Chapter 53

       Later, when he saw that Lu Jinlang had passed out from drinking, Wen Jianing called Lu Yunan and asked him to come up and pick up Lu Jinlang.

       When Lu Yunan arrived, he hesitated when he saw Wen Jianing. When he helped Lu Jinlang away, he thought that Wen Jianing would go with them, so he called him out in a low voice, “Xinhang?”

       Wen Jianing shook his head, “It’s getting late, please send Mr. Lu back to rest.”

       In front of the people outside, Lu Yunan didn’t say much, and helped Lu Jinlang to leave.

       Wen Jianing sat for a while, and Wen Tinghuan came to pick him up, so he also said goodbye and left.

       Sitting in the car, Wen Tinghuan immediately asked, “I heard that it was ‘October Fireworks’ that gave Lu Jinlang a celebration banquet?”

       Wen Jianing smiled, “You know it again?”

       Wen Tinghuan said, “I am well informed!”

       Wen Jianing didn’t speak. He leaned his head on the car window glass, hoping to reduce the hot temperature of his body.

       Wen Tinghuan saw that he was not calm, and asked, “What? Seeing Lu Jinglang rekindle your old love?”

       Wen Jianing smiled upon hearing this.

       Wen Tinghuan said, “It’s not that I haven’t been in love before. Love that is so easy to control, can’t be called love.”

       Wen Jianing said, “Who said that I am in love with him? No, I should say who said he and I were in love?”

　　Wen Tinghuan drove the car and looked at him distractedly, “It’s useless for others to say anything about feelings. You can’t tell whether you are in love or not? I’m not concerned about your affairs anyway.”

　　Wen Jianing propped his head with one hand and stopped talking, but all he thought about was Lu Jinlang tonight.

　　Although Lu Jinlang said that he did not agree to break up, the two were separated after all. Each lived on one side, and it took more than an hour to drive the distance between each other.

　　Wen Jianing did not go to Lu Jinlang, nor did Lu Jinlang come to him.

　　These days, ‘October Fireworks’ had started to be officially advertised. Lu Jinlang had attended many publicity activities, and Wen Jianing could see him on TV programs from time to time. Although he was also an actor in the movie, it was almost unnecessary for Wen Jianing to participate in the publicity activities because his role was so minor. However, only because the name Ke Xinhang was now so popular, his name was also included in the movie poster. The photo of him that was used was of him using glasses in black and white. The photo looked a little dull, but they couldn’t hide the beauty and delicacy between his eyes and eyebrows that made him look like a well-behaved young student.

　　At the same time as ‘October Fireworks’, there was another romantic comedy performed by Wen Jianing called ‘Springtime Dream’. The two romance films were released on the day of the Qixi Festival* at the same time.

　　The promotional poster of ‘Springtime Dream’ only had Ke Xinhang’s name and not his photos, but his role in this movie was much more substantial. So he had to attend the next series of promotional activities.

　　During this period, he participated in a TV talk show with the heroine Mu Huaqi and the director Cao Songquan.

　　The host of the talk show program was not ignoring Wen Jianing because he was a supporting role in the movie. On the contrary, the host asked him a lot of questions because of his recent popularity.

　　Wen Jianing answered with ease.

　　Then the host asked, “Have you heard the news about Lu Jinlang winning an award recently?”

　　Wen Jianing nodded.

　　The host said, “I heard that you were also involved in the film?”

　　Wen Jianing said, “It was the first movie I participated in since I joined the industry, but it was just a minor role with few scenes.”

　　The host asked him, “Your movie has been two romance movies in a row, do you plan to develop in the direction of movies in the future instead of shooting TV series?”

　　”Of course not,” Wen Jianing denied, “As long as there is a good script, I will still shoot.”

　　In fact, the host still intended to ask some questions about Lu Jinlang, but since the show was arranged for the crew of ‘Springtime Dream’, it is not easy to ask for too much detail.

