“As a senior at Jiangzhou Film Academy, Mo Xun is required by the school to gain acting experience with film crews before graduation. The members are very understanding and supportive of this.”
“Please rest assured, Music Notes. FTM is a harmonious and loving family. The members will grow together and progress together. We will coordinate schedule arrangements well. Please look forward to more FTM stages!”
Fang Yinnian was the first to repost with the comment: “Support all of the captain’s decisions ^^”
The others quickly followed suit.
Tang Che: “Reposted.”
Tan Junwen: “Everyone don’t worry, team activities continue as usual~”
Fu Fei: “Looking forward to seeing Brother Mo’s role, hehe!”
Mo Xun: “Thank you everyone for understanding [hug]”
With all five members personally speaking up, public opinion immediately shifted back. Fans no longer worried or boycotted—after all, it was just one drama that would take two to three months to film and wouldn’t affect team activities.
The production crew was actually also monitoring public opinion.
Unexpectedly, after FTM released their statement, many of Mo Xun’s fans joined the drama’s super topic, and the TV series’ popularity also rose accordingly.
#FTM Mo Xun Auditions for Wind Rises in Chang’an# was even discussed into trending topics.
The producer was quite happy—what filming feared most was being ignored, so having buzz was good. Mo Xun was just a fifth male lead supporting role with cheap pay who could bring so much attention—the crew definitely wasn’t losing out.
Moreover, his audition performance was very good and the director liked him too, so the producer immediately contacted Xu Baichuan to have both sides’ legal teams proceed with contracts and finalize this matter.
***
This time, FTM’s five members went to Nanxing TV as flying guests for the music variety show “Time Records.”
Recently, variety shows inviting FTM were particularly numerous, with appearance fee quotes rising rapidly, including various reality shows, comedy variety shows, and even last year’s escape room variety show had contacted Xu Baichuan again.
Manager Xu Baichuan politely declined them all.
The rejected producers all cursed him for “acting like a big shot” and “putting on airs.”
But soon, the industry discovered he had his own ideas about accepting variety shows—he leaned toward accepting stage performance-type music variety shows.
This time, the five went to “Time Records” as flying guests and chose the relatively obscure song “Don’t Cry” from their new album.
This song had a sad tone, and Fang Yinnian invested emotion when singing, making many listeners cry.
“Don’t cry my ass! This song should be called ‘Quick Cry'”
“Wuwuwu sang so movingly, Fang Yinnian’s voice is really beautiful”
“This is my favorite song from FTM’s new album, but it’s too obscure. Today we finally have a live performance ahhh!”
“No joke, I’m taking this live performance to my grave~”
“FTM’s ballads are getting better and better!”
Their performance on “Time Records” was highly praised.
Many music variety shows and galas in the industry also began sending collaboration invitations to Xu Baichuan, hoping FTM would be guests.
Xu Baichuan selectively accepted some good programs.
He was particularly emotional recently—back when FTM was still unknown, he had treated people to meals everywhere, begging to let the kids on variety shows. Producers looked down on their little unknown group, giving them treatment at the level of eighteenth-tier artists with pitifully low appearance fees.
Now that FTM had gained fame, there were countless invitations delivered to their door, and appearance fee quotes had reached first-tier artist levels. As a manager, he finally had the qualifications to be selective about resources.
Being popular was really great!
***
On October 9th, Mo Xun simply packed his luggage, preparing to go to Qingshan Film City for script reading and action training.
Fang Yinnian gave him a bottle of mildly spicy meat sauce: “I made this myself. You can take it to the crew to eat with rice.” He paused, then instructed: “Take care of yourself on the crew and communicate more with experienced senior actors.”
“I know.” Mo Xun placed his packed suitcase by the door, turned back to look at Fang Yinnian, and said in a joking tone: “I’ll be gone for over two months this time. Will you miss me?”
Fang Yinnian: “…”
Miss him? Fang Yinnian was stunned, his heartbeat suddenly accelerating as he said with red ears: “What’s there to miss?”
