Chapter 13
After the renovation of the new company, Xue Wensong no longer stayed at home every day. He often worked until eight or nine at night before returning home. Even after returning home, he would continue working until midnight. However, he still found time to review Lin Lu’s thesis.
In Xue Wensong’s opinion, Lin Lu’s thesis still needed some revisions, but as a first draft, it was acceptable.
After submitting the thesis, Lin Lu received a message from Zhang Yihang: The thesis is due this weekend, how far have you written?
Lin Lu replied: I’ve already submitted it.
Zhang Yihang: ??? Black question mark.jpg Are you copying from somewhere?
Lin Lu: I typed every word myself.
Zhang Yihang: You traitor!
The filming schedule for the web series was very short. “Love in the Spring Campus” only had 20 episodes and was planned to be completed within three weeks. Although Lin Lu didn’t have many scenes, they were scattered throughout, but luckily, all scenes were shot within the film and television city, making it convenient for him to be on call.
When Lin Lu didn’t have scenes, he would also actively go to the set. Occasionally, he would even get a few extra shots. The director seemed to like him very much. In the scene where the second male lead bullied the female lead, the director even added a few more lines for him.
The main actors and actresses in this web series were relatively unknown, and they were easy to get along with. Lin Lu became acquainted with everyone within a few days.
One day, he went to help out on Yang Li’s set for a while. When he returned to his own set, he happened to see Wu Zhi, who played the male lead, and Ding Xin, who played the villainess, hiding in a corner, talking in hushed tones. He didn’t intend to eavesdrop, but before he could look away, he saw Wu Zhi press Ding Xin against the wall and kiss her forcefully.
Lin Lu’s steps faltered, almost tripping over the cables lying on the ground.
Ding Xin quickly pushed Wu Zhi away and ran out from the corner. As she passed Lin Lu, she gave him a warning glare.
Feeling somewhat innocent, Lin Lu wasn’t intentionally trying to pry. But before he could retract his gaze, Wu Zhi waved at him from the corner.
Feeling helpless, Lin Lu walked over to Wu Zhi. Wu Zhi took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered him one. Lin Lu waved it away. “Thanks, but I don’t smoke.”
Wu Zhi sneered and lit his cigarette, then asked, “How old are you?”
“Turning twenty-two soon.”
“Is that so.” Wu Zhi exhaled a puff of smoke. “You seem more like sixteen or seventeen.”
Lin Lu frowned at Wu Zhi. “How old are you?”
“Nineteen.”
“You’re younger than me.” Lin Lu muttered.
“Are you majoring in acting?” Wu Zhi asked.
“No,” Lin Lu shook his head. “I just enjoy acting.”
“What’s there to enjoy?” Wu Zhi laughed sarcastically. “You want to be a star?”
“Not really… I just want to get closer to my idol.”
“Who’s your idol?”
“…I’m not telling you.”
“I think you’re only ten years old.”
Lin Lu didn’t bother to say more. He said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to the set.”
As he turned to leave, Wu Zhi said, “Actually, I’m also here to act for someone I like.”
Lin Lu stopped in his tracks. “Is it Ding Xin?”
“Yeah, she was my high school classmate, and now she’s in the same university as me.”
Lin Lu understood. These two were probably both acting students.
“Isn’t that good?” Lin Lu said. “You two can progress together.”
“Progress?” Wu Zhi sneered. “She found herself a sugar daddy, should I find one too?”
“…”
Lin Lu had heard some rumors about the entertainment industry, but this was the first time he encountered something like this with someone he knew. He didn’t know what to say and could only wait quietly for Wu Zhi to continue.
But Wu Zhi didn’t say anything more. He stomped out his cigarette, then casually draped his arm over Lin Lu’s shoulder. “Let’s go, time to go back.”
In the afternoon, it was time for the male lead to retaliate against the male second lead’s lackey. While the male lead was washing his hands after using the restroom, the alone lackey walked in. Since the lackey didn’t have any grudges with the male lead, he naturally didn’t pay much attention to him.
While the lackey was in the restroom, the male lead casually picked up the bucket from the corner and started filling it with water. When the lackey finished and turned around, the male lead splashed the water from the bucket onto the lackey’s face.
The lackey was momentarily stunned and yelled, “Are you crazy?”
The male lead dropped the bucket, said, “Do you have medicine?” then left.
Afterward, the lackey would go find the male second lead, and then it would be the scene between the male second lead and the male lead.
The scene itself wasn’t difficult, but during the first take, the water in the bucket wasn’t enough, and the effect of the splash was poor. So the director had Lin Lu dry his head and re-shot the scene twice.
As they continued shooting, the director felt that the male lead’s departure seemed too abrupt. So he called the writer and added about ten lines each for Lin Lu and Wu Zhi to express that the male lead was starting to fall for the female lead.
Lin Lu quickly memorized his lines, but Wu Zhi, who was beside him, didn’t seem to be in a good condition. He kept forgetting his lines after the shoot began, and it wasn’t until Lin Lu’s head was almost dry that they still hadn’t finished the scene.
Lin Lu had no choice but to get wet again and continue with Wu Zhi.
Over an hour later, this scene finally ended. Lin Lu wiped his wet hair with a towel and asked Wu Zhi softly, “Are you okay?”
“What’s wrong with me?” Wu Zhi replied naturally, as if he had forgotten the conversation he had with Lin Lu in the corner earlier. “You should hurry up and blow dry your hair.”
