Crossover Actors - Chapter 51

Compared to clothes, Lu Wen was more curious about the appearance of the popular young star. Observing from a few steps away, despite the sunglasses and the large part of his face hidden by his bangs, Jin Yanyu was still quite handsome.

 

His skin was fair but not as whitened as the photos fans had edited. He had a high nose bridge and a photogenic face with smooth contours and a distinctive chin that made Lu Wen feel a sense of déjà vu.

 

Suddenly, Jin Yanyu spoke up, “What are you looking at?”

 

His voice was pleasant, with an arrogant tone.

 

Lu Wen approached and extended his right hand, saying, “Hello, I’m Lu Wen.”

 

Jin Yanyu shook hands, or rather, touched Lu Wen’s fingers lightly, and said, “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

 

Lu Wen quickly stepped aside to avoid escalating the situation. After moving only a step, Jin Yanyu walked past him with a neutral expression.

 

Back in the nanny car, the others went to get drinks, leaving only Sun Xiao Jian on the car. With no outsiders around, Lu Wen complained, “I just ran into Jin Yanyu.”

 

“Really?” Sun Xiao Jian asked. “Did you say hello?”

 

Lu Wen snorted, “I did.”

 

Sun Xiao Jian observed his demeanor and understood, “Was he acting all high and mighty? The current top star, huh? So, how is he in person?”

 

Lu Wen replied honestly, “He looks pretty good, not much different from the photos.”

 

“Of course, if he were ugly, he wouldn’t be a star,” Sun Xiao Jian mused. “Do you think Jin Yanyu’s face resembles someone else’s…”

 

Lu Wen agreed, “Yeah, it does seem familiar.”

 

Sun Xiao Jian thought for a moment and said, “I got it… He looks like Director Qu?”

 

Lu Wen was struck by this realization. There was indeed some resemblance in the facial features, though he intellectually acknowledged it but emotionally didn’t want to accept it. “No way, the features and temperament are quite different.”

 

Sun Xiao Jian exaggerated, “Not too different, though. If Director Qu were young and became a star, he’d definitely be a popular young actor too.”

 

Lu Wen replied, “Mm-hmm.”

 

Sun Xiao Jian continued, “If Director Qu had a girlfriend and had a daughter in the future, she’d definitely be a beauty.”

 

Lu Wen couldn’t respond to that, his mind wandering to the idea of a little girl with phoenix eyes, Qu Yan Ting’s daughter… But who would Qu Yan Ting fall in love with, be affectionate with, and eventually marry to have a child?

 

Lu Wen clenched his fists, disturbed by Sun Xiao Jian’s casual guess, feeling as if he were on high alert, tangled in a web of conflicting emotions.

 

Suddenly, someone knocked on the car window.

 

Lu Wen relaxed his fingers, wiped his face, smoothing out his frown and forehead, and put on a composed expression. When the car door opened, he calmly looked at the unfamiliar face outside.

 

Sun Xiao Jian asked, “May I help you?”

 

“Hello,” the person introduced themselves. “I’m Mr. Jin’s assistant.”

 

Sun Xiao Jian smiled, “Oh, hello. Is there something I can help with?”

 

The assistant said, “Mr. Jin doesn’t like to have a wardrobe clash. He hopes Mr. Lu can change into a different coat.”

 

It was quite direct, almost like an order. Lu Wen, rarely facing such demands, tugged at the corners of his mouth. After pushing Sun Xiao Jian aside, he said, “We’re already on camera before departure. Is there really a need to change now?”

 

The assistant explained, “That was filmed separately. We’ll be in the same frame in the old town.”

 

Lu Wen responded, “So, matching outfits in the same frame sounds perfect.”

 

The assistant, not expecting someone from a low-tier background to be so stubborn, insisted, “We hope you can cooperate.”

 

Lu Wen asked, “If I cooperate this time, will he cooperate next time if there’s a wardrobe clash?”

 

The assistant handed over a business card for the team’s stylist and said, “The stylists from both sides can communicate. We’ll inform you of Mr. Jin’s outfits in advance to avoid similar situations.”

