Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 47

Lu Yiyao just wanted a simple explanation, but Huo Yuntao wanted to hear the whole story.

How could a big star in mainland China have time to sort out every detail of his relationship with Ran Lin for this gossipmonger? Besides, there wasn’t much to say; even looking back now, their friendship seemed normal and natural. It wouldn’t have crossed his mind if Ran Lin hadn’t seemed so odd tonight.

With this thought, Lu Yiyao briefly introduced how they met and their current relationship as like-minded friends and enjoyable collaborators. He focused more on the incident with Zhang Beichen, as that was the root cause of everything. Without it, he wouldn’t have formally discussed with Ran Lin the nature of friendship or how to deal with fame, fans, and public opinion, which led to Ran Lin’s significant comment.

Huo Yuntao listened quietly throughout, a rarity for him. At the end, when Lu Yiyao paused, Huo asked, “Is that all?”

Lu Yiyao took a sip of bottled water and replied, “Yes, that’s it.”

The friend on the other end of the phone was silent, but heavy breathing was audible, suggesting a buildup of emotion.

Lu Yiyao frowned slightly and asked in confusion, “Hello?”

“What the f…” The person on the other end barely swallowed his last word, but his voice was still furious. “Those rumors are just despicable!”

“……”

Lu Yiyao couldn’t help but want to smack his forehead. He wanted to highlight the main points for his friend with a fluorescent pen.

“This incident is over; I was asking about that sentence, thank you.”

“You really have a big heart, able to host a yacht inside,” Huo Yuntao said irritably, clearly still upset on his friend’s behalf.

Lu Yiyao regretted consulting Huo Yuntao and thought Li Tong would have been more efficient.

“Just forget I asked, goodnight.”

“Wait, wait, you’re generous, and I’m proud of you!” Huo Yuntao quickly praised his old friend to avoid getting cut off. “Goodnight? It’s only afternoon here…”

Lu Yiyao snorted.

Huo Yuntao didn’t digress further but shared his opinion. “Based on what you said, he added a sentence, right? Together, it’s like, ‘I don’t just see you as a friend, but as a very good friend.’ It’s a bit awkward, but not implausible. You just told him not to mind fame or public opinion. If I were him, I’d be touched too and want to respond, so emphasizing ‘not just a friend but a very good friend’ isn’t strange.”

Lu Yiyao lay in bed, pondering his friend’s logic. It seemed reasonable. “So, am I overthinking?”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Huo Yuntao said. “You two have known each other for a long time and got along especially well recently. If he’s gay, it’s not strange to think more.”

“Do you think he could be?”

“…You’re asking me?!” Huo Yuntao nearly wanted to open his friend’s head to see if it short-circuited. He didn’t even know if Ran Lin was straight or gay, let alone deduce his sexual orientation from across continents.

Lu Yiyao realized his question was challenging, but he had no one else to discuss it with, so Huo Yuntao was his best bet, even if he had to speculate wildly. “Just based on what I told you, what do you think?”

“I never take responsibility for what I say,” Huo Yuntao joked, but seriously reconsidered the warming friendship he heard about. After thinking about it for a while, he, in a rare moment, spoke cautiously. “I can only say it’s suspicious, but no conclusive.”

After waiting so long for the fireworks, there was a tingling sound, and a match was lit.

Lu Yiyao felt he had been greatly emotionally deceived.

“So you basically said nothing…” He regretted not keeping his empathetic assistant.

Huo Yuntao, usually not this serious in case analysis, replied, “All possibilities are still open, which means the problem isn’t unsolvable. On the contrary, you can prepare for both outcomes, so you’ll be unfazed no matter what happens.”

Lu Yiyao raised an eyebrow, finally seeing some substance in this conversation.

Huo Yuntao went into problem-solving mode: “There are three possible outcomes. First, he’s gay but never confesses to you; second, he’s gay and does confess; third, he’s not gay, and you’ve misinterpreted. It’s not difficult to deal with these three situations, as long as you understand two premises…”

“I’m straight, and I still want to be friends?” Lu Yiyao summarized clearly.

Huo Yuntao wasn’t at all surprised by his old friend’s quick response. In fact, Lu Yiyao was quite suited for business, with his clear insight, accurate problem identification, and straightforward, decisive problem-solving. Unfortunately, his strong aversion was too great, and he was dead set against fulfilling his father’s wishes.

