【Born Towards the Sun: Chat logs】
【Born Towards the Sun: Dream of the Blue Moon Night is changing its male lead, fam.】
【Guard Anyu: ???? No way?】
【Chocolate Pineapple Bun: Wtf, what the hell? Is Anyu getting replaced?】
【Born Towards the Sun: Director Li Ran is already having people audition.】
【A Cup of Latte: Such a pity. I hope Gege can be more careful from now on. It was a really great opportunity. Sigh Guess he just couldn’t hold onto it.】
【Flower Butterfly: Just thinking about it makes me sad. If Gege had been in this film, his career would’ve taken another huge leap forward.】
【Fermented Tofu: Hugs, sis. Everything’s going to be alright.】
【Forever Little Feather: Gege just got dropped like that? Anyone know who they’re finalizing?】
【Born Towards the Sun: Doesn’t seem to be set yet. They say it’s a bit difficult.】
【Happy Sweet Cookie: Isn’t it normal for it to be difficult? Finding another actor who can surpass Gege is sheer fantasy.】
【Lemon Who Loves An Yu: Right, right. Looking across the whole entertainment circle, only Anyu can carry this role. I don’t get what the director’s fussing about. Fussing and fussing and still no one chosen, lol.】
【Zhengzheng: Well, if Anyu’s not in this film, I’m definitely not watching.】
【Little Rain: Me neither. Director, be a decent human being. Don’t ruin the original work when you film it.】
【Foodie First: ??? Sister upstairs, please get your facts straight. How many awards has Director Li Ran’s films won? Back then your gege was a total nobody in the industry. You really think this film can’t succeed without him?】
【Char Siu Bao: Careful, you’ll get attacked, sis. How are you so bold? Speaking of which, why hasn’t my Jiang Nian been active lately? I’m dying to see him as Devin~】
【Little Rain replying to Foodie First: I don’t care how many awards he’s won. I only know he has bad judgment.】
【Sago Pudding: …What’s going on? Your fave drove drunk and injured someone, and you’re still this arrogant? The cause and effect is that Xu Anyu messed up first, so the director replaced him, right?】
【Sugar-Fried Chestnuts: Hahahaha, sister, you’re so serious. This is standard behavior for them. Just gotta get used to it~】
【Sago Pudding: Unbelievable. I’ve seen it all now.】
The moment the topic of Xu Anyu being replaced emerged, the discussion kept growing. He already had a massive fanbase and huge traffic, so it wasn’t surprising that it hit Weibo’s trending list within a few hours.
Inevitably, some disgruntled fans went to stir up trouble under Li Ran’s Weibo account. A friend of his, seeing the situation turning ugly and fearing it might spiral out of control, called Li Ran directly.
Thus, after the hashtag #Film Dream of the Blue Moon Night Xu Anyu Replaced# had hung on the trending list for over forty minutes, Li Ran publicly posted a statement: Casting Celine has been an impossible dilemma ever since I took on the adaptation of the original work. It has always been a case of not being able to have both fish and bear’s paw. I very much wanted to present this film to everyone in its finest form, but fate is cruel. From now on, I will focus entirely on filming, striving to polish and produce an even more brilliant work. Thank you.
Su Zihan: Thumbs up, let’s work hard together.
Jiang Nian: Director Li Ran is very dedicated. Let’s work hard together.
Zhong Yu: Let’s work hard together.
…
Those who came forward to respond to Li Ran included quite a few big names in the entertainment circle: Best Actress Su Zihan, Best Actor Jiang Nian, as well as people filming Dream of the Blue Moon Night, his disciples, friends, and family. Their stance was clear support.
No matter how enormous Xu Anyu’s fanbase was, it couldn’t withstand the collective influence of so many, especially since only a fraction of them were voicing discontent.
The rioting fans all fell silent, not daring to reply further.
Li Ran’s words were very interesting. He was very smart. He didn’t mention Xu Anyu even once and didn’t directly clash with the fans, yet practically every sentence revolved around Xu Anyu. No one could refute it. The cruel twist of fate was entirely Xu Anyu’s own doing; he couldn’t blame anyone else. And his closing line about focusing solely on filming and polishing an even more brilliant work immediately elevated his stature, showing he didn’t care about all that messy business.
