Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Universe Between Fingers

Xu Lang looked down at his phone, then raised his head to gaze at the figure tapping away on a keyboard in the master bedroom. In his ears, two overlapping voices melded together, making the world seem surreal for an instant.

Chen Moubai had said that this match would be quick, and indeed it was. Little Brother Xu waited patiently in the living room for the keys to open the door. Uncharacteristically, he didn't indulge in his usual leisurely baiting game, which he found endlessly entertaining. Instead, he started with a perfect setup, sniper rifle in hand, and bulldozed through the match, finishing within fifteen minutes. Afterward, he bid farewell to his gaming companions and the viewers in his livestream before removing his headphones and vacating his seat.

Little Brother Xu proved to be quite obedient. He remained in the living room as promised, rising to his feet upon seeing Chen Moubai. His face, neck, and even his ears were flushed red, one hand unconsciously brushing against his school uniform pants.

He didn't quite match the description provided by the good neighbor. This younger brother seemed devoid of any arrogant or rebellious streak; if anything, he appeared somewhat shy, almost wary of strangers.

Indeed, seeing is believing. Chen Bai reassured the bashful little brother with a "just a moment," and began searching around for the keys.

His spare set of keys was occasionally used; under normal circumstances, they would rest alongside his regular keys on the entryway cabinet. However, there was a chance they might have been carelessly stuffed into the pocket of his coat. The coffee table in the living room and the cabinets in the rooms could also randomly yield the elusive keys.

"…that."

Watching as Chen Moubai scoured the area, Xu Lang's hand, pressed against his school uniform pants, twitched repeatedly. Finally, when their eyes met, he spoke up, "I-I can wait here for my brother to return as well."

What a considerate individual, truly deserving of being called the good neighbor's little brother.

Deeply moved, Chen Bai still said, "Playing games might disturb you from doing your homework."

Given the information he currently had, if this good little brother didn't start on his homework soon, he'd likely reach the point where his phone would be confiscated.

"..."

Xu Lang finally remembered that he had homework to do, his grip on the phone loosening and tightening in agitation. In a moment of desperation, he stiffened his neck and said, "I can't concentrate on my homework when I'm alone."

A pure, unadulterated lie, as natural as could be.

Pink-haired paused in the act of sorting through keys, saying, "Is that so?"

Xu Lang nodded once.

"Alright then," Chen Bai, not suspecting that his younger brother Xu would lie to stay, nodded and promptly halted his key-sorting hand, saying, "I'll send your brother a message; you can focus on your homework here."

He gestured toward the kitchen's direction, adding, "If you're thirsty, there's cold boiled water in the kitchen. The cup with the strawberry pattern is your brother's; just give it a wash and it's good to use."

"…?"

Feeling that one sentence carried too much information—or perhaps simply stunned by the phrase "strawberry pattern," Xu Lang found himself momentarily speechless, managing only to squeeze out a simple "Okay" from his throat.

Recalling something else, he added a thank you.

Pink-haired dismissed the gratitude, adding an encouraging "go for it," before promptly returning to his room with admirable decisiveness and apparent peace of mind.

Xu Lang settled onto the living room sofa, feeling somewhat light-headed, unsure whether to focus on his phone or the reality unfolding before him.

His brother had mentioned someone would let him in.

Yet, he hadn't anticipated that this person would be his next-door neighbor, nor that it would be Chen Erbai.

No wonder the shirt seemed so familiar, and the voice was overly recognizable.

It felt surreal, but undeniably real.

Had he known his brother was acquainted with Erbai, had he known his neighbor was none other than Erbai, he wouldn't have waited until today to visit.

He would have moved here straight away, bringing both himself and his computer along.

The person sitting in front of the computer in the master bedroom shifted slightly, as if about to turn his head.

The high school student quickly put down his phone and pulled out brand new textbooks and test papers from his bag, holding a pen symbolically in his hand.

Fortunately, the man in the master bedroom merely adjusted his headphones without turning to look at him.

Letting out a breath, Xu Lang glanced at his phone, then looked at the person in the room, finally setting the phone aside, leaving one earphone in his ear as he picked up his pen.

For the sake of the phone, he had to work hard just this once.

The live streaming platform was undergoing system maintenance tonight, making it unavailable for use between midnight and 5 AM. Chen Bai timed his broadcast perfectly, ending just before the clock struck twelve.

