Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

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Extra

“Stop!” A roar erupted under the scorching sun.

As Ran Lin was about to leave, he halted, slowly turning around.

He faced a young man in his early twenties, traces of youthful naivety still lingering in his eyes, but his presence was intense and powerful. Especially now, standing in the fierce and dazzling sunlight of high summer, he seemed almost to radiate a wild, hormonal charisma that made men envy and women swoon.

As their eyes met, the man suddenly charged forward and threw a punch without warning!

Caught off guard, Ran Lin didn’t even have time to dodge.

The fist touched his chin, then… lightly brushed past.

Ran Lin stood there, the intended reactions of dodging, wincing in pain, and gasping all stuck due to the feather-light punch, leaving him emotionally complex.

“Cut—”

As expected, Director He Guan was exasperated.

“Yan Cheng, what’s the matter with you? Is that supposed to be a punch or a caress?”

He Guan was genuinely furious, and the entire crew could tell, but no one could blame the director.

Everyone knew that Ran Lin was hard to hire these past two years. It wasn’t just a matter of his rising rates but also his increasing inclination towards privacy. Outside of his film shoots, he seemed to vanish from the entertainment world altogether, rarely appearing on variety shows or in gossip news, with his Weibo updates becoming rarer, even helping friends with promotions only occasionally, much to the delight of his fans and followers.

From a relatively unknown actor struggling in the industry to one who could focus on acting according to his own terms, Ran Lin’s journey had been challenging but steadfast.

At first, many doubted his decision to reduce public appearances. After all, the entertainment industry moves fast, and fans’ affections shift rapidly from one star to another. Without regular public appearances, the only thing waiting is oblivion.

Yet every time Ran Lin was about to fade from public view, he’d return with a powerful performance that recaptured everyone’s attention.

Some said it was luck that he signed with a company that knew how to plan and manage his career for the long term. Others claimed it was his natural talent; as long as he showed up on screen, people would fall for him again.

Ran Lin never responded to these speculations. He just focused on his acting and his life.

Such a character, making a cameo in a film out of sheer goodwill, you’d know he’s doing it as a favor to the director. It’s said he didn’t even charge a fee, simply out of gratitude for the support he received for <Dyeing Fire> back in the day.

With someone so modest and cooperative, filming in the scorching heat, and yet after seven takes, the scene still wasn’t right. It was no wonder the director’s face couldn’t hold the frustration, and the entire crew was too scared to breathe.

“How many times have I told you? If you’re going to punch, really punch, but pull back the force at the last moment, don’t start retracting before you even finish!” The director called Yan Cheng over and repeated what he had already said seven times with increasing frustration.

This was Ran Lin’s last scene for the cameo, which was supposed to wrap up by noon. Now it was three in the afternoon, with no break in between, not even for lunch.

Yan Cheng’s vest was drenched in sweat, clinging to his body, showcasing his well-defined abs. But at that moment, his handsome face was all about frustration. “Director, I understand what you mean, but this operation is too difficult…”

Either really hit or pretend well; this kind of punch that looks real but is actually fake seemed like science fiction to Yan Cheng.

He Guan rubbed his temples, feeling near death by his lead actor’s hands. The guy had an appealing energy, no doubt, which is why he stood out among the many young actors who auditioned. But his lack of experience was also real. He was natural in other scenes, but anything slightly technical or emotional, and he’d completely lose his bearings.

If it were any other actor from the crew, He Guan would have persisted, whether it took ten or twenty takes. But Ran Lin was here as a favor, without charging a penny, purely out of friendship. How could he ask such a favor of him?

“Director.”

Caught up in his frustration, Ran Lin approached. He was wearing a shirt, seemingly demure, but if you looked closely, his back was also soaked, yet his face showed no signs of distress, maintaining a cool demeanor.

That coolness wasn’t his own but belonged to the character he was playing. Ever since the first shot, he had maintained that state and never stepped out of it.

He Guan quickly gestured to an assistant to bring a stool.

Ran Lin waved it off, indicating it wasn’t necessary, then said, “Director, let’s go for real.”

He Guan took off his sun hat, wiping the sweat from his forehead, worried. He’d considered real punches, but with Yan Cheng, a truly committed punch could knock someone over.

As if reading his mind, Ran Lin’s voice rose slightly. “It’s the last shot. Let me enjoy it.”

He Guan pretended to glare at him. “So you mean to say filming here all morning were all just dry runs?”

Ran Lin sighed deeply. “My character is too aloof; there’s not much room to play.”

He Guan gritted his teeth. “So getting hit for real gives you space to perform?”

Ran Lin chuckled.

That laugh brought out a hint of mischief in his eyes, overlapping for a moment with the young Ran Lin from years past.

He Guan saw it and felt a pang of nostalgia. Staying in this circle until today and still retaining a bit of childlike innocence is actually quite hard.

“Yan Cheng.” He suddenly called his lead actor.

The latter was obediently listening to the director and the guest star’s conversation, as meek as a puppy. At the call, he responded promptly, “Yes, director?”

He Guan pondered for a moment, then said firmly, “Go for real.”

Yan Cheng’s eyes widened. “For real?”

Ran Lin’s smile faded, reverting to his cool, challenging demeanor. “For real, as hard as you like.”

Yan Cheng looked at him intently, unsure if it was the intense sunlight causing an illusion, but in Ran Lin’s eyes, he saw light, a beautiful kind of radiance.

“Stop!” A resounding roar echoed under the blistering sun, the eighth time more intense and desperate than the previous seven attempts.

Ran Lin stopped and slowly turned around; his eyes narrowed with disdain, as if he were looking at a dog unworthy of speaking to him.

The air tensed for a moment, as if a battle was about to commence.

Yan Cheng, feeling the scorn, boiled with rage and blood, moving even before his brain gave the command.

He charged at Ran Lin like a missile, exerting all his strength into a fierce punch!

Ran Lin took the hit solidly; his head jerked to the side, and his body stumbled involuntarily.

Yan Cheng glared at him, eyes almost bursting, chest heaving dramatically.

It took a while for Ran Lin to slowly lift his head. Half of his face was now red, and the corner of his mouth split, revealing a hint of red. Under the sunlight, it was glaring yet alluring.

Yan Cheng had a moment of distraction.

With the final shot nailed, the entire crew exhaled in relief, and the long-awaited food from the catering team could finally be served. Ran Lin, foregoing the meal, courteously excused himself to Director He Guan.

“I’ve got some other things to attend to. I’m really sorry,” Ran Lin said sincerely, genuinely occupied and not merely making excuses.

He Guan, already feeling guilty for the delay, quickly responded, “Go on then. Today’s delay is on me. I’ll make it up to you with a lavish feast another day.”

He Guan was known for his straightforwardness and not pulling rank due to seniority, much like his wife’s cousin, Gu Jie, who was direct and informal. Over the years, Ran Lin’s relationship with He Guan had evolved more into a friendship.

As Ran Lin was about to get into his car, Yan Cheng suddenly came out, looking a bit sheepish as he scratched his nose. “Ran Ge, can I add you on WeChat?”

Ran Lin was surprised as they weren’t exactly close; today was their first meeting, and half the time was spent on unsuccessful takes.

“I won’t bother you. It’s just… I think you’re an amazing actor and would love the opportunity to learn from you in the future,” Yan Cheng quickly explained, somewhat anxious and cautious.

Ran Lin, finding the formal courtesy a bit too much for the young man, smiled.

Yan Cheng, though new to the industry, naturally exuded an untamed charisma, gaining him fans. There were also whispers of influential family connections. Ran Lin couldn’t judge the background, but Yan Cheng’s personality was evident—not arrogantly defiant; just youthful, probably never having faced much hardship due to good family conditions, hence more impulsive.

But Ran Lin had a favorable impression of him.

Simple, dedicated to acting, and eager to improve on all points highlighted by Director He Guan.

Ran Lin took out his phone and displayed his QR code.

Yan Cheng was momentarily stunned, then excitedly took out his phone. “Thanks, Ran Ge!”

His WeChat name was simply Yan Cheng. His profile picture featured him, an off-road vehicle, and a vast desert.

As Ran Lin put away his phone and turned to get into his car, Yan Cheng gently tapped on the window.

Ran Lin lowered it. “Yes?”

Yan Cheng hesitated, looked at his face for a while, and then said, “I’m sorry for hitting too hard.”

Ran Lin realized that Yan Cheng’s pursuit was primarily due to concern over the punch.

Gently touching the corner of his mouth and feeling a satisfying sting, he knew that only with such authenticity could his cameo in this film be meaningful.

With a subdued smile, he earnestly looked at Yan Cheng. “In all of today’s scenes, that punch of yours was the most impressive.”

Yan Cheng: [Ran Ge, how do you control your strength?]

Ran Lin was attempting culinary feats in front of the gas stove when the WeChat notification sounded.

Nearly a month had passed since his cameo on set, and the bruise from that punch had long faded. Yet, he’d unexpectedly gained a “little brother” who would come to him for advice every now and then, not just for small talk but real issues he had faced himself early in his acting career. Unable to ignore, he felt compelled to respond whenever possible.

Ran Lin considered himself someone who naturally worries.

However, the thought of Lu Yiyao, busy overseas for the past two months and due back home today—actually already landed and almost home—made his typing almost joyful.

A few years ago, he had also purchased a villa in the same complex, so both of them lived in the same villa area, far from the prying eyes of the paparazzi, appearing to others as just a good relationship between a boss and an employee. Little did they know that the employee’s villa was always empty, while the boss’s side was filled with private joys.

Thinking of some moments he shouldn’t, Ran Lin’s heart suddenly raced, his hand shook, and he accidentally sent an incomplete message to Yan Cheng. He quickly added “And also,” and then continued typing.

As he shared generously, Yan Cheng engaged thoughtfully. The conversation was so absorbing that Ran Lin forgot about the dish he was cooking until the pungent smell of burning brought him back to his senses.

Frustrated and unable to focus on Yan Cheng any longer, he immediately attempted to salvage what he could.

But it was a failure.

Ran Lin could only attempt damage control—eliminate the evidence.

Just as he was halfway through cleaning up, Lu Yiyao returned home. As he entered, not finding Ran Lin immediately, he was first struck by the smell of something burnt. “Is something on fire?”

Ran Lin sheepishly emerged from the kitchen. “Cooking failure.”

Lu Yiyao laughed, changed his shoes, and headed straight for the kitchen to see the extent of the “failure”.

Ran Lin obediently made way for his inspection.

As Lu Yiyao passed him, he pulled Ran Lin into his arms and kissed him.

Caught off guard, Ran Lin froze in his embrace.

Lu Yiyao, not willing to let go, pinned him against the kitchen counter and deepened the kiss. He passionately sought Ran Lin’s response, prying open his lips, dominating, and biting as if to consume him completely.

Ran Lin wanted to respond, but Lu Yiyao had taken complete control, trapping him in a net of desire, leaving him no choice but to yield and accept.

Finally, the kiss ended.

Lu Yiyao pulled Ran Lin closer, pressing him against his body. Ran Lin acutely felt something changing on the other’s body, and his face blushed instantly.

“I’m hungry.” Lu Yiyao murmured against his forehead, his voice low and husky with a hint of allure.

Ran Lin swallowed hard. “I know, maybe we should eat out…”

Lu Yiyao tilted his head slightly, nipping at Ran Lin’s earlobe. “I want to eat you.”

In the next moment, Ran Lin was suddenly lifted into the air!

Startled, he reflexively clung to Lu Yiyao’s neck, like someone in the waves grabbing onto driftwood.

Lu Yiyao, pleased with the cooperation, intended to carry his “dinner” inside. But as he barely stepped forward, Ran Lin’s phone on the kitchen counter pinged with a WeChat notification.

Both looked down.

Three seconds later, a faint cloud began to gather in Lu Yiyao’s eyes.

Ran Lin rubbed his forehead, tempted to block Yan Cheng.

Yan Cheng probably hadn’t received a reply and thought Ran Lin found him annoying. So, he sent a cutesy sticker, an animated one with hearts and a message saying, “I’ll always be your little fan.”

“How did the dish burn?” Lu Yiyao suddenly reverted to the cooking fiasco.

“……” Ran Lin felt he could be Sherlock… Lu. He lowered his eyes, nuzzling Lu Yiyao’s chin meekly.

Lu Yiyao enjoyed the touch but remained clear-headed. “How did it burn?”

Unable to evade further, Ran Lin murmured barely audibly. “Chatting on WeChat…”

Lu Yiyao nodded. “Good.”

“Don’t… Be gentle… I was just discussing some acting techniques with him…”

“Uh-huh, keep talking…”

“Can you be any more childish… Ah…”

“Let it out. I like hearing your voice.”

“……”

“How does it feel?”

“Nn…”

In the bedroom upstairs, the thick curtains shielded all possibilities of prying eyes.

On the bed, Lu Yiyao pinned Ran Lin beneath him, like a predator unwilling to release its prey for even a moment.

But even in his fierce invasion, there was tenderness.

Of course, he didn’t really suspect that there was anything between Ran Lin and the other person. He just missed him too much, with countless emotions accumulating in his chest, at his heart, throughout his body, burning him without knowing what to do. Despite being together for many years, these feelings haven’t faded but have grown stronger. Thus, he hoped the other would feel the same, although he knew it was too domineering to want Ran Lin to think of him every moment, he couldn’t help himself.

The pleasure made Ran Lin involuntarily bite Lu Yiyao’s shoulder.

At that moment, Lu Yiyao climaxed.

Holding Ran Lin, he breathed heavily, filled with a warm peace.

But Ran Lin was still twisting in torment.

Looking at Lu Yiyao with moist eyes, wordless, just gazing with slightly parted lips, panting gently.

Lu Yiyao, as if bewitched, kissed him again, his hand also reaching down.

After a while, Ran Lin arched his back, and at the moment of blankness in his mind, he called out, “Lu Yiyao—”

“I’m here.” Lu Yiyao murmured tenderly in his ear. “Love you.”

……

“Who exactly are you flirting with? You’re not eating or even looking at your script anymore.” Ding Kai came out from the study to see Yan Cheng still maintaining his pose of embracing the phone on the couch, completely exasperated.

Yan Cheng had always been the epitome of a mischievous child since he was little. Ding Kai always made sure to stay away from him at family gatherings, yet often couldn’t avoid being targeted by various pranks. And now, just when it seemed Yan Cheng had grown up, Ding Kai was informed he wanted to enter the entertainment circle.

The Ding family is a closely knit clan, always ready to support each other. When Yan Cheng wanted to join the entertainment world, Ding Kai, nominally his cousin but more like an elder, had to go to great lengths to support him.

Until now, as Yan Cheng started to emerge in the industry, Ding Kai still felt a sting in his ribs whenever he saw his cousin.

“Always talking about women. Why are you so vulgar!” Yan Cheng never really saw Ding Kai as an elder. To him, a brother is a brother, meant to be treated as such.

Ding Kai felt pained—he, a gay man, always associated with women? Could this misrepresentation get any worse?

While Ding Kai was brooding, Yan Cheng suddenly adopted a mysterious and somewhat proud expression. “It’s someone you know, but you’ll never guess who.”

Ding Kai frowned, not interested in playing such childish games.

“Whoever it is, just keep it appropriate.” Ding Kai ended the conversation, planning to pick up something and continue back to the study.

But Yan Cheng, who couldn’t keep secrets, blurted out, “Ran Lin.”

Ding Kai’s hand, about to open a drawer, paused, and he turned back to ask, “Who did you say?”

“Ran Lin,” Yan Cheng insisted. “How many Ran Lins are there in the entertainment circle!”

Ding Kai sat down next to the couch casually, asking as if making conversation, “You know him?”

Yan Cheng sprang up, eager to have an audience, and recounted the entire episode of Ran Lin’s cameo, how he was asked to punch for real, and all the details without missing any.

“You have no idea; his acting is really good. No matter how many takes he NGs, it doesn’t affect his emotions. I just need to look at him, and I’m immediately in character!”

Ever since this cousin entered the entertainment industry, he almost cursed all his colleagues he worked with—of course, these rants were private, saying things like how one person is notorious for hooking up on set, another appears gracious to fans but turns two-faced in private. Essentially, all the ugliness and darkness of the industry were subjects of his criticism—this was the first time Ding Kai saw him having such high praise for someone.

Even when he entered He Guan’s crew, he said Director He was really impressive, but it was just normal admiration and respect, far from the excitement he showed today.

“You… have a crush on him?” Ding Kai couldn’t see any other possibility.

Yan Cheng thought about it seriously and admitted, “I think… I sort of like him.”

Ding Kai nearly spat out blood.

Seeing Ding Kai’s reaction, Yan Cheng immediately knew he’d been misunderstood and hurriedly explained, “Not that kind of like. The kind… you know what I mean?”

“No matter what kind of liking it is, he’s already taken. Just content yourself with being a little fan,” Ding Kai said, managing his complex emotions while trying to cut off Yan Cheng’s infatuation.

If Lu Yiyao knew someone was eyeing Ran Lin, with his current strength, he could pave a path for them—a path of no return.

Yan Cheng’s liking was more akin to idol worship, but suddenly hearing his idol was taken, he felt a momentary loss, quickly replaced by curiosity. “How come there’s no whisper of such big news? A secret relationship? Or did they secretly get married?!”

“Uh… let’s say it’s a secret marriage.” Ding Kai wasn’t planning to reveal too much to this simple-minded cousin to avoid unnecessary complications, so he ended the conversation. “Don’t ask too much. It’s okay to admire him as an idol and occasionally chat on WeChat, but don’t do it too frequently.”

Yan Cheng was clearly not too willing but listened to Ding Kai’s advice, pondering it over, and soon seemed to come to terms with it. “Okay.”

Ding Kai: “…You sure adjust quickly.”

“Whoever is with him must be incredibly outstanding, right?” Yan Cheng looked earnestly at Ding Kai, as if hoping for confirmation. “The kind that shines just by standing there.”

Ding Kai: “…Not really.”

Throughout the afternoon, Yan Cheng didn’t see any more pleasant expressions from his cousin.

Although Ding Kai usually had a difficult personality, it was rare for him to be so stern. Usually, he adopted a more affable approach, so why he suddenly became sullen and stayed that way all afternoon remained a mystery to Yan Cheng.

In a certain villa district, within the bedroom.

“Have to leave again tomorrow?” Ran Lin asked while lying on his side, having just stabilized his breath not long ago.

“The other party changed the schedule last minute. It’s not time to be confrontational yet, so I have to comply.” Lu Yiyao was somewhat helpless.

Ran Lin knew it was important work, but having waited so long to have him back, only to leave again the next day, naturally made him reluctant.

“Haa,” he sighed deeply.

Lu Yiyao chuckled, echoing him, “Haa—”

Ran Lin glared at him. “Here you are, earning the lead actor’s pay in my place, and your schedule is as short as a cameo appearance, yet you’re still sighing?”

Lu Yiyao’s eyes and brows softened with laughter. “So? It looks like you’re planning to replace the lead actor?”

Ran Lin provocatively raised an eyebrow. “It’s not out of consideration…”

Lu Yiyao nodded. “Alright, let me know when you’ve decided. I want to see who dares to take on the role.”

Ran Lin glared at him, pondering a retort, when suddenly Lu Yiyao pressed over again.

Caught off guard, Ran Lin found his body reignited before he could react.

“Again?”

“If my cameo is so brief, how can I stand out?”

“What?”

“I must steal the show.”

“Lu Yiyao, you—”

There’s a long life ahead, so let’s take it slow.

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<<< || Table of Contents ||

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

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Chapter 101

On July 6^th, <Youths of Wuling> premiered, and by July 16th, it had broken a rating of 3 on XX Satellite TV.

The core marketing team urged Lu Yiyao to quickly hold a celebration, but he insisted on waiting. Finally, on July 21^st, when another broadcasting station also reached a rating of 3, Lu Yiyao agreed—it was time for a celebration!

In an era filled with a plethora of TV dramas and various viewing channels, breaking 2 is considered a hit, and breaking 3 is basically a blockbuster, especially when two stations simultaneously hit that mark! Meanwhile, the online view count also led by a significant margin. Both websites and TV stations were making a killing.

What’s more impressive is that alongside its high ratings, <Youth of Wuling> also received critical acclaim, with scores reaching as high as 9 on viewing websites before settling down to 8.5. For a modern drama, this is an exceptionally high rating. Numerous critics analyzed the show’s phenomenal performance from various angles, generally attributing it to—

High-quality production, movie-level visuals giving the drama an exceptional feel; a solid script that breaks away from the typical summer fantasy and idol romance dramas, charting a unique path of urban youth growth, a rare gem of realistic themes in recent years; well-chosen actors, with Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu’s performances bringing depth and authenticity to their characters, embodying youthful recklessness and clear moral conviction. Lastly, the successful marketing and hype leading up to and during the airing also contributed significantly to its rapid word-of-mouth spread and explosive popularity.

While viewers simply enjoy whether the drama is good or not, insiders were surprised by Lu Yiyao’s bold and professional debut. The industry isn’t short of wealthy, courageous, or professionally savvy individuals, but having all three qualities is rare.

Hence, even before the drama was halfway aired, countless investors reached out to Lu Yiyao, hoping to be part of his next project, even though that next project was still up in the air for Lu Yiyao.

Meanwhile, as Lu Yiyao leisurely pondered whether to continue solo funding or to bring in some capital for his next project, the main actors involved in the drama saw their stock rise exponentially, with offers for scripts, events, and variety shows pouring in.

The day Ran Lin’s Weibo followers exceeded 30 million, he signed his first endorsement with an internationally renowned brand for two years, nearing an eight-figure endorsement fee.

Good things come in pairs. Just three days after signing the endorsement deal, the long-awaited celebration for <Youth of Wuling> took place.

……

“One, two, three—”

At the host’s command, all the key creators on stage simultaneously smashed an ice sculpture shaped as the Arabic numeral “3”, retrieving a scroll from within it that slowly unrolled—congratulating <Youths of Wuling> on achieving new heights in viewership.

Celebrations are all about good omens and straightforward well wishes, and the stage event concluded at its peak, with invited guests moving to the adjacent reception area. If sitting in the audience was a show of support, now began the networking and socializing.

The celebratory atmosphere continued at the reception. Despite the comfortable and casual lighting and ambiance, the place was abuzz with festive joy, perhaps due to the large number of invitees. The scene was lively, with clinking glasses and lively conversations.

As soon as Lu Yiyao entered, he spotted Huo Yuntao and Peng Jingyu. The former, having taken over the family business, seldom had time for the entertainment industry and came purely on the friendship ticket from Lu Yiyao, saying it was his “first pot of gold after changing careers,” and as a close friend, he must support him in person. Peng Jingyu was formally invited by Lu Yiyao, but curiously, instead of mingling with many industry seniors, he was chatting animatedly with Huo Yuntao.

“Lao Lu—” Huo Yuntao noticed Lu Yiyao and immediately waved his glass in greeting.

Internally rolling his eyes, Lu Yiyao quickly made his way over, not wanting others to catch on to his “nickname” and spread it around—he wasn’t even thirty yet, but such names made him feel prematurely middle-aged.

“Mr. Peng.” Lu Yiyao approached and greeted Peng Jingyu first, ignoring the friend who’d teased him.

Peng Jingyu nodded. “Congratulations.”

Despite his words, his eyes clearly showed reluctance. Lu Yiyao and he had more than a professional relationship, and with Huo Yuntao as a mutual friend, they were almost half friends. Lu Yiyao, seeking support, turned to his teasing friend, “Did I offend someone?”

Huo Yuntao draped an arm around Peng Jingyu but sighed at Lu Yiyao. “You’ve made a big offense. When Ran Lin’s contract was about to expire, Mr. Peng also wanted to sign him, but you beat him to it.”

Unaware of this subplot, Lu Yiyao was surprised. Presumably Peng Jingyu had contacted Wang Xi, who had already known Ran Lin was joining his company and diplomatically rejected him.

Annoyed at Huo Yuntao, Peng Jingyu’s face showed embarrassment. He retorted, “I watched your drama. It’s only because you chose Ran Lin that it didn’t flop.”

Lu Yiyao: “……”

Peng Jingyu frowned. “Are you laughing at me…”

Huo Yuntao rubbed his forehead, then patted Peng Jingyu. “He’s already signed Ran Lin. Naturally, the benefits should stay within.”

Lu Yiyao openly laughed this time. “See, I have a good eye, right?”

A sudden memory made Peng Jingyu gasp. “Wait, don’t tell me you were planning to set up your own firm and poach from Dream Without Limits at that Republic-themed party?”

Lu Yiyao thought about it. If declaring feelings counts as poaching…

“Suppose so.” Lu Yiyao quite liked this foresighted version of himself.

Peng Jingyu observed the significant expression on the other’s face and felt an involuntary chill pass down his spine. During the Republic-themed party, he had only felt that this person occasionally said something or made a gesture resembling his elder brothers. Now, it seemed like a full-fledged resemblance… He had a psychological shadow when it came to such people!

“Uh, don’t worry about entertaining us. You go ahead with your work.” Peng Jingyu gave Lu Yiyao the first smile since they met.

Huo Yuntao depressed that his vision of the two “appreciating each other,” didn’t pan out, also said to his friend, “Yeah, go on.”

Lu Yiyao didn’t linger, as he was effectively the host of the reception and needed to flit about like a butterfly, not staying in one spot too long and neglecting other guests.

In one corner of the reception, Ran Lin, having just finished talking to a senior executive of a certain satellite TV, turned around to meet Shi Jiuting and immediately greeted. “President Shi.”

It seemed Shi Jiuting had been waiting for him for a while. As soon as they met, the other party’s assistant magically appeared, handing over a bag. Shi Jiuting accepted the bag and handed it to Ran Lin.

“For me?” Although it felt somewhat off, Ran Lin couldn’t think of any other reason.

“If you like it, keep it.” Shi Jiuting cleared his throat, showing a rare hint of embarrassment. “But I’d be even more grateful if you could return it to me after signing it.”

Opening the bag, Ran Lin found what seemed to be a piece of clothing. Pulling it halfway out, he recognized it as the hoodie he wore in <Youths of Wuling>, now a trendy item.

Instantly, Ran Lin understood: Shi Jiuting, this doting father, was once again star-chasing for his princess.

Shi Jiuting was clear-headed. The last time he requested a signature for <Chronicles of Winter>, he was a financier, so his approach was polite but more natural. This time, without a direct professional link, his request was tinged with humility and courtesy.

Actually, there was no need; even if he wasn’t involved in <Youths of Wuling>, his status and position were such that Ran Lin should be eager to maintain a good relationship. But with Shi Jiuting, things were straightforward, each issue on its own merits.

That was Shi Jiuting’s personality, which was also what made him endearing. However, Wang Xi had said if Shi Jiuting really got serious, he could make an opponent weep with nowhere to cry. So, Ran Lin was glad that President Shi’s daughter was a fan and not a hater.

“Don’t worry, President Shi. I’ll sign it and have it sent to you as soon as possible.” If it were on set, Ran Lin would sign it right away, but at a reception with so many people, especially peers, spreading out a hoodie to sign would be too showy and awkward for Shi Jiuting.

Shi Jiuting seemed to think the same and promptly said, “Thank you.”

Ran Lin thought for a moment and asked, “Do you want me to get it signed by other actors in the drama too, for more sentimental value?”

Without hesitation, Shi Jiuting shook his head, sighing at last, “She only likes you.”

Ran Lin felt a tinge of envy, jealousy, and sadness in that sigh.

“What are you looking at?” A familiar, albeit not particularly likable, voice came from behind. Lu Yiyao turned to find Ding Kai.

Ding Kai, accustomed to Lu Yiyao’s “lack of affection,” indeed had his eye on Ran Lin and wasn’t surprised by the lack of warmth.

Following Lu Yiyao’s recent gaze, Ding Kai saw Ran Lin talking to Shi Jiuting. Ding Kai had wanted to find Ran Lin since the reception started but hadn’t succeeded until now, and ironically, it was through his official partner’s gaze. It was a bit bitter, but since he spotted him, he took the chance to look a bit longer.

Lu Yiyao frowned and stepped in front of Ding Kai, occupying his entire view, then smiled. “President Ding, are you looking for me?”

Ding Kai remembered he only asked, “What are you looking at?” There wasn’t a “looking for you” part. But with Lu Yiyao’s imposing figure, his view was entirely blocked; even the light seemed dim.

Stepping back a bit, Ding Kai found the world bright again, his eyes lifting slightly. “I heard Ran Lin acted in this drama for no fee?”

<Youths of Wuling>, having sold its premiere rights to two satellite stations, had broken even. The sale to online video platforms was all pure profit, and with the drama’s hit status, future sales to provincial and local stations were all lucrative. Although Ran Lin had initially joked about no fee, Lu Yiyao indeed shared the profits with his partner, more than any fee.

But since Ding Kai understood it that way, Lu Yiyao was happy to flaunt their relationship, immediately frowning as if caught. “Where did you hear that?”

Ding Kai hadn’t expected it to be true. His emotions were complex; he drained his champagne in one go, expressing a multitude of feelings. “You’ve got it all.”

Lu Yiyao could hear the undertone and shrugged innocently. “Can’t help it. The entertainment industry is superficial like that. Good-looking people do have it easier.”

Ding Kai: “……”

No business exists without shrewdness.

Ding Kai found himself almost missing the honest and straightforward actor Lu Yiyao… Indeed, peers are the hardest to endure!

In a corner of the reception, two handsome guys who came specifically to support their brother were huddled on a sofa, inconspicuous as if they had invisibility charms on their foreheads—

Gu Jie: “Isn’t it a bit rude for us to hide like this?”

Xia Xinran: “Today’s stars are Teacher Lu and Ran Lin. What limelight are we here to steal?”

Gu Jie: “Shouldn’t we at least greet them?”

Xia Xinran: “There’s a second round later tonight. You’ll have plenty of time for deep conversations.”

Gu Jie: “……”

Xia Xinran: “What are you drinking?”

Gu Jie: “…Soda.”

Xia Xinran: “Good, I was counting on you to drive later.”

Gu Jie: “Why do I feel like I took a day off from the crew just to be your driver?”

Xia Xinran: “Trust me, going to Teacher Lu’s villa for the second round tonight, there will definitely be surprises.”

Gu Jie: “……”

Typically, when Xia Xinran said there would be surprises, Gu Jie instinctively prepared to be startled.

……

By eleven o’clock, as the gathering disbanded and sobriety returned, the night air was cool.

Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao sat in the back seat, Xia Xinran in the passenger seat, and Gu Jie holding the steering wheel steadily, with the GPS voice filling the car with directions like “Turn left at the next intersection” and “Speed camera ahead in 300 meters.”

“Teacher Lu, is it the villa complex bought by Yuan Yiqun you’re living in?” Xia Xinran finally recognized the destination after looking at the GPS for a while, a bit surprised.

“Yeah,” Lu Yiyao admitted generously. “I think the environment is quite nice.”

For celebrities, “nice environment” usually means “secured privacy”, which Xia Xinran understood. But if he remembered correctly, wasn’t it in that same complex where Lu Yiyao confessed to Ran Lin, or rather, where he first learned about Ran Lin’s relationship with him, at Yuan Yiqun’s villa where they had the Republic-themed party? Wasn’t there a bit of sentimental value involved?

Shaking his head, Xia Xinran stopped himself from continuing the thought. He almost choked on the imagined dog food from Lu Yiyao’s display of affection—it’s too unfair!

Ran Lin watched Xia Xinran’s conflicted face and smiled silently. <Youth of Wuling> had double ratings of three, and while others saw Lu Yiyao as calm and collected, he knew his lover was over the moon. That’s why, after a networking reception, there was an eager follow-up with a genuine celebration party among friends.

Not just Lu Yiyao, Ran Lin was ecstatic too. This was the first time they truly collaborated, and the feeling of moving forward side by side was wonderful.

“There’s a car following us,” Gu Jie suddenly said with a serious tone.

Ran Lin was startled, and Xia Xinran immediately peered at the rearview mirror. “Which one?”

Although it wasn’t early, at 11 p.m. there were still quite a few cars on the street. Gu Jie could distinguish which one was tailing and which one was coincidentally going the same way. “The black one.”

Xia Xinran frowned and, after observing for a while, asked, “A paparazzi driving a Porsche?”

Initially puzzled, Lu Yiyao understood everything once he heard it and laughed. “That’s my friend. He’s also part of the group.”

“I thought a party of four was a bit quiet.” Xia Xinran liked liveliness.

Gu Jie also relaxed, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Sorry about that.”

“No problem,” Lu Yiyao said genuinely. “You need to teach me sometime how to spot a tailing car.”

Gu Jie hesitated and then voiced his honest thoughts. “Driving is a progressive skill. Maybe you should start with remembering the roads?”

Lu Yiyao, often getting lost in the bustling streets of the capital, felt a thousand points of damage.

Ran Lin, realizing Lu Yiyao had also invited Huo Yuntao, glanced through the rear window, and indeed, the black Porsche gleamed under the streetlights with a subdued luxury.

However, the distance was a bit far, and he couldn’t see how many people were inside, so he directly asked his partner, “Is Panxi coming along?”

Lu Yiyao shook his head. “She went overseas for an orchestra exchange performance.”

Ran Lin understood. Ever since Lu Yiyao’s friend got married, whenever Ran Lin saw him, it was always with Lin Panxi. The couple were inseparable, especially today being Lu Yiyao’s celebration. If Lin Panxi hadn’t been abroad, Huo Yuntao would have undoubtedly brought her along.

The streets were clear at night, and even the traffic lights seemed more green than red, so they smoothly arrived at Lu Yiyao’s villa.

“Teacher Lu, is this a living room or a tropical rainforest…” Xia Xinran dodged left and right but still got slapped in the face by various plant leaves.

Finally finding a clear spot, the spread of drinks and food on the table looked more like a party.

“I’ve already questioned his taste, but our doubts are futile,” Huo Yuntao joined in, meaningfully. “Someone likes it.”

This was Xia Xinran’s first proper face-to-face interaction with Huo Yuntao, and he promptly extended his hand. “Xia Xinran.”

