The awards ceremony ended, and Wen Jueli returned to his hotel room to take a shower.
The room was filled with a hazy mist. He draped a towel over his head, letting his damp hair fall across his forehead, softening the sharpness of his features.
His phone received a message.
Wen Feng: [I didn’t expect you and your sister-in-law to be so close?]
[So, was that display in front of Grandfather all an act?]
Wen Jueli’s expression remained unchanged as he glanced at the message and coldly turned off his phone. After changing into comfortable clothes, he sat on the couch, opened Weibo, and saw a trending topic that caught his attention.
#Yan Qing admits to liking for five years#
It was a video clip edited from Yan Qing’s recent livestream.
In the video, the handsome young man sat at a dining table, holding a bowl of instant noodles. He wore a cap that shaded his eyes, which were dark and beautiful, and he was engrossed in his tablet, muttering to himself, “I’m not outstanding? I’m not worthy? If I am, how could he like me for five years?” After saying this line, the camera switched to the perspective of Yan Qing’s wall-mounted camera, capturing the hateful comments on his tablet to prove that Yan Qing was replying to the comments.
In the comments section:
[Is Yan Qing telling the truth? Has Wen Jueli really pursued Yan Qing for five years?]
[I was there at the scene. Yan Qing even helped Wen Jueli clap back at some brainless fans.]
[I think there’s a good chance it’s true. Maybe Wen Jueli’s reason for not taking on a single emotional drama in recent years is because of Yan Qing!]
“…” Wen Jueli stared at these comments fixedly.
[Sis, is the livestream still ongoing? I want to check it out.]
[Yes, it’s still on, but Yan Qing went back to sleep. There’s no camera in his room. QuQ]
[Again? Didn’t he just sleep for quite a long time earlier at noon?]
[OMG! I just realized something! Yan Qing decided to go back to sleep right after the program started, but he woke up just as the film festival livestream began! I feel like I’ve discovered something!]
…
[Stop speculating! If Wen Jueli hasn’t confirmed anything, can we really trust what Yan Qing said? Don’t forget they’re in a contract marriage. Maybe this whole show is just about maintaining the company’s image as a married couple.]
[Wow, you’re brave to say that. I actually think the same because that crush reveal was just too dumb.]
Wen Jueli wrapped the towel around his head and stared at that particular comment for a long time. After ten seconds, as if guided by some inexplicable impulse, he clicked to view the comment and, to his surprise, found a familiar username: 【@Yan Qing is a hottie】.
He liked the comment that suggested the whole show was for maintaining the company’s image.
***
Since the’re no particular talent to showcase, Yan Qing covered his red ears. After finishing the dishes, he sneaked back to his room, telling the camera crew to take a break and to keep the cameras rolling outside.
In his room, Yan Qing lay down and saw that his comments from the livestream had made it to Weibo and were trending. The comments section was filled with chaos, and his thoughts began to wander. Although he had unintentionally revealed that Wen Jueli was kind and even confessed his own feelings, now having so many people think Wen Jueli had secretly liked Yan Qing for five years seemed a bit too much.
However, Yan Qing had a change of heart. If Wen Jueli had indeed seen this, it might at least let him know that Yan Qing was aware of his feelings. Maybe that would make Wen Jueli feel better?
Yan Qing scrolled through the comments for a while and suddenly noticed a comment suggesting that their show with Wen Jueli was just for maintaining the company’s image.
Yan Qing refused to accept it and sat up straight.
While the show might be for his financial reasons, Wen Jueli had agreed to it for the sake of him. Besides, what image did they need to maintain?
He began to type a response but stopped himself when he realized it wasn’t a wise move. Even if he replied to this comment, he might have to reply to every comment. Moreover, if he performed well in the variety show, people might not continue to misunderstand Wen Jueli.
Yan Xiang deleted what he had written in the editor and noticed that he had accidentally liked a comment earlier. This irritated him, so he swiftly unliked it. The comment had received many likes, and he didn’t want to draw attention to his likes, fearing they would be misinterpreted and cause more trouble.
***
After yesterday’s reveal, many viewers had already set alarms to watch Yan Qing’s livestream. Without exception, they were curious if Yan Qing would accidentally mention something related to Wen Jueli. Regardless of whether it was true or not, they were all eager to hear anything about Wen Jueli. Even if it was just gossip, they were willing to listen.
