After Being Reborn, I Saved the Brooding Actor

Best Actor Huo Yan, a three-time Golden Rooster Award winner, has always been Cen Qingning's idol.

Cen Qingning never told anyone.

So many people like Huo Yan. Cen Qingning is just one inconspicuous star among countless others.

By a stroke of luck, Cen Qingning lands the lead role in a film directed by Huo Yan, thanks to his striking looks and solid acting skills.

Only days after Cen Qingning wins Best Actor, he sees the news of Huo Yan's death trending online.

An empty apartment, a cold bathtub, a sharp knife.

Huo Yan ended his short, brilliant life with his own hands.

Cen Qingning thought he was finally getting closer to his idol. He never imagined death would part them forever.

How could that taciturn, resolute man have taken his own life?

Cen Qingning, who had always looked up to Huo Yan, was lost for a long time.

In the projection room of the pitch-black apartment, without a single light,

Cen Qingning played one Huo Yan movie after another.

Only belatedly did he realize that what he felt for Huo Yan might be more than admiration, fondness, and love for an idol.

*

A funeral on a rainy, overcast day.

Cen Qingning's eyes reddened as he laid down a bunch of white chrysanthemums.

That night, he went out drinking and happened to see Huo Yan's boyfriend partying wildly at a bar.

With alcohol clouding his mind, Cen Qingning forgot the consequences, started a fight, and demanded answers.

Huo Yan's boyfriend tried desperately to explain. "It was fake between us, all fake!"

Cen Qingning asked hoarsely, "Fake?"

Huo Yan's boyfriend said, "Yeah, you know, a contractual arrangement. Huo Yan only got together with me to rile up his family."

Only later did Cen Qingning learn that a man so powerful and dazzling came from a family rotten to the core.

When he opened his eyes again, he had returned to the past.

*

After being reborn, Cen Qingning walked up to Huo Yan in front of the astonished cast and crew. "Hello, my name is Cen Qingning."

Huo Yan raised an eyebrow. "?"

That evening, Cen Qingning knocked on Huo Yan's door. "Mr. Huo, I heard you're looking for a fake boyfriend. How about me?"

Huo Yan studied the young man, whose features were handsome and clean, his eyes bright.

The refusal was on the tip of his tongue, but after a moment's thought, Huo Yan said, "Let me think about it."

During the term of their agreement, Cen Qingning is obligated to play Huo Yan's devoted boyfriend.

Hugs, kisses, love bites, and even more intimate things...

Huo Yan pinned Cen Qingning down and looked at him through half-lowered eyes. "Scared? If you are, say so."

Blushing, Cen Qingning hooked a leg around Huo Yan as he tried to walk away. "I'm not scared."

I've liked you for a long time.

I've liked you since my previous life.

*

During a variety show, the host called on the popular young star Cen Qingning.

It was time for the much-loved segment where celebrities called their friends.

When he heard he had to call the person he had spoken to most recently, Cen Qingning realized it was probably Huo Yan. He figured there shouldn't be any problems, since Huo Yan was always so aloof and proper.

Even if Cen Qingning, his boyfriend, called him, Huo Yan would probably say, "Qingning, what is it?"

The studio fell silent as the call connected.

A low, husky voice crackled through the phone. Huo Yan's heart-stopping voice rang through the studio. "Honey?"

Cen Qingning froze. Everyone in the studio gasped.

The trending-topic servers crashed, and the entertainment industry exploded.

#HuoYan'sHoney

#HuoYanCallsCenQingningHoney

#SoThisIsWhatHuoYanIsLikeInPrivate!

Sunny, optimistic, resilient, gentle-hearted bottom X successful three-time Golden Rooster Award-winning actor top who took his own life due to depression

Blurb written on 2022.11.26, revised again on 12.29. Screenshots have been taken.

Theme: Keep searching for light in the darkness.