He plays Feng Yuxiu, and his girlfriend is a fairy-like beauty.

Three days after filming wrapped, Ye Mo arrived in Yanjing.

On the day his payment arrived, he stared at the number in his bank account for a long time—a six-figure sum.

You can't earn this much even after two years of playing minor roles.

Without saying a word, he bought a plane ticket and flew to Beijing.

Liu Yifei is currently filming a movie in Yanjing and staying in an apartment.

The two hadn't seen each other for almost three months, and had only video chatted a few times in between, each time secretly, with Liu Yifei speaking under the covers like a thief.

"Has it arrived yet?" a message popped up.

"Just got off the plane."

"The usual place, the key is under the rug by the door."

Ye Mo smiled and put away his phone.

The usual place is a small apartment that Liu Yifei rented in Yanjing.

It's not in the city center, just an ordinary neighborhood, but its advantage lies in its seclusion.

Even the paparazzi don't know this place, because Liu Yifei has never been photographed here.

The purpose of renting this house was for the two of us to meet.

Ye Mo took a taxi there, pulling his hat brim low on the way.

There's no way around it, if Liu Yifei's paparazzi take pictures of us, we're doomed!

Upon arriving at the residential complex, he skillfully located the building entrance, went upstairs, and retrieved the key from under the carpet.

Open the door.

The room was quiet. Liu Yifei wasn't there; they were probably still filming GG.

Ye Mo threw his schoolbag on the sofa, took a shower, and then lay in bed scrolling through his phone.

The bed sheets were newly changed and had a faint smell of laundry detergent.

He closed his eyes, smelled the scent, and felt at ease.

……

In the evening, the door lock clicked.

Ye Mo peeked out from the kitchen, and Liu Yifei was standing in the entryway changing her shoes. She was wearing a beige trench coat, her hair was loose, and she was still wearing makeup.

Upon seeing Ye Mo, she paused for a moment, then smiled.

"When did you arrive?"

"afternoon."

"Have you got a meal yet?"

"I'm waiting for you."

Liu Yifei tossed her bag onto the sofa, walked over, glanced at the kitchen, and asked, "You can cook?"

"No," Ye Mo said matter-of-factly, "but I ordered takeout, and it just arrived."

Liu Yifei looked at the several plastic boxes on the coffee table—spicy hot pot, kebabs, and crayfish—and his lips twitched.

"Is this all you're going to give me to eat?"

"Didn't you say you wanted spicy food?"

"I meant I wanted to eat spicy food, not gutter oil."

"Then don't eat it." Ye Mo put on gloves and started peeling the crayfish. "I'll eat it myself."

Liu Yifei glared at him, then sat down, put on gloves, and peeled one as well.

"Is it good?" Ye Mo asked.

"improvise."

The two sat at the coffee table, eating and chatting.

Liu Yifei talked about her recent work – she shot two GG videos, had a magazine cover, and has a brand event next week.

Ye Mo talked about the crew – filming had wrapped up, everyone was doing well, Director Chen had been nice to him, and Zeng Zidan had even spoken to him later.

"Zeng Zidan took the initiative to talk to you?" Liu Yifei stopped eating, looking incredulous.

"He said so," Ye Mo said calmly as he peeled a shrimp. "He said, 'Act well, don't waste this talent.'"

"Is this what you call speaking?"

"For him, this is already a long speech."

Liu Yifei thought about it and realized that it was indeed the case, so she couldn't help but laugh.

……

After dinner, Liu Yifei said she wanted to go for a walk.

Ye Mo looked out the window: "It's already dark."

"It'll be better when it's dark." Liu Yifei put on a mask and hat, then tossed another mask to Ye Mo. "Let's go."

The two went downstairs and strolled in the community garden.

This community is mostly inhabited by elderly people and those taking care of children; there aren't many young people.

It was past 8 p.m., and there were hardly any people left in the garden.

The two walked side by side, with a distance of half a meter between them.

It's not that I don't want to get close, it's that I'm afraid to.

What if someone sees them, takes a picture, and posts it online—Liu Yifei taking a walk with a young man at night?

Then it'll be trending on social media tomorrow.

"When are you leaving?" Liu Yifei asked.

"No rush, wait a few days."

"So where do you live?"

"Don't you have a bed here?"

Liu Yifei glanced at him sideways: "You wish. My mom might come over this weekend, what if she sees you?"

"Then I'll hide it in the closet."

