TFEDLAM 8

The film Heaven’s Secret was being shot at the Jingcheng Film and Television Base. Although the set was closed to the public, that still didn’t stop one or two well-connected industry reporters from sneaking in, cameras in tow.

As soon as Lu Tingchuan and Xia Shi stepped out of the car, he instinctively noticed a long-focus lens peeking out from behind a nearby building.

Xia Shi let out a helpless chuckle. “Looks like we’re making the news again.”

Lu Tingchuan shrugged, completely unfazed. Xia Shi rolled her eyes. “Have you not noticed people online are calling us the ‘Headline Couple’ now?”

This is not without reason. Ever since Xia Shi’s return to China and their relationship went public, they had been dominating headlines nonstop. From the frenzy around the Golden Wheat Awards that lasted nearly two weeks, to being photographed scouting kindergartens for Lu Xuan—they were constantly in the media spotlight. And now, this.

Lu Tingchuan laughed. “So what if they snap photos? What, we’re supposed to hide at home just because they might shoot us?”

Xia Shi shot him a look, but said nothing—they had already arrived on set. Director Zhang and several crew members were walking over to greet them.

Director Zhang beamed. “Ah, so this is Xia Xia. No wonder Tingchuan’s been keeping you under wraps. You’re even more beautiful in person than on screen! Tingchuan, you were just afraid someone would steal her, weren’t you?”

Xia Shi laughed. “You’re too kind, Director Zhang.”

Lu Tingchuan didn’t bother replying, but little Lu Xuan, who was being held in his arms, suddenly piped up, “Mommy’s mine. No one can steal her!”

Everyone burst into laughter at the boy’s earnest declaration.

A crowd of “uncles” and “aunties” swarmed around them.

“This must be Teacher Lu’s little one—so cute!”

“Such handsome features! He looks just like his dad!”

“He’s gonna be a heartthrob when he grows up!”

Lu Xuan shyly buried his face in Lu Tingchuan’s chest with his cheeks and ears turning bright red. Lu Tingchuan smiled. “You guys went too far—he’s embarrassed now.”

More laughter followed.

Xia Shi made the rounds with Lu Tingchuan and met the main cast and crew. Among them was a familiar face: Yun Duo.

“Teacher Lu, Teacher Xia.”

In the industry, “teacher” was the standard polite address—it struck the perfect balance between formality and respect, no matter the context. Xia Shi was still a recognized figure even though she worked behind the scenes so the title was nothing unusual. But hearing it from Yun Duo’s mouth gave Xia Shi pause. She glanced at Lu Tingchuan, who gave her a knowing look and she understood it immediately.

Introductions made, Xia Shi brought out some snacks she had prepared. Lu Xuan enthusiastically offered them to everyone one by one, drawing even more praise—“such a good boy,” “so thoughtful.”

As someone of Lu Tingchuan’s stature, he had a private dressing room. His scenes were scheduled for the afternoon, and it was still early. Heaven’s Secret was a fantasy costume drama, and the makeup required was elaborate and time-consuming. So while Lu Tingchuan went next door to get ready, Xia Shi and Lu Xuan stayed in the lounge.

Lu Xuan asked curiously, “Why do I call her ‘auntie’ outside but ‘aunt’ when we’re home?”

Xia Shi patiently explained, “Because your aunt doesn’t want others to know she’s related to your daddy.”

“Why not?”

“Because your daddy is very famous. If people know they’re related, then even if your aunt is good at what she does, they will still think she only got where she is because of your daddy.”

Lu Xuan frowned, thinking hard.

Xia Shi pulled him into her lap. “Remember that craft contest at your preschool in America? You were paired with Little Fatty, and he didn’t do much, but everyone thought he helped you because he’s older and usually better at crafts?”

Lu Xuan’s eyes lit up. “So it’s the same! Daddy is better than Auntie, and if people know, they’ll say he helped her!”

Xia Shi booped his nose. “Exactly. Smart boy!”

The door opened—Lu Tingchuan was back.

“What are you two whispering about?”

“Yun Duo,” Xia Shi said.

“Ah.” Lu Tingchuan nodded. “She only had a couple scenes to reshoot—those are done. But she’s been staying on set to observe. She’s trying hard, but… a bit lacking in talent.”

Xia Shi blinked. “Didn’t she study fashion? I heard she interned at one of the top five fashion magazines in the country, and they even offered her a job. She turned it down to join the entertainment industry?”

