The Berlin Film Festival is the most renowned of the world’s top three film festivals, for no other reason than the Golden Bear Awards held concurrently. 

The Berlin Golden Bear Awards, along with Huaxia’s Golden Phoenix Awards and the American Academy Awards (Oscars), constitute the “Big Three Golden Awards” in cinema. 

In chronological order, the Oscars are typically held in February each year, the Golden Phoenix Awards in April or May, and the Golden Bear Awards in late July, coinciding with the Berlin Film Festival. 

Therefore, with the Golden Bear Awards in play, the Berlin Film Festival’s prestige has risen even further, attracting attention from film enthusiasts worldwide.

The Berlin Film Festival rarely accepts unreleased films for screening, so “3200 Miles” cannot be shown at this festival. 

However, Rong Xu’s attendance at the festival this time is under the name of “Zhuang Hua Luo” and “Silence.” 

“Zhuang Hua Luo” has been nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and a series of technical awards at the Golden Bear Awards. “Silence” has fewer nominations, only for Best Director and Best Screenplay.

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Upon arriving in Berlin, Rong Xu parted ways with Jennifer. 

Jennifer did not have any film nominations this year but was invited to present the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Bear Awards. Before they separated, Jennifer suddenly laughed and said, “Speaking of which, it seems everyone from our group is gathered in Berlin this time? Rong, let’s have a get-together soon. It’s rare for all eight of us to be here.”

Rong Xu smiled and nodded: “Yes, I remember Sister Xuan is coming to Berlin tomorrow, and James and Hugh the day after.”

After officially parting ways with Jennifer, Rong Xu, along with Luo Xi and his team, headed directly to a Hilton hotel near the city center. The hotel reception staff professionally handed him the pre-prepared room key card without any unnecessary chatter. Before long, Rong Xu and Luo Xi were back in their respective rooms.

The opening ceremony of the film festival was tonight. The “Zhuang Hua Luo” crew had already arrived in Berlin, and Old Liu had naturally reserved a room for Rong Xu. Just as Rong Xu finished settling his belongings, Old Liu knocked on the door and entered, bringing a professional makeup team with him.

Six months ago, Luo Zhentao had assembled a dedicated makeup team for Rong Xu, right when Rong Xu was about to film “3200 Miles.” 

However, Clemens preferred that actors not use their personal teams, so Rong Xu hadn’t brought his team abroad. Now, Rong Xu was attending the film festival’s red carpet as part of the “Zhuang Hua Luo” crew, not by personal invitation. 

Therefore, not bringing his own makeup team was also a gesture of respect to the crew, to avoid giving gossips reason to say Rong Xu was being arrogant or putting on airs.

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However, as soon as Old Liu entered the room, he said, “Next time, you should still bring your own makeup artist.” 

The young man was slightly stunned, then stepped forward to give the long-unseen elder a hug, laughing as he asked, “What’s wrong, Old Liu?”

Old Liu rubbed his nose: “I didn’t bring a makeup team either this time. These are Qin Cheng’s makeup artists. Borrowing things from that kid comes at a bit of a high price. And even though it’s for your makeup and styling, he stubbornly insists that you don’t owe him, but rather that I owe him. Xiao Rong, do you think this is appropriate?”

Rong Xu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he comforted him: “Don’t you know what kind of person he is? Old Liu, when he arrives later, I’ll help you talk to him.”

Qin Cheng and Huang Lei, as the male and female leads of “Zhuang Hua Luo,” were being interviewed by the official media of the film festival today and were currently in a meeting room on the first floor of the hotel. 

However, some people are known by their reputation before they are seen. From Old Liu’s mouth, Rong Xu learned that so much had happened since the crew arrived in Berlin two days ago.

In Old Liu’s description, Huang Lei was gentle, quiet, and understanding, while Qin Cheng was portrayed as an uneducated, unreasonable rogue. Old Liu recounted how he asked Qin Cheng to do a small favor, like borrowing a makeup team, and Qin Cheng dared to make demands, completely disrespecting him, the director. Rong Xu had never heard any of this before; he hadn’t heard a word about it when chatting with a certain man these past two days. But listening to Old Liu’s tone… it seemed the situation was quite serious. Could Qin Cheng really be that much of a bully?

As he was thinking, Rong Xu raised his eyes and accidentally met the gaze of the makeup artist in the mirror. Qin Cheng’s personal makeup artist smiled wryly and winked at him, with a look that seemed to say, “Our God Qin is suffering in his heart, but he won’t say it. You just go ahead and listen to Old Liu badmouthing him.”

Rong Xu: “…”

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Even so, Old Liu’s words certainly held some credibility. For example, he wouldn’t fabricate a story about Qin Cheng setting conditions for lending a makeup team. After half an hour of complaining and grumbling, Old Liu took a call and temporarily left the room. 

Meanwhile, the makeup artists continued to meticulously apply makeup and style hair, not uttering another word. These makeup artists were unaware of the relationship between Qin Cheng and Rong Xu; they were simply performing their professional duties.

Rong Xu, being a man, required a slightly simpler makeup routine than a female celebrity. After another half hour, the makeup artists all left the room, and Rong Xu entered the washroom to wash his fingers, which had accidentally touched some foundation.