Mo Xun stepped forward two steps and gently pulled Fang Yinnian into his arms: “But I’ll miss you… miss all of you.”
He rested his chin in the hollow of Fang Yinnian’s shoulder and said: “I’ve been able to see you every day this year. Suddenly having to separate feels a bit reluctant.”
Fang Yinnian’s heartbeat grew faster and faster. Since FTM formed as a team, he and Mo Xun saw each other almost daily. When in Jiangzhou, they lived in the same bedroom; every time they went out and stayed in hotels, they also shared double rooms; even when Mo Xun went to Thailand, Fang Yinnian had accompanied him.
The only time they separated was when their manager gave them 5 days of family leave at the beginning of the year, and Fang Yinnian went home.
The rest of the time, the two were together every day.
Fang Yinnian was used to seeing Mo Xun when he woke up and went to sleep, and was used to discussing everything with Mo Xun.
Now that Mo Xun was going to join a crew, Fang Yinnian’s heart… suddenly also felt reluctant.
This reluctance about the impending separation made Fang Yinnian’s mind chaotic.
He struggled to control his heartbeat and pushed Mo Xun away: “You’re not going off the grid by joining a crew. If anything comes up, you can video call.”
Mo Xun’s mouth curved up: “Then if I video call you every day, don’t get annoyed and block me.”
Fang Yinnian smiled: “I won’t.”
Mo Xun ruffled Fang Yinnian’s hair: “Then I’m leaving?”
Fang Yinnian said: “Go quickly, if you dawdle any longer you’ll miss your flight.”
***
Mo Xun followed his manager to report to the crew.
The drama Director Qi was filming this time was a Taohe Platform S+ key project—a major production 40-episode period political intrigue drama with a fictional historical background, telling the story of several princes scheming against each other to compete for the throne.
The male lead was popular actor Qin Luo, playing a little prince who appeared gentle on the surface but was actually ruthless, with three older royal brothers above him.
Qin Luo had quite an easygoing personality and didn’t put on big star airs.
Mo Xun played Qin Luo’s bodyguard this time. Although it was a small supporting role, Mo Xun had a serious attitude and memorized his lines perfectly beforehand, being very invested during script readings.
Script readings lasted several days, with action training simultaneously.
Mo Xun had practiced dance since childhood, so his body flexibility was extremely strong, and his core abdominal strength was super stable. He could learn the moves the martial arts instructor taught after just two tries, and performed them particularly well.
The martial arts director really liked him and privately told the main director: “This Mo Xun may be from an idol background, but his action scenes are really good. I haven’t seen a young actor handle sword work this crisply in a long time.”
Director Qi also looked appreciative: “Mm, Mo Xun doesn’t have the bad habit of acting like a big shot that traffic idols like. I see he’s quite polite and gets along well with crew staff—he’s good material.”
On October 14th, the crew officially held the opening ceremony. Even Taohe Platform’s big boss came, clearly taking this project very seriously.
Mo Xun participated in the opening ceremony. As the fifth male lead, he could only stand to the side during the group opening photo. But he didn’t mind these things—holding the opening red envelope the crew had given out, he smiled particularly happily.
Today’s call sheet included Mo Xun’s scenes.
After getting his makeup and costume done, Mo Xun had a crew colleague take a full-body photo to send to Fang Yinnian, saying: “Look at my new skin [silly grin]”
A photo popped up on his phone—the young man wearing the period drama headpiece with a neat high ponytail, dressed in black bodyguard clothes.
He was tall and handsome, with an obvious bloody scar on his profile, sharp and cold eyes, and an unsheathed sword gleaming in his hand.
…So handsome!
Fang Yinnian’s heart jumped violently, and he quickly typed back: “New skin’s not bad [thumbs up]”
Mo Xun was truly born to be an actor.
His sharp, cold gaze immediately changed his entire aura, merging completely with his character, making Fang Yinnian almost not dare to recognize him.