“So, your answer?”

“Straight, and yes.” Lu Yiyao had no doubts about either.

Huo Yuntao appreciated Lu Yiyao’s straightforwardness. It made his own life and those around him more comfortable.

However—

“I never doubted your orientation. Just at the University of Manchester, the guys you rejected for the past two years could form a UN rowing team. But I remember not many remaining friends after being rejected. International friends are sensitive, and we Eastern dragons are reserved and subtle…”

“Can you change that nickname?”

“Little Eastern Dragon?”

“If it makes you happy…”

Lu Yiyao decided to give Li Tong a raise the next day.

Birds of a feather flock together; Huo Yuntao’s treatment of him now was probably how he used to treat his assistants. Self-reflection and compensation were necessary!

“In essence, you want to reject his feelings without hurting him and still expect him to be as close as before. This three-in-one wish is like…”

“Beast.”

Huo Yuntao was embarrassed and quickly stopped his morally outraged friend. “It’s not that serious. It’s just that the probability is quite low, and the hope is slim.”

Lu Yiyao fell silent, deep in thought.

Huo Yuntao, listening to the silence on the phone, suddenly realized that their conversation had blown things out of proportion. It was just a sentence, but they had discussed it as if Ran Lin had already confessed. “You can worry about it later. Whether he’s gay or not is still uncertain. I think the most likely scenario is the third one, where you’re just showing off.”

Lu Yiyao snapped back to reality and instinctively rebutted the label his friend had given him. “I don’t show off without reason.”

“Your feathers are always spread.” Huo Yuntao felt his friend lacked self-awareness. “I’ve known you for so many years, and your peacock display has been going on for just as long.”

“…” Every time Lu Yiyao talked to Huo Yuntao for more than ten minutes, he would feel despair about their friendship.

Huo Yuntao, however, was quite comfortable. He had heard the gossip and vented, so to show sincerity, he also offered some practical advice. “In summary, if he clearly confesses to you, no matter how you reject him, it will be hard to go back to how things were. You should be mentally prepared for that. But if it’s just a hint, then regardless of whether he means it or not, you can respond with a hint. If he has feelings, he’ll understand and back off, and you can still be friends. If he doesn’t, even better.”

“So, right now…”

“Especially don’t try to test him. Otherwise, if he didn’t mean it, you might lead him to have wild thoughts. Or, if he wasn’t planning to confess, your probing might make him think there’s a chance, and he might just go for it.” Huo Yuntao, who had roamed the world for many years while maintaining his integrity, relied on early warning and effective shielding against pursuers. “There are only two things you can do now. First, regulate your behavior. Don’t do anything that can be easily misunderstood or misinterpreted; and second…”

Lu Yiyao held his breath in anticipation, waiting so long that the tail end of the “second” almost dissipated, before finally hearing a deep voice from the phone saying two words—

“Observe secretly.”

Lu Yiyao shuddered, his hair standing on end instinctively, feeling as if a pair of prying eyes was blinking in a dark corner of the room.

……

Lu Yiyao found out.

Lu Yiyao didn’t find out.

Lu Yiyao found out…

Ran Lin squatted in front of a decorative floor vase in his room, counting the artificial silk flowers inside one by one, eventually stopping in despair on an odd number.

He knew something would go wrong dining alone with Lu Yiyao!

What if Lu Yiyao asked about it? What if Lu Yiyao was disgusted? What if Lu Yiyao was also gay and liked him… No, the probability of that happening was even lower than Zhao Buyao falling for Fang Xian.

Ran Lin was torn all night.

He did fall asleep, but the worries before sleep continued into his dreams, evolving into a romance simulation game with multiple storylines, plots, and endings. In his dream, he tried every choice at each branching point, but without exception, all outcomes led to a broken relationship, differing only in whether the break was gentle or harsh.

In the representative ending of the former—Lu Yiyao was scared off by his confession and started avoiding him, eventually drifting apart.

In the representative ending of the latter—Lu Yiyao sternly rejected his advances and swore never to associate with him again.

The next morning, Ran Lin woke up unusually before the alarm.

His uneasy mood continued into the makeup room, so much so that when Tang Xiaoyu asked how dinner went, he immediately went on the defensive. “Why do you ask that?”

Tang Xiaoyu looked baffled, blinking uncertainly. “Just making conversation… Do I need a reason?”