However, Yan Qing had woken up quite early. He had gotten up at five in the morning, and his staff hadn’t even started shooting yet.
[It’s only five o’clock and he’s already up?]
[It’s normal, he slept all afternoon yesterday!]
[Hmm, speaking of it, they’ve been livestreaming for 24 hours, and I haven’t seen any makeup artists. It seems like Yan Qing was really bare-faced… but he looks quite good-looking to be honest. cough cough.]
Yan Qing, upon reading this comment, felt a sense of relief in his heart.
Basking in the sunlight that filtered through the floor-to-ceiling window, he stretched lazily. As he extended his limbs, his thin sweatshirt was pulled up, revealing his snow-white waist.
Beep—
At this moment, the room’s camera turned as if it were greeting someone. Yan Qing lazily greeted it back, resembling a lazy orange cat.
[… I’m out of blood!]
[Leaving that aside, Yan Qing’s visuals are really outstanding.]
[Let’s be honest, it’s all about the visuals. He’ll turn his back on Wen Jueli!]
Many viewers who had tuned into the livestream from the trending page were curious about what Yan Qing would do today. They wondered if he would video call Wen Jueli or show off their memories together, much like the other guest couples.
However, they were all in for a surprise. Yan Qing is really a salted fish.
First of all, Yan Qing took a piece of whole wheat bread, placed it on a plate, poured some mineral water over it, heated it in the microwave, and mixed it with milk. In no time, a simple meal was prepared.
After that, Yan Qing opened the door for his staff and then headed to his 50-square-meter balcony. There, he sat in a rocking chair, basking in the sun. After he had relaxed enough, he spent three hours reading a book and two hours doing Sudoku puzzles.
He never left the rocking chair throughout the whole process.
Because of Yan Qing’s leisurely routine, it seemed as though he was leading a retired life. Some viewers who were initially expecting more excitement found it too dull and decided to leave. Those who remained in the livestream room were mainly drawn by Yan Qing’s good looks.
This is better than what they expected.
When the production team learned that Wen Jueli couldn’t participate in the recording for the first two days, they wondered if Yan Qing’s livestream room would become deserted with only a three-digit audience count. However, to their surprise, there were still over ten thousand viewers!
At noon, Yan Qing finally left his rocking chair. He cooked instant noodles for himself, sat at the dining table, turned on the TV, and chose to watch a suspense movie titled “Lone Assassin.”
To his surprise, he saw Wen Jueli’s name in the cast list. This year, Wen Jueli had swept international film awards with this very movie.
Over the past few days, while at home, Yan Qing had actually watched some of Wen Jueli’s movies to catch up on what he had done over the past five years.
The movie began with Wen Jueli’s character as the killer revealing himself. Accompanied by hauntingly beautiful and eerie music, the scenes were masterfully edited with montages, sending chills down Yan Qing’s spine.
Yan Qing became engrossed in the movie. He ate his noodles while fixating his gaze on the screen, feeling like he was in the midst of the suspense.
When the movie ended, Yan Qing couldn’t help but sigh, ‘Wen Jueli’s acting skills are really impressive. No wonder he has so many fans!’
With that thought, he recalled that he was also an actor now.
Whether in film or theater, he was doing quite well. Yan Qing didn’t feel discouraged. Every actor’s success was replicable, and even though he was relatively unknown now, perhaps the release of his debut film this month would change that?
With that in mind, he decided to continue working hard and not let himself down.
Speaking of his debut film, Yan Qing remembered something and picked up his phone to contact Kan Hai. He asked, “Senior, has the release date for that drama been confirmed?”
“…” Kan Hai responded, “I was watching the livestream. I thought you were going to call Wen Jueli. I didn’t expect you to call me and ask about this??”
Yan Qing blushed and replied, “Why should I Call him? He’s still very busy.”
In the livestream room, viewers noticed that Yan Qing was having a chat with someone mysterious and tried to guess what they were talking about.
[Is it Wen Jueli? Is it Wen Jueli?]
[Are they whispering secrets? Why aren’t they showing us the screen? Also, up until now, Wen Jueli hasn’t appeared in the same frame as him. How can we endure this?]
