Chapter 24 – Stilt Walking

Jiang Heng displayed his acting prowess, feigning an innocent expression: “How did it end up under the pillow? I clearly looked before and didn’t find it.”

Shen Fubai played along as if he believed it: “I know. Actually, I conjured it with magic.”

Jiang Heng’s gaze shifted to the television, his tone exaggerated: “Wow, isn’t that you?”

Shen Fubai slapped his forehead: “Ah, how did I appear in the fourth episode? Shouldn’t it have been the third?”

Their acting was embarrassingly bad.

They exchanged a blank stare.

Shen Fubai: “Actually, you’ve seen my variety show before, haven’t you?”

Jiang Heng: “Actually, you remember that you were in the fourth episode, right?”-

The drumbeats from the TV filled their ears, accompanied by a segment of traditional Chinese music. A youth, dressed in ink-styled dance attire and wearing a white bamboo hat, unfolded a two-meter-long black-and-white silk fan. He began with a high-difficulty aerial front bridge.

His movements were agile and graceful, akin to a startled swan, as lithe as a dragon in flight.

Every time he closed and opened the fan, it coincided perfectly with the rhythm of the drumbeats. The long silk fluttered like a misty sky, sweeping across the youth’s mesmerizing eyes.

It was the spirit of a scholar, wielding his brush with vigor. It was the freedom of a wanderer, sword in hand, traversing the ends of the earth. It was the valor of a general, battle-hardened, leading troops on horseback.

The youth in the bamboo hat danced amidst the splashed-ink landscape, his flowing robes depicting half a world of majestic rivers and mountains, vast oceans, and boundless skies.

The same dance could convey myriad emotions, each interpreted differently. The youth expressed them all through his body, showcasing a vivid beauty.

As the final drumbeat sounded, the youth closed the fan, lifting the hat off his head, revealing a face that stunned the audience.

Sixteen-year-old Shen Fubai.

His performance left the audience awestruck, outshining everyone else.-

“I’ve seen it,” Jiang Heng confessed straightforwardly. “You danced very well.”

He emphasized: “Very well indeed.”

Shen Fubai gazed at the dazzling youth on the screen, concurring: “Yes.”

He felt he couldn’t watch any longer; it would be too much to bear.

He feared he might fall in love with such an outstanding version of himself.

“Why didn’t you continue dancing later?” Jiang Heng asked the question that had been on his mind.

“Huh?” Shen Fubai turned, sounding perplexed. “I’ve been dancing all along.”

As an idol, how could he not sing and dance? Though he debuted solo, he could easily perform boy band dances.

“But your dancing…” Jiang Heng chose his words carefully, “isn’t as natural.”

It wasn’t as captivating as before. Even with the deepest fan bias and no expertise in dance, Jiang Heng could see Shen Fubai’s decline.

Jiang Heng had watched many of Shen Fubai’s dance videos, noticing that his early performances were always stunning. His classical dance combined softness and strength, and after transitioning to K-pop as an idol, he still possessed explosive power. But since stumbling during a concert, he never regained his former level.

Jiang Heng worried if Shen Fubai had suffered a leg injury in a private accident. He heard professional dancers often endured hidden injuries. Perhaps Shen Fubai was injected with something by a villain, kidnapped by competitors, or beaten by thugs… Jiang Heng grew increasingly fearful, imagining Shen Fubai as a pitiful soul who’d endured the Ten Great Tortures of the Qing Dynasty.

Shen Fubai: “Because I was pretending.”

Jiang Heng: “? ? ?”

_

“Did you think there was something wrong with my body?” Shen Fubai chuckled. “No such thing, wait and see.”

Shen Fubai stood up, stepping onto the soft bed without warming up, performing a back kick and side somersault, landing steadily.

Jiang Heng: This is a master. A martial arts master.

If this was uncoordinated, there probably wasn’t anyone who was coordinated.

Pikachu burrowed back into the blankets, boasting proudly: “See? Impressive, right?”

Little Dinosaur clapped: “Impressive, impressive.”

He began doubting his life choices: “Why did you deliberately dance poorly? And what about the stumble during the concert four years ago… What happened then?” That incident had frightened him.

Shen Fubai sighed: “This brings me to our company’s genius planner and the profit-driven management… Hey, is it bad for me to complain about our leadership?”