It was rare for him to finish so early; his schedule was already completely fixed. He didn't feel tired, remembering that there was still a good neighbor and younger brother in the living room. With a cup of water in hand, he got up to check on him.

The hardworking high school student was still working on his homework, the tip of his pen tapping repeatedly on the test paper before writing down an answer, quickly moving onto the next question.

"..."

Chen Bai thought that not dwelling too much on questions one didn't know was quite a good habit in its own way.

Skipping the first major question outright, it seemed somewhat perilous no matter how one looked at it.

Leaving personality aside for now, it appeared that the good-for-nothing younger brother's poor academic performance was indeed genuine.

Setting down the water cup on the table, he asked the diligent high school student who was practicing character dissection, "Your older brother won't be back for some time. Would you like to go back and rest for a bit?"

He was accustomed to resting during the odd hours of the night, but a normal high school student should not be able to stay up too late.

Gripping the pen in his hand tightly, the high school student said he wanted to stay here a little longer to do some homework.

Though academically challenged, they persevere with diligence.

Chen Bai expressed his admiration without further ado, resuming his search for the missing key.

He found the keys among the pile of laundry and, upon returning to the living room, was astonished to see that in the brief span of his absence, his diligent younger brother had already completed an entire exam paper.

Finish the exam paper, where multiple-choice questions are answered through blind guessing, and all the essay questions are thoroughly solved.

A method of completing exams that is notoriously difficult for the average individual to accomplish.

Chen Bai set the keys aside and asked, "Need any help?"

He smiled and said, "Don't judge me by my appearance; I'm quite good at tutoring homework."

Having worked as a tutor before, he charged a high price per session, but for the younger brother of a good neighbor, offering free tutoring was no issue.

The diligent younger brother immediately expressed his hope for assistance and politely thanked him.

To avoid appearing foolish in front of others, Xu Lang specifically found an exam paper that he had somewhat seriously worked on, handing over a pen and scratch paper together.

In reality, whether he had seriously done the work made no difference; his accuracy rate was no different from randomly guessing.

Pink-haired took the pen and exam paper and started reviewing from the filled-in questions.

As they drew closer, the high schooler's spine involuntarily straightened, sitting almost rigidly upright.

"A small ball slides down a curved track, propelling a small wooden block to move... The calculated result is that the speed of the wooden block's movement is 83 meters per second."

Chen Bai turned to look at the high schooler beside him and asked, "Do you know about the Fuxing train?"

The high school student was clueless but replied that he knew.

"Three hundred kilometers per hour," Chen Bai stated matter-of-factly. "The speed at which this little block of wood moves is on par with the Fuxing bullet train."

With this little block of wood, traveling around the country would be no issue.

"..."

Having something to compare it to, Xu Lang experienced for the first time how wildly off his initial perception had been.

Chen Bai went through the problem from start to finish.

Watching hands that usually typed on keyboards and controlled mice now holding a pen to write formulas, Xu Lang couldn't help but be momentarily stunned, finding the whole scene surreal.

His favorite streamer was explaining his homework to him, starting from the basic formulas and methodically deriving their transformations one by one.

The strange thing was that he actually understood it. And because it was his favorite streamer talking directly to him, he listened intently to every word, his thoughts clearer than ever before.

Knowledge entered his mind in a most peculiar way.

The high school student, by his own efforts, managed to complete a quarter of the exam paper, not by guessing but purely by calculating the answers himself and filling them in.

Having finished his work as a good neighbor, Chen Bai was already on his way back. He paused his tutoring, picked up his water cup for a sip, allowing the high school student some time to pack his bag slowly, almost abnormally so, placing each pen into the bag one by one.

As he watched him pack, he fell into his usual chatter, curiosity leading him to ask, "I heard from your brother that you like playing games. What kind of games do you usually play?"

Xu Lang glanced at the person lounging on the sofa, mentioning the name of the game.

Chen Moubai's eyes flickered upward, a smile playing on his lips as he remarked how coincidental it was, "I happen to play that game occasionally too."

Xu Lang knew this to be true, though he felt the intensity of the game couldn't simply be described as 'occasionally.' After a moment's hesitation, he still ventured to ask, "If there's a chance in the future, could we play together?"

"Certainly."

Pink-haired agreed readily, then cast a glance at the rather conspicuous backpack, adding, "When you're done with your homework."

A knock sounded at the door.

There was a knock at the door.

