In Cheng Yang’s perspective, considering Chu Yan’s vengeful nature, being bullied like this would usually result in explosive retaliation. Yet, Chu Yan had managed to endure it silently until now, pretending as if nothing had happened. This silence made Cheng Yang even more convinced that Chu Yan might truly be hurt.
With these thoughts, he found himself increasingly disapproving of Xu Linshen. Chu Yan was still too young, naive, and easily deceived. It seemed that he hadn’t played around with someone like Xu Linshen before.
Just then, a sudden ringtone disrupted the atmosphere. Cheng Yang kept his focus on the road, and he heard Chu Yan’s cold voice from the back seat, clearly displeased, “Hello.”
After a brief exchange on the other end, Chu Yan sneered coldly, “I’m on set right now, don’t have time to play around with you, Master Yu. Go have fun with your little model on your own.”
A few seconds later, Chu Yan’s voice dripped with sarcasm, “Who needs your explanation? Who you like is none of my business. Just get lost if you have nothing else to say.”
Without waiting for a response, Chu Yan abruptly hung up the call.
Cheng Yang’s heart trembled as he listened, and he observed Chu Yan’s expression through the rearview mirror. He noticed that there was no sign of anger on Chu Yan’s face; instead, his expression was cold and difficult to describe. Perhaps due to the lighting, from his perspective, Cheng Yang felt that there was an indescribable sadness in Chu Yan’s eyes.
Adding another thought to his mental list, Cheng Yang contemplated the contrasting treatment between Yu Fei and Xu Linshen, both being major financial backers. Why did Yu Fei receive such treatment from Chu Yan, unlike Xu Linshen?
The answer seemed apparent.
Working on the same set, it was inevitable for Chu Yan to interact with Le Huo frequently. Moreover, as the two male leads of the drama, their scenes together were abundant.
One of the scenes involved a rain fight. However, May’s weather had been consistently sunny for several days, with no sign of rain. To achieve a more authentic look, the director decided to shoot the scene at night with the help of water sprinklers.
Director Zhao watched the recorded footage on the monitor and then beckoned with his hand, using the intercom to call out, “Take a fifteen-minute break. Le Huo, make your gaze sharper in the next scene.”
The nearby crew members immediately gathered around and handed towels to both of them.
“How are you feeling?”
Le Huo, who was also drying his hair, turned his head subconsciously upon hearing the question. He noticed that Chu Yan’s complexion was somewhat pale, and he seemed listless, clearly not in good shape.
Chu Yan took the towel and wiped his hair, rubbing his temples. As he walked towards the rest area, Le Huo took a sip of water and followed him inside.
Since tonight’s focus was on filming scenes between Chu Yan and Le Huo, there weren’t many people on set. Because they were using a rented location, the makeshift rest area was quite basic, illuminated by bright incandescent lights hanging overhead.
The sound of the hair dryer buzzed softly as Le Huo entered the room and saw Chu Yan sitting on the sofa, drying his hair.
His long and fair fingers weaved through the soft black hair, the slightly damp ends still dripping water, and he had changed out of his soaked clothes. He was now wearing a loose and casual white T-shirt on his upper body. Water droplets from his hair slid down his slender neck, leaving behind a glistening sheen.
Le Huo’s gaze paused for several seconds before he averted his eyes from Chu Yan. As he took a seat, makeup artists immediately approached to touch up both of their makeup.
Assistant Cheng Yang handed Chu Yan a cup of hot water, saying, “I asked the director just now. Just hold on for one more scene.”
Chu Yan was leaning back on the sofa, resting with his eyes closed. Upon hearing Cheng Yang’s words, he opened his eyes and said, “Get me a cup of hot coffee. I’m so tired.”
His voice had a slightly husky quality, a hint of complaint in it. Le Huo, who was focused on reading the script, involuntarily trembled, his mind going blank for a moment.
The remaining scenes were much simpler compared to the rain scene, and they quickly went through the lines with Le Huo.
—
Because there was no filming for Chu Yan overnight and his scenes were scheduled for the evening of the next day, he didn’t go to the set in the morning. He leisurely got up and prepared to have breakfast on the first floor of the hotel.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out of his room, he noticed that the door across from his was also opening simultaneously. Le Huo walked out from inside, wearing a crisp white shirt paired with faded blue jeans. As he walked out, he absentmindedly buttoned up his shirt.
Seeing Chu Yan standing at the doorway, he instinctively paused his steps. After a few seconds, he smiled towards him and greeted, “Good morning—”
His words had yet to fully leave his lips when he saw a change in Zhong Yu’s expression. With determined strides, Zhong Yu approached him.
Le Hou remained stunned for a few seconds, not understanding his intentions. However, in this brief moment of confusion, he felt a force suddenly hit him. His collar was grabbed, and then he was forcefully pushed against the wall behind him.
