"Hold on tight, we'll be there soon."

When the Taoist opened his mouth to speak, he sounded completely normal.

A drizzle blanketed the long street, the puddles reflecting the dim yellow of car lights, and broken glass scattered across the ground. A gentle breeze, carrying the scent of earth and grass, blew in, bringing a refreshing coolness.

Jiang Nan felt the cool breeze blowing through his hair, his tense nerves slowly relaxed, and even his breathing became long.

Under this small raincoat, the world suddenly became simple. No more treacherous drinking parties, no more cautious social interactions, and even no need to maintain a perfect expression.

There were only the tiny splashes of water as the wheels rolled over the puddles, and the blurry neon lights receding in the rearview mirror.

And someone's unspoken daydreams.

Very strange.

Just now on the set, the little Taoist priest was clearly standing on the outskirts of the crowd, but those words seemed to have gone straight into his ears - except for him and Director Luo, no one else heard this man's voice.

Jiang Nan stared at the back of the Taoist priest's head.

The continuous drizzle was like spider silk on the Taoist's bun, and his Taoist robe was also dyed into dark blue, sticking tightly to his shoulders. His back was very thin, but the muscle lines were clear and broad, like a tall bamboo, swaying leisurely in the wind and rain.

Jiang Nan was wearing his only raincoat and felt a little guilty. This person seemed to be his fan.

"I'm so sorry for bothering you today. You got soaked like this..."

"Hey~" Xia Chi waved his hand without even turning his head, "You're welcome~"

[You're welcome. I'm not a good person either.]

[I am the reincarnated Big Bad Wolf, specializing in deceiving little white sheep like you.]

I've tried steamed and braised dishes, but hot pot is the best.

[Served with chopped green onions and cilantro, and a sesame sauce dip.]

【Single bet! skr】

Really...

Seriousness lasts no more than three seconds.

"Are you a Taoist priest?" Jiang Nan asked tentatively.

Xia Chi didn't answer immediately. He thought for a long time.

This question...

Is it or isn't it? I can't say yes, nor can I say no. It's neither yes nor no, so I'd better say no. I'm afraid I'll scare you.

"Ahem." Xia Chi cleared his throat and introduced himself. "Actually, I'm an actor named Xia Chi. I play a Taoist priest in the crew of the show 'Monster Hunting Record' next door. Director Du Binquan asked me to come to your crew for a guest appearance. I came in such a hurry that I forgot to take off my makeup, haha."

Jiang Nan raised his eyebrows: "Oh~"

I heard everything, true or false.

Jiang Nan was sure that Xia Chi didn't know his true feelings had been revealed: "Which role will you be playing?"

Xia Chi chatted with Luo Jian's assistant for a while: "I heard he's a gangster, his name is... Cheng Xilai."

"Oh..." Jiang Nan immediately reacted: "Ah?"

Xia Chi didn't get the deep meaning behind Jiang Nan's two interjections at all. Just as the red light at the intersection came on, he slammed on the brakes.

The person behind him bumped into his back due to inertia.

His injured arm just happened to hit the seat, and the severe pain made Jiang Nan's vision go black, but he swallowed the cry of pain and subconsciously apologized: "Sorry... I bumped into you..."

The Taoist priest became excited.

[Oh my~ What is there to apologize for~ (rubs hands awkwardly)]

[My heart just bumped into me like a little deer, and it's beating fast, beep beep beep...]

[You said you'd keep your distance from your fans? You're so proactive! How's that any different from throwing yourself into someone's arms?!]

[If you don’t explain, I’ll take it seriously…]

[3, 2, 1, the big star has a secret crush on me!!!]

“…”

Jiang Nan's scalp tingled.

The Taoist priest looked as calm as a normal person. He turned around and looked at the person behind him with concern, and responded calmly.

"Ah, it's okay, as long as you didn't hit your hand."

The barrage of comments in my mind was swiping the screen like crazy.

[How can it be okay! You've successfully caught my attention! ]

[Man, you are playing with fire! ! ]

[Ahhh, this is physical intimacy. Rounding it up, it's like getting married.]

【According to the fan club rules, if you bump into me, you have to be responsible for me! 】

[Just take care of my three meals a day, four seasons, and every morning and evening! I want you to cuddle with me during the three meals a day, hug me during the four seasons, and kiss me every morning and evening!]

