Crossover Actors - Chapter 14
The alarm clock rang, and Qu Yanting slowly got out of bed.
He was tired and his lower back ached from working on the script against the headboard all night. He went to the next bedroom, where the door was wide open, and saw the blanket on the bed puffed up in a lump.
With morning fog outside, Qu Yanting called out, “Get up.”
The person in bed didn’t respond. Qu Yanting didn’t waste words. He walked over to the bed and kicked it.
A muffled groan came from under the blanket. Ruan Feng rolled over and poked his disheveled head out, “What time is it?”
It was just 5:30. To avoid being seen, Ruan Feng woke up a little more, got dressed, and made a clear plan: “I’ll go back first, have breakfast, then head to the set. I can even take a nap before work starts.”
Suppressing a yawn, Qu Yanting realized it had been a while since he’d seen Ruan Feng. Last night, they had talked about trivial matters until past one, and he’d been revising the script, so he had only slept two hours. After Ruan Feng left, he intended to catch up on sleep.
Putting on his hoodie, Ruan Feng asked, “Are you going to supervise the shoot today?”
Qu Yanting declined, “No, I’m not going.”
Ruan Feng was displeased, “Why not?”
The day’s scenes were generally routine, and the set would be crowded, so Qu Yanting didn’t want to go.
Ruan Feng said, “You didn’t oversee my scenes yesterday, and now you’re refusing again. Are routine scenes not worth your attention? I’m a supporting actor, and there’s not much highlight. Besides, you wrote the script yourself.”
Qu Yanting felt a headache coming on, “Stop whining.”
“Why don’t you monitor the male lead’s scenes and check mine while you’re at it? You’ve come all this way; wouldn’t it be a waste not to see how I perform?”
Ruan Feng said, “I’m your—”
“You’re my ancestor,” Qu Yanting cut him off, unable to resist. “Fine, I’ll go over in the morning.”
Ruan Feng swallowed the rest of his unspoken words and was pleased. After getting dressed and quickly washing his face, he covered himself with a mask and hat and prepared to leave.
Qu Yanting reminded him, “Be careful.”
“Yeah,” Ruan Feng said, “Now my fans won’t recognize me.”
Qu Yanting suddenly remembered something, “Oh, and don’t let your fans loiter around the set. If they interfere with the shoot, it’ll be on you.”
Ruan Feng promised to handle it and quietly left the hotel.
Qu Yanting straightened up and went to the bathroom to wash up, discovering a pair of Ruan Feng’s socks in the laundry basket. He wasn’t surprised or disgusted, just picked them up and washed them clean in a few quick strokes.
The sky brightened gradually. The A-group had changed locations and was filming at a high school in Chongqing today. The campus was large and beautiful, and since it was the weekend, no classes were in session.
A camper van was parked in a corner of the playground. At the entrance, Sun Xiaojian was chatting with a new assistant named Li Dapeng, explaining some important details. Li Dapeng had been an assistant for three or four years and was listening and taking notes very attentively.
Inside the camper, Lu Wen was having breakfast.
He had hardly slept, his mind filled with thoughts of Qu Yanting and Ruan Feng.
Seeing that scene at the apartment door, he felt that Qu Yanting and Ruan Feng’s relationship was unusual. Last night, Ruan Feng had sneaked into Qu Yanting’s room, making Lu Wen think of all the rumors about Ruan Feng.
Ruan Feng, 26, graduated from the Drama Academy. In his first year, he took on minor roles, and by his second year, he had risen to leading roles, with his career skyrocketing since then.
Musicals, popular variety shows, mainstream galas, films by renowned Hong Kong directors, high-profile endorsements—resources that others could only dream of were routine for Ruan Feng.
After his rise to fame, Ruan Feng’s background drew a lot of attention, but the media had found little substantial information. There were many rumors, and the general conclusion was that “Ruan Feng has someone backing him.” The backer was not only wealthy but also had media connections and remained shrouded in mystery.
In short, according to the rumors, Ruan Feng’s background was modest, his resources were extraordinary, his background was a mystery, and his backer was impressive.
Lu Wen wasn’t particularly interested in Ruan Feng’s gossip, but he never expected to stumble upon the truth about Ruan Feng’s mysterious benefactor.
