REI : Chapter 87.2

The group continued to joke and laugh. As it neared lunchtime, most people had finished their tasks and gathered around for a lighthearted chat. The tension from the director’s outbursts had made the crew unusually quiet lately, so this sudden bout of fun left everyone feeling refreshed. Soon enough, even the producers and assistant directors joined in, chatting with Duan Xiubo.

Xu Zhen had just finished reviewing some footage when he heard the commotion in the distance. His brows furrowed. “What’s going on over there?”

His assistant bent down and explained that Duan Xiubo had arrived.

Xu Zhen froze. Duan Xiubo wasn’t part of this project. Why was he here?

But the assistant, who was well-informed, added, “I heard Duan Xiubo and Mr. Luo are really close, and they’re both good friends with Ms. Yuan too. Maybe he’s just here to visit.”

Xu Zhen thought for a moment, remembering how the producer from Triumph had told him Duan Xiubo personally funded part of the film’s later stages. It seemed only proper to say a few words to him as the director.

He instructed his caretakers to push him over. As soon as the crew saw Xu Zhen approach, they instantly fell silent, making way for him without a word.

Once the crowd parted, everything became visible. Yuan Bing was sitting on a prop bed, while Duan Xiubo leaned against Luo Ding, practically draping himself over the younger man, laughing and chatting with a familiar prop master.

Whatever they were talking about, it had everyone laughing. Even Luo Ding, who was nestled into Duan’s side, was laughing along.

His smile was particularly radiant—his slightly squinted eyes sparkled like clear water, dark irises gleaming with reflected light.

Laughing so hard he seemed unable to stay upright, Luo Ding playfully leaned back into Duan Xiubo’s chest, his head resting against Duan’s chin as he playfully swatted at him. Duan caught his hand but didn’t let go, instead pressing it to his cheek.

As Xu Zhen entered the circle, the lighthearted atmosphere evaporated. All eyes turned towards him, watching as he wheeled closer. Even Luo Ding and Duan Xiubo straightened up, looking at him with mild confusion.

Xu Zhen’s gaze locked onto Luo Ding’s face for two seconds before quickly darting away. Ever since that dream where Cao Dingkun’s face morphed into Luo Ding’s just before he strangled him, Xu Zhen had been unsettled by the young man. On one hand, he told himself there was no such thing as ghosts or spirits. On the other hand, Luo Ding’s unsettling expressions and actions constantly chipped away at that belief.

Xu Zhen knew his mental state was deteriorating, and perhaps the things that terrified him were mere figments of his imagination. But despite all that, he couldn’t act naturally around Luo Ding. Especially after hearing that Luo Ding still went running along the mountain road every morning.

Yet, just now, seeing Luo Ding with Duan Xiubo, Xu Zhen noticed something new—a warm, gentle aura surrounding the young man, one that was familiar yet foreign to him. It was like sunlight, soft and radiant.

Xu Zhen felt increasingly confused by this young man. But why force himself to figure it out?

Duan Xiubo planned to leave, but the producers and assistant directors from Triumph, aware of his importance, decided to book him a room at the crew’s hotel to give him a proper place to rest.

Though the room was ready, Duan Xiubo quietly slipped into Luo Ding’s instead. As soon as he stepped inside, he couldn’t hold back any longer and immediately showered Luo Ding with kisses and hugs. Mindful that they had work the next day, they both kept things restrained, but after spending some time together, they lay there, sweaty and content, wrapped in each other’s arms.

The warm room made them sleepy, and Duan Xiubo, remembering how naturally affectionate Luo Ding had been today, couldn’t help but kiss his hand. “I missed you so much.”

Luo Ding stroked his hair. “I missed you too.”

They exchanged glances, smiled, and shared another kiss.

Duan Xiubo was still basking in the moment when he suddenly remembered something. “By the way, did you hear? The Golden Lion Awards? Carmen has already submitted all three Blade Warrior films. I think Ho Xie mentioned submitting Crouching Dragon too.”

