Ch.1 – The Star Around The Sun

If he’d known from the beginning that the situation would become what it was today, Xia Xingcheng might not have taken on the role.

Xia Xingcheng was twenty-four years old, and had been in the film industry for six years since he debuted at the age of eighteen. Even though the wind hadn’t always blown in his favor over the previous six years, his career had progressed relatively well, and there had been no shortage of acting opportunities.

Although he hadn’t made it big, his two consecutive TV dramas had garnered a lot of popularity and brought about a number of fans. 

The next few roles that were given to him were all male leads for idol dramas, and just when he thought he would proceed in that direction, he received a call from his agent Huang Jixin asking if he was interested in a film directed by He Zheng.

At the time of receiving the call, Xia Xingcheng was lying on his girlfriend Xiao Yu’s bed. He rolled over and sat up; the blanket slid down his body, revealing a bright, fair chest. His tone was controlled, yet he still sounded surprised. “What?”

“What is it?” Xiao Yu asked, turning to face him.

Xia Xingcheng silently motioned to Xiao Yu to stop talking.

Xiao Yu propped up her head, curiously listening in on Xia Xingcheng’s phone call. 

When Xia Xingcheng first received the call, he sounded very excited, but as the conversation progressed, his brows knitted slightly. His hand drew circles on the blanket subconsciously, and he muttered several ‘Mm’s in quick succession.

When he hung up, Xia Xingcheng suddenly fell backwards, and the soft bed shifted slightly. He looked up at the warm yellow light on the ceiling and gripped his phone tightly.

Xiao Yu approached him and asked, “What’s the matter? Did He Zheng offer you a role?”

Xia Xingcheng turned to face her. “You heard that?”

Xiao Yu said, “I only heard you mention He Zheng.” After saying that, Xiao Yu found it difficult to believe. “Did I hear wrong? How did you get to know him?” 

Given Xia Xingcheng’s current status in the entertainment industry, a big director like He Zheng was naturally out of reach.

Xia Xingcheng didn’t answer, turning over twice uneasily before finally lifting the blanket to get out of bed.

Xiao Yu sat up and said, “You’re leaving so late?”

Xia Xingcheng stood by the bed stark naked. He had broad shoulders and a thin waist, lean muscles on his body, a flat and taut abdomen, and legs that stood straight and strong. Coupled with his youthful good looks, they were all his assets in the entertainment industry.

When Xia Xingcheng was getting dressed, Xiao Yu had an abrupt feeling that they were about to break up.

Xia Xingcheng had no major flaws, but he was indecisive. He’d had five or six girlfriends since his debut, all of whom were young and beautiful starlets.

Xiao Yu had been with him for nearly a year. The novelty of their relationship had worn off, and they’d been communicating less and less. A while ago, when Xia Xingcheng was filming in another city for quite some time, he didn’t even think to call her for ten days in a row.

Xia Xingcheng got dressed, then bent down and kissed her face. “I’ll be leaving now.”

Xiao Yu waved at him. “Bye.”

Xia Xingcheng grabbed his coat and walked out the door without looking back. He felt his hand tremble with excitement as he slammed the door shut.

The overhead lights in the corridor were dim. He strode forward until he reached the elevator door, jabbed the button several times, and waited restlessly.

He Zheng—who hasn’t heard of He Zheng? This director had won numerous international awards. Last year, he directed a commercial film that topped the domestic box office, and its leading actors and actresses also won awards at the film festival.

He couldn’t even dream—wouldn’t dare to ever imagine that He Zheng would find and invite him to appear in one of his movies. 

When Xia Xingcheng walked into the elevator and saw his face reflected on the elevator’s interior wall, he finally calmed down a little.

He took out his cellphone and dialled Huang Jixin’s number again. As soon as the call connected, he asked nervously, “You mentioned that He Zheng wanted to make a same-sex film. Who is the other actor he’s considering?”

Huang Jixin said, “I don’t know. He Zheng made no mention of it.”

