Chapter 27 – I’ll Give You Everything

The door to the rehearsal room was pushed open again, with staff members calling everyone over for lunch.

The production team’s boxed lunches were all distributed at noon. While not extravagant, they were a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, ensuring good nutrition. Director Xu treated everyone equally; there were no special meals for the lead actors, nor did he skimp on the extras. Everyone ate the same thing. If someone didn’t want the boxed lunch, they could go buy their own food from nearby restaurants.

Generally, extras wouldn’t complain about the production’s boxed lunches. After a day’s hard work, they didn’t earn much, so who wouldn’t be happy with free lunch?

Shen Fubai and Jiang Heng were different.

If they were filming in deep forests, old woods, desolate deserts, or vast wilderness, they could also endure eating dry rations for half a month without a word of complaint. But now that there were restaurants nearby, why should these two wealthy individuals lower their living standards?

Would a true-blue foodie do something like that? No.

So every time, Xiao Zhang and Xiao Lin would run errands to buy lunch for their two bosses.

Today, Xiao Lin wasn’t around. He and his girlfriend had gone somewhere to enjoy a couple’s meal. Without an assistant, Shen Fubai thought it over and went to queue up for a boxed lunch.

He definitely couldn’t go out and buy it himself. If people recognized him, it would cause traffic jams. He also felt awkward asking other staff members to buy it for him, fearing that the long list of dishes he wanted would shock them.

It was quite miserable.

Shen Fubai stood very inconspicuously at the end of the line, not pushing forward into the crowd. He planned to wait until everyone else had taken their meals before picking his up.

The extras in front of the lunch distribution area were maintaining order, but the back was a free-for-all. People were cutting in line, almost coming to blows. The number of boxed lunches was limited, and if you were late, you wouldn’t get any food. At this point, who cared about manners? Not being hungry was the priority.

Shen Fubai was standing properly at the end of the line when a girl in front of him was pushed out by someone and was about to fall out of the crowd.

Standing not far behind her, Shen Fubai quickly moved forward to support her.

“Thank you.” The girl didn’t even look up, hurriedly trying to squeeze back into the crowd. However, when she glanced down and saw those expensive Nike sneakers, she froze, staring blankly as she looked up.

A handsome young man stood before her, slightly lowering his gaze, his voice gentle. “Are you alright?”

Girl: “…” Quick, call an ambulance.

I have a problem. My heart rate is too high. I’m dying.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Shen Fubai covered his ears immediately.

The girl’s scream, which could have broken through the clouds, drew the attention of everyone in front. They thought someone was about to attack another for cutting in line.

That wouldn’t do. Stealing food was one thing, but causing a death was unacceptable.

Everyone turned around simultaneously, wanting to see who the perpetrator was. But instead, they saw a superstar of unparalleled status, the center of everyone’s attention.

It was truly the center of everyone’s attention.

With so many people staring at him, Shen Fubai removed his hand from his ear and calmly greeted them. “Hello, please continue. Just pretend you didn’t see me.”

Extra actors: “…”

A second later, all the extras lined up in two rows, clearing a path for Shen Fubai to walk first.

In the entertainment industry, there was a food chain, and Shen Fubai was the man at the top.

Shen Fubai: I just wanted to pick up my boxed lunch quietly.

There was nothing he could do. He was just so high-profile due to his looks, such a headache.

Now that he’d been spotted, Shen Fubai didn’t hesitate anymore, quickly walking down the clear path the crowd had made for him. Everywhere he went, others either stared in amazement at his beauty or lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at him, only subtly indicating to those beside them after he passed.

Even though they were in the same production crew, these extras rarely had the chance to interact closely with celebrities. Most of the time, they could only catch a glimpse from afar.

They weren’t in the same world.

Seeing this scene, Shen Fubai felt like he was a king ascending to the throne, with officials paying homage on both sides and the masses submitting below him.

Then, this unapproachable king picked up a boxed lunch, grabbed a pair of disposable chopsticks, and walked away.

Shen Fubai’s dressing room had already been occupied by someone. Although it was labeled as his exclusive dressing room, there were so many actors needing makeup in the crew. Not only him and Jiang Heng, but there were also many second and third-tier stars. With so few dressing rooms, it was impossible to let them squeeze together with the extras. Thus, Shen Fubai’s room had been commandeered.

Why did people strive so hard to climb up? Wasn’t it for this kind of differential treatment? The concept of equality often didn’t apply in the workplace, the government, or the disparity between the rich and poor among the general public.

For instance, the actress named Yang Yingying who had taken over Shen Fubai’s dressing room was a somewhat well-known third-tier star. Compared to Shen Fubai, she was a mere speck. She was halfway through her makeup. If Shen Fubai entered now and said he wanted to use the dressing room, that actress would have to leave with her unfinished makeup. Not only could she not complain, but she would also be worried that Shen Fubai might hold it against her.

This was status.

It was cruel and realistic.

Shen Fubai glanced inside the dressing room from the doorway and then went to the lounge.

The lounge was packed, but it didn’t matter. Shen Fubai could easily clear the place with a single word.

However, he didn’t.

Shen Fubai looked around, sighed, and found an empty corner where he squatted down, holding his boxed lunch and burying his head in eating.

Those who accidentally saw this scene, whether extras or staff, were stunned.

In their imagination, a big celebrity should be elegantly sitting in a grand hotel, enjoying exquisite cuisine. Was this person squatting in the corner eating a boxed lunch real?

Too down-to-earth.

The boxed lunch was pretty good, with green peppers stir-fried with chilies – allegedly green peppers stir-fried with shredded pork, but the portion given to him didn’t have any meat. No problem, a perfect duo of green peppers and chilies, the name alone sounded auspicious.

