Mr Fanboy
Chapter 9 -Take 9, Action!
"Hey!"
"Cut!!! Third! Are you okay?"
The commotion among the crew erupted immediately. Several people rushed over to check on the guy who'd been punched and was now sprawled on the ground. Meanwhile, I stood frozen like a statue, trembling, my hands shaking, and my face pale as a sheet of A4 paper. My heart sank to my stomach as I realised this was the first time in my life I'd physically hurt someone, even if it wasn't intentional.
"l.. I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to!" Once I snapped out of it, I rushed over to Third, giving him a wai as an apology. My eyes widened in shock when I saw blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. Oh no, oh no, oh no! I punched him! I made someone bleed! What should I do? Someone help me, please!
"It's fine," he said calmly, touching the spot on his mouth where my punch had grazed him. Luckily, Third had quick reflexes, so my punch only barely grazed his face. Still, it left a small cut that was bleeding. By tomorrow, there'd be a bruise. And for a rising actor who regularly attended events, this was definitely not a good thing.
"Let's take a break. Third, go get that wound treated," P'Pai sighed heavily before shouting to the crew to take a break.
"Come on, let's go, "P'Sunny hurried over to support Third, shooting me a sharp glare as she led him to the dressing room. I shrank back, feeling like I wanted to cry.
"P'Pai, I-"I started to say.
"It's okay, it happens. Sometimes things go off-script," the middle-aged director patted my shoulder reassuringly, not seeming too upset about what had happened. Then P'Pai headed to the dressing room to check on Third, leaving me standing there, head hanging low, while P'Cher and Renji came over to console me.
"What happened? You didn't do it on purpose, did you?" P'Cher whispered, her face serious, knowing that Third and didn't exactly get along.
"No! I swear I didn't mean to! I just couldn't stop myself in time.." I raised my hands to my temples, overwhelmed with confusion. I could swear a million times over that it was truly an accident. Even though we had issues before, I wasn't the type to mix personal matters with work. And I certainly wouldn't use acting as an excuse to do something just to satisfy myself.
"Alright, alright. It's okay. Once Third's done with his treatment, go apologise to him again," P'Cher cut me off, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Renji hovered around, asking if I was okay.
Honestly, I'm fine. The one who isn't fine is Third. But if his face ends up too bruised to attend events, my agency might be in trouble for having to pay damages...
Oh crap, oh crap, why don't you be more careful, Wan?!
"Sunny, can Wan go talk to Third for a bit?" P'Cher took on the role of negotiator, approaching Third's AR after hearing from the crew that Third had finished getting treated.
"Go ahead," P'Sunny said stiffly, glaring at me with clear disapproval, more like outright anger, but she still allowed me to enter the dressing room. P'Cher gave me a silent nod of encouragement.
I took a deep breath as I walked inside. Third was sitting in the same spot where we'd rehearsed our lines together during the lunch break. The corner of his mouth was slightly swollen, his expression calm and emotionless.
"..Does it hurt a lot?" I asked meekly as I walked over and sat beside him. Aside from squashing ants or swatting mosquitoes, I'd never hurt anyone before. Seeing him injured made me feel incredibly guilty.
"You've got quite a punch," he chuckled softly, though he winced a little as it aggravated his wound.
"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to, I swear," I said, giving my apology in a wai again. Even though we were the same age, I didn't care. I wanted him to know how genuinely sorry I was.
"I get it."
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine."
"I'm really, truly sorry."
"I said it's fine. Accidents happen." This time, his slow, deliberate tone carried a hint of annoyance. His sharp eyes narrowed as he looked at me. "Unless you punched me on purpose."
"Are you crazy?!" My eyes widened in shock. Why was everyone asking me that? What kind of person did they think I was? "It was really an accident! I'm not the type to mix personal issues with work!"
"If that's the case, then I don't hold it against you," Third said with a soft chuckle, his dark eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. “ I accept your apology. Now stop apologising already. You're giving me a headache."
"Alright..." With his assurance, the heavy weight in my chest began to lift. Even so, I couldn't help but feel uneasy looking at his handsome face, now marred by a bruise.
"Do you have... any events coming up soon?"
"Not in the next couple of days. My university exams are coming up, so I asked the agency to avoid scheduling anything this week."
