Crossover Actors - Chapter 34

That evening, the film crew held a wrap-up party for Yang Bin.

 

The banquet hall was on the top floor of a building, with a high dome ceiling and skylights that let in faint starlight. The bar-style layout and dim lighting were accented by dozens of thin spotlights sweeping the room in cycles. There was a dance floor, a stage, and soothing jazz music filling the air. Nearby, the buffet area had just served a round of top-grade oysters, and an eight-tier champagne tower stood tall.

 

The crowd was nearly all there, though the vibe was far more subdued than the lively energy at the opening ceremony. The actresses’ dresses were even less extravagant than the carpet beneath their feet. However, the atmosphere was relaxed, and everyone was in good spirits.

 

Lu Wen held a glass of red wine. He took a small sip, letting the liquid wet the tip of his tongue, tasting that the quality was mediocre. After that, he just carried it around for show, without taking another sip.

 

He wandered around, and as he passed the long dessert table, he ran into Xian Qi. She was holding an empty plate in one hand and a small purse in the other. He stopped and, in a gentlemanly and easygoing manner, asked, “Let me help you. What would you like to eat?”

 

Xian Qi replied, “Nothing.”

 

Lu Wen instantly dropped the polite act, “Then why’ve you been staring at it for so long? Admiring the view?”

 

Xian Qi said, “You don’t understand. Just one bite, and I’ll get fat. I’m a pure and innocent actress.” After spending time together, they’d become much more familiar with each other. “Do you want some? I can get it for you.”

 

“Do you think I’m not worried about getting fat?” Lu Wen, ever mindful of his image, wouldn’t back down. “I’m a handsome male star, after all.”

 

Xian Qi snorted, tossed her purse, and walked off to dance without a care.

 

Lu Wen, feeling indifferent, found the delicious-looking food unappetizing, and he had no desire to sit down for any grand conversation. He wandered around, eventually stopping by a wall to admire a luxurious oil painting.

 

Nearby were the tall doors to the hall, flanked by brass handles shaped like beast heads. Two servers pulled them open in unison.

 

The actors and crew were mostly present, so when a figure entered fashionably late, it caught everyone’s attention. They all turned, eager to see which big name had arrived.

 

Lu Wen was no exception. He tilted his head to take a glance.

 

Standing in the doorway was Qu Yanting, who entered with calm grace. His hair was slightly tousled, revealing a smooth forehead. As he stepped inside, he paused to remove his long coat and hand it to a server.

 

Underneath, he wore a pearl-colored lightweight linen shirt, cut in a loose, formal evening style. It had a wide, European Romantic collar that draped over only half of his collarbones, with two thin ribbons hanging loosely around his neck in place of a tie, swaying gently against his chest. His outfit was loose on top and tight below, paired with slim black trousers and black velvet smoking slippers.

 

Apart from a silver-engraved wristwatch, Qu Yanting wore no other jewelry. He looked both clean-cut and dashing, and as he moved, his shirt billowed lightly behind him, subtly outlining his waist.

 

Many of those present, both men and women, were momentarily mesmerized. They instinctively stepped aside to make way for him and greeted him with smiles, saying, “Hello, Director Qu.”

 

Qu Yanting nodded politely as he walked past, his usual reserved smile playing on his lips. When Ren Shu called out to him, he walked over and sat at the circular booth directly in front of the dance floor.

 

The band switched to a new song, melodic and pleasant. Lu Wen, half-heartedly keeping time to the beat, wandered over to a corner of the dance floor where the lights didn’t reach, feeling a small thrill at the thought of watching the room unnoticed.

 

“Yanting, you’re late,” Ren Shu remarked. “I thought you weren’t going to make it.”

 

Yang Bin, a highly esteemed veteran actor, had pushed through illness to complete the shoot. He had personally called to invite Qu Yanting to the wrap party, and not showing up would’ve been rude. Qu Yanting handed over a small gift bag, saying, “I got held up shopping. I hope you don’t mind, Mr. Yang.”

 

“For me?” Yang Bin took it with a smile. “You’re too kind, Director Qu.”

