"Two Dreams" is adapted from an online novel. It tells the story of a pair of twins in the ancient Liang Kingdom seeking revenge. Its rigorous logic and plot twists were once hailed as a "masterpiece" by many netizens, becoming a model for various "imitations" in the online literature world at that time. The influence of the original work is self-evident.

With Sheng Huai, a popular and talented star, playing two male leads, the combination of the original work's appeal and the star's influence has made this drama a highly anticipated production since its announcement.

As for director Wen Cheng, he is a director who is above average. Although he is not particularly outstanding, he should not touch any major flaws. This director is known for his caution in making films, and fans of the original work are hardly worried that he will make any changes to the plot.

If there's one problem with the production team, it's probably funding—the money issue!

There were rumors before that a group of people in the "Two Dreams" production team had brought their own funding to join the production, leading some to predict that the quality of the series would be questionable.

However, strictly speaking, bringing investment to a production team is not a new thing in the entertainment industry. In fact, not every production team has people willing to bring their own investment. On the one hand, bringing investment to a production team is an affirmation of the team, but on the other hand, it also poses a tangible risk.

For example, the actress Xu Qian encountered on set was so bad that she couldn't even be seen on camera. Director Wen scolded her for a long time, but he couldn't fire her because she had brought her own investment to the production and her sponsor wanted to promote her. So Director Wen could only scold her while patiently teaching her.

From the viewer's perspective, a TV series with about forty episodes can be watched in a week (referring to TV series that have already ended), but for the producer and even the entire production team, they may need to spend half a year, a year or even longer to produce a TV series.

Therefore, as long as it doesn't cause any major problems, the production team tacitly accepted the process of bringing their own funding to the production, so that the employees' salaries could be secured and the props needed by the actors could be used.

But for many fans and book lovers, bringing their own funding to the production means an infinitely higher chance of the actors being unqualified. How can an unqualified actor produce a good TV series?

And so, the topic of bringing investment to a production team became a trending topic again.

...

Sheng Huai's assistant, Xiao A, saw the news online and told Sheng Huai about it when he had some free time.

Sheng Huai thought for a moment and asked Xiao A to bring him his phone. Xiao A hesitated for a second, but still gave it to him.

Xiao A watched nervously as Sheng Huai logged onto Weibo and posted another message. After reading the content, he finally felt relieved. As long as Sheng Huai didn't cause any trouble, he didn't ask for much!

Actor Sheng Huai V:

Open for business!

[picture]

Sheng Huai posted a selfie on Weibo. It was an old photo, a trick he used to deal with fans who "missed" him, and it always worked.

Sure enough, his fans flocked back to his Weibo account to shower him with compliments, as if they were back home.

After calming down the fans, Sheng Huai sent Xu Qian a WeChat message, asking if he was free these past few days to have dinner together, and also to discuss something with him about the documentary.

After a while, there was still no reply from Xu Qian. Sheng Huai figured that the other party might have already fallen asleep, so he didn't ask any further questions and took a change of clothes to the bathroom to take a shower.

Xu Qian was indeed asleep. He was at school, unlike outside. The dormitory lights went out at 11 p.m., and he had a lot of things to do these past two days, so he went to bed even earlier.

The next morning, while brushing his teeth, he casually opened Weibo and his first thought was: "Did the company buy him more followers?"

He glanced at the newly followed fan IDs and they didn't seem like bots. Upon closer inspection, ah, it turned out that "Zhao Ye Hong" had released a trailer for "Yu Shi," no wonder it had attracted so much attention.

It's all about looks. Xu Qian was unusually calm for a moment, and even looked at himself in the mirror. Sure enough, he was still as handsome as ever.

"Old Qin, are you done yet?" It was Shi Heng speaking from outside; he seemed impatient.

Xu Qian washed his hands again before opening the door and going out, looking radiant.

The other two roommates looked like they couldn't bear it and covered their eyes, but actually Xu Qian had just pulled the bed curtains open.

Ten minutes later, several boys rushed out of the dormitory, their destination the school cafeteria—let's go!

Xu Qian managed to snag a limited-edition pan-fried bun at window number 14 early on, and the taste... well, let's just say it was amazing! He loved the school cafeteria's limited-edition pan-fried buns!

Just as he was eating pan-fried buns, he finally remembered to open WeChat. He didn't have many friends on WeChat to begin with, so he saw Sheng Huai's message the moment he opened it. Xu Qian, still eating his pan-fried buns, replied to him, "Okay, but the day after tomorrow."

He has exams today and tomorrow, so he can't go out to eat.

Sheng Huai replied instantly – Okay, see you at Sanxian'er then.

Xu Qian thought it was a good idea; the roasted chicken legs there were quite delicious.

After that, the other party stopped sending messages, probably because they were busy again. Xu Qian didn't pay much attention and went to the classroom with a few others to prepare for the exam early in the morning.

The proctor in the morning was the homeroom teacher of the neighboring class, who was also their English teacher. During the exam, the English teacher paid special attention to 'Qin You'. The reason was simple: this student had asked for leave too many times. He was basically never seen except during exams. Fortunately, his grades were relatively stable, and he had done quite well in several exams.

