Go to bed early
On the third day after the reading ended, I received a notice from the crew of "A Thousand Years of Letters" to take the final makeup photos.
When Sister Ling sent me the time, she added a sentence, "Zhao Yin said that he will shoot the same scene with you, so you two don't have to make another trip." She also added a winking expression at the end.
I stared at the screen for two seconds, replied "I know", put down my phone and went to rummage through the closet, only to find that the dress I tried on last time was still hanging in the most conspicuous place, the one that Assistant Zhao Yin had given me.
When I arrived on the set on the day of the shoot, the dressing room door was ajar and I could hear voices coming from inside.
It was Zhao Yin's voice, low and with a hint of a smile: "...Yes, let's do it as we agreed last time. Don't be too picky about the tail of his eyes. He doesn't like too harsh makeup."
My hand stopped on the doorknob, not daring to push it. The makeup artist inside responded, "I know, Brother Yin, you've told me three times." Then there was the sound of fabric rubbing against each other. I guessed he was changing clothes. I was about to turn around and come back later when the door was suddenly opened from the inside. Zhao Yin was standing in front of me, still in casual clothes.
"Why are you standing here?" He looked down at me with a hint of smile in his eyes. "Are you afraid I'll eat you?"
"Who's scared?" I looked away and walked into the dressing room. "The makeup artist is waiting for you, right?"
"Wait for you." He followed me, "I'll let them put it on for you first. I'm not in a hurry."
The mirror in the dressing room was huge. When I sat down, I could just see him leaning against the doorway. The makeup artist came over with a powder puff and whispered to me, "Teacher Wenxi, Brother Yin specifically told us that you have sensitive skin. We're using the same foundation you used in your last audition. Do you think it's okay?"
I was stunned for a moment and turned to look at Zhao Yin. He didn't look at me, but was playing with his phone. I looked away and smiled at myself in the mirror: "Thank you for your help."
The makeup process was very quiet. With my eyes closed, I could feel the makeup artist's gentle hands, probably because they were afraid of hurting me. Suddenly, Zhao Yin's voice came from above my head: "Don't make the brow peaks too sharp. When he smiles, the tail of his eyebrows is a little curved. It looks better if they are left that way."
The makeup artist said "OK", and I didn't dare open my eyes. I remembered the last time when there was a power outage in the B&B. He did the same thing when he handed me the star-shaped lamp. He said the most touching words in the most calm tone. It was quite nice.
(The puppy is excited)
After the makeup was done, the makeup artist handed over the costume.
It was a bluish-white robe with silver cloud patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. The material was soft and comfortable. I was about to reach out to take it, but Zhao Yin took it first: "Let me help you put it on."
"No, I can do it myself." I quickly reached out to grab it, but he took a step back and looked at me: "What are you afraid of? We are all men."
Having said that, I still felt a little awkward, but he ignored my reaction and came over to help me put the robe on my shoulders and then tied the belt for me.
"Don't move." His voice was right beside my ear. "Your belt is tied crookedly. It won't look good in the photos later."
I stood stiffly, letting him fiddle with me. In the mirror, he lowered his head. I suddenly remembered what his fans had said, that he always liked to stare at me when I couldn't see him. It turned out to be true.
After fastening the belt, he stepped back, looked me up and down, and nodded: "It fits well."
"You should change quickly, the photographer is waiting." I quickly turned around and walked towards the door, but he grabbed my wrist.
"What are you panicking about?" He looked down at me with a hint of smile in his eyes, "I haven't finished praising you yet."
"What's there to praise?" I broke free from his hand, opened the door and walked out. "If you don't leave now, you'll be late."
I heard his laughter behind me and quickened my pace.
The shoot took place in a studio, decorated in a traditional style. The photographer greeted us warmly when he saw us: "Brother Yin, Teacher Wenxi, you're here! Come sit over here and let's take a few test shots."
Zhao Yin had already changed into his costume, which was a dark red robe, a white inner robe, and a gauze dress.