【A Bai: Stop jumping around so frantically. If you’ve got time to speak up for your fave here, maybe tell him to properly study the law and regulations.】
【Celine of the Lantis Sea: Hope they can pick an actor who matches Celine’s image this time. This is very important to me!】
【Soul Floating in the Sky: Feels like no one can be chosen. Although I’m happy for the author that it’s getting a film adaptation, just for Celine’s looks alone, there’s truly no match in the domestic entertainment circle. His beauty is just too unique. An amateur might not have the acting skills though. Sigh.】
【Dream Blue Moon Night Promo Ambassador: Wuwuwu, it’s really painful for us fans of the original novel. I’m not worried about the rest, with a Best Actor and Best Actress anchoring it, but our Celine… he’s my moonlight~】
【Ferric Iron: Sisters, asking if Dream of the Blue Moon Night is a novel? And is Celine the male lead?】
【Florence: Same question, kinda interested~】
【My Wife Celine: Yes! A short novel. The eternal god of Chinese-style aesthetics! Go read it, sisters! Highly recommended! I’ve already read it four times and am planning to pull an all-nighter for a fifth read tonight.】
【Spicy Princess: Celine is the male lead in the novel! The setup is delicious. A story about a Deity Beauty and a Crazy Duke.】
【Late July: Ahhhhhh, I love deity beauties! This setup seems great. I’m off to start it, sisters!】
【Muggle: Me too! By the way, how’s the romance line?】
【Spicy Princess: The romance is a bit subtle, but so, so shippable!!! Trust me, no one can resist the charm of the Lantis Deity!】
【Summer of Tangerine: Alright, thank you, sister. Just in time for my book drought. Got food for tonight~】
.
After two consecutive viral moments, some brands and scouts began toying with the idea of collaborating with Lin Qinghe. They tossed out olive branches via private messages in the backend. But no matter how good the terms they offered, they regrettably received no reply.
Lin Qinghe actually did glance at his private messages from time to time. He would lie in bed at night, scrolling through his phone. Many lovely friends shared small wonderful moments of their lives with him, sent long paragraphs expressing their fondness for him, and some also confided their troubles and difficulties they encountered.
He didn’t quite know how to describe that feeling. Perhaps the word “touched” could substitute for it, but it wasn’t entirely accurate. There existed a bond and a tie between him and those who liked him.
By now, Lin Qinghe had largely picked up basic modern knowledge. At the very least, he could use a phone to make calls and send messages, wouldn’t get lost going outside, and faced fewer barriers when interacting with others.
A newly arrived teacher began introducing him to something entirely new, called acting. This was a challenge, because his calm, reserved nature genuinely couldn’t meet the teacher’s demands. He’d even been brooding over it for a while.
Fortunately, a rest day was coming up soon, so he could afford to slack off a little.
Comments on Weibo saw an influx of unfamiliar faces, most of them eagerly anticipating the upcoming rest day livestream.
Today the weather was clear, white clouds like puffs of silk, the sunlight warm. Lin Qinghe leaned back against the floor-to-ceiling window, swiping through his phone. The glass pane reflected his gentle brows and eyes.
A white butterfly perched on a newly green branch, slowly fluttering its wings. Lin Qinghe’s gaze was drawn to it. He turned his head to look, and his eyes accidentally collided with the vibrant crabapple blossoms blooming brilliantly not far away. A spark of inspiration suddenly arose in his heart.
.
【Heartbroken: I’m the first one in! He He, quick, praise me!】
【WorkThreeHoursADay: Super fast! I get to see He He again today!】
【Tangerine Peel: Silently waiting, sending you little flowers~】
【Yogurt Zongzi: Rolling around! When will He He appear?】
【Red Beans Grow in the South: Newbie here~ Waiting for the stream to start.】
“That’ll do, Mr. Lin.” The makeup artist secured the hair crown and gazed at the person in the mirror, marveling inwardly. How could someone be born so perfect? Every feature was just right.
Lin Qinghe murmured his thanks, then said to Xi Nian, “Let’s go, Xi Nian.”
“Right away, Brother Qinghe.”
Lin Qinghe carried the pipa, with Xi Nian following behind him. Exiting through the side door led to the Pear Spring Garden, a sprawling garden built within the villa grounds. Spring was at its peak, a hundred flowers vying for beauty.
Today’s livestream was outdoors. Workers had helped set up the equipment beneath a crabapple tree.
“Hello everyone, we meet again.” The second time was clearly more practiced than the first. Lin Qinghe was noticeably more relaxed, resting his head on his right hand as he greeted everyone.
【V587: Wow, this outfit on He He looks so good too. Love, love.】
【One Person’s Night: Wuwuwu, is that background real? Isn’t it too beautiful?!】
【Flowers in the Mirror, Moon in the Water: Graceful and radiant beneath the crabapple blossoms.】
【Rainbow Fart: I’m guessing this is He He’s garden at his villa home, hehe. After all, He He’s pipa is so expensive.】
“The pipa was a gift from a friend.” Lin Qinghe caught the danmaku. He curved his eyes into a smile in response, “It’s a present.”
【Singing Snow: He He, does your friend need more friends? Asking for a friend.】
【Read Ten Thousand Books: Hahahaha, sister in front, I suspect you’re nesting dolls.】
【Heartbroken: He He can even style his own hair!】
The name Heartbroken left a deep impression. “The teacher did it. Her hands are very skillful.”