Ran Lin was embarrassed, realizing his overreaction, and quickly composed himself, compensating by giving Tang Xiaoyu a sunny smile. “It was good. You really missed out not coming. The food at that restaurant was delicious.”

Tang Xiaoyu swallowed hard, suddenly feeling wise for not going.

“Good morning.” Lu Yiyao walked in, the standard leading man entrance, as friendly as ever.

The first scene today was between Tang Jingyu and Fang Xian, so the car picking up Lu Yiyao also arrived at this time.

Tang Xiaoyu hadn’t even sat down to start makeup when he immediately turned to greet him. “Morning.”

Ran Lin, upon hearing the voice, mentally urged himself to act natural, repeating it several times, almost hypnotizing himself, before turning to face the leading man and saying loudly, “Morning. I was just telling Tang Xiaoyu about last night’s dinner.”

Lu Yiyao looked steadily at Ran Lin, but naturally followed up with. “What about it?”

Ran Lin said, “I was saying the food at the restaurant was really good, and he missed out.”

Lu Yiyao smiled. “Then I’ll treat you again sometime to make it up for it Third Brother.”

Tang Xiaoyu was touched but kept a very serious expression, deliberately lowering his voice. “That’s a very reasonable suggestion.”

Ran Lin was amused.

Lu Yiyao also laughed but kept glancing at Ran Lin, steadfastly following the “observe secretly” strategy.

Lu Yiyao’s actions were natural, and Ran Lin didn’t notice anything odd, only immensely relieved that his worries from the previous night were just his imagination. Lu Yiyao was still the same, and there could be no better outcome than that.

While Ran Lin was reassured on one side, Lu Yiyao became more confused on the other.

He didn’t think of himself as someone who imagined things, but now Ran Lin seemed entirely natural, and the subtle oddity of last night was nowhere to be found. Was he really overthinking?

When the reflection of Ran Lin in the mirror turned into Fang Xian, everything about Lu Yiyao, the dinner, and any ambiguity ceased to exist.

Ran Lin took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and went over his lines in his mind again.

This scene was Fang Xian opening his heart to Tang Jingyu—he liked Zhao Buyao but was willing to let her be with his best brother.

However, the focus of this scene was on Tang Jingyu, because at this point, unbeknownst to Fang Xian, she was plotting with Abbot Haikong of Bodhi Temple on how to expose Fang Huanzhi’s conspiracy at the upcoming martial arts conference at the Fang Clan’s place—the “Sword of Fallen Flowers Manual” had always been with the Fang Clan, and Fang Huanzhi’s fake news was meant to cover up his bloodbath of the opposing sects.

Tang Jingyu once wanted to tell Fang Xian part of the truth, that is, to hide the fact that Fang Huanzhi annihilated the Tang Clan and only mention that Fang Huanzhi used the Sword of Fallen Flowers Manual to scheme, willing to bloodily eliminate opposing sects to become the martial arts alliance leader. But in the end, he didn’t tell Fang Xian either of these things.

Tang Jingyu couldn’t quite articulate his concerns.

Perhaps, he still prioritized revenge, or maybe he realized that once these things were revealed, he and Fang Xian could no longer be brothers. So, he always hoped that the day of their falling out would come later, much later.

“<Sword of Fallen Flowers> Episode…”

Click!

The autumn wind was bleak, with leaves littering the path.

Tang Jingyu, unusually dressed in light-colored clothing, appeared gentle and simple amidst the yellow leaves.

Fang Xian, having shed his extravagant clothes, was dressed simply and neatly, with no accessories around his waist. The only decoration he had was the beautiful sword in his hand.

The change in their attire and accessories also symbolized their growth—from a pampered young master to a man who understands love and self-sacrifice.

The wind rustled through the fallen leaves, creating a soft sound.

The two sat under a tree, enjoying a rare moment of peace and tranquility.

“I always thought life was as plain as water, extremely dull,” Fang Xian said, looking at the clouds and laughing self-deprecatingly. “After experiencing so much, I kind of miss the old days.”

Tang Jingyu also looked at the sky, but his eyes held much more. “The martial world was never as plain as water.”

Fang Xian smiled, agreeing for once. “Right, it was just me, foolishly indulging in pleasures.”

Tang Jingyu smiled lightly, a smile reaching the depths of his eyes.

