On January 1, 2020, an unknown virus swept across the globe overnight, infecting 20% of the world's population the following day. The infected individuals experienced persistent high fever that subsided after three days, yet their C protein levels continued to rise without decline.
The initial group of infected individuals exhibited changes in adult collective characteristics one week after recovery.
On January 18, 2020, the World Health Organization named the virus "kuraci." On April 20, it was confirmed that humans would develop a second gender: Alpha, Beta, and Omega. On May 14, it was announced that the differentiation of the second gender in humans occurs between the ages of 14-18, determining the ability to bear offspring independent of the first gender. Subsequently, the "Second Gender Survival Manual (Real-time Updates)" was officially released.
Fifty years later, all human beings on Earth could differentiate into a second gender.
With the super rapid advancement of Earth's technology, after numerous explorations into outer space, a circular orbit with a diameter of 1.64 light-years was formed, connecting Earth as the endpoint to five other inhabited planets – Yanlang, Hell, Haze, Dubhe, and Darwin.
The six planets adopted a "Six Planets in Two-Half System," where they followed a common set of social systems (a hybrid of socialism and capitalism) with high levels of autonomous management.
Each planet appointed an immigration executive officer, with the initial selection of six officers made on Earth, resulting in 3 male Alphas, 1 female Alpha, 2 male Betas, and no Omegas.
After a two-year training period as management trainees and passing the final evaluation, five members would be officially dispatched to work as executive officers on various planets, with the lowest-ranking member remaining on Earth.
At the same time, Earth residents could submit applications for interstellar immigration. Approved immigrant candidates would then board a designated space plane operated by the International Immigration Agency to their intended destination. The space plane would first land on the surface territories of each planet, where the immigration officers would conduct a roster check of passengers, stamp the immigration documents upon verification, and transport all passengers to their designated city airports, where they would receive temporary identification documents at the airport service centre.
Twenty years later, the average population on the other five planets besides Earth exceeded 210 million. The position of Immigration Officer evolved into a department, with each planet establishing branches to select and train relevant talents. The Immigration Officer became the highest authority in the department.
As the highest authority, they undergo an assessment every five years. The top scorer in the assessment is eligible to select the next successor Immigration Officer for the planet.
Another decade later, the Interstellar Immigration Bureau issued a new document. Interstellar citizens aged 65 and above, with a strong desire to return to Earth for retirement, could apply for the "Return to Earth Immigration Program." However, applicants not only had to meet stricter criteria but also undergo multiple identity credit checks.
This marked the final concession between the other five planets and Earth. Subsequently, each planet's Immigration Department was renamed the Immigration and Emigration Department, with the establishment of a committee. The Immigration Officer not only became a member of the committee but also held the highest voting power.
During the same year, the first group of officers retired or perished during interplanetary conflicts. The successors took on the responsibility of "Guarding the First Line of Interstellar Security," following the path of their predecessors.
Another twenty years passed, leading to a Cold War-like situation due to the different development directions of the six planets and the accumulation of monopolies in various fields. Interstellar political and cultural conflicts escalated, resulting in the closure of immigration and emigration on all planets, entering a freeze period.
As a result, apart from Earth, the other five planets closed their surface and successively abolished or left their Immigration and Emigration Departments and related training facilities.
During this period, Earth trained a group of prospective Immigration Officers in a "military + elite" model.
In 2180, the Cold War-like tension among the six planets gradually dissipated, a restoration of interstellar cooperation and a slow revival of the immigration departments.
During the same year, the Interstellar Immigration Bureau issued Directive No.2, mandating the appointment of two executives on each star sphere, each with an assistant, and two accompanying aides. The Bureau dispatched 12 supervisory officers, with Earth sending 12 executives to provide guidance on different star. The selection and appointment of assistants and aides were left to each star sphere, with both immigration executives holding equal voting rights.
This set the stage for the first confrontation between Yu Yue and Ji Chen.
The script reading process of the film Same or Not differed from any other production in that actors had to improvise within a marked circle after each scene, followed by evaluations from observing actors.
Before the improvisation, the ten actors in this scene read through the lines, during which Lu Cheng and Song Chunuan continuously switched between the script and the original novel, never pausing.
The commander of the International Immigration Bureau stood before them and exclaimed, "Yu Yue, Ji Chen, step forward."
Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng stepped forward with confident posture, chest held high, raising their right hands with the upper arm perpendicular to the forearm, fingers grasping their flight helmets. Both individuals exhibited a resolute demeanour, with a gleam in their eyes, responding promptly, "Confirmed."
"By the decision of the Interstellar Immigration Bureau, Yu Yue and Ji Chen are appointed as the immigration executives for the Darwin Star." This marked the final pair of immigration executives. They received their armbands from the Commander and returned to their positions.
"Please provide feedback on the initial scene performed by our two lead actors," Lu Cheng's words carried a sense of scrutinizing the performance.
Silence.
A silence that felt awkward.
Lu Cheng scanned the expressions of the actors on the floor, the smiles of the spectators deepening.
Among these actors below, some dared not speak, some did not know what to say, and most did not see any issues.
Just then, a new actor a few positions away from Zhong Shao on the right gathered courage and said, "I think it's quite good, no major issues."
Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow and posed the next question, "Since there are no major issues, does that mean there are some minor problems? Please share what you think are the small issues in this scene."
The young actor clearly did not anticipate this tactic from the director and was momentarily at a loss for words.
This was Lu Cheng's style of observing the actors' performances during the script reading, characterized by his meticulous and relentless approach, challenging the on-site actors on the spot.
"It's not that there are no problems, there are significant issues," Yu Cheng raised his head, looking at a note in the script, "My emotions and reactions in this scene are off."
Lu Cheng pointed to a specific part of the script, lifted his chin, signaling Yu Cheng to continue.
"Alienation," Yu Cheng uttered these words, "According to the original storyline, ten years ago, the Immigration Department was reorganized, abolishing the position of Immigration Execution Officer and establishing the positions of Exit Execution Officer and Entry Execution Officer. Twelve individuals were selected from the eligible candidates, underwent a ten-year training camp, where Yu Yue and Ji Chen, whether as partners or otherwise, should be very familiar with each other."
Pausing for a moment, Yu Cheng continued, "However, in this scene, there is no trace of the ten years spent training and the sense of understanding between me and Zhong Shao. We are just like everyone else sitting here today, meeting for the first time, creating a sense of alienation between us."
Lu Cheng nodded, while Song Chunuan quietly raised a thumbs up below, and other actors turned their attention to Yu Cheng.
"Without this understanding, this scene falls flat," Zhong Shao stood up, glanced at Yu Cheng, and calmly said, "Yu Cheng, let's get to know each other better outside."
Yu Cheng glanced at the director, seeing Lu Cheng nodding with a satisfied smile, saying, "Two seasoned actors, please familiarize yourselves quickly!"
Upon exiting the reading room, Zhong Shao opened the door to the secure passage, and the overhead sensor light responded to the emptiness.
Yu Cheng followed a few steps behind Zhong Shao, then he saw Zhong Shao leaning casually against the passage wall, hands in his pockets, his gaze either about to land on Yu Cheng or not.
"Smoke?" Zhong Shao initiated.
"Occasionally," Yu Cheng replied.
Zhong Shao reached into his pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, took one out, and Yu Cheng smoothly lit it.
The single cigarette brought them a few steps closer, forming an isosceles right triangle with the wall.
Yu Cheng pulled out a lighter from his pocket, lit it, and lit Zhong Shao's cigarette. Then, exhaling a smoke ring, Zhong Shao, with the cigarette between his fingertips, suddenly aimed the lit end at Yucheng's unlit one.
Spark by spark, Zhong Shao chuckled, "Does this count as breaking the ice a bit? Junior Brother."
Yu Cheng was taken aback, took a few shallow puffs.
"Greetings, Senior Brother," Yu Cheng chuckled after regaining his composure, and amidst the swirling smoke, the atmosphere seemed to lighten.
Though both students of Professor Wang Shuo, they had never met before.
"Do you remember the method Prof. Wang once mentioned for quickly fostering rapport between two actors meeting for the first time?"
"I do."
As both cigarettes burned down to the end, extinguishing at their feet.
Zhong Shao's method for rapidly developing rapport between actors was, in fact, rapid questioning and answering, with each person posing five questions that escalate in difficulty and intimacy, culminating in the last question compelling enough to elicit genuine emotions from the other.
"Are you ready?" Zhong Shao's indifferent expression turned serious.
"Yes."
The questioning began with Zhong Shao.
"Do you want to perform well in this play?"
Yu Cheng's eyes affirmed, "Yes."
Without any pause, Yu Cheng continued, "What do you think familiar tacit understanding should be like?"
"You can understand the next move with just a glance."
"Why didn't you call your senior brother last night?"
"It felt a bit like imposing on family." Yu Cheng finished, then asked again, "Did senior brother mind my rudeness last night?"
"Only this once."
"Why did you take on this role?"
"I haven't tried this role before, and the script is very appealing." Yu Cheng confessed, then asked, "What about you?"
"Because I really like the cyber police officer Little Wang in The Order Placer," Zhong Shao's voice remained steady, but there was a slight curve at the corner of his lips.
"What's your evaluation of me?"
"Highly appreciative."
"Thank you for your praise," Zhong Shao smiled faintly and continued, "Will you from reel to real?"
"No, there is a boundary between the character and me."
"Can you differentiate between brotherly love and romantic love?"
"If you don't believe my degree certificate, trust my character a bit."
"What requirements do you have for the main co-stars?"
"The ones in the contract."
"What is your favourite role he has played?"
"None."
Hearing the answer, Yu Cheng was not particularly surprised, even though in his heart, his favourite was Zhong Shao's portrayal of the antagonist in Spectators' Absence.
"Have you considered coming out?" Zhong Shao asked.
The contracts of the two main actors are no different from those of other cast members, except for the prerequisite when looking for the lead actor, which is that the actor's sexual orientation must be male.
"Let it be."
The questions between them seemed to lack logic, yet they positioned themselves as equals.
After the exchange, the two opened their arms, embraced each other without any reservations, with their heartbeat syncing as part of their familiar tacit understanding.
"Pleasant cooperation." Zhong Shao extended his hand towards Yucheng.
"Pleasant cooperation."