Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 15
Ran Lin never got an answer from Lu Yiyao, but the answer wasn’t really important.
By the third episode, he was finally able to interact normally with Lu Yiyao and even occasionally joke with him, which was satisfying enough for him.
The night was clear with a moonlit sky, and the temperature was much cooler than during the day. Fortunately, the production team had a bit of humanity left and gave the male stars thick jackets, which they could use as blankets or wear as they liked.
Ran Lin used his as a blanket. The five of them, with four coconut leaf tents, had settled their sleeping arrangements through rock-paper-scissors, resulting in the losers, Xia Xinran and Zhang Beichen, sharing one tent. Xia Xinran’s expression when the results were announced looked like the end of the world.
Ran Lin didn’t understand what Xia Xinran disliked so much about Zhang Beichen, but the topic was too sensitive, and they weren’t close enough for him to ask, so he kept his curiosity to himself.
Lying down, using his arms as a pillow, listening to the waves, and looking at the sea and sky merging in the distance, he felt his mind opening up. Ran Lin was a thoughtful person, but at that moment, he just wanted to empty his mind. It had been a long time since he felt this way, with nothing to think, do, or worry about. He was just lying there quietly, letting time pass by…
“Oh yeah!”
A sudden cheer shattered the tranquility of the night.
Ran Lin sighed, thinking he just wasn’t destined to have a moment of peace, and got up to look outside. However, he was too slow and only caught a glimpse of Xia Xinran happily leaving with the production crew.
“What’s going on?” Ran Lin, puzzled, asked Lu Yiyao in the next tent, who had come out to look earlier.
But Lu Yiyao wasn’t very clear either and could only guess. “Maybe the production team has a new task for him.”
Ran Lin frowned in confusion and muttered, “What new task could there be in the middle of the night?”
Lu Yiyao thought for a moment and seriously met his eyes. “I think it’s better not to speculate.”
For a moment, Ran Lin was almost lost in Lu Yiyao’s gaze. Regaining his composure, he laughed. “You’re right. It’s probably not about getting a midnight snack.”
Lu Yiyao smiled wryly, shrugged, and crawled back into his leaf tent.
Ran Lin exhaled softly, feeling a strange sense of relief.
Cautiously slipping back into his tent and lying down, Ran Lin could still feel his heart pounding erratically.
The last time he felt this way was when he first joined the company and attended the premiere of a famous director’s movie. The film started with the male lead slowly lifting his head in a close-up shot. His expression was subdued, but his eyes were filled with deep, unspoken emotions. That moment had his heart skipping a beat and then uncontrollably racing.
The film was told from the female lead’s perspective, so Ran Lin’s emotions followed hers, experiencing joy and sorrow for this man. By the end of the movie, it felt like he had gone through a romance himself.
However, strangely enough, when the cast came out to thank the audience, seeing the male star on stage, Ran Lin felt nothing. He realized it was the character portrayed in the movie that had moved him, not the actor himself. In reality, the actor was nothing like the character he played: cheerful, eloquent, and gentle, in contrast to the introverted, melancholic man with a dark side in the film.
That was when Ran Lin understood the incredible and magical power of actors, able to bring characters so different from themselves to life with such delicacy and realism, making them feel real and tangible.
Ran Lin didn’t fall for that male star, but he did fall in love with acting.
But Lu Yiyao wasn’t playing any character.
Here, by the sea where the waves never ceased, Lu Yiyao was just being himself.
This wasn’t a good sign.
Ran Lin tossed and turned, unable to settle down, wishing he could sit up and howl like Xia Xinran had.
The entertainment industry is a rather strange place, where male celebrities can feign homosexuality for show, but they cannot be truly gay. Even if some have been irrefutably exposed, as long as the male star wants to continue working in the industry, they must firmly deny any “suspicions of same-sex relations”.
When encountering such statements, public relations teams feel as if they are facing a formidable enemy. Regardless of whether they respond with an air of indifference, suggesting that “rumors stop with the wise”, or with a forceful “I’m going to send you a legal notice”, they are, without exception, highly vigilant about such rumors behind the scenes.
In theory, society has become more tolerant towards sexual orientation, especially the younger generation, who are more open and accepting.
But for some reason, in the entertainment industry, this issue is a red alert. At best, it leads to negative publicity; at worst, it can rapidly end a career.
Ran Lin was frustrated with this situation but understood that to stay in the industry, he had to play by its rules. So he had always kept silent about his own sexual orientation, even deleting any potentially suggestive comments and photos from his social media before possibly signing with Dream Without Limits.
