“Wishing him a happy birthday? You’re really exaggerating.” Sitting in the car, Tang Xin listened and laughed out loud, suddenly commenting.

After a moment, Fu Xueli stopped confiding.

“No.” Tang Xin corrected herself, “You are… incredibly bold and ostentatious.”

“By the way, were you and those friends who set off fireworks punished by the school afterward?” Tang Xin’s curiosity piqued, and she asked again.

After a pause, Fu Xueli snorted, “We’ve lived our whole lives accumulating punishments. Do we care about this?”

Tang Xin lowered her head to play with her phone, instructing her to look at the script and ponder the character. The smile at the corner of her lips hadn’t yet faded as she busied herself scrolling through Weibo on her phone.

Fu Xueli pressed her temples, idly flipping open the script. She had just absentmindedly read two passages when she suddenly heard an exclamation by her ear. Tang Xin leaned over and handed her the phone, her tone rising with excitement, “Yo yo yo, look, we were just talking about this.”

Before she finished speaking, Fu Xueli’s eyes glanced over and saw a striking headline:

【Woman Murdered, Male Suspect Captured Within Two Days.】

She snatched the phone and clicked to read more. The Morning News official Weibo was ranked first in real-time hot topics:

On the evening of April 9th at around 21:00, a knife-wielding murder occurred on Beining West Road at People’s Park in Jinliang District, Shencheng. The suspect fled the scene quickly with the knife after committing the crime. According to police sources, the suspect was apprehended on the evening of the 10th.

There were several accompanying photos.

One was very familiar—the crime scene controlled by police on that rainy night. The second showed several police officers gathered around a computer, pointing and discussing.

As for the third photo…

Her gaze froze upon seeing it. Although it only showed a small portion of the side profile, Fu Xueli recognized who it was at a glance.

“Tsk tsk, didn’t expect it to trend. Nowadays the police are all so capable. But why are there so many of these press releases lately, promoting socialist virtues…” Tang Xin laughed aloud.

The article began by introducing the downtown female corpse case from a few days ago that had caused a sensation and trended on Weibo, then heavily praised how the police solved the case quickly and efficiently protected the safety of the people. Even the interview transcript and summary were very formalistic.

About how the long arm of the law never fails, how they carried out the mission given by the Party and the people, how they carried fairness and justice on their shoulders, spreading positive energy…

Fu Xueli had no patience. She skimmed through, jumping to the end:

“Worth mentioning is an outstanding criminal police officer who contributed to solving this case. Having previously cracked a major case in Southern X, he now serves as a forensic doctor in a city’s Public Security Bureau Criminal Police Brigade Technical Squadron, while also shouldering the burden of captain of the Criminal Police Brigade Anti-Narcotics Squadron.

According to colleagues, as a forensic doctor and criminal technical worker, his workload is very heavy. Except for vacations and crime scene visits, he basically stays in the laboratory all other times. He works at least ten hours a day, extremely dedicated to his work.”

Fu Xueli exited and, thinking of something, clicked on the third side-profile photo with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes to examine it carefully.

The man sat at his office desk reviewing documents, his neat police uniform buttoned meticulously, shoulder insignia gleaming brightly.

When he wasn’t smiling, his presence was overwhelming. His cheeks were thin and narrow, his cool and detached temperament first-rate. He looked exactly like a male model with an ascetic air specially hired for a photoshoot.

Sure enough, the comments below exploded. The top comments were all:

【Is this filming a TV drama?! A policeman is actually this handsome, totally a first love face, really so sweet…】

【Just me being superficial… so… does the officer uncle in photo three have a Weibo account (anticipating) (anticipating) (anticipating)】

【Although it’s within his job responsibilities, still want to give this handsome policeman a big thumbs up!】

【Honest people say honest things, please let this little brother immediately have relations with me (dog head)】

【This is the 567th man I’ve fallen in love with on Weibo…】

【Isn’t he a criminal police officer? Don’t understand why Weibo doesn’t mosaic his face. Isn’t this afraid of retaliation from criminals? Won’t it be very dangerous?!】

Her eyes touching upon this comment, Fu Xueli’s back went cold. Her expression immediately turned ugly, worrying: “That’s not right, how could Xu Xingchun’s photo be released? Won’t his personal safety be threatened?!”

Tang Xin’s gaze stayed on her face for a moment, “Did you waste all these years in the entertainment industry?”

“What?”

“What reporters can interview, what they can interview, what they can publish—all of it is definitely strictly controlled by the propaganda department. What you see is also the press release after being processed. In short, all places that might step on landmines will all be given warnings. If the published photos aren’t mosaiced, that means the public security side didn’t require mosaicing. The police uncles’ vigilance is much higher than media people.”

