Crossover Actors - Chapter 30

Qǔ Yanting and Ruan Feng are biological brothers, bound by blood.

 

The two are six years apart. Qǔ Yanting took his father’s surname, and was born in early spring, a time when swallows returned to fill the courtyard. Ruan Feng took his mother’s surname; the night before his birth, his mother dreamed of a crabapple flower, hence naming him Ruan Mèngtáng.

 

Ruan Feng was fair-skinned and timid, with a name that sounded like a girl’s, so he was often teased as a child. When he started his career, he wanted to change it, opting for the simple and easy-to-remember name, Ruan Feng.

 

Their father passed away early; Qǔ Yanting was eight years old at the time, and Ruan Feng was only two.

 

Their mother took them south to Sichuan, where she raised her two young sons on her own. The burden eventually took a toll on her health after five or six years of hard work. When their mother passed away, Qǔ Yanting had just finished his first year of middle school, and Ruan Feng was only in primary school.

 

From that point on, Qǔ Yanting shouldered all the responsibilities—studying, earning money, and taking care of the family—despite being just a boy who hadn’t yet entered puberty.

 

Qǔ Yanting raised Ruan Feng for five years. As his schoolwork became more demanding and the cost of tuition increased, it became harder for him to manage. After finishing high school, to ensure his younger brother had enough to eat and wear, he had no choice but to find Ruan Feng a new “home.”

 

The person who adopted Ruan Feng was a single elderly woman, childless and hoping for a companion. Qǔ Yanting took the initiative to sign the agreement, stating that as long as she treated Ruan Feng well, he would take responsibility for her care in her old age.

 

Qǔ Yanting attended university on financial aid. He was either introverted or self-conscious; he never spoke about his family, and his bleak and troubled upbringing was buried deep within his heart.

 

Years later, Qǔ Yanting became a screenwriter, and Ruan Feng entered the entertainment industry.

 

This is a circle rife with gossip and slander, and for other reasons as well, they chose to keep their sibling relationship a secret. Besides, legally speaking, after the adoption, Ruan Feng and Qǔ Yanting were no longer considered relatives.

 

Even now, as they work on the same film set, not even Ren Shù knows that Ruan Feng is Qǔ Yanting’s biological brother.

 

To Ruan Feng, Qǔ Yanting is his only blood relative, his greatest source of support and dependence since childhood. He’s always been clingy, so upon learning that Qǔ Yanting was sick, he didn’t think twice.

 

After inquiring, Ruan Feng touched Qǔ Yanting’s forehead, which was slightly warm—a sign of a low-grade fever.

 

“Much better.” Qǔ Yanting removed Ruan Feng’s hand, grasping it firmly, squeezing until the boy grimaced. He softly scolded, “Who told you to come here? Do my words just go in one ear and out the other?”

 

Ruan Feng felt extremely aggrieved, and his heart ached even more: “You’re my big brother. I’m in Chongqing, and you got sick but didn’t call me. Now you’re blaming me for coming to see you?”

 

Qǔ Yanting was at a loss for words and released his hand. He wouldn’t call anyone; ever since his father passed away, he had learned to cope on his own. He had never developed the habit of seeking help.

 

“It’s just a minor illness, don’t worry,” he said.

 

Ruan Feng, already knowing that Lù Wén was staying in room 6207, said, “It’s a good thing Brother Lù was here today.”

 

So now he’s calling him “Brother.” Qǔ Yanting subconsciously looked towards the door. Was the pretty nurse Lù Wén mentioned the one who changed his IV? Did he get her number?

 

Ruan Feng noticed the food on the table. He pulled out the receipt from the bag, and upon seeing the restaurant’s name, he knew that Lù Wén had gone out of his way to buy it. He recalled that when he first entered the ward, it seemed that Lù Wén was holding the porridge in front of him.

 

Ruan Feng exclaimed in surprise, “Brother, did he even feed you?”

 

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Qǔ Yanting explained, “It was too hot, so he blew on it.”

 

Ruan Feng was still amazed. Growing up, with their mother always busy, Qǔ Yanting had been the one taking care of his meals and clothing. Ever since he learned how to hold chopsticks, Qǔ Yanting hadn’t blown on his food for him.

 

“So Brother Lù is that considerate?”

 

“…Hmm.” Qǔ Yanting felt something was off. “He was just helping because I can’t use one of my hands.”

 

Ruan Feng said, “But he’s still a celebrity. He kept you company during the IV, bought you good food, and even risked his image for you.”

 

Qǔ Yanting was puzzled.