"Do you think you're a cockroach?"

They both laughed, but then lowered their voices, afraid of disturbing the passing residents.

Ye Mo sighed, "Why do we feel like we're doing something illicit when we're dating?"

"You're not happy about it?"

"I'd be happy to, absolutely happy to." Ye Mo looked at her, "but I feel bad for putting you through this."

Liu Yifei didn't say anything, but took her hand out of her pocket and secretly hooked her finger with his.

It only lasted for a moment, then quickly shrank back.

"Let's go back," she said, her voice a little soft.

……

Meanwhile, in Hengdian.

Chen Desheng had just finished dinner and was leaning back on the sofa, resting with his eyes closed.

The post-production editing of "Kung Fu Jungle" has begun. He spent the whole day watching it, and his eyes were sore from exhaustion.

My phone suddenly vibrated.

He ignored it.

It shook again.

He opened one eye and picked up his phone.

It's a message from the directors' group.

This group was created by him and a few of his buddies. There are seven or eight directors, as well as a few assistant directors and producers.

They don't talk much normally, but in case of an emergency, this group is the fastest way to get help.

If a production crew is temporarily short of actors, needs to reshoot scenes, or wants to find a certain type of actor but can't find one right away—just shout it out in the group chat, and it's faster than contacting a talent agency.

The person who sent the message today was Lu Yang.

Lu Yang, in his early forties, has directed several well-received films, successfully blending art-house and commercial appeal.

I'm currently filming a period martial arts film called "Brotherhood of Blades".

Chen Desheng opened the message.

"Urgent! Brothers, please help! I need an actor with martial arts skills and acting ability, male, between 20 and 30 years old, with a cool demeanor, who can both fight and act. My current actor has run into a scheduling conflict and can't make it. We need to film tomorrow. Salary is negotiable. Please keep an eye out for him!"

The string of exclamation marks following it shows that he was really in a hurry.

After reading the message, the first name that popped into Chen Desheng's mind was—

Ye Mo.

Martial arts skills? Yes. Acting and fighting skills? He just acted opposite Zeng Zidan and wasn't intimidated. Cold demeanor? Wasn't Feng Yuxiu's gaze cold enough? Between twenty and thirty years old? Twenty-three.

Isn't this tailor-made for Ye Mo?

Chen Desheng sat up straight and typed a reply: "I have someone here who just finished filming my movie. He should meet your requirements. He's a newcomer named Ye Mo."

Less than ten seconds after sending the message, Lu Yang called me directly.

"Old Chen, who's that guy you just mentioned?"

"He graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and spent two years as an extra. I cast him in this film as the villain. He has a good foundation in martial arts, gets into character quickly, and wasn't intimidated at all when acting opposite Zeng Zidan."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"Playing against bullets?"

"Yes. The bullet himself said, 'This kid is definitely going to be famous.'"

"Okay, give me his phone number, I'll contact him right away."

Chen Desheng hung up the phone and sent Ye Mo's number.

Then he leaned back on the sofa, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Kid, don't say I didn't help you," he muttered to himself. "I've given you the chance; whether you seize it or not is up to you."

……

Yanjing.

Ye Mo and Liu Yifei were shopping in the mall.

The two, both wearing masks and hats, stood three steps apart, one in front of the other. Liu Yifei was looking at clothes in front, while Ye Mo was playing on his phone behind; they looked like two complete strangers.

Liu Yifei picked up a hoodie and glanced back at Ye Mo.

Ye Mo shook his head.

Liu Yifei put one down and picked up another.

Ye Mo nodded.

The two communicated silently, their understanding as natural as that of longtime partners who had acted together for ten years.

Suddenly, Ye Mo's phone vibrated.

An unfamiliar number, from Hengdian.

He paused for a moment, then answered the call.

"Hello, is this Ye Mo?"

"It's me, and who are you?"

"I'm Lu Yang. Director Chen recommended you, saying you just finished filming his movie..."

Ye Mo stopped in his tracks.

Liu Yifei sensed something was wrong, turned around, and asked with her eyes: What's wrong?

Ye Mo pointed to his phone and mouthed: Director.

Liu Yifei paused for a moment, then secretly gave a thumbs up, turned back to continue looking at the clothes, but her ears were already perked up.

Ye Mo took a deep breath and switched the phone to his other hand.

"Hello Director Lu, Director Chen mentioned you to me..."

First came a barrage of praise—that's just how social interactions are!

He can do it too!

......