However, when he came out again, as he opened the door, he suddenly froze. Directly opposite the washroom door stood a tall and imposing man. Qin Cheng gazed steadily at the young man before him, his body slightly leaned back against the wall, his dark eyes filled with profound depth. He just watched quietly, not saying a word, yet it made Rong Xu unable to help but curl his lips and softly chuckle.

No one knew how long passed before the man’s deep, magnetic voice broke the silence: “Dyed your hair?”

The soft, yellow light from the washroom illuminated the youth’s soft, smooth hair, reflecting a faint yellow hue. The slightly long strands gently fell along the left side of his face, while the other side was tucked behind his right ear, outlining his delicate, small face.

Rong Xu was indeed very beautiful; Qin Cheng had known this from the moment he first saw him. Even in the entertainment industry, his young man was definitely among the top echelon of people, and this person was now smiling, his eyes curved, looking intently at him. This person belonged to him.

“Your makeup artist dyed it for me,” Rong Xu said with a faint smile. “She seemed to say it suited me better? She did ask for my opinion.”

Qin Cheng reached out, gently stroking the youth’s soft hair: “Mm, it looks good.” His slender fingers slowly moved along the strands, sliding to the corner of Rong Xu’s eye. He softly rubbed the youth’s skin with his thumb, his gaze deepening. The next moment, he heard Rong Xu’s amused voice: “Didn’t Old Liu send you to get me to leave?”

The caressing motion suddenly paused. Qin Cheng looked up: “You guessed?”

Rong Xu calmly removed the “roving hand” from his face and, as he walked, said, “I can guess what you’re up to with my toes.” With that, Rong Xu walked to the door and reached for the doorknob. But before he could open the door, a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind.

“Xiao Xu…” A strong sense of longing and affection slowly exhaled: “Do you miss me…”

Rong Xu lowered his eyes slightly, calmly saying, “Yes.” His tone lacked sincerity, as if he were being perfunctory.

Qin Cheng chuckled softly, burying his face in the youth’s shoulder and rubbing his nose against the delicate skin. Then he said in a hoarse voice, “I miss you very much. Do you miss me?”

Rong Xu leaned against the man’s warm chest, turned his head, and smiled softly: “Yes.”

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“It’s the exact same answer,” Qin Cheng said, completely undeterred, his arms gradually tightening as if he wanted to press the young man firmly into his body. 

Rong Xu was held so tightly he could barely breathe. He chuckled softly and whispered, “Too tight, don’t move.” 

But the man simply gazed at him, asking again, “Do you miss me… Xiao Xu?”

Rong Xu replied expressionlessly, “I miss you, I miss you, I miss you, I miss you, okay?!”

The incomparably handsome man nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, as if saying…

“Just as I thought.”

Rong Xu: “…Hey, you said it out loud!”

Qin Cheng calmly lowered his eyes: “What did I say?”

Rong Xu: “…”

A moment later, the young man said in a serious tone, “After knowing you for so long, this is the first time I’ve realized, Mr. Qin, that you are utterly shameless!”

To this, Qin Cheng, far from being ashamed, seemed proud. He spun Rong Xu around by the waist, pinning him against the door, forcing him to look up. Then, he curled his thin lips and said with great pleasure, “What’s the point of having shame? I only want you.”

Rong Xu was speechless: “…”

In the narrow, confined entryway, with his lover trapped between the door and his chest, it would be uncharacteristic of Qin Cheng not to do something. 

So, this time, seeing his young man teased into silence, Qin Cheng naturally leaned in, preparing to kiss those lips. But the very next moment, a slender finger pressed against his.

“Old Liu is here.”

Qin Cheng: “…”

As soon Xu Rong finished speaking, a knock immediately sounded on the door. 

As a major film nominated for multiple Golden Bear Awards this year, the “Zhuang Hua Luo” crew was scheduled to walk the red carpet second, effectively setting the stage for the film festival’s opening ceremony.

The Golden Bear Awards were the first of the “Big Three Golden Awards” that “Zhuang Hua Luo” could participate in. The previous Oscars and Golden Phoenix Awards could only grant nominations next year due to the film’s release schedule. 

Old Liu was clearly very invested in the Golden Bear Awards. He had brought all the actors to the venue early, and after the opening ceremony officially began, the elderly man pointedly said to a certain man, “Qin Cheng, you need to have a sense of collective honor, you know?”

Qin Cheng calmly looked up but didn’t say a word.

Seeing this, Rong Xu found it a bit interesting. Before he could even ask, Huang Lei helplessly chuckled, “Old Liu still holds a grudge. Rong Rong, you and Qin Cheng are both male celebrities, so Old Liu borrowed Qin Cheng’s makeup team. Do you know what Qin Cheng demanded from Old Liu?”

Old Liu hadn’t gone into detail about this, so Rong Xu asked, “Sister Huang, what was it?”

Huang Lei chuckled softly, covering her mouth, “Since you two have a good relationship, Qin Cheng requested that your room be arranged next to his, so he could look after you.”

Rong Xu was stunned.

