I Became Famous After I Became a Parrot in the Movie Star's House - Chapter 119

The room falls silent, the only sound remaining is the boy’s labored breathing, still unsettled from the panic.

Under the gradually brightening sunlight, the confusion and fear in his dark pupils become even more transparent.

Li Pu, who is pushed away, stands by the bed, quietly watching Bai Gaoxing. An unfathomable emotion flickers in his dark eyes.

Frank raises his head from the monitor, confusion filling his blue eyes, as if he can’t understand why the scene, which has been flowing smoothly, suddenly stops here.

The kissing scene turns into a disaster.

This is an unexpected setback. Just when he thinks everything will proceed without a hitch, the sudden shift catches everyone off guard.

And it isn’t an ordinary failure—this isn’t a simple laugh or a mistake in positioning, but rather one of the protagonists in the kiss scene showing strong resistance to the other person.

After the boy’s impressive performance in the casino scene, Frank instinctively believes that this one will go just as well. But reality delivers a hard blow.

He never imagines… Noah would push Adonis away.

Before the kiss, the two already establish a good rhythm and emotional connection. There is no reason for such a jarring error…. Frank frowns, stroking his beard as he mulls over the situation.

On the bed, Bai Gaoxing is still frozen, his mind swirling in confusion. His hands clutch the quilt tightly, leaving messy wrinkles on its surface.

His legs curl inward, pulling the blanket and leaving a large empty space on the already small bed.

“Let’s take a break for now,” Frank’s voice pulls him back to his senses.

Bai Gaoxing glances up to see the bearded director approaching him, his face filled with concern. “Bai, are you okay?”

“…I’m fine,” Bai Gaoxing mumbles in response, suddenly remembering something. He quickly turns his head toward the man beside him.

Did he just push Li Pu away!?

The scene replays vividly in his mind—the moment the man leans in and the sensation of his palm against the other’s chest. It’s still fresh, still lingering.

At such an important moment in the scene, he pushes the person away… Would Li Pu think he dislikes him?

But he doesn’t!

Bai Gaoxing’s fingers tighten around the quilt, twisting it into a ball. The suffocating feeling rises in his chest, making his cheeks flush red. His eyes dart nervously.

He… doesn’t even know what he is thinking. In that instant, his entire mind is in turmoil.

It feels like something is about to become clear, but he can’t put that feeling into words.

Bai Gaoxing glances at Li Pu secretly, trying to read the man’s reaction from his face.

Thankfully, Li Pu’s expression is still indifferent. He stands there calmly, as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Everything about him radiates the aura of a professional actor ready to take the next direction.

Yes, they are just actors now.

Bai Gaoxing can’t quite place the feeling of disappointment suddenly rising in his heart. He can’t explain it, but he dismisses it as guilt over causing an NG. He feels bad for dragging the crew down.

His sense of collective responsibility is too strong.

Otherwise, why else would he feel so upset? To the point of wanting to cry.

“Sorry,” Bai Gaoxing apologizes to Frank, then, as he does with the other actors after an NG, says, “I can do it again.”

“Oh… It’s okay! Are you sure you’re fine?” Frank studies the youngest member of the cast, his red eyes and trembling voice pulling at the director’s heartstrings. Bai Gaoxing looks like he’s on the verge of tears, and Frank feels even more guilty.

For someone who isn’t a seasoned actor, it’s not easy to casually kiss another person. Frank tells himself he understands. He spends time coaching the boy one-on-one on the technical details of acting but fails to address the emotional difficulty of such scenes.

That is his oversight.

“If you’re sure about this,” Frank sighs.

The atmosphere returns to calm and tranquility. The sunlight outside shines even more radiantly than before, casting brighter, more dazzling colors on the blanket.

The boy, freshly woken, has slightly messy hair, and Li Pu walks over to the bed again. He braces himself with an arm as he leans down, placing his hand gently on the boy’s head.

Still not working.

The moment Li Pu’s palm touches him, Bai Gaoxing’s entire body stiffens. Their eyes meet, but the emotions in Bai Gaoxing’s gaze aren’t those of Noah.

And Li Pu isn’t looking as Adonis either.

Li Pu can’t put into words what he feels in that moment. The emotions running through him now are different from what he feels when he is pushed away earlier. This time, it almost confirms something.

He lowers his hand, which rests on the back of the boy’s head, and voluntarily calls for an NG.

Frank also senses that the atmosphere is off. He decides to pause the filming for the day and tries to ease the tension, saying, “Anyway, the best lighting has already passed.”

The crew members respond and begin packing up their things.

