May 16th. Zhang Jingsong had the entire interview edited and advertised over the course of two intensive weeks. Now, the livestream where it’d be aired had begun its final countdown. The viewer numbers climbed into the hundreds of thousands before the broadcast even began. Messages streamed through the live chat box as people’s excitement began to boil over.
[Li Feiling’s Couch: I’m so looking forward to our movie queen’s new project! She’s just a brilliant diamond who’s at the peak of her luminance! Step on us if it means you’ll reach greater heights! I know the plot will do her justice, I just worry about the supporting cast!]
[Boyfriend Collector: You don’t need to worry!!! Our Wu Linjie will do his job!!! You need to worry more about Li Feiling being outshined!!]
[My Dad Went To Get Milk: Um actually, if you look at it logically, there’s just no feasible way that could transpire. Li Feiling is twenty-seven years old with far more experience and accolades than Wu Linjie; plus, she has the lead role while Wu Linjie is her foil. You just wouldn’t understand with your meager amount of education.]
[Anonymous 586469: Bro go outside]
[Anonymous 48345: Touch grass]
[Anonymous 5874: Maybe you’ll find your dad while you’re out there]
[Anonymous 4343: Li Feiling please spare us a glance...]
[Anonymous 1230: Have you guys heard that Xia Ruyun’s in this?]
[Anonymous 5092: I wish Li Feiling did voice work. I want her to whisper sweet nothings into my ears when I sleep...]
[Anonymous 912: What I would give for a rich wife like her]
[Anonymous 9860: I’ve been practicing washing dishes for TWENTY years! Pick me! Me!]
The chat continued its antics, only picking up its intensity as the broadcast began. As the screen brightened, Zhang Jingsong’s strict visage appeared. He gave a short introduction of the show, thanked the viewers for coming, and transitioned to the first pair: Wu Linjie and Li Feiling.
The chat quieted down as the two began answering questions. Everything followed textbook guidelines as their responses didn’t draw out any strong opinions. Bar the comments heaping unending amounts of praise onto the two, a small subset began peddling their couple pairing.
[Boyfriend Collector: Don’t you see the chemistry?!? o(≧▽≦)o]
[The Devil’s Sealed In My Eye: That was a buttery smooth baton pass between the two! Li Feiling prompted Wu Linjie about the show he acted in, before he passed it back to her to let her keep explaining her motivation! Master. Class.]
[Anonymous 64323: You all are delusional]
[Anonymous 43398: They’re just talking like normal]
[Anonymous 2309: If anything they’re a little cold, can’t you see how their bodies are angled slightly away from each other?]
[Blond Men Supremacy: No, you all are wrong! Can’t you see it's because those are their best angles?! They’re just trying to look good for the camera, I bet they’re much closer off camera!]
[Anonymous 24129: ... Bro go outside]
[Anonymous 82457: Touch some grass]
[Anonymous 9718: How is it possible to be so delusional?]
The broadcast continued though, announcing the final question for Wu Linjie and Li Feiling. A reporter decided to throw a curveball, prompting both Wu Linjie and Li Feiling to sit up a little more. “What would you say is the most enjoyable part of working with each other during this production?”
[Anonymous 7246: Oh!!! I like this reporter!]
[Anonymous 543298: They’re getting right at the juicy meat!]
[Anonymous 1349724: Give him a raise!!]
[Anonymous 532: RAISE RAISE RAISE]
“That’s a very... interesting question,” Li Feiling hesitated. After staring off into space for a second, she shook her head. “Linjie, why don’t you answer this first?”
“Ahh... yeah, sure,” Wu Linjie shook his head as well, an exasperated sigh leaving his lips. “My answer is the same as always. Senior Li is an amazing actress. It’s a joy to work with someone who I can not only always learn from, but also accommodates me. When we share scenes, Director Zhang can be... nitpicky.”
“For sure,” Li Feiling laughed.
“But Senior Li is always there to help me improve,” Wu Linjie nodded before turning to Li Feiling. “So, yeah, thank you so far, I’m looking forward to shooting with you more these next few weeks as we wrap up the movie.”
“Me as well,” Li Feiling tapped her chin with a faint smile. “I’d say my favorite part is just the energy Linjie brings. There’s never a dull moment with him around. Plus, he’s always trying to improve himself, both acting-wise and as a person, which I find quite admirable.”
[Boyfriend Collector: SEE! SEE! I can see the story writing itself!]
[Angst Sustains Me: I’m taking notes guys, don’t worry. Mature senior x golden retriever junior. Coming right up.]
[Anonymous 23948: Thank you!]
[Anonymous 1954: Our lord and savior]
[I Eat Li Feiling’s Couch: You know, they certainly have more chemistry than other couple pairings Li Feiling’s involved in... For one she’s not torching Wu Linjie 24/7 verbally.]
[Anonymous 8176: But that’s also because he’s young]
[Anonymous 2136: and possibly delicate]
[Boyfriend Collector: IT'S HIS HANDSOMENESS + CHARISMA]
[Anonymous 983241: Where’s the charisma]
[Anonymous 6529: Yeah, bro go outside]
[Anonymous 42371: Touch some grass]
[Anonymous 31234: That man can’t talk to women to save his own life]
“Now, our next group will be Li Feiling and Xia Ruyun,” A voiceover informed as Wu Linjie got off the couch and walked off stage. Li Feiling, here, broke into a wide smile as she began waving for Xia Ruyun to come over faster. Xia Ruyun’s hurried appearance soon showed up on the broadcast as she did a light bow to the camera before getting dragged over to the couch to sit beside Li Feiling.
[Anonymous 3215: Wow, she’s changed a lot]
[Anonymous 2561: Healthier looking than expected]
[Anonymous 12348: I heard she’s been with Liu Qiangli, Li Feiling’s dietician]
[I’m Deaf: Still so beautiful though T~T Xia Ruyun please release more songs]
[Anonymous 1349: aren’t you deaf]
[I’m Deaf: Not for someone as hot as her! I’m a forever fan! Deaf for everyone else!]
“You two seem close,” The first reporter's question came blazing in. “Were you two previously acquainted? Or did this production help you two get closer?”
Wu Linjie and Li Feiling had kept a healthy gap between them on the couch. Enough for a third person to sit between them with space to spare. Now, however, Li Feiling and Xia Ruyun sat side by side, their legs touching as they answered the questions.
“We honestly didn’t know each other very well in the past,” Li Feiling looked over at Xia Ruyun. “While I started my career before her hiatus, I was just a newbie while she was the queen of the music industry. It was only after she left that I really took off.”
“No, you were still quite successful while I was around... Have some more confidence,” Xia Ruyun reassured as she leaned to the side to bump Li Feiling with her shoulder. “I was focused more on singing back then though, so we never got the chance to really talk. So, yeah, it was this production. We’ve become fast friends over these past few months.”
[Anonymous 3597: The chemistry...]
[Anonymous 12398: I feel my nose is bleeding]
[Anonymous 1387: @Boyfriend Collector, do you have anything to say to this?]
[Boyfriend Collector 1387: I’m... I’m just in shock...]
[Angst Sustains Me 122: Everyone... I think I’m not going to write the Wu Linjie and Li Feiling fic anymore...]
[Anonymous 815363: Justified]
[Anonymous 156345: Understandable, have a nice day]
[Anonymous 5134: Please please please please please write a XRY and LFL please please plaseplease]
“That’s a wonderful friendship,” The next reporter spoke up, “For my question, I’d just like to ask about the relationship between your characters. Anything you two can divulge?”