Fu Xueli didn’t speak for a long while, clicking open that photo to zoom in and look at it repeatedly.

“Stop looking, maybe it’ll be deleted soon. Won’t last long. Quickly return my phone. If you want to see photos, look on your own phone!” Tang Xin frowned, saying in a low voice: “You care so much about others, does he even remember you?”

Fu Xueli instantly restrained the expression on her face and put down the phone. She turned her head, her expression turning ugly: “What do you mean, back then—”

Speaking of this, she inexplicably thought of the frustrating matters from a few days ago. Her heart was still bothered by Xu Xingchun’s cold attitude, so she had no mood to continue.

Seeing her temper rising again, Tang Xin waved her hand to interrupt, laughing coldly, “Anyway, these past few years I’ve also seen through what kind of person you are. It’s been so many years now, just honestly and single-mindedly develop your acting career, and don’t provoke others.”

“What, what kind of person am I? Why don’t you tell me.” After a long while, Fu Xueli, unconvinced and annoyed, lit a cigarette, smoke curling upward.

“Vulgar.” Tang Xin was displeased, casually opening the car window, “Oh right, let me tell you, Chen Jianqiu is also going to audition for Director Wu’s film. They’re clearly trying to disgust us. You better fight for some dignity for me. This film was won by our company through bidding, you need to grasp this advantage.”

Speaking of Chen Jianqiu, she had quite a connection with Fu Xueli. This person was originally an assistant under her. Her looks were actually quite good—she had plastic surgery. Later she opportunistically hooked up with a boss in the industry and jumped ship to another company. After repackaging under a different identity, she debuted. Last year, because of a hugely popular historical drama, she leaped into the ranks of trending young actresses.

However, such things were commonplace in the entertainment industry, not really worth minding. There were plenty of beautiful women who wanted to be famous. Where would ordinary people get shortcuts? Those who loved being clean wouldn’t survive. But the point was, the historical drama that made Chen Jianqiu famous was a resource snatched from Tang Xin out of nowhere—that was very inappropriate.

Thus this hidden grudge was formed.

—

“Life has eight sufferings:

Birth, old age, sickness, death, parting from loved ones, meeting with the hated, seeking but not obtaining, unable to let go.”

This sentence was printed on the cover of the temporary script for “Dawn Breaking,” a new production by a major director from the Beijing circle. This film was a main-melody blockbuster adapted from a sensational nationwide anti-narcotics case from the 90s. The subject matter was rather sensitive, and the production team was cooperating with the Public Security Ministry this time. More accurately, it was invested in and filmed through a bidding process by the Public Security Ministry.

The investors found this director, gave him all the compiled materials. After a year or two of preparation, before casting they held meeting after meeting repeatedly, changed over ten scripts for Public Security Ministry review. The box office would conservatively guarantee five hundred million without surprises. There had already been rumors circulating that it was an absolutely excellent opportunity.

Mandela Hotel 37th floor. Fu Xueli reviewed the general story again. As a main-melody commercial blockbuster, actually the female lead didn’t have many scenes. In boredom she looked around the room. Three to five crew staff members carried photography equipment, successively knocking and entering the room. There were also several familiar reporters from the industry smoking on the side, waiting.

This was the final selection for the female lead role, to perform a scene opposite Jiang Zhixing who had already been confirmed as the male lead.

Jiang Zhixing debuted early and had only appeared on the big screen for many years, but he had no airs at all. With a dream lover’s face, he was worthy of the title national male god. Besides his good looks, his acting skills were also exquisite. A few years ago he won the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor. Recently his popularity was at its peak. It was said that his pay for the last film was already eight figures or more.

She still remembered which awards ceremony it was when Fu Xueli first saw Jiang Zhixing in person—she always felt very strange in her heart. His features were flawless, but everywhere she looked felt awkward.

In her mind, it was as if in an instant, she had forgotten something very important, very bothersome.

She sat in the audience below, watching Jiang Zhixing on the awards platform giving his acceptance speech. Behind him was a large screen, repeatedly scrolling through his recent released works. Jiang Zhixing was tall with long legs, wearing a proper black suit and white shirt. He slightly lowered his head, hand supporting the microphone. His eyes were very beautiful—usually appearing bland, his smile was shallow yet his features vaguely held affection.

Staring at his face again and again, Fu Xueli withdrew her gaze and finally remembered who he resembled.