Seeing the barrage of comments, Kan Hai replied speechlessly, “The production company hasn’t provided detailed information yet, but it’s expected to be released this month. The TV series was filmed three years ago, and back then, you weren’t the lead. So It might not turn out quite well.”
Yan Qing was relaxed. “It’s fine.”
Being an actor was ultimately about performing, and it had been that way since he was a child. He chuckled at the thought of how he had nearly been abducted by human traffickers in middle school due to his passion for acting.
Yan Qing thought to himself that even though the release date hadn’t been confirmed, it was likely to happen this month. He couldn’t wait to watch his first ever television series.
He had watched Wen Jueli’s other movie seriously and realized that his admiration for Wen Jueli had reached another level.
As evening approached, the live broadcast of the film festival began.
Yan Qing and the viewers in his livestream room were eagerly awaiting Wen Jueli’s appearance.
Wen Jueli looked even more handsome than he did yesterday.
Under the spotlight, wearing a well-fitted tuxedo, he showcased his broad shoulders and slender figure perfectly. His hair was not just plain silver-black; it had a special material that shimmered like flowing light when illuminated.
Just like this, no matter where he was, he was the most dazzling figure in the crowd, impossible to ignore.
Tonight’s film festival was filled with stars. Yan Qing spotted several renowned actors, but it came as no surprise that Wen Jueli had effortlessly secured the most awards at this year’s film festival.
Amidst the cheers and congratulations from the audience, Wen Jueli stepped onto the stage to receive his award.
He appeared composed, calm, and powerful.
Wen Jueli succinctly delivered his award acceptance speech and Yan Qing was excited that his husband has won the awards.
However, the host suddenly asked, “I hope you don’t mind me asking, Mr. Wen, but your recent marriage has undoubtedly been the most talked-about topic among the public. Can you take this opportunity to share how you and Mr. Yan Qing first met? Is it true that you’ve been in love with him for five years, as some rumors suggest?”
The host’s probing question didn’t seem to ruffle the audience, as they were equally curious.
However, the viewers noticed that Wen Jueli, usually calm and collected like an AI, hesitated for a moment, which led to various speculations.
Could it be that they were indeed a couple, and the abrupt question caught Wen Jueli off guard, rendering him unable to respond?
Nonetheless, Wen Jueli cleared his throat, lowered his eyelashes slightly, and spoke slowly and clearly, “We are not newlyweds. Xiao Yan and I have been married for several years now. We have known each other for a long time, and our marriage was not a business arrangement, as some rumors might suggest. Thank you for your interest.”
The audience was left with this firm and sincere response.
Wen Jueli didn’t directly address the host’s question, but it still caused a stir among the viewers in the livestream.
The number of viewers watching the live broadcast of the film festival doubled!
Through the screen, Yan Qing understood the implications of Wen Jueli’s response.
Wen Jueli had genuinely fallen in love with him, and their marriage wasn’t just a result of a business arrangement!
Yan Qing’s heart was pounding, but he appeared almost frozen in place, his beautiful eyes staring blankly at the tablet screen. His cheeks were nearly flushed, and the viewers in the livestream also noticed his reaction.
[Even through the screen, he’s really been struck by this!]
[I’m so envious!]
[Wen Jueli calling Yan Qing ‘Xiao Yan” has truly hit the mark!!! Yan Qing seems stunned too!]
Yan Qing had been a well-behaved child when he was younger, especially liked by his relatives. He had even been dragged by a few older cousins to listen to them discuss their boyfriends. Although he didn’t remember the details very clearly, the general idea was that men had to put up with a lot for the sake of face.
They clearly liked each other, but they pretended not to, and that could be very frustrating. Back then, Yan Qing’s cousins had been worried about it, and the funniest part was that it was the cousins themselves who were the most stubborn.
So one of Yan Qing’s cousins had told the seven or eight-year-old Yan Qing, “When you meet someone you like, be sure to take the initiative.”
Wen Jueli is an introvert.
Yan Qing had initially planned to be the proactive one, but now, Wen Jueli had said all those things about him.
How much did Wen Jueli like him?
Yan Qing didn’t want to disappoint his feelings.
Therefore, on the third day of Love Variety, the same day as Wen Jueli’s response, Yan Qing picked the right moment and waited in the room.
When Wen Jueli appeared on the screen, Yan Qing joyfully greeted him, “Husband!”
[!!!!!]
[!!!!!!!!!]