Jiang Heng maintained a composed facade: “No problem, take your time. I’ll forget everything tomorrow.” As if. If your boss bullies you, I’ll hold a grudge forever.

He even began to think about shady deals and industry rules. Shen Fubai was so beautiful that he might have caught the eye of some perverted old men.

Shen Fubai hadn’t shared his true feelings with anyone in a long time. He had no guard against Jiang Heng, pouring out his thoughts once the floodgates opened.

“If you don’t believe me, my first love is acting, and my second is dancing. When I participated in that program, others either passed the auditions or were pushed in by investors. I was scouted by Sheng Entertainment’s talent scout and specially arranged to join the show for exposure. In short, I was predestined to win.”

He wasn’t afraid to reveal the scandal, his words oozing with calmness. It was the truth.

Sixteen-year-old Shen Fubai was full of pride, rejecting the company’s predetermined plan. But it was futile; the company insisted, leaving him, a new recruit, with no choice.

Yet Shen Fubai’s skills were undeniable. Even without the company’s support, he won the championship. Those responsible for his data were astonished: Did these numbers need any falsification? The real data exceeded the company’s fabricated benchmarks.

Jiang Heng immediately declared: “You deserved it.”

Shen Fubai said he loved acting more than dancing, which didn’t surprise Jiang Heng. Shen Fubai was a born actor; making him an idol for six years was a waste.

Sheng Entertainment, a pile of trash, failed to recognize a gem.

“I love dancing, but I love acting more. I thought signing with an agency would get me into the entertainment industry as an actor—the talent scout who discovered me said so! I was too young.” Shen Fubai fumed, “Who knew they would label me as an idol.”

_

Back then, the sixteen-year-old rebel stormed into the boss’s office with the tailor-made career plan: “I don’t want to be an idol.”

The boss, amiable toward this promising stock, asked: “Why? Didn’t you sign with us to become a star?”

The youth replied: “The talent scout told me I could become an actor.”

The boss: “With your looks, you’re naturally destined for the idol path. Why be an actor?”

The youth: “Then I quit.”

The boss spoke slowly: “Forgot to mention, the contract’s already signed. For breach of contract, ten times the penalty fee—what were you going to say again?”

The youth: “…I didn’t say anything.”

Black-hearted company! They promised the world when signing, then started exploiting labor!

Well, fine. An idol he would be.

He accepted dancing, but why singing?

This was a challenge for his plump tiger.

Shen Fubai’s first recording session in the studio left the sound engineer in a daze.

He couldn’t fathom how a child with such a good voice could sing so completely off-key. Could he ask for a raise? This audio editing task was monumental.

Three sound engineers resigned due to Shen Fubai’s inability to stay on pitch, citing the need for further education to improve their inadequate skills.

Shen Fubai disliked singing, lacked talent, and had no interest. At every concert, a team of expert sound engineers stood by, ready to intervene at any moment, fearing another disaster. What was the point?

It was painful to invest one’s prime years in something disliked and unskilled at.

Shen Fubai considered quitting, but then thought of the astronomical penalty fee. Forget it, he’d endure.

Eighteen-year-old Shen Fubai had a plan—he wouldn’t initiate a contract termination, but he could make the company terminate it. That wouldn’t count as his breach.

So Shen Fubai began stirring trouble.

He didn’t even bother to dance properly anymore.

Shen Fubai actually disliked the dances the company made him perform. Originating from classical dance, he valued poise and footwork, yet the company assigned devilish steps. Underage, they refrained from pushing him too far, but once he turned eighteen, the choreography included many sexually suggestive moves.

Shen Fubai: While dance styles aren’t ranked, having me act seductive might as well kill me.

True dancers don’t look down on any form of dance, just as true music lovers don’t differentiate between folk and Western music. However, when ordered to perform provocative gestures to attract young girls, Shen Fubai strongly resisted.

He danced for his own joy, not to please others. If something made him unhappy, he’d rather mess up than do it.

So he “stumbled,” never dancing well again.

Yes, it was deliberate.

No reason, simply unwilling. Call it stubbornness or foolishness, he was just that defiant. With a series of bold moves, Shen Fubai stopped dancing.