"But even if I did have an event, makeup could cover it. The makeup artists said they could handle a mark like this," he said casually as if he knew exactly what I was worrying about.
I let out a deep sigh, silently thanking my lucky stars. At least I wouldn't have to pay a fortune in damages.
"You look relieved."
"Of course I am. I don't have that kind of money," I said, pouting. I wasn't rich and hadn't earned enough yet to handle a massive debt.
"Then you should thank me for dodging in time. Your punch only grazed me," Third said in a calm tone, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. I scrunched my nose slightly in irritation. His words might've been a bit smug, but he had to admit he was right. Otherwise, I'd be in serious debt by now.
"If you still feel bad, make it up to me. Just be nice to me from now on."
"What? Have I ever been mean to you?" I blurted out before thinking, then realised that I'd been a bit confrontational with him before. Third raised an eyebrow, giving me a look that said, 'Really? You're going to say that?'
"Okay, maybe I have. But you're annoying too, so let's call it even," I said quickly, cutting off the conversation. Life was too short to dwell on the past. Focusing on the present was what really mattered.
"Alright," he replied in his deep voice.
At first, I thought Third would respond with some snarky comment, but he surprised me by agreeing so easily. Seeing this as an opportunity to reset our relationship, I immediately extended my hand toward him.
"We might not have gotten along before, but... that's in the past. Let's start fresh from now on. If you ever need help or advice, just let me know."
Silence filled the dressing room. My conversation partner stared at my outstretched hand for a moment, making me feel a bit awkward. Just as I was about to pull my hand back, his larger, slightly rough hand reached out to shake mine.
"Alright."
The warmth of his hand, slightly bigger than mine, sent a strange flutter through my chest. But in just a moment, he let go naturally, leaving me feeling a bit flustered and unsure of what to do.
"Thanks for the thought, but I think you should worry about yourself instead."
"Huh?" I blinked in confusion. Just a moment ago, he seemed so relaxed. Why did he suddenly look so serious?
"I can take care of myself. You're the one who should be careful," Third said, leaving me even more puzzled. He spoke as if something bad was going to happen to me.
"What do you mean-"
Before I could ask further, P'Jen's voice called from outside the room. Then other crew members started coming in, talking about redoing the scene and touching up Third's makeup.
In the end, I didn't get to talk to Third further, and his words were soon drowned out by the many other things happening until I completely forgot about them.
"Did you pack extra pencils?"
"Yes, I did."
"What about a sharpener?"
"Got it."
The conversation echoed in the early hours of Saturday morning, a day off for most people. Even though the clock on the living room wall showed it was only 6 AM, both View and I were already dressed and ready to leave.
"What about your ID card? You won't be able to enter the exam room without it."
"I've got it. Don't worry," my younger sister replied, rolling her eyes and laughing softly. Her neatly tied ponytail and ribbon swayed with her movements.
Why were we up so early? It was View's TGAT exam day. As for me, I had an important event, too-the opening ceremony for a new series. The agency's van will be here to pick me up in ten minutes.
"Sorry, I can't drop you off," I sighed deeply.
In the past, I'd always been the one to take View wherever she needed to go, whether it was tutoring or hanging out with friends, so she wouldn't have to spend money on transportation. But I barely had time to talk to her ever since I started working. By the time I got back to the condo each night, it was usually late, and View would already be asleep. Even though we lived in the same room, it felt like we hadn't seen each other in ages. It was a change that made me feel a bit sad.
"It's okay, really. You've got work to do," my little sister, who always acted more mature than her age, smiled softly. She raised both hands to lightly pat my cheeks and spoke in a cheerful tone. "Good luck today! Hope you gain lots of new fans. Once my exams are over, I'll scream over today's event photos in the hashtag."
"Scream over who?"
"Scream over P'Third-just kidding, hehe! Of course, I'll scream over my big brother," she giggled when she saw my pout. Even though I'd badmouthed Third before, View still liked him a lot.
I guess my sister has a thing for the cold, bad-boy type. I placed my hand on her head and gently ruffled her hair, unable to resist teasing her. "Do your best on your
exam today. Once you're done, I'll take you out for a treat."
