Chapter 24 A Birthday Surprise

Today’s heavy snow arrived at just the right moment. Lin Xi had a crying scene to shoot, in which she learns her parents were killed by her revered master, and suffers in anguish in the snowy field. There was no need for artificial snow.

This was a scene that truly tested her acting skills, the climax and turning point of the entire story.

Lin Xi began preparing early in the morning, memorizing lines and cultivating the emotional state.

“Good! Ready! Action!” Lu Jin gave the order to start filming.

In the frame, Ruan Wushuang wandered aimlessly through the snowy day, her whole body trembling.

Lu Jin pushed the camera forward, capturing Lin Xi’s face head-on.

She bit her lower lip tightly, fiercely suppressing herself, unwilling to appear so fragile.

Snowflakes fell thickly onto her hair, cheeks, and body. Her footsteps left deep and shallow imprints in the snow.

She recalled her mother gently feeding her when she was little, her father helping her sell candied hawthorns—these were narrated in the script, and Lin Xi silently drew on them to build her emotion.

Yet as she thought of her real parents, a flash of the car accident surged in her mind—the terror of them lunging toward her, and their bloodied faces in the crimson pool.

This made Lin Xi’s eyes turn completely red, tears slowly flowing from her right eye.

Like a flower in the rain, the corners of her eyes stained with red, each tear seeming to fall upon the heart, evoking both tenderness and pain.

Lu Jin watched from behind the camera, silently praising her, giving a close-up—all the way to making this scene a classic, praised online as “the fairy’s tears.”

“Wushuang!” Ye Mochen entered the shot, clearly just having received the news and rushing over at full speed.

The slightly disordered hem of his robe betrayed his panic.

The moment she saw him, Ruan Wushuang shed all her masks, tears pouring out. Her small figure seemed especially fragile amid the snow.

Ruan Wushuang’s body shuddered, her legs went weak, and she toppled unhesitatingly into Ye Mochen’s arms, who quickly caught her, holding her securely.

The pain on Lu Yuxiu’s face wasn’t acting; it was the first time he’d seen Lin Xi cry in front of him.

Though it was just a performance, he could tell the helplessness and agony in her eyes were genuine, leaving him at a loss, almost forgetting his next lines.

Ruan Wushuang sat in the cold snow, Ye Mochen embracing her tightly.

He gently stroked her head, his voice deep: “Cry, I’ll stay with you.”

Ruan Wushuang’s defenses collapsed completely; she clung hard to his robe and sobbed uncontrollably.

Her grief reached its peak—so deep she could barely cry, as if her soul had left her body. This Lin Xi frightened Lu Yuxiu.

Lu Jin pulled the camera back: “Cut!” The shot froze.

Lin Xi heard Director Lu’s voice and slowly returned to herself, steadying her mind, still sniffing and covered in tears, unable to wipe them away before she raised her hand and felt her chin lifted by a large hand. She looked up into a pair of deep, enigmatic eyes, dark and profound.

It was Lu Yuxiu. He gazed at the traces of tears on her face, his brows unconsciously furrowing, and gently wiped the pearls from her cheeks, his movements natural and fluid.

Lin Xi was momentarily stunned, sensing the care and preciousness in his touch—did he feel a hint of tenderness for her?

“Yuxiu, what’s wrong? We’re acting! I’m already out of character!” Lin Xi paid no mind to her tear-stained face, shaking his arm gently, her voice still soft and muffled.

He responded with a low “Mm,” closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, clarity had returned.

The others on set watched their interaction, feeling their hearts touched.

“Xi.” Lu Yuxiu picked up a coat and wrapped Lin Xi tightly.

“What is it?” Lin Xi took the hand warmer passed by Mia, blinking at him, her nose still red from crying.

“You… Did you study acting in Country Y? Did you attend university there?” Lu Yuxiu couldn’t help but ask about her past life.