It wasn’t easy to dance so unnaturally! With years of training, his body had muscle memory, inadvertently displaying his true skill. To make himself look terrible, Shen Fubai used every trick in the book.

The only dilemma was that despite his antics, the company didn’t terminate his contract. His face ensured fans would buy whatever subpar product he offered.

What could he do? He couldn’t disfigure himself. Shen Fubai couldn’t be so cruel to himself.

He realized if he seriously pursued the idol path, the company wouldn’t offer a transition opportunity. They cared about money; why venture into an uncertain field when being an idol was lucrative? No one thought Shen Fubai had acting talent.

It was a contemporary prejudice against popular young actors. Most did struggle with acting.

Fortunately, when Shen Fubai’s singing and dancing deteriorated, the company agreed to let him enter the acting world.

Perhaps thinking, “It can’t get any worse, might as well try.”

The indirect approach succeeded. Shen Fubai gave himself thirty-two thumbs up for his wit.-

After hearing his story, Jiang Heng felt heartbroken.

This was burying a gem, wasting talent. Trash Sheng Entertainment, live-streaming evil.

Jiang Heng asked: “How many years left on your contract with Sheng Entertainment?”

Shen Fubai answered: “I originally signed a ten-year contract, four years left.”

Jiang Heng decisively stated: “Switch companies. I can pay the penalty fee. Don’t stay in such a company.” A company that ignores an artist’s wishes, only seeing them as a cash cow, doesn’t deserve loyalty.

Shen Fubai shook his head: “Actually, I’ve earned enough to cover the penalty fee, but I still haven’t terminated the contract.”

Jiang Heng was puzzled: “Why? Has this trash company somehow grown on you?”

Shen Fubai spoke with passion: “Four hundred million penalty fee! Four hundred million! Why should I give them money? Not a single cent!”

This reason caught Jiang Heng off guard.

Jiang Heng said: “But that makes you unhappy.”

“No,” Shen Fubai said earnestly. “Money makes me happy.”

Jiang Heng respected his opinion but still pointed out: “But don’t you feel that with your current value, staying with Sheng Entertainment only enriches them more?”

Shen Fubai fell silent.

“You make a good point!” Five seconds later, Shen Fubai was enlightened. “Your words are worth more than ten years of study. After this drama, I’ll terminate the contract.”

Jiang Heng swiftly extended an olive branch: “Join my studio? Just established this year. Free meals, accommodation, and benefits package. Currently, it’s just me, an artist. How about a spot for you?”

Jiang Heng, who founded his personal studio after only two years in the industry, was truly formidable. His invitation to Shen Fubai came with top-tier treatment.

Their collaboration was mutually beneficial. Shen Fubai needed connections in the film industry, which Jiang Heng could provide. Conversely, Shen Fubai’s access to major advertisements, magazines, and fashion resources was something Jiang Heng, focused on movies, lacked.

Shen Fubai agreed promptly: “Sure.”

Heng Heng’s invitation was irresistible.

They happily decided on this course.-

The little dinosaur, who successfully lured Pikachu, was elated, unable to suppress his widening grin.

“Wait, how did you even know about my stumble at the concert four years ago?” Shen Fubai narrowed his eyes. “Tell me, have you secretly been following me for a long time?”

Jiang Heng’s panic increased as his expression remained calm: “No. You’re just so famous, I saw it in the news.”

The incident of Shen Fubai’s stage fall was widely reported. Numerous articles speculated about his health and exhaustion, never suspecting it was self-inflicted.

Even Shen Fubai’s agency was unaware, still lamenting the loss of a prodigy.

Jiang Heng worried for a long time, suddenly hearing the truth. It was both funny and sad. He rejoiced that Shen Fubai was safe and healthy, yet pained knowing he was exploited and forced to hide his brilliance.

Shen Fubai was relentless, preferring to hide his talent over compromise.-

Shen Fubai asked casually. His past issues were already public knowledge; it wasn’t strange for Jiang Heng to be aware. Jiang Heng watching his six-year-old show wasn’t a big deal; Apple TV was a popular channel.

Shen Fubai found the perfect excuse for Jiang Heng.

The youth wrapped in the Pikachu pajamas had clear eyes: “Don’t you think I’m too much of a diva?”

