Chapter 14 – Qiu XiaoHai (1/2)

“The recently hotly popular drama “Partners for Life” has completed filming. Last night a celebratory party was held at the Rong Hua Club. The crew and actors all gathered to let their hair down. They are all very excited about the fact that “Partners” has garnered the highest ratings ever in the 6PM to 7PM slot…”

“… The Director Zhou ChunCai enthusiastically proclaimed that the success of the drama was due to the miraculous writing of the scriptwriter, the wonderful acting of the new generation of young actors, as well as the encouragement and advice given by the audience online. He also expressed his personal opinion that the actor for Jiang XinCheng, Bai Lang, has grown a lot during the filming and that he has extraordinary talent. As a Director, this is something Zhou ChunCai feels very proud of….”

In the early morning entertainment news broadcast, the screen was showing various clips of Bai Lang.

Under the continuously flashing bright lights, Bai Lang who was wearing a black suit looked tall and slender, beautiful and handsome.

His clean and bright eyes smiled in a friendly manner and seemed just as kind and intimate as on the UNI advertisement. It really made people feel very happy in their hearts.

Kang Jian sat in front his television. He put down the newspaper and stared at the Bai Lang on the screen.

A few months ago, that person had also smiled at him in his manner. In fact the smile was even more genuine, close enough to touch….

That’s why Kang Jian had been thinking a lot. Thinking about why the good-tempered Bai Lang had suddenly become cold towards them. Wu ShenEn said it was because Bai Lang had become famous however from the bottom of his heart Kang Jian didn’t really believe this. From their period of contact before, he was confident in his instinct that Bai Lang wasn’t this kind of materialistic person. Also the timing was not quite right.

However his animosity on the set that day was real.

Even his gaze had been very cold, there wasn’t a hint of any pretense.

… so, was it because his desire had been detected by Bai Lang?

Kang Jian remembered the last time he and Bai Lang had met prior to seeing each other on set that day. It was when he had taken a carton of beer over to Bai Lang’s apartment to chat.

That evening, he had tried to persuade Bai Lang to drink with him however Bai Lang had stubbornly refused to touch the alcohol. Kang Jian’s plan of making Bai Lang drunk was not successful however he himself had used to alcohol to pretend to be in a drunken state. Using this excuse, Kang Jian had pressed Bai Lang down and during the play struggle, his lips had brushed by Bai Lang’s face. He was becoming more and more interested in Bai Lang. Every time he saw him his heart felt itchy so finally he was beginning to lose control.

However Kang Jian had just managed to keep it within the bounds of “normal”. The next day when he had called Bai Lang as usual to chat, Bai Lang didn’t seem unusual. This made Kang Jian feel reassured.

That’s why originally Kang Jian hadn’t thought this was the reason. However now, in the face of Bai Lang’s continued rejection, Kang Jian could only think of this.

In addition, Kang Jian was pretty sure that the person at the other end of that phone call could only be Bai Lang’s lover.

Early morning, a nasally voice, taking a shower, the mobile phone nearby. Every sign was indicating this. Bai Lang and that person had definitely slept on the same bed the previous night, otherwise why would the other person pick up his phone?

When thinking of this, Kang Jian felt a dark sensation of jealousy.

Was it for that person that Bai Lang wanted to draw a clear line between the two if them?

If that was true then he could “forgive” Bai Lang for treating him this way. He also liked loyalty in a lover. Bai Lang’s personality was originally very much to his taste.

However it was only a pity that Bai Lang wasn’t his… no, there was still time.

In this circle people got together and broke up all the time. He just had to be patient and there would definitely be an opportunity.

Then at that time Bai Lang would no longer reject his overtures, and they could start again from being friends…

He just had to develop himself well and not be thought of by others at that time to be trying to use Bai Lang for his fame.

He had confidence that one day he could stand gloriously by Bai Lang’s side.

Kang Jian placed his hand into his pants, rubbing while his breathing sped up.

***

The next day after the celebratory party, Bai Lang woke up very late on the apartment’s big bed. He blinked in confusion for a few moments because he couldn’t remember how he had fallen asleep last night.

He pressed his fingers against his swollen eyes and looked left and right. The other side of the bed was very messy. The black suit he was wearing last night was crumpled into a ball and was on the floor.

Bai Lang got up and carefully hung up that expensive suit before slowly making his way to the bathroom to shower.

After “Partners” concluded filming, the endorsement deals that Bai Lang had previously signed had also pretty much been completed. In the coming days, other than Zhu Kuan’s movie “Outside Gold and Jade”, Fang Hua had not arranged much work for Bai Lang.

In her opinion, Bai Lang’s recent exposure rate had been enough. After this “Partners” would still be broadcasting for one more month before reaching is grand finale and with the addition of all the endorsement deals, it was time to slightly reel things in a bit. Too much exposure might make the audience sick of him.

This gave Bai Lang a small break to rest well. However Fang Hua had given him some homework. She had told Bai Lang to read the script for “Outside Gold and Jade” thoroughly. She had also found a very famous custom suit shop and told Bai Lang to go there to have a custom suit made, and at the same time to observe the other person doing their work. Of course Fang Hua had also arranged trainee lessons for him.

However today Bai Lang decided he was going to have a rest.

Because he had still not decided how to deal with the box of moon cake sitting on the table.

Or he should say he already had an answer but when enacting it, he once again had the feeling of reopening his old scars.

After returning from T City, Bai Lang had changed his address as well as his phone. However he had continued to use the some mobile phone number.

However until this day, his family had never tried to call him to explain the matter with the cheque. Actually they had not said anything at all.

And now suddenly this moon cake box had floated here, what was the meaning of this?

Was it to remind Bai Lang that even though he had been reborn, he still didn’t have a real family?

Discovering that he had been staring blankly at the moon cake box for some time, Bai Lang shook his head. He decided to get rid of the moon cake. Out of sight, out of mind.

However just as he reached out his hand, the doorbell that had practically never been used, rang.

[Ding-dong-ding-dong]

***

When he opened the door, Bai Lang stilled in surprise. Because there wasn’t anyone outside.

Then a milky, tender voice suddenly said, “I’m here ah. Where are you looking?”

Bai Lang looked down and saw a approximately five or six year old boy. His head was raised and was currently staring at him unblinkingly.

Bai Lang blinked. “….who are you looking for? This is D block, level 8.” Was he lost?

The little boy shouldered a large backpack. His two hands were clutching the two straps. His expression looked a little apprehensive. “You, you’re Jiang XinCheng right?”

… was it a little fan? Bai Lang couldn’t believe it but when he looked around he still couldn’t see anyone else.