I Became Famous After I Became a Parrot in the Movie Star's House - Chapter 118

The filming of the other “young couple” goes smoothly.

Time passes quickly, and the scenes involving the male and female leads in the slums are almost complete. The main filming location has now shifted to the gambling scene.

Today, it is time for Noah to make his appearance.

At 2 AM, Bai Gaoxing stands in front of the full-length mirror, carefully adjusting his butterfly tie. Once he confirms everything is in place, he turns around and smiles. “I heard today’s scenes are about the two of us?”

Li Pu nods lightly. “Mm.”

Frank, the director, prefers to focus on filming the same scenes and characters continuously. It saves time and manpower and keeps the emotional intensity from dissipating too quickly.

Bai Gaoxing takes a deep breath to ease the nervousness building inside him. He glances at himself in the mirror and sighs. “I hope my last-minute crash course in acting works.”

During the downtime, aside from practicing his card skills, he has also asked Li Pu for in-depth acting advice.
He knows he isn’t a professional actor, but since he has agreed to the director, he can’t let him down.

Now… he feels at least 60-70% confident.

Bai Gaoxing slaps his face to wake himself up. “Let’s go!”

At that moment, the director is speaking with the other dealers about the day’s scenes.

“Noah’s identity in the casino is quite subtle,” Frank explains. “He’s the adopted son of the casino owner, though not many know this. Most people just assume he’s the owner’s lover and therefore untouchable. Everyone fears him and keeps their distance.” He continues, “A child raised in such an environment since childhood, yet with a fundamentally kind nature, he’s actually very smart and perceptive. He understands that people don’t want to get close to him, so he willingly keeps his distance from them too.”

The actors nod in understanding. These details, although not directly stated in the script, are key to bringing the character to life.

“About the reason Noah saves Adonis,” one actor asks. “Is it because Noah is inherently kind and can’t bear to see the casino’s dark side ruin another life?”

“That’s part of it,” Frank nods. “Noah is clear-sighted and empathetic. He doesn’t turn a blind eye to others’ suffering.”

Another actor chimes in. “It seems like this mirrors the reason Adonis saves the male protagonist—because he saw his past self in him.”

“Exactly,” Frank agrees, but then adds with a sly grin, “Though, don’t overlook one other reason.”

“What’s that?”

“Adonis is very handsome!”

“!!!?”

Adonis—a man so attractive that even with half his body hidden in darkness, he still radiates charm. Even when pressed into a secluded corner of the yard, half his face stained with blood, Noah can still spot him in the dim light of the night.

The actor almost laughs again, but just as he opens his mouth, his expression turns to one of astonishment.

“I think… you’re right.”

Their conversation is interrupted as Noah and Adonis appear in the distance.

The casino’s grand hall spans two floors, with a massive spiral staircase at its center, draped in a plush red carpet and dazzlingly ornate. From their vantage point upstairs, the actors have a clear view of the pair descending the stairs.

The white-haired boy exudes youthful energy, his eyes clear and bright. He wears a tailored uniform designed to look more mature than his actual age. The cinched waist accentuates his upright, slender figure, while his cropped trousers reveal a hint of ankle—a subtle blend of playful youthfulness and restrained sensuality.

Beside him is a tall, handsome man in a matching dealer’s uniform. However, his aura is entirely different—calm, mature, and irresistibly charismatic. The coldness in his features is softened by the warmth in his gaze. His black hair and eyes give him an air of elegance and mystery.

The two walk side by side. Despite wearing the same uniform as the others, they seem to elevate it, looking like a perfectly coordinated couple in matching outfits.

This is the first time “Noah” appears in front of everyone.

“Wow, wow, wow~~!” someone cheers, clapping enthusiastically. “Here! Look up there!”

Bai Gaoxing looks up at the sound, waves, and pulls Li Pu toward the staircase.

Li Pu lowers his gaze, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips.

When they reach Frank, the director’s eyes light up as he looks them over. “This is perfect!” he exclaims.

Frank quickly directs the staff to return to their positions. With only a little over three hours before dawn, he is determined to capture as much as possible.

“I think it’s great, Bai, but… why didn’t you style your hair?” Frank asks, looking at Bai Gaoxing in confusion. He remembers the final look had part of his hair tied up.

“This…” Bai Gaoxing suddenly realizes. “I forgot.” He pulls Li Pu behind him and laughs. “I’ll leave it to you.”

And so, everyone watches as Li Pu immediately begins tying the young man’s hair.

Bai Gaoxing sits on a bench while Li Pu stands behind him, his long fingers skillfully weaving through Bai Gaoxing’s hair. Finally, he wraps a hair tie around it and secures it.

“My God, you can do this too?” someone exclaims in surprise.

Frank, with his sharp senses, holds his phone and films from behind. “Adonis doing Noah’s hair? This is a good idea.”

Bai Gaoxing touches his now tied-up hair. “What?”