“She is the woman I love the most,” Fang Xian suddenly said, out of the blue yet naturally. “You are my best brother. I’m at ease giving her to you.”

There was no regret in Fang Xian’s voice, only a sense of resolution after self-sacrifice.

Tang Jingyu didn’t know what to say, his thoughts tumultuous.

“No, who she likes is her freedom. I don’t have the right to say I’m giving her to you.” Fang Xian, not noticing his brother’s discomfort, withdrew his gaze, turned, and looked contentedly at Tang Jingyu’s profile in the sunlight. “I should say… it’s good that she fell in love with you.”

Tang Jingyu slowly turned his head to meet Fang Xian’s gaze, his eyes seemingly filled with a thousand words…

“Cut!” Director Chen couldn’t hold back anymore. “Tang Jingyu’s expression is good. You can feel the complexity in it. But when you hear Fang Xian saying these words, the main emotion should be the conflict and pain of betraying your brother, which should be visible in your eyes. I can feel the conflict, but there’s no pain, only confusion. I don’t know what you’re confused about?”

Lu Yiyao pondered for a long time but didn’t respond, just saying, “Sorry, director, I understand. It’ll be fine next time.”

Director Chen shrugged, not needing to understand the thousands of whys in Lu Yiyao’s eyes, only hoping the actor would find the right feeling next time.

“<Sword of Fallen Flowers> Take… two…”

Click!

……

“How did it go? Did you observe any results?”

Lu Yiyao suspected Huo Yuntao had planted a spy around him; otherwise, it made no sense that he’d call just as he returned to his hotel room.

“No results.” Lu Yiyao sighed. It was all this guy’s fault for suggesting “observe secretly”. Today, his expressions were all off, leading the director to finally ask, “If you don’t understand something, just tell me. Don’t figure it out alone.”

“What do you mean no results?” Huo Yuntao was puzzled.

Lu Yiyao said in frustration, “Everything was normal—normal conversation, normal shooting.”

Huo Yuntao’s anticipation, like a hot air balloon running out of fuel, slowly descended to the ground. “So it was you overthinking.”

Lu Yiyao thought it was a good thing. “It’s rare to find a good friend in the industry. It would be a pity to drift apart over something like this.”

Huo Yuntao jealously retorted, “Aren’t I enough for you?”

Lu Yiyao sarcastically replied, “Do you understand the industry? Can you discuss scripts with me? Rehearse lines? Study the entertainment industry structure, star positioning, fan ecology, public image packaging…”

“Lao Lu,” Huo Yuntao interrupted him, seriously saying, “I don’t think he necessarily loves talking about that with you…”

……

Although he gave Huo Yuntao an explanation, successfully quelling his friend’s gossiping spirit, Lu Yiyao continued his “secret observation” for a while. Eventually, finding nothing suspicious, and with the increasing pace of shooting, he slowly forgot about it.

In early January, with over twenty days left until the planned wrap-up at the end of the month, the progress barely kept up with the plan due to the director’s high standards and strict demands. To avoid delays, shooting times were extended daily, typically ending after 11 at night.

The weather in Hengdian grew colder. The director and crew donned thick clothing, but the actors, for the sake of looking good on camera, couldn’t wear too many layers, so as soon as the director called cut, assistants would immediately bring coats for warmth.

The day Wang Xi arrived, Hengdian had just experienced a mix of rain and snow.

The weather report said rain mixed with snow, but it felt more like a drizzle, with no sign of snowflakes, quietly falling for half a day before stopping, leaving only dampness and a sudden drop in temperature.

When she arrived in the evening, the scene was lit brightly, bringing daylight-like brightness to the darkened world.

“Why have you become like this?” Seeing the limping second male lead approaching, Wang Xi felt sorry for him but wanted to laugh.

It was hard not to; Ran Lin’s costume was so dashing, and during the shoot, his moves were graceful and effortless. But as soon as the director called cut, he started hobbling towards her, clutching his lower back—the contrast was just too great and comical.

“I’ve been focusing on martial arts scenes lately.” Ran Lin and Wang Xi walked to the side with pitiful eyes. “You’re laughing but try hanging there for more than ten hours a day.”

Ran Lin was telling the truth.

Previously, being hoisted up occasionally for wire work, he felt like his legs were no longer his. But now, being hoisted daily, it felt like every part of his body was alien to him.

“Your face looks thinner.” Wang Xi observed him for a while and suddenly commented.

