The Rising Star and the Riverside Mystery

Online discussions about this IP drama began to surge rapidly.

[“What? Farewell to Summer is actually being adapted into a TV series? This is a novel I’ve always regretted, I hope they don’t ruin it!”]

[“I just checked the cast list and their Weibo accounts. Although they’re all newcomers, their looks are great! Director Wu’s dramas are always trustworthy!”]

[“Didn’t you all notice that the young actor playing Luo Ying is practically Luo Ying himself? I’ve seen his dancing videos; he’s absolutely stunning!”]

[“It’s Jian Ye! My new favorite! He’s truly handsome. I’m already imagining him as Luo Ying!”]

[“You’ve piqued my curiosity. I’ll check out his Weibo later.”]

[“Invest without regret, sisters! He’s the face of Yunjing Media University’s dance department, a young man with incredible temperament and dance talent!”]

[“The actor playing the young male lead, Lin Yurun, is also an outstanding student from Yunjing Media University’s performance department, and he’s even in the student union. How can they all be so amazing? Did Director Wu specifically go to Yunjing University to pick people? What a great eye!”]

Everyone’s expectations for *Farewell to Summer* were incredibly high. Even before filming began, it had already claimed a trending spot, which in turn reignited the popularity of Jian Ye’s dancing videos.

Amidst this fervent discussion, Jian Ye embarked on his journey to S City.

Yi Siyu, unable to dissuade him, ultimately abandoned the idea of arranging a private plane. His spouse had his own ideas, and as a husband, he couldn’t interfere too much.

Yi Siyu knew Jian Ye was extremely serious about his first acting role. During this period, he didn’t dare to press him too hard emotionally, instead accompanying him to read the script and occasionally offering verbal encouragement.

Since Jian Ye’s role wasn’t extensive, there was no need for Yi Siyu to visit the set. This avoided being seen by the crew, who would inevitably inquire about their relationship. He preferred to keep certain secrets of wealthy families private.

****

S City.

The sky was grey and somewhat oppressive, the air muggy and humid.

Jian Ye messaged Director Wu before reaching his destination. Director Wu was somewhat surprised that Jian Ye had arrived a few days early.

Before coming here, Jian Ye hadn’t informed Mo Huan, wanting to find his own feel for the place first.

This production would be using local real-life locations in S City, not pre-built sets within a film studio. Director Wu and the production team had meticulously scouted and arranged every location.

After picking up Jian Ye, Director Wu first took him to a hotel for a meal, then inquired, “Have you finished reading the script?”

Jian Ye took a sip of soup. “Yes, I’ve memorized all my lines.”

Director Wu nodded with satisfaction. “There aren’t many young people as diligent as you these days. These young idols rarely come to the filming location early to immerse themselves in their characters. So, you enjoy acting?”

Director Wu had a keen eye for people. He noticed a light in Jian Ye’s eyes when he spoke of acting, a fervor much like his own in his youth.

Jian Ye openly admitted, “To be honest, I’ve loved the profession of acting since I was a child.”

“Then why didn’t you apply to the performance department instead of the dance department?” Director Wu asked curiously.

Jian Ye hesitated, not telling the full truth. “My mother was a principal dancer at the National Dance Theatre.”

“Oh? So it’s a family legacy and upbringing…” Director Wu suddenly understood, exclaiming, “Are you planning to follow in your mother’s footsteps and join the dance theatre then?”

Jian Ye didn’t give a definite answer, merely smiling. “It depends on future developments. I’m willing to try different industries.”

“Indeed, you’re a sharp young man with infinite possibilities ahead. I have high hopes for you.” Director Wu genuinely admired Jian Ye’s serious attitude towards acting.

After dinner, Director Wu had other matters to attend to and left first. Jian Ye then returned to the room arranged by the crew.

He hadn’t expected the crew to be so generous, even arranging single rooms for minor actors like him. He heard the food was good too. Truly befitting a renowned professional production team.

Upon arriving in S City, Jian Ye had already messaged Yi Siyu to report his safe arrival. Now, with nothing else to do, he decided to go for a stroll.

During their earlier conversation, Director Wu had mentioned a few addresses that would be used as filming locations.

One was S City First High School, where all the campus scenes would be shot.

Another was S City Riverside Bridge, the place where Luo Ying tragically lost his life in the drama.

The original novel also contained this plot point: Luo Ying died saving a child who had accidentally fallen into the water.

Jian Ye had investigated beforehand. The bridge was about ten meters above the water, which wasn’t low. It remained to be seen how the director would film it.

Some production teams would opt for stunt doubles, as jumping from such a height could be quite dangerous for actors with acrophobia.

Jian Ye wasn’t afraid of heights. If there was a scene requiring him to jump, he would simply ensure safety measures were in place. He wasn’t scared at all. Since he didn’t have many scenes anyway, he intended to do as much as possible himself. He had no plans to use a stunt double.

****

He first wandered to S City First High School. The gatekeeper, seeing his youthful appearance, immediately mistook Jian Ye for one of the students.

“Hurry back inside! Evening self-study is about to start, why are you still loitering outside?”

S City First High School was a key high school in the area, and the teachers were very strict about students’ studies.

Jian Ye was inexplicably shooed back into the school. He said nothing, merely taking in the sight.

Regardless of the school, there were always playful children. With only a few minutes left before class, a few students were still playing basketball on the court.

