Chapter 1

Had he known from the beginning that the situation would turn out like this, Xia Xingcheng might not have taken on the role.

Xia Xingcheng was twenty-four years old and had been in the entertainment industry for six years since his debut at the ripe age of eighteen. Over the past six years, even though things hadn't always been in his favor, his career had advanced relatively smoothly and there'd been no shortage of opportunities for him.

Although he didn't hit it big immediately, his two consecutive TV dramas had amassed a lot of popularity and brought about a number of fans.

The next few roles that he played were all male leads for idol dramas, and just when he thought he was going to be typecast as such, he received a casting call from his agent manager Huang Jixin, asking him if he was interested in a movie directed by He Zheng.

At the time of answering the call, Xia Xingcheng was lying on his girlfriend Xiao Yu's bed. He rolled over and sat up at attention, the duvet sliding down his body and revealing a bright and fair chest. He tried to hold back his surprise, yet he still sounded very astonished. "What?"

Xiao Yu turned to him and asked, "What's going on?"

Xia Xingcheng silently shushed at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu raised her hand to prop up her head, listening in on Xia Xingcheng's phone call curiously.

Xia Xingcheng had sounded very excited when he first answered the call, but then gradually his eyebrows tightened into a frown. His finger subconsciously drew circles on the duvet cover and he muttered several 'Mm's in reply.

When he finally hung up, Xia Xingcheng plopped back down onto the soft bed as it rose and fell lightly. He stared at the warm yellow light at the ceiling, his phone held tightly in his hand.

Xiao Yu drew closer to him and asked, "What's up? He Zheng offered you a role?"

Xia Xingcheng turned to look at her. "You heard?"

"I only heard you mentioned He Zheng." After saying that, Xiao Yu found herself unconvinced. "Was it not him? How are you acquainted with him?"

Given Xia Xingcheng's current standing in the entertainment industry, a prominent director like He Zheng was naturally outside his social circle.

Xia Xingcheng didn't reply as he twisted and turned restlessly 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 bedpost stark naked to his toes. He had broad shoulders and a slim waist, body slightly built with a flat and tight abdomen, and legs that stood straight and sturdy. Combined all with his youthful good looks, they were his assets in the entertainment industry.

As Xia Xingcheng was slowly getting dressed, Xiao Yu got a sense that their fling was coming to an end.

Xia Xingcheng had no major flaws in his character, but he was a philanderer. Since his debut, he has had five or six girlfriends and they'd all been young and beautiful little celebrities.

Xiao Yu has been with him for almost a year. The initial novelty of their relationship has fizzled out and there'd hardly been any communication between them. Just a while ago when Xia Xingcheng was on location shooting 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 her hand. "Goodbye."

Xia Xingcheng grabbed his coat and left her apartment without looking back. As the door slammed shut, he felt his hand tremble with excitement.

The overhead lights in the corridor were dim. He sauntered towards the elevator door, jabbed the buttons several times, and waited impatiently.

He Zheng—who wouldn't know of He Zheng? This film director had won a multitude of international awards. Last year, a commercial film that he directed had smashed the domestic box office records and its leading casts also subsequently won awards at film festivals.

He couldn't think that—wouldn't dare to ever dream that He Zheng would notice him, much less offer him a lead role in one of his movies.

Xia Xingcheng entered the elevator and it was when he saw his fidgety self reflected on the interior surface that he finally calmed down a little.

He reached for his cellphone and dialed Huang Jixin. As soon as the call was connected, he continued their earlier conversation, asking nervously, "You said He Zheng wanted to create a film about a same-sex relationship, who's the other actor he's considering?"

Huang Jixin said, "I don't know. He Zheng didn't say."

Xia Xingcheng asked, "Are there any bed-scenes?" Then, he hesitated and lowered his voice, saying, "It would be censored, 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."

•••

Two days later, Xia Xingcheng went to meet up with He Zheng. Huang Jixin accompanied him into a private room where He Zheng sat alone.

This was Xia Xingcheng's first time meeting He Zheng, and it was also the first time he had the chance to work closely with such a renowned director. His excitement had gradually softened and his first reaction was to slightly bow down at the waist and politely shake hands with He Zheng in greeting.

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

They have small talk for a while. He Zheng recounted from home that his mother had been following the idol drama that Xia Xingcheng acted in, and he had also watched several episodes with her.

Xia Xingcheng was suddenly a little embarrassed, subconsciously rubbing his sweaty palms on his pants.

He Zheng lit a cigarette between his fingers and pointed it at Xia Xingcheng. "It was very good. I'm serious."

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

He Zheng took a drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaled the smoke and said, "I want to film a friend's story for my next movie. I'm still looking for a screenwriter. You can read the screenplay first when it's completed."

Xia Xingcheng couldn't help spilling the question that had been on his mind for the past two days, "Why did you think to consider me for the role?"

He Zheng looked at him square in the face, "I just think that you're a bit like him."

Xia Xingchen understood immediately. However, there were still more uncertainties hovering in his mind, but it wasn't a convenient time to ask.

At that moment, Huang Jixin's phone rang and he went out to answer it. It was a long call, and by the time he hung up, Xia Xingcheng had already walked out of the private room.

Huang Jixin was a little surprised. "You're finished already?"

Xia Xingcheng came over and grabbed Huang Jixin by his shoulder, giving a little push with his arms, and said, "I'm taking the role."

Huang Jixin looked back at the door of the private room, which was still closed, and He Zheng hadn't come out. He waited for a second and walked them back to the elevator, and only when the doors 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 revealing only his perfect jaw. He said, "There's a bed scene without any exposure."

Huang Jixin scowled, "Even if we disregard that, a film of this theme still can't be released in this country. He Zheng is famous and is in high demand. This movie will be shot in the first half of the year and I'm afraid it won't be worth the losses you'll incur."

Xia Xingcheng replied, "But this is He Zheng we're talking about, isn't it?"

Huang Jixin grabbed onto Xia Xingcheng's shoulder. "I know it's He Zheng. If it was anyone else, I would've turned it down on your behalf when I'd heard the subject matter, but can't you ponder over it a little…"

"And Yang Youming," Xia Xingcheng interrupted to make a point.

Huang Jixin froze. He then squeezed Xia Xingcheng's shoulder, "What did you say?"

Xia Xingcheng's smug eyes were covered by his sunglasses. So, he nodded at Huang Jixin.

Huang Jixin cursed, "Fuck!" He lowered his hand and showed Xia Xingcheng his arm. "You see that? I got goosebumps. Are you serious? Is it Yang Youming?"

Xia Xingcheng's tone was in delight. "It's Yang Youming. Don't you think I should take the role?"

Huang Jixin didn't utter a single word for a while. It wasn't until the elevator arrived at the ground 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."