Chapter 3
After hanging up, Ji Wei ran from the office building back to his dorm and then to the university gate. He was truly nervous, so nervous his mind went completely blank.
This was because his idol was notoriously hard to get close to—no, hard to chase. Other than promoting his work, he never engaged with fans and usually remained hidden from the public eye. Opportunities to visit him on set or greet him at the airport were extremely rare, and he never accepted any expensive gifts from fans.
He was like a distant, unattainable moon.
He was very, very far away from him, so far that even catching his eye seemed like an extravagant hope, filled with unrealistic desires and fantasies.
Would he like his gift?
Ji Wei wasn’t sure.
He simply carried the traditional Chinese painting, stored in a tube, and slowly got into the car.
Besides Lu Shenxing, there was another person in the driver’s seat. He was in his early thirties, wore a pair of rimless glasses, and exuded an elite air.
Ji Wei recognized him as Lu Shenxing’s manager, Ying Guanxiao. He was Lu Shenxing’s most trusted partner, having declared when he first entered the industry that he would only ever sign one person in his life.
At the time, many people had mocked him.
But gradually, the mockery turned into admiration.
Because the person he signed was Lu Shenxing, described by foreign media as “a man of a thousand faces.” At twenty-seven, his textbook-level performance in Wind of Qin earned him a record-breaking seven Best Actor awards. Everyone lamented that no one could ever break his record.
Ying Guanxiao smiled and turned to look at Ji Wei. “You must be the little one, Ji Wei. I’m not much older than you, so just call me Brother Ying.”
For a moment, Ji Wei gazed at the conspicuous crow’s feet at the corners of Ying Guanxiao’s eyes and fell into deep thought.
Huh? This is… not much older?
However, his mind worked quickly, and he soon responded, “Hello, Brother Ying.”
Lu Shenxing sat by the window, his long legs casually crossed, and gently closed a script covered in dense notes. His gaze fell on Ji Wei, lingered for a moment, and then he chuckled softly. “What are you carrying? Put it down, it looks heavy.”
Ji Wei quickly shook his head. “It’s not heavy, not heavy at all.”
“This is for you.”
He unslung the painting tube and nervously handed it to Lu Shenxing. He had so much he wanted to say before coming, things he had wanted to say since their first meeting, like how much he had always loved his work, his acting, and… him.
But he couldn’t get any of the words out.
Ji Wei felt a little sad.
After saying thank you, Lu Shenxing raised an eyebrow and took the painting tube. He opened it to reveal a blue-green landscape painting. It couldn’t be fully unrolled in the car, but if completely unfurled, it would stretch for twelve meters. The brushwork was steady and the composition vast, as if a vibrant landscape had been plucked from nature and placed within it.
A hint of surprise showed in his eyes.
It was a copy of A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains.
Due to the nature of silk paintings, the blue and green mineral pigments on Wang Ximeng’s A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains were thick. Over time, opening the scroll would cause the paint to flake off and damage the artwork. Since the founding of the nation, it had only been exhibited twice.
The last time it was exhibited, he had wanted to go to the Palace Museum to see it, but he missed it because he was reshooting scenes for Yang Pass. He had expressed a little regret about it during a press conference interview.
He never thought such a casual remark would be remembered.
He lowered his dark eyes, his emotions unreadable.
At this moment, Ying Guanxiao also leaned over from the front. “Well, this is the first time I’ve seen a fan give a painting. Just looking at the level of detail, it must have cost a lot. It’s too valuable.”
Lu Shenxing’s gaze slowly moved to the signature on the painting.
—Ji Wei.
He pressed his thin lips together, his slightly casual tone gone, and said with extra seriousness, “It is too valuable.”
It’s over…
Ji Wei’s expression changed instantly. He could already guess Lu Shenxing’s next words would be, “I’m sorry, I can’t accept something so valuable.”
He panicked and quickly waved his hands. “It’s not valuable at all. It’s just something I wanted to give to Mr. Lu. I painted it myself, and it didn’t take much time…”
The young man stammered through his explanation, growing more nervous with each word. When he finally stopped, he realized Lu Shenxing had been quietly listening to him the whole time.
The man looked into his eyes and said with exceptional gentleness, “I understand. It’s the thought that counts.”
His voice was so gentle that Ji Wei’s eyes warmed slightly.
He couldn’t lose face in front of his idol!
He quickly lowered his head and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
Suddenly, a small, plainly packaged box appeared before him.
He looked up; Lu Shenxing was holding it out to him.
How could he accept a gift from his idol!
The little antenna on Ji Wei’s head shot up. He was about to righteously refuse, but Lu Shenxing, as if reading his mind, curved his lips into a smile and said unhurriedly, “It’s not worth much.”