Huo Yuntao shook hands. “Huo Yuntao.”

Lu Yiyao was about to introduce them, but it seemed unnecessary now. He turned to find Gu Jie, who was looking around, utterly bemused.

Approaching his friend, Lu Yiyao patted Gu Jie’s shoulder. “How’s the house?”

“It’s good.” Gu Jie sincerely praised—it was spacious, open, and private. But for some reason, he felt this late-night “celebration party” carried an air of eeriness.

Both Lu Yiyao and Xia Xinran, including the not-yet-formally-met Huo Yuntao, seemed to have a meaningful glint in their eyes. Only Ran Lin seemed a bit more straightforward, but every time their gazes met, the other would smile at him in an especially joyous and sweet manner, sending chills down Gu Jie’s spine.

“Take a seat.” Not wanting to torture his friend further, Lu Yiyao ushered Gu Jie to sit comfortably on the sofa, then called out towards the dining area. “Lao Huo, Xia Xinran—”

The two who were conversing immediately ended their discussion and found suitable seats to join in. Finally, Ran Lin came over.

When he approached, there was a comfortable distance between Gu Jie, Xia Xinran, and Huo Yuntao on Lu Yiyao’s large sofa. Ran Lin could easily pick a spot at a comfortable distance from the three, but instead, he chose to sit right next to Lu Yiyao, their shoulders nearly touching.

Gu Jie noticed, swallowed hard, and instinctively leaned back, as if time had looped back to the day Mother Lu visited, always uncertain of what the next second might bring, especially now that the four seated people smiled at him in unison!

“Enough!” Gu Jie, unable to endure any longer, slapped the coffee table. “If you’ve got something to say, say it. If you keep hinting at me with your eyes, I’ll… I’ll go back to the set!”

Lu Yiyao: “…”

Xia Xinran: “…”

Huo Yuntao: “…”

The threat seemed oddly… pitiable.

No longer keeping everyone in suspense, Ran Lin took a deep breath, covered Lu Yiyao’s hand with his own, interlocking their fingers, and then raised their clasped hands for his friends to see.

Gu Jie was stunned.

Ran Lin quietly watched him, patiently waiting for him to process the news.

This was the most important part of tonight’s private party: officially informing Gu Jie of his and Lu Yiyao’s relationship. Otherwise, waiting for Gu Jie to realize it on his own might take forever.

While Gu Jie was frozen, his mind was racing, piecing everything together from Ran Lin’s single action of hand-holding.

The fact that Lu Yiyao is gay had long ceased to be a shock to Gu Jie, and after seeing Lu Yiyao’s mother off, he made numerous guesses and analyses. He had thought of Ran Lin, but due to his limited understanding of Lu Yiyao’s circle of friends, which mainly included Ran Lin and Xia Xinran, he thought his suspicion was too narrow and somewhat presumptive, so he didn’t dwell on it.

And yet, he had guessed, right? No, the real shock was that it had all been happening right under his nose, and he hadn’t noticed?!

Seeing his friend still in shock and not digesting the news, Ran Lin carefully chose his words to explain, “Lu Yiyao and I are together, like… in a romantic relationship.”

Finally snapping out of it, Gu Jie didn’t look at Ran Lin but turned to Xia Xinran first. “Did you know?”

Xia Xinran just shrugged.

Then Gu Jie turned to Huo Yuntao. “Did you know?”

Huo Yuntao just shrugged his shoulders.

Gu Jie was in despair at his own slowness.

Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao had prepared themselves for the possibility that their friend might not accept this revelation right away and even considered that Gu Jie might react negatively. But now…

“Uh.” Ran Lin finally spoke up. “It seems like we’re the ones coming out. You don’t have to be this troubled…”

Finally, Gu Jie looked up, gazing at his two friends holding hands, then slapped his thigh. “How could I be so dense!”

Xia Xinran nodded vigorously next to him, fully agreeing with the assessment.

Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao exchanged glances, wondering what exactly they had grasped from all this. Really, what kind of friend circle did they have?!

Eventually, Gu Jie stopped berating himself, sat up straight, and said solemnly, “Thank you both for trusting me enough to tell me this.”

Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao had hoped for a smooth revelation but hadn’t dared to hope too much in case of an unexpected reaction. Now that everything had gone well, a warm current flowed through them. With understanding from family and support from friends, their lives were truly blessed.

Ran Lin’s emotions surged, just about to speak when Xia Xinran preempted, “Are we done?”

Ran Lin followed his gaze to see he was asking Lu Yiyao, who didn’t speak but nodded his head.

In the next moment, as if on cue, Xia Xinran and Huo Yuntao suddenly rose and, grabbing Gu Jie, headed upstairs. Gu Jie, utterly confused, shouted, “Hey? Hey, hey—” as he was dragged away.

Ran Lin watched, completely baffled. By the time he gathered his wits, only he and Lu Yiyao remained in the living room. He turned to his partner. “What’s happening?”

Lu Yiyao replied, “Maybe they’re going upstairs to share their feelings about hearing a friend’s coming-out story.”

Ran Lin rolled his eyes, about to comment on the absurdity, but then Lu Yiyao suddenly pulled him up.

“Let’s go to the yard,” Lu Yiyao said.

Not understanding but curious, Ran Lin followed his lover to the backyard.

The moon was bright, and stars filled the sky.

As Ran Lin entered the backyard, he noticed Lu Yiyao had replaced the original night lights installed by the developer with new ones that cast a softer, more tranquil light. There was a strangely familiar feeling to it.

Lu Yiyao led him forward, walking along the pool’s edge. As they neared the end of the pool, Ran Lin noticed something odd.

Lu Yiyao’s villa was larger than Yuan Yiqun’s, but the layout was similar, including the backyard pool. However, maintaining it was too troublesome, so it had been empty and not filled with water. In winter, the pool was covered with a protective film to prevent the pool walls and system from freezing. But in summer, it wasn’t necessary, and Lu Yiyao had mentioned filling it with water for the summer, so the winter cover had been removed as it warmed up.

But now, the protective film was back on. Due to the dim light of the night lamp, it was hard to notice unless one looked closely. However, precisely because the light was dim, when it shone on the protective film, it reflected a serene light.

Aside from the weather not being cold, every detail was eerily similar to the winter night when Lu Yiyao confessed his feelings.

Finally, Lu Yiyao stopped. It was the same secluded corner, the same faint night light; even Lu Yiyao’s face contours in the dim light seemed identical.

Ran Lin’s heart pounded.

Still holding hands, he wondered if Lu Yiyao could feel his racing heart.

“What are you thinking about?” Lu Yiyao asked softly.

Ran Lin looked up at him, feeling sweet inside but teasingly replied, “I’m wondering if you did all this from memory, or did you visit Yuan Yiqun’s place again for reference.”

“I’m not close to Yuan Yiqun.” Lu Yiyao chuckled. “I asked Xia Xinran for photos. But the photos and that night are different, so it’s mostly from memory.”

A breeze passed between them.

Last time, it was the cold wind of a winter night.

This time, it was the warm breeze of a summer night.

“Then you should be wearing a Republic-era military uniform,” Ran Lin said, the memory clear as if it were yesterday, causing his eyes to curve into a smile.

“…” Lu Yiyao looked slightly frustrated, obviously regretting not fully recreating the scene.

Seeing this, Ran Lin quickly reassured, “The main point is you’re handsome; the clothes don’t matter.”

Satisfied, Lu Yiyao’s eyes gleamed with contentment. In the quiet of the night, Ran Lin looked up at the beautiful moon.

Suddenly, the hand he was holding gave a gentle squeeze. Ran Lin looked back at his partner, puzzled, “Hm?”

“Do you remember what I said the night I confessed to you?” Lu Yiyao asked.

Ran Lin remembered clearly, even the voice and expression Lu Yiyao had when he said it—

“You said, ‘I like you. I want to be with you.'”

As soon as the words left his mouth, his hand was released. Surprised, Ran Lin saw Lu Yiyao raise his hands, showing the palms and backs as if to prove nothing was in them.

Ran Lin blinked, watching Lu Yiyao’s empty hands, puzzled, only to see Lu Yiyao’s hands suddenly flash, pinching a ring between his thumb and index finger.

The ring was simple yet elegant, shining beautifully under the night light.

A rush of warmth filled Ran Lin’s eyes.

“The same words, I want to say them again today, but I need to add a word…”

Lu Yiyao knelt on one knee, holding up the ring, gazing steadily at his partner, took a deep breath, and spoke each word deliberately—

“I like you. I want to be with you forever.”

Ran Lin’s heart raced wildly, but he forgot to breathe. He seemed to have forgotten everything in the world along with himself…

“Cough, we understand you’re excited, but if you don’t say something soon, Lao Lu is going to feel pretty awkward.” A chuckling tease came from Huo Yuntao nearby.

Surprised, Ran Lin looked over to see Xia Xinran, Huo Yuntao, and Gu Jie pushing forward a beautiful multi-tiered cake. The cake, adorned in light blue and white, exuded a fresh and elegant warmth, and on top were two handsome men in suits, one kneeling before the other.

Gu Jie wasn’t informed about the coming-out.

Ran Lin was unaware of the proposal.

But now, even if Ran Lin was slow, it was clear—Xia Xinran and Huo Yuntao were the only ones in the know all along. They had dragged Gu Jie, who had just learned the truth, upstairs under the pretense of sharing feelings, but it was actually to relay the next step of the plan.

Ran Lin turned back to look at Lu Yiyao, who was still kneeling, unmoved.

Without warning, Ran Lin took the ring, slipped it onto his finger, then pulled Lu Yiyao up and kissed him directly. Caught off guard, Lu Yiyao hesitated only for a moment before gripping his partner’s head and deepening the kiss.

Huo Yuntao looked up at the sky. Xia Xinran looked down at the ground. Gu Jie… watched intently. After all, love should involve plenty of kissing, and as a friend, his gaze was filled with joy and blessing.

Finally, the kiss ended.

The two faced each other again. Ran Lin, with a mischievous smile, raised his hand, revealing he was also holding a ring.

Lu Yiyao was stunned. His first reaction was to check his own trouser pocket, and indeed, the ring he had prepared for himself was missing. He’d planned another magic trick to bring it out, but with just one kiss, it had been snatched away…

As he was pondering this, his hand was suddenly pulled, and the next second, the ring slipped onto his own finger.

Their hands joined together, the matching rings gleaming in the moonlight.

The friends group erupted in hearty applause. Though only three people, they clapped with the gusto of thirty.

As the clapping subsided, the two continued their sweet nothings. The friends group had to remind them—

“Shouldn’t you come over and cut the proposal cake lovingly sponsored by the groom’s sister-in-law?”

……

As dawn broke, Xia Xinran and Huo Yuntao slept soundly in their respective rooms, while Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao saw off Gu Jie, who had to return to the set.

After bidding their friend farewell, the couple returned to the living room, opened the curtains, and cuddled on the sofa, quietly waiting for the sunrise amidst the ticking of the clock. Despite a sleepless night, they didn’t feel tired at all.

“Don’t tease Huo Yuntao anymore.” Ran Lin started, recalling something with a laugh. “Your magic is even colder than his.”

“I don’t mind the magic being cold.” Lu Yiyao, holding Ran Lin close, boasted contentedly. “As long as it charms the person I want.”

Ran Lin pretended to sigh dramatically. “I’m just too easy to pursue.”

Lu Yiyao nibbled on Ran Lin’s ear. “It’s you who pursued me.”

The nibbling was comfortable but Ran Lin couldn’t tolerate the reversal of truth. “You confessed to me first.”

Lu Yiyao stood firm. “Does confessing first mean the person is the pursuer?”

Ran Lin didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”

“Then that settles it.” Lu Yiyao grinned. “You pursued me, no question about it.”

Ran Lin wriggled out of his embrace and turned to face him squarely, ready for a serious discussion. But Lu Yiyao suddenly put his finger to his lips, signaling for silence.

Ran Lin frowned but, having just enjoyed the proposal cake, allowed some “patience of love.”

Lu Yiyao picked up his phone from the coffee table and started flipping through his photo album quickly.

Ran Lin waited.

Ran Lin kept waiting.

Ran Lin was waiting even as the first rays of sunlight streamed through the window.

“Hey—” Patience of love has its limits.

Finally, Lu Yiyao lifted the screenshot he’d found on his phone, trying to suppress a smile, whispered, “Kid, you wrote this, right?”

Ran Lin, seeing his own handwriting on the screenshot, was dumbfounded. After a long moment, he surrendered. “You win—”

It was a special autograph he’d given to Liu Wanwan when she wasn’t yet his assistant, back at the Dream Without Limits company, which she later posted on Weibo, causing quite a stir.

The evidence was undeniable; he was the first to confess, and there was no turning the case around. But Liu Wanwan had long deleted that Weibo post…

“When did you even take this screenshot?” Ran Lin exclaimed.

Lu Yiyao simply replied, “That’s a secret.”

Morning light filled the living room.

The couple on the sofa playfully argued, with the phone’s screen still lit. The full-screen screenshot showed Ran Lin’s signature from years ago, and above the flamboyant autograph were four words requested by a fan—

I love Lu Yiyao.

[End]

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The author has something to say:

I really updated daily until the end, tears streaming TAT. Thank you to all the cool friends who accompanied me on this journey, your support was my greatest motivation. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing. This is the end of the story. Everything I wanted to say is in the text. Teacher Lu and Xiao Ran Lin will continue to be happy, and I wish all the friends who have read this far a happy and joyful life. Love you forever, muah (づ￣ 3￣)づ

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Kinky Thoughts:

This marks the end of the novel. This is probably one of the best showbiz novels I have read and easily my favorite of that genre. It’s well written, and the pacing was great. Little bits of humor made it quite a joy to read.

The portrayal of feelings and actions was quite realistic. I especially love the conversation both MCs had with their parents for their coming out. That hit quite close to home. I also love that there’s no public announcement. Let’s face it, in today’s (China’s) entertainment world, coming out is a death sentence for their career.

While it might be sentimental to the readers to have a public display, I think realistically this fits better. And in a way, they did come out to all the people that actually mattered to them on their own terms.

Ahhh… I can go on and on about this novel. I haven’t read anything like this (outside of Nian Zhong) in a while and this definitely rekindled my spark. Such an amazing novel. If you like this novel, you can check out Midnight Owl, another work by the same author, that I’m working on. It is an unlimited flow novel though, but still very good.

If you enjoyed this novel, please consider supporting the author by buying the raws. You can use Google Chrome with their auto translate and this guide on how to buy novels on jjwxc. Remember, only with your (financial) support can artists continue to produce more great works.

You can also buy the physical version here.

There’s also a Manhua version: English version. Chinese version.

I would also like to thank everyone for your comments, encouragement, help with my translations, and ko-fi donations. It in part fuels my motivation to release so frequently.

With that, I do have a little bonus. Next is an extra that’s exclusive only to the traditional Chinese publication.

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

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Chapter 100

On January 20^th, the filming for <Youth of Wuling> wrapped up.

On the day of the wrap, a thin layer of snow fell in Xi’an, quickly melting as it touched the ground. Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu squatted on the snowy street, munching on Roujiamo stuffed with vegetables. Tang Xiaoyu’s had green pepper and shredded potato, while Ran Lin’s had the secret recipe with dried flowers. They ate joyfully together, their breaths forming white mists in the cold air. A sense of liveliness and vigor emanated from them amidst what would typically be a dreary scene.

This was an early scene in the script, but since it takes place in winter, it was scheduled to be the last to shoot.

“Cut! That’s a wrap!” The director’s voice rang out like a melody. Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu jumped up in excitement, and the entire crew cheered and rejoiced.

After nearly four months of hard work, the project was finally complete.

At the wrap party, Tang Xiaoyu insisted on drinking with Ran Lin, a fitting celebration for the close brothers they portrayed from <Sword of Fallen Flowers> to <Youth of Wuling>. Ran Lin, who genuinely considered Tang Xiaoyu a good friend, happily agreed.

An hour later, Tang Xiaoyu realized challenging Ran Lin to a drinking contest was the biggest mistake of his life. Thankfully, Ran Lin, considerate of their friendship, didn’t push him too hard and eventually helped the unsteady Tang Xiaoyu back to the hotel, assisting his assistant in settling him in.

The next day, Tang Xiaoyu returned to Beijing, while Ran Lin flew straight home—just in time for Chinese New Year’s Eve, which he hadn’t properly celebrated at home for years. This time, planning a surprise, he didn’t inform his parents of his arrival.

Reaching his family’s bun shop around noon, the place was lively with a few tables of customers. Wearing a cap and mask, Ran Lin chose a corner table to sit.

The young waiter promptly handed him the menu, which listed various buns, sides, and drinks.

Ran Lin looked at the menu, and the waiter looked at Ran Lin, curiously wondering when this customer would remove his mask. After all, everyone comes to the shop to eat buns, and it’s unusual for someone to keep their mouth covered after sitting down.

Yet, this customer actually placed an order while still wearing the mask.

The young waiter, though full of thoughts, maintained a welcoming smile and quickly turned to place the order.

Ran Lin’s gaze followed the waiter, not really on him but looking towards the kitchen.

However, from the front, he couldn’t see into the kitchen at all; he could only see the waiter flashing by with the order, disappearing down the corridor leading to the kitchen.

Familiar tables and chairs, familiar scent of steamed buns.

As a child, Ran Lin often darted into the shop because it was surrounded by lively activities and lots of things to play with. He would usually pick an empty table to do his homework, then, after finishing, throw his backpack into the cashier area and run out to play.

Everyone in the street knew him, and his parents weren’t worried about his safety, so they let him be.

It can be said that this shop and this street carried all of Ran Lin’s childhood.

They say childhood experiences affect one’s entire life, but there wasn’t anything significant in Ran Lin’s childhood. So, the only lasting impact was his consistent breakfast of buns and soy milk.

Taking a deep breath, the familiar aroma seemed to have a calming effect, relaxing him inside and out.

It felt like coming home, shutting the door, and being at peace regardless of the storms outside.

Suddenly, he felt a stir of emotion.

Ran Lin took out his phone and took a picture of the shop’s interior, sending it to Lu Yiyao without any text, just the photo.

As the waiter brought the steaming hot buns, as if timed perfectly, Lu Yiyao’s reply came—[Is this your family’s shop?]

Ran Lin was surprised that Lu Yiyao could guess it was his family’s shop from a photo that didn’t show any buns, or anything explicitly related to a bun shop. They must have a special connection!

Ignoring the fact that he should have informed his partner he was safely on his way home from the airport, Ran Lin, caught up in the sweet moment, laughed, and took a second photo—this time with the buns.

Just as he was about to send the enticing photo of the hot, plump buns, his phone was suddenly snatched away.

Ran Lin looked up instinctively and saw his mother standing beside him, looking down with a frown, “What’s so interesting about our buns that you need to take pictures?”

Ran Lin, surprised, looked down at his new black long down jacket, touched his hat and mask, and wondered if there was any problem. Finally, he took off his mask and looked up, asking, “I’m covered up like this, and you still recognize me?”

Lu Qing rolled her eyes. “I gave birth to you and raised you. I could recognize a hair of yours on the barber’s floor.”

Ran Lin: “…Mom, one should be humble.”

Lu Qing pinched her son’s face and then, unable to contain her joy, turned and shouted towards the kitchen, “Lao Ran, our son is back—”

Lu Qing’s voice was melodious and clear. It was pleasant when she spoke softly but had strong penetrating power when she shouted.

Ran Lin wanted to tell his mother not to shout since there were other customers in the shop and it might affect the business, but as all four tables of customers looked over, he understood why his mother was so at ease.

“Auntie He, Uncle Wang, Auntie Zhang…” Among the four tables, three were old neighbors. Ran Lin quickly nodded and greeted each of them.

When he looked at the last table, which turned out to be new customers, two young men, he thought to just give them a smile, but to his surprise, they both exclaimed in astonishment—

“Ran Lin?!”

Ran Lin thought they recognized him as an artist, but one of them stood up and came over, expressing genuine fondness and admiration for him. They discussed his various roles from <Sword of Fallen Flowers> to <Chronicles of Winter>, then <Dyeing Fire>, and even talked about <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms>!

Ran Lin knew he had sister fans, but he didn’t expect to have brother fans as well. As the door remained open to welcome guests, the news of his presence quickly spread, and soon the shop was bustling with customers. Before Ran Lin could even see off his brother fans, more and more patrons entered, filling the shop with an energetic atmosphere.

Ran Yimin finally came out from the kitchen, hands cleaned of flour, to find his son surrounded by a crowd so thick he couldn’t even see his head. Although he couldn’t see his son, the extent of his popularity was evident, bringing a foolish grin to Ran Yimin’s face, glad that he hadn’t gone out for a drink with his friends.

With the surge in popularity came an increase in orders; after all, occupying a spot in the shop without ordering anything wouldn’t be proper.

Lu Qing quickly pushed the still gleeful Ran Yimin back into the kitchen and followed to help with the work.

Ran Lin, fully dedicated to his family’s business, eventually removed his hat and mask and sat behind the cash register like a mascot. With Ran Lin there, the shop’s popularity didn’t wane all day.

Even if the shop was full from morning to evening, they wouldn’t make a significant profit since it was a small business. However, Lu Qing and Ran Yimin were thrilled that their son was so well-liked, and Ran Lin was happy to make his parents proud.

All parents and children around the world are alike.

Parents always hope their efforts will lead to their children’s success, and children always wish to make their parents proud.

It wasn’t until the shop closed for the day that Lu Qing finally had a moment to ask, “Why didn’t you let us know you were coming? Why sneak back?”

“…What kind of words are those?” Ran Lin questioned his mother’s choice of words, suspecting she had been watching too many dramatic TV shows.

“Your mother is so happy she’s lost for words,” Ran Yimin interjected, floating past the mother-son duo with a comment.

Lu Qing, too busy to deal with her husband, focused on understanding her son’s situation. “How long are you staying this time?”

Ran Lin grinned at his mother. “Until the 15^th day of the first lunar month.”

Lu Qing was momentarily stunned, not expecting her son to stay for the entire Chinese New Year celebration. Her heart burst with joy, but the more excited she got, the less she knew what to say, eventually patting her son on the shoulder. “The company you signed with this time is quite considerate. I like it!”

Ran Lin smiled and decided to tell Lu Yiyao later that evening that, though he hadn’t made an appearance yet, he had already made a good impression.

But after his joy, he felt a bit nervous. This visit wasn’t just about celebrating the New Year; it was also about coming out to his parents. Ever since realizing he was gay, Ran Lin had been preparing for this moment, but now that it was here, he felt anxious.

By New Year’s Eve, Lu Qing had started bustling around in the kitchen early in the morning, while Ran Yimin, after finishing pasting up the couplets, wandered around the house restlessly, trying to help with this and that, a typical case of being too idle but wanting to contribute.

Since Ran Yimin wasn’t much help to Lu Qing, Ran Lin, even less so, was promptly shooed out of the kitchen. He wasn’t skilled with plants either, so he ended up sitting on the sofa with his phone, playing the part of a child waiting to be fed.

However, this “child” was brewing a significant matter. From the morning, he couldn’t calm down, his palms occasionally sweating.

[Were you nervous at the time?]—He reached out to his experienced partner for some moral support.

After a long wait, the reply from his partner was just two words—[It’s okay.]

Ran Lin squinted his eyes and typed back irritably—[What does ‘it’s okay’ even mean!]

After a bit of silence, the reply came—[Just like you are now.]

Ran Lin was frustrated; that clearly meant extremely nervous!

As if hearing his complaint, the phone vibrated again—[If I admit I was nervous, it would undermine my image as a business tycoon. 😊]

Ran Lin—[That image of yours with no public recognition can fall apart for all I care…]

Lu Yiyao—[I just want to pull you close and give you a big kiss regardless of what you say.jpg]

Ran Lin—[Why are you busy making memes on New Year’s Eve instead of working?]

Lu Yiyao—[Are you sure you want to talk about it today? It’s a big day after all.]

Realizing the conversation was getting back on track, Ran Lin paused, then replied.

Ran Lin—[The atmosphere is good during the New Year, and we have a saying here. You can’t hit children during the New Year. 😊]

Lu Yiyao—[Scheming boy.jpg]

Ran Lin saw this meme for the first time, featuring a figure with a cunning smile, looking utterly cheeky.

…What was his partner thinking when he made this meme!

Before Ran Lin could comment, his phone vibrated three times in quick succession—

Lu Yiyao—[Don’t worry, I’m with you.jpg]

Lu Yiyao—[As you say, parents are always at their children’s mercy.jpg]

Lu Yiyao—[Go for it, Xiao Ran Lin.jpg]

Memes are indeed weapons of mass destruction. At any rate, Ran Lin’s heart turned as soft as peach juice, and his nervousness sweetened by the sentiment.

Ran Lin—[Lu Yiyao.]

Lu Yiyao—[…Why so serious all of a sudden? 💦]

Ran Lin—[I love you.]

The phone was quiet for a long time, so long that Ran Lin wondered if his partner had just put down the phone and missed the message, until it finally vibrated again—

Lu Yiyao—[Yeah, I know.]

Ran Lin gritted his teeth at the response, deciding they needed to discuss “how to properly respond to a partner’s declaration of love” when he got back.

At 8 p.m., the Spring Festival Gala began, and the Ran family’s New Year’s Eve dinner officially started.

Ran Yimin, who only got to drink once a year without being scolded, happily took out the Maotai wine his son had gifted him and poured himself a glass.

After pouring his own, he attempted to pour for Ran Lin, but Lu Qing intervened. “If you want to drink, just drink, but don’t always lead your son down the path of alcoholism.”

Ran Yimin frowned, disagreeing with his wife’s comment. “I may be a drinker, but my son is not. He has a talent for drinking, but it’s always you holding him back. His talent is being buried!”

Lu Qing rolled her eyes. “What talent? It’s just genetics. If you had listened to me and quit drinking when we were trying for a child, Ran Lin wouldn’t be like this now.”

“……” Ran Lin really wanted to ask what his current situation was. Although he wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol, he quite liked his hidden talent of never getting drunk.

“Son, you see?” Ran Yimin, unable to win against his wife, turned to his son for support. Although he might seem quiet over the phone, whenever the family of three gathered, he became quite chatty—a performer who thrived on the spot. “Your mother always bullies me like this at home. It’s not easy for me to have endured until now.”

“It’s me who has it tough.” Lu Qing raised her voice by an octave, drawing her son’s attention back to her. “Marrying your father was the greatest hardship of my life…”

The Spring Festival Gala on TV dazzled with song and dance.

But the Ran family enjoyed their own harmony and joy off-screen.

This was the New Year’s Eve night Ran Lin missed the most: lively, festive, filled with the warmth of family. Even his parents’ bickering sounded cheerful to him.

Rarely sticking to the tradition of staying up late, the family was unusually spirited and managed to stay awake until the clock struck twelve. At that moment, Ran Lin stood up from the sofa and loudly wished, “Dad, Mom, Happy New Year.”

Lu Qing and Ran Yimin’s smiles were filled with happiness, every wrinkle a testament to their joy.

As it was just family, there was no custom of exchanging red envelopes, so after the New Year’s greetings, the celebration was considered complete.

Lu Qing yawned, ready to get up for some rest, but she noticed her son, who had just finished his New Year’s greeting, still standing in front of them, motionless.

Lu Qing looked up, the smile slowly fading from her face, replaced by a slight confusion. “Hm?”

Ran Yimin, less sensitive than his wife, looked at her first, thinking she might have some instructions.

It was only when Ran Lin spoke that Ran Yimin realized it wasn’t his wife who had something to say, but his son—

“Dad, Mom, I have something to tell you.”

Seeing the serious expression on his son’s face, Lu Qing knew it was something significant and immediately muted the TV with the remote.

The living room fell into sudden silence.

“Speak,” Lu Qing said succinctly.

While the gala continued on the TV, the contrast only made the atmosphere in the room more solemn.

Ran Yimin looked at his son, then at his wife, confused about the situation.

Thump.

Ran Lin knelt down without warning. “Dad, Mom, I’m sorry.”

Lu Qing was stunned, speechless for a moment.

Ran Yimin was shocked, his voice trembling with concern. “Son, what are you doing? Did you do something wrong? Don’t scare your parents…”

“No!” Ran Lin quickly denied.

Before even coming out, he was nearly labeled a criminal by his own father.

“Then just spit it out already!” Lu Qing’s lifetime hatred was for unfinished sentences, and only her son was an exception. If it were Ran Yimin, she simply couldn’t tolerate it.

“I’m gay.” Ran Lin had rehearsed countless versions of coming out—subtle, roundabout, indirect, and full of hints. But now, facing his parents’ genuinely concerned eyes, all his tactics failed him, leaving only two dry words.

But isn’t that the core of it, just those two words?

It was hard to say, but once said, it was out there.

“I like men. I have since I was little. I’ve been hiding it from you. I’m sorry… Mom, you always hoped I’d settle down soon. I’ve found the person I want to be with. We’ve known each other for four years and been together for three. I know it’s hard for you to accept right away, but I promise, I haven’t gone bad. I’m still me.”

After pouring his heart out, Ran Lin looked at his parents with immense trepidation and a sliver of hope.

If Lu Qing and Ran Yimin were initially confused by the term “gay”, by now, even the slowest would understand.

But understanding didn’t make it any easier to speak.

Silence spread like wild grass, erasing the festive mood that filled the room just moments ago.

Ran Lin, watching his parents’ continued silence, felt his tiny hope extinguish, giving way to a prickling bitterness.

“Dad, Mom.” Ran Lin’s voice cracked, barely suppressing a sob. “Please, say something…”

Ran Yimin put his arm around his wife’s shoulder, patting gently, then finally spoke to his son with an unexpectedly calm voice. “What do you want us to say? You’re not asking for our opinion. You’re just informing us.”

“This isn’t something that can be discussed.” Ran Lin shook his head gently, pained by the hurt he caused his parents, yet feeling unjustly aggrieved. “It’s innate. I can’t change it… I used to write with my left hand, and you could make me change that because I have two hands. But I only have one heart. I just like men. I can’t switch this heart for another…”

“Enough.” Ran Yimin frowned, clearly uninterested in poetic explanations. “Just tell me, is this really something that can’t be changed?”

“Really,” Ran Lin replied without hesitation.

Ran Yimin’s chest heaved, obviously suppressing strong emotions, yet his arm still held Lu Qing’s shoulder, fearing any relaxation might lead to her breaking down.

“Why can’t you just let us have a peaceful New Year…” Lu Qing finally spoke, her voice slightly shaky, but she didn’t cry.

Ran Lin didn’t know what else to say, so he just kept repeating. “I’m sorry…”

“We don’t need your apology.” Lu Qing’s voice tightened. “We’re afraid you won’t be true to yourself. Two men can’t marry, have no children, no legal protections, no ties. If you break up, it’s over. You’re young now and unafraid, but what about when you’re old, old? When you’re alone, what will you do?”

Ran Lin expected to face fundamental rejections like “two men together isn’t normal,” but instead, every word from his mother was for his consideration.

Tears couldn’t be held back anymore.

Ran Lin wiped his face, but tears kept coming. He tried to breathe deeply, but it was of no use.

Seeing her son cry, Lu Qing’s own long-held tears fell. “Why are you crying? If anyone should cry, it’s your dad and me…”

Her words might have sounded harsh, but said through tears, they lost all their force.

Ran Yimin watched his wife and son crying together, his heart a mess. He couldn’t hold back his own tears, but fortunately, neither his wife nor his son noticed. He blinked hard and managed to push the tears back.

“Say something!” Lu Qing, on the verge of breaking down, snapped at Ran Yimin, who seemed as silent as a gourd.

Ran Yimin felt wrongly accused but understood that his wife needed someone to vent on. With their son, a grown man, crying like that, of course, she couldn’t bear to scold him.

With a heavy sigh, Ran Yimin resignedly said to Lu Qing, “This can’t be changed. I can’t even quit drinking myself, and this is something intrinsic to him. How can he change it.”

“I’m not forcing him to change.” Lu Qing sniffled, taking several deep breaths to steady her voice, but it choked up again as she continued, “But how will he manage in the future? People expect to have a companion in their old age. Who will take care of him when he’s old?”

“Mom…” Ran Lin cried it all out and felt as if the heavy stone pressing on his chest had been shattered by tears. It hadn’t completely gone away, but at least the suffocating pressure was no longer there. “Even married people get divorced these days, it’s so easy now. Having a marriage certificate doesn’t guarantee anything. Besides, you have to trust my judgment. Lu and I… we’ve been together for three years now. He’s even told his parents, and they said they want to invite me to dinner…”

“His parents want to invite you for dinner?!” Lu Qing exclaimed, eyes wide.

“Yeah.” Ran Lin wiped his face again, finally stopping the flood of tears.

“My precious son, how can you be so naive!” Lu Qing shook off Ran Yimin’s arm, got up, and walked over to fiercely tap her son’s forehead. “That’s them wanting to meet you in person to talk seriously. Mark my words, they’re probably going to tell you to stop bothering their son.”

“……” Ran Lin looked up at his mother, deciding he definitely needed to monitor her drama-watching list in the future. What a bunch of convoluted plot twists!

“Get up. It’s the New Year. What are you kneeling for.” Lu Qing grabbed her son’s clothes, pulled him up, and tossed him onto the sofa. Then she leaned in close, staring into his eyes as if she were a lie detector. “You’ve really been together for three years?”

Ran Lin nodded firmly.

Lu Qing watched him silently, her eyes reddening again, but this time she didn’t cry. “Mom doesn’t understand all this, but I just want you to be happy.”

Ran Lin hugged his mother tightly. “I am happy, very happy.”

……

For half a month, Ran Lin followed his parents like a little helper, visiting relatives, meeting friends, acting as a mascot when the shop was open, and trailing home after closing. Occasionally, he even showed his mother the impressive figures in his mobile banking app.

Finally, on the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, after eating a glutinous rice ball, his mother, tired of his explanations, waved her hand impatiently. “Okay, I understand now. I’m not stopping you from pursuing your dreams and freedom. Can you just sit down and eat a glutinous rice ball quietly?”

