"I like you…" What does that mean?
'Is it common for friends to say something like this? Could he actually have feelings for her? Is he about to ask her out? If it were Xu Can, it wouldn't be so bad…' Taylor Swift's thoughts were racing.
Swift sat ready at NBC headquarters in the SNL (Saturday Night Live) guest dressing room, anticipation bubbling within her as she waited for Xu Can's following words.
But then he finished his sentence.
"…like your songs. I'm your fan."
Taylor blinked, her hopeful thoughts crashing to reality.
'Of course,' she thought. 'He's just a fan. Nothing more.'
Xu Can's inner monologue was less fraught. 'It's true. I was a fan of Swift's music in my previous life. Although I didn't hear her first album, I started listening after 'Love Story.''
"Wait, wait," Taylor said, her voice edged with disappointment she couldn't entirely hide. "You just like my songs?"
"Yes," Xu Can replied earnestly, his gaze sincere. "You're a very talented creator. I firmly believe you'll become the queen of the music industry."
Taylor's lips curved into a faint smile. "Thank you. I didn't expect you to listen to my songs..." Her tone wavered between gratitude and something else, something bittersweet. She had been expecting—hoping—for something different.
He had no intention of asking her out. That much was clear.
"What's wrong?" Xu Can asked, tilting his head slightly. "You don't seem very happy."
'Did she somehow realize I haven't listened to her first album?' he wondered, mildly concerned.
"No, I'm happy you like my songs," Taylor said quickly, schooling her features into a bright, cheerful expression. She pushed aside her disappointment, reclaiming her usual energy. "I'll write a new song and sing it for you as soon as possible," she teased.
"Okay…" Xu Can nodded, smiling faintly.
The two were chatting when a knock interrupted them.
"Excuse me, you two," a staff member said as they opened the door slightly. "The recording starts in five minutes. I'll take you to the studio."
Taylor instinctively grabbed Xu Can's arm as they walked to the backstage of the SNL studio. She exchanged a few words with the host and received instructions for the show.
"Xu, Taylor, just relax," the host encouraged them. "Think of it as having fun. Don't be too formal."
"Got it," Xu Can replied. He knew the tone of SNL well and intended to let loose.
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's celebrity guest, Taylor Swift!"
The recording began, and Taylor walked onto the stage in a sparkling evening dress, radiant and poised. The audience, about fifty in number, greeted her with thunderous applause.
Taylor introduced herself, her warm, lively demeanor captivating the crowd. She spoke about recent popular movies, keeping the energy high.
"You know," she began with a playful smirk, "the show originally planned to have Emma Stone as a guest—yes, Gwen Stacy herself."
The audience erupted in cheers.
"See?" Taylor said, feigning exasperation. "Emma's clearly more popular. I'm just here to fill in. Don't ask me to do this again, okay?" Her self-deprecating humor drew laughs and applause.
Then, as she continued, "I really love the movie Spider-Man. There are so many iconic scenes, like Spider-Man hanging upside down in the rain, and Gwen…" she trailed off as the audience gasped.
Descending from the ceiling in a Spider-Man suit was none other than Xu Can.
"Did someone mention Spider-Man?" he quipped.
The crowd erupted. "Spider-Man! Spider-Man!" they chanted, their enthusiasm filling the studio.
Taylor turned to Xu Can, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Xu, how are you even doing that?"
"You know," he said, dangling from the cable, "just hanging around."
The pun elicited laughter, and Taylor nearly lost her composure.
"What are you hanging for?" she asked, grinning.
"The Spider-Man movie's so popular, Sony's ready to shoot a sequel anytime. I've got to stay in character."
The audience's cheers grew louder, their excitement palpable.
Taylor watched Xu Can's effortless charm and couldn't help but think, 'He's more than a good friend. He's dazzling Spider-Man, the hero making the world go crazy. Compared to him, I'm just a girl singing country songs.' A pang of inferiority struck her heart.
The pair continued to joke and banter, keeping the audience roaring with laughter. Then came the SNL tradition: a spoof sketch, re-enacting Spider-Man's famous scenes.
"Since Emma Stone couldn't make it," Taylor teased, "I've been roped in as Gwen Stacy. My fee's cheaper."
Her humor, combined with her self-mockery, kept the audience engaged.
The sketch was hilarious, with Xu Can and Taylor delivering exaggerated performances that had the crowd in stitches. The director couldn't help but praise them.
"We made the right choice," he muttered. "Taylor Swift, an excellent singer, also has real comedic talent, and Xu Can… he's a star through and through."
As the sketch continued, the host declared, "Alright, next is the iconic upside-down kiss in the rain. Are you ready?"
Xu Can and Taylor exchanged a glance.
"We're ready. Let's do it," they said in unison.
The audience cheered as Xu Can was hoisted upside down again.
"Action!"
"Peter," Taylor said dramatically, "why are you hanging upside down? Are you trying to surprise me?"
"No," Xu Can replied, deadpan. "My web shooter broke. I'm stuck."
The crowd erupted in laughter. The comedic timing was perfect.
"Peter, are you hurt?" Taylor asked, feigning concern. "The terrorists didn't harm you, did they?"
"Terrorists?" Xu Can replied. "I jumped off the building to buy ice cream. The wind blew it away."
Taylor, playing along, said, "Peter, you're so handsome, even while buying ice cream. I love you."
"I love you too, Gwen," Xu Can responded.
According to the script, they were meant to perform an exaggerated, comedic fake kiss. But as Taylor leaned in, her lips tantalizingly close, Xu Can acted on instinct, gently kissing her for real.
The room seemed to freeze. For a brief moment, it was just them, their hearts pounding as if struck by lightning.
Taylor's eyes widened in shock, her pupils dilating as the reality of the kiss settled in.
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