 

“How will you inform us?” Lu Wen asked. “Will it be via photos? That’s more intuitive.”

 

The assistant thought for a moment and said, “That’s fine.”

 

Lu Wen waited for this response and said, “Make sure to send the edited ones. After seeing him in person, I was disillusioned!”

 

Sun Xiao Jian quickly took the card, trying to smooth things over, and agreed with the assistant. Once the assistant, who looked displeased, left, Lu Wen immediately cursed, “Damn him!”

 

“Behave yourself…”

 

“Behave my ass. This is just too much. Jin’s attitude shows he’s insecure—whoever is insecure, it’s because of their own issues!”

 

After venting his frustration, Lu Wen felt a lot better. He wrapped himself in his coat and Sun Xiao Jian awkwardly asked, “So… are you going to change?”

 

Lu Wen replied, “Why should I change? I’m not afraid of him. What’s he even worth?”

 

Sun Xiao Jian said, “Didn’t Director Qu advise you not to provoke Jin Yanyu?”

 

“This is him pushing me around.” Lu Wen turned his head, “Besides, my dad told me not to play the fool outside. My real dad and… and the teacher’s words—clearly, I should prioritize my real dad’s advice.”

 

Sun Xiao Jian was helpless. If the other party had communicated properly, Lu Wen’s carefree nature might have accepted it. But once confronted in an aggressive manner, there was no way to handle it.

 

After a fifteen-minute rest at the service area, the crew set off again. Leaving the highway, they drove along winding mountain roads and arrived at the filming location, Lanshui Ancient Town.

 

Amidst the clear mountains and waters, rows of houses were scattered. A bit of rain had fallen, and the roofs and bricks were glistening with moisture. Lu Wen held a black umbrella, tapping the tip of the umbrella on the ground in rhythm with his boots.

 

Jin Yanyu got out of the car in front, removed his sunglasses, and when he saw Lu Wen had not changed his coat, he appeared momentarily stunned, then clearly displeased.

 

Lu Wen maintained his cool persona and pretended not to notice.

 

All the guests had gathered. Xu You Ke looked just as he did on TV—chubby, able to be serious or humorous; Yi Chuan had a regal appearance and figure but was very sweet, speaking with a soft Fujian accent; Tu Ying, at thirty-nine, had an undeniable glamorous presence with a notable track record on screen, and this was her first reality show.

 

The five guests were divided into two groups by drawing lots, and unfortunately, Lu Wen and Jin Yanyu ended up in the same group.

 

They were tasked with finding a craftsman named Cao Lan Xu. The ancient town wasn’t large, so the two of them strolled slowly, with the camera following. Lu Wen lowered his voice and said, “How come I’m in the same group as you?”

 

Jin Yanyu rolled his eyes. He had previously told the production team, “Do you really think it was by chance? I requested to be in the same group as you.”

 

Lu Wen was shocked, “Are you crazy?”

 

Jin Yanyu turned to the camera and flashed a bright smile, then turned back, “I need to avoid suspicion with the female guests. You don’t have any fans, so you might not understand. As for Xu You Ke, he’s a senior, and I need to show him respect.”

 

“Damn,” Lu Wen said, forcing a smile at the camera, “So I’m unlucky?”

 

Jin Yanyu said, “You’re so insignificant that if the footage is cut, it wouldn’t matter.” He hooked his arm around Lu Wen’s and touched his cufflinks. “So delicate. Wear it well.”

 

Lu Wen swiftly pulled his hand away and put his arm around Jin Yanyu’s shoulder, pretending to be friendly, “Am I looking handsome? Check out my long legs. And you? You might not get it with your false height claims.”

 

Jin Yanyu’s face alternated between pale and green with anger.

 

The two continued their quiet bickering until they found Cao Lan Xu’s house. At the entrance, both were momentarily silent. The plaque read “Cao Residence,” and inside was a spacious hall, clearly a wealthy household.

