FI CH31: He Zhenling, So Unsteady

It was unknown how Bai Xuanrui spent the night. At least Lin Su slept very well.

He woke up naturally at ten in the morning. Getting up and pushing the door open, he saw He Zhenling sitting on the sofa in the outer room, looking at a laptop. He was only wearing a black base layer shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. Hearing the noise, the other man looked up.

Lin Su blinked. “You didn’t go out?”

“There’s nothing to do if I go out. The recording has been suspended.”

He seemed thoughtful, walked over, and sat down. “Hasn’t the director come looking for us?”

He Zhenling was frighteningly calm. “He came. Your esteemed father opened the door and said we were sleeping.”

“…….”

Lin Su turned to look at Xuenima. Xuenima turned around, its back facing him. He looked away after a moment. “Forget it. What others think isn’t important.”

With nothing to do at the moment, he ordered brunch. The food was delivered quickly. Hearing the commotion, Ke Juexin followed.

Ke Juexin looked like he hadn’t rested well. He poked his head in the door first to greet them. “Sorry to bother you. Did you two rest well?”

Lin Su was forking a fried egg. He Zhenling nodded. “Is something wrong?”

Ke Juexin sat down in front of them awkwardly and sighed. “Sigh, Bai Xuanrui has been struggling all night. He doesn’t seem to be getting any better. So I wanted to ask… do you two have any solutions?”

He Zhenling said coolly, “I only have a superficial knowledge of it.”

Lin Su glanced sideways upon hearing this. When He Zhenling said that, could it be that he foresaw this situation? Just in case, to eliminate future troubles forever… As expected of someone in supervision, so meticulous!

Ke Juexin choked, then looked at Lin Su expectantly.

Lin Su retracted his gaze. “We took the same online course.”

Ke Juexin: “…….”

The point had been made; the refusal was clear. Ke Juexin didn’t press further. “Then we’ll have to replace him and let him find a master on his own when he gets back.”

He then glanced at their expressions and explained, “Bai Xuanrui had a small breakthrough overnight with a drama. The fame came too quickly, he was praised so much he got carried away, and he doesn’t know his own limits. Mr. He and Mr. Lin, please don’t take it to heart.”

He Zhenling didn’t even bat an eyelash, saying flatly, “I’m not one to take everything to heart.”

Lin Su couldn’t resist. “After all, you already have me in your heart’s door.”

“…”

He Zhenling looked up and gave a light scoff. “With you occupying it, it is indeed difficult to let anything else in.”

Lin Su took a sip of tea, demurely. “Alright, the director is still here.”

Ke Juexin: “…….”

Ke Juexin stood up. “I’ll take my leave first.”

…

The door closed.

He Zhenling looked over. “This is what you call, ‘distance’.”

Lin Su shook his head. “I was just giving him a timely step to make his exit.”

He Zhenling looked at him for two seconds, then let the topic go. “The recording is suspended. Are you still staying here?”

“Didn’t they say they’re replacing him? Let’s see first. If the recording resumes tonight, we’ll stay a few more days. Anyway, I have other things to do in a bit.”

Lin Su finished speaking and looked over. “What about you?”

He Zhenling returned his gaze to the laptop. “Of course, we’ll be together. After all, I can’t let you get too far from my heart’s door.”

“…”

Xuenima sneered lightly: [Heh, distance. Heh heh.]

After eating, Lin Su went out to run errands.

He had just taken the elevator down to the lobby when he saw Ye Yuzhu standing at the entrance in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, holding a piece of watermelon that looked like a villager had given her. Ye Yuzhu was munching on it while looking outside.

Lin Su strolled over. “Is there a new program?”

Seeing him approach, Ye Yuzhu generously broke off half the melon for him, then turned her head and gestured. “Look.”

Following her line of sight, he saw Bai Xuanrui being coaxed and persuaded into a nanny van by his manager.

“Sigh, alright, alright… The director’s side has already made the decision.”

Bai Xuanrui was terrified from the night’s events and still looked a bit dazed, his skin dull and rough. He clung to the car door, shouting indignantly, “Why replace me? It was the production team’s accident! I signed a contract. Can’t they just wait for me to come back?”

“What’s wrong with suspending the recording for a day or two!”

The manager looked around and with a couple of “aiyos,” forcibly stuffed him back into the car. Bang! The door was slammed shut, and he whispered, “My dear ancestor, the boss at the station also gave the nod… Don’t blow this up, it won’t do you any good.”

Bai Xuanrui’s eyes widened, and he was speechless. His backer was his biggest reliance, which was why he dared to be so arrogant outside. He thought that compared to Lin Su, his own external identity wasn’t much worse. The only difference was the quality of their “partners.” Thinking of that “Mr. He,” and then of the middle-aged man he had to serve… Even this gig was something he had fought hard to get.