【Wood~】

Jiang Nan: “!!!”

Is it too late for me to jump out of the car now?

Under the transparent brim of the raincoat, Jiang Nan's pale face was almost transparent, and fine raindrops dotted his crow-feather-like eyelashes, as if they would roll down at any time.

He opened his lips slightly, his wet eyes were filled with lingering surprise, and there was a hint of red at the corners of his eyes, revealing a bit of fragile childishness.

This was the first time Xia Chi saw him like this up close. The tips of his ears instantly turned red and he swallowed secretly a few times.

【Calm down! Xia Chi.】

【You are a serious fan (fake)! 】

[Just because your idol throws himself at you doesn't mean you're a pervert.]

[Ahhhhh! With Su Daji around, who can be a wise ruler?]

[What should I do? I've been suffering from insomnia lately, and the doctor recommended that I lie down on my eight-pack abs...]

Xia Chi glanced down inadvertently, and the corners of his mouth were stretched so wide that they could be shoulder to shoulder with the sun.

Jiang Nan laughed bitterly.

How can people be so stupid? One second they are helping an old lady cross the road, and the next second they are riding on her head.

"You look like Cheng Xilai."

Xia Chi: "Ah? Really?"

[Are you praising me for fitting the role?]

Jiang Nan: You're overthinking it. I was praising you for being vulgar.

Jiang Nan sat back a little, keeping some distance from him, and was a little worried about his future roles.

"So you're going to join the group soon."

Xia Chi: "Ah? Really? My assistant added me, but we haven't had time to talk about this yet."

[Actually, I haven't read the script yet, but I heard it's a spy drama.]

[I will be filming with you in a few days~]

[Excited, thrilled, if I wasn't riding a bike I could do a standing backflip.]

What role does Cheng Xilai play? Will he have scenes opposite Jiang Nan?

I will definitely give my best and live up to the expectations of the director and Sister Man. I will use my best skills. Woof woof woof woof woof...

Jiang Nan silently moved back half an inch.

It’s better to stay away from psychopaths.

The electric scooter rode lightly along the way, and no one spoke for a while.

Even the noisy voices in my heart have quieted down.

The rain gradually subsided, and the bright sign of Jianghuai Hospital soon came into view.

Xia Chi parked the car neatly, helped Jiang Nan take off his helmet, and shook off the water droplets on his head. He folded the raincoat skillfully and stuffed it into the storage box under the seat, and took out an unopened medical mask from it.

"Here," he handed it to Jiang Nan, his fingertips feeling slightly cool in the cold wind, "a new one."

"Thank you."

Jiang Nan took the mask and put it on. There was a ding in his pocket. It was a WeChat message from his assistant Xiaohu.

——The car was followed again, and there was no way to get rid of these people.

Jiang Nan returned to Xiaohu.

——Don’t come yet, find a place to stop.

——I have arrived at Jianghuai Hospital and can take the X-ray myself. I will contact you in the evening.

--be safe.

After sending the message, a cold breeze blew into my neck.

Jianghuai Hospital stands unremarkable among the old buildings in the old city, with its mottled walls covered with dead vines.

Luo Jian had his reasons for choosing this place - although it was so remote that even taxis were unwilling to take the order, the orthopedics here were among the best in the country.

More importantly, President Chu of Jianghuai Hospital and Luo Jian were classmates in the military academy. When they were in the field army, this guy was a tough guy who could treat comminuted fractures as colds.

As soon as he entered the hospital gate, Xia Chi couldn't help but act pretentiously again.

"Eh?" He slapped his head, pretending to suddenly realize something. "I remember now. You're the champion of the 'Star Boys' talent show, right?"

[Perfect! This wave of pretending to be a casual fan is absolutely flawless.]

[I'm not some unethical stalker, I'm a sensible fan with style!]

[Not disturbing the main person's life is my bottom line. ]

Jiang Nan's mouth twitched.

Thank you, you are more terrifying than a stalker now.

Seeing Jiang Nan silent, Xia Chi simply turned around and looked him in the eye: "I remember you were the vocalist, why did you suddenly switch to acting?"