Le Hou’s head collided with the wall, emitting a muffled sound. The entire sequence of events happened too quickly, and Le Hou didn’t have time to react.
Subsequently, he heard a voice in his ear, each word squeezed out almost laboriously from the throat: “Where did the clothes you’re wearing come from?”
Le Hou furrowed his brows, attempting to break free from the grip, but his efforts were in vain. As he lifted his head, he met a pair of cold, pitch-black eyes. His Adam’s apple involuntarily bobbed as he spoke, “Zhong Yu?”
“I’ll ask you again, where did the clothes you’re wearing come from?!” Chu Yan gritted his teeth, his mind racing with a pulsating nervousness. His voice quivered uncontrollably, his breath erratic.
Le Hou had never seen Zhong Yu like this before. Beautiful anger blazed in his eyes, and the veins on his fair neck were distinctly visible due to the force of his rage. His chest rose and fell slightly, resembling a small wild beast that had invaded its territory.
“Take them off.”
Le Hou thought he had misheard, staring at Zhong Yu in confusion. Before he could even convey his questioning gaze, Zhong Yu repeated himself.
Each word distinctly enunciated, “I f***ing told you, take off the clothes you’re wearing.”
Le Hou felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His mind went blank, and his blood seemed to stop flowing. He became rigid, unable to move, as if someone had pressed the pause button on him.
The air around him seemed to stagnate, no longer flowing. Suddenly, an abrupt sound of the door opening broke the spell, freeing Le Hou from this immobilized state.
Turning his gaze toward the sound, upon seeing the newcomer, Le Hou unconsciously glanced back at Zhong Yu standing beside him.
Perhaps it was an illusion, but he felt like Zhong Yu’s hand trembled slightly upon seeing Xu Linshen’s arrival.
Casually, Chu Yan released his grip, his gaze shifting between the two for a moment before he sneered, “Coming all the way to the set for a little visit, Mr. Xu, you certainly have quite the enthusiasm.”
After that statement, Xu Linshen’s eyebrows twitched suddenly, his heart almost uncontrollably constricting for a moment. His fingers trembled beneath the blanket. “Play? Well, I don’t have the experience in this aspect compared to Mr. Zhong, the superstar, do I?”
Chu An sneered, “Mr. Xu can certainly play, but you shouldn’t belittle yourself like this. What, you can’t even bear to buy some clothes for your lover? Wearing what’s left of mine, is there a problem?”
Upon hearing his words, Xu Linshen shifted his gaze to Le Hou, who was standing by the wall. After observing for a moment, he finally grasped the meaning behind Zhong Yu’s words.
Today, Le Hou was wearing a white shirt from the brand “Tent-break,” a men’s fashion brand that Zhong Yu endorsed. They sent Zhong Yu their new shirt designs every month.
However, if it were any other brand, perhaps it wouldn’t have stirred such anger in Zhong Yu. What mattered most were the metallic cufflinks on this particular shirt. The designer had specially crafted them for each Tent-break spokesperson, making each set unique in detail. That was why Zhong Yu had a special fondness for this shirt, wearing it both on television and in his daily life.
But as for Le Hou’s shirt, it was clearly new. Zhong Yu had misunderstood the situation.
Xu Linshen felt a mixture of emotions, looking at Zhong Yu’s furious expression. He couldn’t be certain whether Zhong Yu was angry solely because of the shirt or if it was because Le You was the one wearing it.
If it was the latter, did it imply that Zhong Yu didn’t hold any feelings for him at all?
Upon realizing that he was entertaining such thoughts, a sudden chill ran down Xu Linshen’s spine, as if he had stepped into an abyss. He took a moment to suppress these unwarranted emotions, then turned his head slightly towards Le You, saying, “There’s nothing for you here. Go back to the set.”
Le You nodded upon hearing this and cast a glance at the nearby Zhong Yu. He obediently turned and walked away.
Chu Yan’s gaze lingered on Le You’s departing figure for quite a while before he directed a slightly mocking smile at Xu Linshen. “Perfect timing, I also have something I’d like to discuss privately with Mr. Xu.”
On the hotel’s ground floor, where breakfast was served, Zhong Yu descended the elevator, his cap pulled low, and walked at a leisurely pace behind Xu Linshen.
The two of them found a seat by the window, where a tall and lush green plant conveniently shielded them from view.
Chu Yan ordered himself a sandwich and a bowl of green sauce tomato salad. He ate at his own pace, calmly finishing his meal before pushing his plate aside. He turned his attention to Xu Linshen, who had been silently eating breakfast across from him, and spoke.
“Mr. Xu, I don’t mind you promoting your little lover, but trying to have him step on me to climb higher… isn’t that a bit excessive?”
Xu Linshen furrowed his brows slightly. “Zhong Yu, what do you mean by that?”
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