Jiang Heng: “Huh?”

“So many people want the resources I have, but I easily obtained them and complained. How childish.” Shen Fubai cupped his face, “Sometimes I think I’m being too dramatic, not knowing what I’m sulking about. The company has been supportive.”

Though they supported money, not him. Sheng Entertainment treated him like family, showering him with resources. If he wanted to terminate the contract, everyone would call him ungrateful.

But what they shoved at him wasn’t what he wanted.

To illustrate, he liked watermelon but hated durian. Another person loved durian and gave him all of it. Did he have to be grateful?

He didn’t want a pile of durians.

He wanted a single watermelon.-

Jiang Heng rubbed Pikachu’s head: “No. Everyone who persists in their original dream deserves admiration.”

Shen Fubai was already immensely popular. If he continued dancing, he could reach even greater heights in the idol realm—at least reduce the number of haters.

But he refused.

He remembered entering the industry to act. All his troubles were a rebellion against the status quo. Even if futile, resistance was necessary.

Among those who follow the crowd, those who persist in their chosen direction shouldn’t be slandered—except those literally crossing the road against traffic.

Pikachu was charmed by Little Dinosaur’s head pat, his voice drifting: “Don’t you think the word ‘dream’ has lost its value from overuse?”

“Dreams that are only talked about and never acted upon are cheap,” Little Dinosaur said. “The inherent value of dreams never depreciates.”

“A lifetime is so short, do what you love.”

Like how I love you.

Want to spend my life with you.-

The soup was delicious, Shen Fubai wanted ten more bowls.

It was late. Jiang Heng turned off the lights and the TV, telling Shen Fubai: “Good night.”

“Good night,” Shen Fubai replied, sliding into the blankets.

Shen Fubai expected another sleepless night.

Without Xiong Heng Heng beside him, replaced by a real Heng Heng, he should have been too excited to sleep.

Unexpectedly, he slept soundly, deeply.

Indeed, the genuine article was better than the imitation for inducing sleep.

Xiong·Impostor·Heng Heng: If stuffed animals had souls, I could make you sleep forever.-

Shen Fubai had a habit of holding something while sleeping for security. Previously, it was the 1.8-meter-tall Xiong Heng Heng. Tonight, it was the 1.85-meter-tall real Heng Heng.

In his sleep, Shen Fubai instinctively clung to what was nearby. Usually, it was Xiong Heng Heng lying there; now, it was Jiang Heng…no difference.

Shen Fubai slept deeply, but Jiang Heng was awake. He stared at the ceiling for a while, ensuring the youth was asleep before daring to turn and look. Even in the darkness, seeing a shadowy silhouette so close felt like gazing at the sun.

Jiang Heng was genuinely too excited to sleep.

He stared at Shen Fubai’s soft black hair, finding the youth’s even breathing beautiful.

He never imagined this day would come, with the once distant person lying beside him.

It felt like a dream.

Then Shen Fubai rolled over into Jiang Heng’s arms, draping his arm around him, hugging him.

Jiang Heng: I must be dreaming.

Jiang Heng’s body jolted: “Fubai?”

Shen Fubai didn’t stir, his breathing steady and long.

Jiang Heng didn’t want to take advantage, remaining stiff for a while, carefully placing Shen Fubai’s arm down and moving slightly to the edge of the bed.

Shen Fubai rolled over and hugged him again.

Jiang Heng placed the arm down again, moving back.

Shen Fubai rolled over and hugged him again.

Jiang Heng placed the arm down again, moving back.

Shen Fubai rolled over and hugged him again.

Jiang Heng continued placing the arm down, moving back… “Thud.”

For the second time today, Actor Jiang fell off the bed.

Jiang Heng felt his waist would break.-

As he prepared to climb back onto the bed, a dark figure also tumbled off, crashing onto Jiang Heng.

“Ugh,” Jiang Heng grunted, nearly spitting blood.

Third time. Within a day, Shen Fubai thrice landed on Jiang Heng, each heavier than the last. They seemed magnetically attracted.

Shen Fubai, unable to hug Xiong Heng Heng, rolled over, hugging air, falling straight under the bed, caught by Jiang Heng, who had already fallen.

Miraculously, Shen Fubai remained asleep.

