On the way, Luo Ding vomited and broke out in a cold sweat, curling up in pain.
It was a physical reaction, not severe enough for a hospital, but it was unbearable nonetheless.
Duan Xiubo was frantic with worry. He didn’t sit in the seat but crouched next to Luo Ding, brushing his damp hair out of his face and wiping his sweat with tissues. “Are you okay? Should we go to the hospital?”
Luo Ding shook his head firmly. Going to the hospital for something like this would leave a permanent stain on his record.
Duan Xiubo didn’t dare go against his wishes. Once they arrived at the hotel, he personally helped Luo Ding wash up, changed his clothes, and tucked him into the soft bed.
Luo Ding’s pale face and bloodless lips made him look as fragile as glass, as if he might shatter at the slightest touch.
“I’m sorry.” Duan Xiubo held Luo Ding’s hand and apologized in a low voice.
Luo Ding sighed. “It’s not your fault.”
“If only I hadn’t talked to Uncle Xia Rui,” Duan Xiubo continued, still blaming himself. “Or maybe I shouldn’t have let you go with Tommy Lee in the first place…”
“Duan ge, Duan ge! Duan Xiubo!” Luo Ding interrupted his rambling, tiredly saying, “You’re not in great shape either. Go get some rest. It’s really not your fault. Don’t do this.”
Duan Xiubo fell silent.
In truth, he wasn’t sure how to act around Luo Ding anymore. Especially after that kiss, things between them had clearly shifted, becoming more ambiguous than before. Yet there were still so many unsaid words hanging between them.
Luo Ding had initially responded to his kiss, only to push him away in the end. Maybe it was just for safety’s sake, but it still left Duan Xiubo feeling uncertain.
He wanted to ask Luo Ding what he thought about the kiss.
But Luo Ding had already closed his eyes, looking utterly exhausted and frail. Duan Xiubo didn’t have the heart to disturb his much-needed rest.
“Alright.” He stood up and leaned down, resting his forehead against Luo Ding’s. “Goodnight,” he whispered. After a brief pause, he pressed a soft kiss to Luo Ding’s cheek.
He turned off the lights and left, leaving the room in a long silence.
Once alone, Luo Ding slowly curled up in the blanket, staring into the darkness with unfocused eyes for a long time. He touched his lips briefly before his fingers slid to his cheek, where the kiss had landed.
It tickled, a faint, lingering sensation, reminiscent of something from years ago, but not quite the same.
His mind was too foggy to draw any conclusions, but there was no doubt that he wasn’t ready to embrace a new relationship just yet.
******
Over the next few days, the dynamic between the two of them grew noticeably more delicate.
It took Luo Ding two days to recover from the toll the drugs had taken on his body. From then on, he stayed far away from anything related to drugs. When he looked at himself in the mirror after his recovery, even he was shocked. His face was pale, his eyes sunken with dark circles, and his entire expression looked haggard and worn.
No wonder addicts always looked like ghosts. If he continued down that path, his face would be ruined.
Neither Clovis nor any of the other cast members asked about where they had gone or what party they had attended. Foreigners might not have invented a specific term for it, but “keeping your distance” was a universal behavior wherever people gathered.
The training sessions focused on repeating the fight choreography for scenes that might appear in the film. They practiced with weapons and protective gear in the dance studio, constantly checking their moves in the mirror to ensure precision. The veteran actors who had been in the second installment were naturally the best, with Duan Xiubo standing out among them. His swordplay combined the strength of Western knights with the flexibility and finesse of Eastern swordsmanship. Many of the moves were ones he had figured out himself, earning frequent praise from the instructors.
Luo Ding’s weak point was his stamina. His expressions and movements while drawing his bow were flawless, making him one of the few rookie actors who didn’t need much additional training.
With a towel draped around his neck, Luo Ding trudged forward, each step heavier than the last. The weights on his legs seemed to grow heavier with every lap, but he continued to push himself, running while silently reciting his lines.
“Wow.” Emma passed by his treadmill, glancing at the display in admiration. “You’ve already run nearly six kilometers. Aren’t you going to take a break?”
Luo Ding simply shook his head without saying a word.
“Take a break.” Duan Xiubo’s voice sounded from behind him. “It’s time for lunch.”
Luo Ding gradually slowed down, transitioning from a run to a walk, regulating his breathing. From barely lasting five minutes before getting winded to running six kilometers with weights in about a month’s time, he was already satisfied with his progress.
Duan Xiubo didn’t leave but continued watching him until he completely stopped the treadmill and stepped off. Only then did Duan Xiubo fall into step beside him.
Luo Ding accepted the sports drink Duan Xiubo handed him and took a sip.
“Do you want me to drive you to the airport this afternoon?”
Without looking at him, Luo Ding kept his eyes on the bottle. “No need for the trouble. I’ll catch a ride with Fang Yuan. You still have training. Don’t let me hold you up.”
