Zu Cheng
You know why I moved out, don't you? Yeah, that's right. My father didn't oppose my decision to study directing, but that doesn't mean he won't change his mind later.
Since we're on the topic, Mei moved out too. She rented an apartment near Beijing Film Academy. Like last time, she asked me to help her pick one, but instead of going for something fancy, I chose something simple and comfortable. Something practical—quiet, close enough to her campus, easy to manage. I didn't understand it back then, but now I do. The fancier the place, the more time it takes to maintain. I just wanted her to have a place where she could actually rest, not worry about keeping it perfect.
That afternoon, Yu Ming came with me to help her settle in. I remember feeling a bit uneasy, probably because it was the last time we'd see each other every day. From now on, we'd be busy with our lives.
Still, we weren't planning to ghost each other, so I told myself it'd be fine.
The hallway smelled faintly of dust and detergent when Mei opened the door. For a second, she just froze, eyes wide, breath caught halfway, and then almost screamed like she'd seen a ghost.
Yu blinked, caught completely off guard. He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. "Uh... hey," he said, half a greeting, half a question.
Mei just stared at him for a moment before blurting, "You—you're back? When did that happen?"
I remained quiet for a while. I can't blame her; we both had no idea he was coming back to China. But I'll admit, I probably should've told her about him beforehand.
After their usual chaotic back-and-forth, we finally managed to help her settle in. Knowing Mei, she'll probably turn that neat little apartment into full-on writer-otaku territory—piles of notes, snack wrappers, and half-finished drafts everywhere.
By the time we reached our apartment, it was around 8 p.m. The city outside was humming softly. The streetlights stretch long shadows across the road as Yu drops onto the couch, exhausted, while I check my phone.
A new notification pops up.
[Mr. Qin, Department Group Chat]
Special trial film—two minutes.
Theme: Passing of time & Memories.
You may request actors from the university.
Submit within this week.
For a second, I just stared at the message. Trial film. Two minutes. That's not much time, but in directing, sometimes two minutes can show everything.
Yu leaned over my shoulder. "Trial film? Already? We just started the semester."
"Yeah," I say, scrolling through the rest of the message. "Professor Qin wants to see our instincts. Says it's not about perfection—just what we see when we hear the words."
"...'Passing Memories'..." Yu repeats, testing the words. "Sounds sentimental."
I shrugged. "Depends on how you shoot it."
"Yeah, yeah... but I got time, so... am I your chosen actor? Hmm, Zu??" He grinned, stretching lazily.
I can't help but laugh. "Well, I guess so."
"Uh-ha... who else are you gonna ask for this stuff?? By the way, do you already have something in mind?"
"Hmm... not really." I paused, thinking. "But maybe something related to COVID-19, showing memories through images... probably with some tragedy..."
But at the same time, I also had another idea—'Waiting & Fighting', two people separated during lockdown, yet connected through the internet. I don't say it out loud, but something similar to that.
I have been thinking about it for a while now and came up with a solid idea. I hope Yu will like the concept. After all, every story needs to be made by keeping the actor in mind.
He's sitting at the kitchen counter, eating soup noodles. The steam fogs his glasses slightly as he slurps, half-watching something on his phone. When he sees me, he gestures with his chopsticks toward the stool beside him.
"Sit," he said between bites. "Let me make another bowl for ya... I bet you're hungry."
I nodded. "Yeah, but I've got something to tell you first."
He looked up while pouring hot water into a cup of noodles. "Hm? Something serious?"
I leaned on the counter. "About the trial film. I think I've got the story."
He paused for a while, setting the chopsticks on the lid. "Oh-ho? Already? That was quick, Director Zu Cheng."
I explained the story, including how I'm planning to shoot everything.
"Sounds good," he said with a grin. "So, who's playing the other half?"
"I guess any girl with a bit of acting experience will do."
"Alright, want me to look for one?" He slid the fresh bowl of noodles toward me.
"That'd be a huge help," I said, picking up the chopsticks. "But take me with you when you talk to them."
"Sure, will do," he replied, smirking. "Director's orders, huh?"
I just smiled and finished eating my noodles, then went to sleep.
The next day, when I woke up, I dragged myself into the washroom, half-yawning. That's when I noticed a tiny sticky note stuck beside the mirror.
"Sorry, man! I accidentally wasted too much toothpaste, and I had morning classes, so I couldn't restore it. Please manage your day!! I promise to buy a new one! 😓🙏"
WTF is this? Seriously? Who leaves an apology note for toothpaste?
Anyway, I grabbed the spare toothpaste, brushed, and walked to the kitchen—only to find out he put another sticker beside three containers.
"Brother! Eat it. You won't die and it's not an experimental dish, I promise. 😁"
I stared at the box suspiciously.
"I hope it'll taste fine..." I mumbled, taking the first bite.
It looked fine, which doesn't mean 'it's fine'. Mei and I had both survived some... questionable creations of his in the past. Sometimes edible, sometimes traumatic. But this one? I guess I have no choice but to eat. I looked at my phone; I don't have much time in hand either.
It looked like simple fried rice, but no, it wasn't. Not at least just 'fried rice.' That idiot cooked something using last night's leftover noodle soup mixed with fresh veggies.
But it was delicious.
I have to thank him later.
But why did he leave sticky notes instead of just texting it? Also, what's with those handmade emojis?
After finishing the meal, I washed the dishes, got ready, pulled on a white oversized shirt with a black knitted vest, grabbed my bag, and rushed out of the apartment toward the university.
For the first lecture, we got Mr. Qin. I hoped he would tell us more about the project he sent to the group, but he didn't say a single word about it.
When a student asked about it, he just replied with, "Figuring things out is the director's job too. I hope you all can create something with this theme in mind."
After the class, I texted Yu, asking him if he wants to grab lunch together.
He replied almost instantly, "I'm in the cafeteria now with a potential heroine, but only if she says yes. Come here, then go to the left row and sit at the 4th table.
I headed there. When I was about to enter, I heard a female voice say, "You mean act for a student for unofficial work? Are you sure he is not a punk?"
"He is my best friend; please watch your language," Yu calmly said.
Honestly I got scared; his eyes weren't that cold... Is it really OKAY to ask her? I don't know anymore. Still, I gathered whatever confidence I had left and walked inside. Whatever happens, I know one thing—Yu and Mei would never turn their backs on me.
When he saw me, his cold expression immediately softened like I was his lost kid brother or something. Honestly, it's almost creepy.
Yu pulled out the chair beside him, signaling me to sit. I sat down and noticed she was observing me up and down like an object. I don't know what type of person she is, but it seems like she is... arrogant? Maybe...
He continued, "So, this is Zu Cheng; you can call him Brother Cheng if you don't want to call him Director Cheng. But be respectful, and he isn't a punk."
Who in the hell introduces their friend like that? It sounds like I'm getting bullied and my bully friend saving me from another bully... What the heck is this? I stared at him. "Bro, don't say this type of stuff; it's embarrassing."
"Alright, alright. I'll stop." He replied, holding his laugh through his eyes.
"If you guys had enough of your eye-to-eye conversation, I would like to comment that you two look like a COUPLE flirting with each other. Ignore it if you guys are dating."
I coughed hearing that. Then I introduced myself, "Hello, I'm Zu Cheng, Yu's friend and roommate. We need an acting student for a project.
"I know. That's why I came here. And it's Xian Fei, classmate of Brother Ming. Also, sorry for calling you a punk earlier."
"It's alright. Don't worry about it." I said genuinely. I guess she isn't arrogant; she is just too straightforward.