Crossover Actors - Chapter 55

Chapter 55

 

Qü Yanting closed the laptop, feeling a bit tired. He crossed his arms and leaned against the headboard, resting the back of his head against the wall without caring about cleanliness. He counted silently in his mind, once, twice, three times, all the way to the ninth time.

 

“That’s enough.” Qü Yanting couldn’t take it anymore. “Can you stop playing it on loop?”

 

Lu Wen paused the video that was playing for the tenth time, unable to pull himself away. “This is so satisfying, so satisfying, I can’t stop once I start.”

 

“…” Qü Yanting decided to take a step back. “Do me a favor and wear headphones.”

 

Lu Wen closed the video and opened the trending topics. “Jin Yanyu’s video” was still at the top, his own name was in second place, and “Utopia’s Statement” was right behind.

 

Jin Yanyu, true to his status as a popular figure, caused a sensation the moment the video was released. His fans were probably just as stunned—one moment they were proudly defending their idol, and the next, they were so shocked they could only type a string of question marks.

 

From the reposted Weibo to today’s video, Lu Wen had spoken up and responded each time. There were no vague insinuations, no lengthy tirades, just a concise and accurate statement of his stance and hard evidence.

 

This incident had completely turned around. The pretty wrapper around Jin Yanyu’s image was torn apart, exposing his true nature to millions of viewers. Not only were his fans caught off guard, but even the top PR team would have a hard time coming up with a solution.

 

Lu Wen kept scrolling through the screen until he saw the program team’s statement issued at 10 AM. When he opened the comments, the public opinion had already shifted 360 degrees. He asked, “Teacher Qü, what do you think the program team is doing?”

 

Qü Yanting replied lazily, “Ask your agent.”

 

Just as he finished speaking, Sun Xiaojian called, definitely to discuss the video. Lu Wen answered on speaker, and the other party’s excited exclamations immediately filled the room: “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.”

 

Lu Wen got caught up in the excitement. “Amazing, right?”

 

Qü Yanting, resigned to this golden partnership, lowered his arms from his chest, hiding the faint growl of his stomach.

 

Lu Wen asked, “What’s going on over there?”

 

Sun Xiaojian said, “I’m in the room. Jin Yanyu’s team came knocking, but I didn’t answer. They left. They’re probably in a panic trying to come up with something.”

 

Lu Wen, feeling vindicated, said, “Let him be arrogant with me again!”

 

“Exactly, he really asked for it.” Sun Xiaojian, feeling triumphant, had completely recovered from his earlier slump. “Superstar, let’s not get mad anymore. I’ll handle the follow-up. You should get a good rest.”

 

There was no way Lu Wen could sleep, so he asked, “Has there been any response from the program team?”

 

“The main person in charge contacted me directly,” Sun Xiaojian said, amazed. “But I didn’t have much to say. What happens next is mostly between them and Jin Yanyu.”

 

Lu Wen wasn’t going to let his wrongful treatment slide. “They must apologize publicly.”

 

“That’s the least of it,” Sun Xiaojian said cryptically. “There’s a good chance that Jin Yanyu will withdraw.”

 

Lu Wen looked at Qü Yanting in surprise, seeking confirmation. After this incident, Qü Yanting was no longer just a screenwriter in his eyes—he was practically a god who could predict the future.

 

Unfortunately, Qü Yanting, with his lowered eyelashes, was currently in a meditative, ethereal state.

 

“Really?”

 

“Think about it. Jin Yanyu has caused such a fuss with you, treated Master Cao that way—can the show go on? Even if they fake it, no one will believe it. The program team is basically shooting themselves in the foot with their ‘most authentic show ever’ slogan.”

 

“So, the program team definitely won’t protect him?”

 

“The whole thing blew up before it even aired. For the sake of the show’s reputation and ratings, they’ll absolutely distance themselves. In the end, it’s about saving their own skin. You’ll see what happens with the apology and statement.”

 

Lu Wen eagerly asked, “When will they release it?”

 

“Don’t worry, they’re more anxious than you are,” Sun Xiaojian said. “This matter has such high visibility, it will be no later than tonight.”

 

Sun Xiaojian blocked a slew of media interview requests for Lu Wen, reminding him that staying silent at a time like this was crucial. He advised, “Your schedule will be adjusted. There’s no shooting for the next couple of days. Just get some good rest.”

 

Lu Wen agreed, “Okay, I know.”

 

Just before hanging up, Sun Xiaojian called out, “Hey, next time you have a surprise like this, can you give me a heads-up first?”

 

Lu Wen chuckled. “Wasn’t it a real twist of fate?”

 

“More than that! Do you know how fast my heart was beating when I saw the Weibo update?” Sun Xiaojian said. “I almost died.”

 

Lu Wen, quick to forget his worries, said, “I’ll be more careful next time.”

 

“Yeah, right!” Sun Xiaojian retorted mercilessly. “Thank goodness Qü Yanting helped this time. What are you to him anyway? And you still dare talk about a ‘next time’!”

