at him. “For that, you’d need a partner first.”
Jiang Lin chuckled softly, “Alright, let me rephrase—I can focus on pursuing you.”
Sitting close, Jiang Lin’s warm breath brushed against Li Qianxing’s ear and neck, causing his face to feel slightly warm.
He pushed Jiang Lin gently. “We’re about to take off, sit properly. We’ll watch once we’re stable in the air.”
Jiang Lin: “Can you still find footage of your graduation performance?”
Li Qianxing: “I have it at home. I’ll send it to you when we get back.”
Satisfied, Jiang Lin finally sat back properly.
Once the plane stabilized, Jiang Lin set up the tablet on Li Qianxing’s tray table, took out a pair of Bluetooth earphones, and leaned towards Li Qianxing. They each wore one earbud.
“It’s a live recording, so the sound quality isn’t great. Bear with it.”
The flight time was just enough to watch the entire performance. They spent the whole journey watching and discussing it.
After landing, Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin, along with Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ding, continued through the VIP passage to exit the airport.
Jiang Lin asked, “Li-ge, are you going straight home?”
Li Qianxing replied, “I’m staying at my parents’ tonight. Why, want a ride?”
Jiang Lin chuckled, “No need, the company sent a car for me.”
Their respective rides were already waiting. The two waved goodbye in the parking lot.
*
As night had fallen, Jiang Lin decided to stay at a hotel rather than go home.
After being away for over three months, his home would surely be covered in dust. Being quite private, he wasn’t comfortable letting housekeepers clean unsupervised. Those he trusted, like Yan Wei and Tang Yu, were too busy to help, and Xiao Ding had been with him the whole time. He’d have to wait until he returned to find someone.
Jiang Lin ordered room service and texted Tang Yu while eating.
[Jiang Lin: Xiao Yu-jie, I heard you’re adding scenes for Li-ge and me?]
Tang Yu must have been free, as she replied quickly.
[Tang Yu: Yes, I’m reviewing which details to add.]
Jiang Lin raised an eyebrow, took a large bite, put down his chopsticks, and typed swiftly.
[Jiang Lin: Reading the script, those two characters seem a bit ambiguous. Why not add some romantic scenes?]
[Tang Yu: Romantic scenes? Are you trying to kill me? Besides, where’s the ambiguity? Their interactions are perfectly proper.]
[Jiang Lin: Alright, if you say it’s proper, it’s proper. Anyway, just add more interactions between them. I remember some brief or omitted parts that could be expanded. This would further develop the characters without disrupting the original story structure. I’m worried too many individual scenes might overshadow the main trio and upset the balance.]
Jiang Lin opened the script he’d set aside earlier, took pictures of the marked sections, and sent them.
[Tang Yu: You’ve been quite attentive while filming. This isn’t bad. It could better echo the main trio’s actions and subtly hint at the secrets of their backgrounds.]
Achieving his goal, Jiang Lin smirked, poured himself a beer, and took a sip.
Although Tang Yu’s romantic scenes were her weakness, often awkward when writing about love, her “proper character interactions” were excellent. As long as she wasn’t focused on romance, or rather, as long as she wrote without ambiguity, she always created compelling character relationships.
As Jiang Lin was secretly pleased, Tang Yu sent another message.
[Tang Yu: You think those two characters are ambiguous?]
Jiang Lin stared at it for two seconds, feeling something odd about the question, but replied anyway.
[Jiang Lin: They’ll definitely be shipped as a couple. Just write as usual, we’ll add nuance when acting.]
[Tang Yu: What’s going on between you and Li Qianxing?]
Jiang Lin was stunned, then finally realized what had felt strange earlier.
[Jiang Lin: Is it Yan-jie?]
[Tang Yu: Yes.]
Jiang Lin clicked his tongue – Yan Wei was truly perceptive. However, there was no need to hide anything.
[Jiang Lin: It’s exactly what you’re thinking.]
[Tang Yu: You have the nerve to say that? Doesn’t it hurt to slap yourself?]
Jiang Lin laughed out loud.
[Jiang Lin: Don’t rush. Wait for me to break the rumors.]
[Tang Yu: You really think you can win him over?]
[Jiang Lin: I have to give it my all, so I won’t have regrets.]
[Tang Yu: What? You and Li Qianxing? Are you two turning fiction into reality?!]
Jiang Lin chuckled.
[Jiang Lin: You’re making me feel like I have multiple personalities.]
