After eating, the two lounged together on the sofa, chatting idly.
Li Qianxing leaned against Jiang Lin’s chest, with Jiang Lin’s arm around his waist and their fingers intertwined.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a patch of light before the sofa. It was a bright and cozy afternoon.
Li Qianxing tilted his head slightly, brushing his lips against Jiang Lin’s chin. “I can’t believe you’ve seen my mother’s ballet.”
Jiang Lin nuzzled his face in response. “I was preparing for a dancer role at the time. When I heard about a famous dance troupe performing, I snagged tickets. I didn’t expect it to be such a coincidence.”
Li Qianxing was now accustomed to Jiang Lin’s frequent mentions of “playing this or that role.” Jiang Lin had countless roles, and he prepared diligently even for bit parts. Enrolling in classes to learn special skills for supporting roles was commonplace. In this aspect, they were kindred spirits.
“Did you end up taking dance lessons afterward?”
Jiang Lin chuckled at the memory. “I enrolled in a modern dance class. But after years of martial arts training, my movements were too stiff. The instructor constantly adjusted my posture.”
Li Qianxing imagined it and found it funny. “The teacher must have been frustrated, given your excellent physique.”
Jiang Lin chuckled. “The instructor was incredibly helpful. I based many of the character’s daily habits on him when crafting the role.”
He then steered the conversation back. “I drew inspiration from your mother and her troupe’s performance for the on-stage feeling. It was my first time seeing a large-scale ballet live, and it was awe-inspiring. I remember your mother danced one of the lead roles, her stage presence was explosive. Does she still perform?”
Li Qianxing shook his head. “She’s older now and rarely takes the stage. She focuses on choreography and directing. When her troupe performs again, let’s go watch if we’re free. It’s been years since I’ve seen them.”
Jiang Lin: “Sounds great. Did you learn dance from your mother as a child?”
Li Qianxing: “Yes. I started very young, initially because I found my mother’s dancing interesting. I joined my brother when I saw him practicing. But my brother takes after our father and lacked the patience for rigorous training, so he quit early. I practiced for nearly a decade before focusing solely on acting.”
Jiang Lin sighed. “The dance world’s rising star fled to the film industry, though I should be grateful.”
Li Qianxing chuckled. “Not at all. I had average talent in dance. Truly gifted children win major international youth division awards after more than ten years of training.
“Honestly, my passion for dance pales in comparison to my mother’s. After trying acting once, I was instantly captivated. Indeed, everyone has their own path.”
Jiang Lin: “Ah, speaking of which, I’m curious about something.”
Li Qianxing: “What is it?”
Jiang Lin turned to face him. “Your name—is it purely a stage name? I initially thought you took your mother’s surname, but that’s not the case.”
Li Qianxing smiled. “It started as a stage name, but after I starred in that hit children’s drama, I officially changed it. I actually use my grandmother’s surname.”
He rarely displayed such a playful expression as he winked at Jiang Lin. “Guess who my grandmother is.”
Jiang Lin was taken aback.
Since Li Qianxing invited him to guess, it must be someone he could potentially identify. In other words, a celebrity, likely from the entertainment industry.
Jiang Lin estimated the grandmother’s age to be around seventy or eighty. As he considered famous actresses of that generation, his eyes suddenly lit up.
“Teacher Li Fengqin?!”
Li Qianxing leaned in to kiss him. “Correct. Years ago, when my mother took me to visit Grandmother on set, we met the director of that children’s drama. He thought I was perfect for the role and strongly urged me to audition.
“Afterward, my father suggested using Grandmother’s surname for the audition, hoping for her good fortune. The show became a hit, and I fell in love with acting. I decided to pursue it, so I officially changed my name.”
Jiang Lin was still dazed. “Oh my god, it’s actually Teacher Li Fengqin… No wonder I found your mother familiar earlier. I thought it was because you two looked alike…”
Li Qianxing was surprised by his reaction. “Are you that shocked?”
Jiang Lin came to his senses, smiling sheepishly. “Well… don’t laugh, but…”
Li Qianxing: “Go on.”