"Ugh, P'Wan, my hair's all messy now," she whined, scrunching her face and telling me to stop. After quickly fixing her hair, View grabbed her bag and got ready to leave the room. "I'm off now."
"Alright, travel safe and ace every question on your exam," I wished her well, pulling her into a loose hug. My eyes followed the back of the little girl I'd watched grow up since she was a baby. In the blink of an eye, View had grown into a young woman, about to enter university.
Growing up should be something to celebrate. I, too, needed to grow. And today marked an important step forward-it was the first time I'd meet my fans in person. Up until now, I'd only interacted with them through social media, and I was beyond excited!
I'd gained a lot of new fans. Here's what happened: last week, my university held a large fair with booths set up by different faculties to raise funds for their clubs. My faculty ran a booth selling various mixed drinks. My friends in the department roped me in to help out as the 'famous guy' (not sure where they got that idea to attract customers. I ended up taking on tasks like handling payments and making drinks.
While working at the booth, some customers who followed the BL series stopped by to chat and take pictures, knowing was about to star in one. did my best to engage with them, not realising someone had filmed me working and posted the clip on social media. That clip went viral, labelling me as the handsome vendor worth sharing. It racked up millions of views! When I found out, I was shocked. Millions of people watched me give customers their change. But I was also thrilled that people thought I was good-looking. I had to thank the person who filmed that clip because it caused my Instagram followers to skyrocket. Within a day, I gained thousands of new followers.
When the agency found out, they immediately told me to do a live on Instagram to ride the wave of popularity. Before, my live streams only had a few hundred viewers. But believe it or not, after that clip went viral, my live viewership jumped to several thousand. Even my fan base's account gained over four thousand new followers. Reporters even picked up the story, announcing that I'd soon make my acting debut. That's the power of social media. One viral moment could change your life.
P'Jarin, my manager, said I was on the rise and reminded me to make the most of today's event. I should engage with the fans as much as possible and win them over. It made me feel a bit pressured. But P'Cher reassured me that I could just be myself. What I had to do was to spend time with the fans and show them I cared. They would eventually love and support me.
So, today's event was crucial in many ways. You could say it marked the official start of my life as a public figure.
"Good morning, P'Cher," I greeted the female AR as I opened the van door parked in front of my condo, giving her a polite wai.
"Morning," P'Cher replied in her usual calm tone, handing mean iced latte-my favorite drink-as settled into the seat next to Renji.
"Where's everyone else?"
"They're in another van. We'll pick up Porch next, then head to the mall. You'll get dressed there, and at 8:30 AM, you'll meet the fans," P'Cher explained the schedule.
"P'Wan, are you nervous?" Renji asked, his face bright and full of enthusiasm.
"What do you think?" I said, placing my coffee down and rubbing my hands together. With reporters and fans expected to show up in large numbers, I silently prayed I wouldn't trip over anything or embarrass myself.
"I'm nervous too. Let's do our best, P'Wan!" Renji grabbed one of my hands, his eyes sparkling with excitement. I couldn't help but ruffle his hair affectionately with my other hand. Renji felt like a real little brother to me.
"Yeah, let's do this!"
Our van arrived at the venue a little after 7 AM. Once we reached the dressing room, we were told to change into T-shirts printed with the series' name, just like the other cast members and crew. After a quick breakfast, we got our hair and makeup done and took photos to post in the hashtag, hoping to trend online. By 8:30 AM, the team ushered us out to meet the fans waiting in front of the mall, where the worship ritual would take place.
"Kyaaaaaaa!!!"
"P'Third, over here!!!"
"N'Nine is sooooo cute!!!"
The moment we stepped out, deafening screams filled the air. A hundred, maybe two or three hundred fans surrounded the cordoned-off area. They held up banners and cameras, all aimed at us. It was such a strange feeling. Normally, I'd be one of those fans cheering for artists. I never imagined I'd one day be the centre of attention. As I scanned the crowd, it was just as I'd expected-most of the fans were there for Third and Nine, the lead actors.
"What time did you all get here?" I heard Third shout to the fans. When I glanced at Nine, he was already chatting with his supporters. The other cast members were also mingling with fans, holding banners with their names. I looked around nervously until my eyes landed on a group of girls holding a banner with my name on it.