He didn’t want to hurt others, but he had to protect himself.
Fortunately, in his two years in the industry, he hadn’t been troubled by rumors about liking men. Perhaps because his career wasn’t very high-profile and his social circle was shrinking, he had almost forgotten what it felt like to fall for someone.
But just now, at that moment, Lu Yiyao reminded him.
Falling for someone in the industry, especially a famous male idol star?
Ran Lin felt like he was courting disaster.
No, he couldn’t jump to conclusions so quickly.
Ran Lin bit his lip, furrowed his brow, and finally sat up before all the coconut leaves were stripped away, leaning out of the tent to call out, “Lu Yiyao…”
A moment later, a half-asleep face appeared from the next tent. “Hmm?”
From the tents further down, two pairs of eyes watched in secret.
“I still find it suspicious that Xia Xinran was called away…” Ran Lin was speaking about a prepared topic, but his gaze was firmly fixed on Lu Yiyao’s face, not shifting even for half a second.
Lu Yiyao yawned, frowned, tilted his head in thought, and then suddenly his eyes darkened. “Could it be that they’re planning a surprise attack after we fall asleep?”
“…”
“Ran Lin?”
“Ah.” Shaking his head, Ran Lin finally came back to his senses and nodded vigorously. “That’s very likely.”
Lu Yiyao sighed wearily, feeling disheartened. “Then there’s no hope of getting a good night’s sleep tonight.”
Gu Jie and Zhang Beichen, who had been secretly observing and listening with bated breath, felt the same way as Lu Yiyao at this moment—wishing for a quick end. However, exhausted and drained, they had little energy to resist and could only lie back down, waiting for their fate to unfold.
Ran Lin had long known that his companions were awake, but it didn’t matter. The discussion was just a pretext. What he really wanted to do was see if Lu Yiyao could still electrify him once more. The result was unexpectedly good—his heartbeat remained steady.
Even as he intensely observed Lu Yiyao, his breathing stayed calm, and his heart rate was normal. This proved that his previous flustered state was just a random occurrence. Maybe in that moment, his nerves had crossed, or perhaps the beauty of the stars and nature had added a beautifying effect to Lu Yiyao.
Relieved, Ran Lin relaxed and soon drifted into a light, uneasy sleep to the sound of the waves. He didn’t know that Lu Yiyao, lying nearby, was suffering from insomnia.
As if in kind, Lu Yiyao also pondered over Ran Lin, but it had nothing to do with such deep issues as sexual orientation. Lu Yiyao simply thought Ran Lin was incredibly sensitive.
Take the events of the day, for example. He hadn’t thought there was anything unusual about the way he looked at Ran Lin—just a bit more eye contact than usual—yet Ran Lin had directly sensed sympathy.
Sympathy?
Certainly.
But Ran Lin had so accurately perceived an emotion that Lu Yiyao himself was unaware of, which left him with no other word to describe Ran Lin but “sensitive”.
In the entertainment industry, sensitivity is a double-edged sword. It can help you better understand roles and shape characters, but it also makes you more susceptible to the opinions of fans and the public gaze.
Some people thrive under criticism, while others crumble under the pressure.
Lu Yiyao had seen too many cases and thought Ran Lin would be among the latter.
A pretty good person.
After just two and a half episodes together, this was the most positive assessment Lu Yiyao could give of Ran Lin. He couldn’t say more, but it was enough.
No one is perfect. A male artist with a good temper, serious about his work, and occasionally playful—at least among his peers—Lu Yiyao found him comfortable to be around. He had seen too many two-faced individuals still adored by fans. Compared to them, Ran Lin’s situation seemed even more deserving of sympathy.
Although initially, Lu Yiyao had wanted to confront Ran Lin’s supporters.
Enough of these thoughts.
As Yao Hong had rightly said, Lu Yiyao, looking at the sea blending with the starry sky, realized he had it too easy in his career, always with excess energy and a penchant for meddling in others’ affairs.
“All male gods, gather—”
There was no need for a loudspeaker. On the quiet beach, the director’s voice easily pierced through the waves to reach their ears.
The male gods, whether asleep or awake, were startled. Gu Jie nearly sent the tent flying as he rushed out. The cameras, previously fixed, were now hoisted onto the shoulders of the cameramen. The four gathered understood immediately—a new task was at hand.
“It’s now 00:01.” The director checked his watch, his tone unusually solemn. “We’ve entered a brand new day. Are you all excited?”