"What are you daydreaming about?" He walked over to me. "The photographer is watching you."
I came to my senses and quickly walked to the background board. The photographer asked us to take a few individual photos first, and then a group photo. I stood in front of the camera, a little nervous, not knowing where to put my hands. Zhao Yin suddenly came over, stood next to me, and whispered to me, "Relax, just like usual."
His voice was soothing. I took a deep breath and smiled at the camera. The photographer pressed the shutter, praising me non-stop: "Great! Teacher Wenxi has a great smile! Brother Yin, smile too. Don't always be so serious."
Zhao Yin glanced at me and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
It was this tiny movement that made the photographer excitedly shout, "Yes! That's it! Brother Yin, please smile more, it's so beautiful!"
When taking a photo, the photographer asked us to get closer. Just as I was about to move towards him, he came over first and put his arm naturally on my shoulder.
"Move your head a little closer." The photographer instructed, "Yes, just like that. Brother Yin, please look at Teacher Wenxi and look at her more gently."
Zhao Yin turned to look at me with a hint of smile in his eyes, as if there were stars falling in them. I quickly looked away, but he gently pinched my chin with his fingers and turned my gaze back.
"Look at me." His voice was low enough for only the two of us to hear. "Don't hide."
I was forced to look into his eyes, where I could clearly see my own reflection.
The photographer kept pressing the shutter, but I couldn't hear anything. I could only hear my own heartbeat and his breathing.
After taking the photos, the staff handed over water. Zhao Yin took two bottles, unscrewed one and handed it to me: "Are you thirsty? Drink some water."
I took the water and took a sip. He leaned against the pillar next to me, watching me drink the water, and suddenly said, "You blushed when we were taking the photo just now."
"No way." I quickly handed him the water bottle. "It's because of the makeup."
"Really?" He took the water bottle but didn't drink it. He just looked at me and smiled. "Why do I feel like it's because I pinched your chin?"
"Don't talk nonsense." I turned and walked towards the dressing room, "I'm going to take off my makeup."
He followed me without saying anything, but his steps were very light, as if he was afraid of disturbing anything.
Back in the dressing room, the makeup artist started to help me remove my makeup. Zhao Yin sat on the chair next to me, looking at her phone, and I closed my eyes.
Suddenly, his cell phone rang. He picked up the phone and lowered his voice: "Hello? ... Yeah, the filming is over... No need to come pick me up, I'm going with Wenxi... Okay, got it."
After hanging up the phone, he looked up at me, and I opened my eyes at the same time, and our eyes met.
The makeup artist smiled and said, "Teacher Wenxi, you and Brother Yin have such a good relationship that you even go home together."
"We're on our way." I explained, but I saw Zhao Yin raised his eyebrows at me in the mirror.
After removing my makeup and changing into my clothes, I was about to go out when Zhao Yin stopped me: "Wait a minute."
He took out a small box from his bag and handed it to me: "This is for you."
I took the box and opened it. Inside was a silver bracelet, which matched the moon necklace on my neck.
There is a small star pendant hanging on the bracelet, which is very similar to the star lamp he gave me.
"Why are you giving me something again?" I looked up at him, feeling a little panicked.
"Last time I saw your bracelet was broken, so I bought you a new one." He said naturally, "Wear it for fun."
I remember the last time I was on a variety show, my bracelet accidentally got caught on a fishing net and broke.
I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, but I didn't expect that he would remember it. I held the bracelet and he said that some of the good things were hidden in places that couldn't be seen.
"Thank you." I put the bracelet on my hand and it fit perfectly.
"You're welcome." He smiled and ruffled my hair. "Come on, I'll take you home."
When we walked out of the studio, it was already dark outside. Zhao Yin's car was parked at the door. He opened the door and asked me to get in first. The car was very warm. When he started the car, I looked at his profile and suddenly said, "Brother Yin, although we are in a relationship, have you liked me for a long time before?"
