The news of Wen Ci signing with Xingci Entertainment and officially making his comeback was announced at 10 AM on a peaceful Saturday morning, instantly rocketing to the top of the trending charts. Previously, the buzz surrounding his divorce from Gao Chen had been expertly fueled by Xingci’s powerful marketing team, keeping Wen Ci at the forefront of public attention for days. Now, with the news of his return, Wen Ci’s popularity surged, overshadowing all the current rising stars.
The most eye-catching topic on the trending lists was the release of a set of Wen Ci’s latest magazine photos by the top men’s magazine Fashion New Man. The images portrayed two contrasting styles: one with a sleek black suit, exuding nobility and elegance, and the other featuring a white shirt and jeans, giving off a fresh and handsome vibe. Fans flooded the comments with excitement.
“Ahhh! Asia’s number one beauty!! All the other ugly ones can get lost!”
“He’s even more handsome than three years ago! Han Ge, get over here and drool!”
“Now I understand why Young Master Han pursued Wen Ci so obsessively for six or seven years. If it were me, I’d do the same—even if it cost me everything.”
“I wasn’t a fan of Gao Chen before, but now I hate him. How could he not cherish Wen Ci?”
“I don’t get the comments. I’ve seen plenty of handsome guys in the entertainment industry, and Wen Ci’s face is just nice-looking at best. It’s the filters and Photoshop that elevate everything.” {Your comment has been deleted.}
“Stop with the filters and focus on improving your acting skills. It’s only fair considering all the good resources you get.” {Your comment has been deleted.}
“The entertainment industry is lucky to have you. Looking forward to your big-screen debut!”
The hashtags #WenCiReturnsToXingciEntertainment, #WenCiComeback, and #FashionNewManWenCi dominated the top spots on the trending list all day. Gao Chen’s name also resurfaced, with more criticism and insults directed at him, accusing him of not appreciating Wen Ci’s love and pursuit back in the day.
At 6 PM, the official Mystery Room account seized the momentum and announced the guest lineup for the new season’s first episode. Originally, the show had five regular guests and four invited guests per episode. After Xia Qing left, the number of regular guests dropped to four, so to maintain the nine-person format, they increased the number of invited guests for this episode to five.
In the group poster showcasing all the guests, Wen Ci was prominently placed in the center. However, what sparked heated discussion among netizens wasn’t Wen Ci’s addition to Mystery Room, but rather the sight of Mo Ming, who was positioned off to the side in the last row. Wearing a linen-colored crewneck sweater, Mo Ming stood quietly as if posing for an ID photo. His gentle, serene demeanor contrasted sharply with the other guests who struck poses with arms crossed, chins raised, or ties tugged to look cool or deep, making Mo Ming stand out even more.
The comments section exploded!
“What is Xi Nan thinking? My brother just made his comeback, and now they’re making him babysit someone who can’t even make it on his own! He’ll drain my brother dry!”
“This Mo Ming guy seems pretty talented, doesn’t he? That period drama he starred in was quite popular. The company just didn’t push him enough.”
“I heard rumors that Han Ge and Mo Ming already broke up. Is that true?”
“They were never really together, okay? Rich people sleeping with actors doesn’t count as being together. Think about it, Han Ge chased Wen Ci for six years, then spent three years with a lookalike. Isn’t it obvious who he really loves? If not, Mo Ming would have been a megastar by now.”
“This feels so weird. Sure, Han Ge is rich and powerful, but it doesn’t seem like he’s done much for Mo Ming. Why would Mo Ming stick with someone who treats him like a stand-in? With his looks, it shouldn’t be hard to find a rich and generous boyfriend. Why be so loyal to someone who sees him as a substitute?”
“He probably fell for him for real. Tried to replace Wen Ci in Han Ge’s heart, but Wen Ci came back before he could.”
“Where do you guys get off belittling Mo Ming like this? He hasn’t had even a fraction of the promo that certain people get in just a day. My baby’s got stunning looks and talent to boot. We’ll see who outshines who on that show!” …
Mo Ming was in the pet store outside his complex, playing with Xiao Han, when he received a call from Xiao Song. He’d been visiting the pet store frequently over the past few days and had become familiar with the owner.
Xiao Han was recovering well; the wound on his eyelid had scabbed over and fallen off, and his once skinny body was now visibly plumper. Every time Mo Ming came by, he’d take Xiao Han out of his cage, attach a leash, and walk him around the small flower beds in front of the store. The little dog strutted around proudly, especially when passing the security guard who had once kicked him. Xiao Han would hold his head high, his entire demeanor screaming, “I have a dad now, who dares touch me…”
Mo Ming still liked to poke Xiao Han’s nose and call him ugly… this little guy might be ugly, but how many years would he accompany Mo Ming down the road ahead?
Holding Xiao Han, Mo Ming placed him back in the cage, then tilted his head to hold his phone between his shoulder and ear as he listened to Xiao Song talk about the recording schedule for Mystery Room.
The recording was scheduled for next Saturday in T City and would last three days, with the show’s team handling all accommodations.
“Also, Sister Nan asked you to come to the office tomorrow. She wants to discuss your future career plans with you.”
“I understand her intentions. Please thank her for me, but it won’t be necessary.”
There was a long silence at Xiao Song’s end, his voice tinged with frustration. “Mo Ge, you’re not seriously planning to quit the entertainment industry after this show, are you? Why? Is it because of Han…”
“Xiao Song.” Mo Ming interrupted gently, “Focus on your work and don’t overthink things.”