Either he had difficulty falling asleep, or once asleep, nothing could wake him.

Jiang Heng, about to rise, was instantly knocked back by Shen Fubai, lying on the ground in despair.

He glanced down at the youth resting on his chest, grateful Shen Fubai hadn’t woken up.

Otherwise, he’d notice Jiang Heng’s pounding heart.

Jiang Heng whispered softly: “Fubai.”

His voice was clear in the darkness.

There was no response.

Jiang Heng waited, still silence. He murmured: “I like you.”

“Fubai.” Shen Fubai mumbled in his sleep.

Little Dinosaur instantly transformed into a small worm, muscles tensing.

“You’re so comfortable to hug.” Shen Fubai murmured in his dream. Tonight’s Xiong Heng Heng lacked the fluffy texture, feeling soft and smooth, like the intestines his neighbor’s aunt hung on the balcony to dry.

Jiang Heng was conflicted.

Was Fubai awake or not?

The floor was cold. Jiang Heng didn’t lie back down, rising to carry Shen Fubai to the bed, wrapping him carefully in the blankets.

Recalling Shen Fubai’s comment about his comfort, Jiang Heng hesitated, then moved next to Shen Fubai, pulling the youth into his embrace.

He’d be a human-shaped pillow. With this justification, Little Dinosaur contentedly held Pikachu.

–

The Next Day.

Half-awake, Shen Fubai noticed something odd about the texture.

Did Xiong Heng Heng shed fur?

Shen Fubai kept his eyes closed and touched it randomly, finding it strangely different. This shape didn’t resemble Xiong Heng Heng…

Regardless, he continued sleeping.

Ten seconds later.

Shen Fubai suddenly opened his eyes wide.

A magnified handsome face appeared before him. And he was currently entangled around the person like an octopus.

This was the real Heng Heng!

Jiang Heng opened his sleepy eyes and greeted, “Good morning.”

Shen Fubai sat up abruptly: “You, me, we—” He momentarily forgot what had happened the previous night.

Shen Fubai usually took three minutes to regain his wits upon waking up every morning. Add to that the shock of waking up with his idol sleeping beside him, and he was currently clueless.

Seeing Shen Fubai’s befuddled expression, Jiang Heng chuckled. “As you see, we slept together last night.”

There was nothing wrong with his statement. They did indeed sleep in the same bed.

Shen Fubai felt as if struck by lightning.

Had he drunk alcohol yesterday? It seemed he had, but just one glass of red wine. Could he lose control after drinking that little, resulting in a memory blackout? Since when had his alcohol tolerance become so poor?

But his body didn’t feel any discomfort… Shen Fubai looked at Jiang Heng in horror.

Could it be that he had taken advantage of Heng Heng? !-

Shen Fubai cautiously asked Jiang Heng, “Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

What should he do? It was the first time in his 22 years of life that he discovered he might be the dominant partner. He was a bit flustered.

Jiang Heng honestly replied, “My waist hurts.” Falling down the stairs and off the bed several times last night, it wasn’t just his waist that hurt; he had even bruised his wrist.

…It seems he really ruined someone’s innocence.

Seeing the bruise on Jiang Heng’s wrist, Shen Fubai wondered how inhumane he had been last night.

Jiang Heng suddenly yawned lazily, his eyes showing signs of fatigue.

Shen Fubai immediately tensed up. “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Heng gently shook his head. “I’m a bit tired, didn’t sleep all night… It’s alright, I can still handle today.” Embracing Fubai, he was so excited that he couldn’t sleep at all. He only dozed off for a while near dawn, essentially staying up all night.

Shen Fubai was shocked.

Was he that beastly?

Had he criticized Sheng Dogshit for being inhuman, only to behave like scum himself that very night?

Shen Fubai immediately said, “We won’t shoot today. I’ll call Director Xu and take a leave.” He wouldn’t treat someone the way Sheng Scumbag had, making them work the next day.

Jiang Heng was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Shen Fubai was serious. “I’m going to apply medicine to your wounds.”

Jiang Heng shook his head. “It’s unnecessary, just minor injuries.”

Shen Fubai was anxious. “How can you say it’s minor?! I have to take responsibility for the first time.”

Jiang Heng said, “Actually, you’ve done it several times already, it’s nothing.” Shen Fubai really had crashed into him multiple times! Of course, he wouldn’t blame Fubai for it.

