"Suddenly, a unilateral video chat from an online friend?"
Her words were abrupt, but the other person understood them easily.
"Yes, it’s like you turned on your cara but I didn’t. Are you living in Hai City now?"
"Yes."
"In a hotel?"
"No, I found a rental."
"Why didn’t you contact ? You said when you co to Hai City, I’d take care of all your food and fun, and when I go to Yun City, you’d cover my als and accommodation."
Mu Qiu: "I wouldn’t dare bother a big shot."
"We’ve been virtual friends for quite a while," he said in a lazy, teasing voice, "When soone criticizes you, at least I can help you retort."
"I appreciate that, but there’s no trouble; I haven’t been affected much."
"Mm—" He elongated the sound, "If you’re not affected, that’s good. There’s an author’s et-up here in half a month, you should be on the list, I can take you there."
"Author’s et-up?" Mu Qiu was quite surprised, "An exclusive event like that, I can attend?"
"More than that, you’ll be the most aweso person there."
"Just because I got into a variety show with a eunuch story?"
"Isn’t it quite normal? You’ve ntioned before, every circle has its rules... I’m talking about the real rules."
She rolled her eyes: "I didn’t an anything else."
He chuckled softly.
Chatting between people of the sa profession is comfortable and smooth even if not cheerful, whatever topic you throw out, he can catch it.
Professional "jargon" is not understood by others, only he gets it, making him easily understand the undertones, making their conversation particularly harmonious and pleasant.
Even before this, they didn’t know each other’s real nas, but long before, they’d already beco friends with shared interests.
As their phones heated up, Mu Qiu reluctantly prepared to end the call.
The person on the other end suddenly asked, "So from now on, should I call you Mu Qiu?"
Mu Qiu hesitated for a mont, then rembered they’ve always used pen nas.
She said, "Yes, just call Mu Qiu."
"Mu, Qiu," he repeated slowly, said, "Do you like autumn? Your heroine seems to prefer spring, sumr, and winter."
"So you really read my eunuch story, but the new one I’m writing is about soone from the autumn."
The other person understood: "Literary type? Or tragic?"
"Smart, it’s tragic."
"I’m looking forward to it."
"Since you know my na, shouldn’t I know yours too?"
"I’m called Qing Rong."
What a typical domineering male protagonist na from contemporary romance.
Mu Qiu solemnly marked down Qing Rong next to all his contact details. Then she saw several ssages from Cheng Zhirang.
And dozens of chat records in the program group chat.
[Cheng Zhirang: Good morning.]
[Cheng Zhirang: The next episode is likely to be shot in a rather distant place, prepare a bit more, try to be thorough]
[Cheng Zhirang: Take your ti finding a place, no need to rush moving out, if you like, I can check its safety once you’ve found it]
Just three ssages, half an hour without reply, he didn’t disturb further.
A man with moderate persistence and retreat, she loved him for that.
She lay back on the sofa, her smile deepened, carrying a slightly different emotion compared to the happiness from chatting with a friend.
Considering he might be busy with other work, she didn’t call, just replied to two of the ssages.
[Good morning, Brother Cheng.]
[Got it completely, Brother Cheng is also super charming and gentle today!]
Cheng Zhirang didn’t imdiately reply, likely occupied with work.
She set down the phone, picked up her tablet to search for the top-rated tragic online story—this was her current work.
Swore to read all the famous tragic stories and write the one most deeply unresolved.
anwhile.
Cheng Zhirang was indeed working.
After ssaging Mu Qiu in the morning without getting a reply, he headed to the gym.
Although he hadn’t taken on new roles, nor knew if he’d need to bulk up or lose weight, maintaining his current physique had beco a habit.
Staying in the middle range of fitness, whether bulking up or slimming down, can be relatively quicker.
Halfway through his workout, Chen Song called to say several new scripts had co in, two of which seed promising, Assistant Wen was already on the way with them.
Half the day spent right there, he stayed in the living room by the large window reading scripts.
When he erged from the script, it was already past lunchti, and he dialed back Mu Qiu’s call.
Once connected, a nasal tone greeted him with a "hello."
Cheng Zhirang frowned, inquired softly, "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing." The voice was still thick with post-crying nasal tone.
"You were crying," Cheng Zhirang frowned, stood up, grabbed a mask off the sofa table, ready to leave, "What happened? I’ll co by."
Mu Qiu was still dazed, hearing this, she quickly explained, "No need, no need, I just cried over a novel! Nothing happened!"
Cheng Zhirang was already at the door, hearing this, he paused his steps.
"...Cried over reading a book?"
"Yes, the story was too tragic."
"It’s really not about sothing else?"
"It really isn’t. I just read a very heartbreaking story and couldn’t hold back my emotions."
He was amused, holding his phone not knowing how to respond.
Now, no need to leave, he placed the mask on the art wall’s wooden ledge, leaning casually against it.
This wall was entirely an artistic display, featuring a few protruding short wooden shelves, decorated with items of artistic flair.
Like a ten-year-old limited edition CD, mini embroidery artworks, and white porcelain vases with inserted plush flowers.
He leaned near the white porcelain vase, casually brushing a blue plush flower, focusing on the person on the call.
"You really are..." at a loss for words, he could only shake his head helplessly, "You startled . Why suddenly read such a heart-wrenching story?"
"My job involves constantly reading and writing, the current task is to review such tragic stories."
Cheng Zhirang frowned, "Do you have to read them all at once? Why not intermittently look at sothing lighter?"
Reading one induces sorrow to tears, several more, and emotions can easily beco sensitive.
Like many actors, indulging too deeply in tragic roles can lead to depression if unable to step out.
"Possible, but preferably not."
Cheng Zhirang sighed, "Suddenly, it seems being overly professional about a career isn’t always a good thing."
Mu Qiu, wiped her tears, smiled: "Then Cheng Zhi should thank . They tried many tis to advise you not to overcommit to roles, yet you didn’t listen. Realizing this now is a good thing,"
"This is Different."
He thought of the plush flower’s fragility, and suddenly, Mu Qiu’s image ca to mind.
That day, the light flutter of her eyelashes as she gently closed her eyes, trembling like the delicate plush flowers.
He swallowed, and added softly, "You are Different."
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