HIM Chapter 11: Life Always Forces Me
“Still, you can’t rely on talent alone.”
In the distance, Director Wang yelled “Cut!” and excitedly gave Cheng Ziye direction, his voice loud enough to rival a trumpet.
“You see? Even Teacher Cheng often struggles to get into the right mood,” the screenwriter Xu said. “Don’t worry, take your time. Acting is something you have to polish and refine over time to truly break through.”
Bo Qin smiled and nodded. The sunlight happened to cast half a glow over the two of them. A light breeze carried the faint scent of Bo Qin’s cologne. Xu noticed how Bo Qin, dressed impeccably, was crouched beside him asking questions with a somewhat lost expression—it reminded him of the Bo Qin from four years ago, when he was going through a rough patch. Xu couldn’t help but pat his head and said with a smile, “Your hair’s really stiff, kinda prickly.”
“It’s okay. You’re doing great. Just take it slow.” He placed a hand on Bo Qin’s shoulder. “You know Jiang Rong, right? His first movie Ten Years was amazing.”
Bo Qin paused, thinking about how often Jiang Rong had been mentioned lately.
“The director was Director Su. Jiang Rong was so full of natural talent. He was blessed. But have you seen his acting these past few years? It’s faded.”
“Every time Old Wang and I bring him up, we can’t help but feel it’s a waste. He had such a great platform and start, but he didn’t cherish it. Got blinded by all the glitz and glamor. That drama he did recently—Old Wang nearly had a stroke from how bad it was.”
Xu said, “Don’t push yourself too hard. No matter what, your health comes first.”
Bo Qin’s nose stung. He buried his face in his arm and gave a quiet “Mm.”
Bo Qin filmed all morning, but his performance was just average. Director Wang watched the monitor for a long time before finally nodding and letting the scene pass.
That afternoon, he had a shoot for a fashion brand he endorsed. After notifying the director, he headed straight to the airport.
The brand was a mid-range luxury line that Bo Qin had endorsed for two years. Their collaboration had gone well. That day, he was filming for their Qixi Festival campaign.
Bo Qin had always been photogenic and knew how to show his best side. The shoot required him to show off his abs, so he casually lifted his shirt as the photographer asked, grateful that he’d ramped up his workout routine for the concert—otherwise, showing off half-defined abs would’ve been awkward.
After the shoot, his team handled the wrap-up. Bo Qin passed out in the van and slept like a log.
When he woke up, he was already at the hotel. He checked his phone—4:30 AM. After washing up, he noticed that Director Wang had adjusted his schedule, so he didn’t need to return to filming that day.
He messaged Xiao Zhu to cancel his flight, then collapsed onto the couch, struggling with the urge to avoid dance practice.
Bo Qin lay there, thinking, Get up and practice, or you’ll fade into obscurity.
He rolled over again, But lying down feels so damn good.
He pulled out his phone, about to start a game, when messages came in. The first was a video from Wen Hua—a group of kids singing, “Spring will come again, and so will hope,” then cheerfully shouting, “Wishing Brother Bo Qin a successful concert! We miss you!”
Deeply moved, he opened the second message from Chen Jie, who said the new tax changes would disadvantage small studios like his.
Life always forces me forward.
Bo Qin reluctantly got up to practice.
Afterward, he showered, then sat cross-legged on the couch to revise a love song. He worked until 9 AM and sent a video call request to Luo Ming.
Luo Ming had already finished the arrangement. They discussed details while Bo Qin ate breakfast. Luo Ming mentioned he was also in S City and suggested recording the song that day.
Bo Qin was about to agree, but Luo Ming hesitated. “Actually… maybe not. Let’s wait until you’re back, and we’ll record it at our own studio.”
Bo Qin frowned, checking his schedule. “Today’s really the best time. Got something urgent?”
“No,” Luo Ming said bluntly. “It’s just that the best recording studio nearby is at He Dong Entertainment.”
Cue awkward silence.
Luo Ming chuckled awkwardly. “Forget it, we didn’t book in advance. Probably won’t get a slot today.”
After a pause, Bo Qin replied, “I’ll ask Xiao Zhu to see if we can get in this afternoon.”
He hung up. Both of them knew chances were slim.
Bo Qin felt irritated—maybe because of He Dong Entertainment, or maybe just because his plan got disrupted. He tossed his phone onto the table and sighed.
Xiao Zhu timidly asked if he should call to try booking the studio.
Bo Qin waved. “Try it.”
Ten minutes later, Xiao Zhu returned looking surprised. “Bro, it’s booked—for 2 PM.”
Bo Qin, sipping from a straw, raised an eyebrow. “That easy?”
“It was weird. At first, they said today was fully booked and asked for your name to put on a waitlist. But as soon as I mentioned you, the guy’s tone totally changed. He told me to hang tight, then called back a few minutes later and said we’re good for 2 PM.”
Bo Qin frowned, a thought crossing his mind. Then he laughed it off. Don’t flatter yourself.
“Alright, let’s get ready. We’ll head to He Dong at two.”
“Damn,” Luo Ming said, walking behind him. “He Group really spares no expense.” He muttered, “I should’ve known this studio would be insane.”
