RED Chapter 76

Chang Haoqing’s expression must have been too obvious because Rong Jin calmly explained, “Adults’ choices always come with the readiness to bear the consequences.”

Wanting everything without giving up anything, while still hoping for the best result, is something only children do.

Chang Haoqing retorted defiantly, “Bah, only kids choose between options. Adults want everything!”

Despite his tough words, Chang Haoqing’s emotions were complex. He didn’t know whether to be moved by Rong Jin’s attempt to protect him before making a reckless decision or to be angry at him for not taking a safer path. Or maybe… he should give his friend some blessings?

Rong Jin chuckled softly and said, “I want everything too, but I’m afraid that would be too greedy. In the end, I might end up with nothing.”

He gently stroked Oreo’s head before continuing, “I might never meet someone like this again.”

His voice was soft, but Chang Haoqing heard it clearly. The tender sorrow in his words cut like a knife.

Chang Haoqing bit his lip and finally said, “Alright, let’s figure out the numbers! If you survive, you can make up the difference!”

Rong Jin held his “son” and listened as Chang Haoqing calculated the figures, enduring countless heartfelt scoldings.

This time, he didn’t retort, letting his friend vent his frustrations to the fullest.

After venting years of accumulated emotions, Chang Haoqing finally said, “Don’t always expect the worst. Maybe… maybe it’ll work out.”

Rong Jin smiled, “Yes, maybe it’ll work out.”

Compared to Chang Haoqing, who had been fully briefed, Rong Jin’s friends were more bewildered. Ning Xuan, who was sound asleep, was suddenly woken up by a call from Rong Jin, thinking it was an emergency. Instead, she heard, “I’m going to pursue love, so let’s break off our friendship. I’ll wire the money for your wedding gift; buy whatever you want.”

Ning Xuan was stunned.

Her drowsiness was completely dispelled, and her goddess-like image vanished as her temper flared. She snapped, “Are you crazy? What does your love life have to do with me?”

After yelling, she realized what she had said. “Rong Jin! Are you recording some show? Wait… you hung up on me?”

When she tried calling back, the line was busy. She cursed again, waking the person beside her.

The person mumbled, “What’s going on?”

Ning Xuan quickly reassured him, “Nothing, go back to sleep. Rong Jin’s lost it. I’ll make a call.”

She was about to leave the room, but Qi Ming gently held her back, “Just call here, don’t catch a cold.”

His voice was still sleepy but very gentle, and he pulled the quilt over Ning Xuan.

Ning Xuan felt her anger melt away. She snuggled closer to him, suppressing a laugh, and called her manager, Cao Chen, speaking in a low voice.

After Rong Jin had disturbed all his few friends, he turned off his phone and went to sleep.

Chang Haoqing was nearly driven mad by calls from the agents of those celebrities. Reflecting on the huge “severance package” he had received from Rong Jin, he regretted not asking for more. Damn, he should have demanded ten times as much!

Chi Feiran had no idea that Rong Jin was this audacious. He was both sweetly thrilled and anxious.

Was Rong Jin indulging him because he saw him as a kid, or did he actually like him?

He desperately wanted to know the answer. Sometimes, he even felt like plucking petals off the decorative flowers at home to find out.

Should he just ask directly?

Calling or texting seemed too informal.

Chi Feiran psyched himself up. Next time they met, he would ask in person!

But when they actually met next time, despite his determination, he couldn’t muster the courage. His face puffed up, but his bravery didn’t. What if Rong Jin didn’t have feelings for him? Would he not want to see him anymore?

Rong Jin ruffled Chi Feiran’s hair, “Don’t overthink. Focus on your exams.”

Chi Feiran nodded, “…Okay.”

Alright, exams were important.

Rong Jin’s tutoring continued until the end of January, and at the same time, significant events unfolded in the entertainment industry.

The Chinese director Zhuo Jiansheng’s film Wanrong received multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Foreign Language Film, reigniting the Chinese public’s hope for Oscar success.

Wanrong is named after the last empress of China, and the film tells the story of this legendary woman’s life, from glory to decline.

