Cen Han did not often make public appearances, but anyone with any influence in Western Capital knew his name well enough. Protecting Lin Qinghe was more than within his power.
Lin Qinghe and Cen Han locked eyes for two seconds. He was surprised for a moment, then a second thought struck him—his value was indeed worth such an allowance. Just as he was about to respond, the sound of hurried footsteps approached.
“Tomorrow, let’s go to Grape Mountain Manor. They have fresh fruit, a sprawling golf course, and you can even soak in the hot springs. What do you all think?”
“Sounds great. I’ll bring my princess; she’s sure to love it.”
“What time should we meet tomorrow?”
“Nine in the morning, in the Central Hall.”
“No problem, then it’s happily decided.”
“Hahaha, perfect.”
Ye Yu’s friends chattered cheerfully, making plans for the next day’s outing.
“Brother Cen Han,” someone called out, and everyone instantly fell silent, their eyes searching for Cen Han’s figure.
Cen Han was seated on a sofa, having changed out of his immaculate suit into casual lounge wear. Though his imposing, superior aura had softened, he still commanded every gaze.
“Leaving now?”
The crowd did not respond right away because they spotted an unfamiliar figure nearby. His aura was untainted by the mundane, tranquil and refined—a stark contrast to the extravagant opulence around him, yet he seemed as though he belonged to such a gilded setting.
The earlier idle gossip from the garden instantly flashed through their minds. It was no wonder the rumors spread as they did; even seeing this scene with their own eyes, they could not help but let their imaginations run wild.
A beauty by his side, a hidden treasure in a golden house.
Usually, if the host offered no introductions, there was no need for them. Drawing this conclusion, they nudged one another until a representative stepped forward. The spokesperson smiled awkwardly. “We’re taking our leave now. Thank you for your hospitality, Brother Cen Han. We had a wonderful time.”
Cen Han, indifferent to whatever thoughts swirled in their minds, nodded calmly. “Mm. Take care.”
Ye Yu saw them off to the fountain garden outside the door, bidding each farewell one by one. Noticing their hesitant expressions, she yawned and said, “I only met him for the first time this afternoon myself. I don’t know what’s going on either.”
There was no reason for her to lie.
“Don’t worry, we’ll pretend we know nothing.”
“Our lips are absolutely sealed.”
“Right, we won’t go spreading anything.”
“Alright then, we’re off. See you! Everyone, tomorrow, Central Hall gathering!”
Ye Yu laughed a little. When she turned back, Lin Qinghe was no longer in the main hall.
“How is everyone at home?” Cen Han sensed her return and asked proactively, “Is your father doing well?”
The clamor had faded, leaving space for an overdue exchange between family members.
“He’s doing great. Walking as fast as flying, full of vigor.” Ye Yu poured herself a glass of water and settled into the other corner of the sofa. “Just last week, he was out strolling and playing chess with the old folks on the street. Won a thermos mug.”
His mental state was indeed quite good.
Cen Han’s lips quirked slightly upward.
“Bro,” Ye Yu sat sideways, hugging her glass, her tone relaxed, “Who is he? Aunt Su said he’s a guest, but that doesn’t seem like your style.”
Back when she was at university here, the number of people on campus who were infatuated with Cen Han was uncountable, not to mention the circles within Western Capital. The most famous case was a Best Actress who once declared she would marry no one else but Cen Han. Of course, the outcome was predictable; she eventually turned to another’s embrace and now lived a very happy life.
Cen Han had only become more low-key over the years. At his status, his marriage was entirely his own decision. Yet he had never shown any interest in romantic affairs. Precisely because of this, no one ever dared to push anyone toward him at a banquet, for fear of provoking his wrath.
Cen Han folded a page of the newspaper and answered casually, “If Aunt Su says he’s a guest, then he’s a guest.”
“I don’t believe that.” Ye Yu’s delicate brows furrowed. “Let me guess. A friend? The son of an elder? A lover?”
Hearing the word “lover” and hoping to stop Ye Yu from heading into even more outlandish speculations, Cen Han lifted his gaze. “Are you that bored?”
“Right now, I am.” Ye Yu fixed her clear, bright eyes on Cen Han, her curiosity burning.
