I became a movie star at the age of three; Dilraba and I are childhood sweethearts.

The man, overwhelmed with grief, finally stopped crying amidst silent companionship and steady soothing.

Li Wei could only sob, like a wounded wild beast licking its bloody wounds.

People from the surrounding film set came and went, their noise coming from a distance, faintly audible.

This place has become an isolated island, with only silence and suppressed sorrow flowing in the air.

Xiao Chen withdrew his hand and said nothing more.

He knew that Li Wei didn't need cheap sympathy.

Rather, it is an outlet where one can temporarily let down all defenses and vent their pain.

He just happened to provide such an outlet at this moment.

Xiao Chen sat down again on the equipment box, unscrewed his water bottle, and took a sip.

The cool liquid slid down his throat, calming his chaotic thoughts.

2008 years.

Wenchuan.

The two words collided in his mind, instantly awakening that painful memory from his past life.

That's not a movie, not a script.

Rather, it was a truly real and immense disaster, etched deep into the memory of the entire nation.

He remembers the overwhelming news reports at the time, and those cold, ever-increasing numbers.

And countless broken families and tear-stained faces.

It turns out that he had already reached this sorrowful juncture in this time and space.

A living, breathing ordinary person, whose life had been shattered by this disaster, was sitting right in front of him.

He could smell the mixture of sweat and dust on Li Wei, and he could see the light gone from his eyes, which had been dulled by despair.

This impact is far more direct and shocking than any video footage.

Li Wei finally calmed down and wiped his face hard with his sleeve.

"Teacher Xiao..."

"I'm sorry, I... I lost my composure."

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh."

Xiao Chen shook his head.

"It's okay."

"It'll make you feel better if you cry it out."

Li Wei looked at the boy in front of him.

This superstar is surrounded by countless halos, seemingly not belonging to the mortal world.

His face, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, was so handsome that it was almost unbearable to look directly at him.

But there was not a trace of disdain or impatience in those eyes.

Li Wei said in a low voice.

"Thank you, Teacher Xiao."

"Really, thank you."

Xiao Chen stood up; he knew it was time for him to leave.

Lingering too long will only make the other person more uneasy.

He looked at Li Wei and said earnestly.

My condolences.

"Take care of yourself too."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the main group of the film crew.

His tall and slender figure quickly blended into the busy light and shadow.

Li Wei stared blankly at his retreating figure, then looked down at the bottle of water in his hand.

The water droplets condensing on the bottle were icy cold, yet carried a strange temperature.

He unscrewed the bottle cap and took a big gulp.

The icy water choked him, causing tears to well up in his eyes again.

But this time, it felt as if a small opening had been torn open in his heart, letting in a faint ray of light.

……

Ye Huimei and Reyila were still chatting on set.

Xiao Chen returned to his van, where the air conditioning inside dispelled the heat outside.

He leaned back in the soft chair, closed his eyes, and kept replaying Li Wei's heartbroken face in his mind.

After a long while, he picked up his phone and dialed that familiar number.

The call was answered almost instantly.

"Xiao Chen?"

"You're finishing work so early today?"

Wang Jinhua's capable yet affectionate voice came from the other end of the phone.

Xiao Chen's voice returned to its usual calm.

"Aunt Hua, not yet."

"There are two things I need to trouble you with."

Wang Jinhua spoke.

"you say."

She never asks pointless questions; it's an unspoken understanding they've developed over the years.

Xiao Chen also got straight to the point.

"Could you help me look it up? There's a cameraman in the crew named Li Wei, and his hometown is Wenchuan."

Xiao Chen paused for a moment, then continued.

"Transfer 300,000 to him from my personal account."

"Find a suitable reason, so that he doesn't feel like it's charity, and don't let him know it's me."

Wang Jinhua paused for a second on the other end, and immediately understood.

She knows Xiao Chen too well; this child has been like this since he was little.

Soft-hearted.

They also don't like to make their goodwill public.

"Okay, I'll have my assistant take care of it right away."

"It's perfectly reasonable for him to be an employee of the production crew, even if it's done in the name of the Shishiba Culture Employee Care Fund."

Wang Jinhua's handling of situations is always appropriate.

Xiao Chen responded.

"Um."

Then he brought up the second matter, lowering his voice to sound particularly serious.

"In addition, transfer another 100 million from my account."

"Anonymous, donated to Sichuan City."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

Wang Jinhua witnessed Xiao Chen grow from a three-year-old baby into an international superstar.

In addition, Xiao Chen seems to have an exceptional eye for investment.

The money he has earned is already an astronomical figure.

Over the years, he has done countless charitable deeds, from donating to build Hope Primary Schools to sponsoring impoverished students, which Wang Jinhua has become accustomed to.

But this time, it's 100 million.

Moreover, he suddenly decided to donate it without having heard any rumors about it.

Wang Jinhua's voice was somewhat complex.

"Xiao Chen..."

"Did you... hear something?"

She knew that although the child was only seventeen years old, he was more thoughtful than anyone else.

Xiao Chen offered no explanation; his tone left no room for argument.

"Aunt Hua, you don't need to ask any more questions."

"Do as I say, and be quick."

"Remember, you must remain anonymous."

He didn't want to explain too much; the memories of that disaster were too heavy. He just wanted to do something, however much he could.

This has nothing to do with fame or profit.

He was just a reborn person, and he felt a small responsibility towards this land he loved so much.

Xiao Chen had seen too many celebrities in his previous life who treated charity as a business.

Donating a few hundred thousand yuan makes them want the whole world to know, buying press releases like crazy, as if they're afraid others won't know about their kindness.

He scoffed at this.

True compassion needs no fanfare.

Wang Jinhua did not press the matter further.

"I see."

She trusted Xiao Chen's judgment unconditionally.

This boy, whom she watched grow up, occasionally reveals a childlike side.

But when faced with matters of principle, he is more clear-headed and decisive than any adult.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it personally and make sure it's done perfectly."

After hanging up the phone, Xiao Chen leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.

Outside the car window, the sky gradually darkened.

In the twilight, only blurry outlines of the distant mountains remained.

He knew that this was all he could do.

The rest can only be left to time.

……

Wang Jinhua truly deserves her reputation as one of the top agents in the industry; her efficiency is astonishing.

Just half an hour later, the production manager of the film crew found Li Wei, who was still packing up the equipment.