Xiao Yi gave him the script, and Lu Zhou furrowed his brow, murmuring several times, saying, "I don't know why, but when I start acting, my mind goes blank. I couldn't even rehearse last night with the script."

Xiao Yi comforted, "Don't worry, after resting for so long, it's normal. You'll get better slowly."

Lu Zhou paced back and forth in the corridor, suddenly kicked the trash can, making a loud noise. Xiao Yi advised him, "Don't be impulsive, Zhou Ge..."

No one came out to see what happened in the shooting interval. Xiao Yi glanced around and saw that the door was slightly closed.

Exhausted, Lu Zhou stood in front of Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi looked into his eyes, and Lu Zhou's restless and uneasy gaze gradually calmed down as he took a deep breath.

"It's a bit cold outside," Xiao Yi said as he cleaned up the trash can. "Let's go inside."

Lu Zhou and Xiao Yi sat aside, and Ning Yaqing smiled, saying, "I'm leaving, handsome, keep it up."

Lu Zhou nodded, and Ning Yaqing handed Xiao Yi a stack of hand warmers. Xiao Yi wished he could stick one on his face too. He then put several hand warmers on Lu Zhou's shoulders and legs.

Lu Zhou repeatedly recited his lines, getting more and more agitated. Turning to say something, he saw Xiao Yi with a hand warmer on his head and couldn't help but laugh.

"Look," Xiao Yi said, "Zhou Ge, many fans are talking about you today."

Xiao Yi showed Lu Zhou the Weibo page. Today was the start of shooting for a urban idol drama in which Lu Zhou was participating after recovering. A chain bakery called Casa Bakery was the main sponsor of the series. Weibo also launched a grand cake voucher giveaway event. The comments were all about how handsome the male lead was and how they were waiting for him.

Lu Zhou nodded. The next scene involved Lu Zhou and the supporting actor fighting in a set, flipping tables, kicking over tea tables. The supporting actor didn't dare to fight too hard, fearing Lu Zhou might get injured. When he grabbed Lu Zhou's collar and pushed him against the wall, both Xiao Yi and Lu Zhou's expressions changed.

"You... you..." Lu Zhou panted, his face flushed.

"I'm warning you," the supporting actor gritted his teeth, "Don't get close to her again, put away your dirty money!"

Lu Zhou was furious, straightening his shirt and tie, shouting, "Someone!"

The supporting actor threw a stack of money at Lu Zhou's face, scattering it all over the floor.

The director wasn't entirely satisfied but let it pass.

Next was a scene where Lu Zhou consulted a lawyer. This scene had a lot of dialogue. Xiao Yi spread the script on the desk, and Lu Zhou, sitting in a swivel chair, pondered with a golden pen in hand, occasionally glancing at the script, stuttering a bit.

Four scenes were shot in the afternoon. Night scenes couldn't be done today due to snowfall in Beijing.

Xiao Yi finally felt relieved. As he was leaving, the director said to Lu Zhou, "Teacher Lu."

Lu Zhou nodded, still frowning. The director seemed to be considering something, but Lu Zhou said, "It's okay, go ahead."

"Although Li Guangming is rogue and unruly," the director mentioned, "he's lovably rogue, making people love and hate him. Even if he says something excessive to Ai Ning, it doesn't make people hate him. A man can't be bad, and a woman can't help but love him."

Lu Zhou said, "I've been having trouble getting into character lately. I'll go through the script seriously when I get home tonight."

"If there are any problems, call me anytime," the director gestured, and Lu Zhou tightly held the script and left.

Xiao Yi smiled, "What do you want to eat tonight? I told the restaurant not to deliver."

Lu Zhou sighed, "I don't feel like eating, anything is fine."

"I have cake vouchers from the producer here, look, it's free," Xiao Yi said.

Lu Zhou looked at Xiao Yi, pushed his face away with one hand, and said, "Stop bothering, I don't have the energy to scold you."

Xiao Yi got off the car in front of Casa Bakery, exchanged some bread and cakes, and went home. Lu Zhou spread out the script for the next day's shoot, laying it out on the dining table, sheet by sheet.