Jian Ye sat and watched for a while until a ball flew towards him.

The ball momentarily stunned him.

“Pass it here! Pass it here! Which class are you in? Come play with us!” a tall boy with spiky hair shouted loudly.

Jian Ye stood up, a little embarrassed, and smiled shyly. “I’m not very good at basketball.”

“It doesn’t matter, we’re just playing for fun! Hurry up, class is about to start!”

Hearing this, Jian Ye no longer demurred. He tried dribbling a few times, taking a few steps, then gradually sped up.

The students, seeing Jian Ye seemingly about to go for a layup, quickly spread out to block his path.

Jian Ye’s body was agile. He dodged left and right, dribbled a few times, feigned a move, then suddenly took a small step back, leaping up to shoot.

“Holy crap!”

The basketball arced a perfect parabola through the air.

A textbook three-pointer, smoothly sinking into the hoop right before their eyes.

As Jian Ye landed, he looked at his hand, clenching it slightly.

The familiar feeling had returned.

He used to play basketball in his previous world, both in high school and college. Later, he got busy with acting and stopped. He wasn’t a professional, but it was a hobby. Having not played for so long, he hadn’t been sure if he could make the shot.

Now, he just felt that this body seemed to have more stamina and quicker reactions than his previous one.

Was it due to the system’s physical enhancements?

“Brother! You call that ‘not very good’? You’re so Versailles! If you’re so good, why have I never seen you before?”

Jian Ye rubbed his neck. “I’m not from your school.”

“An outsider? No wonder! I was thinking our school doesn’t have anyone as handsome and good at basketball as you, otherwise, all the infatuated girls would have been chasing you already.”

Jian Ye: “…”

“Hey! You few! Which class are you in? Who’s your homeroom teacher? Didn’t you hear the bell?” A gruff voice boomed.

The students scattered in fright, clutching their heads. “Quick! Let’s go, let’s go! The disciplinary director is bored again and catching people! I don’t want to go to his office to recite school rules!”

As he ran, Jian Ye thought, *’Luo Ying’s character always seems so lonely. If someone had reached out to him like this, would he not have had to face difficulties all alone?’*

He suddenly understood why Luo Ying would fall in love with the young male lead, Lin Yurun. In such times, any person who stood by him would become a ray of light in his life. Similarly, Luo Ying was the same for Lin Yurun; he was the other’s White Moonlight.

****

Afterward, Jian Ye and the others ran to the school wall.

“We need to sneak back to class, what about you? How will you get out? The main gate must be closed by now,” the spiky-haired boy asked, panting.

Jian Ye pointed to the top of the wall. “You guys go to class, I’ll climb over.”

The boy was slightly surprised. “It’s so high, how will you climb over?”

To their astonishment, right in front of them, Jian Ye rubbed his hands together, stretched his wrists, bent his knees, then suddenly sprang upward, his arms extended high. With a single powerful pull, he gripped the topmost bricks of the wall.

The boys let out another series of quiet gasps. “No way!”

“Your jumping power is amazing! No wonder you jumped so effortlessly on the court just now!” The boy’s eyes were filled with uncontrollable admiration.

Jian Ye took a deep breath, pushed off the wall with his feet, and with a slight effort, he flipped halfway in the air, landing directly in a crouch on top of the wall.

This time, the boys were silent, utterly dumbfounded.

The shock they felt was beyond words.

*’Where did this martial arts master come from?’*Jian Ye looked at the stunned teenagers and spoke truthfully. “I’m a dancer, so I have some basic skills. Don’t try these dangerous moves yourselves, okay? I’m leaving.”

With that, he directly jumped down from the wall.

The boys watched his figure disappear over the wall, feeling as if the guy they met today was somehow unreal.

*’Someone so handsome, good at sports, can play basketball, can climb walls, and has such a pleasant voice, smiling like an immortal – such people are rare in this world, right? Oh, and he also said he could dance.’*

“I should have asked for his WeChat earlier. Maybe we could have played basketball together again,” the spiky-haired boy regretted.

****

After leaving the school, Jian Ye walked back along the same route, passing the Riverside Bridge.

It was already evening, and the bridge lights were on, illuminating the road in a warm, gentle yellow.

The bridge railings were quite high. He peered through the gaps, seeing the river surface below, pitch black.

The river wasn’t particularly wide, but it must have been very deep.

There were narrow paths on both banks, likely used by fishermen, but not for pedestrians. The surroundings were dense with wild bushes and trees, clearly unkempt for a long time.

If someone fell into this river, it would truly be dangerous.

Jian Ye didn’t linger long before leaving. The air was heavy, and it felt as if a wind was starting to pick up.

****

Jian Ye returned to the hotel and took a shower. As soon as he finished, he saw a message from Mo Huan.

[Senior]:Little Ye, you’ve already gone to S City? Director Wu just told me.

[It’s Ye Not Zhui]:Yeah, came early to look around and explore a bit.

[Senior]: I’ll be there tomorrow too. You must be bored alone. I’ll keep you company. [Happy]

[It’s Ye Not Zhui]: Whatever works for me.

Not long after their chat, the one from home called too.

Jian Ye: “…”

‘Every single day, can’t they just leave me alone? I really need an assistant to reply to messages for me.’

‘It would be best to reply uniformly: [Your Lord is weary, do not disturb].’