Reunion Under the Aura

By day, I’m his downtrodden assistant; by night, I’m the fan who works herself to death for him on his fan forums. “Why is she deliberately editing videos like this? She must be a fake fan of mine.” Upon seeing a compilation video of his most embarrassing moments, Wang Yize immediately grumbled, annoyed.

As for me, the “genuine fake fan,” I forced a sheepish smile and silently asked: Perhaps it’s because I find you adorable?

I’m exhausted. I collapsed onto a sofa in the grand lobby, dragging two heavy suitcases behind me. It truly is the nation’s leading entertainment company; the atmosphere is palpable. I looked at my watch. 8:23 AM. Having been on a nearly 10-hour flight, then rushing here by taxi, my face must look a decade older. I quickly went into the restroom for a brief tidy-up, finally regaining some semblance of life. These two suitcases are my entire worldly possessions. I had no choice but to drag them along, squeezing onto a crowded elevator, feeling like an irritating presence to everyone.

Floor 21. I found the interview room. Still five minutes before the scheduled time—not late. I took a few deep breaths and knocked. “Come in,” a low, deep male voice called out.

I pushed the door open, pulled the suitcases to the wall, and turned around, immediately met by the astonished gazes of the nearly twenty competing candidates. I awkwardly chuckled: “Sorry, I just got off the plane.”

The interviewer was Da Cheng, Wang Yize’s representative. He was on the phone, and after a few seconds, he looked up and said: “Come in. Everyone’s here now.”

My heart hammered like a war drum. Just as I was squirming with nerves, the door opened. Wang Yize walked in. No makeup, his side-parted hair covering part of his eyes. He was tall and thin, wearing a simple black t-shirt and pants, yet his aura was still overwhelming. Only his pale skin hinted at a trace of weariness.

He looks so haggard. Could he have lost sleep last night, just like me?

He walked straight to Da Cheng and sat down, not sparing a glance for anyone, including me. He rested his head lazily on his hand, eyes half-closed, looking like he was about to fall asleep.

“Next, Luo Xi.”

I started, stepping forward, deliberately avoiding the gaze of the man beside me. Da Cheng was about to ask a question when Wang Yize stopped him with a hand gesture. I heard a chair scrape. He seemed to have stood up, his footsteps growing closer until his shoes stopped right in front of me.

“Luo Xi.” He called my name. His voice was as clear and distinct as it was years ago.

I forced myself to look up, facing the man I hadn’t seen in years. The boy from my memory had transformed, becoming mature and solemn, completely shed of his youthful naivety, exactly like his public image now. There was a new light in his eyes, but his complexion was still pale. My heart churned; I couldn’t utter a single word.

He gave a cold laugh: “Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“I… I…” I opened my mouth, suddenly aware of all the eyes on me.

“She’s the one. Decision made.” He suppressed his anger, slammed the door, and left after that brief declaration.

And just like that, thanks to some ill fortune (or perhaps good fortune?), I became Wang Yize’s assistant. I recalled the moment he slammed the door. Was he truly planning to retaliate? By dumping all the hard, dirty work on me? In truth, both of us knew exactly what his question meant: Why did you leave nine years ago without a word? And why are you back now? But I genuinely didn’t know how to begin explaining the past nine years.

The next day, I followed him to the set. He was filming a spy war movie, playing an undercover agent. He was on set because he had taken two days off to attend the Golden Crane Awards ceremony and used the time to select a new assistant. At that ceremony, he had won the Best Actor award—a major achievement I had witnessed via a live stream on the plane.

I opened my phone and discovered an explosion of private messages in the fan support group.

Sister Milk Tea, where is the video? You’re too lazy!

I sighed. Sister Milk Tea—the name the fable fans usually called me—was me, Luo Xi, the one in charge of editing and clipping videos for Wang Yize.

“What’s wrong? Is being my assistant causing you grief?” A cold voice sounded beside me.

I flinched. He wasn’t asleep? He casually blamed me: “Your sigh woke me up.” I chuckled wryly: “My apologies.”

---

Wang Yize pulled my remaining suitcase, and his steps seemed to slow down so I could keep up. “Not used to it?” He brought my luggage into the room, seeing me standing frozen at the doorway. “We lived across from each other for 17 years; now you find it strange to be next door?”

He walked past me, took his room card, and opened the door next to mine. “Keep your phone on 24/7. I’ll call you if I need anything. You, don’t call me.” Slam! The door closed with finality.

I had barely rested when I heard urgent knocking on my door.

“Luo Xi, why exactly did you come back, huh?” He stared at me, scrutinizing.

I flinched. Was he going to ask me directly?

He was silent for a long time, then said: “I don’t have a scene right now. Assistant, please check the announcement schedule.”

I went to the makeup room, sat behind him, and started editing the awards video on my laptop.

“Want milk tea?” A sudden question.

I looked up, meeting his eyes in the mirror. He was done with makeup, his handsome face flawlessly defined. His outfit was a Western suit in a Republic of China style, his hair slicked back.

“What are you laughing at?” He frowned.

I quickly covered my mouth: “Nothing, nothing.” I stood up. “I’m not sure if there are any milk tea shops nearby. Should I order delivery?”

“Hmph, I forgot. Miss Luo Xi just returned from abroad; you must have forgotten everything about the country.” He handed me his phone, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Use mine.”

I took it, annoyed. The password? I tried the six sixes from the past. It actually opened. No way, he hasn’t changed it after all these years?

I opened the food app. Search: “Jasmine Milk Tea.” My hand paused. “Should it… should it have ice?”

That question seemed to touch a nerve. He jumped up, throwing back a final word: “Did you forget even that?” and stormed out, furious.