“Nothing,” Frank says, putting down his phone. “I just thought of a new idea.”

The official filming begins with a shot of Noah shuffling cards.

At the gambling table, the guests—figures of immense status—sit either upright or lazily, their eyes fixed on the boy with the delicate face. status—sat either upright or lazily, their eyes fixed on the boy with the delicate face.

A faint smile lingers on the boy’s lips, his attitude calm and confident, neither humble nor arrogant. It is a demeanor that puts people at ease. He distributes the cards gracefully, and the clarity in his eyes belies the dangerous skills hidden beneath his innocent appearance.

Noah possesses an extraordinary photographic memory and unparalleled calculation abilities. If he wanted, he could make the casino lose everything in one game. But he never acts on it, even when his adoptive father instructs him to.

After the game, the crowd scatters. The black-haired, black-eyed man stands by the door, looking like he has been waiting for a long time. Then, the young man looks up and smiles, walking toward another man.

“Okay, cut!”

The scene ends there. It is short because Noah’s appearances in the film are fragments of Adonis’s memories.

The film’s timeline follows the male lead. By the time he arrives at the gambling city, Noah is already bedridden with illness.

Once the scene is done, Bai Gaoxing’s stiff calves, which have been tense for so long, finally begin to relax. He rubs his shoulder and instinctively glances at Li Pu.

Li Pu nods in approval. “You did great just now.”

Bai Gaoxing’s eyes light up, and his mood instantly soars.

Then he remembers to ask the director.

“It felt… pretty good,” Frank acknowledges Bai Gaoxing’s ability. He can tell the young man still has some rawness when facing the camera, but his on-screen presence is surprisingly good. He never strays from the shot or fails to face the camera correctly.

“Thank you,” Bai Gaoxing answers sincerely.

In moments like this, Bai Gaoxing strongly feels the benefits of being a parrot and reminisces about when he played in The Long Song. Back then, no matter how exaggerated the acting was, it was seen as being spirited and clever.

Unlike parrots, real people aren’t judged solely by lines and actions, nor can they gain praise and approval simply by showing a little spirit. This is the big screen, where even the slightest expression on one’s face can be a standard for evaluating acting, and exaggerated performances aren’t necessary.

Bai Gaoxing presses his chest, which is still thumping, and adjusts his shirt collar to try and cool down.
The entire shoot goes smoothly.

After finishing the gambling scene, Li Pu changes into another outfit. This time, they are shooting the scene where Adonis and Noah first meet.
At first, Adonis wasn’t a dealer.

He is just a victim of gambling who, by chance, is saved by Noah before a fatal game can end his life.

It is like… a homeless large dog that later turns out to be very protective of its owner.

Looking at Li Pu, his face messy yet still devastatingly handsome, Bai Gaoxing can’t help but think of that comparison.

Under the night sky, the boy drives everyone else away and extends a hand to the man covered in blood.

“It feels… a bit sensual?” Nitia, who is watching, comments, stroking her chin. “In the next second, they could be kissing. There’s a bit of a tragic romance vibe.”

Then come the so-called intimate scenes.

Bai Gaoxing is prepared. Adonis and Noah have already developed a mutual attraction in the casino, and their actions naturally brim with subtle tension. Whether it’s a hand around the waist or an inadvertent gaze, it’s sticky, almost syrupy.

“Sticky enough to be pulled into threads,” Frank describes it himself.

Bai Gaoxing recalls the day he falls asleep beside Li Pu, the sound of his heartbeat echoing in his ears. Even now, he feels as though he can hear it faintly.

He rubs his fingertips, as though there is still warmth from Li Pu’s hand. It’s very hot.

In that brief moment when he grabs the man’s hand, he feels Li Pu grip his in return. His thoughts go completely blank, and after a few seconds of stillness, they slowly start to function again.

He seems unable to look at Li Pu’s expression.

Bai Gaoxing lowers his gaze and gives himself a mental pep talk: It’s fine, it’s just acting, don’t overthink it.

But it’s hard.

Ever since that dream, he can’t help but notice every small detail about Li Pu in daily life. And now, as they film those details, Bai Gaoxing feels a growing fear of how much harder it will be to suppress his feelings.

Bai Gaoxing covers his face.

“What’s wrong?”

A concerned voice sounds beside him. Bai Gaoxing slowly turns his head. “Nothing.”

He instinctively avoids Li Pu’s gaze.

However, things unexpectedly take a different turn.

“Is it six o’clock already? Alright, we’ll save these small scenes for later. Let’s move to the next location,” Frank says after a quiet exchange with a staff member, quickly making the decision.

Before Bai Gaoxing can fully process what is happening, Li Pu is already leading him to follow the rest of the crew.

Frank is chasing the precious light of dawn.

The next scene unfolds on a serene morning. Noah awakens from his bed, but his frail, sickly state stands in stark contrast to the bright sunlight streaming through the window and the vibrant evergreen trees swaying outside.

