Chapter 95 – Darkening
Xiao Fang’s schedule gradually became busier. After the variety show ended, filming for Finding Home officially began. The bearded director’s surname was Zhang, a graduate of the directing department of a famous art school. He had spent three years working on this script. Due to limited funds, the actors he hired were all new faces. The only one with some fame was Xiao Fang.
However, after the initial novelty wore off, everyone began to focus on filming with dedication. It had to be said that unknown actors worked harder than average ones. Their professionalism was written on their faces. Even Xiao Fang found himself working harder alongside them.
Xiao Fang played the protagonist, Gu You, who was born into a middle-class family where everyone doted on their only son. After his college entrance exams, he was abducted and sold. The director primarily used a flashback technique here. At the beginning of the movie, Gu You had already been captured, and there was just a simple flashback in a dilapidated warehouse.
These few scenes were not difficult for Xiao Fang to film. However, at noon, Director Zhang called him over. The gist of it was that he hoped Xiao Fang would lose weight as quickly as possible during filming, preferably reaching the stage required by the script. This was something that most actors nowadays would hardly ever do. But Director Zhang had never taken these delicate actors seriously. When he proposed it, he expected Xiao Fang to do it. He probably guessed that Xiao Fang would be this dedicated when he chose him.
Xiao Fang agreed almost without hesitation. After all, this was his duty.
The filming location was in another province. Fei Xiangnan had to handle company matters and needed to take care of things there for a short while before he could come over. Xiao Fang and Xiao Ma stayed in a hotel, and Xiao Fang immediately began a month-long weight loss regimen.
It was truly difficult to lose that much weight. Although Xiao Fang wasn’t fat to begin with, he was still far from the requirement. He needed to lose at least ten kilograms. Xiao Fang could only resort to regular light fasting. He was not in good spirits all day and only managed to persevere through filming by gritting his teeth. Xiao Ma secretly felt sorry for him more than once.
Sometimes, Xiao Fang would even dream of fried chicken at night. For a foodie, these days were simply too hard to bear. But Xiao Fang’s exceptionally persistent professionalism meant he never broke his diet. In just ten days, Xiao Fang lost four kilograms, earning him the admiration of the crew. However, Xiao Fang no longer had the energy to care about these things. He would be the first to go back after filming each day, study the script, and then go to sleep. Otherwise, he would think about eating.
Under the effect of this, Xiao Fang’s acting skills reached a new level. When the human trafficker, after starving the protagonist for a week, threw a steamed bun at Xiao Fang, his eyes filled with an almost overflowing desire as he crawled over with chains on his feet. He grabbed the bun and devoured it ravenously, barely taking any time to chew.
Many of the girls on set cried watching this scene, their hearts aching for him. It was rare to see an actor work so hard these days. Because of Xiao Fang’s excellent performance, this scene was done in almost one take, and Xiao Fang didn’t even get the chance to eat an extra steamed bun during work.
“It would have been better to shoot a few more takes,” Xiao Ma muttered softly from behind. His nose tingled as he watched the famished Xiao Fang eat the steamed bun. He would rather Brother Xiao be a happy rich second generation than have to go through such a difficult path. If President Fei knew about this, he would be heartbroken.
As it turned out, good things never came, but bad things always did.
After a day of filming, Xiao Fang collapsed limply into a chair. He had only eaten two apples and a small box of vegetable dumplings today, which was far from enough for a young man’s stomach.
Xiao Ma came over with a bag to pick Xiao Fang up. After he changed his clothes, Xiao Ma handed him a glass of water. Drinking water wouldn’t make him fat. After drinking, he prepared to take him back to sleep as usual.
“Xiao Fang, one of the investors came to visit today. I heard he brought some refreshments to treat everyone. Everyone’s gone over now, do you want to go take a look?” an actor who usually got along well with Xiao Fang came over and called out to him.
Xiao Fang didn’t want to go, but he also didn’t want to offend people too much, so he forced himself to go, propping up his spirits.
The investor who came this time was named Wu, and everyone called him Mr. Wu. He was in his forties or fifties, with a bald patch, a beer belly, and a somewhat lecherous smile. His face was a bit greasy. In short, looking at him didn’t do much for one’s appetite.
He had ordered dozens of kilograms of crayfish from a restaurant this time. The crew members all gathered around happily. As the protagonist, Xiao Fang went up to greet him first.
