The vast blue sea glittered from the sunlight, and the weather wasn't too hot or cloudy–a very pleasant day. Bai Liang couldn't help but remember that, in this kind of day that felt just perfect, his master's intuition would also increase in accuracy and he would often challenge him in a game of luck.
It was under this perfect weather did his worst premonition came true.
Qin Ning found the director already standing by near the shooting spot and approached him while readying her business card. She greeted with a smile, "Good morning, Director Luo. I'm Su Yan's manager, Qin Ning. Thank you very much for this valuable opportunity. Our Xiao Yan will certainly work hard."
Luo Kang turned to her and looked at the youth behind her who also gave him a polite bow. He wore a slightly baggy white shirt and a thin, pink sweater vest that softened the air around him. Luo Kang initially thought the idol's lack of expression was only a marketing concept, but he looked exactly as he was through the screen.
"Since I can't follow the crew to the island, I will have to trouble Director by entrusting Xiao Yang with the crew," Qin Ning apologetically said and offered Luo Kang her business card. "If there are any issues or emergencies, please don't hesitate to contact me."
Luo Kang accepted it and looked at Qin Ning in reassurance. "Su Yan will be the youngest in our crew. We'll definitely take care of him well. Nobody will reject having a sensible little brother for a couple of days."
"I will be under your care, Director Luo." Bai Liang lowered his head before looking at Luo Kang with firm eyes. "I will do my best to be scared."
Qin Ning and Luo Kang were both stunned before Luo Kang burst into laughter. He patted Bai Liang in satisfaction. "Yes, yes, do your best, Xiao Yan. Don't let your older brothers and sisters hide behind your back later."
Xue Liang: […What are you doing, Master?]
'Since I'm borrowing this body, it's my responsibility to not damage his career and future.'
Xue Liang: [Don't worry, Master. Su Yan's soul is currently living in an illusionary space where its sole purpose is to give Su Yan a regretless life until his death. This body is entirely Master's now.]
'Even still, I don't want to wrong him. This is proper conduct,' Bai Liang refuted. 'If I don't do this least, I'll feel too ashamed to face Master.'
After greeting the director, Bai Liang was told to wait anywhere comfortable since the shooting was still an hour away. Qin Ning suggested waiting in the van to not expose himself to the sun too much, but Bai Liang wanted to walk and look around. Qin Ning reminded him to not stray too far and get lost before she left to call and check in with the other members about their schedules.
Bai Liang walked along the platform and enjoyed the gentle morning breeze which carried the scent of the sea. Ever since he knew that his master survived, he felt the wind was slowly sweeping away his grievances. Out of the 3 sects he massacred, in truth, only the first and second sects were responsible for his master's death. After that, it was only him trying to destroy the world. He had avenged his master and now that his master was alive, he was content.
Stopping in his tracks, he noticed a man crouching by the edge of the platform. He thought for a while and decided to approach him. Since Su Yan's image was attentive and caring, he should try adjusting himself to it.
"Are you alright?" He crouched next to the man.
When the man turned to him and met his eyes, Bai Liang felt an inexplicable thump in his heart. He was briefly confused, but he didn't think too much of it.
Han Yi-Shen saw that the young man didn't recognize him and forced a smile on his pale face. "I'm alright. Just a little seasick."
Bai Liang, "?"
But they were still on land right now?
Xue Liang: [Master, this man is highly likely to have a certain fear towards the sea.]
Hearing it, Bai Liang promptly grabbed Han Yi-Shen's arm and pulled him up to his feet. Han Yi-Shen was slightly surprised by Bai Liang's strength despite the significant difference in their frame. Bai Liang effortlessly supported his weight, and he was dragged away in his daze.
After bringing Han Yi-Shen quite far from the sea, Bai Liang found a bench at the park connected to the harbor and seated the man down. He opened his backpack and took out the water bottle that Su Yan always brought every time he went outside, opened the cap, and handed it to Han Yi-Shen.
Han Yi-Shen studied Bai Liang's eyes and confirmed that the other really didn't recognize him. He wanted to refuse the water but Bai Liang's earnest look made him unable to utter a single refusal.
Bai Liang watched him drink only a little and wondered whether his stomach also had problems though it could also be a mental issue. He reached out and pressed his thumb onto Han Yi-Shen's forehead. With a gentle massage, he transferred his qi to soothe his mind.
Han Yi-Shen wasn't a person who liked to be randomly touched and he knew that best. That was why, when his body didn't give out any sort of reaction towards Bai Liang's advance, he felt somewhat perplexed. Out of all things, he didn't expect a youth he just met to massage his head. While he was thinking of what to say, he noticed the dizziness in his head gradually receding with each knead.
The thumb pressing against his skin was cool and soft. Contrary to the youth's earlier strength, the pressure on his forehead was nowhere near forceful. The thoughtful gentleness tugged a string in his heart.
Bai Liang saw Han Yi-Shen's complexion had recovered and retrieved his hand. "Better?"
"Yes." Han Yi-Shen closed and returned the bottle. "Thank you."
As Bai Liang took it from his hand, their fingers brushed against one another. He lowered his hand and rubbed the lingering sensation at the tip of his fingers.
Bai Liang placed the bottle back into his backpack before nodding in farewell and turning to leave. Dumbfounded, Han Yi-Shen moved before his head could process it and caught Bai Liang's wrist. When he realized it, Bai Liang was looking at him in askance, but he himself didn't know why his body moved on its own.
"…I don't think I caught your name." Han Yi-Shen let his hold go as naturally as possible.
Although it was impulsive, he couldn't deny his curiosity as to who this person was. This person who made him put down all his guards.
"Su Yan." Bai Liang used his current name.
"Su Yan…" Han Yi-Shen repeated his name in remembrance. "I'm Han Yi-Shen."
"Han Yi-Shen…?" Bai Liang muttered, finding it familiar.
Xue Liang: [He is one of the guests who is going to shoot the horror survival program with Master.]
Bai Liang then remembered and shortly bowed to the other. "I will be under your care, Senior Han. Please take plenty of rest."
Han Yi-Shen watched Bai Liang leave in confusion. What did he mean by that?
On his way back to the assembly point, Bai Liang checked his message to see Qin Ning was looking for him. Arriving at her spot, she quickly noticed him and reprimanded, "Where did you go? I almost thought you got lost."
"Sorry, Ning-jie. There was a sick person."
Qin Ning let out a helpless sigh. "You should've told me and I would've helped. Is that person already fine?"
Bai Liang nodded.
"That's good then. The other guests have arrived and Director Luo is gathering everyone for a short briefing. Let's go."
Qin Ning led Bai Liang to where the rest of the casts were. They politely greeted the 4 other guests which consisted of 2 men and 2 women. Bai Liang's eyes lingered on 2 guests in particular.
Jiang Wei and Shen Qing-Mei. The foundations of this world.
If this was a story, they would be the male and female protagonists. The world revolved around them and would collapse if either of them suffered a miserable life. The trajectory of their life was what heaven particularly meant as the world's trajectory of fate.
They were fated to reach the pinnacle of life, be together despite all odds, and grant stability to the world. This was supposed to be guaranteed by fate's careful weaving, but not anymore.
For his master's sake, Bai Liang would make sure they fulfilled their destiny.