Duan Xiubo wanted to say it wouldn’t be a bother, but Luo Ding had already made it clear that he didn’t want to impose. Pushing too hard might only backfire.
So he silently followed Luo Ding to the rest area, where Wu Fangyuan had already opened his thermos. The rich aroma of beef tail and tomatoes filled the air.
The main actors had all brought their own bowls. After tasting Wu Fangyuan’s cooking once, everyone had been completely won over. The only one who still cared about maintaining her figure was Emma. The rest of them paid little attention to their weight, but poor Emma had added almost a third more to her daily workout regimen just to make up for the indulgence.
Wu Fangyuan’s special culinary skills had also helped Luo Ding quickly build rapport with the rest of the crew. As soon as he arrived, everyone looked up from their meals to greet him.
Everyone knew that Luo Ding would be flying back to China for an awards ceremony that afternoon, so congratulations rang out from all directions.
Although Chinese music didn’t have a huge following in Europe and America, thanks to Duan Xiubo, most of the crew had heard Luo Ding’s songs. Even if they didn’t understand the lyrics, music transcended language, and his work received universal praise.
“Blade Warrior III” was about to start filming soon, and only Clovis seemed worried about whether Luo Ding would be able to return in time.
Wu Fangyuan had matured significantly over this period of independence. Though his spoken English was still far from fluent, his stammering speech was enough to ease Clovis’s concerns. While conversing with Clovis, Wu Fangyuan also kept an eye on Luo Ding. When he noticed that Luo Ding was only slowly chewing a piece of beef without even drinking the soup, he immediately scolded him. “Drink the soup!”
Luo Ding frowned, feeling exasperated. Wu Fangyuan was becoming more and more like Gu Yaxing—both equally unreasonable.
Duan Xiubo sat to Luo Ding’s left, and he couldn’t help but start paying attention to the man’s movements.
The tension and hesitation from that kiss at the party still lingered, leaving Luo Ding feeling anxious. He could tell that Duan Xiubo was subtly pursuing him, but he wasn’t ready to dive into another relationship so soon after his last one had ended in disappointment. He and Xu Zhen had been together from their teenage years into adulthood, but even decades of companionship couldn’t withstand the temptations of the outside world. That experience had left Luo Ding questioning the nature of relationships.
Even the closest, most loyal partner, someone who had been with him for so long, could betray him. How long had he known Duan Xiubo? Six months, maybe?
Luo Ding had already tasted the full extent of the difficulties that came with being in a same-sex relationship in his previous life.
There was no place in the sunlight for such relationships, and even the slightest hint of affection felt both thrilling and terrifying. They had to act like mere friends, avoiding any situation that might expose them. Even going home had to be done stealthily, to avoid being noticed.
No hand-holding, no hugs, no kisses, not even eye contact.
Any vague comment in the media could set their hearts racing with anxiety. Appearing in the same photo together would lead to constant scrutiny, checking for any slip-ups. Any question involving the other’s name had to be handled with the utmost caution…
Because if their relationship were ever exposed, the consequences could be devastating.
Fan backlash, public condemnation, and the rejection of those around them would all weigh them down. And the combined weight of these pressures was staggering.
Luo Ding was no longer just an individual. Every decision he made was scrutinized by countless people, and any choice, no matter how personal, had to be made with the utmost care.
Thankfully, Duan Xiubo wasn’t pressing too hard, giving Luo Ding some much-needed breathing room.
Maybe they should wait. Wait until things weren’t so overwhelming, then sit down and have an honest conversation. After that, they could decide whether to remain friends or become something more.
Luo Ding’s thoughts were interrupted when he felt something land in his soup bowl. He looked down to see a beef bone, freshly placed there by Duan Xiubo’s chopsticks.
His first instinct was to glance around at the other cast members. When he saw that no one seemed to pay too much attention to Duan Xiubo’s gesture, he let out a small sigh of relief.
But these subtle gestures of affection, no matter how small, were already starting to wear him out.
*******
News of Luo Ding’s return to China had been released a few days in advance. This was his first awards show appearance since rising to fame, and the song that had skyrocketed his popularity was also up for a major award. The company had no intention of keeping things low-key.
Even though Luo Ding had been abroad for a month, his popularity in China hadn’t waned one bit. Clips from *The Legend of Tang* continued to be released weekly, and whether by chance or design, nearly every clip featured an impressive scene of Luo Ding. Interviews he had recorded before leaving were also being broadcasted, ensuring that he remained in the spotlight. Combined with the ongoing success of his album, Luo Ding’s fans had no shortage of photos to admire. With such a steady stream of content, it was impossible for people to forget about him!
More importantly, stills and promotional images for *Crouching Dragon* had just been released.
This was Luo Ding’s first movie, and while he had already landed a role in a Hollywood production, *Crouching Dragon* was an undeniable classic for Chinese audiences.