Ran Lin sighed in misery. “Now you know how hard it is for me.”

Wang Xi nodded empathetically. “A thinner face does look better on camera.”

Ran Lin was annoyed. “…Stepmother.”

Wang Xi had her laugh and stopped teasing. She looked around, asking curiously, “Where’s Wanwan?”

“Oh,” Ran Lin said, “I sent her to buy red bean soup.”

Wang Xi frowned at her artist. “For you to drink?”

Ran Lin explained, “It’s for the entire crew. It’s cold, and everyone’s working hard.”

Wang Xi nodded approvingly. “That’s thoughtful of you.”

Before Ran Lin could respond, the next scene was called, and he hurried back to set.

Lu Yiyao was also with the martial arts unit today, but he stayed hidden behind a fake rock, watching his junior brothers fly through the air, occasionally throwing hidden weapons and shooting cold arrows, utterly relaxed.

Most of the fight scenes involved a group, with some skilled actors and some extras flailing about, making the coordination time-consuming. Plus, the second and third male leads required hands-on instruction from the martial arts director, so not many scenes were shot that day.

Thankfully, a significant and challenging fight scene was just completed, bringing relief to everyone. It was at this moment that the hot red bean soup arrived. The production assistant distributed it, and whether it was handed to actors or crew, they were told it was a treat from Teacher Ran.

In the whole crew, there was only one classmate Ran.

The red bean soup was served in insulated disposable paper bowls, bearing the logo of a famous chain dessert shop known for its red bean soup, also called red bean paste. It was mildly sweet, not cloying, warm upon entry, and had a rich aftertaste.

Lu Yiyao, holding a bowl of red bean soup, found Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu exchanging experiences in a shady corner of the recently filmed garden. He raised the paper bowl. “Thanks.”

Ran Lin smiled, about to say there was no need for formalities between them, but Tang Xiaoyu interjected first. “What’s that?”

Lu Yiyao honestly replied, “Red bean soup, for everyone.”

Tang Xiaoyu felt left out. “Why didn’t anyone give me one!”

Ran Lin realized their secluded spot had been overlooked and quickly reassured, “Don’t worry. They wouldn’t forget you. Let me find Wanwan…”

“No need. I haven’t drunk mine yet,” Lu Yiyao said, offering his bowl to Tang Xiaoyu. “You can have this first.”

“This doesn’t seem right…” Tang Xiaoyu hesitated, but his actions of taking the dessert contradicted his words.

Lu Yiyao felt defeated by his reaction.

Ran Lin couldn’t help but chuckle.

Tang Xiaoyu, feeling the warmth from the bowl’s heat, took a couple of big sips, feeling relaxed. “Feng Ge is really thoughtful.”

The crew’s food and lodging were managed by Feng Ge, the production assistant, including tea and snacks.

Lu Yiyao knew he was mistaken and corrected, “It’s not Feng Ge, it’s your Ran Ge.”

Tang Xiaoyu, with red bean paste on his lips, looked up from the bowl, only now understanding the meaning behind Lu Yiyao’s earlier “thanks” and Ran Lin’s “don’t worry, they won’t forget you.”

“You treated us?” Tang Xiaoyu sincerely exclaimed, “You’re really thoughtful…”

Ran Lin smiled, half-seriously asking, “Are you falling in love with me?”

Tang Xiaoyu shook his head, slowly saying, “No, I’ve already fallen for you.”

Ran Lin patted his shoulder, sighing. “Your love comes too cheap.”

Tang Xiaoyu, feeling slighted, stopped talking to his second brother and continued sipping his dessert.

Lu Yiyao watched with interest.

Ran Lin turned back, meeting Lu Yiyao’s smiling eyes, and jokingly said, “What about you? Have you fallen for me too?”

Lu Yiyao was stunned.

The crisis management system he thought he had uninstalled months ago, with Huo Yuntao’s help, seemed only to be in hibernation. Now, triggered by a keyword, it rebooted.

“We are brothers whose heads have knocked on the ground together.” Lu Yiyao heard himself reply.

Ran Lin stiffened for a moment, not grasping the dissonance in that response. Before he could ponder it, Tang Xiaoyu, engrossed in his dessert, interjected teasingly, “Brothers into lovers, how nice. It’s all the rage now…”

“Drink your red bean soup,” Lu Yiyao said, lightly tapping the back of his head in a playful manner.

