Chapter 34: At the summer solstice, he had wanted to end it all.

It's a pity that Xia Huanming didn't do so in the end. He has the qualities of an actor and he had to control his expression even if he couldn't help himself.

"You are indeed a lunatic," Xia Huanming sneered, his exposed veins making his hands look like they were increasing their strength, "but I know how to make you suffer more."

Chen Xing naturally squinted his eyes under the pressure. He could see Xia Huanming's single-button peak-lapel suit glowing coldly in the dimness.

Their intertwined hands were still at their throats until Director Yu called for stop.

Director Yu was very satisfied with the shooting and asked Xia Huanming not to let go: "Great, this is a great suggestion. The effect of the shooting is very good. Chen Xing, you just need to add a close-up."

"Okay." Chen Xing nodded.

It was very interesting to shoot the close-up. The camera was stuck between Chen Xing and Xia Huanming. Xia Huanming took a step back. In order to ensure that the hand on his neck did not move, he could only stretch his arm and shoot this scene in a very funny posture to outsiders.

There are many stories like this where the results are exquisite, but the scene is completely different.

For example, the whisper just now. Outsiders thought it was like Xia Huanming was threatening him with hostages to make him angry, but in fact, what Xia Huanming said was: "Imagine that you revised your work for a week and I said that the first version was still better." Such words can help him get into the mood.

It turned out that this sentence was very effective and his face turned red in an instant.

Chen Xing opened his eyes and repeated the previous line to the camera: "This is the right way. This is the way to kill me. Why, you don't dare? Are you afraid of me?"

"You are indeed a lunatic." Xia Huanming continued the lines in a voice-over.

At the moment the filming ended, Xia Huanming loosened his hand, gently pinched Chen Xing's chin to force him to tilt his neck, and asked in a gentle voice: "Let me see... did I hurt you just now?"

"No, you didn't use any strength at all." Chen Xing looked at Xia Huanming and said. Only he knew that although Xia Huanming seemed to be using so much strength that his veins popped, in fact, his strength did not increase at all.

Chen Xing stared into Xia Huanming's eyes and said with a faint smile: "It's only when I act opposite you that I realize how professional you really are."

Xia Huanming withdrew his hand silently.

Huh? Why are you silent again?

After Chen Xing noticed Xia Huanming's evasive gaze, he covered his mouth and said in fake surprise, "No way, are you shy again? Why is our Ah Huan so easily shy?"

Xia Huanming tapped his forehead with his finger, and he heard the other person laugh: "I'm not shy, I just don't know how to respond to your words."

"If it were me, I would proudly say, 'Yes, I am that capable.'" Chen Xing answered, touching his forehead.

As they were talking, the staff began to tidy up the venue, and Xiaoling came over to apply powder to Chen Xing's slightly red neck.

Xia Huanming's eyes focused on Chen Xing's red neck, and inadvertently passed over his white collarbone. Finally, he smiled and said, "So I am not you, and you are not me."

After the scene with Xia Huanming and Chen Xing was finished, the antique shop welcomed the scene with Zhao Xingyu and Wang Baiyue. The two exchanged their experiences in front of the counter of the antique shop, which was a transitional section.

Chen Xing and Xia Huanming stood behind the monitor and watched the performance of the two.

Zhao Xingyu naturally had nothing to say, speaking fluent Cantonese as if he was filming a Hong Kong movie.

The effect of Wang Baiyue's performance is also called "the acceptance of Zhao Xingyu's Cantonese teaching results". Although it is not particularly standard, it is very good to be able to speak so fluently in a short period of time.

Zhao Xingyu held an unlit cigarette between his fingers and asked Wang Baiyue, "Why did you walk over there?"

Wang Baiyue slammed the table and said, "Wow, you're still asking? I must have been asked by my superiors to keep an eye on him! Why would I come to this remote place in the mountains just to look for lice?? What? Are you kidding~"

Zhao Xingyu thought about it and said, "The more I think about it, the more I feel something is not right. Don't you think the recent events are too coincidental?"