Fang Yinnian stared blankly at the handsome, aloof bodyguard in his phone, his finger unconsciously clicking to save the photo.
Mo Xun asked: “Am I handsome in period costume?”
Fang Yinnian: “Super handsome.”
Mo Xun sent a smiley face: “My character’s personality is quite aloof—ruthless with few words, highly skilled in martial arts, with lots of action scenes.”
Fang Yinnian asked: “Are you adapting well on the crew?”
Mo Xun: “It’s okay, most actors are easy to get along with. The male lead has quite an easygoing personality and is relatively polite to us smaller actors.”
Fang Yinnian felt somewhat relieved: “That’s good, keep it up.”
Mo Xun: “Mm, I’m going to film now, let’s chat tonight [wave].”
All afternoon, Fang Yinnian was restless, occasionally taking out his phone to open and look at this photo of Mo Xun.
Really handsome…
Mo Xun in period costume had sharp eyes, and the red battle damage makeup on his face gave him a cold, keen aura—you could tell at a glance he was a top expert with outstanding swordsmanship.
Being protected by him would feel very secure, right?
Fang Yinnian’s mind wandered chaotically.
Were there romantic scenes? This drama was a political intrigue series, and Mo Xun played the fifth male lead—the screenwriter shouldn’t suddenly go crazy and pair him with some wealthy young lady for a romantic subplot, right?
Thinking of Mo Xun protecting another woman behind him, or even holding and spinning around with another actress, Fang Yinnian’s heart suddenly felt uncomfortable…sour and bitter, like eating a lemon.
Finally getting home from school, Fang Yinnian opened his phone to find Mo Xun’s message record stopped at “let’s chat tonight.”
He still hadn’t sent any messages—the crew was probably busy.
Fang Yinnian put his phone on the desk, opened his laptop to continue listening to music and studying, occasionally glancing at his phone. It wasn’t until around 11 PM that his phone finally rang with a familiar video call ringtone.
Fang Yinnian immediately picked up.
Mo Xun’s face appeared on the screen, smiling: “Eh? I just called, how did you answer so quickly?”
Fang Yinnian’s ears grew hot as he said: “My phone happened to be nearby.”
Actually, he had been anticipating Mo Xun’s video call, occasionally glancing at his phone. This strange feeling…
Maybe it was curiosity?
Fang Yinnian took a light breath and looked at his phone screen.
Mo Xun had already removed his makeup and returned to his accommodation. He had just showered, wearing pajamas with damp short hair.
Compared to today’s cold bodyguard in period costume, Mo Xun at this moment—with makeup removed, neat short hair, and a smile—was the cheerful, talkative, responsible captain that Fang Yinnian knew.
Fang Yinnian’s heart beat somewhat fast as he looked at the handsome guy on screen and asked softly: “Did you wrap so late today?”
Mo Xun said: “Today’s filming didn’t go smoothly. An actor in a fight scene kept making mistakes, so we shot it over a dozen times.”
Filming was indeed complex. When one person dragged things down, everyone had to keep retaking. Mo Xun looked quite tired.
Fang Yinnian asked: “Are action scenes very tiring?”
Mo Xun smiled: “The martial arts director has strict requirements, and fight choreography needs constant adjustment… But it’s okay. I have a dance foundation, so controlling my body is easier. I’m just not used to wire work yet.”
Mo Xun casually ruffled his hair: “It’s been so hot at Qingshan Film City lately. Period costume dramas have three layers inside and outside. I was on wires all afternoon today and almost got sunburned.”
Fang Yinnian felt somewhat distressed and quickly said: “Then make sure to stay hydrated on set and don’t get heatstroke.”
Mo Xun looked at Fang Yinnian’s face in the video. Yinnian’s eyes were very bright, and because the phone was close, his long eyelashes looked particularly beautiful.
Mo Xun’s Adam’s apple bobbed once as he said quietly: “These past few days I’ve been away, did you miss me?”