Ran Lin chuckled, scooped up a black sesame one, and popped it into his mouth, only to burn his tongue.

At first worried, Lu Qing rolled her eyes when she saw he was okay. “Serves you right, talking non-stop all day.”

Ran Yimin chimed in, “Your son’s been talking for half a month, you’ve been nagging for a life…” The last “time” was cut off by his wife’s sharp glare, swallowed back down.

The bowl of glutinous rice balls didn’t take long to eat, but with everyone silent, just the sound of spoons clinking against the bowls, the minutes stretched out unusually long.

Although his mother didn’t want him to keep talking, Ran Lin was still uneasy and was about to say something more when he was preempted—

“After the fifteenth day of the first month, the New Year’s celebrations are considered over.” Lu Qing looked up at her son, her voice grave. “So from now on, let’s not bring up last year’s issues. You live your life well, and that will be the greatest filial piety to your father and me.”

Ran Lin felt a warmth in his heart and a sourness in his eyes. A myriad of emotions condensed into a single word. “Yeah.”

“And…” Lu Qing put down her spoon, deciding to give a final lecture. “Next time you have something to say, just say it. Don’t flop to the ground and kneel at every turn; we’re not in a TV drama…”

“Of course, ideally, there won’t be a ‘next time’.”

“Oh right, we made you switch from using your left hand to your right because we were afraid of you smudging your homework with pencil lead and ink. We thought if we didn’t push you to change, the school teachers would. It’s not like we were full and had nothing better to do than worry about which hand you used! That’s an old matter from years ago, and you’re still bringing it up. Why do you hold grudges…”

On New Year’s Eve, Ran Lin came out, and by the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, his mother was dredging up old grievances.

…But who’s really holding the grudges here!

……

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Ran Lin returned to Beijing, first going back to his rented apartment, and only when night fell did he drive to Lu Yiyao’s villa.

As he opened the door, the house was pitch dark; neither the main lights nor the night lights were on, and it was eerily quiet, as if no one had been there.

Ran Lin frowned. He and Lu Yiyao had agreed to spend the night here, and Lu Yiyao had said he’d come straight here after work.

Could he still be working overtime?

Puzzled, Ran Lin naturally moved to turn on the entrance light, but before his hand could touch the switch, he was suddenly pinned against the wall, and the next second, lips claimed his.

The familiar scent calmed Ran Lin down. He wrapped his arms around the other’s neck, deepening the kiss.

The chill of just entering was gradually dispelled by the fervent kiss, but as Lu Yiyao’s hand slipped under his shirt, Ran Lin shivered anew.

“Welcome home.” The kiss finally ended, and Lu Yiyao whispered with a smile.

As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Ran Lin stared unblinkingly at him, guessing, “Is there good news?”

Lu Yiyao lightly nipped his nose. “Doesn’t successfully coming out count?”

Ran Lin raised an eyebrow. “I told you on New Year’s Eve, aren’t you a bit too prolonged in your excitement?”

Lu Yiyao’s smile widened, leaning close to whisper in his lover’s ear. “<Youth of Wuling> has been sold.”

Ran Lin was surprised. “Already? The post-production isn’t even done yet.”

Lu Yiyao explained, “Two satellite TV stations we talked to the year before just confirmed the deal yesterday. It’s actually considered slow. Some dramas are sold right when they start filming, stations don’t even look at the content, just the cast.”

Ran Lin: “Are you implying I still need to work harder…”

“……” Lu Yiyao was speechless. Thinking too much can indeed be worrisome.

Ran Lin didn’t know much about TV series distribution, but seeing Lu Yiyao so happy, he knew it must be a good result. But when he asked about the selling price…

“So you’re still going to lose a few million?”

Lu Yiyao shook his head. “That’s just satellite TV. There’s still online platforms. It won’t be a loss.”

Ran Lin breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”

Lu Yiyao held Ran Lin tight, nuzzling his neck gently. “It’s already very good. I originally planned for the show to be a loss leader, but now we’re not just breaking even. We’ve made a profit. It’s an unexpected joy.”

Ran Lin shared his happiness. “You really are suited for business…”

Lu Yiyao lightly bit his neck. “Mainly because I chose the right lead actor…”

Ran Lin wanted to be modest, but the gentle biting on his neck made him weak and relaxed.

By the time he came to his senses, he was already being carried upstairs by Lu Yiyao.

Ran Lin hadn’t had dinner yet, so he indulged Lu Yiyao first. By the end, he didn’t have the energy to move a finger.

Lu Yiyao, however, was full of energy, turned on the light, and went down to make a late-night snack for his lover.

Ran Lin felt like a human-shaped power bank, exclusively for Lu Yiyao.

It was late at night, and Lu Yiyao didn’t make anything too complicated—just two bowls of noodles. He brought them into the bedroom, setting up a small, foldable table on the bed to eat with his lover.

While slurping noodles, Ran Lin detailed the entire coming-out process to Lu Yiyao.

After he finished, Ran Lin genuinely reflected. “That tactic of ‘fatigue bombardment and brainwashing popularization’ that Mengmeng used should be promoted.”

Lu Yiyao smiled. “You can tell her yourself.”

The dinner date had already been set for this weekend.

Ran Lin pursed his lips and, after a while, softly said, “I’m a bit nervous.”

Lu Yiyao knew that Ran Lin wasn’t nervous about Lu Yimeng and held his hand, saying, “Don’t worry, my parents are very…”

Lu Yiyao considered words like “kind,” “gentle,” “good-tempered,” each with its calming effect, and finally chose—

“Very reasonable people.”

“……” Ran Lin felt like he hadn’t received much comfort.

The day of the dinner quickly arrived.

Before meeting Lu Yiyao, Ran Lin had never imagined sitting down to eat with his boyfriend’s parents, but when the day actually came, he imagined countless scenarios of how it might unfold.

In pessimistic moments, he envisioned endings with arguments or even overturning the table. In optimistic moments, it was awkward silence or subtle verbal sparring.

But, like with his coming out, none of the imagined storms happened. It was just a very normal dinner, casual eating and chatting, as if friends were visiting.

Ran Lin didn’t know how much groundwork Lu Yiyao had laid behind the scenes, but as the beneficiary of these efforts, he felt as happy as he had told his parents.

Of course, the “casual chatting” wasn’t entirely without substance. In fact, Lu Yiyao’s parents, like his own, were worried and uneasy, though they masked it in seemingly casual conversation—

“What are your plans for the future?” Lu Guoming asked.

Ran Lin answered honestly. “I love acting, so I’ll probably continue to act until I can’t, or no one wants me anymore.”

“And in life.” Lu Guoming paused. “I mean, about the two of you.”

Ran Lin saw Lu Yiyao about to speak and pressed his hand under the table, knowing his parents were clear about their son’s thoughts and now wanted to hear what their son’s partner really thought.

“Our relationship can’t be made public for now,” Ran Lin said calmly. “Maybe in the future, if the environment allows, we might, or maybe not. But it won’t affect our life together.”

Lu Guoming asked, “Hiding it for a lifetime, won’t it be too hard?”

Ran Lin pondered for a moment. “It will be, but it’s worth it.”

Lu Guoming had no further questions, just looked steadily at him, as if he could see his son’s future in his face.

Fan Li hadn’t spoken much, but she listened intently when her ex-husband spoke. She wasn’t thrilled, but at least she felt more grounded. Ran Lin gave her a clearer picture and direction for her son’s partner’s “wild thoughts”. Ran Lin’s “honesty” and “stability” also steadied her wavering heart a bit.

Lu Yimeng, unable to hold back any longer, leaned in with the most gossipy question of the meal—

“Ran Ge, what do you like about my brother?”

Ran Lin, who was sipping soup, almost choked at the question.

Of course, he could list what he liked about Lu Yiyao, but it felt a bit awkward in front of his parents.

Seeing Ran Lin’s hesitation, Lu Yiyao felt a slight pang. “Is it that hard to answer?”

Ran Lin, feeling helpless, glanced at Lu Yimeng, then at Lu Yiyao, seeing both siblings full of anticipation. He took a deep breath and began listing his lover’s qualities for his future sister-in-law. “Your brother is upright, open, diligent, dedicated to his work, ambitious, and self-reflective, which is actually quite rare. He might not seem very warm to friends, but he holds them in his heart, says less but does more, and…” The more he praised, the smoother he got, even recalling their first meeting, that Lu Yiyao who managed a smile despite being furious, felt like just yesterday. Thinking of this, Ran Lin couldn’t help but smile. “He’s got a good temper.”

“Mm,” Fan Li, who had been quiet, suddenly agreed. “He got that from me.”

Lu Yiyao: “…”

Lu Yimeng: “…”

Lu Guoming: “…”

Feeling the sudden silence, Ran Lin decided it was safer to remain quiet and continued drinking his soup quietly.

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

---

Chapter 99

Lu Yimeng stared blankly at the phone screen that she had unlocked. Her desire to investigate had vanished, replaced only with a profound sadness.

She knew her brother had always hoped for their parents to thaw their icy relations. Even if they couldn’t completely reconcile, at least they could sit down and talk amicably. Indeed, this was her wish too, but it was only now that she realized underneath her hope lay casual acceptance, whereas beneath her brother’s hope lay deep hurt.

0602.

Lu Yimeng silently repeated this now vague date in her mind, gradually recalling that on the day before their parents divorced, she and her brother had just celebrated the happiest Children’s Day.

“Who do you want to be with?”

A strange question suddenly broke into her ears, pulling Lu Yimeng out of her memories. She looked towards the source and found it was her dad asking her brother.

Hadn’t her mom shared the information with her dad? As Lu Yimeng wondered, she heard her brother’s resigned voice. “Mom already asked me this, and I’ve told her, whoever the person is, it has nothing to do with my orientation.”

Lu Yimeng felt puzzled; something seemed amiss…

“I know you’re worried we might go after him. So here, I promise you, your mom, and I will absolutely not disturb him,” Lu Guoming said, pausing before continuing earnestly, “We just want to know who you’re with now. You liking men has already worried your mother and me to death, and now we don’t even know who you are with. You keep telling us to relax, to accept. How can we relax? What are we supposed to accept?”

“Would you accept it if I tell you who he is?” Lu Yiyao felt his dad’s words seemed reasonable yet elusive, unsure of the depths as he was still outmatched in wits by his father.

“It depends on the kind of person you choose.” Lu Guoming ignored his ex-wife’s frown and continued calmly, “If he’s completely unreliable, then your mom and I wouldn’t need to work so hard to convince ourselves to accept your choice. But if he’s as upright as you, at least your mom and I won’t worry about you running into trouble when we can’t see.”

Lu Yiyao had never expected such a logically tight conversation with his father. At this moment, Lu Guoming wasn’t the father who’d bang the table at the slightest disagreement but rather a calm and wise businessman.

Lu Yiyao gazed into his father’s eyes, unable to decipher his thoughts. Lu Guoming concluded, “We don’t oppose for the sake of opposing; we just want you to be healthy and safe.”

Lu Yiyao sensed an underlying implication in the phrase “oppose for the sake of opposing”, and glancing at his mother’s subtly rising discontent, he knew his intuition was right. His father was subtly negating his mother’s original stance and pulling her towards his “rational” camp.

But… Lu Yiyao frowned. Healthy and safe was a strange pairing.

“Don’t parents usually wish for their children’s health and happiness?” Not often able to discuss emotional topics, Lu Yiyao seized the opportunity to ask.

Lu Guoming glanced at him and scoffed. “You make your mother so upset, and you still expect happiness? Dream on.”

Lu Yiyao: “……”

Was his dad genuinely unable to accept his homosexuality, or was he here to support his mom?

“Alright, no need to be secretive. If I really want to find out, I can,” Lu Guoming said. “Also, by hiding it like this, you think you’re protecting him, but have you considered that this also makes us doubt him? Well think, since you can negotiate with your parents for him, why can’t he stand by you?”

Lu Yiyao was at a loss for words.

This argument was too powerful, logically impeccable, and devoid of right or wrong—just human nature. Even if he found it unreasonable for his parents to lower their impression of Ran Lin, he couldn’t deny the inevitable logic from their perspective.

“Ran Lin.” Lu Yiyao didn’t expect to capitulate so soon, revealing his lover’s name. Unlike his firm refusal when facing his mother, perhaps his father’s genuine approach gave him a sense of potential dialogue.

Lu Yiyao hoped this wasn’t just wishful thinking.

Lu Guoming nodded, turned to his ex-wife, and sighed. “I told you, just lay out the facts and reason, and our son is approachable.”

Lu Guoming’s tone seemed to express relief towards his son, but upon closer listening, there was an unnoticeable pride, as if saying to his ex-wife—see how useful I am.

“Ran… Lin?” Lu Yimeng, who had approached at some point, clutching her brother’s coat as if for security, was taken aback. “Isn’t it Gu Jie?!”

Lu Yiyao, bewildered, looked up at his sister. “What?”

Fan Li was about to remind them about Gu Jie, but then remembered Gu Jie’s advice—if Lu Yiyao knew she’d gone to him, he’d undoubtedly be hurt and angry. So, she swallowed her words.

Her son’s friend had nobly kept their secret, and Fan Li, unusually, conceded. As for the secret, it would forever rest in her heart, occasionally brought out to serve as a warning to not act impulsively and to understand respect.

In fact, she understood all the principles Lu Guoming had spoken.

Yet she couldn’t get over that one hurdle in her heart.

As Fan Li was distracted, Lu Yiyao had already grabbed his phone, showing photos of his lover to his dad and sister. Lu Yimeng didn’t need to see the photos to know who Ran Lin was, but the direct impact of the handsome, fresh-faced young man in her brother’s photo added to her perplexity.

Her brother’s serious expression didn’t seem like a joke, and he wasn’t one to use friends as shields, so Ran Lin must be the genuine sister-in-law.

So…

How had she mistaken the person? And why had she become increasingly convinced?

Lu Yimeng sat blankly on the sofa, lost in a daze, thinking that with her own intelligence, she might not be able to handle the huge business her mother runs…

Among the entire family, Lu Guoming was perhaps the only one whose heart wasn’t much disturbed. He didn’t have his ex-wife’s dark history or his daughter’s major blunder. He naturally took his son’s phone and examined it carefully.

But, in truth, he couldn’t make much sense of it. All he knew was that he was looking at a young man who was very clean and pleasant to the eye. For more information, he had to ask his son. “Is he an actor?”

Naturally, it was impossible for his father to know about the entertainment industry as well as his sister, so Lu Yiyao honestly replied, “Yes.”

Lu Guoming continued, “What about his family situation?”

Lu Yiyao responded, “A happy family of three.”

Lu Guoming: “……”

His ex-wife and daughter might not be so clear on Lu Yiyao’s resentment toward the lack of family completeness, but Lu Guoming understood it all too well—a large part of it being his own past stubbornness. So, seeing that he was about to enter a sensitive topic, he swiftly changed the subject. “What kind of person is he?”

This was the right question to ask Lu Yiyao, who needed no time to think. “Kind, tolerant, sincere, hardworking, considerate of others, not too concerned about gains and losses, ready to go through fire and water for friends. He is clearer about his goals than I am. He loves acting and has been striving on this path. It’s also because of him that I figured out what I really want to do.”

Lu Guoming watched his son’s face from beginning to end, not missing any detail. Yet, he found his son to be very serious and sincere, without a hint of exaggeration. But what he heard seemed like something else, as if his son was turning the man into an angel.

He couldn’t conclude what Ran Lin was like, but it was evident that his son was in a state of “confirmation”. In such a case, no matter how much they persist, it would not change his son’s mind.

No, perhaps as early as when his son chose drama and acting, he had already accepted this reality. So, about his son liking men, consciously or unconsciously, he had been convincing himself to accept it.

Fan Li had already snapped out of her blunder, and seeing her ex-husband’s current state, it was obvious he was ready to resign himself to the situation, which was incredibly frustrating. She had brought him to be a united front, but now, it seemed more like he was muddying the waters.

“Bring him over one day to meet us.” Lu Guoming handed the phone back to his son, somewhat helplessly yet with a hint of emotion. “Some things can’t be resolved by just talking about them, because that’s like building castles in the air. If you want to solve it, you need to face it head-on, clash, and grind it out in reality.”

Fan Li’s eyes widened. This wasn’t muddying the waters; this was outright switching sides! Lu Yiyao was surprised too, but fearing a late response might lead his father to rethink, he quickly agreed. “Okay! He’s currently on set. Once he’s finished, I’ll arrange it!”

Today must be an auspicious day, Lu Yiyao thought, good for reunion, communication, and harmonious conclusions. Fan Li had lost her will to argue. After all the efforts of dropping her pride to summon her ex-husband, it turned out to be in vain. She left the room tiredly and went back to her room. The sound of the door slamming reverberated from the second floor to the living room, carrying a sharp edge.

As Lu Yiyao gradually calmed down from the initial joy of seeing his parents together, he looked at the firmly closed door on the second floor, feeling quite uncomfortable.

“Your life is your decision but allow us some time to accept it.” Lu Guoming regained his authority without his ex-wife, finally reverting to his usual state.

But Lu Yiyao was already immune to this, smiling bitterly. “I thought it would be mom who would agree first. I didn’t expect…”

“You should have known,” Lu Guoming replied. “Especially when it comes to ‘the son being disobedient’, I have more experience.”

Lu Yimeng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Mom’s influence is indeed powerful, making dad know how to joke and tease now.

“Have you really thought this through?” Lu Guoming looked intently at his son. “This path is not easy, especially since you both are in the entertainment industry. You might face many challenges in the future.”

Lu Yimeng pondered for a moment, then met his father’s gaze firmly. “I have thought it through.”

Lu Guoming leaned back on the sofa, his mouth twitching slightly, seemingly resigned. “Then there’s nothing more I can say.”

Passing the hurdle with his father was much smoother than Lu Yimeng had expected. So much so, that when his father finally gave his tacit consent, he felt an unreal sensation. “I thought you’d insist on grandchildren or that I at least have a son even if I don’t get married…”

“How can I expect your son to accept my business when even you don’t?” Lu Guoming replied with slight irritation.

“……” For the first time, Lu Yiyao seriously reflected on the indelible trauma he had caused his father.

Rubbing his temples, Lu Guoming stood up, somewhat reluctantly. “I should go back now.”

Lu Yiyao and Lu Yimeng, of course, didn’t want their father to leave, but they also understood that their parents’ issues wouldn’t be resolved immediately, especially with Lu Yiyao’s situation. They didn’t stop him.

As he reached the door, Lu Guoming turned back with a concerned look and said to Lu Yimeng, “Go check on your mom later. Try not to let her stay alone and brood.”

“Don’t worry,” Lu Yimeng replied understandingly.

“And you,” Lu Guoming directed at his son. “Better not go up for now. You’re considered hazardous material at the moment.”

“Got it.” Lu Yimeng never thought his father could be so detailed, adapting his approach based on the person.

After seeing off their father, Lu Yiyao took a deep breath and went back to the living room, sitting down on the sofa, finally feeling a wave of exhaustion. He had thought the encounter with his father would be light, but only now did he realize he had been on edge the whole time. Even seeing his parents together had been uplifting, but the weight of coming out never really lifted from his heart.

“Brother…” His sister’s voice suddenly broke his reverie.

“Hm?” Lu Yiyao turned, seeing Lu Yimeng fiddling with his phone, scrolling through pictures, those of a certain individual…

“Ran Lin is really handsome,” his sister commented sincerely.

Happy to hear compliments about his partner, Lu Yiyao was pleased but also remembered the earlier confusion. “Can you now explain the mix-up…”

Lu Yimeng never felt so embarrassed in her life, and worse, she had led her mother astray. But on second thought, she wasn’t entirely wrong. After all, she had guessed someone close to her brother…

Five minutes later, after hearing his sister’s “deduction”, Lu Yiyao didn’t know how to react. After a while, he just said, “Next time you have doubts, don’t deduce on your own. Just ask the person involved directly.”

The famous detective Lu Yimeng nodded fervently.

……

Later, when Lu Yiyao returned home to rest and the villa’s lights dimmed, Lu Yimeng pushed open her mother’s bedroom door. As expected, the light was still on.

Fan Li sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard, looking down at something.

“Mom…” Lu Yimeng softly called as she approached, only to discover her mother was looking through a photo album.

Lu Yimeng was familiar with this album because she had scanned and archived all the photos in it the year before last, boasting to her mother that even if the photos were damaged, they wouldn’t need to worry anymore because of the backups.

“Are you wondering how such a handsome boy ended up growing up so differently?” Lu Yimeng joked as she sat down beside her mother to look at the album together.

On the page they turned to, a young Lu Yiyao was seen swinging his short, chubby arms as he learned to walk, his silly laughter almost audible through the photo.

When her mother didn’t respond, Lu Yimeng casually flipped to the next page, revealing almost exclusively photos of the siblings; one just learning to walk, the other not yet walking, both frolicking together, some pictures indiscernible as to whether they were playing or fighting.

The entire album was filled with hers and Lu Yiyao’s childhood.

A tear dropped onto the album. Lu Yimeng was startled and quickly raised her hand to wipe it for her mother. Fan Li turned her face away, sniffing slightly with a barely noticeable sob, and asked gruffly, “What are you doing here?”

“Don’t be mad at me. I’m not the one who came out.” Lu Yimeng protested innocently.

Fan Li glanced at her sideways. “Don’t think I don’t know; you and your brother are always in cahoots.”

Lu Yimeng raised her hands, as if surrendering, and swore, “I’m absolutely neutral this time.”

After scrutinizing her daughter for a few seconds, Fan Li finally relaxed slightly, her voice softening. “Don’t worry, your mother is not that fragile.”

“Typical CEO Fan.” Lu Yimeng chuckled. “I didn’t even have to say anything, and you knew I came to comfort you.”

Fan Li sighed deeply, embracing her daughter’s shoulder, finally feeling some support and less isolated. Men are unreliable, especially her ex-husband; daughters are more considerate…

Lu Yimeng continued, “Mom, actually homosexuality is quite normal, just like some people are naturally left-handed. Let me show you some information…”

“Goodnight!” Fan Li cut her off.

“Mom, don’t lie down… Fine, I’ll sleep with you tonight!”

“……”

“Mom, just look at this picture first. This is Ran Lin. You barely looked at him downstairs. Isn’t he handsome…”

“Lu Yimeng—”

“Mom, you might not get to hold your own grandchild, but you can still hold a grandchild from outside the family. After all, even if Brother has children, they won’t carry your surname. There’s no difference between grandkids outside the family, right…”

……

Ran Lin only found out about Lu Yiyao’s coming out to his family in December. By then, the broadleaf trees on the streets of Xi’an had shed all their leaves, leaving only bare branches, a stark visage of early winter.

There was no dramatic process, just a message from his lover—[I’ve told my family about us. After you wrap up filming, my parents would like to invite you to dinner.]

Ran Lin received this message on his way back to the hotel after work, completely stunned.

It wasn’t until he returned to the hotel that he eagerly connected to a video call with Lu Yiyao—

“Just like that?” Ran Lin asked incredulously, feeling like his lover had omitted some important details.

“It was definitely not easy to accept at first, but with more explanation, more communication, oh, and Mengmeng bombarding my mom with all sorts of educational materials.” Lu Yiyao smiled slightly, seemingly recalling his mother’s helpless expression in the face of the “forced education”. “Anyway, it went relatively smoothly.”

Lu Yiyao’s words seemed casual but Ran Lin could hear the underlying difficulties. After a few seconds of silence, he said somewhat sadly, “Because parents are always powerless against their children.”

Lu Yiyao knew Ran Lin was thinking of his own parents, understanding the guilt of causing one’s parents’ distress. With that thought, he said, “When you’re ready to come out, remember to include me.”

“No.” Ran Lin looked at him a bit resentfully. “You didn’t include me when you came out, so I won’t include you.”

“Is this… retaliation?” Lu Yiyao grinned.

Ran Lin looked at him innocently, accepting the accusation.

Both understood each other’s reasons. Ran Lin knew why Lu Yiyao hadn’t included him—it was to spare him from facing his own parents’ reprimands. Lu Yiyao also understood why Ran Lin refused; they were both driven by the same motive.

“Wait.” Ran Lin finally realized what had been bothering him from the conversation. “Your parents ‘together’ are inviting me to dinner?”

Lu Yiyao paused, then smiled. “Yeah.”

Ran Lin tilted his head. “But you said they…”

“Because of my coming out, they ended up sitting together again.” Lu Yiyao found this outcome quite miraculous; he certainly hadn’t expected such a turn when he came out.

“This…” Ran Lin was at a loss for words, finally managing to say, “Is this a blessing in disguise?”

Lu Yiyao shook his head. “It’s joy upon joy.”

Ran Lin paused, then smiled. “Yeah.”

Coming out, no matter how difficult, is not a disaster but a joy—a step towards a more authentic life.

……

After the video call with Lu Yiyao, it was nearly 11:30 p.m. Ran Lin took a quick shower and got into bed, intending to scroll through Weibo before sleeping.

But then he saw a trending topic that caught his eye—Zhang Beichen was rumored to be kept by someone.

Ran Lin was shocked, his sleepiness vanishing as he clicked to read more—

[Zhang Beichen’s shocking sugar daddy rumor! A source claimed he’s been living with a high-level executive from an entertainment company for some time, and it’s with this mysterious partner’s help that he smoothly landed a role in <Mint Green>…[Read full text]]

[Zhang Beichen’s prime roles all thanks to “mysterious boyfriend”?! [Images][Images][Images][Video link]]

[Zhang Beichen embroiled in fresh gay rumors, spotted returning to an apartment with a mysterious man. Old intimate photos with another man resurfaced…[Read full text]]

Although the wording used by various marketing accounts in their reposts was not entirely the same, the material they used was strikingly consistent—all were a thirty-something-second secretly filmed video from an underground parking lot. The video was dim and blurry—it could be said to show Zhang Beichen and a mysterious man, or just any two passersby; it was too blurred to make out clearly. As for the photos included in the marketing accounts’ posts, they were either screenshots from the video or old “intimate photos of the same sex” that had been circulated before.

Though the evidence seemed flimsy, given Zhang Beichen’s prior “gay rumors,” the rhythm started by the marketing accounts was aggressive.

Ran Lin checked the earliest entertainment account that broke the news and found it was around six in the evening, chosen precisely as the traffic on Weibo started to peak.

Ran Lin wasn’t sure if this was the result of some paparazzi studio’s “hard work” or if someone had instructed the studio to dig up “dirt”, but the rhythm had already taken off, with the onlookers settling in early, munching on melon seeds—

[Whether you believe it or not, I do. Watching entertainment gossip for years, my experience is that any scandal mentioned over and over again is mostly true.]

[Zhang Beichen seems to have been quiet since <Mint Green>, and suddenly there’s this news. Is there a new project coming up?]

[I’m not a fan, but I feel like the picture is so blurry that not even his mother could recognize him, and they even have to draw a red circle to point out it’s Zhang Beichen. Feels a bit like a setup…]

[Waiting for the HD video.]

[What era is it? Who cares if he’s gay, as long as he acts well. The paparazzi have too much free time.]

Compared to the spectators’ enthusiasm and indifference, and even many expressing tolerance towards “gays”, Zhang Beichen’s fans reacted more vehemently—

[If this kind of video can be considered evidence, then I can randomly shoot a video of two people in a dark place and call it a scoop! This is already defamation!]

[Chen fans, no need to argue with them. Just report this kind of thing!]

[My idol has been so low-key this half year that he almost disappeared, and now he’s being slandered like this!]

[I just want to know who Zhang Beichen offended? Half a year of silence, and as soon as he hits the hot search, it’s this crap. It’s too much!!]

[So what if they went to an underground parking lot together? Don’t you visit your friends’ houses? Haven’t you ever stayed overnight at a friend’s place? Before, it was easy to spread rumors when opposite-sex friends hung out together, now even just hanging out with a buddy is called gay. What should celebrities do? Just stay home and play with cats?!]

Netizens and fans, of course, can only react based on their own emotions.

But Ran Lin knew about the situation between Zhang Beichen and Mr. Qin. He didn’t know Mr. Qin and couldn’t confirm if he was the “mysterious man” captured in the video, but according to what he had heard before, Mr. Qin had been involved with many celebrities and had never been in trouble, and when Ding Kai asked him to keep it a secret, he also mentioned that Mr. Qin didn’t like trouble. Therefore, allowing such negative information to come out was unreasonable.

Even if some reckless marketing accounts leaked it, it should have been suppressed immediately. Now, not only had it not been suppressed, but it has also escalated to trending, indicating that no one was pressing it down but rather someone was pushing it up.

Ran Lin suddenly remembered what Lu Yi Yao had said: Zhang Beichen had already broken up with Mr. Qin, but it was not a happy parting, so Mr. Qin used his connections to suppress him. Could it be that merely suppressing him wasn’t enough, and they wanted to completely ruin Zhang Beichen? How deep must the hatred be to push someone to the brink?

Until Ran Lin was too tired and put down his phone to sleep, there was still no response from Zhang Beichen’s side.

Ran Lin had a night of messy dreams, remembering nothing clearly, just a vague impression of time flowing backward to a memory of Drifting, but it was too blurry, and when he tried to catch it, he couldn’t.

On the way to the set, Ran Lin called Yao Hong to ask if she knew about Zhang Beichen’s situation.

Yao Hong had obviously seen Weibo and pondered for a moment. “He must have offended someone.”

Ran Lin: “You mean someone is deliberately targeting him?”

Yao Hong: “Yes, it’s obvious it’s a concerted effort to slander him. Otherwise, that short video wouldn’t have caused such a stir.”

Ran Lin said, “But even with slander, it’s insufficient evidence. That video is completely unclear who is who.”

“That person didn’t want to completely ruin Zhang Beichen,” Yao Hong mused. “If it were really Zhang Beichen in the video, the person who took the video would have had the opportunity to get a clearer shot. This kind of video, which can be blackened with a hint or whitewashed with a wash, is mostly meant as a warning or a lesson.”

Ran Lin: “Mr. Qin?”

Yao Hong: “Possibly, because Zhang Beichen hasn’t been working much in the past half year, it’s unlikely he’s made any new enemies.”

Ran Lin couldn’t understand this logic. “He’s already used his connections to suppress Zhang Beichen. Isn’t that enough?”

Yao Hong thought for a moment and analyzed objectively. “That depends on his motives. Everyone has their own reasons for doing things. If his goal was to make Zhang Beichen disappear, then suppression would have been enough. If he wanted to completely ruin Zhang Beichen, having been together for so long, he could have released even more damaging information…”

“A warning and a lesson are neither intended to make someone disappear nor to ruin them, but to make someone… obey.” Ran Lin felt like he was catching on to some truth. “Does he want to get back with Zhang Beichen?”

Yao Hong cautiously said, “I can’t be sure.”

Ran Lin realized he was bothering Yao Hong and quickly said, “Sorry, Hong Jie, for calling and asking you all these questions early in the morning.”

“It’s okay.” Yao Hong now felt towards Ran Lin the same way she felt towards Lu Yiyao back then—almost like her own child, naturally concerned. “How’s the filming going? Can you handle it?”

Half a month ago, Yao Hong, who had been staying at the set, returned to Beijing to deal with company matters. It was from that day that the weather turned colder, making shooting summer scenes increasingly challenging.

“Don’t worry, everything is going smoothly.” Ran Lin patted his chest.

Yao Hong laughed. “I’ll come over next week. Don’t let me find you’ve lost weight. Otherwise, I’ll have to explain to the boss for a long time.”

Of course, Yao Hong’s reference of “the boss” could only be President Lu.

Ran Lin used to think of Yao Hong as a gentle and nurturing figure, but now that he was working one-on-one with her, he truly understood why she had always held the upper hand in her long-standing rivalry with Wang Xi. There was definitely a reason for her success.

Fortunately, Ran Lin arrived at the film set, so he no longer needed to worry about how to fend off his agent’s teasing and promptly initiated the exit procedure. “Hong Jie, I’ve reached the set. Gotta go now.”

“Okay.” Work always came first, so Yao Hong was ready to hang up, but she suddenly remembered something else. Considering Ran Lin had called early in the morning to inquire about Zhang Beichen’s situation, she added, “Oh, right…”

Just as Ran Lin was about to hang up, he heard her and quickly put the phone back to his ear. “Yes?”

Yao Hong said, “Zhang Beichen and Wu Xuefeng have terminated their contract.”

Ran Lin: “Who is his agent now?”

Yao Hong: “None.”

Ran Lin was puzzled. “What do you mean ‘none’?”

Yao Hong: “It means he currently has no team. Wu Xuefeng almost took the entire studio with him.”

Ran Lin: “……”

Both Zhang Beichen and Xia Xinran’s contracts expired simultaneously, and neither renewed, both forming their own studios. Xia Xinran’s original agent stayed with the original company, whereas Wu Xuefeng left with Zhang Beichen. However, Zhang Beichen might have already been on bad terms with Mr. Qin by then, so after forming the studio, he also didn’t receive any significant notices, and there were no splashes in movies or TV dramas. Such artificially caused “suppression” made it useless for the studio members to be capable; it’s normal to have the intent to leave, but the entire team leaving with Wu Xuefeng was a bit…

Perhaps knowing what Ran Lin might be thinking, Yao Hong added, “Zhang Beichen initiated the termination. It should be said that he fired Wu Xuefeng, so the latter taking the entire team with him might be a bit of retaliation. However—” Yao Hong’s tone shifted. “Wu Xuefeng’s reputation in the industry hasn’t been too good these past two years. It’s hard to find someone else to elevate a talent to Zhang Beichen’s level.”

“Ran Ge.” Liu Wanwan came over to remind. “Makeup is waiting.”

Ran Lin nodded, hurriedly wrapping up the call with a few brief sentences.

The rest of the day, Ran Lin was fully immersed in his role, busy shooting, with no time to think of anything else.

Only on the way back to the hotel after work did he have the opportunity to open Weibo and found that “Zhang Beichen was being kept” was still trending, with the comments section fermenting freely, showing no signs of public relations efforts.