What shocked him most was that the backer turned out to be Qu Yanting!
Qu Yanting was gay!
A famous scriptwriter behind the scenes and a fresh face in front of the camera—indeed, with Qu Yanting’s wealth and connections, supporting someone was a piece of cake. His low profile was indeed mysterious.
Lu Wen took a bite of his boiled egg, thinking how two seemingly unrelated people were actually connected in such a way. This morning, the door of room 6206 was tightly closed, giving off a suspiciously intimate vibe.
Perhaps Qu Yanting’s visit to the set was specifically to see Ruan Feng.
Or perhaps Qu Yanting’s investment was also for Ruan Feng.
Lu Wen couldn’t control his thoughts, growing more agitated, suddenly remembering Qu Yanting’s humiliation of him, saying his salary was less than a third of Ruan Feng’s. He was hurt at the time, and now, while sipping yogurt, he was angry, thinking who would want to compare themselves to a pampered little lover!
Sun Xiaojian approached, puzzled, “Why are you so upset? Is the food that bad?”
Lu Wen mumbled a vague response, fearing that Sun Xiaojian might not keep quiet about such explosive gossip. As he struggled with his thoughts, he casually glanced out the window and saw a super-luxurious camper van approaching the runway.
“Who’s that?” he asked.
Sun Xiaojian replied, “That’s Xian Qi’s camper van. Who else could it be but Ruan Feng?”
Lu Wen asked again, “Why is the specification different?”
Sun Xiaojian explained, “That’s a private camper van, with a private assistant, bodyguards, and a stylist.”
Lu Wen understood, “Oh.”
Sun Xiaojian, sensing Lu Wen’s envy, added, “He’s always had such a grand setup over the years. Don’t compare yourself. It’s not like you can’t afford it.”
Lu Wen understood but couldn’t help asking, “About Ruan Feng… do you know?”
“Of course,” Sun Xiaojian said, “It’s an open secret in the industry. There are many people with backers, so it’s not worth discussing. But Ruan Feng’s backer is very well-hidden, which makes people curious, as no one can figure out who it is.”
Lu Wen pictured Qu Yanting’s Buddha-like figure in his mind. Outside, Ruan Feng’s camper van parked steadily, parallel to his own, with the windows facing each other.
Suddenly, Sun Xiaojian said, “Rumor has it that Ruan Feng’s backer is a man.”
“…Wow,” Lu Wen feigned surprise, “So he’s gay.”
Sun Xiaojian said, “Whether he’s gay or not doesn’t matter.”
Lu Wen asked, “What do you mean?”
Sun Xiaojian explained that the essence of hidden rules was money and resources. If a big shot takes an interest in you and you want to be supported, a deal is struck, and sexual orientation is irrelevant.
Lu Wen couldn’t understand, “Is it worth it?”
“Anyway, the temptation is huge,” Sun Xiaojian said. “Designer brands, luxury cars—arranged. Want to collaborate with any big name? Arranged. Want to try out any show? Arranged. Resources in film, fashion, advertising—all provided for you.”
That sounds so satisfying, Lu Wen blurted out, “Why doesn’t he work with Zeng Zhen’s movies?”
Sun Xiaojian didn’t pick up on the subtlety, “So, Ruan Feng’s backer is a mystery. Ruan Feng has many resources, and they fit him perfectly, especially the roles he gets, which seem tailor-made. That’s why his rise to fame has been smooth and doesn’t attract public disdain.”
It sounds like the backer is even closer than a biological father. Lu Wen digressed, “Why does no one want to support me?”
Sun Xiaojian was speechless, “You’re a rich second-generation heir. Can’t you just ask your own father?”
Lu Wen awkwardly said, “I was just saying.”
“You’re just good at talking,” Sun Xiaojian said, rolling his eyes. “Would you be willing to sleep with a big shot?”
A storm of thoughts swept through Lu Wen’s mind—late night, suite, desperate Ruan Feng, Qu Yanting, still wet after a shower… His lack of experience limited his imagination.
He quickly stopped himself and grabbed the script, heading downstairs.
Lu Wen sneaked to the southeast corner of the playground, where the first scene was to be filmed. The director’s monitor was already set up. He used the parallel bars to practice his lines.