“The Golden Lion Awards?” Luo Ding’s eyes lit up. “Seriously? All submitted? When did submissions open?”

“There’ll be news soon,” Duan Xiubo said, giving him a peck on the nose. “Why do you care so much? You really like that festival?”

Luo Ding lay back, his gaze distant for a moment before letting out a sigh.

******

After they showered and Luo Ding fell asleep, Duan Xiubo quietly got up, dressed, and returned to his own room.

After all, there were too many people around the crew. Spending half the night in Luo Ding’s room was one thing, but if he didn’t return at all, their *close friendship* would surely raise some eyebrows.

The hotel carpets were thick and plush, providing a bit of bounce underfoot. As Duan Xiubo swiped his keycard and heard the familiar beep, a voice laced with sarcasm rang out: “Oh, I thought you weren’t coming back tonight.”

Startled, Duan Xiubo turned around to see Yuan Bing. She had likely been standing in the shadows near the door, now emerging like a ghost.

“Sister Yuan…” Duan Xiubo frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”

Yuan Bing’s expression darkened. She glanced around to ensure no one was nearby before shoving Duan Xiubo into his room and slipping in after him.

Once the door closed, her sharp voice immediately filled the room. “What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you?! Are you out of your mind?”

Her outburst seemed irrational, but Duan Xiubo quickly realized what had triggered her. Annoyed, he turned on the lights and sighed. “This is none of your business.”

“Oh, you think you’re that important? Who wants to interfere with your mess?” Yuan Bing slapped the wardrobe door in frustration. “Are you trying to drive me crazy?!”

Duan Xiubo didn’t respond. After a moment, Yuan Bing calmed down. “Who made the first move?”

Duan Xiubo, candid as ever, replied, “Me.”

“You’re going to ruin him, you know that?” Yuan Bing’s eyes widened. “Have you even thought about him? Can’t you be a little more responsible? Do you want to destroy his career?!”

Duan Xiubo scowled. “Why are you making it sound like that?”

“Please!” Yuan Bing wasn’t holding back. “If Luo Ding were a girl, I wouldn’t care! But he’s so young! You’ve practically trapped him! And you didn’t even try to hide it today—don’t you care about what happens to him?”

Duan Xiubo’s expression darkened. He couldn’t stand hearing this. While he knew the challenges that gay couples faced in the industry, he didn’t want to live his life like a rat hiding in the shadows.

With a cold smile, he retorted, “We were just being affectionate. Did you hear anyone gossiping about us afterward?”

Yuan Bing hesitated. She thought back and realized that, indeed, she hadn’t heard any rumors. In fact, some of the costume crew had even gushed about how sweet Duan Xiubo and Luo Ding’s friendship was. When people joked about them as a *couple*, it was all in good fun.

Duan Xiubo could tell from her face that he’d made his point. Feeling more confident, he continued, “I was born this way, and so was Luo Ding. I’ve never been attracted to women, and neither has he. No one forced anyone into anything. This is called *mutual love*.”

Yuan Bing looked at him quietly. “When did it start?”

Duan Xiubo thought for a moment, and the anger on his face gradually gave way to a smile. “Almost a year ago.”

Yuan Bing watched the smile on his face, an inexplicable fatigue washing over her as she leaned against the wardrobe.

Ignoring her, Duan Xiubo plopped onto the bed, sitting cross-legged and turning on the TV.

After a long silence, Yuan Bing sighed deeply.

At the door, she paused and glanced back at the man lounging casually on the bed, seemingly oblivious to his appearance, and offered him one last piece of advice: “Just… take care of him. Don’t ruin his future.”

After the door clicked shut, Duan Xiubo angrily hurled the remote.

What the hell was with these people? Did they think so little of him? Ruin someone’s future? Did they think he was that kind of person?

Yuan Bing felt exhausted.

She had known Duan Xiubo for years. As the only person in the industry Duan willingly called *Sister*, she had always treated him like a little brother.

Everyone knew how messy the entertainment industry was, and the LGBTQ+ community wasn’t much better. When these two chaotic worlds overlapped, it was impossible to find peace. And yet, these two had somehow decided to dive headfirst into it.

