What Are You Hoping For?

Just after the concert ends, Lan Ou gets word that there was a stampede at the Silver Bear Awards ceremony and Qi Chiting has been taken to Central Hospital. Lan Ou rushes to the hospital and bursts into the ward, where he sees Qi Chiting with a bandage wrapped around his head. The man, who has just won the Silver Bear Award for Best Actor for the second time, stares blankly at Lan Ou and says, "I know you." Lan Ou: "..." Of course you know me. Lan Ou and Qi Chiting are widely recognized as close friends in the entertainment industry. They met as roommates at film school, later worked together as extras, and have now each made it to the top. Though they have followed different paths in their acting careers, their two fanbases still treat each other with respect and affection. When Lan Ou shows up at the airport wearing Qi Chiting's jacket, Lan Ou's fans happily say, "Thanks to Best Actor Qi for looking after our Xiao Ou." When Qi Chiting uses a sleeping photo of Lan Ou as his phone wallpaper, Qi Chiting's fans praise him: "Lan Ou is the entertainment industry's number-one beauty. Of course my Qi-ge would use him as his wallpaper." So, in an entertainment industry drowning in baiting fans with same-sex pairings, people joke that the two of them are a rare clean corner. With both fanbases patrolling around the clock, no one dares to ship this supposedly pure friendship. But there's an exception to everything. Lan Ou's relief has barely had time to settle when Qi Chiting, sitting on the hospital bed, says, "I think I can predict the future." Lan Ou: "?!" Damn, he really did hit his head! Before Lan Ou can rush out to call a doctor, Qi Chiting reaches out to stop him and says with the utmost seriousness, "We'll star in a movie with a gay theme together." Lan Ou: "." We signed the contract yesterday. That's not the future! Qi Chiting continues, "We'll flirt while we're filming." Lan Ou: "!" Qi Chiting: "One day in the future, you'll come to my room and ask me to help you with your acting." Lan Ou: "..." I studied acting in college too! I don't need your help! Ignoring Lan Ou's protests, Qi Chiting continues, "You like me." Lan Ou instantly stops struggling, stunned. How does this straight-as-a-steel-bar guy know? A few seconds later, Qi Chiting places a hand on Lan Ou's stomach. "And then we'll have two babies." Lan Ou: "Damn it, Qi Chiting, something's wrong with your brain!" #WhatToDoWhenYourFriendMistakesFanficAboutYourShipForReality On set Qi Chiting's brain still hasn't recovered. Sitting on a little stool outside the trailer, he holds an ice cream and watches Lan Ou. Lan Ou feels the back of his neck prickle under that stare. Qi Chiting suddenly gets up and walks over. Leaning down behind Lan Ou, he asks, "You didn't come to see me last night." Lan Ou turns around, pretending to be angry. "The doctor said it was all made up, not something that would happen in the future." Qi Chiting touches Lan Ou's reddened ear. "The doctor also said you should take good care of me." Lan Ou stiffens his neck, grabs Qi Chiting's hand, and leads him toward the trailer. Qi Chiting lowers his eyes and waits, poised to ask for a kiss. That fanfic was practically an explicit story! Lan Ou couldn't even skim it. The side of his face and his ear are bright red as he cries out, "What are you expecting?!" ● One-on-one, happy ending, both are virgins. ● Blurb written on 2022.11.6 and screenshot saved. Revised on 2023.4.23. Theme: Be brave and pursue love.