Before long, Ruan Feng, refreshed from his nap, also came out of the luxurious camper van.
Wearing the same school uniform as Lu Wen, Ruan Feng approached energetically and greeted him from between the bars, “Morning, rehearsing lines?”
Lu Wen replied with a “Mm,” and Ruan Feng looked up at him, “You’ve got dark circles today, didn’t sleep well?”
Of course, Lu Wen chuckled awkwardly, “A bit of insomnia.”
Ruan Feng said, “I didn’t sleep well either.”
He brought his own pillow everywhere and had tossed and turned with the hotel pillow for a long time before falling asleep. Climbing onto the bars, he muttered, “I fell asleep very late last night, tossing and turning in bed until I was exhausted.”
Lu Wen shivered at the thought, almost falling off the bars.
He changed the subject, “Uh, do you want to practice lines together?”
When Qu Yanting arrived at the set, he saw Lu Wen and Ruan Feng sitting side by side on the bars, both holding a script. Due to their demeanor, despite their serious practice, they looked more like two underachievers putting on an act.
Ren Shu called out loudly, “I thought you weren’t coming today. Just in time to check the angles.”
Lu Wen looked up and saw Qu Yanting standing next to Ren Shu, wearing a loose gray sweater that was just the right amount of casual.
With a space left beside him, Ruan Feng jumped down from the bars.
Lu Wen quickly realized that Qu Yanting wasn’t here to oversee the shoot but to visit Ruan Feng. He didn’t move, not wanting to have any contact with Qu Yanting after the humiliation he suffered yesterday.
Unfortunately, the area was small, the camera moved in, and naturally, people walked over.
Ren Shu adjusted the camera, “Lu Wen, look over here.”
Unable to avoid it, Lu Wen dawdled, staring at the lawn, the Steadicam, the focus buttons, and finally lifted his eyes to the camera, inadvertently meeting Qu Yanting’s gaze.
Those eyes were still bright but also tired, with dark circles as noticeable as his own. Suddenly, Qu Yanting looked over, neither disdainful nor affectionate, with a neutral expression.
Lu Wen felt uncomfortable, gripping the bars tightly, his nails digging into the paint.
Bending slightly while looking at the camera, Qu Yanting winced in pain, furrowing his brows. Ren Shu asked with concern, “What’s wrong? You look unwell. Are you okay?”
Qu Yanting could have rested but had come to the set. He replied while glancing at Ruan Feng, “I didn’t sleep well and my back hurts.”
Lu Wen gasped. He understood—Qu Yanting’s glance carried a hint of reproach, his voice low, answering Ren Shu but actually teasing Ruan Feng.
Ren Shu asked, “How did your back hurt?”
Qu Yanting said, “The bed was too soft, and I sat too long.”
Lu Wen’s palms sweated. One was exhausted from tossing and turning, the other from sitting too long… It was clearly because they’d been at it for too long!
He glanced at Qu Yanting, the renowned scriptwriter and investor, looking refined and reserved, like a cold plum blossom in late December, yet secretly supporting a young star and hinting at it openly.
He couldn’t take it anymore, jumping off the bars and saying, “I’m going to touch up my makeup!”
Ren Shu remarked, “Touch up? Your face is already as red as a monkey’s butt.”
Lu Wen ran back to the camper van, heading straight for the refrigerator, twisting open a bottle of mineral water and chugging half of it.
“What’s wrong with you?” Sun Xiaojian asked.
Lu Wen replied, “Hidden rules aside, this is too crazy!”
Sun Xiaojian said, “Do you think it’s easy? The glamorous appearance might be just a front for a mess behind the scenes.”
Lu Wen was stunned, and after a long pause, he finally spoke:
“Damn, the entertainment industry is really dirty.”
The phrase “你是我祖宗” (nǐ shì wǒ zǔzōng) is a way of expressing frustration or resignation, often used humorously or sarcastically. It can be translated as “You’re my ancestor,” which in this context conveys that the speaker feels overwhelmed or at a loss in the face of the other person’s demands or authority. It’s not a literal statement but rather a rhetorical way of saying that the other person’s influence or demands are overwhelming.
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ma'er
ahhh lu wen XD