I curled my lips, laughing helplessly. He really created a fuss over nothing, then got angry at his own fuss. The mature, composed star, Wang Yize, was just a facade. He was still the same arrogant, clumsy boy from before. How could I forget the recipe: half sugar, less ice? He was so loyal to it in high school.

I ordered two jasmine milk teas, following the old recipe exactly, one for him and one for me.

After filming wrapped, I rushed back and found the makeup artist had already helped him remove his makeup. He held his phone, his face cold, and said: “Back to the hotel.” I had no choice; I was his assistant.

As soon as I got out of the car, I bolted into my room for a shower. Just as I stepped out, I heard frantic knocking and a familiar shout: “Luo Xi! Open the door!“

I was still in my bathrobe and quickly ran to open it. “Are you crazy? Why are you shouting so loud!”

He glanced at me, then quickly averted his eyes: “You, go change. I’ll be back later.”

He seemed to have just showered too; his hair was soft and loose. In his hand, he held a pack of canned beer. “What are you going to do?”

He nodded arrogantly.

I helplessly nudged the man who was now a limp puddle on the sofa. If his alcohol tolerance was this low, why drink? I asked what was wrong, but he wouldn’t say, just kept chugging the beer.

I know why. This morning, the hot searches on WBO were all about him being smeared. Public opinion had suddenly shifted from congratulating him on the Best Actor award to: “Undeserved, bought the award…” This was clearly a stunt by his rivals. He seemed strong and composed in public, but he was secretly drowning his sorrows in alcohol at night.

“Wang Yize, can you stand up by yourself?”

His lips were moist, his thick eyelashes lowered in silence. I exerted all my strength, finally managing to pull him into a sitting position. Perhaps the movement was too rough; he swayed, then stumbled. Ah!

We both lost our balance and fell onto the bed. My heart sank. Luckily, the room was small.

He was pinning me down, his face buried in the hollow of my neck. Every time he moved, his hair brushed against my skin, making my face flush.

“Wang Yize, could you move off me?” I pushed him a couple of times, but he was as heavy as a stone.

“Mmm, you…“

I froze, my heart beating uncontrollably. Wang Yize’s arm moved, wrapping around my waist, holding me tight.

“I miss you so much… I actually… really miss you. Where can I go to have fun without you?” His voice was slurred with alcohol, but I heard every word clearly.

I gave up, lying flat on the bed. The incandescent light on the ceiling was blinding. Staring at it for too long made my eyes water, and a single tear slipped silently into my hair. July is so lovely, unlike April.

I found out my dad was in a new relationship and wanted a new life. He told my mother to take me, viewing me as a burden. I hid in my room and cried silently, realizing I truly belonged to no one.

“Xiao Xi. Something’s not right with you.” Wang Yize’s voice suddenly rang in my ear.

“The point is, the milk tea shop near the school released a new jasmine milk tea three days ago, and you didn’t drag me to get one.” He came up with an excuse for me: “You thought it was too expensive, right?”

“Uh,” I nodded frantically, “right, too expensive. Saving up for it.”

In those days, I constantly thought about how to say goodbye to Wang Yize. I had written a long, ten-page farewell letter about my unrequited feelings. But I utterly lacked the courage to give it to him. What was the point? We wouldn’t see each other for a long time. Would telling him mean I wanted him to wait for me?

My mother arrived without warning, quickly packing my luggage and coming to the school to pick me up. “Hurry up and grab your things, I don’t have time. We’ll miss the flight.”

I rushed back to the classroom, frantically tearing off a sticky note. My hand trembled, and after a long thought, I managed to write only four words: Wishing you happiness.

I looked at Wang Yize, sitting far away, focused on reading his script. I knew he was still angry with me, but regardless of everything, I had to say these words.

“Wang Yize?” He looked up. I crouched down in front of him, pouring out my heartfelt, formal words: “I just want to say that we are always behind you, supporting you. The Fables and I know how much you’ve suffered and how hard you’ve worked over the years. We believe you will definitely achieve even more brilliant success and that your acting will continue to improve, proving you are completely worthy.“

Wang Yize looked at me silently for a long time before finally speaking: “Are you my fan?“

I stiffened, quickly shaking my head, my voice rising in volume due to guilt: “No, no.”

“Then how do you know so much about my past? And even the Fandom’s name?” He laughed. “Let me guess. You must have thoroughly researched me before applying to be my assistant. These are all things an assistant should know, right?”

I didn’t know whether to feel disappointed or relieved; I just lowered my eyes and nodded along with his words.

“Don’t you dare nod!” He suddenly shouted, startling me. “Luo Xi, since childhood, you always made me think of excuses when you lied. Are you trying to fool me now?”

“I won’t easily forget that you disappeared for nine years without a word. You better prepare yourself and explain everything clearly.”

I know. It was just one more step, yet I was still afraid. So many years had passed; I didn’t dare hope for anything more than friendship. I only wished we could go back to the way we were, two people who hid nothing from each other.

“Luo Xi,” just as I swiped the card to open my door, his voice sounded behind me, “it’s taken you this long to think of an answer?”

I gripped the doorknob tightly. “We have a scene tomorrow morning. Get some sleep.” I didn’t dare turn around to see his expression, quickly opened the door, slipped inside, and closed it with a slam, shutting everything out.

Leaning against the door, I sighed heavily. What am I doing? Didn’t I give up everything in the US to come back for him? After all these years, I had never forgotten him, secretly following him as a fan. But now, when he was taking a step toward me, I panicked and retreated.

The next morning, both Wang Yize and I were dragging ourselves around with large dark circles under our eyes. Because of his poor mental state, he messed up several takes throughout the day. The director finally decided: “That’s enough. I’m giving you two days off to adjust.”

Wang Yize had no choice but to nod. Okay.