Indeed, the good neighbor has returned. Concluding their discussion on gaming, Chen Bai rose to his feet and opened the door.

And it was indeed the good neighbor, bearing a small cake in hand. The visitor at the door greeted them after the door swung open, then handed over the cake box, saying, "This is the cake ordered by the film crew tonight."

Chen Moubai gratefully accepted the small cake from the kind-hearted neighbor.

The kind-hearted neighbor's gaze swept past Pink-haired, landing on the figure of someone dressed in a school uniform standing behind.

Upon meeting his eyes, the high school student jolted, quickly stepping forward.

The high schooler was led away, yet he couldn't help but glance back at the partially open door as he left.

Peeking out from the door, Pink-haired waved and smiled at him.

As this door opened wider, the door next door quietly shut.

The lights inside flickered on, and Xu Lang entered the room, glancing around before asking, "Brother, where's my cake?"

The man by his side placed the coat that had been draped over his arm down, responding in a calm voice, "There isn't any."

Xu Lang: "?"

His elder brother turned to glance at him, asking, "How about your homework?"

"It's done."

Xu Lang added, "I've done part of it."

This wasn't a lie; he spoke with confidence and righteousness.

It was already late at night. Xu Sinian didn't say much more, instructing him to wash up and go to bed after that.

Xu Lang didn't leave. With his schoolbag on his back, he stood there, cautiously yet boldly inquiring, "Can I still go next door to... do my homework tomorrow?"

"..."

The next day, the high school student arrived next door again, schoolbag in tow.

This short holiday was the most fulfilling one yet.

Some high school students come to the old town with a heart set on experiencing everything it has to offer, unwilling to spend an extra second more than necessary, yet when it's time to leave, they cling to the doorknob, asking when they can return, refusing to budge until they get a clear answer.

It wasn't even the doorknob of his own home he was holding onto, but that of the neighbor's, making it crystal clear whose company he truly cherished.

Despite spending most of his time doing homework and only discussing practice problems with Erbai, he had the opportunity to taste the dishes prepared by Erbai and watch him game in person.

The sound of the keyboard was nothing like what he heard in videos, and Erbai's voice was pleasant to listen to. He would even smile at him, a stark contrast to his brother.

In the end, the one who clung to the doorknob was still dragged away and tossed into the car, never receiving a concrete answer about when he could return again before he left.

By the time Chen, the professional locksmith, returned home after finishing his work, his considerate neighbor informed him that he needn't prepare dinner for three anymore.

He inquired, "Has the younger brother left?"

The good neighbor nodded in agreement, saying, "It's time to return to school."

Chen Moubai remarked, "What a pity."

Indeed, high school vacations prove fleeting, ending all too soon before one can truly indulge in leisure.

The good neighbor acknowledged with a simple response, refraining from further conversation.

With his younger brother no longer around, Chen Bai's breaks during his regular work were no longer spent tutoring homework but rather reading scripts, books, and watching reference videos.

He had already memorized the script by heart, but he was more interested in observing how others handled similar situations. He watched numerous videos and read a fair share of books, some of which included historical records. It wasn't tedious at all, in fact, it was quite intriguing.

On the day of the audition, his money-making partner accompanied him. With someone to chauffeur them around, there was no need to squeeze onto the subway, thus extending his precious morning rest time even further.

His agent, who never complained about driving, remarked, "Sooner or later, I'll get the company to assign you a personal driver."

Having cast a sidelong glance at her, he asked, "So, do you think we stand a chance?"

Chen Bai couldn't confidently claim they did, but he could assure her that they were prepared.

His hesitation only fueled the agent's uncertainty.

Previously occupied with other matters when he was on his last set, she hadn't managed to catch a glimpse of him in action. Despite hearing the director sing his praises later on, without seeing it for herself, she remained unsure of what to expect.

The production they were auditioning for was titled "Inquiry into Fate." Backed by substantial funding, helmed by a renowned director, and penned by a top-tier screenwriter, even before filming began, it was clear this would be a blockbuster hit. Every agency was pushing their actors to secure a spot, making the competition undeniably fierce.

Especially this time, the two roles offered were fourth and third male leads. Although the latter was a playboy, not a popular character trope among the masses, the screen time was substantial, and both roles had attracted considerable attention.

Securing the third male lead in such a large production would be too much of a stretch for a newcomer. She didn't hold high hopes, even though the production team sent over two scripts. It was clear that the second script was sent with a trial-and-error mentality, with the main focus still on the fourth male lead role.