 

Before he could turn off the speakerphone, the voice echoed throughout the small room. Lu Wen, unable to respond, just hung up. The room fell into sudden silence, and he awkwardly traced the floral patterns on the bedspread.

 

Qü Yanting spoke leisurely, “Where’s the nearest hotel?”

 

Lu Wen, slyly, said, “I have no idea. You must be tired, right? Don’t bother with the hotel.”

 

Qü Yanting wasn’t picky. “But what will we eat here?”

 

Lu Wen suddenly realized his oversight, regretting his lack of attentiveness. He immediately got out of bed. “You should have said so earlier! Do you think I’d let you go hungry? Take a nap, and I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

 

Qü Yanting was a bit surprised. This show was really something—it even taught him how to cook in just a few days?

 

The kitchen was on the first floor, and it used a wood-burning stove. Lu Wen forcibly dragged Master Cao into the kitchen while he helped out by sitting on a small stool, adding firewood and fanning the flames.

 

Cao Lanxu skillfully sautéed and stir-fried, listening to Lu Wen describe the current situation as if it were a big deal. He said, “So, I’m famous among netizens too?”

 

“Yep.” Lu Wen waved the big fan. “I’ve even promoted you! Many netizens are complimenting your bracelet.”

 

Cao Lanxu was in a good mood. He added a dish of steamed chicken, tilted his head toward the roof, and asked, “Da Hui, what’s your relationship with that screenwriter?”

 

Lu Wen slowed his pace of fanning the fire and answered, “A friend.”

 

“Doesn’t seem like it,” Cao Lanxu said, tossing a handful of chili peppers into the pot. “You listen to that screenwriter too well for it to just be a friendship.”

 

Lu Wen reconsidered and rephrased, “Actually, Teacher Qu is my superior.”

 

Cao Lanxu wasn’t convinced. “A superior coming all the way out here to clean up your mess? Who are you trying to fool?”

 

“Then what do you think it is?”

 

“If I knew, would I bother asking?”

 

Lu Wen shoved two pieces of firewood into the stove. The fire flared up, accompanied by the crackling sound of sizzling oil. Half replying, half talking to himself, he muttered softly, “You should ask him and see what he’s willing to be to me.”

 

Three dishes and a soup were laid out on the low table. Qu Yanting came downstairs and saw Lu Wen sitting next to the big yellow dog, a surprisingly harmonious sight.

 

He was starving, having only packed food for Commander Huang before leaving and completely neglecting himself. Taking his seat, he picked up the bowl and silently began eating, his lips glistening with a layer of oil.

 

Lu Wen preemptively said, “Teacher Qu, there are only two rooms left upstairs that are usable. One is occupied by Jin Yanyu’s things, so you’ll have to make do and share one with me.”

 

Qu Yanting nodded and tore off a chicken wing.

 

Lu Wen gestured to the door behind him. “That’s the bathroom. It doesn’t have heating, so it’s especially cold when showering. I’ll go first, and you can take advantage of the remaining warmth afterward so it won’t be as bad.”

 

Qu Yanting, gnawing on a bone, agreed.

 

As the day darkened and the sun sank into the western horizon, Qu Yanting finished eating, wiped his hands, rolled up his sleeves, and glanced at his watch. He said, “It should be about time. Let’s check online.”

 

Lu Wen logged into Weibo. The red notification numbers under “Messages” were overwhelming. Opening the comments, he saw apologies as well as fanlike compliments—both were bittersweet. In the reposts, five minutes ago, Utopia’s official account had tagged him in a statement of apology and clarification.

 

As expected, the show’s producers distanced themselves from the matter, sincerely apologized to Lu Wen, and announced that Jin Yanyu would withdraw from the subsequent recording of Utopia. Jin Yanyu’s studio also released a statement with similar meaning and wording.

 

This was Lu Wen’s true “vindication.” He thought he would feel relieved or excited, but in the face of this hard-won resolution, he discovered a surprising sense of calm.

 

He sighed and said, “Honestly, I thought Jin Yanyu was just arrogant, not malicious, so I didn’t guard against him.”

 

Qu Yanting remarked, “Good people can never guard against bad ones. That’s why I told you not to provoke him.”

 

“It’s not entirely my fault,” Lu Wen said, closing Weibo. “That guy’s a bit odd. I insulted his short legs, refused to change clothes to spite him, and even argued with him—nothing happened. But just chatting with him made him explode.”

 

Qu Yanting couldn’t help but pour himself another bowl of soup and asked, “What did you chat about?”

 

Lu Wen confessed, “I talked about you.”

 

Qu Yanting paused, setting down the half-sipped soup. Seeing this, Lu Wen quickly explained, “I didn’t talk nonsense. I just said you’re better-looking than him.”

 

Qu Yanting asked, “Why did the conversation turn to appearances?”

 

“Because he asked me what you looked like,” Lu Wen said. “So I showed him a photo.”

 

Qu Yanting felt something was off. “How do you have a photo of me?”

 

Lu Wen froze, scratching the back of his head guiltily and stammering, “Your brother sent it to me. Mainly pictures of the cat. One of them had you in it. I accidentally saved it…and accidentally forgot to delete it.”