Director Huo Xie was known for his visually stunning films, filled with beautiful actors, lavish sets, and vibrant colors, all paired with fitting music. His movies had developed a reputation for being both stylish and grounded in strong values. Luo Ding’s fans were incredibly proud that their idol had been cast in such a major production and eagerly followed every update.
Huo Xie occasionally teased plot details in interviews, but never too much. The audience knew it was a historical drama with both palace intrigue and martial arts action, featuring beautiful concubines and heroic knights. But what about Luo Ding’s role?
He was playing the villain, King Guangling.
Such a lovely name for a villain!
Luo Ding’s fans felt a bit heartbroken, but after some thought, they accepted it. After all, Luo Ding’s role in *The Legend of Tang* could also be considered a sort of villain, right? And that character still managed to evoke sympathy. In a world that valued appearances, as long as he looked good, even a villain could be redeemed. If all else failed, he could always play a hero in the future.
When the promotional photos were released, this sentiment became gospel truth!
Huo Xie was clearly being intentional!
While the female lead was dressed in ragged, muddy clothes, and the male lead, a rebellious swordsman, wore a tattered outfit, Luo Ding’s character was decked out in the most luxurious attire imaginable!
He wore a sword inlaid with gemstones, and his black and red robe was embroidered with gold patterns. Even his headpiece was made of translucent red jade. The photo of Luo Ding, his face as flawless as jade, holding the sword with a fierce expression, his eyes lined with sharp makeup, was nothing short of stunning.
Ahhhhhhhhh!!!! Who cares if he’s arrogant?! He looks amazing!!!!
In a world where looks reign supreme, rationality was thrown out the window. Instead of condemning this “rich and powerful villain oppressing the poor,” the fans were collectively swooning. “Ahhhhhhh how can a villain be this good-looking?!?!”
Huo Xie, always adept at grabbing attention, capitalized on the success of the first batch of stills by releasing more. Photos of Duan Xiubo, now dressed as a proper hero, exuded dignity and strength. Yuan Bing, as the palace concubine, looked both gentle and elegant in her official attire. Along with more photos of Luo Ding’s increasingly captivating villain, the trio frequently dominated the promotional spots on major websites. In the comments, words of admiration flooded the threads, making it hard to find any responses that weren’t simply, “Ahhhhhh!”
This time, the Yaxing Studio was fully prepared and handled the overwhelming response with ease.
Fans of Luo Ding and others alike continued to grow, evolving alongside him. The news of his flight home sparked a flurry of preparations for airport receptions and fan support, with plans laid out three days in advance. The fan leaders communicated closely with the studio, ensuring everything ran smoothly. With coordination between official and fan channels, this time’s reception was praised for its excellent organization.
Since Gu Yaxing had promised that if the crowd behaved, Luo Ding would interact with fans on his way through, everyone kept their excitement in check and stood in neat lines. The front-row fans held hands, forming a barrier to maintain safety.
When Luo Ding finally stepped out of the arrivals gate, his face was adorned with a flawless smile. Gu Yaxing and the bodyguards approached to form a protective circle around him, while Luo Ding purposefully walked a bit closer to the fans, allowing for more interaction.
The sight of so many heads packed into the terminal startled the other travelers. Luo Ding had worn a mask throughout the flight, staying low-key, so no one had realized they were sitting next to a celebrity.
“Is filming tiring, Luo Ding?!”
“Very tiring.”
“Ahhh, are you getting enough rest?!”
“I try to go to bed early every night.”
“Luo Ding, I love you so much, love you so much!!”
“Thank you.”
He tried to answer as many questions as he could hear. The noisy, lively scene snapped him out of his earlier confusion. After spending a month abroad, he had almost forgotten what it felt like to be adored by so many.
Suddenly, amid the various shouts, a piercing question caught his ear.
“Why didn’t Duan Xiubo come back with you?!”
“Huh?” Luo Ding blinked in surprise. “Duan ge has more training, so he didn’t come back with me.”
“Ahhhhhh!!!!” The crowd immediately became even more excited, and from then on, the questions all centered around this topic.
“You call him Duan ge?! Ahhhhhh that’s so sweet!!!”
“You guys were together abroad too, right?! Does he treat you well?!”
“What does Duan Xiubo call you?! Luo-di? Luo Luo? Ding Ding? Xiao Ding?”
“…?” Luo Ding was utterly confused, while Gu Yaxing grabbed his arm, tugging at his mask in embarrassment. They picked up the pace, trying to move faster.
Author’s Note:
The comment section can be really heartbreaking sometimes…
But on this 521 (I love you) day, I still want to say I love you all. And then I’ll go off and be heartbroken by myself.
Also, Xiao Luo Ding, I want to tell you: the fans not understanding your worries? Absolutely not an issue at all.
R : It looks like the author received a lot of backlash from the previous chapters
Keep me fueled with caffeine! Support me on Ko-fi! ★~(◡‿◡✿)
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