Mr. Wu looked at Xiao Fang’s slender figure, and his lecherous thoughts were immediately aroused. Xiao Fang indeed had a face that all men would like, especially after he replaced the original owner of the body. He had a temperament and aura that the original owner lacked, which instantly attracted Mr. Wu. In this circle, how could one be without these unspoken rules?
Mr. Wu made up his mind in a matter of seconds. It was just his bad luck that he hadn’t attended the Fei family’s great-grandson’s First Month Celebration. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to do such a thing, even if it killed him.
“I heard Xiao Fang even lost weight for this movie. It’s really not easy. I truly admire talented people like you. Today, I’ll make the decision. You don’t have to diet anymore. How about I treat you to a meal outside? At the Sandalwood Hotel. You can eat whatever you want.” As soon as Mr. Wu’s words came out, everyone exchanged knowing looks, but no one dared to step forward and intervene. The boldest person on set, the director, had already gone out for hot pot and wasn’t there. The scene instantly froze.
Ma Rui had to laugh. Where did this Mr. Wu get the gall to even think about hitting on Brother Xiao? Just as he was about to step up and teach him a lesson, Mr. Wu had already made his move. He stepped forward and grabbed Xiao Fang’s hand. Xiao Fang was very weak right now, and for a moment, he couldn’t break free.
Ma Rui was furious. He reached out to pull Mr. Wu’s dirty hand away.
“Hey, what’s with this assistant of yours? I was just making a friendly invitation. No one else has said anything, and you’re already getting physical. Let go of me!” Mr. Wu slapped Ma Rui’s hand away.
Xiao Fang’s face darkened as he looked at Mr. Wu. “Mr. Wu, there’s no need to make things so ugly, is there? I have no such intentions. Let’s just go our separate ways and not bother each other!”
Mr. Wu wasn’t angry. He looked at Xiao Fang meaningfully and said, “Young man, don’t be so impulsive. You’re working so hard, but it could all be gone with just a word from me.”
“Mr. Wu’s words are getting more and more confident. Can the main character really be replaced with just a word from you?” A gloomy voice came from outside the crowd.
Mr. Wu’s fat body trembled, and he let go of Xiao Fang’s hand as if it were a hot potato, looking behind him.
Fei Xiangnan walked in, wearing a silver-gray suit. Mr. Wu was just a minor investor, but this was a major one, someone he couldn’t afford to offend.
“I didn’t expect President Fei to come today as well. I was just joking with Xiao Fang, it’s nothing serious,” Mr. Wu had been in the business world for a long time. He might not be good at much else, but he knew how to read people’s faces.
Everyone present knew Fei Xiangnan. Some were even shipping fans of Xiao Fang and Fei Xiangnan.
But apparently, this Mr. Wu didn’t know.
Xiao Fang secretly signaled to Fei Xiangnan with his eyes, telling him not to be impulsive on the spot. Fei Xiangnan looked at Xiao Fang and could see at a glance that he had lost weight, and not just a little. He could be described as gaunt. The possibility of the food here being too bad was very low. The most likely reason was for the role.
Again, for the role. Fei Xiangnan had to watch the person he cared about suffer, but this time Xiao Fang wasn’t pregnant, so he couldn’t interfere with his career. He could only vent his anger on someone else.
Fei Xiangnan put on an expression that was completely at odds with his inner feelings. He smiled with great affability. “How could I take such a thing seriously? What kind of person does Mr. Wu take me for? I just came to see the crew. And you? Besides treating everyone, what else are you doing?”
He had plans, but not anymore.
Mr. Wu revealed a fawning smile. “I wonder if President Fei has time to grace me with his presence for a meal? I have a few good resources on hand. As long as you invest, there will definitely be a return.”
Mr. Wu was a smart man and a good judge of character. He had chosen this movie because he naturally saw the potential economic benefits it would bring. Fei Xiangnan smiled, the corners of his mouth suppressing the darkness in his heart.
He elegantly took out a business card from his pocket. “I have something to do right now, but I’ll definitely grace you with my presence later.”
Mr. Wu took it like a precious treasure and put it in his pocket, his fat, greasy face smiling like a chrysanthemum.
The two of them seemed to be having a lively conversation, but only Fei Xiangnan knew the extent of his anger. To what extent? Probably to the point of wanting to strangle this crew. But he couldn’t, because Xiao Fang would get angry.