　　Soon it would be the time for the Qixi Festival. The two romance movies; ‘October Fireworks’ and ‘Springtime Dream’ were released at the same time. Both the directors were famous and had good reputations, and the cast was not weak. Of course, in comparison to ‘October Fireworks’ where Lu Jinlang recently won a grand prize, it was easier for ‘October Fireworks’ to attract the audience to check out the movie. The romantic comedy route taken by ‘Springtime Dream was also likeable in this festive atmosphere. There were also young girls who go to the cinema to watch the role Wen Jianing played.

　　Anyway, the two movies premiered one after another. The box office was not indecisive and both could develop well taking advantage of the momentum of the festival.

　　On the day of the Qixi Festival, Wen Jianing had nothing to do and asked Wen Tinghuan to book him a ticket for ‘October Fireworks’.

　　Wen Tinghuan was baffled, “Are you going to see it alone?”

　　Wen Jianing said, “Yeah, or if you didn’t have a date, can you accompany me to see it?”

　　Wen Tinghuan said, “It’s a big festival, who wants to go to the movies with you!”

　　Wen Jianing said helplessly, “It’s not like I am the only one who is going to see it. So much nonsense.”

　　Wen Tinghuan asked him cautiously, “You really are not going with someone else?”

　　”Well,” Wen Jianing said frankly, “No one asked. So stop nagging.”

　　Wen Tinghuan was still chatty, “Even without Lu Jinlang, you can still find someone else. Even if it’s a male, Ting jie is fine with it.”

　　Wen Jianing felt a little funny, “You have no objection, but I have an opinion.”

　　Except for Lu Jinlang, others really won’t do anymore. Even with Lu Jinlang, it was only due to an unexpected turn of events that things developed into how it was today. It seemed a little sad to say, but it was a thing that could not be helped.

　　Wen Tinghuan finally booked him a ticket. With a mask and cap, Wen Jianing entered the cinema after the beginning of the movie and sat alone in the last row.

　　At this time, the entire theatre was full, and only one vacant seat was left beside him.  Wen Tinghuan complained to him that the cinema had actually refused to sell single movie tickets tonight and that she must go and complain to them.

　　Wen Jianing had not watched the ‘October Fireworks’ movie completely. He missed the beginning. When he came in, the male lead played by Lu Jinlang and the heroine played by Jin Zhenzhen had already met.

　　In fact, there was nothing very special in this movie storyline, but Fang Wei’s storytelling methods always made people feel that they were permeated with real emotions. In the mainland town in the nineties, the young girl washing clothes in a large plastic basin, and the honeycomb briquette stacked in the corridor of the building made it easy for the people from that era to resonate.

　　So in addition to young couples, there were also many middle-aged couples in the cinema.

　　In fact, when Wen Jianing came to see this scene, it was because of Lu Jinlang. He wanted to see how good Lu Jinlang’s performance was and how it could enable him to win that kind of award.

　　In the movie, Lu Jinlang’s most popular costume was a white tight-fitting tank top with a loose jacket and dark green camouflage trousers underneath. His jacket was always unbuttoned and dr4p3d over his body, showing his strong but not exaggerated muscles.

　　Fang Wei had a good eye for choosing people. Jin Zhenzhen’s acting skills were very green, but the whole scene was just right. That shyness was natural and straightforward, and it was completely in line with the character’s personality.

　　Just like in this scene, when the fuse in the heroine’s house was burnt, and she couldn’t do anything because she was alone at home. The male lead who lived alone next door found out and took the initiative to change the fuse for her.

　　The two were very close, Jin Zhenzhen held a flashlight in her hand to help Lu Jinlang illuminate the room.

　　When Lu Jinlang inadvertently looked back and the two looked at each other, Jin Zhenzhen’s surprised shyness appeared on her face, and there was no trace of it as just an act. Even Wen Jianing felt that at that moment, Jin Zhenzhen really felt shy.

