Chapter 112: I'll Go First!

P.S.: Asking for a first commitment...

Being brothers, having loyalty and camaraderie—that was something people of the previous generation valued deeply.

But for Jiang Lun’s generation, what does it mean to be brothers?

It’s hard to define succinctly. The three of them weren’t the legendary Four Iron Brothers, nor were they seasoned veterans who had fought side by side through life-and-death struggles.

Yet they had their own way of being.

In an era where friendships come in all shapes and sizes, living together under one roof for three years—that bond, for them, was called brotherhood.

"Enough! Stop crying!" Jiang Lun stepped forward, grabbed Wang Qilin, and tried to lead him back inside. "There’ll be plenty more chances ahead. Don’t let this failure get to you!"

"I can get over it!" Wang Qilin went along with it at first, standing up when pulled, but then he slipped away from Jiang Lun’s grasp and insisted on sitting back by the barbecue grill, silently turning the food over. A skewer of string beans was burnt black, yet he kept turning it, clearly lost in thought.

Jiang Lun smiled. "Good that you’ve come to terms with it. We’re brothers, so don’t bottle up your troubles. If you need a hand, just say the word—no questions asked!"

He then gave Cai Fei a nudge, signaling him to say something too, to stop snapping and losing his temper so easily.

Cai Fei stiffened his neck, tears visibly pooling in his eyes. He felt deeply wronged. Unlike Jiang Lun, who had already moved out, Cai Fei hadn’t expected to be kept in the dark under the same roof about such a big matter. Was this really brotherhood or not?

The atmosphere between the three grew tense. Eventually, Wang Qilin picked up a glass of beer and stood.

Turning to Cai Fei, he said, "Sorry for not telling you earlier. I thought it was a done deal, absolutely certain, so I was afraid that if I said anything, every day afterward you’d keep reminding me of separation—and I couldn’t bear that."

Cai Fei was silent for a long time, staring at him for over ten minutes before finally bending down to pick up a beer can from the table. He clinked it against Wang Qilin’s cup and suddenly smiled. "You really are a softie!"

"Call me what you like," Wang Qilin laughed. "I’m staying. I’ve made up my mind to stick with you guys. You two figure out what to do!"

He then reached out to toast Jiang Lun.

"Alright!" Jiang Lun said. "You two want to start your own business, right? I say don’t rush it now. Let me introduce you to some film crews—fight choreographer, stunt double, background roles. What can’t you do?"

The two exchanged a glance. Wang Qilin said, "We’ll follow your lead. As long as we stay busy, anything’s possible!"

"Great!" Jiang Lun chuckled. "I’ll call right now and ask around."

He pulled out his phone and dialed Zhao Rong.

After a few rings, Zhao Rong answered. "Hey, Alun! How are you? Are you still in the capital? Funny, I was just about to call you tomorrow morning!"

"I’m alright," Jiang Lun replied. Hearing Zhao’s rapid chatter, he asked, "You got something going too?"

"The film crew wraps tomorrow. Wonder if you have time to come by for lunch? After this shoot, everyone’s heading their own way."

"So soon?" Jiang Lun was surprised, forcing a smile. "I was thinking of sending two friends to your crew. Now that’s messed up."

"Oh! Sorry about that. After this one, I’m not sure what’s next," Zhao Rong sighed bitterly before asking, "So, are you coming tomorrow or not?"

"I’ll be there," Jiang Lun said without hesitation. He had a few days off and nothing else going on.

"And hey, help me keep an ear out for other crews needing people, will you?"

"Sure thing. I’ve been in the circle long enough to have some connections," Zhao Rong boasted.

"Alright, I won’t keep you. We’re about to shoot the last scene. After that, ha, it’s wrap for good!"

"Congrats, congrats," Jiang Lun offered his blessings before ending the call.

Pocketing his phone, he looked up at Wang Qilin and Cai Fei’s expectant faces and smiled awkwardly. "Don’t look at me like that. Opportunities should be coming soon."

They’d all overheard the call but didn’t press further. They kept drinking, treating the night like a song.

Later, after drinking too much, none of them remembered much.

When Jiang Lun woke, it was already ten in the morning.

He realized he was sleeping in Wang Qilin’s room, clothes still on, sweat clinging to his skin.

Thankfully, it was summer. He headed out to shower with cold water.

Opening the door, he saw Cai Fei slumped on the sofa in a mess, impossible to get close.

Checking Cai Fei’s room, he found Wang Qilin lying naked on the bed, snoring heavily—a towering figure stretched out without a stitch covering him.

What a filthy sight!

Jiang Lun promptly shut the door and went to wash.