When someone steers the narrative, the direction of public opinion will solidify towards a particular viewpoint, but if no one does, the public opinion will be diverse. Marketing accounts used to creating sensationalism for attention almost dug up all of Zhang Beichen’s past, and “National First Love Drifting Story” naturally became a topic of discussion.

Especially since they had just appeared together at a film festival in September, the photos were still fresh. Thanks to the marketing accounts, “Drifting Group Missing One” also quietly entered the top twenty trending topics—

[Drifting Group’s brotherly love runs deep, often meeting up, but why is Zhang Beichen always missing?… [Images]]

[#DriftingGroupMissingOne At the film festival, four members of the Drifting Group appeared together, Zhang Beichen had no interaction with the other three… [Video link]]

“National First Love Drifting Story” was already a variety show from years ago, and considering the rapid turnover in the entertainment industry, the fact that it was still remembered and frequently mentioned was rare. However, for the audience and fans, these were all old news, lacking in interest, so without someone specifically spending money to stir up the topic, it just lingered around seventeenth or eighteenth place on the trending list without causing much of a stir.

Now, looking at these, Ran Lin didn’t feel much, just occasionally opening screenshots from the show and sighing at how things had changed.

Zhang Beichen’s Weibo hadn’t yet responded, with the latest post being from a long time ago. Ran Lin clicked on the comments and, as expected, found new fans coming in to offer support.

Exiting Zhang Beichen’s page and returning to his own homepage, he was notified of a few new posts and casually scrolled down, unexpectedly coming across a fresh post from Zhang Beichen.

Ran Lin’s first reaction was that it was too coincidental; just as he was thinking about how Zhang Beichen would respond, he stumbled upon a brand-new post. But after reading the entire long post, he was momentarily stunned, unable to snap back to reality for a long time—

[This time, I really want to take a break. I debuted on a talent show at eighteen, and it’s been nine years now. I’ve gained a lot and lost a lot. In the past few years, I’ve only focused on moving forward, and only this year have I started to look back, but now I can’t see the path I came from clearly. I don’t have much literary talent, so I can only make this somewhat abrupt announcement. To everyone who cares about and likes me, I’m sorry. I’m leaving the entertainment industry. This is a decision I’ve made after careful consideration. I want to take a break and live life differently. Lastly, I want to thank all the friends who have sincerely been with me. You are the most precious memories of these nine years. And to everyone I’ve hurt, I can’t make it up to you. I can only say I’m sorry.]

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

---

Chapter 98

The mother came knocking at the door, and Gu Jie felt that the likelihood of a misunderstanding was slim, especially given how certain she seemed. Sometimes, when one side is assertive, the other can easily become flustered and unsure…

But this wasn’t some small, trivial matter to be blamed for inadvertently; this was a huge accusation!

“Auntie,” Gu Jie began with difficulty. “Please think carefully again. Did Lu Yiyao really say it was me? Did he tell you himself that he was involved with me?”

Fan Li, seasoned by years in the business world, prided herself on being able to discern truth from lies. The bewilderment on the young man’s face in front of her didn’t seem feigned. Moreover, if he truly were in a relationship with Lu Yiyao, he should have shown some heartache at the suggestion of breaking up or persuading Lu Yiyao. Even if he could mask it on his face, what about his eyes? Unless he had no real feelings for Lu Yiyao, it was impossible not to show any sign.

But all she saw in him was “shock”, and this shock didn’t contain any hint of guilt or worry over a secret being discovered but rather complete perplexity. Besides that, the only thing he had shown was reassurance and consolation to her, a grieving mother, including holding her hand continuously to offer warmth and strength.

“He told me himself.” Fan Li decided to bluff one last time, watching Gu Jie’s face intently for any microexpressions.

She witnessed the entire transformation of Gu Jie from shock to bewilderment, from bewilderment to perplexity, and from perplexity to despair.

Finally, Gu Jie sighed deeply, his face becoming more troubled as his brows knitted tightly. “I don’t know why he would say that. As a friend, I support him unconditionally, whether he likes men or women. But personally, I really can’t respond to these feelings… Auntie, there are some things I’m not at liberty to discuss, but since you came today, could you convey my stance to Lu Yiyao? Even a hint would do. I don’t want to lose this friend, and it might be easier coming from you…”

“Wait a second,” Fan Li interrupted him, feeling the need to calm down and think things through.

She had come here intending to persuade this man to leave her son, but how had it turned into something like a matchmaking conversation, and why was he solemnly rejecting?!

Something was definitely amiss.

Fan Li quickly reviewed the events from last night, when Lu Yiyao confessed to her, to this morning’s departure, trying to reconstruct every detail as accurately as possible. She quickly identified the pivotal moment—it was Lu Yimeng!

She had extracted the information from her daughter, but the more she thought about it, the more credible Lu Yimeng’s slip-up seemed.

But “credible” depends on whether Lu Yimeng’s perceived “truth” is indeed true. What if her daughter had been mistaken?

She had assumed Lu Yimeng’s “knowledge” came from Lu Yiyao and concluded that Lu Yiyao didn’t involve his sister in his confession to avoid her wrath. However, what if Lu Yimeng’s “knowledge” didn’t come from Lu Yiyao at all? What if her son didn’t even know his sister was aware? That would make more sense why he chose to confess alone. After all, with an overly reactive Lu Yimeng present, who knows if the conversation could have proceeded smoothly?

Another critical point was Gu Jie’s obvious lack of romantic interest in Lu Yiyao. She knew her son well enough to know he wouldn’t force anyone into a relationship. During his confession, Lu Yiyao’s demeanor was clearly of someone who believed the other party reciprocated. If the other party hadn’t given any indication, even remotely, or was as completely unaware as Gu Jie seemed to be, then her son wouldn’t have acted that way.

Fan Li didn’t want to admit she had been misled into a huge blunder by her daughter, but that was the only explanation that made sense.

Gu Jie watched as Fan Li’s eyes flickered with intense thought, clearly pondering over a crucial and complex issue. He waited patiently, not daring to interrupt, fearful that even a cough might disrupt her concentration.

“Why are you so sure you can’t reciprocate Lu Yiyao’s feelings?” Fan Li spoke again, the previous aggressive demeanor and manipulative softness fading, replaced by rational calm. “Is there something about him you find unsatisfactory? His looks? Body? Personality? Family? Or us as his parents…”

“Gender.” Gu Jie knew it wasn’t polite to interrupt, but with his reputation at stake, he got straight to the point to prevent any further misunderstandings. “No need to consider aspects like looks or personality; first and foremost, his gender isn’t suitable.”

Fan Li bluntly asked, “You like women?”

Gu Jie sincerely replied, “Auntie, to tell you the truth, in all my years, you’re the first person to doubt my orientation.”

Obviously, her misunderstanding was firmly established now, and it was a big one at that.

For the first time in her life, Fan Li experienced what it felt like to desperately want to crawl into a hole and disappear. But as embarrassed as she felt inside, she couldn’t let it show; otherwise, it would be too humiliating.

Although Gu Jie wasn’t involved with her son in that way, he was still a friend, or even a close friend, which was beyond doubt. Her son didn’t have many close friends, so Fan Li found herself involuntarily thinking from her son’s perspective about today’s events and Gu Jie’s reactions—

“Have you ever considered that Lu Yiyao saying he’s with you might just be a way to use you as a shield, to protect the person he’s really involved with? And your words today are essentially dismantling his cover.”

Gu Jie was puzzled. “Are you suggesting I should collude with Lu Yiyao to deceive you?”

Fan Li didn’t answer directly but said, “I just think that since you’re friends and he’s asked you to cover for him, it wouldn’t hurt to help him out a bit.”

Gu Jie’s brows, which had begun to relax with the clearing up of the misunderstanding, furrowed again. For the first time since meeting Fan Li, he showed a look of disagreement and even displeasure, something that hadn’t happened even when Fan Li was accusing him earlier.

Fan Li noticed the change in his emotions, somewhat surprised, but remained composed on the surface.

Gu Jie had already started speaking, his voice calm yet assertive, displaying an utterly serious attitude. “Auntie, I’m a straightforward person and I speak my mind. Please don’t take offense…”

Fan Li knew that usually, when someone starts with such a preface, what follows tends to fall into the “definitely not going to like hearing it” category.

Gu Jie continued without pausing, “I consider Lu Yiyao a friend, and I’d take a bullet for him if he needed. But in this matter, I don’t think he should use me as a shield. Using me doesn’t help solve the problem. In essence, it’s just delaying tactics. But how would delaying a few days change anything? Would you change your mind and accept him? It’s just evasion. So using me as a shield is wrong, and not even telling me about it goes against the principles of friendship…”

Fan Li was taken aback by Gu Jie’s bluntness. It seemed she inadvertently put her son in the line of fire and was about to explain when Gu Jie cut her off again—

“Auntie, please let me finish,” Gu Jie insisted, looking directly into Fan Li’s eyes with an open and honest gaze. “I don’t just disagree with Lu Yiyao’s approach; I also disagree with yours. Not to mention anything else, you came here first asking me to persuade him, and when you found out I wasn’t the person you were looking for, you felt I wasn’t helping Lu Yiyao enough, like I wasn’t a good enough friend. From start to finish, you’ve only considered things from your perspective. Have you considered mine?”

Gu Jie is the type who won’t stop once he starts talking, aiming for complete clarity. However, once he finished, he realized that Mother Lu’s expression was… not too favorable.

Gu Jie was at his wit’s end. His entire Gu family favored speaking the harsh truth, disliking any form of sugar coating or beating around the bush, including his mother with her straightforward and fiery temper. Gu Jie dreaded such scenarios where tact was required. “I mean, Auntie, I’m just saying. I didn’t mean to criticize you. I just feel that…”

“Sorry,” Fan Li suddenly interjected.

Gu Jie stopped mid-explanation, stunned.

Fan Li wasn’t someone who couldn’t listen to reason, especially now that she realized she had targeted the wrong person, leaving her without any animosity towards Gu Jie and feeling rather apologetic. Indeed, Gu Jie’s words might have made her lose face, but instead of defending herself and making things worse, she chose to apologize frankly, acknowledging that she had acted impulsively by coming here and unfairly making Gu Jie carry the blame. If she were in Gu Jie’s shoes, she might not have remained as calm as he had.

“It’s okay…” Gu Jie said awkwardly, scratching his head, unsure how else to respond.

But Fan Li shook her head. “Not just for barging in without understanding the situation, but also for deceiving you.”

Gu Jie, puzzled, sat up straighter, waiting to hear the “truth”.

“Lu Yiyao didn’t use you as a shield. He only told me he liked men, not who it was.” Fan Li thought admitting such a mistake would be embarrassing, but once she said it, she found it easier than expected, perhaps due to the atmosphere or being influenced by Gu Jie’s directness.

However, honesty is indeed a balm for the soul.

For the first time since last night, Fan Li felt a bit of relief. Though she was far from feeling entirely unburdened and her heart was still heavy, at least there was a small corner where she could relax, not having to hold back or restrain herself, and speak some heartfelt truths—

“It was my daughter who told me, saying that her brother and you were involved. I assumed Lu Yiyao had told her. Now it seems more likely that she deduced it herself from what she perceived as clues.”

Gu Jie looked into Fan Li’s sincere eyes, willing to believe her words this time, but asked, “Is your daughter a police officer?”

Fan Li was momentarily puzzled. “No.”

Gu Jie heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Otherwise, there would be so many more miscarriages of justice in this world.”

Fan Li couldn’t help but laugh, then felt a touch of melancholy.

Gu Jie, coming back to his senses, remembered the shock of learning about Lu Yiyao’s orientation. They had been friends for so long, and he hadn’t noticed any hints. Lu Yiyao had hidden it too well!

Initially, when she realized it was a misunderstanding, Fan Li wanted to glean some clues from Gu Jie. But now, seeing him even more clueless than herself, she found it somewhat amusing yet frustrating.

Perhaps it was because Gu Jie was as baffled as she was that Fan Li felt a subtle sense of camaraderie with her son’s friend. Facing Gu Jie, she unconsciously relaxed, no longer feeling antagonistic but rather empathetic due to their shared astonishment.

“Coming in full of steam and leaving with my tail between my legs.” Fan Li was rarely self-deprecated. “This must be the most unsuccessful negotiation in my life.”

As she got up to leave, she heard Gu Jie say, “I think it was a very successful conversation.”

Fan Li looked at him, puzzled, and sat back down. “How so?”

Gu Jie explained, “Because if you hadn’t come to me today but had found the person Lu Yiyao really likes, you would have completely failed.”

Fan Li narrowed her eyes, a subconscious gesture of defense. “What do you mean?”

Gu Jie pondered for a moment, then said, “Auntie, everything I’m about to say is the truth. Please don’t take offense…”

“Do you have anything I’d like to hear?” Fan Li was already wary of this young man’s preamble.

Gu Jie fell silent.

Seeing his struggle to find the right words, Fan Li softened again. “Just say what I might not like to hear.”

Gu Jie exhaled, prepared himself, and faced Fan Li squarely. Without considering anything else, he spoke his mind, hoping to offer some insight to his friend’s mother. He might not understand loving men, but the trope of mothers trying to persuade their children to break up with undesired partners was all too common in dramas and news stories. Every time he saw it, he wanted to offer his two cents—

“Auntie, Lu Yiyao was honest with you, so why do you ignore him and try to persuade the person he likes to break up instead? Because you don’t want to confront your son, you think it’s easier to deal with an outsider than your own son… Right?

It had been many years since anyone spoke to Fan Li in such a manner. In the business world, everyone maintains layers of decorum, never revealing their true thoughts directly, preferring to beat around the bush. Her children, of course, are frank with her, but out of filial piety, they rarely point out her faults, and even when they do, they choose a gentle and indirect way.

Being bluntly called out on some of her darker thoughts was hard to bear.

But Gu Jie wasn’t being critical. It seemed he just preferred to be clear to the maximum extent, eliminating any ambiguity to ensure his thoughts are transmitted to the listener as accurately and undistorted as possible.

Such straightforwardness is disarming, yet not offensive. It even carries a certain charm that makes you want to listen more.

“But you’re wrong, Auntie. If you had found the right person today, not only would you not be able to avoid confronting Lu Yiyao, but it would also strain your relationship with him even more. I think Lu Yiyao didn’t want to tell you the person’s name because he wanted to protect him, not wanting him to bear the brunt of the storm. Yet, you’ve done exactly what Lu Yiyao least wanted to see. Do you think this is solving the problem, or is it exacerbating the conflict?”

Fan Li: “Maybe I would have been able to persuade that person to leave Lu Yiyao.”

Gu Jie: “And then, would Lu Yiyao not be heartbroken?”

Fan Li: “Heartbreak heals.”

Gu Jie: “What about the hurt caused by his own mother?”

Fan Li frowned, staring at Gu Jie.

“I’m just putting myself in his shoes; I might not be right,” Gu Jie continued. “But I think Lu Yiyao was honest with you about his feelings for men because he trusts you, respects you. Otherwise, he could have just not married for life and kept a secret affair. He knows you won’t immediately accept it, so why would he come out and ask for trouble? Because you’re important to him. He wants your approval because he wants a completely honest relationship with his family. But by respecting you this way, did your approach respect him? If you had found the person he likes today, then the hurt your words would cause that person would essentially all be inflicted on Lu Yiyao.”

Fan Li felt a pang in her heart. Everything Gu Jie said made sense, and she started to consider what if she had found the right person today, what would the aftermath be once Lu Yiyao found out the truth…

“So, there’s no solution to this. If Lu Yiyao informs me, I just have to accept it, right?” Fan Li felt trapped, unable to move forward, unwilling to step back, and eventually turned to Gu Jie with a sour smile. “You’re a good advocate, but no matter what you say, I can’t accept my son liking men.”

Gu Jie shook his head without hesitation. “Persuading you to accept a man loving another man is something Lu Yiyao should do, not me. I won’t take his place in persuading you. Besides, I can’t do it; this is also an unknown territory for me.”

Fan Li was taken aback, confused. “Then what was all that you just said…”

“I wanted you to understand, regardless of the final outcome, you should communicate and resolve it with Lu Yiyao, not seek others,” Gu Jie stated. “Because the root of the issue is Lu Yiyao liking men—it’s irrelevant who he likes.”

Fan Li’s face showed genuine sadness. This wasn’t feigned; Gu Jie’s words had truly affected her. “Why does it have to be like this? It’s abnormal. Men should like women. Why can’t he just…”

“I can’t explain this matter clearly, but he’s not an exception. Homosexuality has existed since ancient times. There’s a saying, ‘If it exists, it’s reasonable’…” Gu Jie faltered, realizing he was out of his depth. “But one thing I know, he really loves you, so he doesn’t want to deceive you.”

Fan Li looked down, and Gu Jie couldn’t see her face but clearly saw a tear drop onto her leg and disappear into the dark fabric.

“If he really cared for me as his mother, how could he bear to make me suffer so much?”

Gu Jie heard her say.

After a long silence, Gu Jie said, “He can’t bear it. I remember my mother always willing to tell me, son, no matter what big trouble you encounter, don’t carry it alone, tell me. Even if I can’t help, just listening is sharing the burden. I haven’t actually shared any troubles with my mother, fearing it’d make her sad. But if I were in Lu Yiyao’s situation, I would choose to tell my mother too, because it’s you parents who make us believe that a parent’s love can encompass everything.”

Gu Jie blinked, suppressing the warmth in his eyes, feeling a bit homesick and melancholic.

Fan Li remained head down, her shoulders shaking slightly.

Gu Jie leaned over to pat her back, his heart filled with sorrow.

It was a while before Fan Li finally looked up, her face marked by tears but otherwise plain and not too obvious. What surprised Gu Jie was her quick recovery—venting silently and calming down swiftly.

Gu Jie inwardly marveled, ‘Truly Teacher Lu’s mother.’

“Thank you for not holding it against this middle-aged woman and being willing to talk so much.” Fan Li exhaled, looking sincerely at Gu Jie. “Though I still can’t accept it… like you said, the root lies with Lu Yiyao. It’s an internal family matter, and bothering others is pointless.”

Having seemingly persuaded Fan Li gave Gu Jie a huge sense of accomplishment. Without a second thought, he grabbed her hand and raised it, as if they were about to arm wrestle, “Don’t worry, Auntie. I won’t say a word about today’s visit to Lu Yiyao, as if it never happened!”

Fan Li was momentarily stunned, then realized.

If Gu Jie told Lu Yiyao, he would undoubtedly be angry with her for taking matters into her own hands. Then all that Gu Jie mentioned about “exacerbating the conflict” and “hurting Lu Yiyao” would probably all come true.

Looking back, Fan Li realized that what she did was not only impulsive and poorly considered, but also quite foolish and illogical. She always thought the wives beating up the mistresses in the news should be confronting their husbands instead. Yet, when it came to her own situation, she reacted just as irrationally.

“Thank you.” Fan Li didn’t know what else to say. She was grateful that she had found the wrong person today, and even more grateful that the wrong person was Gu Jie. Her son didn’t have many friends in the entertainment industry, but if they were all like Gu Jie, a few would be enough.

Fan Li, now with a shifted perspective on solving the problem, was truly ready to leave this time.

Gu Jie offered to escort her downstairs, but she declined, so he only walked her to the door and watched as she entered the elevator before closing the door and returning inside.

However, once back inside, he went to the window to look down, and before long, he saw Lu Yiyao’s mother leaving the building.

Her car couldn’t enter the residents’ underground parking, so it was parked in an open-air spot in the complex.

Gu Jie watched her walk away with mixed feelings. Coming out is torturous enough to think about, and it’s bound to be a long battle. He didn’t think he had the power to turn the tide, but the least he could do was help Teacher Lu bring his mother home, preventing the battlefield from spreading and involving the innocent. As for how to continue solving the problem behind closed doors, he could only send his best wishes to Teacher Lu.

This was the first time in his life he had spoken so much in one go. Though he felt somewhat drained, he thought it was worth it for a friend.

With that thought, Gu Jie closed the window, turned, and went back to his bedroom, keeping his deeds to himself.

……

Dai Chu was driving while glancing at his boss in the rearview mirror. Since she left Gu Jie’s place, she hadn’t said a word and was just staring out the window, seemingly lost and bewildered. This wasn’t the Fan Li he knew, lacking her usual sharpness, composure, and determination, instead appearing somewhat vulnerable.

He didn’t know what had happened at Gu Jie’s house, but perhaps the crux wasn’t there. Since seeing Fan Li that morning, she seemed struck by something.

Having worked with Fan Li for years, Dai Chu rarely saw her like this. Even when she was occasionally emotionally agitated or even lost her composure, it usually had something to do with Lu Guoming, her ex-husband. A few harsh words, and it was mostly over—just anger. But this time was different.

“Not going back to the office,” Fan Li suddenly broke her silence, decisively stating. “Just drive around this area for a bit.”

Dai Chu was confused but saw his boss regaining her usual demeanor and didn’t ask further, driving the car in circles around the neighborhood.

In the backseat, Fan Li picked up her phone and dialed a number.

No one answered the call, and Fan Li’s expression grew darker.

She tried again and again, and finally, on what seemed like the umpteenth attempt, the call was answered, but clearly not by the person she wanted—

“Oh… In a meeting. I see. Then please tell him that Fan Li is looking for him… Yes, right now.”

Dai Chu wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but human curiosity is a fatal weakness.

The words “Fan Li is looking for him” seemed effective because soon enough, Dai Chu heard Fan Li engaging in a conversation—

“I need to see you, right now… What, you’re not in Beijing? When are you coming back? Oh, uncertain… You don’t care if something happened to our son?!”

Dai Chu was startled, sensing something significant as Fan Li seemed to have gained the upper hand—

“Fine, tomorrow at noon. I’ll wait for you at XX.”

Dai Chu now believed something monumental had occurred because Fan Li, who had sworn never to deal with her ex-husband, had initiated a call to him. If this got out at the company, it would provide enough gossip for the old employees for a year.

 ……

Lu Yiyao’s original plan was to go home for the weekend, but just two days later, he received a call from his sister. “Brother, you need to come back, something has happened at home!”

Lu Yiyao’s breath hitched, immediately fearing the worst about his mother, with himself as the likely culprit after coming out. “Don’t panic. Tell me clearly. What happened?”

Lu Yimeng: “Dad’s here!”

Lu Yiyao’s mind blanked.

Not because his sister made “Dad’s here” sound as ominous as “the wolf is coming,” but because “Dad’s here” in itself was alarming enough.

“Dad’s… where?” Lu Yiyao’s heart pounded, fearing a false alarm.

“Dad’s at our place… No, he’s come to where mom and I are!” Lu Yimeng, eager for clarity, not only chose her words carefully but added more description. “He’s sitting in the living room right now, and mom even made him brew his own tea!”

“Mom didn’t make him tea?”

“How could she? She didn’t even let the housemaid make it for him, and insisted he do it himself.”

“That’s good then…” Lu Yiyao steadied his heartbeat. “The situation can still be controlled.”

“The situation between them can be controlled, but I’m afraid once you come back, it won’t be.” Lu Yimeng sounded grave.

“Me?” Lu Yiyao didn’t catch on immediately.

“Of course, you,” Lu Yimeng said exasperatedly. “What else could make two enemies who haven’t seen each other for sixteen years sit together for tea?”

“What enemies…” Lu Yiyao frowned involuntarily. “That’s dad and mom.”

“Yes, dad and mom.” Lu Yimeng sighed. “They both asked me to tell you to drop everything you’re doing and come home for a lecture.”

Lu Yiyao glanced at the time; it was already five. He decisively said, “Okay.”

Having both parents together had always been Lu Yiyao’s dream, whether studying in the UK or starting his career back home. Occasionally, in the quiet of the night, he would revisit this desire under the moonlight. But as the years went by and his parents remained apart, his hope faded until he nearly accepted the reality that they might never reunite.

Now suddenly being told his father was sitting in his mother’s living room, even if the purpose was to jointly scold him, he couldn’t control his excitement, speeding home just shy of getting a ticket.

As he approached home, the sky was darkening. Lu Yiyao parked the car and walked to the front door, his steps light, not like he was about to face the storm of coming out but more like anticipating a joyful family reunion.

“I’m back—” Lu Yiyao announced as he entered the hallway, looking into the living room.

“Cough—” As if to ensure his presence was noted, a cough came from the living room.

Unable to contain his buoyant mood, Lu Yiyao quickly changed his shoes and headed to the living room. Lu Yimeng was the first to greet him. Lu Yiyao handed his sister his coat and then eagerly looked towards the sofa. Indeed, both his dad and mom were sitting there!

Although they were each at one end of the sofa, as if the Milky Way separated them, Lu Yiyao was still overjoyed. His voice almost sang as he greeted them, “Dad, Mom.”

Lu Yimeng, holding her brother’s coat, stayed on a dining stool a safe distance away, not wanting to get caught in the storm. Yet, seeing her brother return so happily, she couldn’t help but feel a bit eerie. Was this some new strategy for coming out?

“Don’t grin like that!” Lu Guoming, seeing his ex-wife not initiating the conversation, decided to assert his paternal authority with a stern voice. “What’s going on? Your mother told me… cough, that you’re suddenly into men?”

“Yeah.” Lu Yiyao moved a single sofa to face his parents directly, then sat down. His gaze hadn’t left them for a second, even as he arranged the furniture. Once settled, he didn’t even blink.

Lu Guoming felt a bit unnerved under his son’s direct gaze. Ever since that night with the fishbone incident, he felt his authority as a father wane. Now, being stared at by Lu Yiyao, he felt the last bit might crumble too.

His son had matured, and he had aged. The intellectual development of the son and the waning authority of the father seemed to progress in tandem. Though somewhat melancholic, Lu Guoming didn’t find it too hard to accept. He even felt his relationship with his son became more harmonious post the “fishbone era”—less authority, more warmth.

But now, his wife—or rather, his ex-wife—needed his authority, so he had to bravely face up. “Hmm? Just a ‘yeah’?”

Lu Yiyao smiled, not sure why, but his lips curled upwards uncontrollably. “It’s not that I want to like men; I’ve just always liked men. Think about it, have I ever dated a girl from childhood to now?”

Lu Guoming frowned. “How do you know you don’t like women if you’ve never dated?”

Lu Yiyao firmly replied, “Then how did you know mom was the one you wanted to marry as your first love?”

“So we divorced, right?” Fan Li finally found a flaw in her son’s argument. “It’s precisely because we had no experience before dating that we thought we were right, but it all turned out to be wrong.”

“That can’t be said for certain…” Lu Guoming didn’t fully agree.

Fan Li glared at him.

Lu Guoming was about to retort but remembering the rare occasion of sitting together on the same couch for a united front, he backed down.

Lu Guoming was in a somewhat elated state when his ex-wife approached him, which lasted until he was informed about his son’s homosexuality. It took him a while to gather his thoughts and understand what his ex-wife meant.

Unlike his ex-wife’s vehement rejection, Lu Guoming, though surprised and subconsciously repulsed, wondered if it was another act of rebellion, like when Lu Yiyao chose acting over business studies. Was it just to spite him?

So, after listening to his ex-wife’s complaints, his first question was whether she had been pushing Lu Yiyao into blind dates recently.

Then, the ex-wife exploded.

Lu Guoming didn’t want to recall the “passionate” afternoon teatime that followed. Ultimately, when he came to believe Lu Yiyao was sincere, the impact was somewhat lessened due to the back and forth.

Although he didn’t understand the LGBTQ+ community well, having dealt with various people in business and keeping up with news and social media, he had a rough idea about homosexuality.

It was hard to accept emotionally, but logically, he knew it couldn’t be changed. He understood his son was not one for frivolous acts. Even when Lu Yiyao chose to study acting to defy him, he pursued it earnestly, and upon returning home, he diligently worked on his career, never slacking due to the initial rebellious choice.

So, if Lu Yiyao was open about liking men, it must be a well-considered decision. Lu Guoming wasn’t open-minded enough to accept it without any barriers, but years of rationality and calm made him realize that, like it or not, he’d have to force himself to accept it.

But he couldn’t tell his ex-wife that.

His only role now was to share her indignation. If it was found out he had any sympathy for the situation, he’d be ousted immediately.

Lu Yimeng watched the family dynamics from afar, confused about the currents within the storm. Her mom scolding her brother was expected; her dad aiding the scolding seemed right, but her dad’s attitude was subtly nuanced, and his attention was divided between her mom and brother, not fully committed to the scolding. And her brother, well, he seemed to ignore everything said, smiling foolishly at his parents from start to finish.

Lu Yimeng had initially planned to rush in and defend her brother at an opportune moment. Seeing that might not be necessary, she continued to fiddle with the phone she’d snatched from her brother’s coat pocket.

Her brother’s phone lock screen password had always been a sore point for her. It was just four numbers, and he liked using memorable dates. Despite her intelligence, she had failed to crack it countless times, which was a disgrace to her name as a sister and fan!

Click.

The screen unlocked.

Lu Yimeng was stunned, incredulously staring at the unlocked phone screen. What had she just tried…?

She took a deep breath, shut the screen, and then turned it on again to re-enter the numbers—0602.

The screen obediently lit up.

Indeed.

Lu Yimeng wanted to laugh but couldn’t muster it, wanting to criticize her brother but felt an odd pang of sympathy.

The first time she attempted to sneak into her brother’s phone, she tried their parents’ wedding anniversary.

It wasn’t until today that she remembered to try their parents’ divorce anniversary.

---

Kinky Thoughts:

I need a man like Gu Jie.

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

---

Chapter 97

The next morning, Lu Yiyao left.

This visit to see him was sudden and rushed, and because they were in a hotel, they couldn’t be alone together easily. So, their intimate moments were few and far between, almost down to counting minutes. 

However, for Ran Lin, who had endured a two-year long-distance relationship, these challenges were nothing. After finishing filming and returning to Beijing, they would have plenty of time to be affectionate. There was no rush for immediate intimacy. So, even though he was reluctant, he let go of his thoughts and fully devoted himself to his work after seeing off Lu Yiyao.

Meanwhile, Lu Yiyao returned home on the second day after his departure.

It had rained earlier in the day, and the temperature had dropped sharply. When Lu Yiyao finished work and returned to his mother’s villa, it was just getting dark.

“Brother!” Lu Yimeng heard his car and opened the gate, calling out to him. Lu Yiyao parked his car and approached her with a smile, intending to pat her on the head. However, before he could, his younger sister hugged him. 

Lu Yiyao was used to this and entered the hallway with his sister still hanging on him. He closed the door and asked, “Where’s Mom?”

Before his younger sister could answer, Mrs. Fan coughed from the living room. Lu Yiyao smiled and said, “Mom, I’m back.”

“I knew you were at home waiting. Couldn’t you have come back a bit earlier?” Fan Li complained as she walked over, her words and the affection in her eyes not quite matching.

Lu Yimeng finally let go of her brother and turned to help with the conversation. “Mom, if Brother came back any earlier, he might as well have taken the day off.”

Lu Yiyao smiled but remained silent as he bent down to change his shoes.

Fan Li continued to nag, but it was clear she was happy to have her son home.

As Lu Yiyao entered the house, he noticed that half the table in the dining room was already filled with cold dishes. He assumed the hot dishes would be served when he returned.

However, he couldn’t find the cake, so he took off his coat and curiously asked his younger sister, “Where’s your creation?”

Lu Yimeng smiled sweetly. “It’s the grand finale, of course.”

Twenty minutes later, all the hot dishes were on the table, and Lu Yiyao, who had changed his clothes and washed his hands, helped his mother bring the plates to the table. Today, the housekeeper was off, so all the dishes were prepared by Fan Li.  

She was quite skilled in cooking, and Lu Yiyao remembered that when he was very young, he used to frequently enjoy her homemade meals. However, she became busier over time, and her time in the kitchen dwindled. After their parents divorced, Lu Yiyao was sent abroad, and when he returned to reunite with his mother and sister, it became rare to see her cooking.

“Brother, you’re really something,” Lu Yimeng said with admiration as she smelled the delicious food. “You can make Mom willingly put down her work and cook. You’re the only one in the world who can do that.”

“You make it sound like I’m mistreating you,” Fan Li said, bringing the last dish to the table. She glanced at her daughter with a teasing tone. “I didn’t cook, but I still managed to raise you so tall.”

Lu Yimeng retorted, “Other girls raised by their mothers are delicate and fair-skinned, and I turned out this tall. What kind of upbringing is that?”

“Do you want to eat or not?”

“I do.”

“Then hurry up and unveil your grand masterpiece.”

“Here it comes.”

Lu Yimeng quickly went to get the masterpiece, and Lu Yiyao watched her departure in a daze.

“What are you thinking?” Fan Li noticed that her son had been relatively quiet since he entered the house. 

Lu Yiyao snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his mother with a faint smile. “I’m thinking about what wish to make later.”

Fan Li didn’t expect her son to give such an answer. She was rarely stirred by romantic sentiments but replied gently, “What’s there to think about? Your entertainment career has had a successful conclusion, the company is stable, and the only thing left is your marital status. So, what wish do you think you should make?”

The mention of marital status caught Lu Yiyao’s attention, and he almost blurted something out. However, Lu Yimeng was quicker and had already brought over the beautifully decorated cake.

It was a three-tiered cake covered in gold dust, with a spiral staircase leading to the top, where a small figure in a suit stood, holding a beautiful trophy.

“Since the day you won Best Actor, Mom and I have been waiting to celebrate with you. Now, with your birthday coming up, we can have a double celebration.” Lu Yimeng explained, her tone carrying some annoyance at her older brother for not coming home for so long.

“But then again,” Lu Yimeng continued, “if you had come back after winning the award, I wouldn’t have been able to make this cake.”

With Lu Yimeng’s words, Lu Yiyao could only smile helplessly. “Can I make a wish now?”

“Of course,” Lu Yimeng said as she lit the candles with a lighter, turned off the lights, and the candlelight illuminated the cake and the area around the dining table.

Lu Yiyao wasn’t used to making serious wishes during these family gatherings. Usually, he just closed his eyes, made a quick wish, and blew out the candles, leading to Lu Yimeng often complaining about how he rushed through it.

Finally, Lu Yiyao slowly opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles all at once.