Jiang Lin cleared his throat. “Actually, Teacher Li Fengqin was my childhood idol. I adored her young swordswoman series. Later, in high school, when everyone was considering university majors, I stumbled upon an interview where she discussed her understanding of the acting profession. It deeply moved me. I then researched the field thoroughly and ultimately decided to apply to Y Drama Academy. So, for me, Teacher Li Fengqin is a highly respected senior.”
This time, even Li Qianxing was astonished. “What a coincidence…”
He then raised an eyebrow. “How does it feel to be with your childhood idol’s grandson?”
Instantly, Jiang Lin felt a tension in his mind.
He looked at Li Qianxing with an odd expression, seeming to want to laugh but not daring to. “Haven’t I told you? I’m not attracted to women.”
Li Qianxing feigned a stern face. “Then you must have liked men before. Who?”
Jiang Lin struggled to hold back his laughter, his abs tightening. He held Li Qianxing closer, kissing the corner of his mouth. “I’ve never liked anyone else. You’re the only one I’ve felt this way about.”
Li Qianxing’s lips quirked up briefly before straightening. He eyed Jiang Lin coolly. “You’re 25, not 15. I don’t believe you’ve been completely innocent. Tell me, who did you think about in those moments?”
“Sir, I’m innocent, really!” Jiang Lin suddenly changed his expression. “Wait! Are you saying you’ve thought about specific people?”
In the next instant, he turned the tables, pinning Li Qianxing against the sofa back, his face full of jealousy as he leaned in. “Tell me, who have you thought about!”
Li Qianxing blinked, pondering for a moment before leaning forward to brush Jiang Lin’s lips. “Alright, I believe people can exist without fantasy objects. Let’s drop this.”
Jiang Lin had already laughed, but he persisted in pressing Li Qianxing. “Did you really imagine anyone?”
Li Qianxing, slightly embarrassed, coughed before saying, “No. I was just following the conversation without any real experience… This is a typical example of what not to do. I’ll learn from it.”
Jiang Lin finally couldn’t hold back. He pulled Li Qianxing into his arms, laughing and peppering him with kisses.
After their playful moment, they both slid down to lie on the sofa.
Li Qianxing, sprawled on top of Jiang Lin, lazily brought the conversation back. “I remember you mentioned your parents’ home is in C City, and they’re both professors at C University.”
Jiang Lin tucked a cushion behind his back, slightly elevating his shoulders. He took one of Li Qianxing’s hands, gently playing with it while murmuring an affirmative “Mm.”
Li Qianxing, resting his head on Jiang Lin’s shoulder, spoke slowly. “My grandparents also live in C City. My father was a late child, and my paternal grandparents passed away a few years ago due to old age. These past few years, we’ve been going to my maternal grandmother’s house in C City for New Year’s. If everyone’s free during Mid-Autumn Festival, we can also visit for a couple of days.”
Jiang Lin calculated the dates. “Mid-Autumn… That’s coming up soon. We can still go before starting the shoot.”
Li Qianxing: “Actually, we don’t have to wait for holidays. We can visit anytime as long as they’re not traveling. But for your first visit, let’s choose a holiday. It seems more formal that way.”
Jiang Lin was startled. “You want… to take me there?”
Li Qianxing looked up at him. “Don’t you want to meet Teacher Li Fengqin?”
Jiang Lin’s face lit up with joy. “Of course I do! I watched her cameo in that film last year and regretted not trying for a small role myself.”
Li Qianxing smiled. “They’re both still in good health. If there’s another role that appeals to Grandmother, she might be willing to make a guest appearance.”
Jiang Lin’s eyes flickered. “Then for our current film…”
Li Qianxing: “Aren’t all the roles already cast?”
Jiang Lin: “It’s just a cameo, we can add one. Having someone of Grandmother’s caliber would be great publicity. I’m sure Guangya won’t be stingy. I’ll talk to Xiao Yu-jie about it first.”
Li Qianxing teased, “You’re already calling her Grandmother.”