Xia Xingcheng asked again, “Are there any bed scenes?” After asking, he hesitated and lowered his voice, saying, “It won’t be a nude one, right?”

Huang Jixin laughed and said, “If He Zheng’s film has a bed scene, you won’t shoot it?”

“No,” Xia Xingcheng said. “I’ll think about it.”

Huang Jixin said, “Go and talk to him yourself. Director He wants to meet you.”

*

Xia Xingcheng went to meet He Zheng two days later. He was accompanied by Huang Jixin into the private room, where He Zheng sat alone.

This was Xia Xingcheng’s first meeting with He Zheng, as well as his first opportunity to work with such a renowned director. His momentum had softened unconsciously, and his first reaction was to slightly bend down at the waist and shake hands politely with He Zheng in greeting.

He Zheng was in his forties, unmarried, thin in stature, and had a goatee adorning his sharp chin.

They simply chatted with each other for a while. He Zheng mentioned that when he was at home before, his mother had been following the idol drama in which Xia Xingcheng starred, and he had also watched several episodes with her.

Washed by a wave of embarrassment, Xia Xingcheng subconsciously rubbed at his pants with the palms of his hands.

He Zheng lit a cigarette between his fingers and pointed to Xia Xingcheng. “It was very good. I’m serious.”

“Thank you, Director He.” Xia Xingcheng mulled over his words. “I still have a lot of room for improvement.”

He Zheng took a drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaled the smoke from the corner of his mouth, and said, “I’d like to film my friend’s story for my next movie. I’m still looking for someone to write the screenplay. You can read it first when it’s finished.”

Xia Xingcheng couldn’t help but ask a question that had been bothering him for the past two days, “Why did you think to find me?”

He Zheng looked at him, “I just think that you’re a little like him.”

Xia Xingcheng immediately understood. However, there were still more questions floating around in his mind, but it wasn’t convenient to ask them. 

At this time, Huang Jixin got up and went out to answer a phone call. It was a long call, and by the time he hung up, Xia Xingcheng had already come out of the private room. 

Huang Jixin was a little surprised. “You guys are done?”

Xia Xingcheng went over and grabbed Huang Jixin by his shoulder, pushed him forward with his arms, and said, “I’m taking the role.”

Huang Jixin looked back and saw that the door of the private room was still closed; He Zheng was still inside. He endured it for a while and walked all the way to the elevator, and only when the doors were closed did he ask, “Have you thought this through? How far do you have to act?” 

Xia Xingcheng took out his sunglasses from his coat pocket and put them on, covering his bright eyes and leaving only his perfect jaw exposed. He declared, “There’s a bed scene without any exposure.”

Huang Jixin frowned, “Even if we don’t take that into account, a film of this theme still can’t be released in the country. He Zheng is famous and is highly demanding. This movie will be shot in the first half of the year, I’m afraid that it won’t be worth the losses you’ll incur.”

Xia Xingcheng said, “But we’re talking about He Zheng here.”

Huang Jixin stretched out his hand and pressed on Xia Xingcheng’s shoulder. “I’m fully aware of that. If it was anyone else other than him, I would’ve turned it down on your behalf when I heard about the premise, but can’t you think it over a little…”

“As well as Yang Youming,” interrupted Xia Xingcheng. 

Huang Jixin froze. He made no small effort to grabbing Xia Xingcheng’s shoulder, “What did you say?”

Xia Xingcheng’s eyes were blocked by his sunglasses. He nodded at Huang Jixin.

Huang Jixin said, “Geez! Fuck me!” He lowered his hand and showed Xia Xingcheng his arm. “You see that?! I have goosebumps! Are you serious? Yang Youming?”

Xia Xingcheng’s tone revealed a hint of excitement. “It’s Yang Youming. Don’t you think I should take the role?”

Huang Jixin didn’t say a single word for a while. It wasn’t until the elevator stopped on the first floor that he slowly exhaled and said, “If you have to do a bed scene, and it’s with Yang Youming—it’s worth it.”

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TOC

Chapter 2 ⟶