Lu Yimeng got up to turn on the lights, and in the renewed brightness, her confusion was evident on her face. “Brother, why are you acting so strangely today…” 

Lu Yiyao looked at his sister, who was getting closer, with an expression that seemed to say, “Tell me more.” 

“Before, when you made wishes, it felt like you weren’t thinking seriously, like you were just going through the motions. But just now, it was different,” Lu Yimeng said, moving closer to his face. “You definitely have something on your mind!”

Lu Yiyao pushed her head away and said with an indulgent tone, “Eat your food.” 

A glint of curiosity flashed in Fan Li’s eyes, almost too quick to notice. The family enjoyed a joyful meal, but only Lu Yiyao seemed preoccupied, occasionally lost in thought. Fan Li knew her son had something on his mind, but he didn’t want to discuss it in front of his sister, so she patiently waited. 

After dinner, the family of three, who rarely had such gatherings, sat in the living room, eating fruit, watching TV, and chatting. Finally, Lu Yimeng started yawning, and that was when Fan Li took the opportunity to suggest that it was getting late and they should rest. 

Lu Yimeng didn’t suspect anything and yawned as she headed to her room. Fan Li also went back to her room, but when she reached the bedroom door, she glanced back at Lu Yiyao, who was still sitting on the sofa. 

Lu Yiyao had been watching her all along, and with that look, he was sure that his mother had sensed that he wanted to talk about something. 

As Fan Li closed the door, the entire house quieted down. Lu Yiyao got up, turned off the living room lights, and moonlight suddenly shone in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, merging with the light from the night lamp left in the corner, creating a faint and hazy glow. 

Lu Yiyao took a deep breath, as if determined, and ascended the stairs to Fan Li’s bedroom door. Without knocking, he gently opened the door and entered the room.

The light was on in the bedroom. His mother was sitting by the bed. Seeing him enter, she showed no surprise. She was probably sitting there, waiting for him.

“What is it that you must avoid your sister to talk about?” Fan Li cut to the chase. After all, she had already imagined too many scenarios that night and had no patience for her son to slowly get to the point which he might not reach anytime soon.

“It’s not about avoiding Mengmeng. It’s just that she gets startled easily. I don’t want her to create a fuss before we finish talking,” Lu Yiyao said softly. 

Fan Li nodded. “Now it’s just the two of us, mother and son. Tell me, what is the grave matter that has burdened you so heavily?” 

“Do you remember when Mengmeng said I was particularly serious when making a wish earlier?” Lu Yiyao smiled. “It’s because I really hope that what I am about to say will go well.” 

“Don’t beat around the bush, just say it.” Fan Li urged, yet deep down, she had a bad feeling. If her usually straightforward son was circling around with his words, the matter might be more serious than she anticipated. 

The inevitable moment arrived, and Lu Yiyao exhaled softly, looked steadily, and said slowly, “Mom, I can’t bring myself to like women.”

The room suddenly fell silent, as if time had stopped.

Fan Li looked at her son in disbelief, wishing he would make a face the next second and say, “Mom, I’m just kidding.”

But he didn’t. Lu Yiyao’s expression was more serious and determined than ever before.

“It’s okay.” Fan Li tried to make her voice light and breezy so as not to pressure her son further. “Medicine is so advanced now; these are small issues and easily treated.”

Lu Yiyao looked at his mother blankly for a moment, then suddenly realized and hurriedly explained, “I’m not saying I’m incapable with women… I mean, indeed, I don’t feel for women, but there’s nothing wrong with me per se; I just can’t like women. I like men.” 

This statement brought an even more profound silence to the room. 

In the stillness, Fan Li realized her earlier misunderstanding, but the unveiled truth was even harder for her to accept. 

In the prolonged silence, she didn’t know what to say. Shock and surprise intertwined into a surreal feeling. She felt her brain thundering, pounding with a headache, and making it hard to breathe.

Finally, Fan Li spoke, her voice trembling slightly with a hint of coldness, a suppressed restraint. “Since when?”

Lu Yiyao, feeling pained, still met her sharp gaze without flinching. “I was born this way, and I’ve realized it long ago.”

Fan Li asked, “Then why only say it now?”

Lu Yiyao paused for two seconds and said, “I’ve been thinking about how to tell you, and it took me so many years.”

“No.” Fan Li seemed to smile briefly, but it was too quick to be sure. “You’re telling me now because you’ve found the person you want to be with.”

Lu Yiyao tried to suppress the surprise in his heart, but his expression shifted slightly.

Unexpectedly, Fan Li softened her tone. “Who is he? What kind of person is he? Can you tell Mom?”

Lu Yiyao pursed his lips, silently staring at his mother for a long moment, then slowly shook his head. “It’s not time yet.” 

Fan Li slightly frowned; a hint of sadness apparent in her eyes. “Why?” 

Lu Yiyao felt guilty but remained firm. “Because you still need time to truly accept that I like men. This matter has nothing to do with whom I’m with now. Even if I’m single, it doesn’t change the fact. Mom, if you can’t accept the real me, then no matter who I’m with, you won’t be able to accept it.” 

The room was too quiet that the echo of Lu Yiyao’s words lingered for a long time. 

Fan Li’s eyes began to redden, seemingly trying to suppress the tears with several deep breaths. 

Lu Yiyao appeared unmoved, yet his hands clenched white behind him. 

It was a torturous moment for both.

“You need to give me time,” Fan Li finally said, her voice hoarse. 

Lu Yiyao let out a sigh of relief but felt a deeper guilt and discomfort. “Mom, I’m sorry.” 

Fan Li took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, shaking her head as if to shake off the prior conversation. “No more talking. I want to rest.” 

Lu Yiyao didn’t expect things to be settled in one conversation. In fact, this was already much better than he had anticipated, so after saying goodnight, he left. 

A sleepless night followed. 

The next morning, Lu Yiyao got up early for work, knowing his mother would be awake. Indeed, as he descended the stairs, he saw porridge and side dishes on the dining table. His mother looked a bit haggard but urged him to eat quickly and go to the office to set an example for his employees. She didn’t mention last night’s conversation. 

Knowing that haste wouldn’t bring success, Lu Yiyao didn’t bring it up again, obediently finishing his breakfast and driving to the office. 

But Lu Yiyao was resolved that starting now, he would return home every weekend, gradually talking, until his mother truly accepted the fact that he liked men. Then it would be natural to introduce Ran Lin to the family. 

Lu Yiyao was optimistic because his mother’s reaction was much better than expected, but what he didn’t know was that as soon as he left, Fan Li’s expression turned cold, staring out the window lost in thought. 

If it were an employee of Fan Li’s company, they would instantly recognize that the boss was angry, very angry, to the point that no amount of yelling or table-flipping could resolve the issue. So she became even calmer, because only in calmness could she devise a satisfying solution, either to strike a deadly blow to her enemies or to completely eradicate the problem that irritated her. 

When Lu Yimeng came down the stairs, sleepy-eyed, Fan Li was still sitting there; her face was no longer clouded with anger but only sadness. Lu Yimeng was surprised to see her mother hadn’t gone to the office yet and quickly explained as their eyes met, “I start work at nine. I’m not late.”

Although Lu Yimeng worked for their family business, starting from the bottom and being miles apart from her mother, the CEO, she hardly ever saw her at the company. She subconsciously thought her mother, a powerful woman who was at her office by seven each morning, might not understand the schedule of their junior employees, who started work at nine.

But after her explanation, she realized that her mother wasn’t about to reprimand her; in fact, her mother might not have even absorbed her words. Her mother just stared blankly at her, her eyes slowly welling with tears.

Startled, Lu Yimeng snapped awake and hurried over. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

She had always thought only something as severe as the divorce from her father could make her sturdy mother so vulnerable, and that had been over a decade ago. Her mother hadn’t shown such emotion since then, so Lu Yimeng felt as if the sky was falling. 

“Mom, talk to me. What’s wrong? Don’t scare me!” She would have shaken her mother by the shoulders if she wasn’t worried about making matters worse.

“Your brother…” Fan Li finally spoke, her voice carrying both weariness and sadness. “He’s told me everything.” 

Lu Yimeng’s eyes widened, and she inhaled sharply. “What, what did he tell you?”  

Fan Li looked deeply at her daughter. Lu Yimeng swallowed, forcing herself to wait for her mother to speak first to avoid any blunder that would infuriate her brother. 

Fan Li took Lu Yimeng’s hand gently, as if drawing strength from her. “Your brother said he likes men, and he has already found someone he wants to be with…” 

Lu Yimeng’s mouth fell open, unsure of what to say next.  

She had thought of the possibility of her brother coming out when she saw her mother’s expression, but actually hearing it made the revelation feel incredibly abrupt. Such a big revelation just dropped without any preamble or cushioning. At least some sort of buffer could have been provided! 

But then she thought, no matter how much you cushion or prepare for such news, it’s still a bolt from the blue, especially given the societal norms where most parents wouldn’t accept it. Her mother’s reaction was already quite extraordinary. 

As Lu Yimeng’s thoughts raced, none of her expressions escaped Fan Li’s watchful eye.  

Fan Li had initially wanted to inquire if Lu Yiyao had been closely involved with anyone recently, given that Lu Yimeng was her brother’s biggest fan and closely followed his every move, including his social engagements. Knowing Lu Yiyao liked men, her daughter must also be undoubtedly curious about who the person was and might even help her find out. 

But Lu Yimeng’s reaction right now, with surprise, conflict, and realization, lacked any disbelief or shock. This meant she had already known about “Lu Yiyao liking men”! 

Fan Li was unsure whether her son had told her daughter or if her daughter had found out on her own—because yesterday, Lu Yiyao had avoided Lu Yimeng when he came to her. This could be interpreted as “he thought Lu Yimeng was unaware” or “he hoped his mother would think the daughter was unaware, thus not directing anger at her.” But whichever it was, it didn’t matter. As long as Lu Yimeng was aware, this matter would be much easier to handle than anticipated. 

“Mom, actually, it’s not as serious as you think. Homosexuality… uh, it’s already legal in many countries, like the United States and the UK. It’s quite normal there, and they can even register for marriage. Brother has been studying in the UK, influenced by what he’s seen and heard, so he can understand…” 

“I’m not angry, and I won’t blame your brother,” Fan Li interrupted softly, then her face hardened, and she narrowed her eyes unconsciously. “If anyone is to blame, it’s that surnamed Lu.” 

Lu Yimeng silently looked out the window.  

Dad, I’m sorry! 

Sniffling, Fan Li spoke again, solemn and earnest. “I know what kind of person your brother is. He’s not one to joke about such matters, nor is it a fleeting whim. So, although it’s really hard to accept, I can try. But the person he chose… I forgot the name; I really don’t think he’s suitable for your brother. Does your brother want to be with him for a lifetime, and does he sincerely want to be with your brother for a lifetime? Besides, your brother never dated before him, and with all the temptations in the entertainment industry, your brother never wavered, so why now for… What’s his name? It’s on the tip of my tongue…” 

Fan Li frowned deeply, massaging her temples in thought.  

Lu Yimeng sighed, “Gu Jie.”  

Her mother must be truly saddened; otherwise, her usually excellent memory wouldn’t fail to recall a name. 

“Right.” Fan Li’s face remained unchanged, still furrowed with worry. “I think his intentions in approaching your brother aren’t pure.” 

“You can’t say that.” Lu Yimeng, unsure of the effectiveness of her consolation, still wanted to support her brother. “Everyone’s in the entertainment industry, seeing each other all the time, so developing feelings over time is normal. And he’s also in movies and variety shows, so he’s not short on money. What could he be after from Brother?” 

Fan Li’s eyes lowered in silence. Lu Yimeng sat quietly beside her, hoping her mother wouldn’t dwell on her concerns too much. 

“Forget it.” Fan Li finally lifted her head and said to Lu Yimeng, “Don’t worry about me and go to work.”  

Lu Yimeng hesitated.  

“Relax.” Fan Li patted the back of her daughter’s hand. “I won’t do anything rash; I just need some time to process this.” 

Seeing that her mother didn’t have an extreme reaction, though still apprehensive, Lu Yimeng obediently washed up, brushed her teeth, ate breakfast, and then hurried off to the company to be a proactive and upward-moving successor. 

However, on the way to the office, Lu Yimeng hurriedly made a call to tip off her brother. At the time the phone rang, Lu Yiyao was alone in the meeting room, watching the behind-the-scenes footage from Xi’an for the drama <Youth of Wuling>, a weekly routine task to understand the filming progress and make a reasonable forecast for the future—a unique habit of Lu Yiyao, the actor turned executive. 

By the time he returned to his office, it was already 9:30 a.m. Lu Yiyao noticed his phone plugged in and flashing its notification light. He checked to find three missed calls from Lu Yimeng, all between 8:30 and 9:00. 

Shrugging, Lu Yiyao called her back.  

The call was cut off almost as soon as it rang but then rang again shortly after—Lu Yimeng was calling back. 

“Hello…” Lu Yimeng’s voice sounded secretive.  

Lu Yiyao chuckled. “What are you doing?”  

“At work,” Lu Yimeng whispered, obviously suppressing her voice. “It’s not good to be seen making personal calls by the supervisor, so I’ve hidden in the bathroom.”  

Lu Yiyao laughed. “What’s up?” 

“Stop pretending. Mom told me everything.” Despite her quiet voice, Lu Yimeng’s tone was firm. Originally, she had called to tip off her brother, but now that they were talking, she began to admonish him, “Why would you hide something as important as coming out from me? I could have supported you and spoken for you!” 

Lu Yiyao was taken aback, feeling that his sister’s focus was… somewhat off? 

As if hearing his thoughts, Lu Yimeng continued with a hint of resignation. “You think you’ve kept it a secret? I’ve noticed it long ago and was just waiting for you to say it. I thought I might even be a god-tier support when the time came.” 

Lu Yiyao was astonished.  

He had genuinely thought he hadn’t given anything away. Was this some kind of telepathy between siblings? 

“You always hang out together, and you even visited his set. If others can’t tell, how could I not notice? Ever since you debuted, when have you been so close with anyone?” Lu Yimeng sighed, her voice softening as she thought of her mother’s condition that morning. “Mom’s quite upset, but it seems like she’s trying to accept it. I told her that this kind of thing is common overseas, and many countries allow marriage… Hopefully, she’ll take it to heart.” 

Hearing this made Lu Yiyao feel a mix of discomfort and sorrow. “Did Mom say anything else to you?” 

Lu Yimeng replied, “Not much. Just worried you might be deceived. She said if anyone is to blame for you liking men, it’s Dad’s fault.”  

Lu Yiyao, about to assert his maturity in discerning genuine feelings, paused when he heard the latter part. “Blame Dad?” 

Lu Yimeng hesitantly continued, “I accidentally mentioned it when I said that countries like the UK and the US allow marriage… That your studying in the UK might have influenced you.” 

Lu Yiyao facepalmed.  

He remembered considering the same thing when he first realized he might like men. It seemed like his father was destined to carry this blame. 

“When are you coming back?” Lu Yimeng suddenly asked. Lu Yiyao replied, “This weekend, and I’ll be coming back every weekend from now on.” 

Lu Yimeng breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. This is probably going to be a long battle, but don’t worry, brother, I’m with you!”  

For the first time since last night, a genuine smile spread across Lu Yiyao’s face. “Got it.” 

“Okay, I better go back to my desk before the supervisor comes looking for me.” With the tip-off complete, Lu Yimeng quickly ended the call.  

Lu Yiyao looked at his phone and slowly smiled, feeling quite good about having an ally. 

…… 

While Lu Yimeng was making her tip-off call, Fan Li, on the other hand, had Dai Chu thoroughly investigate Gu Jie’s background.  

Now that his name was known it was easy to find his information. He was an artist in the entertainment industry, had appeared on variety shows, acted in movies, and was acquainted with Lu Yiyao… Putting all these clues together, there was no need for further narrowing down or investigation; the target was clear. Moreover, according to the information Fan Li received, this man had posted a photo on Weibo dining with her son just two days ago. 

A face with distinct features, proper and well-placed, tanned skin, and a sturdy and robust physique, he seemed every bit the embodiment of masculine youth. 

Him and Lu Yiyao?!  

Fan Li couldn’t imagine it; just thinking about it made her feel like she was going mad. 

When she first heard from Lu Yiyao that he liked men, she was unable to accept it. Now, pinning a face to the person supposedly leading her son astray, the chaotic images in her mind from the previous night took on a concrete form, and it became even more unbearable for her. She didn’t argue with her son right then only because she understood him well and knew that doing so would only backfire. It was better to stabilize him first and then find a solution. 

She could see her son had made up his mind, so the solution naturally had to come from the other person involved. 

“Is he in Beijing?” Fan Li asked, looking at the apartment address listed in the information.  

“Yes, he returned from Xi’an yesterday,” Dai Chu replied. 

“I want to meet him.” The reason Fan Li could manage such a large company alone was her ability to be patient when necessary and decisive when needed. 

Dai Chu understood that when Fan Li said “meet”, it was more akin to “confronting.” He informed her, “He just returned from Xi’an yesterday and doesn’t have any engagements today. If he hasn’t made plans with friends, it’s likely he’ll be at his apartment. Even if he’s gone out, we can wait for him.” 

“Okay.” Fan Li stood up. “Let’s go now.” 

Dai Chu was puzzled but quickly followed. Suddenly being tasked with investigating an artist, understanding his complete social and friendship circles, and then going to confront him—the whole situation was odd. 

Dai Chu sensed that this had something to do with Lu Yiyao, especially since Fan Li and Gu Jie were unrelated. But Gu Jie was as clean as distilled water. Since entering the industry, he had hardly any scandals, except for a brief rumor with an actress named Qi Luoluo, which was later proven false. He hadn’t been in any confirmed relationships either, dedicating his prime years to acting, fitness, and free fighting—essentially a homebody in another sense. 

Moreover, Gu Jie and Lu Yiyao were good friends. The information gathered showed a deep brotherly bond, with no trace of Gu Jie ever betraying Lu Yiyao. So, what exactly was Fan Li worried about, and what did she want to discuss with Gu Jie? Dai Chu couldn’t figure it out. 

…… 

Gu Jie was woken up by the doorbell.  

Before it rang, he was dreaming of Chang’an, savoring rose mirror cakes, drinking Bingfeng soda, tearing into lamb stewed buns, picking wide belt noodles, all delicious and heartwarming… 

And then, abruptly, there was no more. 

Gu Jie yawned and got up, figuring it was his assistant at the door, as no one else would come this early. He wasn’t scheduled for any work today, but you never know if the assistant might bring some company matter to his attention. 

So, he opened the door in his shorts, bare-chested. “What’s the order now…” 

Gu Jie’s words stopped abruptly. 

The cold wind outside hit his robust upper body, raising goosebumps. 

But this discomfort was nothing compared to the shock of seeing who was at the door. 

A woman in her fifties, dressed simply, her face somewhat haggard, and a well-dressed man in his thirties, tall and strong. More importantly, he didn’t recognize either of them. 

“Did you… maybe knock on the wrong door?” Gu Jie could only think of this possibility. 

“Hello,” the woman said, her voice weary but gentle. “I am Lu Yiyao’s mother.” 

Gu Jie’s mind went blank for a moment. 

But his mouth acted quicker than his brain. “Uh, Auntie, please come in. I’ll go put on some clothes…” 

With that, Gu Jie stumbled into his bedroom to get dressed—civility and politeness are basic virtues, even in a state of confusion. 

As Dai Chu listened to the banging and clanging from Gu Jie’s bedroom, he couldn’t help but think that the man wasn’t so much dressing as dismantling something. Lost in thought, he heard Fan Li say, “Wait for me in the car downstairs.” 

Dai Chu hesitated, mainly concerned for Fan Li’s safety, especially given Gu Jie’s muscular build, but then he remembered that the man was Lu Yiyao’s friend and probably wouldn’t be discourteous to his friend’s mother. Although he didn’t know what Fan Li intended to discuss, her instruction to wait downstairs likely meant she had a plan. 

“Alright. Call me if you need anything,” Dai Chu said and took the elevator down. As the elevator doors closed, Fan Li entered Gu Jie’s apartment. 

When Gu Jie came out dressed, Fan Li was already sitting on the sofa, looking at him with gentle eyes like calm waters. 

However, Gu Jie felt uncomfortable under her gaze, but he didn’t forget to pour a glass of water for Fan Li. Holding the cup, he approached and handed it over, asking, “Auntie, what brings you here?” 

The fact that Lu Yiyao’s mother had come to see him was something Gu Jie couldn’t fathom even if he used 100% of his brain. 

“Sit down.” Fan Li didn’t answer his question but instead asked him to sit. 

Gu Jie took a seat on the sofa across from Fan Li, facing her at a conversational angle yet maintaining a certain distance, feeling somehow safer this way. 

Once Gu Jie was settled, Fan Li slowly began. “You probably know why I am here today.” 

Gu Jie swallowed nervously. Did he really know? 

“I know it’s sudden for me to come like this, but I really had no other choice,” Fan Li said, her voice growing sadder. 

“What exactly happened?” Gu Jie asked worriedly.  

Fan Li shook her head, her eyes brimming with helplessness—half for Gu Jie to see and half genuine. “He’s my only son, and I was hoping he’d marry and have children. Now he tells me he likes men; what am I supposed to do?” 

Gu Jie’s mouth dropped open in astonishment, wondering if he was still dreaming. 

Teacher Lu is gay?! 

No, this must be a dream. It has to be— 

“I don’t want to be a bad person, and I want to be an open-minded mother, but I hope you can understand a mother’s distress,” Fan Li said, becoming emotional and her hand trembling as she grasped Gu Jie’s. 

The dream was so vivid that Gu Jie could clearly feel the sadness of Lu Yiyao’s mother. He really wanted to comfort her and tell her to be more open-minded. While loving men might be hard for the older generation to accept, it didn’t stop Lu Yiyao from continuing to be filial and a good son. At most, he might not be able to give her grandchildren, but life is always full of regrets, isn’t it? 

However, it didn’t seem appropriate to say all this now. What if it only upset Mother Lu more and her health suffered? 

“Don’t be upset, Auntie.” Gu Jie held Fan Li’s hand back, thinking carefully about what to say next. “I can understand you. I know every mother has high hopes for her son, hoping that he will be healthy and happy and have a harmonious family…” 

Fan Li didn’t expect Gu Jie to be so considerate, and his expression seemed genuinely sincere. Surprised and feeling a bit guilty, her initial intention of playing the sympathy card turned into earnestness. “Lu Yiyao wasn’t always like this. He’s just confused for the moment. Even if he has told you something now, he might change later…” 

“He hasn’t talked to me about these things, really.” Gu Jie finally started to grasp the situation, realizing that Lu Yiyao’s mother thought he was in on it and was coming to confront him. 

Fan Li then asked, “Now that you know, can you help me persuade him?” 

“This…” Gu Jie was in a difficult position and could only equivocate, “I can try to help you, but I can’t guarantee it will be effective.” 

“I know it’s a lot to ask, and I’m asking too much of you,” Fan Li continued, looking at Gu Jie earnestly. “But I’m really out of options. Even if you can’t persuade him, can you at least break up with him?” 

“……” Gu Jie was stunned, his mind a tangled mess, unable to find the end of the thread. Fan Li waited patiently, sensing his hesitation. 

They locked eyes, a silent struggle ensuing. 

Finally, Gu Jie spoke, but his question was unrelated to the previous turmoil. He just wanted to know one thing— 

“Auntie, who exactly is Lu Yiyao involved with?” 

Fan Li was taken aback, showing the same bafflement Gu Jie had minutes ago. “Isn’t it you?” 

Gu Jie was shocked by the answer and retorted, “Me?!” 

Fan Li’s voice rose unconsciously. “Isn’t it?!”

Gu Jie replied somewhat sheepishly, “It shouldn’t be…” 

---

Kinky Thoughts: 

LMAO. Poor Gu Jie, the straightest man in this novel…

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

---

Chapter 96

The award ceremony was broadcast live on television and online platforms. The moment the awards were announced, it wasn’t just Ran Lin and Gu Jie who were happy with Lu Yiyao’s win.

At Fan Li’s house in Xicheng, Lu Yimeng excitedly spilled her popcorn and immediately called her mother, who hadn’t returned from the company yet, to announce the good news.

In Dongcheng, Lu Guoming, who rarely came home early, was sitting on the sofa in the living room drinking tea, showing a trace of satisfaction while watching the television that he hardly turned on more than a few times a year.

On Weibo, fans of “God Lu” were overcome with emotion. Despite having been nominated twice at international A-list film festivals and returning empty-handed, this time, although it was just a domestic celebration, he had finally won the Best Actor award and could bring home the trophy.

Long after sitting down, Ran Lin still felt the warmth of his lover’s body.

Lu Yiyao elegantly ascended the stage, received the trophy from the presenter, and stood alone at the center of the vast stage as the presenters exited, leaving only the Best Actor.

Lu Yiyao adjusted the height of the microphone, then slowly raised his head, his smile fading to a calm and solemn demeanor. “I always wondered, while watching others receive awards, why everyone just thanks others. Can’t there be something fresh? But as I adjusted the microphone just now, I understood. There’s nothing new because, at this moment, only gratitude fills your mind…”

“…Thank you to the director for trusting me and choosing me for this role; thank you to the entire crew for your hard work, which made <Split Moon> possible and allowed me to bask in its glory…”

“…I also want to thank my friend. When I first joined the crew, I couldn’t find my bearings and called a friend who gave me a lot of insights…”

“Thank you.”

When Lu Yiyao said these final words, his gaze was fixed forward, seemingly giving a firm conclusion to his acceptance speech.

But Ran Lin knew, those words were meant for him.

That night they video chatted, they talked a lot about each other’s performances, not only Lu Yiyao’s <Split Moon> but also his <Chronicles of Winter>, as both were nearly entering their respective filming crews at the same time, both in the initial stage of finding their footing.

But what exactly had he offered Lu Yiyao that night in terms of constructive advice?

Ran Lin really couldn’t remember.

The only thing he remembered was that sentence—“My spirit is with you. If you miss me, just look up into the sky.”

……

The night after the award ceremony, Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao celebrated in the most primal way. The next morning, while Lu Yiyao energetically went to the company, Ran Lin continued to sleep off his aches and pains.

Two days later, Ran Lin boarded a plane with his luggage, heading to Xi’an to shoot <Youth of Wuling>.

Lu Yiyao really wanted to go and see for himself, but he was too tied up with work and had to send Yao Hong instead. Yao Hong’s main responsibility was to look after Ran Lin, while the producer was fully responsible for the shooting itself and would report directly to Lu Yiyao. This seasoned producer, brought in by Yao Hong and a friend for many years, was reliable in both his professionalism and character.

Not long after Ran Lin joined the crew, Lu Yiyao ran into Huo Yuntao at a cocktail party.

It was a charity cocktail party organized by a group closely related to the entertainment industry, attracting many industry leaders to support the event. Lu Yiyao, needing to familiarize himself with the circle and establish his transition from artist to business owner, attended to meet more people and assert his new role.

However, Rome wasn’t built in a day, especially since Lu Yiyao had recently been in the spotlight at the film festival, inevitably leading to some light-hearted ribbing. As soon as he appeared, someone familiar greeted him with, “Isn’t this Emperor Lu?”

The teasing wasn’t malicious, but it lacked a certain respect. Nonetheless, Lu Yiyao responded graciously, “President Sun.”

This President Sun’s company was small, without investments in any major productions, and had no prior collaboration with Lu Yiyao. They were merely acquaintances in the industry, looking to make light conversation at the dull event.

But unexpectedly, Lu Yiyao’s maturity and ease, despite being under thirty, somewhat embarrassed the other man, who then turned serious and said, “I heard your company’s first project has already started shooting?”

“Yes,” Lu Yiyao replied with a smile. “With so many mouths to feed at the company, we had to start shooting or drink the northwest wind*.”

*(喝西北风) Idiom referring to experiencing poverty or going through tough times without basic necessities. It suggests that if someone doesn’t work hard, manage their affairs well, or if a situation turns bad, they might end up with nothing to eat or no means to support themselves—essentially left with nothing but the northwest wind to ‘drink’.

“President Lu, you’re being modest,” President Sun changed his address. “Everyone knows that’s a big project for your company.”

“Only if it’s done with ease is it considered a big project. If it requires staking everything, then it’s a gamble.” Lu Yiyao sighed theatrically. “Maybe next year at this charity event, President Sun, you won’t find me.”

President Sun was amused by the joke but was internally surprised.

An artist turned businessman maintaining such poise and demeanor was likable but not unexpected. Yet, Lu Yiyao didn’t show even a hint of his former artist self; instead, he exuded the aura of a peer through and through, with every word and action suggesting seasoned business acumen. He knew Lu Yiyao as a former artist, or else he would have definitely mistaken him for a businessman through and through.

While President Sun was preoccupied with his thoughts, Lu Yiyao was unsettled.

He realized that in the moment of interacting with President Sun, he had been channeling his father’s spirit. His mannerisms and speech were highly reminiscent of Lu Guoming, as he remembered him.

Lu Yiyao didn’t often see his father in business mode, but the few times he did left a lasting impression. He vividly remembered his determination not to become a second Lu Guoming, leading him to forgo business school and secretly apply to study drama in defiance of his father.

Yet, after all the twists and turns, he found himself back at the starting point.

But Lu Yiyao had no regrets about these detours. Because life isn’t just about the outcome; it’s about the journey. If he had chosen business from the start, he wouldn’t have experienced all that followed: falling in love with Ran Lin, meeting friends like Xia Xinran, Gu Jie, and Tang Xiaoyu, and even solidifying his direction in life as he had now… If there was anything consistent in both paths, it would probably only be Huo Yuntao.

This person appeared too early, long before he even started to consider his life’s path, so whether he went into business or acting, it didn’t affect his relationship with this person. Thinking about it carefully, it really is a bad influence and a fateful bond between friends…

“Hello, do you really not see me or just don’t want to greet me?”

A familiar voice pulled Lu Yiyao back from his thoughts, and then he was stunned.

“Why are you here?” Lu Yiyao wondered if his mind contained a magic lamp like Aladdin’s, so as soon as he reminisced, the person would appear in real life.

Huo Yuntao, dressed in a thin suit and holding a wine glass, looked at his old friend with a sad face. “What’s with that expression? Are you that unhappy to see me?”

“It’s not about whether I want to see you or not; it’s just scientifically implausible for you to be here,” Lu Yiyao retorted with good reason.

“How is it implausible? The organizers have business dealings with my family… Wait.” Huo Yuntao finally realized the problem. “What do you mean it doesn’t matter if I want to see you or not? Do you want to or not?”

“I do, I’ve been dying to see you.” Lu Yiyao laughed, his earlier composure nowhere to be found, now just a childlike figure bantering with his buddy. However, he hadn’t forgotten that his friend was now a married man and looked around. “Where’s Panxi?”

“She doesn’t like socializing,” Huo Yuntao explained.

Lu Yiyao looked at his friend somewhat sentimentally. “You don’t like it either.”

“What can I do? It’s my family’s business. If I don’t carry it, who will? It’s all fate.”

Lu Yiyao clinked his glass with him. “Wishing you wealth and prosperity.”

Huo Yuntao glanced at him irritably before saying, “Wishing you consecutive Best Actor wins.”

Lu Yiyao felt a teasing itch. “Can’t your blessing be a little more heartfelt?”

Huo Yuntao was deliberately teasing, now enjoying making his friend squirm, but after his fun, he finally got serious. “Has <Youth of Wuling> started shooting?”

By this time, the two had moved to a corner where they could chat casually without attracting attention.

“Yes,” Lu Yiyao said. “It started last week.”

Huo Yuntao nodded. “How is it? Will it make a loss?”

Lu Yiyao: “……”

Only a buddy like him could ask this; with anyone else, it might end a friendship.

But precisely because it was Huo Yuntao, Lu Yiyao knew he was genuinely worried about him losing everything.

Lu Yiyao: “Hard to say. It depends on whether the final production meets expectations.”

Huo Yuntao: “And if it does?”

Lu Yiyao: “Then it won’t make a loss, and the ratings will definitely explode.”

Huo Yuntao: “And if it doesn’t meet expectations?”

Lu Yiyao: “Then the wife might not be kept.”

Huo Yuntao: “It’s not that bad, right?”

Lu Yiyao: “To support me, Ran Lin acted this time without any remuneration.”

Huo Yuntao: “If I were him, I’d kick you out by now…”

Lu Yiyao smirked.

After hearing Ran Lin wanted to buy a villa and be his neighbor, he really thought about increasing his remuneration. But when it came time to talk money, Ran Lin refused even the original pay, and his reasoning was solid—considering his remuneration as an investment in the project, if it lost, he’d chalk it up to bad luck, but if it earned, he wanted a higher share of the profits.

Of course, Ran Lin wasn’t really after high risk, high returns; even someone as slow as Lu Yiyao knew this was his way of supporting the new businessman in his life.

If <National First Love Drift Story> opened up Ran Lin’s fame, <Sword of Fallen Blossom> brought him his first wave of popularity. Then <Chronicles of Winter> and <Dyeing Fire> were helping him ride a new wave of popularity, elevating his status and raising his value dramatically.

With Ran Lin’s current momentum, returning to TV dramas meant his remuneration would be much higher than during <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms>, and even then, his pay for <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms> had already doubled from <Sword of Fallen Blossoms>. Recently, Yao Hong had set Ran Lin’s TV drama remuneration to 400,000–450,000 per episode. Of course, this quote included some leeway, but even if the producers intended to negotiate down, 300,000–350,000 per episode was the baseline. Whether Ran Lin’s remuneration rose or fell in the future would depend on his career trajectory, but at this stage, that was the number.

<Youth of Wuling> was planned for 46 episodes, and if they hadn’t chosen Ran Lin but another actor of the same popularity, the over ten million in remuneration would be a normal expense. But now, because it was Ran Lin, that money was effectively saved.

They say talking about money hurts relationships.