Xiao Fang only ate one crayfish at the subsequent feast for show before secretly slipping out a small door with Fei Xiangnan.
Fei Xiangnan had a house here. The two of them told Ma Rui and went there. On the way, Fei Xiangnan asked if Xiao Fang wanted to eat.
“I have an apple in my pocket, I’ll just eat this. I still need to lose more weight.” Xiao Fang carefully observed Fei Xiangnan’s expression and found that he accepted it calmly. He immediately breathed a sigh of relief. But just as Xiao Fang turned his head, Fei Xiangnan’s eyes instantly darkened.
Heartache. His little foodie said he wouldn’t eat. This was the first time. Would it be the last? Fei Xiangnan immediately dismissed that answer. Impossible. He would have to endure this again, and it would be even harder. He had no right to demand that Xiao Fang live a life of being waited on hand and foot, nor did he have any reason to persuade him to act in some traffic-driven drama about a stand-in. This was Xiao Fang’s pursuit, his heart’s desire.
“It’s fine, I don’t have much of an appetite either. We can just buy some fruit before we go up. If you’re not used to the hotel, you can come here occasionally. It’s a bit far, but it’s comfortable.” Everything Fei Xiangnan said now was considerate, but only he knew that he was holding back what he really wanted to say.
Back at the house, watching Xiao Fang pitifully eat an apple, Fei Xiangnan’s heart ached. That night, when they showered together, Xiao Fang had no energy left. He used to have the strength to hug Fei Xiangnan, but now he had to lean on Fei Xiangnan for support. If even showering was so tiring, what about acting?
“When you go back this time, remember to go see Xiao Xu for me,” Xiao Fang said groggily.
He still had the energy to care about others! Fei Xiangnan replied with extremely complicated feelings, then helped Xiao Fang wipe the water off his body, wrapped him in a bathrobe, and carried him to bed.
As soon as he touched the soft quilt, Xiao Fang’s breathing immediately became long and slow.
“Xiangnan,” Xiao Fang suddenly called out.
“Hmm?” Fei Xiangnan’s voice was extremely gentle.
“I want to eat crayfish,” Xiao Fang must have been dreaming again. He dreamt of all sorts of food he wanted to eat almost every night. Today, with dozens of kilograms of spicy crayfish, Xiao Fang had only eaten one. How could he not be craving it?
“Be good. You can have some when we get home.” Fei Xiangnan rubbed Xiao Fang’s head and kissed his forehead, then got up to change and take care of business. He had held it in during the day, so he had to act at night.
***
Mr. Wu was still a bit angry today. He had wanted to use the unspoken rule on Xiao Fang, but he ran into Fei Xiangnan checking up on him. Now his mistress wasn’t in the city, and he didn’t really want to find someone on the outside, so he could only stay in his hotel room, pent up, and wait to go back tomorrow.
Knock, knock, knock! There were a few knocks on the room door.
Mr. Wu clicked his tongue impatiently, put down his glass of red wine, and walked over to open the door.
“Who is it!” Considering the hotel’s security, Mr. Wu opened the door almost without thinking. As a result, he was met with a kick to the face, and his fat body flew half a meter into the room.
Mr. Wu sat up, clutching his aching body, only to see Fei Xiangnan’s icy expression. Behind him stood two incredibly strong bodyguards. However, the bodyguards didn’t lift a foot the entire time. The one who did the kicking was the man in front.
“Pres-President Fei?” Mr. Wu looked at him in terror. Weren’t things fine during the day? Where on earth had he offended him?
Fei Xiangnan’s face was grim, but a slight smile played on his lips. “Was Xiao Fang’s hand nice to touch?”
Mr. Wu’s face instantly turned pale. If he didn’t understand by now, he would have been a fool.
“I, I didn’t know Xiao Fang was under your protection. President Fei, please understand, it was just today. I haven’t done anything before!” Mr. Wu tried his best to explain.
Fei Xiangnan had no need to listen to such a person’s explanation. He slowly walked forward, his custom-made leather shoes stepping rhythmically on the floor.
Thud, thud, thud.
Mr. Wu backed away in fear until his back was against the wall.
Fei Xiangnan squatted down, revealing an expression he only showed when managing certain things. Or perhaps, this was his true self. He picked up the hand that had touched Xiao Fang.
Filming, light fasting, weakness, and having to be disgusted by this kind of person. All of it.
Kacha.
A pig-like squeal echoed from a certain room in the high-end hotel.