Bai Xuanrui gritted his teeth and held it in. “…Forget it!”

His head was splitting. He shifted his anger. “Keep an eye out for me. I want to see who took my spot.”

The manager told the driver to drive. “Alright, alright.”

…

The nanny van drove away from the front of the hotel. At the entrance, Lin Su and Ye Yuzhu finished their row of watermelon.

Ye Yuzhu clapped her hands. “Yesterday he was still saying he wouldn’t be the one replaced, and today he’s been dragged away.”

Xuenima chirped: [Sounds like a funeral procession…]

Lin Su impassively swatted it back. “His name has some errors, a few extra strokes.”

Ye Yuzhu turned her head. “Huh?”

Lin Su: “He should be called, Bai Gan.” which means ‘Worked for Nothing’.

“…”

The sound of bell-like laughter soon echoed through the lobby again. The melon was eaten, and the show was over.

Lin Su went to the ancient village, feeling refreshed. The set from yesterday hadn’t been taken down yet and remained as it was. He walked to the scene of the incident from memory and saw the crumpled Fu character on the ground.

Lin Su picked it up and shook it out. Then, a bamboo brush appeared in his hand, and he retraced the characters. The brush moved like a flowing stream, hovering over the paper. With one stroke, he lifted his wrist.

The crumpled Fu character was as good as new.

He took the Fu character and walked back to the intersection. Slap, he stuck it back on the door.

Two pigtails suddenly popped out from behind the utility pole. The child giggled, waved at Lin Su, and skipped back inside the door.

Lin Su pocketed his brush. “I told you, why bother with a child?”

It was just for fun at first, but he had to go and stomp on her Fu character. Now he’s been tormented for a few more days, it’s also…

He tapped lightly on the Fu character. “Karmic reward.”

Xuenima let out a “heh heh heh” laugh: [Although he was fleeting in the show, the joy he left behind is everlasting.]

“May this joy be passed on to more people.”

Lin Su said, looking up at the sky and clasping his hands together. “A divine man wishes for a lifetime of mountain delicacies and seafood.”

Xuenima also clasped its hands: [I just like how you never treat yourself poorly.]

“Of course.”

The production team said they were replacing someone, and the new person arrived that afternoon. There was no recording at the moment, so the crew was in a state of leisure.

Ke Juexin went out to pick up the person, while others were having afternoon tea in the third-floor lounge. With nothing to do, Lin Su also called He Zhenling to grace them with his presence.

The two sat at a table. A tea set was laid out. He Zhenling raised his hand, and boiling water entered the pot. The tea was clear, and steam rose. After pouring tea for both of them, he propped up his tablet and swiped a few times.

Lin Su: “Watching skits?”

“…” He Zhenling looked up. “Reviewing case reports.”

Lin Su’s interest was piqued. “Any interesting cases?”

“None. Without your participation, they all seem dull.”

Lin Su: “…”

Xuenima praised: [His praise is so dirty.]

A hand stuffed a pastry into its mouth.

He Zhenling was working, so Lin Su also picked up his phone and replied to a few messages: one from the class monitor, one from Black and White Impermanence, and one from the association. After replying, he sent two landscape photos of the ancient village as a group message.

Just as he sent it, the tablet in front of him pinged. The next second, He Zhenling spoke. “Group message?”

“…”

Oops, accidentally selected Xiao He as well.

Lin Su said gently, “Don’t overthink it. The message inviting you to my residence was sent specifically to you.”

He Zhenling’s lips curled up, and he looked at him steadily. “How thoughtful.”

As they were talking, there was a commotion at the entrance to the hall. Ke Juexin’s voice came in from a few steps away. “Come, let me introduce everyone! This is our new guest, Sheng Lingyu.”

Lin Su looked up along with everyone else. He saw a pair of long, straight legs, and a simple, refreshing white T-shirt and jeans. The young man was tall, with superior features, and a clean face that held a hint of familiarity.

He paused slightly, his gaze moving upwards. The eight characters of his birth date entered his vision, successfully identified.

However, before Lin Su could speak, the other person’s eyes lit up, and he exclaimed in pleasant surprise, “Ah, it’s you!”

Ke Juexin, who was about to make the introduction: ?

His gaze shifted back and forth between them, then he looked at He Zhenling, and then patted Sheng Lingyu. “Xiao Sheng, you know each other! This is the investor, Mr. He. And his beloved, Mr. Lin.”

Lin Su: “…”

He Zhenling: “…”

Sheng Lingyu quickly recovered from his surprise and adapted, greeting them. “No wonder you two look so compatible. So you were… ” he chose his words carefully, “…so you were already a pair!”

Ke Juexin: “…”

Ke Juexin slapped the back of his head and smiled embarrassedly at Lin Su and He Zhenling. “This kid is not good with words, please don’t mind him.”