　　At this moment, a tall figure suddenly walked to the empty seat beside Wen Jianing and sat down. Wen Jianing turned his head curiously and saw that the person beside him pushed the cap bill** slightly higher, revealing his handsome face.

　　The person who came was no one else but Lu Jinlang.

　　The movie theatre was very quiet. Wen Jianing lowered his voice and asked him, “Why are you here?” There’s no need to think about it, he knew that the only one who sold his whereabouts was Wen Tinghuan.

　　Lu Jinlang said, “I called you, but you didn’t answer.”

　　Wen Jianing fetched his phone and noticed that there were two missed calls. He had turned the phone on silent as soon as he entered the theatre.

　　Neither of them continued talking and watched the movie silently.

　　The story alternates between the eyes of the male and female lead. The city youth who came to the town to hide from the wounded, and the good and serious young girl in love. One was teasing carelessly, and the other was evading but gradually falling into him.

　　When the character played by Wen Jianing appeared, they heard a girl sitting in the front row whispering to her boyfriend, “This is Ke Xinhang, right?”

　　The boy laughed out loud and said, “It seems to be, he seems so silly.”

　　Wen Jianing couldn’t help but smile when he heard the words, because his role was indeed a bit silly.

　　But the girl next to him was not convinced and said, “He’s still very handsome. Hanghang is always handsome in all of his clothes.”

　　The boy said, “Bah!”

　　Wen Jianing subconsciously turned his head and glanced at Lu Jinlang next to him. He was also looking at him, and both of them smiled slightly.

　　In the latter part of the movie, the atmosphere slowly became heavy. The heroine’s love was opposed by her parents. She was punished to kneel on the aisle of the building. Her father took a feather duster and hit her on the back. The two young couples chose to elope. It was the National Day*** and there was a fireworks display in the town.

　　With the sky full of fireworks in the background, the male lead and heroine were making love under the bridge of the town surrounding the river.

　　The entire scenery was very dark. Only the outline of the characters can be seen, and the friction of clothes and fierce breathing sounds could be heard.

　　When Wen Jianing saw this, he clearly felt that it was just Lu Jinlang’s acting. Lu Jinlang was not like that when he was making love. He was never eager or reckless. Even if he was angry, he would only be more intense but more controlled, just like in the bathroom that night.

　　They left before they finished watching the ending. Naturally, they didn’t see the second look of Wen Jianing, which was later regarded as a classic shot. The makeup in that shot had been changed so that they couldn’t see Wen Jianing’s original face.

　　Wen Jianing felt that this drama was not suitable for the Qixi Festival, because the ending was a bit stressful. People lived in the world and constantly endure the pressure of reality. In fantasy works such as movies and novels, they still wanted to feel more happiness.

　　When they came out, Lu Jinlang asked him if he wanted to watch ‘Springtime Dream’. However, Wen Jianing gave up when he saw that there were too many people in the ticket office. The two went directly to the underground parking lot through the unoccupied safe passage.

　　Wen Jianing came by himself, but Lu Yunan drive Lu Jinlang here. After he arrived, he asked Lu Yunan to go back first.

　　So Wen Jianing said to Lu Jinlang, “Where are you going? I’ll give you a ride.”

　　Lu Jinlang sat in the passenger seat and said to Wen Jianing, “I’m sorry for what happened that day. I drank too much.”

　　Wen Jianing smiled, “It’s okay, I know you drank too much.”

　　Lu Jinlang said, “In fact, these days I have been thinking about how to deal with our relationship.”

　　Wen Jianing was going to start the car when he stopped and turned his head to look at him.

　　Lu Jinlang suddenly laughed at himself, “I found that you are much calmer than me in handling this matter, and I should apologize to you. I’m an adult, not to mention that I am 10 years older than you,” he said. While speaking, he stretched out his hand and touched Wen Jianing’s head. “I ought to know how to part without hard feelings.”