After freshening up, he tried to rouse Cai Fei, but the latter only buried his head further into the sofa cushions, snoring on.

With no choice, Jiang Lun had to leave early for Zhao Rong’s wrap party.

At noon, Jiang Lun changed into fresh clothes at a street boutique, carrying his old ones in a paper bag, then headed to the hotel hosting the wrap party for "The Beautiful City."

Taking the elevator to the fourth-floor restaurant, he was stopped by a security guard at the entrance.

"Sir, sorry, the entire fourth-floor restaurant is booked today. Please dine elsewhere."

Jiang Lun took off his sunglasses, and the guard immediately recognized him.

"You're Jiang Lun?"

"Yes, I’m part of ‘The Beautiful City’ cast."

"Oh, then you’re welcome to enter!" The guard beamed and pointed the way.

It was an internal gathering of the crew—no outsiders—different from the later press conferences and celebrations.

Those were usually buffets; this wrap party was a grand round table surrounded by the team.

Jiang Lun found a random table but saw no familiar faces or the director and lead actors.

Some had only done minor scenes, like Jiang Lun, but all were invited.

Not everyone knew each other well, but in this circle, acquaintances ran deep. Upon meeting, it was always, "Oh, you were in this film too? Nice to meet you!"

Soon, Jiang Lun’s phone rang—it was Zhao Rong.

"Where are you?"

"You here?"

"I’m already seated!"

"Great! See the row of private rooms on the left? Third one—we’re all in there!"

"Okay! I’m coming right now!"

Jiang Lun hung up and got up.

At the same table sat a few other guest actors, who began talking.

"Was that just Jiang Lun?"

"Yeah! He’s also part of this film?"

"Not sure! But I heard the ending theme song is his. Maybe that’s why."

"That makes sense. How could a singer just suddenly appear in a film..."

They chatted until Jiang Lun found the private room.

Inside were two large tables full of the film’s main creators—director, leads, writer, and producer.

"Jiang, you’re here!"

The producer, Shao, from Easy Reach Productions, whom Jiang Lun had met a few times but wasn’t close with, greeted him by name.

"Hello, Producer Shao," Jiang Lun said politely.

"Don’t be so formal, come sit!" Shao smiled.

"Jiang, come here!" Aunt Hao called from across the room.

"Your table is full. Come join us!"

Zhao Rong stood and made room for Jiang Lun, right between himself and Cao Xiwen.

Jiang Lun sat down and smiled at Cao Xiwen.

"Sit down quickly!"

She smiled and handed him chopsticks.

"Pour the drinks! Pour the drinks!"

Zhao Rong grabbed a bottle and filled Jiang Lun’s glass, then looked around.

"Everyone’s here?"

"I’ll count!"

Aunt Hao, the production manager who arranged the party, did a headcount and smiled.

"Director, everyone’s arrived!"

"Great, let’s begin!"

Zhao Rong raised his glass. "Finally wrapped. Most of us can rest for a few days. I haven’t had a good sleep in months. But since we wrapped smoothly, let’s toast the producer and investors first!"

Everyone raised their glasses. Producer Shao smiled, "Cheers, everyone!"

The investors also spoke, "You all worked hard shooting. We weren’t with you every day, so this first drink is for you!"

With customary pleasantries, the first round of drinks went down.

Jiang Lun was still recovering from his hangover from the night before, hadn’t eaten, and his stomach burned as he kept drinking.

After one glass, he pulled Zhao Rong aside.

"Director Zhao, one glass is enough. I really can’t drink more."

"No problem," Zhao waved him off. "Another glass, just for show. You don’t have to finish it."

"Alright then."

Jiang Lun watched helplessly as his glass was refilled.

In subsequent rounds, he sipped a little or just pretended to drink.

Cao Xiwen noticed and smiled, "Jiang, let’s do one together!"

"Miss Cao..."

Before Jiang Lun could respond, she raised her cup and downed it in one.

They sat together, and with her watching him intently, Jiang Lun felt awkward pretending, so he reluctantly finished his glass too.

"Fill it up again, fill it up!" Cao Xiwen grinned and topped off his cup.

"Well then..."

Jiang Lun stood, holding his glass high.

"Everyone, though my time on set was short and my scenes few, thank you all for taking care of me. I’m not good at drinking, but this one, I must toast you all... I’ll drink it down!"

He tipped his head back and downed the shot of white liquor.

"Good!"

*Applause and cheering filled the room.*

Only one person, Yao Xiaoqiang, sat in the corner, staring at Jiang Lun with a look full of grievance, unmoved by the celebration.

(To be continued.)