Due to his injury, Han Shao Zhou spent two or three days recovering at Mo Ming’s place after being discharged from the hospital. He refrained from attending social events and returned to Mo Ming’s place every day after finishing work.
Despite his efforts to keep the injury under wraps, it eventually reached his grandfather’s ears. The source was none other than Yang Guan, whose loose lips relayed the incident to his family. By the time the story got back to Han Shao Zhou’s grandfather, it had morphed into a tale of his grandson being flung dozens of meters by a car and spending two days in the ICU before narrowly escaping death. The news almost caused his grandfather, who was attending a meeting in the middle of the Atlantic, to faint on the spot.
As a result, Han Changzong decided to shorten the timeline for his grandson to find a suitable partner, reducing it from a year to six months. He sternly emphasized the need for the family to secure the next generation as soon as possible.
Han Shao Zhou couldn’t help but suspect that his grandfather was cursing him.
…
With some free time on his hands, Han Shao Zhou had a new, larger, recessed bathtub installed in the apartment. Bored, he had taken to learning some exciting new things online and was eager to try them out with Mo Ming. The bathtub was finished but needed a few days to air out before use, just in time for Han Shao Zhou’s upcoming business trip.
That evening, after a bath, Han Shao Zhou received a call from Cai Zhao. Although Cai Zhao was calling for Mo Ming, he reached out through Han Shao Zhou, hoping to curry favor with him.
“A replacement?” Han Shao Zhou asked.
“Yes,” Cai Zhao confirmed. “It’s a rare opportunity. I happened to be friends with Liu Hekun, which allowed me to recommend Mo Ming for the role in a pinch. Since Mo Ming is with you, can you hand him the phone so I can explain the details?”
Reluctantly, Han Shao Zhou passed the phone to Mo Ming.
“Are you talking about Director Liu’s film *The Broken Sword*?” Mo Ming asked.
“Looks like you’re already familiar with it.” Cai Zhao said, pleased.
Liu Hekun was one of the most renowned directors in China, known for consistently delivering critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. Several of his works had even won international awards. Actors would kill for even the smallest role in one of his films. However, Liu Hekun was also known for being stubborn and treating all actors, no matter how famous, with the same strictness. The flowery actor who had just been kicked off the set learned this the hard way when his misconduct got him booted, and Liu didn’t budge despite the actor’s regretful pleas, preferring to find a replacement even if it meant paying a penalty.
When Liu Hekun vented to Cai Zhao about this, Cai Zhao spontaneously recommended Mo Ming. Given their long-standing friendship, Liu Hekun trusted Cai Zhao’s judgment and asked him to contact Mo Ming for a screen test.
The mention of Liu Hekun’s name immediately made Mo Ming think of *The Broken Sword.* He knew the film well and would have fought for any role in it had he not been busy filming Cai Zhao’s period drama at the time, even if it was just a minor part.
Cai Zhao explained that filming for *The Broken Sword* was nearly finished, with only about two weeks left before wrapping. The role Mo Ming would be stepping into wasn’t substantial, and the scenes would be shot intermittently until the end of filming. According to the schedule, it wouldn’t conflict with the variety show Mo Ming was set to record next month.
Mo Ming eagerly accepted the offer, expressing his sincere gratitude to Cai Zhao.
“I’ve been singing your praises to Director Liu, Mo Ming. Don’t make me regret it.” Cai Zhao said with a laugh. He admired Mo Ming and, knowing Mo Ming was close to his friend Han Shao Zhou, was more than willing to help him secure this opportunity.
“Don’t worry, Director Cai. I’ll be at the set tomorrow morning for a screen test with Director Liu.”
Han Shao Zhou, who had been listening nearby, knew Mo Ming had decided to join the cast. He wasn’t too happy about it, not because he didn’t want Mo Ming to act, but because he had planned to take Mo Ming on a week-long business trip with him. He had intended to tell Mo Ming about it tonight.
He hadn’t minded going ten days or more without seeing each other in the past, but now, after spending so much time together, he felt reluctant to part ways.