 

Ruan Feng recounted what the housekeeper had said: “It was Brother Lù who insisted they open the door. They were hesitant, and he yelled at them. If word got out, it might be seen as diva behavior.”

 

Qǔ Yanting was completely unaware: “Really?”

 

“If I’m lying, I’m a puppy.” Ruan Feng continued, “The housekeeper said Brother Lù was especially anxious and kept saying that nothing was more important than a living person, and that he would take responsibility for any consequences.”

 

Qǔ Yanting hadn’t heard enough: “What else?”

 

Ruan Feng recalled, “Brother Lù was about to go out, but he wasn’t at ease, so he came back.”

 

Qǔ Yanting had been feeling feverish and dizzy at the time. He vaguely remembered hearing someone call “Mr. Qǔ,” and when he opened his eyes, he saw Lù Wén crouching by his bedside. He thought the man had just happened to pass by, but it turned out he had come specifically to “rescue” him.

 

He owed a big favor tonight.

 

Ruan Feng, acting like a family member, said, “I’ll have to thank Brother Lù properly sometime.”

 

Qǔ Yanting flicked his forehead, saying helplessly, “You’d better behave.”

 

He was getting a headache; with Ruan Feng running over here, Lù Wén was bound to find it strange. How was he going to explain this?

 

“Don’t worry, Brother.” Ruan Feng’s forehead was red from the flick, but he felt strangely happy. “I knew Brother Lù was here, so I thought of an excuse on my way here. I’ll do the explaining.”

 

Ruan Feng picked up the porridge, finding that it was no longer hot, and tried to feed it to Qǔ Yanting.

 

After talking for a while, Qǔ Yanting issued a strict order for Ruan Feng to leave as soon as possible. The hospital was full of people, and if someone recognized him, it would cause trouble.

 

He picked up the phone from the table and handed it to Ruan Feng, reminding him to wear his hat properly.

 

Ruan Feng still wanted to linger but was puzzled when he checked his pockets: “Huh? I have my phone.”

 

Qǔ Yanting was also puzzled. Whose phone was this, then? He pressed the power button, and the screen lit up with a photo of Lù Wén wearing boots and riding a horse.

 

Ruan Feng exclaimed, “Wow, so cool!”

 

In the corridor, Lù Wén, wearing a trench coat, had intended to make a stylish exit, but he forgot his phone.

 

He wandered around the ward area, finished his hot chocolate, read some medical information posted on the walls, learned that the elderly man in the neighboring ward was surnamed Zhang, and even watched ten minutes of a TV show with him.

 

Lù Wén returned to the door of the ward, intending to retrieve his phone and also to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside. Just as he was about to knock, a patient’s family member hurried past and bumped into his shoulder, causing him to push the door open slightly.

 

Suddenly, Lù Wén saw Ruan Feng embracing Qǔ Yanting.

 

“Brother, if anything happens, you must call me,” Ruan Feng whispered, patting Qǔ Yanting’s back, just as Qǔ Yanting used to do when Ruan Feng was sick as a child.

 

Lù Wén froze in the doorway, hearing Qǔ Yanting’s low, gentle voice.

 

“Go back quickly.”

 

“Don’t worry.”

 

“Be good.”

 

He was perplexed. Qü Yanting had become a sickly person himself, yet he still had the energy to coax his little lover? How considerate of him.

 

While Lu Wen was lost in thought, Ruan Feng had already walked to the door, saw him, and said, “Brother Lu Wen, Mr Qü told me to leave first. I’ll take the emergency exit.”

 

Lu Wen, with his tall frame, helped shield Ruan Feng as they walked one after the other down the corridor and turned into the emergency exit.

 

The light was dim, and the two of them stood at the stairwell corner. Ruan Feng said, “Brother Lu Wen, thank you for taking care of Mr Qü today.”

 

Lu Wen had his hands in his coat pockets. “We’re in the same crew; helping out is just part of the job.”

 

Ruan Feng said, “You must be wondering why I came to visit Mr Qü, right?”

 

Lu Wen was well aware but pretended to be puzzled and nodded.

 

“Actually, I know Mr Qü,” Ruan Feng confessed. “To be precise, Mr Qü has done me a great favour.”

 

Lu Wen remained as steady as a rock but showed a hint of surprise on his face. He wasn’t one to gossip, but everyone has a curious side, and he wanted to hear about the relationship between Qü Yanting and Ruan Feng.

 

For instance, how did they meet? Who made the first move? In what way?

 

He understood that Ruan Feng would likely explain love as gratitude.

