Secret Incident (BL) - Chapter 1

This year, the summer in Pening Harbor was unusually strange. It was already August, yet the weather remained unpredictable. The sun would be shining brightly when stepping outside, only for dark clouds to quickly roll in and obscure most of the light.

“It’s going to rain, a heavy rain,” said the elderly woman selling tofu pudding in broken Mandarin.

Ethan Fane heard her and withdrew his gaze from the vast layer of dark clouds above. Lowering his head, he looked at the elderly woman and asked, “Are you going to pack up soon?”

“Yes, yes, I need to go home,” she replied briskly, swiftly packing four cups of tofu pudding before handing them to him.

Ethan took the cups while scanning the QR code on the cart with his phone to pay.

The elderly woman lifted her shoulder pole to stop him. “Just pay half,” she insisted.

The woven baskets hanging from each end of the pole contained two large pots—one filled with her homemade sweet tofu pudding, the other with grass jelly. She had been selling these for over thirty years, from a few cents per bowl to the current price of two yuan per cup.

Ethan passed by this spot at the same time every day, always hearing her calls. After several visits, he had picked up on her accent and began speaking with her in a way that matched her dialect.

She had a hunched back and a kind, gentle face. Just as she was about to leave, she called out to him again, affectionately addressing him as “Little Ethan”, and said, “You’re all grown up now. Does your mother still hit you? Don’t be afraid of that wicked woman. Don’t give her money. You need to go to college, study hard, and make something of yourself. When you succeed, don’t come back…”

Ethan nodded respectfully and replied, “Okay, I understand.”

He watched her leave, and the faint smile on his face gradually faded.

Ethan Fane was an actor, a former child star. The “Little Ethan” she called him was actually a role he had played as a child.

He had been acting since he was seven years old, playing everything from abandoned orphans to young versions of domineering CEOs. After fifteen years in the industry, he had built a strong fan base. Some fans affectionately called him their “precious son” or “beloved husband,” while others, like the elderly woman, could only remember one specific role he had played and failed to distinguish between fiction and reality.

In today’s fast-moving entertainment industry, where new stars rose and fell like ocean tides, Ethan stood out as one of the most prominent young actors—one who defied easy categorization.

Before the age of seventeen, he was known for his “natural talent”—his expressive eyes could shine with energy, exude sorrow, or dim with despair. He transformed completely with each new role, earning him the reputation of a “child acting prodigy.”

Of course, with such immense popularity, people often mocked him, predicting that he would inevitably “grow out of his looks” like most child stars.

But that “curse” never fell on Ethan. Instead, for a long time, his defining label became “blessed by the heavens.”

At seventeen, he starred in a high school romance drama and became the nation’s new “first love heartthrob.” Shortly after, his frequent appearances on popular variety shows skyrocketed his fame. Everyone assumed he would continue to capitalize on his youthful image and follow the idol route.

But then, he suddenly vanished.

When he returned to the public eye, it was with a role that shattered expectations.

Two years ago, he starred in “The Northman’s Gamble,” an absurd comedy film directed by Harold Lowe. The movie made waves at major international film festivals and won numerous awards.

“The Northman’s Gamble” depicted the turbulent fate of a nouveau riche family in a northern town. From start to finish, the film carried an overwhelming sense of bleakness—

A desolate, rundown town.
A family of four, desperate to spend their newfound lottery fortune, trapped in their narrow worldview.
Their disillusionment and disorientation after encountering the real world outside their small town.

It was a comedy, and the audience laughed at the ridiculous, exaggerated misfortunes of the main characters. Yet, beneath the humor lay a grim reality that left a lingering sadness.

Ethan played the youngest son, Colin, a role that—despite not having the most screen time—left a lasting impression. He brought to life a greedy, arrogant small-town youth, making him one of the most memorable characters in the film. Even years later, audiences still fondly recalled his scene where he strutted through a bustling city, clutching his cash tightly for fear of losing it, yet pretending to be a wealthy young master.

The film had a strong satirical tone, bluntly addressing social class divisions, which made it controversial. It wasn’t a “crowd-pleaser,” but its daring performances, brilliant storytelling, and breathtaking cinematography earned it widespread acclaim.

After “The Northman’s Gamble,” Ethan disappeared once again.

It wasn’t until early this year that he made his comeback with a historical political drama.