As soon as the nominations were announced, discussions on the film’s chances of winning began. While opinions varied on its likelihood of winning, it was clear that Zhuo Jiansheng had high ambitions for the Oscars.

The film depicted Empress Wanrong, who had received Western education yet was the Empress of China, highlighting the clash of Eastern and Western ideologies, the decadence of a fallen dynasty, and elements of war. With its biographical nature, which is often favored by the Oscars, the film seemed like a strong contender.

Chi Feiran, influenced by the analyses, felt that it would be hard for the film not to win.

Rong Jin, however, just smiled. Although he hoped for a win for Chinese cinema, the nomination list suggested that it might be another disappointing year for Chinese filmmakers.

Sensing Rong Jin’s lack of optimism, Chi Feiran didn’t pursue the topic further.

In February, Chi Feiran’s application to the Performance Department of A City Film Academy made headlines on Weibo. Along with a few other established celebrities, his participation in the entrance exam became a hot topic on entertainment news outlets, where he was frequently dubbed the “most handsome exam candidate.”

Despite being somewhat anxious about the exams, Chi Feiran felt confident after over a month of intensive preparation with Rong Jin. He trusted Rong Jin’s judgment.

Since Rong Jin said he could do it, Chi Feiran believed it.

The preliminary exam went smoothly. With sections on recitation and vocal performance, Chi Feiran, a singer with extensive stage experience, had an advantage over some candidates who struggled due to the crowd.

The second round introduced an acting component, followed by the third round, which included a written test and physical demonstration, along with talent showcases. Chi Feiran performed a Tai Chi sword routine, which he had learned from the martial arts instructor on the set of Heroic Bones. Though he wasn’t sure of its specific style, the moves were impressive and visually appealing.

For the talent showcase, Chi Feiran simply played and sang a song. While he kept his performance straightforward, his peers surprised him with a variety of acts, from magic tricks and crosstalk to opera singing. One candidate even tried to perform a fire-breathing act but was stopped by the teachers.

The solo improvisation section was no pressure for Chi Feiran. In the group improvisation, his teammates looked at him expectantly since he was the only one with professional experience. Chi Feiran took the lead, shared his ideas, and they all went with it.

Chi Feiran only applied to A City Film Academy, so after the exams, he could relax and wait for the results.

However, the first thing he did after the exams wasn’t to unwind. He called Rong Jin and asked, “Rong-ge, do you have time on New Year’s Eve?”

Rong Jin was curious, “Hmm? What’s up?”

Chi Feiran’s voice dropped a bit, “I want to see you.”

New Year’s Eve fell on February 14th that year.

Valentine’s Day. Chi Feiran had chosen this day to confess his feelings. He had thought about waiting longer, growing a bit more, becoming even better, before telling Rong Jin about his feelings.

That impulsive kiss, even though it couldn’t be considered a real kiss, had changed the dynamic between them. During this time, Chi Feiran had come to realize that everything he felt was not a mere illusion.

If someone needed to make the first move in their relationship, he would be the one to do it.

Rong Jin was silent for a moment before he replied, “Okay.”

February 14th seemed to arrive in the blink of an eye. This time, they didn’t meet at Rong Jin’s house but in a private room at a club where Rong Jin had a stake. It was a place frequented by celebrities and known for its privacy.

Chi Feiran placed a box on the table and pushed it towards Rong Jin, saying, “A gift.”

When Rong Jin opened the box, he saw a large heart-shaped green diamond resting quietly on the velvet lining, emitting a captivating sparkle.

Chi Feiran explained, “This diamond is called ‘Hope.'”

Rong Jin looked up at him and softly asked, “Why did you think of giving me this?”

Chi Feiran’s heart was pounding. Because I have hope—hope that one day, you will love me too.

He opened his mouth to speak his mind, but Rong Jin raised his hand and pushed the diamond back.

Chi Feiran felt as if he had fallen into an icy pit. Was this a rejection?

But then, Rong Jin’s outstretched hand grasped his hand on the table, transmitting warmth through his palm. That warmth seemed to spread from his fingertips.