"Let's take a shower first," Xiao Yi said, "I'll rehearse with you later."

Lu Zhou didn't say anything and went to take a shower. After both of them showered, Xiao Yi cut the cake, brewed hot tea. Snowflakes fluttered outside, and a warm lamp shone brightly on the dining table, hanging low.

"What kind of love is this?" Lu Zhou twitched his mouth, laughing, "You love me? Is this love? Look at the nonsense you bought. Let me tell you, I don't love you! I don't love you no matter how much you do. I won't love you."

Xiao Yi looked up and recited seriously, "Yes, you're wealthy, you're high and mighty, you can feed dogs with other people's sincerity! But one day, when you reach their level!"

Xiao Yi gestured, pointing at the non-existent NPCs who were bullied by Lu Zhou, and added, "You'll know how painful that feeling is!"

Xiao Yi thought to himself, damn, I'm really not cut out for acting. If I ever play a female lead and film a TV drama, I'll probably get so embarrassed that I'll jump off a building even before the audience gets to strangle me.

"Isn't this great?" Xiao Yi said, "You were just not in the state at the beginning."

"Come on," Lu Zhou rubbed his face with his hand, solemnly.

Xiao Yi looked at Lu Zhou expectantly.

"You..." Lu Zhou said.

"What kind of love," Xiao Yi muttered.

"What kind of love?" Lu Zhou said to Xiao Yi, "You... you love me? Um, you love me and I love you... forgot."

Both fell silent.

"Let's try again," Xiao Yi suggested.

Lu Zhou repeated several times, still stumbling. When he hesitated, he glanced at the script on the table. Xiao Yi didn't say anything. Like a teacher helping a student memorize, they went through those lines together.

Du Mei called, and Xiao Yi went to pick her up.

"It's... it's okay," Xiao Yi said, "Just rested for a while. Today was a bit rough."

Du Mei asked, "Could it be the aftermath of the last concussion?"

Xiao Yi glanced at Lu Zhou, who was sitting at the dining table lost in thought. Xiao Yi said, "It shouldn't be. We should get him checked out when we have time."

Du Mei asked, "Will tomorrow's shoot go smoothly?"

"It should," Xiao Yi said, "We're rehearsing our lines now."

Du Mei said, "Okay, I'll visit the set tomorrow and see you guys."

As Xiao Yi hung up the phone, there was a loud noise near the dining table. Lu Zhou swept everything off to the floor, then immediately got up and stomped upstairs, slamming the door shut with a bang.

The floor was covered in cake, and there was cake smeared on the walls. Xiao Yi thought it was such a waste. He picked up a plate and scraped some cake off the walls to eat. After he was full, he cleaned up the mess and went upstairs, knocking on the door and saying, "Zhou Ge... it's time for dinner..."

There was no response from inside.

Xiao Yi pushed the door open and saw Lu Zhou in the room working on a jigsaw puzzle at the table.

Xiao Yi knelt on the ground and let out a painful scream. Lu Zhou was startled and turned to look, but Xiao Yi fell to the ground, rolling around.

Lu Zhou: "..."

Xiao Yi rolled to the edge of the room, bumped against the wall with a bang, then bounced back using the elasticity.

"You're crazy! You don't feel pain?" Lu Zhou exclaimed.

Xiao Yi laughed and got up, saying, "It's dinner time."

Lu Zhou was troubled. This matter was significant, affecting his career for a lifetime. However, being vexed didn't help. He was even more troubled by hunger. He had to fill his stomach first. So Lu Zhou went downstairs, where a bowl of noodles was waiting for him, and he ate.

"You should call Director Du," Lu Zhou mentioned, "Get the deposit refunded and ask the crew to replace me with Wu Henggu."

Xiao Yi: "..."

Lu Zhou finished his meal, then went to wash the dishes. Xiao Yi didn't dare to call Director Du, and Lu Zhou didn't urge him either. After finishing his noodles, Lu Zhou went upstairs to sleep. When Xiao Yi pushed the door open later, he saw that the lights were off, so he didn't wake him up.