【Joy of Slacking Off: Hahahaha, so honest.】
【Little Mushroom Picking Girls: Yay, what are you playing for us later? I recorded last time’s ‘Dreaming of Jiangnan’ as my morning alarm. It sounds so good.】
【Zixi: Wuwuwu, me too. I’ve only looped it a few hundred times this week.】
“I would like to play a piece called Divine Rain for everyone.” Lin Qinghe said, “This is one I’ve always loved very much. It carries the spirit of picking chrysanthemums in leisure and retreating to the mountains. If one could be free from worldly affairs, then become an idle immortal guest, savoring tea and listening to the rain, speaking only of enjoyment to the fullest.”
【Serene: Every time I listen to He He play, I can temporarily forget the troubles in my life.】
【Fragrance: Truly. Sometimes I get irritable and anxious, but listening to He He’s music makes me relaxed.】
【Ballet and Gold Thread: Divine He He!】
【Hundred Twists, Thousand Turns: This old aunty really loves the tunes Little He plays too. Looping them every day.】
The sound of the instrument was melodious and lingering, like heavenly music, the threads of it drifting through the flowers and grass into the small window.
In the study, the sound of pages being turned suddenly stopped. The expensive fountain pen was set aside. Cen Han sat for a moment, feeling the melody wasn’t clear enough.
Listening to Lin Qinghe play was indeed a kind of enjoyment. He stood up, retrieved a bottle of treasured red wine from a cabinet, poured half a glass, then stepped out onto the balcony.
This year’s crabapple blossoms were excessively gorgeous. Blossoms filled the branches; the green leaves were elegantly pure, the red blooms fragrant. A gentle breeze swept past the treetops, rippling like waves.
Lin Qinghe sat just so beneath a tree of crabapple blossoms, the pipa half-hiding his face. The ribbons dangling from his golden hair crown fluttered. Fallen petals behind him danced in the wind, settling upon his white robes.
Cen Han took a sip of the red wine, its mellow fragrance spreading.
【My Wife Celine: Is no one really going to say it? Wuwuwu, I think He He is very suited to play Celine.】
【It’s Cloud Cliff: Oh my god, oh my god, I actually found a kindred spirit here. Sister, you’re not alone.】
【I Love Lantis: Omg, I wanted to say that too. He He’s image is truly so ethereal. His looks are completely up to par, okay? But He He is so busy in real life, he probably won’t enter the entertainment industry, right?】
The several comments saying Lin Qinghe’s image was similar to Celine’s were quickly buried by danmaku sending gifts and praise.
One melody ended. Lin Qinghe paused briefly to rest, intending to chat with the fans in his livestream room.
Unexpectedly, golden light flashed on the screen, and a notification appeared in large, bold letters.
【Mr. S has sent two yachts.】
【Congratulations, Mr. S, on becoming the broadcaster’s Number One Guardian~】
For large-sum gifts, besides a notification within the livestream room, the Seven Notes interface would also display an alert. Two yachts were worth two million. Anyone who could afford to send that was certainly no ordinary person. So far, there had been very few users this generous. Thus, Mr. S caused a stir for a moment. It was only after a ten-second silence that fans resumed sending danmaku.
【I Love Ferrari: The power of money has me trembling.】
【WorkThreeHoursADay: The top supporter is a guy?】
【A Lone Beauty: Holy crap, did I just witness history? Two yachts!!!?】
【Red Kid: I thought a Ferrari was already shocking enough. My double chin just dropped.】
【Xian: What’s going on? A tycoon has appeared?】
Lin Qinghe’s sixth sense told him something was not quite right. His brows furrowed slightly.
He didn’t have to wait long. The person who sent the yachts posted a danmaku.
【Mr. S: Play Song of Curtain Clouds for me.】
Song of Curtain Clouds, also called Song of Witch Mountain Clouds. The clouds and rain of Wu Mountain, the pleasures of the bedchamber.
Lin Qinghe rarely touched upon the music of this world, so he had no idea how to play it. And whether one understood the pipa or not, everyone was unfamiliar with this song title. Those who couldn’t resist their curiosity went to search for it, only to discover it was a subtly-worded erotic song.
【Xiao Nian: How can you even have the nerve to ask that? Absolutely absurd.】
【Heartbroken: He He, don’t play it! We’re not short on money!】
【WorkThreeHoursADay: Today’s stream can end here. See you next time, He He!】
【Tangerine Peel: See you next time!】
【Red Beans Grow in the South: Broadcaster, don’t play that. It’s an erotic song. That’s so disrespectful!】
The words “erotic song” fell into Xi Nian’s eyes. Her expression instantly turned ghastly pale.
