Extra 05

June 7th—the middle of exam season, when the year is just starting to heat up. It also happens to be Fang Ying’s debut anniversary.

In his debut year, his company arranged a very small meet-and-greet with around a hundred fans. The following year, after he shifted to acting, they never held another official fan event on his debut day. Instead, fan clubs took over the organization of all support activities.

This year was no different. As early as May, fan clubs across regions began fundraising. By around May 20th, the debut support campaigns started rolling out. Subway billboards and buses carrying Fang Ying’s images hit the streets in late May. Carefully chosen spots in four provincial capitals began showing ten-day runs of LED support videos in early June.

Fang Ying doesn’t take the subway or buses and was busy all May and June with almost no time online, but once he did catch a glimpse of the LED video support. It was the night before his debut anniversary, past nine o’clock—the peak of the city’s nightlife.

He was sitting in a car, catching a fleeting glance at a giant LED screen squarely in front of the bustling plaza. The massive screen—covering hundreds of square meters—flashed a huge message: “Happy 5th Debut Anniversary, Fang Ying!”

Later he got out and stood beneath the screen, surrounded by a sea of people coming and going. He kept his mask on and hat brim low, crouching as if tying shoelaces to avoid notice. Over and over, he watched the short looped video play. Fans gathered around, recording videos excitedly right next to him. He could hear their gasps, and despite his pounding heart, he couldn’t stop a slow smile from creeping across his face.

When the LED went dark, Fang Ying called Xu Qiuluo.

Xu had just finished work and greeted him tiredly but affectionately, “Xiao Ying.”

Fang was buzzing with energy, ignoring everything else, calling him repeatedly, soft and sweet. Xu listened happily, his mood brightened by Fang’s joy, responding patiently to every call.

Fang finally satisfied his excitement and said, “Luo Ge, you know what? I just received a gift I really love!”

Xu didn’t know what it was but guessed precisely who it came from. After all, Fang Ying always acted like this—no matter how many years debuted or how many blessings he received, when fans sent him support, he reacted like a child given candy: surprised and grateful.

Xu said gently, “The person who sent the gift will be happy to know you liked it.”

Fang gave a soft “Mm,” then asked, “Luo Ge, when you’re really, really happy, what do you usually do?”

Xu answered, “Call the person you really, really like.”

Xu actually was thinking of the times he’d want to instantly share good news with Fang. Hearing this, Fang’s face warmed suddenly. After a long pause, he whispered, “Me too.”

Xu suddenly realized the moment, smiled, and said, “Keep going.”

“Keep going what?” Fang asked.

“Confessing,” Xu said, “Keep up with your specialty—honest compliments.”

Fang suddenly deflated. “Luo Ge... can you please just forget that day? I was really drunk—I’m not like that usually...”

Xu laughed a long time before finally relenting: “Xiao Ying, can you spend the whole day with me tomorrow?”

The next day, the two met stealthily again. Neither had much free time or many places they could go, so they settled on a nearby bathhouse filled with people—perfect for safety and anonymity.

It was ordinary and lively but felt safe—a precious comfort for two people in their line of work.

Xu wore sunglasses and a little fan to cover the lower half of his face. After lying down for a bit, he glanced over at Fang, who was visibly more nervous, still wearing the hat from when they went out.

Xu said, “Aren’t you hot? Take off the hat.” He reached toward it, but Fang startled and swatted his hand away: “No way! I’m a celebrity!”

“If you shout louder, they might just broadcast it at the entrance,” Xu teased.

Fang pulled his head back, but still didn’t feel safe—so he flipped over, face down, offering his behind to the world.

Xu sighed, resigned, then teased, “Fang Ying, I think I’m more popular than you now.”

In other words, “I’m not afraid, so why should you be?” Fang caught the implied tease and felt both angry and shy. He grit his teeth, flipped over again, and called out with full names, “You look down on me? Just wait—won’t be long before I outshine you by a landslide!”

In the entertainment world, youth is king, and Fang was eight years younger. Xu even thought maybe not ten years, but within five, Fang would definitely be bigger.

But Xu added with a sly remark, “Just like they say—reading your script from the back of a donkey.” Then suddenly his tone dropped, “But... in ten years, I’ll be old.”

Ten years later, Xu would be forty.

Fang was still pouting but paused at that, shrugged, and said, “Nonsense! Men hitting forty are like flowers, my idol will always be the most beautiful, untouchable flower.”

Unexpectedly, Xu leaned close to Fang’s ear, voice without any sadness:
“Even after thirty years, when I’m sixty, if you want to get me, you’re gonna have a tough time.”

After his words, Xu covered his face with his hand and laughed softly but crazily.

Fang’s face flushed instantly. After a moment, he stammered, “Luo... Luo Ge, you... you really have no shame!”

The two headed home late. Fang, feeling bold, bought two ice cream boxes and handed one to Xu. Xu looked at it—it was his endorsed brand, box printed with his face—and didn’t say a word.

Fang worried, “It’s selling like crazy; only strawberry flavor left. Luo Ge, please just deal.”

Xu still didn’t speak.

Approaching Fang’s place, the ice cream melted in his palm. Suddenly Xu spoke, “Fang Ying, do you know when I first met you?”

Fang absentmindedly scooped some ice cream, “Wasn’t it on Three Kill?”

“No,” Xu replied instantly, holding the box tight, “It was during your first acting gig. The lead was Xu Zong, I was visiting the set, and that’s when I saw you.”

Fang froze, turned, and looked into Xu’s eyes—Xu couldn’t quite see Fang’s expression clearly because of backlighting, but the tone spoke volumes.

Xu was smiling, “You also bought two of those ice creams and gave one to your friend. Your friend was like, ‘Don’t you usually hate strawberry?’”

It really happened. Back then, early in his acting career, he was barely known and mostly shuffled around as an extra.

Fang never thought Xu would remember that day; now he couldn’t believe Xu still did.

Fang looked at Xu dumbfounded, and Xu said:
“You see, anything I endorse, there’s no way I don’t like it.”

That was pure fangirl talk. Fang wanted to cover his face and run but Xu wasn’t mocking.

He said,
“I was actually sitting behind you and Xu Zong. I told him I felt a lot of pressure and wanted to give up being a star. Xu Zong pointed at you and said, ‘See that little extra? He’s your fan.’”

“So I remembered you,” Xu said, “because I always thought one day we’d meet again.”

“So Fang Ying, I told you, being a star means doing good things for people who like you. Believe it or not, that’s something you first taught me.”

Fang opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.

To him, that was just an ordinary day from the past, but he never expected someone to remember it so deeply after all these years.

That person was none other than his idol, his beloved Xu Qiuluo.

Fang’s ice cream had melted in his hand. He wanted to throw it away and just hug Xu tight—no matter if they got caught or made headlines.

Xu smiled under the streetlamp and said, “By that logic, Fang Ying, I might have been waiting years for you.”

“Waiting for you to go from extra to lead, watching you grow more popular day by day, waiting until we met again—until we stood here together.”

Xu took a couple of steps toward Fang. Fang trembled a little—maybe from the night breeze, or his heart’s reaction to these words. He stuffed the melted ice cream in his pocket, ready to meet Xu’s hug.

Then Xu pulled out his phone and tapped it.

Moments later, Fang’s phone rang.

Looking at the screen, Fang glanced at Xu and finally answered.

“Luo Ge...” Fang whispered sweetly.

“Mm,” Xu replied. “Happy 5th Debut Anniversary.”

“Being able to make it this far with you, Luo Ge, I’m so, so happy.”




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