The latter was stared into silence. Finally, he parted his lips. “I picked him up off the main road and brought him home to raise.”
Ye Yu: ??????
After all this time apart, her brother’s joking skills had really sharpened.
“Where exactly did you pick him up? I’ll go check it out one day myself.”
Cen Han: “Go ahead. Near the Lin Mountain Villa Boulevard.”
Ye Yu: “Bro!”
Tired of teasing her, Cen Han said, “An artist under Starlight Entertainment. His background is complicated.”
“So he really is an entertainer?”
Ye Yu accidentally let slip something she’d heard, causing Cen Han to shoot her a look. “Has someone mentioned something to you?”
Ye Yu laughed sheepishly. “That you’re dabbling in the theater crowd.”
“Mm, the first half of that statement isn’t wrong.” Cen Han did not refute it. “I am supporting someone. But a label like ‘theater crowd’ doesn’t suit Lin Qinghe.”
When he spoke again, his tone had grown somewhat cool. “Next time, you can reply to them: The one I’m supporting is a bright pearl.”
Ye Yu nodded repeatedly. The moment she registered exactly what Cen Han had said, her face filled with shock.
.
Another weekend arrived, and Lin Qinghe started his live stream punctually.
The follower count on his Weibo had currently reached nearly six hundred thousand. More and more accounts were engaging with him, with almost every post garnering over ten thousand comments and re-shares. Someone had even established the #ImmortalCrane# super topic, where fans clocked in daily and left messages for one another.
【Tangerine Peel: I get to see He He again, so happy~】
【Pulling Radish: I’ve never joined one of He He’s real-time live streams before; I’ve only seen edited clips. Looking forward to it ing.】
【Chocolate: Same as above. I even found a quiet spot just for this.】
【Heartbroken: Haven’t seen He He in a week. Miss him.】
“Xi Nian, I’m ready.”
“Okay, Brother Qinghe, let’s begin.”
The screen switched. The moment Lin Qinghe’s figure appeared on screen, the comment section was flooded with little flower emojis. The energy was utterly wild.
【WorkThreeHoursADay: I see a guzheng!】
【Lin Bai: So awesome!】
【Person in the Mirror: Are you going to play the guzheng, He He? Love it, love it! You’re so multi-talented!】
【Round Gravel: I still haven’t gotten over the pipa celestial music, and now He He is launching something new. Wuwuwu, I love it so much.】
【A Sheet of Manuscript: I love the pipa, and I love the guzheng too!】
【Dace: His smile makes my heart melt. Whoever understands, understands.】
【Little Blue Hat: I raise the banner high for He He!!!】
【Autumn Water One Hue: Did He He have a happy week? Did you go out and have fun? Remember to take care of your health even when you’re busy~】
Lin Qinghe softly brushed a few strings. “Yes, today we’re switching instruments.”
“Thanks for the concern.”
“Everyone take care of your health too.”
…
He replied to about a dozen questions or so. Feeling his mouth grow a little dry, he drank some water to moisten his throat, then got down to business. “《Bright Moon Shines a Thousand Miles》—the ache of longing knotted in the heart. May the bright moon shine a thousand miles, so I may share every dawn and dusk with you.”
【Chu Mi: So poetic! I’m sure it’ll be beautiful!】
【Immortal Strokes My Head sent 88 champagne roses.】
【Grandma’s Bridge sent ten imperial concubine couches.】
【Mountain Spirit sent thirty embroidered fans.】
Lin Qinghe swept his gaze over the gifts without further comment, concentrating entirely on the distinct strings. He immersed himself in the performance.
…
The film crew for Dream of the Blue Moon Night had been active in the public eye for over half a month. Just then, the official channel released a post with nine-panel grid images.