Wang Baiyue was stunned and said awkwardly: "What's the matter with that? I thought I was so lucky..."

Zhao Xingyu looked up and scolded with a smile: "You are dreaming! Where is there such a big clam jumping around on the street? He is like a gangster king!"

Chen Xing quietly walked to the side of Xia Huanming, who naturally leaned towards him, and his voice sprayed into his ear: "Xingyu asked Brother Yue why he suddenly ran over there? Brother Yue said that of course the higher-ups asked him to keep an eye on people, would he come to such a remote place to suffer? Zhao Xingyu said that the more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong, didn't he think that the recent events were too coincidental? Brother Yue agreed that he felt the same way, and almost thought he was lucky. Zhao Xingyu said that Brother Yue was an unlucky guy, and was simply daydreaming."

A few days ago, Xia Huanming admitted that his Cantonese was taught by his college roommate, who was a native Cantonese. After three years of influence from his roommate, Xia Huanming's Cantonese improved day by day and became as good as it is now.

Chen Xing nodded as he listened.

With Xia Huanming as his simultaneous interpreter, what is he afraid of?

After that, the conversation between the two people went into Chen Xing's left ear, while Xia Huanming's simultaneous interpretation went into his right ear.

After the two people in the picture finished taking the photo, Wang Baiyue's neck was covered with sweat, and Chen Xing took a towel to wipe his sweat.

While wiping it, Wang Baiyue asked Zhao Xingyu: "How is it? I didn't embarrass you, did I?"

Zhao Xingyu nodded in praise: "It's really not that bad. You have a bit of an accent but you are originally from another place, so it just happens to have that flavor."

Chen Xing then interjected: "Lei Ting, what's my Cantonese?"

Zhao Xingyu was amused by Chen Xing's Cantonese, which was full of Indian curry flavor. He rubbed Chen Xing's face back and forth and said, "I want you to have one-on-one tutoring with me for a whole church first. Do you want to learn? If you do, I will teach you for free~"

Chen Xing looked at Xia Huanming for help.

Without saying a word, Xia Huanming grabbed his arm and pulled him back, freeing his face from Zhao Xingyu's "claws" and standing next to him.

"He said if you want to learn, he can give you one-on-one tutoring for a week for free." Xia Huanming said to Chen Xing quietly, and replied to Zhao Xingyu in a cold voice, "We still have to film during the battle, so don't touch his face casually."

Chen Xing guessed from the tone of voice that Xia Huanming's next words were to ask Zhao Xingyu not to touch his face because they would be filming later.

"Your teaching content is too advanced. I'd better start from the beginning. Ah Huan can also teach me," Chen Xing looked up at Xia Huanming, "right?"

Xia Huanming smiled and nodded: "Well, if you want to learn, I can certainly teach you."

Xia Huanming is such a nice person, Chen Xing thought.

When the time comes, call a few more people and have everyone make up lessons together in the living room. This way it will be lively and we can have a group conversation, and it will be time efficient.

Chen Xing was planning this when the assistant director came over and told them about the next scene layout. The few people listened and the filming continued.

Chen Xing did not have any filming tasks in the later stage, but he still chose to watch the three of them act here, silently taking notes of the key points in a small notebook.

When the antique shop scenes were almost finished, it was time for lunch, so Director Yu stood up and said, "The progress is faster than expected. After we finish shooting the next scene, today will be over. You can eat and rest during the remaining time."

When everyone heard that there was food to eat, their concentration on acting increased a lot, and the last scene was filmed smoothly.

This time the dining table was full and everyone could sit on a chair to eat. Chen Xing came to the table near the wall with his lunch box. As soon as he put the lunch box down, Xia Huanming pulled out the chair next to him and sat down, followed by Zhao Xingyu, who sat down opposite him.

Chen Xing thought he could wait until Wang Baiyue came, but Wang Baiyue ended up sitting alone at a table with his phone on the table, video chatting with his girlfriend.

Seeing this, Zhao Xingyu smiled and said, "No wonder no one wants to sit at that table. Who can stand seeing couples being so affectionate?"