Jiang Lin laughed. “If I called her Teacher Li, wouldn’t that clash with you?”
He leaned close to Li Qianxing’s ear, deliberately lowering his voice. “You’re my only ‘Teacher Li.’”
Li Qianxing felt heat spreading from his ears to his cheeks and neck.
He coughed again, getting up. “It’s time for your workout. Let’s go to the gym.”
Jiang Lin sat up too, but took away the materials Li Qianxing was about to read, waving them. “Come with me.”
Li Qianxing had planned to do so anyway, so he nodded.
As they walked to the gym, Li Qianxing continued, “So we’ll tentatively plan for Mid-Autumn Festival. If it’s convenient for your family, I’d like to visit them as well.”
Jiang Lin had lost count of how many pleasant surprises he’d had today. “You’re willing to meet my parents?”
Li Qianxing was puzzled. “Why would you think I wouldn’t be?”
Jiang Lin: “Uh… I thought you might be the slow-to-warm-up type… maybe not wanting to meet parents too soon…”
Li Qianxing: “Whether sooner or later, we’ll have to meet them eventually. It would be impolite not to pay a visit after all this time.”
Jiang Lin’s smile stretched from ear to ear as he leaned close to Li Qianxing: “Then, shall I visit Uncle and Auntie this weekend?”
Li Qianxing: “Sure.”
*
As usual, Jiang Lin didn’t return home until just before bedtime.
Li Qianxing had taken a shower and, upon coming out, noticed a missed call from his mother. He called her back.
Xie Wan answered, “Qianxing, what were you doing?”
Li Qianxing put on his earphones and started blow-drying his hair. “Showering.”
Xie Wan: “Move the dryer away, it’s too noisy. Has Xiao Jiang gone home?”
Li Qianxing: “Yes, he just left.”
Xie Wan, curious: “You two living on different floors, isn’t that inconvenient? Didn’t Jingnian say you wanted to live together?”
Li Qianxing: “He’ll probably move up here soon. We’re coming back for dinner this weekend. Will you and Dad both be there?”
Xie Wan said happily, “Of course. What does he like to eat? I’ll have it prepared.”
Li Qianxing thought for a moment, listing a few dishes, then added, “But he’s not picky. I’ve seen him eat everything on set.”
Xie Wan: “Still, we should prepare his favorites. Tell him not to buy expensive gifts. It’s not easy making it on your own, and we don’t lack anything.”
Changing the subject, she continued, “By the way, I was thinking, it seems Xiao Jiang really did see my ballet performance in person.”
Li Qianxing chuckled, “Of course, he bought tickets to see it.”
Xie Wan clicked her tongue disapprovingly. “You’re so rigid. I initially thought he might have found out I was your mother and watched a recording of my ballet to have something to talk about with me, to win my favor.”
Li Qianxing pondered, then replied, “The latter part might be possible. But for the former, he wouldn’t ask around outside. He’d ask me directly.”
Xie Wan felt as if she’d been force-fed dog food by her son. “Fine, fine. I won’t pry into you young people’s affairs. But if he saw it live, that was seven years ago, my last lead performance. He seems to have quite a connection with our family.”
Thinking of Jiang Lin’s admiration for his grandmother, Li Qianxing’s expression softened as he agreed. “Yes, he has a deep connection with our family.”
After discussing Jiang Lin, the mother and son chatted about some family matters before ending the call.
Xie Wan’s mention made Li Qianxing suddenly curious about the dancer role Jiang Lin had played. Thinking carefully—seven years ago, Jiang Lin was only eighteen, still in college.
So, that role must have been the one he mentioned before, which he almost lost but regained thanks to someone’s help.
Li Qianxing’s curiosity grew. Seeing it wasn’t too late, he went to the living room to connect to the screen.
He searched Jiang Lin’s role list, found the drama on a video site, and clicked play. Coincidentally, it was produced by Xingyi.
It was a typical youth inspirational film. The protagonist came from a poor background, had talent, worked hard, faced many setbacks, met kind people, and finally succeeded by winning a big competition.
