Translator: Lynn
In midsummer, with a clear sky and a bright sun, tree shadows danced on the floor-to-ceiling glass, painting the room a vibrant green.
“When school starts, we’ll be attending different schools. Let’s stay connected over the phone on weekends!”
“Alright then, see you!”
Exiting the internet cafe, a bunch of teenagers dispersed with laughter. Walking home alongside Zhu Yan was his desk mate and good friend, Xia Tian.
Xia Tian, a top student, had always been a solid support for Zhu Yan—a lifeline without which Zhu Yan wouldn’t have made it to this nearby prestigious school based on his own efforts, let alone secure a spot in the summer camp.
“I heard your dad didn’t come to pick you up when the summer camp ended?”
“Never mind, he forgot!” Zhu Yan replied, gazing up at the green canopy of plane trees. “He’s always like that, forgetful. Oh well!”
Cicadas buzzed, causing the summer-clad boy to slow down. The late summer sun cast a warm glow on his captivating eyes.
“Zhu Yan, are you really okay?”
“I’m really fine,” Zhu Yan said, puzzled.
By the way, why was Xia Tian, the top student, always looking at him with that “slightly sympathetic” expression?
“Oh~ Xia Tian, you don’t quite understand my family dynamics. My godfather picked me up that day! In the evening, I went to Xinghui Playground and won a huge furry bear in a lucky draw. When I got home, my brother-in-law even cooked for me, and my dad compensated me for my ‘mental distress.’ It was a big win! I’m so happy! Really!”
“Really?” The concern in Xia Tian’s eyes didn’t fade.
Well, it was all the fault of their homeroom teacher!
In junior high, their new homeroom teacher was an overly emotional young woman who had just graduated from teacher training.
Upon learning that Zhu Yan was labeled an “orphan” in the information, I felt immediate distress and concern. I held several class meetings with fellow students behind his back, urging them to “help look out for Zhu Yan.” I reiterated this to his classmates multiple times, especially during the summer.
Zhu Yan was quite distressed himself. He continuously tried to approach the female class teacher with a smile, attempting to convey, “Teacher, I’m alright. I’m not as troubled as you might think.”
However, this effort was misinterpreted as being “a resilient, inspirational, strong, and cheerful young man who, despite bearing many scars, continues to fight hard.”
It really wasn’t like that…
“I heard from my mother that your dad has never visited your brother-in-law.”
The parents of this handsome boy Xia Tian were also part of the entertainment industry.
His father was a renowned director, and his mother was a once-million-selling mentor-level singer, now deeply engrossed in acting. She often appeared in various TV series, playing roles like a loving mother or a villainous mother-in-law. Currently, she was working with Zhu Ling in a lighthearted urban romance drama called “Love in the Magic City.”
“How could my dad openly visit during class? You know, Xia Tian, my dad and my brother-in-law have a secret marriage!”
“So… how are things between them lately?”
“Pretty good!” Zhu Yan reminisced about the playful banter between the two at home. He blinked his big, expressive eyes and gave a thumbs up, “They’re showing affection all the time at home! It exhausts me~~~ ugh~~~” Xia Tian frowned slightly, showing a hint of hesitation.
After careful consideration, he subtly offered a reminder, “I heard from my mother a while ago that your brother-in-law is quite popular on set. He has a lot of fans approaching him in front of you.”
“Well, that’s normal! Besides my brother-in-law, even you have girls waiting for you outside the classroom every day. There are so many good-looking people!”
“What I mean is… you should talk to your dad when you get home and be prepared. Even if it’s a secret marriage, you should visit multiple studios and show your face to the teams. It might deter some who are too eager to try. Sometimes they need a reality check and to back off.”
“Huh?” Zhu Yan idly kicked pebbles on the road, “But didn’t you tell me last time that your father often visited your mother, making her impatient and angry?” Xia Tian sighed, “Think about it, my mother is in her forties, and so many eyes are on her. But your uncle is still in his prime.”
“What… what are you implying? Is someone pursuing my uncle?”
Finally, Zhu Yan turned around, his face serious, but his eyes immediately lit up as they passed Xia Tian and landed behind him.
“Ah! That ice cream shop on the corner is finally open! Let’s go and grab a bite!”
“…”
—
“Xiaotian, how’s your classmate Xiaoyan doing lately? During the holidays, you should invite him out more and pay extra attention to him, right?” One day during the summer break, Xia Tian mother asked this while putting on earrings in front of the makeup mirror.
“What’s the matter, dear? Are you referring to the one from Zhu Ling’s family?” Dad, who was sipping tea nearby, quickly joined the conversation.
“Yes, it’s him! Didn’t we hear before that Zhu Ling had a secret marriage and went through adoption procedures with his spouse? But recently, I’ve seen Zhu Ling with that guy named Ye Yin… you know, the young star who doesn’t have many projects but has gained popularity in major variety shows lately?”
“Why, wife, did you discover an extramarital affair, catching them in the act with your keen eyes?”
“It’s not a matter of catching them in the act, but… didn’t Zhu Ling and I work together on a film before? That Ye Yin, after work, he would visit him every day, and once in his room, he wouldn’t come out till the next morning! Sigh, I understand that young people want to have fun, but considering his family situation, if there’s an issue with the marriage, won’t the child be the one to suffer?”
“Summer! Your favorite chocolate hazelnut! I’m treating you! Is there anything super delicious!”
Xia Tian secretly frowned as her mouth was filled with the cool, silky cone. Despite discussing the matter, Zhu Yan still smiled obliviously without a sense of crisis.
This is not good.
…
C City Film and Television City, the shooting location for “Love in the Magic City.”
Pigeons flapped their wings and soared across the blue sky outside the window. The handsome man with slender legs was leaning against the window of the studio’s rest area, reviewing the lines for the upcoming shoot.
“Zhu Ling.”
A familiar voice made Zhu Ling’s hand, holding the script, tremble. The beautiful young man with fair skin and blond hair was looking at him with a smile, holding a script in his hands.
“Why are you here, Ye Yin?”
Ye Yin shook the folder, adorned with a heart-shaped paper clip: “I was asked to guest star in three episodes for ‘Love in the Magic City,’ so here I am~”
“But Zhu Ling, what’s been going on with you lately? You don’t answer calls or messages. If I didn’t follow your updates daily, I’d think you were kidnapped.”
“I know! You must be under tight guard by your family lately, right?” The blond beauty looked around playfully, then winked at him, “But I guess you didn’t follow him around like crazy, did you?”
Saying that, he leaped forward, grinned, pushed Zhu Ling away, and sat next to him.
The art wicker chair by the window, though not very spacious, swayed as Ye Yin leaned his upper body softly into Zhu Ling’s arms.
In the past, Zhu Ling would have tenderly hugged him.
But this time, the big star leaped up from his chair like a startled kangaroo, and the script in his hand hastily fell to the floor.
“I just remembered that the director was looking for me. I have to leave.”
“Zhu Ling.”
The smile on Ye Yin’s face gradually froze, and he fiddled with his delicate cufflinks: “Are you deliberately avoiding me?”
Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.
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