Upon hearing this, Shen Fubai couldn’t bear it. He had done it more than once? It was true, Heng Heng hadn’t slept all night. My goodness, what had he done?

Pikachu was about to burst into tears but held back at the last moment.

…Something wasn’t right.

Both Pikachu and Little Dinosaur were still fully clothed, what could have happened?

His three-minute period of mental vacancy ended.

Shen Fubai gradually regained his senses and finally realized that it wasn’t a memory blackout; nothing had actually occurred.

…

Embarrassing.

Fortunately, it seemed Heng Heng hadn’t understood his implication.

Shen Fubai nonchalantly followed up, “You hurt your waist?”

He recalled bumping into Jiang Heng on the stairs yesterday and showed concern. “How serious was the impact?”

Jiang Heng: “Really, it’s nothing.” Compared to the injuries he had sustained from previous filming, this was minor.

Shen Fubai was still uneasy, but Jiang Heng decisively lifted the covers. “Get up. We still have to go to the set today. Don’t be late.”

They quickly got ready and headed out, walking to the Land Rover parked in the underground garage. Just as Jiang Heng opened the driver’s door, Shen Fubai said, “Let me drive. Take a nap on the way.”

Hearing that Jiang Heng hadn’t slept all night, Shen Fubai dared not let him drive while fatigued.

Jiang Heng nodded, circled around to the other side, opened the door, sat in the passenger seat, fastened his seatbelt, and closed his eyes, falling asleep almost instantly.

Shen Fubai glanced at him, turned off the car radio, and tried to drive as smoothly as possible.-

When they arrived at the set, Shen Fubai woke Jiang Heng up, and the two got out of the car together.

Xiao Lin had been waiting on the set. Seeing Shen Fubai, he immediately approached. “Brother Shen.”

Shen Fubai exclaimed, “Didn’t I give you the day off today?”

Xiao Lin: “I’ll be leaving soon, going to the airport to pick up my girlfriend. That… where’s the thing?”

Shen Fubai: “What thing?”

Xiao Lin was momentarily taken aback. “It’s, it’s that thing, pink—”

Now, whenever Shen Fubai heard the word ‘pink,’ he wanted to laugh, albeit bitterly.

“Here you go.” Shen Fubai handed him a black bag. “Have a great time today.” After all, you won’t have a life when you return tomorrow, I’m telling you.

Xiao Lin was extremely grateful. “Thank you, Brother Shen!”

Jiang Heng was called away by Director Xu to discuss the script. Xiao Lin quietly asked, “Brother Shen, Xiao Zhang said that Film Emperor Jiang didn’t come back last night. You two went out for dinner together, so how did you end up staying outside? Where did you stay?”

“Oh, right.” Shen Fubai handed him a business card. “Let me recommend a couple’s hotel to you. It’s called Nine Nine Hotel. Couples who stay over 99 times receive a lifetime free pass. You can challenge it with your girlfriend.”

Since it was Heng Heng’s friend, he should promote their business a bit.

Xiao Lin pondered over the card.

Who would stay at the same hotel 99 times? Why would locals choose to stay at a hotel instead of their own homes? Who among out-of-towners would visit this city 99 times, and bring their partners along?

Clearly a marketing strategy, few could achieve this goal.

“Brother Shen, why do you have a couple’s hotel business card?” Xiao Lin astutely seized the key point.

Shen Fubai: “What’s wrong with that? Can’t single people even go to couple’s hotels?”

Xiao Lin: “Not that, Brother Shen, weren’t you with Film Emperor Jiang yesterday? You two stayed at a couple’s hotel together?”

Shen Fubai: More than that, we stayed in the same suite, even had a couple’s meal. Did we become a couple? No.

“Kids shouldn’t meddle in adult affairs.” Shen Fubai said.

Xiao Lin: “Even this kid has a significant other, but you don’t.”

Shen Fubai: “?? You’ve been getting a bit cocky lately.”

Xiao Lin: “Can’t help it, my girlfriend is coming to see me.”

Shen Fubai: “Get out of my sight, immediately, right now.”-

Meanwhile, after Director Xu finished discussing the script with Jiang Heng, he beckoned Shen Fubai over.