Yuan Bing had witnessed how much Luo Ding had sacrificed to climb to where he was today. He had worked so hard, and she had seen every bit of it. Sure, feelings inevitably develop after spending so much time together on set, but that wasn’t what made her angry about Duan Xiubo and Luo Ding’s relationship. Long hours on set often led to romantic feelings, and it wasn’t uncommon for them to fade after some time apart.

What infuriated her was their reckless disregard for their careers. They had worked so hard to get to this point, especially Luo Ding. If they wanted to be together, fine, but being so publicly affectionate? Young people were unpredictable. What if they broke up in the future?

How would they face each other? How would they work together? How could they move on?

Her thoughts spiraled, filled with worst-case scenarios, but Duan Xiubo had clearly shut down any further discussion.

Yuan Bing smiled wearily.

When people are in love, they always believe it will last forever. She had felt the same way once.

But look at her now—still alone.

She glanced in the direction of Luo Ding’s room and hesitated for a long time before deciding not to say anything more.

Forget it. She’d talk to him tomorrow. Duan Xiubo had just come out and he was probably exhausted too.

******

The outcome was worse than expected.

Yuan Bing had almost forgotten that they had a kissing scene the next day.

Luo Ding hadn’t initially felt burdened. After all, he’d filmed plenty of kissing scenes, and it was just another part of the job. Besides, Yuan Bing was no stranger, and separating real life from acting was a professional duty.

But the searing gaze from the sidelines made the air around him feel as though it were boiling.

“Cut!” Xu Zhen tossed the script aside and slumped into his chair, sulking. He couldn’t bring himself to get angry at Luo Ding because of his own guilty conscience, but today Luo Ding had made so many mistakes that it was impossible to ignore.

The assistant director, seeing Xu Zhen’s reluctance to step in, took it upon himself to speak to Luo Ding: “Luo Ding! Can you stop being so stiff? You’re holding your lover in your arms! You love her so much you’re willing to die for her! She’s about to die! Don’t act like you’re telling her, ‘I’ll kiss you once so you can hurry up and die,’ okay?!”

“…”

Luo Ding was helped to his feet, brushing the dust off his knees. He murmured softly, “Sorry.”

The crew reset, giving him ten minutes to rest. Luo Ding frowned as he walked over to Duan Xiubo and kicked his chair. “You need to leave!”

Duan Xiubo raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Then at least sit properly! Stop staring at me like that!” Luo Ding couldn’t understand what had gotten into him today. Normally, Duan would wander around during shoots, but now he’d grabbed a chair and refused to budge during this kissing scene.

He couldn’t very well ask the director to send Duan away, either—that would be too much.

Duan Xiubo frowned. “No.”

“Go, be good!” Luo Ding urged quietly.

But Duan Xiubo was stubborn, refusing to relent. “No! Why can’t I watch? I’m not even making any noise to disturb you.”

He was being a brat, and Luo Ding was helpless. Sure, he wasn’t making any noise, but his gaze was burning into him like a wildfire.

Returning to the set to reapply makeup, Yuan Bing sat up with her head drenched in fake blood. She glanced coolly in Duan Xiubo’s direction. Their eyes met, and they both smirked.

Duan Xiubo: *She’s so old, still drooling over the younger ones. Only Luo Ding can stomach kissing her covered in blood.*

Yuan Bing: *Ugh! This guard dog personality, acting like no one else can touch him. It’s like someone forgot to leash him.*

Author’s note:

Duan Xiubo: “Pah!”

Yuan Bing: “Pah!”

Duan Xiubo stomps his foot: “Pah!”

Yuan Bing stomps her foot: “Pah!”

Duan Xiubo wipes his hair back: “Pah!”

Yuan Bing wipes her hair back: “Pah!”

Duan Xiubo wipes his face with a tissue: “Pah!”

Yuan Bing wipes her face with a tissue: “Pah!”

Luo Ding: “…”