The four male gods clapped, albeit sparsely and with stiff smiles.
Satisfied with the impact he had made, the director dropped the real bombshell. “Today is also the birthday of your little buddy, Xia Xinran!”
This genuinely surprised the four. They looked at each other in confusion and surprise, instinctively scanning their surroundings as if they might find the birthday star nearby.
“Don’t bother looking. Xia Xinran has already gone to his new task. So, our remaining four male gods also have a task: to organize a birthday party for your buddy by 10 a.m. The requirements are a birthday cake, a private party venue, and all of this without spending a penny.”
Gu Jie, puzzled, raised his hand. “What constitutes a private party venue?”
The director explained, “It can’t be in the open air, like a forest, park, or beach, nor a public area like streets, malls, or plazas. It must be a private shop or residence, and the entire party must be closed off. The location will not be disclosed during the broadcast. In short, you must borrow a private venue and can’t use the promise of publicity as leverage.”
Gu Jie had black lines on his face. “That’s quite secretive…”
Zhang Beichen followed up, “And the birthday cake?”
The director answered, “You have to manage that on your own.”
A foreboding sense of doom hung over the male gods. The day would gradually brighten, but their prospects seemed increasingly grim.
Pleased with the turmoil he had caused but still not satisfied with the enthusiasm from the male gods, the director repeated, “Any other questions?”
Ran Lin sighed and played along. “Can you tell us what task Xia Xinran is doing?”
The director finally smiled broadly. “Five-star hotel tester and Southeast Asian spa connoisseur.”
Ran Lin had anticipated something far-fetched, but he couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.
Zhang Beichen expressed the envy of all their companions. “The birthday boy really gets special treatment…”
Returning from the distant suburbs to the city center covers a considerable distance. The four people were grateful to finally catch some brief sleep amidst the jostling.
At 1:30 in the morning, the city was far from asleep.
The streets were still bustling with people, some clad in swimsuits and wrapped in towels, clearly the brave souls who, undaunted by the water temperature, had just returned from the sea.
There was no need to venture to the distant suburbs for wilderness survival; the city center itself boasted a beach with crystal-clear water and soft sand. It was no wonder that, centered around this, various real estate projects under the guise of “seaside properties” were continuously developed, with one high-rise apartment after another springing up along the coast.
“Where are we going now?” Zhang Beichen looked around, clueless.
“It boils down to two things: a cake and a venue.” Gu Jie stretched his neck to ease his overworked and unrested joints. “Now it’s up to us which one we want to tackle first.”
“Venue?” Gu Jie didn’t ponder deeply; it was more of an intuition. “Otherwise, once we have the cake, we’ll still need to carry it around looking for a private place.”
Zhang Beichen scratched his head, gently suggesting a different view. “I always feel a venue is easier to find than a cake at this time. The places that can make or sell cakes are limited now. We should tackle the harder task first.”
“Neither cakes nor venues are easy to get right now,” Ran Lin said. “Why don’t we first think about how to get these two things? Like, for the cake, do we make or buy it? For the venue, do we ask a shop owner or a local for their house? Once we have a plan, we can work towards it.”
Gu Jie asked, “Teacher Lu, what do you think?”
Lu Yiyao replied, “We shouldn’t have let the director go just now.”
Gu, Ran, Zhang: “True that!”
Unable to devise a strategy for the moment, the four shared a common sentiment—well played, director.
The four helpless male gods wandered down to the beach, following the noise. The seaside night market, bustling with stalls offering local delicacies, was still brightly lit and crowded. Lu Yiyao, recognized first, caused screams from a girl holding a coconut jelly that could have been heard across the beach.
As the saying goes, in crisis, opportunity lurks. The four were struck by inspiration—work using their good looks!
The chosen stall owners were more than happy to have male gods as their facade. Who cared about the taste when business was booming like never before.
They really put in their all. Lu Yiyao grilled skewers, Ran Lin fried pineapple rice, Zhang Beichen handled the money, and Gu Jie fanned the flames and attracted customers.
They worked until dawn, when the number of tourists dwindled, and neighboring stalls began to close. The stall owners finally contentedly counted out their agreed share of the earnings and handed it to the male stars.
A total of three hundred and forty yuan.
The four exhausted male stars found the courage to continue from these hard-earned bills.
In the early morning, as the city’s nightlife ended and the daily hustle had yet to begin, there was finally a hint of tranquility. The four sat or lay under a palm tree, staring into the sky.
They were waiting for the cake shop to open.