Director Xu was always meticulous about shooting, sometimes spending hours explaining scenes to even minor supporting actors, striving for perfection in every detail.

“Director Xu, you called?” Shen Fubai approached.

Director Xu held the script and said, “Little Shen, I want to talk to you about something.”

Shen Fubai was courteous. “Go ahead.”

“There’s a scene in the drama where Yu Tang practices in the garden, involving stilt-walking. There aren’t many shots, only a few dozen seconds, but it would take quite a bit of effort to learn. I’m asking for your opinion. This skill requires professionalism, and I wouldn’t blame you if you let a stunt double handle it. However, I still hope you can try it yourself. If you succeed, it’s best to do it personally. If not, we have a stunt double as backup.”

Jiang Heng listened silently on the side.

Before yesterday, he would definitely worry that Shen Fubai, with his lack of coordination, couldn’t complete the task, and he would help cover it up. But after witnessing Shen Fubai’s highly skilled and perfectly executed acrobatic moves last night… he didn’t think he needed to worry about it anymore.

Fubai could handle it.

Dance training was a demanding task, and Shen Fubai wasn’t someone who shied away from hardship.

After listening, Shen Fubai said, “No need for a stunt double, I’ll do it myself.”

Director Xu was surprised. “Little Shen, don’t speak too confidently. Let me tell you, stilt-walking isn’t something an ordinary person can easily learn in a short time. If you want to master it, you must endure hardships and falls are inevitable.”

This type of stilt, specific to opera, not only required balance but also demanded the ability to perform various actions while walking on stilts, including singing and martial arts. The difficulty was evident. If anyone could quickly master it, why would professionals need years of practice behind the scenes?

“Director Xu.” Shen Fubai smiled faintly. “You may not know this, but I used to professionally train in dance. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve fallen while practicing those technical moves. I wasn’t afraid back then, and I won’t be afraid now.”

Director Xu was genuinely surprised. He wasn’t familiar with Shen Fubai’s past experiences, only knowing that he was a fresh-faced idol who couldn’t sing or dance well. He hadn’t expected Shen Fubai to be a professional.

Having a dance background was naturally advantageous. There were many movements in opera that required at least ten years of training to execute. Director Xu had already found a stunt double, not expecting Shen Fubai to give him such a pleasant surprise.

“That’s great.” Director Xu slapped his thigh. “The stilts are in the rehearsal room. You can practice when you have time today. Ask the instructor if you have any questions. Little Jiang, let’s shoot your scenes today.”

Shen Fubai nodded and was about to head to the rehearsal room. Before leaving, Jiang Heng’s gaze lightly swept over him, silently mouthing the words ‘good luck.’

Shen Fubai suddenly felt a surge of strength.

_

This strength lasted until Shen Fubai saw a row of stilts, at least two meters tall, standing against the wall in the rehearsal room.

Crap.

How could they be two meters tall right away?! Shouldn’t there be shorter stilts for practice?

Fortunately, Shen Fubai didn’t have acrophobia. It was just that he couldn’t help but imagine what would happen if he fell while stilt-walking, landing face-first…

He was so beautiful, he couldn’t die.

“Hmm? Where’s the teacher?” Shen Fubai didn’t see the instructor in the rehearsal room and was somewhat puzzled.

“I’m here.” A faint female voice echoed from nowhere.

Shen Fubai saw nothing and was confused. “Where are you?”

“Behind you.”

…This development was too similar to a horror movie.

Shen Fubai turned around but still saw nothing, only a row of stilts silently leaning against the wall.

“Look up.” That voice said again.

Shen Fubai slowly raised his head.

…He saw a face on the ceiling.

“AHHHHHHHHH!!!”

_

“What’s wrong, what’s wrong?” The staff hurriedly rushed in, frightened.

Shen Fubai hugged his knees and cowered in the corner, looking pitiful. A stunning woman was squatting in front of him.

“Mr. Shen, Teacher Mu.” The staff asked curiously, “What happened just now?”

The woman turned back and smiled. “Nothing, continue working.”

“Oh, okay.” The staff scratched his head and left.

The woman turned back, smiling. “Director Xu sent you to learn stilt-walking from me, not to learn how to scream like a pig, there’s no need to shriek so miserably.”

