Lin Xian quickly and flusteredly put on his clothes, feeling a bit shy. He really hadn't expected to be so naked in front of Ye Erlan so soon, especially not long after they had just cleared up their feelings for each other.
"Cough, cough, cough. Well, I..."
"I didn't know you were taking a shower. I knocked on the door just now, but there was no answer. I was afraid something had happened to you, so I just came in," Ye Erlan said, clearly a bit flustered as he quickly explained.
He really hadn't meant to do it; it was just an unfortunate coincidence.
On the way here, smelling the disinfectant in the hospital and seeing those patients on the verge of death, in that instant, he had suddenly been extremely worried about Lin Xian. It was as if Lin Xian would disappear right in front of him the next second.
When he got here and knocked on the door with no answer, for a moment, he had really panicked.
He had just pushed the door open without thinking. How could he have expected to see Lin Xian naked as soon as he came in? This guy didn't even know to lock the door.
"You should quickly put on your clothes," Ye Erlan said and then turned his head, indicating for Lin Xian to quickly get dressed.
There came the rustling sound of someone changing clothes. Ye Erlan suddenly remembered that night long ago when Lin Xian was drunk. He recalled what was beneath that thin shirt, a sight so beautiful and alluring.
"I'm done changing."
It took a while before Lin Xian finally spoke.
Ye Erlan turned his head to look at him. There were still water droplets hanging from his hair.
Lin Xian was actually really good-looking without makeup, especially just after taking a bath. Compared to his glamorous self on the silver screen, Ye Erlan preferred this version of Lin Xian, real and a bit innocent.
In fact, they were just boys in their early twenties.
"Have a seat. Where's the hair dryer?" Ye Erlan said and then started rummaging through the boxes.
Lin Xian was a bit dazed at first. It took him a few blinks of an eye to realize what Ye Erlan meant. He was going to dry his hair!
"It's in the third drawer over there."
Ye Erlan followed his instructions and as soon as he opened the cabinet, he saw it. It was a small, silver hair dryer.
He sat next to Lin Xian. His hair had a unique fragrance, a faint smell of Chinese herbal medicine. Suddenly, Ye Erlan realized, could this be an anti - hair - loss shampoo? He couldn't help but laugh.
Hearing Ye Erlan's laughter, Lin Xian was a bit confused. "Huh? What's up?"
"Your hair smells nice," Ye Erlan said seriously. But Lin Xian didn't take it that way. He snorted. "You're making fun of me?!"
"How dare I?" Ye Erlan said with a sheepish smile.
Lin Xian didn't want to fool around with him. And this wasn't a big deal anyway, so he just directly explained, "I've been filming outside all the time.
I often don't get enough rest. I don't have much time to rest in a year. Sometimes when I attend events, I have to dye and perm my hair. My hair has been seriously damaged.
Especially when I have to film ancient - costume dramas, I have to wear wigs, which really damage my hair.
Later, He Yan, my assistant, found a folk remedy for me. This shampoo is specially made from Chinese herbal medicine. It's really good for my hair."
After hearing these words, Ye Erlan didn't really want the shampoo. His hair was actually in good condition, mainly because he never dyed his hair.
But he started to feel sorry for Lin Xian. It seemed that although big stars looked glamorous in the eyes of ordinary people, only they themselves knew how hard they worked behind the scenes. Especially when he touched Lin Xian's hair, he could clearly feel that the hair in his hand wasn't smooth at all. There were split ends and it was dry. This was not at all the hair quality a boy in his twenties should have.
"You... Never mind."
Lin Xian knew what Ye Erlan was probably going to say. He himself was also worried that he might go bald when he got old. But there seemed to be no way out. This was his job, and he could only persevere.
He also knew why Ye Erlan suddenly stopped talking. It was because he didn't want to put him in a difficult situation and could only support him silently.
"I'll try not to take on ancient - costume dramas in the future. Besides, I have the right to decide about hair dyeing and perming usually."
"A Xian, I..."
"I know what you mean. Just think of it as a decision I made for my own health. You don't have to take it too seriously."
Lin Xian knew that Ye Erlan was a very vulnerable person inside. He was probably thinking about something now, wondering if his words had influenced him and if it would cause any trouble for his work. In fact, there was no need for that. After all, he had the right to decide his own life.
At that time, in order to look more dazzling in the eyes of his fans and to have good looks, he had dyed and permed his hair. To be honest, with his current status in the entertainment industry, he didn't have to worry about these things at all. Moreover, he really didn't like those colorful hair colors. He preferred clean, black hair.