@Movie Dream of the Blue Moon Night: #DreamOfTheBlueMoonNight# On that moonlit night brushed by the sea breeze, awaiting an encounter reincarnated through the dust of the world. The deity Celine and Duke Devin—two radiant spirit pearls, resplendently aglow. Let’s look forward to it together~
【Ambassador Lantis: What’s happening??? Totally confused, searching the comments for answers.】
【Pure Innocent Little White Flower: I’m also totally confused, but based on past experience, if I’m not mistaken, this should be the crew’s character reveal photos.】
【Twin Flower: Character reveals? Celine has been cast, just like that, without a sound?】
【I Want to Go to Orchid Stem Land as a Peace Bride: OMG!!! The person next to Jiang Nian can’t be Celine, right? I’m dead. Heavens, he’s just too gorgeous!!! How can anyone be this good-looking? Human language can’t describe his peerless beauty!!!】
【Green for Devin: I’m so shocked, ahhhhhh!!!!!! So this is the chosen Celine? Director Li Ran, I love you ten thousand times! Ten thousand times!】
【Moonlight Night Melody: I rewatched it multiple times and still can’t find a single flaw! Not a single flaw! This original work superfan is seriously looking forward to it! The two match so well. Teacher Jiang moves my heart as always. I’m going to cry my eyes out!】
【Coffin: Holy crap, holy crap. I’m slacking off right now and the corners of my mouth are violently curling upward. Hahaha, as expected of Director Li Ran, he really knows what the audience is thinking!】
【Garbage Recycle Bin: Aaaaah, this is the Celine in my heart! I need to know his Weibo.】
【Linked Branches: !!!!!! Oh god, aaaaah, this is Celine! This is my Celine!】
【Wisdom Tooth: What!? This is Celine? Holy crap! This completely meets what I pictured in my mind. The casting is just too good, wuwuwuwu, Director Li Ran, you are my god!】
【Little Feather’s Wish: Which obscure small-time celebrity from the domestic entertainment circle is this? Doesn’t even have a name. Could they just be a regular person?】
【Yearbook Hua: Same question. Very unfamiliar face. Can a sister here explain? What works has he acted in?】
【Four Great Emptinesses: Pass on this question. Next.】
【Time’s Passage: Pass, next.】
【A String and One Pillar: Uh, looks like a pipa streamer I saw last time. Goes by Lin Qinghe, really popular on Seven Notes recently.】
【Eternally Love An Yu: A pipa streamer? Don’t make me die laughing. Did Li Ran want him on set to demonstrate how to play the pipa?】
【Little Feather’s Wish: This is insanely ridiculous. Domestic entertainment is doomed to fail. Such a massive cast production, and the male lead is a complete unknown with zero works.】
【Autumn Crabapple: Stop throwing around the word ‘unknown’ so carelessly. Wasn’t Xu Anyu also a newcomer in his early days? Save some virtue for your brother.】
【Jiang Little Nian: To be fair, his visual is really strong. But with Best Actors, Best Actresses, and countless seniors in this film, casting a total newbie—is everyone going to have to do NG takes with him during shooting?】
【The Sea is Too Deep: Whatever, I love it. Looking forward to his portrayal of Celine.】
【Sister Zihan: Found him. He’s a new artist. The online profile is very bare. Lin Qinghe, 22, under Starlight Entertainment. Specializes in instruments like the pipa and guzheng. The list of works he’s participated in is completely blank. Not a formally trained actor. Folks, I am purely confused. Has Li Ran been put under a spell??? I don’t understand.】
【No Turning into Spirits Allowed: He’s actually under Starlight Entertainment, holy crap. This is an inside job. Xu Anyu is also under Star. He gets in trouble and gets replaced, and immediately a new guy takes over. Is the company about to abandon him?】
【Down Feather: Meals can be eaten carelessly, but words can’t be spoken carelessly. A newbie who can’t even produce a single work cannot be compared to my brother.】
【Squirrel Little Beauty: Is he even worthy?】
【Sinus: So formidable. How did he pull this off?】
【Good Times Fleece: What does that mean, he’s never even filmed before and he gets to work with a Best Actor? His backing must be pretty solid.】
【Running Script is My Cup of Tea: Who knows? There must be some connection. Probably spent several nights to earn it.】
The comment section was a chaotic mess, full of heated arguments. Before long, the initially positive comments were completely drowned in a sea of doubt. Both supporters and detractors, driven by curiosity, went to search for Lin Qinghe.
They discovered that his Weibo had recently shared his Seven Notes live stream room number, and thus flooded into the live stream in droves.
The situation grew more and more out of control.