*

The next day, Lu Zhou didn't mention cancelling the scenes. While driving to the set, Lu Zhou held the script, his hands trembling nervously. It was the first time Xiao Yi had seen Lu Zhou like this. He wanted to help, but there was nothing he could do. When they arrived, Director Du was waiting at the scene and exchanged a few words with Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou didn't mention anything. When it was time to act, Xiao Yi came prepared this time with three small whiteboards, each with keywords written on them. He held them up for Lu Zhou to see, but it was still difficult during the big scenes with many long lines. Xiao Yi wished he could become Guan Yin (NT: a popular Bodhisattva , goddess of compassion) with a thousand arms, but he couldn't manage everything.

Director Du said, "Let a few others help you, Xiao Yi."

So Xiao Yi sent another assistant to buy more whiteboards. After shooting a scene, the whole set was filled with people holding up whiteboards for Lu Zhou to see.

No one dared to speak up in the crew, and Lu Zhou's performance wasn't good either. That natural state he had was completely gone. His gaze was unfocused, constantly capturing the keywords on the whiteboards. Even so, Lu Zhou was struggling a lot. He repeated NG several times because the words and phrases Xiao Yi wrote weren't necessarily the ones Lu Zhou couldn't remember.

Gradually, Xiao Yi adapted to Lu Zhou's rhythm. However, after shooting a scene, Xiao Yi was even more tired than Lu Zhou. Not only did he have to write on the whiteboards while referring to the script, but he also had to be careful not to bump into the people holding reflectors, and it was very cold.

Finally, after a difficult day of shooting, everyone acted as if nothing had happened. No one asked Lu Zhou about the incident, and no one demanded a replacement. Director Du sat outside, watching the entire day of shooting.

On the way back, Lu Zhou and Director Du sat in the back seat.

"You are the ratings," Director Du said, "The production has already started, it's impossible to replace you. Many people were talking about this on WeChat yesterday."

Lu Zhou said, "Do you think I can shoot in this state?"

Director Du said, "You did pretty well today."

"Don't humour me," Lu Zhou said angrily.

Director Du said, "Ask Xiao Yi."

"I think it's fine," Xiao Yi confirmed, focusing on driving, "It was a bit slow at the beginning, but then you got into it."

"Got into it?!" Lu Zhou exclaimed, "I know best in my heart. Can this show be watchable?!"

"The audience won't mind," Director Du assured him, "I talked to the director today. If you forget your lines, just stop, gather your emotions, and then say the next line. Leave the rest to editing."

Xiao Yi thought to himself, the all-powerful editing came into play again.

"We've already made arrangements," Director Du continued, "We'll find a teacher with good dubbing skills. Good dubbing can add a lot to a character, completely change the audience's perception of a role, it's not impossible."

Xiao Yi thought, so the behind-the-scenes ace has another trump card, dubbing teachers...

"It's just your issue," Director Du also felt a headache, pressing his temple with one hand, leaning against the car window, and said, "We need to find a hospital to see if acupuncture works."

Lu Zhou didn't speak throughout the journey. When they arrived home, he said, "If I cancelled this show, no one can take it? Even Wu Henggu won't take it?"

Director Du said, "He's already acting in another one."

Lu Zhou insisted, "As the lead? Can he come and save the day?"

Director Du replied, "He's playing Emperor Jing of Han."

Lu Zhou was a little surprised, "That kid is good, promote him well, he could become popular."

Director Du said, "Originally, the role of Emperor Jing of Han was reserved for you, but you had just recovered, and filming was too strenuous."

Lu Zhou nodded. When they arrived at the company, Director Du got out of the car, and Xiao Yi turned back to drive home.

Lu Zhou leaned back in the back seat, looking out the window.

Xiao Yi said, "Zhou Ge, what do you want to eat tonight?"

Lu Zhou: "Xiao Yi, go back to the company. You don't have to follow me starting tomorrow."

Xiao Yi smiled and didn't say anything.

"Why?" Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, smiling as he looked at Lu Zhou through the rearview mirror.

Lu Zhou also looked at Xiao Yi through the rearview mirror and said, "Because I'm no longer popular."