"Oh!" My eyes widened, and my heart raced with excitement. When I turned to look at them, they screamed even louder.
"Kyaaaaaaaa! P'Wan, you're so cute!!!"
"N'Wan, you got this!!!"
"Look over here, please!"
And countless other words I couldn't catch amidst the sound of camera shutters clicking away. Hearing cheers for myself made me blush, my face heating up. Before bed last night, I'd secretly hoped for at least three or four fans to show up. But seeing dozens of them holding banners and fans with my face on them, waving and smiling, left me speechless. My heart swelled with gratitude.
"Wan, go greet your fans," P'Cher whispered, gently nudging me forward. I walked toward them with stiff legs, too shy to know what to say. So, I blurted out, "Who are you here to cheer for?"
"For you, of course!" someone replied. Laughter erupted. I realised how silly my question was and covered my mouth to stifle a laugh. Who else would they be cheering for while holding my banner?
"Thank you so much," I said with a wide smile. My mind raced, trying to think of what to say next. I cursed myself for not being good at talking to strangers. But didn't have to think too hard because the fans started the conversation themselves. For the next ten minutes, I answered all sorts of questions and even managed to ask them a few things. I found out they'd sent me a congratulatory bouquet!
P'Cher kept an eye on me from a distance. Soon, the staff came to signal that it was time to gather at the designated area.
"Come back later, okay?" I waved goodbye to them, not forgetting to wai and greet the fans of other cast members nearby. P'Cher taught me to be kind to everyone, whether they were my fans or not, so people would like me.
"P'Wan, your fans showed up in big numbers!" Renji exclaimed as soon as we regrouped. He seemed even more excited than I was.
"Yeah, I'm so happy. My heart's still racing," I said, placing a hand over my chest, where my heart was pounding. Feeling loved and supported like this was so comforting. It reminded me of when I used to follow Nine to his events. I wondered if his fans felt the same way I did now.
"You're off to a great start," a deep voice said behind me. When I turned, I saw Third standing next to me, a slight smirk on his face. "Congratulations."
"Yeah, when we had our first series, I think less than ten fans showed up," Nine chimed in, joining the conversation. "But Wan, you're lucky to have gone viral recently."
"Yeah..." I smiled sheepishly, swallowing hard. The truth was, I'd been one of the people cheering for Nine at his second series ritual. If I told him, would he remember the guy who covered his face, stayed silent out of shyness and just stood there taking pictures of him?
"I hope you keep being this lucky," Nine said with a wide smile, his crescent-shaped eyes reminding me of our first meeting. However, for some reason, the feeling now was different from what it was back then. Maybe it was something in Nine's soft tone that brought about a strange tension, or maybe I was just overthinking it.
"Everyone, we're about to start the live stream. Please take your seats," one of the staff members called out.
The actors all made their way to the arranged chairs. I sank into the seat next to Nine, my heart feeling inexplicably heavy. At exactly 9:09 AM, the worship ritual for the series 'Deep Dive: Into Your Heart' began as scheduled.
Having been in several productions before, Third wasn't particularly excited about the ceremonial aspects. Yet, beneath his calm exterior, there was a glimmer of pride in his eyes. After all, this was his first project as a lead actor.
It had taken him over three years to reach this point. The journey had been tough, with countless auditions before he finally got this opportunity. Even though he had to work with a certain someone he didn't like, Third endured it all for his dream of becoming a professional actor recognised for his talent. He was determined to fulfil his responsibilities to the best of his ability.
The tall figure followed the director to place incense sticks on the offering table. His strong hands held flower petals provided by the staff, scattering them over the ceremonial table to complete the ritual. Afterwards, it was time to eat the offerings for good fortune.
"Can we just take it?"
"Yes, go ahead."
Soft murmurs came from behind. Third glanced over and saw two new actors whispering to each other. When Renji said that, Wan turned to look at the array of Thai sweets and fruits on the table, his confused expression amusing Third, who'd been quietly observing. Before he could stop himself, Third reached out, picked up a piece of golden-coloured dessert named Thong Yip, and handed it to the hesitant Wan, who seemed unsure of what to eat.
"Here, eat this."
"Huh?"