He paused for a moment, then turned to look at me with a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
"I just feel that you are so good to me." I lowered my head. "Ever since the variety show, you have always taken care of me and remembered my preferences. You even remember things that I have forgotten."
He didn't say anything, just parked the car on the side of the road and turned to look at me.
"Actually, I've been paying attention to you since that awards ceremony five years ago. I mentioned that back then, you had just debuted and won the Best New Artist award. When you were speaking on stage, your hands were shaking the whole time, but you still thanked everyone very sincerely. I thought back then, this kid is quite interesting."
I froze and looked up at him.
I was indeed very nervous at the awards ceremony five years ago.
"Later, I started following you, watching your dramas and listening to your songs." He continued, "I discovered that you were different than you were in front of the camera. In private, you were very confused, mistaking salt for sugar and secretly eating snacks while memorizing your lines. I even followed your second account and saw you secretly praising me on it every day. Sometimes you would get angry because I said one extra word to others. I thought it was very cute."
"When did you know my trumpet?" I asked in surprise.
"From the first time you posted." He smiled. "Did you think I wouldn't be able to find you if you changed your ID? 'Silver Puppy', that name was quite fitting back then."
My face flushed instantly and I quickly lowered my head: "Stop laughing at me."
"I'm not laughing at you." He reached out and gently pinched my chin, making me look up at him, "I feel very happy because you like me too."
"Brother Yin." I called him softly.
"Hmm?" he responded.
"I like you." I plucked up the courage to say this, but this time, it was an official announcement of our relationship.
I have kept this sentence hidden for five years. I have said it to my trumpet in countless late nights, but I have never said it to his face.
His eyes lit up, and the smile on his lips deepened. He leaned over and rested his forehead against mine: "I know, but didn't you tell me that before?"
His lips were very soft. When they touched mine, he seemed afraid of hurting me, so his movements were very gentle and careful. I closed my eyes and let him kiss me.
The kiss was very long, and he slowly let me go until I was almost out of breath.
He leaned against my forehead and said, "Wenxi, I like you too. We have been thinking about making this official for a long time."
I leaned in his arms, and I knew that from today on, I was no longer the only one who secretly liked him, and we would go on together, just like in the script.
The car started up again and drove towards my home. I leaned back in the passenger seat. The stars were especially bright tonight, and the moon was especially round.
"By the way." Zhao Yin suddenly said, "I'll take you somewhere on the day of the banquet."
"Where?" I asked curiously.
"You'll know when the time comes." He smiled, "I guarantee you'll like it."
I looked at his profile, smiled and nodded.
No matter where it is, as long as I go with him, I will love it.
The car stopped downstairs of my house. I unbuckled my seat belt and was about to get out when he stopped me and said, "Wait a minute."
He came over and kissed me gently on the forehead: "Good night."
"Good night." I smiled, opened the car door, and walked upstairs.
When I got to the third floor, I looked back and saw him still sitting in the car, looking at me. I waved to him and he waved back.
When I got home, I leaned against the door, touched my lips, and could still feel his warmth.
I took out my phone, opened my secondary account, and edited a Weibo post: "Today I saw the moon and touched the stars." I attached a photo of the bracelet without any filter.
As soon as I sent it, I received a WeChat message from Zhao Yin: "Are the stars beautiful?"
"It looks good." I smiled back.
"What about the moon?" he asked again.
"It's beautiful too." I thought about it and added, "You are more beautiful than the moon."
He quickly replied: "Smooth talk. Go to bed early, you have to go to the crew tomorrow."
"I know. You should go to bed early too."
Putting down my phone, I walked to the window and watched the car downstairs slowly drive away.
Just like what the fans said, some likes don’t need to be hidden in your heart, and you don’t need to be afraid of being known by others, because there will always be someone who will come to you with all the tenderness and affection and tell you that he has liked you for a long time.
That night, Zhao Yin posted a Weibo, and the real storm had just begun.
(Postscript: There are only a few manuscripts left, so I am making major revisions to the entire article.)
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