After ending the call, Mo Ming quickly retreated to the study, where he began researching *The Broken Sword* on his computer.
Movie: *The Broken Sword*
Director: Liu Hekun
Cast: Cheng Lin, Na Yan, Xia Qing…
Synopsis:…
Mo Ming sat on the cushioned chair, nibbling on his fingernail, deep in thought as he stared at the computer screen, oblivious to Han Shao Zhou entering the study and standing behind him.
“A last-minute replacement this close to the end of filming can’t be a good role,” Han Shao Zhou said in a muffled voice. “It’s probably just a minor part.”
Mo Ming tilted his head back to look up at Han Shao Zhou, who was standing behind the chair.
“It’s rare to get a chance to work with Director Liu,” Mo Ming said softly. “There’s a lot I could learn.”
Han Shao Zhou chuckled. “I didn’t realize you were so ambitious. I thought you were just in this industry to pass the time.”
“…”
Han Shao Zhou leaned down to kiss Mo Ming on the lips. “You want to learn? There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. You don’t need to jump on this one. Come with me on the business trip tomorrow, and when we get back, I’ll make sure the company…”
Mo Ming turned his face away, resting his chin on his knees, and quietly murmured, “But I really want to work on this film. It’s such a rare opportunity…”
“…”
Han Shao Zhou suspected that Mo Ming’s lack of opportunities in the past year had nothing to do with a lack of ambition but rather a lack of resources. Now that he had a chance, he didn’t want to miss it. And since Mo Ming wasn’t one to complain or seek pity, it was possible that he had always been driven in his career, just without expressing it to him.
Mo Ming closed the computer and got up to stand in front of Han Shao Zhou. “Will you be gone long?”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Han Shao Zhou replied, “About a week. Come with me, and I promise that when we return, the company will prioritize you. You want to make good films, right? There will be plenty of chances.”
He had spent three years with Mo Ming, and who knew when they would eventually part ways? He figured he might as well do everything he could to help Mo Ming shine in the entertainment industry as a form of compensation for those years.
After all, Mo Ming was the first person he had ever kept as a lover. If he didn’t treat him well, it wouldn’t be fitting of his status as a patron.
“But I don’t want to miss out on Director Liu’s film.” Mo Ming said softly.
“It’s not that urgent this time. Can’t you trust me?” Han Shao Zhou leaned down to kiss him again. “Are you saying this role is more important to you than being with me?”
Mo Ming’s lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze lowering. His dark lashes cast shadows on his cheeks, and he looked downcast, saying nothing.
That pitiful expression, as if he had suffered some great grievance, immediately melted Han Shao Zhou’s resolve. He scooped Mo Ming up and carried him out of the study. “Fine, fine, if you want to do the film, then do it. It’s not like I’m forcing you to come with me.”
As he roughly laid Mo Ming down on the bed, Mo Ming softly pleaded, “Please, be gentle tonight…”
It would have been fine if he hadn’t asked, but that soft, pleading voice sent a surge of lust through Han Shao Zhou, making him want to ravish him then and there.
Mo Ming tried to lean in to kiss Han Shao Zhou, but Han Shao Zhou pushed him down.
“Tell me, what’s more important—this film or me?” Han Shao Zhou playfully threatened as he gently squeezed Mo Ming’s neck. “If you say the wrong thing, I’ll make sure you regret it tonight.”
“Brother Shao is more important…” Mo Ming smiled up at him, gazing at him with warm eyes.
What had started as a playful question now made Han Shao Zhou feel as if he was trampling on someone’s genuine feelings.
He knew all too well the agony of loving someone deeply but never receiving their true affection in return.
But on second thought, Han Shao Zhou realized that having Mo Ming by his side wasn’t a bad deal. After all, he had gained physical intimacy, something he had never even had with Wen Ci.
In fact, Mo Ming had been his first. In this day and age, how many patrons could say they had been so pure before meeting their first lover? Probably just him, Han Shao Zhou.