Xia Huanming: “…”

Chen Xing bit his chopsticks and took out his phone to watch videos.

As a result, he was so engrossed in brushing that he didn't even open the lid of the lunch box.

Seeing that he was so engrossed in watching that he forgot to eat, Xia Huanming couldn't help but tap his elbow: "What are you looking at? Don't you want to eat?"

Chen Xing raised his head and pointed his phone screen at Xia Huanming: "Kitten."

The video on the phone shows a tabby cat, lying on a cat climbing frame and sleeping with its eyes closed. The person filming the video poked its soft belly with his hand, but the cat didn't get angry, but just meowed softly.

"Oh, so cute." Chen Xing took the phone back and looked at it again.

"Whose internet celebrity does this belong to?" Xia Huanming asked.

"It's not an internet celebrity," Chen Xing shook his head, "This is the cat from Group 3. I'm looking at the screenwriter's account now."

Zhao Xingyu obviously knew about this. He took out his phone halfway through his meal and said, "What's YaYa's video account? I follow her too. Tiaotiao is so cute."

Xia Huanming glanced at Zhao Xingyu, then returned his gaze to Chen Xing and asked, "They also have a cat?"

"Yes, she brought her pet here because she lives alone," Chen Xing watched the video again, and couldn't help showing a liking expression, "It's very well behaved, not afraid of people at all, and doesn't react to stress."

"I have to say that Tiaotiao has done a great job in socialization. He doesn't hide when he sees strangers. He can definitely be taken to a cat cafe for internship."

Zhao Xingyu and Chen Xing chatted with each other, as if they had become familiar with the cat.

Looking at the two people talking and laughing, an inexplicable sense of estrangement filled his heart, and Xia Huanming couldn't explain this feeling.

He only knew that he didn't like it, but he had no way to stop Chen Xing from socializing.

There was a lot of noise all around, but Chen Xing's voice was the only one that was particularly clear. He swallowed those words into his throat along with the tasteless rice.

Chen Xing noticed that Xia Huanming was silent again, and was even eating rice dryly. He guessed that it was because Xia Huanming was not there during that period and he did not feel involved, but this person would not say it himself, so he could only pretend to eat.

So Chen Xing folded his hands on the table, pulled Xia Huanming's clothes and asked, "Ahuan, what about you? Have you ever raised a small animal?"

Xia Huanming was obviously stunned, looked up and said: "No, what about you?"

Chen Xing smiled and said, "I once had a cheese cat."

Zhao Xingyu asked doubtfully: "I thought you knew how to keep a dog."

"Dogs are cute too, but I prefer cats," Chen Xing's hand slowly moved up to his arm, patting it twice. "Maybe it's because the cats I met were all clingy, so I like them."

Xia Huanming: “…”

"Isn't it true that dogs can't raise dogs?" Zhao Xingyu said with a laugh.

Chen Xing also laughed and raised his fist as if to hit him, but finally put it down.

Xia Huanming touched the place where he had been touched and finished his lunch box absentmindedly.

After dinner, the staff sorted out the equipment and the lights of the set were temporarily turned off, plunging the scene into complete darkness.

After walking out of the gate, the sky outside is still full of neon lights and tall palm trees can be seen in the distance. Anyone with a discerning eye knows that place is the beach.

Zhao Xingyu and Chen Xing turned around and were about to run, but Xia Huanming stopped them: "Are you going to the beach now?"

"Isn't the assignment this time to write about the thing that impressed you the most? Let's go over there to find some inspiration." Zhao Xingyu said, turning around.

"You can come with us," Chen Xing walked back, walked around behind Xia Huanming, and pushed him forward without saying anything. "We didn't take our shoes or clothes with us. We'll just look outside. Nothing will happen."

In fact, even if Chen Xing didn't say it, Xia Huanming would have gone to find him.

But how could it not be considered fulfilling his wish if I were to go with Chen Xing now?

The group walked along the car-free asphalt road, and the outline of the beach became clearer and clearer. Everyone finally stopped under a palm tree, and no one took another step forward.