Bai Gaoxing sits in a daze for a moment before lifting the quilt, getting out of bed, and heading to the next room to change his clothes. As he passes by Li Pu, he can’t help but glance at him. His lips part slightly, as if he wants to say something, but nothing comes out. Instead, he quickly walks past.

The sun rises higher, and the bright sunlight pours through the windows, splitting into sharp beams. The light falls across most of Li Pu’s body, but his face, hidden in the shadows, is veiled in deep contrast.

Frank looks up and freezes at the sight before him.

When shrouded in darkness, Adonis seems like nothing but a heavy shadow. But now, under the fragmented light, Frank sees an unshakable depth in his actor.

…Should I arrange some counseling sessions? The thought strikes him as he approaches. “Li, are you okay?”

Li Pu pulls his gaze away from the window, his expression calm as always. “I’m fine.”

Frank pats his shoulder. “It’s okay, we have plenty of time. We just need a little adjustment!”

“What if… it still doesn’t work?” Li Pu looks at the director, as if simply asking a question about acting.

Frank hesitates, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Well, you know me. Of course, I hope you can handle it normally—I don’t want to rely on camera tricks or stand-ins to solve it. But if it really doesn’t work—”

“Alright, I understand,” Li Pu says, then turns and walks toward the door.

??? What does he understand? Frank blinks, confused.

Outside in the hallway, Mei Youshu, who has just returned with breakfast, rushes over. “Brother Li!” Then he freezes.

The man before him seems calm on the surface, but his presence is heavy—oppressive even.

There is a subtle air of melancholy and frustration about him.

As a long-time assistant, he is quite good at reading Li Pu’s emotions.

“Did something happen on set?” Mei Youshu asks, glancing behind Li Pu. “Where’s Dabai?”

Bai Gaoxing, now changed, comes out just then.

When Bai Gaoxing sees Mei Youshu, he smiles briefly and greets him. But when his gaze lands on Li Pu, the smile falters, and the corners of his mouth stiffen.

“…Shall we go?” Bai Gaoxing asks softly.

“Yeah, I parked the car downstairs.” Mei Youshu hands Bai Gaoxing another breakfast. “You must be hungry, have some first.”

“Thanks.” Bai Gaoxing takes the breakfast and follows Mei Youshu.

Once they get downstairs, Mei Youshu finally realizes what feels so strange.

Before, the two always walk close together, their interactions full of warmth. But now, they seem like strangers.

…Did they argue?

Not daring to pry, Mei Youshu stays quiet. After dropping them off at the hotel, he quickly slips back to his own room and calls Lei Li to report what he’s noticed.

“Strange,” Mei Youshu mutters. “Brother Li seemed fine the other day. Everything was going well…”

Lei Li, however, sounds entirely unbothered. “Oh, don’t worry about it. He’s in puberty.”

Mei Youshu: “…???”

Meanwhile, back in his room, Bai Gaoxing begins eating.

It’s fine when there are others around, but now that they’re alone, the atmosphere feels incredibly awkward.

Should he say something?

Bai Gaoxing steals a glance at the man, his face full of conflict. Should he explain why he pushed him away? But that might seem too deliberate, too obvious…

Time ticks by as he wrestles with his thoughts. Finally, he finishes his meal and turns around, only to find that Li Pu is already lying on the bed, his back to him. It isn’t clear if he’s asleep or just avoiding conversation.

…Okay then.

Bai Gaoxing blinks, feeling a bit tired. After freshening up, he lies down in bed, thinking that maybe after a nap, he can pretend like nothing happened.

Though that might be hard.

Bai Gaoxing’s thoughts are a mess. Every time Li Pu crosses his mind, that strange feeling surges again.

Eventually, he falls asleep in an awkward mood. Completely preoccupied with his own thoughts, he fails to notice that on the other bed, Li Pu is scrolling through his phone, browsing various web pages.

…

Li Pu spends several hours on a love advice forum. Before he finally drifts off, his search history still shows questions like, “Why doesn’t the person you like want to kiss you?”

The next day comes in the blink of an eye.

When it’s time to head to the filming site at dawn, the weather has turned gloomy, so the plans for continuing the scene from yesterday are scrapped.

But that doesn’t mean the other scenes can’t be filmed.

Frank takes the actors to the casino, but since there’s no scene with Adonis and Noah, Li Pu and Bai Gaoxing stay at the hotel to rest.

“Today the hotel sent apple juice!” Bai Gaoxing happily rolls the food cart into the room and sets the meals on the table.

Li Pu responds with an acknowledgment, arranges his utensils, and casually places his cup of apple juice in front of Bai Gaoxing.

Bai Gaoxing freezes for a moment.