Bo Qin didn’t reply, mask and hat on tight. His gaze lingered on the studio’s logo—the characters for “Deep Blue” struck him as quite elegant.
Led by staff, Bo Qin and Luo Ming toured the studio—from the ADR room, editing suite, sound effects room, to the mastering chamber. By the end, they were both numb from being awestruck.
“I heard it was amazing, but not this amazing. This is all built on serious cash,” Luo Ming said, snapping photos. “You know who the sound director is? George Lee.”
Bo Qin had hands in his pockets, staring at the photo wall, silent.
“They even poached George Lee. He Dong is on another level.” Luo Ming nudged him, grinning. “Hey, doesn’t this kinda make you the boss’s wife?”
Bo Qin rolled his eyes. “Let’s get this over with.”
Deep Blue charged by the hour and wasn’t cheap, but what surprised them was that George Lee himself ran the session.
Bo Qin did two test takes before recording for real. After a long period of adjustments and fine-tuning, they were satisfied and moved on to mastering.
Bo Qin exchanged contact info with George Lee before leaving. They unexpectedly got along well.
Once in the elevator, both Bo Qin and Luo Ming let out a sigh. Bo Qin, mask hanging off one ear, leaned lazily against the wall. Just as he was about to suggest hot pot, his phone buzzed.
An unknown number. Bo Qin declined it without hesitation.
A minute later, He Xizhou texted: “Pick up.”
Bo Qin called back. “What’s up?”
There was a pause. “You’re at He Dong Entertainment?”
Bo Qin: “Yeah.” He now knew for sure the booking had been arranged.
He Xizhou said, “Wait at B1. I’ll come get you.”
Bo Qin frowned. “Why should I wait? I’m starving.”
His tone was sharp, annoyed by He Xizhou’s manner.
He Xizhou paused his typing, softened his voice. “Sorry, I meant to say—my mom invited you to dinner. Didn’t you see the message?”
Bo Qin: “…Hang on, let me check.”
He Xizhou heard the call end. When he finished his email, Bo Qin called back, sounding sheepish. “Sorry, I hadn’t been on my phone. Just saw the message.”
“No problem,” said He Xizhou. “If you’re not free, I can help you decline.”
There was a long silence on Bo Qin’s end. He Xizhou didn’t rush him, continuing his work as he waited.
In the front seat, Xu Zhi was stunned. He’d never seen He Xizhou be so patient on the phone. Usually, one awkward pause was a one-way ticket to unemployment.
“No, I’m free,” Bo Qin said. “Come pick me up at B1.”
He Xizhou agreed. After Bo Qin hung up, he loosened his tie. The driver, reading the room, made a U-turn. Then He Xizhou asked, “Do you know what Bo Qin likes to eat?”
Xu Zhi: “…I’ll check?”
He Xizhou nodded, eyes back on his laptop.
Xu Zhi silently wept and opened Weibo, diving into Bo Qin’s fan club.
Five minutes later: “Boss, according to fans, he loves caramel pudding milk tea and dark chocolate cake.”
Without being told, he already had a plan. “There’s a famous milk tea shop nearby.”
Luo Ming, the coward, bolted the second he heard He Xizhou was coming.
Bo Qin scolded, “Can’t you have a little backbone?”
Luo Ming: “Backbone doesn’t buy comfort! With He Xizhou, even breathing feels heavy.”
Bo Qin told him to scram with a laugh, but thought—He Xizhou wasn’t that hard to deal with.
He’d thought the same at their first meeting. He’d lumped He Xizhou and Bo Youzhao into the same elite, untouchable category.
But as he got to know him, he found that beneath the aloof and disciplined exterior, He Xizhou had a poetic heart, valued family, and was deeply well-mannered.
Tch, Bo Qin thought. With his status, even just having a decent attitude is enough. What more could you want?
It’s not like I’m trying to be his friend. Just business partners. Two years, then back to our own lives.
But damn… I kinda want to be close with his mom.
Bo Qin laughed at himself for the thought.
When He Xizhou arrived, he saw Bo Qin hands in pockets, chuckling to himself. Xu Zhi got out to open the door. Bo Qin still hadn’t wiped the smile off his face.
He Xizhou asked, “What’s so funny?”
Bo Qin looked at him and said, “Nothing.” I can’t exactly tell you I was laughing about winning your mom over.
He started laughing again.
He Xizhou: “…”
He shook his head with a hint of exasperation and handed Bo Qin a carefully packaged bag.
Bo Qin took off his hat and accepted it. “What’s this?”
“You said you were starving.”
Bo Qin hesitated. He was about to refuse, but the scent of fresh cake hit his nose, and the words turned into a quick “Thanks.”
“No need,” He Xizhou said. “Your fans said you like caramel pudding milk tea and dark chocolate cake. So I got you these.”
Bo Qin opened the box, repeated his thanks, but noticed He Xizhou was still watching him. He blinked, confused.
He Xizhou asked seriously, “So… do you like it?”
“…Yes. I like it. A lot.”
Satisfied, He Xizhou looked away.
Bo Qin lowered his head, unwrapping the cake while stifling a smile.
Suddenly, he found He Xizhou kind of… adorable.
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