Xu Qian knew that the teacher was paying attention to him, so he sat up even more upright, trying to get the highest impression score.

As it turned out, he got it.

As soon as the morning exams ended, their dorm and the dorm next door discussed going to the basketball court to play basketball. They usually go for a few laps at noon if they have nothing to do. Studying is important, but it is also important to balance work and rest.

Well, to put it bluntly, I just want to have fun!

It's quite difficult to teach a boy of this age to exercise self-control, not only because there are too many temptations, but also because of the so-called "adolescent rebellion." The more you restrain him, the more he wants to break free. It's like flying a kite; you have to loosen the reins from time to time to prevent the kite from breaking free completely if it gets upset.

These words were spoken to Xu Qian by the former dean when he was in high school. Although Xu Qian didn't need such advice back then, he had always been an honest child. But perhaps because he was too honest as a child, he became much more open after entering university. Occasionally, he would play games like his roommates, go out and sing karaoke with them, and live the same life as all ordinary college students, just as the dean had hoped.

But sometimes Xu Qian wonders, if he hadn't played the game back then, would all of this have happened?

He didn't know, nor was he sure, because there's no such thing as "what if" in this world. Some things happen, and that's that, like a broken cup. Once it's broken, it's broken. Even if you carefully repair it, the scars of the breakage still remain in your heart. In extreme cases, you might even have to face that brokenness for a lifetime.

But then again, even if the cup is broken, it is still a cup, and it won't change just because it's in a different world.

Just like Xu Qian now, he clearly understands that he is Xu Qian, only Xu Qian. Even if his aliases are actually called [Withered Bonsai], [Weak Little Dog], etc., the existence of each alias tells him at all times: I am Xu Qian, and this world is not my world.

He has many aliases, but where is the real him?

Was he dead? In his own world.

Sigh, it's best not to, otherwise the dean will be sad. Xu Qian didn't want the other party to be sad.

But that's all he could think about...

Meng Liangchen noticed Xu Qian's expression. He looked particularly dejected, with a droopy face and an expression of utter despair. Had something happened?

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" he asked.

Xu Qian turned around when he heard the voice. Actually, he was quite envious of Meng Liangchen because there was Meng Ziqiu, Meng Liangchen's brother, in this world. They were brothers and family, with a bond that no one else could ever sever.

Meng Liangchen felt a little uneasy under his gaze, and not knowing what had happened, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask him what was going on.

Xu Qian looked at him with a long gaze, and finally came up with an excuse, saying, "It's nothing, I just feel a little cheated. Your brother is so busy with his girlfriend that I can't even see him anymore."

Meng Liangchen immediately smelled a sour scent. After thinking for a moment, he tentatively asked, "...Miss? The one who adds you on WeChat?"

"Probably? Seems like it?" Xu Qian rested his chin on his hand, looking quite bored.

"I understand." Meng Liangchen took a deep breath. As long as he knew the reason, things would be easier. It was just 'sour,' right? No problem, he'd take care of it!

"...?" What do you know?

"It's almost time, let's go to the classroom." Meng Liangchen stood up and said, frantically typing on his phone to send a message to his brother.

"...Huh?" Xu Qian didn't understand at all, but it was indeed time to go to the classroom.

After the exam in the afternoon, Xu Qian understood what Meng Liangchen meant by "I understand".

Meng Ziqiu arrived at school dragging his hand, which had just been removed from its cast. In his other good hand, he was carrying a bag of fresh, large mangoes. His brother Xu loved mangoes the most, and even preferred mango-flavored milk tea.

Xu Qian crossed his arms and watched with interest the person opening a mango for him. What should he say? Should he say that the other person finally had a conscience? That they knew how to respect their ancestors?

"Alright, want to try a piece?" Meng Ziqiu's expression was somewhat cautious. Heaven knows he almost fell off the bed when he received his brother's WeChat message. Yes! How could he do this! Knowing that Xu Qian and his fairy were separated by heaven and earth, he still dared to show affection in front of Xu Qian. He couldn't even stand it himself. It was just too much!

Xu Qian glanced at him and deliberately said, "By the way, Afei said you've already won that girl over?"

"Hehehe..." Meng Ziqiu licked his lower lip, his expression somewhat evasive. Before he could say anything, Xu Qian had already figured out what he meant—he had succeeded. "Sigh," Xu Qian sighed dramatically, finished the mango in his mouth, and then ordered him to continue cutting. "That's all."

"I'll do it! I'll do it!"

Xu Qian smiled, feeling much better immediately. Sometimes an optimistic attitude is crucial; deep sorrow and bitterness are incredibly exhausting. When reality cannot be changed, it's necessary to cultivate a more optimistic outlook, just like now.

After all, strictly speaking, he wasn't actually a single person!

Author's Note: _(:з」∠)_ I'm someone who writes slice-of-life stories, and I'm used to writing slice-of-life stories. Casual stories are just a combination of daily life and work.

As for comments, I'm pretty easygoing. I'll be happy if there are any, but I won't stop updating if there aren't. Just don't read pirated versions, and leave me enough for a cup of milk tea.