Their interactions seem the same as before, as if nothing has happened. But at the same time, everything feels off.

Bai Gaoxing sighs silently and pokes at his croissant sandwich with his fork.

He seems unsure of how to interpret the feeling anymore.

He thinks this awkward silence will last until after they finish filming the scene, but by the afternoon, Darren and Nitia knock on their door.

“You two,” Darren says enthusiastically, “How about going to the bar? Frank said the weather’s bad tomorrow and is giving us a day off.”

Nitia nods in agreement. “The drinks at a bar nearby are really famous. It’d be a waste not to go. After filming for so long, we could all use a little relaxation.”

A bar!

Bai Gaoxing’s eyes light up. He has always watched from the outside but has never been inside a bar himself. He even forgets about the strange atmosphere between him and Li Pu, turning to say, “Li Pu! Let’s go!!”

Li Pu, who initially plans to decline, doesn’t speak.

And so, as the last bit of sunset slides below the horizon, the four of them enter the bar.

It’s a bar known for its relaxed atmosphere, with lively music, flashing lights, and drinks flowing. The crowd is filled with young faces.

Bai Gaoxing can’t take his eyes off the interior, occasionally letting out exclamations of awe.

The four of them sit directly at the bar.

They settle at the bar, surrounded by people dancing on the floor, singing on stage, or chatting in booths. Most patrons are too absorbed in their own activities to notice them.

But not everyone.

Along the way, many people are stunned by their presence, and a few even try to strike up a conversation, which Darren expertly turns down.

“What would you like to drink?” The music is loud, so Darren raises his voice.

“A Manhattan cocktail,” Nitia says, then turns to Bai Gaoxing, “What about you?”

“Huh?” Bai Gaoxing hasn’t even thought about what to drink. He frowns, conflicted, when he hears Li Pu say, “Get him a glass of lemon water.”

Darren raises his eyebrow. “Hey, we’re here to have fun.”

Nitia looks at Bai Gaoxing, who nods, and then asks, “And you?”

Li Pu replies, “I’ll have lemon water too.”

Darren looks like he can’t bear it.

When the lemon water arrives, Bai Gaoxing takes a sip and immediately winces from the cold.

Darren and Nitia start chatting casually, occasionally laughing at their own stories. Bai Gaoxing listens in, occasionally adding a word or two. Li Pu, however, sits silently, seemingly unaffected by the lively environment around him.

Bang. A beautiful cocktail is suddenly placed in front of Bai Gaoxing by a handsome man, who smiles and says, “Let me buy you a drink.”

Before Bai Gaoxing can react, Li Pu reaches out and blocks the man’s approach. “Sorry, he doesn’t drink.”

The man raises his hands in mock surrender, a knowing smile on his face. “Got it.” He shrugs, looking slightly disappointed, and walks away.

Nitia leans in with a teasing grin. “Oh, is this a romantic encounter? Li, you totally ruined Bai’s chance at a good thing.”

Bai Gaoxing forces out an awkward laugh, scratching his head.

Soon after, Darren and Nitia exchange looks. Nitia taps the bar in front of Bai Gaoxing. “Bai, come with me for a bit?” She gestures toward a corner of the bar. “There’s a small lottery game over there I want to check out. Will you come with me?”

Bai Gaoxing, of course, doesn’t refuse. He even eagerly stands up. “Sure, where to?”

Nitia waves her hand at Li Pu. “I’ll borrow Bai for a bit~”

Watching the two of them walk away, Darren clears his throat and turns to Li Pu. “Li, about yesterday’s scene…”

Darren isn’t very good at speaking English. He stutters a little, muttering, “I should have let Nitia… here earlier. I’ll… talk to Bai later.”

“Did Frank ask you to come?” Li Pu replies smoothly, switching to fluent French.

On the other side, Bai Gaoxing is already being pulled by Nitia to a booth she has reserved.

“Okay, I admit it, it was Frank who sent me here,” Nitia says, taking two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handing one to the boy. Seeing his conflicted expression, she smiles. “It’s fine, the alcohol content is very low.”

As for why Director Frank sent Darren and Nitia, the reason is simple.

Darren and Nitia’s kissing scene has gone smoothly, and their understanding and portrayal of the characters might help Bai and Li.

As part of this plan, Darren and Nitia have taken on their own roles—each picking someone at the bar to engage with. Nitia, being the lead actress, is better suited to connect with Bai, helping him process the emotions behind his role.

“If you don’t mind, could you share your thoughts with me?” Nitia asks directly. “Or I could tell you about my own experience with kissing?”

Caught off guard by her straightforwardness, Bai Gaoxing blushes slightly. “Uh… okay.” He pauses, his expression a mix of curiosity and confusion. “I just don’t know how to… define it, I guess.”