But Lu Yiyao felt that real mutual trust in a relationship isn’t afraid of discussing money. Naturally, he turned to Ran Lin to be the male lead in his heavily invested drama, confident in Ran Lin even before the latter’s popularity surge. Conversely, Ran Lin, believing in his vision and capability, offered to act for free, essentially sharing the risk with him.

Would Ran Lin’s participation guarantee the success of the drama? Lu Yiyao couldn’t be sure.

Was every project Lu Yiyao invested in destined to be successful? Ran Lin probably couldn’t say for sure either.

But that was their love—trusting each other, striving together, sharing the losses, and enjoying the gains.

“Can you not act like ‘the luckiest guy in the world’ every time we talk about your significant other?” Huo Yuntao had had enough. He could bear being fed dog food when they were unmarried, but after marriage, this constant show of affection was unbearable!

“I know you’re married, and happily so. No need to keep flashing your wedding ring in my face.” Lu Yiyao irritably swatted away his friend’s hand so as not to be blinded by the diamond. “Besides, what’s a man doing wearing a diamond ring? Platinum is enough.”

“That’s sexist,” Huo Yuntao retorted, turning the ring on his ring finger, convinced the diamond ring he chose for himself was quite appealing.

In fact, Huo Yuntao’s ring was quite nice. Though it was a diamond ring, it wasn’t overly large. The diamond was small and elegant, set in the groove of a platinum band, slightly flat on the surface, giving a very gentlemanly and elegant look.

But to Lu Yiyao, this was as provocative as bragging about shampoo in front of a monk.

Actually, Huo Yuntao wasn’t unjustly accused, as he was indeed flaunting deliberately. Seeing his friend’s head in the clouds whenever Ran Lin was mentioned, he felt the need to bring him back to earth occasionally. “When do you plan to tell your family about your relationship?”

Lu Yiyao was daydreaming about the beautiful future when he and Ran Lin would wear matching rings when suddenly his friend brought him back to reality. After a pause, he replied, “I’ll tell them next week.”

Huo Yuntao was startled. His intention was to make his friend not be blinded by happiness in front of him, but he hadn’t expected him to act so impulsively. “There’s no need to rush; you need to plan this carefully. You can’t just rush into battle because I mentioned it.”

Lu Yiyao realized his friend had some misunderstandings about his plan to come out. “You think I decided just now?”

Huo Yuntao frowned. “Isn’t it?”

Lu Yiyao: “Am I someone who acts impulsively?”

Huo Yuntao spoke honestly. “You aren’t usually, but when it comes to matters involving Ran Lin, you’ve always been bold.”

“…” Lu Yiyao found himself at a loss for words. Whether it was realizing his feelings for Ran Lin, coming to terms with his own identity, or even his confession, it seemed just as Huo Yuntao said: once he decided, he acted decisively. Looking back, he wanted to give himself a pat on the back for his boldness.

Unable to refute, he skipped the topic and went straight to the point. “Next week is my lunar birthday. I had promised my mom and sister to go home, so…”

“So you’ve also been considering coming out during this occasion?” Huo Yuntao began to understand his friend’s line of thought.

Lu Yiyao nodded. “The birthday atmosphere is just right.”

Huo Yuntao imagined the scene and felt his friend’s twenty-eighth birthday might be a disaster. “Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? A thunderbolt from the blue amidst all the happiness might be too much of an emotional gap, making it even harder to accept.”

Lu Yiyao shook his head, obviously having thought it through. “There’s never a perfect time for these things. If I wait for everyone to be in a bad mood, the gap won’t be as big, but that would just add to the gloom.”

“That’s true,” Huo Yuntao admitted, not wanting to say more since his friend had considered it thoroughly. But then he thought of something else. “Isn’t Ran Lin going with you? After all, this involves both of you.”

Lu Yiyao looked down at his crystal-clear wine glass for a long while before responding, “I want to make sure everything at home is settled before I bring him over.”

Huo Yuntao pursed his lips. He understood his friend’s logic but couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.

After a while, he finally spoke up to advise. “Facing it together as a couple can make you stronger than just 1 + 1 > 2.”

Lu Yiyao slowly looked up, his eyes calm but determined. “I want him to face only sunny days.”

Huo Yuntao watched his friend for a long time, then suddenly pulled out his phone and held it to his face. “Hello, police? There’s a guy here crazy in love throwing dog food around. Are you going to do something about it or not—”

……

Ran Lin had been shooting for over a week now.

Even disregarding his relationship with Lu Yiyao and objectively evaluating, this was one of the most cohesive TV drama crews Ran Lin had been part of. Similar to <Dyeing Fire>, <Youth of Wuling> didn’t have many stakeholders and interest groups involved. The entire crew was controlled by Lu Yiyao, led by the producer, and decided by the director, creating a unified team rather than a collection of various parties. This kind of team felt more like a collective, with everyone working towards a common goal.

Moreover, <Youth of Wuling> was less worrisome in terms of actors compared to <Dyeing Fire>. Besides Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu, the rest of the actors were carefully selected, prioritizing professional skill and reputation over popularity. Furthermore, as a modern urban drama, <Youth of Wuling> inherently had lower acting demands than <Dyeing Fire>. Thanks to the director’s casting control, many actors could perform naturally, adding a fresh and authentic feel.

All these factors led to a stable shooting progress, allowing the director more time to refine scenes and actors to spark more intense performances, making the acting more thrilling and satisfying.

This particular day was about shooting a scene where Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu, playing best friends, were wandering around the Bell and Drum Tower Square, reflecting on their perplexing lives, when they happened upon a pickpocket targeting a bystander. Acting heroically, they intervened, but their good deed unexpectedly resulted in retaliation from the pickpocket’s gang. However, these two weren’t easy targets and quickly called for backup, turning a simple act of bravery into a gang fight. Though the police intervened as soon as it started, the incident still disrupted public order, landing both the friends and the thieves in jail. Fortunately, the initial victim stood up to testify, clearing their names, albeit they still received a stern lecture from the police.

For shooting in such busy, open areas, the crew usually aimed for quick, decisive action. As actors, they would get ready and travel to the location, starting the shoot promptly upon arrival.

Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu were the leads, while the pickpocket and the victim were played by extras. From makeup to setting off, they were separate from these actors until they arrived on set, where they saw a group already gathered, listening to the assistant director’s instructions.

“Are you ready?” the already present director asked them.

It was a weekday morning around ten o’clock. The shops around the square were all open, though it wasn’t yet the peak of customer traffic, creating a bustling yet orderly scene perfect for filming.

Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu knew the director wanted to make quick work of it, so they nodded in unison.

The director was pleased and said, “Let’s walk through the entire thing first to familiarize yourselves with the positions and paths.”

In the scene, Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu needed to chase the pickpocket, so the running paths and directions were important.

Without hesitation, Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu positioned themselves in front of the camera and started their “casual stroll.”

The director watched from behind the monitor, occasionally giving directions.

Once they had “strolled” enough, the director had the assistant notify the assistant director to bring over the “pickpocket” and the “victim” for the heroic intervention part of the scene. The “beating” and “retaliation” were to be shot later.

Ran Lin watched as the assistant director brought over three people. Two wore baseball caps, obscuring their faces, but with backpacks and dressed in casual sportswear, they looked like young tourists; the other was in a jacket, unremarkable and lost in the crowd, but with eyes darting around, vividly embodying the term “shifty-eyed”.

The trio stopped a few meters away from them, where the assistant director briefed them. Strangely enough, the “pickpocket” looked up attentively, while the two “tourists” kept their heads down, hiding their faces under the brim of their caps from Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu’s view.

Tang Xiaoyu didn’t notice anything amiss, busy rehearsing his lines and actions in his mind.

But the more Ran Lin watched, the more suspicious he became—no, extremely suspicious…

Without warning, Ran Lin briskly approached them, bent down, and looked up under the caps, indeed finding a pair of all-too-familiar eyes beneath!

“Damn—” Gu Jie was the first to react, snatching off his baseball cap. “You recognized us just like that?!”

Xia Xinran rolled his eyes and reluctantly looked up but didn’t address Ran Lin, first glaring at Gu Jie. “I told you your walk is distinctive!”

Ran Lin laughed heartily, quickly coming to Gu Jie’s defense. “Don’t blame others. I recognized you two by your figures as soon as you came over!”

Finally, Xia Xinran turned to Ran Lin and hugged him. “So, you also really do keep us in your heart—”

Gu Jie frowned. What’s with the “also”? But before he could dwell on it, he locked eyes with the smiling Ran Lin across Xia Xinran’s back and promptly said, “We’re here to visit the set!”

“And make a friendly cameo?” Tang Xiaoyu walked over, having grasped the situation, delighted like Ran Lin.

“Since we’re here, of course we should make a cameo,” Xia Xinran released Ran Lin, chuckling. “It’s not easy to owe Teacher Lu a favor; gotta seize the opportunity!”

“So it was Lu Yiyao who invited you?” Tang Xiaoyu guessed, following Xia Xinran’s logic.

But was immediately half-denied by Beauty Xia. “We just wanted to visit the set, and it happened that Teacher Lu wanted us to make a cameo, so it was a perfect match!”

Ran Lin looked towards Gu Jie.

The latter nodded. “Yep.”

Ran Lin grinned. If Gu Jie confirmed it, then it must be true.

Xia Xinran frowned. “Why do you need his confirmation after I’ve said it…”

Because you don’t seem reliable. The assistant director, who had witnessed the whole scene, couldn’t help but chuckle internally, yet also noticed these people truly had a strong bond. But with limited time, he had to be the party pooper. “Shall we run through the scene now?”

Reminded by the assistant director, everyone immediately became professional, ready to work.

Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu moved to sit on some nearby steps, pretending to be bored and looking at the sky, while Xia Xinran and Gu Jie positioned themselves in front of the camera, donning their baseball caps and exuding youthful vibes. The pickpocket waited not far behind them, ready to strike.

At the clap of the slate, Gu Jie and Xia Xinran walked shoulder to shoulder, Xia Xinran opening a map on his phone, discussing the surroundings with Gu Jie, stopping now and then as if they were pure and innocent tourists visiting for the first time.

The pickpocket, following closely behind, approached the two. As they huddled over the map, he opened Xia Xinran’s backpack and swiftly swiped a wallet…

“Hey—”

With a shout for justice, Ran Lin leaped into action!

The thief turned to run, and Ran Lin chased after him like a whirlwind, while Tang Xiaoyu rushed to the bemused Xia Xinran and Gu Jie, who hadn’t yet realized what was happening.

“Your wallet!” Tang Xiaoyu, too rushed to be eloquent, pointed in the direction Ran Lin was chasing.

Xia Xinran blinked, still bewildered.

Gu Jie looked back, saw Xia Xinran’s opened backpack, and instantly understood, slapping Xia Xinran on the head. “Your wallet—”

Xia Xinran finally snapped out of it. “Then why hit me! Chase the thief!”

Such was their way; the fact they managed to travel safely at all was a miracle. Tang Xiaoyu, no longer caring to explain, chased after Ran Lin!

Gu Jie and Xia Xinran promptly followed, sprinting away!

As everyone exited the frame, the take was successfully completed.

As soon as “cut” was heard, Xia Xinran immediately retaliated by slapping Gu Jie’s head.

Tang Xiaoyu quickly intervened. “Don’t do that. It’s part of acting.”

Xia Xinran looked aggrieved. “There was no such action in the script. It was his improvisation!”

Gu Jie insisted, “That’s the character’s personality. The action makes it closer to the character’s inner world.”

Xia Xinran was speechless. “You’re just making a cameo! What inner world?”

Gu Jie shrugged. “The script doesn’t write it, but you can explore it yourself, that’s an actor’s self-cultivation.”

“……” Tang Xiaoyu looked at Ran Lin beside him and suddenly understood why he was closer to these two than himself. He didn’t try to mediate because this illogical bickering wasn’t about reason but enjoyment.

‘Different strokes for different folks*’, Tang Xiaoyu thought; friendship indeed comes in all sorts and shapes.

*One kind of rice provides for one hundred kinds of people (一样米养百样人) Idiom referring to everybody thinks and acts a little differently even when we’re all in the same environment.

Xia Xinran and Gu Jie were only there for a day’s cameo, so after the morning’s outdoor shooting, they immediately moved to the police station’s interior set for the afternoon.

Ran Lin hadn’t seen Xia Xinran act before, let alone act with him. Even the morning’s chase scene didn’t require much acting from Xia Xinran and Gu Jie; being startled, then following in pursuit was the extent of it, with the focus still on Ran Lin and the thief.

But the afternoon’s “victim coming to the police station to testify” scene required real acting.

As the slate closed, Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu stood dejectedly on one side, Gu Jie waiting as an observer rather than a victim, while Xia Xinran, having explained the situation to the police, came over to them. His eyes lifted, filled with remorse, so convincing that Ran Lin nearly softened, ready to say “it’s okay” before Xia Xinran even spoke.

“I’m sorry…” Xia Xinran’s usual liveliness was gone, his face reflecting a complex mix of annoyance, shame, relief at having apologized, and apprehension for what was to come.

Ran Lin was surprised by Xia Xinran’s nuanced portrayal of emotions, instantly getting into character. “It’s okay.”

“Next time, don’t put your wallet in the backpack. Keep it close to your body,” Tang Xiaoyu also reminded, but he had to murmur under his breath due to the presence of the police officer.

“Alright, you can go now.” The police officer finally stood up, his tone earnest. “Remember, it’s good to act bravely for a just cause, but violence should not be met with violence.”

“Cut—”

With that, their cameo appearance was wrapped up.

Xia Xinran couldn’t wait to run to the monitor to see how well he performed.

Ran Lin was also curious and followed, only to find Xia Xinran standing beside the monitor, staring blankly at the director.

As Ran Lin approached, he realized that Xia Xinran wasn’t fixated on the director but rather on the person sitting next to the director, who was also intently looking at the monitor, casually dressed and wearing a fisherman’s hat.

“Teacher Lu?!” Xia Xinran finally found his voice.

Having already experienced many surprises that day, Ran Lin was relatively calm by this point. However, while his face remained composed, his heart was blooming with joy, as if surrounded by fragrant flowers and buzzing bees collecting nectar.

Lu Yiyao took off his hat and looked up graciously.

Xia Xinran slapped his shoulder. “You kept it well hidden!” Realizing the change in status, he immediately regretted his familiarity, especially in front of so many people. It was important to preserve Boss Lu’s dignity as a boss, so his hand quickly retreated, pretending the patting and playing were not his doing.

Lu Yiyao, seeing through his thoughts, chuckled softly and then slowly turned his gaze to Ran Lin.

Ran Lin’s heart blossomed like a garden, politely addressing him, “Boss Lu…”

It was the first time Lu Yiyao heard Ran Lin call him that, unexpectedly pleasant, making him feel almost light-headed.

“Teacher Lu, I knew it was you the moment you walked in, but I didn’t blow your cover. Considerate, right?” Gu Jie’s voice reached them before he even approached.

Just like that, any sense of floating or charm dissipated, crashing Lu Yiyao back to reality.

……

Though Lu Yiyao was resolute and even confident when discussing coming out with Huo Yuntao, the contemplation alone in his somewhat empty room back at the villa brought an inevitable nervousness. Rehearsing and foreseeing the possible outcomes, he had to admit, there was trepidation.

This apprehension was different from when he defied his parents to choose drama and performance. That was just a rebellion on the path of growth, meant to irk his father intentionally. The more infuriated Lu Guoming got, the more satisfying it felt to him.

But this time was different.

Choosing to spend the rest of his life with Ran Lin, or, more broadly, choosing to be with a man, was like taking a sharp turn in the second half of his life. It meant dismantling and reassembling all his parents’ expectations and plans for his marriage and life. But “reassembling” wasn’t the hardest part; the challenge was getting his parents to accept this “dismantling”.

For him, the hardest thing to face was never his parents’ “anger” but their “sorrow”. So, whenever he imagined his parents’ disappointment and sadness, it suffocated him.

People tend to avoid or delay confronting foreseen difficulties, but Lu Yiyao didn’t. He would still celebrate his birthday and come out on that day as planned. However, to ease his mind, he decided to bring forward the set visit, including Gu Jie and Xia Xinran’s cameo, originally scheduled for next month—if hard times awaited him post-coming out, he wanted to enjoy some happy memories first for sustenance during the tough times ahead.

But these arrangements were unrelated to Ran Lin and his visiting friends that day.

So, when the five of them gathered for dinner that evening, Gu Jie asked him why he came without notice. He replied, “To surprise you.”

“It’s to surprise Ran Lin, right?” Xia Xinran teased. “You made me and Gu Jie surprise him first, then you came in for a follow-up, layering the joy… Clever. Becoming a boss really changes a person.”

“Do you regret not signing with my company?” Lu Yiyao joked.

“Thank goodness I didn’t.” Xia Xinran shuddered at the thought. “You’re almost raising Ran Lin to the heavens.”

“Boss Lu, how about considering me?” Tang Xiaoyu volunteered earnestly. “My contract expires the year after next!”

Gu Jie nearly choked on his tea, exasperatedly saying, “You can bring that up after two years!”

Tang Xiaoyu shrugged. “Just getting a head start. I think this company has a bright future; better book my spot early.”

“I have to admit that,” Xia Xinran rarely gave such positive feedback, “You can tell a lot of money has been poured into this drama.”

Lu Yiyao was amused, accepting all the teasing with a smile.

He relished these light-hearted gatherings, occasionally looking at Ran Lin, feeling even more grounded.

Ran Lin felt there was something unusual about Lu Yiyao today. A surprise visit was definitely delightful, but there seemed to be something else flickering in his lover’s eyes. Ran Lin couldn’t discern what it was and wasn’t even sure if it was real or just his sixth sense ringing false alarms.

Shaking his head, Ran Lin decided not to dwell on it and to simply ask later when they were alone.

With this in mind, he recalled what Xia Xinran had mentioned on the way to the restaurant that it was a rare trip to the area not for work, so he and Gu Jie planned to be proper tourists the next day before flying back to Beijing.

Ran Lin was curious about what constituted a “proper tourist” for them. “So, what’s your plan for tomorrow?”

Xia Xinran, who had been inquiring about the drama crew’s logistics and shooting plans from Tang Xiaoyu, wanted to understand just how extravagant Teacher Lu was.

Thus, Gu Jie responded to the question. “In the morning, eat roujiamo with liangpi, lamb stew with bread for lunch followed by a steamer of soup dumplings. Dinner is undecided, tossing between biangbiang noodles and saozi noodles, but I also want to try the meatball hulu soup. For late-night snacks, we’ll stroll around and maybe buy some persimmon cakes…”

Ran Lin: “…Is there any activity outside of dining? Just eating all day?”

Gu Jie: “I’m just starting with the meals. Can you call it a proper tourist visit without hitting the scenic spots? We plan to start early with the Terracotta Army, Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum, Mount Li, Huaqing Pool, then move on to the Stele Forest, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the afternoon. If there’s time after the Big Wild Goose Pagoda fountain show, we might visit Tang Paradise…”

“There won’t be time.” Ran Lin brutally cut off his friend. “I personally think you guys will be ready for late-night snacks and persimmon cakes after coming back from Huaqing Pool…”

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

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Chapter 95

When Lu Yiyao finished work and returned home, it was already midnight.

Initially, when he first thought about changing careers, he imagined countless times that being a boss meant having control over his time; as long as he increased his work efficiency, having a regular nine-to-five schedule without any social engagements seemed very natural. However, once he actually became the boss, he realized it wasn’t the case at all.

When he was an artist, his rest was determined by the filming schedule or appearances. Whether it was early starts or working through the night, there was always a clear end to the day, and once work was over, he could instantly switch off and relax completely. But now, when the end of the workday was up to him, he found that there was always more work to be done. Once one thing was handled, another arose, and even when some issues couldn’t be immediately resolved, he had to keep them in mind and plan step by step for their eventual resolution.

As a result, he became the last person to leave the office every night, often thinking “it’s about time to leave” several times before actually leaving.

Recently, he had been consistently leaving work around midnight, mostly thanks to Ran Lin. After observing for two months that his departure times were erratic, ranging from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., his lover implemented a series of alarm reminders on his phone, a tactic Ran Lin had honed over the years.

So, for the past week, his departure process went like this:

At ten o’clock, the phone alarm would ring, signaling it was about time.

At eleven o’clock, another alarm, suggesting it was time to start packing up.

And at midnight, the final alarm, indicating it was time to head home.

Therefore, when the third alarm rang, it was the time he felt most uplifted.

In October, <Youth of Wuling> was set to start filming, and Yao Hong specially cleared Ran Lin’s entire September to allow him to focus fully on understanding the script. So these days, Lu Yiyao had something special to look forward to every day when he returned home.

The feeling of having someone waiting at home was very comforting.

After starting to semi-live together with Ran Lin, Lu Yiyao dug out an old car from his father’s villa’s garage, one whose style and color were so nondescript it was nearly invisible on the street. Boss Lu was very pleased with this low-profile, almost invisible mode of transportation.

Perhaps due to encountering happy events, Lu Yiyao felt the moon looked particularly beautiful that night. After parking the car in the garage, he took a moment to look up at it before using his fingerprint to unlock the door.

The click of the lock was clear and pleasant in the quiet night. As he opened the door, the bright light from the living room spilled out, yet the house was silent. Lu Yiyao instantly knew that someone had fallen asleep waiting for him.

He entered the foyer, quietly closed the door behind him, changed shoes almost silently, and walked into the living room. As expected, he saw his lover lying on the sofa, sound asleep, tightly clutching an open script to his chest.

Lu Yiyao turned off the bright living room lights and switched on a dim night light before crouching next to the sofa. In the dim and soft light, he quietly watched the face so close to him.

Ran Lin’s lips were slightly parted, breathing evenly and long, with a faint smile as if enjoying a pleasant dream.

Lu Yiyao couldn’t resist and gently stole a kiss. He was as gentle as possible, but the lover still stirred slightly, first frowning and then beginning to move restlessly, as if about to wake up.

But Lu Yiyao had intended to wake him up, although it happened sooner than expected. Nevertheless, he waited patiently for his lover to awaken.

Unexpectedly, Ran Lin, still frowning, didn’t wake up but instead brushed his lips with the back of his hand and continued to hug the script and sleep.

…Lu Yiyao felt somewhat rejected.

Annoyed, he stopped being gentle, silently stood up, undid his tie, took off his shirt, and then quietly removed the script from his lover’s arms, pressing down onto him.

The sofa immediately sank under the weight of the two people.

Ran Lin, sleeping soundly, was suddenly startled awake by the sensation of being “pressed by a ghost”, only to find a face close up. With the living room light dim, he didn’t have the composure to distinguish the face’s details and, out of fright, opened his mouth to scream—

“Mmph…”

Lu Yiyao, quick to act, covered his lover’s mouth and bit down on the other’s neck. The scream that was stuck in Ran Lin’s throat changed its tune.

Ran Lin was pinned down, unable to move or shout, left at the mercy of Lu Yiyao. Only after the other had his fill of kissing and caressing did he finally catch his breath to utter, “You… um…”

Instead of keeping his hand over his mouth, the other switched to sealing it with a kiss. Lu Yiyao’s kisses were both intense and lingering, causing Ran Lin to forget his initial intentions with each one. It felt like going with a diss to criticize a celebrity on their microblog, only to become a fan upon reading the posts, and then frantically supporting them in the end—a mix of frustration and peculiar pleasure.

Today was no different. When Lu Yiyao finally released his lips, Ran Lin, still catching his breath, asked in a daze, “You’re back?”

Charmed by his lover’s cute stupor, Lu Yiyao couldn’t bear to let go and continued to press down, murmuring, “What were you smiling about?”

Ran Lin was confused. “I wasn’t smiling…”

Lu Yiyao: “You were smiling in your sleep.”

Ran Lin’s thoughts slowly cleared, and glancing at the script on the floor, he recalled the remnants of his dream, and the joy from the dream returned, causing him to smile. “I dreamt I became a Movie Emperor.”

Lu Yiyao laughed, knowing that daydreams often lead to night dreams, but to be as unabashed and unpretentious as Ran Lin was particularly endearing. “Yeah, the Movie Emperor will definitely be yours.”

Ran Lin had expected Lu Yiyao to tease him, but instead, he got this affirmation. The statement seemed like it should have a backstory to make sense, so he asked curiously, “Why should it be mine? It’s just a wild dream.”

Lu Yiyao was taken aback by Ran Lin’s words, slightly propping himself up and blinking at his lover, realizing they might have been talking about different things in their daze.

“Didn’t you see the news?” Lu Yiyao decided to first clarify the situation seriously.

Ran Lin was completely clueless. “What news? I’ve been reading the script all day.”

As expected.

Lu Yiyao couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. So, it wasn’t that Ran Lin’s dreams were influenced by his thoughts during the day, but that he had a premonition!

“The list of nominees for the XX Film Festival was released today.” Lu Yiyao felt destined to be the harbinger of good news. “You’ve been nominated for Best Actor.”

“…Me?!” Ran Lin was stunned for a few seconds before he could voice his disbelief.

Lu Yiyao was very pleased with this reaction, which gave him a sense of achievement, so he casually dropped another bomb. “And me too.”

This time, Ran Lin was utterly shocked. “Really?!”

Lu Yiyao continued, “And Gu Jie.”

Ran Lin was speechless. “……”

Lu Yiyao added, “And Zhang Beichen.”

Ran Lin quipped, “Is the director of the Drifting Group the chairman of the film festival jury or what…”

Having had his fun and delivered the good news, Lu Yiyao contentedly went to take a shower, leaving Ran Lin sitting alone in the living room, scrolling through Weibo to gauge public opinion.

At this point, the controversy over whether Di Jiangtao was a lead actor had vanished, and the trending topic “Feeling sorry for Xia Xinran” was glaringly displayed. Ran Lin initially worried that something had happened to Xia Xinran and clicked in anxiously, only to find out… Ran Lin just felt sorry for the needless worry he put himself through.

Besides Xia Xinran, “National First Love Drifting Story” also trended.

The long-missed words stirred up indescribable emotions in Ran Lin, and before he knew it, he had clicked into the hot search. The entire vibe of the hot search was like this—

[Several Paparazzi Return From Ancient Times: Four guests from National First Love Drifting Story jointly nominated for Best Actor at XX Film Festival 😮! Four out of five people were nominated, occupying four out of five spots, both the nomination rate and the share reaching 80%! Which other show can achieve this! National First Love Drifting Story, the cradle of Movie Kings!…[View full text]]

[Li Bai On The Boat: Do you want to make a breakthrough in your acting career? Do you want to firmly establish yourself as a serious actor? Do you want to be nominated for Best Actor at a young age? Join National First Love Drifting Story! No charges for two months of filming, all expenses covered, and you even get paid, either daily or seasonally. Post-filming distribution not included, but the employment rate for “serious actors” from this variety show is as high as 80%! What are you waiting for!]

The marketing accounts seized the opportunity, and the humorists added their touch, resulting in countless people flocking to the main subject’s page. Unexpectedly, the official Weibo of the long-silent Drifting Story was still maintained and quickly caught up with the trend—

[We are seriously considering 😮‍💨 //@Daily Hair-Combing: How about a second season? The domestic film industry needs you 😮‍💨 @National First Love Drifting Story]

Naturally, netizens were happy to see such interactions. Although nothing was confirmed yet, the buzz might rekindle the television station’s confidence in the program, and given the current popularity, sponsors should be easy to find. Hence, the comments section was very active, with occasional mentions of the first season’s participants.

After seeing Zhang Beichen’s name for who knows how many times, Ran Lin followed the mentions to his Weibo, not sure what to feel, perhaps just genuinely curious about how he views the joint nomination.

However, there was no recent activity on Zhang Beichen’s Weibo, the latest post being a retweet of an event advertisement dated July 2^nd.

Ran Lin stared at the date, zoning out.

This meant that Zhang Beichen hadn’t updated his Weibo for almost two months.

Ran Lin scrolled further down and noticed that since February, around the time Zhang Beichen was hospitalized, the frequency of his posts began to slow down, from every one or two days to every two or three days, then to every three or four days, a week, two weeks… and now, two months without a peep.

Zhang Beichen’s hospital stay wasn’t long, and he quickly informed everyone of his discharge through a post with a selfie, looking seemingly fine. But Ran Lin recalled carefully that after that, Zhang Beichen was hardly seen on any screen, big or small, with very little news coverage. <Mint Green> was released in February, and it’s now the end of August, more than half a year. The time might not seem long, but such silence is quite unusual for a popular male star who just finished a major IP project with momentum on his side.

After Lu Yiyao finished his shower and dried his hair, he saw Ran Lin still scrolling through his phone. Just as he was about to suggest that Ran Lin rest, he noticed something was off with his expression and immediately went over. “What’s wrong?”

Ran Lin looked up, not quite catching it. “Huh?”

Lu Yiyao sat down beside him, gently rubbing his forehead with his thumb. “I was asking what you’re looking at. You seem deeply troubled.”

“Zhang Beichen’s Weibo.” Ran Lin took Lu Yiyao’s hand off and naturally intertwined their fingers. “He seems to have suddenly disappeared. It’s a bit strange. Like today’s nomination, even if he doesn’t want to ride the wave of popularity, at least he should share it on Weibo to let his fans know he’s been nominated.”

“……” Lu Yiyao hadn’t expected to hear Zhang Beichen’s name and hesitated for a moment, not sure what to say.

Ran Lin knew Lu Yiyao’s expressions too well, and since he wasn’t making any effort to hide his feelings, he immediately guessed the gist. “Do you know what’s going on?”

The news about Zhang Beichen, Lu Yiyao felt, wasn’t of much significance to him and Ran Lin. He had inquired only to be prepared and not get blindsided again. But what Yao Hong told him and what he’d heard from attending social events in the last two months complicated his feelings, making it even less necessary to share with Ran Lin, only adding to the sighs.

However, not speaking is one thing; being asked directly is another. Now that Ran Lin sensed something was off about Zhang Beichen’s situation, withholding the truth would only make him worry more.

“It’s like this,” Lu Yiyao slowly began. “The last time I saw Zhang Beichen, I felt something was off about his state, and since you told me he followed that boss, I had Hong Jie help me look into that Mr. Qin…”

“And then?” Ran Lin didn’t expect Lu Yiyao to have done so much behind the scenes.

“Hong Jie is familiar with that Mr. Qin, so it didn’t take much effort to find out. Zhang Beichen indeed followed him, and <Mint Green> was indeed a project Mr. Qin got for him. But as for why Zhang Beichen was in the state we last saw him, Hong Jie couldn’t find anything concrete. However, it must be related to Mr. Qin because, ever since being with him, Zhang Beichen has practically had no other social life and nothing unusual in his work either. So, the only one who could have had such a big impact on his mood is Mr. Qin.”

Ran Lin didn’t understand. “If it’s because of Mr. Qin, can’t they just break up? With Zhang Beichen’s current fame, he doesn’t need to rely on anyone and could have plenty of resources.”

“It’s not as simple as him wanting to break up and being able to.” Lu Yiyao sighed lightly. “Mr. Qin has sponsored several artists before—some famous, some not—all were lavished with resources while with him and completely ignored after splitting up. But without exception, it was Mr. Qin who initiated the breakups, meaning if Zhang Beichen wants to leave, it’s only possible if Mr. Qin agrees.”

“But he’s the one with the legs; if he really wants to leave, can’t he just go?” Ran Lin felt his logic was sound, considering the entertainment industry isn’t a lawless land, even such relationships must follow the rules, right?

“He indeed can’t be stopped physically, but he can be attacked and retaliated against,” Lu Yiyao explained.

Ran Lin began to understand. “You mean…”

Lu Yiyao nodded. “I heard it last month at a social event. They didn’t mention Zhang Beichen specifically, just talked about a little star Mr. Qin was sponsoring wanting to break up. It got ugly, and Mr. Qin had no choice but to let go, but not without using his connections to basically blacklist the person.”

“So, he won’t attend the film festival award ceremony, even if nominated?” Ran Lin hadn’t expected it to be like this.

“He should attend the film festival,” Lu Yiyao said. “It involves the reputation of <Mint Green>.”

Ran Lin understood what Lu Yiyao meant. <Mint Green> was a project Mr. Qin landed using his clout, and it wouldn’t look good for the entire team if the lead actor were absent from the awards ceremony, even if <Mint Green> had already finished its run.

“Stop worrying,” Lu Yiyao comforted, stroking his lover’s hair. “Everyone chooses their own path. If you get blisters from walking, the pain is yours to bear.”

……

In late September, the film festival opened, and a few days later, the award ceremony was held as scheduled. Essentially the closing ceremony of the festival, stars walked the red carpet and entered the venue to witness the award distribution.

Ran Lin arrived at the venue with Lu Yiyao but was separated at the red carpet waiting area as <Dyeing Fire> and <Splitting Moon>, both nominated for Best Picture at the festival, meant the entire teams walked the red carpet together.

Gu Jie, in a black suit, was unusually subdued and gentlemanly. His first words to Ran Lin were, “Why so late!”

Ran Lin intended to greet the director first, but seeing He Guan engrossed in conversation, he teased his friend instead. “Should I take it that you’ve been eager to see me?”

Gu Jie bluntly retorted, “I was worried you’d be late and hold our team back.”

Ran Lin rolled his eyes, about to retort, when he saw Jiang Yi being brought over by a staff member, clearly just arriving.

“Long time no see,” Jiang Yi greeted in a sweet, lovely white dress, looking around for the director. Like Ran Lin, she gave up greeting the busy director and joined the casual chat instead.

Jiang Yi was nominated for Best Supporting Actress this time, so Ran Lin directly wished her luck. “I think you have a shot tonight.”

Jiang Yi looked at him for a while before reluctantly replying, “I think you’re a long shot tonight.”

Gu Jie, misunderstanding her intent, laughed. “Good insight.”

Jiang Yi, realizing Gu Jie’s misunderstanding, clarified, “You? You’re even more of a long shot.”

Even the thick-skinned Gu Jie felt the sting of such a direct blow. Ran Lin laughed heartily, then asked, “So, who do you think will win Best Actor?”

Jiang Yi looked around, perhaps cautious of being overheard, and whispered, “Teacher Wang or Lu Yiyao.”

