Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

Xiao Yi, still struggling in modern society, searches for a way to return to ancient times. His life is ordinary, yet filled with longing for Li Lingyuan. One day, as usual, he's relaxing in the park, pondering the connection between ancient legends and time travel. His deep, yet slightly bewildered gaze and unique demeanor catch the eye of a passing talent scout.

The scout approached, handed Xiao Yi a business card, and said enthusiastically, "Sir, you have a very unique look, full of classical charm. I think you'd be perfect for acting. Are you interested in becoming an actor?" Xiao Yi looked puzzled. He wasn't familiar with the modern concept of "actor," but he thought this might be a new opportunity. Perhaps he could use this identity to find more clues about time travel or earn more money to support his research. So, he followed the scout to a film and television company.

When Xiao Yi first joined the film and television company, he felt like a naive child entering a whole new world. Upon meeting him, the director was captivated by his elegant demeanor in period costume and decided to cast him as the second male lead in a period idol drama. This was undoubtedly a huge challenge for Xiao Yi, who had no acting experience.

At his first script reading, Xiao Yi gazed at the script in his hands, filled with unfamiliar modern language and complex character descriptions. While the other actors expertly discussed their characters' personalities, motivations, and acting styles, Xiao Yi could only listen silently, struggling to understand it all. When it was his turn to speak, he nervously expressed his initial understanding of the role. While his words were a bit awkward, his unique perspective impressed the director and the other actors.

Soon, Xiao Yi had his first scene. Set in an elegant courtyard, the scene featured a tense standoff between the lead actor and the second male lead. Xiao Yi wore a moon-white, traditional Chinese robe, his hair meticulously tied back. He wore a prop sword at his waist, its scabbard delicately patterned. He stood at one side of the courtyard, surrounded by a patchwork of rockery and a pond. Goldfish swam leisurely beneath lotus leaves, and a gentle breeze rustled his clothes.

When the director called out "action," Xiao Yi was visibly nervous. The lead actor across from him spoke first, following the script. His lines flowed naturally, his eyes brimming with anger and questioning. Xiao Yi needed to respond, but he faltered for a moment, struggling to recall the unfamiliar and awkward modern phrases. After finally getting his first line across, his voice was dry and lacked emotional depth.

He also seemed a bit unsure about his movements. According to the plot, he was supposed to slowly walk towards the male lead while delivering his lines, heightening the tension of the confrontation. However, after taking just a few steps, he nearly tripped over a prop rock on the ground, instantly throwing his pace off. A flicker of embarrassment crossed his face, but he managed to steady himself and continue forward.

When Xiao Yi's eyes met with the male lead's, he should have expressed reluctance and defiance, but his expression was more confused. He wasn't quite sure how to use modern acting techniques to convey such complex emotions, so he simply imitated the looks of other actors he had seen.

The director frowned and called "cut." He patiently explained the key points of the scene to Xiao Yi, telling him to relax his body, speak his lines naturally as if they were his true thoughts, and keep his eyes firm and dramatic. Xiao Yi listened carefully, nodding continuously.

As filming resumed, Xiao Yi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He recalled the ancient confrontations with his enemies, the tension and determination between life and death surging through his mind. This time, as he spoke his lines, his voice, though still a little stiff, held a touch of emotional warmth. Following the director's instructions, he steadily approached the lead actor, each step imbued with suppressed strength. His eyes began to flicker with reluctance and stubbornness, colliding with the lead actor's, sparking a fierce spark.

In the tense climax, Xiao Yi needs to unsheathe his sword, striking a menacing pose. He grips the hilt and pulls it back with force, the blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight. He raises the sword high, his arm trembling slightly. This tremor isn't an act, but rather a product of his unfamiliarity with the scene and the action. To others, however, it seems a manifestation of the character's utter fury.

As the scene progressed, Xiao Yi gradually found his groove. He began to immerse himself in the role, transforming his ancient experiences, emotions, and longing for Li Lingyuan into both the character's background and motivation. Although the scene ultimately required several NGs due to minor flaws, Xiao Yi's performance improved with each retake, astonishing the director and the other actors. After the scene concluded, although exhausted, Xiao Yi felt a surge of renewed appreciation and passion for acting. He knew this was another starting point in his journey of exploring modern society, and his ultimate goal remained to travel through time and space back to Li Lingyuan's side.

