Fu Xingyun's hand holding the phone stiffened, and he immediately made a phone call.
An hour later, the trending topic that was prominently featured on the social media platform was replaced. The search keywords now led to only text and a few blurry surveillance images.
The next morning, Lin Qiong and Fu Xingyun sat at the dining table having breakfast.
"I'm going to the film set tomorrow," Lin Qiong said.
Fu Xingyun glanced at him and replied casually, "Alright."
Lin Qiong looked at him and asked, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"Like 'Take care and have a safe journey'?"
The man remained silent for a while before he finally spoke, "Just remember to lock your front door."
Lin Qiong: ?
"Prevention is better than cure," Fu Xingyun cleared his throat, "It's easy for burglars to get in."
Lin Qiong, eating his porridge, explained, "Don't worry, the hotels have good security. They won't let unregistered people come and go. Who can break in?"
Fu Xingyun gave him a deep look.
A wife-thief.
After breakfast, Lin Qiong began to pack his luggage. Since it was only for a week, he didn't have many clothes to pack.
Fu Xingyun glanced at the luggage that had been neatly placed by the door. "Are you leaving now?"
Lin Qiong wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Tomorrow, I just had nothing to do, so I started packing."
Fu Xingyun asked, "Can't wait to leave?"
Lin Qiong's eyebrows twitched. "How could that be!"
He then pretended to look heartbroken and said, "Leaving you is the most painful thing in my life."
Then, he flew over to Fu Xingyun like a graceful butterfly and said, "Farewell tomorrow. I don't know when we'll meet again."
Fu Xingyun replied, "Seven days."
"No," Lin Qiong shook his head. "These seven days are different from those seven days."
He playfully pinched his chest and continued, "The days without you feel like an eternity, but it's okay; I'll remember you by heart."
Fu Xingyun suddenly had an ominous premonition.
"You don't need to say anything," Fu Xingyun said.
Lin Qiong looked puzzled. "How would you know how much I miss you if I don't say it?"
"Even though you won't be there..."
Fu Xingyun interrupted, "Stop talking."
"Your memory will forever live in my heart."
----
Later that night, Lin Qiong lay in bed and looked at the message sent by Wang Cheng.
"Tomorrow, wake up early. We'll leave at 5 AM."
Lin Qiong was puzzled. "Why do we need to leave so early?"
"The makeup artist and costume team have to arrive early, so we must go early as well."
Lin Qiong replied with an acknowledgment and checked the time on his phone before going to sleep.
The next day, Lin Qiong woke up early. He first prepared breakfast for Fu Xingyun, making some sandwiches, before heading out. He was in a hurry, and he rushed out of the villa with his luggage.
Because preparing breakfast took some extra time, Lin Qiong was panting when he left the house. He got into the small van.
Wang Cheng looked at him and asked, "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Lin Qiong panted and replied, "I'm afraid of being late."
Wang Cheng glanced at the time; it was just a few minutes past 5 AM. He said, "Did you wake up late?"
Lin Qiong shook his head, "No, I was preparing breakfast for the person at home."
Wang Cheng was surprised, "He asked you to prepare breakfast?"
Lin Qiong replied, "Not exactly, I made breakfast for him myself. He likes it."
Wang Cheng raised his voice, "You're making breakfast for him in the early morning?"
Lin Qiong didn't think it was a big deal, "What's wrong with that?"
Wang Cheng's tone became louder, "Did he ask you to do it?"
Lin Qiong shrugged, "Not really, I just made it for him, and he has a liking for it."
Wang Cheng looked at Lin Qiong and said, "Why are you doing this?"
Lin Qiong had been quite annoying in the past, but he was still a finicky and troublesome guy. Now, he was forced to do the laundry and cook for someone. Wang Cheng couldn't help but marvel at how people could change.
Lin Qiong noticed a hint of sympathy in Wang Cheng's eyes and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Wang Cheng replied, "Don't you feel stifled?"
Lin Qiong shook his head, "Not at all."
Wang Cheng asked, "Why not?"
"Because I'm working for money."
Wang Cheng questioned, "And how does that make you feel? Are you happy with this daily routine?"
Lin Qiong said, "I'm quite happy."
Wang Cheng raised his hand, "You're not really happy."
Lin Qiong responded, "I earn 50,000 every day."
Wang Cheng muttered, "Pretend I didn't say anything."
Wang Cheng's monthly salary was only 5,000, and he felt sorry for himself.
They drove to the city, arriving at the hotel around 7 AM. As soon as they got out of the car, they met an enthusiastic male photographer who had just finished his morning run.
The photographer was delighted to see Lin Qiong and waved his hand excitedly. He greeted Lin Qiong, "Gege!"
Lin Qiong glanced over and saw a sea of bright green. The enthusiastic photographer was wearing a very eye-catching lime green hat.
Lin Qiong was momentarily taken aback and then greeted the photographer, "Didi."
The photographer happily approached Lin Qiong and embraced him, using considerable strength to almost lift him off the ground. He exclaimed, "It's been such a long time, gege!"
They hadn't seen each other for over a month.
Lin Qiong squirmed in an attempt to break free of the photographer's powerful grip. He remarked, "You haven't changed at all."
The photographer returned the compliment, saying, "And neither have you."
That lime green hat was just too eye-catching. Lin Qiong decided to change the subject and asked, "Did you go for a morning run?"
The photographer nodded and said, "I've been keeping up with it these days."
Excitedly, he added, "Gege, I saw your news. You look really handsome."
