Kaleidoscope of Death

Extra: Shameless Couple (2)

Kaleidoscope of Death by Xi Zixu

Ruan Nanzhus stint as an actor was purely for fun, so nobody took the matter very seriously. But months later, as Ruan Nanzhu sat around bored at home with nothing to do, he got a call from Zhang Yiqing. The movie was premiering, and Zhang Yiqing sent him two free tickets for him to go have a look.

Tickets in hand, Ruan Nanzhu invited Lin Qiushi to go see the movie together. The two arrived happily at the theater, Lin Qiushi bought a bucket of popcorn, and they sat down in the audience.

The movie was a hundred minutes total; Lin Qiushi didnt have high expectations coming in, but afterwards, he was completely blown away. Though Zhang Yiqing had been an actor and had never gone through an official directors program, he obviously had quite a lot of talent in the realm of directing. At least, the techniques he used to shoot this wuxia film that Ruan Nanzhu got a cameo in were good enough to provoke cheers and applause.

Ruan Nanzhu, playing the prince in the movie, was also exceptional.

But after they watched it, that was that. Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu went home without thinking too much on the matter, until the next day when Lin Qiushi opened up his social media and saw that Ruan Nanzhus character was trendingHe didnt understand such things very well. He clicked into the tag and found many people gushing about Ruan Nanzhus acting and good looks, and asking how come theyd not seen this new actor before. No one thought that this new guy with so few lines would be so eye-catching.

Lin Qiushi woke the bleary-eyed Ruan Nanzhu and pushed the phone in front of his face.

Nanzhu, are you famous?

Ruan Nanzhu opened his eyes and peered once at the phone screen before pushing Lin Qiushi down into bed again. He kissed Lin Qiushis chin and said, forget about that

Lin Qiushi, oh

Ruan Nanzhu had little actual concept of himself going viral, so when he was having lunch with Lin Qiushi one day, he was actually pretty irritated to get Zhang Yiqings phone call.

Im just a minor side character, he said, why should I go on your publicity tour? What? Blacklist me? Did you take the wrong meds this morning? Im not even in the industry, blacklist me all you want

Lin Qiushi listened at the side and found it funny, but then Zhang Yiqing said something at the end, and Ruan Nanzhu actually stopped refusing. Brows furrowing, he looked up once at Lin Qiushi before agreeing to Zhang Yiqings request to go on a publicity tour with him and the cast.

After hanging up, Ruan Nanzhu said that Zhang Yiqing wanted him to go do publicity for a bit of time.

Go, Lin Qiushi said. But if you really dislike it, dont force yourself. We lack for nothing.

Mh. Ruan Nanzhu nodded, taking Lin Qiushis words to heart.

After that, Lin Qiushis projects got busy as well, and he didnt have the time to pay attention to developments around Ruan Nanzhus movie. The point at which he realized Ruan Nanzhu was well and truly famous was when he discovered that a young employee had switched her desktop screensaver to a picture of Ruan Nanzhu. Lin Qiushi had even thought hed been seeing things at first, pointing at the screensaver and asking the girl, whos this?

The girl turned to Lin Qiushi with an expression of excitement and began a fanatic recommendation of Ruan Nanzhu, saying how this was a super popular newcomer named Yu Qiuqiu, and not only was he good looking but is acting was also amazing!

Lin Qiushi, Alright alright, enough already. I know exactly how amazing his acting is.

That night, Lin Qiushi stared thoughtfully at Ruan Nanzhu, who was in his pajamas in the kitchen, watching TV.

Ruan Nanzhu noticed Lin Qiushis gaze. He turned around to ask, what is it?

Lin Qiushi, Nanzhu

Ruan Nanzhu, hm?

Lin Qiushi, are you famous?

Ruan Nanzhu, famous? What do you mean?

Seeing his bewildered expression, Lin Qiushi had no choice but to change his wording: Is Yu Qiuqiu famous? And this bastard even debuted with his pseudonym.

Ruan Nanzhu slapped a hand to his thigh. Yeah! Our Qiuqiu is super famous! Zhang Yiqing recommended me to his friends trying to make me the main character

Lin Qiushi, isnt that a good thing?

Ruan Nanzhu, how is it a good thing? If Im making movies I have to run around all the time. I cant keep you company like that.

Lin Qiushi thought about it.

But youre just doing it for fun, so you dont have to worry about all that. You dont have to film if you dont want to. If youre tired you can just take a break. Other stars may have burdens, but Ruan Nanzhu didnt.

Okay then, Ruan Nanzhu agreed. Then he seemed to recall something. Right. The newcomer from Obsidian came to set a couple of times. I ignored him, but tell Ye Niao that if he keeps coming, I might not be able to handle it.

It took Lin Qiushi a long while to remember the existence of this personit seemed to be the newcomer coveting Ruan Nanzhu for his good looks, who was under the impression that Lin Qiushi had taken Ruan Nanzhu by force.

He asked, what do you mean by not being able to handle it?

Ruan Nanzhu, I might not be able to handle it and end up decking him, of course.

Lin Qiushi,

The facts were, after being baptized by the doors, their bodies had all become stronger than those of normal people. This was the case for Lin Qiushi. Hed thought at first that he would be around Ruan Nanzhus level, but then one evening, hed discovered that he wasnt Ruan Nanzhus opponent at all. Ruan Nanzhu, whod wanted to try some fun little technique, restrained Lin Qiushi with ease; a single hand was all it took to pressed both of Lin Qiushis above their heads. That hand that looked as pale and delicate as jade had felt just like a metal shackle, and no matter how Lin Qiushi struggled, it hadnt budge an inch.

