Chapter 29: New Year's on Set

While reading her script in the dressing room, Lin Xi received an email from her company.

She needed to start focusing on her own company as well. At present, Sun, a publicly listed corporation, had a professional interim CEO, and her previous designs had all been transferred to the company by her brother. These designs had already launched in the domestic market and were receiving positive feedback.

But she knew she couldn't simply rest on her laurels. If she wanted her brand to grow bigger, she had to keep innovating, gather even more talented fashion designers, and work together to push the brand onto the international stage.

Up to now, her designs had mainly catered to men, except for a few gowns she had custom-made for Hollywood actresses. Now, she thought it might be a good idea to design some womenswear as well. The models were right at hand—her sister-in-law and Xiao Jin were both quintessential examples of Eastern beauty. The brand would surely gain even more recognition.

As Lin Xi considered all this, she recalled that Lu Yuxiu had promised to model for her, though she hadn't had the chance to ask him for help amid her busy schedule.

A knock came at the door just then.

“Lin Xi.” Lu Yuxiu entered, carrying several colorful gift boxes, and reached out to hand them to her.

She took them, her face puzzled. “What are these?”

“They’re from your fans. They asked me to bring them to you,” Lu Yuxiu replied with a gentle smile.

“My fans?” Lin Xi was taken aback. “Where are they?”

“They’re outside the Hengdian gate. They’re not allowed onto the set. They went to a lot of trouble to find me. They said they're your ‘Little Sunrays’ and asked me to give you these gifts, and to tell you they’ll always support you.”

Lu Yuxiu was quite moved himself. Fans always gave their idols unconditional love and support. His Lin Xi was truly someone people were drawn to.

Lin Xi felt a whirlwind of emotions—delight that she had fans coming to see her, but also guilt over the hardships they’d endured just to have a chance to meet her.

“Hurry! Take me to them!” Lin Xi anxiously grabbed Lu Yuxiu’s sleeve, her face full of urgency.

Lu Yuxiu, however, remained calm, as if he'd anticipated her reaction. He gently patted her back. “Don’t worry, they won’t leave so soon. I’ll take you to find them.” Then he took her hand and led her outside.

At the entrance to Hengdian, Lin Xi looked out but saw no one beyond the barrier. Her heart sank—she had missed her little fans after all.

“Lin Xi!” A voice, brimming with joy, floated in on the wind.

Lin Xi spun around and saw three or four young women, looking like college students, standing outside the fence, waving excitedly at her. She hurried over.

“Ah! Sister Xi! It’s really you!” One of them was so overwhelmed she dropped her bubble tea.

Another girl with short hair could hardly believe it. “Sister Xi, we love you so much! We came today hoping for a miracle, and we actually saw you!”

“Truly, we have no regrets in this life! You’re real!” they all chattered, bouncing with excitement.

For the first time, Lin Xi felt so powerfully the unconditional love and support from others that she was rendered speechless with emotion.

“Thank you, thank you all!” Tears welled in Lin Xi’s eyes.

The girls, seeing her, were on the verge of tears themselves.

Lin Xi strode forward, opened her arms, and, to their astonishment, pulled them all into a hug. The girls embraced her back, sobbing together.

Lu Yuxiu stood quietly behind them, deeply touched by the scene. He began to understand why Lin Xi had entered this world—to experience this feeling of being liked, affirmed, supported, and adored.

Every kind-hearted, lovely girl in the world deserves to be cherished.

Lin Xi accepted the gifts and in return gave her little fans some presents too. As an artist, she couldn’t just accept things bought with her fans’ hard-earned money as a matter of course.

The girls never imagined their idol would give them anything in return, and their eyes remained red with emotion.

Lin Xi gave them a warm smile. “You don’t need to bring me gifts in the future. I have everything I need—I don’t want you to spend your money. If you really want to give me something, write me a letter. I’ll read every word.”

They nodded vigorously, completely overwhelmed with gratitude.

From that day on, these girls became the core members of Lin Xi’s fan club. Most of the gifts Lin Xi received afterward were letters, cards, or little handmade trinkets from her fans.

But that, as they say, is another story.

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The filming of "Glorious Age" continued in full swing, and Lin Xi welcomed her first New Year after returning home.

As the end of the year approached, the festive atmosphere grew more intense. Every set in Hengdian was draped with bright red flags, laughter abounded, and each crew felt like a big family.

Lin Xi was gathered with the other actors making dumplings—a special request from Director Lu for the New Year. He said that eating dumplings together before everyone went home for the holiday would make for a warm reunion.

There were people kneading dough, mixing fillings, rolling out wrappers—Lu Yuxiu himself was there, helping by passing things around.

Of course, there were those making dumplings too. Lin Xi had never made dumplings by hand before and was intrigued by the process. Wen Jin sat next to her, showing her step by step.

Lin Xi watched as Wen Jin scooped some filling into the center of a wrapper, then deftly folded and pinched it into a beautiful dumpling. Lin Xi could only marvel at the skill.

While Lin Xi was still fumbling through her first attempts, Wen Jin had already made over a dozen without even thinking.

Watching Lin Xi’s look of frustration, Lu Yuxiu found her adorable. He came up with a mischievous idea, quietly slipped behind her, dipped his fingers in some flour, and slowly reached toward her face.

Wen Jin, sitting opposite Lin Xi, saw what he was up to, as did the surrounding actors. They exchanged glances and all smiled knowingly. Wen Jin even covered her mouth to stifle a giggle—she never expected this “Divine Lu” to have such a playful side.

Lin Xi, head down and focused on her dumplings, was completely unaware.

