FI CH28: It Really Was a Hearty and Satisfying

The show was being filmed in a place called Quzhen. Nestled by mountains and water, it had preserved most of its Huizhou-style architecture. The plan was to use this as a setting for an adventure and exploration-themed show, but it was mostly for dramatic effect.

The filming location was in the ancient village. Outside the village was the hotel where the production team was staying. A room had already been booked in advance for He Zhenling.

A black business van slowly pulled up to the entrance. The door opened, and the person in charge immediately went up to greet them. “Mr. He… eh?” His words faltered as his gaze fell on the other person getting out of the car. “…An assistant?”

He didn’t look like one; he was too young. And he had a look on his face like he had just woken up. At first glance, it was hard to tell who the boss was.

He Zhenling didn’t explain. “Just give me the room card.”

Lin Su came up from behind and glanced at it. “One card? Am I supposed to stay with you?”

He Zhenling took a breath and turned his head. “Your divination was so sudden and spontaneous. Where would a second room card come from?”

“…” Lin Su’s gaze drifted away lightly.

The person in charge immediately said, “It’s a suite. We thought Mr. He might have brought an assistant.”

Lin Su nodded. “That will do, then.”

He Zhenling didn’t say anything either, took the room card, and walked into the hotel.

“…”

As the two left, the person in charge watched them go, muttering to himself, What’s his background?

The room was 608.

Pushing the door open, they found a two-room suite. The outer room was neat and spacious, fully equipped with all amenities.

Lin Su was pleased. “The environment is quite nice.”

“The tourism industry here is very developed,” He Zhenling said, then stopped and turned to ask, “Which room do you want?”

“The one next to yours.”

“Heh, where else?”

Lin Su shook his head demurely. “Don’t tempt me into saying things about throwing myself into your arms.”

“…”

He Zhenling put down his luggage and made a calm decision. “You take the inner room.”

Neither of them had brought much luggage. Lin Su dropped his backpack in the room and came out. As he did, he saw He Zhenling standing by the window, raising a hand to pull open the curtains with a swoosh.

Looking out from the bright floor-to-ceiling window, the distant ancient village was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with its white walls and grey tiles faintly visible.

He Zhenling turned his head sideways. “Do you see anything?”

Lin Su glanced over. “The surrounding hills are rounded and the water flows gently, with the auspicious spot located centrally. It’s not a place of great fortune, but it can bring minor wealth. This ancient village should have had its feng shui altered by someone before. As long as no one offends the ancestral hall or breaks any taboos, there generally won’t be any problems.”

He Zhenling held the curtain and looked down. “…The way you phrase that, it sounds like something is going to happen.”

Lin Su stretched out on the sofa, serene. “You’re being sensitive, Xiao He.”

…

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was in the afternoon. The two of them went to the recording site in the ancient village together. He Zhenling was still in his distinguished formal wear. Lin Su, on the other hand, wore a black Tang-style suit, exuding a cool, classical charm. Since he wasn’t on official business, he didn’t wear the tassel earring, only a mutton-fat jade pendant on his chest.

As soon as they arrived at the edge of the set, all eyes in the venue turned to them. A few gasps of admiration were heard.

“Damn…”

“That’s Mr. He, right? Who’s the one with him…”

The director, Ke Juexin, was originally talking to the stage manager about equipment when he suddenly saw the manager’s gaze freeze on something behind him. He turned his head in confusion and was also stunned for two seconds.

It wasn’t until He Zhenling walked up to him that he snapped back to his senses.

“Ah… Mr. He!”

He Zhenling gave a slight nod.

Ke Juexin glanced at Lin Su, who was not far away, his heart pounding slightly, yet he couldn’t help but look again.

“Mr. He, that person is…”

“Don’t mind him. He’s here as a tourist.”

Ke Juexin let out a sigh of relief and explained with a smile, “I thought he was also going to participate in our recording.” He quickly added, “Oh, of course, it’s not impossible… it was just so sudden, it gave me a fright.”

He Zhenling said, “He probably isn’t interested.” After all, he wore a mask during the last live stream.

Ke Juexin smiled and opportunely changed the subject.

Lin Su didn’t know what they were talking about over there. He stood on the sidelines, watching the commotion with interest and surveying his surroundings. “I wake up one day, and all the equipment has been updated to version n.0.”

Xuenima played the straight man: [Only you have remained in your initial state.]

Lin Su: “I call it being consistent as ever.”

The shoulder-dweller’s shell seized up for a rare moment: […Don’t make puns with idioms that are easily confused.]

They were in the middle of a heated discussion about new forms of cross-talk when a voice suddenly broke the peace on set.

“Do you not have eyes or hands!”

Lin Su paused and looked toward the sound. In the middle of the set, a young man with exquisite makeup was irritably losing his temper at the person in front of him. “You sprayed the sunscreen all over my hair! If you don’t know how to do your job, why are you even in this industry? I don’t get why they assigned someone of your level to do my styling. So speechless.”

