What Do I Do If I Fall for My Love Rival? [Showbiz]

[Sharp-tongued but secretly caring, rebellious top-tier star (top) X sunny, healthy sweetheart and Best Actor (bottom), an actor's everyday life]

Lou Huan was the youngest Best Actor, the hottest young star, and the most promising future superstar.

But every title came with one word in front of it: former.

On the day same-sex marriage was legalized, acclaimed director Liu Jingping released footage from an unfinished film made eight years earlier as a celebration. Lou Huan returned to the public eye. Netizens were amazed that the two former top-tier stars had once worked together on a same-sex romance: "I love this pairing! They're a feast for the eyes!"

"Can you stop trying to link them? Lou Huan's been gone for years, and he's still just a romance-drama actor. Trying to ride an emperor's coattails, are we?"

"Lou Huan won Best Actor before Chu Qun even debuted. If he hadn't stepped away from the spotlight for a while, your idol never would've had his chance."

The film project gets revived. Years later, when Chu Qun sees Lou Huan again, he's still driven up the wall by Lou Huan's lack of caution around people. Lou Huan is still Lou Huan, as if his friend's betrayal and his career's long silence seven years ago had never happened.

What annoys Chu Qun most is that Lou Huan is as familiar and casual with him as he was in college, with no sense that the two of them are rivals. Just like back in school, Lou Huan never noticed that his senior's feelings for him weren't entirely innocent, and he remains oblivious to Chu Qun's dark jealousy.

Their frequent work encounters are enough to give Chu Qun whiplash. He silently scoffs when people praise Lou Huan for being laid-back and detached, thinking he's just lazy and dim-witted. But then he turns around and takes on petty people who lack tact and try to put Lou Huan down to curry favor with him.

A few months later, Chu Qun meets for a meal with the senior he's had a crush on for years. He arrives with his heart pounding, only for the senior to ask hesitantly, "Do you like Lou Huan?"

Chu Qun realizes in a panic that when he heard the question, he didn't find it ridiculous at all. Instead, he felt guilty, as if he'd been found out.

...Damn it. When did I fall for him?

Please note:

1. The story uses two timelines. The main plot begins when the film is revived and the two reunite, with flashbacks woven in.

2. There's no melodrama or conflict between the leads, just a sharp-tongued but secretly caring man and a love that sneaks up on them.

Coming soon: Theatrical, but Down-to-Earth [A grassroots opera actor (bottom) X the son of a factory owner (top), add it to your reading list!]

Tan Tianxiang grew up in a rural opera troupe. He's a versatile, grassroots Peking opera performer who can sing the Fan Erhuang style, do acrobatics, and, if they're really short-handed, even put on a high-pitched voice and sing, "Suddenly, the drums and horns ring out." He spent ten years performing at private banquets as a child. As he watched the number of people who truly listened to opera dwindle, he began to dream of becoming one of those glamorous stars from the videotapes and headed to the city to see what he could do.

He didn't get the chance to find out what he was capable of before his savings were drained by living expenses. With no other choice, he became a food delivery rider, only to run into an old acquaintance in a faraway place. Wait, isn't this the kid who sneaked backstage when they were young, mocked him for crying during practice, and then got beaten up by him?

He never expected the son of the troupe's owner to be so passionate about traditional art. The guy helps him find a venue and an audience, and even comes up with the new idea of livestreaming opera performances.

Tan Tianxiang has seen performers receive flowers and tips before, but what is this new trend of roses and candles?

Chen Sirui holds out a bouquet, his face full of excitement and anticipation. "We've spent so much time together. Do you think... you could be with me?"

Tan Tianxiang's powerful voice cracks as he blurts out, "Huh? You like me?"

Chen Sirui turns green.

Theme: Love quietly appears when you least expect it