Teacher Wang was an old, highly respected actor in the industry, already a previous winner of the festival’s Best Actor and still a favorite to win this time.

“Ah…”

Gu Jie sighed heavily, about to complain about Jiang Yi’s lack of loyalty to their team, when he heard Ran Lin say—

“I also fancy Lu Yiyao’s chances.”

Gu Jie realized sadly he was outnumbered… in this superficial world that judges by appearances!

Ran Lin smiled, intending to continue the teasing, when he suddenly caught sight of someone in the distance looking their way, freezing his smile.

Gu Jie, noticing Ran Lin’s change in demeanor, followed his gaze and understood immediately.

Zhang Beichen.

He was with the <Mint Green> team, but while the director and other actors were engaged in conversation, he stood quietly apart, as if in his own space, out of place with his peers.

Their eyes met across the distance.

On Zhang Beichen’s side, there was hardly any emotional fluctuation—only a detached gaze toward the two of them. His eyes were as calm as a still pool, giving the impression that his look was merely coincidental, with no connection to whether they knew each other or had any rapport.

Ran Lin and Gu Jie were simultaneously surprised—Zhang Beichen had lost a lot of weight. Though his well-tailored suit made him look upright, a side glance revealed a thinner silhouette, and the change in his face was quite obvious.

Unhealthy thinness and weight loss from exercise are two different things. The latter, no matter how much weight is lost, retains firm facial lines due to continuous exercise. The former, however, leads to relaxed facial muscles and an unmistakably haggard look. Perhaps it’s not true haggardness, makeup may cover dark circles, but the spiritlessness is evident.

And that was precisely how Zhang Beichen appeared.

Zhang Beichen was the first to avert his gaze, while Gu Jie and Ran Lin continued to look at him for a while longer, feeling somewhat complicated.

“Is he okay?” Gu Jie asked directly. “Why has he lost so much weight?”

Ran Lin didn’t know how to explain to his friend, feeling it was too difficult to make Gu Jie understand the complexity of same-sex sponsorship relationships, especially those that end badly, even to the extent of using connections for retribution.

“Hey—”

Suddenly, someone burst in from behind, slapping a hand heavily on each of their shoulders.

Ran Lin and Gu Jie jumped, turning around to see Xia Xinran grinning with a brilliant smile.

“Miss me—?”

At that moment, no one dared to say no, knowing well Xia Xinran’s fierce nature. So, Ran Lin immediately nodded but was genuinely surprised. “How come you’re here?”

Xia Xinran rolled his eyes. “If only nominees could walk the red carpet, it’d be quite dull.”

Ran Lin agreed. There were only a few nominated films, and the count of nominated lead and supporting actors and actresses could easily be tallied, hardly filling even a tenth of the large venue. The XX Film Festival was a grand affair in the domestic entertainment circle, so Xia Xinran’s invitation made perfect sense.

But his presence in this particular spot was a bit irregular.

“Who are you walking the red carpet with later? Don’t wander around and mess up the arrangement,” Gu Jie was quick to catch onto their friend’s quirks.

“Mind your own walk, and you won’t have to worry about me,” Xia Xinran retorted, initially wanting to glare at Gu Jie but his gaze drifted, catching sight of Zhang Beichen. Like Ran Lin and Gu Jie, he was momentarily stunned by the change in Zhang Beichen.

But before he could ponder further, staff members came to organize everyone to enter in sequence—the red carpet show had begun.

As important nominees, Ran Lin, Gu Jie, and He Guan were scheduled to enter later, so they waited quite a while before it was their turn.

Jiang Yi and He Guan walked in the middle, with Ran Lin and Gu Jie on either side, entering the venue together. Amidst the relentless shutter clicks, the group reached the center of attention, posing for the media before moving to the elegant signature wall to leave their autographs.

As they approached the signature wall, the main creative teams of <Mint Green> and <Split Moon> made their entrances one after another. The succession of popular films’ teams brought the red carpet show to a climax. When Ran Lin and his group reached the signature wall, the previous guests hadn’t finished signing, so they waited their turn.

Unexpectedly, during this wait, Zhang Beichen and Lu Yiyao also arrived with their respective film’s teams. From the media closest to the signature wall, someone shouted, “How about a photo together for the Drifting Story group?”

The suggestion quickly gained support, as everyone loves a catchy story to write about.

Ran Lin and Gu Jie had finished signing and were technically free to leave, but upon hearing the photographers’ suggestion, He Guan and Jiang Yi naturally assumed they were willing to participate and waited alongside them.

It wasn’t exactly against their will; it was just a photo, so after exchanging a glance, Gu Jie and Ran Lin agreed to wait for Lu Yiyao and Zhang Beichen to finish signing and join them.

Zhang Beichen was the first to approach. His team, due to the larger number of people, had moved on ahead into the venue, leaving him to take the photo with his “brothers”.

Ran Lin and Gu Jie stood side by side, facing the cameras, with Ran Lin closer to the signature wall. So, when Zhang Beichen approached, he stood near Ran Lin but not shoulder to shoulder, maintaining a distance of about a hand’s breadth and without making eye contact, directly facing the media.

Lu Yiyao came after, and to avoid being too close to the signature wall and hindering others coming to sign, he had to move to Gu Jie’s side.

Finally positioned, some impatient photographers had already clicked their shutters, but there were always those meticulous reporters seeking perfection. “Come a little closer—”

Hearing this, Gu Jie cooperated fully, immediately draping his arms over the shoulders of Lu Yiyao and Ran Lin, one on each side, drawing them close in an intimate huddle.

The moment Gu Jie pulled him in, Ran Lin instinctively glanced at Zhang Beichen, who still stood in his original spot. Initially just an arm’s length away, the distance between them had now doubled due to Ran Lin being drawn closer to Gu Jie, creating a gap so wide it was as if Zhang Beichen could be completely cropped out of the picture.

Ran Lin found this strange; it wasn’t typical of Zhang Beichen, who, even in the face of confrontation, maintained a public persona of deep brotherhood with the Drifting Group on social media or in public.

Some photographers noticed this too, thinking Zhang Beichen was unaware, and urged him to move closer. Ran Lin wasn’t sure if it was just his perception, but he thought he saw a hint of hesitation in Zhang Beichen’s otherwise steady gaze.

However, the moment didn’t allow for much hesitation. Regardless of their internal dynamics, being portrayed as discordant would do no one any favors. With this in mind, Ran Lin simply raised his arm and also wrapped it around Zhang Beichen’s shoulder.

The moment he did, Ran Lin could distinctly feel Zhang Beichen stiffen, but he still pulled him in with determination. Finally, all four were fully “shoulder to shoulder.”

The photographers were satisfied with the arrangement, and the sound of shutters continued until a staff member urged them to move on, concluding the group photo. As Ran Lin retracted his arm, he noticed a distinct change in Zhang Beichen’s expression, different from the indifference he had shown in the waiting area. Though he couldn’t discern the exact emotion, it was evident enough that when their eyes met, Zhang Beichen quickly turned away and briskly walked into the venue.

Ran Lin felt as if he had read a hint of bitterness in Zhang Beichen’s fleeting gaze, but the moment was too brief to be sure.

Inside the venue, all the teams of the nominated films were arranged in the same area, effectively a “waiting area” for potential winners. Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao were seated in front and behind each other, but slightly offset, allowing Ran Lin to shamelessly ask He Guan if they could switch seats as he was directly facing Lu Yiyao.

The journalists were very satisfied, and the sound of shutters was incessant. It wasn’t until the staff came over to urge them that the four finally ended their “group photo”. When Ran Lin withdrew his arm, he noticed that Zhang Beichen’s expression was completely different from the indifferent one he had in the waiting area before. Although he couldn’t distinguish what the emotion was, the fluctuation was obvious. So obvious that as soon as their eyes met, Zhang Beichen turned his face away and quickly entered the venue.

Director He was unaware of the reason for his leading actor’s seat change, but he didn’t have the curiosity to ask and agreed immediately. Thus, what was originally Director He, Gu Jie, Jiang Yi, and Ran Lin became Ran Lin, Gu Jie, Jiang Yi, and Director He.

After Ran Lin reseated himself, Jiang Yi, across Gu Jie, reproached him, “Do you dislike sitting next to me that much?”

Ran Lin was speechless and could only say, “I think the chair the director sat in might have better luck.”

Jiang Yi was speechless, and Gu Jie directly criticized, “That’s all feudal superstition. Teacher Lu, what do you think?”

Only after a friend reminded him did Ran Lin realize that Lu Yiyao had turned around at some point and was smiling as he watched them bicker.

“I think it’s fine, just sit here,” Lu Yiyao answered.

Gu Jie was annoyed. “I shouldn’t have asked you. When it comes to Ran Lin, you just have no stance.”

Lu Yiyao blinked innocently without agreeing or disagreeing. Ran Lin lowered his eyes, sneaking in joy like a child who got away with cheating on a test.

As the doors of the venue closed and the noise gradually subsided until it was quiet as a graveyard, the award ceremony finally began.

The lights dimmed, leaving only dazzling lights and shadows on the stage. Dancers slowly appeared and danced to the music, taking the audience into a dreamlike world.

After the song and dance, the audience erupted into thunderous applause, and the elegant host took the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, dear audience friends, good evening…”

This was Ran Lin’s first time attending such an award ceremony, and he watched and listened intently.

The first award to be presented was for Best Supporting Actress. Ran Lin glanced at Jiang Yi and could clearly feel her tension.

The two award presenters on stage were humorous, but the nominated actors couldn’t really relax. Ran Lin glanced at Jiang Yi, and though she was smiling, her unconsciously clenched hands showed her nervousness.

As the big screen began to show clips of the nominated actresses’ performances along with accompanying voiceovers, “Nominated for Best Supporting Actress are Feng Pei in <The Day You Left>… Zhou Xiaomeng in <The Sky Grows Dark>… Jiang Yi in <Dyeing Fire>…”

When the clips ended, the female presenter picked up the envelope and announced the result—

“Feng Pei!”

The camera immediately focused on Feng Pei for a close-up. The actress stood up to accept congratulations from her colleagues and then slowly went onstage. As the presenter announced the winner, Ran Lin instinctively looked at Jiang Yi and noticed that, although there was a fleeting disappointment in her eyes, there was more resignation and… relief. Clearly, for Jiang Yi, the uncertainty of “hanging in there” was more unbearable than not winning at all.

Ran Lin looked away, his heart settling down, realizing that the girl was more open-minded than he thought.

Although he felt that Jiang Yi deserved the award for her performance in <Dyeing Fire>, just being nominated was already an affirmation for her. Objectively speaking, all five nominated actresses had outstanding performances in their respective films, and who would ultimately win really depended on fate.

As Feng Pei finished her acceptance speech, the award ceremony continued.

Best Supporting Actor, Best Newcomer, Best Screenwriter…

The further the ceremony progressed, the more prestigious the awards became. Ran Lin’s heart rose again until it was time for the Best Actor award!

The presenters were the Best Actor from the previous year and a female actress who had won in earlier years. The handsome man and beautiful woman worked well together, amusing the audience and cleverly leading into the Best Actor award.

Clips for the Best Actor nominees played on the big screen—

“Nominated for Best Actor are Gu Jie in <Dyeing Fire>… Lu Yiyao in <Split Moon>… Ran Lin in <Dyeing Fire>… Zhang Beichen in <Mint Green>…”

Ran Lin watched as the performance clips of the nominees were played one after the other, his heart reciting Lu Yiyao’s name from start to finish.

He hoped Lu Yiyao would win, wishing for a perfect end to his acting career.

“The Best Actor is…”

Ran Lin’s heart nearly leaped out of his chest with the presenter’s pause.

“Lu Yiyao!”

As soon as the words were spoken, Ran Lin and Gu Jie stood up even faster than Lu Yiyao, who was beginning to clap. The fellow colleagues, taken aback, thought the two were too eager to win and had made a mistake.

But, after accepting congratulations from his crew on either side, Lu Yiyao stood up and turned directly back.

Gu Jie, who was waiting for a while, was the first to hug him. “Congratulations—”

The judging panel’s praise for Lu Yiyao began to play in the background. “His performance is natural and detailed, portraying a character with split personality troubles…”

Gu Jie sincerely congratulated his friend, not bothering to lower his voice, but his voice was drowned out by the background praise, only audible to those nearby.

His hug was strong and ended quickly, in just a second or two. After Gu Jie stepped back, Lu Yiyao looked at Ran Lin, smiling leisurely.

From the moment of winning, the camera had been on Lu Yiyao, his every move, every smile clear on the big screen.

But what of it.

At this moment, they were rightly justified.

Ran Lin stepped forward and hugged Lu Yiyao tightly, using all his strength.

No need for congratulations. Everything was understood just holding him like this.

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

---

Chapter 94

On the afternoon when his contract with Dream Without Limits expired, Ran Lin went to the company. The boss wasn’t too enthusiastic, but he still expressed his gratitude and said goodbye to the boss and the entire Dream Without Limits team.

Back in the underground parking lot, locating his car, Wang Xi was still sitting calmly in the passenger seat. She rolled down the window and asked with concern as she watched him walk towards the car, “How did it go?”

“Everything went smoothly,” Ran Lin said, circling around the front of the car to the driver’s side and getting into the driver’s seat.

Ran Lin’s contract with Dream Without Limits had expired, but Wang Xi hadn’t resigned yet. So for such a farewell occasion, as a still-registered company employee, it wasn’t appropriate for her to appear.

However, the company probably foresaw her mindset and hadn’t assigned her any new artists. She was essentially just holding the nominal title of head of the brokerage department.

“Wait another half month.” Wang Xi fastened her seatbelt as she said, “I’ll go and submit my resignation then.”

“Will Dream Without Limits make it difficult for you?” Ran Lin was a bit worried, as he had naturally terminated his contract upon its expiration, but Wang Xi wasn’t.

“Don’t worry,” Wang Xi assured. “They’re waiting for me to take the initiative.”

Ran Lin nodded, started the engine, turned on the air conditioning, drove out of the parking lot, and headed towards their destination.

Wang Xi closed the window as the car’s temperature became cooler. She aimlessly watched the world outside, sighing after a while, “When I left Pentium Times, I thought I’d never dine with Yao Hong again. But not only am I going to eat with her, I’m handing over my most cared-for artist to her. I must have owed her in my last life.”

Ran Lin laughed. “When you and Yao Hong jointly managed the public relations for our rumors, you were quite in sync.”

“Work is work, personal is personal.” Wang Xi pursed her lips. “We just don’t click.”

Ran Lin teasingly asked, “And now?”

Wang Xi turned to look at him, her eyes narrowing dangerously. “Remember, if she treats you badly, report to me immediately.”

Ran Lin: “And then?”

Wang Xi: “Xi Jie will make an international call to reprimand her.”

Ran Lin: “……”

The idea of Wang Xi “scolding Yao Hong” might be akin to “superb acting skills” to himself, Ran Lin thought. It’s a lifelong pursuit.

Forty minutes later, Ran Lin parked the car in front of a restaurant.

It was the last day of June, looking like it might rain, with a hint of moisture in the humid air. There was a breeze, but it wasn’t strong. After exiting the car, the coolness from the air conditioning clashed with the hot air outside, leaving him unsure if he felt cold or hot.

Fortunately, the discomfort was short-lived as he and Wang Xi entered the restaurant, leaving the sweltering heat behind the thick glass doors, returning to a cooler world.

At 4:30 in the afternoon, the restaurant wasn’t crowded. A waiter led them to a private room on the second floor, knocked, and opened the door to reveal Lu Yiyao and Yao Hong, who had been waiting for some time.

Today marked Ran Lin’s contract termination day. Lu Yiyao initially wanted to celebrate for his partner, but after hearing Wang Xi’s future plans from Ran Lin, he decided to have a four-person dinner after discussing with Yao Hong. The dinner was partly to celebrate Ran Lin and partly to honor Wang Xi.

Perhaps, in Wang Xi’s view, she didn’t have much rapport with Lu Yiyao. But for Lu Yiyao, he already considered Wang Xi, someone Ran Lin valued highly, as one of his own. If not for hearing from Ran Lin that she wanted to take a long break and temporarily leave the work circle, Lu Yiyao would have even considered signing her to continue managing Ran Lin.

“President Lu, Hong Jie.” Wang Xi’s address for Lu Yiyao had evolved with the times, and as the soon-to-be boss of the company Ran Lin would sign with, Lu Yiyao deserved the title.

“Come, sit here.” Lu Yiyao stood up, ushering Wang Xi and Ran Lin into their seats.

Yao Hong couldn’t intervene and simply smiled gently in response. “Xiao Wang.”

Wang Xi, newly seated, gave her a look that had been brewing for years, needing to vent. “Hong Jie, I’m forty now. Can you change my nickname?”

Yao Hong acquiesced smoothly, “Lao* Wang?”

*Clarity: It’s more uncommon for women to address each other as Lao, partially because Lao basically means old, so it’s a less flattering term towards women.

“……” Wang Xi teetered between storming off and flipping the table before storming off.

“Just calling by name seems good.” Lu Yiyao tried to mediate, hoping to avoid a premature end to the dinner.

Expecting Yao Hong to take the hint since even Wang Xi seemed to accept the suggestion, she surprisingly shook her head firmly. “I’ve been calling her that for so many years; why change it now? Besides, Xiao Wang is younger than me, and no matter if she’s forty or eighty, in my eyes, she’s still that sprightly young girl from back then.”

Lu Yiyao: “……”

Ran Lin: “……”

Wang Xi paused and then hesitantly said, “I didn’t know you’ve always thought that way. Besides, I’m not that much younger than you…”

“You’re someone I brought up.” Yao Hong looked at her steadily. “I’m not saying this to lord over you. After all, I didn’t mentor you for many years, but even if it was just for a year or a month, our relationship is different from others. They are colleagues, peers, and competitors, but we share a bond.”

Wang Xi’s eyes were downcast, her expression unreadable.

After a long moment, she suddenly stood up.

Lu Yiyao and Ran Lin were startled. Before they could understand what was happening, Wang Xi had already taken a teapot, poured a cup of warm tea, and handed it to Yao Hong. “Let’s forget about the past. It’s all in this cup of tea.”

Traditionally, grudges are washed away with alcohol, and apologies are made with tea.

Yao Hong took the tea, sipped it, and then said, “I’ve also been wrong in some aspects.”

However, at that moment, saying “I’m wrong” was like saying “don’t mind it”, more of a comfort.

Lu Yiyao and Ran Lin exchanged looks, eventually directing their “admiration” towards Yao Hong.

Although the two women had ostensibly buried the hatchet long ago, the deepest point of contention was dissolved just now, in that cup of tea.

With a few words, Yao Hong had secured that cup of tea.

Wang Xi probably understood, yet it touched her deeply, and she willingly let it go.

This was a years-long silent confrontation between two women, and as mere bystanders, Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao could only keep their distance to survive until the end.

Now it was all good, with a perfect ending.

Just like they had timed it, the waiter entered to serve the dishes right then.

Ran Lin was initially surprised but then realized that Lu Yiyao and Yao Hong must have ordered the dishes before they arrived.

With the meal underway, the atmosphere became warm and harmonious. Wang Xi naturally asked the question she was most concerned about. “Hong Jie, will you be leading Ran Lin after he signs?”

“At present, I’ll be leading him,” Yao Hong said. “But as I’m getting older, if I have to manage the entire brokerage department, it might be too much, so we’ll look for a more suitable agent in a couple of years.”

“Don’t worry, Xi Jie,” Lu Yiyao earnestly said. “I will definitely give the best to Ran Lin.”

Wang Xi looked at Lu Yiyao for a while, then remarked, “I always worried, thinking that a brother might not be the best boss, but now I’ve changed my mind. Having a boss who appreciates you is indeed important.”

Lu Yiyao laughed, nodding vigorously. “Yes, I appreciate him a lot.”

Ran Lin kept his head down and continued eating, pretending not to hear anything, then felt like he was the most scheming boy in the world!

Wang Xi discussed Ran Lin’s development over the past six months with Yao Hong and Lu Yiyao, including interested parties and brands, and concluded, “I’ll compile the information and send it to you in a couple of days.” Once finished, she felt somewhat relieved.

The conversation then turned into a real celebration, with Yao Hong and Lu Yiyao asking Wang Xi about her travel plans and the topics meandering all over the place.

By the time they finished eating, it was after 7 p.m.

As night fell and the lights came on, Ran Lin drove Wang Xi home and then headed to Lu Yiyao’s villa.

He’d been running to the villa whenever he had free time and had once encountered a paparazzi following his car. However, using the methods taught by Gu Jie, he managed to lose them within the Fifth Ring Road and returned to the villa, enjoying the peace of the world.

This also strengthened his resolve to become neighbors with Lu Yiyao. After all, living in the same community, it wouldn’t be odd to be seen coming and going.

However, even with high remunerations, it was challenging to keep up with housing prices. He figured it would take at least another two or three TV shows or variety shows, or more endorsements, to close the funding gap.

When Lu Yiyao gave him the villa key, he also gave him a gate card, so the security guards were familiar with the owner of the black SUV who was always fully dressed, only showing his eyes. From initially being cautious to now seeing it as commonplace.

Lu Yiyao’s villa used a fingerprint lock. Although there was a key as a backup opening method, Ran Lin always used his finger to press it, waiting for the lock core to open with a click.

Ran Lin liked this way of opening doors, as it felt like a solemn ceremony.

“Did you drop her home?” Lu Yiyao got up from the sofa as he heard the door opening and came over.

“Yeah.” Ran Lin changed into slippers and went over to give him a kiss.

Lu Yiyao hugged Ran Lin, deepening their kiss.

They parted reluctantly only when they felt it might lead to going to bed earlier.

Ran Lin took a quick shower, changed into summer home clothes, and when he came out, Lu Yiyao was sitting on the sofa, seemingly watching the evening news. Ran Lin was skeptical about whether he was really watching since, as soon as he appeared, Lu Yiyao turned to him with a beaming smile.

Ran Lin obediently sat beside him.

They snuggled together, and Ran Lin said, “Xi Jie said you’re even more composed than she imagined.”

Lu Yiyao played with Ran Lin’s hair, half-listening. “She’s also more trustworthy than I expected.”

Ran Lin swatted his hand away, looking seriously at him. “Because of Han Ze’s incident?”

“Not entirely.” Lu Yiyao pondered. “Just a feeling. Remember when she accompanied you on the set of <Sword of Fallen Flowers>? I didn’t quite like the vibe then.”

Although his impression changed later, it was only at this meal that Lu Yiyao felt he truly understood the new Wang Xi. The regret of not being able to continue managing Ran Lin grew.

Upon his partner’s reminder, Ran Lin realized that his manager did seem different from before. Her temper, personality, and methods seemed to have changed, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was different.

“By the way.” Lu Yiyao mentioned Han Ze, sparking curiosity. “What’s Han Ze up to now?”

Since <Chronicles of Winter> the TV series flopped, there hadn’t been much news about Han Ze in the entertainment news. But as a colleague until the day before, Ran Lin still knew a bit. “He’s doing some variety shows and some event appearances, I guess. The incident with Cui Yanyan damaged his image too much; not many dramas are looking for him now.”

Lu Yiyao nodded and didn’t pursue the topic further.

He had no personal feelings towards Han Ze, whether positive or negative, as they barely intersected. The only time they did, Han Ze tried to undermine Ran Lin and ultimately got his just deserts.

Thinking further, Han Ze’s entire career is a reflection of many artists’.

There’s a rise to fame, then while still famous, suddenly not so anymore. Some, like Han Ze, have a clear point of flop, such as a scandal, while many just fade into obscurity without such a point, quietly forgotten by the audience. Then one day, someone mentions them, and the typical response is, “Oh yeah, what happened to them?” and then they are quickly forgotten again.

This is the entertainment industry. As easy as it is to fall in love with someone, it’s just as easy to forget them, with a mercilessly fast pace of generation change.

So someone like his Ran Lin, who doesn’t care about fame or popularity but focuses solely on acting itself, is truly rare…

“Ah, my followers have reached 18 million!”

Lu Yiyao: “…”

Was it his imagination? Ran Lin frowned; why did his lover look so unimpressed?

……

On the first weekend of July, Lu Yiyao’s studio’s official Weibo account announced the signing of Ran Lin. Lu Yiyao’s fans exploded instantly, and the entertainment industry was shocked, leading to a collaboration between the two fan bases to push “Ran Lin Signs with Lu Yiyao’s Studio” to the top of the hot search.

The content of the announcement was overseen by Yao Hong, stating that after Ran Lin’s contract had expired, he signed a normal contract with Lu Yiyao Studio. The reason given for the signing was that both parties had the same philosophy and goals. They were looking forward to a bright future together. The text was very official, yet it radiated an air of “we’re a perfect match”.

Before marketing accounts even got involved, fans from both sides had already turned the comment section into a shocked and devastated battlefield.

[I’m a bit dumbfounded…]

[God Lu’s fans and Burning Noodles haters are saying they can’t live through this day! Sigh—]

[Today is a celebration for the Green Forest Gang, hahaha [WellDone.jpg]]

[So the relationship between these two is real. I always thought it was a plastic friendship 😱]

[I refuse to listen. A dog reciting scripture*!!!]

*Idiom referring to a situation or speech that is unbelievable, nonsensical, or incongruous to the point of being laughable.

[Been shipping these two since the airport incident. I can finally rest in peace…]

[Is God Lu transitioning into a different career? I’m a bit worried…]

[Burning Noodles weeping with joy, finally leaving the dreadful Dream Without Limits. Please let <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms> not air. Better to lock it away 😫.]

[Isn’t it just an official collaboration announcement. What’s with this feeling of public romance announcement?]

As the shock settled, some of God Lu’s fans who got a grip sooner weren’t too pleased, with the most representative comment being—[The most successful social climber in history.]

However, whether shocked or sneering, Yao Hong didn’t let the public sentiment ferment for too long. She had already coordinated with numerous marketing accounts to release a unified message—

[Ran Lin signs with Lu Yiyao’s Studio! God Lu becomes Boss Lu!]

The message not only guided the narrative towards a positive “brothers striving together” energy but also revealed that Lu Yiyao was preparing for his first drama as a boss, which would soon start shooting.

Amidst the all-encompassing promotion, public opinion gradually unified into a relatively positive narrative, also giving Lu Yiyao’s new drama a wave of presence. Countless fans were left hanging, clamoring—since it’s announced, at least tell us the name of the drama!

When the name hung side by side on the trending searches, the two involved were shoulder to shoulder on the bed, posting on Weibo together.

Both reposted the studio’s Weibo, neither saying anything but using emojis. Lu Yiyao paired it with a smoking 😎 and Ran Lin with a 👍. At first glance, it looked quite couple-like.

By this time, the public sentiment had turned relatively positive, especially with Lu Yiyao’s clear stance, so the comments under their reposts were mostly blessings, with the occasional off-putting remark quickly being gently guided by others.

By midnight, public opinion had mostly stabilized, and the change in comment direction throughout the evening provided a clear insight into the subtly complex emotional journey of God Lu’s fans—

[Fuck!]

[What’s this!]

[The most successful thigh hug in history 😡.]

[God Lu has posted. We can only wish him well 😭.]

[I really can’t take a liking to Ran Lin, but God Lu surely knows him better than us, so trust in God Lu.]

[Wait, is God Lu planning to change careers?]

[What’s the name of the new drama!]

[Will the new drama feature Ran Lin?]

[Am I the only one who actually thinks Ran Lin is quite good? I’ve watched <Chronicles of Winter> and <Dyeing Fire>. His acting is really solid.]

[Agree, Ran Lin is a promising talent.]

[Ran Lin is already popular, right? Not a Burning Noodle, but a God Lu fan. Do we God Lu fans have a bit of a superiority complex?]

[I’ve been holding it in for two years, finally daring to say I’m both a God Lu fan and a Burning Noodle!]

[Ran Lin is genuinely popular now. My roommate is a hardcore Burning Noodle 😫.]

[If you’re truly a God Lu fan, stop bashing Ran Lin. If Ran Lin flops, how does it benefit God Lu? To be blunt, the company belongs to God Lu, and signing Ran Lin means he’s helping God Lu make money! The more popular Ran Lin gets, the more worthwhile the sign is!]

[Damn, woke up with a revelation! I’m a God Lu fan. I want Boss Lu to make money!]

[I… hell, starting today, I’m a Burning Noodle!!!]

[Count me in for being a Burning Noodle!]

[Burning Noodle 3]

[Here’s to making money together!]

[Make money!]

[Make money!]

[Make money!]

As for the Burning Noodles’ emotional journey, a large Burning Noodle group’s chat record was quite representative—

18:00 Group Admin: [No need to clash with God Lu’s fans. Let’s just focus on our own. The original airport incident was the original sin; nothing can be done.]

20:00 Group Admin: [Dizzy. God Lu’s fans have started to clash internally.]

22:00 Group Admin: [Did Lu Yiyao employ marketing accounts to guide the narrative? The public sentiment is very positive now.]

00:00 Group Admin: [They’ve finally realized Ran Lin is helping their boss make money, *relieved*.]

00:05 Group Admin: [Let’s establish relations with God Lu’s fans! [Today is a good day, all wishes come true.gif]]

In the late night, while God Lu’s fans and Burning Noodles peacefully discuss the future, Ran Lin, perhaps dreaming something delightful, chuckled in his sleep.

Lu Yiyao, who had been unable to sleep and secretly scrolling through Weibo, was startled and broke into a cold sweat.

……

On the second weekend of July, <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms> premiered. Ran Lin attended the drama’s promotion in Guangzhou, and it was also the same day that Wang Xi, who had resigned, embarked on her first stop of her global journey to Fiji.

Ran Lin couldn’t see her off, so he timed her wait at the airport and sent a message—[Have a great trip ❤️]

Wang Xi replied—[Nope.]

Ran Lin was puzzled—[?]

Wang Xi—[There’s something unresolved. I can’t let it go.]

Ran Lin—[What is it?]

Wang Xi—[When exactly did you and Lu Yiyao get together? 😠😠😠]

Ran Lin—[……]

Wang Xi—[If you don’t tell me, I won’t be at peace leaving 😭.]]

…Knowing this is a trip, one might think his former manager was battling Death itself! Must she phrase it so fiercely!

Ran Lin sighed—[After <Sword of Fallen Flowers>, okay?]

Wang Xi—[I was just bluffing, but it’s actually true… [QuestioningLife.jpg]]

Ran Lin—[Shouldn’t I be the one sending that meme!!!]

…The longest road Ran Lin ever walked was his agent’s tricks.

While Wang Xi dissipated her last concerns and boarded the plane peacefully, Ran Lin finished his activities and returned to the hotel, catching the second half of the second episode of <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms>.

With its high saturation, high contrast, and clashing colors in costumes and sets, the whole picture was vivid enough to make one weep, topped with shoddy special effects and occasionally mismatched dubbing. Only a miraculous plot could save the reputation now.

However, the plot of this drama was the only thing Ran Lin was familiar with, and it couldn’t be considered particularly exciting.

Fortunately, the editing quality was high, ensuring smooth storytelling. So, if viewers could accept the questionable color grading, the slightly rushed post-production, and a somewhat exaggerated acting style, it still provided some entertainment.

Unfortunately for Ran Lin, his last project was the film <Dyeing Fire>, and before that, <Chronicles of Winter>. Compared to these, the new series was difficult to accept. Audiences flocked to his Weibo to inquire about what had happened. Thankfully, fans explained that the drama was a previous commitment with his old company; it was the company’s responsibility, not Ran Lin’s. Now that he had signed with a new company, he would have more autonomy over his future projects.

Ran Lin suspected there were insiders among his fan base. Otherwise, how could they always hit right at his heart?

Though <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms> was a disaster, disastrous dramas usually have moderate viewership and discussion levels. Even if there was discussion, it was typically lighthearted teasing rather than deep-seated hatred. After a while of teasing, it just passed by.

After initially helping with the promotion of <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms>, Ran Lin stopped following the comments and eventually didn’t check Weibo much. Instead, he devoted all his energy to the script of the drama that Lu Yiyao had finally completed.

The drama Lu Yiyao had been preparing for nearly ten months was <Youths of Wulin>.

It was a modern drama about the growth and love of several young people. The male lead was written specifically for Ran Lin, so as soon as he began reading the script, he became immersed and wished he could start filming the next day.

Before terminating his contract with Dream Without Limits, Ran Lin had found another apartment. So, when Dream Without Limits took back the dormitory, he moved half of his belongings to the newly rented apartment and the other half to Lu Yiyao’s place, essentially creating two homes in Beijing.

Throughout August, Ran Lin spent most of his time with Lu Yiyao, reading scripts and cooking, occasionally checking if any small villas in the neighborhood were for sale—never forgetting his “beautiful vision” of becoming neighbors with his lover.

Lu Yiyao, on the other hand, fully immersed himself in the CEO’s rhythm. Aside from handling studio business, he personally oversaw the preparations and setting up of a new TV drama, even leveraging his influence to secure the second male lead—Tang Xiaoyu, who was almost as crucial as Ran Lin in the drama.

Since going public with his relationship, Tang Xiaoyu’s career soared, reaching a status where he could be the leading man. Yet, when Lu Yiyao called, he immediately agreed, saying, “Sure, I’m available.”

Lu Yiyao, surprised by his promptness, asked, “Are you sure you don’t need to discuss it with your agent first?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Tang Xiaoyu revealed, “To tell you the truth, ever since your drama started preparations, my agent’s been nudging me to approach you, hoping to secure a significant role. I was just too embarrassed to do it.”

Lu Yiyao, who had been worried about casting the second male lead, was speechless. “Then why didn’t you contact me?”

Tang Xiaoyu replied, “I thought you’d think of me, so I just waited.”

Lu Yiyao: “……”

Tang Xiaoyu: “And you did! Haha!”

Lu Yiyao, who has few true friends in the entertainment industry, found that those he did make were… quite unique.

……

On the last day of August, Lu Yiyao was in his office reviewing documents when he received a call from his sister.