Shortly after, Yan Wei called.
Yan Wei: “Give me a straight answer.”
Jiang Lin still didn’t reveal much, only laughing, “Don’t worry, my love life won’t affect my work, no matter how it goes.”
Knowing his personality, Yan Wei realized she couldn’t pry anything more out of him. She sighed, “Easy for you to say. If you really end up heartbroken, can you still act normally opposite him?”
Jiang Lin: “Then I can use the acting to comfort myself.”
Yan Wei: “…You’re thinking quite far ahead.”
Jiang Lin: “Thanks for the compliment.”
Yan Wei: “Don’t get cocky! Come to the company tomorrow. There are a few variety show invitations for you to look at. You need to choose at least one.”
Just then, Tang Yu’s voice came through: “Xiao Linlin, good luck! Hope you win your beauty!”
Jiang Lin: “Thanks, Xiao Yu-jie. I’d be even happier if you didn’t use that embarrassing nickname.”
◇◆
Li Qianxing stayed at his parents’ house for two days before returning to his own home.
His parents employed a long-term housekeeper who would occasionally open up his house for cleaners whenever he was away filming for extended periods. As a result, his home was always clean and ready for him to move back in.
During these rest periods, as long as there was no work, Li Qianxing wouldn’t call for Xiao Zhu. Instead, he’d let her stay at Xingyi to learn other skills, facilitating future job transfers if needed. A housekeeper took care of his meals and cleaning.
Li Qianxing usually didn’t spend much time at his parents’ house, mainly because they enjoyed lively gatherings and often invited friends over. Although they lived in a villa and he could stay upstairs undisturbed, he still felt somewhat constrained.
Back in his own home, Li Qianxing could finally relax completely. After an afternoon nap, he woke to new messages from Jiang Lin.
Since parting at the airport, Jiang Lin had been sending a few casual messages daily, chatting about life or work. If Li Qianxing didn’t reply promptly, Jiang Lin didn’t mind and would send a new message later.
Previously, before Li Qianxing became overly adamant about rejecting co-stars pursuing him, he would add them as friends after filming. After wrapping up, he’d been harassed on WeChat – literally harassed, even receiving voice and video calls.
After a few such annoyances, Li Qianxing became extremely cautious about adding friends.
When Jiang Lin mentioned pursuing him, Li Qianxing, not having given a formal response, simply muted the chat. Unexpectedly, Jiang Lin proved different, his unhurried pace more befitting a friend than a pursuer.
Li Qianxing didn’t dislike this approach, mainly because Jiang Lin maintained appropriate boundaries, never making him feel uncomfortable or intruded upon. So he unmuted the chat and began responding when he saw messages, including today.
[Jiang Lin: Back home?]
Continuing last night’s conversation, Li Qianxing typed while lying in bed.
[Li Qianxing: Yes.]
Though the previous message was sent half an hour ago, Jiang Lin replied instantly.
[Jiang Lin: About the flowers from a few days ago, I didn’t consider the timing and schedule well. I’d like to send another bouquet that you can keep at home for a week. Would you like to receive it?]
Li Qianxing found this strange. Mentioning flowers but not suggesting meeting up, what was he planning…
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he found this ploy amusing. Finding Jiang Lin’s obvious “scheming” interesting, he played along.
[Li Qianxing: I just got home. I don’t want to go out.]
[Jiang Lin: Flower shops offer delivery services.]
[Li Qianxing: So, you’re trying to get my address?]
[Jiang Lin: If you’d rather not tell me, we can save the flowers for our next date.]
Li Qianxing considered it and felt there was no harm in sharing. His residence wasn’t really a secret; other celebrities lived in the same complex, and paparazzi occasionally staked out the entrance. If Jiang Lin really wanted to find out, he could, just not the exact apartment number.
After brief consideration, Li Qianxing sent the address.
[Li Qianxing: Just leave them outside the door, I’ll get them.]
[Jiang Lin: OK.]
After chatting a bit more, Jiang Lin had to attend to something.
Li Qianxing had nothing to do. The new script was still being revised, and although he could study the old script or related materials, having just finished filming, even he wanted to be lazy for a few days.
The WeChat chat with Jiang Lin was still open. Li Qianxing scrolled up casually. Recalling Jiang Lin mentioning his past roles, he suddenly felt curious and searched for Jiang Lin’s filmography.