Also, every time he picked Lin Qiushi up to go wash, Ruan Nanzhu could lift him, a healthy grown adult male, in one arm.

Afterthis discovery, Lin Qiushi had laughed at himself for worrying about Ruan Nanzhu getting mistreated outsideLin Qiushi counted all of them lucky that Ruan Nanzhu wasnt mistreating people.

Dont worry about it. For the above reasons, Lin Qiushi said as much. If he really annoys you, do what you must.

Ruan Nanzhu nodded.

Just a few days after theyd discussed the matter, Lin Qiushi went to check in on Ruan Nanzhu at work. Ruan Nanzhu was filming a modern movie this time, and played a handsome serial killer in the script. Lin Qiushi thought this character setting rather suited Ruan Nanzhu.

He was waiting on the curbside at first. But then his ears caught onto a strange noise. It sounded like a personkeening. Lin Qiushi heard this, and his brows puckered. He turned and looked into a small, dark alley. The film was being shot in the studio backlot, which was complicated and filled with architecture of various styles. So naturally, there were plenty of out-of-the-way spots that the cameras cant capture.

Just as Lin Qiushi was wondering if he ought to take a look, he heard Ruan Nanzhus voice.

And Ruan Nanzhu sounded a bit dark, a bit scratchy, when he said, feels good?

Lin Qiushi,

He padded silently to the entrance of the alley and saw Ruan Nanzhu standing inside. There was another person kneeling in front of Ruan Nanzhu. Though it was dark enough that Lin Qiushi couldnt really make out the other persons face, the scene before him wasnt anywhere as raunchy as hed imagined.

That person was lying on the ground like a dead dog. Ruan Nanzhu heard his footsteps and turned around, and when he saw Lin Qiushi, he hung a faint smile up where a cold expression had previously been. His motions were natural as he rolled down his sleeves, approaching Lin Qiushi.

What brings you here?

Lin Qiushi glanced at the man hanging on his last breath lying on the floor.

Hes not dead, is he?

Of course not, I know when to stop. Ruan Nanzhu came over, seeming like a sweet and adorable big kitty, as if the icy ruthlessness from before had all been an illusion. Well call him an ambulance. Hell be fine.

IIm calling the cops The persons call from the ground was as faint as a mosquitos. Youyou hit me

It was only then that Lin Qiushi identified this person. Wasnt this the newcomer from Obsidian that Ruan Nanzhu had mentioned only a few days ago? Lin Qiushi hadnt expected the guy to still be harassing Ruan Nanzhu, and had apparently pissed Ruan Nanzhu off enough to get beaten up so badly that not even his own mother could recognize him.

Man, how complicated his feelings must have been when a single slap from Ruan Nanzhu, whod seemed like nothing more than a little white bunny, was enough to take him down.

Lin Qiushi said, if he still has the strength to threaten us, then we probably dont need to call an ambulance.

Ruan Nanzhu, no need. I avoided all the vital areas'tis all just flesh wounds.

Lin Qiushi nodded, fished out his phone, and gave Ye Niao a call. Ye Niao was furious. He said he was on his way and urged Lin Qiushi not to be angry.

After Lin Qiushi hung up he lifted Ruan Nanzhus hand.

Youre not hurt, are you?

I am, Ruan Nanzhu pouted. Look, its injured.

Lin Qiushi searched the hand all over at this, and finally found a single patch of broken skin no bigger than his pinky. He looked back at the man beaten to a pulp beside them, then back at the wound on the back of Ruan Nanzhus hand. Finally, he couldnt hold in his laughter anymore.

Youre so

Laughter also surfaced in Ruan Nanzhus eyes.

Ye Niao came quickly and dragged that person off like he was dragging out the trash. Before he left he even apologized to Lin Qiushi for his poor judgment and for choosing such a person

Lin Qiushi said, dont worry about it. Everybody makes mistakes.

The matter pretty much ended there. Lin Qiushi never saw that person again, and no police ever came to bother them. Ye Niao took neat care of the matter.

They didnt give you a hard time, did they? This was what Lin Qiushi asked Ruan Nanzhu after they got home.

Ruan Nanzhu, in response, whos they?

Lin Qiushi, the cast and crew, of course.

Ruan Nanzhu slid off in thought. They think Im being kept by some heavy hitter, and mess around with the mob

Lin Qiushi,

Ruan Nanzhu, so, theyre actually pretty respectful?

At this, Lin Qiushi didnt know for a moment whether he ought to laugh or cry. Ruan Nanzhu himself was the heaviest hitterwhy would he possibly be the kept boy of one? But since he liked to act so much, there was no harm in Lin Qiushi playing along. They still had a long time together, after all. There were plenty of things for them to try.

Ruan Nanzhu scooted close to Lin Qiushi, setting his chin on Lin Qiushis shoulder and mumbling something about being sleepy. Lin Qiushi stroked his hair like he was petting a giant cat. This animal, when tamed, seemed just like an overgrown kitty, but if you actually pissed him off, he was actually a ruthless beast.

But this was a beast that would never extend its claws at Lin Qiushi, was all.

Translators Note:

• The term translated as heavy hitter here, , has actually appeared often in the text. Its a slang term that kind of means the big guy, as in the boss, the one with the most experience, etc. RNZ gets called this a lot, especially in the Hako Onna door.

[Extra: Shameless Couple(1)] | [Extra: Twin Lives, Twin Deaths(1)]