A film titled The Zero Law catapulted Rong Xu into the annals of film history, making him the first actor to win the “Three Golds” (referring to major film awards). This movie brought immense honor to the entire crew and further familiarized Rong Xu with Hollywood circles, truly establishing him as a global superstar. Two years after The Zero Law‘s release, Rong Xu collaborated once more with Sr. Holt on a major Hollywood production.

Having worked together on The Zero Law, Rong Xu and Sr. Holt had become good friends. The new film was being shot in New Zealand, where vast natural forests and beautiful coastlines made it an ideal location for fantasy films. Furthermore, the world’s top special effects studios were located there, allowing for constant consultation with the director on special effects production.

During the second month of filming Bedivere, Rong Xu unexpectedly encountered an old friend on set.

“Er Mu? What are you doing here? When did you arrive?”

Meeting a friend in a foreign land was a rare pleasure, and Rong Xu couldn’t help but feel a bit excited, pulling Lin Xuan over to chat.

Lin Xuan curiously examined Rong Xu’s medieval silver armor, his eyes constantly roving over the sparkling gems and gold. Seeing this, Rong Xu chuckled, “It’s plated with several thick layers of silver. These gems aren’t fake, but they’re not top-grade either. The gold is real; Lance is very particular about these details. This costume is very heavy; I couldn’t even walk properly the first day I wore it, but I’ve gotten used to it now.”

Hearing this, Lin Xuan pouted, “Acting really is hard work, you seem to have lost weight?”

Rong Xu thought for a moment, “Perhaps a little. By the way, how did you end up in New Zealand?”

Lin Xuan grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, “I have a concert in Wellington, so I just stopped by to see you. New Zealand isn’t that big, you know, it’s no trouble for me to come see you.”

Only then did Rong Xu realize that this baby-faced pop king had embarked on another global tour.

However, calling him a “pop king” at this point might be a bit unfitting.

Rong Xu and Lin Xuan had known each other for six years; Lin Xuan was now thirty-two, but the passage of time had left no trace on his baby face. Instead, his songs had grown more mature, stable, and richer in flavor. Among singers of his generation, Lin Xuan undoubtedly stood at the pinnacle, not just in Huaxia, but globally.

When friends meet, they naturally chat for a while. Coincidentally, Sr. Holt had gone to Wellington today to discuss special effects issues with the FX studio, so the producer in charge of the film crew gave Rong Xu a day off, allowing him to take Lin Xuan to explore the Roman-style palace built for the set and the nearby primeval forest.

When the two returned two hours later, Rong Xu heard Sr. Holt’s voice from a distance.

“The INDX technology is indeed good, but using it directly on Bedivere now, the results are completely unpredictable. I don’t want to consider this. I’ll wait until a film crew uses this technology and then see the results. My dear Cris, I know exactly what’s on your mind.”

A disdainful laugh followed, and the next moment, the man casually said, “What am I thinking?”

Sr. Holt snorted, “Aren’t you thinking of using my movie as your guinea pig? If I succeed, you’ll also prepare to start using INDX… Oh, Rong! You’re back. Come quickly and help me scold this brat. How can he be so conniving? The new technology hasn’t been confirmed yet, and he’s egging me on with the special effects studio to use it. He just wants to see my results; if they’re not good, he definitely won’t use this technology himself!”

Rong Xu smiled and walked forward, looking at someone who shouldn’t have been there: “Cris, long time no see.”

Clemens Holt casually glanced at Rong Xu. “Hmm, long time no see.” 

With that, the blond director conveniently looked up at the baby-faced pop king not far behind Rong Xu. Upon seeing him, his gaze suddenly lingered for a long time before he gently nodded at Lin Xuan.

Throughout, when the Holt father and son appeared before Rong Xu and Lin Xuan, the former naturally walked over and joined the conversation, while the latter stood rooted to the spot, unable to utter a single word.

He wanted to turn and flee, but this was a forest; there was no reason to suddenly leave. What’s more…

He saw him.

Rong Xu didn’t notice Lin Xuan’s strangeness. He learned from Sr. Holt that the esteemed director had encountered his son at the special effects studio in Wellington. However, Clemens had deliberately waited there for his father because he wanted to recommend a new special effects technology to him.

It was clear that this father and son always played tricks on each other without mercy. In the past, Sr. Holt exploited his son, making him an assistant director for his films; now Clemens was using his father as a touchstone, letting him test the results of new technology.