 

Qu Yanting had delayed his arrival for quite some time. Since he was already late, he figured it’d be better to buy a gift to make up for it. He gave a shy smile. “Just a little something to celebrate your wrap. It was hard work.”

 

Ren Shu handed Qu Yanting a glass of wine from a tray, and the two of them toasted Yang Bin together. Qu Yanting took a small sip and asked with concern, “Do you have any plans now, Mr. Yang?”

 

“I’m giving myself a winter break,” Yang Bin replied with a relaxed tone. “Once the weather gets cold, I can’t handle it. My respiratory system can’t take it, and my legs ache.”

 

Ren Shu added, “You should

 

Qu Yanting realized he had been tricked like a fool, and gave a hard squeeze, causing Lu Wen to grimace in pain, scattering popcorn everywhere.

 

At that moment, Ren Shu stepped into the dance floor, took Tao Meifan’s hand, and led her through a dance.

 

The atmosphere was heating up, and the stage lights came on. Many people rushed up to sing, and it started turning into a karaoke session. Lu Wen also wanted to sing but, for Qu Yanting’s sake, he had to settle for being a listener.

 

Everyone was having a great time. Tao Meifan and the actors came over to offer a toast to Yang Bin. Qu Yanting moved to the side, sitting up straight and maintaining an air of poise under everyone’s gaze.

 

Someone began to shout, “Teacher Yang, sing a song! Teacher Yang, sing!”

 

Yang Bin cheerfully took the stage and sang a trendy pop song, complete with a rap section, leaving everyone stunned. The mood was perfect, and he pointed to the audience, “Director, how about you sing one? It’s not too much to ask, is it?”

 

Ren Shu complained, “I just finished dancing! I’m still catching my breath!”

 

“Then pick someone!” Yang Bin waved his hand generously, “Pick a big shot to sing for you!”

 

The area around the booth was packed with people. Ren Shu, slightly tipsy and excited, downed a glass of wine, then called out, “Is Qu Bian* a big enough shot?”

 

Qu Yanting’s eyelid twitched. “I can’t, I really can’t sing.”

 

“Come on!” Ren Shu shouted, “Qu Bian, let’s hear one!”

 

Qu Yanting’s dry palms instantly became slick with sweat. He was surrounded by cheers and encouragement, the noise overwhelming him. His smile was thin, and even his head shake seemed like a reluctant consent.

 

Tao Meifan personally invited him, “Qu Bian, just one song!”

 

On stage, Yang Bin held out the microphone, “Qu Bian, consider it a send-off for me!”

 

Lu Wen, standing closest, noticed the subtle shift in Qu Yanting’s expression. It wasn’t embarrassment, but more like a mix of fear and discomfort.

 

Could Qu Yanting be tone-deaf and afraid of embarrassing himself? Lu Wen wanted to step in as a knight in shining armor, but he didn’t have the right qualifications.

 

Under the weight of everyone’s expectations, Qu Yanting stood up. In such a joyful occasion, with a senior personally inviting him, how could he spoil the fun? So, despite the sweat running down his back, he could only put on a graceful act.

 

Qu Yanting stepped onto the marble stage, about a foot high, took the microphone, and said some fitting and polite words, “Then I’ll make a fool of myself. This is to celebrate Teacher Yang wrapping up filming. I hope we can collaborate again in the future.”

 

The lights dimmed, and a small beam of light slowly swept across the room.

 

The sound of light rain began, as the intro music started to flow.

 

Qu Yanting lowered his eyes and slowly began to sing: “Do you still remember the hotel sign from that day, the smile you left with still etched in your expression…”

 

The entire city felt so light that day

 

We walked half a street together

 

Do you still remember the streetlights casting a yellow hue

 

Still warming the packed meal slightly

 

Your silhouette was so beautiful

 

I had to hold back tears to take a closer look

 

In Cantonese, Qu Yanting sang “The Promise” with his clear, cool voice. It was like a thread of cloud being pulled across a bright blue sky—tender, pure, lingering, and not fading away.

 

Lu Wen was mesmerized by the song, forgetting the surrounding scene. He couldn’t smell the red wine or feel the weight of the glass in his hand, which had become so light.