The results were surprising. In just five years since graduation, Jiang Lin’s role list seemed longer than his own twenty-year career. Most were extras or minor roles, and the dense play dates showed he clearly camped out at film studios seeking opportunities, much like a background actor.
Talented and hardworking, he indeed soared when given a chance.
Li Qianxing searched for the drama where Jiang Lin played the male lead’s intellectually disabled brother, focusing on his scenes.
True to his volunteer experience at welfare homes during college, Jiang Lin skillfully incorporated many observed details into his performance, perfectly portraying the brother’s clumsy yet sincere affection for the male lead. He transformed a potentially unlikable burden character into one that touched viewers’ hearts.
Li Qianxing became absorbed in watching until his phone alerted him to the compound’s entry system.
He remotely confirmed the flower delivery, opened the gate, authorized the elevator to his floor after the person entered, and only left his bed to retrieve the flowers after confirming their delivery via surveillance.
Again, it was 29 fresh red roses, each vibrantly beautiful.
Li Qianxing found a vase and cheerfully arranged the bouquet.
◇◆
The leisurely days flew by, and half a month passed in a blink.
One day, after preparing lunch, the housekeeper nervously approached Li Qianxing to request leave.
“Mr. Li, I called home last night and learned my mother’s been experiencing dizziness lately but refuses to see a doctor. I was hoping… to take a few days off to take her to the city hospital for a checkup…”
Li Qianxing naturally didn’t make things difficult, immediately granting the leave. The housekeeper left gratefully.
However, having no one to cook was inconvenient.
After whiling away most of the afternoon, as dinnertime approached, Li Qianxing debated between ordering takeout or staying at his parents’ for a few days.
Just then, a message from Jiang Lin popped up.
[Jiang Lin: Has the housekeeper started making dinner?]
[Li Qianxing: Not yet.]
[Jiang Lin: Is it convenient to video call?]
Li Qianxing immediately sent a video invitation, which was promptly accepted.
Jiang Lin, who he had not seen for half a month, appeared on screen, smiling gently with a glimmer in his eyes. “Li-ge.”
Li Qianxing unconsciously smiled back. “Is there something going on? You suddenly wanted to video call.”
Jiang Lin gazed through the screen, his face gradually showing apologetic. “There’s something I want to tell you, but I’m not sure if you’ll be angry after hearing it.”
Li Qianxing was surprised. “Angry?”
Jiang Lin: “So, I decided to try and get on your good side first.”
He shifted his phone, revealing a dining table behind him—six dishes and a soup, four meat and two vegetable dishes, all vibrant and appetizing. Just a glance made one almost smell the aroma.
As Jiang Lin panned over each dish, Li Qianxing already felt his stomach growling.
Li Qianxing: “How do you plan to get on my good side? Have the food delivered here?”
Jiang Lin turned the camera back to himself, looking a bit sheepish. “Actually, today I… moved into the floor below you.”
Hearing such unexpected news, Li Qianxing instantly recalled Qi Jingnian’s words, “He can’t exactly show up at your home”—yet, Jiang Lin had done just that.
Jiang Lin quickly added, “I wanted to invite you down for dinner. Of course, if my moving here secretly makes you uncomfortable, I’ll send the food up and move out immediately.”
Li Qianxing’s feelings were quite complex. Jiang Lin asking for his address half a month ago likely had this intention. Moving in without a word indeed made him a bit upset.
But Jiang Lin’s honest confession and willingness to move out immediately, while cunning, admittedly diluted much of the initial displeasure.
After some thought, Li Qianxing asked, “Immediate lease termination? This place can’t be rented daily.”
“It’s just losing some rent and deposit…” Jiang Lin’s face showed a flash of pain, quickly suppressed. “It’s fine, I can afford the loss. If I’ve upset you, I should face the consequences. If the price is only money, I’m already fortunate.”
Li Qianxing stared intently at Jiang Lin on the screen, carefully observing every nuance of his expression, analyzing which parts might be acting.
Jiang Lin looked a bit dejected, his shoulders slightly slumped, but still smiled. “Well, I’ll bring the food up to you. Just give me elevator access.”
Li Qianxing: “You can take the stairs.”
Jiang Lin: “That works too. Give me a moment to pack up.”
As he was about to end the call, Li Qianxing stopped him, “Jiang Lin.”
Jiang Lin smiled wryly. “You’re not going to refuse the food, too, are you?”
Li Qianxing smiled faintly. “Give me access. I’ll come down for dinner.”
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