Mo Ming had just hung up the call when the shop owner greeted someone at the door, “Xiao Gao, what can I get for you this time?”
The shop owner, being the friendly type, would often address younger customers with a “Xiao” in front of their surname. Gao Chen had only been here twice before, and last time, she had no hesitation in recognizing him.
Gao Chen had just returned from outside and was passing by on his way back to his apartment. He wore a dark gray trench coat, his tall figure towering as he approached the store. Seeing a customer inside, he kept his mask on and asked the owner for a dog leash.
Hearing the familiar voice, Mo Ming instinctively turned his head.
With his mask resting on his chin, Mo Ming’s entire face suddenly came into Gao Chen’s view.
Gao Chen blinked, slightly surprised. “Mo Ming?”
As the sky gradually darkened, the two of them left the pet store and walked home together.
When they had first met by chance at Da Shang Theater, Gao Chen had only found Mo Ming vaguely familiar. He hadn’t known anything about him. In recent years, Gao Chen had been deeply engrossed in his music and rarely paid attention to the domestic entertainment scene. It was only a few days ago that he had stumbled upon information about Mo Ming online, learning that he wasn’t a stranger but someone named Mo Ming.
“I was wondering if I’d have to go back to Mr. Zhou’s theater to find you again.” Gao Chen said politely, his voice cool and sincere.
Mo Ming furrowed his brow slightly and asked softly, “What do you need to find me for?”
“Your words that day resonated with me. After returning home, I thought a lot about what you said, and now I feel like I’ve let go of some unnecessary attachments. I wanted to express my gratitude.”
Mo Ming didn’t bother with formalities and nodded lightly. “If that’s the case, then that’s good to hear.”
They lived in different buildings within the same complex, so they didn’t talk much before reaching a fork in the road where they had to part ways.
Mo Ming nodded goodbye to Gao Chen and was about to leave when Gao Chen called out to him.
“Sorry to ask this…” Gao Chen hesitated, his expression complicated. After a long pause, he finally spoke, “Would you be willing to be the first person to listen to my new song? There’s no other motive. I just want to get the feedback of an ordinary listener. The people I work with and my friends… I worry that they can’t give me an objective opinion.”
“I don’t know much about music.” Mo Ming replied honestly.
“A song’s soul comes from the ordinary listener’s interpretation. My work is for everyone, not just some esoteric art piece.” Gao Chen said, his eyes calm and steady. “But if it’s too much trouble, I apologize. I still appreciate what you said that day.”
Mo Ming looked at Gao Chen… He remembered Zhou Xu telling him that Gao Chen was a proud and reclusive musical genius, someone who disliked involving others in his creative process or having them interfere. He usually preferred to gauge the overall audience’s response after a song was released. For him to seek feedback before a release meant he was grappling with his own insecurities.
“When?” Mo Ming asked. “Online or in person?”
Gao Chen was taken aback for a moment but quickly replied, “Anytime is fine. I’m free for the next few days.”
“Then how about now?” Mo Ming smiled slightly. “Go get your guitar, and we’ll head to the park behind the complex. You play, I’ll listen.”
The clouds that had blocked out the sun and moon for days finally cleared, revealing a sky full of stars.
The large park behind the complex and the adjacent square were frequented by people taking evening strolls. Occasionally, a street performer would strum a guitar and sing under the clear night sky, drawing a small crowd.
Gao Chen had taken care to wear a bucket hat and a black mask, leaving only his light amber eyes visible. With a guitar slung over his shoulder, he moved swiftly. When he met up with Mo Ming, he nodded in thanks.
Mo Ming led Gao Chen to a secluded little pavilion in the park. Pulling down his mask, he said to Gao Chen, “Play ‘On the Road’ first, as payment for having me as your listener tonight.”
Gao Chen was momentarily stunned but then broke into a rare smile. “Okay.”
Mo Ming leaned against the stone table in the pavilion, arms crossed as he gazed at the distant nightscape, listening quietly as Gao Chen began strumming the guitar and singing “On the Road.” It was the song that had brought fame to the group That Sky, a track co-written by Gao Chen and his partner Zhou Xu, and which had made them stars.
Time flies so quickly…
The year On the Road became a hit, he was only fifteen…
“You should be studying, not wasting away in a place like this…”
A lazy smile appeared with a puff of cigarette smoke. “Studying? Are you going to pay for it?”
“I can, but you’ll have to quit smoking first.” Gently taking the cigarette from the young boy’s fingers, a warm voice said, “I don’t like students who smell like smoke…”
A cold night breeze swept in, pulling him out of the depths of his memories.
Mo Ming lowered his head, pinching the bridge of his nose…
“You knew Zhou Xu, didn’t you?”
When the last note of “On the Road” faded, Gao Chen, still seated on the stone bench, spoke softly.
Mo Ming lowered his hand and looked back at the distant horizon with a calm expression. “Why do you say that?”
“The first time we met, you seemed familiar. Now, I finally remember—we met years ago.”
When they first ran into each other at Da Shang Theater, Gao Chen hadn’t been sure why Mo Ming looked so familiar. After learning about him online, he thought it might be because Mo Ming’s eyebrows and features slightly resembled Wen Ci’s, giving him a sense of déjà vu. But now, as he strummed and sang the song he had once performed with his late bandmate, memories of Zhou Xu brought Mo Ming’s figure into focus within that context.
“Were you… Zhou Xu’s lover?” Gao Chen asked cautiously.
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