 

Countless images flashed through his mind: the door of room 6206, the dark alley, the dim light under the fifth tree, the steaming bowl of porridge, the reflection of a side profile in the taxi window… Qu Yanting’s slightly reddened eyes under the grapevine.

 

He had forgotten everything.

 

When the song ended, thunderous applause erupted. Qu Yanting walked down the stage with ease and composure, but behind him, his shirt clung coolly to his back, soaked with sweat, and no one knew of his discomfort.

 

Ren Shu, having caught his breath, took over the microphone and sang the next song, prompting another wave of cheers.

 

Qu Yanting didn’t return to the booth. He slipped through the crowd and headed outside, like a lone goose, still holding the pocket square Lu Wen had given him, wiping a row of cold sweat from his forehead.

 

He left the banquet hall in a hurry, not even bothering to retrieve his coat, just wanting to hide and be alone for a while.

 

Qu Yanting slipped into the bathroom and entered the innermost stall, locking the door behind him. He sat down on the toilet lid, bent over, resting his elbows on his thighs, and covered his eyes with his hands.

 

His thoughts were a mess. His fingers ran through his hair, messing up the style he had carefully arranged.

 

The sound of leather shoes echoed loudly. Someone entered, paused in the outer dressing area, and quickly left. The bathroom returned to its quiet, cold stillness, with no one else coming in.

 

Forty minutes passed. Qu Yanting, hiding in the stall, felt his body cool from the sweat, but bit by bit, his tension eased.

 

He took a deep breath, unlocked the door, washed his hands, and dried them. As he reached the bathroom door, he heard voices from outside.

 

“Sorry, you can’t go in.”

 

“It’s not under maintenance, but really, you can’t go in…”

 

“Please use the other restroom, sorry for the trouble.”

 

“Really sorry, please, just use the other one…”

 

It was Lu Wen’s voice.

 

So it wasn’t luck that no one had come in… Qu Yanting opened the door and saw Lu Wen standing outside, blocking the entrance with his broad back. A wave of indescribable emotion surged in his chest.

 

“Lu Wen,” he called out.

 

Lu Wen turned around. He didn’t understand everything, but he didn’t ask anything, carefully avoiding any topic that might make Qu Yanting uncomfortable. “Teacher Qu,” he said directly, “Do you want to go back to the party or head out?”

 

Qu Yanting replied, “I think I’ll head out.”

 

“Okay.” Lu Wen didn’t ask for any opinions. Since he had followed Qu Yanting out, it meant he was worried. “I’ll go with you.”

 

Without giving Qu Yanting a chance to object, Lu Wen pointed to the side, “I’ll grab your coat. Wait for me by the sculpture.”

 

Qu Yanting said, “Alright.”

 

As if afraid that Qu Yanting would run off, Lu Wen noticed Qu was still holding onto his pocket square and patted his chest, “I’ll need it back to stuff in my pocket. Before I return, could you fold it into a triangle for me?”

 

The top floor of the building had a minimalist style, with a slightly spacious feel. Qu Yanting stood beneath the sculpture, carefully folding the cloth in his hands.

 

It didn’t take long for Lu Wen to return with Qu Yanting’s coat draped over his arm.

 

The two were about ten meters apart. As Lu Wen walked towards him, he couldn’t tell if every step he took towards Qu Yanting was right or wrong.

 

He should have stayed away, but he chose to pursue. He should have left it alone, but he kept getting swept away.

 

Lu Wen couldn’t control it. Whether Qu Yanting was sitting alone on a sofa, standing on a dimly lit stage, or lost in a crowd of people—now, waiting by the cold, lifeless sculpture—all these scenes reminded Lu Wen of deep, swirling blue water.

 

Qu Yanting was sinking to the bottom, like a handful of snow dissolving in water, making people want to hold him, but afraid they wouldn’t be able to.

 

Lu Wen quickened his pace.

 

When he was just half a meter away, Qu Yanting had finished folding the cloth and stepped forward to hand it over.

 

But before he could pass it to him, Lu Wen rushed up, spread out the coat, and wrapped it tightly around Qu Yanting.

 

—

 

*Qu Bian refers to Qu Yanting in his role as a screenwriter (编剧 bianju).