Suddenly, the light beside her dimmed as a gentle touch landed on her face. Lin Xi looked up swiftly, now sporting the face of a little flour-dusted kitten, and stared in shocked confusion.

The whole crew burst out laughing.

Finally catching on, Lin Xi whirled around to find the culprit, only to see Lu Yuxiu standing behind her, struggling to keep a straight face.

At once, she grabbed a handful of flour and lunged at him.

Lu Jin, hearing the commotion, came over to see his son so full of life. He suppressed a smile and shook his head. His son still retained his childlike spirit in front of the girl he liked—so serious in front of his own parents, yet so playful now. He couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry.

Ah, a grown son is no longer under his father’s sway.

Meanwhile, though Lu Yuxiu dodged left and right, he ultimately let her catch him, bending down so she could smear flour on him. He gazed at her with deep affection, and Lin Xi, unreserved, drew floury stripes across his face, turning him into a little cat as well.

Then, seized by mischief, Lin Xi turned and dabbed flour on Wen Jin’s face, who couldn’t escape and submitted meekly.

In the end, everyone present fell victim to Lin Xi’s playful flour attacks—even Lu Jin didn’t escape unscathed.

When things finally quieted down, everyone looked at each other and broke out in laughter.

“Come on, let’s take a photo for Weibo!” Lin Xi picked up her phone, and everyone gathered together, making peace signs and hearts with their hands, each face beaming with joy.

Lin Xi posted the photo online, captioned: “The whole crew are little flour-cats.”

The actors all shared the post, and in no time, it was trending.

Netizens were abuzz:

—Wow, I’m so envious! I wish I could join them; the atmosphere on this set is wonderful, so warm and familial!
—Is it just me, or is there something special in Lu Yuxiu’s eyes? He’s looking at Lin Xi with such fondness! Incredible!
—Girl, you’re just noticing? Stay calm, you’ll get used to it!
—Proof! This is proof! Our Divine Lu has finally come to his senses! Let’s go!

The dumplings were nearly ready, just waiting to be boiled. Lu Yuxiu took Lin Xi back to the dressing room—clearly, he had something to say.

Once seated, Lu Yuxiu lounged back with a lazy smile, gently wiping the flour from her face. “This show should finish filming in early April. Do you have any projects lined up after this?”

Lin Xi was caught off guard. Since her rise to fame, she’d received many scripts, and Zhou Xin had handpicked a few for her to choose from. Though she was an actress, her unique background gave her plenty of say. She just hadn’t found time to look through them, wanting to focus on finishing this drama first.

Zhou Xin had also landed her an endorsement with a domestic luxury brand, scheduled for after “Glorious Age.”

“I haven’t decided yet. Why do you ask? Are you thinking of recommending something to me, Brother Yuxiu?” Lin Xi teased.

To her surprise, Lu Yuxiu nodded. “Yes. There’s a film I’m about to join, and the female lead hasn’t been decided yet. The role suits you. Want to try?”

Lin Xi was a little embarrassed—she’d guessed right.

“Of course! I’d love to try. If you’re recommending it, it has to be good!” Lin Xi agreed enthusiastically.

Lu Yuxiu’s eyes crinkled, his lips curving in a subtle smile. “You trust me that much?”

“Mhm.” Lin Xi nodded, a bit ingratiating. With a good script and strong cast, she would never say no.

“Okay, read the script when you have time. After the New Year, I’ll introduce you to the director.” His tone was light.

“Great. By the way, Brother Yuxiu, you haven’t forgotten about modeling for me, have you?” Lin Xi looked up, a hint of challenge in her eyes.

Lu Yuxiu’s smile deepened. “Anytime!”

They exchanged a warm, knowing smile.

“Dumplings are ready!” Several staffers delivered plates of steaming dumplings to each room, the savory aroma filling the entire set.

Lu Yuxiu took a plate from a staff member and nodded his thanks. The staffer gave him a knowing look, while Lin Xi busied herself clearing the table and setting out bowls and chopsticks, oblivious.

She was really looking forward to this meal; having grown up abroad, she’d never really experienced a proper dumpling feast.

“Try one.” Lu Yuxiu picked up a dumpling with big, flared edges and offered it to her. Lin Xi grinned—this was different from the ones Xiao Jin had made.

She picked one up, blew on it, took a bite, and was met with a mouthful of sweetness—a sugar-filled dumpling. Lin Xi’s eyes lit up.

A burst of sugary flavor filled her mouth, and she smiled contentedly.

Lu Yuxiu watched her intently, his gaze dark and brilliant, brimming with affection, as if he wanted to sear her image into his memory.

“Brother Yuxiu, it’s sweet filling! Try it—it’s delicious!” Lin Xi’s eyes sparkled as she flashed him a radiant smile.

Lu Yuxiu chuckled, pouring her a glass of water. “Eat slowly, they’re all yours.”

Then he pulled out a napkin and gently wiped her mouth, his focus and tenderness making Lin Xi’s whole body tingle with delight.

No wonder this “Divine Lu” was so adored by girls—he was both handsome and unfailingly attentive.

If Lu Yuxiu could hear Lin Xi’s thoughts, he’d surely protest—he’d never treated any other girl this way.

While Lin Xi sat transfixed by him, he had already started eating, his manner graceful and refined.

Feeling Lin Xi’s gaze on him, Lu Yuxiu was secretly delighted. The time and effort he’d spent learning to make those sugar dumplings from his mother had paid off. He’d made them the day before and kept them frozen, and the suggestion from the others in the hall had really been worthwhile.

A heartwarming day indeed.