He then pulled Sheng Lingyu away.

After the two had moved to the side, Lin Su recalled their last meeting and sighed with emotion. “I can see that his mouth and his limbs are well-coordinated.”

Xuenima: [You’re also praising him dirtily.]

He Zhenling looked sideways. “An acquaintance?”

“I acted heroically before, and the mask he made was his thank-you gift.”

The person in front of him hummed in agreement. “Good craftsmanship.”

…

They sat there for a while. Ke Juexin finished showing the new person around the set. He probably had something else to discuss, so he called Sheng Lingyu’s manager and went outside, leaving Sheng Lingyu sitting alone at a table.

Two other guests there were very familiar with each other and were chatting enthusiastically. Chen Keqing was introverted and sat alone on one side. The only extrovert, Ye Yuzhu, was on the phone and didn’t come over.

Lin Su glanced at the awkward Sheng Lingyu. After a thought, he turned to He Zhenling. “I’m going over there to chat. You can entertain yourself for a while.”

He Zhenling looked up. “…”

Lin Su was considerate. “Or, should I call A’Ma to keep you company for a while?”

“Heh, no need.”

Xuenima popped its head up: [?]

Lin Su then got up and went over. The two tables weren’t far apart, with only two tables between them. He walked over and sat down. Sheng Lingyu immediately said happily, “I didn’t expect to see you again! I have to thank you for your help last time!”

Lin Su said, “It was nothing. You already gave me a thank-you gift.”

At the mention of this, Sheng Lingyu opened his mouth as if to say something, then scratched his head and just said, “Mm,” without elaborating.

Xuenima: [Did he also see the live stream and recognize you? But he’s afraid of blowing your cover, so he’s not saying anything.]

Lin Su replied: It’s actually not a big deal if he blows my cover.

He saw the person in front of him still looked conflicted, so he changed the subject. “I didn’t expect you to be the one they grabbed at the last minute to fill in.”

Sheng Lingyu nodded. “I was quite surprised too. After all, I always used to…” he paused, then switched to a cheerful tone, “Maybe it’s to compensate me.”

Lin Su had a feeling. “Compensation?”

“Ah, yes. They were originally in talks for me to be in a drama, but then it was given to… someone else. So I guess that’s why they called me for this variety show.”

Sheng Lingyu’s eyes were bright, like a simple little puppy, happy just to have work.

Lin Su narrowed his eyes slightly: Oh…

As his fingertips were tapping lightly, Xuenima landed on the edge of the table, drooling: [I’m hungry. Can I sneak a bite of pastry while he’s not looking? Since his whole body is coordinated, he probably won’t notice me.]

“…”

Lin Su said calmly: He’s just clumsy, not blind.

He glanced sideways and said: Go eat at He Zhenling’s side.

Xuenima floated over: [Ang da.]

Over there, He Zhenling was looking at his tablet. Suddenly, his fingertips moved slightly, and he looked sharply at the table in front of him. A faint, shimmering ball of white light was perched by his hand, using the teapot for cover: [Ahhh—]

Two soybean cakes disappeared instantly.

He Zhenling: “…”

The snacks on the table continued to disappear with rustling sounds. Just then, Ye Yuzhu finished her phone call and came back. She happened to be sitting at the next table. Seeing that Lin Su wasn’t there, she specifically cast several glances in this direction.

He Zhenling pinched the bridge of his nose, then closed his tablet and stood it up on the table.

Ye Yuzhu walked a few steps closer. “Eh, Mr. He, where’s Lin Su?”

He Zhenling tilted his chin. “Over there.”

Ye Yuzhu turned her head and did a strategic lean back!

“Then you weren’t…” She turned back to see He Zhenling’s eyelashes lowered, one hand holding his teacup, seemingly staring in a daze at something above the table.

She moistened her lips and quietly sat back down without making a sound.

In front of him, half the snacks had already been devoured. Seeing that the other had stopped eating, He Zhenling reached out to retrieve his tablet. Just as he lifted his hand, Xuenima turned around with a clatter. The teacup by his hand was knocked over. The cup tipped, and clear tea snaked across the tabletop.

…

A sigh was heard from beside him, and someone stood up. Ye Yuzhu gave him a complicated look, then turned her head towards Lin Su. She reached out and patted him, interrupting: “Lin Su, you should go take a look.”

Lin Su turned his head at her words and followed the direction she was pointing. He saw He Zhenling looking over with a grim, cold face, a spilled teacup by his hand.

Ye Yuzhu sighed lightly. “His heart is in turmoil.”

Author’s Note:
Lin Su: Unsteady, Xiao He. (shakes head)
He Zhenling: Hehe, your spiritual consciousness isn’t too sharp either.
Xuenima: I’m full, and so thirsty. (sips)
* For Xiao Sheng’s appearance: refer to Chapter 20.

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