Ji Wei stared at it carefully.
It was a very ordinary, plain-colored paper box.
It probably… really wasn’t worth much.
“Thank you, Mr. Lu.”
Only then did he give a shy smile and accept the box.
When Ji Wei smiled, he had a pair of faint pear dimples. Paired with his light-colored, cat-like eyes, he looked incredibly handsome.
Lu Shenxing was momentarily stunned, then nonchalantly averted his gaze. “I won’t keep you from your classes.”
Ji Wei paused. He wanted to say that he would love to be disturbed!
He could be disturbed every day!
But when the words reached his lips, he sensibly said goodbye instead.
He followed Lu Shenxing’s studio’s official Weibo account. Lu Shenxing was very busy, almost always going from one film set to the next with no break. His schedule was packed. It was already a surprise that he could make a detour to see him.
He just felt a little reluctant to leave.
Ji Wei suppressed the rising emotion, clutched the gift, and got out of the car. Unlike the excitement and apprehension he felt on his way there, his steps on the way back were slow and filled with longing.
Suddenly, he heard the car window slowly roll down and Lu Shenxing’s gentle, pleasant voice.
“I forgot to say earlier.”
Ji Wei stopped and turned back.
“Next time we meet—” the man paused and said, “remember to bring your ID and household registration book.”
Before he could answer, the car sped away.
What did he need his ID and household registration book for?
Ji Wei blinked in confusion.
It took him half a minute to realize that Lu Shenxing meant they would go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to register their marriage tomorrow.
In a flash.
Only one thought remained in his mind.
It seemed… he was really going to marry his idol!
Ji Wei opened the box in his hand.
A simple ring lay quietly inside, shimmering softly.
In the car, Ying Guanxiao glanced at Lu Shenxing’s handsome face in the rearview mirror and tutted. “You called a pair of custom-made rings from Italy ‘not worth much.’ If Charlemagne knew, he’d cry his eyes out. Old Lu, can we have some shame?”
Lu Shenxing was noncommittal.
He continued to open his script and make notes, then suddenly noticed a proposal book on the armrest.
“National Style?”
He read the name softly.
Ying Guanxiao turned around. “Isn’t that the show I told you about this morning? I looked at the lineup, and it’s really good. A little more exposure isn’t a bad thing. Commercial value and artistic pursuits aren’t mutually exclusive, you know. You’re just unwilling.”
Lu Shenxing looked at Ji Wei’s name on the guest list and slowly retorted, “When did I ever say I was unwilling?”
Ying Guanxiao: “…”
***
As an intern at Yancheng Television Station, Qi Ke cherished this opportunity. After all, many people dreamed of working with Director Zhang on the production of National Style.
He was currently checking the program plan.
Suddenly, a call came in.
Everyone else in the office had gone to lunch, leaving him alone. He walked over to the assistant director’s desk and answered the phone. “Hello, this is Yancheng Television Station.”
At first, he didn’t pay much attention, but after hearing the name “Lu Shenxing,” his expression became increasingly animated, his eyes filled with a mixture of shock and pleasant surprise.
After hanging up, he rushed straight to Director Zhang’s office, bursting in without knocking.
Director Zhang was in a solemn discussion with the station director about the production of National Style. It was true that Yancheng was the top domestic television station, but in recent years, due to the sudden rise of Tomato Television Station, its ratings had declined significantly.
Therefore, high hopes were pinned on National Style.
It not only had to be a hit, but a massive one.
“Xiao Qi, what is it?”
Director Zhang frowned. “Filming for National Style starts this week, but the guests haven’t been fully confirmed yet. I still need to discuss it with the station director.”
The station director also smiled kindly. “If it’s nothing important, young comrade, please wait outside for a bit.”
Qi Ke shook his head.
Director Zhang’s face darkened.
He was not an easy person to deal with and was known in the industry for his strictness. Countless people in the entertainment circle had tried to pull strings to get on the show, but he had refused them without a second thought. The guest list was still unconfirmed for this very reason.
He was determined to create a blockbuster show.
Qi Ke took a deep breath. “Film Emperor Lu’s manager just called—”
“Film Emperor Lu declined, right? We already know.”
The station director patted Qi Ke’s shoulder knowingly. He wondered what the big deal was. Of course, he very much wanted Lu Shenxing to participate, but Ying Guanxiao had already politely declined.
He wasn’t disappointed; instead, he felt his request had been unreasonable. After all, Lu Shenxing’s status was immense. He dared to turn down shows on CCTV, let alone a small station like Yancheng Television.
“He said… Film Emperor Lu has agreed to participate.”
The meeting room fell instantly silent.