Lin Xi arched her brows, answering straightforwardly, “Yes, I studied at Gresley University in Country Y, and my mentor was Director Darren~” As she spoke, she was a little proud.

“Darren? The internationally renowned director?” Lu Yuxiu was taken aback.

“Mm-hmm!” Lin Xi felt a touch of pride; it had been no small feat to become his student.

Lu Yuxiu suddenly understood—no wonder Xi’s acting was so superb, trained by the “madman director.”

——————————————

That night, Lin Xi was resting in the makeup room when the sound of knocking suddenly came from outside. Wen Jin burst in, face filled with panic.

“Xi… Xi, something’s wrong! Come out and see, the power’s out!” Wen Jin was out of breath.

“What? The power’s out? How could that be?” Lin Xi obviously didn’t believe it—how could the power go out in the crew?

But Wen Jin turned and left immediately, and Lin Xi, unable to resist her curiosity, got up and followed.

The moment she stepped out, darkness enveloped her. She couldn’t see her hand in front of her face—was there really a power outage? Lin Xi began to believe it, but the silence around her was unsettling. She tentatively called, “Jin?”

The only reply was silence.

Just as she was about to give up and go back, candlelight flickered in a corner, shining like the sun in the darkness.

“Happy birthday to you~ happy birthday to you~ happy birthday…” Cheerful singing filled the air, and the flickering candlelight slowly approached Lin Xi.

Lin Xi suddenly understood—it was her birthday today, something she had completely forgotten amid her busy schedule.

She saw who was celebrating for her: Lu Yuxiu was holding the cake, his handsome face shifting between light and shadow in the candlelight.

Behind him were many actors, assistant directors, and staff from the crew—even Director Lu, Gu Jue, and Gu Yao were among them.

Lin Xi’s eyes instantly reddened, and she covered her mouth with both hands in disbelief.

Lu Yuxiu smiled at her, his voice gentle: “Xi, happy birthday. Make a wish.”

Lin Xi saw the “25” candles on the cake—she was already twenty-five this year. She pressed her hands together, closed her eyes, made her wish, and blew out the candles.

The moment the candles went out, the lights came on, revealing a sea of smiling faces.

“Whoo-hoo, happy birthday, Xi!” “Another year older!” “Happy birthday~”

Everyone on set chimed in with their blessings, and Lin Xi felt her heart completely filled.

What a warm family this was!

In the ancient city, January’s wind was biting and snow covered the sky, but the “Age of Prosperity” crew was full of warmth and affection.

“Thank you, everyone! I almost can’t bear to wrap up filming!” Lin Xi spoke with heartfelt emotion.

“Haha! Let’s keep shooting forever!” Even the usually stern Lu Jin joked.

The atmosphere grew even more joyous.

“Xi, congratulations on getting older!” Gu Yao stepped forward, tactlessly remarking.

Lin Xi laughed in exasperation—where was her knife?

She retorted coldly, “Fourth Brother, be a decent person!”

Her words sent the crowd into fits of laughter.

Gu Jue came forward, lightly glaring at Gu Yao: “Xi, happy birthday. Just ignore Yao.”

Gu Yao felt aggrieved, naturally seeking comfort by Wen Jin’s side. Wen Jin watched his little gesture, her heart blossoming.

Lin Xi gently hugged Gu Jue. “Third Brother, even you, the busy man, came!”

Though she said it, she wasn’t surprised—her brothers never missed her birthday.

“Of course. Nothing’s more important than your birthday,” Gu Jue replied, handing over a gift. “This is from me and your sister-in-law. She’s on a case and couldn’t make it, but wanted me to tell you.”

“All right, thank you, Third Brother.” Lin Xi responded, though a bit disappointed her sister-in-law wasn’t there, but delighted with the gift. “I’ll open it later.”

Thanks to Lin Xi’s birthday, Lu Jin specially rescheduled tonight’s night scenes, giving everyone a bit of a break.

Gu Jue also sent over all kinds of food and drinks, treating the crew to a feast.