The young girl in front of him was holding back tears as she was being scolded. She apologized, “Brother Rui, I’m sorry.”

Some of the staff around them had indescribable expressions, while others, accustomed to such scenes, shook their heads and continued with their own work.

After venting his anger, the young star turned his head and met Lin Su’s gaze from the sidelines. He paused for a second, then said with thick hostility and disdain, “What are you looking at!”

Lin Su recited, “Dogs bark in deep alleys, roosters crow atop mulberry trees.”

The other man: “…….”

Someone in the vicinity couldn’t hold back a laugh.

The young star instantly blew up as if a fuse had been lit. He opened his mouth to curse, but then, as if holding back due to some scruple, he turned and vented his anger on the people around him. “Don’t you all have anything better to do!”

The surrounding staff immediately scattered. He shot a glare at Lin Su before being coaxed away by his manager, who had rushed over.

…

On the sidelines.

Lin Su savored the hostility in the man’s first glance and spoke in his mind. “I don’t think I’ve had a chance to say anything yet today, have I?”

There was no reason for him to have accumulated any animosity.

He pondered, “Nima, am I just so infuriatingly handsome?”

Xuenima, perched on his shoulder, praised him: [You are so divinely beautiful it angers both gods and men.]

Lin Su accepted this. “I thought so.”

Over there, they were already preparing for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He Zhenling was exceptionally handsome, and the director seemed to want to include the ribbon-cutting segment in the behind-the-scenes footage, but he was rejected with a cold expression, so he could only give up with regret.

While He Zhenling cut the ribbon, the other staff and the stars participating in the recording watched from below.

Lin Su was observing from the sidelines when a figure slipped up beside him. Fair-skinned with large eyes and two small dimples, Ye Yuzhu slipped over. “Hi~”

Lin Su turned his head. “…Hi?”

Perhaps his expression was too unfamiliar, as the other person sighed in disappointment. “Sigh, it seems you don’t know me. Though it’s true I’m not very famous.”

Lin Su consoled her, “It’s not your fault. I usually only watch comedy skits.”

“…”

Ye Yuzhu laughed. “Alright, then.”

Then she added, “So, does that mean you’re not in the entertainment circle?”

Lin Su nodded. “I’m here as a tourist.”

Ye Yuzhu patted her chest with a “phew” and said generously, “I thought you were being parachuted in to join the show. We were all a bit nervous.”

She gestured towards the young star from earlier and explained, “The friction between you and him was probably because of that.”

So that’s where the hostility came from.

Lin Su followed her gaze and asked, “Who is he, anyway?”

“Bai Xuanrui. He recently had a small breakthrough with a drama and has a huge temper. But since you’re not in the circle, you don’t have to pay him any mind~ Oh, by the way…”

Ye Yuzhu said, “You came with Mr. He, right? Are you relatives? Friends?”

Lin Su thought for a moment, then shook his head. “It’s hard to explain in just a few words.”

“…”

Ye Yuzhu, who had only asked casually: ?

As they were talking, there was a commotion in front of them. He Zhenling had finished cutting the ribbon and was coming down. He walked up to them and his gaze swept over them. “What’s the matter?”

Ye Yuzhu called out “Mr. He” and slipped away.

He Zhenling retracted his gaze, raised an eyebrow at Lin Su, as if to say: You still haven’t answered me.

Lin Su said, “She asked what our relationship is.”

There was a second of silence. He Zhenling looked at him. “…You didn’t say anything strange, did you?”

Lin Su was composed. “Don’t worry, I’m always cautious with my words when I’m out. I didn’t tell her anything.”

The subtle choice of words made the man’s brow twitch. “May I ask, what is there that we can tell her?”

“The list would be too long to recount.”

“…”

Xuenima couldn’t hold back: [You make it sound like there are many sinful, forbidden fruits between you two.]

Lin Su raised a hand and swatted it away.

After cutting the ribbon, He Zhenling prepared to go survey the village. Lin Su was very interested in the production team’s set design, so he went for a stroll around the area.

The set was built upon the foundation of the Huizhou-style architecture, with many additional lights and props. When the lights hit the white walls at night, it would certainly create a great effect. The director had probably done his homework beforehand and didn’t set up scenes near the ancestral hall or wells, which put Lin Su’s mind at ease.

After finishing his tour, he returned to the hotel. Just as he entered the lobby, he heard the sound of an argument, two of the main voices being all too familiar.

“I already asked. He’s not in the circle at all.”

“Just because he says he isn’t, means he isn’t? You’ve been in this circle for so long and you’re still so naive. No wonder you’re just a C-list celebrity.”

Lin Su’s eyebrow twitched, and he walked in. The hotel seemed to have been booked out by the production team, so there were only a few guests in the lobby. Bai Xuanrui had a knowing look on his face, speaking to the others with an air of superiority.

