Early this morning
Xie Jingchi had just wrapped up GLIMMER magazine's front cover shoot for next month. He was relaxing in his celebrity trailer, sipping a drink and scrolling through Weibo on his phone, when his agent, Lin Hao, knocked lightly and handed him a script book.
"Jingchi, this is a script Director Zhang gave me this morning," Agent Lin said
Xie Jingchi frowned. "Didn't I say I wasn't taking on anything aside from the work already scheduled for the next couple of months? I'm still on break."
"I know, but last time you owed Director Zhang a favor, remember?"
Jingchi raised an eyebrow. "What kind of script is it?"
"It's called Star My Destination," Agent Lin replied. "The character picked for you is Lei Zekai. His story is a compelling coming-of-age romantic drama about an orphan's emotional journey, his relentless determination to overcome hardship, and his heartfelt pursuit of the girl who changed his life. It's a role full of depth, intensity, and unforgettable moments."
Agent Lin leaned in slightly. "It's not a leading role, but it has its own spotlight. Director Zhang said his niece, who originally wrote the novel, created Lei Zekai with you in mind. When the novel was adapted for drama, she decided the character wouldn't appear unless you played him. So during casting, Lei Zekai was basically off-limits, and it was announced he wouldn't be in the drama at all. Director Zhang thinks the drama would be a big failure without this character, so he came to me, asking if you could take the role."
Xie Jingchi flipped through the script, intrigued. "Sounds interesting… But who's playing Lin Meixin?" he asked.
"The actress for Lin Meixin hasn't been chosen yet," Agent Lin said. "The audition is this afternoon. Director Zhang said you could attend and see who ends up taking the role."
"This sounds like an interesting script. Tell Director Zhang I'll take it—as a return for the favor I owe him. And let him know I'll be at the audition this afternoon," Jingchi said.
Though Xie Jingchi had never played a character involved in a romantic relationship before, he found the idea intriguing. It would be a new kind of challenge for him, something different from the roles he was used to.
As Agent Lin stepped out to call Director Zhang, Xie Jingchi's assistant, Zhou Min, started driving the celebrity trailer toward the audition studio. Jingchi continued to scroll through Weibo, the script resting idly on the table beside him.
When Agent Lin returned from the call, he said, "Oh, by the way—there's a variety show called Heart on the Road. It's a live-stream variety show filmed by Tu Baichuan. He called me earlier this morning, while you were at the photo shoot, asking if you'd be interested in appearing on it."
Xie Jingchi glanced up from his phone. "Heart on the Road… Why did Director Tu suddenly decide to film such a variety show, and why is it live-streamed?! That's something new."
Agent Lin leaned against the table. "Well, it wasn't Director Tu's idea. The concept came from the head of Hua Xia's Department of Culture and Tourism. They want to promote lesser-known cities and preserve local culture. Tu Baichuan was just chosen to direct and film it—they thought his style would suit the project."
Jingchi thought for a moment, swirling his drink. "I see… So it incorporates cultural and social objectives, rather than being purely entertainment. A travel show with a live-streaming format… that's not the typical scripted variety style. It could be a good way to show another side of me that people haven't seen before."
Agent Lin nodded. "Exactly. And with you participating, it could give the show a big boost. Tu Baichuan specifically requested someone with your reputation—clean, professional, and capable of handling live situations. There will be a government background check before your participation is confirmed, but with your family background, I don't foresee any issues at all.
"Is there anyone who's confirmed to be attending the show?" Jingchi asked, his tone calm but curious.
Agent Lin leaned against the side of the trailer, checking his notes. "Well… Xing Xia Entertainment has a newcomer named Lin Muyao attending. I don't know much about her background, but I'm guessing she'll be announced publicly soon."
Jingchi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Lin Muyao… a newcomer? Though Director Tu is just a variety show director, do you think a newcomer will actually have a chance to attend such a show?" Xie Jingchi asked his agent. "If I'm not mistaken, this Lin Muyao newcomer is the Lin family's youngest child—the one the Lin family has been trying to protect and keep hidden from the public."
Agent Lin froze for a moment, blinking in surprise. "…Wait, you think she's the youngest child of the Lin family?" he asked cautiously. "Jingchi, how could you possibly overthink? They haven't revealed anything about her family publicly."
Jingchi's expression remained calm, almost unreadable. "I don't need them to announce it," he said simply. "Some things are obvious if you pay attention."
Agent Lin exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Well… I suppose that explains why Director Tu would agree to have a newcomer for this show. The government background check would be easy with her family. Still… you really can tell that much just from a name?"
"Names often carry more information than people realize," Jingchi replied
"Well, you're in luck then," Agent Lin said with a small grin.
"You'll get to meet her later. I heard from Director Zhang that Agent Li is bringing a newcomer to today's audition—and from what you've said, it's probably this Lin Muyao."
"From what Xing Xia has been up to, and with no news about any other newcomers besides Lin Muyao, it's confirmed that the person auditioning for Lin Meixin is her," Jingchi said
"But why would the youngest child of the Lin family want to enter the entertainment industry? And why would the Lin family even agree to let her?" Agent Lin said, frowning. "They all know this industry is full of darkness for most artists."
He then glanced at Jingchi and added teasingly, "Don't tell me she's trying to hide her identity and become a film queen like you did?"
Xie Jingchi thought for a moment, then looked at Lin Hao. "Do you remember the Lu family?"
"Lu family?" Lin Hao blinked, confused. "You mean the Lu family that suddenly went bankrupt two years ago?"
"Mhm," Jingchi replied, his tone calm but laced with meaning. "Though it's still unconfirmed, there's a rumor circulating in high society that the Lu family and the Lin family used to be very close. It's said the two families had a strong bond because the Lu family's youngest daughter, Lu Luoli, and the Lin family's youngest daughter were best friends since childhood."
"Lu Luoli!" Lin Hao's eyes widened. "You mean that rising B-list actress who suddenly committed suicide two years ago at her home? She was actually from the Lu family?! But… what does that have to do with Lin Muyao? Sure, they were childhood best friends, but how is that connected to her decision to enter the entertainment industry?"
Jingchi leaned back slightly, his gaze distant. "Don't you think it's too much of a coincidence that Lu Luoli's death and the Lu family's bankruptcy both happened in the same year?"