"Start with this one. It's called 'Thong Yip! Eating it will bring you wealth and prosperity," he said before popping a piece into his own mouth, surprised at his own actions. Normally, he wasn't the type to initiate conversations or mingle with others. He couldn't understand why he was talking to this guy, especially since they hadn't gotten along in the past.
"So, you're into superstitions too?" Wan asked, his mouth slightly open. The usual scowl he wore when they used to meet was now replaced with a neutral expression devoid of hostility. "Wow, I wouldn't have guessed."
"I just heard it from others," Third replied with a heavy sigh. He wasn't particularly superstitious but believed in respecting traditions.
"Alright, I'll believe you," Wan chuckled softly before taking a bite of the dessert Third had handed him.
Their relationship now could be described as close to that of friends. Third admitted that he hadn't liked Wan initially. He disliked anyone who wasn't professional, those who were late, or those who didn't take their work seriously. For Third, reaching a point where he was recognised by industry veterans and had a solid fan base required years of effort. He'd endured countless criticisms, often being dismissed as just a pretty face, before proving his worth. So, working with people who didn't value their opportunities always frustrated him.
But upon reflection, Third realised he might've been too quick to judge. Wan had told him to wait and see, so Third observed his progress. Since their argument, Wan had never been late again. He took acting classes seriously and worked hard to catch up with more experienced actors. Third could relate to that kind of pressure, having been through it himself.
For him, a person's worth was measured by their effort. Seeing Wan's determination, Third gradually changed his perspective and reconciled with him. Their relationship was relatively good. The more they talked, the more Third found himself at ease around Wan. Wan was straightforward and lacked the cunning nature that made Third wary of many others in the industry, whether they were actors or crew members.
"Hey," Wan nudged him with his elbow, whispering, "What's next on the schedule?"
"Interviews," Third replied, slightly puzzled as to why Wan was asking him. But a quick glance revealed that Renji, Wan's fellow agency member, had been pulled aside for a photo shoot. That explained why Wan had turned to him.
"After that, we'll get to talk to the fans again, right?"
"Yeah, there'll be a group session later."
"Great! I can't wait to chat with the fans again," Wan said, his large eyes sparkling with excitement.
His enthusiasm cracked Third's stoic facade, causing the corners of his mouth to lift slightly. It reminded him of his early days in the industry when he was just as excited, though he hadn't shown it as openly as Wan did. Today, many fans came to support Wan, which was impressive for a new actor. He must've been thrilled, and Third genuinely felt happy for him.
"Actors, please head to the backdrop," a staff member called out. The actors gathered in front of the backdrop alongside the producers and director for a press interview. Third stood next to Nine, his co-lead, as usual. Despite feeling uncomfortable every second he was near Nine, he reminded himself that this was work. Personal feelings had no place here.
"Third, so many fans are here to support you today, and the hashtag is trending at number one. How do you feel about that?" a reporter asked
"I'm happy to see such a positive response," he replied. "Both for the pilot episode and today's ceremony. We're all working hard to deliver the best performance possible."
"Is there anyone special giving you extra support? Like the person next to you, perhaps?" another reporter asked, making Third almost frown. Here we go with the shipping again, he thought. But since they were on camera, he maintained a polite smile and answered evenly.
"Nine and I always cheer each other on. We're working together, after all."
"That's right," Nine added with a sweet smile, turning to him. "Getting support from someone close really boosts your energy."
Third had to muster all his self-control to maintain a faint smile out of courtesy. In truth, he wanted to look away, to stand as far from Nine as possible. He didn't want to see him for even a second longer.
"Now, N'Wan, our rising star! Did you know your clip as the handsome vendor has hit three million views?'
"Really?" Wan's eyes widened. "Wow, thank you so much! Honestly, I never thought so many people would watch me giving customers their change." His comment drew laughter from the reporters and fellow actors. Even Third smiled, wondering if Wan
realized how naturally funny he was.
"The internet is eagerly awaiting your debut. Do you feel any pressure?"
"Of course, there's some pressure. It's my first project, and I'm working with such talented actors, directors, and crew. But I'll do my best. Please feel free to give me feedback-I'll use it to improve."
Wan's wide smile was disarming, putting everyone at ease. Even from an outsider's perspective, Wan seemed approachable. The reporters appeared to like him a lot, too.