 

The large traditional Chinese door with brass rings opened, revealing an old man in Tang clothing, thin and dark-skinned, with jingling silver bracelets on his hands. He was Cao Lan Xu, a traditional silver craftsman. 

 

Lu Wen muttered, “Seems pretty rich.”

Jin Yanyu muttered, “No need for charitable support.”

 

The two of them walked up the steps. According to the script communicated by the production team, they were supposed to exchange pleasantries and pay their respects before moving on.

 

Cao Lan Xu was serious and had the dignity of a craftsman. Without waiting for them to speak, he took the initiative, “Are you brothers?”

 

It was all because of their matching clothes. Lu Wen and Jin Yanyu quickly clarified, each speaking in turn to create a confused effect: “I’m Lu Wen—just a single character, Wen—Jin Yanyu, Yan from ‘rock’—just call me Xiao Lu—Yu from ‘to give.’”

 

“Alright, I can’t remember all that,” Cao Lan Xu said, glancing at their identical coats. “Tall one is Big Gray, short one is Little Gray.”

 

Lu Wen: “…”

 

Jin Yanyu: “…”

 

They finally entered the house. The first floor served as Cao Lan Xu’s workshop, while the second floor had rooms for living. As dusk arrived, the purple-red light bathed the yard, adding a golden edge to the wooden structure of the house.

 

The bedroom was narrow but tidy, without heating or air conditioning, and a camera was set up in the corner. Lu Wen pushed three suitcases aside and collapsed onto the soft, new bedding.

 

The first day ended quickly, and as night fell, the unfamiliar environment felt particularly desolate.

 

After a shower, Lu Wen curled up under the covers, shivering in the cold. With the lights off, he thought about the big villa, his home, his three childhood friends, and even Ling Ling Jie. He even missed Lu Zhan Qing.

 

But when he thought of one person, he turned onto his side and slowly pulled the blanket tighter.

 

The phone screen lit up. Lu Wen opened it and saw a QQ unread message.

 

**Shy Writer:** Are you there?

 

**Unlucky Singer:** Yes, just say it.

 

**Shy Writer:** I’m having some trouble with the story I’m writing and need your opinion.

 

**Unlucky Singer:** I’m afraid I might not understand…

 

**Shy Writer:** I need to do field research.

 

Lu Wen understood. The other person was afraid of the process of field research and interacting with people. He replied, “I think you should give it a try. Face your fears. If it’s too hard, you can always go back halfway.”

 

A few minutes later, the Shy Writer replied: “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

 

**Unlucky Singer:** Mm, good luck.

 

**Shy Writer:** How about you?

 

**Unlucky Singer:** I’m on a business trip, with no internet, just using data.

 

**Shy Writer:** Are you doing okay?

 

**Unlucky Singer:** Not bad, just have a big idiot among my colleagues.

 

**Shy Writer:** Ha.

 

Lu Wen covered himself with the blanket and smiled. True to his nature, the Shy Writer only managed a single “ha.” During the pause, he flipped through the chat history with the Shy Writer.

 

Feeling a bit bold, he asked: “Writer, are you married?”

 

After a few minutes, the Shy Writer replied: “Single.”

 

Lu Wen hesitated before typing out a long message: “I have a friend who suffered from trauma and pain for many years. It was only with the help and companionship of a loved one that they truly recovered. Perhaps you could find a partner, someone who can be there with you face-to-face, share any intimate moments with you. That would be more powerful than a hundred volunteers behind a screen.”

 

The screen’s light was slightly blinding. Lu Wen pressed send and awaited a response, the seconds stretching into an eternity.

 

After a long wait, the Shy Writer replied: “I’m not that lucky.”

 

Lu Wen hesitated, unsure how to continue.

 

The Shy Writer then gently masked their helplessness and sadness, changing the subject: “What about you?”

 

Lu Wen lay in the unfamiliar bed, in a foreign place, talking to a friend he had never met. All the increased heart rate, the panic, the fluctuating emotions, the powerless stubbornness in the teasing—all surged up, like a roar in his ears.

 

He secretly and awkwardly typed a line of text:

 

“I think I’ve started to like someone.”