He wasn’t the lead—his character wasn’t even ranked in the top five in terms of screen time. But in Ethan’s hands, every role shined.

He played a powerless puppet prince. Before the show aired, his elegant and handsome appearance in period costume had already sparked heated discussions. Then, as the series progressed, his performance brought to life the tragic downfall, ambitions, desires, and struggles of a once-proud royal now reduced to a mere figurehead. Every subtle movement, every gaze, every restrained emotion was pure artistry.

Within a short period, Ethan Fane’s name once again dominated the top trends on every major website.

Despite his past disappearances from the screen, his popularity and influence never waned. Instead, every return cemented his transformation as an actor, earning him greater public recognition and an even stronger presence in the entertainment industry.

Ethan Fane walked along the rain-soaked cobblestone alley, his flip-flops splashing through puddles. He was lost.

Earlier, while in his hotel room, he had heard the elderly woman’s familiar call selling tofu pudding. He rushed downstairs without an umbrella, thinking he had only taken a single turn. Yet now, after wandering for quite some time, he couldn’t find his way back.

The rain drizzled steadily, and Ethan took shelter under the eaves of a house, his clothes already more than halfway soaked.

His phone vibrated. It was his manager’s voice message on WeChat: “Little brother, do you have any plans before filming starts? Do you want to come back for a proper birthday meal?”

The slanted rain easily bypassed the old tiled roof, and Ethan, unable to avoid getting wet, quickly tucked his phone away after listening to the message. He looked up at the sky, then at the rain, feeling helpless.

Calling someone for help just because he got lost in the rain? That felt too embarrassing.

This unfamiliar town was the filming location for Ethan’s upcoming movie. He had arrived early to get accustomed to the environment.

For over a week, his days had been spent either in his hotel room reading the script and writing character notes or downstairs chatting with locals and street vendors to learn the accent.

His new film was the second installment in director Harold Lowe’s absurdist series, titled “The Sparrow Behind.” The story’s setting had shifted from a northern town to a southern port, maintaining the same bleak tone and using comedy to portray the struggles of small, powerless people.

This time, Ethan was the lead. He played a street punk.

To get into character, he hadn’t cut his hair in a long time. A few days ago, he had bleached a few strands red at a local barbershop, shaved part of his eyebrow, and tied his hair into a small ponytail, crafting a rebellious look.

But despite the effort, his face was still too youthful. The loose strands of hair stuck to his damp neck, making him frown as he shook his head in frustration. His peach blossom eyes, usually charming, lost their usual allure in his irritated state.

His annoyance didn’t last long. His expression shifted subtly as he glanced around before muttering a curse under his breath.

It was a curse in the local dialect—something he had picked up from conversations.

Maybe he was trying to get into character.

Or maybe he was using the excuse of getting into character to vent emotions that a big star like Ethan Fane wasn’t supposed to have.

After a few words, he lost interest. His expression darkened, and he leaned back against the wall.

In the deep, narrow alley, the rain amplified every sound like a giant speaker. Droplets drummed against the tiled roofs, water rushed over the uneven cobblestone paths, and the continuous splashing and trickling filled his ears, making the noise unbearable.

Annoying.

His wet clothes clung to his skin, making it even worse.

Ethan wanted to sigh, but just then, amidst the sound of the rain, he heard approaching footsteps. Instantly, he masked his frustration and straightened up.

The person was also seeking shelter from the rain, stepping into the alley and quickly ducking under the eaves of the house across from him. It wasn’t until they had stopped that they noticed Ethan standing there.

Not wanting to be recognized in such a drenched and miserable state, Ethan instinctively lowered his head, hiding his face.

But even with his head down, he couldn’t ignore the gaze fixed on him.

That gaze didn’t shift. It was strong and persistent, making him uncomfortable.

They recognize me.

Ethan hesitated for a moment before curving his lips into a friendly smile, preparing to say something.

—”You wouldn’t recognize me, would you?”

—”Please don’t post a picture of me looking like this online.”

It had to be warm.

It had to be approachable.

That was the kind of image he excelled at projecting.

But…

The moment he looked up, his gaze landed on the other person’s abs, clearly visible beneath their damp shirt.

He stared for a second too long, missing the perfect moment to speak.

He didn’t pull his gaze away in time.

Instead, his eyes locked directly with the other person’s.

Brain short-circuited.

Ethan cursed himself internally.