【I'm still waiting for your concert! 】

The words were like a stone suddenly hitting the calm surface of a lake. Jiang Nan's pupils suddenly shrank, and he subconsciously tightened his grip.

Xia Chi was completely oblivious, still immersed in the memories of that summer: "I saw your performance. The song 'Heart Towards the Sunshine' you sang during the competition was really beautiful."

As he spoke, he began to hum: "If you turn your heart to the sunshine, you won't lose your way. Hope can bloom even on the thorny road. No matter how long the darkness lasts, it will eventually be illuminated by the stars. I want to be the wings that chase the light..."

Before the song ended, Jiang Nan had already walked quickly to the front. The light from the billboard stretched his thin shadow, like a reed broken by the wind.

"Eh?" Xia Chi jogged to catch up and finally noticed something was wrong.

"Um..." He scratched his head helplessly: "Actually, filming is pretty good! An idol like you who is good-looking, has great acting skills, and sings well is simply the benchmark of the industry, haha..."

The dry laughter was swallowed by the strong smell of disinfectant in the hospital. Jiang Nan's drooping eyelashes cast two shadows on his pale face, and the starlight in his eyes had long been extinguished.

Director Luo Jian had obviously called in advance. In the outpatient hall, Dean Chu, with his graying temples, hurried over to greet him. Seeing the popular star, he remained calm and nodded gently, saying, "Come upstairs with me."

Jiang Nan followed the old man silently.

The hospital stairwell looked like a ruin forgotten by time, the pale ceiling lights casting spider-web-like cracks on the concrete walls.

Jiang Nan's fingertips touched the cool iron handrail, its mottled rust a stark reminder of the erosion of his self over the years. Around the corner, the glass of a fire hydrant reflected their overlapping figures—countless reflections, recurring like his own recurring compromises and struggles.

He suddenly stopped and heard the wind blowing from far away, carrying the hot air of his eighteen years old and the sharp chirping of cicadas in the sycamore tree outside the practice room.

[Young man, do your ideals still exist? ]

******

After Jiang Nan took an X-ray and confirmed that his bone was fractured, he was taken by the director to get a plaster cast.

Xia Chi sat bored on the bench in the second-floor corridor.

This location is an excellent viewing platform - the glass fence behind you can see the entire first-floor lobby. Doctors in white coats are walking hurriedly, nurses are pushing medicine carts with clanking sounds, and patients are queuing in front of the registration window.

Xia Chi swung his legs, admiring the various aspects of human life as if he were watching a pantomime.

[Hmm… Monthly salary is 3,000, and I saved money for my son's wedding without eating or drinking. I saved 150,000 in five years. I got a heat stroke and spent 120,000 in the ICU for 10 days. My son wants to have his tube removed? Tsk tsk tsk, Sister Man is really smart. Raising a son is worse than raising a dog.]

Wow, the guy who just got wheeled in for emergency treatment is a true genius. He got run over by a semi-trailer loaded with rebar, but only sustained injuries to his head...and toes. Not only did he survive, but his helmet didn't even seem to bend at all... What brand is that? Send a link to your family.

[What? Falling from the twelfth floor and breaking your pinky finger? Your ancestors must have hit their heads down there...]

Xia Chi was leisurely recounting the sufferings of the world, when suddenly he stood up.

[Oh my god, what does this guy mean by carrying a fire axe around his waist? Is he going to start a medical dispute?]

【This is incredible.】

He quickly pinched his fingers, feeling something was wrong, and rushed to the stairs, but when he turned around, he ran into two people standing behind him.

Jiang Nan and Dean Chu were looking at him with indescribable expressions.

Xia Chi was afraid of touching the plaster on Jiang Nan's left arm, so he subconsciously took a half step back and almost fell back onto the bench.

"Ahaha..." He laughed dryly. "Is the plaster done?"

"Yeah." Jiang Nan nodded.

"As long as it's done." Xia Chi spoke quickly: "The X-ray has been sent to Director Luo. Director Luo specially sent his assistant to pick you up. He should be here soon. You can rest here for a while. I'm going to the bathroom. You don't have to wait for me. I'll ride my electric scooter back--"

Xia Chi quickly finished his instructions and ran away in the opposite direction of the bathroom.

After going downstairs, the strange man with the fire axe on his waist had disappeared at the east end of the corridor...