Lin Qiong felt a bit embarrassed when his news was mentioned.
The photographer continued, "Gege, I heard you go for night runs."
Lin Qiong replied, a little guiltily, "Sometimes."
Then the photographer expressed regret, "It's a pity I don't go for night runs, or we could run together, Gege."
Wang Cheng, who was listening, felt confused and asked, "Why?"
The photographer, with a serious look, replied, "There are too many temptations at night. I prefer having morning snacks."
There was a moment of silence before the photographer continued, "But I've been doing morning runs for a while now, and I believe my physique is becoming more and more attractive. Don't you agree, Gege?"
Lin Qiong enthusiastically affirmed, "Of course! People in green are the most terrifying."
Wang Cheng: ...
After exchanging a few words with the beefy photographer, Lin Qiong hurriedly put on makeup and arrived on the set.
The director and the producer were speaking in low voices, but when they saw Lin Qiong enter, the producer's eyes lit up.
"Here comes Lin Qiong."
Waving at him, Lin Qiong quickly walked over.
The director examined him from head to toe. "Is this the person you chose?"
The producer replied, "Yes, his name is Lin Qiong."
The director commented, "Good appearance."
Then, looking at Lin Qiong, the director asked, "Did you read the script before coming here?"
"I did," Lin Qiong replied.
The director explained, "Although your role is a supporting character, it's crucial. Even though you have fewer scenes, they are significant."
The director looked at the young man before him, warning him not to become arrogant. "You were chosen because you were a bit luckier than others. If you don't perform well, the production team has plenty of time to replace you."
Lin Qiong replied, "I'm well aware of that."
The director asked, "Are you familiar with the script now?"
Lin Qiong said, "I am. I've read it all."
The director frowned, thinking that reading it once didn't necessarily mean he was familiar with it.
The director asked, "Do you understand it all?"
Lin Qiong nodded without hesitation. "I understand it all."
The director chuckled and asked boldly, "Then tell me, why can't the female lead forget the next-door elder brother you play, who has been dead for many years, even though she already has the love of the male lead sent from the heavens?"
Lin Qiong replied, "Because he was the female lead's first love. He left an indelible mark on her heart, like a pure white moonlight."
The director inquired, "Is that all?"
Lin Qiong shook his head. "Of course, there's more."
The director pressed, "What else?"
"The reason he's called the 'white moonlight' is because there's no replacement for him in her heart," Lin Qiong began.
Lin Qiong continued, "Childhood sweethearts may not defeat a heaven-sent love, but a deceased childhood sweetheart is unbeatable without a fight."
The director remained silent, seemingly convinced by Lin Qiong's argument.
The producer gave the director a reassuring look. "Trust my choice."
The director glanced at Lin Qiong again and said, "You do seem suitable for the role."
Then, the director asked, "How about your acting skills?"
Before Lin Qiong could respond, the producer chimed in, "Both the assistant director and I watched him perform on the spot during the audition."
The director turned to Lin Qiong with a curious expression. "You have a good appearance, acting skills, and even potential fame. It's strange that you're not already well-known."
"Have you been offered roles before?" the director inquired.
Lin Qiong replied, "Yes."
The director was puzzled, "Then why haven't I seen any of your performances?"
Lin Qiong explained, "Because I haven't acted in any yet."
The director was taken aback. "Why not?"
The producer interjected, "Because he didn't want to settle for less."
Lin Qiong nodded in agreement.
The director asked, "Is it because the roles or the productions weren't good enough?"
Lin Qiong responded, "It's a personal choice. I wanted to portray a real character."
The director seemed perplexed, "Why?"
Lin Qiong shrugged, "Because it's what I wanted."
The producer added, "He's selective."
Lin Qiong confirmed, "That's right."
The director didn't say much more, "Alright, you don't have any scenes today, just observe and get a feel for things. We'll start shooting officially tomorrow."
Lin Qiong didn't ask any more questions and headed to the monitor.
The producer whispered to the director, "I couldn't have made a wrong choice. He has good character too. He made the news a few days ago for saving someone. There shouldn't be any issues."
The director was a stubborn man, not known for being particularly friendly to newcomers. He rarely showed a smile unless he had gotten to know someone well. The producer didn't mention the sudden removal of Lin Qiong's trending topic. After all, since Lin Qiong wasn't famous yet, no one knew who was behind the surge in popularity.
At 9 PM, Lin Qiong returned to the hotel, took a shower, and lay in bed, playing games while waiting for a voice call with Fu Xingyun.
After a few rings, the voice call was answered. Fu Xingyun's voice came from the other end, "What's up?"
Lin Qiong lay on the bed, "Nothing, just wanted to give you a voice call. I finished work today."
Fu Xingyun responded with a nonchalant "Hmm."
Lin Qiong furrowed his brows, "Why don't you ask me how my work was today?"
Fu Xingyun inquired, "How was work today?"
Lin Qiong replied, "It went quite smoothly. I still miss home; I really want to be there."
Fu Xingyun remained silent for a moment before asking, "What do you want?"
"I want the jacuzzi," Lin Qiong blurted out without thinking, then quickly added, "But I want you even more."
Fu Xingyun quipped, "You added that last part, didn't you?"
Lin Qiong was taken aback, "Of course not. Don't you know that I love you the most in the world?"
"Never mind the jacuzzi; I love you more than the entire world," Lin Qiong declared.
After a brief pause, he glanced at his phone, "I have to go; the game has started."