Rong Xu also didn’t expect to meet Clemens here, and due to his sudden visit, today’s filming schedule ended early. Clemens, in an effort to trick Sr. Holt into using the new technology, for the first time so generously offered to treat everyone to dinner at a restaurant in Wellington.

Initially, Rong Xu was quite surprised. Clemens, as stingy as he was, actually treating people? But when he saw what the restaurant looked like, he understood the truth in exasperation: 

Sure enough, even if Clemens Holt treated people to dinner, don’t expect anything beyond burgers and fries—too expensive! Rejected! As for the world-famous Wellington steak? Even more impossible! Be content with a piece of meat.

Upon arriving in Wellington, Lin Xuan pulled Rong Xu aside and whispered, “Since we’re in the city, I’ll head back first. I still need to prepare for the concert, Rong Rong, I’m off.”

Rong Xu frowned, “Isn’t your concert next week? We rarely see each other, why don’t we chat a bit longer? Don’t look down on what Kerry’s treating us to… well, this restaurant. He’s very stingy; it’s good enough that he’s treating. After I eat a little to humor him, we’ll go next door for steak.”

Lin Xuan still shook his head, “I think I’d better go first…”

“Why leave?” A light male voice came from behind Lin Xuan. Rong Xu looked up to see that Clemens had approached at some point. His gaze lingered on Lin Xuan for a long time, then he looked at Rong Xu, raising an eyebrow: “Rong, let your friend come in and eat too. Today, I’m splurging, order anything.”

Rong Xu couldn’t help but laugh, “Cris, I don’t think burgers and fries count as splurging for you.”

Clemens shrugged indifferently, his clear blue eyes filled with his characteristic Clemens-esque arrogance. He said casually, “Perhaps your friend can make me splurge? There’s an old Chinese saying, ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover.’ Maybe this young fellow is a big eater and can bankrupt me?”

Rong Xu chuckled, “Well, you’re not wrong; he certainly can’t be judged by his appearance. After all, you actually think he’s a young fellow, but in fact, Clemens, he’s not much younger than you. Right, Er Mu?”

“Mm…” Lin Xuan mumbled a response, then suddenly walked into the restaurant.

Rong Xu slowly furrowed his brows, sensing something amiss. However, before he could think further, he heard Clemens’s calm voice beside him: “What’s your friend’s name?”

Rong Xu was surprised, “You don’t know him?”

Clemens shook his head, with an expression that said, “Why would I know him?”

Rong Xu sighed, “His name is Lin Xuan, and he’s currently the most talented pop king in our country, Huaxia. His songs are excellent. I thought you, being so familiar with Huaxia, couldn’t possibly not know Lin Xuan.”

“I’ve never been very interested in the music scene. I haven’t even recognized all the divas in America, so why would I remember your Chinese pop king?”

Rong Xu spread his hands, “I should’ve known better than to tell you.”

Clemens wasn’t inherently bad, but he had two undeniable flaws: greed and arrogance.

Greed was understandable, as genuinely disliking money was rare. Of course, liking it to Clemens’s extent was also uncommon. However, he was also willing to engage in charity work, whether for reputation or genuine intention, he did contribute to charity, so it was justifiable.

As for arrogance, that was also understandable. Born into a film family, with a father who was a top-tier global director, Clemens himself had shown astonishing talent in filmmaking from a young age. With his family background and talent, even if he was a bit arrogant, people would at most say he wasn’t humble enough, but they couldn’t accuse him of not having the right to be arrogant.

Though they hadn’t spent much time together, Rong Xu had some understanding of Clemens. He wasn’t interested in telling him more about Lin Xuan, as Lin Xuan didn’t act, and aside from his cameo in Silent, he hadn’t participated in the production of any films or TV shows.

Thinking of this, Rong Xu prepared to enter the restaurant to find his friend who had wandered off to who-knew-where. Unexpectedly, just then, a cough suddenly came from behind him.

Rong Xu turned in surprise to see Clemens awkwardly raising a clenched hand to cover his lips. He lowered his blue eyes, his golden hair appearing like real gold under the light. After a long moment, he finally whispered, “Your friend… cough cough, does he have a boyfriend?”

Rong Xu: “…”

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Author’s Notes:

Qin Chengcheng: …There’s not even a single “Qin” in this chapter! (┙>∧<)┙へ┻┻

Rong Rong: Let’s go, this isn’t our extra chapter. [pulls him away]