Ran Lin suddenly understood.

Whether it was Lu Yiyao’s words or actions, nothing was explicitly clear, but Ran Lin just got it. He even recalled a conversation from two months ago and Lu Yiyao’s subtle reaction.

Perhaps, when you dwell on something for a long time, even a look or a word related to it can bring clarity, like achieving a breakthrough in a martial arts novel.

“Ran Lin?” Tang Xiaoyu, having finished his bowl, wanted to express his gratitude again but noticed his second brother in a daze. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing.” Ran Lin shook his head. “I’m going to find Wanwan and get another bowl for you.”

He said the latter half to Lu Yiyao, but without looking at him, quickly left the garden, his strides swift, oblivious to any aches or pains.

“He’s really worried about you not getting enough,” Tang Xiaoyu commented, watching Ran Lin’s retreating figure enviously.

Lu Yiyao didn’t quite catch his words, just stared in the direction Ran Lin had gone, suddenly feeling uncertain.

The last scene of the day was filmed very late, and it was past midnight by the time they wrapped up. Lu Yiyao, for some reason, stopped Ran Lin, who had just removed his makeup, and asked, “Do you want to go for a late-night snack?”

Ran Lin stared at him for a long time, then burst into laughter, saying, “At least let me sleep for a few hours.”

Lu Yiyao knew his invitation was odd, but it felt like he needed some pretext to talk to Ran Lin to be at ease.

Liu Wanwan, having called the driver, came over to inform. “Ran Ge, the car’s here.”

Ran Lin smiled at Lu Yiyao. “Then I’ll be going. See you tomorrow.”

Lu Yiyao nodded and stepped aside to let him pass.

Ran Lin quickly followed his assistant, leaving the set.

Lu Yiyao suddenly felt like something would be different tomorrow.

Wang Xi had already returned to the hotel earlier, leaving only Ran Lin and Liu Wanwan in the car. Liu Wanwan, sensing Ran Lin’s low spirits, asked, “Ran Ge, what’s wrong?”

Ran Lin slowly shook his head. “Nothing, just tired.”

Liu Wanwan understood; she found it exhausting just watching on set, let alone Ran Lin, who had to perform physically demanding scenes. “The shoot wraps up at the end of the month, Ran Ge. I believe in you. Hang in there until the end!”

Ran Lin looked at his assistant for a while, then smiled faintly, showing a hint of tiredness. “Yeah, it wraps up at the end of the month.”

For some reason, Liu Wanwan felt that Ran Lin’s low voice held a sense of reluctance and perhaps… relief.

……

Water continuously poured from the shower, filling the bathroom with steam.

Ran Lin stood under the shower, eyes closed, face upturned, letting the water drench him thoroughly.

Ever since that night he misspoke, Ran Lin knew this day would come—being seen through by Lu Yiyao, rejected, or even despised and distanced. But he had romanticized his unrequited love, thinking that even if rejected, it would be on a special day, in a special setting, perhaps even with special events.

But life doesn’t always have so many special moments. It was just an ordinary workday, a regular break, a casual joke. And then, the time bomb he had always feared was triggered. He thought it would be earth-shattering, but it was just a tick of the stopwatch, not even affecting Tang Xiaoyu’s enjoyment of the red bean soup.

Another miscalculation was his feelings for Lu Yiyao—they were much deeper than he had realized.

Ran Lin slowly squatted down, hugging his knees, breathing deeply as if lacking oxygen, or like a silent scream. He didn’t know why he did this, only that it felt comfortable. Each deep breath seemed to release some of the pent-up emotions in his heart, making him feel increasingly light.

The water hit his back, the force causing it to splash wildly upon impact.

The past four months felt like a dream. Because of the ambiguity and uncertainty, whether he was cautiously hiding his feelings or impulsively probing, everything was exceptionally sweet.

But now the dream was over. The other party had clearly indicated they didn’t like being part of your dreams, and they did so in a very gentle and tactful way, leaving enough dignity and steps to descend. Any further fantasies would be inappropriate. So, it was good.

……

After the shower, Ran Lin observed himself in the mirror for a long time, ensuring there was no risk of red or swollen eyes, then heaved a sigh of relief and flopped into bed.

Tomorrow was an important day—the day the fanciful, lovesick Ran Lin would go offline and the serious, professional actor Ran Lin would energetically take the stage!

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