Stolen by the First Love - Chapter 78

“Parking here. Can’t go any further road’s too rough.”

The driver’s voice jolted Wei Fei awake. She pressed against the window and peered outside.

The dusty town resembled an unfinished sketch, hastily drawn and chaotic.

Perfect for filming “Survival in the Wild,” Wei Fei thought. Still, to avoid any mistakes, she double-checked her navigation.

“Why’s a young girl like you coming to this godforsaken place?” The driver parked and glanced at Wei Fei through the rearview mirror.

Her wavy hair was loosely tied back, with curled bangs framing her oval face. Soft features, striking yet refined, a face that grew on you.

Wei Fei didn’t actually need to be here. Her job was video editing taking raw footage from the production team, analyzing character arcs, and cutting it to maximize ratings.

But after too many accusations of “malicious editing,” she’d learned to shadow the filming process. Some fans blamed editors when the original footage was already a mess.

Better to stay close to the directors, earn their trust, and get unaltered footage rather than pre-processed scraps.

This director, though, was… different.

“Just here for the experience,” Wei Fei said, paying the fare before stepping out to grab her luggage.

The driver helped her. “Backwater like this be careful, girl.”

“Thanks, I will.” She smiled and dialed the “special” director. “And I’m not alone.”

The call connected instantly. A lazy, sleep-drenched voice answered, “Yeah? Who is it?”

Wei Fei’s pulse skipped. She’d heard of Lin Youran before.

Lin Youran, a mad director chasing her absurd dreams in the entertainment industry. This “Survival in the Wild” show was her brainchild.

Dragging A-list celebrities, adored by millions, into this dump for survival challenges…

Unbelievable.

The reference photos of Lin were oddly mysterious either hiding behind a cap or a book.

Rumor had it she avoided recognition to dodge her family dragging her back to inherit the family business.

Thus, she became one of the entertainment industry’s top unsolved mysteries:

What did Lin Youran actually look like?

Wei Fei had added Lin on social media two months ago, hoping for a glimpse. No luck, Lin’s feed was all memes and Rubik’s cubes.

Unlike Wei Fei, who mostly posted selfies.

Their private chats were strictly professional efficient, then radio silence.

Yet Lin often liked or commented on Wei Fei’s posts. It felt, hazy. Distant yet close.

Once, Wei Fei posted asking to borrow a high-capacity SSD. Lin showed up in person to deliver one.

Dressed head-to-toe in black hat, mask, all of it.

Like a killer from a K-drama.

Wei Fei, a thriller fan, had been too spooked to look closely. So Lin’s face remained a mystery.

Snapping out of her wandering thoughts, Wei Fei cleared her throat and said, “Hello, is this PD Lin?”

Lin Youran responded with a faint “Hmm.”

“I’m Wei Fei, the invited editor for ‘Wild Survival.’ I messaged you the day before yesterday about wanting to follow the shoot for this program. I’ve arrived at the filming location, Wei Village.” Wei Fei glanced around, her gaze settling on a signboard not far away. “I think I’m at the village entrance.”

Lin Youran replied, “Oh.”

Her tone was so indifferent that Wei Fei felt like she was reporting to a superior. But she wasn’t here to give a report.

The driver, who had probably been checking the navigation, finally started the car. As it drove off, it kicked up a cloud of dust. Wei Fei tugged the collar of her sweater over her nose and mouth amidst the swirling dirt. “Um… sorry, PD Lin, could you tell me where the crew is? I don’t know my way around.”

There was some murmuring on the other end of the line as Lin Youran asked someone about the vehicle. After about ten seconds, she tossed out a curt reply: “Wait at the village entrance.”

Before Wei Fei could respond, the line went dead, Lin Youran had hung up.

What an attitude. Wei Fei stared at her now-blackened phone screen and let out a dry chuckle.

No wonder Lin Youran had such a poor reputation in the industry.

After a long day of travel and wearing her usual wedge shoes, a habit due to her height Wei Fei was exhausted. She simply sat down on her suitcase.

With no idea how long she’d have to wait, Wei Fei pulled up the unfinished novel on her phone, reading while she awaited Lin Youran’s next instructions.

Two chapters in, the sound of wheels crunching over gravel caught her attention. She lifted her head toward the noise.

A blue tricycle circled around and stopped in front of her. The rider wore a black-and-white helmet, obscuring their face, and was dressed in a leather jacket, skinny jeans, and black combat boots.

Long legs, tall stature, and an effortlessly cool, alpha-like style somehow making the blue tricycle look like a sleek black motorcycle.

Wei Fei studied the helmeted figure, sensing they were doing the same to her.

Though she couldn’t see the face beneath the helmet, the slight tilt of the head gave it away.

Wei Fei stood up and asked, “Are you with the ‘Wild Survival’ crew?”

The helmeted figure jerked their head backward, gesturing for Wei Fei to climb on.

Wei Fei eyed the tricycle’s rear, then the helmet, hesitating. “Could I see your work ID, please?”

She couldn’t see the expression hidden behind the helmet, but after a tense few seconds, the person pulled out their phone, tapped the screen twice, and Wei Fei’s phone buzzed in response. She flipped it over and glanced at the caller ID displayed.