Considering Mo Ming’s early morning screen test, Han Shao Zhou held back that night, though he promised in a low voice as he lay down next to Mo Ming that he would make up for it when he returned from the business trip.
Mo Ming, exhausted, didn’t respond. He simply clutched the blanket and turned his back to Han Shao Zhou, who continued to cuddle up to him for a while before finally settling down.
“When I get back, I’ll visit your set,” Han Shao Zhou murmured, feeling slightly annoyed that Mo Ming was sleeping so soundly. He teased, “I’ll come to your set to see you…”
Mo Ming barely registered Han Shao Zhou’s murmuring, falling asleep until his alarm woke him in the morning.
Han Shao Zhou had an early flight, so he woke up at the same time. As Mo Ming got ready in the bathroom, Han Shao Zhou was in the kitchen making breakfast.
He was surprisingly skilled at cooking, having learned a lot during a stint in the military. After a rebellious streak had him sent to the kitchen to work for half a year, he discovered a hidden talent. Even though he usually ate whatever Mo Ming prepared, he wasn’t the type to sit back and let someone else do everything for him.
Two plates of golden bacon and egg pancakes were served, but Han Shao Zhou saw that Mo Ming, exhausted and barely awake, was already nodding off at the table. He chuckled, “You’re so tired. Maybe you should skip the screen test and come with me. You can sleep on the plane.”
Mo Ming buried his sleepy face in his arms and mumbled, “Going with you means being tired every day…”
“…”
Before leaving, with the driver already waiting downstairs, Han Shao Zhou made sure to pin Mo Ming against the entryway cabinet and kiss him thoroughly.
“That industry of yours is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing. There are all sorts of things… But don’t be afraid. If anything happens, just call me.” Han Shao Zhou said.
Mo Ming nodded.
…
In the morning, Mo Ming arrived at the set of *The Broken Sword* and met with Liu Hekun for a screen test.
Liu Hekun, in his forties, was slightly overweight and somewhat disheveled, more like the guy who delivered the lunch boxes on set than the renowned director he was. But despite his appearance, even the biggest stars on set treated him with the utmost respect.
With Cai Zhao acting as the middleman, Liu Hekun didn’t bother with formalities. He was immediately pleased with Mo Ming’s appearance and conducted a brief but thorough screen test.
The role wasn’t a significant one, and with the film near completion, Liu Hekun didn’t have high expectations. But Mo Ming’s performance exceeded those expectations, showcasing his solid acting skills.
“C University?” Liu Hekun asked.
“Yes, Director Liu.”
“Yeah, C University produces some real talent,” Liu Hekun nodded. “It seems like you’ve had some professional guidance in acting. Do you have any mentors in the industry?”
After a brief hesitation, Mo Ming replied, “Yes, Mr. Zhou Yixiang was my teacher.”
Liu Hekun was taken aback. “You mean the national first-class actor Zhou Yixiang?”
“Yes, while I was in school, I studied under him in his theater troupe. He gave me a lot of professional guidance in acting.”
“No wonder, no wonder. I know Zhou. We worked together years ago. I heard he opened a theater troupe after retiring… It’s been years since I last saw him.”
With a strong recommendation from Cai Zhao and a mentor like Zhou Yixiang, Liu Hekun had high expectations for Mo Ming’s upcoming performance.
After finishing the screen test, Mo Ming nearly bumped into a man dressed in period costume as he stepped into the hallway.
The man, clearly irritated, was rushing to the restroom. His assistant immediately scolded Mo Ming, “Watch where you’re going!”
“It was clearly you who…”
“Xiao Song.” Mo Ming stopped Xiao Song from retorting, calmly facing Xia Qing. He slightly stepped aside, saying, “Sorry.”
Xia Qing glanced at Mo Ming with mild disdain before walking away.
Mo Ming’s eyes followed Xia Qing until he disappeared around the corner, then turned back to the irritated Xiao Song and quietly said, “We’ll be working together a lot in the future. Let’s head back to the company.”
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