Chapter 14: Before the Shoot
More than half a month had passed since the Mid-Year Gala. During this period, Lin Qin had stayed home, poring over scripts. As his fame grew, the number of scripts landing in Chu Hong's hands also increased significantly.
However, the scripts varied wildly in quality, ranging from lowbrow comedies and idol dramas catering to market trends to supposedly highbrow but poorly researched historical dramas riddled with plot holes. Lin Qin often needed only a quick glance before discarding such scripts.
Indeed, Lin Qin and his team set exceedingly high standards for script selection. Their vision for Lin Qin was that of a serious actor who let awards speak for his talent. Otherwise, Lin Qin wouldn't have agreed to take on two art films.
Moreover, Lin Qin genuinely loved acting and approached it with deep dedication. Having entered this industry, he was determined to deliver his very best performances and present the best works possible.
When Lin Qin acted, he entirely immersed himself in the role, forgetting he was Lin Qin and erasing every trace of his real self. He would meticulously craft a backstory for his character, spanning from birth to death, detailing even likes, habits, and quirks. He would also set aside special time to study and experience the profession and lifestyle of his character.
Only by wholly throwing himself into the role and becoming that character could Lin Qin escape the grip of his social anxiety. Being someone else allowed him to attempt to connect with the world. This was one of the primary reasons Lin Qin loved acting.
As for the deeper reason, it was undeniably his desire to follow Meng Chao's path. The mere thought of doing what Meng Chao did made Lin Qin feel blissful.
Clearly, Lin Qin's acting method relied on experiential empathy. This approach was prone to blurring the lines between role and reality, making it difficult for actors to detach from their characters. Yet two renowned directors who had worked with Lin Qin offered strikingly similar praise: Lin Qin was born to act.
Why did they say this about Lin Qin?
Not only could Lin Qin become his character, but he also possessed the rare ability to effortlessly step away from the role afterward. He could quickly distinguish between life and the script, keeping them entirely separate.
This time, a dozen scripts had been sent his way. After reading through each one, Lin Qin found none that captivated him, so he asked Chu Hong to turn them all down.
Chu Hong agreed but didn't hang up right away. Instead, she asked, "Are you ready?"
Lin Qin immediately caught on to what Chu Hong meant and replied, "Yes, I'm ready."
"I don't think so." On the other end of the line, Chu Hong's voice carried a mocking tone. "If you were truly ready, you'd seize this filming opportunity to win over Meng."
Indeed, tomorrow Lin Qin would head to Binhai City to begin filming *We're Together*. For over the next month, he and Meng Chao would be spending their days and nights together.
When Lin Qin first accepted this gig, he had already envisioned such a scenario. Yet, when the day finally arrived, he was still extremely anxious.
So much so that, even though Chu Hong teased him to take this chance to win over Meng, Lin Qin found himself blushing furiously from head to toe, even though he was alone at home. He quickly fumbled to end the call.
H-he wasn't going to pursue Brother Chao! Just being able to live alongside him for over a month would already make his life feel complete.
Lin Qin smiled to himself at the thought, but that night he tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep a wink.
The next day, Lin Qin boarded a plane to Binhai City.
When he arrived at the seaside villa, Meng Chao was already there.
As Lin Qin pushed open the door, he saw Meng Chao lying on the sofa, fast asleep. His long legs seemed to have nowhere to go, making him appear pitiable.
Lin Qin had heard that Meng Chao had wrapped up his work the previous evening and rushed over overnight. He probably hadn't slept at all and had just now dozed off on the sofa.
To avoid disturbing Meng Chao, Lin Qin didn't even bother bringing in his luggage. He tiptoed into the living room, but as soon as he saw Meng Chao, he froze in place.
They hadn't seen each other in over half a month, and Lin Qin had missed him terribly. His gaze fixated on Meng Chao as if glued there; he couldn't look away.
The sea breeze wafted in through the windows, carrying a faint salty tang. The curtains, like sheer veils, fluttered gently, giving the villa an ethereal air.
In the living room, one man lay while the other stood, the latter gazing intently at the former. The tenderness in his eyes was as warm and dazzling as the sunlight streaming through the villa, enough to make one's heart ache.
Suddenly, the man on the sofa opened his eyes. They bore no trace of grogginess, only a lazy, sultry allure.
Caught red-handed in his stolen gaze, Lin Qin's face immediately flushed crimson. He hastily lowered his head.
Meng Chao's lips quirked upward. To spare Lin Qin further embarrassment, he didn't call him out but instead smiled gently and said, "You're here."
"Mm," Lin Qin replied, then couldn't help but ask, "Brother Chao, why aren't you sleeping in the bedroom?"
"I was waiting for you," Meng Chao replied matter-of-factly.
The simple four words landed heavily on Lin Qin's heart, sending sweet ripples coursing through his entire body, making him warm and tingly.
However, Lin Qin didn't know how to respond. Overcome with shyness, he mumbled, "I'll go grab my luggage," and darted back to the door, practically fleeing.
The irresistibly charming yet oblivious Meng propped his chin in his hand, watching Lin Qin's retreating figure with amusement. He chuckled, fully awake now.
Though the official filming was slated to begin the next day, their evening would be relatively relaxed. Still, the director summoned Meng Chao and Lin Qin to discuss some pointers for the shoot.
The director told them, "Tomorrow morning, two guests will arrive. I won't spoil who they are—you'll find out soon enough. Make sure you treat them well and give them a warm, memorable experience."
This surprise-guest concept was one of the main draws of *We're Together*. Having celebrity guests interact with the resident MCs naturally created unexpected sparks.
The director continued with a list of rules. "First, no ordering takeout during filming. All food for entertaining guests must be prepared by you. Second, the show has a tight budget. Any expenses exceeding this budget must be resolved creatively—you can't use your own money. Tomorrow, we'll confiscate your wallets and phones. Third, if you encounter problems during filming, you're not allowed to seek external help. You must find solutions on your own." The director took a sip of water and added, "That's it. I hope we have a pleasant collaboration for the next month."
Lin Qin and Meng Chao replied with smiles, "Looking forward to it."
Though they said this, the rules made it clear the production team intended to put them through the wringer.