That little thing?!

Was such a small matter worth Old Liu’s constant nagging and complaints?

This had absolutely nothing to do with Old Liu!

As if hearing Rong Xu’s unspoken thoughts, Huang Lei sighed, “It’s not about the demand itself, it’s about Old Liu feeling disrespected.” She paused, then deliberately repeated, “Face is very important to him.”

Rong Xu: “…”

For the “Zhuang Hua Luo” crew, it seemed they had all tacitly accepted the good relationship between Rong Xu and Qin Cheng at some point. When Huang Lei spoke of this, she didn’t find anything amiss. 

While the entertainment industry is often driven by self-interest, true friendships aren’t nonexistent. 

Rong Xu and Qin Cheng had collaborated on several projects, so it wasn’t impossible for them to become friends. Perhaps outsiders couldn’t quite see it, but Huang Lei, who worked with them on the same set, could sense it: “Your relationship is really good.”

Rong Xu smiled slightly, but didn’t answer.

As they were about to walk the red carpet, it was unclear if Old Liu and Huang Lei did it on purpose, but they had Rong Xu and Qin Cheng stand side-by-side and walk the red carpet together. 

Qin Cheng took a step, moving closer to his young man, and whispered calmly, “Old Liu is bullying me.”

Hearing this, Rong Xu couldn’t help but chuckle, “He just keeps speaking ill of you in front of me…” 

His voice trailed off. In a mere five seconds, Rong Xu suddenly understood: “Wait a minute, did your makeup artist tell you that Old Liu was badmouthing you in front of me, and then you deliberately sought out Sister Huang to explain on your behalf, and then you came to me… to complain and pretend to be wronged?!”

Qin Cheng’s eyes remained calm: “Rong Rong, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Rong Xu’s lips twitched. “Didn’t you like calling me Xiao Xu?”

Qin Cheng’s pupils shrank, but he quickly corrected himself. “Xiao Xu, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Rong Xu: “……” You just exposed how nervous you are!

With this, he gained a deeper understanding of a certain man’s petty little schemes. However, before he could say anything more, Old Liu in front of them suddenly called out in a rush, “Alright, let’s go, let’s go!” And with that, the entire film crew stepped onto the red carpet.

In an instant, cheers and screams surged forward like a tidal wave from the distance. Amidst the noise, Rong Xu could hear many people shouting the word “Rong.” Some of them clearly weren’t native Chinese speakers — their pronunciation was slurred — but they still shouted with all their might.

A subtle sweetness rose in his heart. Just then, someone shouted a perfectly enunciated “Rong Xu!” and the young man instinctively turned his head toward the voice. Before he could even see who had spoken, his eyes landed on two bright LED signs.

The first sign had two Chinese characters: Qin Cheng.
The second sign also had two Chinese characters: Rong Xu.

The signs were held by different fans, clearly unrelated, yet they happened to be standing right next to each other. So in Rong Xu’s line of sight, a new line of text formed:

“Qin Cheng Rong Xu”

His clear eyes trembled slightly, his lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Before he could say anything, a certain man suddenly reached out and wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him into a firm embrace.

The crowd’s cheers instantly grew even louder.

Old Liu turned around and saw Qin Cheng holding a stunned Rong Xu close with one arm. The elderly man didn’t think too much of it and simply muttered, “These two are really that close, huh?” But for the fans in the crowd, what they saw was Qin Cheng with his left arm around Rong Xu’s waist, his right hand raised in a wave toward the audience.

Rong Xu slowly came back to his senses and immediately looked up at the man beside him. Just as he was about to pull away from the gentle embrace, Qin Cheng lowered his head, curved his lips into a warm, gentle smile, and whispered:

“Xiao Xu, everyone knows… we’re just good friends.”

With just that one sentence, Rong Xu suddenly understood.

Yes — even though same-sex marriage had long been legalized in Huaxia, to most of the public, two male celebrities hugging each other could only be seen as friendship. But if a male and female celebrity hugged, that might hint at something more. Even CP (couple) fans mostly kept their fantasies private; few dared to believe their favorite pairing was actually real.

The more you tried to avoid suspicion, the more suspicious it became. Only by acting openly and naturally would others see it as normal.

Thinking of this, Rong Xu smiled and lightly patted Qin Cheng on the shoulder. This brotherly gesture sent fans into a frenzy, and the media reporters also found it perfectly normal. Qin Cheng, expression calm, held his young man close and walked forward, step by step, in front of the entire world — until Rong Xu suddenly lifted his head and whispered something in his ear.

Qin Cheng: “……”

To outsiders, it merely looked like a private exchange between two celebrity friends. Maybe Qin Cheng had said something interesting earlier, and Rong Xu was now replying.

But for Qin Cheng, those words made him freeze.

The warm breath from the young man’s lips brushed against his ear, stirring his senses — and leaving behind a sentence with far deeper meaning. It wasn’t long, but for some reason… it made him a little nervous.

Rong Xu said—

“About what you said last time, Mr. Qin… have you repented yet? ^_^”

Five minutes later, the Zhuang Hua Luo film crew signed their names on the signature wall and entered the venue together.