Red String Across Worlds: BL System

Chapter 7

It was during a break in filming that Lin Mu had his first, albeit indirect, encounter with the actor playing the original novel’s male lead, Long Tianyi. The character in “The Ballad of the Crimson Dawn” was Grand General Murong Feng, a formidable and ruthless military leader from Lin Yue’s kingdom, known for his unwavering loyalty to the crown and his brutal efficiency on the battlefield. The actor cast in this role was a man named Zhang He, tall and imposing with sharp, intense features. His presence on set was undeniably commanding, and Lin Mu could see why he was often cast in powerful, authoritative roles. However, there was a certain coldness in his eyes, a detached air that didn’t quite sit well with Lin Mu. He observed Zhang He interacting with the crew, noting a certain arrogance in his demeanor, a subtle expectation of deference. It was a fleeting observation, but it left a slight, almost imperceptible frown on Lin Mu’s face.

The day wore on, filled with takes and retakes, adjustments and refinements. As the late afternoon sun began to cast long shadows across the set, the crew prepared for a scene set in a bustling marketplace within Prince Jing’s kingdom. It was a scene designed to showcase the everyday life of the people Jing was fighting to protect, a vibrant tapestry of merchants, artisans, and common folk.

Amidst the colorful chaos of the marketplace set, a new figure arrived – a woman dressed in simple but elegant robes, her beauty striking despite her understated attire. Her eyes, a warm, intelligent brown, scanned the surroundings with a gentle curiosity. There was an aura of quiet strength about her, a regal bearing that hinted at a noble background despite her plain clothing.

Lin Mu, who was waiting for his next scene, found his gaze drawn to her. There was something familiar about her presence, a comforting warmth that resonated deep within him. It took him a moment to place her – it was Liu Mei, Ye Ming’s mother, the woman he had met so unexpectedly near the supermarket.

As fate would have it, Ye Ming, also waiting for his cue, spotted his mother amidst the extras. His face lit up, and he hurried over to greet her. Their interaction was warm and affectionate, filled with familial concern and pride. Lin Mu watched them, a quiet ache of longing mixed with a sense of gentle affection stirring within him.

Then, as Ye Ming turned to introduce Liu Mei to some of the crew members, his eyes met Lin Mu’s across the bustling marketplace. He grinned and beckoned Lin Mu over.

“Bai Fan! Come meet my mother! Mom, this is Bai Fan, my co-star. He plays Lin Yue.”

Liu Mei turned towards Lin Mu, her eyes widening slightly in recognition. A soft smile touched her lips. “Lin Mu! What a pleasant surprise to see you here. Ye Ming has told me so much about you.”

A strange sense of destiny hung in the air. Their second meeting, amidst the vibrant backdrop of a fictional kingdom, felt almost surreal.

“It’s wonderful to see you again, Auntie Liu,” Lin Mu replied, his voice a little softer than usual. He could feel Ye Ming looking at him curiously, but Lin Mu kept his gaze on Liu Mei, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.

Just then, another figure approached their small group. He was tall and slender, with an ethereal beauty that seemed almost otherworldly. His robes were a striking shade of sapphire blue, and his long, black hair flowed around him like liquid night. His eyes, the color of warm amber, held a captivating intensity as they rested on Ye Ming. This was the actor playing Mu Qing, a mysterious and powerful figure from a neutral kingdom, rumored to possess incredible magical abilities and a deep connection to the spiritual realm.

“Ye Ming,” the newcomer said, his voice a melodic baritone that seemed to resonate through the noisy set. His gaze lingered on Ye Ming for a moment longer than necessary, a subtle undercurrent of something akin to fascination in his amber eyes. He then turned his attention to Liu Mei, offering a polite bow. “Madam Liu, it’s an honor.”

Liu Mei returned his bow with a gracious smile. “The pleasure is all mine, Master Li.”

Finally, his gaze shifted to Lin Mu, a flicker of intrigued curiosity in his eyes. “And you are?”

“Lin Mu,” he replied, offering a slight nod. “I play Lin Yue.”

The newcomer’s amber eyes seemed to pierce through Lin Mu’s mask, a moment of intense, unspoken connection passing between them. There was a strange pull, an almost magnetic force that drew Lin Mu’s attention, a feeling unlike anything he had experienced before. It wasn’t just physical attraction; it was a deeper resonance, a sense of recognition on a soul level.

“Mu Qing,” the newcomer replied, his voice a soft murmur. He held Lin Mu’s gaze for another moment, a subtle smile playing on his lips, before turning back to Ye Ming. “I was just coming to see how the filming was progressing, Prince Jing.”

The air around them seemed to shimmer with an unspoken energy. Ye Ming, oblivious to the subtle currents flowing between Lin Mu and Mu Qing, launched into an enthusiastic account of the day’s filming. Liu Mei watched the interaction with a gentle smile, a knowing glint in her eyes that Lin Mu couldn’t quite decipher.

The encounter, though brief, left a lasting impression on Lin Mu. The intensity of Mu Qing’s gaze, the unexpected pull he had felt, the almost otherworldly beauty of the man – it all stirred something deep within him, a feeling that resonated with the long-dormant desire for a loving connection he had carried since his arrival.

As the director called for the next scene, pulling Lin Mu and Ye Ming back into the world of warring kingdoms, the lingering echo of Mu Qing’s amber eyes stayed with Lin Mu, a subtle promise of something more amidst the unfolding drama of the crimson dawn. The lines between fiction and reality seemed to blur, and the stage was set not just for a historical epic, but perhaps for a fated romance as well.

The filming continued late into the evening, the artificial lights casting long, dramatic shadows across the set. During a break, Ye Ming nudged Lin Mu playfully. “That’s Li Wei, who plays Mu Qing. Pretty intense guy, right? But a really good actor.”

Lin Mu nodded, trying to keep his tone casual. “He seems… dedicated.” He deliberately avoided mentioning the strange pull he had felt.

The day finally drew to a close, the crew packing up their equipment, the artificial mist dissipating into the night air. As Lin Mu changed back into his modern clothes, the image of Mu Qing’s amber eyes flashed in his mind again. He couldn’t shake the feeling that their encounter was more than just a casual meeting on a movie set.

Back in the quiet of his small apartment, Lin Mu lay in bed, the events of the day replaying in his mind. The smooth progress of filming, the growing camaraderie with Ye Ming, the unexpected warmth of his interactions with their mother, and that intense, fleeting connection with Li Wei – Mu Qing. He closed his eyes, a sense of anticipation stirring within him. The crimson dawn was just beginning to break, and with it, the promise of new relationships and unforeseen possibilities. The stage was set, and Lin Mu, the adaptable actor, was ready for whatever role fate had in store for him. The universe, it seemed, was just getting started with his script.