That way, his hair color would be the same as Ye Erlan's.
"Can you tell me about your experiences over the years?"
Hearing Ye Erlan's question, Lin Xian was actually a bit surprised. He had always thought that Ye Erlan didn't care about him.
"A long time after you left, I found out that something had happened to your family and you had gone abroad. After that, I couldn't contact you anymore.
I took the art college entrance examination. Maybe because I looked good, I was spotted. Plus, my college entrance examination scores weren't bad, so it was easy for me to get into that school.
At that time, Sister Yu Nian had the idea of looking for some new - generation actors. I went and participated in an audition for an extra role.
But I didn't pass. I thought it was all over. I was thinking of taking a few years to improve myself before really entering this circle.
Then I received a message from Sister Yu Nian, saying that she wanted me to play the second male lead in 'Lan Yi's Layout'.
I was shocked at that time. Later, I found out that Sister Yu Nian had watched my audition and thought that I wasn't suitable for that extra role. She said that I might overshadow the lead actor. And since I happened to fit the image of the second male lead in another movie in her mind, she recommended me.
I'm really grateful to her. In fact, she's like my best mentor. If it weren't for her, I probably wouldn't have achieved what I have now."
Ye Erlan continued, "Sister Yu Nian is really a great person."
"Yeah. Later, that drama was filmed, and I became popular overnight. Some people tried to dig up my scandals, but they couldn't find anything. You know, I'm an orphan. The people who really know about me are my classmates. We have such a good relationship, and no one tried to cause trouble for me. So everything went smoothly.
After that, more directors came to me, and some marketing accounts helped promote me. Gradually, I really became famous. At that time, I was still in school.
After graduating from college, I definitely continued in this industry. By then, I was already a national idol. But Sister Yu Nian and I both realized a problem. Although I had a large following and many fans, my acting skills weren't recognized by everyone. The path I was taking was too idol - oriented.
Sister Nian said that if I wanted to have a long - term foothold in the entertainment industry, I must win a highly - regarded award and play a classic role, instead of just being known as a popular star who couldn't act.
So we started to get involved in some art films. We completely transformed my image from a young idol to an all - around best - actor. It was a very successful transformation. I gained a lot of fans, both for my looks and my acting skills.
Maybe it's because of my ambition. I always get what I want. So I try my best to do everything. I'll win any award I set my mind on.
The same goes for people."
Hearing this, Ye Erlan suddenly felt happy and a bit shy. This guy really knew how to flirt.
Speaking of this, Ye Erlan suddenly remembered something. "I heard that Sister Yu Nian and Big Brother were going to get married before I came back to China. I've been so busy these days that I haven't heard any further news."
Lin Xian replied, "It's coming soon. It'll be within the next two months. They're probably making the guest list.
Speaking of it, she and Brother Yu Bai have been through many years before reaching this stage."
"Oh? Tell me about it," Ye Erlan said, a bit curious. Although he had known them for many years, he really didn't know much about their personal affairs. But he was still a bit interested.
Lin Xian began to tell him the story of Yu Nian and Xiao Yubai. Their marriage was actually arranged by their families a long time ago, but neither of them was willing to accept it. Especially Xiao Yubai, who had grown up in the military camp.
Yu Nian always thought that he was a rough guy and didn't have any feelings for him. And Xiao Yubai wasn't interested in those ladies who were raised in seclusion.
The parents on both sides always said they should meet, but they kept making excuses to avoid it. Later, there was news that Xiao Yubai had someone he liked.
He met her abroad and fell in love at first sight.
It wasn't until half a year later that they found out that the girl was the one he was engaged to.
Yu Nian wasn't happy about it at that time. She always thought that this guy might have deliberately approached her. Otherwise, how could there be such a coincidence in the world? She kept delaying and there was no resolution.
Later, Xiao Yubai was injured during a mission and almost lost his life. Only then did Yu Nian realize her true feelings. It didn't seem to matter whether Xiao Yubai's encounter with love was a real coincidence or pre - meditated. What was important was that the person she liked was him, Xiao Yubai.
As soon as Xiao Yubai recovered, they announced their engagement.
"It's really romantic," Ye Erlan sighed. He thought that was why Sister Yu Nian had seemed so depressed for a while. It was because of Xiao Yubai's injury. But then again, good things always come with hardships.
These words took on a different meaning in Lin Xian's ears. He took Ye Erlan's hand and said seriously, "Ye Zi, I'll give you something even more romantic."