Rong Jin spoke gently, “I didn’t prepare a gift today, and there are things I can’t tell you yet. Can you wait for me?”

In his amber eyes was a warm, inviting glow, “Keep the gift for now. I’ll come to collect it.”

Chi Feiran tightened his grip on Rong Jin’s warm hand, “How long do I have to wait? Do you still think of me as a child…”

Do you think my feelings are immature, and you’re just stalling until I grow up?

Rong Jin said, “No, I just have some things I haven’t dealt with yet. Give me a few more days.”

Chi Feiran looked at him for a long time before saying, “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

Rong Jin pulled Chi Feiran’s hand to his face, feeling the cold fingers gradually warm up before he let go.

After leaving the club, Rong Jin drove straight back to a home he hadn’t visited in a long time.

The old family residence, located in the historic district, had an exterior of white walls and black tiles, exuding a sense of antiquity. Inside, however, it was a masterpiece of landscaping, creating a serene environment.

Unlike the opulent grandeur of the Chi family estate, the Rong family home was understated, a place where simplicity met sophistication.

The Rong family had a reputation for scholarly excellence. The family records boasted more than a handful of top scholars and countless other distinguished graduates from the imperial examination era. If one of the Rong siblings didn’t pass such exams back then, they might not even dare to show their face during New Year’s dinner.

Even though the imperial examination system no longer existed, the Rong family members still excelled academically. Entering the Rong family hall felt like walking into a national research institute meeting. Distinguished scholars and academicians filled the room, creating an atmosphere of intellectual rigor. Even those slightly less prestigious were esteemed educators, many sporting a pair of glasses on their noses.

Amongst these intellectuals, Rong Jin, with his gleaming presence, seemed out of place.

Indeed, he was the black sheep of the family.

From a young age, Rong Jin was the most outstanding among his peers—smart and good-looking, he had high expectations placed on him by the elders.

Yet, at sixteen, he abruptly decided to stop studying and insisted on becoming an actor, despite all the persuasion, scolding, and punishment from his family.

An actor? To the old-fashioned minds of his family, that was tantamount to being a performer of the lowest kind, hardly respectable.

While some might argue that true performers preserve traditional culture, actors, especially celebrities, were viewed with disdain for their frivolous and scandal-ridden lives.

For outsiders, pursuing such a career might be acceptable, but not for a Rong family member. It was seen as a disgrace to the family’s reputation.

The conversation stopped as everyone’s attention turned to Rong Jin, the disgrace. He stood there, unperturbed by their scrutiny.

His father, Rong Qin, among the crowd, first showed surprise, then anger, as he exclaimed, “You dare come back!”

Rong Jin didn’t want to argue, so he said, “I came back to say something. Dad, Mom, can we talk privately?”

Rong Qin was adamant, “Say it here!”

Rong Jin sighed, knowing his father’s unyielding nature. He turned to his mother, who gently tugged at her husband’s sleeve, only for Rong Qin to brush her off.

Rong Jin took a deep breath. He hadn’t intended to upset his parents during the New Year, but it was the only time he could get them together.

Many top Chinese talents had dedicated themselves to the country, and the Rong family, being among the best, had contributed significantly. Some were so absorbed in their projects that they were out of touch for years, making it hard for Rong Jin to bond with his parents.

After his younger brother Rong Yi was born, Rong Jin felt even more distant from his parents.

Rong Jin’s generation bore the “Ri” character in their names. Unlike other children, he had always felt a keen need for affection, perhaps due to the lack of parental involvement in his upbringing.

He understood his parents’ commitment to their country, but having never experienced much familial love, he craved it deeply.

That’s why he had pursued a career in acting—to be loved by many.

Now, having achieved that dream, his focus shifted. He wanted Chi Feiran’s love, and he wanted to love Chi Feiran in return.

Knowing his father’s temperament was unchangeable, Rong Jin saw this as his only chance to complete a family task once and for all.

With a loud thud, he knelt on the stone floor, not hesitating for a second. Like his declaration about not wasting his face by not becoming a star, he straightforwardly announced, “I am gay. I like men.”