There was also pickled cabbage with radish – alright, nutritious and flavorful, he wasn’t picky.

And there was tomatoes stir-fried with eggs… tomatoes stir-fried with eggs?!

Shen Fubai: I don’t eat tomatoes!!!

This was unbearable. He and tomatoes couldn’t coexist under the same sky.

Uncomfortable. Why did today’s lunch have to include tomatoes.

The first day without Xiao Lin, missing him.

Squatting on the ground, Shen Fubai swallowed the bland rice, not touching the side dishes at all, completely lacking appetite. The weather was hot, and after squatting for a while, he got tired. The scorching sunlight shone down, and he shifted, moving to the shade, nearly bumping into a pile of garbage.

A grain of rice accidentally fell to the ground. Soon, an ant crawled over, touched it with its antennae, and dragged the grain of rice back to its nest.

Shen Fubai’s eyes followed it, slowly shifting from here to there.

Shen Fubai, depressed: “Even you can eat what you like, but I can’t.”

Another ant emerged from the nest, the two ants touched antennae, and together they carried the grain of rice back to their love nest.

Shen Fubai, in anguish: “Even you have a partner to share food with, but I don’t.”

What the hell was this human suffering.

Xiao Lin was accompanying his girlfriend, and Shen Fubai was acting crazy today. Perhaps the loneliness of being alone made him deeply realize the importance of love.

And he really had someone he liked a lot.

But he was a coward.

Shen Fubai: I’m just trash, blending in with the garbage beside me.

At this moment, the sunlight illuminated his beauty again, as if comforting him that the world was still beautiful and bright.

Shen Fubai lowered his head, dejected. “Stop shining, it’s hot. If you move any further, I’ll really sit in the garbage pile.”

Just as he finished speaking, his vision was once again obscured by shadow.

Was Grandpa Sun so obedient?

Shen Fubai looked up and saw Jiang Heng standing in front of him, holding a bag, blocking the blinding sunlight.

But it was still so blinding.

Heng Heng, do you know, you’re more dazzling than the sun.

“Can’t eat it?” Jiang Heng asked.

Shen Fubai’s inability to swallow his food was embarrassingly obvious. A little bit of rice was missing from the lunchbox, but none of the dishes had been touched.

Shen Fubai: “No, I’m eating.” He couldn’t let Heng Heng know that he was a picky eater.

Jiang Heng said, “Don’t eat that. Have mine instead.”

The meal in the bag was opened, and it was all the things Shen Fubai loved to eat.

Shen Fubai: “Ah? You’re giving this to me? What will you eat?”

Jiang Heng: “I’ve already eaten.” Actually, he hadn’t. He had specifically chosen these dishes, intending to share them with Shen Fubai.

Shen Fubai hesitated, looking at the lunch in his hands. “But I can’t waste this.”

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Heng took away the lunchbox and disposable chopsticks from his hand. Jiang Heng stuffed his own bag into Shen Fubai’s hands and squatted down next to him, holding Shen Fubai’s leftover lunchbox. “I’ll eat yours.”

Shen Fubai was taken aback. “Didn’t you say you’ve already eaten?”

Jiang Heng kept a straight face. “Not enough.”

Shen Fubai was conflicted. “But this has been eaten by me.” Those chopsticks were still stained with my saliva.

Jiang Heng turned to look at him, smiling faintly. His face was slightly blurred by the sudden burst of sunlight, but his voice was crystal clear as it reached Shen Fubai’s ears.

“What does that matter?”

Under the blazing sun, beside the pile of garbage in the corner, a renowned movie emperor and a popular young actor were squatting side by side, eating boxed lunches.

Few people passed by. Those who did assumed they were seeing things. A few even considered coming over to give them coins, but upon closer inspection, realizing who they were, they quickly retreated.

What kind of surreal reality was this? Two giants of the entertainment industry begging on the street. Was this inflation or a sign of societal decline?

Shen Fubai felt quite embarrassed letting Jiang Heng eat his leftovers, especially since his lunch was far less sumptuous than what Jiang Heng had given him. Seeing Jiang Heng relishing his food, Shen Fubai was puzzled. “…Is it really that tasty?”

Jiang Heng paused with his chopsticks, lying through his teeth. “Yes, I love tomatoes stir-fried with eggs.” As if, he hated tomatoes the most.

In this aspect, Jiang Heng’s taste coincided with Shen Fubai’s.

But what could he do? Since Fubai said he didn’t want to waste food, he could only smile and eat it down.

Shen Fubai: “Alright, alright…” Heng Heng actually likes tomatoes, noted in my little book.

Shen Fubai used to think that he would love everything Jiang Heng liked by extension. Now, he felt that it was unlikely.

…Perhaps he should try to accept tomatoes?

Oh no, just thinking about it was scary.

After finishing their meals, they packed up the lunchboxes and didn’t throw them in the garbage pile beside them. Instead, they threw them in a trash bin a hundred meters away.

A hundred meters wasn’t particularly long, but it wasn’t short either. Shen Fubai held the garbage bag, saying as he walked, “Thanks for your lunch. How much? I’ll transfer the money to you.”

Jiang Heng shook his head. “No need. I also ate your food.”

Shen Fubai: “But how can that be the same? That was from the production team, I didn’t pay for it.”

Jiang Heng took the garbage bag from Shen Fubai’s hand, throwing both of theirs into the trash can. Then, he walked back and stopped. “I promised food and lodging.”

Shen Fubai suddenly felt his heart racing.

“Ah?” He pretended to be clueless.

“I promised that when you come to my studio, I’ll provide food and lodging. This can be considered an advance payment.” Jiang Heng covered his mouth, chuckling softly. “When you come to my place in the future, you can do whatever you want. I’ll give you everything, you won’t have to return anything.”

“Except for you, you belong to me.”