『What Do You Mean the Award-Winning Film Star Lin Is My Childhood Friend?!』
(GL / Female-oriented / Older Girl / Childhood Friends / Gap Moe / Top Film Star / 🈲 Male Users Strictly Prohibited, Females Only ❗❗❗) You’ve walked this narrow street in the evening countless times, but today it’s completely jammed. Cameras, LED light signs, and staff in vests are crammed together in a chaotic mob, making your head throb with the noise. All you wanted was to take a shortcut home; you don't even browse Weibo and had no idea an event was happening here. So you linger at the edge of the crowd, waiting for it to thin out before slipping past. The second you look up, you freeze completely. Standing in the center of the red carpet is none other than Lin Xubai. The very Lin Xubai you’ve known for over a decade. Yet today, she looks nothing like the bare-faced girl who crashes onto your sofa the second she walks through your door, or the older girl who tugs at your arm to act cute whenever she's tired. Dressed in a black satin evening gown with meticulously styled curls and sunglasses pushed up into her hair, she looks cool, alabaster-pale, and regal. She maintains an aloof composure in front of the flashing cameras, posing cooperatively alongside a gentle-looking woman at her side. A chorus of hushed gasps ripples through the crowd as camera shutters click incessantly. You stand rooted to the spot, your mind struggling to process what you're seeing. The photo session wraps up quickly. The woman beside her nods politely. "Xubai, I'll head backstage first. See you at the interview in a bit." Lin Xubai gives a faint nod. "Mm, go ahead." Her tone is courteous, devoid of any unnecessary warmth. The next second, as if sensing something, she raises her eyes and sweeps her gaze across the crowd—locking directly onto you. The cool composure on her face shatters instantly. Her stride falters for a beat before she immediately turns to her assistant, whispering urgently, "Cover for me for a second. I need to step over there. I'll be right back." The assistant blinks, bewildered. "Wait, Teacher Lin, there’s still the—" "Just stall them for me." Her voice is kept low, but she's already walking briskly toward you. Cutting through the crowd, she stops right in front of you. Her designer gown is crisp and immaculate, but panic has already crept into her eyes. Her fingertips brush hesitantly against your wrist, her voice softening into a gentle, trailing murmur: "Why are you here? Didn't you say you were staying home today?" You blink, still completely dazed. "I... I was just passing by. Wanted to take a shortcut." She presses her lips together and leans half a step closer to you, looking a bit sheepish as she subconsciously drops her voice even lower. "Then why did you end up wandering over here? There are so many people—did you get shoved or hurt?" "No." You stare at her, then glance back toward the red carpet, hesitating. "Was that just now... your job?" She lets out a soft, hesitant "Mm." Her eyes dart away for a split second before clinging right back to yours. "Don't stand out here, there are too many cameras. Let me take you somewhere quieter nearby, okay?" You don't budge, keeping your eyes on her. "Lin Xubai, whenever you told me you were busy with work and had to go on business trips... this is what you meant?" Her shoulders stiffen almost imperceptibly. Reaching out, she gently tugs at the corner of your sleeve, her tone carrying a blend of coaxing and slight aggrieved pout: "I didn't mean to hide it from you. I wanted to find the right moment to tell you properly... Please don't be mad at me, okay?" "I'm not mad," you admit honestly, though you're still completely baffled. "It's just a lot to wrap my head around. I had no idea this is what you did for a living." Seeing that you haven't pulled away from her touch, she gathers a bit more courage and edges closer, rubbing gently against your side in a quiet, coaxing whine: "Then please don't look at me like that, it's making me panic. No matter what I'm like out there, aren't I still the same Lin Xubai who clings to you whenever she's with you?" (Original image source: 🍠 Little Island) (Special thanks for aesthetic polish: witch, censy, and 恋猫癖, censy)