 

Ruan Feng pulled out his prepared story. “The first time I acted in a movie, I was fortunate to meet Mr Qü on the set.”

 

Lu Wen thought to himself, what a coincidence; he also met Qü Yanting on set.

 

“Back then, I was just a newbie and inevitably made a fool of myself, but Mr Qü didn’t mind my mistakes.”

 

Lu Wen was slightly startled, remembering the ridiculous blunders he made when he first joined the crew, which Qü Yanting also didn’t hold against him.

 

“My acting was raw, and I faced a lot of challenges. Mr Qü never put on airs; he would always call me aside to coach me.”

 

Lu Wen paused, sensing something was off.

 

“It was tough in the crew, but Mr Qü quietly took care of me.”

 

Lu Wen was completely dumbfounded.

 

His hand, loosely held in his pocket, broke out in a cold sweat. It was only then that he realized how Qü Yanting had gradually helped, cared for, and eventually won over Ruan Feng.

 

Yet all of it felt so familiar, so relatable.

 

Ruan Feng didn’t notice that Lu Wen was already in shock and continued his conclusion: “That’s how we met. Mr Qü is a low-profile person. Could you keep this confidential, please?”

 

Lu Wen didn’t respond. Ruan Feng asked, “Brother Lu Wen, are you okay?”

 

Grinding his teeth, Lu Wen slowly nodded and squeezed out a “I’m fine” through clenched teeth.

 

Ruan Feng smiled brightly. “Thanks! I’ll treat you to a meal another day!”

 

The sound of his light footsteps gradually faded away, disappearing on some floor. Lu Wen stood alone in the dim light, with Ruan Feng’s words echoing in his mind, hammering on his nerves.

 

The IV drip was almost finished. Qü Yanting used one hand to put away the meal receipt; he planned to pay Lu Wen back later, including the medical fees.

 

He received a few messages on his phone; they were from Ruan Feng. Qü Yanting opened them—

 

[**Brother, I’ve explained everything to Brother Lu Wen.**]

 

[**The story is convincing, consistent with our roles as screenwriter and actor, and flawless.**]

 

[**Brother Lu Wen didn’t suspect a thing; he even seemed quite touched.**]

 

[**I’m leaving now! Call me if anything comes up!**]

 

Qü Yanting felt temporarily at ease. He couldn’t help but glance at the door, thinking Ruan Feng had probably already gotten into the car, so why hadn’t Lu Wen come back yet?

 

As if his thoughts had conjured him, the next moment, Lu Wen pushed open the door but didn’t come in. He just stood at the entrance of the hospital room, looking solemn and grave.

 

His face was so serious it was almost as if he were possessed. Qü Yanting couldn’t help but wonder, could it be that someone rejected his number? He said, “Your phone is here.”

 

Lu Wen acted as if he didn’t hear. “I asked some questions earlier, but I want to confirm them again.”

 

Qü Yanting asked, “What questions?”

 

Lu Wen took a deep breath, lowering his naturally deep voice even further.

 

“When I offended you when I first joined the crew, were you mad at me?”

 

“What do you mean by mad?”

 

“Revising the script and adjusting my scenes—was that revenge?”

 

“Of course not. You can ask Ren Shu.”

 

“In Scene 14, when you criticized me, were you just giving direction? Helping me get into character?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“When my acting was terrible, you didn’t despise me?”

 

“You just needed guidance.”

 

“You never looked down on me?”

 

“No.”

 

“Assigning me an assistant—was that just because you pitied me for being short-handed?”

 

“And also because I cared a little.”

 

Lu Wen choked for a moment. “Do you… think I’m handsome?”

 

That photo of him on horseback flashed through Qü Yanting’s mind. He answered, “…Very handsome.”

 

After asking the final question, there was a loud bang as Lu Wen slammed the door and stormed out.

 

Qü Yanting was baffled, not understanding what had just happened.

 

Lu Wen walked to the nurse’s station and slumped over the desk, attracting the attention of the three nurses on duty, who gathered around him. He pleaded with the head nurse, “Sister, I want to check my blood pressure.”

 

He rolled up his sleeve, wrapped his arm with the cuff of the blood pressure monitor, and looked up at the ceiling, feeling his pulse and heart pounding together.

 

Soon, the measurement stopped fluctuating.

 

The head nurse said, “Your blood pressure is okay, but why is your heart beating so fast?”

 

Lu Wen buried his head in the desk, clutching his chest, feeling the rapid thumping.

 

How could it not be fast?

 

So everything had traces to follow.

 

Qü Yanting had actually… taken a liking to him.