Chapter Fifty-Three: Lovers

  "Hey, Linlin." After several rounds of haggling, He Mu finally settled on calling Zhang Zilin "Linlin", having originally wanted to call her "Sister Lin". However, Zhang Zilin insisted that she was a year older than He Mu and refused.

  Linlin still seemed to be angry, responding with a lukewarm tone. After all, they had agreed to call each other every day, but yesterday she was stood up and left waiting the whole night. In the end, she put aside her pride and called him proactively, only to find that He Mu didn't answer the phone, which really infuriated her.

  To make up for it, He Mu used all his might to tell many embarrassing stories they encountered while filming in Yunnan, and finally made Zhang Zilin laugh. He repeatedly guaranteed that such a thing would never happen again. As for the fact that he was injured, not a word was said. In his opinion, "injury" is not a glorious thing for a man, so he naturally wouldn't publicize it loudly.

  In the crew of "Soldier Assault", He Mu was injured to save people, which is definitely a big publicity stunt. This not only praises He Mu but also benefits the drama greatly. Under the instruction of Hu Lang, He Mu was seriously injured while saving his fellow actor and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. The news spread quickly and quietly appeared in various entertainment sections of newspapers and magazines, earning praise from media personnel.

  He Mu, who was recovering in the hospital, did not know about this until his friends from the entertainment industry started calling to console him, and only then did he realize that his story had spread far and wide.

  This spread quickly, and soon Zhang Zilin also saw the news in a corner of an gossip magazine. He thought back to the day when He Mu didn't call him, which seemed to be the same day as his accident. Zhang Zilin felt both regretful and heartbroken, and immediately called He Mu at the first opportunity.

  "You're hurt, why didn't you tell me!" Zhang Zilin didn't know what position he was asking from, creditor? Friend? Or...

  Hearing Zhang Zilin's anxious and urgent voice, He Mu felt a bit self-satisfied. With a smile at the corner of his mouth, he explained: "Actually, it's not that serious, you don't have to worry about me."

  "Who's worried about you!" Zhang Zilin said with a hard mouth, but the second sentence exposed him, "Which hospital are you in? I'll go see you."

  "No need, I've already been discharged," said He Mu.

  "Is it okay to be discharged now?" Zhang Zilin asked worriedly.

  "It's nothing." He Mu joked a few more sentences, indicating that he was absolutely fine. He didn't tell Zhang Zilin that he would be returning to the capital soon and wanted to give her a surprise.

  Because Hawick Lau's injury has not fully recovered, although he can be discharged from the hospital, filming is still difficult. Therefore, the director will first film scenes that do not require Hawick to appear, and wait until Hawick is fully recovered before re-shooting those missed scenes. Moreover, Hawick's remaining scenes are not many, so it won't be too troublesome.

  During the time of He Mu's recuperation, Xiao Fang called him back to the capital to meet with Zhang Ji Zhong and discuss "The Deer and the Cauldron" and the role of Kang Xi, this time he seemed full of confidence.

  Zhang Jizhong was really convinced this time and didn't dare to underestimate Xiao Fang again. Previously, he thought that Xiao Fang's father had retired from his position at the General Administration of Radio and Television for so many years, and his original influence should have disappeared. However, he did not expect that Xiao Fang's elder sister would rise rapidly in the General Administration of Press and Publication, and it was very likely that she would take up a high-ranking position. With just one sentence from her, an inconspicuous actor could be reported extensively by the media and instantly become a moral model in the entertainment industry. This kind of ability made him both yearn for and fear it. After all, his own path to success had many shortcomings that he didn't want others to know about. If the high-level officials at the General Administration of Press and Publication wanted to deal with him, he would only have to passively endure the beating. Who let them be in charge of controlling public opinion?

  He Mu returned to Beijing and immediately went to a certain hotel with Xiao Fangda Tang, followed by Zhang Jiming and Yu Min, the director of "The Deer and the Cauldron".

  Zhang Jizhong's signature big beard and flamboyant personality have given him a reputation in the mainland entertainment industry that is no less than that of a general celebrity, with female waitresses constantly glancing at him intentionally or unintentionally, while the handsome He Mu has attracted little attention.

  Zhang Jizhong's physique was imposing, and his half-white hair and big beard made him easily intimidating to others. However, He Mu looked at him calmly, without showing any fawning or flattering due to Zhang's status in the circle.

  Having seen many stars and big names humble themselves, He Mu's pride made Zhang Jizhong somewhat unaccustomed to it. He liked actors who absolutely obeyed him. However, He Mu's state was quite in line with the emperor's temperament of Kangxi, from this point of view, his image is still relatively qualified.

  To break the ice, Xiao Fang started with Kang Honglei, who is currently collaborating closely with Hu Ge. He had also collaborated with Zhang Jizhong on several works such as "Passionate Years", "Green Robe" and "Migrant Workers". They can be considered old acquaintances. With Kang Honglei as a breakthrough, He Mu immediately became more talkative and started simple conversations even with the not-so-familiar Zhang Jizhong.

  At the end of the dinner, Zhang Jicheng told Xiao Fang that they could start promoting their work now. One month later, they would formally sign a contract and join the group in August. This period of time allowed He Mu to handle his current work clearly and prepare seriously.