A life nearing its end may soon fail to see the next day, and no matter how cozy the room is arranged, it only makes him seem even more pitiful.

When Bai Gaoxing finishes his new makeup and puts on a beige nightgown, he steps out, and the entire filming set falls into a deep silence.

The young man’s skin is very pale.

This pale isn’t sickly but soft and beautiful. His hair also has a pearly shine. So, when he lies on the pillow bathed in faint golden sunlight, it’s as if he is glowing.

But because his lips and eyes are specially made up, he looks fragile, as though even a slight breeze could knock him over.

Noah looks as though he can no longer endure even the smallest burden.

This is Noah’s inherent illness, which attacks during the prime of his youth, causing his young, vibrant body to rapidly deteriorate. His so-called adoptive father only cares about profit, and when he realizes Noah can no longer bring money to the casino, he intends to make a final profit by selling him to the wealthy businessman who has long coveted him. But the young man escapes.

Adonis finds him, just as Noah once saves Adonis.

This small and crowded yet cozy room is filled with their most precious memories.

“I’m sorry… but it’s just so moving,” Nitia covers her mouth, her voice trembling. Even though she is standing at the door and only sees the young man’s profile, she has to admit: Some people don’t need to speak. Just standing there, they evoke endless stories.

Frank snaps back to reality, rubbing his eyes as if waking from a trance. “Alright, we need to move quickly.”

He shakily adjusts the camera, his face showing uncontrollable excitement.

Bai Gaoxing lies in bed, a portion of the sunlight shining on his face. The room is small and the items are old, but his pillow and blanket are soft. It is said that Adonis has sold off his properties for years to find the best little house he can for Noah. He has put all his effort into Noah’s comfort.

The cameramen squeeze into the remaining space, filming the scene before them.

The young man has yet to wake up. His long, curly eyelashes are incredibly cute, and his expression reveals a touch of tranquility.

But soon, he slowly opens his eyes, still showing some signs of grogginess from just waking up.

“Creak~” The wooden door opens, and the man who has just finished his shift at the casino walks in, carrying steaming breakfast. Seeing the young man awake, he quickly sets the food aside and walks over.

“Noah.” The man’s voice is gentle, as if afraid of startling him.

Adonis is always calm in front of Noah, but recently, his cautious demeanor has become second nature.

The young man blinks and gradually becomes more alert, a slight smile curving his eyes. “Adonis, you’re back.”

Frank exhales slowly, savoring the sweet comfort of the moment.

Adonis helps Noah sit up, handing him a glass of water. He strokes the boy’s back gently, urging him not to drink too quickly.

“Is everything going smoothly at the casino?”

“Very smoothly.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. I’ll feel bad,” Noah murmurs.

“Alright,” Adonis says with a soft smile.

Their simple, heartfelt conversation fills the air with warmth. But when Noah glances out the window, his voice carries a note of hope—”When will winter be over? I want to go for a walk”—a trace of pain flashes across Adonis’s eyes.

But he doesn’t show it. He quickly masks his emotions. For Noah’s sake, he wants his world to remain filled with only hope, not despair.

Noah is particularly energetic today.

After laughing and joking for a while, the young man wraps an arm around Adonis’ neck, leans his forehead against his, and says with a playful smile, “Alright, go rest for a bit. I’ll eat by myself later.”

Adonis nods slowly, straightening up.

At that moment, however, he didn’t leave. Instead, he stops in place.

A prompt from Frank comes from the side: “Kiss him!”

Bai Gaoxing freezes.

A flush quickly spreads across his face, reaching all the way to his ears. He suddenly remembers something he has been ignoring—the role of Noah has been restored, and so have all of his scenes.

Which means… every part of Noah’s role is restored.

Including the kissing scene.

Noah and Adonis have a kissing scene.

And the people performing it are…

Him and Li Pu.

Bai Gaoxing’s mind goes blank. The question he has been avoiding comes rushing to the forefront: Have he and Li Pu become too close?

He isn’t a parrot anymore. As a human, making such an intimate gesture with another person feels entirely different.

For the first time, he wonders if he can still separate the movie from reality.

Li Pu seems to look at him with questioning eyes, and when he doesn’t react, continues with the scene.

His hand comes to the back of Bai Gaoxing’s head, and his body gently tilts forward. The man’s handsome face grows larger, and it seems as though Bai Gaoxing can smell his faint scent.

Bai Gaoxing opens his eyes, his pupils trembling, filled with confusion and shock.

Li Pu’s gaze is deep. Bai Gaoxing can’t understand it.

But is this okay? Is it acting? Yes, it’s acting—everything is just part of the role. So why is he so nervous? Why does it feel like his heart is about to leap out of his chest?

Bai Gaoxing’s thoughts spiral into chaos. Heat flushes through his entire body, his head burning as if with fever. His body stiffens, and just as Li Pu’s face draws dangerously close, Bai Gaoxing snaps.

He raises his hand abruptly, pushing the figure in front of him away.

“No!”