Jiang Lin’s character was one of the protagonist’s foils. Equally talented but from a wealthy family, trained by famous teachers since childhood, he was proud and arrogant, ultimately losing to the protagonist.
From the character setup, it wasn’t a particularly likable role. Many actors would portray it as a stereotypical antagonist who gets slapped in the face. However, the fact that this character could compete with the protagonist on the highest stage indicated his undeniable talent.
Jiang Lin’s dancing gave the character’s arrogance a solid foundation. Though proud and gifted, he also put in far more effort than others. Under Jiang Lin’s interpretation, the audience would likely regret the rivalry between this character and the protagonist.
Overall, Jiang Lin probably ranked as the third male lead, with limited screen time. Yet each appearance was a highly effective, brilliant performance.
Moreover, based on Li Qianxing’s experience, he sensed that Jiang Lin’s scenes had been deliberately cut. There should have been more footage, but Jiang Lin outperformed the lead, necessitating cuts to highlight the protagonist.
For the overall film effect, though unfair to the actor, this was sometimes necessary. From a professional standpoint, Li Qianxing could accept this practice.
He had faced similar situations in his early career, which led him to be more selective about collaborations later, avoiding having his best performances cut due to such circumstances.
This film marked Jiang Lin’s big screen debut, and achieving this effect was already an unexpected success.
Curiosity satisfied, Li Qianxing returned to his bedroom to sleep.
However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d seen Jiang Lin’s final competition dance somewhere before…
Just as he was drifting off with this slight confusion, Li Qianxing suddenly opened his eyes.
He remembered!
Seven years ago, Li Qianxing had just graduated from university. Qi Jingnian had also just completed his master’s degree and was starting from the bottom at Xingyi.
Qi Jingnian went to tour a film set, with Li Qianxing tagging along. It was the set of that very film.
In a corner of the set, on a small stage, Li Qianxing saw someone dancing.
A dancer, between adolescence and adulthood, was earnestly pouring his sweat onto a stage without an audience.
With Li Qianxing’s professionally trained eye for dance, he noticed the dancer had slightly excessive force but lacked some flexibility. However, the overall dance was impressive, with a vibrant vitality and powerful momentum that was truly captivating.
In the final pose, the kneeling dancer raised his arms and head, meeting Li Qianxing’s gaze.
His eyes were deep-set, nearly ink-black, reflecting a hint of light. The direct eye contact was incredibly intense.
Li Qianxing felt a shiver deep in his heart.
But the dancer didn’t linger. He stood, bowed, and turned away, seemingly treating Li Qianxing as just another audience member.
The dancer put on his jacket by the stage, shouldered his bag, looking ready to leave the set.
Li Qianxing watched him walk away, overhearing two staff members muttering nearby.
“That young man dances so well. No wonder the dance instructor praises him. He’s willing to learn, practice, and isn’t afraid of hard work.”
“Sigh, what good is dancing well if that role has already been decided to go to someone else?”
“Wasn’t he introduced to audition by someone? Can’t he find some connections?”
“He can’t compete with someone who has stronger connections. I saw the dance instructor teaching the replacement yesterday. He seemed uncoordinated. I don’t know what they’re thinking, forcing someone like that into this kind of film.”
“I overheard him talking to his agent yesterday. He can’t dance, so he’s already asked his agent to find a body double.”
“Tsk, everything’s about body doubles these days. Why doesn’t he just rip off his own face and stick it on the double’s?”
The two staff members walked away, still talking.
Li Qianxing frowned and later mentioned this to Qi Jingnian.
A few days later, Qi Jingnian informed him that the role had been given back to the originally chosen actor – the one Li Qianxing had seen.
Li Qianxing felt relieved. With his own roles to focus on, he soon forgot about the incident.
Yet unexpectedly, on this night seven years later, the memory resurfaced.
Li Qianxing’s lips curved into a smile.
It turned out that he and Jiang Lin had already crossed paths so long ago.
This was truly a remarkable twist of fate.
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