The interview lasted nearly 20 minutes. Most questions were directed at Third and Nine, as expected, since they were the leads. However, Wan also received a fair share of attention, reflecting his rising popularity. After the group interview, he was pulled aside for several solo interviews, almost as many as Third had.
"Tiring, isn't it?" While Third was standing in a tent next to the ceremonial area, letting a staff member touch up his makeup before another round of interviews, Nine suddenly appeared beside him, holding a fan to his neck with a seemingly fake smile.
"Hot, right?"
".." Third ignored him, thanked the staff, and picked up his phone to scroll through it, avoiding conversation. To be honest, he didn't feel like talking to Nine. Just working with him every day was exhausting enough to drive him crazy. So, whenever they weren't in front of the camera or away from fans' eyes, Third made it clear that he didn't like him.
'Third, look over there," Nine said, ignoring his cold demeanour and continuing to talk. Annoyed, Third glanced in the direction he pointed, hoping he'd say his piece quickly and leave.
His eyes landed on Wan, who was giving an interview. He looked a bit shy but spoke animatedly to the camera, momentarily distracting Third from his irritation. Looks like he's getting used to the reporters. That's good...
"He's still a newbie, heh? Loves being dramatic and doesn't know how to carry themselves," a slow, deliberate voice broke the conversation. Nine glanced at the person standing and chatting with the reporters, his expression calm, before smiling at the taller figure beside him. "Don't you think so? He's answering questions longer than us, and we're the leads."
"So what?" Third replied coldly. There was no need for further explanation; Nine was clearly starting to show his true colours. The incident where Wan was pushed into the water that day didn't seem like an accident at all. Nine stepped closer, lowering his voice to a near whisper. "Don't you think getting this opportunity was tough for us? And now, out of nowhere, someone comes along and tries to steal the spotlight at our event. You must be incredibly generous if you don't feel anything about that."
"Yeah, well, I'm not as petty as you," Third shot back.
Others might see Nine as sweet and innocent, but the carefully crafted image couldn't fool him. No matter how much time passed, this person was still envious and spiteful, unable to see anyone else do better than him.
Nine froze for a moment. In that brief instant, Third caught a glimpse of hatred in his eyes. But in the blink of an eye, Nine was smiling again, letting out a soft laugh as if they were sharing a joke.
"Never mind. Maybe I'm just overthinking it. But we should stick close together, you know? Fans are probably taking pictures, waiting for some moments between us."
"..."
"Don't forget, the fans are shipping us now. You can't just ignore me like before. Right now, we're in front of cameras, reporters, and fans, so act the part. Don't you want to be a professional actor?" He flashed a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Third clenched his jaw, glancing at the watch on his wrist, silently wondering when this event would finally end.
After the reporters' interviews, the event moved into its final phase: a fan meet-and-greet. This was a chance for the fans, who'd woken up early to show their support, to interact with the cast. The first part involved all the actors gathering together, speaking into the microphone in a lighthearted manner, introducing themselves, thanking the fans, and sharing short, funny stories from the set. After a while, the actors dispersed to mingle with their individual fans, including me.
"N'Wan, are you tired?"
"Not at all. It's been so much fun," I replied honestly. Even though the weather was a bit hot, I was full of energy today. Maybe it was because of all the fans who came to cheer me on.
"How's it on set? Does anyone mess with you?"
"Not at all. Everyone's really nice."
"Really? Who are you closest to?"
"Honestly, I'm close with everyone," laughed. To be fair, I was closest to Renji since we were from the same agency. We got along well and often hung out together. Besides Renji, there was also...
My eyes unintentionally drifted to the left, where I saw Third talking with his fans. His smile seemed genuine, unlike the business-like smile he sometimes wore on set.
It reminded me of the smile he gave me that day, when we sat down to rehearse our lines together.
He can smile like that, huh? Why doesn't he smile like this more often? At that moment, Third suddenly turned in my direction, probably sensing someone was watching him. Our eyes met.
Thump... thump...
My heart seemed to beat a little faster as he gave me a small smile before turning back to his fans. I quickly turned my attention back to my own fans, trying to focus on their questions. But my concentration was scattered, my mind replaying the image of his smile.
His smile was undeniably charming... but why am I so fixated on it?