“He’s definitely being parachuted in. You all better watch out for yourselves. It’s not like I’m the one who’s going to be replaced anyway. I’m just worried for you, especially certain… minor… wannabes…”

As he spoke, he glanced at a young male actor next to him.

Ye Yuzhu got so angry she couldn’t hold back. “Stop thinking everyone is like you!”

Bai Xuanrui’s expression changed instantly, as if his tail had been stepped on. “What the f—”

A gentle voice suddenly interrupted: “Don’t blame him.”

Turning their heads, they saw Lin Su standing by the lobby entrance, shaking his head gently. “The emperor isn’t worried, but the eunuchs are. This is a timeless truth.”

Everyone: “…….”

Ye Yuzhu was the first to laugh impolitely, and another male guest beside her also quietly pursed his lips.

Just as Bai Xuanrui was about to erupt, the director came over from the side.

“Hm? What’s wrong? What’s everyone doing?”

“…No… thing.”

He bit out the words, holding back his anger. He gave Lin Su a deep look, then turned and walked away. The group in the lobby quickly dispersed.

Ye Yuzhu didn’t leave. She ran up to Lin Su and said with great satisfaction, “Phew! That was a really satisfying comeback.”

Lin Su asked, “How did the argument start?”

Ye Yuzhu pouted and huffed, “He got anxious, that’s what. Don’t be fooled by his superior attitude. He’s actually terrified that you’ll really join the show and steal his popularity. He’s trying to use us as pawns, as if we can’t see through him.”

She mouthed the word: Idiot.

After cursing, Ye Yuzhu added a reminder, “But he is really good at climbing the ladder, and he has some backing. It’s hard to guard against hidden daggers. You should be careful.”

Lin Su accepted the advice. “I’ll be very careful not to steal his popularity before I even get on the show.”

“Pfft-ha!” Ye Yuzhu was amused again and floated away with a string of bell-like laughter.

…

The non-threatening episode was temporarily put aside. Lin Su went upstairs and back to his room.

He pushed open the door to find He Zhenling had already returned. He was standing with his side to him, draping his formal jacket over the back of a chair with one hand.

Their eyes met.

Lin Su spoke first. “Is this how you welcome me?”

He Zhenling tugged at the collar of his shirt and also spoke. “What, do you have any suggestions?”

Lin Su closed the door with a backhand motion. “My suggestion is, continue.”

A soft laugh came from in front of him.

He Zhenling walked straight towards the bathroom. “I’m going to take a shower. Behave yourself.”

With that, he closed the bathroom door with a thud.

Lin Su retracted his gaze with regret and went back to his room. “Xiao He is still not open enough.”

Xuenima was numb: [What you’re talking about is called debauchery.]

“…”

Swoosh! Lin Su pulled the curtains shut and lay down flat. “Alright, I’m going to take a nap. You stand guard outside for a while.”

The white ball of light huffed twice and floated out.

…

In the hotel corridor, Bai Xuanrui took a deep breath. He couldn’t calm his emotions after returning to his room. He had specially changed into a slightly transparent shirt, unbuttoning two buttons, and came here.

The room number in front of him was 608.

It was the room of “Mr. He,” the biggest investor in the show, which he had inquired about.

He didn’t believe for a second that Lin Su and He Zhenling were relatives or friends; the atmosphere between them didn’t feel like it. Besides, to bring a boy with such looks to a deserted village in the middle of nowhere—if it wasn’t that kind of relationship, what was it?

If Lin Su could do it, so could he.

Bai Xuanrui was a little nervous, but the thought of that infuriating face filled him with a surge of determination. With almost no hesitation, he knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

It was quiet inside for a while, then there was a faint sound of movement. Just as he was about to knock again, the door swung open. “He…”

His words stopped. A tall, stern, middle-aged man stood in the doorway, his features somewhat familiar, looking down at him with a frown.

Bai Xuanrui: ? Who?

In the doorway, Xuenima held the door, silent.

“…” Isn’t this room service? Why is it this little thing?

The two stood in the doorway, staring at each other.

After just a few seconds, the door behind them opened with a thud.

He Zhenling came out of the shower, his hair slightly damp, his clothes neatly on. He looked up and saw the scene at the door, and his body froze. Then he looked at Xuenima and fell silent.

In the midst of the speechless scene, Xuenima gathered itself for a moment, then, steeling itself, raised a hand and pointed, asking sternly, “He Zhenling, what is the meaning of this?”

…

Lin Su was woken up by the noise. As soon as he came out, he was faced with a scene that shook him to his core.

He Zhenling’s gaze was dark, and the air in the doorway seemed to have frozen. He paused, then took two light steps forward, breaking the stalemate.

“Dad, this has nothing to do with He Zhenling.”

He Zhenling: “…”

Author’s Note:
Xuenima: It really was a hearty and satisfying cosplay. (savoring the memory)

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