The only piece of good news was that this time, the company was also one of the investors, and their share wasn't insignificant. At least she wouldn't have to worry about being outdone by someone due to factors unrelated to talent.

But the company's support was just a side guarantee; ultimately, it came down to whether one possessed the ability to make the cut.

The person about to audition was munching on red bean buns in the car. After finishing, she glanced at the script, then closed her eyes to catch up on some last-minute sleep.

There was a sense of urgency, but not an overwhelming one.

The audition took place in a grand building within the cultural park, exuding opulence at first glance.

Those who could attend this audition had already gone through a preliminary screening. The number of participants wasn't as vast as one might imagine. People were sparsely seated on the chairs in the hall, not engaging much in conversation.

If Chen Moubai checked his phone more often, he might recognize a few faces usually seen in entertainment news.

But he never bothered to look, using his phone mainly for chatting, work, and playing flying chess. He didn't know a single person.

Having briefly caught up with his money-making partners and the staff, he found a spot to settle down. His first action upon sitting was to take a sip of water, rousing himself from the drowsiness that had accumulated during the car ride.

People milled about, coming and going at the entrance of what seemed to be the audition room.

The expressions on the faces of those exiting did not look particularly pleasant.

Gao Qian, having returned from mingling, whispered to him, "This director is straightforward in his speech; you should prepare yourself mentally."

Pink-haired nodded in acknowledgment.

Another individual emerged, signaling it was his turn.

Entering the room, the first thing Pink-haired noticed was the man seated behind a simply constructed table.

His hair was ashen gray, with a crumpled cigarette tucked behind his ear, currently taking a drink. In front of him was a sign that read Director Zhang Zhi.

Chen Bai surmised that this director was replenishing his energy with water, gearing up for another bout of candid commentary.

His first scene was for the role of the fourth male lead, a scholar who had risen through the ranks from humble beginnings due to his remarkable literary talent.

The physician hailed from the countryside but was well-versed in literature, remaining untainted by the muddied atmosphere of the capital's bureaucracy even after serving there for several years.

Those who resist the muddied air either become a clear stream in their own right or are utterly consumed by it.

At his core, the physician was merely a scholar, unable to gather a current of purity and thus became a casualty of factional strife.

The scene he was to reenact involved the physician, during a period of political turmoil, being falsely accused of conspiring with traitors. Before the arrival of the Jinyi Guard at his residence, he penned a farewell letter proclaiming his innocence in his study.

In the room, there was a solitary desk adorned with a blank sheet of paper, a writing brush, and an inkstone – this was where the desk was situated.

Lowering his gaze, he subtly flexed his wrists. The man, clad in simple attire, stepped into the camera's field of view.

He had been standing casually, but as he approached the desk, his posture remained unchanged yet seemed inexplicably taut.

It was as if a string was tightly wound within his spine, on the verge of snapping at any moment.

Without furrowing his brow or clenching his hands in the typical display of nervousness, the tension manifested in his slowed pace and the exaggeratedly relaxed sway of his hand with each movement.

Gao Qian stood off to the side, observing. Upon seeing this, the hands that had been clasped before his chest paused, and his heart gradually settled.

No wonder the previous director praised her, saying she was gifted.

Having handled many artists in the past, among whom were those who had tried to pursue an acting career, this was the first time she truly felt the tangible manifestation of talent.

The room was silent except for the sound of the camera and the laptop on the table.

Some people, with their pink hair and casual attire, exude the essence of a scholar the moment they speak and pick up a pen.

This scene was supposed to end here, but the director who should have given the cut command remained silent, and the camera continued rolling. Gao Qian looked at the person standing by the table, and her heart that had just settled was once again in suspense.

This unexpected situation truly puts one's mentality to the test.

Yet, considering Pink-haired's countless job experiences and the numerous unexpected situations she's encountered, one thing is certain – her mentality is top-notch.

No one spoke up, and there was no pause; thus, he continued to bend his head, pick up his pen, gently adjust his sleeve, and lower his eyes to write in tranquil silence.

His fingers were evenly long and slender, as though they were naturally destined to hold a pen.

Ink, dark as night, bled across the white paper, coalescing in the faintly drooping, pale gray pupils to form three characters that danced with the grace of a wandering dragon:

"Are you ready?"