As soon as he answered, he was greeted with his sister’s jubilant voice. “Brother, congratulations—”

Lu Yiyao moved the phone slightly away from his ear to avoid the loudness and half-jokingly, half-seriously replied, “Congratulations for what? Did our parents get back together?”

“That wish might be a bit difficult…” Lu Yimeng was very aware of her brother’s obsession, though she had a more relaxed view on it, as after all, it was their parents’ relationship. But that wasn’t the main point of her call today!

“You’ve been nominated for the XX Film Festival! For Best Actor!” Lu Yimeng finally remembered the important news.

Lu Yiyao was momentarily stunned, but not entirely surprised.

The XX Film Festival is one of the most important domestic film festivals. Though it’s a national event focusing on domestic films, getting a nomination is a significant recognition within the industry. <Split Moon>, having been nominated for a major competition section in an A-list film festival, was already internationally recognized. Being nominated for a domestic film festival was only logical.

“Brother?” Waiting for a response, Lu Yimeng called out in confusion.

“Uh-huh,” Lu Yiyao acknowledged. “I know.”

“Is that all?” Lu Yimeng’s excitement was dampened. “Brother, you can’t forget the young actor who once ran under the setting sun just because you’re now a domineering CEO.”

Lu Yiyao, holding his forehead, couldn’t even begin to imagine that beautiful scene. “Don’t just randomly assign me a persona…”

Lu Yimeng went silent for a few seconds, then said meaningfully, “Gu Jie got nominated too.”

That caught Lu Yiyao’s attention. “For <Dyeing Fire>? Best Actor?”

“Correct on all accounts!” Lu Yimeng knew this would work, as indeed her brother’s tone lifted.

Just as she was feeling proud, her brother on the other end of the line asked, “There should be five nominees, right? Who are the other three?”

Lu Yimeng hadn’t paid attention to the others. When asked, she only remembered one other person who had a brief encounter with her brother, who also seemed to be on the list. “I think Ran Lin is also nominated. I didn’t notice the other two…”

For Lu Yiyao, that was enough. “Okay, I’ll look up the news.”

Lu Yimeng laughed happily. “Brother, aren’t I great?”

Lu Yiyao smiled, reminded of a compliment Ran Lin had once given him. “Yeah, you’re the harbinger of good news.”

Lu Yimeng ended the call satisfied.

Lu Yiyao immediately looked up the news. Sure enough, just as his sister said, Ran Lin and Gu Jie were both nominated for Best Actor for <Dyeing Fire>, along with Zhang Beichen for his outstanding performance in <Mint Green>, and another veteran actor.

The online news was just a standard announcement of the nominations. But when it came to the microblogs, the topics varied widely. However, the one that made it to the top of the hot list was—Di Jiangtao was not the lead actor.

At first glance at the topic, Lu Yiyao furrowed his brows. Logically, the primary suspect for hyping such a topic would be Gu Jie, as he was the definitive lead actor of the drama and had become a competitor by being nominated alongside Ran Lin. Starting this kind of discussion seemed only natural.

But that was Gu Jie. If he would resort to demeaning a friend to promote himself, then it would be an absurdity.

Clicking on the topic, a wave of marketing accounts eagerly stirring the pot became apparent—

[Lonely Entertainment Brother: Gu Jie and Ran Lin both receive XX Film Festival Best Actor nominations. Does <Dyeing Fire> actually have double male leads?…[View full text]]

[Eight Empresses: Gu Jie’s fans are dissatisfied with Ran Lin’s nomination, claiming <Dyeing Fire> has only one male lead…[View full text]]

[Net Entertainment Fishing Studio: Ran Lin and Gu Jie both nominated, <Dyeing Fire> occupies two Best Actor nominations causing controversy…[View full text]]

Lu Yiyao’s expression darkened.

Some marketing accounts’ sole purpose is to chase trending topics, create them if none exist, and desperately seek attention.

Exiting the microblog, Lu Yiyao called Yao Hong.

The phone was quickly answered, almost as if telepathically, with a direct question. “Di Jiangtao?”

Lu Yiyao’s frustration dissipated somewhat, leaving him a bit sheepish. “Yeah.”

“Don’t worry.” Yao Hong’s voice carried a hint of amusement. “Director He’s side has already communicated well, and he will speak on behalf of the crew soon.”

Lu Yiyao: “What about Gu Jie?”

“Haven’t you seen his microblog?” Yao Hong chuckled. “He’s personally taking it to the field to tear it apart.”

Not using fans as a weapon and speaking directly when angered is Gu Jie’s usual style. But upon visiting Gu Jie’s microblog, Lu Yiyao felt Yao Hong might have exaggerated a bit. What Gu Jie did could be considered more of a firm stand rather than tearing into someone, coming off as a direct challenge—

[Di Jiangtao being the male lead or not, everyone who has seen <Dyeing Fire> can freely make their own judgment. But if you really want to ask me, then my answer is one, yes, and very much so. 💪]

Gu Jie’s words were actually aimed at those who were there for the drama, as he has never shied away from his brotherly relationship with Ran Lin. So Gu Jie’s fans have always had a good impression of Ran Lin. Before this post, Gu Jie’s fans were already schooling troublemakers under his old posts.

Once Gu Jie made his post, his fans felt utterly reassured—

[I knew my idol would post. It’s not in vain I’ve been defending Ran Lin for so long. 🙌]

[That hot comment there—you still need to defend Ran Lin? Gu Ge alone is enough! 💪]

[A real man. Always clear and firm in his stance during key moments. No need for reading between the lines. 👌]

[If I remember correctly, when Gu Ge was wronged, Ran Lin also didn’t hesitate to repost and support him. I envy this kind of friendship…]

[Have you guys checked @Xia Xinran’s microblog? The friendship boat of the Drifting Team is rocking… 🫣]

Lu Yiyao read down the comments, chuckling until he saw the guiding comment and clicked out of curiosity, finding that Xia Xinran had just updated a post—

[#Sad Radish Squat# Gu Jie’s nomination followed by Ran Lin’s, then Lu Yiyao’s, followed by Zhang Beichen’s, and then Xia Xinran…where is Xia Xinran!! 😭 😭 😭]

[Fans of Xia Forever: Damn, I read it out loud, my heart is broken 🫂🫢]]

[Little Rice of the North Country: My heart aches for Xiaxia. 💔]

[Don’t Call Me to Sell Finance Anymore: Hold tight my Xia!]

[eeeeee: Xiaxia don’t cry, we love you!]

[A Lonely City: Heart aches for Xiaxia. But isn’t the premise for nomination to have a film work this year? If I’m not mistaken, didn’t Xiaxia only act in TV dramas this year…]

[Scenery Doesn’t Change with the Seasons: Reply to @A Lonely City: What are you talking about the harsh truth for! Just give a strong hug!]

[A Lonely City: Reply to @Scenery Doesn’t Change with the Seasons: I was wrong! Heartaches for Xiaxia x100 times!]

Sometimes, fans and their idols share a certain temperament, Lu Yiyao thought. For instance, Gu Jie’s fans, at a glance, always seem straightforward and decisive, and then there are Xia Xinran’s fans, who all seem to… shine with a mischievous brilliance.

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

---

Chapter 93

Ran Lin couldn’t stop his tears from falling, but they were abruptly halted by his partner’s acceleration.

Sniffling, he removed Lu Yiyao’s hand from his face and took another look at the house. His vision was slightly foggy from the tears, making everything seem as if it were behind a layer of mist, ethereally beautiful.

Lu Yiyao let go of his embrace and instead took his hand. “Let me show you around.”

Ran Lin allowed himself to be led, exploring every corner of the house as if on an adventure. They started with the first floor and then moved to the second, visiting the living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, guest rooms, study… and finally, a home theater.

Ran Lin was astonished by the huge screen, clearly soundproof walls, and the surround sound system. He walked around the room several times before turning to Lu Yiyao with a laugh and disbelief. “So you’ve brought a mini cinema home…”

Lu Yiyao leaned against the doorframe. “I have a similar room in my apartment. Whenever I want to learn acting skills from the masters, I play their films on loop here. It’s very effective.” He paused for a moment and then smiled at Ran Lin. “Now it’s your turn to learn here.”

Ran Lin, tickled by the idea, was almost tempted to start watching a movie right then and there. His eyes caught the gramophone in the corner, and he walked over to examine it, realizing it was not just for show but actually functional. He looked questioningly at Lu Yiyao. “You listen to vinyl records while watching movies?”

“After watching, you’ll want to digest and absorb,” Lu Yiyao said. “Playing music helps with thinking.”

Ran Lin glanced at the gramophone and then back at his partner, imagining him after watching a movie, starting the gramophone, and lying on the sofa in contemplation…

All that for acting skills! One could simply practice in front of a bathroom mirror. Why the need for such pretentiousness!

“Which room did you like?” Lu Yiyao suddenly asked.

Ran Lin, shifting his gaze from the gramophone, looked puzzled at his partner standing in the doorway.

“The bedrooms we just saw,” Lu Yiyao clarified. “Which one did you like?”

Ran Lin tilted his head, recalling the tour. Each bedroom was beautiful, each with its own main color theme and corresponding style of bed and cabinets, making some feel fresh, others warm, some richly retro, and others simply serene.

“The blue one.” Ran Lin had a personal preference for colors. “The Mediterranean style one.”

“Okay.” Lu Yiyao straightened up and moved away from the doorframe. “Go wait in the room. I’ll call you when the bath is ready.”

Ran Lin was momentarily stunned, then caught on to the implication. “You’re moving through this process a bit too smoothly, aren’t you?”

Lu Yiyao, halfway out the door, turned back and said with a serious tone, “Ever since that time I fell asleep in the hotel, I’ve engraved the process deep in my soul.”

Ran Lin sensed a deep sorrow under his boyfriend’s resolute voice.

……

After two years of anticipation, Ran Lin thought he was in for a rock concert, but what he got was a jazz session. But jazz was great too.

Relaxed and lazy, Ran Lin looked around the room bathed in tranquil ocean blue and thought, just like his relationship with Lu Yiyao, there was no need for dramatics—a gentle, pleasant rhythm and flow was enough.

Soon, Lu Yiyao’s call from downstairs indicated the bath was ready. Ran Lin got up and went downstairs, only to find his partner missing. Puzzled, he walked into the bathroom.

The exhaust fan was off, filling the room with a steamy haze. Behind the mist, Lu Yiyao was sitting in a water-filled bathtub, smiling at him with his eyes.

Ran Lin had fantasized about sharing a bath, the close physical contact in a confined space… But Lu Yiyao’s circular bathtub was so large it felt more like a bathing hall!

“Are you just going to watch me?” Lu Yiyao asked softly with a hint of grievance, as if saying, ‘I’m already like this. How can you just stand there?’

Of course, Ran Lin couldn’t just stand there. All the nights he had imagined with Lu Yiyao were filled with tension, haste, and the fear of being interrupted. But when it actually happened, it was solid, warm, and romantic, surpassing all his fantasies.

It was Lu Yiyao who led him into such a night. Without his knowledge, his partner had quietly done so much, prepared for so long.

“Turn around,” Ran Lin heard himself say. Lu Yiyao gave a reluctant look but eventually complied.

The water rippled softly with gentle sounds. Ran Lin quickly stripped and entered the water.

As soon as he got in, Ran Lin felt the warmth rush from his feet to the rest of his body, first shivering, then enveloped in a comfortable and secure warmth.

Hearing the splash, Lu Yiyao turned back around. By the time Ran Lin was fully immersed, Lu Yiyao had already drawn close, gently pressing him against the side of the bathtub and kissing him.

Lu Yiyao’s kiss was tender. Ran Lin closed his eyes, feeling both his body and soul melting.

After a while, Lu Yiyao softly broke the kiss and started planting smaller kisses on his chin, neck, and before Ran Lin realized it, he was already being held in Lu Yiyao’s arms.

Ran Lin’s entire body softened, with one particular area remaining tensely hard.

Lu Yiyao was the same, as Ran Lin could clearly feel him pressing against him.

But after the kiss, Lu Yiyao simply held him quietly, motionless. Ran Lin leaned into him and murmured, “Shall we start…”

“It’s okay.” Lu Yiyao rubbed his head with his chin. “I’ve waited two years already. I can wait a bit longer, till we’re back in the bedroom.”

Ran Lin thought about the disparity in willpower between them and surrendered.

“But I can’t wait any longer…”

With that, he turned around and took the initiative, splashing water everywhere in the tub.

Limited by space, the two didn’t really have full physical contact but used their hands to comfort each other.

After reaching their peaks in a flurry, they finally managed to calm down and have a proper bath.

Ran Lin felt so comfortable that he didn’t even want to move his fingers. Lu Yiyao, still full of energy, half dragged and half carried him out of the bathtub and under the showerhead.

“Close your eyes.” The somewhat muffled voice of Lu Yiyao reached his ears. Still foggy-brained, Ran Lin obediently closed his eyes, feeling the continuous flow of the shower washing over him from head to toe, the warmth enveloping him.

Suddenly, the shower was turned off. Ran Lin wanted to open his eyes but remembered his partner’s instruction and continued to stand obediently. Soon, he felt a pair of hands rubbing his hair, not too hard nor too soft, comfortably with a cool touch of shampoo.

His partner was washing his hair for him. With his eyes closed, Ran Lin couldn’t help but secretly smile…

Wait.

Ran Lin sniffed a couple of times, recognizing the scent…

The shower turned back on, and Ran Lin cooperated by lowering his head to let the water rinse off the foam. When he finally could open his eyes, he indeed saw the familiar shampoo bottle and exclaimed in surprise, “This is the one I endorsed…”

“It’s pretty good,” Lu Yiyao replied, taking some more to start washing his own hair.

Ran Lin asked, “Have you been using this all along?”

“Uh-huh,” Lu Yiyao muttered, massaging his scalp.

Ran Lin frowned. “But I remember when I started endorsing it, we weren’t together yet…”

Splash.

Very conveniently, his boyfriend turned the shower on again.

…Suspicious indeed!

But Lu Yiyao didn’t give Ran Lin another chance to seek the truth. After quickly finishing their shower, he carried Ran Lin back to the room.

After that, Ran Lin was completely submerged in the blue ocean of their room, tossed by the waves and forgetting all about his previous suspicions.

Lu Yiyao had made thorough preparations and patiently waited until Ran Lin was completely relaxed before making his move.

Initially, Ran Lin was grateful for the lack of pain, only experiencing a sense of fulfillment.

But when Lu Yiyao came for the third time, Ran Lin finally understood the saying, “short pain is better than long pain*”…

*It’s an idiom that refers to it’s better to endure brief, intense discomfort and deal with the problem immediately rather than prolonging the agony over an extended period of time. Basically, deal with it quickly rather than letting it drag out. || In this context, well… Lu Yiyao prefers dragging it out (if you know what I mean).

……

Ran Lin hadn’t had such a sound sleep in a long time. No intruders disturbed his dreams, only a sea of his favorite light blue, carrying a tempting fragrance, warm and comfortable.

His eyelashes fluttered twice before he slowly opened his eyes. The sunlight streaming in from the window tinted the room a lighter shade of blue.

“Good morning.” A cheerful greeting reached his ears.

Ran Lin turned slightly to the right and saw his partner propping up his head with his arm, watching him with a satisfied, refreshed look.

“Morning.” Ran Lin tried to turn and lie face-to-face with Lu Yiyao, but as soon as he moved, he felt sore all over.

Lu Yiyao seemed to chuckle.

The next second, he suddenly lifted the covers and dove in, swiftly pouncing on Ran Lin and popping his head out from under the covers on Ran Lin’s chest.

“No way!” Ran Lin sternly refused.

Lu Yiyao couldn’t help but laugh. “I didn’t say we’re going again.”

Ran Lin didn’t speak, just kept looking at his partner on his chest, his gaze indicating that he should reconsider his position. But Lu Yiyao relaxed instead, laying his entire weight on Ran Lin like a human blanket. “Let me lie down for a while…”

Ran Lin rolled his eyes, but after a few seconds, he couldn’t help but wrap his arms around his partner’s head.

“After you sign the contract, move in and live with me here,” Lu Yiyao said gently.

“No, I’ll buy another villa next door and be your neighbor,” Ran Lin replied, feeling somewhat extravagant for the first time. “How much is this villa?”

“…million,” Lu Yiyao replied.

“Hm?” Ran Lin urged.

Lu Yiyao lifted his head slightly, his voice clearer this time.

Ran Lin finally heard it clearly and nodded earnestly, staring into his partner’s eyes. “Let’s discuss if I can get a higher salary for my first film after I join your company…”

Lu Yiyao laughed out loud, kissing him spontaneously. A single look can spark a fire in the throes of passion, much less a kiss. So they cuddled for a while longer before Lu Yiyao got out of bed, put on clothes, and said he’d make breakfast.

Watching his partner leave the bedroom with a tender gaze, Ran Lin grimaced as he got up, feeling sore but finding a set of home wear laid out on the nightstand. He put it on, appreciating its softness and comfort, especially since it fit perfectly.

Ran Lin remembered, if not mistaken, the set Lu Yiyao had worn when he got out of bed looked identical to his, except for the color.

Getting up, the soreness was quite intense at first, but it eased after moving around a bit, thanks to Lu Yiyao’s utmost tenderness.

Descending to the living room, Ran Lin caught a faint whiff of coffee. Following the scent to the kitchen, he hesitated as he sensed not just coffee but also soy milk.

As he was about to peek at what his partner in matching home wear was concocting, Lu Yiyao turned around with a small tray in hand.

It wasn’t soy-flavored coffee but simply a cup of coffee, a cup of soy milk, a simple sandwich, and two soft buns.

Who was eating what was evident.

Ran Lin was curious about when it had all been prepared, as there was hardly a few minutes’ gap between him and Lu Yiyao coming downstairs. The only explanation was that Teacher Lu had gotten up earlier, prepared everything, and then went back to bed to wait for him to wake up.

It was nearing noon.

But for both of them, this was still breakfast.

Ran Lin had no schedule today, and Boss Lu had also skipped work, stealing a day of leisure for themselves.

“My followers have reached 17 million…” Lying on the couch, enjoying the afternoon sun, Ran Lin casually scrolled through Weibo and then discovered the surprise. “Last time I checked, it was only 14 million.”

“That was long ago.” Lu Yiyao pulled him into his embrace, lazily yawning. “With <Chronicles of Winter> and <Dyeing Fire> being released back to back, you’re at the height of popularity right now.”

“It’s just a phase.” Ran Lin saw through it. Once <Dyeing Fire> was out of theaters and new movies and TV shows came along, the focus would shift to someone else.

“It’s enough for a phase,” Lu Yiyao said. “You’re not one to chase fame with gimmicks, right? You just want to act well. You should go for quality, not quantity, nor do you need to be in the public eye every day of the year. As long as you ensure that every work you put out is of high quality and that your name becomes synonymous with good work, you’ll have succeeded.”

Ran Lin was captivated by the future Lu Yiyao depicted. “Can I really do it?”

“We’ll try together.” Lu Yiyao tightened his embrace.

……

In the last few days of April, <Dyeing Fire> and <Split Moon> were taken off the screens one after the other. <Dyeing Fire> ultimately broke 400 million in box office, which was a resounding success compared to its production cost. No one was happier than the investors and director He Guan, who held a celebration party the day after the movies were taken down.

Ran Lin, who had been “vacationing” at Lu Yiyao’s villa for over a week, had to rush back to resume work. Unexpectedly, after days of not seeing each other, his agent Wang Xi, like pulling a magic trick, presented him with a small pile of scripts—at least six or seven of them—on their way home after the celebration party.

“Are these all for me?” Ran Lin carefully held the scripts, a bit uncertain.

“These are the ones I’ve screened and found decent.” Wang Xi turned from the passenger seat and said, “There are more in my office, but also a lot of duds.”

Ran Lin: “But I’m about to break my contract with Dream Without Limits soon…”

Wang Xi: “I’m not asking you to sign now. Just take a look first. If you find something suitable, we can talk after the contract termination.”

“Ran Ge, you’ve made it,” Liu Wanwan said proudly. “Before, you were looking for scripts, but now scripts are looking for you.”

“And you don’t need to audition,” Wang Xi added. “For these scripts in your hand, as long as you nod, the producers will immediately confirm you.”

Ran Lin was about to speak when Wang Xi changed the topic. “But the more this is the case, the more cautious you need to be.”

Ran Lin looked at his agent.

Wang Xi slowly continued, “Your current popularity, all that fame, it’s built upon <Sword of Fallen Flowers>, <Chronicles of Winter>, and <Dyeing Fire>. Popularity and reputation are hard to build but easy to destroy. One bad drama can do it.”

Ran Lin was starting to grasp what she meant.

Indeed, Wang Xi pointed out. “<The Legend of Lantern Blossoms> will air in July, so the next project you pick after that is crucial. The audience might forgive a sudden misstep, but they won’t tolerate consecutive failures. If the project after <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms> is also subpar, all the effort you put into <<Sword of Fallen Flowers>, <Chronicles of Winter>, and <Dyeing Fire> will mostly go down the drain.”

Ran Lin: “Audiences only look forward.”

Wang Xi nodded. “Exactly, so never let yourself be associated with trashy or rushed projects.”

Ran Lin looked at the scripts in his lap, pondered for a moment, and then looked up, feeling a bit guilty. “Xi Jie, I’ll probably be working on a project prepared by Lu Yiyao’s side next.”

Wang Xi didn’t expect Lu Yiyao to act so quickly. “Is everything ready?”

“The script is still being polished,” Ran Lin said, “but everything else is almost ready. We should start filming by October.”

……

Wang Xi didn’t probe any further into Ran Lin’s plans. She could see Ran Lin’s trust in Lu Yiyao. After all, he was going to sign with his company, so she didn’t want to give an impression of doubting Lu Yiyao with her questions.

To say doubt might not be accurate, but she indeed wasn’t very confident in Lu Yiyao’s capabilities. Acting, being a star, an idol—Lu Yiyao was unquestionable, but making a TV series was a different story, especially since he was a novice.

So, from that day onwards, she used her connections to deeply understand the status of Lu Yiyao’s project. The information she received was astonishing—Lu Yiyao had assembled a movie-level production team!

The person who informed her bluntly said Lu Yiyao was clearly aiming to make a name for his company, not necessarily to profit from this project. However, it was also predicted that as long as nothing went wrong, the project would definitely be a hit, maybe even a blockbuster. Because while the project sought movie-level team quality, it was operated by experienced industry veterans well-versed in TV rules. That meant Lu Yiyao had clearly distinguished between quality and operation, and with ample funding at hand for the project, it’d be surprising if it didn’t succeed.

Wang Xi didn’t know if Ran Lin was aware of these details. If he was, it meant he had good judgment. If not, and he was merely trusting a friend, then it was destiny shaped by character.

While Wang Xi was concerned about the future of her soon-to-be former artist, Ran Lin was getting ready to attend the wedding of his boyfriend’s friend—Huo Yuntao was getting married.

The wedding was set for a Saturday in early May. As his contract termination neared, Dream Without Limits no longer scheduled any activities for Ran Lin, so from May onwards, he was completely free. The wedding day was sunny and pleasant, with a gentle breeze. Ran Lin got ready early, invitation in hand, and drove to the venue.

According to Lu Yiyao, it was a lawn wedding, with most guests being business partners and acquaintances of the Huo and Lin families. There weren’t many friends of Huo Yuntao and Lin Panxi, especially Huo Yuntao, who could count his friends on one hand, including Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao.

Both the Huo and Lin families were prestigious, and Ran Lin anticipated a grand wedding but still underestimated its magnificence. The lawn was teeming with people, most mingling and socializing, making it hard to distinguish anyone.

Fortunately, someone guided him to a seat with a name tag once they knew he was a friend of Huo Yuntao. Once seated, Ran Lin dared not wander and simply observed his surroundings. Unlike him, most guests were engaged in conversation on the adjacent open ground. With the wedding not yet started, only a pianist was playing on the garden stage. Ran Lin’s seat in the third row was quite upfront, likely specially arranged by Huo Yuntao.

As Lu Yiyao was the best man, he wasn’t around yet, probably busy welcoming the bride with his buddy. Not wanting to disturb him, Ran Lin relaxed in his chair, admiring the rare, clear blue sky.

Clouds floated by, white and soft like candy. Just looking at them felt sweet. Weddings indeed made people feel happy, Ran Lin thought leisurely in the gentle spring breeze.

Ding dong.

A WeChat notification sound broke his reverie.

Ran Lin took out his phone to see a short video from his partner. In the video, Huo Yuntao was facing the camera, saying, “Brother, I’m about to break through the door. Cheer me on!”

Ran Lin laughed out loud and immediately replied with a voice message, “Go for it!”

There was no response from the other end, probably because his lover was busy breaking down the door.

Suddenly, a voice from behind startled him. “Teacher From Sanya?”

Ran Lin jolted and instinctively turned off his phone before turning around, only to see Ding Kai smiling broadly.

“Why so nervous? You’ve been so discreet.” Ding Kai casually sat down in the fourth row behind Ran Lin, offset by one seat so that when Ran Lin turned back, he faced him directly.

Ran Lin wasn’t sure if Ding Kai was supposed to sit there or had just come over to chat, but he quickly caught the teasing tone regarding the change of his WeChat nickname.

Ran Lin could counter most things, but this one was a clear shot. “At least it’s more thoughtful than 1111.”

Ding Kai looked unjustly accused. “I didn’t change it. That account always had that nickname.”

Ran Lin corrected himself, “Sorry, I thought you changed your nickname to add me. Turns out you just used an alternate account.”

Ding Kai: “……”

Ran Lin expected Ding Kai to come up with a bunch of excuses, not just to concede. Just as he wondered why this “forthrightness” didn’t fit Ding Kai’s style, he heard him say, “It’s risky out there in the world. What if you got annoyed and shared screenshots?”

Ran Lin rolled his eyes. “Even if you used your real name, I could post WeChat screenshots claiming they’re yours, and you could say I fabricated them since you’ve never sent a voice message.”

“Are you resenting that fact?” Ding Kai’s tone teasingly rose.

Ran Lin glared at him. “You’re overthinking.”

“Who’s the Teacher From Sanya?” Ding Kai suddenly circled back to the previous question without warning.

Ran Lin thought he had diverted from this topic and was caught off guard for a moment.

Ding Kai laughed and confidently uttered a name. “Lu Yiyao.”

His voice was so soft it dispersed with the wind. Ran Lin neither confirmed nor denied; he just looked at him calmly.

“You don’t have any connections with Huo Yuntao. The one who really does is him,” Ding Kai continued without pressing further but changed the subject. “I just found out Lu Yiyao started a company. I apologize for my earlier comments. That was foolish of me. I want to apologize to you here.”

Ran Lin flashed a look of confusion.

Ding Kai, catching it, shrugged and explained further, “I mean when I said not to find an artist because it’s like walking near a river, you’ll eventually get your shoes wet. You should’ve reminded me then.”

“Remind you of what?” Lu Yiyao’s voice came from another direction.

Startled, Ran Lin quickly turned from looking back at Ding Kai to the right side, seeing Lu Yiyao already close by, as if out of nowhere.

Ding Kai leaned back in his chair, looking up at Lu Yiyao, who had now appeared beside Ran Lin in the third row, casually saying, “Remind me that he’s not just finding an artist but a boss, and he’s about to sign with him.”

Lu Yiyao didn’t speak, just looked down at Ding Kai, trying to discern his intention. However, he failed. Ding Kai’s annoyingly inscrutable smile gave nothing away.

“Ran Lin must have shared all my less than glorious deeds with you,” Ding Kai said, not hiding anything, perhaps thinking everyone was already on the same page, or maybe because he wasn’t a public figure and didn’t need to be as cautious as Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao.

Lu Yiyao shrugged, pulled a chair next to Ran Lin, and sat down, facing Ding Kai. Ran Lin moved his chair to sit beside Lu Yiyao, facing Ding Kai together.

Ding Kai slightly frowned, feeling slightly disadvantaged, as if he were being double-teamed. Lu Yiyao also frowned slightly, firstly not expecting to encounter Ding Kai here as the Huo family’s focus isn’t on the entertainment industry, and secondly, he’s always been unclear about this uninvited guest’s depths.

Ding Kai guessed that Ran Lin had shared the harassment incident with Lu Yiyao, but he probably didn’t guess that after hearing it, Lu Yiyao had used all available resources to investigate him.

Not afraid of a thief stealing, but afraid of a thief thinking about it, he needed to understand what kind of thief he was dealing with. But the results were surprising—Ding Kai hadn’t dated or supported anyone in the industry, male or female. The only blemish was once trying to meet Ran Lin as an investor through an agent. But whether he’s gay remains uncertain, according to the investigators.

When Lu Yiyao sent people to investigate, he didn’t reveal any details, and the only conclusive information he got back was already known to him. The results were frustrating. Ding Kai is either gay or bisexual; there’s no doubt about it. Otherwise, why would he keep bothering Ran Lin unless it’s just for amusement? But apart from harassing his partner, this man appears to be clean, leaving Lu Yiyao unsure how to judge him.

However, he hadn’t shared these findings with Ran Lin.

Ideally, Ran Lin wouldn’t remember there’s such a person at all. It would be better that way.

Seeing the united front of the two across from him and with no one else around, Ding Kai decided to lay it out. “Let me clarify: I’m not trying to stir trouble, just offering an objective opinion. If it’s true love, it’s probably best not to turn it into a superior-subordinate relationship. Think about it, when one person becomes another’s boss, can the feelings of the one who becomes the employee, or the one who’s financially supported, remain independent?”

“One doesn’t need permission to give their wife the best,” Lu Yiyao retorted, clearly at his limit.

“It’s not about who’s supporting whom. It’s about two people who love each other striving together.” Ran Lin nearly spoke at the same time.

Both were defending their stance, and simultaneously, they blurred the subject, making it clear to Ding Kai what they were referring to, but outsiders would only think they were discussing relationship matters unrelated to themselves.

The moment their words fell, they paused and smiled at each other.

“…” Ding Kai felt as if he’d been hit by a hidden weapon.

Ran Lin turned his gaze back to Ding Kai. “Independence isn’t about the form, but the mindset. Like those you support, you’re not in the same company—no explicit relationship, does that make them independent?”

Ding Kai looked baffled; who had he supported?

“President Ding—”

Someone called out to Ding Kai from a distance. He reflexively turned back, recognized an acquaintance, and stood up to leave, quickly walking over to socialize.

Ran Lin felt a slight regret for not taking this opportunity to have a thorough conversation with Ding Kai and letting him give up. Lu Yiyao was mulling over Ran Lin’s last question, feeling that his lover might have some misunderstandings about Ding Kai.

But it was all good. They were beautiful misunderstandings.

“Speaking of which.” Ran Lin finally remembered to ask his partner. “How did you move so quickly? One second you were welcoming the bride, and the next, you were here?”

After asking, Ran Lin realized the timing of the video didn’t necessarily align with the actual welcoming. It could have been sent after everything was done, during a moment of downtime…

Seeing his partner’s expression, Lu Yiyao knew he didn’t need to explain and skipped that part, directly saying, “My task was just to welcome the bride, and now it’s perfectly completed. Lao Huo is already rehearsing his speech backstage.” Lu Yiyao nodded toward the stage direction.

Ran Lin had a clear view of the stage from his angle but naturally couldn’t see behind it. “Don’t you need bridesmaids and groomsmen to pass rings later?”

“No need.” Lu Yiyao sighed. “Lao Huo wants to do a magic trick himself and produce the rings.”

Ran Lin: “…Does the bride not mind?”

Lu Yiyao: “He didn’t tell Panxi. Said he wanted to surprise her.”

Ran Lin: “Didn’t you remind him it might be awkward or fall flat?”

Lu Yiyao: “Lao Huo is very confident in his magic.”

About fifteen minutes later, guests gradually took their seats, and the venue quieted down. The host began to speak, setting a warm and grand tone for the event.

As the host invited the groom to the stage, Ran Lin finally saw Huo Yuntao. His friend, usually carefree, had his hair neatly combed, wore a sharp suit, and even his expression was unusually serious.

“Getting married really changes a person,” Ran Lin muttered.

Lu Yiyao sighed, thinking it was due to nerves.

As the music flowed out, pouring over the entire lawn, Lin Panxi, arm in arm with her father, slowly approached from a distance, walking onto the stage under the blessed gaze of all the guests.

After a series of procedures, it was finally time for the exciting moment of exchanging rings. The host skillfully heightened the atmosphere to its peak.

Then, under the gaze of all the guests, the groom performed a small-scale close-up magic trick. So close that no one saw what he did, only that after two long and awkward minutes, the groom had two rings in his hand.

It was an uncomfortably long two minutes, which even the host’s attempts couldn’t salvage. However, when Lin Panxi saw the rings, her face lit up.

Ran Lin watched her radiant expression and suddenly thought perhaps Huo Yuntao anticipated the awkwardness. But what does it matter? It’s his wedding, and he just needed to make his bride happy.

The bouquet toss was a universally loved part of the wedding. Since Lin Panxi didn’t have many friends there, the host encouraged all the single ladies present to try their luck.

This call to action rallied over twenty girls under the stage. The atmosphere was lively, and when the bride tossed the bouquet, the girls scrambled for it. The winner, too excited, swung her arms, and two-thirds of the bouquet scattered like a celestial scattering of flowers.

Ran Lin’s seat happened to be in the “disaster zone”, and a rose hit him right on the head. Guests around found it amusing—some catching and some dodging—creating quite a scene.

Ran Lin caught the rose, pinching its shortened stem, looking at the petals, bemused.

“Good omen.” Lu Yiyao took the flower to play with it, noting the thorns had been removed so there was no risk of getting pricked.

Ran Lin jested, “Everyone else catches a bunch, not just a single stem.”

“It’s the same, a stem or a bunch.” Lu Yiyao placed the flower in Ran Lin’s suit pocket, decisively nodding, “Let’s settle on this.”

Ran Lin paused. “Settle what?”

The host said something, and the guests burst into enthusiastic applause.

“My magic will definitely be more spectacular than Lao Huo’s.” Amidst the thunderous applause, Ran Lin heard Lu Yiyao whisper in his ear.

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