Fang Yinnian: “…”
He quickly moved his phone away, saying with red ears: “Mo Xun, don’t you find it cheesy saying things like that?”
What kind of good friends ask questions like that?
Mo Xun chuckled: “Okay, okay, I won’t say it anymore. Though I’ve made some friends on the crew, I still feel happiest being with you guys. I miss you… miss all of you a bit.”
Fang Yinnian’s heart trembled lightly as he said: “I… we miss you too. Focus on filming well, and you can come back after wrapping.”
Mo Xun: “Mm, I’ll work hard.”
Fang Yinnian asked: “How are the crew’s accommodation conditions?”
Mo Xun turned the camera around to roughly show him the room: “Hotel standard double room, average environment, but at least it’s clean.”
In the film and TV industry, Mo Xun was just an unknown small actor. The crew couldn’t possibly provide him with five-star hotel high-standard accommodation—actors following the crew generally stayed in budget hotels.
Xu Baichuan had asked if he wanted to stay alone, but Mo Xun refused. There was no need for special treatment; he preferred staying with other crew actors.
A roommate’s voice came from nearby: “Xiao Mo, who are you chatting with?”
Mo Xun smiled: “With my teammate.” He looked at Fang Yinnian and lowered his voice: “It’s past eleven. Get ready for bed—I remember you have first period class tomorrow.”
Fang Yinnian nodded: “Mm, you rest early too.”
After hanging up, Fang Yinnian climbed into bed, lay down, and turned off the lights, but couldn’t fall asleep. He stared blankly for a while, his mind full of Mo Xun’s image.
Mo Xun had been with the crew for script reading for many days now. Waking up in the morning without seeing that familiar figure always left his heart feeling empty.
Previously, Mo Xun drove him to school every day, and they’d chat along the way, making time pass quickly.
Now Mo Xun was a senior who didn’t need to return to campus for classes, so Fang Yinnian had to take Driver Jiang’s car to school. Driver Jiang was taciturn and didn’t like talking, so Fang Yinnian just wore headphones and listened to music all the way.
So hard to get used to.
What was happening to him? Unknowingly, he’d developed a strange dependence on Mo Xun. When Mo Xun was around, he felt at ease. When Mo Xun wasn’t by his side, he kept overthinking.
Mo Xun’s accommodation on the crew didn’t seem very good—would sleeping in a budget hotel bed be uncomfortable?
It was very hot in Qingshan recently. Mo Xun wearing such thick clothes while suspended in the air filming action scenes every day must be very tiring.
He was an adult who could take care of himself—why worry so much! Fang Yinnian vigorously shook his head, driving away the chaotic thoughts in his mind.
***
Mo Xun had a cheerful, talkative personality. He filmed seriously and worked hard, quickly becoming friendly with other actors and thriving on set like a fish in water.
However, as the character with the highest martial arts skills—a bodyguard role—he had many action scenes to film.
Wire work for action scenes was very demanding—flying around in the air, having to redo scenes when movements weren’t right. Group martial arts scenes were even more troublesome, requiring coordination of many extras’ positioning.
He had to practice the moves the martial arts instructor taught many times.
Fortunately, his core strength was stable. Spinning, taking off—his movements were crisp and decisive. Gradually, he found some techniques for filming action scenes.
Mo Xun video-chatted with Fang Yinnian every evening after work.
Previously, Mo Xun thought people in relationships were too sappy—was it necessary to be together every day? But now he suddenly discovered that the legendary “one day apart feels like three autumns” was actually true.
He kept thinking of Yinnian from time to time.
When the crew ate meals, he’d remember scenes of Yinnian making noodles for him. At night when sleeping, he’d recall Fang Yinnian’s gentle voice.
The happiest part of each day was video-chatting with Fang Yinnian after work.
And what Fang Yinnian looked forward to most each day was also Mo Xun’s after-work video calls, chatting about interesting crew stories.
The two maintained contact this way.
Though they were separated by great distance, their hearts remained close.
**
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
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