  After Yu Min broke up with Zhang Ji, Xiao Fang also took the lead and went home. Da Tang instructed He Wu for a few words: "It's just these two days, the company will focus on promoting you as the second male lead in joining 'The Deer and the Cauldron', at that time there will definitely be many reporters surrounding you, remember not to care how they ask, just say it's not clear yet."

  He Mu nodded, indicating that he didn't understand. If this matter is clarified at once, it will be meaningless. It's necessary to keep the media in suspense, let them pay attention to you, stare at you, harass you, and prepare for an interview with you at any time until the formal start of filming, and the ownership of important roles can be used as a topic for hype.

  After passing by Datang, He Mu dialed Zhang Zilin's phone number. "Zilin, where are you?"

  "I'm at the apartment, it's where you sent me last time." Zhang Zilin found this a bit amusing, did this count as checking up on her?

  "Can you come down for a trip? I've asked someone in Yunnan to send you some stuff."

  "Oh, now? Alright." Zhang Zilin kicked off her slippers and went downstairs, but the downstairs was empty with no one in sight.

  Seeing Zhang Zilin wearing a cool summer outfit running out, He Mu, who was hiding in the dark, very childishly covered Zhang's eyes from behind: "Guess who I am."

  Zhang Zilin wouldn't be so obedient, she stepped on He Mu's shoe and turned around, "Hmph", "You actually snuck back without telling me."

  He Mu exaggeratedly wailed, "This, this is a surprise."

  "How are you now?"

  "It hurts, it really hurts," He Mu said, pointing to his foot, then casually putting his arm around Zhang Zilin's shoulder. "You have to support me while I walk."

  Zhang Zilin shook off He Mu's arm, "I asked you how your injury is." Who said anything about your foot? I haven't even worn high heels to step on you yet, sparing you! Zhang Zilin thought.

  "In two more days I'll be going back to film, what do you think?" He Mu asked back.

  "It seems like nothing's wrong after all. Then why did you look for me today?" Zhang Zilin brushed aside the hair on her forehead.

  He Mu helped Zi Lin put her hair behind her ears, and his fingers also playfully swept across her delicate face. "Don't pretend to be stupid, you know why I'm looking for you, don't you?"

  This action is too bold, generally it's impossible for non-couples to make such intimate moves, He Mu has already shown his true feelings through his actions.

  Zhang Zilin's face suddenly turned crimson as she looked at the extremely confident He Mu. She really wanted to say something to crush his spirit, but nearly two months of midnight conversations had made her develop a special dependence on He Mu. She couldn't get used to days without him, just like the day he got hurt, she was so anxious that she almost went crazy. One thing was certain: He Mu had already occupied an important place in her heart and was also the first man to enter her inner world.

  She couldn't say no, but still made a last-ditch effort: "But we've only met three times, and maybe we don't understand each other very well yet."

  "Come on, I even know what size shoes you wear. We've already met the conditions for a relationship." He Mu said with certainty, jokingly. After two months of phone calls and spending over a thousand yuan on phone bills, what's not to understand?

  "Oh, okay then." Zhang Zilin completely compromised, compromising with the aggressive He Mu and also compromising with his own heart.

  He Mian had already made preparations for a long-term struggle with Zhang Zilin, but he didn't expect to take her down so easily. It was a bit unexpected, yet also somewhat expected.

  What to do next? No experience is a hard wound, two love fools after confirming the relationship just stared at each other in a daze, shy and unsure of what to do next.

  It's okay. He Muo got inspiration from many literary works, he held Zhi Lin's slender hand, "How about taking a walk around the neighborhood?"

  Zhang Zilin nodded in obedience, otherwise she didn't know what else to do either.

  The two were still basking in the freshness of having confirmed their relationship, and on the way, neither of them spoke a word, nor did they know what to say. They felt that before, they could talk about anything without restraint, but now that their relationship was different, what they said had to be different too. But how were they supposed to "talk romance" and what were they supposed to say? That was the question.

  One circle after another, they walked around the neighborhood three times. He Muo, who was still recovering from his injuries, was getting a bit exhausted, but Zhang Zilin, who often went for walks, seemed like nothing was wrong with him. "Zilin, let's stop here today, I'm leaving."

  "Oh," Zhang Zilin responded, discovering that He Mu was still holding her hand. The reluctant look on his face made her heart skip a beat. "You're not leaving after all? Why aren't you going?"

  "We haven't said goodbye with a kiss yet." He Mu pouted, shaking Zi Lin's small hand.

  "No way, I'm not ready yet." Zhang Zilin said firmly. After a kiss, who knows if this guy will ask to stay overnight? Men are all animals that take advantage of every inch they get.

  He Mu boldly planted a deep, passionate kiss on Zhang Zilin's forehead, "If I don't mark you with my seal, I'll always worry that someone else will run off with you."

  Zhang Zilin looked at He Mu, who was half a head taller than himself, and then glanced at his tiptoes, "Hehe" burst out laughing, "This time you can put your heart at ease, little rascal."

  Seeing Zhang Zilin laugh so happily, He Mu frowned and said: "Hey, have some sympathy, standing on tiptoes is tiring, I haven't even practiced ballet."

  ……

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