Chapter 31: Call Me Brother

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

While Qiao You’an chatted with Gu Yuwi, she would look at Lin Xiaowan once in a while.

Lin Xiaowan was engrossed in watching the videos. She also listened attentively to the explanation such as what kind of cameras and lenses were used and why they were chosen.

After Lin Xiaowan finished watching one of the videos, Qiao You’an asked tentatively, “Xiaowan, are you also interested in photography?”

Lin Xiaowan nodded shyly.

Before going to university, Lin Xiaowan also thought about studying photography. However, after thinking about it, she thought that her financial circumstances did not allow her to study art.

“You like photography? I can teach you,” Gu Yuwu said magnanimously.

Lin Xiaowan quickly shook her head. She did not have the necessary equipment to do so after all.

Qiao You’an said gently, “Xiaowan, if you like it, you should give it a try. If you find that you don’t like it later, you can find another hobby.”

In Qiao You’an’s opinion, Lin Xiaowan was too much of a homebody.

Lin Xiaowan did not go out much, and she looked unenthusiastic on the few occasions Qiao You’an was free and invited her to go shopping. She rarely bought anything. She also did not seem to have any friends her age, and she always seemed a little lonely.

In Qiao You’an’s opinion, it would be good if Lin Xiaowan could find a few hobbies and make some friends.

After cleaning up the octopus balls, Gu Yuwu casually shared a few pieces of news and gossip from the entertainment industry.

Lin Xiaowan usually did not pay attention to this so she was a little lost. She asked, “What do you mean by on-set couples? Do they meet while filming and get together?”

Gu Yuwu winked at Lin Xiaowan and said meaningfully, “Something like that. It doesn’t just apply to the actors and actresses. It’s the production team. Filming takes at least a few months, and everyone’s together all the time. Moreover, they have to film emotional scenes sometimes. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions. If they have… needs… they’d get together…”

Lin Xiaowan’s eyes widened immediately.

Gu Yuwu continued to say, “These things are usually secret. After the filming, the crew will disband and so will the couple.”

Then, Gu Yuwu put her hand to the side of her mouth and said conspiratorially in a low voice, “Let me tell you another thing. Sometimes, the people involved are already married.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao You’an rolled her eyes and said, “Stop, stop! Don’t lead Xiaowan astray.”

Gu Yuwu laughed.

On the other hand, Lin Xiaowan was so shocked that she was at a loss for words.

Gu Yuwu asked, “Xiaowan, do you have any interest in joining a production team?”

After listening to so much gossip, the entertainment industry was no longer clean in Lin Xiaowan’s heart. She shook her head without hesitation, and in the process, the back of her head began to hurt. She instinctively raised her hand to touch it.

Qiao You’an said worriedly, “Be careful.”

Gu Yuwu raised her hands and said with a laugh, “It’s my fault. I won’t tease you anymore.”

After that, the trio continued to chat happily.

…

When everyone left, Lin Xiaowan continued making the small charm. It was a little too quiet so she played music from her phone. However, after playing the music, she began to feel restless.

When Huo Zheng finally returned to the room with dinner, he told her to wash her hands and eat.

Lin Xiaowan quickly washed her hands. When she returned, she asked, “When can I be discharged?”

When she saw the bland meal, she added unhappily, “Huo Zheng, I want to eat sweet and sour prawn balls.”

“Didn’t you secretly eat octopus balls in the afternoon?” Huo Zheng asked, “By the way, what did you call me?”

Lin Xiaowan quickly corrected herself. She said in a soft voice, “Brother.”

Huo Zheng felt as though he was going to melt when he heard her voice.

Although Lin Xiaowan was the one who suggested addressing him in this manner, she could not help but feel embarrassed in the beginning. After all, she had never addressed anyone in such a familiar way. However, after being reminded by Huo Zheng several times, she had already gotten used to it; she no longer felt embarrassed.

Lin Xiaowan gestured with her hands and said, “I only ate a little.”

Lin Xiaowan realized that Huo Zheng seemed much easier to talk to when she called him ‘Brother’.

Huo Zheng sighed helplessly, but his expression was very happy. He did not say anything about her eating the octopus balls at all.

…

The lunar new year was early this year. It fell on the 21st. At this time, it was almost the lunar new year.

Lin Xiaowan mentioned again that she wanted to be discharged.

Early in the morning, Huo Zheng woke Lin Xiaowan up and helped her clean up before he brought her for a comprehensive physical examination.

Ever since Lin Xiaowan was injured, she would get exhausted easily, making her particularly sleepy. When she lived with Huo Zheng in the past, she would go to bed early and wake up early. However, no matter how early it was, she had never gotten up at seven AM.

Lin Xiaowan yawned and complained, “What kind of doctor comes to work at 7?”

“Doctor Zhang,” Huo Zheng replied. Then, he added, “By the way, It’s already past 7.30 AM.”

Lin Xiaowan scoffed and said, “You must have forced him to come in so early!”

Although Lin Xiaowan was dissatisfied that she had to wake up so early, she still followed Huo Zheng.

…

By the time the examination was done, it was already 10 AM.

Lin Xiaowan’s stomach growled. She had not eaten anything since she woke up.

Doctor Zhang gave her a packet of milk-flavored shortbread that he brought out from the drawer and said, “A student gave this to me earlier. You can have it.”

Lin Xiaowan thanked Doctor Zhang, but she did not reach for it immediately. Instead, she looked at Huo Zheng.

Upon seeing this, Doctor Zhang stuffed the pastry into Lin Xiaowan’s hands and said, “I’m giving it to you, not him. Why are you looking at him?”

Seeing that Huo Zheng did not object, Lin Xiaowan held the pastry tightly and thanked Doctor Zhang again. Her earlier gloominess was gone, and she visibly lit up in excitement.

Doctor Zhang said, “Alright, go eat. We’ll talk again when the result comes out in the afternoon.”

After leaving, Lin Xiaowant quickly tore open the package that contained individual packets of pastry. The filling in the middle of the pastry was delicious, and the milky flavor was strong. There were cranberries and nuts in the filling as well.

After eating one, Lin Xiaowan reached out and asked for another one from Huo Zheng, who now held the packet of pastry. Unsurprisingly, he refused.

“Just have one first. You can eat the rest later…”

Huo Zheng held the pastry with one hand and held her hand with the other.

“Doctor Zhang gave me that,” Lin Xiaowan complained. She looked at him meaningfully, hoping he would give in.

Huo Zheng ignored her.

Lin Xiaowan fumed with anger upon seeing this. After walking for a while, she shook their hands and said, “You didn’t really hold my hand in the past.”

The two of them seldom went out together. Even when they went out, they rarely had physical contact.