Lu Tingchuan shrugged. “Acting isn’t something hard work alone can fix. She’d probably do much better staying in fashion. But this is the path she chose. My stepmother mentioned it, and since I do have some influence, I couldn’t really say no. I’m helping out for my dad and aunt’s sake.”

Xia Shi nodded. Though Yun Duo was technically his sister, they weren’t blood-related.

When Lu Tingchuan was ten, his parents divorced, and he lived with his mother until her passing in high school. After that, he moved in with his father, Lu Jingshan, who had since remarried. Yun Duo was the daughter of Lu Jingshan’s new wife, Wang Qin. The relationships were tense at first, but with time—and perhaps parenthood softening his perspective—Lu Tingchuan mended things with his father. But his relationship with his stepmother and stepsister, while civil, lacked genuine familial warmth.

Knock knock.

Yun Duo entered. Since there were no outsiders present, Lu Xuan obediently greeted her with “Auntie.” Xia Shi welcomed her in. “It’s been a while. I’ve been back for some time now—three visits home with Tingchuan—and we’ve missed each other every time.”

“I’m new to this field, not from a performing background, so I have to work extra hard. I recently accepted a drama role and have been busy with prep.” Yun Duo smiled, but something about it felt distant.

They hadn’t spent much time together, and their relationship wasn’t particularly close, so Xia Shi didn’t overthink it.

Yun Duo turned to Lu Tingchuan. “Big Brother, I was just outside watching Sister Lili’s death scene. I think she could’ve done better. I’ve got a similar scene next month in Strange Tales of the Demons. Do you have a moment to give me some pointers?”

A clear request for help. Lu Tingchuan glanced at Xia Shi, who nodded.

Yun Duo caught that glance, and an unhappy flicker passed through her heart. Still, seeing that Lu Tingchuan agreed, she smiled and stepped forward.

Lu Tingchuan always had a gift for acting. His debut film was a breakout hit by Director Guo Lin. Whenever he stepped into a scene, he could instantly lose himself in the role, tuning out the world around him.

Even now, still in his regular clothes and only half done with makeup, he seamlessly slipped into the role of an emperor—commanding and regal. Little Lu Xuan was so startled he tightened his grip on Xia Shi’s sleeve, yet his wide eyes peeked out curiously from behind her, mesmerized.

Yes, this is what true acting looked like. Xia Shi thought.

In contrast, Yun Duo was clearly outmatched. Fortunately, Lu Tingchuan was more of a guiding presence than a domineering one, helping her find the emotion in the scene.

The scene: a devoted consort dies saving the emperor, and only then does he realize she was his childhood savior—not the empress, as he’d always believed. It was just a subplot in the film, not even Lu Tingchuan’s actual role. He played a noble-turned-avenger whose family was destroyed by the emperor.

Even so, his delivery and grasp of the emperor’s psychology were flawless.

Yun Duo collapsed in his arms, her gaze full of love and sincerity. Something in Xia Shi’s chest tightened. She couldn’t help but wonder—was she imagining things? Or was there something more in Yun Duo’s eyes?

“Daddy’s so cool!” Lu Xuan’s exclamation snapped her out of it.

The scene had ended. Xia Shi stepped forward with a smile. “Yun Duo, have you considered joining an acting workshop? There are quite a few these days, taught by veteran professors and industry experts.”

Yun Duo flinched slightly, her hands trembling for a split second before steadying. “My schedule’s been really tight. It might not be easy to fit that in.”

Lu Tingchuan added, “That’s not a problem. I can talk to Wei Lin. Xia Xia makes a good point. These workshops aren’t just for learning—you also make connections in the industry. It’s good for your future. You can’t keep coming to me every time you get stuck. I’ve got work too, you know.”

That last line sounded a lot like a rejection.

Yun Duo gripped her script tightly, took a deep breath, and managed to answer calmly, “Understood. Thanks, Big Brother.”

As she left the lounge, Yun Duo bit her lip hard. Her palms were sweaty, and her eyes glinted with emotion.

Why?

She had thought their relationship would fall apart from all the time apart. That if she entered showbiz, shared his dreams and passions, she could get close to him—have the advantage of proximity.

But life never goes the way you plan.

Xia Shi came back.

She came back. And now everything’s ruined.