"No, you're not." Xiao Yi answered, "Even if you're not as popular, so what? You're still my idol."

"You should go back to the company," Lu Zhou uttered, "Listen to me. Let Du Mei promote you well. Riding on my coattails now, I'll give you another boost. After this show, nobody will remember my name anymore. Who is Wu Henggu anyway? Can he play Emperor Jing? Can he hold up to the rule of Wen and Jing? Du Mei will use all her resources to promote him, and in the end, he'll just be another me."

Xiao Yi had been holding up whiteboards for him all day, and his hands were still trembling. Waiting at a red light, he mentioned, "I may have the money of a vegetable seller and the heart of a drug dealer, but do you really think I'm only after money, Zhou Ge?"

"If I wanted fame, I would have joined Li Changzheng long ago," Xiao Yi added.

"You actually thought about that?!" Lu Zhou exclaimed.

Xiao Yi burst into laughter and reassured him, "No, I really didn't."

Lu Zhou fell silent. Xiao Yi knew that he must be feeling very, very sad at this moment. He might never be able to act again.

And if he couldn't act anymore, it was like not being able to sing for Xiao Yi, a feeling that would destroy a person's soul, taking away the most important thing in life. However, Xiao Yi also knew that at this moment, he must not show any sympathy. Doing so would only make Lu Zhou more uncomfortable. He had to act as if nothing was wrong, joke around with him, and divert his attention.

"You really don't need to stay anymore," Lu Zhou insisted. "After finishing this show, I will arrange something for you."

"I'm not leaving," Xiao Yi told him.

"Your objections are invalid," Lu Zhou said coldly.

"My love crosses the sky..." Xiao Yi suddenly started singing, "Oh oh oh... My love flows endlessly... Oh beloved..."

"When will I meet you again, my beloved..."

"Even if time flies, and youth fades away..."

Xiao Yi shook his head and sang while driving.

Xiao Yi parked the car in the garage, Lu Zhou sighed, slammed the car door, and left.

"I will always love you..." Xiao Yi took out the car keys, watched Lu Zhou's departing figure, and sang softly, "As always..."

*

What would a person do if, because of something, they couldn't do what they were good at anymore? Xiao Yi had been thinking about this while Lu Zhou was getting scanned in the neurology department. It was like not being able to write songs... no, he couldn't write songs anyway. It should be more like a writer losing inspiration, a screenwriter unable to come up with a story, a director unable to visualize shots, or an actor unable to find his emotions...

All creativity was bestowed by the heavens.

If one day, the heavens took away this means of livelihood, the dazzling halo of genius disappeared, turning into an ordinary person in the mundane world, would he be very unhappy?

Du Mei, Lin Yao, Xiao Yi, and Lu Zhou waited to hear the doctor's report.

"There's no way," the doctor said. "Rest and recuperation are needed."

Lu Zhou knew it would be like this. After returning home, he threw away the medical report and had to accept this reality. This show was the most arduous one Xiao Yi had followed him on. He held whiteboards for Lu Zhou every day for over two months, finally getting through the entire show.

He went to the editing room specifically to watch it once, and it was really unbearable. Towards the end, even the director was losing patience, feeling that Lu Zhou had completely failed to portray the character of the show. But Lu Zhou seemed to know that this was his last show. He seriously, in a completely unprepared state, finished the entire series.

Xiao Yi spent a week in post-production, listening to the lines dubbed by the teacher. For a moment, he really felt like dubbing saved the character.

It was amazing! The expert who was paid a high price was indeed different. The entire character was transformed instantly, becoming extraordinary!

Xiao Yi thought about having Lu Zhou try dubbing, and even inquired about the pay. In the end, he felt it was impossible; the gap was too big.

The TV series couldn't be shot, neither could the movie. Du Mei also stopped calling Lu Zhou. Everything was temporarily put aside. Xiao Yi went to the company several times. It was almost Chinese New Year, and Du Mei said there were no shows for the time being, so there was no need for him to come. So Xiao Yi stayed at home to accompany Lu Zhou for recovery.