Lin Youran.

The call ended abruptly. Wei Fei looked up at the helmet in surprise. Lin Youran had come to pick her up personally.

Lin Youran pocketed her phone and jerked her thumb toward the back again, gripping the handlebars as if ready to take off. Wei Fei hurriedly hoisted her suitcase onto the tricycle and perched on the side, one hand steadying her luggage and the other gripping the railing.

No sooner had she secured herself than the tricycle lurched forward.

The ride was bumpy, with dust and wind whipping against her face. Between turning her head away, Wei Fei stole a glance at Lin Youran’s helmet before ducking to shield herself from the flying dirt.

When they arrived at the crew’s base camp, Wei Fei finally understood why Lin Youran had come to fetch her everyone else was busy setting up tents and filming equipment. The guests were scheduled to arrive that afternoon.

Probably the most relaxed person in the entire place was Lin Youran.

“Everyone’s accommodations have been arranged. Since you arrived suddenly, there wasn’t one prepared for you. If you don’t mind, you can share my tent.”

After parking the car, Lin Youran leisurely added, “Just so you know, I’m not straight.”

Lin Youran’s sexual orientation had long been a topic of discussion in the entertainment industry, though there had never been a definitive answer. Her bluntness caught Wei Fei off guard. After wiping the dust off her face, Wei Fei turned to look at Lin Youran.

The clouds drifted apart with the wind, revealing half of the sun hidden behind them. Under the sunlight, Lin Youran took off her helmet and shook out her long hair, holding the helmet in one hand while using the other to casually smooth it down.

Lin Youran had a bold and unrestrained demeanor and a commanding voice, yet she possessed a sweet and innocent beauty. Her facial features were delicate and striking, with soft contours that still retained sharp edges. Her refined aura tempered some of the sweetness.

She was like the scheming, innocent white flower from TV dramas.

Lin Youran stepped out of the driver’s seat, and Wei Fei followed. She lifted her eyelids slightly to glance at Lin Youran, who stood a head taller than her.

What did she eat to grow so tall?

“So?” Lin Youran looked at her and said, “If you’re not comfortable with it, you’ll have to sleep outside. I can give you a sleeping bag.”

Wei Fei found it amusing was there really any other choice? But she replied calmly, “I don’t mind. Thanks, PD Lin. I’m not exactly straight either, so we’ll just have to be mindful of each other.”

Hearing this, Lin Youran paused, then responded, “Oh, I’m pretty casual. I might not be very mindful. If I accidentally cross a line, don’t take it to heart.”

The politeness in her words was laced with an infuriating nonchalance. Wei Fei couldn’t help but ask, “PD Lin, what if I said I would take it to heart?”

Just then, a crew member came over to discuss filming arrangements with Lin Youran.

The conversation was interrupted.

Wei Fei assumed that once Lin Youran finished with the crew, the topic would be dropped, she wouldn’t answer the question. After all, what could a small-time editor do against a big-shot director even if she was bothered? Wei Fei swallowed her emotions and waited for Lin Youran to finish before being led to their tent.

After the crew member left, Lin Youran turned to look for Wei Fei. Leaning against her suitcase, Wei Fei met her striking phoenix eyes. “Which tent is ours? I’ll put my suitcase down.”

“I’ll take you there.” Lin Youran led the way. When they reached the tent, she lifted the flap and watched as Wei Fei placed her suitcase inside. Then, glancing at her wedge heels, she said, “You do know we’re filming a wilderness survival show, right? The conditions here are tough, as you can see. I suggest changing into something more comfortable.”

“Thanks for the reminder, PD Lin,” Wei Fei said dismissively. “But I’ve worn these since I was a kid. I’ll be fine.”

“Mhm. If you get tired, fall behind, or twist your ankle, don’t blame me.” Lin Youran paused, then added, “Though I can take responsibility for other things.”

Wei Fei finished settling her suitcase and turned to face Lin Youran, her large almond eyes filled with confusion.

“Didn’t you just say you’d take it to heart?” Lin Youran reminded her, raising an eyebrow with a look of seriousness. “I can take responsibility.”

The golden sunlight danced in her eyes, making them shine brightly. Under her gaze, Wei Fei inexplicably felt as though that raised eyebrow had flicked right against her heart.

This suppressed yet tantalizing feeling was truly unpleasant. Wei Fei pressed her lips together, then forced a smile: “I was just asking casually. When I sleep, I tend to be oblivious to everyone around me, so I might be even less careful. If I offend you, PD Lin, please don’t take it to heart.”

She added another line: “PD Lin doesn’t need to take responsibility and of course, neither will I. It’s just sharing a tent to sleep. What could possibly happen, right?”

The two locked eyes.

Perhaps because of that last remark, Wei Fei felt the atmosphere between them had grown subtly charged.

Like a silent, ambiguous standoff.

After a long moment, Lin Youran’s lips curled into a smile. When she smiled, the cool elegance that usually surrounded her instantly melted away, like peach blossoms blooming in spring, shedding winter’s chill to reveal boundless sweetness.

Her dimples seemed to hold an intimate flush.

Lin Youran shrugged lightly. “Who knows?”

Support Stolen by the First Love