　　Wen Jianing looked at him quietly.

　　Lu Jinlang said, “You should have heard some news. I invested in making a film in the name of Lei Xing. I plan to try to be a director for the first time, and you will be the leading actor. It may be a little different from Fang Wei’s movie that you originally expected, but these days I have been taking further courses in directing, and I still have some confidence in myself and want to give it a try.”

　　”Do you plan to become a director in the future?” Wen Jianing asked him.

　　Lu Jinlang said, “I’m interested in both acting and directing. I’m not nailing myself to the frame.”

　　Wen Jianing continued to ask him, “Do you want to get back together with me now?”

　　Lu Jinlang leaned back in his chair and looked at him, “Actually, we should have made it clear when you moved away. Do you remember what you said to Yan Ruowei on the dinner terrace after the awards ceremony? “

　　Wen Jianing was slightly stunned.

　　Lu Jinlang said, “I was in the room upstairs and heard your quarrel from the window.”

　　Wen Jianing suddenly recalled the conversation he heard between Lu Jinlang and Lu Jinxin. At that time, he felt the words were very familiar, but he didn’t remember. It turned out that he was the one who said those words. That there was no sincerity between them. This was not what Lu Jinlang thought, but Lu Jinlang was just repeating his words.

　　Lu Jinlang sighed suddenly and said, “I’m sorry, that I didn’t take care of my heart.”

　　Wen Jianing’s hand trembled slightly.

　　Lu Jinlang stretched out his hand to cup his face, kissed his lips, and then left. He said, “If we continue to get along like this, I’m afraid I will do something that’ll hurt you. So I’ll pull myself together and stay away.” With that, Lu Jinlang pulled the door and got out of the car.

　　Instead of asking Wen Jianing to drive him away, he called Lu Yunan to drive him to pick him up.

　　That night, Wen Jianing squatted on the balcony on the second floor of his home to smoke. He rarely smoked, unless he was feeling extremely excited or irritable.

　　Lu Jinlang said that they were all adults. Adult love was too sensible. He knew that there was only a dead-end for moths that fly to the fire, so he shrunk back and put his guard up. If he didn’t love him then he wouldn’t love him either. So that when he was being stabbed by someone, there would be room to retreat so that he would not be injured.

　　Because of this, there was always a distance between two people. You couldn’t stab me and I couldn’t stab you. You couldn’t touch my heart, and I couldn’t touch yours.

　　Lu Jinlang was tempted, and Wen Jianing could detect it.

　　But even so, he still wondered how long Lu Jinlang’s sincerity could last. He couldn’t ask for it, that was why he yearns for it. If he also offered his sincerity in the future, would it become so worthless to the point others could cruelly trample on it? Look, didn’t Lu Jinlang didn’t dare to face it, and hurriedly took a step back in a hurry? 

　　What is love? How to love? It turned out that he had lived a lifetime, but he still didn’t know.

---

The author has something to say:
Seeing that someone feels like I’m just dragging it on, I need to explain it in advance. My most favourite scene is when two people have a crush on each other but they just won’t say anything. Their body burns fiercely when they look at each other, and always feels like they are ready to face fire and thunder falling down from the sky……The two are about to enter this state

They are both willing to wait a little longer so they can kiss and be intimate with one another

---

*Qixi festival is Chinese Valentine’s day or maybe some are familiar with the name of Tanabata Festival
For more info click here~
**This is the cap bill
***The National Day means the PRC National Day which falls on the 1st of October

Notes:
So close~

Check out the other hoeni’s work here~
And please buy me some kofi if you like the translation~

Also leave some ratings if you like this series here~

P.S:

Please support the author if possible~
http://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=2198091
https://www.gongzicp.com/novel-253290.html

Here’s a very awesome guide on how to support the author using jjwxc!
Here’s another guide to support the author using gongzicp!

P.P.S:
Join our discord server to receive notification on Perfection updates and other novels by my friends! ♡