They weren’t sleepy anymore, but the city was still asleep. Apart from 24-hour convenience stores and fast-food joints, other shops were in dreamland.
“This has got to be the longest day I’ve ever experienced…” Gu Jie said, looking at the brightening sky and feeling downcast.
Zhang Beichen corrected him, “It’s been two days.”
Gu Jie shook his head. “Feels like one long day that never ends.”
Ran Lin sat cross-legged by the flower bed, his arm propping up his chin, not very energetic but agreeing with Gu Jie in his heart. They had barely slept that night, so although it was technically the second day, it still felt like a continuation of the previous one.
“You guys alright?” Zhang Beichen, noticing the quietness of Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao, asked with concern.
Ran Lin quickly shook his head. “I’m fine.”
But Lu Yiyao asked, “Do you know what I’m thinking right now?”
Zhang Beichen thought for a moment. “What Xia Xinran is doing right now?”
Gu Jie raised an eyebrow. “Smear cake on his face.”
Ran Lin laughed, guessing along. “Why isn’t it my birthday?”
Lu Yiyao looked at Ran Lin in surprise. Although Zhang Beichen and Gu Jie had guessed he was brooding over Xia Xinran, only Ran Lin hit the nail on the head. It wasn’t a coincidence anymore; it was magical.
Ran Lin had just said it casually, but seeing Lu Yiyao’s expression, he knew he was close to the mark, which was somewhat exciting. After all, Lu Yiyao wasn’t easy to read.
“Xia Xinran must treat us when we get back.”
“The precondition is that we can get back. I feel like I’m about to collapse here…”
“Don’t cry. Be strong.”
“Get lost, haha…”
Amidst their joking and laughter, the sun slowly rose, the breeze grew warmer, and the streets became busy again—the city was waking up.
“Boss, please help us.”
“No way.”
“Just for a morning.”
“Not even for an hour. I appreciate you buying a cake, but our shop needs to do business. If you occupy the shop, how can I open?”
“After we buy this cake, you’ll be open.”
“But I can’t just open for one item in the morning.”
“…”
Despite their efforts, they couldn’t persuade the shop owner. They left the cake shop disheartened. The cake, in Lu Yiyao’s hands, in its elegant light-colored box with a blue ribbon, was fresh and charming, but it couldn’t ease their troubled minds.
The cameramen, who had followed them all night, felt some sympathy. From struggling to survive on a deserted island to working midnight shifts at a food stall, and now searching for a free private party venue in a strange city. The hardships of the previous two episodes combined didn’t compare to this one.
Determined, they entered several shops along the street. Most shop owners who recognized them were initially enthusiastic, but their attitude subtly changed when they heard about the private party, not open to the public.
The shop owners were willing to accommodate celebrities for the publicity, like the beachfront market owners. If the four couldn’t bring them business, even their good looks wouldn’t guarantee a job. True fan shop owners were the exception, of course.
But whether it was bad luck or their fame not reaching every demographic, they were still without a venue as 10:00 approached.
Having figured out the director’s modus operandi, they knew a solution would be provided if they genuinely couldn’t complete the task, like with previous challenges such as making fire from wood. But the thought of the director’s smug “Oh, I have to step in” face made them reluctant to give in.
The initial aim of joining the show was self-challenge, but now, they wanted to challenge the production team.
To the camera, the four were silent. But amongst themselves, they could feel each other’s determination. The same show, the same resilience.
Maybe, just let it go.
They could say that, but they didn’t want to give up until the last moment.
Ran Lin noticed that Lu Yiyao had been unusually quiet since failing to negotiate with the cake shop owner. Although not a talkative person, his expression seemed not just downcast but deep in thought.
“Speaking of which…”
Lu Yiyao suddenly spoke up, looking at his three companions.
Ran Lin quickly looked away, then back, pretending he had been admiring the scenery.
Lost in his thoughts, Lu Yiyao didn’t notice. “Didn’t the director only say we can’t spend money and it must be private? Nothing else?”
“Yes.” Zhang Beichen nodded. “Just those two conditions.”
Lu Yiyao pondered for a moment, as if making a significant decision. “I know a place that will definitely let us have a party, and it’s absolutely private.”
Sorry, Hong Jie.
I know you’ll criticize me for being impulsive and unnecessary. But it’s not the first time I’ve been impulsive, and besides, people with severe sleep deprivation deserve some whims.
Three pairs of eyes suddenly lit up. “Where?”
A playful and proud smile responded, “My house.”
Kinky Thoughts:
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