Shen Fubai had calmed down. “Your entrance was a bit too scary.”

Standing on those—extremely high stilts, her head touching the ceiling, looking down with long hair, who wouldn’t be terrified?

“Did I scare you? I sincerely apologize.” The woman laughed happily. “But you need to toughen up a bit. How can you be so easily scared?”

Shen Fubai raised his eyes. “Are you the instructor?”

“Yes, my name is Mu Yao.”

“So young….” Facing such a face, he couldn’t even bring himself to use the honorific ‘you’.

“Thank you for the compliment.” Mu Yao smiled charmingly. “I’m already thirty.”

Shen Fubai was amazed. “Sister, it’s hard to tell.” Her skin care was better than that of many actresses in the circle.

Mu Yao chuckled and then raised her phoenix-like eyes. “Enough talk, let’s start practicing. Which one do you choose?” She pointed at the row of stilts.

Shen Fubai felt his scalp tingle. “Sister, everything needs a process of gradual progression, can’t you give me a meter-tall one to start with?”

“It’s already been eased for you, these are only two meters.” Mu Yao said, “I just stepped on a three-meter one.”

Shen Fubai felt frightened. “Are the stilts in the drama also this tall?”

“Not exactly.” Mu Yao said, “In the drama, they are two meters.”

Shen Fubai breathed a sigh of relief, but Mu Yao added, “However, you still have to practice the three-meter ones.”

Shen Fubai was speechless. “Why?”

“If you’re going to practice, you can’t just learn it, you have to master it. If you only half-learn it, it would be better to hire a stunt double. Stilt-walking is difficult to learn quickly, and you also have to film. You don’t have much time to practice.” Mu Yao explained, “So we have to increase the difficulty. If you can master the three-meter stilts within the limited time, the two-meter stilts will be as easy as walking on flat ground.”

Shen Fubai couldn’t argue against it.

He took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m ready.”

“Hold on, let me explain a few key points.” Mu Yao explained the basic techniques to Shen Fubai and demonstrated them herself.

Shen Fubai watched as Mu Yao tied the stilts to her legs, slowly rose while holding onto the bar, and soon became a giantess.

“You give it a try.” Mu Yao looked down at him from above.

Shen Fubai fully armed himself and sat on a chair, tying the stilts to his legs, and then…

There was no then.

He realized his problem wasn’t how to maintain balance.

He couldn’t even stand up.

_

“Hold onto the pole and slowly find your center of gravity.” Mu Yao guided him step by step.

Shen Fubai: “I can’t do it. I can’t manage it.” He always fell back as soon as he tried to lift his body, completely lacking the knack for it.

Mu Yao: “Mengmeng, stand up.”

Shen Fubai: “I really can’t do it.”

Mu Yao: “Men can’t say they can’t! Be a man and stand up! As a dancer, how can your sense of balance be so poor?”

Shen Fubai said, “Actually, my specialty isn’t dance. My specialty is cross-dressing for twenty years…”

Mu Yao, angry, climbed down from the stilts. “Show some spirit, I’ll help you.”

With Mu Yao’s assistance, Shen Fubai finally managed to stand up.

By the time he could attempt to take a step, the morning had passed. Jiang Heng, who had just finished filming, entered the rehearsal room to check on Shen Fubai’s progress. His tone rose slightly. “You can already stand? That’s great.”

Praised by Heng Heng!

Shen Fubai happily bounced, forgetting he was still on stilts two meters tall.

“Damn you—” Mu Yao’s voice was drowned out.

Shen Fubai fell again.

This time, even Jiang Heng didn’t have time to catch him.

Fortunately, they had taken safety precautions, so he didn’t sustain any injuries when he fell. He was sitting between the two stilts, the straps binding the stilts to his legs had come loose, and he was a bit dazed from the fall.

Jiang Heng felt heartache mixed with amusement. “Be careful. Practice is practice, but getting injured would be counterproductive.”

He walked over, reached out to Shen Fubai, and smiled gently. “Get up.”

Heng Heng’s gentleness could intoxicate a person.

Staring at Jiang Heng’s smiling eyes, Shen Fubai thought,

Help me up, I can still walk. Raise these stilts another eighty thousand miles, I want to touch the sky!