It was a feeling of helplessness. The winter that year was very cold, and neither of them wanted to go anywhere. Lu Zhou spent all day not talking, just watching DVDs at home. Xiao Yi tried a few times, but seeing that Lu Zhou was really not in the mood, he didn't dare to tease him randomly.

When your girlfriend is in a bad mood, just accompany her, don't talk too much, it can be annoying.

So Xiao Yi went online every day, searching for solutions to Lu Zhou's memory impairment and pondering whether there was any alternative solution to help him continue acting. In the process, he found a traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture clinic and took Lu Zhou there, but it didn't work.

"Zhou Ge," Xiao Yi said, "Where do you want to go for the New Year?"

"I'll go with my mom to visit relatives. You can go back home. No need to stay in Beijing," Lu Zhou said.

"When will she be back?" Xiao Yi asked.

"The 28th," Lu Zhou replied, bored, while flipping through channels.

Xiao Yi suddenly realized that there hadn't been many calls for Lu Zhou recently. It seemed like those friends didn't invite Lu Zhou out anymore. Maybe they wanted him to rest quietly, or maybe...

There was a revelation on Tianya that Lu Zhou suffered from a concussion, causing sequelae where he couldn't remember his lines, and he could no longer act.

This revelation immediately sparked another round of quarrels, but within three days, it gradually faded away.

"Aren't you leaving yet?" Lu Zhou asked.

"Huh?" Xiao Yi said, "Isn't your mom coming back? Let me see if there's anything I can help with..."

"Go home and reunite with your family," Lu Zhou required impatiently, "What are you doing here? You're just in the way."

Xiao Yi: "..."

Xiao Yi was instantly crushed by these words. In the past, no matter how Lu Zhou scolded or yelled at him, Xiao Yi wouldn't get angry. But when Lu Zhou said it in such a calm tone, it felt like he really disliked Xiao Yi, as if he found him annoying.

It was understandable. While others were reuniting with their families, Xiao Yi was just getting in the way here.

Xiao Yi, feeling like a dismissed housewife, immediately booked a full-priced ticket. As he was leaving, he said, " Zhou ge, I'm leaving."

"Um," Lu Zhou replied, "Take care on the road."

*

At first, Xiao Yi's mood wasn't very good. When he heard Lu Zhou's words, he suddenly felt that Lu Zhou still cared about him. Although he didn't know what to do, his idol, who had been admired by everyone and had such an inspirational journey since his debut, made Xiao Yi feel like there was nothing in this world that could defeat him.

Lu Zhou had enough money. If he couldn't act anymore, he could start a company. Xiao Yi could be his secretary. The entertainment industry was exhausting and not the most profitable. It was better to do business. Xiao Yi never asked Lu Zhou what he would do if he stopped acting. Lu Zhou must have thought about it more than once, so there was no need for Xiao Yi to speak out.

Xiao Yi checked his balance at the ATM on the street. He had a year-end bonus of sixty thousand yuan.

Adding his monthly salary, he received a post-tax annual salary of 140,000 yuan from Lu Zhou this year. Xiao Yi was quite happy about it. After deducting his expenses for the year, he still had a hundred thousand yuan, enough to buy a coat like the one Lu Zhou wore...

He wanted to go back and thank Lu Zhou, and tell him that he would always be there for him, regardless of whether he acted or not, as long as Lu Zhou didn't reject him.

So Xiao Yi dragged his suitcase back. Passing by the garden, he heard music inside and curiously peeked in.

Through the garden, he saw Lu Zhou sitting on the sofa with his back to the French window.

On the projection screen was the MV Xiao Yi edited for him.

Lu Zhou leaned back on the sofa, singing along with the voice in the MV.

"Even if butterflies cannot fly over... the vast sea, nobody is willing to blame..." Lu Zhou's voice sang slowly.

Xiao Yi didn't go in. Dragging his suitcase, he left Lu Zhou's house.

During the Spring Festival, Xiao Yi only went home for five days. At the bustling train station, he sent WeChat messages to Lu Zhou, asking this and that. On New Year's Eve, Xiao Yi's parents asked him about his plans. Xiao Yi optimistically said that Lu Zhou might change careers, but he would still follow him.