Wen Jin quietly pulled Lin Xi aside, whispering, “Xi, rumor has it all of this was orchestrated by God Xiu~” Her words exploded in Lin Xi’s heart.

Lin Xi instinctively looked around, quickly spotting him talking with Fourth Brother.

In the distance, Gu Yao lightly punched Lu Yuxiu’s shoulder, tone admiring, “Not bad, brother. Everything’s just what Xi likes.”

Lu Yuxiu smiled faintly. Heaven knew how many people he’d asked, how many books he’d read. He’d finally coaxed her preferences out of Mia.

“Pew—bang!”

Suddenly, brilliant fireworks lit up the sky outside, bursting and falling, beautiful and fleeting.

Lin Xi was unconsciously drawn toward them, stepping outside to gaze upward.

Lu Yuxiu had already walked over.

Under the glow of fireworks, the girl’s features softened, her smile blossomed like a flower, lips red and teeth white, pure and radiant.

Lu Yuxiu lowered his gaze, admiring Lin Xi’s lovely face. His heart melted, though his appearance was still cool and indifferent—the indulgence in his eyes was unmistakable.

He hoped she could be happy every day, just like when she was a child: bright smiles, sparkling eyes. For that, he’d do anything willingly.

You’re watching the fireworks; I’m watching you.

Some staff who saw the scene couldn’t help but take out their phones and snap a photo.

The picture of “looking down at the beauty” was posted online.

The atmosphere was so beautiful, and since both were in costume, everyone knew it was for Lin Xi’s birthday. The comment section was filled with congratulations, with no unpleasant words at all.

—Ahhh, she’s so beautiful, her smile is truly healing! Happy birthday!!!

—The Xi Sunshine Club wishes our darling a happy birthday! May your future be dazzling and glorious!!!

—Wow, my idol couple, I’m in love! “Age of Prosperity” please air soon, I can’t wait!

This scene was simply straight out of a romance drama!

Just then, Lin Xi’s phone rang. She glanced at it, answered, and unconsciously smiled.

“Big Brother!” Her voice was lively, not minding Lu Yuxiu standing beside her, nor noticing the shadow in his gaze.

“Xi, happy birthday.” Feng Mo’s magnetic voice came through the phone. “How is it? Are you getting used to being back home?”

“I am! Don’t worry, Big Brother. If I’m unhappy, I’ll come find you!” Lin Xi’s eyes sparkled, curving in a mischievous smile, deliberately joking to ease Feng Mo’s worries.

She didn’t notice that as she said this, Lu Yuxiu beside her grew colder and more distant.

“That’s good. I sent you a birthday red envelope; don’t forget to claim it.” His voice was always unemotional, but gentler toward Lin Xi.

“Mm-hmm! Thank you for the shower of red envelopes, Big Brother! Love you, love you!” Lin Xi replied cheerfully.

They chatted a bit more and hung up.

Turning around, Lin Xi met Lu Yuxiu’s expressionless face. She felt puzzled and instinctively explained, “That was my big brother. He sends me red envelopes every year, but it’s always the same!”

“Oh.” Lu Yuxiu’s face remained blank, but the chill emanating from him was impossible to ignore.

“….” Lin Xi touched her nose, looking innocent. Why did she feel he was angry? Had she done something wrong?

Lu Yuxiu turned away, refusing to look at her. She had just said “love” to another man right in front of him. He struggled to contain his anger—he knew how much it irked him when she mentioned “going back.”

He’d finally found her; how could he let her leave again? Yet right now, he had no grounds to control her decisions. She could leave him at any moment.

Thinking this, he couldn’t stop himself from wanting to seize her, bind her to his side, never letting her go.

Of course, that was impossible. Now, he urgently wanted to uncover her background, what she’d experienced, and what truly happened in the Lin family all those years ago—only then would he have more confidence.

He clenched his fists. There was someone who could tell him.