“Xueli, take a look at the third scene. I’ll give you a few minutes to prepare, then you and Axing try it to find the feeling. If it works, we’ll have a meeting today and pretty much finalize it.” The director wearing a white baseball cap stood up from the sofa, script rolled up and gripped in hand. Only a few crew members remained in the room.

Fu Xueli didn’t know why she had caught the eye of this famous director. This film was a major resource. During the second audition she barely said a few lines before the director called stop, and definitively said, “Fu Xueli, right? We’ve reviewed your materials and think you’re very suitable for this role.”

Fu Xueli was genuinely flattered. Aside from bringing investment into productions, this was the first time she had passed casting so smoothly. Since her debut, she basically hadn’t taken on any particularly positive roles. Her acting range was very narrow, resulting in very poor audience reception. Being able to take on a film of this caliber made Tang Xin extremely happy, while also feeling uncertain.

The film’s female lead, Cheng Cheng, was a carbon copy of Fu Xueli in her youth. The two were almost identical—their bad girl genes exactly the same.

Cheng Cheng had an extremely devoted and affectionate childhood sweetheart, who was also the male lead of this film, Li Qiyan.

One was a rebellious female forensic doctor, the other a righteous captain of the Criminal Police Brigade Anti-Narcotics Squadron.

“In this emotional scene, Cheng Cheng hasn’t fallen for Li Qiyan yet. Think back in your life whether there’s been a man who pursued you very closely, but you actually found this pressure very annoying, while on the other hand having some feelings for him.”

The set was being prepared. The director was patiently explaining the scene to them both. “And Axing, you’re exactly the opposite. Your emotional scenes are more complex. You must remember, Li this character is very lonely and proud, excellent on the surface but actually lonely and sensitive. Introverted personality, so his feelings for Cheng Cheng are intense and deep. Find the passion and longing but bury them deeply. The key is to remain impassive, can’t show it too obviously. Although we’re filming an action movie, the romance is also an indispensable part. You need to grasp what the audience likes.”

Someone brought up props and placed them in the center of the room. The assistant director sat on the sofa with legs crossed, called action, while workers on the other side held up light boards.

Eyes in the room gathered on the two of them.

“I’m asking you, why do you always follow me home? Isn’t it annoying?” Fu Xueli thought for a moment, too lazy to disguise it, turned around and directly entered character. She knew what tone to use with him, what expression, even the furrowing of her brow could be wonderfully vivid.

The red light on the camera was on. Everyone present silently held their breath.

Jiang Zhixing had one hand bent and placed on the office desk, holding a pen, eyes lowered as he flipped through an invisible file. After a long time he still hadn’t responded.

“Hey, I’m asking you a question! Li Qiyan! Are you mute?! If you keep this up, I’m going to apply for a transfer!”

“Your files have already been transferred. Work hard from now on.” The man’s magnetic voice sounded faintly. He dropped the pen in his hand, invisibly forming a powerful presence.

Fu Xueli had no patience. Getting anxious, she slapped her palm on that invisible file, not very happy, “I’m warning you, I have a boyfriend, so in the future you—”

Her hand was grabbed by the man in one swift motion. Fu Xueli wanted to pull her hand back but found it gripped very tightly by Jiang Zhixing.

Both entered character very quickly, naturally integrating into their roles. When their eyes met, she could finally see that there seemed to be moisture in his eyes, seemingly concealing genuine anguish. He finally spoke, calling her character’s name word by word, “Cheng Cheng, you’re really heartless.”

The camera focused on both of them. Fu Xueli stared blankly, goosebumps rising spontaneously, suddenly unable to keep up with the rhythm.

Jiang Zhixing resembled Xu Xingchun too much…

Their silent eyes could both speak.

In a certain instant, she had even completely forgotten she was acting, unable to distinguish reality. Although she inwardly knew this wasn’t the right moment, her mind inexplicably recalled unrelated past events.

Forgot which day of which month of which year it was, anyway it was a very ordinary afternoon. The school bell rang ding ling ling. She was woken from sleep, her head tilted in the crook of her arm, energy not yet returned.

Xu Xingchun supported his head with one hand. Under his smooth forehead were thick eyelashes, his nose bridge straight.

He threaded his five fingers through his bangs, lips pressed together, head lowered as he seriously thought about problems. From the side his lip shape was very thin, but the curve was beautifully refined.

Fu Xueli stared at him in a daze. One second, two seconds, three seconds…

On the fourth second, she thought to herself, this Xu Xingchun is usually so plain and boring, but looking carefully he seems pretty good.

Being his girlfriend isn’t a loss either.