Xiao Yi's dad always wanted him to come home. He was already grown up, almost twenty-seven after the New Year. Xiao Yi had been with Lu Zhou for more than a year. His dad always wanted him to get married soon.

On the night of New Year's Eve, Xiao Yi called Lu Zhou.

" Zhou Ge, Happy New Year," Xiao Yi said.

"Happy New Year," Lu Zhou replied, "What are you doing?"

"Just had dinner with my parents. I miss you. How about you? Give my regards to your mom," Xiao Yi said.

"Um," Lu Zhou said, "Also give my regards to your parents."

It was a bit noisy on Lu Zhou's end. Xiao Yi felt that Lu Zhou's mood seemed to have improved a bit, so he mentioned, "I'll be back on the second day of the new year."

"No rush," Lu Zhou told him, "Stay at home for a few more days, have a good New Year. It's not easy to go home once."

Xiao Yi left the living room and went back to his room, holding a beer, leaning on the balcony railing, watching the fireworks in the distance. He spoke into the microphone line of his earphones, "Where are you? Are you at home?"

Lu Zhou said, "I'm outside, wait a moment."

It quieted down on Lu Zhou's end.

Lu Zhou stood alone outside the crowd in front of Yonghe Temple (NT: or Palace of Peace and Harmony, a popular Buddhist temple and monastery), wearing a thick coat, scarf, and a hat pulled down to cover his eyebrows. He held incense in one hand, pointing diagonally towards the ground, and a phone in the other hand, pressed against his ear, with a cigarette in his mouth.

Not far away, a girl was looking at Lu Zhou from afar.

On Lu Zhou's phone, a cartoon pendant swung back and forth.

"I'm a little worried about you," Xiao Yi said.

"I know, don't worry. You’re coming back after the New Year?" Lu Zhou asked.

"Of course, how could I not come back?" Xiao Yi answered.

"I've thought about it," Xiao Yi finished his beer. It was a bit cold outside, so he shrunk and closed the door, lying on the bed with slightly intoxicated eyes, staring at the somewhat dazzling lamp on the ceiling, and affirmed to Lu Zhou, "Whatever your plans are, I'll go with you."

Lu Zhou smiled but didn't say anything. Although he didn't make a sound, Xiao Yi knew he was smiling. Simply because they had been together day and night, Xiao Yi could intuitively know how Lu Zhou reacted at this time on the other end of the phone.

"But I want to know, Zhou Ge," Xiao Yi said, "What are your plans for the coming year? Are you going to continue acting or switch to investment and business? Can you tell me?"

Xiao Yi knew that many celebrities switched careers. Acting was tiring, and as they got older, their bodies couldn't handle it. After earning enough money, most people would invest in other industries to ensure they wouldn't starve. And there were those who became successful in some fields. Lu Zhou was a forward-thinking person, so Xiao Yi wasn't worried about him not being able to survive.

After losing the halo of a star, each of us is just an ordinary person.

"Let's talk about it when you come back," Lu Zhou answered.

"Okay," Xiao Yi knew Lu Zhou didn't want to discuss this issue much.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Yi thought Lu Zhou was going to hang up, but Lu Zhou said, "Xiao Yi, I'll tell you something you might not like to hear."

"What?" Xiao Yi asked.

Lu Zhou thought for a moment and spoke, "You're very foolish."

Xiao Yi: "..."

"I am quite foolish," Xiao Yi laughed, "Everyone says I'm foolish."

Lu Zhou added, "Well, being foolish has its own benefits. You don't need to become too smart, that's enough. Happy New Year."

Lu Zhou hung up the phone, and at twelve o'clock, the firecrackers outside exploded, and the fireworks soared into the sky.

On the second day of the new year, Lu Zhou took his figurine and drove to the company. Lu Zhou drove, and his doll sat on the passenger seat, resting its head against the window, looking at the bustling crowd on the road, the crystal eyes reflecting the noisy and hazy world of Beijing, filled with smog.

 

Translator : DarNan