 

Hearing it was Ruan Feng, Qu Yanting grew even more uneasy. At home, his brother didn’t care about decorum, often taking pictures in random clothes like boxers or tank tops with dubious expressions. Fearing his embarrassing moments were exposed, he coaxed, “Show me.”

 

Lu Wen cleverly tucked his phone away. “Sorry, out of battery.”

 

That night, Lu Wen showered first, diving under the covers while still warm from the steam. Before Qu Yanting came in, he pushed the two pillows together but placed a lip balm in the middle to make it look less deliberate.

 

Hearing the creak of the stairs, Lu Wen quickly rolled to the other side, leaned against the bedhead, and opened a book he had brought but never read. When the door opened, he nonchalantly flipped a page.

 

The short distance upstairs had chilled Qu Yanting’s feet, and his silk pajamas clung to his skin like a layer of cellophane. He initially intended to dive straight under the covers, but Lu Wen’s overly composed demeanor distracted him.

 

Lifting the quilt, Qu Yanting knelt onto the bed. “Rare to see you so quiet.”

 

“It’s nothing,” Lu Wen replied. “I like reading a bit before bed.”

 

Qu Yanting refrained from exposing him, lying sideways as he played along. “What are you reading?”

 

Lu Wen had grabbed a random book from his study and couldn’t recall the title. Unable to check the cover in front of Qu Yanting, he racked his brain and answered, “A collection of essays, Human Grain.”

 

Qu Yanting grasped a corner of the pillow, his lips taut but his eyes involuntarily curving. “Is there enough grain for humans to eat?”

 

“Just about,” Lu Wen flipped another page. “Depends on how it’s grown.”

 

Qu Yanting couldn’t hold back any longer. His face flushed as he laughed, snatching the book from Lu Wen’s hands and snapping it shut against his chest. “Idiot, just go to sleep.”

 

Lu Wen saw the title clearly—he’d remembered wrong. It was Human Nutriments.

 

Flustered, he set the book aside and turned off the lights. In the darkness, it wasn’t so embarrassing. Qu Yanting turned over and quieted down, curling up under the quilt.

 

Lu Wen, wide awake, realized this was their second time sharing a bed. The first time, Qu Yanting had been drunk, vulnerable, and clingy. Tonight, he was perfectly sober, so much so that he didn’t even turn his head.

 

Pulling out his phone, Lu Wen dimmed the screen brightness. Unsure who to message, he finally opened QQ. After some thought, he typed: “Still awake?”

 

Qu Yanting was exhausted and on the verge of sleep when his phone lit up. Seeing it was a QQ message, he forced himself to check.

 

The air was damp and cold, and he was almost entirely under the covers. Half-asleep, he typed back: “What’s up?”

 

Unlucky Little Pop Star: Big news to share!

 

Socially Anxious Little Writer: ?

 

Unlucky Little Pop Star: That idiot colleague quit. Finally, my suffering is over.

 

Socially Anxious Little Writer: Ha, congratulations.

 

Unlucky Little Pop Star: What about you? Have you decided whether to go on that field trip?

 

Socially Anxious Little Writer: I’m already here.

 

Lu Wen was surprised and genuinely happy for the other’s courage to take this step. He also felt a bit of pride as a supporter. Encouragingly, he typed: “Good luck. You’re stronger than you think.”

 

Qu Yanting smiled faintly. After all, they were just familiar strangers online, so he felt no need to hide anything. He admitted, “Actually, I came here for someone.”

 

Unlucky Little Pop Star: Found a partner already?

 

Socially Anxious Little Writer: …

 

Afraid of crossing a line, Lu Wen quickly sent a sticker to diffuse the situation, then steered the topic back to himself: “I think I mentioned it before—I feel like I might like someone. Do you remember?”

 

Socially Anxious Little Writer: Yes.

 

Unlucky Little Pop Star: Should I be more proactive, or should I play it cool?

 

Socially Anxious Little Writer: How would I know?

 

Unlucky Little Pop Star: Use your writer’s brain!

 

Socially Anxious Little Writer: If you feel like hitting them, play it cool.

 

Unlucky Little Pop Star: Did you redirect all your social skills to arguing?

 

Socially Anxious Little Writer: What do you want to do?

 

Lu Wen pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, swallowing a gulp of air. The room behind him was quiet. He couldn’t tell if Qu Yanting was already asleep.

 

Fingers moving over the keyboard, he laid bare both the honest and unseemly feelings within him. He typed: “I want to hold him in my arms. I’m desperate to.”

 

Qu Yanting was too tired to continue and lacked the energy to analyze emotions. Besides, he hadn’t noticed the word “him.” He responded briefly, then stuffed his phone under his pillow.

 

Socially Anxious Little Writer: Good luck. You’re stronger than you think.

 

The mattress shifted. Behind him, there was the sound of rustling.

 

A warm, solid body pressed tightly against his back. Qu Yanting, who hadn’t yet closed his eyes, was suddenly enveloped in Lu Wen’s arms.