“Well then, let me use the male and female leads as an example,” Nitia says. “The two of them fall in love almost unconsciously. Their feelings arise from everyday interactions, like the female lead caring for the injured male lead, and the male lead discovering and appreciating the female lead’s qualities.”

Bai Gaoxing takes a sip of champagne.

The moment Nitia starts speaking, he begins feeling nervous.

Then… he can’t help but think of himself and Li Pu.

They spend so much time together. Could it be the same?

“…Later, the male and female leads realize they can’t live without each other, and that’s when they want to change the status quo.”

Can’t live without each other… is that how it is?

“How do you know if you can’t live without someone?” Bai Gaoxing’s face starts turning red.

Nitia’s face lights up with enthusiasm. “Well, think about how sad you’d be if you were separated. Could you get used to someone else? Or, could you imagine wanting to be with them forever?”

Bai Gaoxing starts recalling the little moments he shares with Li Pu—the peaceful, happy days that feel like they happened just yesterday. He really wants to keep things this way forever.

If someone else replaced Li Pu, or if they were separated…

Bai Gaoxing suddenly smiles. His heart nearly jumps out of his chest, and everything that had been unclear is crystalizing for the first time.

“Is this… love?” he murmurs softly.

“Of course,” Nitia thinks Bai Gaoxing is asking a rhetorical question and starts listing her insights. “There are many kinds of love, but whether it’s steady like a gentle stream or fiery like a storm, it’s all equally passionate.” She smiles. “But sometimes, you can’t even understand your own feelings, so it’s best to figure things out carefully.”

There’s no need to figure it out. No need to figure it out anymore.

For so long, Bai Gaoxing hasn’t understood why his emotions toward Li Pu are so erratic. But now that he identifies the feeling as “love,” everything makes sense.

He sets down his empty glass and blankly asks, “Is there more?”

…

Meanwhile, back at the bar, Darren is finally getting to the point. After offering some thoughts about the kissing scene, he can’t hold back any longer.

“Are you and Bai… a couple?” he blurts out.

“No,” Li Pu replies calmly. But in his heart, he adds, Not yet.

“Oh, I knew it.” Darren raises an eyebrow. “How could there be a couple who can’t kiss in front of the camera? I’ll have to rethink this.” Darren starts to think but then notices Li Pu’s gaze fixed on something. “What’s up?”

He turns around and sees a familiar figure in the distance, by the dance floor.

The young man’s snow-white hair stands out brightly in the dim environment, his dazzling smile more eye-catching than ever. Several people holding drinks are gathered near him, clearly trying to strike up a conversation.

Li Pu’s expression hardens slightly.

Nitia wraps her arm around the young man’s and desperately waves over to their side, while the young man seems to notice them and waves back, his expression a little silly.

Darren has just leaned his hand on the bar when Li Pu has already started walking over there.

“He’s drunk,” Nitia sighs regretfully. “I didn’t expect that after just two glasses of low-alcohol champagne, he’d be like this.”

The young man is tipsy. From a distance, Bai Gaoxing still looks composed, but up close, his face is flushed bright red.

Li Pu wraps his arms around Bai Gaoxing.

The boy’s body is already unsteady, leaning heavily against him, and he fidgets restlessly. Warm breaths brush against Li Pu’s ear, making it unclear whether Bai Gaoxing is awake or dozing off.

Li Pu sighs inwardly.

The young man’s alcohol tolerance is exactly the same as when he was still a parrot.

“There’s still some food left at the table. I’ll go grab it,” Nitia says before heading off, Darren trailing behind her.

Li Pu adjusts his hold on Bai Gaoxing and guides him toward the bar.

Bai Gaoxing is completely out of it, his vision a blur of colorful lights and a vague, familiar shadow beside him.

But as they pass a dim, secluded corner, a moment of clarity pierces through his hazy mind. He tugs hard on Li Pu’s sleeve, stopping him in his tracks.

A faint scent of alcohol mixed with a hint of lemon fills the air. The sudden closeness as Bai Gaoxing leans in makes Li Pu freeze for a moment.

Bai Gaoxing reaches up and hooks his arm around Li Pu’s neck, pulling him down until their foreheads press together, just as they have done during filming.

A strange, soft warmth spreads through Li Pu’s chest, bit by bit, filling every corner.

The drunkenness emboldens Bai Gaoxing in a way nothing else could. He opens his mouth and says the words he has longed to speak in his heart.

“That scene… I think I’m ready now.”

The young man’s lips, moist from the alcohol, glisten enticingly under the lights.

“Kiss me.”