“I’m fine. My scenes for today are done.” Lin Lu said, “And I even got a few extra lines.”
Wu Zhi chuckled, “Are you free later? Let me treat you to dinner.”
“Not today, maybe another day.”
Today was Saturday, and Xue Wensong didn’t go to the company. Lin Lu had to hurry home to cook for the tiger.
After arriving at their residential area, Lin Lu went to the supermarket first for some reason. He felt unusually cold in the supermarket, despite the air conditioning being on.
Today, Xue Wensong happened to be free. When Lin Lu returned home, he found Xue Wensong sitting on the sofa, reading a book under a high lamp.
Lin Lu put down his backpack on the sofa and glanced at the English book in Xue Wensong’s hand, full of words he didn’t recognize. Lin Lu, being self-aware, didn’t bring up anything related to the book, afraid that Xue Wensong would force him to learn English again.
He casually asked, “Are you hungry?”
“What do you think?” Xue Wensong put down the book, wrapped his arms around Lin Lu’s waist, and lazily lifted his head. “I’m starving.”
“Then, um, you can have something to eat first.” Lin Lu quickly freed himself from Xue Wensong’s grasp and headed towards the kitchen.
Since the incident where Lin Lu had Xue Wensong cook once, he found out that Mr. Xue was a true kitchen disaster. He peeled potatoes thicker than table mats, and couldn’t even tell the difference between MSG and sugar. Since then, Lin Lu had claimed the kitchen as his territory and banned the tiger from entering.
Xue Wensong was also happy with this arrangement. He stretched lazily and asked, “How’s the filming going?”
“I’m getting more lines.” Lin Lu became energetic when he mentioned this. “By the way, I just found out today that there’s actually such a thing as sponsorship in the entertainment industry.”
Xue Wensong frowned. “What?”
Lin Lu, with his back to the living room, didn’t notice Xue Wensong’s displeasure. He continued, “I heard that an actress found herself a sugar daddy. She should be getting some good roles soon.”
Lin Lu didn’t feel jealous at all. He just casually mentioned it, but it sounded uncomfortable in Xue Wensong’s ears.
“So, what’s good about working in an industry that relies on connections?” Xue Wensong’s tone turned sour.
“Not everyone relies solely on connections.” Lin Lu said, “Many actors rely on their skills.”
Xue Wensong’s expression didn’t improve. “How much longer do you have to film this movie?”
Lin Lu paused in his movements. “There’s one more scene tomorrow where the male second lead picks a fight with the male lead, then I’m done.”
“Good, so it’ll be over tomorrow.”
Xue Wensong’s furrowed brow finally relaxed.
In the middle of the night, Lin Lu felt thirsty. He climbed out of bed groggily, went to the kitchen, and poured himself a glass of water. It was then that he realized he was weak all over and felt dizzy. He crawled back into bed with his eyes half-closed. Xue Wensong was inevitably woken up by his movements and found that the little deer lying beside him was burning up.
“Lu Lu?” Xue Wensong turned on the bedside lamp, saw Lin Lu’s dazed expression, and felt his forehead. Indeed, he had a fever.
He quickly took a thermometer from the bedside cabinet and checked Lin Lu’s temperature. Thankfully, it wasn’t too high.
He got up, fetched a glass of warm water, gave Lin Lu some fever medicine, tucked him in, and asked with a furrowed brow, “What’s wrong?”
Lin Lu looked dazedly at Xue Wensong and said, “Maybe the supermarket’s air conditioning was too low…”
“The supermarket?” Xue Wensong found it strange. Then Lin Lu continued, “I got soaked during filming this afternoon…”
Xue Wensong’s temples throbbed. He knew he shouldn’t have let Lin Lu film anything.
“Rest well, don’t go tomorrow.” Xue Wensong said expressionlessly.
“No.” Lin Lu shook his head without thinking, “Tomorrow is the last scene. I have to finish it.”
“I said, stay home and rest.”
“I haven’t even received my paycheck yet…”
“I’ll give it to you.”
“I don’t want it.” Lin Lu pouted, “I just want to finish filming.”
“Listen to me.”
“I won’t.”
Xue Wensong took a deep breath, his voice softening. “You’re sick. Even if you go to shoot, you won’t be in good condition.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll just sleep properly now, and I’ll be fine tomorrow morning,” Lin Lu stubbornly insisted.
“Babe,” Xue Wensong’s voice lowered, “if you keep doing this, I won’t allow you to go film anymore.”
“Why do you have the authority?” Lin Lu’s eyes filled with grievance. “I won’t talk to you anymore.”
After saying this, Lin Lu turned away, truly showing no intention of acknowledging Xue Wensong.
Xue Wensong wanted to pull Lin Lu into his arms, but Lin Lu resisted his touch by twisting his body. Helplessly, Xue Wensong sighed, “How long will it take to shoot tomorrow?”
Lin Lu, with his head peeking out from under the covers, replied, “At most, it’ll take an afternoon.”
Xue Wensong nodded in resignation. “I’ll accompany you.”
Lin Lu’s eyes lit up again. He turned around and leaned into Xue Wensong’s embrace. “Xue Wensong, I feel so dizzy.”
Xue Wensong’s throat tightened slightly. This was the first time Lin Lu had taken the initiative to snuggle up to him like this. He hugged the feverish little deer tightly and hoarsely said, “Okay, go to sleep.”