The setting sun hangs where the sea and sky meet, like a ripe orange, and the afterglow casts a honey-colored halo into the waves. The sea water has lost its daytime coolness, and it flows onto the beach again and again in warmth.

The seaside in spring always has a unique tenderness and vitality. Occasionally, a few seabirds fly up, and their snow-white wings look like petals fallen from branches from a distance. Occasionally, a few of them fly close to the magnificent sea surface, creating ripples.

The sea breeze blew gently, bringing with it a hint of coolness yet mixed with infinite warmth, making Chen Xing squint his eyes comfortably.

He heard Wang Baiyue say, "Xia Huanming is from Hainan, so he should be used to the beach."

Xia Huanming beside him said "hmm", and Chen Xing opened his eyes.

Zhao Xingyu asked: "So you are good at swimming?"

Chen Xing pointed at Xia Huanming and answered, "There is a diving scene in Far View."

Xia Huanming nodded calmly, feeling extremely happy in his heart.

He was complacent that Chen Xing had seen his plays, but he never thought that Chen Xing's focus on watching the plays was all on his figure.

If Chen Xing told this, he could take off his clothes and get into the water right now.

Wang Baiyue said enviously: "Wow, I'm so envious. I'm not very good at swimming and it took me a long time to learn how to doggy paddle."

Zhao Xingyu teased in a sly way: "I thought Brother Yue had good athletic nerves, but it turns out he is just a land god of war."

Wang Baiyue raised his foot and was about to kick him, but because there was a camera filming, he raised it and then put it down again.

Zhao Xingyu had already run behind Chen Xing, with his hands on Chen Xing's shoulders, just like the day of the hidden mission.

At that time, Xia Huanming didn't feel anything. Now he just wanted to draw a warning line for Zhao Xingyu. How come this guy would take action while talking?

Chen Xing didn't care about this at all and said to Wang Baiyue: "I can teach you for free."

Wang Baiyue became interested: "What do you mean? You're not bad either?"

Chen Xing: "It can ensure that you won't drown."

Wang Baiyue: “…”

Zhao Xingyu also smiled happily, and Xia Huanming lowered his head and laughed.

The clouds began to burn and the sound of the tide became longer.

Chen Xing said that the sunset at the seaside in spring is a poem that is repeatedly chanted by the tide. The setting sun is falling in a rusty red arc, grinding the last light into gold foil, which is sprinkled on the wet beach after the sea water recedes, leaving a winding foam belt.

He could smell the sea breeze even from where he was standing. This was something he had never experienced before.

Chen Xing sighed deeply: "It's so good to be alive."

Zhao Xingyu said in agreement: "Yes, I can eat so many delicious foods."

Wang Baiyue looked at the camera and asked, "Can we talk about this kind of topic on the show?"

Zhao Xingyu said: "People should face life and death correctly. We are pure positive energy, so there is nothing to be afraid of."

Wang Baiyue saw that the photographer didn't shake his head and thought it made sense: "That's right."

"Oh, yes," Chen Xing took out his phone from his pocket, "Let's take the makeup photos for each issue before we remove our makeup."

"Okay, come on." Wang Baiyue walked behind Chen Xing.

Xia Huanming looked at the sea area which was completely different from what he remembered.

It was really dramatic. A few years ago, he had thought of ending everything, drowning in the sea in a foreign country, and disappearing from this world quietly.

But I am still alive and well now.

"Ah Huan, come and take a picture."

The moment he felt his hand being pulled, Xia Huanming came back to his senses and lowered his eyes, meeting those eyes that were full of vitality no matter how he looked at them.

“Swish——”

The moment the wave hit the rock wall, there was a clear sound like glass shattering, followed by the rustling sound of billions of bubbles exploding at the same time.

The first waves of the rising tide quietly devoured the defenses in his heart.

Yes, it’s great to be alive.

You can also watch the tides rise and fall, the cycle of the four seasons, the sunset turning into gray-blue, and the gray-blue sinking into dark purple.

I can see my first love.