As filming progressed, Xiao Yi gradually found his groove. He imbued the character with his own chivalrous spirit and deep affection from ancient times, making it vivid and captivating. In one emotionally charged scene, his genuine feelings flowed, and the sadness and longing in his eyes moved the entire crew. This scene became a turning point in his acting career. After the show aired, Xiao Yi quickly gained popularity for his striking costumes and unique acting style. His social media following exploded, and he was flooded with offers for endorsements and events.

Xiao Yi was bewildered and unaccustomed to his sudden celebrity status. He couldn't understand why people were so obsessed with his portrayal in the drama, and he wasn't used to being swarmed and surrounded by fans. Walking down the street, fans would often recognize him and ask for photos and autographs, leaving him somewhat bewildered. But he always kept his goal in mind: to return to ancient times and reunite with Li Lingyuan. So he tried to leverage his celebrity status to connect with knowledgeable and well-connected people, hoping to gain their help with time travel.

During a promotional event for a TV series, Xiao Yi was surrounded by numerous media reporters. They asked, "How do you portray ancient characters so vividly?" and "Do you have any special acting secrets?" Xiao Yi was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I simply incorporate my true feelings about ancient times into the film." His answer piqued the reporters' curiosity, but they dismissed it as a unique promotional tactic and paid little attention.

As his fame grew, Xiao Yi received more film offers and commercial activities. His income also increased significantly, allowing him to purchase various books and equipment related to time travel, and even attend high-end academic seminars and occult lectures. At these events, he met some well-known scientists, historians, and occult experts. He shared his experiences and explorations of time travel with them. Although most were skeptical of his story, some were moved by his persistence and willing to discuss it with him.

Yet, despite Xiao Yi's success in the entertainment industry, he remained lonely. Every night, he would return to his quiet home, gaze at the starry sky outside, and think of Li Lingyuan. He often wondered if Li Lingyuan, in ancient times, also missed him, searching for a way to reunite with him. He knew that all the prosperity he enjoyed in modern society was fleeting, and only by returning to Li Lingyuan's side could his life truly have meaning.

During filming, Xiao Yi encountered his share of troubles. Competition in the entertainment industry was fierce, and some, jealous of his rapid rise to fame, spread rumors behind his back, smearing his image. Rumors circulated that he was arrogant and disrespectful to the crew, and some even questioned whether his acting skills were acquired through illicit means. These rumors troubled Xiao Yi, but he didn't dwell on them. He believed that the innocent would be cleared, and he didn't want to waste his time on these meaningless disputes; he wanted to focus on his goal of finding a way to travel through time.

Once, while filming a demanding action scene, Xiao Yi was accidentally injured. He fell from a height, broke his leg, and was rushed to the hospital. Lying in his bed, staring at the white ceiling, his thoughts drifted back to ancient times. He recalled the life-or-death moments he and Li Lingyuan had shared, supporting each other and never abandoning each other. But now, he was alone and injured in this unfamiliar modern world, filled with loneliness and helplessness.

But after his fans learned of his injury, they flocked to the hospital to visit him. They sent flowers, cards, and various gifts to express their concern and support. This warmed Xiao Yi's heart, and he realized that although this modern world was full of unfamiliarity and challenges for him, there were also some kind people who cared about him.

While recuperating, Xiao Yi wasn't idle. He used this time to read numerous medical books, hoping to find some clues about the relationship between the human body and time and space from a modern medical perspective. He also attempted to communicate with medical experts to explore the possibility of time travel through special medical procedures. Although he ultimately did not achieve any substantial results, his spirit of exploration never ceased.

After recovering from his injury, Xiao Yi returned to his work. He worked even harder on his films, hoping to convey emotions about love, longing, and the struggle against fate through his work. When choosing scripts, he prioritized the character's depth and emotional expression. He hoped that through his performance, the audience would feel his deep longing for Li Lingyuan and his dedication to a love that transcends time and space.

Over time, Xiao Yi's position in the entertainment industry gradually solidified. He became a highly respected actor, and his works were highly praised by audiences and critics. But he knew that none of this was what he truly desired. He had only one goal in mind: to return to ancient times and to be with Li Lingyuan. No matter how much he achieved in this modern world, he would never forget his original aspiration and would continue steadfastly on this long and uncertain journey of discovery.